Digimon: Rules of Engagement
Chapter 4 - Reception
By Lord Archive
--------------------
Saturday - afternoon
--------------------
Most of the Chosen and their digimon partners talked and ate while not to far away in a closed room Taichi was getting formally engaged to Sora and Hikari to Takeru.
"So, Koushiro, care to tell us what this engagement business is all about?" Miyako asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Why are they getting engaged? Why all the secrecy? Why did they let you in on it?"
Koushiro sweat-dropped. "Basically everything, right?"
"Da Bingo!" Miyako chirped.
Everyone stopped talking to hear Koushiro explanation.
"Right." Koushiro sighed. "Well, it's sort of like this. Mrs. Takenouchi was concerned that Sora was becoming too close to Taichi."
"Thought they were doing the horizontal rumba?" Jun questioned.
Koushiro blushed. "Affirmative. Mrs. Takenouchi talked to Mrs. Yagami about her suspicions. They decided that it would be best to implement some damage control in case, well, an accident happened."
Chibimon blinked. "Accident? What kind of an accident?"
"The kind that makes babies," Daisuke replied.
Poramon bounced up and down. "I've heard of accidents breaking eggs, not laying them."
"Humans don't lay eggs," Miyako corrected. "But that's not what he meant. He means if Taichi and Sora, um... mate, they might end up having a baby together before either of them are ready."
"How can they have a baby if they're not ready to reproduce?" Piyomon asked.
Koushiro cleared his throat to get their attention. "Humans and digimon are different when it comes to reproduction. Suffice it to say, that for example, while Hikari is capable of becoming pregnant and baring a child, she is ill equipped to raise one currently."
Joe nodded. "In other words, the reason for the engagements is insure that if either Hikari or Sora become pregnant, they will have a means to support the child."
Daisuke was making some choking noises, but was ignored.
Miyako tapped the table with her fingers. "Okay, that explains why they did this in the first place, but how come they kept who Sora and Takeru were engaged to a secret?"
"That's a bit more complicated. I think this was Ms. Takaishi's plan." Koushiro paused in thought. "Basically it was to prove if they were in love with the person they were getting engaged too. By making them think they were going to be engaged to someone else, they would become happy that they are getting engaged to their love. Which would serve to reduce any resentment they would feel about having this choice taken away from them."
"That makes sense, I think." Mimi blinked. "How do you know about all of this?"
"Well...." Koushiro scratched the back of his head. "I was upgrading Mr. Yagami's computer when Mrs. Takenouchi talked with Mrs. Yagami and I sort of over heard them. They let me in on everything so I could help keep things secret."
Ken smirked. "Oh, yes. Hacking the hotel computer that the Yagami family was staying at was child's play. If they hadn't let him know, he would've told all of you and ruined the plan to keep it a secret."
Daisuke hoped out of his seat and grabbed Ken by the collar. "You knew?! But when I called you this morning-"
Ken interrupted him. "I didn't know that any of this was going on then. If you had told me sooner, I could've been of some assistance."
Daisuke opened and closed his mouth like a fish. "But why Takeru?! Why not me?"
Miyako folded her arms. "Face it, Hikari likes Takeru more than she likes you."
"Says you! She's belongs with me, not him. Besides, Hikari is in no danger of becoming pregnant anytime soon."
"Neither is Sora. She has only kissed Taichi," Mimi informed him. "But things like that can change quickly."
"But they're giving Takeru parental consent to be with Hikari!"
"Better to consent to the one they trust, than risk her being with the one they don't." Jun patted Daisuke on the head. "Better luck next time."
"This isn't right! She should have a choice!"
"If Hikari wants out of getting engaged to Takeru, she will be given the chance to do so." Koushiro crossed his arms. "However, I suspect she will agree to be his fiancee."
"I believe that as well." Ken sighed. He pulled out a few white bottles.
Daisuke looked the bottles questioningly. "What are those for?"
Ken smirked sadly. "It's an old tradition for the guys who lose the girl they love to another to drink themselves to oblivion. So here's to losing." He took one of the bottles and drank from it.
Miyako's eyes widened. "You're suppose to drink sake with a cup."
"Who cares? To the losers!" Daisuke cheered and took one of the bottles.
