Loving Your Enemy

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Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from Digimon, but I do own my story
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Chapter 12: The Basketball Team

-Mimi's POV-
I'm walking to school now and I'm completely in a daze. I can't believe I didn't even notice Sora and Miyako greeting me for like about a hundred times. I know I shouldn't think of what I'm thinking about now. But- the feeling was there, clear, obvious, evident. When my mind replayed the whole scenario, my heart skipped beats. I must admit I do like Kiyoshi, but yet I'm afraid of liking him. I have a feeling he would return my feelings if I ever told him, but- I don't know how to put it- it just feels so weird. Probably it's because I knew that we weren't meant together. He and I are from two totally different worlds. His rich and famous and everything any person would be dying to have. And I- I'm just me. Typical, pathetic, same, boring, not the prettiest picture, or elegant, or anything anyone would wanna have of me. That's why- that's why it's simply different.

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-Normal POV-
[During school...]

Mimi was walking towards her locker to put back her books. Every class had seemed to go by with herself deep in thought about the matter. All she felt was confusion. Mimi was thankful that none of the teachers seemed to have noticed her of not being attentive in class. Letting out a sigh, Mimi continued to arrange her books.

Just then...
"Ouch!" Mimi shouted as she felt something hit the back of her head. She rubbed the sore a little and started cursing softly. "Ha! I'm surprised your head isn't hollow," came that oh-so-familiar voice. "Shut up Ishida! Hmph. What do you want?" Mimi asked crossing her arms angrily. "Nothing much, really. Just saw something obscene yesterday," he replied with a tinge of sarcasm.

"So what. What is it got to do with me?" she asked a little more defensively. "Well, it actually got to do with you. I didn't know Kiyoshi and you are the type to snug up somewhere to make out. Your relationship with him seems to go pretty fast, don't you think?" he added. Mimi could feel her blood boil, but didn't want to say anything.

"Speechless are you? I take it that silence is consent. Now... what do you think others would think that you are in love with Kiyoshi Akera? Let me see, firstly, they would think- Tachikawa doesn't even deserve him. Secondly, they would think- Oh my, does Kiyoshi have such bad taste? Thirdly-"

SLAP

"How dare you!" Mimi shouted. Matt held the spot where Mimi had slapped him on the face, and smirked. "Why can't I?" he asked. "What does my personal life got to do with you anyway? And even if you saw it, it doesn't mean others did and will believe it," she retorted. "Simple, I love tormenting every moment of your life. Second, what if I tell you that I've already video taped it?" he lied.

Mimi's face turned pale and her eyes fixed at Matt. Matt stared at her. At first he felt superior and like he had empowered her, but then the feeling faded as he saw those mesmerizing orbs turning blurry as tears welled up. Mimi shifted her gaze and stared down at the floor.

'If what Ishida had said was true, then I know for sure the outcome. I should have known it wasn't meant to be with Kiyoshi. He may like me now, but there are so many girls out there better than I am, and I know for sure that he would have a change of heart. I might as well not let others know how I feel for him. Others may think I'm throwing myself at him. And then, too him, I would only bring embarrassment...' Mimi thought.

Matt exhaled a deep breath before turning to look more serious at the girl. Hardening his heart again, he said, "If you don't want me to show just about everyone about your situation with him, then..." Mimi suddenly cut in, "what do you want me to do?" she asked monotonously. "Just do my homework till I tell you to stop," Matt said smoothly before taking on big strides.

Mimi was shocked, "What? Ishida!" But she saw that Matt had left already.

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[After school...]

*Ringtone*

"Hello?" Mimi answered the call on her handphone. "Oh, dad! Yeah?"... "You can't fetch me? How come?"... "WHAT! OH MY GOSH! UNCLE JOHN! HERE? I haven't seen him for quite a while since he went to America. He's here?"... "Okay! Bye daddy!"

End of call.

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Matt had changed into his black basketball jersey with his black shorts and mixed dark red and gray Nike tracks. He was standing at the court's three-pointer and shooting every ball in accurately.

"Yo Matt!" his teammate called out to him. Matt stopped throwing the balls and turned to look at his friend. "Hi. Wassup?" "Hey, I heard that we're gonna have a new basketball coach, man!" his friend said as he punched the air. Matt grinned. "That's something to celebrate. I can't stand that old nut bossing us around. His technique and methods were useless," he replied.

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"Whoa! They made me carry so many documents. Now where is that basketball court?" a cheerful and jolly 56-year-old man said as he walked towards where he thought was his destination. Soon he reached and was greeted with very surprised stares.

