A week and a few days had passed since each tamer faced his or her finals. Each would look upon their scores with initial dread and anxiety. That would not remain the case once each score was processed. Each of the friends passed, even those most afraid. Takato had pushed a bit further past the necessary minimum, which surprised and pleased him. The looks he saw on each of his friends faces or messages sent to him all indicated that all was well for each of them. One, however, was stricken with shock. Jenrya had not only passed his respective exam, but was among the highest scores of his respective school alongside his friend Juri whom placed just above him. A massive weight was pulled off of him that day, but the results, while fantastic, nevertheless managed to shock the young man. His friends and family all seemed ecstatic as was he, but the shock of how well he did still left the man flabbergasted. "Leeeee, I told ya you could do it!" Terriermon said hugging his side. Everything would fall into place now for his path forward. He'd accomplished this much. Now it was only fear of the future that continued to trouble his mind. Not that he was alone, all of his friends were. Though Ruki and Juri seemed the least concerned seeing as they'd both done well.
There were many hugs, many proud family members, and quite a few excited text messages between the group. Ruki had already been informed by her family that she'd be attending one of the most renowned colleges in Japan even before her results were passed to her family. At first this concerned her, until she realised it wasn't far away from the province she was in. She didn't know or care about the fact that the surprise had been sprung on her, but she could work with the situation.
Much like her blue-haired male friend, she didn't process academic praise as well as some, but she accepted it nonetheless. Renamon gave her kind words. She also offered a hint of smugness in affirming her belief in her human partner. Perhaps some things never change.
Now the planning began. Each of them would move on for education and or simple jobs to beginning their studies and commitment into respective career paths. Some had it easier than others, like Takato. Others still remained concerned. Thankfully, the joyous feast from days prior how mellowed out the group a great deal. Well, all but Ruki who was still getting several jokes at her expense over her previous drunken behaviour. Even Renamon teased her by calling the display "cute". The young woman would continue outwardly to express her disdain, but seemed somewhat relived that her friends all seemed supportive of her new relationship. Juri in particular surprised her by how well she took it. It relived Ruki, but it also brought out a new question in her mind. Now that everyone knew it, how long would it take Renamon to confess her own? She may not have been given definitive proof that her best friend was even in a relationship, but her time spent with Takato further convinced her of the likelihood on it. The vixen's secrecy continued to bother her. She'd already made this known, but she would only prod her for questions every so often. The words of her grandmother from months prior still echoed in her head. "She'll tell you when she's comfortable with it." Sitting in her room Ruki seemed very puzzled. Renamon noticed this. However before she could act on her instincts to ask what plagued her mind, she saw Ruki eye her intensely. 'Oh, dear...', she thought, 'is she going to ask me about **that** again?' She pondered. Her face was often stotic, but Ruki knew it better than anyone else. She could see the fear in her expression, however miniscule. She smiled. She winked as she turned away.
"..."
"..."
"Hey, Renamon."
"Yes?"
"I'm gonna get dressed and hang out with Takato for a bit.
Mentally Renamon breathed a heavy sigh of relief. From there things got far less tense. Both spoke casually of Ruki's recent success, that of her friends, and of her new college. No matter the anxieties she had for the future, having Renamon by her side always put Ruki at ease. She lifted herself up to give the fox a big hug. Once they were separated, Renamon had offered her a kindred smile and teasing words to accompany it. "Do be careful, you two." "Yeah thanks, wait..." It was then that the deeper nature of the vixen's choice of words had fully sunk in. Ruki balled her fist and blushed, Renamon chuckled when she saw the anger in the young woman's eyes. That is until she realised something, she could fire back. Her blush turned into a smug grin and a wink. "You too, alright?" She replied. Renamon's expression changed a bit. It wasn't full on shock, but enough to please her partner before she turned and left. Renamon blinked nervously for a moment before relaxing. She knew now there was little hope in hiding it, but it was still far from a right time to reveal who it was. The very idea agonised the fox digimon's mind to no end. Yet the presence of the man in question was still what she needed. When Ruki left, Renamon would politely excuse herself as well claiming to be on her usual daily runs. Whether or not Seiko believed that was something up to interoperation.
