YAWN!! Ugh, what time is it? Anyway I don't own Digimon this morning and...I need some breakfast...oh, btw, this is a LONG chapter! But it's also meant as compensation from the lack of updates, so PLEASE read and pour in the reviews! Enjoy!
Digimon - Second Chances For Sora
Chapter 6 - Pizza & Trophies
The crackling and sizzling sound (and smell) of food cooking (in a frying pan, no less) entered Sora's ears and nose, which served to pull her out of slumber. Sora indeed soon awoke, yawned, rubbed her eyes, and stretched her arms.
Not too far away she could see Mimi at the stove, cooking some breakfast. Sora pulled the blanket off, and made her way to the kitchen. Sensing Sora approaching, Mimi turned her head towards her.
"Oh! Good morning, Sora! Finally up?"
"Looks like it," Sora replied, shrugging.
"You just missed my aunt. She left about ten minutes ago."
"Oh, well. No harm done. I'll catch her soon enough. Anyway, what's going on here?"
"I'm making us some breakfast. Just cooking the last few pieces of bacon."
Sora took a brief sniff over the pan.
"Mmm! Smells good!" she said with a smile.
"I'm betting it'll taste good, too!" Mimi agreed cheerfully.
Within minutes, the two girls were at the table, happily munching away at the bacon, sausage, and pancakes Mimi had just cooked.
Given what had happened between Sora and Tai yesterday, Mimi had partially expected Sora to just pick at her food, but to her (pleasant) surprise, Sora was eating heartily, which made her glad. Nevertheless, Mimi decided to speak her mind.
"So, um, Sora? How...uh...how are you feeling this morning?"
Sora turned her head. She knew quite well what Mimi was referring to, but was more than willing to talk.
"Well...I guess I feel a little better. A good cry – and a good sleep – is something I really needed."
"I'm sure. You slept very peacefully and didn't even wake up once."
"How do you know?"
"I came out of my room around midnight to see how you were doing. And you were fast asleep."
Sora nodded in acknowledgement.
"Well, today's your first full day back in the real world, Sor! And once you finish breakfast, you and I can head out and have some fun!"
"But isn't it a school day?"
"I'm here on vacation, remember? And you are too...sorta."
"Uh, okay. Sounds great."
"Oh, before I forget...here."
Mimi pulled something encased in a small clear wrap out of her pocket and handed it to Sora.
"I picked it up for you on the way home yesterday, after Izzy's meeting."
"Hmm..." was all that Sora could say as she put down her fork, stuck in a piece of sausage.
"I hope you like it," Mimi said, sipping some orange juice.
"Hey, it's a watch!" Sora noted.
"Mm-hm...I thought that with you coming home and all, you could use one."
"Yeah, thanks! But you shouldn't have!"
Sora tore open the package and attached the red plastic watch around her left wrist.
"Oh, it's no problem...some guy was selling tons of those thingies on a street corner for really cheap! It barely cost me anything."
A small "wrinkle" appeared on Sora's forehead upon this little discovery. But despite whether this watch was cheap or not, Sora kept calm, knowing that Mimi meant well and that her heart was in the right place.
"So...where should we go today?" Mimi cheerfully asked. "It's up to you."
"Well...um..."
Sora had trouble continuing her sentence, and turned her head away slowly, for she began to blush.
"Well, what?"
"I, uh...w-was hoping that I could see Tai again t-today...later, I mean..."
"I have no problem with that! You should see him, Sora! That'd be just fine!"
"Thanks, Mimi. What he said the other day hurt, but...I still wanna talk to him."
"I understand, Sor. Tell you what...we'll head over to his school once he gets out."
"Oh, that's right...he's in school right now..."
And at that very school, first period had ended, but the second one was going to commence in five minutes. Matt, Tai, and Sora exited the classroom, books in their hands and backpacks...well, on their backs.
