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seventeenlovesthree · 9 months

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My wishes for future portrayals of the Adventure cast

Since 2023 is coming to an end - and since my Twitter timeline is full of bits about the final Sailor Moon Cosmos movie -, I thought it was time for one final analysis post. Initially, it felt a bit like a "moping post", complaining about how the Adventure writers have written themselves into a corner with a lot of the characters - however, I felt like reframing these and finding a more positive outlook. For 2024, the 25th anniversary of the Digimon anime, and beyond that.

For the sake of this analysis post I will parallel the 12 characters with one another, thus talking about 6 pairs - either because they are facing similar issues or because they are on different ends of the potential spectrum.

MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD! (I will try to keep it as spoiler free for The Beginning as possible though!)

Taichi & Daisuke

Let's start with our goggle boys first, because they were the reason why I came up with this post in the first place. I had already paralleled them before, but what I haven't talked about yet is that they both represent certain aspects of the "main character syndrome" to me - aspects that can ALSO be found in Usagi Tsukino, and the final arc, Stars, in particular. All these three go through different types of hardships the plot throws at them; those familiar with my analysis posts know how much I consider Tri, the stageplay and Kizuna to be "Taichi suffer porn" and the Stars arc pretty much does the same with Usagi. It's one of the reasons why I have such a love-hate-relationship with these portrayals, because as much as I know how important they are for character growth, I also need there to be a catharsis. And in Taichi's case, I still feel like we haven't gotten there yet. Sure, it's implied that he's on his way to pull himself out of stagnation, accepting Digimon and the Digital World as a part of himself that will never vanish, etc. But on a very petty note, I still wish the writers could have invested more time into paralleling Daisuke and Taichi to one another, instead of just hinting at things. Because Daisuke, as much as he had to face dreadful moments and had to make tough decisions himself, never had to go through the same experiences of loss and grief as Taichi did. In a way, Daisuke is more the portrayal of "hope" in Usagi than Taichi is; Daisuke is usually a catalysator for other characters, he elevates and inspires others in more simple, but still very effective ways. In the DigiFes audio drama, we hear Daisuke say that he hasn't forgotten what happened to Taichi, that he wants to find a way to undo what happened and bring the Digimon back. It's hopeful, it's idealistic, it's Daisuke's good heart that reaches people. Unfortunately, we are not really seeing his own self-esteem struggles outside of audio dramas...

So what would I like to see for them in the future?

Taichi is giving other people hope too, but it's more because they naturally rely on him to be like that. What I need to happen for him is to see the spirit from the last few seconds of Kizuna, running through cherry blossoms with confidence and determination, and completely commit to that. I value Digimon for its realistic portrayal of human struggles and relationships, but with Taichi, they haven't found a good middle ground yet. The reboot absolutely was an attempt to maintain his main character status and popularity without the suffering - but in the process they stripped 90% of what makes his character interesting away from him and that made people more annoyed by his bland, perfectly positive attitude than anything else. I want him to embrace his struggles and see him find his own personal middle ground. Reconnecting with his family, part of the friend group, making difficult phone calls, actually figuring out a way to bring everyone together like they used to - up to a point where he can actually smile to himself again, as tough as early diplomat life can be, until we see him reunite with Agumon. I don't want everything to be perfect, I mean, heck, Taichi Yagami isn't even a canonically people-y person, he just likes to spend his time with weirdos he loves! But I want to see him get back on track. Give me a 15-30 minute short of that and I'll be happy.

As for Daisuke - I think the first audio drama for The Beginning was the perfect set-up for a mini-series dealing with "Daisuke Motomiya's struggles to set up his ramen cart career". Gimme 12 episodes of him facing different obstacles, whether they're physical or personal, that ACTUALLY highlight his qualities and developments in deeper ways, showing him to be vulnerable in front of someone.

Yamato & Ken

This may sound like a very obvious observation, but it's really interesting to me how similar the roles they have been fulfilling are in the context of being foils to the goggle boys. In fact, it's not even like they're impulse controls for Taichi and Daisuke respectively - but that they do exactly that FOR each other. Unfortunately, that makes it difficult for them to exist outside of this context - for example, I think The Beginning (and the third drama in particular) really WANTED Ken to be an integral part of the development, but couldn't really achieve that, even though there were SO MANY potential parallels to Rui. Any other than that, we don't really know what's going on with Ken - what HAS BEEN going on with him since 02 has ended. We know he is popular at uni, he's still a smart bean, in touch with the 02 group - but that's it.

The OG timeline still gave Yamato individual moments in Tri and Kizuna, but it didn't really allow him to bloom further yet - he couldn't really break out of his shell in the same vain as 02 already implied. Again, it's not necessary to give him a perfect happy end where his parents reunite and he'd be perfectly capable of making connections left and right - that wouldn't be realistic. And at least we got glimpses as to why he might get into space, which was nice. On the other hand, you could tell that they didn't really know what to do with him in the reboot aside from forcing him to be "the second strongest character in terms of combat" again for marketing reasons.

(And another thing that's similar to both of them and yet totally different - is the way their romantic lives are framed. And no, for once I don't mean that they're both hopelessly in love with their respective goggle boys, even though that is technically part of it too... Both their supposed future spouses are the ones who canonically make the first step towards vaguely romantic gestures - but we only see one of these interactions framed in a rather romantic light ever since 02 ended, whereas the other has been weirdly brushed under the rug ever since.)

So what would I like to see for them in the future?

Similarly to how I wanted a short showing Taichi's more human side again, I want something like that for each Ken and Yamato too. To see how their daily lives go. Show me Ken and Wormmon fighting crime and Yamato being confronted with WHY exactly there is a threat coming from space, which is WHY he chooses to go in that direction in the first place (even though he totally could have chosen to become a policeman just like Ken too, Tri and Kizuna made very valid points to him LOVING to investigate after all!!!). And I want the writers to COMMIT to show how they're able to form and maintain relationships, because really - we know they are both popular with the crowds, but struggle A LOT with that. ESPECIALLY in the romance department. I know and understand why they WOULDN'T do that considering the fandom backlashes in the past, but... It's been 25 years. That bandaid should have been ripped off a long time ago. Show us why it works - or why it doesn't.

Mimi & Miyako

Mimi and Miyako are loud, proud - and have become quite the fandom favourites throughout the years. Part of that may come from their more "international framing", colourful wardrobes and overall spunkiness within their respective friend groups. The most outstanding part about them is - they aren't plot drivers, but they're perfectly capable of pushing important moments due to them being able to give their emotions a voice and that's what makes them so vital. (What I personally found interesting - even though the fandom me included loves to frame them both as bi-sexual queens, only Miyako is implied to pursue romance, whereas Mimi's actions and love language portrayals can be seen as coming rather from a place of platonic affection.)

So what would I like to see for them in the future?

In my opinion, the writers really have been trying to make these two shine on their own for a while now and there isn't much I'd personally want to change about that. However, giving them mini-series about their careers, showing how they keep changing direction and discovering more things about themselves in the process could be pretty great though. I still want to see someone consistently designing amazing outfits for them (*cough* Sora *cough*), so they could show those off in every episode.

Koushirou & Jyou

I'm gonna say it now - the biggest problem these two have is the fact that they have been among the most consistently well-written characters through the course of Adventure AND 02 (and the stageplay), maybe only rivaled by Ken. Basically, they had already come to their own conclusions by the end of the first and second season respectively - and even if, of course, there were still things that could have enriched their stories, we knew where we were headed with them. They still had their flaws, but they were both continuously growing - even if it was just implied. And thus, ever since Tri, there have been only a few breadcrumbs (such as showing us Koushirou having a close bond to his parents by valuing their anniversary and Jyou showing Gomamon that he's not afraid of blood anymore and thus ready to move forward). Nevertheless, it took a few unfortunate "resets" of their characters for the writers to even have interesting things to say about them - including very questionable romance-leaning subplots that involved an invisible girlfriend nobody believed in and a superficial crush that didn't lead to anything.

Now we're at a point where their characters are basically narrowed down to "Guy who solves all problems and if he's not there, who else should know what's going on anymore, haha" and "Guy who is never around and always busy anyway, haha". The Beginning and the dramas literally made fun of it like that in the same way.

So what would I like to see for them in the future?

Without going too much into detail about this topic again, I really want there to be a short/mini movie dealing with Koushirou's personal life. My boy has been nothing but "work and plot and a lack of sleep and probably being this close to burn-out" for the past few movies (technically since DSB) and I want to see how his individual bonds to the characters have developed. Give me his struggles with interpersonal relationships, show me his setbacks in that regard, show me how he expresses his love languages in meaningful ways - and let the others show him that he is loved for who he is, not for the problems he solves. GIVE ME EMOTIONS.

Similar things can of course also be said about Jyou - give me a situation in which he comes first, in which he is the one who sets things in motion and saves the day for once. Because he WANTS to be around - Hikari's guilty tone in the drama wouldn't have come out of nowhere!!! On the other hand - give him his own mini-series, please, show me the adventures of Doc Kidou saving lives, getting accustomed to his work in the Digital World. Give him something good, he deserves it!

Takeru & Hikari

Most of it has already been said in here - but these two are basically glued together by the hip since forever and still haven't progressed much as characters ever since the end of 02. They're usually more fuel for other characters' development and there's less focus on themselves - The Beginning and the dramas at least imply they are on their way to be fine (aside from Takeru being implied to be a lightweight), but it would still be nice to see that a little more in-depth.

So what would I like to see for them in the future?

Actually, the second drama has already been a nice set-up - let there be a mini-series of these two telling stories about the adventures of the group, either leaving open whether those actually happened or had just been fiction! On the other hand, it actually would be nice to have a movie from their perspective on everything for once. Personally, I do not need any romantic framing, but just watching what may have happened ever since from their perspectives, their thoughts and feelings, would be incredibly satisfying.

Sora & Iori

Oh boy. I guess it's appropriate to call them "the forgotten ones" at this point. Because the writers aren't even particularly subtle about the way they have basically no idea what to do with them. (And even if either of them has very passionate singular fans, they still seem to be the least popular Chosen Children overall.) Even though both of them could have the most interesting developments if they were allowed to be portrayed properly, both of them have traditionally ALWAYS gotten the shortest end of the stick.