"I should probably stop him." Jun tapped her fingers. "But if he comes home drunk and throws up on Mom's shoes, it'll be his fault."
"How many times do I have to say 'sorry?'" Chibimon asked.
Jun glared at the lizard. "You've got a few thousand more to go."
"Sorry," Chibimon began to say as a mantra.
"That's enough to drive us all to drink," Miyako moaned.
"Tell me about it," Jun whined.
"What is this sake stuff?" Agumon asked. He took and downed a bottle before anyone could stop him. His eyes widened immensely and a meter long flame belched out of his mouth. "Whoa! Strong stuff."
Ken slapped Agumon's hand as he reached for another one. "No more for you. I'd really hate to see what a fire type digimon would do when he's drunk."
"What'ssss drunk?" Agumon slurred slightly.
Ken groaned. "A state of lost self control brought on by alcohol consumption. And alcohol is VERY flammable."
Piyomon shuddered. "Agumon with LESS self-control? That would be rather bad."
"Might as well evolve to Skull Greymon. You'd get the same effect," Gomamon chirped.
"And you're going to let Daisuke drink?" Tailmon questioned.
"Well, there's not much either of those two can do without these." Joe held up Daisuke's and Ken's digivice.
"I still say there's no reason you had to take mine." Ken scowled.
"A wounded heart can do many unforgivable things." Mimi bright smile dipped a little. "Particularly when drunk."
Ken sagged back into his seat. "I... see your point." He chugged the bottle he was currently nursing.
Mimi blinked. "Was it something I said?"
"You could say that." Miyako sighed.
All of their attention was drawn to the sound of the door opening. Mrs. Yagami stepped out and bowed to everyone. "May I present to you the future Takenouchi Taichi and Sora, and the future Yagami Takeru and Hikari."
Everyone just stared. The digimon weren't certain what they should do. The kids were shocked.
"Takenouchi Taichi? Yagami Takeru?" Miyako questioned.
Taichi scratched the back of his head. "Well, Sora is an only child so she has to continue her clan name."
Takeru fidgeted. "And I'm a Takaishi only because of Mom's divorce, so it's not that important for me to continue the family name."
The kids gave a round of congratulations, and the digimon followed suit.
Mimi almost laughed through her smile. "And here I thought I'd be giving you hints on how to deal with boys, Hikari. I guess I'll have to go to you."
"Just because she's engaged hardly makes her an authority on that subject," Koushiro corrected her.
Mimi pouted. "You just don't get it."
Joe smiled as he pushed up his glasses. "She was just joking. Besides, being engaged does offer her more knowledge on that subject."
"Stop fawning over her and DO something about it! She'll only be here for today." Gomamon called out.
"It's not like that!" Joe's face was flushed.
Mimi pouted. "It's not?"
"I, ah, mean, well, I, it's just...." Joe gave up trying to explain and sagged.
Mimi giggled. Gomamon groaned. Everyone else laughed.
Palmon nudged Mimi and whispered, "Why don't you do something?"
Mimi whispered back, "I don't want to encourage him too much. He might want a steady relationship and I'm not ready for that."
"You've got to stop flirting and get serious at some point."
"I'm only just turned fourteen. I've got years to play around."
"What's with Agumon?" Taichi questioned as he watched his digimon partner swagger a little as he walked.
Daisuke held up his sake battle. "He drank a bottle 'fore we stopped him."
Mrs. Yagami took her attention off the unnerving monsters and looked at Daisuke. "Why didn't someone stop you?"
"Leave him be. I'll take care of him." Jun turned to Yamato. "I could use your help." She then leaned toward him and whispered, "My parents are going out tonight."
A shiver ran up Yamato's spin with the possibility of an evening mostly alone with Jun. Now if she would just stop teasing and do more than lose his shirt, he'd be in heaven.
Koushiro half-laughed, half-sighed. "I remember when you dreaded seeing her."
Yamato shrugged. "What can I say? She grew on me."
"Like a fungus," Daisuke said between drinks.
Jun batted Daisuke on the back of the head while blushing in embarrassment.
"So, Taichi, how's the prospect of becoming Mr. Takenouchi?" Joe asked.
"Unnerving," Taichi replied.
