akai: *hangs head* I know... *sniffle*
Ken: You are awful at this punctuality thing.
akai: I know...
Ken: Ok, let's get on with it. No need to waste any more of people's time.
akai: Yeah...
So, yes, I've finally updated... Life's been a little busy with the end of the school year and all that (see my notes for Chapter 1 about school in Japan) so I didn't get to write for a while... and then when I did, I was also trying to catch up on my other fics -_-;; This is why I must stop writing more than one fic at a time. Those of you who can write more than one fic at a time, I applaud you, for you must have the talent that I am most certainly lacking -_- (Can I have some of that talent, too? Anyone willing to donate?... ^.^;; )
Ok, on with replies! (Ken: Running away?... akai: ^_^;; )
Moonlit Eyes1x2x1
OH...MY...I...Uhh....Um...Ee...Eh...*continues making incoherent noises for about, oh, thirty seconds before--* Ugh~~ *Fainting onto a pile of ken sketches. Had M.E. stayed awake she'd have told you that you're a very evil person for driving her insane by leaving it at such an inappropriate (it's 1:03AM, can't spell) place*
Tee hee ^_^ I hadn't actually thought it was a bad place to leave the chapter, but now that you mention it, I guess that was pretty cruel, huh? >:D But I hope you got some sleep! Oh, and where can one see said sketches of Ken? ^_~
New Obsessions
YAYNESS! YOU UPDATED A COOL CHAPTOR! *bows* Bravi! I can't wait for the next one! But... if I must. I will. I love the whole spectical(Wow do I need a dictionary...) thingy on the stage. Anyways... UPDATE SOON! (Sooner if you can.)
And here's another! (I am still slow as dirt, that I am... -_-x;; ) Oh, and thankies! I'm glad you liked the stage scene. That one's one of my favorite too ^_^ I could just see how Ken would go from angry to cold, and I hoped that it came out in my writing.
Chisama
:;covers face with hands:: You're starting to scare me...is this gonna end Daiken? ARRGGHH!! ::pounds head into desl:: You're getting better at these killer cliffhangers...^_^
Heh, heh, heh... >:D You're just going to have to wait and see, now won't you? Daiken's future... seems a bit shaky right now, doesn't it?... hmmm....
Oh, and you might want to look into getting your head stitched up... I don't think the university's going to appreciate all that blood on their desk either... >:D
Hotaru-chan6666
I really like this fic...I can't wait for what happens next! I love the Kaizer showing up..it was perfect...I like good Ken but yet I like Kaizer Ken too at times..so it's nice to see them both in a fic ^_~
Ah, thanks ^_^ I'm glad you're enjoying this fic too. Yup, yup... the Kaiser's great >:D It's interesting, though, cause while I liked the concept of a totally crazy schizo/split personality Ken (ala the supremely great fic "Deep As You Go" by Klitch -- on her page () since FF.net took it down), I was going for a more "normal" Ken. I think people naturally have a more aggressive side, it's just that in Ken's case, he gave his aggressive side a name: the Digimon Kaiser. Course, does that mean that he's actually slightly schizo cause he believes his dark side to be a different personality??... Do we all experience a moment of schizophrenia when we feel like we're watching ourselves do things "out of our own control?"... hmmmm...
allekto
sorry it took so long to leave a review... but that's a serious cliffhanger you've left. quite frankly though, i'm glad Daisuke has figured some more things out... maybe it means a resolution is coming? and hopefully Tai & Yamato will put two and two together too... this fic is still excellent and i can't wait for more. i know you put a lot of effort into it but that wait always kills me!!
