Yes. I FINALLY updated. I apologize for updating way too long. I am really sorry! Anyway, on with the story…

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the digi destined. That's a fact no one can change.

In the previous chapter: My Mask Will Never Break

He stopped half way. "Mizui." He said.

Izumi looked at him. His back faced Izumi.

"You don't need to handle the pain. You don't need to handle it until the day your life ends. You need to face it and let go of the pain. You need to move on… WITH OUT the pain…"

Then he left, leaving the blonde stunned and speechless.

After a few minutes, Izumi started to let all what Kouji said sink in.

"NO… NO… I REFUSE to break my mask. NEVER. I have no right. I'll never let go of the pain… I can't… Not when I know he suffered until the end."

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A Private School

Chapter 12 A Lot of Flashbacks

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Kouichi looked at his frustrated brother who kept on walking back and forth. "Kouji, would you chill?"

Kouji sighed and sat down. "How can he do that?!"

"Kouji, Takuya is also Mizui's friend. Of course he can talk to him."

"You know, that's not what I mean." Kouji said. "Weren't you listening to the guy a while ago?"

"I was." Kouichi said.

-Flashback-

Breakfast

"Hey guys, why is Takuya-niichan sleeping?" Tomoki asked.

Kouichi and Junpei looked at the sleeping Takuya. "Don't know. Come to think of it, I haven't seen Kouji either."

"He's usually the first to come here." Kouichi said.

"I'm right here." Kouji said as he walked near them.

Junpei, Tomoki and Kouichi turned their heads towards Kouji.

"Good Morning Kouji-niichan!" Tomoki said cheerfully.

Kouji gave a barely seen smile.

"G'morning Tomoki." He said as he gave a little pat on Tomoki's head.

He looked at the empty seat beside Tomoki. 'She's not here.'

"So, what happened Kouji?" Junpei asked.

Kouji sighed. "I couldn't sleep." Half of his attention was directed to their conversation and the other half… with a certain little cross-dresser.

"I guess that goes with Takuya too. We better wake him up" Kouichi said as he nudged Takuya who was sleeping rather peacefully beside him.

"Takuya, wake up." He said.

Takuya stirred. "Mmm…"

Junpei grinned, Tomoki shook his head and Kouji wasn't paying attention for he was thinking about his conversation with a blonde at 12:15.

"C'mon Takuya." Kouichi said as he nudged Takuya a bit.

"Just a few more minutes----" Takuya started.

Junpei was getting ready to laugh as Tomoki and Kouichi sighed. Oh, and Kouji was still thinking.

"----Mizui." Takuya continued.

Kouji snapped his attention to what Takuya just said.

Junpei stared at the sleeping figure of Takuya in agape. "Did he just say –"

Tomoki and Kouichi nodded. "MIZUI."

To be continued…

-End of Flashback-

"He just asked Mizui if he can talk to him privately." Kouichi said.

Kouji sighed and sat beside his twin. "What do you think he wants to talk about?"

"You know… Maybe it's about THAT."

Kouji arched a brow. "That?"

-Flashback-

Continued…

Kouji GLARED. 'Why would he say that!'

'Why don't you ask him?'

'You're still here.'

'Yes, I am. You've been thinking about Mizui, that's why I'm here.'

'Your point?"

'Kouji, Kouji, Kouji. Didn't you notice? I existed when you learned that Mizui's a girl.'

'Whatever. So, what do you think?'

'About Takuya?'

'YES! About HIM!'

'I guess he likes her.'

'No way. Is that even possible?'

'Of course. A perfectly good example is you!'

'WHAT DO YOU MEAN?! I DON'T LIKE HER!'

'Woah. Easy man. What happened to the Kouji who said she looked nice and all.'

'sigh. Look, I'm sorting my feelings out. Give me some time.'

'And I am helping you. You know, I think you really should wake Takuya up. I just know something is up.'

'Yeah, yeah.'

"TAKUYA! WAKE UP!" Kouichi, Tomoki and Junpei said in unison.

Takuya instantly woke up. "Sheesh. Can't a guy have some sleep around here?"

"It isn't exactly time to sleep, Takuya." Kouchi said as he handed Takuya his food. "It's time for breakfast."

