AN- As of writing this, the votes are equal for Michi vs. Taiora (20 each). I don't know if I counted people more than once, cause I was too lazy to look at screen names. Not that it really matters, since I know where I am going with this, but I would feel better if I knew the majority really wanted the couple. Oh well. Just keep reading to the end, please? For now, I'm trying to balance out the interaction between Tai and the two girls so everyone is happy. Tai does really like them both, just doesn't realize it. Silly Taichi. Enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 4- Have a Bright Future
Wakey, wakey…
Tai didn't understand what was happening as something soft rubbed against his face. He opened his eyes, blinking furiously against the brightness of the rising sun. He focused his eyes to see Miko sitting there, purring pleasantly.
"Miko?" Tai said, confused. The cat usually avoided his room like the plague.
Nice boy… nice now… food…milk?...
Miko rubbed affectionately against his side as he sat up. He looked down at the cat who looked up innocently at him.
"Do you know my little secret? And are exploiting it to get better food?" He asked suspiciously.
Miko purred louder. Tai laughed happily and scooped the cat up, walking to the kitchen with her in his arms. He filled her bowl with milk and then went back to his room to get dressed. When he came back out, his mom had an extra large breakfast of pancakes waiting on the table for him.
"Thanks for the food, Mom," Tai said sitting down.
"Oh, no problem," She replied, sounding teary.
My little baby, acting so brave! He must be so heart broken over that game…
"Er, Mom? You don't need to worry over me. I am sad, but I know that my family and friends are all proud of me. I'm fine," Tai reassured her.
"Okay, honey," She said, smiling. Then, she regarded him with curiosity. "You have been maturing so fast lately. What's your secret?"
Tai sweat dropped and replied nervously, "Secret? No secret! Er, it's just, ah, the weather!"
Weather? Well, the old Tai is there too. Such a good son…
The phone rang and Tai's father came out from his room and picked it up. After greeting the person on the phone, he motion towards Tai.
"It's for you, son."
"Really?" Tai asked, as he walked over and took the phone. "Hello, this is Taichi Kamiya. How can I help you?"
"Taichi, this is Hadeski Taka. We met before after the semifinal game. I am a recruiter for the Japan Nation Team."
"Yes! I remember! How are you?"
"I'm fine. I was calling to commend you on an excellent game yesterday. Your playing and leadership were superb. That is what the JNT is looking for in their players. I assume that you are interested in trying out?"
"What? YES! I mean, er, that thought HAS crossed my mind…"
Tai could here the smile in the man's voice as he gave Tai the necessary information.
Tai hung up the phone and stood there blankly. His parents, Kari and Miko were all looking at him with interest.
"YES! WAAAAAAAAAAH!" Tai yelled at the top of his lungs, running around in joy.
Strange thought Miko, as Tai swung his mother around in a happy dance.
"The tryouts are in a month. I have to compete for a spot, but the scout said I should be a shoe in. I wouldn't start out playing, of course, but after a few years I could be a starter!" Tai explained to Sora, Davis and Ken, who were grouped around him.
"That is excellent! Tai, I'm so happy for you," Sora said, patting him on the shoulder.
"Oh, man, Tai. I always knew if one of us was going to get a chance, that it would be you," Davis said, looking proudly at his idol.
"If you need some practice before hand, we'll help you out," Ken offered. The other two nodded their heads in agreement.
Tai grinned at his friends. "Thanks."
They walked down the hall and were greeted by different friends. Sora was explaining to Yolie, Izzy and Matt about Tai's offer when an announcement was called over the school speakers.
"Taichi Kamiya, please report to the guidance counselor's office. Taichi Kamiya, to the counselor's office."
"Uh, I guess I have to go…" Tai said and waved good bye to his friends.
He reached the office and knocked on the door.
"Come on in," Miss Helpering called.
Tai opened the door and sat down in a chair across from her desk. He realized that before a few weeks ago, he never had been in here, but since the curse, he had been there twice already.