Sora smiled and placed on a hand on Taichi's arm. "Well, I think it sounds better than Yagami Sora."
"I don't." Taichi pouted.
"What about you, bro?" Yamato asked.
"I like Takenouchi Taichi a LOT better than Takenouchi Takeru." Takeru glared slightly at his mother.
"What about you becoming Yagami?"
"Takaishi Hikari or Yagami Takeru?" Takeru shrugged. "Doesn't make much difference to me."
"I think Yagami Takeru is cute." Hikari giggled.
Ken and Daisuke took long gulps.
Hikari sighed noticing them. "Daisuke, Ken... I'm sorry."
Ken shook his head. "Don't be. There are winners and losers in all things and I understand why we lost. Daisuke was too persistent, while I started too late to be a factor. Just be happy."
Hikari nodded. "I'll try."
"T.Y., you better keep her happy or I'll bust ya in da chomps." Daisuke shook his fist.
"I promise." Takeru blinked. "T.Y.?"
"It'll be your ininitals, ain't it?"
Yamato laughed. "Maybe we should just call you 'Ty' not." He then rubbed his chin. "Though that might be confusing with Taichi. Guess we'll just have to call you Ty-chan then."
Hikari's face quirked. "I'm still stuck with a 'Ty,' it'll just be Ty-chan instead of Taichi."
"Can you PLEASE just keep it as Takeru?" He pleaded.
"What ever you say, Ty-chan." Gomamon grinned.
The laughter, particularly from Hikari and his mother, hardly helped to keep Takeru from becoming more frustrated. "Why me?"
"Would you rather that I was engaged to Daisuke?" Hikari asked.
Takeru's eyes widened. "NO! I want to be engaged to you. I just want the teasing to stop."
Taichi patted Takeru on the back. "They're just jealous."
Takeru scowled slightly. "They're not teasing you."
Yamato grinned. "We just haven't had a chance to annoy TT yet."
Taichi sighed. "You can try to be a little more original."
"Give us time. The night is still young, and sake is great for celebrations!" Jun raised up a cup of sake. "Now let's raise a toast to the happy couples. Cheers!"
Chapter 4 - Reception
By Lord Archive
--------------------
Saturday - afternoon
--------------------
Most of the Chosen and their digimon partners talked and ate while not to far away in a closed room Taichi was getting formally engaged to Sora and Hikari to Takeru.
"So, Koushiro, care to tell us what this engagement business is all about?" Miyako asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Why are they getting engaged? Why all the secrecy? Why did they let you in on it?"
Koushiro sweat-dropped. "Basically everything, right?"
"Da Bingo!" Miyako chirped.
Everyone stopped talking to hear Koushiro explanation.
"Right." Koushiro sighed. "Well, it's sort of like this. Mrs. Takenouchi was concerned that Sora was becoming too close to Taichi."
"Thought they were doing the horizontal rumba?" Jun questioned.
Koushiro blushed. "Affirmative. Mrs. Takenouchi talked to Mrs. Yagami about her suspicions. They decided that it would be best to implement some damage control in case, well, an accident happened."
Chibimon blinked. "Accident? What kind of an accident?"
"The kind that makes babies," Daisuke replied.
Poramon bounced up and down. "I've heard of accidents breaking eggs, not laying them."
"Humans don't lay eggs," Miyako corrected. "But that's not what he meant. He means if Taichi and Sora, um... mate, they might end up having a baby together before either of them are ready."
"How can they have a baby if they're not ready to reproduce?" Piyomon asked.
Koushiro cleared his throat to get their attention. "Humans and digimon are different when it comes to reproduction. Suffice it to say, that for example, while Hikari is capable of becoming pregnant and baring a child, she is ill equipped to raise one currently."
Joe nodded. "In other words, the reason for the engagements is insure that if either Hikari or Sora become pregnant, they will have a means to support the child."
Daisuke was making some choking noises, but was ignored.
Miyako tapped the table with her fingers. "Okay, that explains why they did this in the first place, but how come they kept who Sora and Takeru were engaged to a secret?"
