The sound of heavy rain was heard throughout the lobby as people loitered around in hopes that the sky would clear. She on the other hand already prepared to leave as she held an umbrella inside of her hand. She wasn't going to bring an umbrella with her at first, to be honest, she hadn't known that she owned one. He had waited by the door with it in his hand as he wished her off with a good day.
As she stepped out into the world, heavy rain was all she felt as it pelted against her umbrella and legs. The sloshing of the water that had already begun to flood the ground sounded in her ears like a soft melody. She had drowned the world out not noticing that her name was being called until a hand grabbed her shoulder.
"Yuki!"
She blinked as she stopped to turn around to answer the boy that had called her, Yes that boy, the one who seemed to follow after her like a puppy. The one with muted ginger hair that looked to never have seen a brush but only fingers that tried to tame it. Keiichi was his name, he was two years younger than her with eyes that burned orange. Currently, an awkward smile was placed on his face as he used one hand to keep his raincoat hood on his head.
He backed away as soon as she turned to look at him, awkwardly scratching at his cheek as he avoided eye contact with her."I didn't think you'd rush out so quickly with the rain pouring down like this."
Yes, the rain that was currently soaking them both of them no matter how much protection they seemed to have against it. She lifted her umbrella just enough so that she could glance up at the dark clouds that filled the sky. "Yes, I suppose I was rushing, I wanted to return this umbrella as soon as possible."
He seemed to jolt backward as his eyes fell to the mini river on the ground."I don't mean to keep you, I just wanted to say that you did great at practice today like always." She glanced at him."You as well, good day Keiichi."
With that, she walked off as she pretended not to hear his not-so-silent cheers. As she walked the rain only seemed to fall harder as the road in front of her began to become hard to see. She was not sure how or when but somehow ended up running down the streets as her hand gripped the umbrella tightly. As she turned that all-familiar corner she skidded to a stop as she struggled to catch her breath. Just how long had she been running? She was never out of breath that quick, she prided herself on her alethic body and stamina.
Either way, she ended up leaning against the side of the old brick building as she waited. She waited until the sound of the heavy door dragging against the ground flowed into her ears along with a confused hum. She would simply turn to look at him as he quickly put his cigarette bud out on the wall of the building. He to her was what most would call a father and her to him a daughter, though they never called each other that way.
He huffed out the last smoke remaining."Brat what are you doing here?"
She would stand straight as she held the umbrella out to him. She would only speak once it was in his rough hands covering the both of them."We don't own two umbrellas."
He wasn't the type of person who would openly express his emotions or gratitude over most simple things like this one, but neither was she. They both knew that he understood what she had meant, so they both continued on their way home huddled up under a too-small umbrella that would end up protecting her more than him. This was a silence that she didn't think she'd grow to miss, at least not so soon.
When they got home they both went their separate ways to dry off from the rain. Their house is what one could only describe as open. She wasn't blind to the fact that they were a well-off rich family, with Shin working as a personal bodyguard for a very important family. To be honest, Shin hadn't put his money to use before she had come into the picture, only then did he come to his senses and buy a house that wasn't falling apart. The house he had brought for them was very open with little walls and many floor-to-roof windows. It made the house appear bigger than it was as it only had two stories with no basement. The ground floor belonged to Shin as the second floor only held her room and the bathroom where everything else was a balcony that she had chosen to fill with the most comfortable cushions.
Her room was also open as it was longer than it was wide, though still wide enough to fit her queen-sized bed with more than enough walk space to get passed it. Her floor was a blueish marble with her walls painted white just like the rest of the furniture in her room. Her walls curved into the ceiling along with some of all of the windows, her walls were more slanted than straight. She didn't have any colorful long curtains to cover her window as they were only not long enough but also had automatic blinds, white of course. Her room was of course filled with the colors pure white and only pastel blue.
