Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.

Seeing Red

Chapter: 03

The theater, it turned out, was not a film, but rather the Noh theater that Rika went with her grandmother to see from time to time going as far back to her early childhood. Slow paced, low tech and hardly a single convincing costume in sight, yet steeped with an air of a far older world where magic and gods ruled alongside the sword. Rika often found herself unsure of what to make of Noh plays, but they held a certain nostalgia for her that sat well with her mind and even helped her at various points to understand a few things about herself and those she allowed into her life, so she didn't turn away from them, though she didn't visit them as much as she did in her youth.

Today she came here not to find some revelation or solace in nostalgia, but rather to buy herself time to figure out what to do with the relationship she now found herself in.

I sure didn't expect him to be okay with this, she thought, watching the actor steadily creep forward from the far end of the stage. But then, nothing about today has been at all what I expected.

She snuck a glance at Takato, memories of her earlier intrusion on his privacy intruding on her mind. He had relaxed a little since then, the quiet of the play coupled with her lack of explosive temper helping him settle down from his earlier freak out, which was good. A tense Takato had the tendency to stick his foot in his mouth. While he was cute when flustered, it wasn't what she would call a good time when she hadn't been the one to deliberately instigate it. She didn't like the chaotic tension that created as it left her with a feeling of not being in control in such situations. Managing Takato's embarrassments for her benefit whenever she wanted to see him get flustered was much preferable.

She simply didn't like being taken by surprise.

She glanced back at the play, trying to ignore the memory of Takato's orgasming penis spilling its contents onto the floor of his room. Red crept into her cheeks and she shifted her seating, once more becoming aware of her open bosom where, much to her growing distress, she began to imagine her breasts being covered in his seed like in the doujinshi's that Jeri lent her on occasion. She resisted the urge to wipe away the imaginary sperm from her chest and shifted the again, cursing her imagination for going in such directions. Why was she even thinking about that in the first place?

Of course, she knew why. One of her flaws was her tendency to avoid answers to questions when she knew she hated them. The thought had come about because it had been the first time she had seen a penis outside of Jeri's collection of porn or the snippets Kazu snuck in to their get-togethers. And, perhaps most importantly, it was Takato's penis. She saw it again in her mind's eye, pulsing in his hands as milky-white fluid spilled past the mushroom-shaped tip and down its length towards the floor. It looked so…strange. Almost alien in fact, like another entity attached to her friend, and it was…swollen. Stiff. Primed for sex.

That's something couples do…isn't it, she found herself thinking. Curious, she imagined herself cupping him now, testing to see if his erection hurt. Did it hurt? It didn't seem to from what she saw and read, but its complete and total alien shape made her wonder. She couldn't help but admit being curious.

The problem was, just thinking about it got her curiosity – and by extension, her imagination – going in ways that left an excited, pleasant ache inside her. Her body flushed and she shifted in her seat, a mistake that she paid for with a satisfied pulsing between her legs as the friction of her movement graced the hidden pearl of her clitoris. She shuddered, closing her eyes against the momentary relief it brought, only for a pleasurable tightness to sink into the core of her being, sitting expectantly in her chest…waiting eagerly for more.

Great. Just great, she groaned mentally, folding her arms about herself, feeling herself pulse and throb, a dim, yet fiery need, like fingers, digging deep and pushing up into her before spreading its roots outward. Like what to do on their date, this was something she hadn't considered either. It seemed she had only gotten as far in her planning as seeing if Takato was interested in her and now that she confirmed that he was – his dreaming about holding hands with her felt like a strong indicator – she didn't know what to do. What sort of things did couples do? Frowning, she ran down the mental checklist of what she knew about couples and what they did on dates.

Go out and watch movies, eat expensive dinners, kiss, make out and have sex… She paused in her listing at that last one and felt a fire flash through her and the needy warmth suddenly felt a little hotter. Wrapping her arms around herself, she shivered and shifted uncomfortably again.

