Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon, characters, Digivolutions, or sub characters. But I can sure imagine what I would do with it if I did.

On this side note I leave it with an open ended query. The Digital Record: Realized begs the question what happens if someone opens a door they've always wanted to open? Does it lead them to happiness? Does it lead them to answers they've wanted to hear, or do they end up paying the consequences whether good or bad? When their feelings are realized, their desires are realized, and the truth is realized, one will come to realize that when it comes to some of the choices they have made they may only be able to understand them at a shallow level, but may not be able to understand the depth of the impact those choices have had on their loved ones, their friends, and themselves.

Chapter Fifteen: The Moment of Realization

Hikari returned to her table expecting to enjoy her ice cream and see Takeru, but neither of them were there. She sat down, Yamato and Sora also sitting down opposite from her. As if on cue Taichi appeared, Takeru on his heels. Takeru smiled and sat down next to her, both of them seeming anxious the way Takeru grabbed her hand immediately.

Hikari felt her chest pound rapidly thinking about the two of them and how their brothers would be able to move forward with it. Tailmon and Patamon waved at them underneath the table as if encouraging the two of them bringing a smile to her face.

"Hey," Takeru whispered, tapping her hand with his fingers. "Look."

She turned and saw Yamato and Taichi stare at each other for the longest time. She did not know what they were looking at it, but it seemed similar to how Takeru knew how she felt just by the look on her face.

For what seemed like an eternity finally Sora intervened. "Are you done yet?" she said bringing the two of their heads together not to gently. It did not seem to hurt them, but just startled them.

"Looks like we have to make a decision," Taichi said as if staring into Yamato's soul.

"True," Yamato said, "Though neither of us will like it." Yamato closed his eyes and scooted away from him while Taichi seemed to address the two of them.

"If we are going to allow this," he said, "I want to establish some ground rules. For one, no being out past 9 pm. No going into each other's bedrooms. You must keep up on your studies and get good grades and aside from a hug and a kiss on the cheek I won't allow for anything more physical." he said folding his arms. "Can you agree to those terms?"

Hikari shyly looked at Takeru who smiled so innocently as if either the rules did not apply to him or he agreed to all of them wholeheartedly.

"Oh come ON Taichi," Mimi's voice said jumping in on the conversation. "Your sister is a young woman right now. You need to let her make her own decisions!"

"That's right," Koushiro added eating some ice cream with Tentomon. "You have to allow for them to have breathing room. Otherwise how can their relationship grow? It's not like Hikari has never met Takeru before. Sometimes it's good just to give them the benefit of the doubt."

"I can't say I agree to that," Joe said savoring his still. "The youth these days are wayward and do not follow traditional terms of affection. Most youth these days abhor any kind of parental authority, especially when it comes to dating."

"Joe, you sound like an old man," Gomamon teased.

"You can't control someone else's relationship though!" Sora chimed in. "You have to let it nurture and grow! A relationship is not so clear-cut as far as where the emotions take you!" she said. "You have to be true to your heart!"

Taichi grimaced. "I know it's not my responsibility to watch over her as much but if I don't I am worried Takeru will take advantage of her!" he said. "You and I and everyone else knows he has a terrible personality!"

"It's no more terrible than yours!" Yamato said irritated. "You have to feel like you control and lead everyone otherwise you are a bad person!"

"At least I'm more hands on then you will be with anything except for Sora!" he retorted.

Sora looked at him and smiled nervously as if Taichi had one upped him.

"Taichi," Sora said a little irritated, "Let's not talk about relationships like that until your seriously into one. Then you'll understand."

Hikari noticed Takeru was impressed by Sora. She was also so surprised at the depth this conversation was having and all the digidestined were so passionate about it!

"Anyways," Mimi said taking a mouthful of Koushiro's ice cream much to his delight, "I have been waiting for this since they were little kids. Don't rain on their parade!" she snapped frustrated.

"What?" Since they were kids?" Koushiro gasped completely taken aback.

"That's insane!" Taichi shouted.

"I too shipped the both of them when they were kids. Even more so when they were in junior high," Sora admitted. "I think a lot of people did. I just noticed a lot more so recently when Meiko was with us. You can't deny their chemistry," she said as if speaking for most of the group.

"This is just ridiculous," Yamato scoffed. "Though Sora, if you have a good feeling about this relationship then I will support it," he said. "You have good instincts about these things."

All the other digidestined seemed to agree.

"Well, what say you Taichi?" Mimi asked expectedly.

His arms crossed as if thinking something unpleasant and closed his eyes. "I think," he said, "We should hear from Takeru on this one. Tell us Takeru in twenty-five words or less why you think we should allow you to date her and why you wouldn't betray my trust."

Hikari glanced at him almost expectedly. Whenever he had a chance for a monologue somehow the conversation became almost unbearable for a few people and she loved it when he teased her or anyone else when he had that opportunity.