Her bed was covered with pastel blue sheets with the same color pillowcases and blanket. She had several white-snuffed throw pillows and plushies that lay on her neatly fixed bed. She had a fluffy white runner rug that was the entire length of the end of her bed and a pair of white fluffy slippers on the side of the bed where she slept. Her closest was an opened shelf display that was built onto the wall next to the door of her room. Her clothes that hung on display were a range of different white and blues, she kept her other colored clothes like black in the draws of the shelf. Her desk was in the shape of an L and pressed up against the connecting walls at the end of her room. Her desk was filled with several clear storage and organizing containers that were filled with any supplies that she would need for any kind of work. She didn't own any stationery that easily white, blue, black, or gray.
Most bright colors made her dizzy which is why she went out of her way to avoid them in her own comfort space. The colors always felt overwhelming for her, especially in places like the ice rink where it was already hard to focus on keeping her balance. Most people always praised her for how brave she was to continue figure skating after her accident. Though she didn't see it that way, skating was just something that had always calmed her no matter what was on her mind. But people never wanted to understand her point of view instead they just cheered her on and painted her as some kind of young celebrity that inspired even younger children.
Letting those thoughts drift she quickly changed into a pair of high-waisted white leggings and a loose pastel blue sweater. She let her hair down from its ponytail so it would hang back to its original length by her thighs. Her hair was what felt like the darkest color of black, it was perfectly straight with more value than frizz. She had curtain bangs that fell past her eyes that she always kept trimmed to the same perfect length. Sometimes she would clip them to the side of her head with butterfly-styled clips that were gifted to her by Shin.
She went down the steps and to the front door where she sat down to put on a pair of blue and white platform sneakers. She made her way out the door and into the car where Shin was already waiting for her. Contrary to her Shin was always surrounded by the color black, like his wardrobe she was almost sure didn't have any color in it besides black.
He drove the car throughout the city as the rain continued to fall from the sky. He would glance at her from the side of his eyes."Are you still sure you want to go through with this? Someone else from the family can still take this position."
Her hands gripped each other in her lap as she stared down at her fingernail beds."I was the most compatible with the new Digivice during testing, it has to be me." A silence fell over the car as they continued to drive to their destination. A tall and famous building would stand tall in front of them as they held their umbrellas. It was a building that she was used to seeing as she had begun to spend a lot of her time here. As they entered the building the lobby was lively with people as the building was never quite empty.
"Oh, you guys are right on time!" A cheerful voice called out to them from behind the front desk. A blonde lady would step from behind the desk to begin walking them toward the staff elevator. As they shuffled into the elevator the lady inserted her keycard into the single slot among the number dial for the several floors that filled this building. The card slot would glow green before they began to descend further down into the building. "Oh Yuki you must be so excited that there will finally be more kids added onto the project without you, I can't imagine if when I was your age I got the opportunity to do such a fun thing with all my friends." She would glance at the lady before turning back to face the elevator door."Yes, that is correct."
The lady would awkwardly smile before she'd shyly glance up at Shin who stood leaning back against the wall with his arm crossed over his chest showing his sleeves of tattoos."Oh, Mr. Erwin, you must be so proud of your daughter, I can't imagine how sad it must be that her mother couldn't be here to witness it all but I think Yuki is truly a wonderful girl sometimes I wish she was my daughter."
Shin would smile as he placed his arm around her shoulder and then turned to look at the lady."Sarah is it?" The lady now Sarah would drop her smile with a twitch to her eyebrows as she let out an awkward giggle."Ah yes, it is, a boring name for such a pretty nametag."
Yuki would glance at the lady and then her name tag, so they did wear name tags guess they just never cared enough to notice. "Well Sarah I am indeed very proud and you know it's funny you mention her mother because we'll both be seeing her right after we're done here and we're both very excited, isn't that right dear?" She would glance at Shin before plastering a large smile as she turned to the lady."Yes, I'm so excited to see Mother, We've been so busy that we haven't been able to see her but I know she has missed us."
The elevator fell into silence as she and Shin continued to smile at the lady until the elevator door slid open. They would both step out of the elevator with one long step at the same time turning to wave goodbye to the desk lady who still seemed frozen in shock. As the door closed they both dropped their arms and smiled at the same time with an annoyed sigh.