"Man, oh, man!" exclaimed Matt, stretching his arms. "Any more of that crazy lecture, and I would've been out like a light permanently!"
Tai lightly chuckled. "I'd hafta agree with that! Mr. Yujiko's lectures are the ultimate weapons of destruction! You think so too, don't you Sora? Sora?"
The two boys turned their heads in Sora's direction, but their female friend was turned away from them, with her head down.
"What's with her?" Tai asked Matt, despite the annoying fact that (right now) Matt "knew" her better than Tai did.
"Hmmm..."
"Hope Sora didn't tie her hair back too tightly this morning," Tai gently joked.
"Sometimes I really wish she wouldn't do that. Her hair's fine the way it is, even though it has gotten a bit longer...but anyway, I think the real problem is Kari."
"Oh, yeah!"
Tai gently slapped his fist into the palm of his other hand, nearly forgetting what happened the day before.
"I forgot to apologize for her slapping Sora...I'm really sorry about all that-"
But Matt put up his hand to cut Tai's apology short.
"Say no more, man. Apology appreciated, but premature. Though I really hate to admit it...but Sora WAS acting pretty cold towards you. She was almost asking for it."
Tai was more than a little surprised that Matt would describe his own girlfriend that way, but continued to listen.
"I mean, everyone knows that you and your little sister are really close, and that she's awfully protective of you."
"And I'm very protective of her, too," said Tai, smiling from this very fact.
Matt also warmly smiled at Tai's words.
"Heh...that's just sorta cool how you two are so close. Most siblings these days aren't like that anymore."
Tai nodded and kept smiling, but stopped when he got a good look at Sora while getting some books from her locker.
Her cheek was quite bruised and red...from pain.
"Man...check it out, Matt. Her cheek is STILL red."
"Yeah, I thought the mark would've disappeared by now, but...I guess not. Weird," Matt replied, shrugging.
"Well, whatever the case, how's she holding up?"
"Not so good. She started to cry silently when I found her after the meeting at Izzy's place...which reminds me! How did the little reunion with the 'second' Sora go?"
"Not so good there, either..."
"Why? What-"
"Let's just sat that...things didn't go the way SHE hoped."
For the first few hours of the morning, Mimi and Sora spent them together, doing "girl stuff". Though the only place they went was the mall, that particular building still had much to offer. Sora was more than content to just window shop, while Mimi did all the "hard work" picking out different dresses and jewelry to purchase. But all the while, Mimi noticed that Sora was starting to smile more and become increasingly cheerful.
And this made both girls happy.
It was near noon, so the girls made a brief stop back at the apartment, to dump all the stuff Mimi bought. Mimi stole a quick glance at the clock on the wall.
"Hmmm, it's almost twelve and Tai is supposed to a half-day of school today...so if you wanna see him, we should get going!"
"Oh, umm...right!" Sora almost stammered. "But...wait! Hold on!"
Mimi watched in partial confusion as Sora ran over to the couch, and pulled out (from under it) an old, and slightly dusty wrapped present.
"What IS that, Sora?" asked a very curious Mimi.
Sora turned towards Mimi and blushed a bit.
"Oh, this...it's a little present that I meant to give to Tai a while back."
"I see...well, let's get a move on! The sooner we get moving, the sooner you can give it to him!"
Sora nodded and the two girls were once again out the door.
"Yes! School's out!" Matt rejoiced as he and Tai exited the school. "It's time do some SERIOUS goofing off!"
"I thought you had a date with Sora today. What happened?" asked Tai.
Matt shook his head.
"I'm gonna hafta break it. I got me a few possible gigs, and I have to check them out. Plus, I need to practice with the band for an upcoming performance at a restaurant..."
"What kind of restaurant? A fast food joint?"
"No way!" Matt laughed. "It's one of those fancy, classy places. So I only have a couple hours to kill before getting together with the others. So how about it? Let's hang."
"I'm with you!" Tai said. "How about we grab a couple burgers and then hit the arcade?"
