Chapter 3: Pains

The ball went in the hoop and the buzzer rang ending the game. Our team had won 53-51. I didn't want to admit it, but I largely helped bring our team to victory scoring half the points. The crowd went wild. It felt good to win, real good. The familiar feeling went coursing through my body.

"T.K! T.K! T.K!" The crowd roared my name and my team picked me up putting me on their shoulders. I smiled broadly. I looked out to the crowds; I could see Ayano in her cheerleader outfit smiling at me. I didn't smile back at her; I looked over to the audience and looked for single person. I could see her ruby chocolate eyes staring at me. I smiled at her and she returned it.

The team put me back down and we returned to the locker room. I went over to my locker and opened it up.

"You know T.K, for a guy who has amnesia you played like a pro." My teammate Sasuke said.

"I think he maybe faking it." Joked my other teammate Torumaru.

I smiled at them. "Don't be jealous all the girls were drooling over me."

"Yea yea." The replied. I went over to the showers and washed my body clean. The bandages on my head were finally removed and I could actually feel my hair now. Once I finished up, I put on my clothes and started to head out.

"Good game Takaishi, I'm glad your amnesia isn't holding you back."

"Thanks coach." I said walking out.

"T.K!" Yelled Ayano. She ran over to me and hugged me. I wouldn't return the hug normally but I saw Kari behind Ayano. I hugged her tight and put on my best act.

"How's my baby doing?"

She kissed me.

"I hope our kiss before the game brought you some luck."

"Not really.." I thought.

"You know it did Ayano!" I said with the biggest smile in the world.

"Great game T.K!" Said Kari from behind.

Ayano let go of me. "Thanks Kari." I said.

"Yea bro, its like you never had amnesia!" Said Davis.

"What can I say? I'm a natural!" I laughed.

Ayano put her arm around my waist.

"We should get going T.K"

"In a bit Ayano I just wanna talk to my friends first."

"Alright." She smiled politely at me. I knew it was fake.

Davis held Kari's hand.

Who am I kidding? Kari seems to be happy with Davis, I must be just imagining things, Kari is not jealous, and I just like her as a friend. What do I care?

"You alright T.K?" Asked Kari.

I looked at her, she knew me better than I knew myself, literally.

"Yea." I laughed. "Just a little tired."

"I can make you feel better…" Said Ayano.

I looked at her and smiled. "I know you can Ayano."

Ayano dragged me, "Then let's go…"

I turned around to my friends, "I'll see you guys later…." I said a little sadly.

Me and Ayano left the school and the moment we were alone I let go of her hand.

"How long do I have to keep this up for Ayano?..."

"As long as I want." She smiled smugly.

I sighed.

"To protect Kari…" I thought.

"Why do you want me as your boyfriend, I don't even like you. How can you be enjoying this?"

Ayano looked at me.

"Is it so hard to believe that I genuinely want you to like me?"

I was surprised by her answer.

"You know, before you lost your memories, you wouldn't ever pay attention to any girl in our school. It was impossible to even get your attention. Sure you were nice to all of us, but you never wanted to even give any one a chance, and I wanted that so badly. The only girl you would ever give any attention to was Kari. We all believed that you had feelings for her, but you never went for them. And when she started to go out with Davis we all thought our chance had come, but no, it was all the same. You still gave her all your attention. And when you lost your memories, you finally gave me some attention, and I felt like the luckiest girl in the world. But then that all came crashing down when she kissed you. When I was about to kiss you. She destroyed all hope for me. But then you came and told me not to tell Davis. I couldn't resist T.K, call it jealousy, call it obsession, call it evil, but I'll do anything to win your heart."

I was appalled by what she said. She genuinely had feelings for me.

"I really want you to like me T.K, even if it means being in a fake relationship until you feel it is real."

Then I realized something, she would not stop until I returned her feelings.

"Is there no other way?"

She looked at me. "Well you could always break up with me, but then I will go to Davis."

I sighed. "Any other way?"

"No."

I looked at Ayano. In all honesty, she may have been obsessed with me, more than any other girl in the school, but she wasn't evil, she was just terribly heart broken. I felt bad for her.