Jenrya would have many long talks with family following his immense success. He was happy he'd made it this far, he was happy of how supportive his family was, but he needed a break. He had to have one now. His parents, while disappointed, still understood. He returned to his room for a bit to lay on his bed for a moment. Then he would casually check his phone's message box and his emails. He smiled seeing that both of his older siblings had send congratulatory messages he'd only just now discovered. He lifted himself up to casually engage with a video game for a few minutes before leaving it to take his music and step outside. His preferred playlist currently commanding his sense of hearing and the gentle evening air in the man's lungs brought him so much needed wouldn't be all that did. In the brief moments before it vanished, Jenrya saw a familiar shadow appear and disappear not far from his home. He closed his eyes with a smile and let out a slow and happy sigh. When he opened his eyes there she was sitting in his window in all her golden, vulpine beauty. He was long passed being surprised by her sudden appearances from thin air. On the contrary, if gave him greater peace of mind. "Just the person I wanted to see." He said to her. "Is that so?" She coquettishly replied."I noitced the house is a bit emptier today." "Huh? Oh right! Yeah. Just me and dad. Mom took Shaochung to a sweet shop on the other side of Shinjuku and Lopmon and Terriermon tagged along." "Fascinating." She replied before moving in to his room to make a new seat on his bed. He moved to sit next to her. His deep sigh perked her curiosity. "Are you well?" She asked. He laughed. "Oh yeah. Just long talks with family. All good but thanks for asking. How about you, Ren?" "Ren, huh?" "Oh, yeah, that alright?" "More than alright, Jen...hmm." She stopped to think for a moment before continuing to speak. "Hmm, very well, Jiannnn." He gulped. The way she purred that name made his heart leap. She chuckled. "Are you sure you are okay there, Jiangliang?" The red on his face grew more obvious by the second, it pleased her. "Y-yeah, fine!" From there things would be simple but smooth. He would ask her how she was and they would discuss whatever came to their minds. No matter what one discussed, the other always listened. Though the simple and sweet talk would take a hard break for a moment after a serious question was given to Renamon. "Oh, hey, Ren." "Yes?" "Are you still having those bad dreams? I still worry, ya know?""Oh..." her voice aired much lower at first while she searched for the right words to give him. "In a way, yes. Not too far back, I dreamt again of an old lair some friends and I lived many years ago. I recalled the passing of a friend." Jenrya put a hang to his hand and seemed not only more sympathetic than his usual self, but seemed to show some guilt. "Oh, wow, I'm really sorry I..." "It's fine. Besides, Jian, there's more." "More? Oh! Go on." Renamon smiled. "Always the caring and considerate one." She leaned back placing herself on one of his pillows. He moved next to her look straight at her. "The strange thing is, I remember both the painful memories and the physical pain I willingly endured. Yet in the last moments, I saw everyone I knew now. First Ruki and you. Then the others. The pain of the past still lingers, but I've come to better appreciate the new friend's I gained." She turned and put a paw on his face. "Now, I have gained more than I've lost thanks in heavy part to Ruki and to you." "Whoa...Renamon." "Yes?" "That's honestly a good point, all of it. Especially the last part. I don't know how you and I got here, but its nice being with you like this." The two shared a sweet silence. However it would soon be broken. The slight twitch of Renamon's nose and quick change of expression showed Jenrya that something was off. He would look away hearing foot steps and look back to see she'd vanished again. Soon he'd hear a knock at his door and see his father sticking his head in. "Oh, uh hey dad, what's up?" The young man lifted himself up praying to every known deity that the older man hadn't heard anything he'd said prior. "Nothing much, just got a call from Yamaki. It was just a reminder that they'd need you over there two weeks." Jenrya groaned. "Yeah, same time every year. I forgot it was already close to that time, huh." Jiang-Yu briefly went over things again and reminded his son of the date. His son wasn't exactly rude, he never was, but seemed more disinterested than usual. It struck the father is peculiar, but so long as he'd remember what he had to do each year, it didn't bother him much. "Thanks for the reminder dad. Mind if I take a moment to think on it myself?" "Oh, okay, sure." The older man left still confused, but hardly offended. Once the sounds of his steps were in very distant hearing, Renamon re-appeared from Jenrya's closet. Jenrya didn't notice her initially until she placed a paw on his shoulder. "Welcome back." "Never left, are you alright?" "Yeah, Ren, it's just. You know its been years since the whole D-reaper incident, a lotta years. Yeah, it scared us all, but you'd think people would have moved on by now is all." Renamon sat back next to him. "Perhaps, but is that all that's bothering you?" "No, honestly. Yamaki and the others have had our backs for a while, but I still worry. You know, I just don't want to lose any of you again and I'm hardly the only one." Those words hit deep. At first Renamon couldn't respond, but eventually she found the right words. "Perhaps. I don't understand human politics or bureaucracy. I could also care less for Yamaki, but, I think after how many times we've done this over the years already that we'll be fine." Jenrya looked back at her with a smile. "Maybe you're right."
As usual, she melted away his stress. "Renamon?" "Yes?" "Thanks for being here." "Of course. You always do the same for me." A cuddle, a kiss and a few word exchanges later and Renamon was gone. Shaochung would return with Lopmon and Terriermon. The latter would notice the lack of his partner. Eventually a note was discovered claiming that Jenrya had left to retrieve a few groceries. So, eagerly, the little rabbit digimon waited for his return while noticing the faint lingering scent of Renamon from their home. "She was here? Weird."