"Sounds like a good idea to me!"
But before either boy could take two steps or two breaths, a very high-pitched, feminine voice stopped them.
"Sorry, boys...slight change of plans."
"Huh?" said Matt and Tai simultaneously.
Both of them turned their heads and saw a very cheerful Mimi, with a somewhat shy Sora standing behind her.
"Oh...hey there, Mimi. Anyway, what're you talking about?" asked Matt.
"I mean, that Tai's good friend, Sora, would like to spend some...ahem...private time with him. I mean, it's only been like four years since they've gotten a chance to bond," Mimi replied sarcastically.
"Ah," Tai nodded, scratching the back of his head. "Well...sorry, Matt...but, uh..."
Matt put up his hands in understanding. "Hey...it's cool, man. Some other time, then."
Tai nodded again and walked over to Sora.
"So what's happening, Sor?"
"Umm...y-you wanna go somewhere else to chat?" asked Sora nervously.
"Sure."
Matt stared as the two of them walked off together. But what he DIDN'T see was Mimi, who was blushing, and half-dreamily staring at HIM. But he soon noticed something was up with her, and turned his head in concern.
"Something wrong, Mimi?"
The light chocolate-colored haired girl then and there just realized what she was doing, and shook her head fast.
"What?! Oh, n...no! Nothing! I...I just thought I saw a fly on your shoulder! So...what were YOU looking at?"
"Um...I was just watching the two of them go off. And I saw...uh..."
"Saw what?"
"Well, it's obvious that they're still very much in love. You can almost feel it...they have it bad for each other..." Matt said, with a sigh and partially sad smile.
"Oh, yeah..." Mimi agreed, with the same expressions. "How long do think it'll be until they stop holding back their feelings?"
"Dunno...but something tells me that's the key to fixing a lot of problems..."
Tai and Sora decided to walk behind the school and sit on the bleachers to watch two other soccer teams go at it. All the while, Tai noticed Sora was trying to hide a green package behind her back. He was curious, but he got the feeling that Sora was going to tell him what was going on sooner or later.
"Listen, I'm sorry about yesterday..." Sora started. "I guess I came on a little too strong back there. But I was just so happy to see you that I-"
"No...i-it's kinda my fault," Tai interrupted. "I didn't mean to sound so nasty...I coulda hugged you back or something."
"Yeah...or something..." the girl muttered.
Sora and Tai just sat there in uncomfortable silence for a few seconds until Sora remembered her little "surprise" for him.
"Oh! Tai, I just remembered...here!"
Tai looked with interest as Sora embarrassingly held her head down while holding out the dusty present for him to open.
"For me?" he asked, pointing to the package.
"Uh, huh!" Sora said almost excitedly, blushing again.
"But it's not my birthday, and-"
"Oh, I know! I was hoping to give it to you last Christmas, but well...I was still stranded in the Digital World, so...!"
Christmas, eh?
That was the only thought echoing through Tai's head. This little fact – and the familiar wrapping – briefly opened a small, painful, buried, but living memory that still hurt to think about...
"Sora, wait up!"
"Oh, Tai...uh...err..."
"So, um, Sora, you goin' to the concert with anybody? I mean, not that it matters to me...just wondering."
"No, I wanna be available in case Matt is free afterwards. Eh, heh..."
"Oh, I see...Matt, huh? I-it's okay..."
"Thanks, Tai."
"Tai? TAI? TAI!!"
"Huh?! Wh...what??"
Sora's voice had enough volume to snap Tai back into reality.
"Geez, are you okay? You spaced out for a second..."
"Oh, don't worry...I mean...I was just thinking about something..."
"Uh...all right...well, aren't you gonna open your present?"
"Right! And thanks, Sor. I really DO appreciate it," Tai said with genuine happiness.
"Your welcome, Tai," Sora said sweetly, with such an innocent, sincere smile that could melt any boy's heart.