"That's a bit more complicated. I think this was Ms. Takaishi's plan." Koushiro paused in thought. "Basically it was to prove if they were in love with the person they were getting engaged too. By making them think they were going to be engaged to someone else, they would become happy that they are getting engaged to their love. Which would serve to reduce any resentment they would feel about having this choice taken away from them."
"That makes sense, I think." Mimi blinked. "How do you know about all of this?"
"Well...." Koushiro scratched the back of his head. "I was upgrading Mr. Yagami's computer when Mrs. Takenouchi talked with Mrs. Yagami and I sort of over heard them. They let me in on everything so I could help keep things secret."
Ken smirked. "Oh, yes. Hacking the hotel computer that the Yagami family was staying at was child's play. If they hadn't let him know, he would've told all of you and ruined the plan to keep it a secret."
Daisuke hoped out of his seat and grabbed Ken by the collar. "You knew?! But when I called you this morning-"
Ken interrupted him. "I didn't know that any of this was going on then. If you had told me sooner, I could've been of some assistance."
Daisuke opened and closed his mouth like a fish. "But why Takeru?! Why not me?"
Miyako folded her arms. "Face it, Hikari likes Takeru more than she likes you."
"Says you! She's belongs with me, not him. Besides, Hikari is in no danger of becoming pregnant anytime soon."
"Neither is Sora. She has only kissed Taichi," Mimi informed him. "But things like that can change quickly."
"But they're giving Takeru parental consent to be with Hikari!"
"Better to consent to the one they trust, than risk her being with the one they don't." Jun patted Daisuke on the head. "Better luck next time."
"This isn't right! She should have a choice!"
"If Hikari wants out of getting engaged to Takeru, she will be given the chance to do so." Koushiro crossed his arms. "However, I suspect she will agree to be his fiancee."
"I believe that as well." Ken sighed. He pulled out a few white bottles.
Daisuke looked the bottles questioningly. "What are those for?"
Ken smirked sadly. "It's an old tradition for the guys who lose the girl they love to another to drink themselves to oblivion. So here's to losing." He took one of the bottles and drank from it.
Miyako's eyes widened. "You're suppose to drink sake with a cup."
"Who cares? To the losers!" Daisuke cheered and took one of the bottles.
"I should probably stop him." Jun tapped her fingers. "But if he comes home drunk and throws up on Mom's shoes, it'll be his fault."
"How many times do I have to say 'sorry?'" Chibimon asked.
Jun glared at the lizard. "You've got a few thousand more to go."
"Sorry," Chibimon began to say as a mantra.
"That's enough to drive us all to drink," Miyako moaned.
"Tell me about it," Jun whined.
"What is this sake stuff?" Agumon asked. He took and downed a bottle before anyone could stop him. His eyes widened immensely and a meter long flame belched out of his mouth. "Whoa! Strong stuff."
Ken slapped Agumon's hand as he reached for another one. "No more for you. I'd really hate to see what a fire type digimon would do when he's drunk."
"What'ssss drunk?" Agumon slurred slightly.
Ken groaned. "A state of lost self control brought on by alcohol consumption. And alcohol is VERY flammable."
Piyomon shuddered. "Agumon with LESS self-control? That would be rather bad."
"Might as well evolve to Skull Greymon. You'd get the same effect," Gomamon chirped.
"And you're going to let Daisuke drink?" Tailmon questioned.
"Well, there's not much either of those two can do without these." Joe held up Daisuke's and Ken's digivice.
"I still say there's no reason you had to take mine." Ken scowled.
"A wounded heart can do many unforgivable things." Mimi bright smile dipped a little. "Particularly when drunk."
Ken sagged back into his seat. "I... see your point." He chugged the bottle he was currently nursing.
Mimi blinked. "Was it something I said?"
"You could say that." Miyako sighed.
All of their attention was drawn to the sound of the door opening. Mrs. Yagami stepped out and bowed to everyone. "May I present to you the future Takenouchi Taichi and Sora, and the future Yagami Takeru and Hikari."
Everyone just stared. The digimon weren't certain what they should do. The kids were shocked.
"Takenouchi Taichi? Yagami Takeru?" Miyako questioned.
Taichi scratched the back of his head. "Well, Sora is an only child so she has to continue her clan name."
Takeru fidgeted. "And I'm a Takaishi only because of Mom's divorce, so it's not that important for me to continue the family name."
