Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon or any of its characters.

Boy, has it been forever or what? I'm so sorry for making you guys wait like that. Anyway, enjoy the new chapter!

Chapter VIII: Operation Cupid

The following day, at school, Kari was reading her class a story. Kari called this time Circle Time; for she had the desks moved back leaving a big, empty space in the middle of the classroom where Kari and her class could sit in a circle and read a story. The rule was that a student would be chosen to bring in a favorite book of theirs for Kari to read during Circle Time.

Today was Akira's turn to bring in a book. The book she had brought in was called The Quest for Camelot and from the looks of it, the class seemed to be enjoying the story as much as Akira did. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door and everyone turned to find Mrs. Ohmaki with a bouquet of red roses cradled in her arms.

"Sorry to disturb you, but it's seems that we have a delivery for you, Ms. Kamiya."

Kari strode up to the elderly woman wide-eyed with shock. "Are these for me?"

"They sure are."

"Who are they from?"

"We don't know. There was a note attached to it, saying that these roses were for you." Mrs. Ohmaki smiled. "It seems that you have a secret admirer."

"Ooooooo." The kindergarteners teased.

"It sure seems that way." Kari said as Mrs. Ohmaki departed the room.

Kari cradled the roses in her arms and stared at it adoringly. All of a sudden, a small card fell out from the bouquet. Kari bent to pick it up as the class watched her intently.

"What does it say, Ms. Kamiya?" a little girl called out.

"It says…" Kari scanned the card. "'To my beloved Kari, I hope you love these roses as much as I love you. Sign your Secret Admirer.'"

Most of the boys in the class groaned with disgust as the girls cooed. Whispers filled the classroom about the mysterious person who had sent the roses. All but Akira was engaged in a conversation, for she knew the story behind the telltale roses. She and Matt had ordered a dozen roses yesterday. Akira hid the bouquet in her backpack and, before going to class, snuck into the office and left the bouquet on the front counter, along with the note Mrs. Ohmaki had mentioned.

Akira smiled triumphantly. Kari placed the roses on her desk and turned to her class.

"Alright, everyone, that's enough. Let's all quiet down now and get back to our story." Kari said, taking her respective seat in the circle.

Kari began reading and soon the class, once again, became in tuned with the story, forgetting about the roses and their teacher's secret admirer…for now, at least.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Yup! She got the roses, Uncle Matt." Akira said over the phone. Akira had just gotten home from school and was telling Matt about today's episode at school. TK was working in his study not too far away, so she made sure to keep her voice low.

-----

"Trust me, she was left clueless as to who her secret admirer was."

"Akira, who are you talking to?" TK called from the study.
The little girl jumped. "Oh! I have to go Uncle Matt! Dad is getting suspicious."

-----

"Yeah, part two of the plan is going underway."

-----

"Okay, bye." Akira was putting the receiver into its cradle when she heard footsteps behind her.

"Akira?"

Akira jerked and turned to see her father looking at her with a puzzled expression.

"Daddy! Uh…hi!"

"Whom were you just talking to?"

"I…uh…was just asking my friend about the homework Ms. Kamiya gave us."

"Okay…well, I'm gonna go get dinner started." TK said as he began to walk towards the kitchen.

"Dad, wait!" Akira quickly grabbed her father's arm.

"What is it, Sweet Pea?"

"Are you busy tonight?"

"Not really. Why?"

"Could we invite Kari over for dinner?"

TK narrowed his eyes on Akira. "Why? What are you up to?"

"Nothing! I just wanted Kari to join us for dinner. She's so much fun to be around with."

TK's expression softened and he sighed. "You got that right, Akira. She is a lot of fun to be around with."

"Does that mean she could come over?"

The keeper of hope looked thoughtful for a moment. Then he smiled. "Why not?"

Akira's face glowed with happiness as she smiled widely. "Oh, thank you, Daddy! You're the best!"

