In a world of endless shadows, a small pink creature lies before me. Its ribbon-like antennae flutter weakly, tiny legs limp with exhaustion. Bead-like eyes blink in the void, like a worn stuffed toy, each shallow breath swallowed by the vast, cold emptiness.

Despite the alien appearance, it felt familiar. Instinctively, I try to reach out, but my body won't move, as though I'm just a silent observer.

"Oh no, someone's actually here!" A squeaky voice breaks the silence, sounding like it came straight from a kid's cartoon.

"So... there were survivors after all." Another powerful voice roared out, firm, that might make one kneel in instinct.

"This is..." The voice close by, getting clearer with every passing moment. "A baby?"

"Everyone..." The small creature flinches, its tired cry merely a whisper. "Patamon... Kunemon... Tentomon... Everyone is gone..."

"We were too late..." The powerful voice mutters. "That program already claimed this village... We must move!"

"BOOOOM!"

Suddenly, a colossal explosion echoes in the nothingness.

"Aniki, aniki! They're here!" The squeaky voice trembles.

"Even this young one..." The powerful presence cut through the darkness, exuding a hint of bitterness. "How dare they call themselves guardian deities?!"

A towering silhouette lifts the small creature, hair like a lion's mane, wrapping strong arms around it like a protective wall. "Hey kid, don't close your eyes yet! Hang in there!"

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Countless blasts rang in unison.

Then—everything went quiet.

My eyelids began to peel open, warm sunlight momentarily blinding my vision.

"Uh... What a weird dream..."

The chipping of the birds outside pulls me back to the present as I groggily reach for my forehead, my fingers brushing against cool skin.

"Zzz... Big sis... more silky food...please..."

Huh? Food?

I glance to my side and find a girl sleeping next to me. Her skin is as fair as a porcelain doll. Drool rolls down her pink klobuk, its winged tips drooping over the mattress.

Never mind... My reality is weirder.

"Blanc, wake up! And why is your hat drooling?!" I lightly shake the small girl beside me.

"You're too loud." A little white pup yawns beside the bed, twitching his nose as his purple ears flap sleepily. "This place reeks of humans..."

Yeah, I live here, you know.

"Come on, Blanc! Time to get up!"

"Zzz…big sis…another bowl…" she mumbles, clinging to the pillow.

Bowl? Are you still dreaming of last night's instant noodles?

"Blanc! It's morning!"

"So we just have to wake her up, huh?" The canine hops on the bed and opens his mouth wide.

"Wait, what're you—"

"Retriever Bark!"

Unrecognizable to human ears, a high-frequency wave ripples across the room. Blanc's eyes blink open in the next moment as she jolts upright and leaps off the bed.

"Huh?! Big sis! Enemy attack!"

She stood in a battle-ready stance, yet her tangled silver hair, fluttering ears on her klobuk, and lingering drool gave her a strangely endearing, silly look.

"What did you just do?" I turn to the pup, who's already licking its fur like nothing happened.

"Relax, I held back."

"Don't use special moves out of the blue!"

I let out a quiet sigh.

Yes, this puppy, grooming itself without a care in the world—is none other than Dobermon... or rather...

My eyes fall over the VR headset screen lying on the table.

[Name: Labramon]

[Level: 3]

[Attribute: Vaccine]

"Seems like this mutt needs discipline!" Blanc declares, gripping her golden trident.

"Heh, bring it on, kid!" Labramon crouched down, ready to fight.

Wait... Are you planning to battle in my room?!

Resting my hands on my hips, I step between them.

"Blanc put Cross Barbée down, and Labramon cut it out already!"

"Whatever. I'm not interested in a child's threats anyways."

"If big sis says so."

Am I imagining things, or is there actual electricity clashing between you two?

While coping with my new life, I head to the sink and grab the toothbrush.

After finding them in my room last night, there was lots of confusion at the start. But it was late, and I was hungry. So we quickly ate dinner and decided to think about it in the morning.