She watched him cough into his fist and wink at her slightly. He smiled demurely as if he had the perfect idea in mind. His eyes lit up emphatically as his lips proclaimed his message:

"I think it would be wonderful if me and Hikari dating would heal the tragic wounds of our brothers! They would be best friends!" he dramatically exclaimed smiling like he had won first place in a contest and was having an interview, broadcasting his face to the world.

Both of their brothers stared at him dumbfounded, Takeru looking like he was really enjoying himself.

Hikari in a way felt proud of him for making the air around them less tense. She watched in the background as Mimi cracked up pounding a fist on the table, Koushiro holding himself back from chuckling, but miserably failing. Joe tried to keep his composure and ended up laughing in a book and Sora laughed while caring for both Yamato and Taichi both of their heads lowered, their energy depleted.

Hikari bit her tongue and then went forward and held Takeru's arm with both of hers and stood their with him. He looked at her a little thrown off, but Hikari smiled like he did. "If you are hoping Takeru and I will change because of this then I am sorry to disappoint you but that will not happen. Me and Takeru did not get together to prove ourselves to either of you or change who we are."

Takeru nodded. "I think it's best and easier for you if you expect nothing from us. That way you won't be disappointed!" he said cheerfully.

Hikari observed nervously as both of them started to go forward little by little hands about ready to strangle him.

She smiled towards him and slapped him lightly on the face. "Takeru," she said looking down a little embarrassed for having slapped him, "I know you. You're just trying to cheer us up in your own way," she said. "We've all been through a lot these past days few days."

He closed his eyes and smiled. Then he opened them very serious and looked at both Yamato and Taichi. "Taichi, if you'll entrust her to me I swear I will never leave her side. I will watch over her and protect her, but I will not be so overprotective of her she does not enjoy her life. You've seen me take care of her and risk my life for her. What more do I have to do to earn your respect? I can't do it as well as you can, but I am not you!" he exclaimed as if suddenly taken aback by how loud he had just yelled that last sentence.

Hikari stared at him a little taken aback herself by his sudden forwardness and seriousness about her, but it seemed sweet. "That's enough," she said holding his hand. "No more. After all what you said before, you don't have to prove yourself to me. I know you're serious," she said squeezing it. "And you know what? I am to," she smiled fondly of him.

She stared at Yamato and Taichi who both seemed to loosen up. They looked at each other and then nodded their heads.

"For once I see your resolve," Yamato said. "No heroics, just being real. Being people. I was worried Takeru would get multiple girlfriends and juggle you with them and Taichi would have to kill you for it," he said. "Takeru, I never expected you to fall this hard for her," he added as if he finally started to understand what she meant to him.

Taichi looked at their hands and put his hand on his head. "I'm not going to pretend I like this," he said, "But I will feel safer knowing it's you Takeru. I may not trust you fully, but I do trust Hikari!"

His eyes lowered as if he was releasing something very close to his heart. He looked up at her and slightly smiled. "If this is what your heart wants Hikari who am I to say no?"

Hikari felt like tearing up as if her brother was letting her go. "Brother!" she said hugging him, She felt tears well up in her eyes as she cried loving her brother, but also hating him at the same time because she knew she had to let him go. They had been through so much together and he always watched out for her since they were kids. It almost felt like a goodbye to their relationship.

"Now, now Hikari," he said as if trying to calm her down. "It's not like your being given away to be married or something," he said his hands gently holding her. "But I will be starting college soon so I need you to keep it together. Takeru is not my replacement, but though I can't trust him you know him better than I do. "

Hikari said nothing and let the tears flow. She turned her head sideways and saw Takeru be punched in the arm by Yamato. They were talking as if his brother was kind of frustrated for him, but happy for him. Takeru glanced at her the way he had always done, but it seemed a lot more tender this time. She returned his tender smile and let go of Taichi lowering her head as she did so.

"Hey," Taichi said grinning. "You know what this means don't you? We are going to have to have him over for dinner some time and meet mom again."

Hikari remembered how Taichi had set a rift between them, but she wondered if he could patch things up. She sighed wondering how that would go.

"Don't worry I'll smooth things over," he winked confidently. "In the meantime now that we are all here let's celebrate our victory over Freitmon!" he exclaimed.

With that everyone ordered more ice cream talking with their digimon and laughing among friends. The digimon had an ice cream eating contest and aside from seven brain freezes, Agumon of course won, saying afterward he wasn't full yet.

Patamon and Tailmon were more energetic than usual hyper from eating, but Hikari felt all the more peaceful knowing all would be well. Freitmon was no more. Takeru had committed to dating her. Taichi had given her his vote of confidence. Everything seemed like it would be wonderful from there. And now-

"-Not so fast," a familiar voice said making her feel light as if it was lightly pushing her out of the way.

"Who?" Hikari wondered as if she was fading away and was powerless to stop it. As she felt herself slipping away she realized it could only be Homeostasis.

"Be still my oracle," Homeostasis said. "As per our agreement I am taking over your body now. It is mine," she said somberly. "The contract is in full effect."

Hikari felt as if she would scream, but cried out, her soul dissolving, screaming into nothingness.