Note: Hey everyone, almost done with this story! Thank you for all the reviews! Final chapter!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chapter 12 - The Never Ending Story
"Miyako-chan?" Miyako turned her head and sighed, a head peeking out from behind the television. She could see the feather sticking out, making her see him as he moved his head from side to side. His eyes searched her for a second and he beak slightly turned to the side for a smile. Hawkmon was trying to make her smile, but it wasn't working.
Miyako sat up from bed and frowned, turning her head towards him. "I don't know what to do, Hawkmon. I don't want to lose him..."
The bird Digimon flew towards her and landed on the bed near her legs. For years, he waited to meet her again, expecting the same, cheerful Miyako who always made him laugh. But... this was not the Miyako he remembered. Miyako was at the age where love and relationships mattered the most. He wanted to say something meaningful, but Hawkmon didn't understand anything about human emotions, except the fact that they all cried over small things and were quick at being depressed. Sometimes he understood her, but sometimes... he did not get her at all. With one wing, he placed a hand on her lap and smiled his best smile. "What do you believe you should do, Miyako? Would you rather lose him for his happiness or make him stay so you will happy? What matters to you the most?"
Miyako thought for a moment. She wanted to be happy. All her life, she wished for someone who would love her in return- a guy who would notice her and finally Ken had come. Even after school when they were in high school, she would come to his school and watch him play soccer. Her eyes would travel to where he ran and to where he scored, never taking her eyes off of him. Sometimes she scared herself by doing it, thinking what a moron she was to be obsessing over a guy whom, she knows, will probably ignore her. When she found out Ken was the Digimon Kaiser, she gave it all up, because at that point, she didn't believe her love could last anymore. She had to give her love for him then, so why should she do it now? Is it selfish to love someone and not let them go? Is it selfish to take the happiness in their lives so you can be happy? Miyako sighed, plopping herself back on the bed. She didn't want to think anymore. She needed to finish studying and sleep early so she can get a fresh start tomorrow for the Math exam. She closed her eyes and smiled, thinking of the time she and Ken met for the first time after the incident with Owikawa.
"Miya-chan?" Hawkmon called softly, leaning his head to look at her face closely. She had fallen asleep. Smiling gently, Hawkmon grabbed the ends of the blanket, having to lift both her legs to do it and placed it over top her small form. Strange how humans think, he thought, taking a seat on the other side of the bed. He watched her for a while, before sleep overcame him.
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She wanted him to be happy. Was she really selfish to think otherwise? Hanako laid on the couch, thinking about the relationship between Miyako and Ken. Glancing towards another person sitting on another chair to her right, sighing. The girl looked up with a sad expression, obviously worried about Ken and Miyako as well. The red head sat up and moved so that she was sitting on the couch. She leaned back and took a giant breath.
"Shouldn't we do something?" Hanako spoke, looking up at Akira.
Akira shook her head. "We shouldn't interfere. It's Ken's choice, now it's up to Miyako to make the decision on their relationship." She picked up the glass of water from the table in front of her and sipped it until she could see the bottom and put it back down. She was glad Ken was staying, but the decision he made, in her opinion was a mistake. He could have gone to Harvard and could have gotten a good job there after graduation. Then after that, he could come back and if he's ready... marry Miyako and they could have a good life in America. But, what did she know? She wasn't their mother. If Ken decided on staying, then so be it.
Hanako hung her head, thinking of the days that Miyako was happy. She has never seen her as happy as she was now, being with Ken and all. Miyako was always depressed about certain things, even though she would smile, but underneath it, she was breaking inside. Ken broke that barrier and made her REALLY happy with everything in her life. She couldn't blame Miyako for wanting Ken to stay instead of going off to America to study. She would have done the same thing if it happened to her- that is... if she ever HAS a decent boyfriend. "You're right," she replied finally, after a few seconds. "We should let them handle it now."
Both thought for a moment as they sat silently on their seats.
After a few more minutes, Akira finally spoke up. "Well, there's no point in thinking about it now. I have to go to work anyway." She glanced at her watch. "If I don't leave now, I'm going to be late and my boss will kill me."
"Isn't this the third time you were ALMOST late?" Hanako asked, looking up as Akira walked pass her.
Akira just shrugged while she opened the door to her room. She paused by the doorway and glanced at her. "Hai," she replied, winking and closing the door behind her.
Hanako rolled her eyes. She stood up, stretched and sat back down lazily on the couch. "Well, good thing I don't have work then," she said to herself. Her mind drifted back to Miyako and her smile. Her smile towards Ken was the most wonderful thing she ever did see. For the eighteen years in her life, all she has ever done was pretend she was happy, but with her parents' divorce and the death of her little sister, she couldn't really smile for the sake of others. The red headed girl drifted off to sleep the moment she thought of her little sister, Kasumi and by the time she fell asleep, Akira left the room and out of the apartment fast or her boss will fire her for good if she doesn't show up soon.
