Karilovya101 - Welcome to my lovely story! Now, I do have the original story still up, however, I am currently completely editing it. I decided to publish the newly edited version as a separate, but same-titled, story. If you want to give me any suggestions for a new title please do.
This is a story I wrote when I was in my undergraduate and graduate years. I mainly created this story for fun and for my own enjoyment. When I first wrote this story, I did not keep in mind of certain story elements, especially the flow of the story. I am going to add more relationship tension and also change a bit of the writing style. The first chapter is not completely changed as I wanted to set the stage for the story using this first chapter. I am currently completely editing and changing some events and how the story flows. Not every chapter will be overhauled completely, but there may be some bigger changes.
While I am mentioning the digital world in this story, their Digimon will not be having an appearance in this story. This is because, while I am editing it, I mainly want to finish this story for all those who have been waiting for it to be finished. Despite this, I hope you enjoy it.
Please leave any constructive criticism or love. I have zero tolerance for any flaming comments. I will personally delete them or report them.
Thank you! Please enjoy!
July 18, 2013
The University of Tokyo
Sunday, Early Afternoon
Light blue sky with white wispy clouds with the sun shining throughout during a midday Sunday morning. Nature would be singing in the countryside, while in the city, people were busy soaking in the beautiful day at the park or on their verandas. The air was nice and not too hot or cold.
This was the day that a commencement was to happen for many of the digi-destined, who are now in their mid-twenties. The excitement, anticipation, and anxiety filled the air. Excitement outweighed the tension for what the future may hold as students concentrated on being proud of their accomplishments. Some students found work in their fields, while others will have to work part-time till, they find a full-time career. Others will find themselves in new careers that they never thought they'd discover. Whatever the future holds, each student is at their commencement proud of their achievement.
Koushiro Izumi was standing with his department classmates smiling as he was looking forward to the future. With his black and blue robe and his black cap hiding away his neatly combed brown hair, he stood waiting for his turn to go up the aisle to get his diploma. Koushiro was able to graduate with honors and soon will begin a career at NEC Corporation as a website developer. Right now, he will be obtaining his degree in Software Engineering with a minor in Business Management.
Koushiro felt just as elated as he did when he helped save the world as a digi-destined and someday will start up his own company to study the digital world. Someday, he may even decide to work with the National Data Processing Bureau, but for now he will do what he can at his current upcoming job.
Taichi, Meiko, and Sora were waiting for Koushiro in the old gymnasium where all the graduated students were waiting for their friends. The four of them attended Tokyo University together and although they all were in different departments such as, Sora studied Fashion, Taichi studied Political Science, and Meiko studied Psychology. They spent a lot of time together throughout their university years along with the other digi-destined as well.
"Hey, Kou!" Sora yelled across the gymnasium. Koushiro shook his head as he smiled and walked over. Sora was feeling rather elevated today.
Sora's orange hair had grown to her shoulders and were styled wavy as she wore some simplistic makeup that made her eyes pop. She was wearing a simple black blouse with a red midi skirt with black sandals. A leather jacket was looped around her arm for later use and her purse was hanging from her right shoulder. Sora had gold small hoops in her ears and a gold necklace. Sora was still the tanned, athletically toned woman as she is very health orientated.
"Hey, Sora. No need to shout to me, you know?" Koushiro chuckled to himself.
"Yeah, yeah! Don't blame me for being loud." Sora winked at Koushiro in a playful way while Taichi rolled his eyes as Meiko lightly chuckled along with Koushiro.
"Okay guys, we should probably split up to meet with the family. Kari has been buzzing me like mad to get my ass over to her and our parents." Taichi said in his well-made black suite with a blue tie. Taichi, unfortunately, still has wild spiky hair that just cannot be tamed even with gel. Meiko nodded in agreement with Taichi as she pulled a strand of her black hair out her face.
"Yes, we can all meet up at the restaurant later. Good job guys in graduating." Meiko said calmly with a sweet smile. Meiko had grown into a beautiful and slim woman with some curves. Her body-con blue dress fit her beautifully and her now shoulder-length hair with side swept bangs made her look womanlier. She still wore her thick glasses, but it made her look intelligent and approachable. Sora and Meiko standing next to each other were truly a sight to behold.
"Let's go do that. Meet you guys later!" Koushiro said then turned to walked away. He could hear Sora complain that she wanted to hang out a little longer before meeting with the family. Despite this, the four of them went their separate ways for now. They went outside to the courtyard where family was waiting.
