Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon so just keep reading. I don't wish to own it either since I might damage the entire network.

Chapter 3: The park. Girl meets guy

(Trista's p.o.v.)

The air was colder than when I was out here before. Clouds were also covering the sky. Strange how the weather always reflects how I'm feeling: not angry, but sad and kind of disappointed. Since I knew Izumi, she had always been protecting herself from party guys that meant no good, or else I was driving them off. But when I met Takuya he got past both Izumi and I. At first I thought he was just like the rest, but he convinced me that there's a sweet side to him. I trusted him. I thought that he would give Izumi his all and that he would protect her. Guess I was wrong. I believed he was the one just because I wanted Izumi to be happy. I'm such an idiot!

I walked steadily to the car, expecting Izumi to be there. Instead I found an empty seat and a note left on the dashboard. It read, "Sorry Trista. I need to be alone now but I think I'll be okay. Please don't worry about me." I tucked it into my pocket and sighed. Maybe this was best for her to sort things out without interruption, although I really wanted to be by her side now.

(Izumi's p.o.v.)

The park was so quiet today. There were no kids playing around or couples walking the paths. It was pretty much just me and a few other people that were getting ready to leave. The sun was about to set so it figures that everyone would be going home to their families. I had a family: my mom and dad... They weren't a part of my home anymore. All ofmy family has gone away and disappeared. So Takuya begged me to move in with him and I did. The last thing I want now is to go back where I have to face him. It would be so awkward.

Maybe I'mgoing through this too quickly. Most people that have to deal with my situation would be angry and depressed but I only feel a tinge of heart ache. No matter what Takuya can do to hurt me I know that the times he helped me will eventually smother the bad things. I can never forget that or the fact that he was one of my first friends. Suddenly, I felt a littlebad for leaving him there with Trista. Then it went away. I knew why I didn't care. Because I'm notseeking revenge against Takuya, my heart wanted a replacement to make him pay: Trista.

I had been seated at the wooden bench for half an hour. This was the same place where I was writing in my diary about how happy I was just a few days ago. My self-esteem was soaring high and now I've crashed back to reality. Things sure change for the worse. The sun was starting to melt into the horizon and I stared hard into it. Tears dripped down my cheeks. 'It's horrible. I usually love to see the sun set but I can't enjoy it today just because of a stupid errand that made things so complicated.' I thought.

"Hey, don't blind yourself." avoice said behind me. I recognized that voice. It was gruff but always had a gentle touch to it. "Minamoto? Is that you?" I replied, surprised by my formality.

"Don'tbe formal with me Izumi-chan," it returned.

I turned around quickly.

"Sorry Kouji, it's just that... I'm so tired I can't talk straight." I was flustered. This wasn't the best time for him to see me, all tearful and alone.

He smirked a little bit. "So what are you doing out here?" I asked.

"I got off of work a few minutes ago and then I saw you here so I decided to chill for a while. The real question is, why are you here by yourself and crying?"

I wiped away any sign of tears. "It's a long story. I don't want to burden you with my troubles."

He shook his head. "Don't try and hide. I learned that from you and the others a long time ago. Have you forgotten? I hope not. Besides I have nothing else to do now." He sat down next to me. I told him the story so far. Kouji grimaced when I talked about the cheating part. When I was done, he looked confused. There was silence for a while until he spoke, "Takuya... I can't believe he did that to you. I don't know what to say."

"Are you trying to cover up your feelings?"

He sat straight up and replied. "Am I that readable? I used to stump everyone that used to read my mind. Okay, yes. I'm mad at Takuya for doing this. He didn't think about the consequences, just like the old times. But I can't stay mad forever. He's a good guy deep inside and my friend too."

I nodded and smiled. "That's exactly how I feel. Takuya and I were friends first, then lovers. It was our decision to be together so I kind of think that- that it doesn't count. I never wanted to jeopardize our relationship so we made a promise that if things don't work out, that we would still remain friends."

"But don't you think it would be uncomfortable, though?" He shifted his weight around to face me.

I knew he would say that. Kouji, the guy who has to calculate and analyze everything. "You can't stay in the past forever. You have to move on sometimes." I replied, determined to convice both of us that it was true.

Silence.

"Yeah you're right. So... You better go work things out with Takuya soon or else the friendship you were trying so hard to protect will disappear. That's my theory anyway."

I stood up and started walking back on the trail that got me here. Before I was at least five feet away, I stopped and turned my head back to meet his gaze. "Kouji, grazi for being here. I think you've inspired me to face reality. You're the best." He smiled. He smiled so brilliantly it almost stopped my breath. I became entranced by it. All my life I've never seen him smile like this. Suddenly I noticed how great he looked bathed in the last glow of day and bearing his warm soul on his face. 'What am I thinking?' I shouted in my head.But soon, anychance of me falling for his "dashing" looks faded. 'I really am moving through this too quickly.' I thought.

"I guess I'll be going to see Takuya. I hope he's still there." I turned around to leave.

"Wait, I'm coming with you. Takuya is my friend too so his problem is also mine," Kouji said firmly.

"Okay... but don't try to be referee. I don't want any more people getting sucked into this mess." He walked ahead of me, nodding his head.

We walked along side each other to the entrance where a golden gate provided a glimpse of the street and the neighborhood. Kouji's house could be seen from here. It had a white covering, pearly steps, and a sign that read, "Minamoto" on the plaster border that enclosed their property. The windows mirrored every detail of the garden that held lilies, roses, and carnations. I've visited his house before when we came back from the digital world. Takuya, Junpei, Tomoki, and I wanted to be with him when he introduced Kouichi to his father. "Come on Izumi. We'd better get moving." he reminded me.

"Yeah, let's go."

End of chapter 3

AznGurl: Wow, this chapter was much longer than the ones before. I promise that this fic will have a good ending so read on and review!

June 17, 2005: This chapter has been edited. Some lines were removed, some added, but it's the same plot still.