Ah, don't apologize... *grins sheepishly* We all know who's awful at being late... me... ^_^;;;;; Yes, I guess the ending was a bit mean... hmmm... Yes, I'm happy Daisuke's figured out a few things, but he seems to still be floundering around, so who knows what he's really figured out and what he hasn't... I hope the wait was worth it... -_-;;
Renee
need more! *starts dreaming is Ken* ^^; he is my baby!!!!!!! I wuv him so much! but pweeeeeeze have him and Dai-chan get all yummy soon! DAMN YOU I MUCT HAVE YUMMY!!!!! IF I DONT I HAVE YUMMY I KILL!!!!!!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Ok, I gotcha ^_^ Here's more of the fic... please don't kill me........ *.*;;
Akemi
i really like how you brought the Kaiser back! that was ingenious! ^-^ Now, if you'd just update.... >>
Heh heh... yes, I am awful at updating... but see! Here's a sparkly new chapter! Good, right?... ^_^;; And there's more of the Kaiser to come!
N.O
Strange how your chapter is called, "Mounting Frustrations" CAUSE I'M GETTING JUST THAT WAITING FOR UPDATES! *laughs* No, really. update! Thanks. *bows*
*.* ... uh, oh... I'm in trouble... Ok, well, here's the next chapter... please spare me...? *whimper*
Manyari
I know you've been working on this fanfic for pretty long, and I hope you could still update because this is a wonderful fanfic and I want to know what happens in the end.please continue it :) please :) I love this fic, keep up the great work!
Thanks for your complement. Yeah, I have been working on this fic for quite some time... I still can't believe it's been more than a year, but anyway, I have full intentions of finishing the fic, so don't worry ^_^ If there's anything I'm determined to do is finish what I've started.
*phew* Next time... definitely must learn to update faster... But for now, sit back and enjoy the angst!
Disclaimer: I own Digimon... and major disasters are about to befall the manga and anime industries as people will refuse to read/watch future shows... yeah, right... :P
To recap: Daisuke and Ken try to recover from their big fight in their own ways as the stresses of life build up around them. Tai and Yamato find out about their woes and try to help, but are at the end of their tether as Daisuke and Ken refuse help and end up violently verbally clashing in front of a large audience at an international exchange meeting during a lecture they were supposed to co-present.
Understanding
Chapter 8: Resolution Found...?
A pleasant breeze blew through the curtains, bellowing them here and there as they swayed with the current. Outside, the leaves on the trees were green and a general feeling of goodness oozed throughout the area. As the mid-day sun shone through the window, it showered the forms of two very relaxed college students as they talked and chatted the afternoon away. But eventually, as the afternoon wore on into evening, the tone of their conversation also took a turn for the darker side of the moon.
"Ok, I was thinking about this, and I think I'm right in saying this..." Yamato started as he stared up at the ceiling, his head resting comfortably on his best friend's stomach.
"What...?"
"... So, supposed that their "relationship" problems, as it were, aren't what we think they are..."
"What do you mean?" Tai half sat up in an attempt to see his friend's face and give him a quizzical look.
"I mean, let's suppose they're going out," Yamato continued. "Where would that put this whole thing...?"
Tai thought about that for a minute. Then the light went on.
"Oh..."
"Exactly. Puts a whole new spin on things, huh?"
"Yeah. A very different spin..." Tai trailed off and laid back down as he was getting tired of holding himself half up. "But how did you even think of this possibility?"
"Ken asked me once about how we had enough courage to tell the gang about our relationship, and from what Gabumon told me when we were talking about their "big fight", it sounded like Ken and Daisuke started having problems after that day at the picnic... I'm supposing that whatever Daisuke was supposed to say drastically affected both of them and in turn, affected their relationship..."
"Always the relationship detective, aren't you, Yama?..." Tai said with a slight smirk.
It was Yamato's turn to shift up on one elbow and give his friend a look. "Well, it's not that hard to see, but I guess your hair's getting in the way of your brain again..."
"Yama..."
"I know, I'm evil..." Yamato gave a little smirk of his own and laid his head back down on Tai's stomach. "But seriously though... If that's the case, then we have to be extra careful in how we handle this. One false move and they might even refuse to talk to us. Relationship problems are on a whole 'nother level, and if we screw this one up, it may end team unity for the younger group for good."
Tai gulped a little as he realized the weight of their mission. "Yeah, I know..."