Takuya took the food. "I couldn't sleep last night! Our aircon AND fan broke down. It was really hot!"

"What do you mean, you can't sleep? I can't sleep because of the fact that it was burning and you were snoring."

"Well, excuse me for snoring. I can't help it."

"And why were you saying MIZUI in your sleep?" Kouji said with an arched eyebrow.

Takuya's eyes widened. "I DID?!"

The other 4 nodded. "You did."

"Oh curse it all."

Tomoki took a bite from his pancakes. "Good thing Mizui-niichan isn't here."

"WHAT?! WHERE IS HE?" Takuya said as he strangled Kouichi.

"Woah. Calm down Takuya." Kouichi said.

"Sorry. So where is he?" Takuya said.

"Mizu is sleeping." Kouichi said. "He woke up in the middle of the night. He said he'll sleep in since we have no classes."

Kouji listened intently to Kouichi. 'I wonder if she's alright.'

'Of course not; How can she, after what you said to her last night?'

'Well, I didn't know what else to say. Besides, it was the truth.'

'Rrriiiiiggggghhhhtttttt. You should have at least waited for her reaction. Who knows, you might have known why she was doing that.'

'I don't want to force her to say. If she wants t,o then I'd listen.'

'WOAH! MINAMOTO KOUJI?! Is that you?! Can this be?!'

'What are you getting all so surprised?!'

'Well, the fact that you're being a gentleman. You seem out of character. Maybe I'm in the wrong head.'

'SHUT UP! I, for your information, am being myself!'

'And when did you suddenly become so soft. I thought you were the Ice Prince.'

'What do you mean Ice Prince?'

'I heard it from your fan girls.'

'Why didn't I hear it then?'

'Simple! You were staring at Mizui.'

Kouji blushed.

"Kouji-nichan, why are you so red?" Tomoki asked innocently.

Kouji went back to reality. "Oh, uh, I just feel a bit hot. That's all."

Tomoki nodded and turned to Takuya who was pestering Kouichi to take him to Mizui.

"Look, Takuya, Mizui needs sleep and you can't just knock up the door. It will wake him up."

"You have a key, don't you?"

"Of course."

"THEN OPEN IT FOR ME!"

Kouichi sighed, Junpei snickered and Kouji shook his head.

Tomoki sighed. "Why is it that you can't stop thinking about Mizui-niichan, Takuya-niichan?"

Everyone in the table nodded. Oh, except for Takuya.

Takuya stammered. "W-well, I-i… Erm…"

"Go on." Kouji said very interested in what Takuya was about to say.

Junpei looked at Takuya with eagerness. "WWWEEELLL?"

"OK! FINE!" Takuya said. "But you have to be very quiet about this" he said in a low voice.

He leaned towards them. "Come closer, I don't want others hearing this."

The four leaned towards him.

Takuya sighed. "I think… I…"

Junpei, Kouichi and Tomoki gulped while Kouji just blinked. "You…"

"I like Mizui; as in LIKE LIKE him."

"……………" SILENCE… then…

"WHAT!" Junpei, Kouichi and Tomoki said ALOUD.

Everyone in the canteen turned to look at them.

"SHHH!" Takuya said. "SHUT UP! You guys be quiet."

"Sorry."

"You better be. You almost gave me a heart attack." Takuya said.

"What do you mean?" Junpei said. "YOU are the one who almost gave us a heart attack."

"Think about it. We just learned that our best friend is turning gay." Junpei added.

"That's right, Takuya-niichan. That's surprisingly… erm… surprising." Tomoki said at a loss of words.

Kouichi sighed. 'This is too much for me. Takuya fell for Izumi. Oh no. What about my brother. Does he have feelings for her as well? This is getting out of hand. Izumi."

Kouji just blinked.

-End of Flashback-

"Oh, that" Kouji said with a nod.

'Kouji… I think he knows Izumi's secret. That must be it. He wouldn't let the wig incident pass just like that.'

-Flashback-

"Hey, Mizui. I never noticed your hair being tied before." Takuya said.

Izumi looked at Umi who looked at Kouichi nervously.