Tai laughed nervously and began to blush a bit. But he remained focused, and proceeded to tear off the wrapping of Sora's present to reveal...
"Oh, Sora!" Tai exclaimed half-mockingly. "A box! It's just what I've always wanted! You shouldn't have!"
Sora started laughing and playfully pushed him backwards.
"Would you knock it off? Just open it already!"
Tai started to laugh as well, and for that one moment, both of them didn't have a care in the world. As they shared the humor of the situation, it felt exactly just like "old times" for the two kids, as it should've been.
Sora almost held her breath as Tai opened the box. His eyes were greeted with the sight of a photo, neatly inserted into a frame. But this wasn't just ANY photo...this was a nice, clear shot of a younger Tai and Sora, both eleven years old.
That photograph was taken just after the soccer championship finals. Both had dirt and sweat on their faces, and on their red soccer jerseys, but they were smiling while they held up an impressive looking soccer trophy. Tai didn't remember it right away...
...but this was also the last soccer game they played together before venturing into the Digital World.
"Oh, Sora...wow! How'd ya get this picture of us?" Tai asked, sincerely impressed.
"When I was stranded in the Digital World, I remembered that I had some photos in my wallet. So some digimon in one of the cities I visited had special machines that could stretch out the photo and blow it up. Then I had it put into this wooden frame," Sora explained.
"You really didn't have to do all this...but thanks a lot!"
Sora smiled proudly and was very glad that Tai enjoyed his gift.
"I'm really happy that you like it, Tai."
"Hey, I can honestly say that it's the best Christmas gift I've even gotten...even if it was a little late."
"Umm, Tai? Can we go somewhere else to grab some food? I'm kinda hungry."
"Sure, no problem. I'm getting hungry too, actually."
"How about we go out for some pizza? My treat."
"YOUR treat?"
"Yeah, Mimi gave me some money."
"Oh...okay, great!"
As they left the bleachers, Tai carefully picked up the picture Sora gave to him and tucked it under his arm. They also discovered that as they talked more to each other, the uneasy tension became less awkward.
"Hey, just outta curiosity, Tai..."
"Yeah?"
"I was wondering...uh, where's my...'sister'...?"
"Oh, uh...well, she was SUPPOSED to have a date with Matt today, but..."
"But?"
"Well, let's just say that things don't always work out as planned..."
You're telling me, Sora thought to herself.
"WHAT!?"
At the warehouse where Matt's band known as the Teenage Wolves usually practiced, Matt sheepishly and nervously scratched the back of his head as Sora almost screamed at him.
For his girlfriend, it seemed that the hits just kept coming.
First, Sora's inner emotional conflict with Tai had been continuously gnawing at her thoughts. Then she found out that she has a "twin sister" to contend with. Next, Tai's little sister Kari slapped her (and nearly knocked her out of her senses). And finally, Matt now had to call off his date with her.
"I'm sorry, Sora, but I have to practice. You knew that when we started dating there might be some difficulties like this. I said so."
"You're dumping me for a possible gig? You sure know how to make a girl feel appreciated!" Sora sarcastically snapped.
Matt understood why Sora was acting this way, and didn't hold it against her at all. And he honestly felt bad about dropping his date with her. But at the present moment, there didn't appear to be much else that he could do.
"I know, I know! I'm really sorry!" said Matt, with a very apologetic and sad look on his face.
But Sora just put up her hand, not wanting to hear anymore.
"Whatever, just go have fun with your band and your music!" she angrily replied.
With that said, Sora turned and left in a huff.
"I really am sorry, Sora! I promise I'll make it up to you!" Matt called out.
But Sora just covered her ears. Matt sadly sighed to himself.
"Man...I sure hope Tai's having better luck with 'his' Sora..."
Tai and Sora had arrived at a hangout known as the Pizza Palace, both of them starving. Tai took a seat at one of the outside tables and carefully placed the framed photo on the table too.
