9.
Daisuke did not calm down.
Then again, Daisuke was not a calm person in general.
He was old enough now that he'd progressed from running around the room in a frenzy to pacing around a table in rapid strides.
"Change internships."
"No, Daisuke."
"Change majors."
"No."
"But you're not safe here with some guy who can kidnap you faster than Oikawa!" Daisuke stopped and whirled to face him. "Your grade's not worth this man, and I can't look after you every day."
"I'm sure you'll try anyway," Ken said under his breath.
"Don't tempt me."
Ken made a face. "I'm not quitting, Daisuke. I doubt I can the way things are."
Daisuke's face contorted with annoyance and fear. Then he sighed. "When did we turn into each other?"
Ken couldn't help but laugh. "You know when, Daisuke."
For all of Daisuke's worrying, nothing happened. For all of Daisuke's worrying, the world was strange, but they were not guided to save it.
Then one day, Ken woke up with Wormmon at his side, and Daisuke had no memory of any of it. Only he and Wormmon seemed to remember the sunset ridden sky or the grey eater hand that had snatched him away.
"I think you're having too much of your boss' coffee, Ken," Daisuke said, thought not unkindly. There was always genuine worry, and it made Ken want to vomit. And not because of the implication of that coffee.
Even now, it was still strange, too spicy, or not enough sugar.
Miyako-san was the same way. Hikari looked strangely unhappy whenever he brought it up, but she never made a sound about it.
Then of course, once again, he was tangled in the life of Sanada Arata, this time by the young man himself.