With Sora, this is particularly frustrating, because, just like with Taichi, we can TELL that this has not been the end of her story of self-discovery yet. No, we're still in the middle of it. But we're denied to actually see her development - and are just told that she, up to the point we have been able to watch, chose the same path as Jyou, to follow "family customs/wants". But unlike Jyou - who actually TOLD her that she has to do something because she WANTS it when they were KIDS - was never 100% committed to or happy with that. Which, again, is not satisfying to watch, because her path had always been about discovering what her PERSONAL path was. It's still a crime that To Sora wasn't part of Kizuna itself, because there are still a lot of people who don't even understand WHY she chose to stay away and thus see it as her abandoning the others... (Plus, it doesn't help that they basically left her out of the movie, because they didn't want to reduce her to being a love interest AGAIN - especially because, as mentioned, the writers were very careful when talking about those ships in general -, but apparently didn't know what else to do with her...)

With Iori, it's so hard to pinpoint, because, just like with Ken, we basically know nothing about him and what has happened ever since the end of 02. They couldn't even make an "utility character" out of him like Koushirou, because that is already Miyako's part - however, they at least managed to make him look just as overworked and close to burn-out as his dads Koushiroud and Jyou, so...

So what would I like to see for them in the future?

This may sound silly, but I want Sora to go on vacation. Let her go on a scavenger hunt to figure out what exactly she wants. Let her reconnect with the others, step by step - at least those she still feels close with, I don't want 11 reconciliation stories, but there are at least a few people that could seriously help INSPIRE her to get better again, to have an actual, genuine talk with her mother. Heck, let her mother tell her that she never wanted her to diminish herself! I want a Sora movie. Her being the key to solving an issue the gang faces, even if Piyomon isn't back - yet. Or a story of them having freshly reunited and Sora deciding to show her love to the others in individual ways.

With Iori, I want a special about him reconnecting with his dad's past, doing research, finding out his own path as well. Maybe talking to various characters (ESPECIALLY KEN AND TAKERU) in depth about feelings, demanding ACTUAL answers for once. Basically, sending him on a similar self-discovery journey as Sora would be beautiful. Just - putting emphasis on him growing up, being a vital part of the group as an individual, showing him be actually close to people and not just a third wheel.

#personal #my two cents #meta #digimon adventure #digimon adventure 02 #character analysis #happy new year 2024

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ladyofthecastleproject · 1 year

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The Awakening Of The Hurricane Sincerity

[AO3 version]

Summary:

The 02 group start searching for Daisuke and V-mon, who had disappeared suddenly from the last battle against Ranamon and Frostmon. Palmon mentions seeing Fladramon and a mysterious human-sized hooded creature in a village and led them and Mimi there. But... The place had been taken by the vile DarkSuperstarmon and his troops. In the heat of the battle, Miyako's pure desire to help those digimon and her friends grants her a wish.

[Note: this takes place in 2008]

It had been a while since the group went to the Digital World to help Mimi and Palmon. Koushiro and the 02 group had planned carefully all the details of such an adventure beforehand: Him, Taichi and Yamato had used the ol’ excuse of camping with the group to justify why a bunch of teenagers would pass a few weeks in the Digital World. But now, the golden trio being young adults could take responsibility for them. Well, the only non-adult in the meanwhile was Koushiro, but next year he will hit his 20s.

Anyway… Mimi had met the kids quickly and explained to them what had happened before. Ken Hadn’t been familiar with Gummymon and vice-versa, but that hadn’t been a problem at all.

Though, there had been a question in Ken’s head:

“When we tried to open the gate after Daisuke disappeared… It was locked. But we were able to come here in the end.”

“Uh… Maybe it was a malfunction?” Palmon replied.

“Or someone had unblocked it,” Iori mused, stroking his chin, “Maybe… Daisuke-san?”

“Hmm… Before the D-3 being created, the gate only opened at random occasions” Tailmon mused, “Maybe something blocked the D-3’s signal...”

“You think that could be the reason...?” Patamon asked.

“Whatever is the reason…” Miyako whispered, but due to the silence they all heard if “It’s my fault Daisuke disappeared” and she avoided looking at the rest of the group, she kept sitting with them, inside Palmon’s house, looking at the teacup. Hawkmon frowned, and then said:

“It’s not your or Hikari-san’s fault. We got caught off guard… Sorry.”

“I’m sure he’s fine” Mimi tried to cheer Miyako and Hikari up, those two were completely engulfed in regrets at the moment “We just need to find him.”

“I have sent him a message since we came here,” Hikari said with an annoyed tone, “But he didn’t respond to it.”

They all frowned. If it weren’t for Mimi there, they could start feeling the weight of not having a leader. Not that Daisuke is a lead by nature, he just managed to keep them all together and… Sane? Determined? Ken seemed cool, but deep down he was… Worried? Scared? Not even himself knew.

“What should we do now?” Iori had a deadpan face.

“We get out and look for Daisuke-kun?” Takeru replied, “Or we should check if there’s some enemy around?”

“No, let’s focus on searching for Daisuke-kun” Hikari’s voice was serious, she finally set her foot on this, she wanted so badly to find him first “He was a target, remember? If he’s alone… He will need our help.”

“Then it’s settled. Let’s find Daisuke first, dagya.”

After leaving Palmon’s house, the group started planning a route to take and start their search. During their walk to the closest village, Mimi heard someone’s voice and waited for the best moment to leave the group and meet…

“Ah you’re around…!”

… A mysterious figure with a Lighdramon-esque armor. Except said armor details were cold colors instead of the yellow and red tones.

“Have you discovered something?” Mimi chatted with the stranger, while Palmon watched around to make sure no one would find them “Ah I see… No idea where Wallace is…”

“Mimi-san?” Miyako’s voice was heard.

“O-oh, I need to go…!! Please be careful!!” and she walked back to where the 02 group were, “I’m fine don’t worry Palmon thought she had heard something but it was just a fruit falling on the ground.”

“It’s not good to separate from the group” Miyako commented, “If you disappear too we’ll feel worried and panicked.”

“It’s okay, it’s okay” she giggled, “Ah, there’s a town in this direction. We can ask the digimon if they saw Daisuke-kun or Wallace.”

“Yes, I noticed it by the D-terminal map Koushiro-san sent to us,” Ken pointed at the device on his other hand, “I didn’t get any message from Daisuke though.”

“The digivice has no reaction either” Iori added, “He’s not in this area… Or left it already.”

“Huh strange… I was sure I saw something moving around” Hikari raised an eyebrow, “Could it be Daisuke-kun but…”

“Maybe he’s in the village?” Wormmon wondered.

“Let’s go then” Palmon replied with a nod, “I will take you there, follow me!”

“Good, they’re moving” the masked shadow said, then looked back as if he was looking at someone “We need to move now.”

“Hurry up!!” he heard from a distance “The next village must be conquered at all costs!!”

“... We got one more thing to do here, I guess” and he and his ally left in the direction of the mysterious voice.

They followed in the opposite direction of the kids, going farther from there reaching a new area and town, which was under the eyes of this digimon army’s general, Frostmon.

“Ugh… stupid lizards” she wasn’t having a great time, seeing the Tyrannomon troops moving slowly “Can’t you walk more fast!?”

“You know, Tyrannomon species are not fast runners” she heard a voice.

“W-who’s there!?” and Frostmon looked around “Show yourself!!”

He jumped from the tree branches and landed in front of her. He was smaller than Frostmon and the Tyrannomon army, quite the size of a human teenager. But None of those digimon had much contact with humans so… They couldn’t tell the difference.

“Who are you!?” Frostmon interrogated him, “Why are you spying on us!?”

“I’m just a digimon passing by, relax” he chuckled, “besides… The town you’re trying to take control of has a guardian and a curse.”

“A… A curse?” The army looked at each other, and you could hear them rambling something.

“What kind of curse?” Frostmon squinted her eyes, “I never heard of it before.”

“You know, anyone who tries to take the town’s control is smashed by the town’s guardian” he shrugged, “I’d rather not risk facing said guardian. But you do you.”

More noise was heard by the troops, and he could see Frostmon’s face grimacing at that information. While none of them could see his face, he was smirking.

“That’s nonsense, soldiers! Let’s move on, don’t listen to a pipsqueak digimon and those fairy tales!”

“Who are you calling pipsqu-- *AHEM* sure let’s go with that”

“Hmph, stupid child level” and the army proceeded their march.

“It didn’t work…” he muttered, annoyed.

A small shadow was visible in the branches, but not a face except for two big red eyes.

“I know you’re going to say” the armored digimon sighed, “I should be more careful…” and then he looked at the town’s direction “Can you be a convincing god-like guardian, buddy? We will need that right now.”

But… This wasn’t only the mysterious masked digimon’s problem. In the meantime…

Mimi’s group had arrived in a destroyed village. None of them expected it to happen and Palmon even remembered that two strangers had helped them to save villagers and beat Cyberdramon.

“But now it seems… No one’s here, dagya” Armadimon frowned, and the group started examining the area.

“Strange…” Palmon frowned, “It was saved from the invaders…”

“Huh, someone was here?” Hikari blinked.

“Yes, and I saw Fladramon and a hooded human-size creature.”

The group’s eyes widened, “Fladramon and a hooded creature!?”

“Then… this means Daisuke was here before” Miyako said, “If he and V-mon were here, they’re alive and fine…? Or in danger, if Daisuke was wearing a hood…”

“Don’t be afraid, Miyako-san, everyone” Hawkmon called their attention “He’s with V-mon at least. It’s only a matter of time until we find them.”

“Hawkmon is right,” Ken said, but his eyes were focused on something he just found on the ground, “Daisuke is with V-mon and we know that idiot can survive alone.”

“What’s this Ken-chan?” Wormmon pointed at Ken’s hand, which had something looking like…

“Seems like a Starmon was here. This is a fragment from the Meteor Squall’s meteorites.”

“Wow! Sharp eyes, Ichijouji-kun” Mimi exclaimed, impressed.

“So whoever attacked this village might not be that far from here” Tailmon mused.

“Let’s be cautious,” Takeru added with a serious tone, “the residents of this village might be captured and hidden somewhere in this area.”

“In this case, what if we slip up?” Miyako suggested, “We keep contact via phones and D-terminals. Once we find either of them, we gather everyone again.”

“It’s a good idea,” Iori nodded, then picked Armadimon from the floor, “Armadimon and I will check this direction. If we don’t find anything, let’s meet here again and come with a backup plan.”

They went to different directions, to find the prisoners and the bad guys quickly. But… One by one, the group were captured, somehow. All they remembered was about a black hole popping out from somewhere and sending them to… Somewhere.

“Miyako-san” Hawkmon called her, and then looked behind him but saw nothing. So he looked back at her “Are you feeling okay?”

“Huh, why do you ask?” she babbled “Ken-kun’s right Daisuke can--”

“You seem nervous, is it because of Ranamon? It wasn’t your fault, Tailmon and I didn’t expect her to appear from nowhere and capture you two.”