"It is so beautiful! You both so in sync with each other the perfect daddy-daughter duo!" They would turn to see Val in front of them with a white lab coat dabbing a tissue to his eyes while tears streamed down his face most dramatically. This man with brightly dyed lilac hair tied into a single braid that laid over his shoulder is her manager. However, he is also one of the top researchers that work in this lab. Shin walked over and snatched the box of tissues out of Val's hand."Quit it we have work to do."
Val smiled while stuffing the tissue inside his pocket before walking down the hall with them following him. Eventually, they made their way to the end of the hall where the familiar double doors stood. She had seen the doors several times but had never gone inside as she had only been here for testing equipment before. Val takes out a keycard and slides it to open the door but only holds the door slightly ajar so they aren't able to see inside. Val turned to look at her as he held the door handle."Shin and I will be on the observation deck so you'll be able to be alone with the Digimon, make sure to take your time since there is no rush."
And with that, he opened the door fully and let her walk inside before shutting it behind her. The room was covered in grass and trees to the point that it felt like she was truly outside. Some trees had small treehouses attached to them while there were also little nests in the corners filled with different colored eggs. She carefully made her way over to one of the trees in the room while watching the ground to make sure that she wouldn't accidentally step on one of the Digimon. Once she made her way over to the tree she stood frozen as she watched as all the Digimon waddled and jumped around the room hoping that one would walk up to her and choose her.
As a tiny green slime made its way over to her foot she closed her eyes hoping that it would stick to her. However, with one bump against her shoe, it seemed to decide that she wasn't interesting enough. With a dejected sigh, she made her way into the treehouse with the hopes of not being seen through the giant glass window. The inside of the treehouse was small so she ended up curled up in a fetal position as she stared at the wooden planks on the floor. This was supposed to be easy for her, after all, she was from a family that's been DigiKnights for generations. Out of all her siblings she had been the one chosen only for her to fail.
She blinked as a white blob rolled until it hit the side of her shoe. She lifted her head to see the white blob struggle to get back up right side up. Gently she lifted the Digimon and placed it back on its bottom. As the Digimon turned to stare at her with its wide eyes she offered it a smile and shrug."I know what it's like to fall and struggle to get up, it happens to me a lot." Seeing as the Digimon didn't move she reached her hand out to try and pat it on the head only for it to jump and run out of the treehouse. Once again dejected she placed her head inside her knees and lowered her hand to the floor of the treehouse.
A soft bump against her hand made her raise her head once again. This time instead of one there were two baby Digimon that sat in front of her. The same one from before was by her hand and rubbing against it. She lifted her hand and hesitantly held it in the air only for the Digimon to bump its head against her palm. As that Digimon cuddled up to her hand she turned to the Digimon that was pitch black in coloring and just stared up at her. Once again she held out her other hand towards the Digimon in hopes that it wouldn't run away like the other one did. She smiled when the Digimon bumped her palm instead of running. As she pats the two it finally dawned on her what kind of Digimon they both were."Oh, you both of Botamon species aren't you." She turned to look at the white Botamon."But your furr is white so you must be a YukimiBotamon then."
They both moved from under her hand and for a split second she thought that they were going to run again but was surprised when they both sat in front of her. They both blinked up at her ice-blue eyes and seemed to wait for something. She blinked."Oh, I suppose I should give you names now." She looked at the white Botamon."Well, it would be awkward to call you Yuki so how about Kimi instead." She then looked at the other one."And for you, I think Bani will do."
She nodded and pointed and the white one."Kimi" Instead of what she had been expecting the Black one jumped up and squeaked." Eh no your Bani." Once again instead of black, white jumped with a squeak."Wait no your Kimi, not Bani." It went on like this for longer than she would like to admit before she gave up. Though they both seemed to enjoy the little game that they had created. She pointed to the white Botamon."Bani" Then to the black Botamon."Kimi"
When they both jumped up and down at their new names she let out a tired laugh at the fact that they were both finally happy with their names. Making her way out of the tree house with them both following she let out a breath when she could finally stretch her legs and back. Picking Bani and Kimi both up she walked towards the middle of the room so she was facing the two-way window. Standing there as she cradled the two inside her arms she gestured towards the doors with her head. She barely had to wait a minute as the door was thrown open and a grinning Val called her out.
