Part Five: The Endless Tomorrow

Hikari found Takeru over at the fountain behind the school already. He seemed a bit stiff, but anxious, Hikari approaching him softly not trying to appear angry with him or give him a negative vibe. It was one of the few moments she had seen Takeru look so vulnerable, but also fearful. Come to think of it most of the time he had looked that way it had been about his family, Patamon, or her. She didn't know how she could have missed that and scolded herself inwardly.

"...Hi, Takeru-kun," she said walking up next to him staring down at the ground.

He said nothing, his face turning red.

"Did you think I wouldn't come?" he asked. "You know I could never say no to you."

Hikari felt those word prick her heart, but kept it under control. She had to get past all of the nice things he said and find where she was in his heart.

"That reminds me," she said staring down, "Back when we were kids there was this one time I wanted a pink bow and told you about it. But it wasn't just any pink bow. It was a matching set from a magical girl anime. I wanted to match with Tailmon."

"I remember," Takeru said, Hikari sitting down next to him. "I told you I would get it for you, but I didn't know the consequences."

"You did," she acknowledged. "You gave me a big smile telling me you'll find it for sure even though I told you they were all sold out and you couldn't find one in town."

Takeru nodded his head, Hikari finding herself becoming a bit drowsy recalling that moment her head sliding against his chest

She could feel Takeru's heart pulsing and pounding, Hikari wondering if right then that would confirm it, but until he actually showed it anything Takeru said or did was suspect.

"I searched everywhere for it," Takeru admitted. "The main stores, the side stores, but lastly at my very last stop at the candy store I found two of them that had been accidentally not displayed just sitting in one of the boxes in the back of the store. I sure was lucky I pointed them out to the cashier and was able to buy them."

Hikari smiled fondly reaching out her hand touching his chest, her hand shaking and a bit cold.

"is that why you told me the story Hikari-chan," Takeru smiled fondly, but also a bit downcast. "...To let me down easy?"

"Let you down?"

"It's fine," he said turning his head away, but unable to stop a slight sniffle. "I knew there was no way...that you could feel what I feel for you," he confessed. "It just doesn't happen in real life. Or in anime. Or anything. Childhood friends go there separate ways until those moments are looked on bitterly as what could have been moments."

Hikari paused without saying anything yet. If she truly wanted him to understand she would have to be bold for the both of them. She couldn't give any wrong impressions or just play nicely. She had to show him how she cared. She had to-"

Before she could say anything he turned his face close towards her just staring into her eyes desperately.

She paused for a moment staring into those sapphires drowning in despair with Takeru inside of them as if frantically reaching out to her but not knowing how to ask her to save him.

He seemed paralyzed as if unable to move his face closer to hers, Hikari swallowing heavily wondering if this was how a first kiss was close to being. As if f that's what he was really trying to do with her, but did not know how. If-

-In a moment of clarity she remembered watching Takeru grow. Laughing, smiling, crying, protecting her. Becoming his own person developing an interest in writing while supporting her in her passion for photography. And now lately he had told them recently he wanted to be a writer and she confessed again to everyone she would like to be a teacher. She could hold the secrets of her heart and entrust them to him or at least she felt she could do that. Not even her mother or her brother could bear the pain and frustration she had shown Takeru. But he had never turned her away-not even once. Even when they had a fight they came back stronger than ever. Together, and now, if this really could really be her one moment to declare it, she tenderly reached out her hands to his cheeks practically mesmerized by him.

Her face moved towards his, her eyes closing sweetly as she pressed her lips against his, Takeru in awe, but calmly accepting such a kiss from her, Hikari lifting her face placing one hand on her cheek.

"I'm pretty sure I win," she smiled sweetly.

Takeru opened his eyes as well, them twinkling brightly like calm blue serene skies.

Slowly like the sun parting ways from the clouds his smile slowly returned. "I think the others would agree with you," he agreed. "I did say I would treat you to ice cream didn't I?"

She smiled a bit chuckling. "We could do that," she said closing her eyes and walking forward in front of him. "...Starting tomorrow you can call me Hikari. And I can call you Takeru. And we can do things together. The things we couldn't do before," she said, the tension from before having disappeared.

"Like what...Hikari?" Takeru asked smugly, Hikari not expecting that. The heat rushed to her face too quickly and she buried her face against his chest.

"That's not fair Takeru," she said embarrassed. "I said starting tomorrow."

He could only smile down at her, Hikari noticing he must have cheered up.

"We've probably already missed class," he noticed. "But, I think for today we can afford to miss them."

"Good," Hikari nodded, "Because the ice cream shop closes early today," she grinned.

