Takato: Well, before Daneel Rush arrives, Digimon doesn't belong to him. Why, you ask? Well, don't ask me! I just know things are much better that way. Oh, and don't ask me what does he own!?

DR: Hey, I'm here, refreshed and ready for action! Takato, my friend, did you do the disclaimer?

Takato: Sure thing!

DR: Good boy! *Pats Takato's head and gives him a cookie*

Rika: Hey! Don't do that! Takato is not your pet! *Looks angry*

DR: Oh, yeah, I forgot. He's yours…

Rika/Takato: *blush madly, Takato giggles a little bit, Rika seems like she's about to kill someone*

DR: Well, while Takato does some damage control and tries to stop Rika from killing me *avoids flying toilet*, why don't you guys read the next chapter?

CARD-O-RAMA!

Chapter 2

It's All In The Cards…

"I won…again…"

"Umm…Rika…could be a nice girl and tell me the score again?"

"Gogglehead, I'm not a nice girl, especially not with you…but the score is all for me, nothing for you. Gee, Renamon played better than you…"

As Takato Matsuki and Rika Nonaka shuffled their decks for what would be the…fiftieth game of that day, Takato couldn't help but stare at the woman he had in front of him with his tired, chocolate eyes. They had been like that for hours, and the sun was now close to fall. They were only interrupted at noon, when Rika's grandmother (who seemed very pleased to see Rika hanging around with Takato, by the way) called them for lunch, or, better said, to make Takato the victim of an incessant interrogation.  While the extremely pissed off Rika tried to eat her lunch, Takato was forced to answer all types of questions, from the innocent "How old are you?" to the deadly and possibly destructive "Do you think Rika would look nice in this pretty dress?" Fortunately, Rika finished eating at that precise moment, and dragged a blushing Takato back to her room.

"I told you, I'm not as good as you…that's why I didn't enter the competition in the first place."

"Maybe, but someone would expect you to learn a little from experience. For God's sake, Gogglehead, we've been playing the entire day!"

"I'm…kind of a slow learner…"

"If you were slower you'd extinguish!" Takato didn't know if he had to laugh, or insult her back. He made the mistake of taking the second option.

"Well, maybe if I hadn't played this stupid game until total exhaustion and boredom with a self-claimed "Digimon Queen", who has nothing better to do, I'd be more willing to learn!"

After Rika took a second or two to recover from the shock, she shot him a cold glare, to which Takato –much to Rika's surprise- responded with one of his own. A staring competition ensued, the loser being the one who looked away. Takato won, mainly because he ended up lost in her beautiful violet eyes, and he just couldn't get his eyes off them. On the other side, Rika, who has no idea about love whatsoever (yet…), got tired and just looked away. An awkward silence filled the house, only interrupted by Rika's grandma, who seemed to be whistling a song in the kitchen. Finally, Rika stood up and broke the silence.

"I…I guess it's been enough for today. I'll guide you to…"

"I'm sorry." Takato interrupted her. Rika stared at him with disbelief. What does he mean?

"What I said…I shouldn't have said it…I'm just…a little tired, and I lost my nerve quite easily. I'm deeply sorry." Takato said softly, as he couldn't risk losing whatever kind of relationship he had with Rika, who, by the way, couldn't believe what she had just heard.

He is apologizing!? But…why, if I was…

"No problem, Gogglehead. I was the one who started it, after all. But it's getting late, anyway. Why don't you go home and rest?"

Sighing in relief, Takato followed Rika to the main door, where they stopped to share some final words. But the words Rika had in mind were most unexpected.

"So…same time tomorrow, Gogglehead?"

WHAT!? To…tomorrow again!? This is…this is too good to be true! I don't know what I did to deserve this, God, but thanks!

Showing a sickeningly huge grin, Takato nodded cheerfully, while Rika still wondered how a person could be so furious one moment and so happy at the next minute.

"Sure! Coming here is a lot more exciting than baking bread, that's for sure! Besides, I've got something that might help you."

"You? Helping me? I'll see a bunny fly first."

"Calumon can fly."

"Calumon is not a bunny, Goggles." Silence filled the place again as both Tamers remembered the Digimon (or should I say catalyst?) that for them represented the very definition of happiness. Finally, Takato walked through the door, getting Rika's attention again.