Outside Val pulled on Shin's arm as he pointed towards the Digimons in her arms."Can you believe it Shin she managed to get not one but two Digimon to choose her!" Shin pushed Val off of his arm with a roll of his eyes before turning to her with a small smile."Congrats you earned it."
She lowered her head to hide her flushed face."Thank you." Bani and Kimi pressed up against her cheeks as her face flushed further. When a hand landed on her shoulder she turned to see Val standing next to her will a smile on his face."Let's go to the lab so we can get you paired with your Digivices."
She nodded to him as they all walked down the halls to get to the lab and research room where other researchers sat at their stations completing whatever work needed to be done. She was led to a table that was lined up with various Digivices of different colors. Placing Kimi and Bani down on the table she turned to face Val and waited for him to explain before proceeding. "Well, you know pretty much everything about the Digivices so now all that's left for you to do is pick out your one."
He randomly picked up one of the phones Digivices and held it up in the air with the case facing her as he showed off the color."What about this one, it's the perfect shade of forest green to make you feel closer to the earth." She shook her head as she turned back to the table to watch as Kimi and Bani searched the Digivices seriously while trying to find a color. Her eyes scanned the table until a blue so pale that it was almost white caught her eye. She picked up the phone Digivice and showed Val."This one, I'll take this one."
Val looked at it and nodded his head while holding his chin." Ah yes that one, that shade of blue is called Alice Blue, the purest of blue as I like to say." With his arms crossed Shin peaked over her shoulder."It suits you."
Suddenly the doors to the room opened and a browned-haired man that they all knew as Dr. Mori barged through. His eyes frantically searched the room before his eyes finally landed on a wide-eyed Val."You, we have a problem." Dr. Mori grabbed Val's wrist and dragged him towards the door as Val struggled to stay on his feet as he shouted."Leanna be a dear and help Yuki get situated!"
A dark skin girl with vibrant dark blue eyes and hair tied into two high twin tails popped her head up from behind her desk. She saluted to Val and Mr. Mori as they both exited the room before standing up from behind the desk. When Leanna stood Yuki noticed that the girl wasn't wearing a lab coat and looked much more confident and laidback than the other scientist in the lab. She approached them with a wave and grin as she turned to examine her two Digimons. Leanna let out a whistle" A Botamon and YukimiBotamon, I'm impressed I can't wait to see how they evolve."
Leanna turned to Shin with a grin as she looked him up and down."Long time no see Shin, I see time has been nothing but kind to you." Yuki turned to look at Shin in surprise. Noticing her face Shin let out a breath."Leanna here is an ex DigiKnight, Don't let her cheekiness fool you, she was the leader of her squad back in the day."
Leanna groaned as she stuck out her tongue in a fake gag."Mah, you make me sound so old, I only hit 20 a couple of months ago." Leanna turned to the table and picked up a Digivice watch that matched her phone in color. She held the watch out for Yuki to take, which she did." If you have any questions about anything I'll try to help as much as I can."
Yuki placed the watch on her wrist and watched as the screen activated and connected to the phone in her hand."I know I'll be working with others around my age, how many were on your team with you?" Leanna seemed surprised at her question but she still answered."There were five of us during my time, but I can't say just how many there will be for you. It is up to the Digimon after all."
"Leanna miss a call for you!" One of them ran up to them and handed Leanna an actual real phone before backing up slightly while she waited for the phone back. Yuki and Shin quietly watched as Leanna talked on the phone with several nods before hanging up and giving the phone back to the scientist. Leanna waited for the scientist to leave before turning to look at her with a smile."Looks like you are about to find out just of many teammates you have soon, Everyone is on their way towards the lab so we can start the briefing."
As she said that the doors to the lab opened and three people walked in. The most obvious and notable people were Dr. Mori and Val. However, walking in behind them was a boy she was familiar with carrying a green Digimonon on his shoulder and Digivice in his hand. The Digivice in his hand was the one that Val showed her and probably didn't have the chance to put it back down. As the boy closer to her he seemed less surprised to see her than she was to see him. She looked at the fabric mask on his face before looking back up."Milo, you too?"