One month had passed since Hikari and Daisuke reunited.

Hikari stood at the ice rink in the mall, seeing Miyuki who was a natural in ice skating due to her love and proficiency in soccer, skate around happily.

Sora was nearby to ensure nothing bad would happen to the little girl.

Hikari decided to not ice skate immediately, opting to sit in the bench. The other Chosen Children were around the mall, except for Daisuke at the moment.

"Hey," Hikari looked over and saw Takeru smiling as he walked over. He sat down and said, "I thought you would be in there with Miyuki."

"I haven't ice skated in five years, my confidence for it isn't there…"

Takeru looked over to see Miyuki effortlessly, "I mean looks at her…"

"She loves things like this. Risk-taking…" Hikari sighed, "like her father."

Takeru glanced over, "do you want to talk about him?"

Hikari looked down, "can I?"

Takeru chuckled a bit, "I mean I don't message you as often and I would want to know how you are dealing while living with him…" He finished, but Hikari didn't immediately reply, "have you two…?"

Hikari looked over, "sex? No."

Takeru nodded, "just didn't know if that was the reason for being hesitant."

Hikari was still silent, this time Takeru waited. "I always heard 'friends-with-benefits' since I learned was sex was. I never liked it. I don't think people are lesser for it, I just think it's not the relationship I wanted. And sometimes… I won't lie… this past month I considered trying it out with Daisuke."

Takeru asked, "I won't try to judge, but why?"

Hikari frowned, "because he's being a good person. Through and through. He isn't trying anything suspicious with me. He isn't trying to turn Miyuki. He hasn't been encouraging her nor has he tried to defy my rules as a parent. He's doing everything right…"

Takeru looked at Hikari's frustrated face, awaiting.

"And…" she took a deep breath, "I'm starting to fall for him for a different reason."

"And do you think that's bad?"

"He still hasn't told me where he been. Why he left or why he came back. Nothing. If I kiss him tonight, I fear it will remove the five years of loneliness I felt. It removes the guilt for all the dates I had, I can't kiss or hug or even hold hands with another guy. I'm afraid it will make me just… give him everything he doesn't deserve."

Takeru put his hand on Hikari's shoulder, "you look like you're doing a good job though. The times Annia-san and Miyako-san have seen you since he moved in, they said you been okay."

Hikari glanced down, "Takeru… genuinely, let's remove 'Daisuke' out of this. If there is a guy who is taking care and making your child happy in a way a parent should. If there is a guy who is respectful and transparent with their scheduling while making promises of attendance and never missed once. A guy who is working hard to ensure I get to finish school while paying back everything he ever owed. What would you genuinely tell me?"

Takeru was silent now, "I would probably encourage you to date the guy, at least."

Hikari didn't reply, she only watched her daughter ice skate. "He has to have a flaw," Takeru said.

Hikari started, "yes, he has a few. He doesn't hide some soccer techniques he did which feel dangerous when you think about it after the fact. He makes Miyuki want to go outside and play as she comes back inside full of dirt because that's how she plays. He has this weird tendency to leave his phone in the kitchen counter. But are these flaws? Am I crazy or would these be things he would do if he stayed anyways?"

Takeru looked down, "but he did leave you to raise a child for five years."

Hikari nodded, "but tell me, Takeru-san, does that mean I have to wait five years to forgive him?"

Takeru could only shrug and reply with a, "maybe."

Hikari huffed, "Miyako-san told me this would happen. She told me if I let him stay then I would fall for him. Why? Why is it easy to fall for him?" Takeru put his arm around Hikari, holding her close, "he's doing everything right and I'm starting to think I won't forgive him until five years…"

Takeru leaned his head, making sure she knew her best friend was there with her. "How about not forgiving him at all?"

Hikari giggled, "you have a child with him and then tell me how easy it is for you to not forgive him."

Takeru smiled and broke the small embrace, "how about you invite him to the mall?"

Hikari rubbed her upper arm, "I specifically told him it would be a friend's day-out. Basically saying I wasn't going to invite him…"

"I mean I don't like the guy, but just say Miyuki wants to see him. If he's being a good dad, he can find a reason. Even if he's at his Digital Fight Program, he can probably show up."

Hikari blinked before taking out her cell, "fine, but no complaining at me that you wish he was gone."

"If Miyuki-san wasn't here, I would 100% tell you to not invite him… but he is her father. And I need to see how good of a dad he is."

Hikari began to type a message to Daisuke, "and if he doesn't show up."

"Then I can insult him and call him 'shitty dad'."

Hikari giggled as she sent the message. "Message sent and if he shows up… maybe you can talk to him."

"That would be a fun consequence, but I'm not ready to talk to him like that. I can only see the face of the man who left you to raise your child."

Hikari closed her cell phone. "You and big brother."

"Oh how is Taichi-san?"

"In General? Well I know he's doing okay. As for Daisuke-san living with me, well he worries that Daisuke-san will give me a second niece or his first nephew."

Takeru snorted, "what, you would have another child with Daisuke?"

Hikari smirked and passed Takeru, "that is only going to be told with time." And Hikari was now in the mood to go ice skating with Miyuki, but her phone did vibrate.