"Why do you like me so much?"

She smiled at me. "It was because of the first time I met you. About 2 years ago. Back then I wasn't as pretty..or even skinny. I was fat and ugly. One day a bunch of girls were making fun of me, and then you came along. You defended me, telling them that they were truly ugly and that I was the beautiful one. You were the first person to ever call me beautiful T.K, and truly mean it. After that, I wanted you so bad. I lost weight, I changed the way I look, just so I could be beautiful to you, so one day I could be yours. T.K I don't just like you, I love you."

I understood everything then. She wasn't evil, or even obsessive for that matter, it was her insecurities. They still controlled her, she couldn't see how beautiful she was, how she could get any guy now.

"Ayano…do you consider yourself beautiful?"

"What?.." She asked confused by my question.

"When you look in a mirror, do you see yourself, or do you see the same girl from 2 years ago?"

"I..I don't know what you're talking about."

I walked closer to her.

"Be honest with yourself Ayano."

Ayano clenched her teeth. She turned her back to me.

"I expect you to pick me up tomorrow from school. Don't be late."

Ayano proceeded to walk away.

"There's more to her than I thought…"

"You seem distant tonight.." Said Davis.

He was walking me home, but we took our time.

"I'm just tired."

"I would normally believe that, but you were full of energy before we met T.K."

I looked at Davis. He knew me better than I thought.

"You know, ever since he's gotten amnesia, you've been acting different. I would understand that he's your best friend and you're worried about him, but it's strained our relationship a lot. You don't even seem happy with me anymore."

I stopped walking and looked at Davis. I felt so guilty then.

"I'm sorry Davis, I just..its Ayano, I don't know if she makes T.K happy."

"Well he seems happy, they've already started to kiss, if not make out. We haven't even shared our first kiss yet."

I wasn't fair to Davis, he deserved a kiss. I leaned in towards him but he turned his cheek.

"I don't want it to be forced either Kari…"

I bit my lip. "How about we make that camping trip to the digital world this weekend..it'd be a nice getaway don't you think?" I said.

Davis looked and smiled. "That's a good idea, I'll tell the others tonight."

I hugged him. "I'm sorry I've been making you feel so bad Davis, I'll try to make things better."

"You already have Kari."

After the talk with Ayano I headed straight home. But once I did the phone rang. I answered quickly.

"Hello?"

"Hey T.K its Davis."

"Oh hey what's up?"

"Well I was talking to Kari and we decided to move the camping trip up to his weekend, is that alright with you?"

"That's actually perfect, I've been wanting to explore the digital world."

"Awesome, I'll call the others, just get yourself ready for this weekend, we leave early Saturday morning."

"Alright, I'll see you in school tomorrow, bye."

I did what Ayano had asked me and picked her up from her home.

"Good you came on time."

"Well I had to didn't I?"

"Whatever, let's just go."

We started to walk towards the school. We didn't say anything to each other, uncomfortable with each other. Once we had gotten close she grabbed my hand and intertwined it with my fingers.

"I will make you like me T.K." She said as we walked into campus.

Hand in hand we walked together. I got used to the stares the other girls gave me in campus. I wondered how I dealt with it before.

"Hey T.K!" I looked over and saw Cody running towards me.

"Oh hey what's up Cody?"

"I need to talk to you…in private if you don't mind."

I looked at Ayano. "Of course, take your time." Ayano smiled. She kissed me on the cheek. "I'll see you in class." She said and walked away.

"Its still hard to believe you have a girlfriend T.K."

I gave a fake smile. "Well had to break from the old ways at some point right? But anyway what'd you need to talk about."

"About the camping trip, I can't go this weekend, I have a test on Monday and Kendo practice with my grandfather."

"What seriously?"

"Yes, I'm sorry I can't go. Besides you remember me, so its not a big deal if I don't go."

I gave a small laugh. "Well its not just that…I'll be the fifth wheel…everyone there is going as a couple."

Cody gave a small smile. "You'll be fine, the digimon will keep you company. Besides, this trip is for you, so you won't be totally alone right? Although too bad you can't take Ayano with you right."