The conversation continued in a somber mood and one could say that instead of bringing eternal peace of the spirit, the sudden enlightenment the pair attained just then only served to weigh their already tired souls down. After a while, Tai felt that it was just too depressing to continue in this way, so he suggested that they do the one thing that always made him really happy, well, other than soccer.
"Hey, we should go get some dinner. It's getting late. What are you up for?"
"Don't really care. I'm not that hungry yet, actually."
"How can you not be?! It's past 5:30!" Tai gave an incredulous look.
"In case you've forgotten, I don't usually eat until after 8, at the very earliest. Band practice and all."
"Yeah, yeah. And that's why you're a twig, right?"
"Hey!"
"Ok, well, I'm starved, so come on. Move so I can go feed my poor stomach." Tai flexed his abs up and down in an attempt to shake the heavy head off of him.
"Awww... Do we have to go now? I'm so comfy... You know, you make a wonderfully delicious pillow," Yama said with closed eyes and a light smile. Tai threw his friend a look and shoved the blond haired head off of himself.
"Ok, that's it! Off! Off!" and proceeded to stand up and walk to the door, leaving the musician to scramble after him.
Things weren't nearly as cheerful in the Ichijouji house in the following week, as Yamato tried yet again to chip away at the iceberg that was Ken. That little bit of emotion he had seen at the conference gave Yamato a little hope for Ken as it probably meant that the young ex-Kaiser was still somewhat within reach.
Tonight was the second of the two weekly "sessions" that Yamato had established for himself and Tai, and Minomon was perched up in Ken's bed watching the bi-weekly play repeat itself like a bad rerun that refused to end.
"Great job at the conference, Ken. I think the audience learned a lot about Japanese soccer that day."
The Kaiser gave a silent, cold stare.
"So... uh... how's your club doing? Get any more pen pals recently?..."
"We talked about all this last time, Yamato. I don't feel that we need to repeat topics, especially ones where you know the answers before you even ask."
"Um..." Yamato tried to look unfazed as he looked around the room for something to talk about, all the while, he was fuming mad internally already.
The younger gave a little yawn. "Why don't you just start on your usual line of questioning and just ask me about Daisuke like you do every time I see you? That way, we can act out our scripted lines and you can go home."
"I don't understand you, Ken." The blond's eyebrows began to give away his inner anger and furrowed into little knots as he continued. "It's like the more I talk to you, the more you seem like the Kaiser. Why are you letting yourself to do this? Don't you even care about how this is affecting your friends?"
The Kaiser took a little interest in this turn of events as his left eyebrow shifted up in the slightest. "Are we straying from the script today? This is certainly unexpected. I guess you can still surprise me, Yamato. I'll have to keep that in mind for future reference."
Yamato clenched his fingers into a fist, and there was that twitch in his temple again... "You really have no care for anyone other than yourself, you know that? How can you talk like this when you know your best friend is in so much pain, which, need I remind you, is pain that you're causing."
"It's a pain of his own making." The Kaiser flipped his hand in the air as though he were swatting a fly away. "If he doesn't want to feel pain, he should do what he needs to do in order to correct the situation, and not let it bother him so much."
The twitching got worse. "Listen to yourself! Can't you hear how contradictory you are? Do you even have any idea what you're saying?"
"Fuck off, Yamato. I've had all I can take of you."
Yamato blinked once as his brain processed those words. And as if on cue, all the anger and frustrations of dealing with the Kaiser these past three weeks released itself onto its originator.
"Oh, that's it! I don't take that kind of abuse, and especially not from a little brat like you. I don't care who you are, Ken or Kaiser, but no one uses that kind of language with me!" And it was here that Yamato decided to use his trump card. "I'm here of my own free will to try and get you and Daisuke back together, cause that's the real problem, isn't it, Ken! Your real problem has to do with some lover's quarrel, doesn't it? Don't think that you're that hard to read! You give yourself too much credit."
The Kaiser sat in stunned silence. He hadn't actually ever given thought to what he would say if someone actually confronted him with the truth as he thought that the truth was something no one would ever guess. Sure, he knew what to say if someone accused him of being a horrible friend and all that, but now, he could only sit and unwillingly give Yamato the wordless confirmation that the blond had guessed right.
