Author's Note:
Hey guys, I just wanna quickly explain that the way these One Shots work will not exactly be chronological. I'm going to try my best to not commit continuity errors, but the One-shots won't be in "order" so like this one takes place when they're 13 in 2003 and the next one is 15 in 2005 so I'll put a year at the start of each one so you get an idea of what age/stage of their relationship they're at for that particular one shot. Hope you enjoy!
The "Not Date" at the Mall.
-2003-
Takato Matsuki, former leader of the group of digimon Tamers who saved the world years prior. He was a headstrong boy. Heroic, kind, caring. However one thing he distinctly lacked was a spine, specifically around one Rika Nonaka. His girlfriend and fellow tamer. He could argue when needed, but most of his confidence and backbone usually fell to jelly whenever he was around her.
Right now, a thirteen year old Takato was being dragged through the single place he hated more than school. The mall. The only fun part of the mall was buying games or digimon cards.
"So… Mind telling me why you dragged me out here?" Takato asked, looking across at the red haired girl with him.
She sighed. "Just shut up and follow me, gogglehead." Rika said, adjusting her sunglasses which hung from her shirt.
"Um.. Rika if we're going on a date, I'm not sure this is the uh.. Best place for that." Takato laughed awkwardly as they walked through the mall.
Rika's face turned red. "It's not a date, idiot!" She turned to face him with an irritated look. "I told you when you asked me out.. I don't do 'dates' and other stupid stuff like that!"
Rika and Takato had only been dating for a short three months now. Takato had asked her out on his thirteenth birthday after his surprise party, fully expecting rejection, like he had when he asked Jeri out not long after their bout with the D-Reaper.
To his surprise she had said yes. Though it came immediately following her punching him on the arm and cussing him out, and insisting that he better not expect her to act like other girls and go on boring dates at restaurants like other girls immediately after she said yes.
Takato had known going into it that Rika was different from most girls. Her aversion to any kind of clothes that weren't jeans and her general disdain for things frilly or cute made her stand out. That and her constant general attitude towards everyone. Not that she stood out in a bad way or anything, it was something he found somewhat endearing about her.
"So.. Where are we going?" Takato asked again.
Rika stopped with a frustrated tone. "My mother recently found out about us."
Takato's eyes widened. "Oh.. Crap.." He sighed. He still hadn't told his parents yet. Him and his parents had a sort of back and forth argumentative relationship, but he didn't usually lie much. However he was terrified of telling them about Rika. He never even told them he asked Jeri out, they were probably still expecting them to get together any day. Jeri was still a regular at the bakery and they were still friends, so it made sense.
He really liked Rika but he was fearful his parents would judge her. Sure she saved the world but she's not really what his parents expected out of Takato. He compared it to when he had hidden Guilmon. It would probably end fine, but it would be a seriously annoying conversation to have.
Rika felt similarly regarding her mother. Being the traditionalist and rather successful woman she was, Rika had known for a fact that her mom would judge Takato harshly, world saving hero or not. So she had tried to avoid it. Her and her mother were generally back on really good terms so she wanted to keep it that way and also keep her boyfriend. So it seemed wise to just keep the two separate. Evidently, she hadn't succeeded.
Rika looked at Takato. "Yep." She sighed. "She took one look at the pictures I have of you, and she was NOT impressed, Gogglehead."
Takato sighed. "Ouch.. So what, is this you bringing me in public to break up so I don't make a scene?" He asked, his eyes looking down a bit.
Rika grabbed his shirt. "Idiot!" He flinched as she grabbed him. "Don't talk like that. I'm not that much of a sniveling coward that I'd do that to you!"
Takato's eyes widened. "I.. See." He chuckled. "That makes sense, you'd probably just show up at my house to do it."
The girl rolled her eyes. "Besides.." Rika sighed. "Even if she made me, I wouldn't break up with you.." She mumbled quietly.
Takato tilted his head. "What did you say?" He was pretty sure he knew what she said, but he kinda wanted her to say it out loud.
Rika grunted, punching his shoulder. "N-Nothing. Well anyways. Come on, my mother said she wasn't impressed. So I'm fixing that today!" She dragged him off.
Takato noticed the clothes store she pulled them into. His eyes widened. "Wait, we're playing dress up with me!?" He yanked his hand free. "No way! C'mon the pictures can't be that bad!"