Akira embraced her father before running to the phone to call Kari. TK watched his daughter and smiled lovingly. He was surprised at happiness that illuminated from Akira's face when he agreed to invite Kari over for dinner. Akira never before allowed herself get so close with other people since Yumi died.

'I guess moving here wasn't so bad after all.' TK thought to himself as he headed towards the kitchen to prepare dinner.

TK and Akira had no sooner finished preparing dinner when the doorbell rang, signaling Kari's arrival.

"I'll get it!" Akira declared, swiftly running to the door.

When Akira opened the door, she was surprised to see Kazu and his little sister standing beside Kari.

"Good evening, Akira." Kari smiled.

"Uh…hi, Kari. Come on in."

The little girl held the door open as Kari and her children walked into the apartment. 'This is not good.' Akira thought to herself. 'I didn't expect Kari to bring Kazu and Suzi along. They might ruin the whole plan…unless…'

"Akira?"

"Huh?!" Akira looked up to see Kari smiling down at her.

"C'mon. It's time for dinner."

"Oh, right!" Akira lightly laughed and playfully slapped her forehead.

She closed the front door and walked over to the dining room. Everyone had already taken his or her seat at the table. TK and Kari sat on the opposite ends of the table while Kazu and Suzi sat next to each other at the side. Akira took her seat across from Kazu and Suzi and next to her father who looked at her and smiled.

"Glad to have you join us, Sweet Pea."

Akira laughed nervously. "Sorry, Dad. I kinda dazed off for a second."

After saying a blessing, they began eating. Kazu and Suzi were a bit awkward around TK and Akira, so they hardly said anything, except when asked a question every so often. As for Akira, she continuously chattered about random things that popped into mind. Kari was surprised at how much the little girl knew despite her young age and so was fully engaged in Akira's aimless discussion.

"Oh! And about a year ago, Dad took me with him to France to promote his new novel. It was so much fun! We went sightseeing with Catherine, who happens to be a French digi-destined and we saw the Eiffel Tower. I even learned a little French."

Kari smiled. "That's nice. Being multilingual comes in handy when you're traveling the world."

TK then turned to Kazu. "So, Kazu, your mom tells me you like to play basketball. Maybe you and I can shoot some hoops sometime."

"Sure, why not." Kazu said shyly.

TK looked over at the 4 year old, Suzi. Her chestnut brown hair was tied into two pigtails with shiny, red ribbons and she had sapphire blue eyes.

"Suzi, what do you like to do?"

Suzi didn't answer, but continued to pick at her food.

"She's a little shy." Kari stated. "Suzi collects dolls. In fact, she has a whole shelf of porcelain and hand-painted dolls in her room, isn't that right, Sweetheart?"

Suzi nodded her head, making her pigtails bounce up and down.

"Well, the next time I go around the world to promote my books, I'll be sure to get you a doll, okay?"

"Thank you." Suzi said in a small, shy voice.

Once everyone was finished with dinner, Kari helped TK clean up. Then the two met up with the children who were in the living room watching TV. When Akira, saw her father and Kari walking into the living room, she immediately jumped up from her seat on the couch.

"Let's watch a movie!" the little girl declared.
"I'm sorry, Akira. We're going to have to go soon. Remember, there's school tomorrow." Kari said.

"Just stay a little while longer, please?"

"Akira…" TK's voice was stern making Akira draw back.

Kari saw the disappointment in Akira's face. She sighed. "I guess we could stay a little longer."

"Are you sure?" TK asked.

Kari nodded her head as Akira's face lit up.

"Oh…thank you, thank you, thank you!" Blurted out Akira.

"So, what movie are we watching?" Kari asked.

"The Princess Bride." Akira said as TK and Kari took a seat on the couch.

Kazu noticed how close TK was to Kari and so sat in between the two. When Akira saw this, she narrowed her eyes. 'Okay, this means war.'

Everyone seemed to be enjoying the movie, but halfway through the beginning, Akira stood up.