'Is this a sign?' thought Tai. 'She is a guidance counselor, meaning she supposed to guide. And she did lead me to complete the last chapter, in a way. Maybe she's here to help with this one too. Or maybe the universe is screwing with my mind…'
"Taichi? Are you listening?" Miss Helpering asked.
"Yeah, sorry," Tai said sheepishly, embarrassed about zoning out.
"That is alright. I would like to congratulate you on your little soccer accomplishment! Many students never get an opportunity like this!"
"Thank you. I know how lucky I am," Tai agreed.
"Well, now we just have to figure out one more thing, right? What is your favorite class right now, Tai?"
Tai looked at her, confused. "Er, Government?"
Miss Helpering smiled brightly.
"I thought you would say that. Your record shows great aptitude in leadership, and your highest grades have been in government and foreign affairs classes. I take it, then, that the Public Affairs and International Relations majors will be best for you. Luckily for you, too, that they have extended a scholarship to cover what the soccer scholarship can't. I'll just send them a response saying yes…"
"Wait! Wait! Hold on!" Tai interrupted. "I have no idea what you are talking about. Scholarships? Why do I need scholarships?"
"To pay for college, of course," Miss Helpering explained.
"College?"
"Yes, Kyoto University." When Tai looked baffled still, she continued, "Maybe you should tell me what soccer accomplishment YOU are were about."
"I got offered a spot to try out for the Japan Nation Team for soccer. And what were you talking about?"
Miss Helpering laughed. "I see where we got confused now. Saki Ugani called me this morning. He's the scout from Kyoto University, and he said he has met you before. Well, he told me that you are being offered a spot on their team next year, with a scholarship that would cover your room and board. Also, the department of Public and Foreign affairs has reviewed your transcript and would like you to major in their field, and have offered to grant you a scholarship to cover the rest of tuition. Mr. Ugani was going to call you at home this morning, but you must have missed it."
"A full ride to Kyoto University? Wow," Tai said, surprised.
"So I'll send a confirmation in?" Miss Helpering asked.
"What? But…" Tai trailed off. If Tai made it on the JNT, he couldn't go to college. He would always be busy and traveling. "I need to think this over. Could I give you an answer later?"
Miss Helpering hesitated, but said, "Sure. But remember, Taichi, you cannot wait TOO long. These scholarships are quite an honor, and there are many students who want them."
"I know, thanks for your time," Tai thanked her, and then walked out of her office.
"So first you thought that both scouts wanted you, then that neither of the scouts wanted you, then that only one did, but now both do?" TK summarized. TK, Davis, Ken, Kari and Yolie were standing in a semicircle around Tai in the hall way during a break.
"Yeah. This is so confusing. I don't know what to do," Tai said, rubbing his face with his hands. He looked up to see the group gathered looking as unsure as him.
Then again, it was all of the younger ones, who were just freshman this year, so they didn't have to worry about colleges and career choices quite yet.
"I think I'm going to go find Izzy."
"Yeah!"
"Izzy will know!"
"Good idea!"
I don't know how he is going to figure this out… Kari and Yolie thought in unison.
'This is not going good' thought Tai as he headed toward the computer labs.
"Izzy, what do you want to do when you grow up?"
Izzy looked around at the computers surrounding them in the room and looked back at Tai, incredulous. "Are you serious?"
"Okay, yeah. Work with computers. So you chose something that you liked to do, and you are going to make it into a career, right?"
'Okay, 1 point for JNT.' Tai thought.
"Well, Tai, I think that it is more complicated than that. I feel like my ability to work with computers is a gift, and that I can use it to help others. I think that is what everyone wants, isn't it? To take one of their strengths and use it? Like how Joe uses his patience and responsibility to understand patients and help them heal. Or how you use your natural leadership to help others when they feel lost and need some guidance."
Tai sighed. '1 point for Kyoto University.'
"Did I help you any, Tai?" Izzy asked, looking at his friend with concern.
