To my reviewers: THANK YOU!
I don't believe someone actually likes this twisted product of mine.

To Angel of Light and Hope: Hehe. I dunno. Every story must have a bad guy/gal around. I will figure out something… And don't worry, Takari elements coming up in next few chapters. Thank you for your review.

To NaruHinaForever13: Well, I think you are close, but not actually right. I think it will all come clear in Ch 12 or 13. Thanks for the review.

So… next chap. Njoy!

Stand By Me

~Disclaimer: Digimon are not mine…

Edited: 11/30/'10

Chapter 11: Project Juice and 'T' Mystery

"So?" I sent one more confused look to the girls. They looked kinda dazed.

"Well... she is kinda..." Started Kari. Yolei shot her a death glare.

"What?" She asked.

"If Ken knows, then T.K. should too."

The purple haired girl decided not to set up a tantrum and just nodded to her best friend. Kari looked around for a second and then lowered her head.

"We think she is cheating on Davis." She whispered in my ear.

WHAT?

"It can't be." I said eagerly.

"No way. You didn't see that face when she was asking me to set her a date with him. She was like glowing. She couldn't have."

Both Kari and Yolei narrowed their eyes. Ken saw that I was in trouble so he said in his calm voice.

"Girls, calm down. He is not the enemy. Now, what makes you think that she is having an affa-"

Yolei quickly hushed him by putting a finger over his mouth.

"Sssh. We don't want to bring any attention on us. Let's call this by some code name… like Operation Apple."

"Operation Apple?" I asked mockingly. Kari and Ken both laughed at very red girl.

"We need a better code name." Automatically said Kari. The black haired boy frowned.

"It needs to be something completely normal. You know, we can't say in front of Davis 'Hey, how's operation X going?' or he will get suspicious. And I also think this should be called project, not operation." I nudged Yolei with my elbow.

"So how's it like dating a genius?"

This time Ken's face flushed bright pink while Yolei glared at me. She lowered her head and quietly whispered in my ear.

"I think you should mind your own business, if you did than your sight would get brighter. And you would notice some things around you."

My eyes widened and beads of sweat suddenly started forming on my forehead. My sight? What does she mean by that? What am I missing? I scanned the area around me. Ken and Kari were both looking at me with concern.

"C'mon girl, what did you say to him? He looks like he ran a marathon." Ken said and everybody laughed. Even I let out a small smile.

What did she mean?

"So, we need a name everybody." Said Kari and confidently squeezed her juice can.

Yolei widened her eyes and glanced at Ken.

"I've got an idea. Since Ken and I are assigned at the drinks bar, we could name this operation 'Project Juice'. Therefore, when someone asks us what are we talking about, Ken could nonchalantly say It is about the dance. Right?"

Everybody smiled and nodded. We were talking so long that we didn't notice that cafeteria was almost empty.

"Oh crap. Hika, we must go or we will be late on Sex Ed."

The joyful couple shot us a good luck grin as we rushed out.

We hurried down the hallway and came into the classroom just before the bell rang. I sighed as I crashed down onto my chair. Kari giggled and sat beside me.

Mr. Sakaishi entered the room and put his files on the desk. He adjusted his glasses and gave us a meaningful look. He wasn't that old, probably twenty nine or thirty. But the glasses and his wrinkles made him look so much older.

But, being a science teacher in Odaiba High could be very stressing. I smiled to myself. He was Matt's teacher, too.

Once, when Tai got a bad grade, they set up a prank. Not very nice one. They've put a paint bucket over the door that he was entering. And that fell on his head.

Soon, Mr. Sakaishi was running after them with neon green paint all over his face. And he caught them surprisingly. I know Matt still wonders how he did that. 'He must run a marathon every day or something like that.' He said.

They got a detention, had to take extra science classes and be his personal assistants for the rest of the year. I grinned to myself again and started paying attention once again.

"… So this year we will learn basics of human reproductive system and something more about our body. So girls, did you choose you partners?"

