Operation: Takari PI

I'm late and have no excuse. Sorry! And this is short. One third of the previous chapter.

To enang: I don't mind, it's a good thing your sister was there, right?

Two more chapters till the end! (Phase 10!)


Phase 08: Reactions



"OKAY! Now, Hikari, you know that the conversation is real. Yes. You do, deep down. Deeeeep down inside. So," Daisuke paused. "So today, we have a special guest appearance. Ready, Taichi? Yamato?"

There was something that sounded a bit like static and a response. "Roger, Daisuke!"

"Alright!" Daisuke's voice boomed, seeming way too chipper too be entirely innocent. "On three. One, two... three!"

The word was still passing from his lips when the cafeteria doors slammed open, propelling a dazed Takeru into the room. There were odd marks on his wrists, like he had been tied with rope.

To a chair, maybe.

Takeru got his bearings, looked around, realized that the entire student body was looking at him, and turned slowly towards Hikari's usual table, as if he was hoping she wasn't there and hadn't heard anything. Unfortunately, all the hope in the world couldn't help him.

He met her eyes with something akin to horror.

"Hey, Hikari, give him your answer; he practically just professed his undying devotion to you. No, really. I'd never seen a guy predict himself to be the male equivalent of a spinster. Cats included," Daisuke inserted obnoxiously, breaking the awkward silence. "He loves you, Hikari, and only a blind fool wouldn't see that."

Hikari ignored everything; ignored his loud voice blaring around the school, the classmates staring at them, the recording device taped under her table, her half-eaten plate of macaroni. The spork she was still gripping. She let it fall to the ground, clattering onto the cold tile floor.

"Takeru," she spoke, but her voice was almost a whisper. "Takeru... Do you love me."

He answered without hesitation. "Yes."

"Are you... Are you in love with me?"

He sighed. "... Yes, Hikari." I've loved you since forever.

"Why..." the question died on her lips. Why did he never say so? Why did he act as just her best friend? Why did he hide it away?

"What did you need of me, Hikari? Did you need me more as a friend, or something else? You shouldn't have to be hurt, Hikari, and I won't be the one to cause you to be sad, to cry."

Takeru smiled wryly at her, looking slightly broken as he mustered the strength to smile at her. It was a weak smile, barely veiling the pain and suffering.

"I'm not perfect, Hikari. I don't like to see you sad, you know that. But I... I want to be the reason for your sadness even less," he rubs his arms self-consciously. "And I don't think I could bear hurting you again. Hurting you even more."

She smiled at him, her garnet eyes glistening. "Takeru, if you're not there with me, how could I smile? Other people can hurt me, Takeru, but at least if you'll be with me, I'll be fine. Who'd help me be stronger? Who'll make me myself? You're important, Takeru, you're part of me. And... and I love you. I really do."

And then she did what seemed the most natural, she tottered the next few steps and hugged him.

It wasn't perfect; Takeru was slightly shocked and almost toppled over with Hikari's weight, since Hikari's foot skidded on the fallen spork, and Takeru became the only thing keeping her up.

But it was still beautiful.

He held her close to him, noting that she looked frail, thinner than she used to be. They ignored the several hundred pairs of eyes staring at them.

"I can't promise not to hurt you. But, I love you," he murmured softly into her hair. She looked so frail...

But radiant. She looked radiant despite the frailty. She looked like everything will work out.

She smiled beatifically; she truly looked like an angel, delicate, pure. "It's alright. You'll be with me and I'll be fine. It's all going to be alright."


Iori charged out of the Digital World and into the broadcast room, falling into a pile with two abnormally large canvas bags.

The pile also happened to include Daisuke. "Ow," the spiky haired boy complained. "Everyone seems to enjoy torturing me. And I actually have fully good intentions this time."

Miyako laughed at him, finding the entire situation incredibly amusing.

The bags grunted with Iori as he tried to pull himself away from the pile.

"I found them," he said by way of explanation. "I got them into the bags in case there was someone else in the room. And I got lost. Am I too late?"

Daisuke groaned and Ken covered his eyes.

Sora just laughed. "It seems, Iori, that we didn't need those two after all."

Iori looked pained.

"At least it's a pleasant surprise." She giggled before turning to the spiky haired boy. "Hush, Daisuke," Sora smiled. "No one doubts your intentions."

Daisuke just sulked. "Nobody loves me," he said, causing Miyako to start giggling manically again, Iori joining her.

Taichi and Yamato, who had just returned from the cafeteria, had overheard Daisuke's comment and proceeded to laugh themselves silly.

Taichi grinned, throwing an arm around Yamato's neck, drawing him into a chokehold. "How'd we do?"

Sora smiled at the two. "You two did great."