"Um… Are you okay, Rika?" Takato's whisper broke across her thoughts, causing the girl to jump and blush hard in the darkness of the theater.

"I'm fine!" she whispered back, tightening her arms about herself. Lifting an eyebrow, Takato looked at her skeptically before reaching down to the hem of his short-sleeved hoodie and for a fraction of a second, Rika had the nightmarish image of him stripping down, preparing to put out the fire that she felt burning within her. In that instant, she imagined him climbing on top of her, his loving, concerned face smiling reassuringly as his penis swung into view and pressed between her legs questioningly; her jeans providing a barrier that could be removed if only she gave the word.

Rika found herself horrified at the sudden rush of excitement that flushed along her body and she snapped back to reality, killing the momentary daydream.

"What are you doing?!" she hissed with a start as his hoodie slipped past his shoulders, revealing the white, t-shirt he wore underneath. In response, Takato handed her his hoodie, smiling warmly at her.

"Well, I saw you shivering, so I thought maybe you would like something to help you keep warm. I know you don't like the cold and it is kind of chilly in here."

Rika stared at Takato, dumbfounded while between her legs, a swelling warmth pulsed both in appreciation and disappointment.

R-Right, she thought distractedly. This is one of those things people do when they're in a relationship.

A light blush touched her features, and in spite of herself, she accepted his hoodie.

"Thanks," she mumbled, her voice betraying both appreciation and a reluctance to give it.

"Don't mention it," Takato smiled, leaving Rika to fume in annoyance over how relaxed he could be now. How dare he be so calm after this morning? Especially now that he lit a fire in her.

Rika scowled at the hoodie, debating over whether or not to use it like a blanket before opting to just put it on, deciding that it was a 'couples' thing she could live with at this point. She felt her skin prickle in appreciation as his warmth suddenly enveloped her and a small smile returned to her face.

Smells like freshly baked bread, she thought, breathing deep Takato's scent, only to suddenly wish that she hadn't. The needy warmth hummed appreciatively and promptly turned the temperature up a notch.

Stupid, stupid Gogglehead!she cursed, clenching her eyes shut as she felt those invisible fingers inch ever deeper inside her.

###

Takato stretched in his seat as the play ended, feeling the pleasant unknotting of muscles long unused rejoicing in being brought back to life.

"So what do you want to do next?" he asked, only for Rika to abruptly get up from her seat and swiftly start making her way toward the exit. His eyebrows rising, he quickly fell into step behind her. "Um… Are you okay?"

"Fine. Peachy." Her replies were short and terse. Takato winced at the undercurrent of frustration in them.

"Um… Did I do something wrong?" he asked, continuing to follow after her up the stairs that would take them towards the exit. He wracked his brain for what he could have possibly done, but as yet, he couldn't think of anything. Rika almost paused in their climb, but quickly resumed their trek.

"No," she said in a softer, regretful tone. "I was just…" She paused as they filed out of the exit, making a trail toward the sunlit outdoors. "I guess I'm just sorry for taking you away from your earlier fun on such short notice and only for this." She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. "I know Noh theater isn't exactly everyone's taste."

Takato cocked an eyebrow at her, wondering where this was coming from. He couldn't remember expressing boredom or even falling asleep.

"Well, I thought it was kind of fun," he replied, offering her a smile.

"Kind of?"

"It was different."

Rika hmphed.

"That sounds like you're trying to say you were bored but you want to be nice about it."

"Hey, have I ever done something like that?" Takato frowned, pushing open the exit doors and stepping outside. Rika scowled.

"No," she admitted. "But you do have a habit of trying to put a positive spin on things because you don't like making me mad."

"Yeah, okay," Takato conceded with a blush, scratching his cheek. "But I wasn't bored. I mean, okay, it's not as fun as watching Digimon, but it was still kind of interesting. I never saw a Noh play before, so it was kind of cool thinking about it. Like…what kind of things people used to see as entertaining back in old days and how seriously they took it. It wasn't just acting it was kind of like…" His words fumbled for half a moment as he thought about how to express what was on his mind. "It was like watching a piece of art being made. I guess I kind of appreciated that. Plus, the company's nice and I think it's nice to be with someone for things like this. It was kind of…" His blush deepened. "…romantic, I guess you could say?"