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Miyako stretched and yawned. She glanced at her bedside clock, surprised at how much sleep she had. She was THAT tired. Looking to her left, she found Hawkmon snuggled up beside her, his head just resting against her back and his wings curled in front of him. Miyako watched him for a moment, before finally sitting up from bed, disturbing Hawkmon's peaceful slumber. He woke up with tired eyes, even though he slept at the same time as her and rubbed his wings over his eyes. He stretched for a moment, before his eyes fully opened to a new day. He glanced at her watch... it was half pass six in the morning! He looked up and found Miyako looking at him with a smile.
"Ohayo, Hawkmon-chan!" she spoke, getting up from bed. She left the room and into the bathroom to brush up. She had an hour until her exam so she decided to take her time.
"Did you have a good sleep?" he called through the door of the bathroom.
"HAI!" Miyako replied. She picked up her toothbrush, filled it with toothpaste and began brushing, humming a tune from J-pop- one that reminded her of the time she and Ken spent the summer together in China, where he treated her like a Queen and she a King. It was a magnificent balance between two lovers. She often wondered where he got the money... She paused, her arm stopping in midair during brushing. Her thoughts landed on him going to Harvard where he could get a good career, a good payable job for him to be happy in. Is she stopping him from what he wanted the most? Is she stopping him from what Osamu wanted from Ken the most?
You're a terrible person, Miyako, a voice spoke in her head.
She shook her head, shaking the voice from her mind and continued brushing. Once finished, she spit the content from her mouth and turned on the tap, and then scooped some water in her hands and filled it inside her mouth where she began gurgling. After a couple of seconds, she spit the used water out and put the toothbrush back inside the clean container, when Ken's voice bounced back in her head.
"It's too late, I've already made my decision, despite what they say about reserving a seat for me. Miyako... I love you... When Hanako left, I felt I didn't have the right to tell you about Harvard right after she boarded that plane and left your life for good. I thought that if I stayed, you wouldn't be sad anymore."
So that SHE wasn't going to be sad anymore? Miyako grabbed her towel from the towel rack, took off her clothes from head to toe and drew the curtains of her shower stall, then stepped inside.
"...I thought that if I stated, you wouldn't be said anymore."
"...YOU wouldn't be sad anymore."
She turned on the hot and cold water on the tap, waiting until it was the right temperature and turned on the shower. The warm water touched her bearskin and it felt good to be feeling refreshed after a tired day yesterday. She thought of Ken and her kind smile. Why was he so kind to her? Why did he love her so much? He could have any girl, but why her? He did everything to her and look what she was doing to him... She heard a door open and it took her a moment to realize that it was Ken, visiting her. Why can't she see a sad face on him? He cared too much for her sadness instead of his. She was too blind to see that Ken was in pain, but he was too good to show it. Miyako could hear Ken enter the room, his deep voice booming as Hawkmon talked to him.
"I brought something for you, Hawkmon," Ken said as Miyako listened.
"Ooh! Nani?" Hawkmon asked. She can imagine her little Digimon friend taking a peek inside one of the bags that Ken usually brings for her to eat for breakfast. Hawkmon would find something edible and starts chewing it inside the bag instead of outside where he could breathe. That thought made her laugh. Her Digimon never took the time to take the food out of the bag, because his long beak did the job as a straw.
Other than Ken and Hawkmon's voice, he could Wormon's voice as well, his soft, kind voice speaking to her bird friend in an annoying monotone. "Hawkmon, Ken said he bought two meat buns for each of us. Don't eat the other one too!" She heard a scuffle for a moment, then complete silence. She was not sure, because the water from the shower tapped too loud against the bathtub for her to hear something as soft as quietness.
He did it for her, but what about him? Hasn't he done something to make himself happy other than making HER happy?
Quickly, she washed her face, shampooed her hair, soaped her skin, and then turned off the water. She opened the curtain, then out of the shower stall, reaching for her bathrobe hanging behind the door. She put that one and wrapped her towel around the thickness of her lavender hair, like a turban. With that done, she stepped out of the bathroom and was surprised at how much food Ken prepared for breakfast on the table in one second flat after she heard the scuffle.
Ken looked up from his work and smiled. "Ohayo, Miyako!" He walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her, smelling the shampoo through the towel protecting her long, lavender hair. "You smell really good."
Miyako smiled, feeling the warmth of Ken's arms around her. Her smile faded, when she realized something that she had to do. No matter how much it hurts, she'll have to do it now. Gently withdrawing herself from Ken's arms, she looked up into his eyes. "Ken-kun..." She took his hand and sat him down on one of the dining room chairs.
"Nani, Miyako?" he asked, furrowing his eyebrows curiously.
Miyako took a deep breath. Tears began to form in her eyes, but she had to be strong, for her sake and for Ken's sake. She needed to show she was going to be strong without him from now on so that he didn't have to worry. "Ken-kun, you have to go to Harvard," she said.
Ken looked at her. He couldn't believe his ears. Is this Miyako talking? "What are you talking about, Miyako? I already made my decision to stay here." He reached for her hand, but Miyako just jerked her hand away as she stood up suddenly.
"Iiee, Ken-kun! You have to take that spot in Harvard. Osamu wanted you to go there!" She turned her face away from him, chocking back the tears that threatened to fall. She was being selfish now.
"What does Osamu have to do with this?" Ken spoke, standing up.
