October 9, Thursday, lunch time
Sincerity
"How do you guys think we should take Sora down the warehouse tomorrow?" I ask.
"She needs to follow the mad rabbit." Yamato points to Jyou.
"And what do I have to do?" The older sweatdrops.
Takeru snaps his fingers. "You need to suddenly appear out of nowhere and scream 'I'm late, I'm late!" Truly a writer.
"And if she doesn't chase her, just grab her hand." Yamato shrugs.
"Nah, I'm pretty sure she'll chase him." I tap my chin. "I mean, I'd chase Jyou with rabbit ears while dressed like he's from the 13th century."
Yamato rolls his eyes. "You'd chase Jyou anywhere." He looks up, thinking. "Or was it the other way around?" I smack him on the head whilst Jyou shakes his. "Ow." He grabs my hand and holds it, the table blocking the view our interlaced fingers...
"Hey guys." Sora shows up. I pull away from Yamato's hand. Sora raises an eyebrow. "Glad you two are talking again." She sits beside me and looks around. "Where's Taichi?" Uh-oh. I nervously glance at Yamato on my right.
"He's with Nagisa." I pinch his thigh. "Ow." I glare at him.
"Oh." Sora shifts in her seat. "Have all of you eaten?" She smiles.
"I haven't! I'll go with you, Sora-nee." Miyako stands and links her arm with Sora, briefly glaring at Yamato before they go to a food stall.
"What?" The blonde rubs his thigh.
"The word Nagisa is now a taboo in this table." I announce.
"Agreed." Takeru sips his Mountain Dew, while the others nod.
"I'm sure Taichi doesn't like older women."
"Yeah, but Sora isn't." I argue.
"Besides, I wasn't lying. He's just giving the invitation."
"Just don't say it again. Especially not when her birthday's coming up."
"Yeah, but it's not like something magical's gonna happen in her birthday that involves her and Taichi getting together and Nagisa's acting as the evil witch." I give him a look. "Not that I wouldn't want them to finally date."
"I wish something would bring them together, though." Hikari looks down. Patience, my children. Patience.
Courage
"So it's a surprise?" She says, her cheeks flushed from the invitation.
"Yes. Do you think you can go?"
She lights up, eyes bright. "Of course. You're there. S-So..."
"Okay. Thank you, Senpai."
"Taichi-kun."
"Huh?"
"Didn't I tell you to call me just Nagisa?"
Class hours, band practice
Friendship
"You're seriously gonna make me sing Maroon 5 as our first song?"
"Yeah. Please! It's a good song anyway." She bats her eyelids. Stupid cuteness.
"Yeah, it is." I cross my arms and shake my head. "A good sex song." Maroon 5 is practically a band that makes music dedicated to sex.
She pouts then sits on my lap. Oh shit. Now she ain't playing. "It depends on how you see it." She traces her finger on my lips. Woah wait, she's ok with flirting like this? I feel my face heat up.
Takashi holds back his laugh. "I've never seen Yamato blush so furiously before."
"Fine! Fine! Animals, it is." I gently push her off. She grins in victory. Note to self: Never mess with Mimi when she wants something from you.
She turns to Yutaka. "Yuta-kun, you do backing vocals, right?" He nods in response. "Can you sing main vocals?"
"What?" That caught my attention.
"His voice has a higher pitch. I want him to sing something by The Cab."
"... Okay."
"Wow. Yamato's usually never jealous." Akira smirks.
"Mimi should come over more often." Takashi nudges the drummer. "We have a lot of things to learn about Yamato." They snicker.
"So you're gonna add a few more songs?" I ask, slinging my bass over my shoulder.
"Yep. While Yuta-kun sings Lock Me Up I also want you to sing Death Valley." She winks.
"Well, this is one heck of a party." Akira nods.
Mimi pulls out a piece of paper and pins it on our bulletin board. [Finalized] Songs For Alice. The setlist. My eyes focus on the parts underlined. The songs the band needs to perform. Those are a lot of high notes. Gotta remind myself not to drink anything cold.
Dismissal
Love
"You're not walking with me?"
"I'm sorry. I'm suddenly busy."
"Is it Nagisa-senpai?"
"No. Just a favor for a friend. I'm sorry, Sora. I'll make it up to you."
"You don't have to." I chuckle and blush. "I was just asking."
"Yeah but I wanted to walk with you too."
"..."
"Then. I gotta go now. I'll see you."
"Bye."
"Be careful on the way home. Bye." He hangs up.
Courage
I tuck my phone inside my chest pocket. I sigh. "Tired already, Dai?" I cross my arms. "We've only been to five venues."
Daisuke pants and sweatdrops. "Eh?! But those venues were really far from each other! And besides, I'm not the only one who's tired..." He murmurs. Ken nervously laughs as he wipes his moist face.
"Takeru should be assigned to this... Isn't he the lead offender of the basketball team? I should've been with Hikari-chan." He struck my nerve.
