Hey, guys, GaeaChronos here, and I give you Digimon Helix! I was surprisingly satisfied with how the previous chapter came out, so I started working on this as soon as I uploaded SRW: Remnant. Though, I was fairly distracted with Whiterose Week (Didn't write anything, but a lot of good stories were there) and I watched Isekai Quartet, not to mention I'm back at it with SAO (Thank Nox for that), and cleared the 7th floor of Aincrad (I was freaking terrified of the boss, but I was disappointed by how weak it was).

But enough of that, let's get on with this chapter!

Chapter 4

All of a sudden, Dracomon and I were ushered out by a suddenly awake Haruka, telling us to give Rai some space.

After telling him the "good news", he suddenly started hyperventilating. I try to calm him down, but despite travelling for years, I've never actually seen someone have an attack like this.

That was when Haruka suddenly bolted into the living room, and forced me out of the house.

So now, I'm walking around town, waiting for her to let me know once he's calmed down.

"Junya, did you do something wrong?" Dracomon asked, following behind me.

"To be honest, I don't really know, Partner." I replied back.

I looked around, seeing many people with a Digimon. I know they're through the app because Rai was the last one I saw with a Digivice.

I suddenly ducked, barely dodging the Flymon that buzzed by.

"Sorry!" it apologized. It was carrying a bag in its legs, said bag carrying the logo of the local post office. Another one through the app.

I sighed, frustration clear in my voice.

I really hate that goddamn app.

"Junya? Should we rest somewhere?" my partner asked, sensing my frustration.

"Y'know what? Yeah. Let's relax somewhere." A break did sound nice.

I reach into my tattered dark green jacket, and grab my Digivice when a voice grabbed my attention.

"Mr. Ishida."

I turned to the voice behind me, spotting a boy with black hair and eyes (Wow, a sight for sore eyes) with a Dobermon beside him.

His expression looked real exasperated. Is that a word?

Anyway, I know this guy.

"Makoto Kurosaki." I saluted. He just gave me an unimpressed look.

"Do you have any idea what kind of explanation I had to give with your little incident at the station and Memorial?" he asked, crossing his arms.

I gulped. He's part of a team trained to handle mishaps involving Digimon. I also asked him to watch over Rai for me. They're pretty much the same age, so it was easy for them to become friends.

Anyway, he covers for me every time I get involved in a Digimon-related situation. I'm technically not registered in their database, as I don't use the app, so they're after my Digivice and having it confiscated. To them, a Digivice goes against the regulations of owning a Digimon, since it is gained outside of the app.

Bullshit, I tell you.

I've had my partner for years. They won't just take him away just because they don't like how I got him.

"Mr. Ishida." he called out again.

Woops, must've spaced out.

"What happened to 'keeping a low profile', huh? You know the chief doesn't like you, so why do you keep garnering attention?"

"Well, to be fair, none of what happened was anywhere within my control. Station? Drimogemon. Memorial? Weird-ass Greymon."

"Weird-ass?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

I sighed.

"Let's talk somewhere else. This ain't something to talk about in a street."

So, we went to a nearby park, and sat at one of the benches.

"So? Spill." he said, petting his partner.

"I was just gonna get Rai to the Memorial, to apologize for the fiasco at the station. When we got there, there was a weird-looking Greymon causing trouble there, wrecking stuff."

"Weird how?"

"Well, it moved erratically, it was grey, like, actual grey, and it regenerated like crazy. The only way we were able to stop it was by smashing a tube sticking out of its back."

"Tube?"

"Yeah, there was a glass tube embedded in its back. Couldn't see what was inside, though. It was moving too much."

"You said 'we'. Who was with you at the time?"

Here we go. This is why I needed to talk to him.

"Makoto, I'll need you to promise me, that no matter what happens, you will not tell anyone what I'll tell you. Can I trust you on that?" I asked him with the most serious expression I could muster.

"Um, alright. How bad is it, anyway?" he asked, clearly taken aback at my seriousness.

"Rai... became a DigiDestined. He has his own Digivice now."

He looked at me for a few seconds, as if I was kidding, before sighing, running his hand through his hair.

"Nakamura got himself into quite a pinch, huh?"

He then turned to me, and said:

"I suppose you want me to protect him from the others, huh?"

"Just until he can protect himself. You know Digivolution doesn't work like the app."

"Oh, I should know." he chuckled, lightly tapping his pocket.

"Anyway, sorry for the messes earlier. I'll try to lay low while I train Rai, okay?"

"You better. I can't be there for him everyday, you know."

I stood from the bench, and looked at my Digivice, which had a text from Haruka.

"All good. You can come in now."

"And there's my cue." I said, walking off.

"I'm serious about laying low, Mr. Ishida. There's something up in this city."

I waved off his worries.

After all, I know best when it comes to what's in this city. What did I come back for?

I suddenly stepped back, narrowly dodging the exact same Flymon from earlier.

"Sorry again!" it apologized.

Oh. Now I remember why I came back.

It's to have the head of whoever made this stupid app.

- LINE BREAK -

The walk back to Rai's place was pretty uneventful, so nothing got in the way.

Entering the house, I saw Rai sitting on the couch, a cup of tea in hand, while stroking KoKabuterimon's back with the other. Haruka nowhere to be seen though.