Miyako looked back at him, forcing her tears to finally fall from her eyes. Concerned, Ken walked to her, but Miyako just turned her whole body around away from him. "Stop being so blind, Ken! I know how much you wanted to go to Harvard to make Osamu happy and yourself happy. I know how much Harvard means to you. I'm the reason why you're not happy."
"What makes you believe that I'm not happy? I'm happy being here with you." He began to reach out to her once again, but not before Miyako stepped back from him once more, shaking her head to his response.
"No you're not. You're being forced to be happy so that I wouldn't have to worry so much about you. Is that what you want, Ken? You want me to be happy instead of you? Why? I want you to be happy too."
"Miyako-"
"No!" she said, interrupting Ken. She took a deep breath. She knew she was being harsh on him, but there was no other choice. If she forgets him, then maybe he can move on with his life and it was the only way for him to be happy for once. "I don't want you to be stuck here with me, just because I don't want you to leave. Ken, I want you to take that place in Harvard. It hurts me to see you this way, pretending that you didn't want to go to Harvard, but I know you better than that. You wanted to go in the first place, that's why you were hesitant to tell me because you knew it would hurt me if I ever found out if you said yes to the letter. Ken..."
"Miyako, stop being hard now..."
"No! Please, Ken... I love you and the best I can do to show you that is... to let you go..."
Ken was struck by her words. "Nani?" He stepped in front of her, his eyes full of pain by her words. She didn't mean that, he thought. She didn't mean what he thought she said. Breakup?
"What are you saying, Miyako? That we shouldn't be together?"
Miyako finally looked up to meet his soft eyes. "That's exactly what I'm saying. It's better than having a long distance relationship. You will find someone else, so..." She turned away from him. "Just go."
Ken wanted to reach out to her, that he meant to stay here for her, not because he was forced to. He wanted to stay with her, but why was she saying this? Why breakup? What's the point when he'll end up staying here anyway? "Miyako, you don't know what you're talking about." In truth, he wanted to go to Harvard, but Miyako was much more important to him than paper and pencil. He placed a hand on her shoulder, but Miyako just jerked her body away form him, to keep her face away from him.
"Yes, I do. I think this is the best for us. It would be hard for us to keep a long distance relationship. We'll eventually find someone else in the end." She paused, trying as hard as she could to keep her eyes away from him. From the corner of her eyes, he could see Ken's solemn, sad eyes... a face that Miyako hated on him. Before she gave him a chance, Miyako walked to the door and opened it, stepping aside to give him room to leave. Bravely, she looked into his eyes, and then opened her mouth to speak. "Please leave," she spoke.
"Nani? Miyako-san?" Wormmon spoke, glancing at Ken. What was going on? Was there something he didn't understand? Why was he crying? He glanced back at Miyako... tears were also clouding in her eyes.
Hawkmon flew on Miyako, staring down on Wormmon. "Daijobou, Wormmon."
Wormmon looked up and frowned, still confused about what was happening between the two people he cared for the most. With one, small hand, he poked Ken's leg gently and looked up, but Ken was too caught up with what Miyako had said, that he did not have time to look down and check up on his Digimon friend.
"Miyako..." Ken started, but Miyako had already gestured with her hand for him to leave before Ken had a chance to stop her from making her decision. Giving up, Ken, followed by Wormmon, silently walked out of the room, glancing one more time, before Miyako shut the door in front of his face. He stood there for a moment, staring at the door and with one, slow movement, he placed a hand on the wooden object that stood between him and Miyako and rested his forehead on the cold wood. "Miyako...Aishiteru... Please remember that. If you want me to go to Harvard, fine... I'll go...but only for you. You hear me, Miyako? Only for you! When I'm done schooling, I promise to come back to you. I promise not to find someone else. Please don't find anyone else. Please don't replace me while I'm gone. Remember... I will always love you, Miyako. Always..." When he didn't hear her answer, Ken picked up Wormmon and left the hallway empty.
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Miyako slid down the door, her back against it, staring particularly at nothing. Worried, Hawkmon placed a gentle wing on her lap and looked at her. He called her name, but she did not answer back. Tears fell from her eyes, landing softly on the hardwood floor. Her heart felt like a thousand needles pinched through every area of it, then slowly falls on a puddle full of tears. Miyako felt her butt land on the floor silently and all she could hear was... nothing... She couldn't hear anything. She couldn't hear Ken's laugh, the laugh she always loved to hear. She couldn't hear his footsteps around the living room as he prepared breakfast, while she took a shower in the morning. Silently, she lifted her arms up, buried her face in her hands and wept like she has never wept before.
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"Are you sure you're leaving?" Hanako glanced over Akira's shoulder and was shocked to see Ken packing his clothes in his large brief case. Another suitcase was on the floor, now zipped up tight and Hanako guessed there was more stuff he had to bring.
Akira gave Hanako a strange look, as Ken glanced over his shoulder, stopped packing for a few seconds, and then nodded his answer. "She wants me out of here, so I will. She wants me to go to school in Harvard, so I will and by the time I'm done, I'm going to ask her to marry me."
Akira and Hanako both gave a surprise gasp.