Daisuke, Miyuki is ice skating in the Odaiba Mall, can you come? - Hikari

Yeah, I'm on my way – Daisuke

Hikari mouthed, "oh great," before closing her phone and turning to Daisuke, "want to ice skate?"

Takeru looked around at first before realizing Hikari was asking him. He blushed, "oh, I'm not good at ice skating, Annia-san and I saw you sitting alone and I offered to talk to you. I guess I should go find her."

"Sure," Hikari nodded, she knew telling Takeru that Daisuke was on his way could make him a bit defensive. Best not start a debate, even if Takeru mentioned Daisuke coming over, she knew full well Takeru is never going to like Daisuke's presence.

Hikari went to the bench by the entrance and put on the ice-skates. She stood up and took a deep breath, "it's easy you done this several times…"

Hikari entered the ice as her slipped a bit, she grabbed onto the safety rails and began to move her leg, trying to learn the motion.

"Mommy!" Hikari turned around as saw Miyuki sliding over with Sora not to far behind. Miyuki slid and stopped in front of Hikari, "are you having trouble?"

"J-Just a little," Hikari began to do slow and easy steps to re-learning.

Miyuki began, "it's like your legs are sleds, just image them as sleds!"

Hikari tried to focus, she watched her footing, "I kinda get it," she said nervously as Miyuki still happily followed Hikari. Hikari felt her skates sliding very well on the ice, but every new movement made Hikari lose her balance.

"I think I'm getting it…" Hikari smiled at both Sora and Miyuki who nodded back.

Miyuki's eyes shifted to the side, "Dai-san!"

"What?" Hikari said turning around to seeing Daisuke waving his arms as he was by the bench putting on his ice skates. "H-How did he get here so fast?"

"Did you invite him?" Sora asked.

"I-I…" Hikari couldn't think. After the personal conversation with Takeru, seeing Daisuke so immediately after made her dizzy. Even worse, he was immediately joining in to ice skate. "W-wait," she said as if he could hear her.

Suddenly Hikari felt herself lose balance. She could see panic set in Sora and Miyuki's face as Hikari felt she was about to fall. And with one yelp she felt herself lose her footing and falling back.

Almost as quick as the sensation of falling happened, someone grabbed her as she gained her balance. She could see Sora with a surprised look while Miyuki had a amazed one. Hikari felt someone holding onto her hands to keep her from falling. She looked forward to see Daisuke standing there, "gotcha," he said.

Hikari didn't smile or frown, only was surprised. Daisuke gently let go of her hands, but she didn't let go of his. When she noticed, she grabbed the rail to stop, the others did to.

"H-How did you get here so fast!?" Hikari asked with a glare.

Daisuke pointing at the center of the mall. "This place is, being public, has a 'Transport Zone'. Rei told me I could use it and ice skating area wasn't too hard to find from there."

"Y-You dummy," Hikari said, embarrassed.

Daisuke blinked, "uh, did I do something wrong?" He asked quietly, looking at Sora who shrugged. He Daisuke then turned to Miyuki who began to grow excited.

"Dai-san!" Miyuki said cheerfully. Hikari flinched, not being used to Miyuki calling him that. "You're really good at ice skating!"

Daisuke chuckled, "oh, I guess, it's technically something I need to know cause of my job…"

Hikari couldn't help, but to quietly frown at their interaction. Miyuki was always so happy to see Daisuke. Just how she imagined a loving daughter would be with a father. Hikari tried her best to find her footing.

"How about you show mommy how to ice skate?"

"What?" Hikari asked.

"Yeah, let's make it a race. I will go around the whole ice skating ring with Sora and if we catch up and mommy doesn't learn, Dai-san, you have to pay for lunch for everyone."

"I wouldn't mind that," Sora said jokingly, but turning to a stunned Hikari and mouthing an apology immediately.

Miyuki giggled cheerfully, "ready, set, go!" Miyuki went off and began to ice skate ahead.

"Wait for me," Sora said trying to keep up.

Daisuke looked over, confused, before nervously turning to Hikari. "I didn't mean for that to happen, I can pay for everyone's lunch without issue."

"Shut up," Hikari said exasperated, "I want to ice skate properly with my daughter, teach me, dummy."

Daisuke blinked before nodding, "r-right, let go of the guard rails."

"I'll fall if I do…" Hikari said.

Daisuke held her hands out, "need you to grab onto me."

"Wait, no, I can't, you'll let me fall," Hikari said glaring at him. She saw him with a hurt look on his face. "r-right?" She added, as if to ease both of them.

"I wouldn't let you fall…"

Hikari looked at the guard rail. She closed her eyes and gulped before hoping herself to him. They're arms locked as Hikari quickly said, "I'm going to get really mad if you're doing this to embarrass me!"

"Don't worry," Daisuke smiled, "trust me," he said before moving his feet so he could ice skate backwards efforteselly.

Hikari felt amazed before saying, "w-well how am I supposed to learn?"