"Well…see you tomorrow, Rika." Takato said as he waved good-bye and started walking.

"Good night, Takato." Was her reply. Did she just say my name!? Takato immediately thought but when he looked again, Rika had already closed the door. With a sigh of frustration and an overwhelming happiness, Takato started walking home.

However, ten minutes later, he made a slight change to his plans (and let's thank God he did it, because if he hadn't, this fic would be very boring…).

I wonder if I still have time…if the Card Store if still open, I'm very lucky!

He quickly made his way to the Comics Store, as he knew of one particular card he wanted Rika to have. In a record time, he arrived to the Store. However, he hadn't been fast enough. A big sign that said "Closed" was shown on the door, and all of the lights had been turned off. But while Takato silently cursed, a voice was clearly heard from the inside.

"Oh, Mr. Sagara! So…why do I have this pleasure?" It was easy to recognize. The Shop Owner was talking to someone. Takato, being as curious as he is, leaned his ear against the door, trying to get the faint voices with better detail. After a while, the Shop Owner spoke again.

"Oh, this is…"

"My son Ken is really interested in winning this contest." A different voice spoke this time.

"Of course, all of the kids around want to enter, but only the best can make it. I don't blame your son; the prize is quite…formidable. But he'll have to do pretty good to win that cash. Nonaka and Akiyama are already in."

Takato leaned even closer, while checking if the door was open. Much to his surprise, it was! So I came in time…he just closed early… Takato concluded, not that it really matters, though. Carefully, Takato closed the door behind him, and dashed to hide behind the counter. He could see a faint light coming from a room behind the shop, probably a store room. Even if he still couldn't see their faces, at least Takato could listen clearly to their voices, especially as they were nice enough to speak in a pretty loud tone.

"I see…anyway, that's the reason I brought this." The mysterious man, Mr. Sagara, said. Takato would have liked to see what "it" was, but he couldn't take that risk. However, he wouldn't need to see it to find out, as the Shop Owner said it himself.

"This is…this is a lot of money!!"

"Yes, yes it is, and it will be yours if you make sure my son gets…a little help. After all, you're one of the judges."

"But…but…there's a lot more than 100000 yens in here…if you're gonna lose money, after all, then why are you doing this, mister?"

Takato could hear a loud sigh, probably from Mr. Sagara, before the answer.

"My son has more than enough money. We're one of the wealthiest families around, after all. But what he really needs is a confidentiality boost. I want him to believe he can do things by himself, even if that's not…entirely true. So…why don't you help me? After all…it's for a good cause."

Takato couldn't believe what he heard. They're gonna… the contest…but… Instantly, his thoughts trailed to Rika, and how focused she was in winning the contest. He couldn't let them do this! If not for him, he had to do it Rika…maybe for Ryo, too, but…nah…

For a second, he wished with his heart and soul that the Comic Shop Owner wouldn't accept the money, but that didn't last for long.

"Alright, I'll take it." Takato sighed silently.

"Excellent. Half now, half when my son wins the tournament. It's been a pleasure, mister. Good night." Mr. Sagara said before he left, probably through a back door, as nobody walked inside the store. For a silent minute, Takato thought of his possibilities. He could face the Shop owner right now, but how could he explain the fact that he entered the store after "closing time"? Or…he could uncover the owner during the competition, in front of everybody, and most importantly, in front of Rika…

*Wahoo!!! Takato's Fantasy # 2!!!!*

"Takato! Takato!!!"

Takato smiled as Rika Nonaka ran towards him, a big smile on her face, and a big, golden medal around her neck. She didn't care to stop in front of him, but instantly jumped to his arms, crying with happiness.

"I won, Takato, I won! And it's all thanks to you! I can't believe you uncovered the corrupted judge! You're the best!"

While Rika hugged him tightly, Takato leaned closer to her ear and whispered a few words.

"I only did it for you, Rika"

When his chocolate eyes met Rika's violet orbs, a sparkle of joy, happiness and hope shone in both of them. The pleasure of watching Rika smile was more than enough, but her next words made him skip a…no, several beats.

"Kiss me, Takato."

