Notes: Yeah, me again with part 2. Don't worry, it's a lot less violent than part 1. Oh and for the record, I actually don't see Mr. Ishida as a violent man. I just wanted to do a story about child abuse, and Matt happened to be the first person I thought of. Anyway I'll shut up now.
* * * * *
I'm positive that I've torn all of the tendons in my shoulder. With every move of my arm, a sharp pain shoots through it. It's not an unpleasant feeling though. Actually, it's extremely pleasant. Kind of a reminder that I'm alive, I guess.
I do believe I'm becoming a masochist.
"Yamato? Are you listening to me?"
Wouldn't that be wonderful? Me, a masochist. I suppose I'm being deduced to putting ads in the personal section of the newspaper claiming "Masochist in search of sadist." What a life.
"Yamato?! Are you there?!"
"Huh?" I glance over to see Sora and Koushiro staring expectantly at me. Oh yeah, that's right. I'm in school, at lunch. And I probably should've been involved in a conversation with my friends. Now what were they talking about? "I'm sorry. What were you saying?"
They share a look. "Are you feeling all right today, Yamato?" Sora asks me.
"Is my hair messed up?"
"No." She looks confused.
"Then I'm perfectly fine."
Koushiro rolls his eyes. "You are excessively self-absorbed."
"And loving every minute of it." I raise my can of soda to him.
He's about to shoot a remark back at me. A sentence full of sixteen letter words, no doubt, but he is interrupted.
"Hi, Taichi." Sora's arm shoots up to wave at her boyfriend, who's returned from his appointment with the school counselor. I fight the urge to roll my eyes.
"Hey, baby," he coos, kissing her softly before plopping down next to her. Oh, screw the fight. Let 'em roll.
No one appears to notice my disgust with the couple. They're listening to Taichi relay the details of his meeting with the counselor. While at one time I would've been hanging on to his every word, this time I decide instead to stare blankly at air in front of me.
I remember when I first heard that they were together. I'd marched myself all the way to Takeru's and then proceeded to throw myself onto his bedroom floor, screaming, "It's not fair. He called me 'Yama.'" You see, in my warped mind the fact that Taichi referred to me as 'Yama' actually meant something.
Of course, he calls her 'baby.' I don't stand a chance.
"Yamato, you're doing it again!" Sora snaps her fingers in front of my face, getting my attention. All three of them are looking at me now, identical looks of concern on their faces. It makes me nervous.
Mumbling something about needing to do something, I push myself off of the seat, sighing tiredly as my movements cause another sharp pain in my shoulder. Pleasure gets unbelievably tedious after a while.
* * * * *
I felt much better by the end of the school day, even agreeing to go to Taichi's soccer game.
I despise soccer. It makes no sense to me why anyone would spend their afternoon kicking a checkered ball around a field. Then again no sport ever makes sense to me.
But Taichi loved it, and therefore I learned to endure it.
All of the new digidestined were there when we arrived. Did I mention that soccer is a bonding experience for us all?
I sat next to my brother (the farthest seat away from Sora), who was too busy talking to Hikari to notice me. Story of my life, not being noticed. Not that I care, mind you. Be aware of my presence or not. It doesn't matter to me.
"'Kari, you're looking quite pulchritudinous today," I hear from somewhere off to my left.
"Been reading that dictionary again, huh Daisuke?" I have to repress a smile. Takeru reminds me of myself at that age. At that age? Did I actually say that? I feel old.
"Very funny, TC."
Takeru rolls his eyes and continues conversing with Hikari. Those two make a cute couple.
I watch silently as Daisuke takes a seat next to me. He's wearing Taichi's goggles just like he always does. Why on earth does that make me jealous? I mean, just because he gave Daisuke his most treasured object, why should I be jealous? After all, he is the new leader and all. Besides…
"Hi."
I jerk my head around to see Daisuke holding his hand out. What, does he want to shake hands? But we've already met. Oh well, no use in being rude. I extend my hand also and we shake. "Hi."
He grins. "Ha, now I can tell Jun that I shook THE hand of Ishida Yamato. She'll be jealous."
I laugh. Wow, it's been a while since I did that. "You want an autograph so you can bribe her?"
He shrugs. "Sure. A little bribe never killed anyone. Anyone got a piece of paper?"
"Yeah, I do," Ken says, giving him one. The ex-Kaiser, huh? I never would have believed it in a million years.
"Thanks, I'm sure it'll come in handy someday," Daisuke says as I hand the autograph to him.
I smile a little and turn to the soccer field. The game's about to start.
* * * * *
Ten minutes into the game, I was bored. Sure, it was nice to actually have a reason to stare at Taichi. Still, it's not worth this.
"Woohoo! Go, Tai!" Sora screams as he scores another goal. He turns and gives her a little wink.
They've been doing it the whole game. Needless to say, I'm thoroughly disgusted.
"Crap," I say, pretending to glance at my watch, "I've gotta go." The game's nearly over anyway. They'll get over it.
I get a collection of 'byes' along with a few concerned looks. God, you'd think I have a 'Handle With Care' sign on my forehead. I start to walk away.
Dad's working late, if I remember right. That's good. Maybe my shoulder will get a chance to heal.
Hmm. I stop walking momentarily. Why am I getting the strange feeling that someone is watching me? Must be my imagination.
Well, one more day done with. I smile slightly as a stray thought pops into my head. I'll get through this day untouched and alive. Huh, thank God for that.