"Yea…right…"

"Is something wrong T.K?"

"Is it that obvious?"

"Well as your DNA digivolving partner, I have to pick up on these things."

"Well…"

"Hey you guys!"

We turned to see Yolie and Ken walking towards us.

"What'cha talking about?" Asked Yolie.

"Well T.K was about to tell—"

"We were talking about how Cody can't come this weekend." I quickly cut in. I didn't want Yolie to find out about my deal and then tell Kari.

Cody gave me a quizzical stare.

"What are you serious? It'll be awesome though!"

"I'm busy this weekend, so I won't be able to participate."

"What can be more important then this trip?"

"Yolie its not a big deal, Cody already explained the situation." I said.

"Well, we can always talk about this later, we're going to be late for class." Said Ken.

"You're right, let's go." I said.

"Can this class get anymore boring?.." I thought. Algebra had to be one of the most boring classes in the world. And no matter how many times you do certain problems, they always find an annoying way to change it up so it doesn't make sense anymore.

I looked over and saw Ayano and T.K sitting next to each other. Ayano was looking at T.K and T.K was paying attention to class. I smirked knowing T.K wasn't giving her any attention.

"No Kari, it's not like that matters, you're with Davis, remember Davis!"

I looked at Ayano and she ripped out an empty piece of paper. She wrote something on it, folded it up and passed it to T.K."

Great they were passing notes. At least they weren't bored.

Back and forth they passed the note. But it seemed Ayano was getting a little frustrated the more she got the note back. But then finally when the note was passed back to T.K he read it. He looked at Ayano and nodded. Class ended and T.K proceeded to crumple up the note and throw it out. They both walked out of class and I stayed behind. I peered into the garbage bin and stared at the crumpled paper ball.

Should I invade their privacy? I bit my lip. If Gatomon were here, curiosity would have killed her. I took the ball out and walked out of class. I quickly went over to my locker to change my books and walked to my next class. I sat down quickly opened all my books and waited for the teacher to come in. I unwrapped the note and read what it had to say.

Hey you.

What's up Ayano?

We need to "talk" after school.

And what do you mean by "talk"?

You know what I mean.

I can't…I have practice.

I was confused why would T.K want to refuse "talking?"

Both you and I know that you don't have practice today.

Come on Ayano just not today.

Why are you hanging out with different girls? A certain brunette in particular?

What was going on? By brunette did she mean me? And was T.K really seeing other girls?

No I'm not, I'm just tired. And even if I was hanging out with Kari what's it to you?

I never said anything about Kari. But oh well, I know a certain someone who deserves to hear about a certain secret though.

That's where the note ended. And where T.K nodded to Ayano. What was going on between them? I need to talk to Yolie. I took out my D-Terminal and sent Yolie a email.

We need to talk ASAP.

-Kari

I put my D-Terminal in my pocket. The teacher came in, class was starting.

"So what's so important that you had to email me about?" Asked Yolie.

The last class of the day was finished and Yolie and I were standing by our lockers.

"Well…just read this." I handed her the crumpled piece of paper.

She read it over and her eyes showed how surprised she was.

"Where'd you get this?"

"I uh…found it in the trash can…"

Yolie gave me a funny look.

"First you have his jacket…now you're going through the trash for his things…Kari you'll make fine stalker one day."

"Yolie!"

Yolie laughed. "I'm kidding! But this is a little weird, do you think the secret she was talking about was the kiss?"

"I think so.."

"Its weird though, it seems like she's blackmailing T.K with this."

"Yea but what good can she get from blackmailing T.K, she's already dating T.K…"

Both Yolie and I opened our eyes in realization.

"UNLESS SHE'S BLACKMAILING T.K INTO DATING HER!" We both said at the same time.

A pang of guilt went through me then. "He's dating her only because he's protecting me…."

Yoie sighed. She grabbed my arm. "Follow me, we have to make sure this is true."

"We can't confront T.K about this! He'll deny!"

"We're not, we're going to the powerhouse of gossip."

"The what?..."

"You'll see."

"I can't believe you think she's the powerhouse of gossip…" I said.