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"Now look who's here? Tachikawa, what are you doing here?" Matt asked, towering over her. "Go away! You stink! Anyway, it's none of your business," Mimi scolded back as she stuck out her tongue at him and looked away. "You're here to see me, right?" Matt said grinningly. "Fat hope! Eww... You? Puke! I'd rather check out that friend of yours," Mimi replied matter-of-factly, while pointing towards Matt's friend. Matt turned around to see his teammate giving Mimi a wink. "Whatever." Matt said and turned his back at her and walked back to the court.

Just then, the door creaked open. Everyone stared.

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"Ahem! Good afternoon everyone. My name is Jonathan Koshiban, also known as your new coach," the man said as he gave a friendly smile to the petrified people.

'What? That jolly Santa is our Coach? What is this world coming to?' Matt thought. "Uncle Johnny!" came a distinctive voice. Matt turned and saw Mimi running towards his "Coach".

"Uncle John! I'm so glad to see you again!" Mimi cried as she gave him a big hug. Uncle John laughed joyously. "Hey there, Meems! Oh, your father must have told you. He sure can keep surprises, ay..." he said smilingly. Mimi let go of his bouncy, round tummy and beamed. "What brings you here?" she asked. "Oh, it's a loooong story. But I'm glad to be here. It shall be a new challenge for me to bring these fine players into the top position," he replied.

'So that's why Tachikawa's here. Meems? Nice nickname... Haha!' Matt thought, smirking. "Okay now, everyone. Let's all get together and I shall introduce more of myself," the coach said. Everyone did so, and Mimi sat beside him.

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"As you all already know, my name is Jonathan Koshiban. I used to coach International teams, and I just came back from America. So, you're probably thinking why I'm here to coach you guys and not the international players. Simply, because I'm rather near to retirement age and I would like to coach the younger generations instead," Uncle John said.

'Whoa, he's an international coach? How come Meems here didn't tell me?' Matt thought. Matt too noticed many whisperings from his other teammates about their present Coach being an International one.

"Yeah. And I too know that some of you are wondering- How can such a fat, jolly Santa come to train us?" he continued. 'Gosh! How'd he know?' (Matt). "Well, I may be round near the edges, but experience, technique, spirit, passion and determination is the key. But of course, most importantly, all of you must be willing to go out there and do your best. Like they say, Success is 1% determination and 99% perspiration. So what are ya waiting for? Training starts NOW!"

*BEEP* (whistle)
*SQUEAK, SQUEAK* (shoe noises)

Everyone was everywhere. Doing their dribbles, shooting on the net, defending, physical and passing. Mimi stood there and smiled as she saw how dedicated all the players were. She used to love and play basketball when she was young because of Uncle John. He was indeed a very good and optimistic coach, which is what this team needed.

"Now, Meems, what do you say if I asked you to help your dear Uncle?" he asked. "Sure! Of course our help ya, Uncle John," said Mimi enthusiastically. "Well, I have a lot of things to organize and I need an assistant. Why not you become the team's manager?" he said. Mimi stared wide-eyed at Uncle John. She would of course love to help her uncle, but being the team's manager? What would these boys think? And besides, she's still in athletics.

"I-I... I'm not sure, Uncle John," she answered. Fortunately, Uncle John at anticipated her doubts. "Don't worry, I know what to do."

*BEEP*

Everyone stopped at what they were doing and assembled around their Coach. "Now, I was wondering of getting an assistant to help me and the team in organizing the competitions as well as other extra training. Obviously, since I want all of you to train equally hard and focus only on basketball, I was thinking of letting my niece take the position of Manager. Does anyone objects?" he said.

'What? Tachikawa? Our manager? Oh my gosh... of course I object!' Matt thought. "No! Of course we don't object! I totally don't mind," said that same teammate of Matt's. Matt turned and looked at his cheeky grin. 'What the! Is he mad? Or is he hitching on Meems... man...' Matt said in his heart.

Everyone didn't seem to object. "Alright then, Mimi here shall be the team's manager. Treat her nicely, okay?" he said. "SURE!" that said that same guy. Mimi forced a smile at him and nodded thankfully.

'Oh great! Just marvelous! Mimi and the team. Wow! ...Hey, then again, this could turn out to be quite interesting..." (Matt).

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To be continued...

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A/N: hmm. "this could turn out to be quite interestin..." but what is really gonna be more interesting? wanna find out? oh yeah, and how will Kiyoshi feel about Mimi joining the Basketball Team? what choice would he make and what outcomes are on their way? R&R! ^_^