Rika sighed, taking a camera out. "I bring it everywhere." She clicked through it, showing Takato.
They were almost exclusively silly ones. Ones of him in dumb poses, wearing stupid clothes. There were a few with Guilmon that made him smile, but he got the idea.
"Yikes.. I really do look like an idiot, huh?"
"Look like?" Rika snickered. "You are an idiot, Gogglehead."
"Remind me why I like you again-" Takato said flatly.
Rika smirked. "Not sure, you're the one who asked me out, remember? You should know." She sighed. "Look, I'm not evil. I'm not gonna make you dress up all alone." She explained "I'm gonna find some outfits for myself too." She grabbed his hand. "I figure if we can get a picture of us looking sharp and presentable together, my mother will approve."
Takato sighed. "Ugh.. But clothes shopping is boring.."
"I agree, but it's a necessity. My mother might make us break up if we don't, Takato. Do you wanna break up, Gogglehead?" Rika asked.
"Didn't you just say you wouldn't even if she asked you to..?" Takato asked.
"Do you like holding my hand in public?" Rika asked annoyedly.
"... Yes." He answered meekly.
"Then stomach an afternoon of stuffy fabrics." She said matter of factly. She saw his apprehensive face and took a deep breath. "Please?" She added.
Takato lamented. "Fine, Rika. Let's do it! For our relationship!"
Rika nodded. "For our relationship!" She spoke intensely.
And thus they began their delve into the clothing store. As Rika looked around she sighed, picking clothes out. She shoved them into Takato's arms. "Here, try these on!"
He took it with a confused look. Truthfully the boy had never worn fancy clothes. His parents ran a bakery that they also lived in. They weren't exactly swimming in cash. He disappeared into a dressing room, slowly figuring out how to put on the clothes. He got the pants and shirt on easy enough. Buttons were one thing. The jacket was easy enough too, but this necktie she'd shoved into his hands was an enigma.
He looked in the mirror, amazed at the genuine abomination he had managed to create around his neck with the stupid tie. He sighed, undoing whatever he had done and stepping out. He found the changing stall beside him occupied. "Huh.. Guess Rika isn't done yet.." He sat and waited for her. He watched the door to the changing room unlatch as she stepped out. He was immediately floored. Obviously he always found Rika pretty in her own way, but seeing what she wore sort of shocked him.
She looked so feminine. His eyes were probably wide and his mouth hung ever so slightly open. Something Rika picked up on immediately. "... Hey, Goggles." She walked over with an irritated look.
Rika wore a pink dress that had been put on all the way except the zipper on the back. It went over her shoulders and down her legs, stopping just above her ankles. She wore heels too, so as Takato stood to face her, she just slightly edged him out in height. She blushed at his staring eyes slightly, punching him in the arm. "Snap out of it, idiot!"
The punch got him out of his trance. "Sorry I was just.. Kinda surprised. I don't usually see you looking so.."
"So what?" Rika asked in an annoyed and flustered voice.
"That.." He said flatly. "I don't know. Just never expected it from you.. Feels like something Jeri might wear at a dance!" He said with a small smile.
She sighed. "Well don't get used to it, moron!" She said, grabbing his shirt. It was at this moment she noticed he didn't have the tie on. She looked at him. "Why aren't you wearing the tie?" She asked.
"I.. Couldn't put it on.." Takato admitted, immediately noticing her glare. "I've never worn fancy clothes like this!" He defended himself.
Rika sighed. "Useless-" She took the tie from his hands and put it around his neck. "Chin up." Takato put his chin up and Rika stepped up to him, looking down at him to work on his tie. She sighed.
Takato watched as she tied his tie, his eyes fixating on her focused face. It was then he realized how close their faces were to each other. He blushed, facing away.
Rika was so focused she barely noticed his flustered face. "There. Done." She looked up at him. "Why are you red?"
"Oh uh.. These stuffy clothes are too hot!" Takato said with an awkward laugh.
Rika sighed. "Look. We don't have to wear it much longer. Just take a photo.." She pulled her camera out. "Now stand in a decent pose and say cheese." She said, kicking the heels off so she wouldn't have to crouch any for the photo.
"Wait.. Don't you need to be in the photo too?" Takato asked.