Rika gave his shoulder a light punch as she rolled her eyes. "Kind of laying it on pretty thick there, aren't you?"

"Why do you say that?" came Takato's answering laugh. "You are fun to hang out with. In your own way."

"My own, prickly way, you mean," Rika smirked. Takato's smile softened.

"Roses are prickly too, but that doesn't stop them from being…beautiful."

Instantly, Takato's face found itself drowning in red as he realized what he said out loud and how it sounded. Rika flushed as well, somewhat taken aback by the unexpected compliment. While Takato occasionally complimented her appearance – warily – he had very rarely called her beautiful except by accident such as this, when his mouth and brain got too loose and far apart from one another. Not that she ever discouraged him deliberately, but she knew the vibe she gave off – especially in light of their friend Kazu, who increasingly earned her annoyance whenever he complimented her appearance – made it difficult to predict her reaction to such things, even when well meant. It was easy to see why he would tread with caution and not want to upset her.

Still, she found herself smiling at his words – knowing full well that he meant something different from Kazu – and she hurriedly looked away, her stomach tying itself into knots.

"Okay, now I'm really sorry I took you away from your fun," she grunted, folding her arms together over her breasts. "You're getting all mushy on me."

"I-It's no problem," Takato replied through his awkward blushing. "Really, it's not like I had anything better to do, and I like being with you. It's always more fun when you're around."

Takato coughed, trying to rally and regroup. The heat flooding his brain was making it go haywire and it took everything he had to keep from devolving into a mess of babbling nonsense.

Rika hummed as they made their way down the street. "Always, huh? Would that include what you were doing in your room?"

Takato felt a switch spark in his brain at that and his foot caught on the ground, almost tripping him up. Almost immediately, he envisioned Rika with him in his room, and instead of his hand, hers was the one encircling his penis, pumping him softly while she eyed him with a mischievous smirk. Imaginary Rika however stood in stark contrast to her real person. She watched him out of the corner of her eye, her expression contemplative, awaiting his answer.

"Rika…" he began, and he suddenly found his tongue starting to entangle itself. Words tripped on its tip and his thoughts stumbled. Determined not to lose it to the tumultuous storm building inside him, he forced himself to power through.

"Rika… I like sharing things with you. Things like time and… I just like being with you and…" Another spark, and he hesitated, considering that brief flash of insight in the darkness. Why she brought up the incident in his room again; the way she looked at him, gauging his reactions. "Are you bothered by…" He swallowed nervously. "…by what you saw me doing?"

Rika's feet stopped at an intersection, her fingers tapping against her arms in thought as the Don't Walk sign flashed red. Her lips parted, but she paused, thinking. Another moment, and she looked at him sympathetically.

"Why don't we table that for later?" she suggested. "I…um… I've been putting you on the spot a lot today and I've just been…"

Takato waited as she trailed off. "Rika?" he prompted when she didn't continue. She jumped slightly, as if broken out of her thoughts.

"Sorry. Um…" Dropping her arms, she turned to face him more fully. "Do you want to try this again later? Plan better, I mean. I've got some free time coming up and I'd…really like things to be a little less…" She grinned playfully at him. "…goggleheaded."

Takato scratched the back of his head, uncertain about what was running through Rika's head right now, but he was glad that she wanted to continue giving whatever they were now a shot.

We…are in a relationship now, right? he couldn't help but wonder. Rika had said this was a date and she was up for a second round, so that meant they were a couple…didn't it?

Maybe it's a good idea to give it a few more dates before asking?