"Th- That's not true. How could you even think that we have some sort of relationship?" the dark-haired boy sputtered, but his denial came a little too late.
"No, I don't think. I know."
The Kaiser didn't know what to say after that, so he said the only thing he could think of.
"Fuck off."
The dull thud of flesh hitting flesh and bones seemed to echo forever as it resounded throughout the room, and even though Minomon wanted to see if his Ken was alright, he knew better than to interfere with Yamato when he looked as mad as he was looking at this point. In the last couple of weeks, he had seen Yamato become more and more frustrated, and he knew it was only a matter of time before something like this happened. But Ken needed this sort of tough love now. Just as it was when he was eleven, Ken just couldn't understand how far he had strayed unless someone was there who could bring him back. Last time, it took him sacrificing his life. Hopefully, this time, Yamato's "no bullshit" attitude will be enough.
"You should feel lucky that I'm not about to pound you into the ground like the way you beat Daisuke up," Yamato scowled, but then he instantly pulled back as the realization that he had just punched Ken sunk in and he started chewing at his lower lip. /Oh, shit! I think I just screwed up really big time there... Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit! Ken might not ever talk to me again after that. SHIT!!/
But Ken was lost in his own thoughts. A sudden flashback hit him. /This feeling of being dominated... I haven't felt it in so long... not since.../
"...Osamu..."
"What?" Yamato looked at the younger boy. He wasn't quite sure he had heard what he thought he had heard, and asked again. "What did you...?"
Ken looked up at Yamato with a slightly glazed look in his eyes. "Osamu," he repeated.
Osamu. The name rang a bell. Where had he heard it before? Then Yamato remembered. When they were making the digidestined blanket, Daisuke had mentioned offhand that Ken should draw something involving Osamu, but Ken had politely turned it down saying it wasn't right and that it was something too personal to put on a blanket for the group.
Yamato carefully studied the younger digidestined as he watched a glassy-eyed Ken unconsciously nurse the sore spot on his face.
/So, the Kaiser does still have some sort of respect after all. Even if he doesn't respect his parents and friends, he still seems to respect his dead older brother./
"Ken... I'm not your brother..." Yamato tried to say.
"... I know," Ken interrupted. "You're Yamato. But for a moment, I could see my brother in you." Ken lifted his gaze until he could look his elder in the eyes. This time, his eyes were clear and focused. "I... You're not my brother, but... I think Osamu would want me to at least hear your advise out."
Yamato quietly left Ken's room and closed the door as he heard Ken quietly talking with his partner. Ken didn't want to make a scene with his parents, and if they had seen the trails of dried tears on his cheeks, they would have surely asked questions. Otherwise, he would've walked the blond to the door and have bade him good night there. But Yamato understood this, and that was why he was currently trying to be quiet and let himself out. Unfortunately, Ken's parents spotted him trying to sneak out and, being the type of people they are, offered to drive him back to the university.
"Will you be alright going back to the university at this time of night? Would you like a ride back to your apartment?" Mrs. Ichijouji asked.
"Nah, I'll be fine. Thanks for your concern, Mr. and Mrs. Ichijouji. I'll just take the subway, like always," Yamato answered with a smile. He was about to say good night when Mr. Ichijouji began to speak.
"Yamato. Do you have a little time? We would like to have a few words with you about Ken."
"Uh, sure..."
So Yamato ended up taking Ken's parents up on that offer of a ride since the subways had stopped at their usual time of midnight. They talked about a great deal of things concerning Ken and Daisuke. Yamato tried not to tell anything to Ken's parents that he didn't feel was necessary. Afterall, a counselor is only as good as his ability to keep things confidential, even to parental units. Ken's parents were greatly relieved to hear that Ken was doing better, and they thanked Yamato profusely for all his help all the way to Yamato's apartment.
/Tonight was certainly a surprise. I didn't expect Ken to break quite like that... but if he's better for it, then I guess it can't be all that bad.../ And Yamato let out a huge sigh of relief as he headed to his bathroom to get ready for bed, wondering how things had gone for Tai.