"Okay...just have a seat, Tai! I'll order for both of us!" Sora cheerfully offered.
"That's cool," Tai agreed. "Um, I want-"
"Two large pepperoni slices and a root beer, right?"
Tai briefly went wide-eyed, and blinked five times. He was actually a little surprised that Sora – THIS Sora – knew him so well.
"Uh, yeah...how'd you-"
"Hey," she said with a smile, "You're my best friend...I'm supposed to know this stuff. It's my job."
Tai chuckled as Sora got in line to order. He then took a deep breath as he took another good look at the photograph of himself and Sora.
Geez, he thought. Were Sora and I ever that young?
Not too far away from the pizza place, a small aluminum can got kicked easily more than five feet and ended up in the street. It may have been a half a day of school for Sora, but that hardly helped to cure her of her recent emotional maelstrom.
She looked down at the sidewalk, with a sad look on her face. Her arms were behind her back, and she was taking very slow steps. But that didn't even amount of thinking that was going on in her head at the current moment.
Things seem to have been going so well for her...
She was doing well in school, her tennis skills were increasing, she had two wonderful parents who loved her dearly, she was backed by deeply caring, dependable and reliable comrads (Digidestined or otherwise), not to mention she had the coolest, nicest boyfriend she'd ever met. (In her opinion, anyway.)
Unbeknownst to her, one thing – the most important thing – was missing...a best friend.
Granted, she still pretty much had it all, but with the discoveries and revelations in the last day or so, it seemed irrelevant now. Maybe it was because she was no longer an only child? She had always wanted a sibling (a younger sister, preferably), but this was ridiculous!
"Why is this happening to me?" she asked, not caring someone saw she was audibly talking to herself.
As Sora walked and talked to herself, she noticed not too far away someone she could always recognize, like it was some sort of special sixth sense of hers.
Tai Kamiya.
Wonder what he's doing here, Sora thought. Well, geez...where are my brains? This is the Pizza Palace! He's obviously here for some food!
Sora thought about walking over and striking up a chat with him, but she then noticed that he was looking at something. It was wrong to sneak up on somebody like this, but curiosity got the better of her. Thankfully, he had his back turned and there was a small, but wide bush and large tree to give her cover. Sora's thoughts continued to create more questions that either couldn't be answered or had no answers.
He has something in his hands...what is it?
Sora quickly realized that it was a framed photo, but she was shocked when she saw just WHO was in the picture...
Wait...that's ME! Me and...TAI! But I don't remember that photo at all...
"Eat up, Tai!" said a voice that Sora found familiar...it was HER voice!
Sora jerked her head up a little more and saw herself sit down next to Tai. She decided to duck down a little more, and hopefully the bushes would be enough to conceal her.
"Here's your pizza!" Sora said to Tai.
"Thanks!" he cheerfully replied.
For a few moments, the two of them munched on their pizza and sipped their sodas, while Sora was forced to listen to the annoying sounds. She was ready to slip away when her double decided to break the ice.
"So, Tai? Do you like the present I gave you?"
"Oh, yeah! I think it's great!"
"I mean, granted...it's not the most expensive-"
"The point, Sor...is that it came from your heart and you really put some thought into it. Trust me, you've never failed when giving me Christmas gifts...uh...well, with the exception of last year's Christmas anyway...but all the same, every gift you've ever given me has always been better than the last one."
Back down in the bushes, Sora felt an incredible wave of guilt wash over her as she realized that Tai was right. She had her heart set on attracting Matt's attention so much last Christmas, that she'd completely forgotten to give Tai a present!
"I do appreciate the kind words, Tai. You've never 'failed' me either."
"So, uh...what made you decide to enlarge THIS particular photo?"
"Tai, don't you remember? This picture was taken the day soccer championships were won by our team! We were eleven!"
"Oh! That's right!"
"Mm-hm. It was also...the last soccer game we were in together before we went to the Digital World."
"Yeah?"
Sora nodded.