“Argh, okay I’m worried!” she threw her hands up in the air. She could not think straight right now and Hawkmon was pretty aware of it, “We know Daisuke had been chased by Ranamon and that blue bird-like digimon! We let our guards down and it happened! Now… Now he’s missing and while you say it’s not my fault, not even Daisuke appears in front of me and says that will make me feel less guilty!”

Hawkmon frowned, he approached her quietly. He was about to say something but it got lost because he saw a black hole appearing in mid air. Then, he jumped on Miyako and both ducked on the floor, having the black hole pass through their heads.

“W-what’s that!?” she babbled.

“Hoho, you’re tough human girl” a digimon that looked like a Starmon, but with a darker color and wearing sunglasses appeared in front of them, “Can’t say much about your friends.” He showed the digivices of the group to her and Hawkmon, to make sure they couldn’t call for help.

“M-My friends!? T-those are...!!” Miyako gulped. Was her idea and now…

“I won’t let you guilt-trip her!” Hawkmon got up from the floor and threw his Feather against DarkSuperstarmon. But it didn’t work, and the villain hit him with a punch “GUH!” which followed by Hawkmon falling on the floor.

“H-Hawkmon!!” Miyako screamed, “I… I won’t let you hurt anyone anymore!”

“Miyako-san…” he got up from the floor, “Please, lend me your strength.”

“OK!” she grabbed her digivice, “Love Digimental Up!!”

Hawkmon armor-evolved to Horusmon and stood in front of DarkSuperstarmon with an intimidating glare at him. The enemy didn’t feel much intimidated though, but acknowledged the girl and digimon were tough opponents.

“Very well, then let’s get this party started” And the black star digimon attacked Horusmon, but now the hawk-like digimon had gotten more speed and dodged. Then, Horusmon spinned his body to generate a tornado, forcing DarkSuperstarmon to step back.

“This digimon seems stronger than a regular Starmon… ” Miyako mused, “Uh… don’t underestimate him, Horusmon!”

That battle was still on a draw, with just dodging from both ends. The enemy was tough, but willing to play dirty. DarkSuperstarmon opened a black hole right behind Miyako and she was swallowed by it. Luckily, he couldn’t steal her digivice due to Horusmon blocking his way.

“M-Miyako-san!!” Horusmon stared at him “What did you do to her!?”

“She’s with her friends now, and you… You will be dead soon.”

“OOF!" She fell on the floor and the digivice slipped from her hands, hitting someone “A-ah, I’m sorry!!” She got up and went to retrieve the slippery D-3.

“That’s okay” it was Ken!? “I guess we’re unable to leave this place now…” he laughed nervously, but stopped and handed her the red D-3 back.

“Horusmon is fighting! I need to help him but… how!?”

“He got our digivices...” and she heard Hikari’s voice; Iori, Takeru and Mimi were also there alongside their digimon and more residents from the town, “We can’t escape.”

“W-where are we?” Miyako asked.

“This is still inside the town” and now a digimon appeared, it was a Muchomon “One of the abandoned buildings. I was hoping for someone to save us again but… Our hopes are gone now…”

“Don’t lose your hope!” Mimi looked at the digimon and clenched her fists, “We still have a chance!”

“... If… If I could do something else but I’m useless!” Miyako shouted, “I only commit mistakes! I want to help fix them! I want to help Horusmon and this entire town!!”

The digivice in her hands beeped and turned on the screen, which sent a light from it. The Digimental of Sincerity appeared in front of her and its form mutated to a big Shuriken like the one on Shurimon’s back. The only difference from Shurimon’s was the Crest of Sincerity being engraved on its surface.

“What is this??” other villagers, and the group exclaimed, watching Miyako hold it with her other hand.

“I… I don’t know!?” she babbled, “But… maybe this is the answer to my dilemma.”

“Uh, isn’t it very dangerous using that here” Patamon asked.

“Miyako-san please… Don’t do something dan--” But Takeru was interrupted by Miyako throwing the shuriken at the bars blocking their way.

… It definitely cut the jail bars. It surprised everyone, since they didn’t know if it wouldn’t reflect the shuriken against them.

“Whoohoo, I knew it would work!” she chirped and looked back “So, everyone go out and let’s take down those bullies.”

“Miyako-chan is scary sometimes…” Mimi whispered to the others, who nodded sagely.

The troops hadn’t yet arrived, so the mysterious Lighdramon-esque armored digimon managed to reach the town quickly and talk with the digimon living there. Despite doubting him at first, one of the residents of the town confirmed the masked-mon’s information.

And then… They gladly accepted his plan. The hooded digimon with him shrugged in disapproval, but couldn’t do much. Also, this cape made a ton of villagers curious about the digimon’s appearance.

“You can’t talk, just do some screams” the armored digimon said to the small one, “Like, unleash your inner beast!”

They were in the front of a temple, the perfect spot to bring this story into reality. The villagers were hiding in a safe part of the town. He was so sure this would work with no actual bloodbath that it felt like a harmless kid’s prank. The partner-in-crime wasn’t too confident about this though… But if no one might see the prank but the soldiers and Frostmon…

“Shush, get ready. Show your best AncientGreymon’s impersonation.”

The other sighed, and tried to roar but it didn’t feel intimidating…

“No, no you need to scare them! Focus on being like a terrifying Qinglongmon who hates everyone stepping on their yard!”

“The troops are coming,” the smaller digimon said, “I can sense them. Do you think this will work?”

“Don’t worry, bud. It will work.”

Horusmon was on the ground being stepped on by DarkSuperstarmon, who was laughing and toss juggling the digivices. While distracted, he didn’t see the Chosen Children approaching, or Tailmon jumping behind him and grabbing all digivices in midair.

“HEY, YOU STUPID POINTY HEAD!”

“Huh!? Who’s calling my pointy hea--”

Miyako threw the giant shuriken against DarkSuperstarmon, hitting him and making him fall on the floor.

“GAH!”

Horusmon escaped from the enemy and met them. Miyako hugged him tightly and whispered “I’m sorry Horusmon… I won’t let them catch me again!”

“Ugh, you agai-- Wait how did you escape-- It doesn’t matter, without these you can’t--”

The group showed their digivices and angry faces. They were ready to fight. DarkSuperstar screeched and then snapped fingers summoning a group of DarkTyrannomon, “TROOPS, GET THEM!!” and flew away.

“Miyako-san” Iori said, “Go after him. We will take care of his lackeys.”

“Ok! Let’s go Horusmon!” and she looked at him “Are you okay though?”

“I’m fine, get on Miyako-san.”

She got on his back and they flew after the troop’s leader. The enemy wasn’t that fast as they thought and it was easier to watch it after all. Horusmon shot laser beams from his eyes (Red Sun) and hit the running star. But it didn’t work because the enemy's body was indeed resistant.

They stopped on a dead end and faced each other.

“Look, we can negotiate--”

“No, we can’t!” Miyako snapped, pointed at him and continued “You took control of this town, captured its people and later captured my friends! I have no time to make a deal with you!”

“Very well, then--”

“Horusmon, let’s go!” She pointed the digivice at her partner and its form changed to a bipedal hawk, with wings sprouting from his back and Egyptian God motifs -- Fauermon.

“W-wait, have mercy I will leave!!”

“... Will you really leave?” she asked.

“I will don’t worry!” he nodded, “But can we shake hands to make it a deal?”

“Fine, I guess.” she was still mad though, and approached calmly, until that shuriken appeared in her hands and she used it as a blade to slash DarkSuperstarmon in the face. Fauermon was holding her to not fall on the black hole that vile digimon had done.

“W-what!? How did you!?”

“I noticed you set a trap right when we cornered you!” she said angrily “You’re a vile monster!”

Horusmon then put Miyako away and summoned his rod, “Red Sunburst!”

DarkSuperstarmon screamed and then got destroyed by the laser beam coming from the sphere at the top of the rod.

“Miyako-san” Fauermon glanced at her, “I’m sorry I had to--”

“It’s okay. He wouldn’t stop anyway… And he can be reborn I hope so” then she looked at the shuriken in her hand “But… Where did this come from? And why did the Digimental of Sincerity turn into a weapon…?”

“Beats me…” he devolved to Hawkmon form, then looked at the others coming in “Everyone, are you okay?”

“Yeah, we managed to beat all the troops in town,” Tailmon said, “Now we can leave.”

“But where should we go now?” Miyako asked.

Meanwhile, Frostmon’s troops invaded a deserted town with the exception of a hooded digimon. Said digimon made sure to be seen by the enemies and ran away. The soldiers and Frostmon chased them and when the invaders found them in front of the temple…

… A wild wall of fire ignited from the floor, preventing them from reaching the creature, and a bigger one appeared through the flames roaring loudly and throwing fire against the Tyrannomon army.

An eerie voice came from the wall of flames, “I’m the great Ancient Digimon who protects this town. LEAVE OR PERISH”

The enemies panicked and ran away, including Frostmon. So the strange child level digimon she had met previously was right!? Better not mess with that town then. Their screams were heard until they faded in the distance.

The fire stopped and then the digimon from the flames turned small and covered himself with a cape thrown by the mysterious masked one.

“Did you see their faces!!?” and this armored digimon was delighted by the prank, “They were so scared that I guess they might not return here that early hehe~”

“Sigh, get the villagers back and let’s get out of here.”

“Fine fine~ At least laugh a bit… You used to find funny those pranks…”

“I’m busy now!” the hooded one growled, “no time for pranks!!”

“... Oh. You’re right.” he blinked. Behind the helmet he had a deadpan face “Let’s do it…”

Once they got the entire villagers out, the mayor of the town shook hands with the masked one.

“My young’mon,” Sorcerimon the mayor said, “We will be eternally grateful for your help. I have absolutely no idea what you and your friend did, but we’re thankful that it worked.”

“H-Haha, it was… a dumb thing I learned from human’s videos” he chuckled nervously and scratched the back of his helmet.

“What does that deity digimon look like?” a young Blucomon asked, “We will draw it and spread through the town, and write stories about it to keep mean spirited digimon from invading us.”

“Oh, that’s a good idea!” he said, “Let’s see… It's a flame element digimon, looks like Fladramon but with wings, and got hair, big terrifying claws and wonderful fangs! Maybe… AncientFladramon feels like a good name? What do you think, bud?” and he looked at the hooded digimon.

“Yeah, let’s go with that” and the small one shrugged.

“Cool!” Blucomon and more child level digimon around exclaimed, “Thank you mr. uh…”

The masked digimon then posed like a tokusatsu hero and said:

“I’m the warrior of the night, the silent knight… Lightnimon!”

