***To whomever pointed out the first chapter had been codified so well named 'some guy' thank you very much!***

***If you are wondering about the Digital Record Series it's still going on, but I honestly needed to catch a break because of what I was trying to accomplish. I wrote a short story called 'I'm not Joking' about Takari and then this short story which is actually going on nine chapters right now. As soon as I am done I will get back to my main story (It only has about 3-4 more chapter left. I'm surprised by how many readers I get for my content, but you know I don't just throw something together. If it doesn't world buiild it world tears and for me that's a world breaker.

***Disclaimer: I do own Digimon. Pretty inconsistent saying so, but I've beaten it into my skull so many times. That's enough about me though. Here's what you came for:

Takeru sighed, burying his head in his arms at a desk. "This is just not working guys," he groaned.

"Cheer up Takeru," Hikari smiled like rays of sunshine to him. "I'm sure one of these days your charms will work on a nice, kind girl. Then you'll find out it was all worth you struggling like this," she grinned.

"Ouch, thanks Hikari," he chuckled. "Let's face it. The girl I like will never know I like her."

"Then just tell her silly," she quipped. "You don't have to keep going out on dates to see if she'll be jealous or notice you."

"You make it sound so easy Hikari," he breathed out into the desk.

"Because it is, right?"

"Wrong!" Miyako said making an x with her arms. "Absolutely one hundred percent wrong!" she shouted.

"But," she said looking at her curiously, "Isn't that what happened between you and Ken? You're talking about experience right?"

Ken suddenly coughed in his fist and cleared his throat. "Well, it was more one day Miyako pulling my arm and dragging me wherever she wanted to go. It took me awhile to realize it was fun and it's been an adventure ever since," he said looking at his hand.

"That's right," Miyako grinned. "You just go with it until it works!"

"I...don't think that's how it quite works," Iori replied confused.

"Well, Ken has always been an exception to the rules," Hikari agreed. "So I'm sure he'll be ok. Moving back to the TOPIC at hand," Hikari emphasized, "We really do need to help Takeru here. He's making things needlessly complicated."

"Ha!" Daisuke sneered. "Isn't that what he always does? I guess that's why he wants to be a writer. He's always good at thinking, but when it comes to action-"

Takeru lifted himself and walked over to Daisuke cracking a fist.

"Umm, Why are you doing that?" he asked.

"Just stretching my muscles," Takeru said grinning through his sinister reaction.

"Liar, you just want to lay it on me!" he growled. "I beat you in soccer. What makes you think I can't beat you fist fighting?"

"Please," Hikari said, "Both of you don't fight. Friends don't fight each other."

"Hikari makes a good point," Iori agreed. "Friends don't fight each other...but BEST friends do," he said seriously.

"Iori, you're really not helping," Ken observed.

"No, I'm speaking from being a witness," he replied. "Just look at Taichi and Yamato. I think the evidence stands on it's own," he said returning to his original seat.

"Oh, so you're saying Daisuke and Takeru want to be best friends?" Miyako grinned cheekily.

"No," Takeru groaned. "The problem with him is he doesn't like hats."

"What, you're saying if I liked your hats we would be better friends?"

"More like...rivals," Hikari said, Takeru noticing she watched her word choice.

"Rivals at what?" they both said point blankly.

She turned her head, suddenly looking at her phone. "Oh no, it looks like Miko got into the catnip again and Tailmon let her," she sighed. "I'll have to get back with you all later. Takeru, you can text me later to let me know the details."

With that she got up slinging her school bag over one arm and leaving.

The whole room fell silent for a minute.

"That escalated….quickly," Ken noticed.

"Did I do something wrong?" Takeru asked."Maybe she's just tired of me and this guy arguing."

"I wouldn't say...that," Miyako said eyeing Takeru strangely.

"I think it means she's so overcome with affection for me she had to excuse herself," Daisuke grinned. "Man, what a sweet girl."

Takeru's eyes dimmed a little bit and started knocking on the table. "Yes...she is," he said stopping.

He wondered if by chance he had said or done anything, but Hikari's comment made him wonder. Yes, him and Daisuke were rivals. Sports, arguments, even...her, but, did she know that?

Miyako tilted her glasses on her face and crossed her arms. "Ok, that does it!" she exclaimed. "Real talk?" she gestured her arm open to comment.

They all nodded their heads.

"You, Me, and every other Digidestined knows you like Hikari. Like, a lot. Even if you don't see it you give yourself away every day."

Takeru felt the curves around his face increase as he tried to feign innocence. "What, come on Miyako," he said laughing. "Just because you say so, doesn't mean-"

"_Iori, who does Takeru like?"

"Hikari, of course," he reacted.

"Daisuke?" she said next.

"My girl."

"In your dreams," she said gesturing towards Ken. "What about you Ken?"