"So you're saying Takeru is better than you?!" Well actually, I held this race one time and that kid won versus these two. When it comes to speed, Takeru is definitely the best. Sometimes I wonder why he doesn't like soccer.
Startled, he furiously shakes his head. "No! That's-that's not what I meant..."
I grab my whistle from my pocket and dangle it around my neck. "I want 15 laps around the venues we're headed to."
"Eh?! But Senpai, how do we go around the ven-"
"NOW." He starts running, almost tripping.
"Well, Ichijouji?! Get off your lazy ass, you stupid prodigy!"
"Eh? Me too?" I give him an annoyed glance and a light push. He catches up to Daisuke.
My phone vibrates. I answer. "Who are you and why now."
"Woah. Cranky, much? What happened?"
"Jyou. How's your team going?"
"We're nearly done with the first building. Are you sure you guys don't need help? It's much harder to deliver via mailbox, you know." Maybe I should've moderated the ones being distributed around the school instead of this.
"We're fine, don't worry. In fact, we're done with half the invites, and I distributed the others with Caramel yesterday. Daisuke and Ken just need more training. I have to remind myself that."
"Talk about fast. The soccer team's doing well too. Go easy on them, Taichi-kun. They're still kids. What'd they do to get in your skin?"
"... I was just hoping we'd finish this earlier so I could still walk Sora home." I mean, it's the day before her birthday. She deserves company.
"Ah, I see. If I were you, I'd make them do a thousand pushups."
Friendship
"That's a familiar stage." I tuck my hands in my pockets, staring up the structure.
"Used if for your first concert, am I right?" I turn around meeting Tokiya's golden eyes.
I smirk. "I didn't know it was still usable."
"Of course it is. It's like your memento in the chorale." I laugh a little. We see Mimi get up on the stage and stretch her arms. "She's really working hard for Takenouchi-san, huh." He says, eyeing her.
"She risks everything for her friends." Sadly, there come only a few chances she gets to show that side of her. That's also what we all do, as Chosen Children. A thought suddenly comes into mind. What exactly happened in America? We've told each other stories, but she's never really told me details about her stay abroad.
"Did somehing happen?"
"Huh?"
"Did something happen between you and Mimi?"
"What makes you say that?"
"You seem... Mellow. More than usual."
I cock a brow at Tokiya. "Yama-kun." My shoulder jumps from the nickname and the voice. "Come up." Mimi reaches out her arms, gesturing me to take her hands. She was on the stage, like a little kid yearning a hug from her child.
"I'm heavier than you think." I reply. Tokiya looks away with a knowing smirk.
"Well, I'm stronger than I look." She wiggles her hands. I roll my eyes and lock both our hands as she propels me up the structure. "See?" She giggles.
"This isn't such a high stage, anyway." I cross my arms, looking around. Theater people working. "You think you'll be okay with performing?"
"Yeah. In fact, I'm pretty confident about this one."
"Really. That's great."
"Because you're singing with me." She looks away.
"..." I smile and rest my palm on your head. "Hmm. You're shorter than I thought."
"Hey, I'm five foot five. I'm better than Nagisa at least." I think Nagisa's only like 4'9 or 5'.
"Shouldn't we have a nickname for her?"
"How about... Shorty?"
"... No. Koushiro might get affected." She elbows me.
"Don't bully him."
I laugh. "But he's the same height as you." I can't help but observe the top of their heads when they're beside each other.
She rolls her eyes. "He's cute that way."
"Okay, no need to get so defensive of Izumi."
"I'm not! I'm just saying, I don't discriminate by height." She pokes my chest. "Remember, Takeru used to be shorter than Hikari." Did she just compare Takari with Koumi?
Courage
After everything's been done and the helping hands went home, I did a check up. Standing before the C.C.'s, I cross my arms and think. The Teenage Huskies plus Princess Karaoke practiced the setlist two times. Miyako and Koushiro did good with the rest of the music and lighting coordination. Invitations completely distributed. Mimi confirmed the provision of catering and furniture. Decorations are perfect thanks to Takeru and the theatre club... Those gigantic roses definitely deserve praise.
"You look nervous." Yamato tilts his head.
"I am."
"You gonna pull a stunt?"
"Yes."
"Then it's Sora who should be nervous." I smile, contented that I see support in his eyes. He gives me a guy-hug by locking our fists together and bumping half our chests.
October 10, Morning
Love
"Happy Birthday!" The whole room shouts as I enter my first class. Taichi pops a confetti tube, wearing a party hat. I laugh at the sight.
Lunch
"There she is!" Mimi points to me. They have, decorated with candy hearts and pink cream, a three layered chocolate cake, which I think Mimi baked, on our table that said, To our dearest bearer of Love.
Now that you're 18, don't do drugs. And I'm betting Taichi added that part. He couldn't mask his handwriting. The group gives me a hug.
After they greet me and we settle down, Mimi gently cuts of the first layer and slowly puts it in a red box. She smiles. "For you and Toshiko-san." I embrace her.