Tai wasn't quite as lucky. No big break came for him as Daisuke continued to refuse Tai's help. Whenever Tai mentioned Ken's name, Daisuke would simply switch to another random topic, just as he had been doing all along, only now, Daisuke acted even more closed and dodgy than before. What little progress Tai had made before had been negated by whatever trauma the little scene at the lecture had caused. He had tried to find out information through subtler means, and had even asked Hikari for suggestions on how to un-stubborn Daisuke, but it was all in vain. When Tai went to Daisuke's this time, he expected to receive the same treatment he had been receiving in the past week since the mess at the conference, and he wasn't disappointed, as the conversation, just like the other ones, went something like this:
"Daisuke, what are you going to do about Ken?"
"Oh, I was wondering if you would help me with this English sentence. This homework's due tomorrow, but I really don't understand it." At this point, Daisuke would put on his innocent, helpless look.
"Daisuke..."
"Please~! I really need to pass English." By now, Daisuke was pouring it on.
"... Fine... I'll help you," Tai would say as he reluctantly gave in.
And then, two hours later...
"So, now that I've helped you with all your homework, are you going to answer my question?"
"Um, so, how's Yamato? I haven't seen much of him lately. You two still play soccer in your spare time?" Daisuke would start searching for something to talk about again.
"Daisuke..." Tai would sound a bit more cross.
"I know. You guys are busy with college, and Yamato's still got that band, right? Well, it's ok, I guess. As long as you guys get time to hang out, right?"
"Daisuke..." And a bit more...
And on it would go. Today, however, Tai decided to live up to his reputation and tried to out-stuborn the younger leader as he dropped the bombshell.
"I know about you and Ken."
Daisuke took a peek at his watch and started, "Ah, look at..."
"No, Daisuke. You're going to listen to me for once." Tai was getting sick of this little game they were always playing and his tone of voice and expression left no room for Daisuke to maneuver. "You two are going out, aren't you?"
"No!" Daisuke answered violently. "What the heck are you talking about! We're just friends!... Well... sort of friends, with the way he's acting. He's like the Kaiser again. I mean, how can anyone love someone who's a sadistic, egotistical psycho on the side?" Daisuke spat out the sentence with venom.
"Don't lie to me, Daisuke." The older boy gave a glare. /That's another point for Yama and his intuition.../ "It's pretty obvious that you two are going out. Why didn't you tell us? Why wouldn't you tell us and let us help you?..."
But Daisuke cut Tai off again. "You don't understand a thing. You have no idea what's going on... and this is a "problem" between me and Ken. We don't need you butting in and trying to help. I can handle it by myself."
And just like that, Tai just didn't care anymore and sarcasm dripped thickly from his words. He had had it with Daisuke and his stubbornness. If he was rude and Daisuke refused to talk to him ever again after this, it was fine by him.
"Sure, in your oh-so diplomatic way. Great progress you've been making, Daisuke. I hope that little scene at the lecture wasn't proof of your great progress..."
"Just shut up," Daisuke growled out. "I can handle it on my own. Mind your own business Taichi."
And so it was of little surprise the next day when...
"I CAN'T TAKE ANY MORE OF DAISUKE!!!"
Yamato looked up from his homework as Tai let himself in and flung his backpack, narrowly missing the lamp, onto the floor sofa.
"Welcome to my room, Tai. Please, feel free to take out a piece or two of my furniture if you so choose."
Tai breathed heavily. In and out. In and out. "Sorry, Yama. I'm just... I don't know. He's just pissing me off! How're things with Ken?"
"Quite well, actually. You know, Ken's not a bad guy. If I weren't straight, I think I'd be trying to steal Ken away from Daisuke," Yamato grinned at Tai.
"What??... You're not really trying, are you?" Tai questioned, anger forgotten.
"Oh, come on, Tai. If I were gay, you'd be the first person to know."
Shifting an eyebrow, Tai asked, "How do I know you're not telling me now?"
