Blast: I made it to chapter four! I made it to chapter four! And now, thanks to the good reviewer who voted, I choose Mega Man X!

X: Uh, hello.

Blast: Aw, c'mon X, as if this was the first time you've been hanging out as a starter! You're a Maverick Hunter! And the first reploid to complete that fact!

X: That doesn't have anything to do with co-hosting, Mai.

Blast: But it does! So will our cute hero say the disclaimer before I decide to let Miss Alia come over the stage?

X: Alia?!

Blast: Well?

X: Okay. But it was your fault in the first place that my date with Alia was spoiled!

Blast: Whatever.

X: (sighs) Okay. Mai doesn't own Digimon. She doesn't own Capcom as well. (looks dangerously at Mai) Happy?!

Blast: (grinning) Yep. And also, a little noty. Akino Matoumiken, if you have the time to email me later, please do! I really would like to try doing a Chuuka Ichiban fanfiction with you! And now, for the story!

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CHAPTER IV: GESTURES

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(AN: Gomenasai! I think the time will be quite useful for this chapter...I hate typing 'meanwhile' and others like that. Now, Drex was kind enough to pay back the twenty, which I gallantly spend on food. So that's that. To the story...)

~~ TEN IN THE MORNING: HOSPITAL ~~

Hospitals are quiet and cold in Saturdays. And that was the primary reason as to why Ryo Akiyama overslept while watching his dad. Waking up, he noticed that his right arm had been 'dead' for some time after using it as a pillow. Rubbing it, he felt warmness spread through his arm as blood came back for circulation. (AN: I'm like that most of the time, so...) Looking at the clock, he realized that it was only three hours before the Tournament. 'I wonder if Rika was having trouble getting sleep last night.' He thought with a roguish grin as he recalled what they have talked about last night on the phone. (AN: This is just to prove your suspicions, so nyah.) Standing up, he rocked a bit because of his unstable stance at the moment. Hearing a knock on the door, he opened it, to find people who he seemed to have been expecting since last night.

The Digimon Tamers.

"Hey, Ryo, how're you doing?" Takato greeted. "Henry and Rika had called on us last night, so we decided on coming here before the tournament. Rika told us you'd be participating."

"I didn't recall telling her..." Ryo mused, yawning. He was still sleepy, but he managed to fend it off to greet his friends. He turned to the redhead who he had talked to last night. "I didn't tell you, did I Rika?"

Rika rolled her eyes. "Just so happened you registered for the tournament five minutes before I came. Stupid booth caretaker."

"Yeah!" Kazu grinned. "I remember! That registrar for the tournament? I've heard from him!" Ignoring the 'don't you ever tell or I'll kill you' look from Rika's face, he continued. "We asked him if you guys already signed up, and, seeing that you are famous and all, he remembered it quite well. He told me that after Ryo signed up, Rika came over and signed up as well, and asked if Ryo already joined."

"He was crazy." Rika commented, finding interest in the door rather than her friends. "I only asked him if Ryo signed up for the tournament, and he began accusing me."

"Everyone says that guy is eccentric." Kenta remarked. "Marineangemon, who was hiding in my pocket at that time, was looking awfully...scared after I enlisted."

At the same time, a pink digimon peeked out of Kenta's pocket. "Bibo Babu?"

"Ryo!"

Ryo noticed for the first time that Rika was actually holding something. Looking at it, he realized it was...

"Monodramon!" he exclaimed. The small digimon hopped out of Rika's arms and to Ryo's. After embracing the digimon, he beamed at Rika. "You brought him here for me? I'm touched."

"How can you say that?" she asked, turning her head to the side for the others not to notice the blush that was naturally forming. "Monodramon practically begged me to take him with me after learning that we're going to visit you."

Jeri blinked. She bended her head sideways and looked at Rika. "Is it me, or are you blushing, Rika?"

Rika looked at her friend weirdly and shook her head. "N-no, I'm not!"

Ryo chuckled. "Well, she might be right. So, you guys going to participate in the tournament?"

"Of course we will!!!" Takato exclaimed. "There's no reason for us not participating!"

"And before we forgot, I believe Rika has something to announce for all of us." Henry piped in.

Rika glared at Henry. Of all people to say that! When their attentions were once again directed at her, she sighed. "Okay, it's like this. Next week, my mother's going to have a party. It's going to be her birthday. And she also invites you guys."

