Chapter 17

Daisuke and Rei were not driving. There was a chauffeur currently taking them to their destination. Albeit cause of the snow, the car ride was slow.

Daisuke glanced over a few times at Rei who was sending messages on her phone.

"Rei…" Daisuke spoke up.

Rei put her phone down and smiled, "yes?"

Daisuke looked down, "don't mean to be rude, but didn't you want to talk about something?"

Rei nodded, "yes, I just wanted to see if you were going to speak up. So shy now, huh?" She asked as Daisuke could only shrug. "I talked with Koushiro-san… I don't expect you to tell me the reason you left. Honestly, I just thought you became a shut in."

Daisuke sighed, "I wish that were the case."

Rei continued, "I'm certainly not the girl you got pregnant and left on her own." Daisuke's eyes winced as Rei said, "Senpai… I know you're… I wouldn't say innocent, but I know you're not this bad person that just left."

Daisuke looked over, "and how you say that."

Rei grabbed the goggles around her neck, "you still have that same fire. Behind all that glum and sadness. I can still see the one who was a Chosen Child without his Digimon saving a girl who didn't want to lose hers." Daisuke didn't say a word back, "do you wish the others saw you this way too?"

Daisuke replied, "like you said. You weren't the girl pregnant with my child."

Rei looked and nodded, "right, but… I am the one who will help you accommodate your life back…" Daisuke glanced over as she gave finger guns, "ha! Amazing transition, right?" Daisuke was confused as Rei pulled out a folder. On the front was a stapled paper reading, 'Digital Fight Program'.

Daisuke raised a brow.

Rei leaned herself on the car, "this is a program I founded. Well volunteered, but you get what I mean…" she snickered as Daisuke began to open the folder. "It's essentially the equalizer. Years ago, Digimon were sent to the Digital World by the World's order. They were too dangerous in the hands of children and on their own. Well, this is a program meant to equalize that. See what you learn is that the world doesn't want reassurance, it wants safety."

Daisuke looked over, "isn't that the same thing?"

Rei giggled, "sort of. It's easy to tell someone they'll be safe… they'll be good… they'll be… you know… whatever. It's different when you do something to prove to the humans that in case the Digimon rebelled, they can be a way to fight back. The issue started with the over dependance of Digimon while the threat of them turning could be real. Also, the scenario of what if all the good Digimon disappeared and an evil BelialVamdemon level threat came to be."

Daisuke looked at the folder, "suits?"

Rei grabbed the folder and said, "it's a lot. This paper has a lot of legal jargon that took Gennai-sama years to convince multiple governments to agree on. Heck, some countries don't know this is going on."

Daisuke looked over, "and what does this have to do with me?"

Rei snorted, "isn't it obvious. I want you to be a part of this."

Daisuke looked at Rei, then at the folder and then said, "I have a daughter to support…"

Rei groaned to interrupt Daisuke. "Listen, this isn't a job to make rent. This is a job meant for people willing to put their lives on the line. And it pays for such. If I could, I could pay off all the Chosen Children's expense for the next decade."

Daisuke looked curious as Rei nodded.

"Putting your life on the line… it is something you did when you were far too young. Right?"

"I have a child…"

Rei sighed and said, "Senpai, I need you trust me on this. I mean it. Please, let me help you in many ways. I can wire the money to Hikari's account, and you don't see a cent barring daily expense. You will be able to see Miyuki daily. And in times you don't, it will be a week separation. I swear."

Daisuke looked over and said, "you promise Hikari-san would get the money?"

Rei nodded and said, "Senpai, I believed you when I last saw Pescimon. Can you believe me, now?"

Daisuke looked down and thought about a lot of things. Seeing Miyuki and Hikari pop up in his head, he looked at Rei and gave a slow nod.

"Good, I will pick you up at Hikari's apartment tomorrow." She said as Daisuke then looked over to see that he had arrived at his parent's home.

Daisuke smiled lightly and said, "thank you for this."