"That was also a very...special game for me..." she said, blushing.
"What do you mean?"
"Don't tell me you don't remember that, either..."
"Sorry, Sor. Refresh my memory."
"That was the game where you gave me that big trophy!"
Tai thought hard as his mind took him on a little stroll down good, old Memory Lane...
"GO FOR IT, KAMIYA!!"
Eleven year-old Tai Kamiya wiped some sweat off of his forehead as he ran down the soccer field. The soccer coach called out to him to keep Tai focused and encouraged.
"Give it up, Kamiya!" yelled one of the kids from the opposite team. "I'm faster than you!"
But Tai just smirked at the boy. He turned his head to the left as he saw his best buddy, eleven year-old Sora Takenouchi. Sora winked as Tai, who started to smile as well.
"Okay, buddy!" he said the boy catching up with him, "You want this ball? Fine, it's yours...if you can take it!"
With that Tai swiftly kicked the ball with all his might to the left, passing it to Sora.
The boy and two of his teammates growled as Tai and Sora were definitely outdoing them.
But if someone tried to block them, they'd swiftly pass to the other. This was quite amazing, considering that all this only happened in a mere matter of seconds.
Finally, there was no one standing between Tai, Sora, and the opposite team's goal. Tai and Sora looked at each other with confident smiles on their faces.
"Y'ready, Sora?" Tai yelled.
"You know it, Tai!" Sora yelled back.
"LET'S DO THIS!" they both hollered.
Sora and Tai ran at lightning speed and kicked the ball at the same time. The goalie didn't have a chance and actually ran away from the goal! As expected, the soccer ball went in and hit the net, dead center.
After that, it was all a bit of a blur. There were cheers, yells, clapping, jumping up and down, and so much more radiating joy! This was, after all, the match to win the championship title!
Everyone on Tai and Sora's team got trophies, while the coach was awarded a much bigger trophy. Then, it was time for team pictures. There were some of the coach with individual players, the coach by himself, and a big group shot of everyone.
But nothing could prepare Tai for the shock he received when the coach decided to swap trophies with HIM! He knew that Tai had put a lot of hard work, practice, and heart into the game, so he gave him the trophy. Thankfully, none of the other teammates were jealous, but that caused Tai to consider something...
He knew that while Sora had played in many soccer games on different teams, she had NEVER won a championship before. So Tai requested a picture be taken of him and Sora holding up the trophy. Needless to say, Sora didn't hesitate to agree.
As they posed Tai smirked and gave Sora a "special wink", and all Sora responded with was a "Hm?" But one thing she did know was that whenever Tai gave her a "special wink", it meant that he had something VERY important on his mind.
As the two of them walked home together, Tai worked up the nerve to talk to Sora for a second about what he was thinking.
"Um, Sora?" he nervously asked.
"Yeah?" she replied, noticing that Tai was oddly blushing.
"Uh...I, er, I wanted to say...that you, uh...did a really good job on the field today..."
"Okay..."
"And, well...I know that this is the first championship game you've ever won, right?
"Yeah."
"Well, uh...HERE!"
Sora's eyes widened as she saw Tai hold out the coach's big trophy. And judging from his nervousness, it was clear that he wanted Sora to have it.
"For...for me?" she asked softly.
Tai, still blushing, nodded furiously.
"I...I don't understand...!"
"Well, like I said...this is the first big soccer championship you've won...and I know that your mom's given you a lotta grief about playing soccer...so I want you to have this..."
Sora gasped at the realization that Tai WASN'T kidding. Not one bit.
"But why??" Sora asked, with tears starting to fill up her eyes.
"Cuz'...I've got plenty of soccer trophies, but you...well, you made the winning shot. So you can have this one. This'll be your very first...champion soccer trophy!"
"My what...?"
"Y'know...the kind of champion trophy that you REALLY deserve!"
Sora gasped as Tai handed her the trophy, simply placing it in her arms. The girl slowly looked down at the object now in her hands. Somehow her mind wouldn't accept what had just occurred.