"You know, Dad. I have some old dolls that Suzi might like. I can go to the closet and find them."

"But, I thought you wanted to watch a movie?"

"If Kazu and Suzi would be kind enough to help me, I'm sure it won't take long."

Kari turned to her son. "Why don't you and Suzi go help Akira?"

For a moment, Kazu hesitated, but then got up off the couch. "Okay, Mom. C'mon, Suzi." He took his little sister by the hand and together departed the living room, along with Akira.

Once they were in the hallway, Akira grabbed Kazu by the arm and pulled him and Suzi into her bedroom. The minute they were inside, she closed the door shut behind her.

"Hey, what's the big idea?" Kazu said.

"Uh…listen! I need you guys to stay here for awhile."

"Why? I thought you wanted us to help you find your dolls."

"Yeah, but I have to do something first." She turned towards her bed. "Patamon!"

The little orange digimon popped up from underneath the covers. "Yes?" he said in a groggily voice.

"Entertain our guest for me, will you?" Akira said, exiting the room.

Kazu, Suzi and Patamon stared blankly at the door. After a minute or so, Patamon cleared his throat.

"So, do you guys wanna play Chess?"

Kazu turned towards the orange fur ball and smiled. "I'm game."

Meanwhile, Akira sneaked into the kitchen, quietly passing the living room unnoticed by TK and Kari. In the kitchen, Akira climbed onto the counter and rummaged through the cupboards, looking for the coffee can, the box of tea and hot chocolate mix. Once she located them all, she got off the counter and gathered the items in her arms. Sneaking, again, past the living room, she made her way to the closet and hid all the items she carried inside a box of her old toys. Before leaving, she grabbed a couple of her porcelain dolls and headed for her room.

In the living room, TK and Kari had fully averted their attention from the movie and were engaged in a conversation.

"TK, I had no idea your daughter knew so much."

"Yeah, well, she does pick up on things quickly and has a good memory. The problem is that she can be a little too curious at times and you know what they say, 'Curiosity kills the cat'."

Kari giggled. "You were like that too when you were younger."

TK smiled impishly. "I know."

"She isn't exactly the shy type either, huh?"

"What can I say? She's quite an outgoing little girl."

"The strangest thing happened to me today." Kari said a minute later.

"What was it?"

"I seem to have a secret admirer who sent me a bouquet of red roses today." Kari smiled dreamily.

TK raised an eyebrow. "That was nice of him. Do you know who it is?"

"Nope."

"Yeah, that is quite strange…"

After awhile, TK turned to his best friend. "Do you want something to drink, Kari?"

"Sure. Thank you, TK."

"What would you like?"

"Hot chocolate would be nice."

"Coming right up."

TK headed for the kitchen just as Akira was leaving her room. Inside her room, Kazu and Patamon were absorbed in a game of Chess and Suzi was playing with the dolls Akira had just given her. Akira watched her father go into the kitchen, then she crept into the closet and left the door open a crack, just enough for her to see.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, TK searched high and low for the hot chocolate mix, which was nowhere to be seen. He scratched his head, quizzically.

"That's strange. I could have sworn I bought a new can of hot chocolate mix yesterday when I went grocery shopping."

TK rummaged through one more cabinet and found nothing of significance, but a bottle of champagne.

"Do you need any help, TK?" Kari asked, entering the kitchen.

"Yeah, you can help me find the hot chocolate mix. I can't find it anywhere. Come to think of it, the coffee can and the box of tea is missing, too."

Kari laughed. "Well, that's alright, TK. We could always drink something else. What other drinks do you have?"

"Well, there's milk, orange juice, soda and…this bottle of champagne." TK said holding up the bottle.

"Champagne would be nice."

"Alright." TK said, taking out two glass cups from the cabinet.