The villagers' reactions were full of “ooooh!!” and some applause and cheers.

The hooded digimon shook his head.

“But I need to go now, more of those bad guys are coming and more towns, cities and villagers need me and… uh… Buddymon.”

“Alright, thank you Lightnimon and Buddymon” Socerimon and the villagers thanked them once again.

“Heheh~” Lightnimon grabbed Buddymon and ran away, leaving the town quickly.

Who’re that mysterious digimon duo and would they be a menace to the Chosen Children?

#arc 5: hinode [concept]#digimon adventure 02 #inoue miyako #hawkmon

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bokura-no-digital-world · 2 years

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Michi Week 2022 - Day 3: Repeat

Days: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] Title: Revival Characters: Mimi Tachikawa, Taichi Yagami, Hikari Yagami, Sora Takenouchi, Yamato Ishida and Takeru Takaishi. Summary: Mimi turns to Sora and Hikari for help to get her back together with Taichi. The wind messed Mimi's hair, but she didn't mind at all. Two weeks had gone by and she still didn't understand what had happened or how everything fell apart so fast. "Hey." A female voice echoed in her ears and then she sat beside her. Mimi didn't even need to look to figure out who it was. "How are you?" "I think that's a dumb question, Sora." She couldn't help but give an ironic laugh. "I guess I just wasn't a good girlfriend after all." "Don't say that. Of course you were. You two wouldn't have dated for a year if you weren't." "Then why did he break up with me?" She looked at Sora; desperation written all over her eyes. "It doesn't make sense. We had told each other our first 'I love you's a week before the end." "Mimi, some things go beyond our understanding." Sora squeezed her shoulder lightly. "Trying to find a reason behind it sometimes can bring you more pain. As difficult as it seems, you have to move on with your life." "How can I move on knowing we have the same group of friends and will have to face each other eventually?" "It's not gonna be easy, but I'm here for you." She reassured Mimi with a smile. "You can count on me." "How is he?" "Mimi. Are you sure you want to know?" "I just want to know if he's okay, that's all." "He's good. It hasn't been easy for him either. He's asked about you." "He did?" Mimi's face lit up in happiness and hope. "I wasn't supposed to tell you that." "Well, it's too late now. What did he say?" "He just wanted to know how you were and I told him you weren't that different than him." "I want to see him, Sora." "Mimi, do you really think it's a good idea?" Sora asked insecurely. "A lot has been said from both of you and it may not be good to be near each other yet." "That's true, but we can also work things out and get back together. It doesn't have to be a negative outcome all the time." "I know that, but…" She looked up at Mimi and saw her determined face. "Are you sure you want to do this?" "I am." Mimi said firmly and shook her head. "That's all I want." "Okay, I'll see what I can do." "Yay!" She squealed and jumped on Sora's neck. "Thank you so much! You're the best!" "I hope he won't get angry or upset at me, but I'm doing this because it's clear as it can be that you still have feelings for each other. I'd hate if you end up with other people still loving one another." "I hate that thought already." Mimi shivered at the mere thought. "So what are you going to do?" "You'll find out at the right time." Sora replied with a small and light smile. "Sora, I'll be really curious until then. I don't think I can wait." "It will happen before you know, Mimi. Just trust me in this one, okay?" "Okay." "Now let's get something to eat. I'm starving."

Keep reading it on FFN or AO3

#Michi Karaoke #Michi Week 2022 #Michi Week #Mimi Tachikawa #Taichi Yagami #Michi #Hikari Yagami #Sora Takenouchi #Yamato Ishida #Takeru Takaishi #Digimon #Fanfic #Fanfiction

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violettelueur · 3 years

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— JUJUTSU KAISEN EPISODE TWENTY TWO || THE ORIGIN OF BLIND OBEDIENCE

↳ featuring : itadori yuji + fushiguro megumi + kugisaki nobara + nitta akari from jujutsu kaisen

↳ warnings : mention of violence + mention of suicide + mention of dangerous acts + mention of killing + EXTREME grammar issues

↳ form : story

↳ published : 04 may

↳ pronouns : she/her

↳ word count : 7.2k

↳ synopsis : within the jujutsu world, there were three famous clans to be aware of, the Kamo clan, Zenin clan and the Gojo clan. However, unknown to many sorcerers there was one last family that was known to be apart of the three, only for them to disappear after the golden era leading some to speculate that they had died in battle after the sealing of ryomen sukuna, but....

↳ previous episode : jamais vu

↳ next episode : the origin of blind obedience 2

↳ barista’s notes : let me admit...this ain’t my best piece of work, but i hope you all enjoy this episode of the series and good night everyone ʕ •ᴥ•ʔゝ☆

BEFORE READING, I NEED YOU TO BE AWARE OF THIS:

1. the whole story belongs to Gege Akutami and the credits go to them and them only.

2. the spell curses used belong to Tite Kubo due to them being the ‘Kidos’ being used on the manga and anime ‘Bleach’.

there was one going to be mention but...let’s keep that a secret for now...

2.5. for the ‘cursed spells’/kidos (bleach) i will link this video here and tell you the time stamp to check out what i am intending to show - remember i add a few twist here and there by adding the katana to link with Y/N’s cursed technique : hopefully this video is slightly better...

3. if you are confused on anything, please don’t hesitate to message me since i know this whole thing is so confusing.

“Kanada Taichi in Morioka, in June. Shimada Osamu in Yokohama, in August. Yamato Hiroshi in Nagoya, in September. These three died in similar circumstances. They were stabbed to death by a cursed spirit at the entrances to their apartments and all of them had filed the same complaint with the property managers several weeks before dying. They claimed their auto-locking doors were left wide open. None of the other residents have any idea what could have happened,” Nitta (your current driver) explained, causing you to open your eyes slowly, letting your drowsiness fade away slowly.

Currently, at this moment in time, you and your classmates were being driven to your desired destination to your current mission that all four of you were set causing you to wonder how much longer the drive was going to be, but also how you were going to cope with dealing with the whole ordeal since it had been a while since you had gone on a mission dealing with the unknown - last time was over two months ago at the detention centre where you had to face Sukuna (a special grade curse).

“None of the dates or locations match, though. Could the same cursed spirit have killed them all?” Fushiguro questioned as he stared down at the Ipad he had in his hands while trying to read all the information that was provided.

‘There is one location they all have in common though’ you thought, as you turned your head to stare out of the window, recalling the time where you had read the same information on your phone during breakfast with your adoptive father, Gojo Satoru.

“Hey, could the cursed spirit be responsible for the doors? Do sensors like those pick up cursed spirits? They don’t show up on camera and stuff, right?” Itadori began to ask an abundance of questions causing you to internally giggle as some of the questions he asked were basic knowledge for jujutsu sorcerers, but it was adorable for him to try to find a solution.

“Apparently, the cursed spirit made the door operators go crazy, not the sensors,” Nitta answered, leading you to give a side-eye to indicate that you were listening to her before going back to peer at the window to figure out a solution of your own about the current situation.

“Oh...Operators?” Itadori muttered in confusion as he tilted his head slightly to the side.

“And as for whether or not the same cursed spirit was behind this...Well, we couldn’t be certain from just the residuals. After all, a lot of time had already passed. So we tried to track down any connections between the three, we found that all three attended the same middle school for two years,” Nitta mentioned causing you to stiffen up slightly on the information given to you.

“Meaning all three received the same curse, and it activated after time had passed?” Kugisaki suggested with a thinking gesture causing Itadori to make a noise of impressiveness before leaning forward to view the female sorcerer.

“Precisely. That’s highly likely. So we’re going to that middle school now to question someone the three victims all knew, and I want you four to see what you can find as sorcerers,” Nitta answered leading you to sigh (to which she slyly notices) before you processed to close your eyes as if you were going to nap for a bit.

“Way to go, Kugisaki!” Itadori mentioned in astonishment leading the mentioned sorcerer to flick her hair back.

“Heh. What’d you expect?” Kugisaki questioned smugly.

However, without the attention of all three of you, Fushiguro seemed to be annoyed as he leaned his head back onto the chair seats before letting out a sigh of his own, wondering how he was going to handle this situation now.

ꕥ

“A funeral?” Itadori questioned, as you processed to exit out of the car leading you to see a few people wearing all black, entering into a building before shutting the door quietly to not disturb the mourners that were attending the disheartening event.

“Is this the home of that acquaintance?” Kugisaki asked as she was also looking at the darkening event that was happening.

“Yes, it is…” NItta answered in a stutter leading everyone to get back in the car since there was no possible way, all of you could even interview someone properly during this time since it would be considered extremely rude.

ꕥ

“Well, this sucks. He dies the same way the other three did. He lived with his family, so there was no auto-locking door, but he was killed in front of the entrance. Previously, upon returning home alone, he reported, “The door was unlocked, but it wouldn’t open,” to his family members,” Nitta explained, as you processed to scan through all the documents through your phone trying to obtain some sort of connection between all the victims rather than the middle school that they attended to.

‘Date of birth 1983-1984...that means they were in middle school at around 1995-1998...Yasohachi Bridge was popular back then, right?’

Suddenly, the car had come to a sudden halt causing you to look up from your phone, only to discover that you had arrived at the location that Nitta had discussed to everyone at the beginning leading you to look up that the building from the side of your window before slowly letting out a breath as you processed to open the car door to go and investigate with the others.

“I asked his parents, too, but they said they didn’t know what relationship he had with the other three. Man, there goes our only lead!” Nitta whined loudly, as everyone began to enter the school premises causing you to halt for a second before you continued to stroll behind them, trying to make sure your classmates didn’t notice your fidgeting behaviour.

“Don’t worry! There has to be something at this middle school!” Itadori reassured Nitta as she looked disappointed with her head hanging low.

“I sure hope so. For now, I’ve secured an appointment with a teacher, so I’m counting on you,” Nitta replied with a disheartened tone.

“Roger,” Itadori replied with a determined smile.

Suddenly, Kugisaki (who had her hands behind her head in the beginning) unexpectedly had a mischievous smile painted on her face before quickly running off to the side causing you to look at her with a raised eyebrow as you wondered what she was planning on doing.

“There’s some obvious punks, let’s beat’em up and set’em straight!” Kugisaki suggested causing you to walk up to her with your hand raised since she was going completely off-topic with what everyone was supposed to do currently.

“Why?” Itadori asked in a confused tone.

Slowly, the two punks that Kugisaki mentioned began to straightening up with menacing looks on their face, leading Itadori to lean forward to observe the two, only for them to suddenly straighten up more in sudden fear, causing you to be somewhat confused on why there was a sudden change in expression, only for your eyes to follow what they were looking at.

