Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.

A/N: Another chapter! After this we'll be getting to Mimi and Sora. I'll be updating FTFOD next, and I hope to get it up by the end of this week, but it's my longest chapter yet so we'll have to see.

My Best Friend's Girlfriend

Chapter 28: Taking a Chance

Matt Ishida

"What?" Tai whispered, his face turning pure white.

Matt wiped a fresh batch of tears off his cheeks and smiled fondly at his best friend. "Sora and I broke up this morning. Don't worry. We didn't have a fight or anything. It was a mutual decision."

"Why?" Tai asked, looking confused. The former leader let out a sudden gasp, and his dark eyes grew wide with fear. "It isn't because of me, is it? That's impossible! I never told Sora about my feelings, and I know Mimi would never reveal my secret to anyone. The same goes for Kari. Matt, I swear-"

"Will you shut up for a few seconds and let me say something?"

Tai immediately snapped his mouth shut, and Matt placed a comforting hand on the former leader's shoulder. "Tai, you're part of the reason why Sora and I broke up, but don't worry. We didn't end our relationship because she found out about your feelings for her. There's more to it than that. It's hard to explain, but I'll do my best. Besides, you deserve an explanation after everything you've been through."

Tai collapsed against the wall and stared blankly at the ceiling. He looked like he was in shock. "Matt, why didn't you say something a long time ago?"

"I...I couldn't until I knew for sure how you felt about me."

Tai slowly turned to look at him, and he felt his face turn red. "I don't understand. What do you mean?" the former leader choked out.

Matt gazed quietly at his hands, and after a few minutes of silence, he let out a deep sigh. "Tai, I needed to know where I stood in your heart, and you told me exactly what I wanted to hear. How could I have been sure you really meant what you said if I had told you about my breakup with Sora earlier? A part of me would have always believed you'd only said those things because I had given you a chance to be with my girlfriend, not because you actually care about me. Now I know the truth, and there's no way I'll ever be able to doubt our friendship again. You put me first even though you truly believed Sora and I would always be together. You past the test, Tai, and I swear I'll never let anything come between us ever again."

"You said the exact same thing to me when we were at my apartment yesterday," Tai said, his voice trembling with emotion.

Matt nodded and pulled his best friend into a tight hug. "I meant every word of it," he whispered softly in the former leader's ear.

He felt Tai's arms go around his waist, and to his complete surprise the former leader started to laugh. "Matt, you stupid jerk! You tricked me into believing you were still going out with Sora on purpose! I'm definitely going to get you back for this you pathetic excuse for a-"

"I'm sorry, Tai, but I had to. How else would I have been able to believe in our friendship again?"

Tai gently patted his back and smiled softly at him. "I know, Matt. It's okay. I don't care what it takes to fix our friendship as long as it means you've given yourself a chance to believe in me again."

I do, Tai, more than you'll ever know.

Matt gazed into his best friend's dark eyes and managed a weak smile. "After everything you've done for me, how can I not believe in you?"

"Thanks," Tai mumbled, sounding embarrassed. "So Mimi told you she knows my secret?"

"Yeah, but she never said anything about Kari. How did your sister find out?"

"I told her," Tai said simply. "Mimi only found out because she'd been eavesdropping on us a couple of days ago. Our pink haired friend came over to my apartment to figure out what was wrong with me and got the shock of her life! I only wish I could have seen her face when she found out!"

"Me, too. I was wondering how she found out because she never mentioned anything about going over to your apartment."

Poor Mimi. She knows Tai's and Sora's secrets, and all this time she has been forced to keep them to herself. No wonder she has been acting so crazy lately. She knows Tai loves Sora, and she knows Sora loves Tai, but she hasn't been able to tell either one of them the truth because she promised not to. I know exactly how she feels. We have the power to make Tai and Sora more happy than they have ever been, and the only thing we can do is sit back and wait for them to figure it out for themselves. Still, maybe I can help things along a little...

"Matt, why did you break up with Sora?" Tai asked hesitantly.

Matt studied his friend's pale face for a moment and shrugged. "It's simple really. Sora and I broke up because we're not in love with each other anymore. I still care about her, but I don't love her the way I'm supposed to love my girlfriend. I love her the way I love you, and she feels the same way about me. Willis was the one who helped me realize how much my feelings for her had changed."

"How?" Tai asked, frowning in confusion.

"Izzy told Willis about what was going on between us, and that's why I stole the little traitor's computer!"

"Yeah, I was wondering about that. What did Willis say to you?"

"He told me I should tell Sora about your feelings, and it was a good idea, but it turned out I didn't have to. Besides, only you have the right to tell Sora about your feelings. The only reason Willis even suggested it is because, at the time, it was the only chance I had to fix our friendship. One of us had to say something otherwise our friendship would have been doomed if we had continued to keep silent. As a general rule, we should keep our friends' secrets, but sometimes something has to be said in order to stop a lot of people from getting hurt."

"I know what you mean," Tai said quietly. "Wait a minute! Why didn't you have to tell Sora about my feelings? She doesn't know already...does she?"