"Koushiro! I am so proud of you! "Mrs. Izumi walked over to Koushiro with a grin on her face. Mr. Izumi walking calmly behind Mrs. Izumi where he had a kind smile on his face as he nodded to Koushiro.
"Your parents would be so proud of you," when Koushiro heard this from his father he felt a slight sting in his heart. Despite, having such loving parents, it is hard not to wonder what might have been if his parents were still around.
"Thank you, dad." They smiled together and gave each other a hug. He went and had a light lunch with his parents then would head off first to his apartment to take a short nap before heading out to meet up with everyone later. He knew they were planning to have a huge feast and lots of drinks together, so he wanted to prepare himself and grabbed himself some hangover drinks at the convenience store nearby for everyone.
He got to the traditional Japanese restaurant and was directed by the staff to the room everyone was in. When he got there Kari, T.K., Yamato, and Sora already have gotten some drinks and were seated. Taichi was probably picking up Meiko while the others were most likely still on their way. Joey probably will be the last to arrive due to his work usually asking him for overtime hours. Joe is currently a doctor at a big-shot hospital in Tokyo. Thankfully, however, he was able to ask someone to cover his night shift so that he can meet everyone for the celebration. As for Mimi, she is in New York City finishing up the last of her degree and unfortunately could not make it due to other obligations. However, she did explicitly ask to be video called to at least see some of the party action.
"Hey! Congratulations Kou!" T.K. was the first to congratulate him and everyone who was there followed suite. Before Koushiro could even sit down, the sliding down slammed open to reveal an out of breath Daisuke and a slightly irritated Ken.
"I have no idea why this fool is so high-strung right now, but someone give him a drink so he can calm down."
"I, I am calm. I just, wow, hold on." Daisuke went to grab a glass a water than Sora was preparing for him in her hands. Ken rolled his eyes and smiled at Sora and Koushiro.
"Congratulations you two. I look forward to your future." Sora laughed.
"Oh, Ken! Thank you." Koushiro smiled while getting comfortable in his seat. T.K. and Kari were staring at Daisuke who sat across from them with questioning eyes. Daisuke put his finger up to indicate his impending explanation.
"Okay…woo, now I can actually fucking breathe. I ran here." Daisuke said bluntly as took a large gulp of water.
"Why run? You aren't even late?" Kari asked.
"Well, you see…."
"This dumbass had his phone remind him of the wrong time, so he thought it was at 6 not 7." Ken said as he poured himself a beer. Everyone chorused an 'ahh' and just nodded.
"Yeah, yeah! I know it's not a big deal, but at least I am early!"
"Yeah, but next time don't come running over to me panicking that we are late with me trying to tell you that we are on time! There are other clocks in our dorm! Ah, by the way, Cody is running late. He's finishing a final assignment."
"Wait, didn't school end for break?" Sora asked Ken.
"Yeah, well the kid wants to go into law school, so he decided to take on an extra online course." Daisuke responded with a shrug. Everyone nodded. Soon, everyone began coming in with Joey and Cody coming in together about an hour late.
"Hey, everyone!" Kari yelled, "Lets toast to our graduates!"
"Wait, wait! We need to call Mimi!" Miyako exclaimed. Koushiro was feeling rather exuberant and along with the others exclaimed yes!
"Hey guys! Congratulations! I am so happy for you all!" Mimi came up on the computer screen that Koushiro brought with him. He sat the closest to the computer to make sure it all went smoothy. Mimi was dressed up from the waist up with a white loose blouse, hair in a half-up down style, big silver hoops and a black chocker. Her red lips smiled at everyone as they yelled their hellos' and thank yous' to Mimi.
"Oh my, you guys look like you are having a blast! Wish I could be there with you!" Mimi exclaimed happily while giggling. Everyone continued the party. Everyone took turns to talk to Mimi and update her on their lives. Soon people started to want to head home as the night got later and the staff at the restaurant started to express restlessness. As they began to get ready to leave, Mimi realized she didn't get a chance to talk with Koushiro as he let everyone take over his computer for a while.
"Hey Koushiro! Call me after this, okay!?" Mimi said, Koushiro was grabbing his computer to say his goodbyes to her. He smiled and nodded as Mimi returned the smile and waved goodbye as she logged off. Soon after, they began to leave the restaurant and pay for their meal and drinks. Cody decided he was going to head on home since he still had to do some leftover homework. Joe had to go to work the next morning, so he tagged along with Cody.