Takato didn't need anything more. Without a doubt, he leaned closer to Rika, who had closed her eyes, and her lips awaited the magic contact. Takato moved closer, and closer, and closer, and then…

*Sorry guys, but that's enough for today!*

Takato suddenly (and reluctantly) returned to the real world when he heard steps coming closer. He thought about the possibility of escaping through the front door, and he was about to leap out of his hiding place at the same moment the Shop Owner walked inside the room, a big wad of cash in his hands (not literally a wad, but…).Then, Takato realized he was about to lock the door! He had to get out of there, and fast. Thankfully, his mind still worked correctly during risky situations, because his eyes immediately focused on the storage room in the back, and the door that could take him to safety. Immediately, he dashed behind the counter and inside the Store Room, but his sneakers made too much noise against the floor, and caught the attention of the man in charge of the store.

"Who is there!?" the man shouted, more frightened than surprised, as the fear of someone who could possibly know of his "little plot" with Mr. Sagara filled his mind. But as he looked carefully, he realized there was nobody inside the room. Takato had already made it to the Storage Room, and hid behind some boxes. The man slowly made his way to the Store Room, grabbing a gun in the process. When Takato looked at the man walking in the room and blocking the back door, the only door, and when he noticed the black thing he had with him, a gulp went down his throat.

Oh, great, now Comic Book Salesmen have guns, too…you know, I could use a Pyro Blaster right now…

He forced himself to get his thoughts somewhere else when the loud voice of Mr. Shop Owner echoed in the seemingly empty room.

"Hey, Mr. Burglar. Why don't you get out of wherever you are? I'm sure we can…work something out…" Takato immediately understood.

So he fears that I know about his little dirty scheme…well, I know of his dirty little scheme, but that's not the thing…

He realized he could make his way out of there with words, and decided to reason with the man, who seemed as scared as he was. Faking his best gangster voice, Takato finally spoke.

"So…mister…what kind of deal are you thinking of?"

"Matsuki?"

Damn it!

Without a doubt, he grabbed the first thing he saw (surprise, surprise, an Imperialdramon action figure! Now it really flies!), and threw at the puzzled man. Then, he dashed across the room, grabbing a box of Digimon Cards in the process (now that I'm already here…) and got out of the store before the guy could react. After that, well…he ran as if there were no tomorrow, and didn't stop until he was in his comfortable room.

An hour later, when his heart returned to its normal pace, his stomach was full and he had changed to his pajamas, he found himself checking the box of Digimon Cards he had, well…stolen. As a good collector, he studied all of the cards very carefully.

"Got it, got it, hey, I don't have this one… got it, and got it! Oh, this is a cool one! Got it, this one's new, got it…here!"

Finally, Takato found the card he was looking for, the card he noticed Rika lacked, the card he was going to give the next day. He got up and put it in his pocket, to make sure he wouldn't forget it. And as he got ready to sleep, his mind couldn't help but reviewing the events of that day.

A whole day with Rika…I can't believe it…and I'll see her tomorrow, too! That makes two days in a row!

But his mind also reminded him of what happened just a while before. He had not only discovered a conspiracy, but he also got caught, AND he stole a box of cards. He promised himself not to walk inside that store until everything was over, and if the Owner wanted something with him, he would make sure everyone in West Shinjuku knew about his little plan. Finally, with a smile on his face, and a new found confidence, Takato trailed away to the world of dreams, where pleasant experience awaited, as every night he dreamt…of Rika Nonaka.

*************************************************************************

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Rika: Oh, Gogglehead, I love you, too!

DR: AHEM!

Rika: Oh! You're still here!? *blushes alongside Takato*

DR: Ooookay…after this…touching moment…I want everyone to know that…well…Rukato rules!

Rika: Gee, we already know that… *kisses Takato*

DR: Whoa! What, no kiss for me?

Rika: One, Takato is cute, you aren't. Two, even if you were, I'd rather kiss a Numemon.

DR: Gee, thanks…

Takato: *LOL* Oh, Rika, be nice to him, after all, he's a fan, and that's good.

Rika: OK! But only because Takato think you're nice, ok!?

DR: God bless Takato… *sarcasm*

Next Chapter: When Rika and Ryo have a close encounter of the "I'M GONNA KILL YOU!!!" type, Takato's jealously reaches a new peak. However, he has other things to think of, like the corrupted judge, for example. And who better to help than…*drum rolls* Henry Wong, ladies and gentlemen! Don't miss these two wreak some havoc in the next chapter of Card-O-Rama: Gogglehead and Brainiac: Private…Detectives?