"Baka." Yamato stuck his tongue out at his friend. "You really are a bum, you know that?"
"Heh, heh."
"No, but really. Ken's a real nice guy once you get past the whole Kaiser thing. I'm beginning to see why Daisuke's so smitten by him. Those two seem like they'd be a great pair."
"Yeah, if that idiot ever figures out what he has to do to get him back. I can't take him anymore. He's driving me up the wall with his stubbornness and I think it's time we resorted to more drastic measures."
"...such as?..."
"Such as ignoring him until the picnic and seeing what happens."
Yamato nearly fell out of his chair at that statement. "And undo all my work with Ken? No way, buster! Just 'cause someone's out-stubborned you and given you a taste of your own medicine doesn't mean that I have to suffer for it. 'Sides, if they ruin our monthly picnic, I don't think Hikari'll be very forgiving of her o-nii-san."
"Bah." Tai let out a sigh. "You're right, as usual. Damn it."
Yamato gave a little all knowing smile. "Of course I'm right! I'm always right!"
The week ended and rolled into the next. Yamato was getting along better and better with Ken, and the dark-haired boy had become pretty normal again, so far as anyone could tell. Even the topic of Daisuke didn't bring any reoccurrences of the Kaiser, which pleased Yamato greatly. Now if only they could get Daisuke to be equally as normal...
Daisuke was having another one of those days. Guilt rode high and he was drowning in the mess he had created. He kept replaying that scene in his mind over and over. It's not that he had actually meant to yell at Tai, and he certainly didn't mean to drive the brown haired guy away... He had just felt that he needed space.
/Che. Who am I kidding anyway? I don't need space. I don't need time to think these things through. I already know what I want, but I just can't bring myself to do anything about it. 'Course, didn't help that Ken decided to turn Kaiser on me. Arg.../
Tai had taken his words literally it seemed, and the older leader had opted not to show up at the Motomiya household on Tuesday. And there had been no word or contact from Tai as to when their next meeting would be.
To complicate things more, earlier in the day, Miyako tried to offer some help as she cornered Daisuke in one of the music rehearsal rooms while he was sulking, but she had only gotten a cold look and a forced statement of, "Nothing," from the goggle-headed leader as thanks for her concern. When she had tried to pursue the matter further, Daisuke had run away in fear that he would screw up again, in the manner of his statement to Tai.
Yes, all in all, this day had been nothing but depressing and annoying. What made it worse was that it was also becoming more hopeless. Each day that was passing was another day closer to the monthly picnic. Each day that had passed pushed him one day closer to that one month deadline -- that day which would determine just how things were going to be from now on for the two of them.
/Only one more period to go... and then track practice. Ugh. Why can't this day just end? I just want to go home.../
... and do what... exactly...?... his brain inquired.
/...I'm not sure.../
As Daisuke continued debating with himself during math class, he came to six conclusions. First, that the days weren't going to go in reverse just for him. Second, he had screwed up royally both in being a friend, and a boyfriend. Third, he was going to have to apologize very profusely to everyone, especially Ken, Tai, and Miyako, in that order. Fourth, he truly loved everything about Ken, and was even willing to embrace his love's darker side, which he had finally conceded as being a very important part of what makes Ken Ken. Fifth, he was going to have to beg really damned hard to get Tai to help him figure out how to win his love back. And sixth?...
/I can't deal with everything else... I can't face everyone's judgments... Not yet.../
Thus, when he had finally found the time, after eating dinner, Daisuke wrestled the phone away from Jun and summoned the courage to call Tai to ask for help.
"Moshi, moshi," a cheerful voice answered.
"Tai?"
At the sound of the younger digidestined's voice, the cheeriness quickly turned into irritation. "What do you want, Daisuke?"
"I, uh... was sorta... wondering... uh..."
"If you need my help, forget it. I've had all I can take from you. You've been nothing but uncooperative, and you don't even answer me sometimes. Besides, I thought you didn't want my help. I thought you said that it's none of my business, that you could handle it on your own, and that you didn't want me to "butt in". Well, here's your chance to prove it, Mr. Hotshot. And that's all I'm going to say." Tai took a little breath to calm himself down and then continued. "So, if there's anything else you'd like to talk about, go ahead, but I'm done talking about this topic."