"Oh, but...! Tai, I can't accept this! The coach personally gave this to you...!"
"Forget it! I said I already have a lotta trophies!"
"Then at least take my other smaller one-"
"Nah! Forget it! They're both yours! Go on, Sora! I want you to have 'em! One more trophy for me isn't gonna make a difference!"
Others might have thought that Tai was just bragging about his trophy collection, but Sora knew Tai better than that. Tai closed his eyes, scratched the back of his head, and started give off his typical wacky laugh. But it all ceased when he noticed that Sora had (put) her head down, unintentionally hiding her eyes.
"Umm...Sora?" Tai asked, starting to worry. Worrying turned to alarm when he noticed that she was shaking.
His eyes went wide when she lifted her face. It was soaked with tears. Tears containing joy, embarrassment, and subconsciously...a budding and completely unyielding romantic feeling.
"Sora?" Tai asked in his gentlest voice, "Are you okay?"
But the young, shorthaired girl just kept staring at him, shaking and sobbing with tears flowing down her face.
"Tai...I...oh, gimme a hug, you big jerk!"
Sora grabbed him and cried so much at that moment, still clutching the big trophy, and never once losing her grip on it...or Tai, who decided not to say anything. But as he closed his eyes...he realized that he was crying, too.
"That was absolutely the most sweetest thing you ever did for me, Tai...and I never, ever once forgot it."
Tai sat back in seat, exhaled deeply, and slowly nodded.
"I do remember now," he calmly admitted.
"That's when I truly realized how much you cared for me...and how much I cared for you."
Tai nodded, unintentionally avoiding eye contact with her, but he jerked his head towards her when he felt a warm and soft hand covering his own. As he looked at her, he became increasingly uneasy, noticing Sora's facial expression. She was dreamily gazing at him, with half-open eyes, and a red blush streaking across her face, like her double last Christmas. The only difference was that this time around, it was meant for him. A small, but incredibly cute giggle escape her lips.
The boy gulped, but regained his composure, and loudly cleared his throat as a signal for Sora to stop what he was doing. Sora really didn't want to, as she just couldn't help the way she felt about him. But the last thing she wanted to do was to make her love uncomfortable, so she complied.
"I meant what I said...I never forgot it, Tai. Ever since that day, I kept that trophy on top of my dresser."
"Yeah, I know...that was a nice thing to do."
Down on the ground, Sora felt even more guilt as she continued to eavesdrop. She decided she'd had enough. Then and there, she slowly crawled away from the pair.
"Hey, what's with droopy face?" Sora asked.
Once again, Tai explained the circumstances of what exactly transpired the previous Christmas. Only this time, he was more specific in giving the details. He explained that it was really HIS fault that Sora rejected him, because he waited too long to tell her how he really felt. It was extremely painful reliving these memories, but Tai wanted to tell Sora the truth, so he had no choice but to keep on talking.
Sora listened very carefully to Tai's story, never once breaking eye contact, wanting to make sure that she heard everything right. And the more she listened, the angrier she became at her "sister"...but then she noticed how passionately Tai was telling the story. That's when the wheels inside her head started to turn.
And that's when she discovered that Tai was still very much in love with Sora. With HER.
I don't believe a word Tai says about how he doesn't feel anything for me. I can just sense it...I know he still likes her...and me.
"Boy..." he said, sadly finishing the tale, "Come to think of it, she never DID make me those cookies in the end."
Tai glumly looked at Sora, who decided to lighten the mood a little.
"Don't look at me, I don't cook!"
Tai chuckled a bit.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to drive the mood into the floor..." Sora said, sincerely apologizing.
"No...you're my best friend...at the very least you deserved to know the truth. So...since that you're home, what'll you do now?"
"To be honest...I'm not too sure. But, uh..."
Tai started to get uncomfortable as Sora started to grin.
