Chapter 11: Sky
The day began as any other for the Digidestined. They arrived at school where they had to hand in all their group assignments. TK had spotted Kari a bit further away but he was afraid to talk to her. He had faced foes way scarier, but talking to her seemed like his heart would explode of anxiety. Kari didn't look towards him. She was still mad at herself and at what had happened.
Lunch break:
TK: Hey Kari…
Kari: Hey…
TK: Can I talk to you? I wanted to…
Kari: Just stop…I don't want to hear it.
TK: But…
Kari: I'm just mad at everything! I just don't think any of this is healthy for me. For God's sake, I'm practically linked to you! You don't even trust me! And you always try to find excuses!
TK (trying to remain calm): What are you talking about?
Kari: I can't, just let me be…I'll see you tonight…maybe…
Kari left him standing in the hallway while she was going with Yolei to get lunch. TK decided to just go outside and play football with some of the other kids. A few hours later school finished and everyone was going home to get ready for the ball at Mr. Uchida's. TK wandered for a few more hours. His mother and grandparents were also getting ready as Mr. Uchida had invited everyone.
TK's apartment:
Clarice: TK! Finally you arrived. Come get ready! I put your tux in your room! We need to get there in an hour. What took you so long?!
TK: Nothing…do I have to go tonight?
Clarice: Young man! I know that man is terrible but you have made an engagement! Plus he is one of the most influential men at the moment. You should get dressed now!
TK: Fine…
Anne: Come TK, you'll have fun! Mai is there and you'll have fun with her. Jacques talked with Mr. Uchida! He heard you are Mai's date!
TK: Yeah…it's going to be amazing…
Jacques: Get dressed!
Kari's apartment:
Mrs. Kamiya: Kari! Are you ready?
Kari: Yes! Come in! Tell me how do I look?
Kari was wearing a red sleeveless dress, up to her knees.
Mrs. Kamiya: Oh my God! You look amazing! And you're wearing the necklace I gave you!
Kari: Yeah! I figured it would fit!
Mrs. Kamiya: I can't believe it! You are totally gorgeous. Those boys will all fall down when they see you! I know Izzy will!
Kari: Izzy…yeah…
Mr. Kamiya: Girls! I'll take a picture of my beautiful girls! Come quickly! TAI! Get here and take the picture!
Tai: Ow man…here…is this one fine?
Kari: It's perfect! Thanks Tai!
Tai: You're welcome…I guess…I'll go chill.
Mr. Kamiya: That boy will be my end…
Kari: Don't worry dad! He'll get back on the horse! I'm quite sure of it!
Mr. Kamiya: Ach…my beautiful little girl!
Uchida manor:
Mai: TK! You're here! Honestly I wasn't sure whether you would still come!
TK: Figured I'd make an entrance.
Mai: You sure did! The ball room is this way. Good evening to everyone!
Jacques: Good evening my dear!
They made their way to the ballroom. The room was immense. Everyone was dressed for the occasion. Anne and Jacques immediately blended in. Clarice saw the Motomiyas and went to talk to them. TK was looking through the room and that's when he spotted Kari in her beautiful red dress. He saw the necklace, her hair, everything about her was amazing to him. The only thing that destroyed his image was Kari dancing with Izzy.
TK: Hey Mai…I gotta talk to Davis for a second. Do you mind?
Mai: GO! I'll go get some drinks. Maybe you want to dance later?
TK: That sounds great.
TK: Hey Davis!
Davis: TK! How are you?
TK (glancing shortly towards Kari): Could be better…
Davis: I know…of all the guys…
Mrs. Motomiya: What are you two talking about?
Davis: Nothing mom…just mind your own business!
Mrs. Motomiya: Davis! I will not accept that tone! Instead of staying here and pitying yourselves you should go and dance with someone. Look at Kari, Ken, all your friends…you're just standing around and moping!
Mr. Motomiya: She is right! GO!
Davis: (leaving): I hate it when they are right…so what's the plan?
TK: What do you mean?
Davis: You know…sweep her off her feet…
TK: Huh?
Davis: I mean Kari…look I told you…I know she's into you. I don't know what's going on with her and Izzy, but honestly, even I think you two belong together!
