Chapter 16

She dreamed about that night. Once again, but this time it wasn't a grim reminder. It was as if she got to re-experience the moment she was at her happiest. She could still feel his passion.

Her eyes fluttered open. She felt warm feeling her daughter holding her helped and the covers covering all but her head.

And her hand was warm too.

She moved a single finger to feel if she was truly holding his hand. She was.

She closed her eyes and inhaled. She opened her eyes and saw him lying on his bed. He was silent with his mouth slightly parted. She looked at their hands that were laced together.

It wasn't true, but she allowed her mind to think that he had always been there. Always been beside her. Then Miyuki was going to wake up knowing both her parents were there for her. And Hikari would wake up beside the one she loved.

Though, even if that fantasy wasn't true. Here he was.

She then heard a light knock on the door.

She glanced back before turning to see Daisuke churning. She debated on whether to let go of his hand. Another light knock on the door before Daisuke's eyes fluttered open. First seeing Hikari's. Her heart skipped a beat at that moment.

Then his eyes looked at their hand laced.

There was a knock as Daisuke sat up, "yes?" He asked.

Ken's voice spoke up as Hikari slowly removed her hand from holding his, holding the still sleeping Miyuki tightly. "I am making some pancakes… would you like some?"

Daisuke glanced over at Hikari as if to get her approval. She was silent at first before giving a confirming nod.

"Yes," Daisuke said as he slid to the edge of the bed.

"Alright, come to the kitchen when you're ready to eat."

Daisuke rubbed his neck as then very light footsteps could be heard from the door.

Hikari slowly began to pry Miyuki off. Not too difficult, but she was careful not to wake her. Thankfully, she done this lots of times and Miyuki was a hard sleeper. As she successfully did so and even put a pillow for Miyuki to hold onto. She turned to see Daisuke still sitting. She looked at the bed and said, "you didn't feel cold?"

Daisuke glanced over, "no. I was fine, and you looked cold last night."

Hikari walked over and sat beside Daisuke. "Slept well?"

Daisuke shrugged, but nodded, "I think so. I am here." He said before correcting, "I don't mean it like that… I mean…"

Hikari watched Daisuke's expression lower to a somber look. She twiddled with her fingers and said, "Do you want to live with me?"

Daisuke's head raised in surprise before looking over at her. "Hikari-san…"

Hikari looked to the side, "I mean I live in your old apartment. Three rooms. Miyuki sleeps with me for now and even if she didn't and you came to live with me… we would have three rooms." She blushed and said nervously, "Daisuke-san… when you repay me it will be easier if you're around. You can walk Miyuki to school when I can't."

An unsure Daisuke asked, "Do you want me to be a parent to Miyuki-san?"

Hikari sighed and looked back to see Miyuki still asleep. "I want what's best for my daughter. If she wants you around. She'll get you around… S-Same if she wants you gone!" Hikari said sternly. "If Miyuki ever wants you gone. You're gone."

Daisuke and Hikari were looking at each other. "I can accept that. But… you? Will you be fine with me in the same house?"

Hikari stopped and sighed, "I don't know…" She suddenly flashed to the night before where he almost pinned her and wanted to make, she was comfortable to being around him so close. And the question about 'sex' still bothered her. Not because they came close to being intimate, but because he said no and his reasoning.

I only want to have sex with someone who wants to have sex with me.

That phrase has now stuck with her because she could only question him. Now thinking about it she thought, is this what I want?

Hikari answered, "I want to do everything to make my daughter happy."

She stood up, Daisuke nodding. She looked over at him and leaned against his ear. Something made her say this, but she knew she had to do it now. "And if my daughter wants a little brother or sister, it must be done…"

She turned quickly and made her way to the door. She opened it and closed it quickly behind her. She leaned back and took the deepest breath she could. She looked to the side and smiled, she smiled at herself for saying something so bold.

She then looked up, still smiling.

"You seem happy…"

Hikari looked over and saw Miyako on a wheelchair holding Hinami. Hikari adjusted her hair, "Miyako-san, how did you and the baby sleep?"

Miyako giggled, "Hopefully as good as you slept."

The two best friends smiled, silent. Almost gauging each other as Miyako said, "did you and him…?"

Hikari licked the inside of her cheek and said, "no, I mean… we almost came close to…" she sighed in fake shame. "We almost kissed. That's it. We didn't hold each other through the night or anything."

"I mean the fact nothing else happened was obvious. Miyuki is there and you have decency, at least." Miyako wheeled closer. "But almost kissed…"

"Heat of the moment… nothing else…"

Miyako giggled, "The issue isn't how it came to be. It was… 'we'… you were going to kiss him. I was half-expecting Daisuke to be a hound that should be put down."

Hikari looked down before looking over with a smile. "No, he's… he's still proper to me."

Miyako looked at Hikari for a moment before asking, "Going to take him back…"

Hikari sighed, "no." she said before finally standing up straight. "I can't ignore the past four years and nine months. I can't ignore that the father of my child wasn't there for her birth. And I can't ignore that he did come back without explaining himself."

Hikari looked over at Miyako who gave an eyebrow raised expression that said 'I am your friend. You can be honest.'.