We devour the cake. Daisuke eats half of Miyako's, to keep her from killing the boy, Ken gives her his slice.
"Hey um, Sora..."
"Yes, Taichi?"
"Is it okay if you wait for me at the gate later when school's over? I need to talk to a teacher."
"Sure." Since it's my birthday, I'll ignore his suspicious tone.
"Thanks so much." He chuckles, scratching his head.
"You sure are busy these days... Getting a girlfriend?"
"... Well..." He and Mimi glance at each other. He turns away after a millisecond. Mimi purses her lips and looks away. Yamato raises an eyebrow. Koushiro flinches. "No... But if I would, I'd tell you."
After school
I can't remember the last time she picked me up after school. "Mom!" I run to her, giving her a tackle hug. She laughs and hugs back.
"Happy 18th Birthday, love." She kisses my head and cheek. I giggle.
"Who's looking after the shop?"
She rolls her eyes and pinches her cheeks. "It can close for a day." I look at her, surprised but happy. She cups my cheek. "I love you, Sora."
"I love you too." I give her the paper bag. "Mimi baked for me."
"Oh yes, I know." She chuckles.
My eyes widen. "You sneaky girls!" She laughs.
"Well you better go now."
"What?"
Mom points to another direction. Is that Jyou? Why is he wearing rabbit ears? "I'm late! Oh God! I'm so freaking late!"
Courage
"Come on Jyou. It's supposed to be fucking late. Not freaking late." I annoyedly pinch my earpiece. "You shouldn't be afraid to curse."
"But her mom's here!"
"Never mind that. Is she chasing you?"
"Yeah, she was reluctant at first but... Oh shit! She runs fast!" I knew tennis never stopped her from jogging every day.
"FASTER! DON'T LET HER CATCH UP. You need to get you're ass here before she does. COME ON JYOU! RUN LIKE THE WIND! PRETEND YOU'RE GARURUMON!"
"I'll take that as a compliment." Yamato appears behind me and grabs my shoulder. "Chill, Taichi. It's not like you're hosting the party."
"Speaking of which, where is Mimi?"
"You mean the mad hatter, right?" She shows up, hands on her hips with a cane.
Yamato smirks. I gape. "Impressive."
Love
It was funny at first, I've never seen Jyou run like that before. It's liked he was coached by a stressed Taichi, which is why I don't want the guy to be stressed at all. Also why I never let him coach me. Jyou enters an abandoned warehouse. Hesitantly, I follow him. It was dark. Soft music was playing. A bit creepy. I know this song. Windows in Heaven, by We Are The In Crowd. Mimi gladly introduced them to me.
"Uh... Hello?" A side of my mouth raises. I know where this is going. A red spotlight shines in front of me. Then an orange one in front of it. Then a green one. A row of spotlights glow, stopping on a figure. They shake as a different song plays. I see Mimi smiling at me. A cane in one hand and a mic in another. I cover my mouth and crouch, excited.
Top hat with yellow, orange and red ribbons, black corset, white blouse with an olive necktie, gold coat, boots that reached up to her mid-thigh, crotch black shorts, stockings... And last but not the least, perfectly curled in big round circles, which made it look shorter, pink hair.
I finally realize the theme.
This is a sexy mad hatter. No homo.
Flashing lights and we took a wrong turn and we fell down a rabbit hole
-before I could take in her full appearance, she walks toward me, spinning her cane while singing.
You held on tight to me cause nothing's as it seems
-she offers her arm, I take it and we walk around the dark. Each step of hers turns on another light.
Spinning out of control, -she spins me around.
Didn't they tell us don't rush into things, didn't you flash your green eyes at me? haven't you heard what becomes of curious minds, ooh
-each beat turns on a light that reveals a number of faces. Hikari as a cat, Takeru and Daisuke as the twins, Jyou, Koushiro, and all the others.
Didn't it all seem new and exciting? I felt your arms twisting around me. Mimi hugs me. I hold back my tears.
I should've slept with one eye open at night
We found wonderland -she stretches her arms, gesturing around as more lights turn on. More faces. Friends. Strangers. But all smiling and all looking at me. I hold back my tears.
You and I got lost in it, and we pretended it could last forever, eh -Hikari and Miyako guide me toward something. A throne with floral motifs and a heart on top.
We found wonderland, you and I got lost in it, and life was never worse but never better, eh, eh, eh -she runs up a corner and climbs on stairs. A stage.
In wonderland, -all the lights are on. The place is decorated with gigantic roses, mushrooms, flowers, and willow trees. The ceiling is draped with velvet. In wonderland, In wonderland,
In wonderland, -there on either sides of the platform, Taichi and Yamato dressed in equally silly costumes, sat on big chairs like mine respectively.
So we were on our way, too in love to think straight, all alone or so it seemed,
But there were strangers watching, and whispers turned to talking, and talking turned to screams, oh, -she should seriously think about becoming a singer.