But don't be fooled by their size. They finished six bowls of noodles in one go and were asking for more.

Heading to the fridge, I start taking out the ingredients for breakfast.

Omelettes will do, eggs are cheap and contain several essential nutrients, even if you don't have fancy fillings, you can just use some leftover vegetables.

The smell of toasting bread and the chopped green pepper fills my nostrils. The sizzle of the eggs on the pan was oddly calming. For a moment, everything felt… normal.

"Kid, what do you think you're doing?"

"Blanc's helping the short puppy look outside."

"Grrr... you picking a fight?"

No no! My inner peace! Come back!

I turn only to find Blanc carrying Labramon near the window.

"What now?!"

"Labramon was trying to climb up."

"I didn't ask for your help."

Is he like a real dog? Does he need walks too?

"I'll take you out soon, but just stay quiet for now. This apartment doesn't allow pets!"

"Who are you calling a pet?" Labramon huffed, his tail twitching indignantly.

This is going to be hard...

"Too cramped... hardly any space to move."

"Is it just me, or you've gotten more sassy?"

As I set the plates, I watch Labramon scurrying around the room.

"Is that so?" The pup tilts his head in a carefree manner. "Probably because most of my data was left on the other side. That spatial gap was too narrow for a matured Digimon."

"Right, you said we all fell into that hole Divine Pierce created."

"A rift in the Dimension Wall which separates your world from ours." Labramon takes a big bite of his omelet. "Piercing through all its layers...that X sure went crazy."

X? Wasn't there something like that in [Digimon Dock] warnings?

Seeing Blanc nibbling on her toast like a little bunny, my mind flashes back to the events of the Deep Web, it was almost like she was a different Digimon.

"You mean that [X-Data]?"

"Are you truly that clueless? Honestly, humans..."

"C'mon, if you know something, spit it out!" I demanded.

"Well..." Labramon swallows the bite before speaking, his eyes growing distant. "There was a plague in our original world. A punishment from Heaven itself." He stares at the blue sky outside with an almost wistful look. "Our crime? Simply existing."

I blink, my mind reeling.

Punishment? Heaven? Are you about to drop some heavy stuff over breakfast?

I keep my thoughts to myself, focusing on Labramon who continues as though seeing a long-lost era.

"Back then, some of us developed a new power to survive—an antibody against the virus."

Crumbs of bread fall from his jaws.

"Mmm... this is good."

At least chew before revealing backstories!

"Those who resisted divine judgment…" Labramon's gaze lingers on Blanc, who has gone still, her small hand frozen mid-bite, her ears twitching like a startled rabbit. "A rebellion against God—were X-Digimon."

"..."

My breath hitched in my throat.

Defying God... That's not exactly your everyday breakfast table chat.

"As I thought, I'd recognize that data structure anywhere."

Blanc's hand tightens on her toast, a flicker of something unreadable in her silver eyes as she turns slightly away. "Blanc… doesn't remember."

Then...why can I feel sadness in your voice?

Taking a sip of water, my attention was drawn to Labramon, who resumed munching on the toasts.

"By the way, you talk like you were actually there. How long ago was all these?"

"Oh, a while back. In your human terms—around ten thousand years."

"TEN THOUSAND?!"

I nearly choked on my water.

Just how old is this dog?

After finishing breakfast, I pull out my soft cotton t-shirt with a green eye, belonging to the popular Agumon printed on the chest, paired with dark-wash jeans. As I slid into them, my eyes darted to Blanc sitting on the bed. She hadn't uttered a word since then... How much did I even know about her?

"Okay, enough with this gloomy atmosphere!"

"Burp... This meal was much better than the drifting data in the Network."

Not you, Labramon, and what were you eating back there?

I take Blanc's hand, meeting her dazed, silver eyes.

"Big sis?"

"Okay, get ready. It's time to leave!"

"Leave...where?"

"Isn't it obvious? If anyone could explain all these, it would be the creator of Digimon Daydream—Abadin Games."

