::Yawn:: I don't know how long mom and I talked, but she wanted to know all what happened the last years in our lives. Very hard to explain was why I declined Daisuke skipping a grade like the school wanted me to. He ever aced at school although or perhaps because he was an outsider. But letting him skip would be the same as putting a sign on his head reading "I'm really an outsider!". And he should've had to learn everything he skipped after school. I know that he's gifted, but destroying the last pieces of his childhood isn't my favorite, and his mom would kill me if she found out. We all know what could happen if You put too much on a child's shoulder, he might break down like Ken once… Somehow I managed to explain this my mom, although she didn't understand my motives completely she accepted my decision. I filled her everything in except my tries to sell a few novels, I still have no answer but I gave them my new address before I left London. I hope that they are interested…
Oh, what – or better – who's laying besides me ? – Ridiculous to ask, I know who's there : Daisuke. He's too kind to wake me if he cannot sleep, so he climbs into my bed and cuddles besides me. As long it's only him and me I've got no problems with this. I still doesn't understand why I deserve him, the last years he was my only ray of hope, the only reason to get up every morning. I try not to wake him up while I grab the photo which I put there yesterday before I went sleep. It's the photo of both teams intertwined without our digimon. It has become a ritual, every night before I go sleep I look at everyone on this photo and give them a silent goodnight. I wonder why Dai has never asked about this photo and who these persons are…
":Yawn: Dad ?"
"Yes, Dai ?"
"Who are they ?"
Isn't this ridiculous ? Sometimes I really hate coincidence, but my whole life is fond on coincidence, so I cannot complain…
"I thought, You never ask… These are/were my closest friends in my childhood. We shot this photo after our fight against Malomyotismon."
"You mean, You were one of the twelve ?"
I remember, our fights are now part of public history, although our identities are hidden with the help of Gennai. Historians only know our number and that we are Japanese, but nothing more. Now we're only called 'the twelve'.
"Yep, Dai. My partner is/was Patamon who could evolve to Angemon and later MagnaAngemon. With my friend Iori we made Shakkoumon. That was an interesting time, we had good and also bad times, but in the end it's a good memory."
"How comes that You never told me ?"
"The easiest way to answer would be that You never asked, but that's a lie. That time is hard for me to remember, everytime I also remember some facts I don't like. Some parts I hardly try to forget and others remember me of my biggest mistake I made…" I hardly hold back some tears.
"Sorry dad that I asked…"
"No, don't be, You deserve to know. If You like I'll tell You a little bit today, not everything but it'll be a beginning."
"Tell me dad, who of them are You ?"
I point on my 11-year-old self. "That was me, and the other blonde behind me that's uncle Yamato."
"Yamato was also 'one of twelve' ?"
"Yep, we both were since the beginning in the team. His partner was Gabumon which could evolve in Garurumon, Weregarurumon and Metalgarurumon. Somehow both fit together, they were both lone wolves…"
"Who's that girl besides You, she looks nice…"
Bingo! But what shall I tell him… I think I'll tell him when I'm ready…
"That's Hikari, perhaps my best friend at that time. Her partner was Tailmon…"
"And who's the boy with the spiky hair and the goggles on his head ?"
"Fine sense, that's Daisuke Motomiya, at that time my worst rival and later my best friend. You're named after him, I'm only sorry that he moved to the US before Your birth. He planned to open a restaurant there… You know what ? We both get dressed and then we try to get something for breakfast. And later I try to tell You more about us. It's a deal ?"
"Deal !"
I know why he's my own ray of hope, sometimes he's really mature but then he's also like a child. He's really unique…
Slowly we both get up. While Dai moves into his room to get dressed I grab a towel and head towards the showers. We got a sharing agreement, first I get a shower and shave, then he can occupy the bathroom…
*** 45 minutes later ***
Lucky, my mom was still asleep when we sneaked out of the apartment. We don't know where we find a restaurant or a café which has open at that time, it's about 07.30 am, but I hope we'll find one. During the whole walk Dai sits on my shoulder and I show him a little around. I notice that many houses got renovated but then there are also many which looks like I remember. Finally we find an open restaurant, and it's called "Veemon's noodles". I can't hold back a laughter…
"Dad, what's funny ?"