“I-It’s good to see you!” the pucks shouted while processing to bow 90 degrees with their heads lowered causing you to turn back to them with widened eyes at what was going on.

“Heh, look at that. You actually get it,” Kugisaki stated with a smug look on her face causing you to give her a fed-up look towards her direction while trying to figure out why Itadori was joining in her shenanigans.

“An aura just pours out, even if you try to hide it,” Itadori mentioned as he pushed his hair back leading you to ignore both of your classmates and you processed to look around the school trying to find some clues while noticing slight hints of cursed energy roaming around the premises.

“We haven’t seen you since graduation, Fushiguro-san!” one of the punks mentioned, causing the two smug sorcerers to drop their act before quickly turning around to see Fushiguro, who was now looking to the side in embarrassment.

“I...went here...for middle school,” Fushiguro announced before turning his back to face behind him to avoid his classmates, only for them to violently grab his face as they tried to make his turn to face them.

“That’s a surprise, too, but that’s not the point! Look at me!” Kugisaki angrily demanded, as she forcibly turned Fushiguro’s face to look at her with a struggle as Itadori had a hold of the shikigami sorcerer’s head to make it face him.

“What’d you do?! What did you do in middle school?! No, it would be quicker to ask them!” Itadori mentioned in a panic, as he was desperate to find an answer.

“Hey, Idiot A and Idiot B! What did this guy do to you?” Kugisaki yelled out her question, while still having a hold on Fushiguro’s face.

“We...Or rather, every delinquent, gang member, and so on in this area got beaten up by Fushiguro-san,” one of the punks answered, as both of them lifted their heads leading both Itadori and Kugisaki to let go of their friend’s face in shock before turning back to face him in confusion, looking for answers.

“I beat them up,” Fushiguro muttered as he turned his head back with his now messed up hair, leading Itadori and Kugisaki to grab his face again in complete surprise.

“Why do you keep talking so stiffly?! Look at me!” Kugisaki angrily asked as she painfully turned Fushiguro’s face to look at her.

“What are you doing?! Hey! What are you doing?!” Itadori asked in a panic, once again, as he now turned Fushiguro’s head to face him.

“Wow~ you beat up people Fushiguro, what a drag~” you commented with a hand over your mouth leading the erratic-haired sorcerer to look to you for help only for you to turn away to observe the school’s premises again, trying to gain something for the mission at hand.

“Hey!” someone shouted, causing both of the sorcerers to let go of Fushiguro’s face which led his hair to bounce a bit. Turning around to face the front, you noticed an old man with glasses running up towards you guys leading your eyes to widen once you had gotten a good look at who was coming towards everyone.

“Who are you? Students from other schools aren’t allowed in here!” the old man stated with a loud tone.

“And who the hell are you?!” Kugisaki yelled back in anger, causing you to smack the back of her head as if to tell her to ‘shut up’ which caused her to look up at you with a pout as she held her head to soothe the pain away.

“He’s clearly a staff member. Why are you so combative?” Itadori questioned in a low tone as he began to slouch.

“We have permission to be here,’ Nitta informed the staff member while processing to show the pass that she was carrying leading the old man to adjust his glasses as he peered at the pass she was currently holding.

“Oh, you’re the ones? You’re all young, you need to hang your pass around your neck,” the old man mentioned as began to observe the group of students behind her before his eyes widened once they handed on a certain someone.

“Fushiguro-kun?”

“Hello,” Fushiguro greeted, as he looked to the side with a small blush beginning to appear on his face.

“He remembers you!” Itadori and Kugisaki mentioned in a teasing tone as they looked at their classmate with an amused look.

“So this man’s been here a long time?” NItta asked with a cheerful tone, leading you to conclude that she probably had gained hope for a new lead on the mission that was happening right now.

“Probably, Takeda-san’s a permanent employee,” Fushiguro answered in a monotone voice.

“Then I leave the rest to you!” Nitta concluded, to which she held a thumbs up as if it was some sort of encouragement.

‘Abandoning her duty....’ Fushiguro thought, before shifting his eyes towards you as he realised that you had become quiet again, only to discover that you were looking at Takeda with some sort of fondness in your eyes as a small but noticeable smile appeared on your face.

‘It’s been a while, hasn’t it Takeda-san? How are you? You’ve been okay? I wish I could ask you this..but...it’s for the best that I didn’t at all huh?’ you thought before turning your head to look at the windows beside you, only to realise that the same hint of cursed energy was still lingering around.

‘I’m surprised it remains here…’ you mentioned internally before turning back to look at the staff member in front of you.

ꕥ

“Kanada, Shimada, Yamato...and Morishita, huh? I was shocked by their passing, but I guess it’s been nearly twenty years since they graduated, I remember it like it was yesterday. They were problem children in their own right, though not as bad as you. What do you want to know?” Takeda mentioned with a soft smile causing you to scoff a bit at his comment as you covered your mouth to hold your laugh but to Fushiguro’s annoyance.

“Strange rumours, dark rumours, connections to bad adults…” Fushiguro listed as he raised his arm, leading you to look at him weirdly since it wasn’t the arm towards your side he had lifted.

“Hey, problem child!” Itadori and Kugisaki chanted in a teasing tone.

“...and anything of ill omen,” Fushiguro concluded before closing his hand into a fist as he proceeded to swing it down to punch the top of Itadori’s head.

“Dark rumours? They may have been problem children, but they never went beyond average middle school stuff. But wait...ill omen?” Takeda muttered as he began to think.

“Do you mean that tale? About the Yasohachi Bridge bungee jumping?” one of the punks questioned, causing you to look to the side in interest since you had an idea about the bridge before you had arrived at the middle school.

“You’re still here, A and B?” Kugisaki asked since she was surprised that they remained where they were.

“Yasohachi Bridge?” Itadori questioned.

“A notorious suicide spot, it’s well known in this area as a haunted location,” you answered in a casual tone before explaining why it was such an important detail to note for your pink-haired classmate.

“Oh, that’s right! Back then, it was all the rage among delinquents to bungee jump off Yasohachi Bridge late at night, it was one of those tests of courage,” Takeda explained, once he remembered what he was trying to think of.

“What a weird tribe,” Kugisaki muttered in annoyance.

“What a drag,” you mentioned in a fed-up tone.

“I’m surprised there are people dumber than me!” Itadori stated.

“What do you use for a cord?” Fushiguro questioned as he was trying to wonder how the people bungee jumped in the first place.

“We don’t do it, I just heard some students from our parents’ generation talking about it,” the punk mentioned causing you to nod your head slowly, conveying that you understood what he meant.

“One day, Kanada and the other three were absent without permission. That wasn’t all that usual by itself, but when we contacted their families, we learned that those four hadn’t come home the day before. It caused a pretty big stir, then they were found unconscious under the bridge. They got chewed out good, but all four swore up and down they didn’t remember a thing,” Takeda explained, causing all the first years to come to the same conclusion in their heads.

ꕥ

“I think that’s it,” Nitta suggested as she looked at all four of you.

“I’ve been to Yasohachi Bridge, too,” Fushiguro mentioned in a serious tone.

“To bungee jump?” Itadori asked comedically, leading Fushiguro to swiftly smash a fist on the top of his head in annoyance causing Itadori to wince in pain as he held his head with a pout.

“It’s easy for curses to take root in haunted locations, just like in schools, so people from Jujutsu High regularly patrol it,” Fushiguro explained causing you to recall the times where you would walk around the area late at night while trying to hide from the sorcerers that came from time to time back a few years ago.

“There wasn’t anything unusual at the time, though. It might be a bit famous, but it’s still used as a normal bridge,” Fushiguro mentioned.

“We still have to go check it out, though,” Kugisaki suggested, causing you to agree with her since it was the best for all the four of you to survey the bridge yourselves.

“Fushiguro-kun?” someone called out, causing everyone to turn to find Takeda coming towards everyone’s way.

“Sorry, I was curious about something,” Takeda mentioned causing Fushiguro to fully turn around to face the old man.

“What is it?” Fushiguro asked.

“Tsukimi-kun took awfully good care of you when you were in school. Is she doing well?” the old man asked, causing you to stiffen up slightly before shifting your eyes to the side since you were getting nervous at the fact the staff member was remembering everyone little by little.

“Yes,” Fushiguro answered with a deadpan expression.

“Who’s Tsumiki?” Itadori asked the shikigami user in curiosity.

“My older sister,” Fushiguro answered in a low tone, leading Kugisaki to grab his shoulder in surprise once again.

“What?! You tell us too little about yourself!” Kugisaki mentioned in an annoyed tone leading Itadori to agree with her, leading the old man to tilt his head slightly to the side - to avoid the blockage of Itadori’s body - to discover you making your way to the side of the car, where you were sitting before.

“Excuse me, I also wanted to ask you something if you don’t mind,” Takeda asked in a kind tone, causing you to halt your movements before looking up to find the old man gifting you with a sweet smile that you remembered so much causing you to turn back and make your way towards the staff-member with lessening the tension that you had before walking away.

“Yeah, it’s fine, what is it you want to ask me?” you questioned with a light tone, trying to sound polite to the man, causing him to smile at you.

“Do I remember you from anywhere, you seem quite familiar to me?” Takeda asked, causing your eyes to widen in fear before quickly blinking away the sudden change in emotion you were surprisingly expressing so easily.

“I never been to Saitama Urami East Junior High before, I’m sorry but I don’t think I’m the person you are trying to recall,” you answered with a sad soft smile leading the man to sigh before fixing his glasses.

“Is that so? I’m sorry, the minute I saw you, I began to recall a student that would always help me around from time to time and she was always on top of her work, but she left around the second year before I got to thank her,” the old man began to reminisce, not noticing the stiffness of your body as well as the panic rising within your heart leading it to beat faster than it should.

‘He’s remembering too much, but didn’t I put enough cursed energy into that spell? It should have wiped everything from his memory’

“Sorry, but could you look at my left eye for a second? I think I got an eyelash stuck there,” you quickly asked, causing the old man to agree to help you as he adjusted his glasses once again before taking a good look at your eye.

‘It could cast it now, but the others are here...I could just not use the spell to its full potential and that couldn’t cause him to faint, maybe that will work,’ you quickly thought as you were slowly transferring a small amount of your cursed energy to your left eye.