'Hmm… If it was only Takuya then I could've thought of something but with Kouji here, I think that would be impossible. Kouji's just too, observant.' Kouichi thought.

"O-oh. R-really? But I had my hair like this for a long time now." Izumi said.

Kouji looked at Izumi and smiled. 'Hmph. You better be thankful for this.'

"Actually Takuya, Mizui have always tied her hair like that. You're just too blind to notice." Kouji said as his eyes closed.

Takuya glared at Kouji. "I'm not blind! My vision is perfect! Unlike yours, you blind idiot!"

Kouji opened his eyes instantly. "Ha! Then why didn't you notice Mizui's hair being tied all this time!"

"I was just PRETENDING. I wanted to see if YOU noticed, you blind wolf!" Takuya said in an 'as-a-matter-of-fact-tone'.

"Heh. At least wolves are cool. And who are you calling blind, Rooster head!" Kouji said in response.

"R-rooster head!" Takuya said.

"Oh, so now you're deaf too. How pathetic." Kouji said.

"Why you no good wolf!"

"What? Can't think of other insults, goggle head?"

"Bandana boy!"

"At least my bandana looks good on me! You look like you're going to fly an airplane! Ha! And you can't even ride a bicycle with out the trainers!"

"Hmph! So what if I can't ride a bicycle with out trainers! At least I don't look like a girl who's getting ready to bake a cake!"

"At least I don't wear goggles over a cap! How stupid is that!"

"Oh yeah!"

"Yeah!"

And they argued… And argued.

-End of Flashback-

'I'm pretty sure he knows Izumi's a girl. And besides I can feel he has feelings for Izumi. Kouji is not gay… At least I hope not.' Kouichi looked at his brother. "Heh. So Kouji, what are you going to do now?"

"What?"

"You have competition now."

"C-competition?!" Kouji said as he stood up to hide his blush but didn't go unnoticed by Kouichi.

'Heh. He blushed. He doesn't blush for a guy.' Kouichi laughed. "You know, don't you?"

Kouji stared at his twin. "KNOW? Know what?"

"About Mizui's real identity." Kouichi said with a smile.

Kouji let go of a heavy sigh. "So you know as well?"

"Yep! I found out during the wig incident."

"Oh, the wig incident." Kouji asked. "How did you know I knew?"

"Simple. You blushed!"

Kouji arched a brow. "And how does that prove it? I don't even blush much."

"My point exactly, bro." Kouichi said in 'a matter of fact tone'.

"What?"

Kouichi smiled. "Do you remember last year when you blushed?"

"Argh. Don't remind me!"

-Flashback-

The gang (without Izumi. She wasn't around that time.) were playing a game of basketball when a little girl went up to them.

"KOUJI!" the girl shouted.

Kouji looked at the girl in horror. "Argh. It's her. Kouichi, don't tell her I'm here!" He said as he hid behind a tree.

"Hey! What's up, Hikari?" Kouichi asked as he bent down to talk to the girl.

"Kouichi! Where is my Kouji?" The little girl asked with a big smile.

Takuya and Junpei held their laughter. "Mph. Y-YOUR Kouji?" they said in unison.

"Yes! We're dating. Don't you know?" she said.

The two looked at Kouichi. Kouichi forced a smile. "Heh, heh."

Tomoki looked at the girl. "Hi! My name is Tomoki. So when have you started dating Kouji-niichan?"

"Hello! I am Hikari and I've been dating Kouji since last week when he saved me from bullies!"

"Really?" Takuya said with a grin. "I didn't know Kouji had a girlfriend."

Kouj's brow twitched. "Takuya's having fun with this. Someday, I'll get you!"

Unfortunately for Kouji, Hikari spotted him. "Kouji! There you are." She said as she pointed.

Kouji went out of his hiding place. "U-uh. Yeah. Here I am."

The girl ran to him and hugged him. "Oh, sweetums! I've missed you!"

The 4 other boys was on the verge of laughing. "Mpffff…"

Kouji glared at them. "Erm. Look, we are not dating."

Hikari looked at him with teary eyes. "W-why? Do you love someone else?"

Kouji sweat dropped. "I… ARGH! Never mind."

The girl smiled. "Well, ok!"

"Anyway, Hikari, what do you want?"