"But what?"
"You know...there is ONE thing that I know for sure hasn't changed..."
"And what's that?" asked Tai, smiling slightly.
"When it comes one-on-one, I can still whip you good in soccer."
"Oh, really...care to test those words?" Tai gently dared, now grinning as well.
As Sora got up from her seat, all she said was, "Don't say I didn't warn you...and don't cry after I win."
"You're on!" Tai challenged. The two laughed, and ran off to grab a soccer ball and find an open field.
"I'm home!" Sora announced to her mom, who was in the kitchen, cooking an early dinner.
"Hi, sweetie!" she replied.
Mrs. Takenouchi was glad to see her daughter, but was mentally preoccupied. After the meeting at Izzy's place, Sora had been forced to confront her mother and explain why she'd missed tennis practice, and why there was a bruise on her cheek.
Sora had also informed her mom of the double that had recently been discovered, and about how she was rooming with Mimi. Ever since then, Mrs. Takenouchi had become increasingly anxious to "meet" her "second child" in the near future. With her husband coming home from his long business trip, it would've been the perfect opportunity to do so. But the big question was, would the "other" Sora want to meet with her?
Meanwhile, Sora slowly walked into her bedroom and sadly looked at the top of her dresser. On top of it (now) was a framed picture of Matt and herself hugging each other lovingly. She made her way to the closet in the back of her room, and opened up the slide door.
Inside was a dusty old box of things she put away in there, hoping to forget them. Blowing off the top layer of dust, she opened the box. It didn't take too long for her to rummage through it, and find what she was looking for.
Since Sora left her bedroom door open, Mrs. Takenouchi watched on, trying to mentally share the sad moment with her. In no time at all, Sora pulled out of the box what she hadn't meant to forget so easily. Mrs. Takenouchi almost gasped as she saw what her daughter was holding.
In her hands was a soccer trophy.
Tears formed in her eyes, as she slowly began to remember everything that the trophy symbolized, and especially where it came from.
Sora couldn't hold back her tears, nor did she even try to. Hugging the trophy ever so tightly, she began to cry, but she already knew that this pain was less than she deserved.
"I'm sorry, Tai...I didn't mean to forget you. Please forgive me...what kind of monster have I become?"
About a little less than an hour later, Sora's double arrived back at Mimi's. Sora was just about to greet her, when she saw that Mimi was on the phone. She waved, aware of Sora's presence.
As Sora opened the refrigerator to get something to drink, she couldn't help but overhear what Mimi saying over the telephone. And what she heard made her awfully suspicious.
"Yes...uh, huh...well, yeah, she just came in, and...I, uh...I'll hafta to ask, and...oh, okay! I'll have her call you back with the news! Um...actually, maybe it'd be better for her to decide that for...yeah, that's great. Thanks for calling! Bye!"
Sora sat down at the kitchen table, drinking some soda, and at the same time, staring intently at Mimi.
"So, what was that all about? And who was on the phone?"
"Uhhh...it was..."
"Yeah?"
Mimi sat down at the table next to Sora and gently held her hand.
"Sora...that was your mom."
The girl froze and her blood ran cold for a moment.
"Oh," she responded with barely any emotion in her suddenly low voice. "What does she want?"
Mimi took a deep breath.
"She wants to meet you."
PHEW and WHEW!! Damn, this took so long to write!! But as I said, I guess this extensive chapter makes up for this story's delayed updating! Now, I expect you all to act like good little reviewers and REVIEW! I really put a lot into this chapter, and I'm not handing out any free rides here! (Don't worry, I'll figure out a way to backup that threat.) So! What the heck do you think will happen now?! Will Sora ever be cured of her pain and guilt? Will Sora's double agree to meet with her mom (and dad) again for the first time? Will Tai ever get together with EITHER Sora? And will I ever get a good night's sleep around here?! Only one surefire way to find out! Keep on reading and the answers shall emerge! BUH-BYE!!