-Before I begin, I apologize for taking a while to update the series. The combination of writers block and school coming up delayed the story. But I'm back on track now. Please read and review…and enjoy of course.
-Italicized words indicate a character's thoughts.
-This story relates to the incident where Tai gave Sora a hairpin. Sora felt insulted and as shown in the Digimon movie, she forgives him after Tai's email. This story occurs some time in between those two events. I realize that there may be continuity errors, but please set them aside for this story.
-With that said, I do not own Digimon, the show or the movies, and anything related to Digimon (plots, characters, etc.)
Chapter 3: Sora
It was a small hairpin on the floor, but the enormity of its meaning filled up Sora's room. She stared at it; detested it. To Sora, it was like a festering mold. She couldn't stand the sight of it. Sora hoped that throwing it onto the floor would relieve her resentment but she still felt angry, angry at Tai.
Of all the stupid things you've done Tai, this has to be one of the bigger ones. He wasn't sincere at all. He only gave that pin to me because he just wants to make fun of my hat, but more importantly, of me.
Sora sat on the edge of her bed, still staring at the simple pin. Unable to look at it any longer, she rested back on her bed, focusing her attention on the ceiling.
I thought Tai had changed. That he was becoming more mature. But he has to pull something like this, especially on my own birthday! If he didn't like my hairstyle, he should have just told me…though I'd still hate him.
A warm breeze blew in from outside. The slight breeze swayed the wind chimes hanging from the window. The chime caught Sora's attention. She turned her head towards the window. At the base was a pot containing an array of different colored carnations. Some of the carnations were wilted, others still growing. Sora sighed at the sight of the carnations. She had tried to grow them in hopes of mending her relationship with her mom. Yet they haven't been growing as she wanted them to. They didn't look as full as the ones her mom used. The carnations only reminded Sora of the strained relationship between her and her mom. Sora rested back on the bed, unable to deal with the emotions from her relationship with her mom and Tai's insensitivity.
-The next day didn't prove any better for Sora. She still felt angry at Tai. Sora picked up her bag on the chair next to the front door. She was on her way out until her mom called her.
"Sora, before you leave," Sora stopped and turned as her mom approached her. "Remember that I need you to take these flowers to the ikebana academy later. Please don't forget Sora, I need them for a client." Sora's mom pointed at the arrangement of flowers sitting on the table. Sora took notice and nodded. She began turning around before her mom placed her hand on Sora's shoulder.
"And something else, I made you lunch. I didn't want you to spend you allowance when you need it for other things." Mrs. Takenouchi handed Sora her lunch. It was wrapped in an ornament cloth, neatly folded and all. Sora held her lunch in her hands, not able to conjure up something to say. All she could do was smile. She turned and began leaving through the door. Not long before she stepped outside she heard her mom again.
"Have a nice day Sora. Don't forget your task later." Sora stopped and turned her head again.
"Ok mom, thanks." Sora replied obediently. She again started leaving but only to be stopped again by her mom. This time it was for a different reason.
"I love you Sora." Her mom said sweetly. Sora stopped. She had heard her mom say those words before, but never in that tone. Upon turning her head around, she saw her mom's delicate calm face. She was smiling at Sora. Sora tried to formulate words, but she still couldn't believe her mom's demeanor. A bit confused and flustered with emotions, Sora let out a quick reply.
"I'll see you later mom…" Sora tried to make her smile as genuine as she could. But she still was unsure of her feelings. As quickly but calmly as she could, she left for school.
Hugging her lunch close to her, Sora walked with her focus on the ground.
Did she really say that, or was I just dreaming it? My mother had always been loving, but she never showed it like that. Ever since I got back from the Digiworld, our relationship has been odd. I know we had reconciled our differences but at times I feel like there's still some tension between us. And I left her without even saying 'I love you' back…I was afraid to! I didn't know what to do; I'm not used to expressing my feelings with her.
Sora clenched her lunch closer. Visibly, she was upset and worried.
I left without even returning the phrase. Oh mom, please forgive me. I just wish I could express what I felt. I just wish I could control my feelings. How ironic that my crest is love. I can't even show it…
- Sora sat down for lunch feeling uneasy. She tried all morning to forget what happened earlier, but upon looking at her lunch, she remembered it all too well. While unwrapping her lunch, she heard someone call her name. Looking up, she saw a familiar face. It was Matt.
"Hey Sora, how's it going?"
"Fine I guess." Sora said softly. Matt quickly took notice of her tone.
"What's the matter Sora? Don't tell me you're still upset about what Tai did. I know he-"
"Don't even bring that up Matt, please. I'm still angry at what he did. Tai can be so insensitive!" Sora tersely replied. Matt made motions with his hands to calm Sora down.
"Calm down Sora, you don't have to get all upset about this. Now Tai can do stupid things, but I think this time he meant well with his gift." Matt leaned back in his chair with a cool smile on his face.
