Like we're boyfriend and girlfriend, right?

Chapter 1: Confession

"Would you like to be my boyfriend?" Hikari mustered the courage to ask Daisuke.

Daisuke's eyes widened in surprise as his gaze was locked to hers. They both sat across from each other at a table in the middle of the active pizza restaurant.

But despite the activity going around, the world remained quiet.

Breaking the tension, Hikari lowered her head and said, "I-I like you…"

Daisuke's hand clenched involuntarily as his mouth opened and closed to find the right words.

"Hey!" Taichi appeared before Daisuke could even say a word. Hikari gasped from surprise while Daisuke quickly averted his gaze while his body shook. "You guys got here early too?"

Daisuke continued his averted gaze and said, "Hikari told me to show up at five…"

Taichi raised a brow and replied, "I was told at five thirty, but I thought of arriving early since I was nearby," he chuckled and glanced over at his younger sister.

Hikari shifted side to side and said, "I guess I forgot the correct time. Luckily, I arrived early." She giggled nervously as her eyes remained at Daisuke who had yet to make eye contact with her. She could only frown and avert her gaze too.

The two found themselves lucky that Taichi was oblivious of what occurred.

Today was the ten-year anniversary of BelialVamdemon's defeat. The group had decided to celebrate by eating at a pizza restaurant to catch up with each other.

Things have changed since the defeat of BelialVamdemon. Almost all the Chosen Children had graduated at different points in their lives. Taichi had begun to study law to help Digimon integrate with society. Yamato and Sora had finally become engaged after a long time of dating. Yamato quit his rockstar lifestyle to begin one where he focused on becoming a pilot. Sora began a clothing line, once part of Yamato's band, now branching to other sections of fashion. Koushiro is working with Gennai on keeping the digital world's portal safe. Mimi moved back to Japan once her studies were done and is currently working with Sora. Jyou became an honors student and even graduated early, he is still working on his Doctorate degree in the medical field. Takeru is slowly becoming a novelist, but currently is a flight attendant. Hikari is on her way to gaining a degree to become the teacher she always wanted to be. Daisuke created a small noodle cart, so far business is difficult to pick up, but he is trying to gain traction. Miyako is now co-owner of Inoue's Convenient store with her parents. Along with that, Ken Ichijouji became a secret investigator in crimes against Digimon. Both Miyako and Ken are dating, the Chosen Children expect an announcement of their engagement sooner than later. And Finally, Iori, he recently graduated and is on his way to becoming a criminal lawyer.

And today was the celebration of all those accomplishments since. Laughter and joy fill the air. All except for Daisuke who hasn't spoken much. Now as the collection of pizza and conversation grows between Chosen Children, Daisuke remains silent.

The noise became grating to Daisuke as he removed himself from the table. He walked across the large establishment of the pizza restaurant to the open arcade nearby. A much darker room that was only brightened by the various machines.

Daisuke went over to a nearby bench and sat down, looking at the various screens of the various games. Seeing the menu screen replay over and over as Hikari's words replayed over and over in his head.

His focus turned to a television screen in the top corner of the arcade room. It was a romance drama movie.

Currently, the scene playing was of the male lead confessing his feelings to the female lead. The backdrop of an ocean as waves were crashing. It was so dramatic, yet Daisuke remained entranced.

That focus was broken when a gentle female voice spoke up, "Hey?" Sora, peaking to the side to look at Daisuke, waved.

Daisuke gave a quick smile back and said, "hey."

Sora sat down beside Daisuke on the bench and started, "you know. The quieter you get the louder the silence becomes." As she said this, Daisuke's gaze remained on the film. "You want to talk about it?" She asked.

Daisuke tensed up when he saw the female lead kiss the main lead passionately. "I'm sorry, I was just enjoying the movie." He said, turning his head away from Sora.

Sora glanced over at the television screen, "ah, yes. The 1994 classic… Tides of Love…" she said sarcastically and continued, "I didn't know you were into romance?"

"Neither did I…" Daisuke said as he got up and walked over to a nearby arcade machine presenting some fighter game to play. Daisuke reached for his pocket to look for coins.

Daisuke took a few coins out, but before he could insert them into the machine, Sora spoke up, "she confessed, huh?" Daisuke bounced the moment she said those words. He froze then glanced over, Sora shrugged and casually smirked, "she was talking about confessing to you for a while now. I knew she would today, but sadly her brother wouldn't understand."

Daisuke put the coins back into his pocket and looked away again. "I wouldn't be able to give her an answer," he said with a disappointed frown.

Sora could only nod along, but curiosity got her, "I know it's not my business to get involved, but I thought you would be more ecstatic."

Daisuke paused before sighing and saying, "I don't know what to think. I like her, but I have been rejected by her. I thought she had eyes for Takeru-san. I thought… I thought it was impossible that she could ever like me."

Sora walked over to be beside Daisuke once again. She smiled and said, "if I remember correctly, she rejected you back in elementary school. About ten years ago. Daisuke-san, you have grown, and she has too. She has seen you grow."

Daisuke replied, "yes, we've grown. Hikari is a young woman now."

"And you're a young man," Sora added quickly.

Daisuke glared down at the ground. "But I had a crush on her when I was a boy. Things changed, obviously. I… I don't like her for the same reasons."

Sora crossed her arms, raised a brow, and asked, "is that an issue?"