"Oh, mom wanted to know if you're free this Saturday! She wants you to baby-sit me again, although I didn't want a baby sitter but since it's you, why not?"

Kouji hesitated. "Well, actually I-"

"have nothing to do!" Takuya butted in. "Kouji's free this Saturday!"

"Ok! My mom and I will pick you up here! 9 am." Hikari said.

Kouji glared at Takuya. "No! I am-"

"going to your house instead!" Junpei finished. "He'll go to your house"

"Ok!" She said. "See you sweetums!" she said.

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever."

Hikari smiled and gave Kouji a peck on the cheek then left.

"OOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH!" Takuya and Junpei said.

Kouji blushed a little. "W-what the-"

"Kouji-niichan is turning a bit pink." Tomoki said.

Kouichi smiled. "Kouji doesn't like girls being mushy around him. He even blushed when mom complemented him that he looked good."

Kouji sighed. "It was embarrassing."

The four, excluding Kouji, laughed hysterically.

-End of Flashback-

Kouichi laughed. "That was the 2nd time I saw you blush."

Kouji smirked. "And, what does that have to do with me blushing when it's about girls."

"The fact that you didn't blush when I recalled the past events is proof." Kouichi said.

"What?" Kouji said.

"Ok, if it was mom who recalled these events, you'd definitely turn red." Kouichi said as he patted Kouji's back.

"……"

"Mom's female. And I am male." Kouichi explained. "You blush when it's mom and you don't when it's me. Get it?"

Kouji nodded. "Oh, right. I never blush for guys."

"YES! Finally Kouji. That took you long enough."

"Hmph."

"Anyway, how did you know Izumi's a girl?" Kouichi asked.

"Izumi? That's the little cross-dresser's name?" KOuji asked with a smirk.

Kouichi laughed. "You have a nick name for her? Oh and yes, Izumi is her real name." he continued laughing.

"Stop laughing!"

"Alright, alright. So? How did you find out she's a girl?"

Kouji turned bright red. "Erm."

Kouichi smiled mischievously. "You're turning red bro. What happened? C'mon, spill it out!"

"I really don't want to-" Kouji started.

"C'mon! Tell me! Or else I'd tell Izumi about your little crush on her."

"What do you mean? I don't have a crush on her! Why would I?" Kouji defended.

"Defensive, aren't you bro." Kouichi said.

"Shut up!"

"So, what happened? How did you figure it out?" Kouichi asked curiously.

Kouji sighed. "Ok. But you have to promise not to say a word about this after I tell you."

Kouichi smiled. "And why not?"

"Just promise!" Kouji said. "Do you want to know or not!"

"I do, I do. Take it easy." Kouichi said.

"Ok. Here goes."

"I'm listening." Kouichi said patiently.

"I found out during practices for our Sports fest; when we were mobbed by stupid Club presidents."

-Flashback-

"I think I'm going to collapse." Izumi said.

Kouji looked at the blonde beside him. "Don't you collapse on me."

Izumi sighed. "Kouji, it was a figure of speech, a hyperbole."

Kouji just smirked. "Yeah, well, I'm worried it might really happen. I mean, I don't want to be seen carrying you."

Izumi stared at him. "And what's that supposed to mean?"

"People might think we have something. And you're a guy." Kouji rolled his eyes. "Or maybe you're a girl."

Izumi froze.

Kouji noticed this. "I was kidding, Mizui."

Izumi laughed nervously. "O-of course you were!" He patted Kouji in the back. "I can't be a girl. Haha."

Kouji raised a brow at her sudden actions. 'Weird.' He thought.

"MMMMMMMMMMMIIIIIIIIIIIIZUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUIIIIIIIIIII OOOOOORRRRRRRRRIIIIIMMMMMMMMMMMOOOOOOOOOOTTTTOOOOO!" Izumi and Kouji suddenly heard screaming.

"What the hell?" Kouji said.

Izumi stared in agape in the view she's seeing. There were groups of students running towards their direction.

"Wha- What in the world?" Izumi asked.

Kouji stood up and took Izumi's hand. "ARGH. Let's go."

"What? Why?" She asked.