"Nani?" Akira asked, who couldn't believe what she was hearing. This is the Ken she knew and loved? The one who never made any stupid mistakes?
Ken zipped up his bag after the final item was put in and sighed, turning around to face the two older girls. "Yes, marry her." He raised a hand to stop Akira from speaking. "I know Akira that I'm too young, but I want to spend the rest of my life with her. When I'm done schooling in Harvard, I'm coming back here and ask her to marry me so we can be together forever."
Akira shook her head, folding her arms across her chest. "Well, it's your decision, so I can't do anything about it."
Ken nodded, picking up the suitcase with one hand and the other with his right hand. He carried both of them out into the living room area and paused just by the counter to fetch some food from the fridge during the trip. The two girls watched him as he prepared to leave, packing the rest of the good food he planned on eating in a plastic bag.
Hanako stepped in beside him as he searched for some more food, her eyes staring at him intently. "Ken, you do know that if you leave, it will hurt Miyako? You do know that she'll find someone else one day? And you'll find someone else?"
Ken glanced over his shoulder at her, giving him her serious look. "Of course I know that, but Hanako..." He took a deep breath, standing up with Hanako's head almost reaching his chest in length. "I love her and I promise to be faithful to her and that's why you're here." He placed a single hand on Hanako's shoulder.
The red head glanced at him strangely, frowning. Was he serious? Without answering, Hanako closed her eyes and turned away from him, walking back to where Akira stood... just behind the couch. Ken watched her move, his words, surprised even by himself. Hanako folded her arms across her chest and looked out the window, thinking about what Miyako was doing now. "I will promise to be there for her, but I can't stop her if she finds someone else."
"That's fair," Ken spoke, giving a slight nod. He understood that. Even though Hanako mothered Miyako like her little sister, she would never dare interfere in Miyako's life and would do anything to protect her and comfort her. Hanako has always been there for her, even longer than Miyako has ever been with their Digimon friends.
Beep! Beep!
"Well, that's my taxi," Ken spoke, a little hesitant to leave Miyako all alone in her room. He glanced towards the door that led to Miyako and frowned, picking up both his suitcases.
"It's going to be okay, Ken-kun," Akira spoke, wrapping her arms around his taller frame. "I will make sure she doesn't get hurt by any of the ones that date her..."
Satisfied, Ken nodded, gave Hanako a hug and then opened the door to the hallway. Many students were running about and he could hear the roaring music of hip-hop next door. He wasn't going to miss anything that much about their school, but he was going to miss the way Miyako ran back and forth to make Ken and other people laugh and the way she would tip toe in her pajamas from her dorm to sneak in his bedroom to see him. Ken loved it when Miyako would go to his room in the middle of the night, then lying down on the bed beside him, curled up warmly against his body. Ken remembered Miyako having an argument with one of her neighbors, telling hem to turn the volume down and when they never listened, Miyako would get more aggressive and it made Ken laugh. One thing he was going to miss was her outgoing personality, her kindness to others, her aggression or decisive actions and her smile. Her smile was the most important thing he will always miss. He walked down the hallway, followed by Akira and Hanako and out the door to where a taxi was waiting for him. The taxi driver had got out to help him with the luggage, opening the back with his keys, and then putting them inside. Once finished, the driver went back inside and waited patiently as Ken turned around to give Akira and Hanako a final hug and not before looking towards the window of the room Miyako was in.
"I'll tell her you love her," Hanako spoke, giving a sign of respect for Miyako's only love. It was a good thing that Hanako decided to stay longer so she could comfort Miya during her rough times while Ken was gone for school.
Ken thanked her softly, then slowly made his way inside the back seat of the taxi. He glanced back at the same window and sighed. He promised himself that once he came back from Harvard, he was going to ask Miyako to marry him.
"Let's go," Ken said to the driver.
The driver pulled from the driveway and drove away from the only place Ken has grown to love, leaving the only person he will only love and leaving behind where memories will always stick in his heart.
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Miyako glanced out the window, watching as Ken stepped into the sunlight. She tried her hardest not to cry. She had to be strong for him and for herself. Ken will only be gone for a year and then he can come back again next summer and they can spend that whole time being together...so why does she feel like something bad was going to happen? Clutching a piece of paper close to her heart, Miyako plopped on her bed and sighed, closing her eyes in despair, the words in the letter hanging over her head like a dark cloud.
Dear Ms. Inoue,
We regret to inform you that you have not been accepted to Harvard, due to the lack of references in your application and to the less remaining seats in the courses you wish to attend. Your students fees and you registration are much too late to be brought in now, since it is a month until class starts. Thank you very much for your effort.
Harvard School Board
Angrily, she crumpled the piece of paper in her hands and threw it towards the garbage can located near the door, where it landed safely inside with a slight swish! She couldn't believe it! Not qualified?! No wonder she never wanted to go to Harvard. The school was strict on everything they ask for! With a frown on her face, Miyako closed her eyes and let the tears fall on her face as she heard the car pull away from the driveway. Ken...she thought. I'll see you again and I promise not to find someone else.
GoodGurl: Awww, the end! Don't worry a sequel WILL be made! See ya there! Thank you for all who reviewed this! You all made this a successful fic! Woohoo! I love you all!