"I already answered that question. She doesn't know-"

"Then why-"

Matt laughed and placed a hand over his friend's mouth. "Stop, Tai. You'll find out soon enough, okay?"

Tai made a face and gave him a dirty look. "Fine. Did Kari tell T.K. about my feelings for Sora?"

"No way. She'd never betray you like that. Actually, I told T.K. everything over the phone last night, and you know what? He gave me the exact same advice Izzy and Joe have been giving me all along."

"I thought you and Izzy seemed closer than usual," Tai replied, a smile coming to his face. "I'm glad he's your friend, too. He deserves to know you as well as I do. The same goes for Joe. You won't drift away from them again, will you?"

Matt quickly shook his head and gave his friend a reassuring smile. "Definitely not. They're just as important to me as you are."

"Good. That's exactly the way it should be. Um...Matt? Why aren't you in love with Sora anymore?"

Matt blushed and avoided his friend's eyes. "I'm not sure, but...well...I think I might have fallen in love with someone else."

"Mimi!" Tai gasped, his dark eyes growing wide with shock. "It's Mimi, isn't it?"

Matt's mouth fell open, and he gazed at his best friend in astonishment. "How did you know?"

"I had a feeling you were in love with her earlier when I realized you kept blushing everytime I said her name. I can't believe I was actually right! Why Mimi?"

Matt smiled slightly and shrugged. "Why not? Besides, I'm not really sure yet if-"

"You do," Tai said softly. "I can tell. Matt, there's something you need to know. Mimi has done a great job of keeping my secret, but she also has a secret of her own, and I happen to know what it is."

"You're kidding! Mimi has a secret, too?"

Matt gaped at his best friend and shook his head in disbelief. This is crazy! Actually, now that I think about it, Tai did hint at something along those lines when I talked to him yesterday. Why didn't I realize it sooner? Tai's right. I can be a real idiot sometimes! I bet the secret she has been keeping from everyone is the real reason why she's been acting so nutty lately. It makes perfect sense. Why couldn't I see it before? All this time I thought she was freaking out because of Tai's and Sora's secrets, but really it's because of her own secret, although Tai and Sora probably have something to do with her strange behaviour, as well. I don't get it. Why have all of us started acting like a bunch of nutcases all of a sudden?

"Matt, did you know Mimi's avoiding Sora?" Tai asked slowly.

Matt blinked in surprise and shook his head. "I could tell there was something going on between them earlier, but I didn't know it was that bad. What-"

"Mimi's avoiding Sora because she's afraid she's going to end up hurting her best friend, but I don't think that's going to be a problem anymore," Tai said, his dark eyes sparkling with sudden happiness. "I'm so happy for you, Matt."

Matt frowned and gave his best friend a suspicious look. "Why?"

"You'll see. Where are Sora and Mimi anyway?"

"I told you. I think they're talking to each other right now, but I'm not sure. Why are you acting so-"

"I hope they're talking to each other," Tai said softly. "I know Sora's going to tell Mimi she broke up with you, and I'm glad. I have a feeling Mimi's finally going to get a chance to tell Sora her secret, and I know Sora will understand. Don't worry, Matt, they're going to be just fine."

"Um...okay...you're crazy, you know that?"

Tai laughed and pulled him into a fierce hug. "Matt, will you promise me something?"

"Of course. What is it?"

"Promise me you'll talk to Mimi as soon as possible?"

Matt hesitated and slowly wrapped his arms around his best friend. "Why?"

"She needs to know how you feel."

"Tai-"

"No wait. Listen to me first. You're not dating Sora anymore, and that means you have the right to start a new relationship with someone else. You're free to tell Mimi exactly how you feel, and she deserves to know the truth. I know you think she probably won't feel the same way about you, but...well...you might be surprised by her answer. It's worth a shot. Seriously, Matt, what have you got to lose? Besides, how else are you going to find out whether or not your feelings for her are the real thing? Sora wants you to be happy. I know she does, and I have a feeling she'll support you no matter who you end up with."

"But...Mimi's her best friend!"

"Exactly. You know what that means, don't you? She'll support you twice as much."

Tai's right. Mimi deserves to know how I feel, and the only way I'm going to find out if I really do love her or not is if I talk to her. Lousy best friend! Why does he always have to be right?

Matt took a deep breath and slowly straightened his shoulders. His heart was pounding so fast it felt like it was going to explode, but he did not lower his gaze from Tai's dark eyes. He knew what he had to do, and he was going to do it even if it killed him. "Alright. I promise I'll talk to Mimi, but first you have to make a promise to me."

"I guess that's only fair. What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to tell Sora you're in love with her."

Tai's mouth dropped open, and he blinked in surprise. "Excuse me?"

"You heard what I said, Tai. I will find out what Mimi's secret is eventually, but in the meantime we have a little problem concerning the secret Sora has been keeping from everyone but Mimi and myself. Obviously you're the only one who knows Mimi's secret, but that's not the case with Sora. There are two people who know her secret."