"I don't know how that'll work out since you've got me tagging along," he joked. "But…ah…yeah. I'd…I'd really like that. I'd really like…you." He blanched at his mouth's fumbling and under her widening eyes he quickly tried to backpedal. "I really like you I mean! I want to do right by you and…"

A gentle tap of her knuckles on his forehead brought him up short, and just like that, he gasped in surprise, finding her suddenly very close to him, violet eyes dancing with delight as she smirked at him.

"You're getting mushy on me again, Takato," she said in a low voice before leaning in and brushing her lips against the corners of his.

The Walk light turned green and its red sibling, Don't flickered to black.

###

Electricity powered Rika's muscles as she walked through the familiar streets of her neighborhood. She set a fast pace, but she didn't run. She didn't want to give herself the impression that she was in a hurry to get home.

The rest of her pleaded with her mind to do just that however, but she ignored them. As far as she was concerned, they could wait for attempting to ruin her date.

But I am in a hurry to get home, she thought distractedly, her whole body feeling strangely alive in a way that she hadn't before. The memory of her kiss with Takato buzzed within her, and she had to restrain herself from skipping along the sidewalk as though she were a five-year old girl again on Christmas Day.

Get…Get a hold of yourself, she berated her excitement. It was just a stupid kiss. Nothing to get excited about.

Her body ignored her however, and delight sang the length of her muscles, making her move with an energy she hadn't felt since first becoming a Tamer.

She found herself hating singing all the more now.

"You seem to be in a good mood."

Rika jumped at the unexpected voice that spoke up just as she rounded the corner. There, seated atop the gate surrounding her home, was Renamon, smiling, her blue-eyes penetrating and knowing. Rika flushed red and resumed her approach, trying – and failing – to appear casual.

"Y-Yeah, I am. So what? I mean… Well, it wasn't a total disaster."

"Is the disaster part why you're wearing Takato's hoodie?"

Rika did not know it was possible for her to blush so much, but somehow, she managed to grow even hotter as she realized that both she and Takato had forgotten all about that, allowing her to walk off with it. If she had walked into her home with any one of her family members there to see…

She didn't want to pursue that thought.

"I was cold," she defended lamely. Reaching about her, she pulled the shirt off, catching the nostalgic scent of her gogglehead. Her heart at once ached and rejoiced, remembering the gentle touch of his lips against hers and missing it. In spite of herself, she wished she could feel his arms about her, holding her close.

I don't believe this… she grumbled, closing her eyes. I'm acting like one of those stupid, lovesick girls from school.

"Do you think you could return this for me?" she asked, ignoring her flustered embarrassment. Chuckling, Renamon somersaulted down to her and took the hoodie into her claws.

"Of course," she said. "I would like to make sure Guilmon is dong well. He seemed rather put out when I put it on pause to see how you were doing."

"Almost can't believe you'd be mean to Dinoboy like that," Rika smirked playfully.

"It wasn't intentional," the kitsune replied in amusement. "I'm glad you seem to have had a good time. I was rather worried."

"Because I'm prickly?" Rika asked, her expression sobering somewhat.

"Among other things," Renamon said, her tone suggestive. "But it seems those worries were unfounded. I'll be sure to thank Takato for being such a…" She cocked her head to one side. "Is gentleman the appropriate word?"

"Gogglehead," Rika grunted, trying to parse out Renamon's meaning. "No matter what, he's always going to be a gogglehead. Have fun, Renamon."

"And you as well, Rika," the vulpine digimon said knowingly before vanishing from view, leaving Rika blushing once more, having finally put the puzzle pieces together.

"Sometimes it's annoying that you know so much about me," she muttered under her breath before pushing open the gate to her home and stepping inside. "Grandma, I'm home!" she called, spotting the household's elder matriarch, Seiko Hata, seated at a table, drinking tea while perusing a tablet, laughing at some humorous video that played on it.

"Welcome back," she greeted, putting the video on pause. "Did you have a good time?"

Rika smiled wistfully, remembering her kiss again. "It was…different. But in a good way. Anyway, I…" She blushed faintly. "Um…I'll be in my room. Call me when dinner's ready?"