Chapter 12 - The Never Ending Story
"Miyako-chan?" Miyako turned her head and sighed, a head peeking out from behind the television. She could see the feather sticking out, making her see him as he moved his head from side to side. His eyes searched her for a second and he beak slightly turned to the side for a smile. Hawkmon was trying to make her smile, but it wasn't working.
Miyako sat up from bed and frowned, turning her head towards him. "I don't know what to do, Hawkmon. I don't want to lose him..."
The bird Digimon flew towards her and landed on the bed near her legs. For years, he waited to meet her again, expecting the same, cheerful Miyako who always made him laugh. But... this was not the Miyako he remembered. Miyako was at the age where love and relationships mattered the most. He wanted to say something meaningful, but Hawkmon didn't understand anything about human emotions, except the fact that they all cried over small things and were quick at being depressed. Sometimes he understood her, but sometimes... he did not get her at all. With one wing, he placed a hand on her lap and smiled his best smile. "What do you believe you should do, Miyako? Would you rather lose him for his happiness or make him stay so you will happy? What matters to you the most?"
Miyako thought for a moment. She wanted to be happy. All her life, she wished for someone who would love her in return- a guy who would notice her and finally Ken had come. Even after school when they were in high school, she would come to his school and watch him play soccer. Her eyes would travel to where he ran and to where he scored, never taking her eyes off of him. Sometimes she scared herself by doing it, thinking what a moron she was to be obsessing over a guy whom, she knows, will probably ignore her. When she found out Ken was the Digimon Kaiser, she gave it all up, because at that point, she didn't believe her love could last anymore. She had to give her love for him then, so why should she do it now? Is it selfish to love someone and not let them go? Is it selfish to take the happiness in their lives so you can be happy? Miyako sighed, plopping herself back on the bed. She didn't want to think anymore. She needed to finish studying and sleep early so she can get a fresh start tomorrow for the Math exam. She closed her eyes and smiled, thinking of the time she and Ken met for the first time after the incident with Owikawa.
"Miya-chan?" Hawkmon called softly, leaning his head to look at her face closely. She had fallen asleep. Smiling gently, Hawkmon grabbed the ends of the blanket, having to lift both her legs to do it and placed it over top her small form. Strange how humans think, he thought, taking a seat on the other side of the bed. He watched her for a while, before sleep overcame him.
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She wanted him to be happy. Was she really selfish to think otherwise? Hanako laid on the couch, thinking about the relationship between Miyako and Ken. Glancing towards another person sitting on another chair to her right, sighing. The girl looked up with a sad expression, obviously worried about Ken and Miyako as well. The red head sat up and moved so that she was sitting on the couch. She leaned back and took a giant breath.
"Shouldn't we do something?" Hanako spoke, looking up at Akira.
Akira shook her head. "We shouldn't interfere. It's Ken's choice, now it's up to Miyako to make the decision on their relationship." She picked up the glass of water from the table in front of her and sipped it until she could see the bottom and put it back down. She was glad Ken was staying, but the decision he made, in her opinion was a mistake. He could have gone to Harvard and could have gotten a good job there after graduation. Then after that, he could come back and if he's ready... marry Miyako and they could have a good life in America. But, what did she know? She wasn't their mother. If Ken decided on staying, then so be it.
Hanako hung her head, thinking of the days that Miyako was happy. She has never seen her as happy as she was now, being with Ken and all. Miyako was always depressed about certain things, even though she would smile, but underneath it, she was breaking inside. Ken broke that barrier and made her REALLY happy with everything in her life. She couldn't blame Miyako for wanting Ken to stay instead of going off to America to study. She would have done the same thing if it happened to her- that is... if she ever HAS a decent boyfriend. "You're right," she replied finally, after a few seconds. "We should let them handle it now."
Both thought for a moment as they sat silently on their seats.
After a few more minutes, Akira finally spoke up. "Well, there's no point in thinking about it now. I have to go to work anyway." She glanced at her watch. "If I don't leave now, I'm going to be late and my boss will kill me."
"Isn't this the third time you were ALMOST late?" Hanako asked, looking up as Akira walked pass her.
Akira just shrugged while she opened the door to her room. She paused by the doorway and glanced at her. "Hai," she replied, winking and closing the door behind her.
Hanako rolled her eyes. She stood up, stretched and sat back down lazily on the couch. "Well, good thing I don't have work then," she said to herself. Her mind drifted back to Miyako and her smile. Her smile towards Ken was the most wonderful thing she ever did see. For the eighteen years in her life, all she has ever done was pretend she was happy, but with her parents' divorce and the death of her little sister, she couldn't really smile for the sake of others. The red headed girl drifted off to sleep the moment she thought of her little sister, Kasumi and by the time she fell asleep, Akira left the room and out of the apartment fast or her boss will fire her for good if she doesn't show up soon.
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Miyako stretched and yawned. She glanced at her bedside clock, surprised at how much sleep she had. She was THAT tired. Looking to her left, she found Hawkmon snuggled up beside her, his head just resting against her back and his wings curled in front of him. Miyako watched him for a moment, before finally sitting up from bed, disturbing Hawkmon's peaceful slumber. He woke up with tired eyes, even though he slept at the same time as her and rubbed his wings over his eyes. He stretched for a moment, before his eyes fully opened to a new day. He glanced at her watch... it was half pass six in the morning! He looked up and found Miyako looking at him with a smile.