"Yeah, I think I know that." Ryo mused. When their interest was diverted to him, he shrugged. "Learned it from Rika, don't ask me."

"Okay." Jeri said, grinning the whole way. After realizing where they are she said, "Is your dad alright?"

Ryo glanced over his shoulder. "Yeah. He should be back on his feet this week. Well, if not for the blood donation." Turning to Rika he gave a heart- melting smile. "Thank your mother for me, Rika."

Rika blinked. She then suddenly realized what happened, and why is her mother pale when she returned home last night. She thought it was only something acting up in the studio. But she was wrong. While she was back at her house, Rumiko must've given that blood donation. "Akiyama, what is your father's blood type?"

"I think it's 'O'."

"That explains it." Rumiko is type 'O'. Sighing, she remarked, "So, are going to stand here all day, or what?"

"I don't know..." Ryo looked again at his dad. An intern nurse came over.

"Are you Mr. Akiyama's son?" she asked. Ryo nodded. "Well, it looks like he's in a stable condition now. He'll be awake sometime now."

Everyone's reactions was immediate, and began light, especially Ryo. He dashed at his father, hoping that he would wake up...now.

~~ TWELVE NOON: A FOOD JOINT JUST OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL ~~

After having Mr. Akiyama back, and having him assure his son that everything's alright, Ryo was dragged by his friends to the food joint. Right now, they are on a table, eating and talking.

"Hey, Ryo, there will be festival next month." Kazu started. (AN: No certain info, but I'll make it accurate as possible. X: Yeah, and Ryuki and Jerato coming up! Me: (bonks X) Idiot! You just ruined my story!) "More or less on the first week of July."

Jeri and Rika looked up from what they're eating, stared at the two boys, then at each other. Jeri's face a a portrait of sheer joy, and Rika's was of horror.

"Do you know exactly what that festival is?!" Jeri demanded, startling everyone. "That festival you're talking about, Kazu, do you have any idea what that festival is!?"

Kazu shakes his head. Ryo blinked, and looked at Rika's reaction. She had her head banged on the table, mumbling something like "Please no..." and "Damn festival...". He grinned, and tapped Rika.

"Anything bothering you, wildcat?" he asked. Rika shot him with a look. He raised his hands up. "Okay..." He looked at Jeri, who grinned.

"Rika, I think, really hates this celebration." Jeri said. The boys all looked at her. "If you can spare a few moments to look at the calendar, in July 7, then you'll learn as to why."

"I think I know." Henry said. 'Oh, boy, Rika is going to kill me!! What the heck. I'm not her boyfriend.' "July 7 is Tanabata Day!"

"Tanabata Day!" they exclaimed, carefully inputting the information just given to them. Ryo especially. 'So that's why!'

(AN: I'm torturing Rika too much here, so I'll make another approach...)

Takato nudged Ryo. "So, any new plans, Ryo?" he asked mischievously. Ryo let out a small laugh.

"Speak for yourself, Takato." He retorted, causing the younger boy to blush furiously. "You have your girl agreeing with you every now and then. You just have to make it a bit more perfect for her..."

"But you are the one who has a problem!" Takato answered. "The girl you have been setting your eyes on is not exactly in good terms with you. YOU have the problem of talking to her!"

"Nothing I couldn't handle." The older boy grinned, looking at the direction of the redhead. Rika noticed his gaze and returned it with an annoyed look. He just responded to her with a very sweet smile, causing shades of red dusting on her cheeks, and look away from him.

"Hmm, I can see that." Takato replied, seeing the silent communication between the two. "Well, I wish you good luck on asking our Ice Queen out on Tanabata!" he said, patting his friend's back.

"And you too." Ryo said. Smiling inwardly, he began thinking of the redhead just a head away from him...

~~

Blast: Well, that's it for this chapter. I kind of left the tournament out for this chapter. But promise! Next chapter! And also, if you're wondering what the heck is Tanabata day, ask your Japanese relatives. If you don't know, here is a small summary...

TANABATA: July 7. Tanabata, according to legend, is the day that two stars- Orihime (Vega, the Weaver) and her lover Kengy? (Altair)- meet in the skies over Japan. The 7th day of the 7th month is the only day they are permitted to see each other since they once allowed their affection for each other to interfere with their heavenly tasks.

Blast: That is from the book EVERYDAY JAPANESE by Edward A. Schwarz and Reiko Ezawa. This book also helped me through some things I can't understand. And boy, what fun will it be to write the future chapters...!!!