“Haku-” you muttered under your breath before coming to a sudden halt, causing your cursed energy to waver slightly as it began to slowly move away from your eye leading you to conclude that you didn’t even have the guts to commit to the action that you were planning to go on with like you did two years ago, to which caused your heart to become extremely heavy with guilt as you knew once he entered back into the school, the lingering cursed energy that you had left in the school would cause his memory to fade away, processing you to let go of your sudden plan as the staff-member mentioned that there was nothing to worry about.

‘Nothing to worry about huh?’

“Thank you so much,” you softly said with gratitude before giving the old man a final wave goodbye before entering the car with the rest of your classmates, wondering if it was still for the best that you let him free with his memory gradually coming back to life.

ꕥ

“We’re here. Koi no Kuchi Canyon, Yasohachi Bridge. Once you confirm a cursed spirit’s here, I’ll lower a veil,” Nitta explained as all of the first years processed to get out of the sleek black vehicle before stepping to the side of the bridge to be away from the road.

“Roger!” Itadori started with a confident smile presented on his face as he tugged at the vinyl cord he was holding.

Slowly, you began to walk away from the group while Nitta got back in her car before driving away and steadily grabbed onto the metal poles the were in front of you - probably built to prevent any more suicidal people from jumping over - and with much effort, began to pull yourself up to reach to the top before grabbing in the metal bar as you pulled yourself up even further.

“GOJO, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” Kugisaki screamed in horror, as she finally turned around to discover you pulled your body up to sit on top of the fence as you peered down to check how far you had to jump down in order to find what you were looking for in this mission.

“SHE’S NOT LISTENING!” Kugisaki yelled (once again) as she pointed at you in anger, causing the boys to turn around to see what the fuss was about before seeing the drastic measures you had taken to find the cursed spirit.

“Woah, Gojo, there’s no need for that! We have the vinyl cord for a reason!” Itadori mentioned, which seemed to be a way of getting you to come down from where you were right now as you turned to look at him before turning back at the ground below you.

“SHE’S NOT LISTENING AGAIN!” Itadori cried out in fear, as if he hadn’t done more stupid and extremes things than what you were doing right now.

“Gojo!” Fushiguro shouted before jumping up to reach the back of your school jacket, leading you to grab onto the sides of the metal bar that you were sitting on right now for support before turning back to peer at the shikigami user, ready to yell at him for disturbing your train of thought only for him to give you a pair of surprised eyes as if he remembered something.

“Get down, please,” Fushiguro quietly commanded, leading you to give him a deadpan expression before turning back to prepare to jump off since you couldn’t find another way to get down there, only for Fushiguro to pull you from your jacket once again leading your body to start to fall backwards - much to your surprise - to which caused the boys to immediately get behind you, ready to catch you so you didn’t hit the ground at all.

“You drag!” you screamed at Fushiguro before letting your body fall towards the safe side of the metal barrier, processing to land on top of Itadori and Fushiguro as a result.

ꕥ

Letting out a yawn, Itadori couldn’t help but emphasise how tired and bored he was as he remained seated on the metal railings that all four of you were sitting on right now.

“Hey, we didn’t find hide nor hair of any cursed spirit,” Kugisaki whined in annoyance as her posture slouch in disappointment, leaving Fushiguro to slouch in boredom while you had your eyes closed as if you were sleeping while sitting up straight when in reality, you were concentrating on sensing any lingering cursed energy around the area you were in right now.

Suddenly, you felt something pressed gently on the side of your head before it pushed you down to the side slowly, causing the movement to halt the second you felt someone’s shoulder being used as a pillow for your head leading a sense of confusion to rise within your stomach before you heard a few teasing sounds from Kugisaki.

“Oh~ what a gentleman Fushiguro~” Kugisaki teased, leading you to realise that your head was now resting on Fushiguro’s shoulder since it did seem like you had fallen asleep while sitting up.

“I’m surprised she can sleep while sitting up,” Itadori commented, as she leaned forward to see you in what seemed to be in a state of rest since you made the decision to keep your eyes closed.

“You should have seen her while we were training, she was asleep for so long every day,” Kugisaki mentioned as she began to recall all the times you had taken a nap during your daily training sessions with the second-years as preparation for the Kyoto Sister School Exchange Event.

ꕥ

As time went by, after you had ‘woken up’ from your nap when in reality, you had given up on trying to trace a single amount of cursed energy from the distance you were away from the ground below - which was where you were trying to go from the beginning if Fushiguro didn’t pull you down - you were now in front of a small convenience store while sipping on a small carton of orange juice that you had managed to purchase as a breakfast substitute since you were surprisingly not feeling hungry at all currently.

“We didn’t sense any presences or residuals,” Fushiguro informed Nitta, who had come to pick you three up after not hearing a single thing from everything, except for all of you being hungry.

“I see, which means this ain’t it, Guess it’s back to square one,” Nitta replied with a slight tone of disappointment as the most promising lead has been for nothing.

‘It wouldn’t be square one if you just let me jump down to the bottom to investigate…’

“Gojo, is there something wrong?” Kugisaki asked as she noticed you looking to the side with a somewhat annoyed expression planted on your face.

“It’s nothing,” you replied before taking another sip from the carton you were holding.

“But isn’t it bad if we take too long?” Itadori asked in a light serious tone.

“Why?” Kugisaki questioned, wondering why they needed to be in a hurry to finish the mission as soon as possible.

“Well, it’s a famous haunted location, right? There might still be plenty of others who got cursed and right now, the death rates at 100%. We don’t want to see others die, right?” Itadori explained as he answered Kugisaki’s previous question.

“True,” Kugisaki muttered, once she took Itadori’s theory into consideration.

“Ding-Ding! Bungee jumping was all the rage then, right? So maybe the act of jumping off is the key?” Nitta asked as she seemed excited to think of another clue on how to find the curses that were the curse for all these deaths that have been happening.

“Did she say “ding-ding”? Did she really say that?” Itadori asked as he stared at his senior in adoration.

“She did! She did!” Kugisaki replied in the same high tone with the same look at adoration at how cute Nitta was right now.

“Itadori already tried that,” Fushiguro mentioned causing the bungee jump idea to come to a halt.

“Huh?..... What?! You mean you jumped with that vinyl cord?!” Nitta screamed in shock as she began to imagine how you, Fushiguro, and Kugisaki would wrap Itadori in the cord, only for the shikigami user to fly kick him over the metal bar with you and Kugisaki holding onto the end of the cord.

“Hey, there you are!” someone shouted, causing you to look towards the direction in where the sound was coming from, only to discover one of the punks from yesterday to be on a bike with someone behind him with her arms wrapped around his waist.

“Fushiguro-san!” the punk shouted to gain the shikigami user’s attention.

“Who’s that again?” Kugisaki asked as she stared at the punk with a confused expression only for Itadori to answer her question by mentioning the people were Fushiguro’s upperclassman from his middle school and how she was ready to pick a fight with them causing her to suddenly remember who the person was.

“You were talking about Yasohachi Bridge, so...I’m really glad I found you here!” the puck mentioned with a smile on his face with slight sweat from the swift bike riding as well as a hint of fear of Fushiguro.

‘Fujinuma?...If I recall, she was a student as well…’ you thought, as you watched the girl get off of the bike she was on before walking towards the group as her eyes widened at you for a second before turning into complete confusion, leading your body to complete tense for a second.

“Fujinuma?” Fushiguro muttered causing Nitta to look at him with a perplexed expression before he clarified that she was an old classmate of his.

“My older sister,” the punk introduced the girl leading her to bow as a greeting.

“I’m glad you remember me,” Fujinuma stated in a soft-toned voice before straightening back up to face everyone within the group.

“I was talking to my sister about you yesterday, and..” the punk stated before his sister took the reins.

“Um, Morishita-san had a funeral in the neighbourhood...Then I heard from my brother that you were looking into that man and Tasohachi Bridge, so I started to wonder if they were related…” Fujinuma began to explain, leading Nitta from behind both of the people to shake her head as they needed to hide the real reason on why everyone was here right now to which Fushiguro noticed.

“If what’s related?” Fushiguro queried as if he didn’t understand what was going on.

“Morishita-san’s death and the bridge…” Fujinuma replied in a smaller tone.

“They’re not related, we just-” Fushiguro quickly countered back.

“I...I went there. In eighth grade...I went to Yasohachi Bridge at night,” Fujinuma stated as her face contorted in fear as she began to tilt her head down, causing Kugisaki to give a look as she began to wonder how many people had been to that bridge.

“Has anything odd happened at home recently? Any strange feelings that only affect you and no one else?” Nitta asked as she leaned down to face the fearful girl, only for Fujinuma to look up once again.

“My family runs a local branch shop...and the shop’s automatic door is wide open only when I come home. Mom and Dad both say it’s just a coincidence, but there’s definitely something there. It scared me. That’s when I heard about you and remembered the Yasohachi Bridge,” the girl replied as she began to shiver in fear while trying to recall all the same incidents happening to her.

“When did the issue with your automatic door start?” Nitta queried, trying to get enough information as sly as possible.

“It’s happened about every other day for exactly one week now,” Fujinuma replied in a shaky tone.

‘There’s at least two weeks between when the four victims noticed something and their deaths,’ Fushiguro thought.

‘We still have some time,’ Itadori thought, encouraged by the fact that there was some amount of time left to save someone from the cycle that was happening right now.

“You didn’t go to Yasohachi Bridge by yourself at the time, did you? Do you remember who you went with?” Kugisaki asked, trying to make sure there weren't any other victims that you all were missing at this current moment in time.

“Um, so this really does have something to do with…” Fujinuma mentioned in a stutter, scared that her life might now be at risk.

“Just with your automatic door. But it has nothing to do with Morishita-sans’s death. Fushiguro-kun and the others are helping me with my college report: Electromagnetic Waves from Haunted Locations and their Effects on Electronics, it’s a huge pain in my gut!” Nitta responded quickly, before suddenly linking arms with you causing you to put on a realistic fake smile to hold the lie in place.

“But I want to hear from all kinds of people, so I’d love to hear who you went with,” Nitta continued, trying to make the girl calm herself down while reminding her the fact that they now have to save her life before something could happen to her.

“I went on a test of courage with two others from my club. That’s right. Fushiguro-kun, Tsumiki-san was with us then, too,” Fujinuma announced, causing you to halt for a second while Itadori and Kugisaki were shocked at the fact that Fushiguro’s sister was involved in this too.

“I see. Then I’ll try asking Tsumiki, too,” Fushiguro replied calmly.

“There was also another person there at the bottom of the bridge, but I don’t remember really clearly of her at all...she was wearing our uniform thought, sort of reminds me of her,” Fujinuma stated as she pointed off to somewhere, leading your whole body to become suddenly numb at the fact that her finger was directing pointing at you causing your classmates to turn to you in fear at what might happening to you if her statement was true.