Sora retorted back, "Tai isn't capable of that. He just thinks of himself. He always said some stupid comment about my hat in the Digiworld. It's obvious he's just doing the same here. I don't know why he always does this!"
"I know you and Tai had some fights in the past, but I think Tai has grown up a little. Sounds crazy, but he seemed really down when I talked to him. He said he's sorry for what he did Sora." Matt consoled. Sora folded her arms and looked away in response to Matt's statement.
"Well, since he was really down, I told him that you would forgive him soon because it's just who you are-"
"You told him what!?" Sora yelled while getting up. Matt surprised at Sora's sudden fit of rage fell over in his chair. Sora leaned across the table continuing her fit.
"Matt Ishida! How could you do something like this! I will only forgive that big-haired idiot when he comes begging on his knees for my forgiveness. Until then, he can just forget it." Sora snapped. People around the cafeteria began looking at her. Sora took notice and picked up her things and left. Matt still sprawled out on the floor could do nothing but look shocked.
Sora walked down the hall quickly. Finding a secluded place behind a pillar, she leaned against it. She still was clenching the hastily wrapped lunch.
How could Matt say such a thing, especially to Tai? He'd believe something as foolish as that. Forget it Tai, I'm not forgiving you.
Sora slowly slid down the pillar, and plopped down on the floor. She extended her legs out placing the wrapped lunch on her lap. After letting out a heavy sigh, she adjusted her hair with her hands. Doing so made her remember Tai.
I don't understand why Tai has to hold this grudge against my hair. First my hat now my hair, doesn't he have anything better to do? I can still remember what he said, "This hairpin is for you Sora, and I thought you might need it." Please Tai, you just never liked my hat…I just can't understand him…
Sora looked out the window across from her. All she wanted now was this day to end.
- At the end of school, Sora still felt flustered emotionally. Questions about her mom and Tai flooded her head. She longed to just get home and lie down. Not too far from the school premises, she heard Matt's voice again calling her name. She turned to see Matt running to catch up with her. Not feeling loquacious, she slowly turned and walked away. But Matt had caught up to her.
"Sora wait." Matt said exhaustedly. He stood in front of her still trying to catch his breath. After he regained his composure he spoke to Sora again.
"Sora, what exactly happened back there in the cafeteria?"
"Look Matt, I rather not talk about it, please." Sora softly replied.
"I'm here for you as a friend Sora. I know you're still upset about Tai, so just go ahead and spill." Matt consoled.
"You don't understand Matt. Every time I think Tai has grown up, he does something utterly stupid. He didn't even say sorry to me at the party. All he did was try to defend himself. He's just selfish, not caring about others." Sora's demeanor changed from sadness back to irritation. She slowly started to walk again. Matt walked beside her.
"Perhaps Tai didn't mean it that way. He's not clever enough to insult your hat indirectly." Matt smiled hoping it would get Sora's spirits up, but she remained unchanged.
"No Matt. If he really was sincere, he wouldn't have defended himself so adamantly."
"I don't know Sora. Maybe you're just blowing this out of proportion. It was hairpin for your hair. Maybe that's all Tai saw it as." Matt replied. Their slow pace slowed to a stop.
"I don't know Matt. Am I just being dumb about this whole thing?" Sora shook her head and sat down on a cement ledge next to side walk. Matt sat next to her. She looked to her side at Matt, her face mixed with emotions.
"I mean, he defended himself before. But you said he was sorry, so…" Sora stopped short, not sure of what to say next. Matt looked uneasy and directed his attention towards the sky.
"Well yeah, about that. I saw that you were down in the cafeteria, so I kind of lied about Tai saying he's sorry." Matt said uneasily. Sora grabbed Matt's jacket in anger.
"You better be joking Matt Ishida! After I come close to forgiving Tai, you tell me this!" Sora shouted angrily. She still gripped Matt's jacket while gritting her teeth. Matt yet again was caught off guard by Sora's actions. He softly grabbed her arms, and tried to ease up her grip. Eventually, Sora eased up, letting go of his jacket.
"Well Sora, what I meant is he didn't exactly say he was sorry. But he surely wasn't himself, as if he was upset with what he did. I only assumed that inside he felt sorry." Matt reassuringly replied.
"Well if he can't say sorry, then I can't forgive him." Sora asserted. She crossed her arms and looked at the ground. There was a long silence before Matt spoke.
"But I know eventually you will. Even if he won't say sorry, I know you'll forgive him because you're just like that. I mean your crest is love, isn't it?"
Sora had a surprised expression on her face as she glanced at Matt. She had not expected Matt to share such an insight. Sora buried her face in her hands. Again she was flustered with emotions.
My crest!? How did I ever deserve that? I can't even bring myself to forgive Tai. Instead I can't stand him. I can't stand his antics. Just thinking about him makes me even angrier…I don't deserve a crest like that.
"I don't deserve that crest…"
"What are you talking about Sora. You deserve it more than anyone I know. Back in the Digiworld, you were the one who looked out for us. You were the motherly figure for us. If it wasn't for you-" At that moment, Sora remembered her errand that she had to do.