"Yeah, I'm sure the others are worried about us, but they can wait," Takeru agreed.

"I'm already texting them now," Hikari said taking out her phone. "I...told them about us not going back today. They're already blowing up our phones."

"Do what I do when Yamato is mad at me and just keep it on silent," he grinned silencing his own phone.

"Good idea," she said copying him.

They both stared at each other happily, but both starting to blush pretty heavily.

"Can...I hold your hand?" Takeru paused reaching his out to her.

Hikari immediately smiled letting him grasp her hand as they started to walk.

They said nothing for awhile taking their time walking towards the ice cream shop.

Hikari paused staring up at him, still wondering about her heart that had fallen for him. She had learned so much from him. He showed kindness without revealing anything. He kept people guessing about how he felt, but he never hesitated to jump and do his part whether as a Digidestined or as a good friend. And Hikari, somehow using everything she learned from him, she was able to deceive him up until that moment he accidentally put his heart on his sleeve.

Ironically if it had not been for him, she might never have had the courage to go through with the plan. Yet whenever she was with him, and those trusting and caring but elusive blue eyes of his, she knew if she could just catch him that place would be the most safest in the world.

"Takeru," she breathed out, seeing her mist in the afternoon sky. "...Can you say it one more time?"

"Say what Hikari," he said turning towards her enamored by her.

"Tell me what you spelled out. But not the letters," she smiled fondly.

He grasped her hand even more firmly as they walked. "My Girl," he grinned, Hikari squeezing his hand back happily as they walked. It felt like a dream. She wanted him to keep saying it hoping she would never wake up as their footsteps trailed away into the sunset starting to kiss the horizon.

"Say it again Takeru."

"But I just said it."

"Please?"

"Ok, Hikari. "My girl."

"Can you say it again?"

"How many more times do you want me to say it before you'll believe me?" he teased.

"A thousand!" she exclaimed giddily.

"A thousand times?"

"That should be about how long it takes before we get to the ice cream shop."

"Not at the pace we're going."

"It's ok, we'll just take our time," Hikari said. "The moments, the days, the special occasions, it's like I can just glimpse the future. And it's getting more clear by each footstep."

"Side by side. Step by step, you'll walk with me into whatever path I walk on?" Takeru asked a bit seriously facing sternly forward.

Hikari nodded. "Unless the day comes you don't want to see me anymore. If you decide to follow your dreams and move on without me," she said stopping, "Then I'll have to accept that, even though it would be heartbreaking."

"It's not going to happen," he said squeezing her hand. "I've thought about it to. But I won't let you go like that," he said. "If my feelings for you are true Hikari then we will make it through those days. But we have yet to go through the hardest part yet."

She paused, staring up at him.

"And that is?"

"Telling our brothers. I don't think Yamato will be so pleased we're dating. Not with how Taichi and him are at each other's throats."

"You're right," she agreed. "The last time they were around each other they were literally shouting at each other until things got physical. It's going to be something, but it will work out."

They continued moving forward talking about their time together and laughing as always even reminiscing about the game and how clever Hikari was to think of that to finally find out his feelings for her.

Hikari never knew why other couples had such beaming smiles on their faces while walking with the ones they loved. But with the way Takeru stared at her affectionately, Hikari responding in kind, their faces bright and lovely as the sun...now she knew.

And she knew above all else...that this was more than what she had hoped for when she innocently started thinking about that game. She was his. He was hers. And even then as she walked the words resonated with her coming alive like the other couples she had seen in the past walking with their couples in the evening hours.

"Say it one more time?" Hikari asked sweetly, but softly.

"No," Takeru said stopping. "I've said it enough times," he said smirking. "So now I won't just say them."

"Then what will you-"

-Before she could react he placed his hand around the back of her neck and leaned down kissing her, soft and sweet, and secure.

"You're mine Hikari," he said affectionately letting go and then holding her close."My better self. My girl."

Hikari reached out her arms securely around him. Those words that she had longed to hear for so long held her in a warm embrace as steady as the afternoon sun transitioning into the cool of the evening.

"It's kind of cold," she noticed. "I don't think I want ice cream anymore."

"Ah, how about a hot chocolate?" Takeru suggested pointing toward a stall.

He grabbed one for each of them.

"As long as you walk with me," she said, "...I'll be warm no matter where we go."

"...Unless we go into space," Takeru smiled.

"That's only if you space out you know?" she said drinking some.

"Or if I give you some space," he chided.

She turned towards him smiling through hot chocolate on her lips just enjoying being with them.

Takeru hesitated, his eyes enthralled by her, and reached down giving her a chocolate kiss.