“Sorry, but I never been here at all, maybe you have the wrong person?” you unconcernedly suggested, trying to change you from being the topic of the conversation leading the girl to look confused again before gasping on how silly she was being before mentioning that she had never even met you and that she apologised for scaring you.

“Okay, then I’ll escort these two home. Please keep working on the report,” Nitta mentioned to the four of you with a smile on her face.

“Something’s up, isn’t it?” Fujinuma’s brother asked leading Nitta to form another excuse on how she could let them ride a bike back after making them petal all the way here, causing you to turn around and take a deep breath the second they began walking away.

“Fushiguro,” Itadori called out in worry before repeating his name again louder as he proceeded to grab onto his friend’s shoulder, only to see the look of unknown fear painted across Fushiguro’s face.

“Fushiguro, snap out of it, make sure she’s safe first,” Itadori muttered in reassurance, as he turned his body to face his friend to help him calm down.

“I’m fine,” Fushiguro muttered in a low tone, once he was able to snap out of his fear daze but apologising to his friend as he needed to take a step back for a second before reaching into his pocket to grab his phone to make a call leaving Kugisaki to come to your side and ask a few questions for you to answer.

“What was she talking about? Were you really a part of that school? Were you really at Yasohachi bridge back then? Answer me, Gojo!” Kugisaki asked in a panic, as you just stared at her with a blank look on your face before letting out a sigh.

“I’ve never been there before until yesterday, I have never been here at all, to begin with. There is no way I could be at that bridge,” you answered, trying to convert the conversation into something different, only for Itadori to turn his body to face you directly as he questioned you again about your ‘involvement’ in everything that's happening right now.

“Why are random people saying if they remember you then, does your cursed technique allow you to manipulate someone’s mind or anything?” Itadori asked as he needed to understand why a few people mentioned about you when you had said you have never been here at this location ever in your life.

“I don’t have a technique that does that, they have been talking about a girl that looks like me,” you answered while proceeding to cross your arms to stay as persuasive as you could while trying to hide a piece of your past that you had already somewhat erased out of everyone’s minds.

‘If they are somehow recalling some bits here and there...what about Fushiguro?’ you thought as you closed your eyes to lessen the headache that was gradually coming from the back of your head.

‘There isn’t enough time to think about it at all...these three need to get out of here before I go investigate the whole thing myself...that is...if my theory is correct like last time’

Suddenly, you reached into the pocket of your skirt before taking out your phone to swiftly call Nitta to pick everyone up from where she had left all of you causing Itadori and Kugisaki to look at you in complete confusion.

ꕥ

“Just get in the car,” you commanded in a low and threatening tone, causing the three first-years to look at you in shock before all three were pushing down into the back seats of the car.

“Us three? What about you Gojo?” Itadori asked in a panic, as he wasn’t sure why you were pushing everyone into the car that Nitta was pulled in - to which she understood why you were doing this at this moment in time.

“The mission has gone into a higher rank than what it was previously predicted, I’ll come back once I’m done with the whole thing,” you stated in a serious manner as you processed to push Itadori further into the car causing Fushiguro and Kugisaki to be squashed behind him before slamming the car door shut before anyone could escape out of the vehicle leaving you alone once the car had driven off with all three of your classmates inside of it.

ꕥ

‘If I remember, you go down here’ you thought, as you began to slide down to the bottom of the ground before walking forward out of the wood, to only find yourself in the same spot you were two years ago in a different sort of uniform.

Taking your katana out of the shoulder bag you were carrying, you hooked it on your lower back before taking the familiar blue metal pole out of the same back before hooking it on to the side of your belt causing it to dangle once it was secured onto your side.

‘If my theory was right along, there should be an incomplete domain lingering around here...meaning there is a possibility that Sukuna’s finger is within a finger bearer if I enter it…’

“What a drag,” you muttered under your breath before sliding your katana out of its wooden sheath as you swift swang it behind you, causing the tip of the blade to be an inch away from Itadori’s neck to which lead the sorcerer to lean his head back in shock as your sudden speed.

“Why are you all here? Didn’t I tell you all to go home and I would deal with this?” you rhetorically asked as you pulled your katana back from Itadori leading him to relax as he let out a breath of relief.

“Fushiguro told us everything and that's what led us to help you out,” Kugisaki mentioned causing your eyes to shift from her to the shikigami user.

“We don’t want you to do this alone, you don’t have to tell us everything you are hiding Gojo, just let us help you,” Itadori pleaded with you as his hands were pressed together in a way to convey a ‘please’ to you.

“I...I can’t tell you anything...I’m sorry,” you muttered, as you slide your katana back into its black wooden casing, causing the trio to look at you with worry in their eyes as they were anxious that the secret you were keeping was something that was going to eat you inside as they were already cautious about your wellbeing if the cursed spirit was now going to target you due to Fujinuma sudden assumption.

ꕥ

After the sudden intrusion of your classmates (much to your dismay), everyone started to walk towards the area where everyone believed the domain was going to be.

Crossing a river or other border - acts that symbolise crossing into the afterlife - carry important meaning in sorcery.

Confidently, everyone took one step forward causing a reaction of electricity to conduct as your foot hit the ground causing it to erupt as the domain suddenly enclosed everyone that had taken a step within its territory.

“There it is,” Itadori stated as he stared up at the curse, leading everyone to prepare themselves with their weapons of choice.

“This one will be rewarding to exorcise,” Kugisaki commented, as she confidently smiled at the scene in front of her.

Suddenly, you had sensed something coming from behind causing you to turn your head to the side to find a disgusting looking creature coming towards you leading everyone to move away slightly as the creature spun in the air before landing in front of all of you.

“What’s this? Someone beat me here?” the creature asked in a weird voice.

“Huh?” Kugisaki yelled out in annoyance.

“Fushiguro, this one’s a different case, right?” Itadori asked as he faced the new cursed spirit that decided to make an appearance.

“Yeah,” Fushiguro confirmed, leading Itadori to close his hands into a fist as they suddenly became consumed with his cursed energy.

“Then you three focus on that other one, I’ll exorcise this one,” Itadori stated as he raised his hands.

“What? You’re going to play with me? I wanted the older sister to,” the curse asked, causing you to shiver as you came to the sudden realisation that this curse was most likely with the others that were at the Kyoto Exchange event.

However, before even one could even move you rapidly unsheath your katana from your wooden casing as you spun around to block the sudden sneak attack that was behind you before utilising your cursed energy to your legs to give you the strength to halt your movement as the sudden intruder in front of you widened their eyes in shock at your sudden speed.

“That isn’t going to work on me again, you drag,” you muttered in a menacing tone causing your new opponent to laugh as they snapped out of their shock.

“Please, call me your mother again,” the woman stated as she smirked at you, leading a wave of anger and excitement to consume your body.

“Please, I….can’t wait to kill you,” you replied back with a crazed smile.

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dutchforstrangers · 2 years

Text

Alive | Taiora fanfiction for 2022 May - Rainy month

Loosely based on Selah Sue's Alive. Written for Taiora Year 2022 May prompt 'Rainy month' after a sudden spark of inspiration last week.

Also, no romantic!Taiora! But anything can happen right after this story. I leave that hope to you ;) Last thing: what's Kizuna?

Content warning: A few little bits of light swears, implied depressive feelings (and a high building..............)

[Read on AO3 and FF.net.]

Taiora year 2022 - May: Rainy month | Genre: Friendship, Angst | Wordcount: 2.762 | Rating: T(+) | Characters: Sora Takenouchi, Taichi Yagami, brief appearances of most other DigiDestineds and Piyomon and Agumon

Alive

From inside the train, the young copper-eyed woman looked at the scenery quickly passing by. She counted the trees, saw how the sky line changed more and more with every moving mile. Her eyes traced the raindrops on the train’s window glasses, sliding down from top to bottom until finding the ground. A bolt of lightning could be seen in the distance and a jolt traveled her body as a reaction to the flashy spectacle miles away.

Rain. Coldness. The rummaging sounds of the thunder nearing. One would say it was depressing.

But not Sora.

She loved thundershowers.

A small smile made its appearance, her eyes now shifting from the window to the phone in her hand. She scanned through her messages, her thumb brushing the screen looking for the words she had been reading over and over again when she was still back in Kyoto.

He had some nerve, Sora thought to herself. Her fingers unintentionally tightened their grip around the phone as sudden frustration seeped through her body’s veins. She tried to think back to the last time she had seen him or properly talked to him. Just the two of them. Him and her.

There had been a time where that was the most natural thing in the world. They had known each other inside out, or at least, that was what she had always thought. By now she wondered though whether she had actually really known him.

Sora closed her eyes and exhaled, the tension in her hand loosening.

“Sora, we’re here.” Piyomon said to which Sora’s eyes opened again, her head turning towards the pink bird. The grimace she was carrying immediately softened. “Are you okay?”

Her partner was smart though and looked right through it. Was she okay? Sora wasn’t sure.

“I’m fine,” she smiled anyway and passed Piyomon, her feet making her move to the exit of the train and the pink bird only able to simply follow. A bit later the two of them walked through the pouring rain, on their way to their destination.

It was a mostly quiet walk, rather slow but undoubtedly determined. Her feet effortlessly guided them to where they were heading to, Sora was that familiar with this city. She had wandered through them uncountable times for a thousand different reasons and more. Alone or together. She loved these streets, even when rainy season was early like this year.

For the sake of feeling the water running down the sky, she stuck out her hand from under the umbrella shielding herself and Piyomon from the said water. The caught raindrops Sora took back into the shield, closely observing them as if she was looking for something. She shook her hand and rubbed it against her coat to dry her skin again, with that looking down.

In the reflections of the puddles decorating the stones paving the Tokyo streets, the rain only providing more and more water, Sora saw all the things she’d once experienced in these streets. Tokyo was like a memory lane and he sure was occupying lots of houses down the lane. He lived in all of those houses. And as much as Sora didn’t want to admit, he did live in her head and heart as well.

Sora was very much aware of the fact that this guy was very hard to let go. And it wasn’t him, it was all her.

Her feet eventually stopped in front of the apartment building she was expected at, her eyes immediately catching the blonde figure who was leaning against the wall. In his hand he was twirling around an old musical relic. One she hadn’t seen in so many years, but still remembered vividly, the sound of the so familiar harmonica bringing back even more memories, both fond and melancholic.

“Hey Sora,” Yamato smiled, pushing himself off of the wall while approaching her. Sora smiled back and stepped forwards while letting down her umbrella, stepping under the shelter Yamato was under. The two met each other in a friendly embrace.