From the closet, Akira saw the duo walk back into the living room with the bottle of champagne. 'Perfect. Now, if my calculations are correct, that bulb won't last two more minutes.' Earlier that day, Akira and Patamon had replaced the current light bulb of the lamp in the living room to an old one that they knew would burn out soon. Akira giggled mischievously.

TK and Kari had no sooner sat down, when the light bulb of the lamp beside the couch burned out, darkening the living room.

"This just isn't my day." Mumbled TK.

Kari giggled. "Don't worry. You can light that candle that's on the table."

TK sighed as he stood up and disappeared into the hallway. Moments later, he came back with a lighter in his hand. He carefully lit the candle and sat back down. Despite the candle's small size, it illuminated as much light as the lamp. TK popped open the champagne bottle's cork and poured the clear liquid into the two glass cups. TK and Kari both took a sip from their cup savoring the rich taste of the champagne.

About a minute later, Kari looked up from her glass. "Well, this is pleasant. Wouldn't you agree, TK?"

"Yeah, I guess so. Sitting in the candlelight, drinking champagne. What could be better?"

By now the two were gazing into each other's eyes, heedless to the world around them. Oblivious to the both of them, they moved closer to each other until their lips were only about half an inch apart. Akira had gotten out of the closet and was, now, watching TK and Kari earnestly when suddenly she heard footsteps coming from behind her.

"Mom?" Kazu called from the hallway.

TK and Kari quickly snapped back into reality. After seeing how close they were from kissing each other, they staggered back in shock, almost falling off of their seats.

Both adults were speechless about the perplexed situation they were just in.

Akira watched from the hallway. She slapped her head, exasperated. As Kazu and Suzi came up behind her, she grabbed Kazu by his shoulders and shook him.

"What do you think you're doing?!" Akira asked.

Kazu pulled himself away from Akira's grip and glared at her. "I should be asking you the same thing. Are you trying to kill me or something?"

Akira heaved a sigh. "I'm sorry. It's just that…"

"What's going on in here?" Kari asked as she and TK walked into the hallway.

"I just wanted to know when we were leaving. It is getting late, Mom."

"Kazu's right. We should get going." Kari said to TK.

TK nodded his head and smiled. "Alright."

Kari kneeled down in front of Akira. "Thank you for inviting us over for dinner."

"You're welcome, Kari." Akira put on a fake smile.

Kari stood up and turned to TK. "I had a great time. Thank you, TK."

"You're welcome." He said as the pair shared an awkward hug.

Kazu seemingly glared at TK until his mother turned to him and Suzi.

"Don't you kids have something to say to TK?"

"Thank you, TK." Kazu and Suzi said in unison.

Suzi then turned to Akira and smiled. "Thank you for the dolls, Akira." Suzi said, holding up the dolls she held in her arms.

"You're welcome, Suzi."

Kari took her daughter by the hand and walked to the front door, pausing to wait for Kazu. Once the little boy caught up, she averted her gaze to TK and Akira and nodded her head in gratitude. Once the threesome had left, both TK and his daughter sighed in exasperation.

TK then turned to his daughter and smiled warily. "What's the matter with you? You look upset, Sweet Pea."

"Oh, nothing. It's just been a long night, that's all." Akira started to walk towards her bedroom. "I'm gonna go get ready for bed. Can you read me a story tonight, Dad?"

"Yeah, I'll meet you there, Sweetheart. I just have to clean up a few things."

"Okay." Akira said, disappearing into her room.

TK entered the living room once again and cleaned up the champagne bottle, along with the two glass cups. Once he finished turning off the movie, he strode up to the candle and to blow it out. But, before doing so, he took one last glance at the living room, taking a moment to ponder over the strange conspiracy that happened earlier tonight. He recalled sitting with Kari in the living room, amidst the candle's radiant light, drinking champagne. How the candlelight danced in Kari's eyes making it gleam like two rubies. The keeper of hope smiled to himself at the thought. He blew out the candle and headed out of the living room with thoughts of Kari circling his mind.