I retrieve a black backpack from under the bed, the word 'I.D.E.A' stamped on the top.

"Okay, Labramon, get in!"

"You must be joking." The puppy's tiny fangs bared.

A natural reaction, but I already anticipated that.

"If you comply this time, I'll treat you a bowl of pork ramen later."

"Ramen... What's that?"

"Remember the noodles? It's more delicious than that."

"Tastier than..." Labramon's tail wagged as his mouth watered. "Hmph...fine! You better keep this ramen ready." He reluctantly walks into the bag.

Plan successful! Next—I present an old bass case.

"Blanc, put Cross Barbée in this."

"But big sis, isn't this for guitar?"

"You know what a guitar is?"

"Etemon often plays one."

Etemon? If I remember correctly, it's a monkey-like Digimon.

"Oh well." As the trident vanishes in the case, I raise a fist. "Let's go! It's time to get some answers!"

Stepping at the door, I pull the backpack.

"Huh?"

I pull again.

It won't budge...

"Um, Blanc... can you carry this?"

"Sure thing, big sis."

With a grin, she effortlessly sets the backpack on her small back.

Okay, don't get discouraged, Lily.

These Digimon are just ridiculous, you're not out of shape.

Yeah, no need to worry.

As I descended the stairs, the fresh morning air greeted me. The sun cast long shadows across the lined wooden houses with tiled roofs. A gentle breeze carried the scent of wildflowers. The ringing of a bicycle can be heard from the distance.

"Is this big sis's world?" Blanc hops to the streets, her eyes gleaming. "It's so peaceful."

"Big towns are louder. My apartment just happens to be in a remote area."

And that's probably why the rent is so cheap.

"Hey, Miss Lily~!"

Oh crap... Not her.

I quicken my pace, pulling Blanc along.

"Wait wait, Miss Lily! Are you avoiding me?"

A girl, seventeen or eighteen, dashed in front of me on her azure heels, pouting in her Japanese sailor uniform as crisp as her enthusiasm, the white collar framing her youthful face. The navy blue skirt fell gracefully to her knees, her legs covered by white knee-high socks.

"I know you heard me! Why are you running away?"

"You see, Ina, I was in a hurry, so couldn't hear you."

"Really?" Her eyes, glittering like sapphires, studies me skeptically.

"Yep! You know I won't willingly ignore you."

"Big sis, who is this?" Blanc curiously scans the teenage girl with wide eyes.

"Oh, this is Ina Watanabe. My landlord's daughter."

And the worst person to encounter right now.

"Aaa! You're frickin cute!" Ina's eyes light up as if she's found an idol. "And this magical girl outfit, is it custom-made?"

Thankfully, I'm already prepared for something like this.

"Ina, let me introduce you. This is Blanc, my little sister, she'll be living with me for a while."

"Wow, I didn't know you had such an adorable sister. After all, I barely see you outside of your room."

Hey, don't add me with those NEET! Anyone will relax at home in the holidays.

"But this getup, going to Akihabara?"

"Huh, how do you know?"

"That's easy." She twirls, taking out a wand with a heart at the tip, her twin tails swaying like a golden river bathed in morning lights. "Today's Sunday, so I'm also going to the Magica Wonder Fes!"

Fes... "Right!" There was a Collab this month.

"Big sis, what's a Fes?"

"It's kind of like a limited-time event in Daydream."

"Event? Do they give out free Digi-candies?" Blanc's bunny-like ears perk up.

"I mean, technically it's not free."

Ina suddenly takes Blanc's hand in hers, bounding up a bright smile.

"It's settled then! Let's raid Akihabara together!"

AN:

While Digimon Seekers had plenty of arcs set in the real world, the Digimon themselves never materialized there like in other series. The author wanted to experiment with this concept, bringing Digimon directly into a real-world setting. Next time, it's time for adventures in the real world. And as the readers can guess, Lily is Japanese.