Didn't they tell us don't rush into things? didn't you flash your green eyes at me? didn't you calm my fears with the cheshire cat smile? ooh
Didn't it all seem new and exciting? I felt your arms twisting around me, it's all fun and games til somebody loses their mind,
But darling, we found wonderland, you and I got lost in it, and, we pretended it could last forever, we found wonderland, you and I got lost in it, and life was never worse but never better,
In wonderland, In wonderland, In wonderland, In wonderland
I reach for you but you were gone, I knew I had to go back home, you searched the world for something else to make you feel like what we had, and in the end, in wonderland we both went mad,
-something, a crowd with a short height joins her in the stage. At first I thought it was a group of kids. People gasp. My eyes widen. Taichi laughs and proceeds to attack Agumon with hugs. Biyomon jumps down, running toward me and finally landing on my lap. I cry and embrace her. I realize I miss her too much. "Happy Birthday, Sora!" Biyomon sheds a tear with me. My grip on her small frame is enough to choke her.
We found wonderland, you and I got lost in it, and, we pretended it could last forever, we found wonderland, you and I got lost in it, and life was never worse but never better, -the other chosens look suprised as much as I do. I can bet Mimi did this. The crowd surrounding us cheers, not looking at all disturbed by the digital monsters.
In wonderland, In wonderland, In wonderland, In wonderland
The crowd of at least more than 200 people in weird but confusingly decent looking costumes cheer. I clap hard. "Well? Aren't you guys gonna say something?" Mimi leans to the crowd.
I laugh. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY SORA!" They scream. I needed to cover my ears.
Mimi shrugs. "Actually, it's Alice. Oh look. She's not dressed appropriately." She snaps her fingers. The tennis team suddenly carries me and Biyomon backstage. I can't hide my stupid grin along with my mild squealing.
"For now, here are the Teenage Wolves with a Maroon 5 song. Don't stop dancing and being cool!" Mimi winks at Yamato behind her. Another song plays.
Courage
"God, Mimi. it's amazing that you convinced Gennai." I ruffle her hair as we wait for Miyako to finish changing Sora.
"Aw, thanks." She grins. "It wasn't easy for him to agree for the digimon to party, either. I had to justify why these guys should be present in a 'chaotic and hormonal setting'. That's what he said."
I laugh. Silly Gennai. "How are you, Taichi?" Agumon asks, clinging to my leg. "I'm alright." I pat his head. "Though I got lonely and missed you a lot."
"Me too! But you have to admit, it was nice not having anyone snoring very loudly at night."
I slap him playfully. "I'm pretty sure you snore louder, buddy. Bigger mouth." We laugh.
"This guy's running for Student Council President." Mimi smirks.
"You mean those guys who always clings to the main girl in those live action series?" Agumon pokes his chin.
"I forget Gennai has cable back in the digiworld." He wouldn't let the
"Wah! Palmon! Don't use your vines!" Sora's voice echoes through the door. She sounds flustered. I snicker. The door opens. Palmon exits, looking dejected.
"I thought I could help." The plant-type stares at her fingers. "They kicked me out." Mimi giggles and grabs her two hands.
"Don't worry, Palmon. I'm sure the tennis team just couldn't handle such a cool digimon like you." Just like that, Palmon is smiling again.
"She's right, the tennis team are wussies. I'm sure you can dress Sora better than all of them." I say, crouching down to her.
"We heard that!" A voice says behind the door.
"Yikes." I sweatdrop and chuckle nervously.
"Hey, I gotta go check on Smirky." Mimi checks her watch. "I want to watch him do the 'awoo' in the song."
"Haha, go ahead." She waves and exits the darkness with her partner.
"Taichi?" Agumon pulls on my silver pants. "Who's Smirky?"
"Mimi's future boyfriend."
Love
"You have no idea how happy I am that this isn't a dress."
"Wow. You look cuter than before." Is he making me flustered on purpose? "Used to flattering people on their birthdays, huh."
"No, no. You look really nice." He says, his face reddening quite a bit. Biyomon clears her throat.
"I guess we should leave you two alone, now. Ms. Alice and Mr. White King." Ayumi from the tennis club bows to us, giggling before walking away. I roll my eyes.
Taichi follows their shadows until they're completely away. He faces me, and hands over a black paper bag with large red and orange ribbons. "Happy Birthday, forever best friend."
"Could those be cookies?" Biyomon gasps.
"Impossible! Taichi doesn't know how to bake." Agumon says. He sniffs the air. "And I can't smell any sweets."
We laugh. I take the bag and hug him. "I hope you won't think I'm cheap or anything."
"I'd rather accept trash from you than a diamond ring from anyone else." In the corner of my eye, I notice Biyomon and Agumon exchanging glances. Maybe I wasn't supposed to say that? Taichi doesn't loosen his grip.
"... Would it be appropriate to ask you to dance with me?"
I giggle. "Yes. It is very much appropriate."
"How about all night?"
"I don't mind dancing with you all night." I don't dancing with you my whole life.
Hope
"I've never been in a place louder than this." Patamon frowns, covering his ears with his wings, which are his ears itself, I guess. "It makes me dizzy."