TK: I never thought to hear this from you…you truly are a great friend!
Davis: Well…but you actually just confirmed to me that you like her more than just friends…
TK: You have no idea…
Davis: So? The plan?
TK: I don't really have one. All this time I waited for the right moment, but it's not gonna come if I plan it. I'll see if she even wants to talk to me. Yesterday I accused her of being into Matt...
Davis: That's absurd! What the hell is the matter with you?!
TK: I just…
Davis: Look. I'll distract Izzy! You can then sweep in and ask her to dance.
TK: Alright. But did you notice that Uchida has been staring at Kari the whole time since I arrived?
Davis: Huh? Now that you mention it…
TK: There is something about this guy…I don't trust him. I actually have Patamon outside…just in case.
Davis: Did you think I would be careless twice? DemiVeemon is here too. So are the rest of our partners.
TK: Good! I don't know…shh…Mai is coming!
Mai: TK! So do you want to dance? Uhm, Davis! Haruka is standing all alone! Why don't you ask her to dance? I bet she'd be happy!
Davis: Fine! TK don't forget! We'll talk later!
Mai (putting her arms around TK): Don't forget what?
TK (a bit absent): Nothing. Let's just focus on the dance…
Mai (laughing): You need to focus?
TK: I'm a bit clumsy…
Mai: I can see…you've stepped twice on my toes in a couple of seconds.
TK: I'm sorry about that…
Izzy: Kari, what's wrong?
Kari: Nothing…this is nice!
Izzy: I feel like there is something with you. You are a bit different…
Kari: Oh, I just don't feel so well since this morning.
Izzy: Thought it has to do with my bad dancing!
Kari: No don't worry! It's perfect!
TK: Say Mai, why is your father staring at Kari the whole time?
Mai: Huh? Kari again…
TK: Don't get me wrong but he hasn't taken his eyes off her…
Mai: Really? That's creepy…even for him…hey listen…
TK: What's wrong?
Mai: I know you're a Digidestined…and I know it was you who saved those Digimon. I know you were the one shot. How you survived I don't know…
TK: That's absurd! I'm not a Digi whatever!
Mai: Don't lie! I saw you come with your Digimon partner to school once. And I saw your eyes when you ran past my room.
TK: I guess I can't hide it from you…
Mai: So it's true…it was you. You really are something. I guess we're connected.
TK: I guess…but you see, I…
Mai: It's fine. I won't tell my dad. He would have you killed. Is anyone else we know a Digidestined?
TK: No. Not that I know of.
Mai: My mother…
TK: Yes?
Mai: She died because of a Digimon…when Myiotismon attacked our world.
TK: What?
Mai: That's why my father treats them like this. Poor Gotsumon…and the other Digimon. I hope he changes. Maybe we can change him together. But we'll see. Let's just focus on the dance, like you said!
Kari: Izzy…I'm sorry.
Izzy: Sorry? For what?
Kari: I'm not really present…my thoughts are somewhere else. You see…
Izzy: It's ok. I know you have a lot on your mind. Just try to enjoy yourself. Let's go to our parents.
Mrs. Kamiya: You both looked amazing! You're so cute together.
Izzy (blushing): Thanks! But we were quite bad.
Kari (not caring): Thanks…Izzy is right…we aren't the main attraction.
Mrs. Izumi: What's wrong Kari?
Kari (glancing towards TK): Nothing…just that I don't feel so well.
Mrs. Izumi: Nonetheless you look amazing! Go back!
Kari: I'm a bit tired…I'll go in a couple of minutes...
Mrs. Kamiya: HUH! Kari! This is the song you always listen to! Is it not?! The one they just put on!
Kari (looking at TK): I guess you're right.
TK: Huh…this song…Mai do you mind…I'm sorry but this song…I can only dance with one person on this song…
Mai: What do you mean?
TK: I share this song with someone…I have to dance with her.
Mai: Fine…I'll just…
TK: Thanks!
Mrs. Kamiya: Look at the Uchida girl and that TK!
Mrs. Izumi: That boy is a good boy, but he only brings trouble.
Mr. Izumi: What do you mean?