Daisuke moved forward and leaned into the arcade machine. "When I got rejected, I guess my desire to be her boyfriend ended. It never changed. Suddenly, everything about it is changing so quickly," he exclaimed.

Sora glanced around to ensure they were alone before talking. "Daisuke-san, I know it's not something people like to talk about normally. I'm guessing your mindset is thinking about an elementary crush to an adult…"

Daisuke cut her off, his cheeks red, "I don't want desire to be a factor."

Sora watched Daisuke before shaking her head. "Daisuke-san, I think we have saved each other… and if I could have some type of older sibling for you… A lot of people have desires. Whether it sounds bad or selfish or stupid. Trust me, she has desires too. I have talked to her about it too. You can't always be selfless, especially with love." Daisuke could only look down.

Sora sighed and continued, "whatever reservations you have… you can pretend that this is going to be a love story and it's only supposed to go one way. But it isn't… you have grown. You have changed and Hikari is aware of that too… but she's also aware that maybe you haven't. And she still confessed.

Sora then walked over and patted his shoulder, "you can believe romance is a big confession surrounded by fireworks that life is building up to. Or what it is."

Daisuke could only stare with worry before seeing Sora begin to walk off.

Sora stopped and turned, "remember… My fiancé was different when we dated. And…" she showed Daisuke her ring before continuing to walk off.

Once she was outside of the arcade, Daisuke's shoulders lowered, and he looked around. He took a few steps back to sit on the bench and took a deep breath. He pulled out his phone and looked through the photos before seeing one of him and Hikari. It was of a camping trip a while back while they were on a beach wearing their swimwear. He remembered how badly she wanted this photo to be taken.

He realized she does like me…

Daisuke took a moment before standing up, beginning to make it to the exit of the arcade room and back to the pizza restaurant. Before he could arrive at the exit, he heard the soothing familiar voice of Hikari.

"You talked to him about it? I told everything was going to be fine?" Hikari asked who he presumed to be Sora.

Sora replied, "he needed to hear it?"

Hikari took a step back, unsure, and worried. She rubbed her arm and said, "what if he doesn't like or is scared off?"

Sora smiled softly before placing her hand on Hikari's shoulder to make eye contact. "I gave both of you this talk by now. I told you many times about how romance isn't supposed to be like the movies. You need to not think a relationship is a checklist or has rules of progression. There is nothing wrong with desiring things, Hikari-san. No matter how selfish that sounds. We're adults, not kids. Make yourself happy… in any way you both can."

Sora then hugged Hikari. Hikari's eyes were in shock as she didn't hug back. Sora quickly broke the hug and nodded at the Chosen Child of Light. Sora walked off, leaving Hikari to contemplate.

Daisuke stepped out of the arcade and slowly walked to Hikari who hadn't noticed him. He looked worried before gaining his composure and tapping her shoulder. Hikari flinched with a little yelp before turning over, "Daisuke-san?" She spoke.

Daisuke pointed to the exit of the restaurant, "can we talk?"

Hikari's mouth went flat before nodding with a smile. Daisuke was the first to head to the exit, Hikari following.

The bell from the front door rang and the two young adults were outside of the restaurant. The sunset colored the sky in various oranges. Both could feel the gentle breeze comfort them from the tension slowly growing.

Hikari was the first to break the ice, "so you haven't given me an answer."

Daisuke looked over at her, both staring at each other's eyes. He blushed and smirked, "sorry about that."

Hikari flinched from that as she took a few steps back, flustered. She crossed her arms and said, "I was sad… or mad… or something resembling those things when you didn't give me an answer. I thought things were going to go differently… I thought you were going to be happy." Hikari glared down before her face calmed to a frown, "maybe it's because I said it at the wrong time."

Daisuke rubbed her his neck and replied, "I felt confused and guilty. I don't know… I just never imagined that you would be the one to confess. I was guilty that I wasn't the bold one."

Hikari snorted into a smile before stating, "you don't seem shocked now."

Daisuke chuckled and looked at her, "maybe I'm pretending to be cool. Maybe I'm trying to pretend that I'm not completely shocked that you…" he stopped as he gave a nervous look, "… like me."

He took a deep breath and looked to the side, "Maybe Sora-san was right. I have been thinking about things like I was that kid who had a crush on you. But I'm an adult and I'm realizing that things have changed. My feelings have changed. And that's okay."

Hikari glanced away, "I came to that realization for a while now. I thought about how I felt towards you. What if I date you and you're…"

"Different?" Daisuke questioned.

Hikari nodded, "so much has changed in ten years." She laughed and shrugged, "My thoughts about dating you went from 'I shouldn't' to 'I wouldn't mind' to 'I like'—." And she was cut off from a hug from Daisuke. Her eyes widened in shock, but she soon settled into hugging him back.

As Daisuke broke the hug, they both looked at each other's eyes once again, smiling. Almost feeling as if a spark was set off. "I don't think I deserve to be with you." Daisuke said and Hikari gasped, she took a step back. "Right now, at least…" he said to quell her assumptions. "Let's take it slow at the start of this relationship."

Hikari took a step back and covered her mouth, her eyes began to water, and she weakly let out, "does that mean?"

Daisuke smiled, looking down with his eyes closed. He nodded a few times before looking directly at her eyes and answering, "Yeah."

"I would like to be your boyfriend."