"Yeah," Tai lied. "Thanks."
Tai left in search of another opinion.
"Full ride and being able to play soccer? Tai, isn't that like a dream come true for you?" Sora asked as she set down her drink. Tai had found her eating lunch outside in their courtyard.
"Yeah, but the JNT has always been my dream too. I never thought I would be offered BOTH options. I'm so lucky, but at the same time, this is horrible."
Sora patted Tai on the back. "Well, think of it this way. With the JNT, soccer will be your job. At Kyoto, it will just be sport. You'll grow up and be a government worker or a politician. Do you want to play soccer the rest of your life?"
"Of course you don't want to play soccer for the rest of your life. What if you get injured? Then you'll be out a job and have no training," Matt scoffed as they walked down the sidewalk.
"But I could have money saved up. Professional soccer pays a lot more than a government job."
"Money isn't everything."
Tai frowned at him. "I know that."
"Will you boys hurry up! I didn't bring you guys along so you could chat. You're here to help me!" Mimi called from ahead of them. She looked back at them with a frown on her face and her hands on her hips.
"Hey, you didn't bring me along to do anything! I just needed some advice," Tai replied.
Mimi rolled her eyes, but when Matt and Tai caught up with her, she fell into step with them and didn't complain any further.
"You have to think about the lifestyle too, Tai," Mimi said after a few steps. When Tai looked at her questioningly, she continued, "Well, I imagine it would be hard to meet someone to marry while traveling around a lot. And it would be hard to raise a family even if you did. Money doesn't make up for the fact that your parents aren't ever there."
Mimi looked at the ground as Matt stared at her sympathetically and patted her shoulder. Tai felt a jealous kick in the pit of his stomach, but ignored it for the moment. "Yeah, you have a point. Let's just get this over with, I need to go talk with Joe."
"Okay!" Mimi said brightly as she dragged both of the boys into the mall with her.
"Well Tai, all of our friends have made good points. You would be equally good at each job. But, I think that we can't help you any further."
"What? Why?" Tai asked.
"This is a very personal decision, Tai. Only you can make it. I know that we wish that we could be more help, with the way that you have helped all of us in the past, but I think that we can't. Just trust yourself to think this through well."
"Thanks Joe. I hope you are right."
Tai started to walk to the door, but Joe started talking again.
"I heard from Matt that you helped him out by asking Sora on a date last weekend."
Tai just stood there, trying not to look guilty.
Joe snorted. "Tai, didn't you learn anything from last time?"
Tai shot him an annoyed look. "This time is different."
Joe shot Tai an unconvinced look and turned back to his work.
Tai walked out of the room, and pushed Joe's words aside.
He had a decision to make.
"Miss Helpering, I want you to send the confirmation into Kyoto University. I'm going to be attending there next year and playing soccer for them. And I'm going to major in Public and Foreign Affairs," Tai paused and then concluded lamely, "Yeah, so tell them that."
Miss Helpering smiled brightly.
"I'll do that right away Taichi. It looks to me like you'll be having a bright future ahead of you."
Tai looked startled for a second and then slipped into a grin.
"You women really are something," he concluded and waved good bye as he slipped out of the office.
"I don't care what you told the stupid counselor, Tai! We asked you how you made your decision!" Yolie complained.
The group of digidestined were spread out on various pieces of furniture and the ground at Mimi's apartment. They were having a 'movie night' to celebrate Tai's decision, which everyone had learned about during school. Everyone looked at Tai expectantly as Mimi and Davis walked in with several bowls of popcorn.
"Come on, Tai. Shut up that stupid ogremon and just tell us!" Davis complained, as Yolie glared daggers at him and chucked a near by pillow at his face.
Davis was about to retaliate, but Tai interrupted by starting to talk.
"Well, you all gave me really good advice. All it really came down to, in the end, was how I wanted my life to be like.