I look back to the stage. Me and Hikari were seated on one of the large, round, velvet couches, placed in the corners. "It's probably because of Aniki right now." His fans can be pretty hectic. This one time, I almost got punched by one of the crazy ones. I reach on top of my head and proceed to cradle the cute digimon.
"Aw, you miss cuddling him, don't you." Hikari giggles. I blush, unable to reply.
"Hey guys! Haven't seen you for a while." Somebody with a familiar voice approaches us. He smiles warmly.
"Michael-san. How are you?" He got a big haircut which made it hard for me to recognize him. Trimmed the extra hair that made him look effeminate. He looked more mature that way, not to mention he was nicely dressed for the occasion, too. Seeming like a knight from the white army. His armor looks like actual metal. I might ask him where he got those. Might be useful for the theatre club.
"I'm fine. It's good that you guys got to see your digimon partners again." I feel Patamon twitch in my arms. Not in a good way. I wonder why. Tailmon doesn't look happy to see him either.
"Yeah, Mimi-san arranged the whole thing. Especially the party." Hikari chimes in. I have a bad feeling in my gut.
"She sure knows how to make someone happy, doesn't she." He looks down, with a sentimental expression. How strange. "Do you know where to find her?"
"Sure. She's-"
I cut Hikari's sentence and trust my gut. "Why?"
"I need to talk to her."
"Why?"
He shrugs. "It's sort of personal." I'm dubious more than ever. He doesn't seem like he's on good terms with onee-chan.
"Oh, hey Barton. Wassup?" Taichi pats his back cheerfully. Sora is behind him with wide eyes. She gives us a nervous look. Something must have happened.
"It's Michael." Agumon whispers to Biyomon.
"Uh-oh." The bird-type murmurs.
Michael chuckles. "Hi Taichi."
"You looking for Mimi?"
"Yea-"
"You can't talk to her." Sora says, jumping between the two guys. She crosses her arms and knits her eyebrows together.
"..." The blonde is lost for words.
"What? What happened?" Taichi nudges her.
I poke Agumon's shoulder. "What do you guys know."
"Palmon told us everything!" Biyomon says. "She's with Mimi now, we have to tell her he's here." Hikari gasps softly.
"We gotta protect Mimi!" Agumon says. This doesn't make any sense.
"Do you want me to tell everyone, Michael?" Sora narrows her eyes. "You should just leave before we make you." She grasps Taichi's hand and walks away, after glaring at the american. Me and Hikari nod to each other and follow suit.
Friendship
After my performance, I lounge in the dressing room with Gabumon. Cher Lloyd was playing in the background. "You really improved since the last time I heard you sing, Yamato." He says. "I'm proud of you."
I chuckle and embrace him on to my lap. He's not a lightweight. Thankfully, I'm no wimp. "Thanks, buddy."
"Anywho, I'm glad you're doing well after, you know."
I give him a reassuring smile. "No more sleepless nights."
"Or loud fights."
"Don't forget the nightmares."
"Away with the empty stares." We wink and click our tongues simultaneously, then laugh. This is why Gabumon is the perfect digimon for a songwriter. Someone knocks. I was waiting for her.
As I open it, she gives me a hug. "See? I knew you'd slay that howl part in the song."
I roll my eyes. "I can't believe you watched just for the howl."
"Well, your band is called Teenage Wolves." She avoids my eyes, grinning. "You looked really cool in that part, too." I can see a faint shade of pink appearing on her cheeks.
I see Palmon and Gabumon exchange suprised looks at the corner of my eye. I smile at the sight. Mimi follows my gaze and grabs my hand. I squeeze it. I can still feel her smile, her back facing me.
"Let's go, you guys, I'm hungry." She calls out.
We see Sora and Taichi immediately after exiting backstage. I almost laugh at the fact that Sora isn't in a dress. Still, she looked legitimately Alice-material. Mimi really knows how to please her. Her hair was tied in tlittle pigtails with baby blue ribbons. She wore a tight white blouse with puffy sleeves and a matching bowtie tucked in dark brown shorts that reached up just above her knee. Before I could comment on her getup, she takes my hand and drags me somewhere.
"Michael is here."
"WHAT?!"
"I told Taichi everything, by the way."
"But... How-"
She puts her forefinger on my lip. "Look, I should be angry at Mimi that she told you about him, because I was the only one who was supposed to know, but I figured since you're sort of like a monster when angered, you can help sass him away or whatever. In any case, I want you to stay by her side and make sure she never sees him." I nod. "Me and Taichi are gonna warn the others, okay?" She starts to walk in the other way.
"Sora."
"What."
"Will it be okay to engage in physical measures?" I shrug. "If I happen to, you know, have an encounter with him..."
She smirks. "Take it outside and don't make a mess."
I notice Gabumon looking around. "You know what we're talking about?"
"Palmon told us the story. But I don't think she knows Michael's here."
"I don't want them to find out." Last time she spoke with Bitch, it didn't go well for Mimi.