"Dai, I told You of my friend Daisuke, his partner was Veemon. Do You think that could be coincidence ?"
We both shake our heads and say unisonous "No…"
"I think we should have our breakfast here…"
We head in and sit down at a free table. A few minutes later a waiter appears. We order something light to eat and about 15 minutes later a vine-red haired young man in a cooking dress brings our food.
"I'm sorry that it took this long, but our cooks are ill and I have to fill in."
"No problem, we've got time, we really don't mind…"
I notice Dai shoveling in his food. Even if he doesn't know my friend, he has some of his habits. And then I notice something familiar about the cook, I think I know him, but I cannot resolve why…
"Is that Your son who inhales his food ?"
"Yes, that's my son Daisuke, my pride…"
Just as I say Dai's name I notice the cook chuckling. I wonder why he does so, but then I notice something else, a familiar aura; it can't be, but why not…
"Motomiya Daisuke ? That's You ?"
Now I've got him off guard, he looks strangely at me. Has he forgotten me ? Okay, I've to admit, during the last 10 years I changed although not as much as he. Just in the moment he looks in my eyes his widen…
"Takaishi Takeru ?"
"Yep, that's me. I didn't expect to see You again before the digiworld reopens…"
"Me neither. I'm sorry for losing contact, but I had too much work…" I notice my son with widen eyes looking at Daisuke.
"Dai, that's Daisuke, the one we talked about earlier…"
"Hello, Mr. Motomiya." He's as polite as everytime. I think he's got his politeness from his mom.
"Please don't call me Mr. Motomiya, I'm Davis. That's the name I'm now used to. Mr. Motomiya make me older than I am…"
"Okay, Mr… Okay, Davis…" I can barely hold back a laugh.
"Tell me Daisuke… Davis, how long are You back here ?"
"I opened my restaurant a few months ago, but my family moved here just yesterday. Are You staying longer ?"
"We also just moved back from England, just now we're staying at my mom's. Today I want to show Dai a little bit around Odaiba, later in the morning I've got an appointment at our old school for signing him in, and then we'll see."
"Perhaps we'll see us later at the school, I've got an appointment too, but for now I've to manage my restaurant; You know too much work and too many problems. It was nice to see You again, I really hope we'll meet again so that we can fill each other in what happened the last 10 years. And I'd like to introduce You my son."
"Be sure, we
will, at least I know where You work…" I add a smirk.
"Bye, You two… And by the way, today it's my treat."
"Bye, Mr. … ahem, Davis."
"Bye Daisuke." We only see him vanish into the kitchen.
"Dad, was he ever this way ?"
"Yep… Sometimes even worse, but he was ever a good friend."
*** Hikari's POV ***
Just after entering the school, our principal Mrs. Iwakomo waits for me.
"Mimi, please go to the class, I've to speak with the principal."
"Yes, mom." She leaves and heads to our class. This year I'm her teacher, it's a difficult situation to have Your own child as student, but at least I don't have all classes with her.
"Mrs. Yagami ?"
"Yes, Mrs. Iwakomo ?"
"I've to inform You that You'll have tomorrow two new students: One's from England and one's from America."
"Is there any other information ?"
"I only know one name yet, Motomiya Takeru. I'll send them later to You for a short introduction when they arrive." I chuckle as I hear the name Motomiya Takeru. That's too weird… "Is something wrong ?"
"Not really, but I am used to know a Motomiya, and Takeru was the name of my fiancée."
"I'm sorry if I hit into an old wound."
"You don't need to be sorry, You couldn't know about this. It just make me remember the mistake I made 8 years before… I think it's better if I head to my class."
"Just remember to visit my office this afternoon for getting their papers."
"I will."