We were in the flower and tea club room.

"Well she is…" Said Yolie.

"Well even though I hate to admit it, I sure am!" Said Mimi.

"Its definitely not a good thing to admit…." Said Sora

"Well anywayyyyy." Said Mimi. "What do my two favorite girls need?"

"Well…." I said. "Have you heard anything about T.K and Ayano?"

Mimi and Sora gave each other a look. They did.

"Well.." Said Mimi. "I know they're going out and T.K is pretty happy about it."

"Are you sure?" Said Yolie.

Mimi and Sora gave each other another look.

"Yea…why, what'd you guys hear?"

"Well…" Said Yolie.

"We think Ayano is blackmailing T.K into dating her."

"WHAT?" Yelled Sora and Mimi. "Where'd you hear that?"

"We didn't hear it." I said. "Just take a look at this."

I handed them the note and they both looked it over and after they finished reading they both gave each other yet another look.

"So what do you guys know?" I asked.

"What?..we don't know anything." Said Mimi.

"Then why do you guys keep looking at each other?" Said Yolie.

They both sighed. "Don't tell T.K anything okay?" Said Sora.

"Why not?" I asked.

"Because he's doing this for you Kari, he knows you care about Davis a lot, he doesn't want you to get hurt." Said Sora.

"Then you know about the kiss?..."

Both Sora and Mimi nodded.

I felt really embarrassed then.

Sora came over and put her hand on my shoulder. "Don't be embarrassed Kari, the matters of the heart are always complicated."

I didn't say anything.

"Do you love him?" Asked Sora.

Yolie started to crack up at that moment. She literally rolled on the floor laughing.

"Uh..Yolie..we were kind of having a heart to heart moment.." Said Sora.

"I'm sorry….." Yolie continued to laugh. "Its just that, she can't even sleep without wearing his jacket!"

'YOLIE!" I screamed. My face flushed with embarrassment.

Mimi started to laugh too. "I'm sorry, that is a little funny…"

Sora held a small smile. "I think its sweet."

I sighed. "You can laugh Sora…"

Sora burst out laughing.

After about 5 minutes of continuous laughter they finally stopped. Tears flowing down their eyes.

"Well I'm assuming you do love him right?" Asked Sora.

"Yea…" I said.

"When did you realize it?" Asked Mimi.

"Well…it was little after I kissed him. He carried me home and—"

"AWWWWW HE CARRIED YOU HOME?" Both Mimi and Yolie yelled.

"Uhh..yea…it was just he took care of me so much. I was an idiot not to realize it sooner..I wish I did. But he had this aura about him, that I wanted…that I needed. And when I finally did get home, I couldn't sleep without his jacket around me, and that's when I realized it."

"WHY CAN'T A BOY CARRY ME HOME?" Yelled Mimi.

Sora sweatdropped. "Right…anyway back to the matter at hand..Kari, you do know you're going to have to tell T.K you're feelings right?"

"How can I? I would hurt Davis so bad."

"I know this is tough Kari…but you're going to have to, its love, its never easy."

"I told her the same thing." Yolie said.

"And besides, what Ayano doing to T.K is horribly wrong, she's taking advantage of him. You have to end this Kari, its either going to end up hurting Davis, or leave T.K in pain, that's all I can say…"

I stayed silent. It was T.K or Davis. There was no other way out. Only one could be happy.

"Say Sora…while we're on the topic…." Said Yolie. "Does T.K have any feelings for Kari?"

I looked up, that was a good question. Did he feel the same way for me?

Sora and Mimi smiled at each other. "He's confused at the moment, he thinks you don't love him. But I'm sure once you tell him, he'll realize it right away."

I sighed. Nothing was ever easy.

"Well anyway, I guess we should get going, I have to pack tonight, have to get up super early tomorrow for our trip." Said Yolie.

"Yea! I almost forgot about it." I said.

I hugged Sora and Mimi, "Thanks for your help guys."

Sora and Mimi walked us out of the room.

I turned around. "Oh and please don't tell Tai about the kiss."

They both smiled at me. "Our lips are sealed."