Sincerity
"Taichi! Sora's looking for you. She wants you at the chocolate fountain." Yamato pops up.
"Right. Gotta go, Mimi, Bye! Keep dancing!" Taichi rushes out of my sight.
"Someone's acting weird." I cross my arms.
"I agree. Taichi's jokes are usually funny." Palmon says. "Now it just seemed like he was covering up something."
"Why don't we just dance, right, Gabumon?" The digimon nods. Yamato puts an arm around my shoulder and guides us to the dance floor.
"What's going on?" I ask him.
He cups my face. "Nothing you should worry about." He pauses and pays attention to the music. He starts moving his head on to the beat. I laugh at the extraordinary sight. Yamato dancing to Zedd.
Lovin every minute, cause you make me feel so alive, alive -the lights flicker. Yamato grasps both of my hands and awkwardly moves our arms together. I couldn't hold back my amusement. I finally realize he was copying Palmon and Gabumon beside us.
It's my first time seeing Yamato party like this. Yep, he should stick with singing.
Reliability
"Where are we supposed to find him, then?" God, the music is giving me a headache. I can't even hear myself think.
"We can split up, Jyou." Gomamon suggests.
"That'll just cause more ruckus, and it'll be obvious for Mimi-chan." Tentomon says. "What do you think, Koushiro?" The redhead has his eyes closed, rubbing his temples.
"I don't even know how he got an invite." Sora says.
"The kids probably gave him one." Taichi says, rubbing Sora's back to calm her. "It'll be bad if Mimi gets a panic attack here, of all places."
"She gets panic attacks because of Michael?"
"A possibility. From the looks of it, I don't think she talked to Michael for a long time, and what usually triggers her are nasty 'surprises'." Taichi quotes. Sora links her fingers with his with a worried look on her face.
For a while now, Koushiro's been wearing his thinking look. "I've got it." He finally speaks up after snapping his fingers. "What costume is Michael wearing?"
Friendship
I'm not good at dancing. "I'm sorry if I'm a weird dancer." I probably look like a laughing stock next to her. She's like an expert in everything I'm terrible at.
She laughs. "It's okay. You belong to the stage. I know that. I don't expect you to be good at everything." Her faces lightens up to the new tune, "If our love, is tragedy why are you my remedy"
I smile and sing back. "If our love's insanity, why are you my clarity?" I kind of like this song.
We laugh as she rests her arms on my shoulders. I feel my cheeks burn. She bounces up and down, moving her hips, twirling her arms, corresponding perfectly with the beat.
Cause you are the piece of me I wish I didn't need, -I decide to encircle my arms around her waist, following her moves. She leans closer but doesn't stop smiling, like it's the most natural thing for me to hold her like this. Her eyes caught a beautiful glint of light, piercing my soul. Like magic.
"Yamato, oh sh- sorry to interrupt." We break away upon the voice. Takashi raises his hands upon seeing us, like a guilty criminal. I give him an irritated look. He looks like he's about to laugh. "Uh, it's our cue, Yamato." He points to the stage.
Mimi nods at me. I widen my eyes, realizing we're going to play the next track. I look back at our digimon partners, clearly still absorbed in dancing. What should I do? Frantically, I grab Mimi's hand and take her with us.
"Wait, what's happening?" She stammers, not resisting my grasp.
"Takashi, play the bass for now."
"Sure, but who'll play the-" I give him a smirk. "I see." He laughs.
"Man, you're a terrible dancer." Akira has his arms folded, already seated on his drumming stool. From his spot, you could definitely see each person moving.
"Have you seen someone who looks like a foreigner here? Another blonde guy, besides me and Takeru?" I whisper to him.
He shrugs. "Haven't really paid attention to anyone. But damn, Mimi is looking fine tonight." I smack him.
Courage
Shawty said she wants to run away, -Ah yes, one of the song I couldn't get over easily. It was too catchy.
Says I look like a boy she used to date
Took me by the hand and pulled me to the stairs,
"Well. That's a clever way of not letting Mimi see Michael." Me and Agumon sigh while seeing Mimi playing Takashi's guitar.
"Taichi, does he usually let Mimi play with them?"
"No, Agumon, he usually doesn't." I raise an eyebrow. "There was this one time, though. But Mimi sang lead, instead."
"Wow." He nods to himself. "So they're at that phase."
"Yeah. Yamato isn't the only one who developed his singing, or so it seems."
"She's amazing, isn't she." My shoulders shudder in suprise.
"Nagisa." I was about to add senpai. She smiles warmly. Agumon stares at me. "Uh, Agumon. This is Nagisa. A senior who helped me with my campaign." Because of her height, she didn't need to crouch down to shake hands with the digimon.
"It's nice to meet you, Agumon."
"Same here. So if Taichi's the hero of the story, the student council president, does that mean you're the heroine's rival?"
"He watches a lot of TV." Too much cliché drama, indeed. Nagisa giggles.