Seiko tilted her head to one side, but nodded. "We'll be having your favorite. Chicken gizzards with eggplant and liver casserole."

Rika pumped her fist by her side, her grin almost bursting off her face.

"Terrific."

###

Rika slid the door shut behind her, taking a minute to enjoy the quiet solitude her room granted her before stepping towards her clothing wrack, where her usual, preferred shirt greeted her. Slipping off her low cut, sleeveless top, she tossed it onto the wrack without so much as a care for it.

"Don't need you anymore," she told it, undoing her bra and slipping it off. She felt a short rush of relief at doing so. Her chest had been feeling somewhat tight today. Not terribly so, but noticeably enough to poke at the back of her mind. Taking up her usual shirt, she fluffed it out.

Wonder if I need to go up another size again, she thought, scowling at her breasts. They were still growing, it seemed. She wasn't done changing yet.

"I guess I didn't need you either," she said, donning her shirt. She blushed a little, still frowning. "Stupid…" she muttered. "What am I doing talking to my boobs for?"

Smoothing her shirt out, she took a deep breath, feeling it draw tight against her. Another shirt size seemed to be in her future as well, though not today.

How annoying…

Still, she felt better, and looking about, she wondered what she was going to do now that she was home. Read a book or…?

Her eyes drifted over to her closet, and a memory of Takato's penis again flashed through her mind. She felt warm muscles, already tired of being ignored, draw tight around emptiness and proceed to groan in disappointment that there was nothing to grip onto.

She groaned back, annoyed, in turn.

"Can't you just…settle down?" she whispered in frustration, seating herself at her table, determined to ignore her closet and the hidden contents contained therein. She remembered Renamon's knowing look and the long, agonizing 'distraction'she endured at the theater. She knew what she wanted to do right now. But she wasn't going to be defeated easily.

Can't I just enjoy being with Takato and remembering it all without you bothering me? she asked herself. Muscles trembled in agitation and Rika bit her lip. That pleasant feeling; needy and growling, wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. Either you can do this now and get it over with, or you're in for a long, long night, that pleasurable feeling almost seemed to say to her. It demanded relief, and in the privacy of her room, with no one to watch her or judge her, it would be very easy to get.

And she knew it.

Shame welled up in her, but her hand nonetheless crept southward now. Her breathing slowed in anticipation, ears straining for any signal of her family approaching. She had no concern about Renamon. She learned a long time ago that it was not wise to disturb her partner when she was 'taking care of business.' Her mother as well, as she was out on a photo shoot for work. That left only her grandmother. Easy to hear. She preferred to make sure people knew she was coming.

A button popped open, followed by another and soon Rika's hand slipped under her jeans and panties, fingers parting the sea of red flame that lay beneath. She drew in a sharp, satisfied hiss as she pressed against her swollen vulva, engorged and primed for sex.

This feels…too good to be good…

Her mind drifted back toward Takato, taking up her earlier daydream at the theater, envisioning herself granting him permission by reaching up toward him, threading her fingers through her soft, brown hair before drawing him to her in a deeper kiss than she had thus far given him in real life. His hair… His eyes. His warm, red eyes. Speaking purely of aesthetics, she loved those things about him the best. His eyes especially. So full of trust and love and respect…

Her fingers grew tight and she gasped, burying her face into her arm.

No…

She envisioned him holding her in his arms as their hips rocked lovingly against one another. She felt bad doing so, but imaginary Takato only smiled, leaving little butterfly kisses along her neck.

"It's okay," he whispered to her anxieties.

"N-Not okay ..." she shuddered, teeth clenching as her fingers pressed harder in the real world. Imaginary Takato simply smiled before silencing her with a kiss, burying himself deeply inside her. Rika moaned softly and she jerked her hips forward, her finger sliding along her vulva. She felt slick. Damp to the touch. She felt so good…and that made her feel terrible. What made it even worse, she knew that the real Takato would have told her much the same as her imaginary one. He was too self-sacrificing. Too loving. Too trusting.