Motomiya Takeru, I can't believe it that Daisuke named his son after him. Okay, we named our son after Daisuke, but I never thought that he would do this…
I push this thought aside and head to my class. That'll be an interesting day…
*** Takeru's POV – later this morning ***
Odaiba hasn't really changed, it's definitely the old, especially the local park.
This morning I showed Dai around and we talked about the DDs especially Daisuke. I can't remember how many stories I told him, but it doesn't count, Dai was/is very excited about this especially since I never told him about before. Just now we're sitting outside the principal's office at Dai's new school. We've to wait until the principal's ready with the other new student. Finally the door opens and Daisuke with his son leaves. His son looks alike him when he was younger and has around Dai's age.
"Oh Takeru, may I introduce You my son Takeru ?"
I barely manage not to burst into laughter and only smile.
"Takeru that's Takaishi Takeru, the one I told You."
"Mr. Takaishi, nice to meet You…"
"Don't call me Mr. Takaishi, just call me Takeru."
"Mr… Takaishi, You're next."
Daisuke, or now Davis, takes the seat I used before meanwhile I enter the principal's office.
It's not an interesting talk, she asks me a little bit about me and Dai, about his grades at his old school, how good he's in Japanese and so on. Then she checks the forms I filled before. There was no problem except for one thing.
"Are You sure about this ?" She shows me the part about Dai's mother.
"Definitely yes. That's correct. Why do You ask ?" She looks at me in disbelief.
"No special reason…" She lies, but I cannot resolve why. Then she continues with the check.
"I think that's all okay, now we've only to visit his teacher for a little introduction. Just follow me…"
She opens the door and we leave her office; Daisuke and his son are still waiting outside.
"Takeru, can You do me a favor ?"
"No problem, which one ?"
"There's an emergency at the restaurant and I've to go back. Can You take care of Takeru meanwhile. I try to be back as soon as possible. If I'm not and You know where I'll be."
"No problem, Daisuke."
Before he leaves he tells his son to behave and that I'll care about him until Daisuke's back.
We three follow the principal to the class which both will attend since tomorrow. I've got a weird feeling that something will happen…
*** Hikari ***
I'm just about to explain my class the high science of multiplication. To be honest, it's not that difficult, but try this to explain 8-year-old kids… In my first year I really got problems but with the help of other teachers I finally managed to break the ice, now that's no longer a real problem. Somehow is today different, I barely can concentrate and I've an odd feeling which I last had about that day…
Suddenly the principal, Mrs. Iwakomo, enters. I think our new students are standing outside. She signs that she doesn't want a greeting, so I only order the class to keep calm during my talk with the her.
"Mrs. Yagami, I brought the two new students with me, they're now standing outside. I also brought one parent. I'll take over the class during Your talk with them. And take Your daughter with You, she might show the two boys around the school."
"Thanks. I try to make it fast…"
"You don't need to. Take the time You need, and I really enjoy teaching, I barely have time to do this since I became the principal."
I wave at Mimi to follow me and we both leave the classroom. Sometimes I really don't understand Mrs. Iwakomo, once she told me that she hated to teach 3rd-graders and then today she says the opposite. Perhaps she thinks that the reunion with Daisuke would take a little bit longer…
At the moment I close the door I notice a huge familiar looking blonde man with two children. Somehow I cannot hold the image, then I look at the two children. The first has vine-red spiky hair with a pair of goggles on it, definitely Daisuke's son.
I greet him "You have to be Motomiya Takeru, I'm Mrs. Yagami, Your future teacher." I notice the huge blonde nervously looking at me as if he knows something I don't…
Then I look at the other boy… OH BOY, if I didn't know better I'd say he's a spitting image of my ex-fiancée at his age. And then his eyes, he has exactly the same although there's something else in them, something familiar, something I see every morning in the mirror… I don't need three tries to guess who he is, it can only be one, the one I've betrayed for 8 years.