Rei giggled, "not a problem." Daisuke then opened the door and exited the vehicle. He closed the door gently before seeing the window pull down. Rei's face popping up and saying, "eat more by the way. No, I'm serious. You need to get back the sport physic. It will benefit you."

Daisuke chuckled and nodded before waving. Rei waving before pulling the window up. The car soon departed from its location, Daisuke saw it turn into another road before leaving his sight completely. He heard the door open and turned around to see both his parents standing confused.

Daisuke looked at them.

Daisuke's mother first asked, "is everything okay? Who was that?"

Daisuke rubbed the back of his head and said, "a friend. It's a long story and I'm guessing Jun-san told you what happened to me." The parents then looked at each other and nodded, Daisuke sighed and said, "well, let's go inside and have lunch before I explain what's going to happen to me."

Daisuke's father nodded and opened the door wide, "s-sure, what would you like to eat son_"

Daisuke couldn't help to smile, "just a lot of food. I… I think I need to start working out too." And with that Daisuke entered his parent's home, ready to relay what occurred after he left home the day before.

Hikari paced back and forth from the front door. Occasionally glancing outside the window to see if she could spot a glimpse of where Daisuke could be. It got to the point where Miyuki spoke up, "Mommy?"

Hikari looked over at her confused daughter who was holding a blanket.

Hikari smiled, "Oh, Miyuki-san, hungry?"

Miyuki raised a brow, "Mommy, we just ate lunch."

"Right!" Hikari replied immediately, "lunch was about an hour ago. And breakfast was about 5 hours ago… and that's how long he's been gone…" she began to murmur to herself.

Miyuki could only stare in confusion at her mother before saying, "do you want to watch something with me?"

And before Hikari could reply, there was a knock at the door. Hikari rushed and unlocked the door before opening the door wide.

It was Daisuke as he blinked in confusion from the intensity of the door opening.

Daisuke smiled lightly, "Oh, you do live here…"

"Dai-san!" Miyuki jumped up in excitement.

Hikari composed herself, crossing her arms and looking away, "I see you have returned…"

Daisuke nodded, "right, am I still allowed to come in."

"Of course," both Hikari and Miyuki said with different tones. Miyuki reached and grabbed Daisuke's hand to pull him in. Hikari, on the other hand, was keeping her distance from him. Simply observing him.

He made sure to not stumble, "right, sorry I am late. I was talking to my parents," Daisuke had a small backpack with him.

Hikari frowned and asked, "so, what did Rei wanted to talk to you about?"

Daisuke unstrapped the bag pack and placed it beside a coat hanger. He looked over at Hikari and said, "Rei-san wanted to hire me to join the Digital Fight Program."

"What!?" Hikari responded.

Miyuki looked over at her mother, "mommy, what is that?"

Hikari had a glare before looking away, "it's a program for… for adults." She knew Miyuki needed to hear this part first. "That people are trained to wrangle dangerous Digimon. It's a dangerous job for anyone to be in." She said glaring at Daisuke.

Daisuke looked down, "it pays well, and I mean… dangerous is something I am used to."

Hikari stepped forward, "yes, but dangerous isn't the life someone with a child should be doing…" silence before Hikari continued, "w-which is why I didn't join in despite being a Chosen Child. I wanted to be safe with my child."

Miyuki was still bright eyed from the idea.

Hikari groaned, "Miyuki-san, please go watch television. Daisuke and I will join you, I just need to give him some house rules." Miyuki nodded and then made her way to the living room. Hikari and Daisuke made eye contact before Hikari said, "bring your bag pack. Need to show you the place…"

"R-Right," Daisuke went to pick up his bag pack. He then followed Hikari who made her way to what seemed to be her room. It was Daisuke's parents' old room. How different it looked, but the bed was king size, meant for two people. But before he could focus on that, he saw Hikari holding the door.

Daisuke entered, closing his eyes before he heard the door shut.

"The Digital Fight Program!? That is your solution."