"Huh?" Rika's eyes widened. "Uh.. What? No! My mother already knows I can dress how she wants if I need to! Now hurry and pose!"
Takato tilted his head. "Then what did you dress up for?" He asked.
Rika's face flushed. "Idiot.." She said, fumbling over her words. "Well.. I.." She groaned. "Stupid Gogglehead.." She sat down, putting the camera down. "I hate you.."
"Huh?" Takato asked.
"My mom doesn't actually know about us yet."
"What? Then what was the point of this!?" Takato asked, a confused voice.
"I…" She sighed. "I wanted you to say I looked pretty.." Rika said, looking away, her face red as she admitted it.
Takato raised an eyebrow. "But you punched me last time I called you pretty."
She groaned in frustration, throwing her face in her hands. "I know!" She said, looking down. "I just.." She sighed. "I overheard Henry and Kazu the other day.."
"Kazu and Henry? What did they say?" Takato asked.
Rika sighed, recalling the event. Three days prior, Rika was walking to the park to meet her friends and Takato. When she arrived, she found Henry and Kazu there first. She heard them talking.
"Hey Henry, about Chumley and Rika.." Kazu spoke up. Upon hearing that, RIka's eyes narrowed and she hid in the trees, listening in.
Henry turned. "Huh? What about them?" Henry asked.
"I don't know man, it's just.. Them together? It's still weird. Like she's not his type at all."
Henry rolled his eyes. "He only had a thing for one other girl and that was Jeri. I'd say he doesn't have much of a type, Kazu." Henry said.
"I don't know man.. Just feels like a guy going from Angewomon to LadyDevimon, dude!"
Rika's eyes widened. "LadyDevimon? Am I really that ugly to them? Why do I care what stupid Kazu thinks anyways!? But he said Takato might feel that way.."
"First of all, the fact that you can only think of digimon is embarrassing." Henry said flatly. "Secondly, comparing Rika to LadyDevimon is insane. She's far from demonic." He sighed. "I see the point you're trying to make, but they're our friends. It's their choice to make, I'm sure Takato knows what he likes."
Kazu shrugged. "Maybe he was just desperate."
Rika had heard enough. Up to this point, Takato being her boyfriend had been something she liked a lot, even if she would never admit it, and the idea that to Takato it was just out of desperation. It hurt, even if she didn't want it to. A single tear pricked her eye as she turned and ran off.
Henry turned, his eyes widened as he saw Rika. "She's leaving.. Wait crap.. RIKA!" He yelled.
Back in the clothing store, Rika finished recalling the story. "I didn't go back.. And I haven't talked to Kazu since."
Takato sighed. "That's why you didn't show up that day. First question, why did you listen to Kazu?"
"Isn't he your best friend?" Rika asked.
"Guilmon is my best friend."
"I mean the one that isn't a dinosaur." Rika said in an annoyed tone.
"I prefer you and Henry, you're a bit less insufferable." He said with a good natured laugh.
Rika laughed dryly, sniffling and punching his shoulder. "Stupid Gogglehead.." She sighed. "So.. Was he right?"
"What? No!" Takato said. "Surprisingly, I know I'm a loser, but I wasn't dying to date anyone. I wanted to date you."
"Yeah.. Guess me being your desperation pull would be kinda stupid." Rika laughed a bit, wiping her face. "Takato.. Is Jeri pretty?"
Takato sighed. "I mean, yeah? Objectively I'd say so."
"Am I pretty?" She asked. "Does this dress make me pretty to you?"
Takato looked at her, a small sigh. She felt her heart drop at the sigh, but Takato spoke up suddenly. "I think you're very pretty in that dress." He said. "But it's not you."
"Huh? Are you saying being pretty isn't me?" She asked.
Takato raised his arms. "No! But you know the first time I thought you were pretty?" Takato asked.
Rika sighed. "I'll bite, when?"
"We were fighting a digimon, and you modified Renamon. I remember watching you catch the card and sort of being dumbstruck. You looked awesome.. But you did it so gracefully. I had never actually paid attention to you using a modification before, but I was kinda blown away.."
She rolled her eyes. "That's so like you to find something relating to digimon attractive." She said in a mocking tone.
"I'm being serious. And you have that awesome grace to pretty much everything you do! I think you're really cool and pretty.. That's.. Part of why I like you."