"I... uh..." Daisuke couldn't believe he was hearing things right. Tai had never talked to him like that, and it unnerved him to the core. All the courage he had just summoned, abandoned him in those few fleeting moments and he was left with nothing. So he said the only two things he could.
"...Never mind... bye..." And then he hung up the phone.
Daisuke's head whirled from the blow. That phone call just then proved to him that he had truly alienated the one older person he looked up to. Chibimon tried to help calm the nervous boy down with his usual cheerfulness, but it was no use. Right then, Daisuke was truly feeling the weight of having betrayed the two most important people in his life.
Despite the cold response the night before, Daisuke tried again and call Tai on Friday in hopes that he would offer some help in his last hours. He also tried calling Miyako, but to no avail. To say that things were getting desperate was an understatement, and it was apparent in everything Daisuke said and every move he made over the next two days.
/I've already tried calling Tai twice today, and all I got was his answering service... and even Miyako's not picking up her keitai... Are they avoiding me? Did I really piss them all off that badly? I mean, maybe they're just all really busy and they'll get back to me later... yeah.../
/Oh, man, it's Saturday... come one, Miyako. I know you're not that busy on a Saturday morning... and where's Tai? I thought he usually stays in on Saturday mornings too... Maybe he's over at Yamato's... but I tried calling there too... and I.../
/...Ken... What do you want from me? What do I have to do to get you to look at me? I don't know what to do... Will you talk to me if I apologized? No... you probably wouldn't listen anyway... Will you talk to me as your normal, kind self if I tell the others? But I... I don't think I can do that... not now... not without you there to help me... not when I've already pissed off our closest friends... What should I do... Ken...?... I can't deal with both problems together... not all at once... I just can't... Please... why can't you help me?.../
And finally, it all came down to the final hours before the fated day.
/What am I going to do? I'm really screwed now... Tomorrow's going to be hell, and I know it. Maybe I won't show up at all... then I can just pretend... and.../
... run away from your problems again...
/...and just hope that no one'll ask questions. Maybe it'd be better if Ken were to hate me. I don't think I could ever live up to being a good boyfriend anyway... Oh, Kami-sama.../
Notes (I apologize in advance for their length):
-I think this chapter ended up sounding sorta summary-ish... which I wish it didn't, but that's how it came out. On the other hand, I guess there was a lot that was covered, so if it was more fleshed out like my other chapters, this one would've been even longer, and that would've just been a little too long for my taste. I think my problem was that this chapter encompassed a lot of time and a lot of events, and I was trying to cover them all. The other difference was that this was more of a Tai and Yamato chapter than a Daisuke and Ken chapter because I felt that if I were to write another Daiken chapter, it would've just been more rehashing of the same angst the two of them've been going through in the past 8 chapters. Also, I think the lighter Taito antics were an interesting break and offered something other than angst. Hopefully, this turned out to be an ok chapter... (if not sub-standard, in my opinion... -_-;; )
-Ok, so I was re-reading my story, and I came across this interesting bit in chapter 5... Yama says to Ken, "Next thing you know, Bam! You'll start wearing goggles and have spiky hair and..." ... O.O;; I certainly didn't mean for that to be foreshadowing, but it's funny in that strange sort of way that the Kaiser, just like Daisuke, wears goggles and has spiky hair... and I didn't even relate the two until waaaaaaay later...