"MIZUI ORIMOTO! COME JOIN THE BASKET BALL CLUB AFTER THE SPORTS FEST!" one said. "NO! JOIN THE SOCCER CLUB!" another said. "HELL NO! HE'S GOING TO JOIN THE BASEBALL CLUB!" another said. There was more shouting like that.

"Hear that? They want you to join their club." Kouji said as he started to pull Izumi to run. "It seems like every club that has something to do with running is after you."

They started running. "But why?"

"Because you are a good runner and currently, you don't have a club."

"MIZUI ORIMOTO! JOIN US!"

Kouji and Izumi ran faster and faster. 'I can't believe this. After running so much for practice, I'm running again.'

They went to a corner. Luckily for them, the students didn't see them and passed them. They've been running for an hour now and finally they came to a stop.

Kouji faced the blonde beside him. "Hey, you ok?"

"Y-yes. I think—" Izumi wasn't able to finish his sentence for she was now falling.

Kouji caught her and felt something that shouldn't be there. "What the hell!"

The two of them were now on the floor. Izumi's head rested in his chest.

"Did I just feel…erm… " Kouji said to himself. He accidentally 'felt' Izumi's chest when she was falling. He laid her down on the floor. "Please no… Please…" He said as he looked at Izumi. He slowly touched her chest and when he felt something soft, he immediately shoved his hand away. "Darn it!! He's a she!"

He stared at Izumi. "Why! ARGH! Why does it have to be me! Why can't it be Takuya, Junpei or Kouichi who could've found this out!" Kouji said.

"WHAT IN THE WORLD WILL I DO NOW!"

Izumi moaned. That's when he remembered that the boy… erm… girl wasn't feeling well. "Ok, calm down Kouji. He's…erm… SHE's not feeling well right now."

He went near her and touched her forehead. "She's burning hot."

He carried Izumi to his and Takuya's dorm. "I was afraid I'd have to carry her."

He laid Izumi on his bed. "Now what?"

He looked at the flushed Izumi. "Ok, Kouji. Get a hold of yourself. She's sick and you have to do something to make her fever go down."

He took a towel and a pail of water. "I detest this day."

He saw a letter in their study table. The letter said:

Dude, Kouji… It's me, Takuya… I just wanted to let you know that I'd be staying at Kouichi's and Mizui's dorm… Kouichi and I have lots to talk about… See you tomorrow, bud.

Takuya sighed as he placed the letter back to where he saw it. "Ok, now what?"

A wet towel was now on Izumi's forehead. Despite the fact that he just learned Izumi's secret, he was worried about her. "C'mon, Mizui. Get better."

Izumi was flushed and was breathing heavily. Kouji was even more worried. 'It's the entire stupid club member's fault. If they haven't been chasing us for an hour, this wouldn't happen.'

He cursed them, as he looked at Izumi, deep in thought.

'Mizui's a girl. I knew something was up. He… err… she have this characteristic that says 'I'm a girl'. What should I do? Should I tell the principal about this? If I do, what will happen to her? I don't want her to get punished. Maybe she has a good reason. Ok, for now, I'll keep it as a secret. Why would she do it, thoough?'

With those thoughts in mind, he fell asleep, his head on the bed where Izumi was sleeping.

End of Flashback

Kouichi tried his best not to laugh but failed miserably. "ahahahahaha!"

Kouji frowned. "That wasn't funny."

"Yes, it was bro." Kouichi said. "Anyway, does Izumi know about this?"

"Heck no! She doesn't." Kouji said. "I don't intend to tell her yet."

"Huh? And why is that?" Kouichi asked.

"It isn't the right time." Kouji said with a sigh. "It just doesn't feel right."

Kouichi smiled and nodded. "The choice is up to you Kouji."

"Kouichi." Kouji said quietly. "DON'T EVER tell anyone about what I've just told you."

Kouichi gave a thumb's up. "No problem."

Kouji smirked. "Good."

"So, Kouji, what do you think? What's happening with Takuya and Izumi?"

Kouji frowned. "Stupid Takuya."

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END OF CHAPTER

As you can see... that is the end of the 12th chapter.

See you next chapter!

Thanks for reading!

Next chapter: Takuya and Izumi!

Immensely grateful,

imuzuok