"You all good?" I asked him once I gained his attention.

"... Yeah. Sorry about that."

"It's fine. I should be the one saying sorry. I didn't think that'd set you off."

"I didn't even think that could set me off. I've been out of contact from her for so long, I almost forgot about her. I only remembered when Tsukiyama brought up the picture."

"Oh, yeah. Why'd you call her 'Tsuki' back at the Memorial?"

"It's... personal. Let's leave it at that." he sipped his tea, looking away, light pink dusting his cheeks.

Oho? What's this? The dark, broody Rai, blushing? Now I really need details.

Just then, I heard footsteps going down the stairs. Into the living room came Haruka, who still seemed exhausted after her nap. Don't blame her, though. A lot happened today.

"Hey, you're back. Sorry about pushing you out. It's just easier to calm him down when he's alone."

"No worries. I was kinda at fault, too. By the way, out of curiosity, what were you doing upstairs?"

"Oh! Just called home, telling them I might stay the night."

My eyes widened. Wow, Rai's having a girl stay over? What else did I miss the past couple years?

"I mean, who knows when he might have another attack."

I look at her, then Rai. Suddenly, everything clicked.

"Oh! Rai, is she your...?"

"No, she's not. I don't have a personal nurse."

And just like that, everything that clicked fell apart again.

"I'm just his friend, really." she said, though she had a bit of an expression on her face when she said 'friend'.

Oho?

"Well," I said, changing the subject "are you still up for it? We need to do this so you won't have another Overflow."

"... I'll... manage. I'll have Tsukiyama with me just in case things get too... much."

"I-I don't think I should intrude on your personal matters!"

"Nonsense!" I objected "We'll need you there to provide support for Rai!"

"U-Umm... If you say so..." she awkwardly nodded.

"Sorry for dragging you into this." Rai apologized.

"Weren't you the one that wanted her with us in the first place?"

"Still, I feel bad for getting her involved in all of... this." he gestured around him.

"Rai, I've been your friend for four years. It's fine, really. As long as I'm not intruding in anything."

"Alright." he then turned to me. "You said two weeks, right?"

"Yeah, we got two weeks before Aria gets here. In that time, I'll help you get adjusted to your D-Energy as best as I can."

"Aria?" Haruka tilted her head in curiosity.

Oh, right. I haven't told her yet.

"Aria Nakamura. Rai's older sister, and Yuuichi's younger twin."

"She wasn't in the photo. Why is that?"

"She was busy at the time. She still is. Perhaps you've heard her stage name, Nijino Aria-"

"Did you just say Nijino Aria?!?! The world-famous former child actress, now world-renowned idol, Nijino Aria?!?!"

All of a sudden, Haruka was in my face, amber eyes wide and sparkling.

"Yeah... the very same...?"

She suddenly pounced on Rai, grabbing him by the collar, shaking him.

"She's your sister?!?! Why didn't you tell meeeeee?!?!"

"Tsu-ukiya-ama, my he-ead'll come o-off if you kee-ep sha-aking me-e like tha-at!!!"

"Ah, sorry!" she suddenly let go.

"I'm gonna go out on a limb and say you're a fan?"

"A Super-fan, there's a difference!!!"

Oh, right, I couldn't tell with how hard she was shaking the poor guy.

Rai shot me a betrayed look. Looks like he really didn't want her to know, huh?

"Well, we'll see if she'll make it in those two weeks, but for now, we rest up. Tomorrow's when your training will begin, okay?"

He nodded.

"Okay. I'll sleep on the couch."

"But that's where Tsukiyama usually sleeps..."

"She seemed to have no problem sleeping in your room earlier."

Haruka blushed, though Rai didn't.

"Um, that's..."

"Wasn't she just watching over me?" he said, completely oblivious to my implication.

Oh, Rai. You're impossible.

POV- Makoto

I walked into my boss's office at his request.

"Makoto," he started "I heard you were with Junya Ishida this afternoon?"

Damn. He catches on fast.

"Yes, sir." I answered. No use saying no at this point.

"Could you tell me why?"

"I ran into him while on patrol, we talked, and he apologized for what happened at the station. Apparently, A Drimogemon was digging a tunnel underneath the station as an escape route."

"I see." he nodded "So the reports were true."

We received several reports of suspicious-looking people digging around outside of town, Mr. Ishida must have happened to come across them on his way back here.

"And the Memorial?"

"He was unsure. He was just accompanying a friend to there when the attack happened. He just responded to the situation."

"Hmm. I suppose we'll let him off for now. I know your superiors don't really like him, but as far as we can tell, he's been contributing to this city's protection as much as everyone else."

I nodded. Despite everything, he still protected everyone.

"Will that be all, sir?"

"Yes. You are dismissed."

As I stood up, he said:

"Oh, one more thing. Make sure you hide it from everyone else. We don't want anything happening to Dobermon."

"Of course, sir. He's my partner."

He smiled.

"Good kid. Now, go on. Need to talk to your superiors after this."

I nodded, and went on my way.

The boss is right.

No matter what happens, we DigiDestined need to watch each other's backs.

There's no telling what's gonna happen to us next.

And that's about it. While writing this, I cleared the 8th floor, now that was a boss fight.

GaeaChronos is out. Peace!