disclamation: I do not own the 'Digimon' anime in any way, shape, or form, nor do I own the story of 'Cinderella'. the rights of ownership in the anime about the Digital World are owned by Hiroyuki Kakudo along with Fuji TV and Toei Animation, while all the rights in ownership of the story of 'Cinderella' are credited to the staff of Walt Disney Animation Studios, before that is Charles Perrault, and even before him The Brothers Grimm.
The scene cuts to the chateau at night with a huge party going on inside.
Miyako 'Yolei' Inoue: Sora's stepmother, the high-spirited lady that she was, set out to restore life and laughter to the chateau.
The scene then cuts to inside of the house where Sakura Motomiya is, indeed, bringing the chateau's days of laughter back to life, by playing a friendly game of poker with her old husband's higher-ups.
Sakura Motomiya: Oh, you are awful, Baron.
If that is not enough, the scene now transfers to Sora looking at her two stepsisters joining in the fun at a game of 'go fish' with the sons of these higher-ups.
Leilani Motomiya: Well, if it isn't our tomboyish stepsister. Would you care enough about us to join our friendly little game of 'go fish', dearest Sora? We'll be playing 'king's corners' after this. You did once say that you could beat your brotherly friend, Tai, at any sport. Perhaps now, we'll have the divine treat of seeing if that extends to simple card games, as well.
Leilani welcomes Sora to the game, but Jun is a little quick to rescind the invitation from Sora.
Jun Motomiya: I'm sure Sora has other things to do tonight that require a lot more of her attention. Off with you now, Sora.
With Jun's rescinding of Leilani's invitation, Sora quickly leaves the room realizing she is not as welcome to join as Leilani made her out to be.
Leilani Motomiya: You didn't have to be so harsh about it, Jun. We did after all have one more spot at the card table.
Jun Motomiya: Do you even hear yourself, sister dear? You're growing soft already, Leilani.
Leilani Motomiya: Since when does being soft make one weak, Jun?
Jun Motomiya: You know exactly what I mean, Leilani. Next thing we know, you'll be wanting to invite the poverty-stricken to join in on our little games.
Leilani Motomiya: Well, sorry, just trying to be a bit civil. Plus, Sora did beat that Tai boy in every sport earlier in the day, and I merely wanted to see if that extended to even card games.
Sora Takenouchi: It's OK, Leilani. I'm fine not being invited. I need to go and talk to father, anyway.
Sora heads towards Haruhiko's office and on her way there, she runs into the house mice, who seem to be having their own party.
Sora Takenouchi: Oh and look at who's having a party of their own. Elena, Rosalie, Maurice, Greedy Gus-Gus.
It is then that Sora suddenly notices her stepmother's cat-like creature watching them from the stairs. She picks the cat-like creature up before the strange-looking feline can eat her friends.
Sora Takenouchi: Just what, yes, what do you think you're doing, BlackGatomon? Elena is my guest, and the eating of guests is by no means allowed.
Sora sets BlackGatomon down onto the stairs and sends the creature heading up them.
Sora Takenouchi: Now, go and run along. You've plenty of cat food to keep you happy.
Sora then looks the mice's way.
Sora Takenouchi: We ladies must look out for one another.
Sora finally has the chance to head over to Haruhiko's study where she finds him, missing the party in fact.
Sora Takenouchi: You're missing the party, father.
Haruhiko Takenouchi: Well, just as much as all the other ones, and I'm leaving first thing in the morning.
Sora Takenouchi: But you're barely even back from the last trip. Do you have to?
Haruhiko Takenouchi: It's just for a few months. What would you like me to bring you home from abroad? Your stepsisters, Jun and Leilani, have asked for silk and parasols. As for you, what will you have, my darling Sora?
Sora Takenouchi: Bring me the first branch that your shoulder brushes on the journey.
Haruhiko Takenouchi: That's quite a strange request.
It is then that Sakura, Jun, and Leilani Motomiya come into the room and make their presence all too well known.
Sakura Motomiya: It is a rather strange request to make to your father.