"If I had to guess based off of interactions, behavior, and compare it to other girls then-"

"-The short version," she scowled rolling her eyes.

"Then definitely Hikari," he replied plainly.

Takeru looked at them glancing this way and that. "You really think so?" he smirked. "Well, you haven't known us as long as me and the others have, so I can see why you would think that," he said as if trying to convince himself. "We've been just childhood friends for a long time. I think it would be apparent by now if otherwise. I'm sure the others would tell you that we're just really good friends."

Miyako nodded her head as if trying to avoid bursting a blood vessel.

"Iori!" she shouted.

"I'm on it."

With that he whipped out his phone and put it on video chat.

Takeru looked at them strangely a bit perplexed. Just what in the world was she doing?

Just then his brother picked up on the other line.

"Hey, is their an emergency? I'm kind of busy," he said glancing to the side, a familiar voice talking with him.

"Wait, is that Sora?" Daisuke inquired as if trying to look into the phone.

"Yeah, it's me," Sora said turning the phone towards her.

"Wow, you look all dressed up," Ken said. "I hope you two are having fun."

"Enjoy your date!" Miyako giggled

Yamato glanced to the left, handing the phone to Sora.

"Was that why you called?" she asked.

"No," Miyako grinned. "I don't mean to interrupt you, but the Takeru of a million faces here is in denial mode right now. We're trying to tell him who is crush is, but either he's ignorant, or he's just playing with us."

"Crush?" Sora said. "Oh, you must mean Hikari!"

"Sora!" Yamato scowled. "I told him I wouldn't blab it to anyone."

"Well, they all know anyway," Sora said. "It's not like it's a big secret. Everyone knows."

"Everyone huh?" Miyako sneered glancing back at him.

"Anyways, yes, it's Hikari," he said a bit aloof. "We got to go," he said grabbing the phone.

"Bye everyone!" Sora smiled.

They hung up the phone, all eyes on him as if they were cornering him.

"And THAT'S YOUR BROTHER," Miyako said accusingly.

"And you said it was a secret?" Iori wondered. "Why? Is it that embarrassing?"

"N-no," Takeru sighed. "I only said that because he kept pestering me about if I had a girlfriend because I kept buying all those tickets to his concert. I finally got tired of him asking so I told him I had a crush on Hikari just so he would stop bothering me."

Miyako squinted at him.

"Is that the honest truth?" Ken asked.

"Yes."

"You DO know I intend to become a private eye. Lying won't do you any good when you're in my jurisdiction."

"Oh my god, Ken!" Miyako squealed hugging him "I just love you! You get me all hot when you talk like an actor from those detective shows we watch!"

Takeru took one step back and turned around. "I'm happy for the two of you," he smiled, a bit envious of them.

"Why don't we check with Jou next? You guys aren't really close so I think he would be a key witness," Iori said determined.

"Iori," Ken chuckled.

"One of these days I'll have to deal with clients in denial or lying like Takeru here. This is good practice."

Takeru sighed. "You can do what you want, but it doesn't mean anything."

"Hello Jou?" he heard Iori speaking frankly.

"Yes, what is it?" he asked. "I've got less than two minutes before the doctor begins his operation. Real quick now."

"Sorry, we knew you were busy," Miyako said limiting the easily damaged Jou. "We just had one quick question. Takeru has a crush. Do you know who it is?"

"What?" he gestured inquisitively. "A crush? It's Hikari right? Oh, I have to go, they're beginning the operation," he said turning off the phone.

"Everyone's against you," Daisuke said a bit anxiously. "I'm so obvious about it, but you're not man. What's the deal?"

"It's still not evidence," Takeru said. "Look, we know Hikari is my childhood friend, but, you know that can get kind of messy if feelings start getting involved. One thing could lead to another, and you could damage a relationship like that beyond all measure of repair," he said taking off his hat.

"Are you worried...that might happen?" Ken asked.

"I'm just discussing hypotheticals," Takeru smirked. "But this charade has gone on enough, don't you think? We all should head-"

"-Oh no you don't," Miyako growled like a bear. "We're getting to the bottom of this NOW! I've had to put up with this for years! It's the last year of high school. Don't you just want to get it off your chest?! You're a man aren't you? Man up!"

Takeru smiled demurely, his eyes focusing. "If you're so sure you know me," he said smugly, "Then give it your best shot."

"That's what I like to hear," Miyako replied energized.

"Whose the next person?"

"Mimi," Ken replied.

They immediately rang for her and she picked up.

"Mimi hey girl!" Miyako said enamored by her. Takeru knew she always had been. She seemed twice as energetic after speaking with her usually.

"Hey Miya, how's it going with you guys? Are you and Ken still going on strong?" she grinned.