The kids gave a round of congratulations, and the digimon followed suit.
Mimi almost laughed through her smile. "And here I thought I'd be giving you hints on how to deal with boys, Hikari. I guess I'll have to go to you."
"Just because she's engaged hardly makes her an authority on that subject," Koushiro corrected her.
Mimi pouted. "You just don't get it."
Joe smiled as he pushed up his glasses. "She was just joking. Besides, being engaged does offer her more knowledge on that subject."
"Stop fawning over her and DO something about it! She'll only be here for today." Gomamon called out.
"It's not like that!" Joe's face was flushed.
Mimi pouted. "It's not?"
"I, ah, mean, well, I, it's just...." Joe gave up trying to explain and sagged.
Mimi giggled. Gomamon groaned. Everyone else laughed.
Palmon nudged Mimi and whispered, "Why don't you do something?"
Mimi whispered back, "I don't want to encourage him too much. He might want a steady relationship and I'm not ready for that."
"You've got to stop flirting and get serious at some point."
"I'm only just turned fourteen. I've got years to play around."
"What's with Agumon?" Taichi questioned as he watched his digimon partner swagger a little as he walked.
Daisuke held up his sake battle. "He drank a bottle 'fore we stopped him."
Mrs. Yagami took her attention off the unnerving monsters and looked at Daisuke. "Why didn't someone stop you?"
"Leave him be. I'll take care of him." Jun turned to Yamato. "I could use your help." She then leaned toward him and whispered, "My parents are going out tonight."
A shiver ran up Yamato's spin with the possibility of an evening mostly alone with Jun. Now if she would just stop teasing and do more than lose his shirt, he'd be in heaven.
Koushiro half-laughed, half-sighed. "I remember when you dreaded seeing her."
Yamato shrugged. "What can I say? She grew on me."
"Like a fungus," Daisuke said between drinks.
Jun batted Daisuke on the back of the head while blushing in embarrassment.
"So, Taichi, how's the prospect of becoming Mr. Takenouchi?" Joe asked.
"Unnerving," Taichi replied.
Sora smiled and placed on a hand on Taichi's arm. "Well, I think it sounds better than Yagami Sora."
"I don't." Taichi pouted.
"What about you, bro?" Yamato asked.
"I like Takenouchi Taichi a LOT better than Takenouchi Takeru." Takeru glared slightly at his mother.
"What about you becoming Yagami?"
"Takaishi Hikari or Yagami Takeru?" Takeru shrugged. "Doesn't make much difference to me."
"I think Yagami Takeru is cute." Hikari giggled.
Ken and Daisuke took long gulps.
Hikari sighed noticing them. "Daisuke, Ken... I'm sorry."
Ken shook his head. "Don't be. There are winners and losers in all things and I understand why we lost. Daisuke was too persistent, while I started too late to be a factor. Just be happy."
Hikari nodded. "I'll try."
"T.Y., you better keep her happy or I'll bust ya in da chomps." Daisuke shook his fist.
"I promise." Takeru blinked. "T.Y.?"
"It'll be your ininitals, ain't it?"
Yamato laughed. "Maybe we should just call you 'Ty' not." He then rubbed his chin. "Though that might be confusing with Taichi. Guess we'll just have to call you Ty-chan then."
Hikari's face quirked. "I'm still stuck with a 'Ty,' it'll just be Ty-chan instead of Taichi."
"Can you PLEASE just keep it as Takeru?" He pleaded.
"What ever you say, Ty-chan." Gomamon grinned.
The laughter, particularly from Hikari and his mother, hardly helped to keep Takeru from becoming more frustrated. "Why me?"
"Would you rather that I was engaged to Daisuke?" Hikari asked.
Takeru's eyes widened. "NO! I want to be engaged to you. I just want the teasing to stop."
Taichi patted Takeru on the back. "They're just jealous."
Takeru scowled slightly. "They're not teasing you."
Yamato grinned. "We just haven't had a chance to annoy TT yet."
Taichi sighed. "You can try to be a little more original."
"Give us time. The night is still young, and sake is great for celebrations!" Jun raised up a cup of sake. "Now let's raise a toast to the happy couples. Cheers!"