"Good night, you all!" Joe yelled as he walked with Cody. Joe, himself, wasn't completely sober.
"Hey! Let's get another round of drinks!" Taichi yelled.
Taichi was very drunk, and Meiko was trying to keep him from shouting too much. Though, she was ultimately failing. Everyone who was sober by this point just sighed and said all right and made sure that they watched those that were drunk. Kari in response to Taichi's outburst just rolled her eyes while mumbling about how her brother is being an obnoxious idiot. T.K. hearing her grumbling chuckled as he patted her shoulder.
"You guys can go on ahead. I am feeling rather tired and light-headed, so I think, I'll head on home."
Everyone looked at Koushiro like he was crazy. Daisuke who was not even close to sober grabbed both of Koushiro's shoulders and practically yelled in his face.
"Hell no! This is your night, my man! You are gonna, come with us!" Taichi and Daisuke were hugging shoulder to shoulder as they nodded to each other. They both each grabbed Koushiro's arms and dragged him along.
Everyone was still feeling good and followed suite. Meiko, Ken, and Kari being the three most sober decided together that they will team up to watch over them and make sure things don't get too crazy.
Later, the next morning at Koushiro's apartment, he woke up to a raging headache with a dry mouth and throat. He groaned in his bed as he realized he is having a bad hangover. His tie was thrown to the side of the bed and his suite was disheveled as he must've ended up sleeping in it. His hair was an absolute mess. Koushiro decided to get up and take a shower. He checked his phone and noticed he had a text from Mimi.
"Hey, Koushiro! So, when are we having our chat?" Koushiro realized he forgot, the real reason he was going to head home early was so that he could have a chat with Mimi as he didn't want to make her wait. Mimi was impatient at times, and he knew he'd have to call her eventually, however, right now she is asleep so he will wait till later.
After his shower, he walked into his living room to discover Yamato and Taichi were sleeping there. Taichi was on the floor face up with his limbs all spread out and drool dripping from his mouth. Yamato was on the couch on his side with his legs bent and his arms crossed. Koushiro sighed at the scene as he barely remembered what happened last night. Then as he turned from them, he was startled with Kari standing in the kitchen staring at him.
"Dear god! Kari! You're here too?" Kari rolled her eyes as she put the knife down that she was using to cut some bell peppers.
"You don't remember, do you?" Kari raised one eyebrow and continued cutting the bell peppers. Koushiro at first was about to say he didn't but then he groaned out a sigh.
"Oh no…yep…it's coming back."
Koushiro went to his small kitchen table across from where Kari was and sighed as he pulled out a chair, sat down, and remembered.
*NOTE: Italicize this part as its the past*
"Ugh…bro, you are too heavy…. walk damnit." T.K.'s voice said as they walked to the elevator with Kari barely holding onto Taichi with Meiko. Koushiro was being held up by Sora and Ken as he continued to babble about all sorts of nonsense with Sora responding with 'yes', 'oh dear', 'I understand', and other words while Ken looked irritated by the whole thing. Once they all were in the elevator at Koushiro's apartment, they decided it was best to dump Taichi and Yamato there as well. Kari volunteered to stay the night to make sure none of them got into an accident.
They got to Koushiro's front door, and they set Taichi and Yamato down as they looked for Koushiro's keys in his bag. While Ken and Kari were holding up Koushiro as T.K. tried his pockets as Sora and Meiko looked through his bag.
"Dear god…. for someone so smart, he sure is not organized." Sora grumbled to Meiko. Finally, they found his keys in the bag and dragged the three men into Koushiro's apartments.
"I'm staying with them for the night. Let's find spots for Taichi and Yamato to sleep. Koushiro will obviously go in his room. Damn, they all got too drunk, thank god you two were sobering up." Kari directed to Sora, Ken, T.K., and Meiko.
"I hope Miyako is okay taking Daisuke back to your apartment Ken…." Meiko said. Ken shrugged.
"He got drunk on his own and our apartment was walking distance from the restaurant while these three needed transportations to get home."
"True and Koushiro's was the closest." Sora added on. The all nodded to each other.
"Hey, can you guys help me get them settled…. cause I'm not fully sober yet myself and I can't lift a lot." T.K. said to the group. Kari immediately sprang into action to help T.K. with Meiko following suite as Sora and Ken sighed to themselves. They then got everyone settled and Kari let the others leave.
"You sure you don't need me here to help?" T.K. said. Kari shook her head and smiled sweetly at T.K.