"Ohayo, Hawkmon-chan!" she spoke, getting up from bed. She left the room and into the bathroom to brush up. She had an hour until her exam so she decided to take her time.
"Did you have a good sleep?" he called through the door of the bathroom.
"HAI!" Miyako replied. She picked up her toothbrush, filled it with toothpaste and began brushing, humming a tune from J-pop- one that reminded her of the time she and Ken spent the summer together in China, where he treated her like a Queen and she a King. It was a magnificent balance between two lovers. She often wondered where he got the money... She paused, her arm stopping in midair during brushing. Her thoughts landed on him going to Harvard where he could get a good career, a good payable job for him to be happy in. Is she stopping him from what he wanted the most? Is she stopping him from what Osamu wanted from Ken the most?
You're a terrible person, Miyako, a voice spoke in her head.
She shook her head, shaking the voice from her mind and continued brushing. Once finished, she spit the content from her mouth and turned on the tap, and then scooped some water in her hands and filled it inside her mouth where she began gurgling. After a couple of seconds, she spit the used water out and put the toothbrush back inside the clean container, when Ken's voice bounced back in her head.
"It's too late, I've already made my decision, despite what they say about reserving a seat for me. Miyako... I love you... When Hanako left, I felt I didn't have the right to tell you about Harvard right after she boarded that plane and left your life for good. I thought that if I stayed, you wouldn't be sad anymore."
So that SHE wasn't going to be sad anymore? Miyako grabbed her towel from the towel rack, took off her clothes from head to toe and drew the curtains of her shower stall, then stepped inside.
"...I thought that if I stated, you wouldn't be said anymore."
"...YOU wouldn't be sad anymore."
She turned on the hot and cold water on the tap, waiting until it was the right temperature and turned on the shower. The warm water touched her bearskin and it felt good to be feeling refreshed after a tired day yesterday. She thought of Ken and her kind smile. Why was he so kind to her? Why did he love her so much? He could have any girl, but why her? He did everything to her and look what she was doing to him... She heard a door open and it took her a moment to realize that it was Ken, visiting her. Why can't she see a sad face on him? He cared too much for her sadness instead of his. She was too blind to see that Ken was in pain, but he was too good to show it. Miyako could hear Ken enter the room, his deep voice booming as Hawkmon talked to him.
"I brought something for you, Hawkmon," Ken said as Miyako listened.
"Ooh! Nani?" Hawkmon asked. She can imagine her little Digimon friend taking a peek inside one of the bags that Ken usually brings for her to eat for breakfast. Hawkmon would find something edible and starts chewing it inside the bag instead of outside where he could breathe. That thought made her laugh. Her Digimon never took the time to take the food out of the bag, because his long beak did the job as a straw.
Other than Ken and Hawkmon's voice, he could Wormon's voice as well, his soft, kind voice speaking to her bird friend in an annoying monotone. "Hawkmon, Ken said he bought two meat buns for each of us. Don't eat the other one too!" She heard a scuffle for a moment, then complete silence. She was not sure, because the water from the shower tapped too loud against the bathtub for her to hear something as soft as quietness.
He did it for her, but what about him? Hasn't he done something to make himself happy other than making HER happy?
Quickly, she washed her face, shampooed her hair, soaped her skin, and then turned off the water. She opened the curtain, then out of the shower stall, reaching for her bathrobe hanging behind the door. She put that one and wrapped her towel around the thickness of her lavender hair, like a turban. With that done, she stepped out of the bathroom and was surprised at how much food Ken prepared for breakfast on the table in one second flat after she heard the scuffle.
Ken looked up from his work and smiled. "Ohayo, Miyako!" He walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her, smelling the shampoo through the towel protecting her long, lavender hair. "You smell really good."
Miyako smiled, feeling the warmth of Ken's arms around her. Her smile faded, when she realized something that she had to do. No matter how much it hurts, she'll have to do it now. Gently withdrawing herself from Ken's arms, she looked up into his eyes. "Ken-kun..." She took his hand and sat him down on one of the dining room chairs.
"Nani, Miyako?" he asked, furrowing his eyebrows curiously.
Miyako took a deep breath. Tears began to form in her eyes, but she had to be strong, for her sake and for Ken's sake. She needed to show she was going to be strong without him from now on so that he didn't have to worry. "Ken-kun, you have to go to Harvard," she said.
Ken looked at her. He couldn't believe his ears. Is this Miyako talking? "What are you talking about, Miyako? I already made my decision to stay here." He reached for her hand, but Miyako just jerked her hand away as she stood up suddenly.
"Iiee, Ken-kun! You have to take that spot in Harvard. Osamu wanted you to go there!" She turned her face away from him, chocking back the tears that threatened to fall. She was being selfish now.
"What does Osamu have to do with this?" Ken spoke, standing up.