"He's cute. Much like you." Agumon gapes at me in response to her comment.
Put her tongue all up in my ear, (Gross!)
Almost made me spill my beer, (Oh Shit!)
She's up and ready to go, but I don't care. -I clear my throat after that. "Hey, have you seen a guy in a white knight costume?" I ask, avoiding her gaze. "He's a good-looking blonde foreigner."
"Oh?" She shrugs. "For me there's actually just one person good-looking enough to catch my attention."
"I see." I look at my shoes. I don't usually wear white oxfords. Agumon shakes his head. "Then, I'll see you later, I'm looking for the guy."
(Pssh, whatever)
'Cause I'm in the zone,
Turn off my phone, I've got my own agenda.
"Wait." She grabs hold of my sleeve. "Um, can you... Spare a dance with me later?" She turns red.
"Depends, if I have time. Alice told me she'd be my partner for the rest of the night."
"..." She let's go of my sleeve. "So where is she?"
"Looking for the guy I mentioned. We'll dance later. We have all the time in the world." I shrug.
"... Exactly." Her voice is hoarse, but soft. "All the time in the world to be together... With her... So... Why can't I have a second?" Her eyes are sincere, but I just can't deal with this. Maybe I'm just mean. Or I feel like I want to be mean.
I feel like dancing tonight,
I'm gonna party like it's my civil right,
(everybody get kinda awesome).
"Nagisa," My tone is firm. "Why do you think I didn't get mad at her when she started dating Yamato?" I walk away after a few seconds of staring into her soul.
It doesn't matter where, I don't care if people stare, (Woah!)
'cause I feel like dancing tonight.
I feel like punching Michael tonight.
Friendship
Another song plays. The band doesn't exit the stage, we're going to play some more songs, anyways. Sitting there casually, we eye the crowd. I spot Nagisa looking dissapointed. Come to think of it, I saw Taichi talk with her a while ago. I make a mental note to ask him what happened back there.
"Good job, like always." Mimi offers me a bottle of water. She sits beside me, on a stool beside the mic.
"You too." I gulp the liquid heavily, releasing a breath afterwards. "In fact, you seem pretty optimistic about performing today."
She shrugs. "I feel different ever since I dyed my hair pink again." She looks down to her feet, swaying them. "Last time my hair was like this, I was dating Michael." I scrunch my nose, hearing the sound of his name.
"So... You feel more confident with pink hair?"
"Before I dyed it for the first time, I felt insecure. Would they think it would be weird? I decided to push through with it, since my mom supported me. Then when Michael saw me, he said I looked more like a princess. At first, I didn't know whether that was an insult or a compliment, a month later, he dyed his hair blue temporarily, and asked me out with a banner that said, let's be magical together."
So it's the memory that makes her confident. "Seems like he was nice to you." Was. I finish my bottle.
"Michael is a nice guy. What he did to me just wasn't that nice. I really don't know how to deal with people who betrayed me." She twists her fingers together. "It hurt so much." She sighs. "I don't know if I was in love. It was over before I could find out." She brings her knees up, hugging them. "If that was love, then love is pretty shallow."
"Love is never shallow. Whether it's love for food, or for people, for music, or anything else. It's always precious."
She faces me, her eyes glowing with question, like it's trying to find out my darkest secrets. The shadow of her top hat covered her face, but that doesn't stop me from thinking that she looks mesmerizing. She blinks. I'm so dead.
I smile and shake my head. I feel like I don't know what I'm saying when I'm with her. "I'm going to the comfort room."
Courage
"Mimi! Can we play the game ahead of time?" I call out to her from the floor.
"Sure! I thought I was in charge of hosting it, though."
"Let me do it! I want to! You know me." I'm not very good at convincing people.
She laughs. "Okay, okay. If you want to do it that much." She stretches her arm holding the mic toward me. I climb up the stage. Who needs stairs?
I grab the mic. Koushiro stops the music from somewhere. "Attention, attention! My loyal subjects." I clap my hands like I'm gay. Well, that's how royalty does it, right? Mimi laughs beside me. "I am in a dilemma. You see, my right-hand man, my white knight, is nowhere to be seen. I need everyone to look for him." The crowd whispers to themselves. Mimi raises an eyebrow at me. "That's right, if I don't have my white knight, I'm a bit vulnerable to the horror of the red king. Whoever finds him first and brings him to me," I take Mimi's hand, urging her to join me. "Will receive a slow, elegant, romantic dance. With our lovely mad hatter." She gapes, while the audience, mostly the guys, scream happily. Yes. "He has very light blonde hair, as tall as me, a white cape, and shimmering armor. That is all. Resume the music!" I snap my fingers.
"What was that?! Who's the white knight?"
"Sora wanted me to do it. The white knight's just a random fella with a good costume. Takeru wanted to find out what it's made of." That's not a complete lie.
"Yeah, but I'm not exactly comfortable with dancing with a complete stranger."
"Sora wanted me to do it." I repeat. She sighs, putting her palm over her forehead.