She was abusing that trust for her own pleasure.

Her fingers didn't stop or even slow down however. The fire was running amok inside her now, causing her to flush powerfully, radiating intense heat from every pore in her body. She raised her hips ever so slightly, allowing greater access to her vagina. She bit her lip, sinking two fingers inside. Her muscles grew tight and she felt a wave of sensation grow within her like a storm, waiting to crash on her like thunder. Needing only one final push…

"Rika! I'm home! Where are you? I had the most amazing day!"

Rika jumped at the sudden, loud call from outside her room and banged her hip into the side of her table. White stars splashed across her vision and she bit back an enraged curse.

"I-I'm in here, Mom!" she called back, hastily buttoning back up while crimson erupted across her face.

Of all the times…! she thought angrily, clambering shakily to her feet. Mom… You have very bad timing…

She paused that thought, smoothing out her clothes before reconsidering.

Or…maybe the best actually, she thought, her shame returning again. She closed her eyes, feeling the pleasant, yet almost painful throbbing and squeezing inside of her. Hating it while simultaneously enjoying the pleasurable sensations.

Sorry, Takato…

###

"Oooh…" Guilmon said, holding up the magazine in his claws. On the cover was depicted an image of a woman, hands squished against her chest and smiling saucily at the viewer, her hip jutted out at a seductive angle. "Boobies."

"Guilmon…!" His face burning bright red, he snatched the magazine out of his partners claws. At once, Guilmon's ears wilted and his expression became downcast.

"Ohhh… What'd I do wrong?"

"Nothing," Takato said apologetically, looking at his desk. "It was more me being careless before I left the house."

He was back in his room at the bakery, feeling a conflicting range of emotions whirling within him. On one hand, he was ecstatic. Rika… Rika kissed him! Asked him out on not one but two dates and very much wanted to be in a relationship with him. His heart whooped with joy, and yet…

He glanced over at the spot where, that very morning, the girl of his dreams had caught him masturbating. She had covered her shock – or was it rather her disgust? – well, and for a time, Takato had been able to forget about the horribly awkward moment. But after they left the theater, Rika expressed a certain…unsettlement about what she saw him doing. Not that she said so, but her lack of response when he asked her about it didn't leave him feeling good at all about the situation.

I was careless about a lot of things, he thought, his expression softening. Rika… Man, you've got to be so grossed out about me right now. What…What could you even see in me after that? Why'd you even invite me out?

Not finding an answer – not that he expected he would in his private conversations with himself – he made his way over to his closet and pulled the door open. Kneeling down, he wedged the magazine between some boxes that served as its usual hiding place and closed it off from view. Sensing his worries, Guilmon padded over to him and laid a claw on the boy's back.

"What happened, Takatomon?" he asked, slipping into his old naming habit for a brief moment. "I thought you had fun when you were with Rika? Is she mad? You smelled happy when you came home."

"I was. I am. I…" He sighed. "Things are complicated."

Guilmon tilted his head to one side questioningly. "Did it have anything to do with your porn?" he asked. Takato wanted to bury his face in his hands and shut out the world. Oh, how he regretted the day he had to explain the concept of pornography to his best friend. Not that he really understood it all that well beyond it sounding like a really fun game that, unfortunately for him, required tools he didn't have, but it remained something of a dark patch of land in the yard of their friendship, if only due to the fact that hearing the word 'porn' or 'boobies' had not previously been a part of the digital lizard's vocabulary. It left him in dread of his parents should Guilmon, one day, accidently slip and say it out loud.

Momentai! he imagined Terriermon – the partner of his friend Henry – saying while giggling, completely indifferent to the role he played in Guilmon's awakening to the concept of sex. Both him and Impmon.