"No, thank you, but you have to get home and feed your cat." T.K. sighed and nodded as he softly grabbed her forearm.
"Okay. Call me though if you need anything."
*NOTE: END OF FLASHBACK*
"And….… that's what ended up happening. So here I am, in your kitchen, cooking you boys a hangover breakfast. Here. Drink some water." Kari ended up filling in the missing spots in the story. Koushiro sighed and mumbled a thank you to Kari as he grabbed the cup of water from her.
"Looks like Tai is starting to wake up. Good." Kari said as she walked over to Taichi and practically yelled in his ear.
"Wake up! Breakfast is ready!" Taichi immediately shot up and glared at Kari as he groaned from a headache coming on.
"Damnit Kari…. why'd you do that?" Taichi rubbed his temples.
"Damn…fuck…Kari!" Yamato also woke up thanks to Kari's loud voice. He gradually sat up and glared at Kari.
"Come one. Get up and eat."
"Hey Kou, looks like we ended up at your place." Koushiro slightly smiled and nodded at Taichi. He didn't have much strength to really hold up a conversation and neither did Yamato really.
"Be thankful boys that I am even here to cook and help."
"Yeah, sure…. thanks Kari." Taichi said slightly sarcastically as Kari flicked some water in his face.
"I'll have to call T.K. Let him know you all are alive." Kari said as she set up the table with Taichi helping. They all sat down and ate the food in relative silence as the three boys were too hungover to really function properly. When they finished, before Kari could even begin cleaning the dishes Koushiro came up to her and shooed her out.
"You cooked. I'll clean." Kari smiled at him gratefully.
"Hey, Kari. Let's head home here." Kari glared at Taichi.
"You two need to help clean the kitchen." Yamato sighed and Taichi groaned but they didn't have the energy to complain or fight back. They helped Koushiro out while Kari cleaned up the living room were Taichi and Yamato slept. Kari called T.K. to let him know Yamato is headed home. Later, after the cleaning was finished, the three of them said their goodbyes to Koushiro and left for home.
Koushiro was now left to his own devices, and he felt strangely alone. He didn't realize he was feeling a little melancholic as he sat on his couch. He did have a TV, but no cable. The TV's only function in his apartment is for movies and for his friends when they came over. Koushiro went over to his sliding window that goes out to his small veranda. The air came in and helped Koushiro feel a little better even with the air being slightly cool. Despite feeling a bit withdrawn he was genuinely feeling blessed. The mixture of his emotions was making him feel tired. He opened his phone and created a reminder to call Mimi later, as well as, to contact the digital world. He went to his couch, laid down on the decorative, but strangely comfortable grey pillow, and decided to let himself take a long nap. He smiled as he felt thankful for all his friends.
July 19, 2013
New York City
Thursday Morning
On the other side of the world in New York city, Mimi was in her apartment getting ready for her internship early in the morning. She dressed herself in a simple pink and yellow floral sundress that was mid-thigh length. She wore brown sandals with a simple silver necklace and silver small hoops. Her hair was in a high ponytail with some strands in the front free.
She ate her breakfast and fed her ginger cat. She then began her commute downtown New York City to her job. Mimi found that while she truly loves New York City, she has been wondering if she should move back to Tokyo. Her parents have decided that in the next few years they are going to retire back in Japan, and she doesn't want to be across the globe from them when they get older. The only thing that she has been contemplating is her career. She would be much more successful as a fashion designer in America than she may in Japan, but she can still travel between the countries if she wanted. After all, the company she is currently at was chosen because they have a sister company in Japan so it may be possible to make a transfer. Currently her job is as a designer assistant, and she occasionally helps with office work and organization of documents. Luckily, she was able to get this job because of one of her professors at Pratt University.
"Good morning, Miss Mimi." The front desk agents greeted as she came into the office building. The building was a sky-rise that had various businesses inside of it including a couple restaurants, a cafeteria, a few gyms, and even a rooftop bar and grill on the top floor. Some days she'll go up there and grab herself a cocktail as she typically gets a discount from the bartender.
"Morning!" Mimi said back joyfully with a grin. Mimi always has the motto of being friendly to everyone unless otherwise noted. Some days she will run into rather crabby people, but she tries to keep going about her day and working hard. She went to the elevator and pressed the button for the 25th floor. The company was on two floors, she was going on the second floor where the designers' workshop was at. She greeted the office administrator with another big smile and before she could even reach the stairs up to the workshop, she heard her name being called.