"Where is she anyway?"
"Dancing with the others."
"She's lucky it's her birthday, or she'd be dead by now."
Friendship
"You're..." I look up from the voice. "You're Ishida Yamato, right? I've seen you in pictures." I turn off the faucet.
"..." I don't move an inch. He cut his hair. Have to admit, he's not ugly.
"You probably heard about what happened, huh."
"I did." I avoid his eyes and take a breath. I need to control myself.
"So, you probably hate me."
"I do."
"I hate me too."
"-That's not enough." I immediately retort.
His voice becomes a bit louder. "I know. It'll never be enough."
That's it. I slap both my palms on to the sink. Breathe in, out. "Stop." I clench my fists. "Stop acting like you know what you did. You have no idea what she went through."
He steps back. "... Have you ever felt like you're lost? Like you're floating in a completely different space and no one can reach you?" His voice cracks, for some reason. "My father wants me to be an actor, like him. He recommended me into his management, hired several trainers to prepare me, talked to a dean of this profound university, he arranged the future."
"Then you've got it easy."
"It made me feel like I couldn't do anything by myself." He bites his lip and closes his eyes. "My life depended on my dad. Everyone faked being kind to me, and when my dad pushes them away, I get hurt. I rarely had any real friends."
"..."
"Then Mimi found me. She subconsciously entered the hollow space I was floating in, and dragged me back and showed me what it's like to be in love."
"..." I purse my lips and knit my eyebrows together.
"She didn't know I was Michael Barton, and she still talked to me first. She stole my heart." I decide against telling him Mimi will never be sure if she loved him back.
"Why'd you do it, if you loved her so much?"
He turns to me then chuckles to himself. "I was lost, and she found me... But I started to think, what if someone else did?" He closes his eyes for a moment, like he can't handle the pressure. "I'm not the one for her, Ishida-san. I still loved her, but I knew that she'd never love me. Not because I feel that I'm not worthy for her, but because she wasn't supposed to enter my world. She was meant for someone else." Lost then found by someone else. Someone he managed to fall in love with. When he met the other girl, he probably thought she's the one who's really meant for him. I wonder, are we in the same situation?
If Mimi was the one who grabbed me first before Sora, what would have happened?
"I think I understand." I slowly step towards him and grab his black turtleneck collar. Our cold eyes meet for a moment, before I hit him in the face. He falls down the tiled floor. "But I won't forgive you. I never will." After a few moments, I help him up. He was covering a side of his face with both hands. It looks like it's swelling a bit. "You know there was this one song, I forgot the title, but, it mentioned a few words that struck me. It's better to leave than be replaced."
He laughs gently, forming his usual kind and welcoming expression I've seen in pictures. The Michael I've heard about. "It's nice finally meeting you." He says.
I smirk. "Same here."
Sincerity
At last, I see Miyako, Ken and Daisuke hanging out by the drinks section. Daisuke had a plate filled with the party food, while Ken and their digimon partners seem to be comforting Miyako, patting her back. "There you guys, are."
Miyako shudders at my voice. She slowly turns around, revealing red, puffy, tear-stained eyes. She sniffs and suddenly embraces me. "I'm so sorry, Mimi-neesama!"
"Wha-" I turn to Ken. "What's going on?"
He and Daisuke exchange confused glances. "You don't know?" Daisuke leans forward, a red velvet cupcake in his hand. "Should we tell her?"
I squeeze Daisuke's arm and slowly blink. "Please. I want to know what all the fuss is for."
Miyako sneezes into a tissue then grasps my chin to face her. "I invited Michael."
"... Oh."
She throws her arms around me. "I didn't know, Neesama. I'm so sorry." Hawkmon perks up.
"It's not her fault, right? Miyako, stop whining, already." The bird digimon wraps it's wings around her.
"Yeah, I'm okay with that." I say.
Their eyes widen. "WHAT?!"
I chuckle. "Where is he?"
"Wa-Wait! You mean you want to talk to him?" Daisuke sweatdrops.
I nod. "Mhm. I want to clear things up." It's time, now that I've found new strength that can support me if I fall back down.
Courage
"There you are." I sigh, seeing Yamato in the men's room. Then there are two blondes. "I see you two finally meet." Michael turns around. I laugh, noticing his face. "I apologize for my best friend's violence. But we have to admit, you kinda deserved that."
Michael laughs. He looks sort of relieved. He turns to Yamato. "Thank you for hearing me out, Ishida-san." Then to me. He bows. "I'm very sorry for all the trouble I've caused, especially for hurting Mimi. I hope we're still good friends." I knew Michael's just misunderstood. He's really a nice guy.
I poke my chin. "... Hmm, you know what, you should talk to her."
"Do you think she'll be okay with that?" Yamato crosses his arms. Knowing Mimi, whenever she deals with something bad, she usually needs time to compose her thoughts. Just time. Like me. And I bet she's ready.
"She should be. They need closure." I rest my palm on Michael's shoulder. "So Barton, you good at slow dances?"