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"What Crest would you have?"

There was something reassuring about the scene playing out in the once-busy intersection. Where a wild Digimon had previously appeared and started wreaking havoc, Paildramon now stood, watching Davis and Yolei argue at his feet. Yolei insisted that Davis had rushed in and caused unnecessary collateral damage, while Davis disagreed on the grounds that he couldn't allow Yolei to be right about anything.

They weren't alone, of course. Ken was there, trying his best to play mediator between the two. He seemed surprisingly comfortable, caught in the crossfire between his best friend and his girlfriend, even if it didn't always help much. Cody stood nearby, having long ago claimed that he knew Yolei and Davis well enough to know when they were arguing just to argue and when not to get involved.

Despite the scenario's familiarity, however, Kari knew that a piece was missing. Looking off to the side, towards the nearest bench that had survived the battle, she found the person she was looking for. There, TK sat, staring down at his D3 with Patamon perched on his shoulder. Knowing where she needed to be, Kari didn't waste another second before approaching.

"The countdown hasn't started yet," Patamon pointed out, his voice firm despite the worry in his eyes.

"I know..." TK didn't look up from the device.

"Staring won't help."

"I know..."

Kari knew not to ask what was bothering him. They had already had that conversation, about the day Menoa warned them would inevitably arrive. TK was trying to stay positive, not wanting to repeat his mistakes with the infection and eventual reboot from five years. Neither of them wanted to dwell on something that could still be a few years off, though Kari didn't believe that trusting TK's judgment and being there for him were mutually exclusive.

"So..." Kari said as she sat down next to him. "Yolei's been back for five minutes and her and Davis are already fighting."

TK smirked and finally looked up. "Who started it?"

"Depends how you look at it." Kari smiled back, relieved that she didn't have to actively try to do so. "Yolei would definitely put this on Davis being, and I quote, 'a block-headed neanderthal', but she did start yelling first."

TK raised a playful eyebrow. "We'll call it a draw then?"

"Are we bad people for making these bets behind their backs?"

"Absolutely, but it's fun, so I think we can let it slide."

Silence followed, a jolt of reality coming up in the back of Kari's mind, reminding her what was to come. She wished every moment could be like this one, even though she knew better. TK knew as well, the melancholy in his eyes making it clear.

"It's gonna be okay," Kari said as she reached over and linked her pinky finger with his. She wasn't sure if the words were for him or for herself.

"I know," TK replied with a confident nod and conviction in his voice he hadn't had a minute ago.

In moments like these, it easier for Kari to see the boy she had met on her first trip to the Digital World all those years ago. They boy who swore to watch over her when fell ill in Machinedramon's city, and refused to give up when they were alone and being pursued by Piedmon. As much as TK changed, she knew the most important parts of him would remain.

"Come on," TK continued as he stood up. "I think Ken needs reinforcments."

He led the way back to the group, taking his place in the familiar patterns, making sure they stayed hopeful for the future.

Author's Note:

Technically, I can see how this could be considered a separate prompt from Day 5. Personally, I'm not so convinced I embody any of the virtues, but Hope seems like something to strive for.

Also, yes, this is me triple dipping into the Digidestined coping with the immediate aftermath of Kizuna. For a minute after seeing the movie for the first time, I thought I was going to put together a short fic, but it never materialized. These chapters are what's left of that story.