My girl… she said to herself relishing the taste of them,

She closed her eyes enjoying the ring of it.

Takeru paused for a second and turned away staring at the ground.

Hikari noticed, and turned around cautiously.

Her heart twisted slightly upon seeing him, his smile gone replaced by a melancholy frown.

She wanted to say something, but stopped herself, her hand out-stretched.

"...About what you said," Takeru responded, "about why I can compliment other girls, but I don't compliment you Hikari, I think I understand it better now why I did all I could to avoid doing that to you."

Hikari took the moment to circle around him, bend down on her knees and glanced up into his down gaze. She only turned her head smiling. Takeru did not have to justify himself and she would not press him for it. That shouldn't matter moving forward. Now that they were together-

"-Hikari," he said, "I've never complimented you because I knew it wasn't something you needed."

"What does that mean?" she wondered.

"Whenever I complimented a girl there was something that I noticed each time. Each of them was looking for some kind of validation."

"Validation for what?"

"For their self esteem. I can tell when a girl is getting down on herself and I try to help them feel better about themselves in little ways, but, it sometimes turns into an infatuation on their part with me. It's not what I intend."

"Well," she said rising and putting her hands behind her, "That's just an excuse for leading them on. You can't help but be the way you are," she beamed. "But if you did it to 'validate' them even 'Sora' or 'Meiko', why did you never try to validate me?"

"I told you Hikari," he sighed. "It wasn't something you needed."

"I don't need you to try make me feel better about myself," she agreed. "And even if you did I would never know if you were serious or not before today."

"That's true," Takeru chuckled, Hikari glad he was smiling again.

"But more than that," he said a touch more serious, "Hikari, I know that you can get down on yourself sometimes, but, if I gave you a compliment I think it would be just treating you like you were just another girl. And you're not.

You give your all to everyone no matter how you feel. It takes great courage and strength to do that-the kind of strength I don't have," he admitted. "So for me encouraging you and telling you things will get better and say something positive is the right thing to do. But if I complimented you it would seem like I was insulting you. And I would never do that," he said unusually serious with a smile.

"I believe in you Hikari. No matter how stressful life can be for you, I believe in you more than anything," he smiled confidently. "And I will support you as best as I can...as friends...and now something more," he smiled, Hikari a bit dazzled by him.

Tears started leaking from her face as her vision started to get blurry, Hikari burying her face in Takeru's chest pouring out tears of happiness and aggravation.

He held her securely, Hikari forgetting about everything and bearing her heart in Takeru's bosom, Takeru wrapping his arm gently around her head, pressing his cheek to her hair.

"...You've tried really hard, haven't you?" he cooed, Hikari finding it hard to believe after all this time she could just let go of so much stress she had built up over the years.

She removed herself from his arms, glanced up into his caring azure eyes and buried her lips against his, Takeru wrapping his arms gently around her back.

Hikari pressed her head against his chest, his heart beating tremendously fast.

"Y'know," Takeru said grinning, "I thought about the game you played before. And I thought of….a variation," he said slyly.

"A variation?"

"Yeah," he said a bit excited, but calm. "Let's combine our first names and last names."

She stared up at him unsure of his words. "Why?"

"Jut for fun," he grinned.

"Let's see here," he contemplated as they moved over to a bench and took out some of Hikari's writing cards. "T-A-K-E-R-U. H-I-K-A-R-I," he said writing them out with his hand in the air. "I'll take the first name," he said.

"K, then I'll get the last one," Hikari smiled already at work.

Eventually they stopped, both of them revealing their cards. "Takari sounds really good," Takeru said looking at the first name.

'Takari, huh?" Hikari said wondering if he happened to have some kind of ulterior motive wit the name.

"Then let's see…" she mused playing with the letters T-AK-A-I-S-H-I and 'Y-A-G-A-M-I. How about Y-A-G-A-I-S-H-I?" she questioned.

"So...Takari Yagaishi?" Takeru smirked, Hikari also copying him. They both could barely hold it in and burst out laughing hysterically.

They finished momentarily a few minutes later wiping tears from her eyes.

Hikari noticed from the corner of her eye another note written on the card, curiously glancing over.

"Oh, wow," she said. "Takeru, you must be really crazy about me huh?" she said, her cheeks turning a darker red.

"Why?"

"Because you….wrote my First name...and your last name."

His eyes jumped to the card and then opened his mouth a bit stunned. "I...was just playing around...kind of," he said placing one hand on the back of his head.

"Sure," Hikari smirked walking forward passed him.

"Really Hikari!"

"Uh-huh," she half agreed still walking.

"Come on Hikari," he said reaching out and grabbing her shoulder.