"Oh no, my mom! I need to deliver those flowers." Sora checked her watch. Almost an hour had gone by without them knowing. She got up quickly and grabbed her belongings. After she had got her things, she hastily made her way to her house.
"Wait Sora," Matt said while getting up. Sora turned her head briefly to say goodbye.
-She had reached her house. Before opening the door she stopped to catch her breath, and even wished that she would not see the flowers on the other side. Slowly, she turned the knob and opened the door. The inside of the house looked exactly the same as when she left earlier, including the flowers on the table. Sora rushed over to the table only to notice her mom sitting on the far end. Sora's heart froze. For a moment she was in disbelief. Her mom was sure to scold her. Sora wished that there was some way that she could just disappear. She even closed her eyes hoping that when she opened them, she would be somewhere else. Realizing the situation she was in, Sora let out all her feelings.
"Mom, I'm so sorry! I forgot about the flowers. Please believe me, this wasn't on purpose. I know I should have been more responsible! Please forgive me mom. It's just that today has been so hectic and I know this was important and,"
"Sora-"
"And this doesn't mean that I don't like your business. And I didn't do this because I dislike you. I know how I didn't say I love you this morning when you did, but that's because I didn't know what to say. I just wasn't used to it. I'm so sorry mom. I-"
"Sora!" Her mom firmly asserted. She had to raise her voice a little to stop Sora's ramblings. She got up from her seat and walked over to where Sora was sitting. Sora's eyes were welled up with tears. The tears were brushing down her cheeks. Sora tried to compose herself amidst her sobbing. No one was more surprised at this sudden outpour than Sora. Mrs. Takenouchi pulled out the chair next to Sora's and sat down. She looked at Sora's soft face and watery eyes.
"Sora, I expected you to deliver those flowers," Mrs. Takenouchi began. Slowly she took Sora's hand and placed it in between her two hands.
"But, it was just a client Sora. And while I am upset that you didn't deliver the flowers, I forgive you Sora. We all make mistakes, it's a part of life." Her mom said calmly.
Sora couldn't believe what was happening: First her breaking down and now her mother forgiving her. She had stopped her sobbing enough to talk.
"But mom…I couldn't even do a simple task. How could you forgive me so easily? I-"
"Sora, one little mistake can't undo my love for you. I will love you regardless of what happens. I know our relationship hasn't been the best Sora. But I want you to know that despite our differences, I will always love you. Sora, I also want you to know how proud of you I am. I see your capacity to love others. You've become such a wonderful person."
Sora's mom stood up and reached over and gently brushed back Sora's hair. She then wiped the tears from her cheek. Sora couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she felt as though some heavy weight had been lifted. After holding in all that emotion, she felt relieved to just let go of it.
Perhaps my mom is right. I've been worried that our relationship was getting worse, but only after I opened up to her, it seemed to get better. How could I be so dumb to think that she would have loved me less? When she forgave me I felt so relieved…and…I guess Tai would feel so too. I thought I didn't deserve the crest of love, but if my mom can see my capacity to love, why can't I. I've been afraid to show my emotions. I was afraid I'd be hurt. But holding in my emotions only hurt me…and they made me angry at those around me who mean so much to me.
Sora suddenly stood up and embraced her mom. A tear ran down her face, but this time it wasn't from sorrow. Wrapped in her mom's embrace, Sora felt eased. She let out the words she had been holding in:
"I love you mom…"
-A soft breeze blew passed Sora as she opened up her room. She felt so relieved to finally talk with her mom. Looking around the room, she noticed that something was different. She looked over at the carnations in the pot. They were starting to grow fully as she had seen in her mom's academy. Sora walked over to investigate. The different array of colors seemed to be much richer in detail. She wanted to ask her mom what made the difference, and she didn't have to go far as her mom was standing at the doorway.
"Mom, the carnations!" Sora began.
"I've noticed how you've grown them Sora, and you've done well." Her mom paused as she walked over to where Sora was.
She continued, "But carnations need full light. You had it hidden underneath this cluttered window. Beneath all these obstructions, it couldn't fully grow into its full potential. But once I opened up the space around the window, it could receive the light it needed."
Sora's mom placed her hand on Sora's shoulders. Sora looked up at her mom and smiled in appreciation.
"I'll go get started on dinner." Mrs. Takenouchi stated. She turned around and walked out through Sora's door. After she had left, Sora plopped down on her bed. Upon looking towards her side, she noticed the hairpin on the ground. What she used to see as a festering mold was now only a simple hairpin. She got up and picked up the hairpin. Sora walked over to her mirror as she placed the hairpin in her hair. It wasn't as horrible as she thought it would be. Sora folded her arms as she tilted her head in different directions trying to see how she looked with the hairpin. After some deliberation, she let out a sigh.
"Stupid Tai…" Sora softly muttered with a smirk on her face.
I guess it doesn't look as bad as I thought it would…but if Tai wants my forgiveness well…he'll just have to ask for it.