Daisuke said, "okay, try raising your foot and imagine as if you're walking in the moon, but with skates…"

"Y-you're going too fast," Hikari said before feeling Daisuke could easily slow them down, "idiot, I meant… never mind." She said before raising her foot. For a moment, her panic went away. She looked down and could see she was gliding.

"Okay, lower it smoothly and try the other leg," his instruction were clear and she followed. She did so and could feel the long forgotten muscle memory of skating return. She smiled wide and looked at Daisuke who also smiled.

"How does it feel?" Daisuke asked.

"It feels like I'm ice skating," Hikari couldn't help, but to smile.

Daisuke nodded before saying, "you think I can let go of you now…"

"Wait!" Hikari gripped, "you can't just try to let go of me casually… isn't that advanced?"

Daisuke replied, "it's more to trust in yourself from here on out. Don't worry about falling, only ice skating." Daisuke still led her, not letting go, not even loosening his grip.

Hikari took a deep breath, "you can let me go," is what she said. She felt his grip loosen, she grabbed on tightly, but he didn't, although kept his arms up. She let go slowly before pulling her hands away. She suddenly felt like she was gliding as she saw Daisuke move to the side and ice skate beside her.

Hikari chuckled nervously before doing the actions Daisuke explained. She turned to him with a warm smile and he smiled back similarly. Both their eyes widened before looking away, both still smiling.

"You did it!" Miyuki appeared in between them, gliding past them happily.

"I was looking forward to that payed lunch," Sora soon joined before looking at Hikari with a knowing smirk. Hikari gasped before once again looking away.

"Dai-san! Dai-san! You actually taught mommy!"

"She did it herself," Daisuke said, "I only said the basics."

"Well," Miyuki huffed happily, "time for us to race?"

"What?" Hikari, Sora, and Daisuke said.

"If you beat me in the race, I promise to not play soccer in the mud for a month!" Miyuki suddenly began to ice skate rapidly forward.

Daisuke only slid naturally, blinking, before Hikari yelled, "Go! You have to beat her! You know what is at stake!?" Hikari said in a panic. Daisuke's face got determined and he went off without hesitation.

"Hikari…" Sora spoke.

"You don't understand! That girl essentially lives in the mud when she plays soccer. You know how much of a difference this makes."

"Hikari." Hikari stopped and looked at Sora. "You look quite happy."

Hikari didn't say anything for a moment. "It's nothing, ice skating is fun." Hikari looked at Sora who kept her smirk. "Don't give me that face."

"You never went on a date with Daisuke-san, now that I think about it."

Hikari lowered her head, "he left and this isn't a date."

Sora shrugged, "I mean sure, but I think you got to experience what a date looks like with him."

Hikari's cheeks went red as she looked over at Sora with an unsure look. Suddenly she heard grinding of ice skates as she saw Daisuke zoom past her, making both women gasp. Miyuki soon after, "you're too quick!"

Hikari watched Daisuke spin around to stop himself from sliding any further. He sighed lightly before skating back to the three. "Sorry if I startled both of you. I needed to win, right?" Daisuke smiled at Hikari who crossed her arms and looked away, flustered.

From above the mall, looking down was Takeru with Annia, Iori, and Hina.

"Never seen Hikari crumble to a guy like that," Annia giggled. Takeru gripped the metal balcony. "You told her to invite him…"

"I know, I just… need to see if he's a good guy."

Iori crossed his arms, leaning back on the same metal balcony. "Everyone is telling you he's a good guy. He just did one bad thing." Iori looked over at Takeru, "you need to consider that Daisuke-san has a reason…"

"So why hasn't he told Hikari?" Takeru questioned.

Iori didn't say a word as Annia wrapped her arms around her husband. "Takeru-san, I'm not telling you 'like' him or not be suspicious, but this is Hikari's role to have issue with. Remember, if she disowns him, we accept. If she accepts him back, well… same…"

Takeru watched as Daisuke held Miyuki's hand while clearly conversing with the little girl. "This is more complicated than a broken heart. A child is involved," Iori said looking at the same thing. "Why don't you talk with him?"

Takeru looked down with a glare.

"You hit him in the face already? What more do you need?"

Takeru sighed, "worried that Hikari will take him back before he earned it if I begin to see the good in him."

Annia kissed Takeru's cheek, "then have hope for her. Have hope she will take him back when he's earned it."

Takeru turned to Annia and leaned his head, "then have hope I will do the same when I'm ready…"

"Deal," Annia smirked before seeing Sora, Hikari, Daisuke, and Miyuki exit the ice field. "Come on, it's about to be lunch."

The Chosen Children all gathered around in the mall's food court. All eating various American brand meals. Seemingly all paired up with their partners. Truly a more reunion as even Jyou was here. It helped that his son, Genki, was here too. Despite being a doctor, Jyou having a kid made him more available.

As the Chosen Children were eating, Sora got up and got everyone's attention. "I wanted for us to meet here because it was a nice and public space to be. Miyako…" she turned to Miyako who was beside the stroller with Hinami, her and Ken's daughter. "Thank you for making it here despite only being a month of becoming a mother."

"And, I don't want this to be a sentimental reunion type thing. I see most of you most days. So I want to be clear this gathering was made by me and Taichi to announce one thing… I am pregnant."