Hikari took a deep breath, "but he's not doing a bad job. It's just… he hasn't done anything wrong so far."

Miyako asked, "Want him to?"

Hikari shrugged, "Maybe… make things easier. I know I can tell him to go away, but I wanted a reason to though. I wanted it to be justified, but right now…" she stopped and looked down, trying to hide her face.

Hikari, embarrassed, did not say a word. She was about to glance over at Miyako expecting a shocked face before seeing Miyako snickering. Hiding her face into her sleeping baby.

"What's so funny!?" Hikari said flustered.

Hikari heard the knob turn behind her. She moved out of the way as she saw Daisuke standing, confused. While Miyuki was awake with sleepy eyes. "Where are the pancakes?" She asked.

Daisuke said, "she just woke up…"

Miyuki sniffed and said, "kitchen~" she said allowing her body to move towards the pancakes that Ken was making.

Miyako smiled and rolled her wheelchair a bit before saying, "come on, we should go get pancakes before Miyuki eats them all." The lighthearted moment broke the tension as Hikari and Daisuke then followed Miyako.

Daisuke glanced over at the baby in Miyako's arms before looking over at Hikari. Both stared at each other's eyes once again. They looked away smiling just like they had.

"Good morning! Honey!" Miyako let out upon seeing Ken stacking up some pancakes.

"Good morning," Ken said putting another pancake stack. Walking over to kiss Miyako on her cheek and then rubbing his finger against Hinami. "And how did my little girl sleep?"

Daisuke and Hikari watched with a slight smile. Daisuke suddenly felt a bit of guilt.

Miyako said, "she been asleep. She just woke up because she needed a diaper change."

Ken kissed Miyako's head, "could have called me. I would have helped."

Miyako giggled before heading to the table with the wheelchair. "I don't mind. It wasn't too difficult cause of your cautious set up."

Ken went back to the pancake plate and took it to the table. "I did it because we were going to do a home birth."

As the two married parents were beginning to converse, Miyuki sleepily, but happily sat down at the table. Luckily with Miyako in the wheelchair, it meant the four usual chairs around the table were enough for the remaining.

But it also meant… We must sit next to each other… Hikari noticed.

Then quickly thought, I have slept next to him just last night… why is this making me nervous. She internally snorted before sitting down beside Daisuke and then thinking. Oh, this is much harder than it looks.

The breakfast went well… for everyone else.

Hikari struggled. She didn't know why, but eating beside Daisuke was difficult. It just felt like something wasn't right, not that it was wrong, but something wasn't right.

By the end of the meal, Hikari simply stood up to give herself air. She went back to the guest room to change to the jeans she had on the day before. Daisuke would do the same in the bathroom.

Once complete with changing, both met in the hallway. They both nervously smiled as Hikari then looked away, "so, do you want to pick your stuff up from your parent's place?"

Daisuke also looked away, but nodded, "y-yes, I think I should explain to them. Although Jun-nee-san probably has."

Hikari crossed her arms, still looking away. "I-I won't change my mind so when you come to the apartment. Just knock, okay."

Daisuke nodded before both glanced at each other.

Hikari thinking, why is it impossible to look at him…

Then there was a knock at the door as both glanced over. Ken quickly passing them and saying, "let me get that."

Hikari and Daisuke scooted back to let him pass before looking at each other. "Ken-san can give you a ride. I know my way back home." Daisuke said.

Hikari smiled and nodded, she then glanced at Miyuki who was watching children anime. Miyako and the baby had gone to rest after breakfast.

"Tell Miyuki you'll see her and…" she wanted to hug him but knew maybe too fast too soon. "I'll see you."

Daisuke could only nod as he began to walk towards Miyuki. He got beside her as she glanced over. He said, "I will see you. I need to go take care of some stuff."

Miyuki smiled and then jumped up to hug him. Both Hikari and Daisuke were shocked by this. Daisuke didn't hug back, but just leaned his head down. He got a crack of a smile on his face. "Don't take too long, I want to see you again. Dai-san," she whispered into his ear.

"Right," Daisuke said before Miyuki broke the hug. They both shared a smile before he glanced over at Hikari whose eyes were still widened. She then settled to a calm smile, shrugging.

Daisuke could only shrug too before hearing, "Daisuke!" From Ken at the door, "s-someone is here to see you."

Hikari upon hearing this felt her heart race. Daisuke got a confused, slightly concerned look as he looked at the entrance of the apartment. Hikari didn't know why, but she also made her way to the door.

Being just a bit behind Daisuke who went over and opened the door fully.

Ken was standing there, looking confused. Beside him was a black-haired young woman, almost the age of Iori. She had a smirk on her face the moment she saw Daisuke.

Hikari held her breath.

Daisuke raised a brow and asked, "Rei?"

Rei, the girl Daisuke gave his 'leader' goggles too was wearing them around her neck now. She tilted her head and said, "the very same… you've… grown."

Daisuke was speechless at first before stating, "you have grown too."

Hikari looked at both and asked Daisuke, "w-who is she?" Expecting this girl to be the worst-case scenario Hikari imagined.

