This is so late. I'm extremely disappointed in myself for being this late. However, I feel it's better to do anything for TaioraWeek2021 than nothing. So I chose to combine the first and second days for it. So here we go Brave/Connection and Love/Elegance together, somewhat!

Chapter 1 : He's Trying His Best

Sora Takenouchi looked at herself in the mirror for the fifth time (she counted). The crest holder of love still debated if she looked fine. On one hand she tried to assure herself that she looked perfectly fine, cute even but on the other hand, she felt like it wasn't enough. Sora knew how important this event was. It wasn't every day her parents had their wedding anniversary after all. There had been plans for dinner at a fancy restaurant. She wanted to look as good as possible, while still making her parents the real stars of course as it was their special day.

Finally she stepped back from the mirror to take a good look at herself. She was almost surprised by her appearance. The girl staring back at her in the mirror was unrecognizable.

Her light blue kimono had images of white and pink flowers embedded into it. It was a nice kimono, not too fancy so the attention would be on her parents but definitely lovely.

Her face had a hint of makeup. A bit of lip gloss, eyeliner, and a hint of blush. She hadn't dressed this elegant since her high school graduation and that was a year ago. Sora smiled at the memory. The day she finished a major milestone in her life. And also the day that, after thirteen years or so in the making as many would say, she began dating Tai Kamiya, her current boyfriend. She wouldn't trade him for the world. He's amazing, funny, understanding, smart, and wonderful.

The redheaded young lady carefully brushed her hair with her hands and debated on whether to let it bare or give an accessory to the hair. She remembered that she had a hair clip of a white flower her obaa-chan had given to her for her eighteenth birthday. That was an option. Or maybe…

She glanced at her jewelry box, which to be frank wasn't a jewelry box, at least not really. It had, what?, only one sapphire ring a relative gave, an anklet with dolphins, and two hair clips. One was the white flower hair clip and the other was the one given to her years ago. She studied the features of it, a sunflower with yellow petals and a red center. It didn't fit with her kimono in any way. It would probably be best to put it back and forget about it.

Here she was standing by the restaurant, gently adjusting the sunflower barrette in her hair. Sora carefully made sure not to wrinkle her kimono. She wasn't worried, she knew he'd be right there in time eventually. He always tried his hardest no matter what. Her parents looked around patiently for their table and for the fourth guest coming in. Toshiko asked, slightly fixing her own kimono, "Are you sure he's coming?"

Sora nodded without a word. He always found a way to get there in time no matter what. He managed to come in on time for the first day of high school, high school graduation…

"Hey, hope I'm not too late." a sheepish voice called out. Sora and her parents turned to face the owner of the voice and the three smiled.

His dark brown hair was neatly combed, well as combed as possible when one considered how his hair was like. His white collared shirt was neatly ironed, but his orange tie was hanging a bit askew from the run he had done to reach there. His slacks didn't have a single stain on them but they had been slightly wrinkled. His face looked slightly flushed from the rush of getting there but Taichi Kamiya managed a sheepish grin as he managed out, "Happy anniversary, Mr and Mrs. Takenouchi."

"Tai, you made it!" Sora stated, a grin on her face. As Toshiko heard their table being called, she began ushering the guests inside. Sora added, slightly joking, "And not a moment too soon. Come on in."

Tai slightly fidgeted with his tie, slightly nervous as he and the Takenouchis waited for their food. The restaurant was a very lovely place Tai had to admit. The scent of the food was intoxicating, as his mouth watered. His stomach almost rumbled and he made much effort to silence it. Then again the fact he hadn't eaten out of nerves perhaps 'helped' that sensation too.

Sora noticed her boyfriend's nervous expression, as she gently asked, "Never been to this place before?" Tai chuckled slightly to ease his nerves, "Was it obvious?"

Sora shrugged, "Hey, it's not so bad. I'm just glad you were able to make it."

"Classes were insane, I swear." Tai murmured, playfully shaking his head. "And my roommate...man the less said about him the better." Sora noticed that he was still fiddling with his tie.

Chuckling, she gently fixed it as she said, "I know you don't normally do this, so thanks so much for being there for me. Even if it goes out of your comfort zone."

Tai shrugged, "That's what being courageous is about. I just hope every special event I have doesn't have me end up running late."

So this was short, but I can assure you the next additions to the week will be longer! :)

The sunflower barrette is a staple from Digimon : Our War Game, often considered a huge thing for Taiora fans.

I don't own the characters. I hope you two enjoy this regardless.