Mr. Kamiya: Look they stopped dancing! He's coming over here.
Kari was glaring into an empty spot enjoying the few moments of the song she cherished so much.
TK: Mr. and Mrs. Izumi. Mr. and Mrs. Kamiya. Good evening.
Mr. Kamiya: Hello TK! Haven't seen you around so often!
TK: True…I've been busy…uhm sorry but we could catch up later. (he extended his hand towards Kari)
TK: May I have this dance?
Mrs. Kamiya: Unbelievable! You cut my husband off like this? And then have the guts to ask my daughter to dance?
TK: I sincerely apologize. Kari?
Mrs. Kamiya: She is here with Izzy! She dances with him!
TK: Not this song…it's our song…I'm sorry Kari. I…
Kari just took his hand and followed TK to the dance floor. Mrs. Kamiya and Mrs. Izumi were looking mad. Kari put her hands around his neck. He was holding her as tight as he could around her waist.
Kari: You broke off your dance with Mai for me?
TK: For you always. And to this song I will never dance with anyone else.
Kari (smiling): You have a way with words sometimes.
TK (looking her in the eyes): I'm really sorry…I do trust you. I was just mad with all what's happening. And you were right about the excuses…I actually have something to say to you.
Kari: It's fine…your heart…I feel it beating so hard.
TK: You're one to talk! Yours is beating fast as well!
Kari: So what do you want to tell me?
TK: Well you see…I...like you…more than normal…I always liked you more than normal…I fell so deeply in love with you that I can't even see straight anymore. I planned to tell you this for so long now…I don't even know how to put it…that's how nervous I am around you…for me it's not just friendship between us. I always thought that you might not share the same feelings for me, I thought that it might then destroy everything we have and I never wanted that to happen. I couldn't bear to…
Kari (blushing): Just shut up and kiss me!
TK (his face was red, heart was beating as hard as possible): Huh?
Kari: You heard me.
TK leaned in further. He could feel her rapid breath. Both closed their eyes.
Anne: What is this madness! TK! (she broke him loose)
TK: Grandma! What the hell?!
Anne: Are you crazy? You're here with another girl who is looking at this masquerade. Where do you think you are? You are insulting the man who invited you! Thank God both Mai and Mr. Uchida did not see you! They're all focused on those monsters he brought out!
TK: I don't care about any of them! Kari are you ok? Digimon…again!
Mrs. Kamiya: She is. And you should get to your date Takeru. Stay away from my daughter!
Kari: Mom, it's nothing please just let me have fun!
Mrs. Kamiya: FUN?! This is what you call fun? You should be kissing Izzy! Poor boy has been staring at this dance for too long! How can you do this to him?!
Kari: Because…
Mrs. Kamiya: You should be ashamed…you shouldn't even be talking to this brat!
Kari: As hard as it might seem for you to believe I love "this brat"! He is the only one I've ever had feelings for!
Mrs. Kamiya: Listen to yourself! What do you know of love?!
TK: You love me? I…I…
Anne: You go now and be with your dates. I don't want to see you two talk at all for the rest of the night. Mrs. Kamiya, I am deeply sorry for the behavior of my grandson!
Mrs. Kamiya: No need madam. I will take care of my daughter. We're leaving now! But first you will apologize to Izzy and his family!
Anne: TK COME!
Mrs. Kamiya: You should be ashamed young lady!
Kari: I'm sorry…I'm sorry Izzy. I did not want to humiliate you like this…
Izzy: It's ok Kari…
Mrs. Izumi: It's not ok! You have been humiliated by her!
Kari: Just…sorry.
Mr. Kamiya: Come Kari…I think my daughter has gone through enough! I'll take you home!
Mrs. Kamiya: Go! I'll stay for a bit. I don't even want to talk to any of you right now!
Anne dragged TK to the balcony where he had been shot. She didn't know this. TK dreaded that place.
Anne: What are you thinking?!
TK: I…I…TK looked up to the sky. He could not believe what he was seeing. There it was. Stars were forming the crests of hope and light. He knew that it was the moment Gennai talked about. Anne continued to shout at him. He did not hear her. He dreaded the thought of what might happen. He needed to talk to Kari, but how? She was already gone.