Ken was the one to speak up, almost to assure, "this is Rei. She is part of the Digimon Organization… their leader."

Rei nodded and crossed her arms, still smiling, "I am their leader. You could say I just help with the Digimon Handling Division or whatever professional term they like to use."

Hikari now remembered—this was the girl Daisuke gave his goggles to. It was a moment she couldn't be there for him, but she remembered how hard he took V-mon's departure. Not that she didn't take Tailmon's second departure much easier.

Rei stated, "Actually, Daisuke-san, as much as I would love to enjoy a friendly reunion. I wanted to talk to you about something." She said, stepping closer to him. Despite Hikari knowing who this was, she was still cautious.

"An offer, you would say…" she continued, "if you're willing to come with me to discuss it. It's private matters."

Daisuke blinked before saying, "I wanted to head to my parent's house first…"

Rei nodded immediately and said, "that is not an issue whatsoever. Wouldn't mind such a thing."

Then Hikari got in front, "well, h-he's going to live with me. So, he needs to also come to my place." She said defensively.

Rei smiled, "that is not an issue either. Like I said," she said looking over at Daisuke, "it's just to discuss things."

Daisuke looked over at Ken who could shrug then at Hikari who was cautiously looking at Rei. "I mean sure."

Hikari looked back with a serious look. "Then it's settled," Rei giggled and stepped back. Walking away, "see you Ken-san, Hikari-san, and Miyuki-san."

Miyuki in the back blinked, "were those Dai-san's goggles?"

Daisuke was about to step forward before looking to see Hikari with her arms crossed and a glare. "Eh?" He blinked and asked, "w-want me to tell her 'no'."

Hikari shrugged, "I don't know. She said it's important. If it's important then you should go. It's fine if you just… go." She huffed.

Ken and Daisuke looked at each other. Daisuke with concern and Ken with confusion.

Ken shrugged and Daisuke said, "well, I'll see at your apartment." He waved at Hikari who didn't wave back, only pouted. Daisuke nodded nervously before making his way out of the door, closing the door in the process.

Hikari began to tap her foot and whispered to Ken, "Rei isn't the one he left me for."

Ken looked at Hikari with shock. She turned to him with a glare as he took a deep breath and spoke. "Most likely not. She is part of the Digimon Organization and I think she at least met with Gennai frequently. I think her hiding Daisuke for this long would have been suspected." Hikari still frowned, "a-and… and… she was also asked by Koushiro-san. And she wouldn't lie about such a thing."

Hikari kept tapping her foot quickly, "he wouldn't go with her over me?"

Although to Hikari this was an important question, to Ken he realized something. "You're jealous?" Hikari gritted her teeth and then said, "Miyuki-chan, get ready, we're heading home." Hikari headed to the door as Miyuki got up and began to put on her coat.

Once Hikari was outside and Miyuki followed. Ken sighed and thought to himself, hopefully for Daisuke's sake, Rei isn't trying to get with him… still… if she's meeting with him…

Ken just shook his head before following the two young ladies. Miyako already was aware this would happen and would call Ken for emergencies so he would at least keep tabs on his phone just in case.

Ken got outside and obviously Rei and Daisuke were gone. Car tracks indicating they went driving.

Hikari was waiting beside Ken's car, still angrily tapping her foot as Miyuki began to make snowballs.

For my sake… please Rei isn't trying to get with him…

He went to the parking lot and unlocked his car. Hikari, only glaring got inside the passenger side. Miyuki said, "car ride time!" As she entered the back.

Ken got to the driver seat and turned on the car. He saw Hikari obviously thinking about Daisuke. "N-No offense, but… Hikari-san…" he realized he couldn't be forward with Miyuki in the vehicle, but at least could try to calm her down. "Wasn't… ahem…" he coughed nervously as he could feel her glance at him. "I mean Rei wanting to be around Daisuke isn't that bad right? It shouldn't bother you."

Hikari could easily pick up what he was doing. She looked forward and said, "I'm not jealous."

Ken shrugged, "I didn't say you were, I was just wondering why you are this way. You have the lovely Miyuki-san," Miyuki waved at Ken before looking outside at the city that was filled with snow.

Ken looked over at Hikari who didn't immediately reply. "It's just… seeing her happy for him made me realize what if he… ran off for someone like that once."

Ken shrugged, "what if he didn't."

Hikari slouched, "as if he'll tell."

Ken looked at his wheel for a bit and then said stopping at a red light. "Never know until we know. Whatever reason… I guess if he comes over to your apartment. You'll know much like how he was there when you woke up."

Hikari still had a frown, but she nodded. "Yeah… if…"

Miyuki spoke up, "what are you two talking about?"

Hikari then smirked and said, "about Daisuke-san. He's… he's sometimes dumb. Boys are dumb, like Taichi-san once told you."

Miyuki giggled while Ken joined in and added, "maybe ask Auntie Miyako about how dumb I was?"

"But I already know…"

"What?" Ken said looking back quickly in shock before looking at the road.

Hikari laughed a bit before looking out at the window. Wondering about Daisuke, he better come to the apartment.