Miyako looked back at him, forcing her tears to finally fall from her eyes. Concerned, Ken walked to her, but Miyako just turned her whole body around away from him. "Stop being so blind, Ken! I know how much you wanted to go to Harvard to make Osamu happy and yourself happy. I know how much Harvard means to you. I'm the reason why you're not happy."
"What makes you believe that I'm not happy? I'm happy being here with you." He began to reach out to her once again, but not before Miyako stepped back from him once more, shaking her head to his response.
"No you're not. You're being forced to be happy so that I wouldn't have to worry so much about you. Is that what you want, Ken? You want me to be happy instead of you? Why? I want you to be happy too."
"Miyako-"
"No!" she said, interrupting Ken. She took a deep breath. She knew she was being harsh on him, but there was no other choice. If she forgets him, then maybe he can move on with his life and it was the only way for him to be happy for once. "I don't want you to be stuck here with me, just because I don't want you to leave. Ken, I want you to take that place in Harvard. It hurts me to see you this way, pretending that you didn't want to go to Harvard, but I know you better than that. You wanted to go in the first place, that's why you were hesitant to tell me because you knew it would hurt me if I ever found out if you said yes to the letter. Ken..."
"Miyako, stop being hard now..."
"No! Please, Ken... I love you and the best I can do to show you that is... to let you go..."
Ken was struck by her words. "Nani?" He stepped in front of her, his eyes full of pain by her words. She didn't mean that, he thought. She didn't mean what he thought she said. Breakup?
"What are you saying, Miyako? That we shouldn't be together?"
Miyako finally looked up to meet his soft eyes. "That's exactly what I'm saying. It's better than having a long distance relationship. You will find someone else, so..." She turned away from him. "Just go."
Ken wanted to reach out to her, that he meant to stay here for her, not because he was forced to. He wanted to stay with her, but why was she saying this? Why breakup? What's the point when he'll end up staying here anyway? "Miyako, you don't know what you're talking about." In truth, he wanted to go to Harvard, but Miyako was much more important to him than paper and pencil. He placed a hand on her shoulder, but Miyako just jerked her body away form him, to keep her face away from him.
"Yes, I do. I think this is the best for us. It would be hard for us to keep a long distance relationship. We'll eventually find someone else in the end." She paused, trying as hard as she could to keep her eyes away from him. From the corner of her eyes, he could see Ken's solemn, sad eyes... a face that Miyako hated on him. Before she gave him a chance, Miyako walked to the door and opened it, stepping aside to give him room to leave. Bravely, she looked into his eyes, and then opened her mouth to speak. "Please leave," she spoke.
"Nani? Miyako-san?" Wormmon spoke, glancing at Ken. What was going on? Was there something he didn't understand? Why was he crying? He glanced back at Miyako... tears were also clouding in her eyes.
Hawkmon flew on Miyako, staring down on Wormmon. "Daijobou, Wormmon."
Wormmon looked up and frowned, still confused about what was happening between the two people he cared for the most. With one, small hand, he poked Ken's leg gently and looked up, but Ken was too caught up with what Miyako had said, that he did not have time to look down and check up on his Digimon friend.
"Miyako..." Ken started, but Miyako had already gestured with her hand for him to leave before Ken had a chance to stop her from making her decision. Giving up, Ken, followed by Wormmon, silently walked out of the room, glancing one more time, before Miyako shut the door in front of his face. He stood there for a moment, staring at the door and with one, slow movement, he placed a hand on the wooden object that stood between him and Miyako and rested his forehead on the cold wood. "Miyako...Aishiteru... Please remember that. If you want me to go to Harvard, fine... I'll go...but only for you. You hear me, Miyako? Only for you! When I'm done schooling, I promise to come back to you. I promise not to find someone else. Please don't find anyone else. Please don't replace me while I'm gone. Remember... I will always love you, Miyako. Always..." When he didn't hear her answer, Ken picked up Wormmon and left the hallway empty.
****************
Miyako slid down the door, her back against it, staring particularly at nothing. Worried, Hawkmon placed a gentle wing on her lap and looked at her. He called her name, but she did not answer back. Tears fell from her eyes, landing softly on the hardwood floor. Her heart felt like a thousand needles pinched through every area of it, then slowly falls on a puddle full of tears. Miyako felt her butt land on the floor silently and all she could hear was... nothing... She couldn't hear anything. She couldn't hear Ken's laugh, the laugh she always loved to hear. She couldn't hear his footsteps around the living room as he prepared breakfast, while she took a shower in the morning. Silently, she lifted her arms up, buried her face in her hands and wept like she has never wept before.
****************
"Are you sure you're leaving?" Hanako glanced over Akira's shoulder and was shocked to see Ken packing his clothes in his large brief case. Another suitcase was on the floor, now zipped up tight and Hanako guessed there was more stuff he had to bring.
Akira gave Hanako a strange look, as Ken glanced over his shoulder, stopped packing for a few seconds, and then nodded his answer. "She wants me out of here, so I will. She wants me to go to school in Harvard, so I will and by the time I'm done, I'm going to ask her to marry me."
Akira and Hanako both gave a surprise gasp.
"Nani?" Akira asked, who couldn't believe what she was hearing. This is the Ken she knew and loved? The one who never made any stupid mistakes?