"No, Hikari-san, wait…"

Hikari interrupted, "Daisuke!" She said sternly before composing herself and then whispering aggressively. "Risking your life isn't the solution to making up for the pain you caused. If you get hurt or…"

Daisuke spoke back by whispering, "I know. I know it's risky. I don't have anything else to do. I didn't finish high school."

"Neither did I…" Hikari said sternly.

Both got silent. Both looked away from each other, Hikari took a deep breath and said, "Daisuke-san, you're just being reckless to be reckless…"

Daisuke put his hand on his chest, "with this I can pay you back. I can…"

"This isn't about paying me back!" Hikari could almost scream out, she kept her voice down. Her eyes staring at him. "Money, I'm not a homeless mother or living with my own mom. It's not about the money. It's just you haven't given me anything to go off. I don't know where you were. And here you are thinking risking your life for money would help."

"I know it's not… It's not meant to be a way to make up."

Hikari frowned, "then what. What is it… or is it just another of those things you'll tell me when you're ready."

Daisuke grabbed her shoulder, sternly. She gasped, but not in fear, but in shock. Her eyes widened as she saw him look at her in the eye with intensity. "I know material things won't matter here. But did do a lot when I should have been there. I don't want this money to make up, but to give you what you didn't deserve to lose."

Hikari gazed with silence.

Daisuke continued with, "money won't undo a lot of the pain you suffered because of me. But I want the money I earn to help you… maybe finish school… maybe go to university. Become a teacher like you always wanted to be."

Hikari's eyes watered as she looked away, "and didn't you want to own a noodle cart or something…"

"I did… but it'll be selfish if I focus on that. I truly still owe you for raising Miyuki-san without me. I also owe you for a lot of things. This won't make up for everything. I just want to make your life goals possible. Cause you gave it up for Miyuki-san…"

Daisuke hand cupped her cheek and wiped the one tear that fell from her face.

Hikari looked down and said, "I won't start kissing you because of this job. I will be mad at you if you ever think going to hospital will be justified. But…" she looked at him with a slight smile, "sure, I do kind of want to finish school and become a teacher."

Daisuke's eyes softened, "good, I want to help you with that. And… if you ever… if you ever want to never see me again. Rei told me my paychecks would still go to you."

"The don't mess up with Miyuki-san… remember you're staying over to help me with her. Y-You're still not allowed to tell her you're her father, okay!?"

Daisuke nodded and replied, "right."

Hikari slightly shoved Daisuke back a bit and began to wipe her eyes. Daisuke couldn't help himself but help her. She was confused, but accepted until her hands grabbed his wrist as they were on her cheeks. She looked down before looking up and making eye contact.

Both were still, looking at each other's eyes, seeing their reflections for a moment.

Hikari lips parted a bit to breath and suddenly she found herself leaning her lips closer to him. Her eyes about to close as she saw him lean closer to her.

Hikari's heart began to beat faster. Daisuke moved one hand to the door to lean much more easily. But the hand on her cheek was still held by Hikari. As both their eyes closed and their mouths braced for a kiss, someone knocked on the bedroom door they leaned on.

Daisuke flinched back as Hikari looked down with a red blush on her face.

"Mommy! Dai-san! Gojira Nisen: Mirenaimu is about to start! Want to watch it?"

Hikari answered, "yes, honey, Daisuke was just unpacking… be there in a moment."

Daisuke, still leaning on the door with one hand chuckled, "Didn't that movie come out before I became a Chosen Child?"

Hikari giggled, "she's just like you… she likes her big monster movies."

Daisuke stood up straight, "I don't know if I can watch the movie the same way. I rode on Imperialdramon's back… a movie with effects can't compare."

Hikari composed herself and said, "then watch it knowing it's one of Miyuki's favorites."

Daisuke then smiled, "that… I can do."

Author's Note: So, a much shorter chapter, it was because what came next or the next sequence wouldn't fit and didn't want to drag it out either. But I haven't really done one of these.

One, thank you for your support. It helps inspire me. I finally got through the writing hurdle I had before. And I am glad you guys are enjoying the story! I will do my best to write more as often as I can.