Probably the longest chapter overall, but happy reading!
"Rika! You're going to be late for school!" Her mother hollered. She groaned. She decided to let her hair down and quickly changed into her high school uniform and ran off to school.
Rika attended the same school as Henry and Takato. Even though she attended a private school back in junior high, she convinced her mother to transfer school during high school. While walking toward the school, Rika was nervous.
*After what happened yesterday, I hope it's still normal between the two of us. What was I thinking, me attempting to flirt after touching his cheek?* she shook her head; she knew that she wasn't the best when it came to dealing with feelings such as the ones she was experiencing.
*warning bell rings*
*I'll worry about it later, I'm already late.*
She rushed in her class, where she spotted Henry, Takato, and the others (Juri, Kazu, Kenta) in a close circle discussing about something. She came up to them, giving them a confused look.
"...yeah for some reason, Rika and I could communicate with them that day." Henry explained to the others.
"That's weird. Because I experienced a similar thing. While I was in my room the same day, I could feel a presence. I could sense it was Guilmon's. But, I couldn't hear his voice like you and Rika did."
"Hi Rika, I really like your hair today." Jeri smiled. Jeri was still her positive self since the day she had met her. Even through all of the tragic moments in her life, she managed to keep her head up.
Everyone stared at Rika's hair.*Great Jeri, way to point it everyone*
"Thanks Jeri, decided to let it down for today." She made eye contact with Henry, and they both looked away slightly.
"We were just talking about yesterday, and how you and Henry managed to contact with your Digimon." Takato explained.
"Oh…"
"Wait, what was you and Henry doing together alone yesterday?" Kazu said, with his eyebrow raised up.
Rika stammered a little bit, until Henry broke the news.
"I was helping with Rika with homework so we decided to stop by the park."
"'Helping' with homework. Huh? In the park?" Kenta joined in with Kazu, poking fun at the two tamers.
Juri and Takato joined along with the other two and started to give them funny looks. Rika looked over at Henry, and saw the boy turn a bit red.
"You're kidding right. Please guys, you're not think-" she sighed as she saw the four friends smiling teasingly at the both of them.
"GUYS, you can't be-" The bell rings before she could say the rest of the sentence.
Rika crossed her arms, with her cheeks red and sat down to her seat. Everyone was seated, and the teacher walked in the classroom. All of the students stood up and greeted the teacher in sync. He greeted the class, and gestured the students to sit down.
"Now class, every year at the end of the school year, the class on a trip." he continued. "You heard from the older students that we always go on a camping trip. But, this year. We'll be visiting the capital of Japan, Tokyo!" The class erupted in excitement.
"Tokyo! How exciting, the culture and the fashion are simply beautiful." Juri exclaimed.
"I'm just excited about going to the Digimon Factory. I heard if you go to the factory itself, you'll get a special limited edition card!" Kazu's eyes sparkled.
" I think it's a great idea to spend time together as friends. It's been years since we all hanged out." Takato chimed. Henry smiled. He knew that all of them haven't hanged out as a group in a long time. The teacher settled the class and explained the trip wouldn't be until next week, so he told the class to make sure their parents knew about it. After explaining the details, he began the class, starting with Geometry to start the day. Minutes pasted by as the once energetic class gradually started to fall asleep. Henry looked out the window, watching as the cherry blossoms fell down. He noticed as one flew through the window and landed on his desk. Instantly taking him back the day before. How much fun the both of them had in a long time. Relaxing, feeling like there was no one to stop them. How she smiled brightly under the tree.
*I haven't seen her this happy ever. She's changed throughout the years all right.* he looked away from outside and toward the classroom. Everyone had their hands on their faces, on the edge of sleeping. There was even Kazu with his head on the table, snoring. He even spotted Rika, who sat by him, closing her eyes as she supported her head with her hand. As the teacher was heading toward where Rika and Henry sat, Henry quickly tapped her shoulder. She groaned, and quickly shook her head. She mouthed 'thanks' and sat straight up. Hours past after the long school day was finally finished. The last bell finally rung and the students walked out of class. The group of tamers, walked together out the door, and toward their lockers.
"What a long school day. I just need to go to sleep." Takato complained.
"I don't know, I'm not that tired." Kazu bragged.
"Well, you did fell asleep in class." Kenta teased.
"You noticed? The teacher didn't seem to notice." Kazu proudly said.
"He did noticed, he got used to it. This is your 5th time this month." Jeri giggled.
"Hey, I got to get my daily energy. And sleeping during class helps me." He remarked. The group of friends talked for a few minutes, but they soon splited up. Kenta and Kazu walked off with Jeri as they talked about the upcoming trip, while the three original tamers walked together home, feeling like they were back where they were three years ago.
"So, Rika. What's up with the new hair?" Takato asked.
"Shut up goggleboy. You still have your goggles after these years." you could tell she was ticked off when people would ask her.
"Calm down, Rika. I didn't say if it looked bad or good." Rika's eyes lit on fire as she argued with Takato while Henry stood there, smiling in amusement.
"No matter what age you both are, you guys fight like an old couple." Henry smiled. Rika and Takato looked at Henry at disgust and then at each other in disgust.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN AN OLD COUPLE." they yelled together. The two ranted at Henry most of the way home, until they stopped by Takato's home. Leaving Henry and Rika alone.
"Thanks for waking me up during class today. I still catch up on my sleep." Rika said.
"No problem, you would do the same. Did you stay up late finishing homework?"
"No… Actually, it was about yesterday. I couldn't stop thinking about it at night. It was all so confusing to me."
"You too huh." he chuckled. "I couldn't stop thinking about it. The way how he remembered me still. How he still acted the same, like we never left each other in the first place."
"Don't worry about it Henry, we got to talk to them. That what matters."
They finally stopped by Rika's home.
"Thanks for walking with me."
"My house is not too far away, so this wasn't a big problem."
"Well.. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Get some sleep tonight, we both might need it." he winked. He walked off , Rika feeling like she's reliving yesterday once again.
*If Takato and I are like an old couple… Then what are we?*
