The last round, the final frontier, and a very important last step. Each youth would enjoy one last meal before the battle had begun. Be it the private school Ruki attended or the public one where he friends resided, tensions were sky high from one school to another. Ruki's family all offered her words of encouragement. Just mere moments before her first test had begun, she had been given more. "Remember, you can do this. I'll waiting for you when you're done, but I know you can do it." Said Renamon in the usual telepathic messages the two shared. Ruki sighed. "Thank, you Renamon." "Of course." Today each of the young adult tamers faced the final challenge and the one that would define the future of each. The digimon had each wished they could do more for them, but this was their fight and their fight alone. Stressing over it would only make things worse. This left each with a fair gap of free time. Most would remain at home. Renamon, of course, would return to Ruki's side in do to. For now she chose to roam the town while her best friend and lover each fought their last academic battles. For a day so tense for the humans, Renamon found it otherwise pleasant. The temperature was fair, the light gusts of win upon her fur felt nice, and the general atmosphere seemed pleasantly calm on the rooftop she sat on. Of course the life of a city was always busy and chaotic, but it never seemed to bother her and especially not today. She would roam the streets from the shadows as she'd often done. She didn't know where she was going, she simply roamed to kill time between now and when she was told Ruki's testing would end. She would drift from one little place to the next. Without realising it, she'd crossed over into a different school ground, one for much younger students. It became clear just which one she'd reached when she saw Impmon sitting just outside one of the classrooms. He was brash and perhaps not as stealthy as say Renamon, but did what he could to stay hidden while looking after his partners. They would face a far, far tamer series of tests. Ones that merely indicated the next important steps into education as opposed a life-changing event like their elder students.
Oh to be young...
"Fancy meeting you here." Renamon spoke from atop a nearby tree. Impmon, surprised, jerked his head and nearly fell back. "Why you gotta surprise me like that, fox-face?" She laughed. "I guess I'm good at that." There were a few words passed between them. Impmon wasn't the chattiest of his kind, but felt a greater level of trust with Renamon than some. He vaguely spoke of his fears of his past actions before quickly brushing that topic aside. He wouldn't show too much weakness. What he would happily share was the recent changes with his partner. Ai and Mako had began defending themselves far better and did so without shaking up the rigid system Japanese children where educated within too much. It wasn't an easy thing to learn, but the two early teens seemed better for it. Both were learning more practical skills in and out of school and the little demon digimon simply couldn't deny how well it made him feel, even if it meant less time with them. Renamon smiled. "Perhaps they are slowly changing for the better. That reminds me of a certain someone I know. Hmm, I can't imagine who, but he's a pipsqueak." "Who you calling small?" Impmon fired back. Maybe she'd hit a nerve in him, but he quickly learned it was harmless teasing and her way of complimenting him. She would speak of her own tamer's educational hardships and that of her friends. She couldn't entirely avoid expressing worry, but Impmon could only barley detect some of it from her often stone-cold expression. Curiously, she seemed different. She was the same digimon he'd known for years, but something was different. It reminded him of how she was when she had first returned to the human realm. She may not have been easy to read, but he knew her better than some. "You seem kinda happy." "Why wouldn't I be? It's a nice day out." Impmon looked slightly annoyed. "That ain't what I meant, toots." "Then what do you mean. I'm the same as I always am." Impmon didn't like that response, but responded more calmly. "Nah, I mean, you seem, happier or something? I don't know dames like you are weird, but ya seem like ya had a good day, had your favourite meal or something." He saw Renamon blink. His words were finally resonating with her. "Do, I now?" She asked. "Well duh, dumbass." Impmon replied. "After all that going on about your partner and worrying you seem pretty chill, even for you. I ain't complaining but I also kind of wonder what got into to you to change things." "I haven't changed." "You have. Not much and it ain't a problem. It's none of my business, but yeah, but you look happier. You're still you, but different either way." He noticed as well. He didn't show the same suspicion Ruki had, but Impmon knew there was something different about her, however subtle. She knew she was happier but never considered how she'd shown it outwardly. He couldn't be wrong either, he knew her a bit better than the other digimon did. It got the fox thinking. They would share a few more casual words before she took off. She would vanish with a simply "farewell" but in her mind, she thanked him. The hours pressed on. Renamon would spend just a few more minutes in the city before returning to Ruki. On the path back to Ruki's school Renamon would lift herself up for a quick stretch before she departed. That is until something caught her eye. It was a sizeable yen note just left on the ground. While it had a scent on it, it was too faint to identify and in a place as dense as this there was little hope for her to identify the previous owner. "I suppose Ruki could use it." She said casually slipping the money into one of her gloves before continuing her path back.
Problem after problem, question after question, the young adult tamers pushed onward. From one difficult equation to peculiar suggestion, each handle the various elements of their assignments. One after another, one task and then on to the next. Then, finally, after many hours, each tamer breathed a heavy sigh of relief as their academic tasks were finally completed. Renamon locked eyes on Ruki as she was just leaving. She seemed mentally exhausted, yet also satisfied. They would not simply return home and stay, oh no, Ruki had other plans and Renamon was on board with them. After a few familial discussions and a change of clothes for Ruki, the two were off. The hours past and the sun seemed very ready to rest. Not that it mattered, no one cared. Each Tamer would meet up for some kind of friendly comfort. In a station located somewhere in the centre area of the different schools Ruki and her friends had gone, they gathered before heading towards a special restaurant. It was one they'd all agreed to celebrate the end of the academic hardships at. Each had chipped in to order a table in a series of of tables within a private corner on the far end. One where their digimon could join them in peace.