Rika turned to face him with a surprised look. "I.. I had assumed I would have to dress girly like Jeri to get you to really think I'm pretty.."
"I called you pretty before and you punched me.." He sighed. "Besides, you're not Jeri. Why would I want you to look like her?"
"But you said she's pretty."
"Yeah, she's pretty and you're also pretty. I think you're way cooler though." He said. "Besides, I like you because you're a hard worker, you're strong. You're not afraid of anything. I don't just like you because you're pretty."
Rika seemed astounded. "You.. Really mean that?"
"Duh.." Takato said. "And I thought I was supposed to be the dumb one here."
She blushed. "Shut.. Shut up, Gogglehead.." She sighed, leaning against him. "I like you too.. Idiot. For some reasons.."
"Real specific." Takato said.
"Quiet!" She grumbled, keeping her head on his shoulder. "You're kind.. You.. Sorta helped me realize my bond with Renamon.. You're brave, and even if you're stupid, you're a great leader.. And I don't hate looking at you either.." Rika said, her face completely red.
Takato was blushing too. "Wow I.. Never expected that from you.."
Rika grumbled. "Well.. Don't get used to it. I'm not some sappy girl.. So don't expect all kinds of dumb speeches like that!" She said, but even she couldn't help smiling a bit.
Takato smiled. "I gotcha." He said. Suddenly an idea popped into his head. He grabbed her digital camera. Rika didn't have a chance to react as he held it up and snapped a photo of the two of them.
Her eyes widened as the flash went off. She stood. "What are you doing, Gogglehead!?" She said.
Takato got up and showed her the photo. "Look." He said. The picture had Rika laying her head on Takato's shoulder, both their faces with a slightly rosy shade. "You don't have any good photos of me, and we have none together. So there. In case your mom ever asks about me." He said with a small wink.
Rika blushed, swiping his camera with a growl. "I should delete this.." She grumbled. "But if you like it.."
Takato smiled. "Great. Now I'm getting out of these sweaty clothes."
Rika nodded. "Me too."
As they went into their changing rooms and changed back into their normal clothes, their thoughts lingered on each other.
Rika's mind mulled over his words to her again. "Stupid Gogglehead.." She said, a dumb smile creeping onto her face.
Takato similarly was smiling. "I was worried at first, but.. I think it was the right choice.."
As they left the changing rooms and finally the clothes store, the two walked through the mall again. Rika sighed. "Well what now?" She asked. "Wanna go buy some cards?"
Takato smiled. "Heck yeah!"
Rika smiled. "Fine, but first." She turned, noticing a person taking pictures for a couple. She walked over, pulling her boyfriend. "Hey, sir!"
The man smiled. "Yes young Lady?"
Rika held up her camera. "Can you take a picture of me and my boyfriend please?" She asked, pointing to Takato.
The man smiled. "Sure."
Takato tilted his head. "Huh? Why?'
Rika pulled him over. "Just do it." She said. "Remember the Digimon movie with that nerd from America in it?"
"The one with Cocomon?"
"Yeah." Rika said.
"What about it?" Takato asked.
"Remember the pose TK and Kari did for that photo in America?" Rika asked.
"Y-Yeah. I've seen that movie a hundred times."
"Course you have, dork." She said, putting her hands together and leaning into Takato a bit while standing in front of him. "Do TK's pose."
Takato nodded slowly, keeping one arm down behind Rika and raising his other one in a peace sign. He tilted his head a bit and smiled.
The man taking the photo smiled and snapped the photo. "Here you go!" He said, handing the camera back to her. Rika took in and thanked the man, waving bye.
Takato walked up next to her. "What was that all about?"
Rika turned. "The picture of us together earlier was fine.. But like you said, it wasn't us." Rika said with a smile. She showed him the new picture. "This is us."
Takato looked at the picture, and he couldn't help but agree. The two of them, wearing their typical clothes, posing together in a way that pays homage to the original digimon cartoon. He smiled. "I like it." He said.
"Me too, Gogglehead. Now come on, let's continue the date and buy some cards." Rika said.
"Oh so it is a date now, huh?" Takato asked with a small grin.
Rika kicked his shin. He winced, hobbling beside her. She smiled. "Yes, Gogglehead, it is a date I guess."