Author's note: Hello, digimon lovers! I'm back :) Man, thanks for all of the reviews, you guys! I didn't expect to receive so many!

"Danke Sheh" (German for "thank you")

On to the story…..

The Choice

Chap. 9 A Shocking Realization

The next morning, Rika woke up and got ready. Then, she went into the kitchen, being a little surprised to see her mom and grandma sitting at the table.

"Guys, what are you doing up so early? You usually sleep in on Saturday mornings."

"Well, Rika, it doesn't hurt to, though, does it?" her grandma smiled.

"I guess not…" she replied, "It's just, Mom, you always want your beauty sleep, don't you?"

"Well, that's true, but…" she turned away and sipped her coffee.

"But, what?" Rika went to stand next to her, "What?"

Both her mom and grandma were silent.

Rika lowered her eyebrows, "Are you guys hiding something from me?"

Her mom giggled, but never looked at her, "Of course not dear."

"Uh, huh…" Rika didn't believe a word they said.

Both of them were still very silent.

"Okay, you guys aren't very good at lying," she crossed her arms.

"Lying about what?" her mom nervously questioned.

"Mom!"

"Uh, hum…" Rika's grandma gestured toher mom, "We better tell her the truth."

"Mom, why?" Rika's mom wondered.

"It's not like it's that big of a deal. I'll tell her myself."

Rika's mom sighed.

Her grandma looked at her, "Rika…we heard someone open your door last night."

Rika was in shock.

"Rika, dear, who were you talking to?"

"Yes, we thought we heard some commotion," her mom added.

"Oh…my gosh," Rika was frozen still.

"Rika, honey, are you all right?" her mom was puzzled.

"Oh, my gosh…I…I have to go!" with that she ran out the door.

"Rika!" her mom called.

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Rika ran as fast as her legs could carry her. She soon came to Ryo's house and knocked on his door furiously.

"Ryo, Ryo! Open up, it's Rika!"

The door opened some seconds later, and his dad stood in the doorway.

"Good morning, Mr. Akiyama. Is Ryo home?"

"I'm sorry, Rika, but he ran off some minutes ago," he answered.

"Thanks!" Rika headed in the opposite direction toward the park.

When she arrived, she searched everywhere for him.

"Ryo!" she was frusterated, "Ryo!"

Rika soon came to the playground and saw him sitting on the swing they had been on the day before.

She walked over, "Ryo?"

Ryo looked up, "Rika! Where have you been?"

She was confused, "…What do you mean?"

Ryo stood up, "I've been looking everywhere for you today. I wanted to tell you something."

Rika said, "I was looking for you, too. I had the weirdest dream last night."

"Hey…me, too."

"Really?...Anyway, when I woke up this morning, my mom and grandma said that they had heard someone in my room talking to me."

"What? You have to be joking, because…the same thing happened to me."

"What?..." Rika looked at him suspiciously, "…..Who…who was talking to you?"

Ryo replied, "…It was Henry….."

Just then, moisture began to form in Rika's eyes, "I…I saw him, too," the tears began to trickle down her face, "He…he said that there was…someone else who cared about me…..just like he did…"

She looked up at Ryo, "…It's you, isn't it?"

"…Henry said to look after you…..So that's what I'm going to do."

Rika gave him a hug and cried on his shoulder.

"Thanks, Ryo."

Author's note: The last chapter is coming soon. (It's in Rika's point of view) So, make sure to stay tuned!