"Of course," Miyako grinned, Ken trying to interject, but Miyako grinning. "Ken, if you go along with this I'll give you a reward later ok?" she smiled seductively flirting with him.

His cheeks turned rosy and cleared his throat. "It's good to hear from you again Mimi," he said calmly.

Mimi only laughed.

"Mimi," a voice said nearby, "What are you doing?"

"I'm on the phone," she said turning it towards the voice so the others could see.

"We're right in the middle of important business with the possibility of your fashion line starting to be added on as a client and-"

"-Koushiro!" they all exclaimed noticing him in an Hawaiian shirt.

"That doesn't seem business casual," Miyako said suspiciously.

"Really?" Daisuke groaned. "Why is it everyone are out on dates except me? I try way too hard to come up empty handed. I just need to try harder!"

He still does not get it," Iori said shaking his head. "Daisuke you need to be a man of principles. If anything, a girl respects a guy who stands up for what he believes in no matter the temptations or pressures that come their way."

Sometimes, despite his youth, Iori sounded older than all of them as if he belonged in a few generations earlier.

"This is why Hikari respects you," Miyako said. "And she still wants to meet with your grandfather again."

"Tea and wafers it is then," he said nodding his head. "Then, I can contact my grandfather to make all the arrangements."

Takeru gripped his fist frustrated with himself. Daisuke could just be so open about it. Iori and Hikari were swimmingly good friends and her and Miyako were DNA digivolving partners and girlfriends. But, him? Yes, they were close, but, nothing had ever changed. After the dark ocean incident they were very close as friends in time of danger, but nothing else after.

He took off his hat and set it down. "It's starting to get warm in her+-e," he murmured.

"Miya, hey, why were you calling anyway?" Mimi asked.

"I'm curious now too," Koushiro said coming over. "Is it something serious? Is their trouble with the Digital World?"

"The only problem," Miyako grinned, "is that lover boy Takeru won't be honest to himself about who his crush is. Mimi, you know don't you?"

"Well," she said scrunching her eyes as if thinking about it

"How about you Koushiro?" Ken also asked.

"Well, if we consider the length of time, compare his relationships with other girls, and then isolate that in increments of five eventually we'll come out to the result, but if I had a hunch, or just a strong inclination, I would say it's

"Hikari!" Both of them said at the same time.

They looked at each other, both a little surprised they came up with the same answer.

"Talk about being on the same page," Iori said.

"Something tells me there is more going on here, isn't that right Koushiro?" Miyako smiled sinisterly. "I bet your romance is better than even romance manga," she said, her eyes starting to thicken up with steam.

"Miyako, we've talked about this," Ken sighed closing his eyes. "You're doing it again."

"Fine," she huffed. "Have fun on your date you two!" she waved.

"Mimi," Koushiro said inquisitively. "I don't recall us going out on a-"

"-Ok, Koushiro don't worry about it. We can go over some of these details later at my place," she winked to the phone.

The line disconnected.

"Something tells me that girl is up to something truly nefarious," Iori shuddered. "I almost want to get out my kendo stick and give her a good whacking."

Daisuke grinned cheekily. "Ah, you know how it is. That Koushiro guy is dense, but man is he lucky. Good for him!"

Miyako held up her fingers as if counting. "I can't believe Sora and Mimi were on dates. And now Koushiro and Mimi. I'm starting to notice a pattern here," she said. "But you aren't quite fitting the bill there. You and Hikari should have gone out by now. What's your deal?"

"It's not the same," he said sincerely. "They just fit together better. They complement each other. Me and Hikari seem to only complement each other during the difficult times. But, during the calm normal times we're just really friendly."

"Sounds like someone Is jealous of the others," Miyako noticed. "But hey, before me and Ken started going out I felt the same way...just, you know, louder."

"Oh man, tell me about it," Daisuke grinned. "Every day you were moaning about how it wasn't fair all the cute guys were taken."

"What was that Daisuke?" she groaned putting him in a headlock.

"All right, I give! I give!" he squirmed wriggling away.

"Is there anyone that's left?" Ken asked. "Let' see...Yamato and Sora, Koushiro and Mimi, Jou, and-Wait that just leaves Taichi."

"Ah," Takeru said confidently. "Hikari's brother. He knows her better than anyone. I highly doubt he would say anything about that."

"Well, it's the only unknown so far," Ken said. "But, if he does say it, Takeru, you're out of options," he smirked.

"You're cornered now," Iori said. "This better be a good defense."

"Then just ask him," Takeru swallowed. "Ask him who I have a crush on. He won't know."

"Well, you're going to have to confess if otherwise," Ken said dialing.

"Hello? Yes Taichi?"

They placed him on video chat.

"Hey everyone," he said a bit on edge. "Sorry, but I had to come home today from work. I would have usually gone back to my apartment, but there's a situation at home."