"Mimi!" Mimi turned to see the HR head coming up to her. At first, she was scared that she was being cut, but she quickly shut down that anxiety since the other day they kept on telling her how excited they were about her working with them.
"Good morning, ma'am." Mimi smiled. The HR head bent down to her and in a hushed tone said, "I have something I would like to talk to you about." Mimi nodded and followed the HR head into her office.
It was a nerve-wrecking feeling being called into the office of a boss when you are unsure if you might have done something wrong. Mimi was a little concerned that she might be losing her job, but she was kept reminding herself to breathe and stay calm. As they walked in the office, Mimi sat on the couch in the middle of the room as her HR head sat in the lazy boy across from her. Mimi tried to be as natural as possible as she didn't want to show any anxiety to her boss.
"How are you doing?"
"Oh! I am doing great! I love it here." Mimi grinned. Her boss smiled then continued, "I am glad to hear it. If I remember correctly, you used to live in Japan, correct?" Mimi nodded to her question.
"Yes. I lived there for most of childhood and went there for a couple of years for high school. After that, I came back to New York City."
"Would you be interested in moving back to Japan?" Mimi realized then that she clearly did not do anything wrong, but that there must be something going on with their sister company in Tokyo. Her boss continued.
"I've been recently informed that our sister company in Japan recently opened a new position in Tokyo. It's more of a coordinator job with you being the liaison between us and them. I thought of you and thought you might be interested. You could put in your application. Of course, I will put in a good word for you too. This job also would put you in a full-time position and you would no longer be considered a paid intern."
"Well, I, I'm sorry. Let me have some time to think it over." Mimi was surprised, but didn't want to immediately say yes, until she had a talk with her parents.
"Yes, of course! Though, do let me know by at least mid-next week. I will have to inform the recruiter over there as soon as possible if we have any applicants."
"Of course, I understand." Then her boss let her go back to the studio room and Mimi continued her day as usual. Over the weekend she had a phone conversation with her parents about the possibility of returning to Japan. Her parent, while thrilled, wanted to know more about the job and its benefits. That Sunday morning, she realized she had forgotten about Koushiro's text. She sighed to herself and decided to contact Sora instead of Koushiro first.
"Hey Sora! When you have a moment, can you give me a call back? I want to talk to you about something." Mimi put her phone down, knowing that Sora wouldn't get back to her anytime soon. In the next two hours, her phone rang.
Sora!
"Hey!" Mimi answered.
"Mimi! Hey! Sorry, I was with Yamato. What's going on?" Sora went straight to the point.
"Oh, well, you see there's been a job offer that I am contemplating on."
"Yeah? Go on? Do you not want the job?"
"No! No, that's not it. I just, it would mean me moving back to Tokyo."
"What! Oh my god! That would be amazing!" There was a pause. "Are you not excited Mimi?"
"I, well, it's not that I'm not. It's just not the kind of job I really saw myself in. You know?"
"What is the job?"
"To be a liaison between the two companies."
"Ahhh, okay, yeah. It's not the fashion designer track you wanted is it."
"No, but I also have been wanting to return to Japan too. This my chance to do so, but I don't know." Sora took a moment to pause and think in response. Mimi also needed a moment to think.
"Well," Sora started then Mimi started with "I..."
"Oh! Continue!" Mimi said.
"No, you first!"
"No, I insist!" Sora slightly sighed to herself.
"Well, I think, that it's really up to you. You can always find a way back into being a fashion designer. We are still so young after all."
"Yeah, that's true." Mimi paused then before Sora could even respond, Mimi suddenly yelled, "You know what! I think have made my decision!"
"Oh, uh yeah?"
"Yes! Thank you, Sora!" Mimi quickly hung up before Sora could even get another word in. Sora was a little annoyed, but then laughed, knowing that the likely hood of Mimi coming back was now tenfold.
Once Monday morning rolled in, Mimi went straight to her HR boss's office. She quickly knocked on the door and was granted permission to come in.
"Oh, Mimi! Lovely to see you."
"Yes, ma'am, I want to let you know my answer to what we discussed last Thursday."
"Oh! Lovely! Please continue."
Mimi looked at her boss in the eyes and said, "I would like to apply."
Karilovya101 - Alright! That's the edited version of the first chapter. Currently, I am almost finished with chapters 2 & 3 and will be posting them this week. If I have not, do not hesitate to remind me of my promise. My goal is to finish this story by the end of November. Thank you all!