"You're kidding! Sora has a secret, too?" Tai gasped. "What is wrong with all of us?"

Matt smiled slightly and studied his friend's face. "Tai, aren't you going to ask me why Sora doesn't love me anymore?"

"It's because she loves someone else, doesn't she," Tai said dully. "Who is it this time? It's not Nori, is it? Please don't tell me it's Nori. Typical. My worst nightmare is coming true. I must be the most unlucky person on the planet."

Matt burst out laughing, and he gave his friend a warm hug. "No, Tai, it's definitely not Nori. Sora has better taste than that, if I do say so myself!"

"Who is it then?"

Matt could feel Tai trembling in his arms, and he gently rubbed the former leader's back. "You'll never know unless you ask her."

"Are you sure?" Tai asked, avoiding his eyes. "You just broke up with her. In fact, now that I think about it, Mimi might feel the same way. I don't want to hurt you or Sora, and I know Mimi doesn't want to either."

"Tai, if you don't tell Sora you love her, I will tell her myself!"

Tai blushed and quickly shook his head. "No, I'll tell her. Matt, I...I don't know what to say..."

Matt rested his golden head against his friend's forehead, and Tai had no choice but to look him directly in the eyes. "Tai, I did a lot of thinking last night after I talked to T.K., Joe, Willis, and Izzy, and I came to the conclusion that I no longer loved Sora the way a guy's supposed to love the girl of his dreams. I also realized something else. I finally understood how easy it was going to be for me to make the same sacrifice you made, and now I understand the power of the Crest of Friendship better than ever. I know you never expected me to break up with Sora, and I think I would have been tempted to do so even if I still loved her, but another part of me would have been fighting to stay with her. You understand what that means, don't you? The fact that I was tempted to make your dreams come true shows just how much I care about you."

"You better not have broken up with her just because of me otherwise I'd have to hurt you for hurting her!" Tai shot back.

"I knew you'd say that, and that's one of the reasons why I didn't break up with her until I knew for sure I didn't love her and she didn't love me. Tai, I knew then I had a chance to make you happy, and I wasn't going to let it pass me by. Do you understand now? I want you to go out with Sora. Your happiness is more important to me than anything else right now, and this time I'm the one who's not going to let you screw everything up! It works both ways. When you're happy, it makes me happy, and you know how much I hate being upset."

"But...but Sora doesn't love me," Tai said sadly.

Matt buried his face against his friend's shoulder and squeezed his eyes shut. "Please, Tai? You'll never know unless you try. I won't let my sacrifice be for nothing."

Tai took a deep breath and finally nodded. "Alright, I'll tell her, but I'm not making any promises. We'll just have to wait and see what happens."

"That's all I ask."

"You know what? Sora once told me she thought you were beautiful."

"What?"

Tai smiled slightly and shook his head. "Matt, she wasn't talking about your looks. She was talking about your heart, and I agree with her one hundred percent."

Matt felt his eyes fill with tears, and he smiled back at his best friend. "That's the best compliment anyone has ever given me, and that's saying something. Have you heard what some of my fans have said to me?"

"Trust me, I've heard more than my fair share, and most of it was stuff I probably would have been better off not knowing," Tai said dryly. "Let's face it, Matt, you're a handsome guy. I'd have to be blind not to notice, and I guarantee you probably have a lot of female fans who only show up at your concerts to get a good look at your face. Sora and Mimi aren't like that. They love you for who you are, not what you look like. You'll never have to worry about them having ulterior motives. The same goes for Izzy, Joe, Yolei, Kari, Davis, Cody, T.K., Ken, and myself. We're your friends because we care about you, not because we want to feed off your popularity."

Matt nodded and hugged his best friend as tightly as he could. At that moment, he knew everything was going to be okay.

"Matt, I can't even tell you how happy I am, and I swear I'll never forget what you've done for me even if Sora and I never end up getting together. I can't believe I ever doubted you, and I swear I'll make it up to you somehow," Tai said urgently.

Matt ran a finger over the bracelet on his arm and gave the former leader a brilliant smile. "You already have. Besides, I had my doubts about you, too, and that makes us even."

"Are...are we really friends again?"

Matt slowly stood up and pulled his best friend into his arms. "Yes, but only if you talk to Sora," he whispered softly in the former leader's ear.

"I knew I shouldn't have said all that stuff about Mimi!"

Tai pulled away from him and quickly hurried towards the door, almost tripping over a desk in his haste to talk to Sora. "Find Mimi as soon as possible, or else!" the former leader called back over his shoulder.

Matt watched his friend leave the room and smiled in amusement. He was nervous about talking to Mimi because he had no idea what to expect, but a small part of him was able to find strength in the fact that Tai did not appear to be too concerned about Mimi's secret. In fact, the former leader had almost sounded happy. Right now he had bigger things to worry about.

I hope Mimi and Sora are okay, but most of all I hope their friendship is still intact.

He left the music room with a frown on his face, but it was quickly replaced by a smile.

Good luck, Tai. I hope you're as strong as I think you are because you're about to receive the biggest shock of your life...