Every last one of the boys had confusion written on his face. Well, all accept me.

Kari sent me encouraging grin and I realized something.
I still didn't know what made the girls think Mari's been cheating.
I was about to whisper in her ear when…

"So Miss Kamiya, you've chosen Mr. Takaishi. I see. Well, you are only girl in class that has taken this task seriously, so you can sit back there," He pointed at the desk in the last row and then turned to the rest of the class, "Now girl choose your partners, we haven't got all day, you know." He smiled apologetically to us and we moved.

I carried Kari's book while she took care of the notes.

"Good riddance, ah?" I said.

She looked as lovely as ever. Sure, she had small bags under her eyes, but with Tai for a brother, who wouldn't? I noticed that she had a new necklace.

A small chain with pendant in shape of letter 'T'. I reached for it and took it in my hand.

"New accessory? I like it. What does it mean?"

She blushed furiously and muttered.

"I-it stands for… Tai. Yeah, Tai. So I would remember that he is my brother and my support. Always." She glanced to see my reaction.

Okay. A 'T' for Tai. I could deal with that. However…

"Are you sure it isn't for some boy? I would be heartbroken if you find another best friend." I joked, but she winced.

"N-no. I-it is not."

I gazed at her and saw something unfamiliar in her brown eyes. She looked at me with so many emotions at once. Friendship, care, support, happiness, grief, and a glint of something I did not recognize. But that was just for that moment. Hikari looked away as Mr. Sakaishi announced our assignment.

"Now that everybody has their partners I would like to-"
Loud chime of the bell announced the end. But he just glared at us.

"If anyone leaves this classroom before I'm finished, I can guarantee you that he or she will fail." He took some papers.

"As the girls know, we have some assignments to do. Here is the list of what you need to mention in assignment number three. Remember, see you tomorrow. Have a nice day everybody." He took his bag and left the classroom, murmuring something to himself.

It was destined that that was not a nice day.

After school, I spotted Tai, Sora and Kari talking about something. I really didn't want to go home by myself, so I figured it would be good to remind Kari so she could go with me.

I was getting closer when I heard something interesting.

"I have to go with Sora, so I won't be home in the afternoon."

"Hey Kari, that's a nice necklace you have."

In that second Kari reached for her pendant, but Tai was faster.

"A 'T'. So it means Tai, right?" I could see his flashing grin. Hikari raised her eyebrows.

"Actually it doesn't."

It doesn't? But why would she lie to me? Taichi's grin faded away.

"Then what does it mean?" His voice was full of overprotection. Sora nudged him.

"If she doesn't want to speak about it, maybe she shouldn't Tai."

"Sora, please stay out of this. This is between me and my little sister. So Kari, I asked you a question."

"If you must know, I like someone." Tai widened his eyes in surprise. She patted her foot on the ground. Unusual silence filled the area.

"Y-you have a boyfriend? How come I don't know anything 'bout it?" He raised his eyebrows and they formed a frown.

"I don't have a boyfriend Tai."

"Taichi, leave her alone. Please." Sora said. She took his hand and sent him a pleading look. Tai's expression softened and let go of his sister.

"I will talk to you later." He said and put a hand over Sora's shoulder. He kissed her lightly and they went away. I decided it was my turn to ask questions now. So I got nearer and frowned.

"Hi Hika."

"Oh, Teeks. How are you?"

"Actually not so good. I was wondering why have you lied to me earlier."
Her brown orbs locked my gaze and she touched her pendant once more.

-x-

Author's note: Is it another cliffhanger? I'm sorry for that one.
Author's mind note: Actually she isn't sorry, she writes that so you would stay interested. Me: Hey, shut up.
My mind is playing games. Again.

Soooooooooo… I ask you one thing as always.
Practice your writing skills and leave me a comment.

I won't update this for some time since I'm going on vacation with my grandparents.

No computer. Sigh.
No internet. Sigh.
So, stay tuned, I'll be back. (soon I hope)

~MB