Ruki wore a familiar heart shirt that brought a comforting nostalgia for her friends, especially Takato. A friend was just what everyone needed right now. Though one member of the group in particular focused less on his human friends, and more the vulpine accomplice of Ruki. His eyes never left hers. The two would carefully avoid suspicious. The only really "off" indicator between them was Renamon asking for Jenrya's culinary recommendations along with Ruki. However this was only "strange" to a minority of the group, and barely. The other digimon in particular only seemed to care what they'd be fed, perfect. Everyone who was presented was at ease. Hirokazu and Ryo were the only ones absent, but it didn't lower the spirits of their friends. Each casually discussed their various academic hells while feasting. Takato seems slightly more openly affectionate toward Ruki than she'd hope. Not that things between them by this point weren't obvious to her friends, but she still felt that way. The occasional couple jokes thrown their way by Kenta and Juri left both embarrassed. It also gave the other, less widely know couple at the table semi-rare moments to exchange looks. Both knew they couldn't hint anything peculiar, but the presence of the other was enough. Instead that would do the thing that started their relationship, friendly conversations. Ruki found it slightly strange how Renamon was a bit more talkative than usual, any amount above the bare minimum. Takato had already know about their occasional chats and didn't expect a thing. It was just two friends talking and little more. Ruki didn't know what to think, but didn't suspect much nor did she care at the moment. Much to the dismay of some, alcohol was ordered for some of the guests. Kenta, Takato and Juri would object. Marineangemon, Guilmon, and Terriermon were specifically asked not to try it, but the others seemed open to it. There was an awkward laugh from Jenrya and a similarly off expression on the face of Renamon. Jenrya looked the vixen in the eye while casually promising to imbibe the bare minimum. Ruki, went a bit further. Perhaps she'd gone too far. Reluctantly, Renamon took a sip of the fine sake her partner passed her way. It was quite soothing to the tongue. It was leagues above what she'd sipped the night prior. Alcohol was still something Renamon was both very unfamiliar with and largely disinterested in, but this was nice. She remained coherent when going for a second drink. Her partner, however, was a different story. She'd comsumed considerably more alcohol than anyone else in the group. Ruki had finished her meal flustered and slurring her words. Renamon sighed. As annoying as it was, perhaps this wasn't so bad. In the partially intoxicated eyes of Ruki, her partner saw something she'd longed for. A lot of that stress and anxiety she'd worn for the months leading up to now was simply not here. The same could be said for Jenrya. Thankfully, Renamon saw far greater coherency than her previous encounter with him. He'd barely finished his drink before he was up with Renamon helping to see if Ruki could even stand. Ultimately, while not fond of alcohol, Juri found the display amusing. Kenta didn't know what to think and Takato, well, he sat there and saw more and more how cut loose his girlfriend became by the second. She was still the same tough woman he'd know since his youth, but she was so much more casual now, so open. She'd lightly push her partner and friend aside to wrap her arms around him. "Mannnnnnnnn, you're greattt..." She said while laying on him. Renamon and Jenrya let out simultaneous chuckles. Juri seemed happy. "I'm glad you two are open about it now." She said offering her own giggle. Takato would ask Ruki to calm down, but she wasn't budging. She threw a kiss on his cheek. Her closeness, kiss and breasts pressing against him left the young man with conflicting feelings. That was when Renamon intervened again. "Perhaps it's time we get you home. Eventually, she and Takato would pry Ruki off of him. Jenrya sighed. "I mean, that sake is good, but I didn't know she liked it THAT much, wow." "Indeed." Responded Renamon who took Ruki in her arms. "Don't worry about her share, I'll cover it." Jenrya offered. Renamon looked back at him."Ah, oh." Right, payment..." Ruki had paid much of the reservation fee but seemed unable to do much in her current state. "Or I can." Offered Takato. Renamon looked at the two young men, one far more than the other. "You two are good friends to her, all of you." "You're a pretty good friend yourself, Renamon." Jenrya responded. While no one disagreed, his immediate response seemed a little off to his friends. She smiled back at him. "Thank you, Jenrya." She replied. "Oh! Wait a moment..." Much to the curiosity of her friends, Renamon pulled down her glove to reveal the yen note she'd previously found. "I have no use for this and would have given it to her, but perhaps it's best I give it to you. "Takato took the money confused, but pleased. "Oh uh, huh, thanks, Renamon." "Course course." She turned her head to Jenrya one last time. "See you soon." She muttered before vanishing with Ruki in her arms. Juri bid the two farewell before leaving for the restroom "When'd you get so friendly with Renamon?" Asked Terriermon. "I uh..." After a moment of awkward silence he gave his reply. "I mean, she doesn't talk much, but she has a lot to say when she does, ya know? It's weird but she's a very interesting person to talk to. Yeah..." Takato agreed. The others thought little of it with Terriermon as the sole exception. He found it odd that his tamer seemed so uneasy when speaking of her. "Leeeeee." He asked. "Yeah?" "Why is your face little redder?" Fighting back his urge to panic, the young man found a quick excuse. "Cause...that curry was really hot!" He quickly leapt up from his seat to find and ask the nearest waitress for a cold drink waving his face quickly to play into the act. Terriermon wasn't entirely convinced, but the others seemed to buy it well enough. The hours came and went. The party would each chip in what they could for the bill before going their separate ways. Terriermon would sit on Jenrya's back as he often did on their walk home. Something within him really, really wanted to question his partner again. Was he keeping a secret from him? Was it even important? To his partner's fortune, Terriermon chose not to question him that night. Both were stuffed full of food and quite drowsy. He wasn't the only one. Once home, the others were quick to pass out as well. Renamon had been the first home, but the last to sleep. She checked on Ruki one more time to see if she was safe. She was sleeping soundly on her side just as the fox had left her. "I'm sure you will simply love the story the others have for you tomorrow." She giggled before leaving the human to retire to her own confines.