Even more strange is that this story coincidentally works well with the calendar for the year 2008... In the Japanese version of the show, they tell you that the X-mas episodes were supposed to take place Dec. 25, 2002, so my guess is that the end of the show was around New Years' 2003. The strange part of that is that since this story takes place 5 years after the end of Digimon 02, the actual year in the story is 2008, which matches up with the show... I had started writing this without looking at a calendar, but when I looked up the calendar for 2008, the dates matched with what I was writing... hmmm... Maybe I should go change all those 20xx into 2008... I guess my brain works in ways even I don't know about... o.o;;
-Yeah, Tai and Yamato figured it out rather quickly... mostly because I couldn't drag it on in the scheme of my plot... but hey, Yamato's pretty good with stuff like that, so I figured that he should be able to figure it out rather quickly... right? ^_^;;
-Ken's club, I'd imagine, would be some sort of English club, or international club, since he would probably be interested in keeping up with people from around the world. Being good in foreign languages also helps foster interest, since most of my kids who are good in English also seem to be interested in foreign affairs and/or want to travel abroad. That's why Yamato asks him if he's gotten any more pen pals in his club. As for why I made Ken give up on soccer, read more below... like the second-to-last note blurb-thingie...
-Ah, the Kaiser ^_^ the evil bastard that he is, finally breaks down. Ken, I think, still has respect for Osamu. Even when he was the Kaiser when he was young, he seemed to still think about his older brother a lot. So, when Yamato suddenly gives him a lecture and punches him, it's like deja vu for him. From what you see of Ken's parents, it doesn't seem like they never raised their hands against him, so he's probably never been yelled at or punched or anything by his parents. So when Yamato suddenly does that, it's of no surprise that the only person Ken links that kind of behavior with is Osamu. Thus, he affords Yamato the same respect as he would've afforded his older brother, and listens to Yamato's advice.
-The subways in Tokyo usually stop around midnight and they start again at 5 am.
-College students in Japan, contrary to what I had previously written in one of my other fics, tend to not live in dorms, since most universities don't have dorms or have only a few. Thus, most college students either live at home with their families and commute, or in their own apartments nearby. Jun and Tai both live at home, while Yamato's moved out into his own 2' x 4' box... er... apartment.
-Another glaring aspect about this chapter was the emphasis on scripts and how everything they're doing has been so overdone and repeated week after week that it's become a script for them. So it gets a bit interesting when Tai and Yamato finally throw in those twists and turn everything upside-down, even though they get two very different results.
-Tai completely loses it -_-;; Well, can you blame the guy? ;_; *gives Tai a hug*
-... and the return of Daisuke's brain... Inner dialogue with yourself is fun! ^_^;;
-Daisuke and Ken's clubs and sports practices. In Japan, pretty much every student is supposed to join a club. They can only join one club because clubs are every day, unlike in the States where it's once a week. I made Ken give up sports mostly because I think he'd be interested in pursuing other things. Daisuke, I think, would stay with sports, and since he's so good at running from all his soccer training, I think short distance would be his specialty. The other reason the two of them gave up on soccer is that in the grand scheme of things, soccer is still less established as a school sport at the senior high school level, while sports like baseball and tennis have a huge draw. I admit I don't know if Odaiba and Tamachi High Schools have soccer teams, but I somehow doubt it since only about 20% of the high schools in the entire country have soccer teams established and searching google in both English and Japanese also turned up nothing concerning soccer in Odaiba and Tamachi other than more fanfics... -_-;; Read more about soccer in Japan here:
-Japanese mini-lesson!! *insert cheesy music*
baka - idiot, moron
o-nii-san - older brother
che - a sound effect that is commonly used when you're expressing annoyance at a circumstance or situation.
keitai - cell phone
Kami-sama - God... well, more like "god" (since it's not the Judeo-Christian God we're talking about here...) and it can be any one or all of the zillions of Shinto gods that exist
Tai: Gods, akai. Why did you have to make me sound like such an ass at the end there??
akai: What? I thought you were pissed off... so isn't that how you normally sound?...
Tai: ...NO!
Yama: Uh, huh... Have you listened to yourself recently?
Tai: You're of no help. I thought you were supposed to be my best friend?...
Yama: I am. But I tell it like it is. *grins*
Tai: ... *sulks*
akai: Well, anyway, poor Daisuke. -_- Wonder what'll happen to him now that you and everyone else seem to have snubbed him...
Tai: It's his own fault, you know. I tried to be nice and help. *continues to sulk*
akai: Remind me not to come to you for help. -_-;;