Ken zipped up his bag after the final item was put in and sighed, turning around to face the two older girls. "Yes, marry her." He raised a hand to stop Akira from speaking. "I know Akira that I'm too young, but I want to spend the rest of my life with her. When I'm done schooling in Harvard, I'm coming back here and ask her to marry me so we can be together forever."
Akira shook her head, folding her arms across her chest. "Well, it's your decision, so I can't do anything about it."
Ken nodded, picking up the suitcase with one hand and the other with his right hand. He carried both of them out into the living room area and paused just by the counter to fetch some food from the fridge during the trip. The two girls watched him as he prepared to leave, packing the rest of the good food he planned on eating in a plastic bag.
Hanako stepped in beside him as he searched for some more food, her eyes staring at him intently. "Ken, you do know that if you leave, it will hurt Miyako? You do know that she'll find someone else one day? And you'll find someone else?"
Ken glanced over his shoulder at her, giving him her serious look. "Of course I know that, but Hanako..." He took a deep breath, standing up with Hanako's head almost reaching his chest in length. "I love her and I promise to be faithful to her and that's why you're here." He placed a single hand on Hanako's shoulder.
The red head glanced at him strangely, frowning. Was he serious? Without answering, Hanako closed her eyes and turned away from him, walking back to where Akira stood... just behind the couch. Ken watched her move, his words, surprised even by himself. Hanako folded her arms across her chest and looked out the window, thinking about what Miyako was doing now. "I will promise to be there for her, but I can't stop her if she finds someone else."
"That's fair," Ken spoke, giving a slight nod. He understood that. Even though Hanako mothered Miyako like her little sister, she would never dare interfere in Miyako's life and would do anything to protect her and comfort her. Hanako has always been there for her, even longer than Miyako has ever been with their Digimon friends.
Beep! Beep!
"Well, that's my taxi," Ken spoke, a little hesitant to leave Miyako all alone in her room. He glanced towards the door that led to Miyako and frowned, picking up both his suitcases.
"It's going to be okay, Ken-kun," Akira spoke, wrapping her arms around his taller frame. "I will make sure she doesn't get hurt by any of the ones that date her..."
Satisfied, Ken nodded, gave Hanako a hug and then opened the door to the hallway. Many students were running about and he could hear the roaring music of hip-hop next door. He wasn't going to miss anything that much about their school, but he was going to miss the way Miyako ran back and forth to make Ken and other people laugh and the way she would tip toe in her pajamas from her dorm to sneak in his bedroom to see him. Ken loved it when Miyako would go to his room in the middle of the night, then lying down on the bed beside him, curled up warmly against his body. Ken remembered Miyako having an argument with one of her neighbors, telling hem to turn the volume down and when they never listened, Miyako would get more aggressive and it made Ken laugh. One thing he was going to miss was her outgoing personality, her kindness to others, her aggression or decisive actions and her smile. Her smile was the most important thing he will always miss. He walked down the hallway, followed by Akira and Hanako and out the door to where a taxi was waiting for him. The taxi driver had got out to help him with the luggage, opening the back with his keys, and then putting them inside. Once finished, the driver went back inside and waited patiently as Ken turned around to give Akira and Hanako a final hug and not before looking towards the window of the room Miyako was in.
"I'll tell her you love her," Hanako spoke, giving a sign of respect for Miyako's only love. It was a good thing that Hanako decided to stay longer so she could comfort Miya during her rough times while Ken was gone for school.
Ken thanked her softly, then slowly made his way inside the back seat of the taxi. He glanced back at the same window and sighed. He promised himself that once he came back from Harvard, he was going to ask Miyako to marry him.
"Let's go," Ken said to the driver.
The driver pulled from the driveway and drove away from the only place Ken has grown to love, leaving the only person he will only love and leaving behind where memories will always stick in his heart.
****************
Miyako glanced out the window, watching as Ken stepped into the sunlight. She tried her hardest not to cry. She had to be strong for him and for herself. Ken will only be gone for a year and then he can come back again next summer and they can spend that whole time being together...so why does she feel like something bad was going to happen? Clutching a piece of paper close to her heart, Miyako plopped on her bed and sighed, closing her eyes in despair, the words in the letter hanging over her head like a dark cloud.
Dear Ms. Inoue,
We regret to inform you that you have not been accepted to Harvard, due to the lack of references in your application and to the less remaining seats in the courses you wish to attend. Your students fees and you registration are much too late to be brought in now, since it is a month until class starts. Thank you very much for your effort.
Harvard School Board
Angrily, she crumpled the piece of paper in her hands and threw it towards the garbage can located near the door, where it landed safely inside with a slight swish! She couldn't believe it! Not qualified?! No wonder she never wanted to go to Harvard. The school was strict on everything they ask for! With a frown on her face, Miyako closed her eyes and let the tears fall on her face as she heard the car pull away from the driveway. Ken...she thought. I'll see you again and I promise not to find someone else.
GoodGurl: Awww, the end! Don't worry a sequel WILL be made! See ya there! Thank you for all who reviewed this! You all made this a successful fic! Woohoo! I love you all!