Well, I guess I should be grateful that Guilmon isn't asking me why I didn't draw him with a penis, Takato thought before, quite against his will, his mind drudged up an image of his partner with a large length of white and red pointing out from between his legs like a mushroom-shaped spear. Dropping his face into his hands, Takato groaned.

Mom's right again. My imagination can be such a curse…

"Hmmm…" Guilmon hummed, trying to parse out Takato's words, taking no notice of his partner's reaction. "Things sure get complicated between you two a lot, huh?" he asked, the question more rhetorical than not. "Sometimes she acts like she wants to beat you up, but she never will. She likes you too much."

"Days like this, I almost wish she would," Takato said with a shake of his head while climbing to his feet.

"Huh? But that would be mean! Rika doesn't like being mean to you!"

"I know, but…" Takato paused, uncertain how to explain everything about how he felt with regards to Rika. How his body reacted to those feelings; reacted to her presence and even the very thought of her. He loved her. Loved her and…more. In ways that went beyond just simple liking. It was what led him to where she had found him that morning. The lust that had earlier stained his floors, and stained many a piece of tissue paper.

He had imagined her earlier, in spite of himself, in suggestive positions. Suggestive acts, and after her catching him masturbating, he felt her judging eyes more keenly than ever. He hated making her upset, even on accident. And this… What he did upset her.

How am I going to make this up to her? I want to be worthy of her. But…how? What can I do to make her happy?

"But what, Takato?" Guilmon prompted. Takato was saved from having to answer by the sound of Renamon's claw tapping on the glass of his window. Jumping in surprise, he hurried over, almost tripping over his feet in the process.

"R-Renamon!" he exclaimed, to which the vulpine digimon nodded, a bemused glimmer in her eye.

"Your pants are on, I see," she noted humorously. Guilmon looked at his partner, startled.

"Hah? Was Takato having alone-time in front of you?" he asked, utterly confused. "But…that doesn't make it alone-time."

"Oh jeez…" Takato groaned. Someone, just kill me now…

"It was…accidental," Renamon said, passing Takato his hoodie. "Just like this. It seems you left this with Rika and she forgot to return it to you."

"O-Oh!" Takato blinked, accepting his clothes. "Um… Thanks?"

Renamon tilted her head at him questioningly, blue eyes staring directly into his. Feeling increasingly uncertain and nervous under her scrutinizing gaze, Takato forced himself to keep from looking away, all the while his mind raced fiercely, trying to think of something that would help Rika feel better about what happened.

Maybe if I just…stopped doing it altogether? That idea sounded good. He went with it.

"I-I mean, thanks. I…" He coughed. "Renamon?"

"Yes?"

"I…um…" Man this is hard… "About this morning… I'm sorry. I…um… I want you to know that I've learned my lesson. It won't happen again, I promise."

"Doubtful," Renamon smiled playfully, her voice hinting that she felt he was talking about more than simply being careless about where he had his fun. Placing a comforting paw on the teens shoulder, she gave him a soft squeeze. "It's quite all right though, Takato. If anything, I believe Rika seems to have appreciated your unintended show."

"That's good," Takato breathed before the light bulb clicked on in his mind. "Wait, what? Appreciated?"

"I don't pretend to understand the ins and outs of everything about you humans," Renamon continued over the boy's confusion, "but she was quite happy when she came home. I don't think she'll hold this morning against you." She gave a light laugh just then. "Though if any lesson is to be learned here, it's one where you use your drapes to cover your window so such accidents don't happen again."

Takato blushed ferociously, his eyes flickering over to said drapes, still open and allowing sunlight to enter his room unimpeded.

Yep… I'm definitely a gogglehead…

"Something to think about for the next time," Renamon teased, drawing away and flicking his nose with her tail. Stepping out onto the metal porch, she climbed the railing and turned to look back.

"Rika will call you later when she has details for your next date." Her playful smile widened just enough to allow Takato to see it. "I do hope that you enjoy yourselves."

With that, she vanished from view, leaving behind the sound of a flute playing on the wind with a completely baffled Takato.

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