Before I break down I barely manage to say his name ~"Daisuke…"
But then I cannot hold back my cries. I feel lost and lightless, but then I notice a familiar aura, something I missed for so long. And then he holds me close so that I can sob in his shoulder as we were used to before the incident…
~"I'm so sorry, Hikari… I wanted to apologize the last eight years for what I've done to You… to me… to us. I hope You can forgive me. If not today, perhaps in the future…" I notice his voice cracked as if he tries to hold back his own tears…
My thoughts get interrupted by …
"Mom ? Are You okay ?" That's Mimi…
I try to answer but cannot manage to. It's Takeru who answers instead…
"Don't worry, Mimi. I'll take care of her; can You please show Daisuke and Takeru around the school meanwhile ? We've much to talk about…"
"No problem, Mr. ???"
"Takaishi Takeru, but just call me Takeru. And I vow that she'll be as safe as with Tailmon…"
I know that she don't need anything more to hear, the phrase with Tailmon made sure that he's trustful, only my closest friends know about her…
I notice the children slowly disappear but I can overhear what they're talking about…
"Tell me, Dai, how comes that Your dad knows about Tailmon ?"
"That's simple, he's one of twelve like Your dad."
"Cool…"
"Shall I tell You two something funny ?"
"Shoot…"
"My mom is one too…"
I don't know, shall I cry or laugh ? It's somehow strangely to see our kids with Daisuke's son talking like best friends… This feeling lasts a few seconds until my sadness gets back.
"Sorry, Takeru…"
"You don't need to be. You were right, Dai and I were never happy in London, we were ever outsiders, we should've stayed back here."
"No, You were right… I know that my money couldn't support us four, at the beginning it was barely enough for Mimi and me. I don't know what we would've done with You two around. Can You forgive my stubbornness ?"
"There's nothing that I've to forgive You, if there was something I've forgiven a long time ago. Can You forgive me ?"
"That's the same. But can they forgive us ?"
"I don't know, I really hope Dai will forgive me for not telling him the truth…"
"You haven't told too ? I didn't know how to explain Mimi what happened and why she hasn't a family…"
"I know… I know how You feel, it's the same with me. Shall we tell them this evening ?"
"I think… They deserve to know. Where shall we do this ?"
"How about Your apartment, we just moved back yesterday and stay at my mom's. My luggage hasn't arrived yet, especially the special bag. I only have a few very personal things taken with me."
"Then it's settled, after school we'll head to my apartment and then we'll face the truth… Perhaps we can fill each other in what happened the last eight years…"
I notice that I'm still in his embrace, and it's feels still right as if nothing happened. I know that I should slip out of it, but I can't. I don't want to let him go again, I did this once and I've regretted it since then, I really can't. But what if there's someone special in his life ? What if he doesn't love me anymore ? What if… Then I notice him looking in my eyes, he still have the same look in them which causes me faint… No he hasn't, there's nobody else, he was the last eight years lonely with his last ray of hope, Daisuke… What have I done…
"Don't cry, Hika. You know I cannot stand seeing You crying. Be strong as You used to be, as strong as You were the last eight years; it had to be hard for You. Be strong for Mimi and Dai, be strong for Yourself and be strong for me."
I look again in his eyes and notice the same feeling between us we used to have. He still loves me… I'm sure he does, but I don't know how deep… I don't know why but I've to do this… I snuggle closer to him and do something I wanted for eight years, something I missed so long, I placed a kiss on his lips. It begins as a simple one without passion, but with him kissing back it becomes one…
I don't know how long this lasts but it's interrupted by familiar voices…
"MOM ?"
"DAD ?"
Geeze, they are definitely our kids, they have exactly the same timing like us at their age. There's only one fitting reaction for this, we both begin to laugh like the last day on earth… They've to think that we finally lost it. It takes us one or two minutes to calm down. But the look in our children's faces are just too funny. Finally I manage to concentrate again…
"We'll explain You two later. Takeru, I'll be at Your mom's apartment at 3.15 pm after my last class. Mimi, I like You to stay with Takeru and Daisuke, You can show them a little bit around Odaiba and You can use the opportunity to ask him about Patamon…" I know how she loves Patamon, she ever wanted to know everything about him. I see her eyes widen as she realizes her chance.