"...Admit it," she teased. "You were thinking about...a distant future?"

"...I definitely thought about it," he said. "But you know in games like this are imaginations can run wild," he said glancing at her tenderly. "Who knows what the future can hold?"

Hikari nodded her head, still excitement in her eyes tingling about the future with him.

"But of course," she concluded, "You're still going to play games with me aren't you?"

"Of course," he agreed. "We'll play lots of games Hikari. You'll win some. I'll win some. We'll make them up as we go. The others will think we're ridiculous," he snickered.

Hikari closed her eyes absorbing his words. "They'll never know if we're serious or not. It will drive our brother's crazy. I can see it now," she smiled.

By then darkness had started to settle in, the last vestiges of mandarin gold slowly being enveloped by the deep heaviness of the night. She could barely see his face, the darkness having become so heavy. But he walked forward grabbing her hand pulling her forward.

"Come on, I'll walk you home," he said, Hikari still with her eyes closed.

As they walked, street lights glinted their path making their way back to her home. Hikari opened her eyes.

"It's funny, even though my eyes are closed, when I open them I still see darkness, but I feel your hand," she said grasping it tightly.

Takeru said nothing as they moved forward, the sound of his footsteps reassuring.

"When you feel like that Hikari," he said his voice a bit off as if he himself seemed to be staring at something she could not see, "Then remember my hand is just right there, just waiting for you to grab it."

She treasured his words, letting her guide him through the darkness back home. And yet, despite that, seeing him for the man he was becoming, Hikari still felt safest...when he held his larger hand with her smaller slender hand.

She wondered how much taller he would get. How much larger would his hands would become? If he would still be wearing a hat when he's older. The questions just kept pouring in; Hikari adoring each possibility.

She knew even though they were going to her home, as soon as he left, then, deep in her heart it would like her home had already left for awhile.

She grasped it even more firmly still realizing the impact of their new relationship.

They approached Hikari's home, Hikari recognizing the silhouette and the light's on where surely her mom would be waiting with a warm meal for her.

They approached the door, Hikari hesitantly letting go of his hand.

"We're here," Takeru said, Hikari feeling his radiant smile in the dark.

She unlocked her door and entered inside.

"See you tomorrow….T-Takeru," she said a bit embarrassed saying it when she had just got home.

"You to...Hikar-"

He paused, Hikari noticing him stare behind her.

"Hikariiiiii," Her mom's voice hummed brandishing a spatula in her hand.

She stared at him embarrassed and stared back at her mom.

"Takeru-kun why don't you come inside?" her mom smiled. "You haven't had dinner yet, have you?"

"I shouldn't impose," he said bowing his head. "But, I do want to say that I hope when she's older, Hikari will look as pretty as you Yagami-san."

Her mom giggled, Hikari's face flushing even more.

"Takeru!" she groaned, Takeru waving as he left turning around about to leave.

He paused at the door. "..Hikari, you're…" he hesitated, but turned back with a smile.

"You're...very beautiful to...you know? In your own way." With that he turned around and shut the door leaving.

The compliment set Hikari a bit on edge, but realizing it was actually a compliment it brought her a bit of peace.

She glanced at her mom who closed her eyes placing her hands on her shoulders. "Good for you Hikari," she smiled.

She nodded her head, turning her head a bit away. "But...that was a compliment, right?"

"Yes, he called your mom really pretty," she said placing her hands on her cheek.

"No I meant me."

"Well, who can say?" she said adoring her.

"You don't even know!" she exclaimed.

"I've got to finish making dinner. It will ready soon," she said, "But if you two are calling each other by first names, doesn't it just sound like your playing with each other in a romantic way? You have to enjoy it Hikari," she said giving her a thumbs up and leaving.

She stood there a bit stunned contemplating her words. The lightness of them brought her to her bed where she collapsed flat on her face. She glanced out of the corner of her eye, Tailmon curled up at the base of her bed.

She closed her eyes reflecting on everything that had happened that day, her anxiousness slowly melting away.

"Takari Yagaishi," she mused softly reflecting on the eventful day. Tailmon subconsciously curled up next to her making her feel a little drowsy, the glow of the room, and the warmth snuggled up next to her lulling her into a pleasant dream.

Tomorrow would be another day. A day with it's own name. And as she went through it, no matter what it held, he would be there. A smile on his face, a tenderness in his eyes, and a warmth that invited her to be with him, even beyond the sky. An Endless Tomorrow…

...Whether exploring the Digital World or growing up through this one, this game of theirs would eventually change. Yet, no matter what, in the end, they would both win. Because they were together. His hand in hers. Hers in his.

...Playing games…that no one but them could understand...