Jun Motomiya: I'll say it's a strange request, and a stupid one. Who would want a simple local branch from a journey being abroad, Sora? I guess you have no real imagination.
Sora Takenouchi: It's not the item I crave from my father's journey, but rather the sentiment behind the gift request.
Sora then turns to her father to tell him what she means by the sentiment behind her gift request from his journey of being abroad.
Sora Takenouchi (continued): You'll have to take it along with you on your way, think of me whenever you look at it along your journey, and finally when you bring it back, it means that you'll be with it. That is what I really want from your journey being abroad; for your safe return, no matter what happens.
It is then that Sora rises up from her chair and goes to give her father a hug which he wholeheartedly returns. Unfortunately for the two of them, Sakura, Jun and Leilani are also in the room. Sakura and Jun feel the need to make comments about Sora's gift request from Haruhiko's journey abroad.
Sakura Motomiya: I see that my stepdaughter's gift request is one of sentimentality, meaning that Sora Takenouchi is probably the sentimental type of girl.
Jun Motomiya: Ah, yes, mother. Such a simple request for a simple girl.
Haruhiko and Sora just ignore the rude criticism from the two of them… still at least, Leilani actually tries to come to Sora and her father's defense, more or less.
Leilani Motomiya: It's still a sweet sentiment, nonetheless. I can appreciate the sentiment in that gift request, but I still stand on my own gift request for a parasol and some fine silk. Still, at least, the thought behind it sounds perfectly lovely.
Sora and Haruhiko then pull away from one another just after Leilani, Jun and Sakura finally head out the door to Haruhiko's study. While Leilani heads directly back to the party, however, Sakura and Jun stay a little while to make sure that the embrace between father and daughter ends right then and there without Sora receiving any further consolation from Haruhiko. No such luck for Sakura and Jun.
Haruhiko Takenouchi: I will. I will. In whatever way you can, I need you to be good to your stepmother and stepsisters even though Jun and your stepmother might be… trying… at times. At least, you'll always know that Leilani can be a bit more… bearable… than the others.
Sora sees what her father is saying about her stepfamily and remembers her promise to Toshiko from just before she died.
Sora Takenouchi: I promise, papa.
Unfortunately for Sora, Sakura and Jun also hear just what Sora and Haruhiko are saying about the two of them. Luckily for father and daughter, Leilani calls her mother and sister back to the party that all three of them had thrown in the first place and still have going on in the house.
Leilani Motomiya: Jun, Mother, come back to the party already. We were the ones who threw this whole thing anyway and I believe, Mother, that you've always said that it's rude for the host of any party to leave said party unattended for too long.
Sakura and Jun quickly follow Leilani back to the party before she can shout out to them any further than she already has.
Back with Sora and her father, Haruhiko is still consoling his daughter and neither one of them can hear what Leilani was shouting in the main hall since to the two of them, it had been drowned out by the party music.
Haruhiko Takenouchi: I'll always leave a part of me behind with you; remember that, my darling Sora. Your mother's also here, even if you don't see her here anymore. She was the very heart of this place, and that's why you've gotta cherish this house, always, for her.
Sora begins to tear up at the mention of Toshiko.
Sora Takenouchi: I miss her. Do you?
Haruhiko Takenouchi: Very much.
Sora and her father embraced one another once again.
The following morning, Haruhiko is on his way of to his journey abroad while Sora holds onto his sleeve as tight as she can for as long as she can.
Leilani Motomiya: Remember our silk. We both simply must have it.
Jun Motomiya: And definitely don't forget about our parasols for our complexions. That means skin, in case you don't already know.
Sora follows Haruhiko out of the house and holds his hand all the way out to the front gate, where Sora finally has to let her father be on his way abroad.
Sora Takenouchi: Goodbye, papa.
Haruhiko Takenouchi: Goodbye, Sora.
Sora Takenouchi: I love you, papa.
Haruhiko Takenouchi: I love you, too, Sora.
Sakura Motomiya and her twin daughters all head back into the chateau household, wondering how Sora can possibly prefer sentimental values over material possessions.