"A situation?" Miyako inquired.

"What's going on?" Takeru asked. "Is everything all right? Is she safe?"

His 'Hikari is In trouble' senses were going off the radar.

"Of course you would get it," Taichi sighed. "You do like her after all. But-"

"-Taichi?" A familiar voice called out, Taichi turning the phone unintentionally towards her.

"Oh, hi Sis," he said. "I was just on the phone with the others and-"

"-Are you face timing?!" she shouted, her face turning pale. "You didn't say anything to him did you?"

"Say what?" he wondered. "Is there something you want to say to him?"

Hikari looked this way and that and backed up a bit smiling. "No, just I hope everyone is well. Miko's doing better. And," she swallowed, "Takeru, I hope that...you can confess to the girl you like how you feel," she said.

"Hikari?" Taichi wondered aloud. "What's wrong?"

"What do you mean, Taichi?"

"You're crying?"

"I-what?"

She put her hand to her eyes, her face turning red.

"Brother, turn off the camera!"

With that the camera flipped a few times before somehow they could tell Hikari had been successful in shutting it off.

It went quiet as all eyes turned towards him.

"This has gotten...a lot deeper than I thought it would," Ken said crossing his arms.

"I'll say," Miyako said repeatedly closing her eyes. "We knew you liked her, but…"

"...Somehow, in some way," Iori said, "...the opposite might be true as well," Iori finished.

"...Dammit," Daisuke scowled putting one hand over his face. "What do you have that I don't?!" he growled grabbing Takeru by the collar.

"I love her ten, no one hundred, no a thousand times more than you ever could!" he snapped. "Why does it have to be you? Why you?"

"Iori, can you please put this one back on a leash," Miyako sighed. "Go take him on a walk or something."

"Don't worry, I know just what to do," he said. "Daisuke, remember that year you won the high school soccer competition? I want to hear all about it."

Instantly Daisuke's face perked up. "Of course!" he grinned. "It was just a few years ago0," he said psyching himself up and walking with him. "There I was, in the last five minutes of the game and…

…Their faces trailed off as they both left the room.

"Daisuke does have a point," Miyako said. "He truly likes her. But so do you. We all see it. All the other Digidestined, but Hikari...she just doesn't," she said to herself. "Why?"

"They both don't see it Miya," Ken said using her nickname. "And Hikari just kind of gave herself away today. She can't keep it in much longer."

"Hikari's upset at me," Takeru said, "because of what I have been going through. She's upset that there is no answer she can give because she knows our friendship will have changed drastically if I do end up dating another girl. I wouldn't want to put her through that either," he swallowed.

"So, is this a confession then?" Ken asked.

"Are you finally admitting it?" Miyako pressed.

Takeru nodded his head opening himself up to them.. "It's hard to believe," he said gripping his fist, "But yes it's true. I'm in love with my best friend. With...Hikari Yagami and, everyone knows it...but her."

"Did you get that Ken?" Miyako asked.

"I am a witness," he said.

Just then the door opened up, Iori walking back in with a pacified Daisuke.

"The court finds you Takeru Takaishi hopelessly in love with Hikari Yagami. You are sentenced to telling her how you feel or this confession will be posted online. You have two weeks."

Takeru stared over at everyone who did not seem like they were berating him, but were smiling. Even though this inquiry seemed harsh, deep down, he realized his friends were trying to help him. He never would have asked their help for this before, and, he secretly wanted to. But now that they knew, no, now that everyone knew he felt hope starting to return for a resolution to the conflict.

And then, a stroke of inspiration hit him. "Everyone," he said putting his hat on his head. "I know it's sudden, but I've come up with a plan to get her to tell me how she feels," he said. "And if this does not work out then I will confess to her of my own will. I just want to know more about how she thinks of me before I do. Will you help me?" he asked.

They all stared at him, smiling and having a good time, Daisuke taking his hat.

"I'll help you, but only if I get to incinerate this hat!"

"Oh no you don't!" he groaned chasing after him to get it back darting between desks. "If you want one that badly I'll give you one of Yamato's old ones!"

"So anyways," Ken said haphazardly snatching his hat and giving it back to Takeru, Daisuke not realizing yelling out 'hey' long after it had been given back to him, "How do you plan on finding out how she feels?"

"I'm curious to,"Iori said. "Hikari is a sweet and kind girl, but getting to the bottom of how she feels is like swimming to the bottom of the deepest ocean and hoping you don't drown along the way."

"Very poetic Iori," Miyako agreed, "But your right about that."

She turned seriously towards Takeru, all of the others looking towards him for instruction.

"So, how do you plan on finally bridging this gap between you two?"

Takeru raised his eyebrow, a curt cunning smile crossing his face. "Don't you worry about a thing," he said sure of himself. "I have it all figured out. This is the plan…"