"I imagined being a big soccer star, having you all cheering for me at games, being on magazine covers and traveling all over the world. I think it's a life anyone would envy. But then I thought about going to college, where you would all be cheering for me at games, where I could study and laugh with my friends over stupid events on campus. I thought about growing up and being a government official and helping others.
"And then I had this stupid vision of all of us sitting around with all of our children at a big reunion, and how we all looked so close and happy. I realized that I couldn't have a simple and wonderful life like that if I were soccer star. After that, the decision was really simple."
Everyone was quiet, thinking over what Tai had said.
I want that too thought Mimi as she handed Tai a bowl of the popcorn. She smiled cheerfully at him.
So cute, all of our children being friends… Sora thought as she hugged her pillow tighter.
I've haven't even thought about that before Yolie thought.
"That was SO corny. Have you been watching chick flicks?" Davis complained.
Yolie, Sora and Kari all attacked him with pillows at once. The guys threw out gibes at Davis as he was overcome.
"Come on, Davis, there are only three of them, after all," Ken joked.
"I don't think he would stand a chance one on one…" Izzy commented, shaking his head.
"Ladies! Not the good pillows!" Mimi scolded. The three girls looked up guiltily, and shooting Davis a glare, settled back into their former positions.
Mimi looked around, and when she had everyone's attention, she continued. "Well, tonight we are going to watch one of my favorite movies. I saw it when I was over in America, and brought it back with me."
"Is it a mushy love movie?" Davis asked, pouting.
"Er, kind of? It has romance. But I think it is more comedy," Mimi explained.
"Ooooo! Romance! Did you see it with Michael?" Sora asked.
Tai glowered, but no one noticed. Mimi blushed, and continued on as Sora hadn't commented. "Anyway, the title is 'What Women Want' and-" Mimi was cut off when Tai and Kari both made strangled noises.
"What is wrong with you two?" Matt asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Nothing!" they chimed together, then shot each other meaningful looks.
"What happens in the movie?" Joe asked.
"Well, the main character is this really sexist guy and then he gets the ability to hear women's thoughts and he slowly changes into a better person," Mimi explained.
"Did he get hit in the head with a book?" Tai asked, strangely intense.
"Uh, noooo…. He electrocutes himself…" Mimi answered slowly, raising her eyebrow at Tai.
"Stop giving it away! Put in the movie," Yolie demanded.
Mimi pulled out the tape and put it in the VCR.
"A guy that can hear women's thoughts. That must be the gift from hell," TK joked.
The guys chuckled.
Yeah, and you guys have such sophisticated thoughts… thought the girls in unison.
"I don't know, guys. Women are pretty special. It probably wouldn't be as bad as you think…" Tai added in.
All of the girls turned and smiled at him, Kari giving him a wink.
As the movie started, Tai scanned the room, taking in all of the friends that would be with him for a long time to come. Tai hadn't checked in the book yet, and knew he didn't need to- He knew he was going to have a bright future.
AN- Yeah, I know. This chapter is kind of boring. I had a harder time than usual writing it. Maybe because we are getting closer to the end. Which leads me to my next point. ahem The next chapter will be the last full chapter with Tai having his special 'powers'. Yep that's right, the chapter after it will be the completion of the final chapter. BUT DO NOT PANIC- it won't be the last chapter of the story. There will be two to three chapters still after it. Tai will have fun trying to resolve things without the benefit of hearing women's thoughts.
Anyway, I do have a point. Since Tai will no longer have his powers, for the next chapter I will be taking requests from you guys from what you want Tai to do before he loses the powers. Anything you think would be funny or you wanted to see, just tell me in a review (or email) and I'll see what I can do. I have a plot for the next one, but I wanted to pad it with some funny situations from you guys. Just a thought, though.
I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!
And I would like to give a special thanks to the readers who reviewed the last chapter:
SoratoFan, Vigatus (Nah, Mimi can't technically read his mind. She just knows him really well. It would be hilarious, though, I agree), Psyclone, sweetyakane, BrnttsDoItBest, Miranda, digilover, The true Tai Kamiya