“Yamato, how’s he?” She asked after letting go.

“He thinks it’s his fault. Again. Does that tell you enough?” Sora slowly nodded, a little sigh escaping her. “You have to see it for yourself though. Come on, let’s get you up there.”

Together with Piyomon, Sora followed Yamato inside to the 7th floor of the building, the sound of the rain on the steel balustrade of the gallery present the whole way. She knew these hallways and galleries all too well too, the entrance of this apartment one way too familiar. As was the nameplate with the name “Yagami” written on it. It looked the same for as long as Sora could remember.

The door was open, the house symbolically welcoming her in after years. It had never been her own home, but it certainly felt like that. Respectfully she took off her shoes and placed her umbrella in the holder. Her slightly damp coat she hung over Yamato’s, seeing there was no free spot left, telling her there were probably a lot of people already here.

And they had all tried.

With Piyomon already reunited with her Digimon buddies, Sora made her way to the living room area. She saw how her old friends were all scattered across the room. Sitting down on the sofa, chairs, arm rests or the carpet. Standing, leaning against the wall or staring outside through the closed glass sliding door that led to the balcony.

“Sora-kun, you’re here.”

Jyou was the first one to notice Sora’s quiet entrance, greeting her by looking up from his spot on the couch, carefully waving at her.

“Sora-san!”

Hikari was the next one to verbally greet Sora, calling out for her for both Mimi and herself. Together with the honey-haired girl, Hikari stood up from her spot on the couch next to Jyou, getting to Sora as fast as they could. The two girls wrapped Sora into their embraces, their warmth penetrating Sora’s own skin and for a good minute, happiness overwhelmed Sora. It had been a while since she last saw all of them. Especially all together.

“It’s good to see you, Sora-san,” came Takeru’s voice. While Hikari stepped aside to give Takeru some space, Mimi clinged to Sora, taking in all the affection she could get out of the girl. On Sora’s other shoulder was enough space for Takeru to place a soothing hand on. “How are you?”

“I’m doing okay, thank you for asking,” she answered Takeru before her eyes darted around the room. “Where is he? Taichi.” She said to no one in particular.

“Up on the roof.”

The maroon headed man turned around in his place at the window to look Sora straight in the eyes. Even though Koushiro’s voice sounded almost stern and factually, Sora could see the worry and desperation in his dark eyes, the tone in his voice giving her hints as well. They had been friends for so long, she knew him, could read between the lines.

“I-in the rain? The pouring rain?!”

Koushiro traveled across the room, his head nodding in response to Sora’s questions. On his way, he swiftly brushed Hikari’s shoulder to calm her down a bit more. “Unfortunately…” He said as Mimi stepped aside now as well to get to a worried Hikari, giving the two redheads space for a brief hug. “We all tried to talk to him—”

“But with no success yet,” interrupted a voice Sora recognized as Daisuke’s, finishing Koushiro’s sentence. Usually, his voice was more uplifting and enthusiastic, but this time it sounded frustrated and maybe even defeated. Sora turned around to find Daisuke in the opening of the door, taking off his raincoat.

Taichi was a lost cause, Sora concluded to herself, and she was here to try to mend the pieces back together. She was fully aware of how Taichi could be or become, his depressive and angsty mood swings not something unknown to any of them.

“I’m glad you could come, Sora.”

This time the voice came from beneath her and so she looked down to see a small yellow dinosaur standing next to her. She could imagine being Taichi’s partner wasn’t always easy, though, Agumon often brought up the best in him. Today, however, it seemed like even Agumon couldn’t cheer him up.

“I think Taichi needs you.” Agumon told Sora.

From behind her she could hear confirmative sounds, both from the Digimon as from their human partners. A short encouraging touch of Koushiro’s hand on her shoulder and a silent nod from Yamato was enough for Sora.

She nodded to Agumon and the others, then made her way up to the roof. Umbrella in hand.

Sora found him standing there, with his back facing her, close to the edge, probably looking over the slowly flooding streets. He wasn’t wearing a coat or whatsoever, nothing to shield him except for his normal clothes. By now, his significant messy brown bush of hair was fully flat and down, the rain heavy enough for his to finally lose to gravity. Sora wondered how long he had been standing there.

“Taichi…?” She carefully started.

When no sound came back she slowly began approaching him. Step by step, the wet stones underneath her shoes crunching, warning Taichi someone was coming. Sora knew that he knew.

Her mind raced, trying to find the right words. She couldn’t be too vague.

“There was nothing you could do for that boy,” Sora said, immediately regretting it, worrying whether it was too direct or not. But then again, there’s wasn’t a way back anymore. She thought about the things she had heard over phone when they asked her to come to Tokyo as fast as possible. “It was his own choice to chase that dangerous Digimon.”

There had been a Digimon that appeared in the streets of Tokyo. Of course Taichi and Yamato had rushed to the scene with Koushiro in their ears. During the fight, Taichi was in charge of evacuating the people in the neighborhood, however, apparently one very adventurous boy had slipped his sight and went straight into the action, holding up his cell phone to record the whole fighting scene between Garurumon and the other Digimon, assumably to upload on the internet later. The boy got hit and was brought to the hospital, currently being in critical danger.

“I’m certain you, Yamato and Koushiro made the right decisions. You really couldn’t have done it any better.” Sora once again continued after not receiving any response from Taichi. But even now he kept quiet, his back still turned towards her. Her feet still carried Sora towards him though. “Taichi, please… Talk to me…?”

“Shouldn’t you be in Kyoto?”

Sora stopped walking, taken aback by Taichi’s words sounding so passively aggressive. He looked over his shoulder, his eyes not directly making contact with Sora’s. She could feel how, similarly to the way her hand had tightened around her phone back in the train, it now tightened around the grip of her umbrella.

“Yes. But I’m here now, right? I came here for you,”

“Well, you’re too late now!” Taichi snapped, turning around. His brown eyes pierced through her own eyes and Sora sharply gasped, taking the verbal hit from her childhood friend. “That boy is fourteen and he’s in the hospital now fighting for his fucking life! I could have saved him, Sora, I—”

“No, Taichi!” Sora’s impulses took over, screaming at him in ways she was only capable of doing so when directed at him. “Damn it. You can’t protect everyone! You have to understand that! And you can’t let yourself become depressive after every fight you fight, whether it’s with or without Digimon! Sometimes you have to take your losses and let it go!”

“Then why are you here Sora?! Tell me, weren’t you the one who decided to let go? Huh? Who decided to move to your dad in Kyoto to change study direction? To leave all of us here fighting for our lives?!”

Sora’s jaw dropped from disbelieve. “Taichi, that’s so unreasonable, I—”

“You were the one who decided to leave me.”

She was going to tell him how he dared to say things like that. How she had been so mad with him when he moved to his own little condo basically right after high school. How disappointed she was every single time he didn’t text or call her back. Of course she knew how busy he was and obviously she was busy with making life decisions herself, but she needed her friend. The one she had been friends with for better or worse.

She had been annoyed with him for slowly forgetting her. She absolutely despised herself for giving him the space to fade away from her life, faster than she wanted. And she had been downright outraged with the fact that she had left Tokyo without telling him a thing. Because she thought he didn’t care. Or in the hope he did care, enough to let him make the step to message her.

That message never came. And Sora regretted it, now more than ever.

“Yeah…” Taichi huffed and turned back around to face the building’s height again.

Instead of swallowing it away, tears started to stream down her face. Her eyes were the rainclouds that made it rain, her cheeks the canvas for the drops of salty water to paint on. She lowered her umbrella, her hand loosening, resulting in the umbrella finding the ground, the rain now having free game to soak her clothes just like Taichi was soaking wet. Sora wondered whether he had been crying too and that she just wasn’t able to see it due to the rain mixing with his tears.

The rain had washed it all away.

The rain.

“There’s a reason I love the rain so much.” With her body and voice calmed down, Sora spoke. “Even now that we’re standing here together like this.” She said as she stepped closer and closer to him with every word.

“You do?” She could hear Taichi quietly say, his head turning a mere millimeter.

“Mmhm. Do you remember how we used to play soccer in the rain and how we somehow always ended up here? Laughing, making stupid jokes? I’ve never told you, but I really needed those little moments.”

Sora looked at his wet face revealing itself to her bit by little bit. Every word, every second was worth another inch. Simultaneously, Sora kept making baby steps, until she was right next to him. She didn’t look at him, her eyes finding peace with the rainy skyline of Odaiba.

“You were my escape, Taichi,” the corners of her lips slightly curled up. “On my way from Kyoto to Tokyo, I kept wondering why I let myself be persuaded to come here. You know why?”

“Because I’m being a drama queen baby who needed his mother?” Taichi said looking down to which Sora giggled. Her eyes found his again as she playfully punched Taichi in his arm.

“No, baka, because I needed an escape. And there’s only one place to go for an escape and that’s my home. Which is right here,” Sora said looking at him, “in the pouring rain,” she said looking up, “on top of this…” she said stepping forward looking down over the edge, “… very high roof, holy shit…”

Taichi smiled. “A swearing Sora Takenouchi, who thought— Look out!”

Fascinated by the height, Sora had taken one step forward too much, almost tripping over her own feet. However, she safely landed in Taichi’s arms.

“Oi, Taichi, thank you…!”

Just sheer seconds felt like eternity. Sora’s eyes met his hovering over her, her heart skipped a beat or two. With him above her, it felt like the rain had stopped for a little while, of course it had.

“If I can’t protect everyone, then at least let me protect you.” He grinned.

Taichi was like a home. The walls to keep her safe and protected. The roof to shield her from any storm. Sora bit her lip, the blush that was forming on her face one she was unable to hide.

“Such a cheese,” she teased him as he brought her back on her two feet again. With her hand she went through his wet hair after brushing the skin of his overly hydrated cheek. “How do you feel now?”

“Cold,” Taichi said while following Sora back to the staircase, taking the hand she was holding out for him. “But alive.”

You stay alive in the cold in the rain. - Alive by Selah Sue

#digimon fanfiction by DFS #taiora #taiorasrainy #sora takenouchi #taichi yagami #taichi x sora #taiora2022 #tai kamiya #tai x sora #taichi #sora #tai #digimon #alive by selah sue #spotify #taioracalender2022

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maddogofshimano · 3 years

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Apology Ring: Rikiya Scratcher Event

A new Rikiya event! I was very excited about what nonsense this one would be and it did not disappoint.

I couldn’t tell you why Kuze’s a reward, but I sure did get 6 of him, so I can’t complain. Let’s get started!

Summary: While Rikiya has come to adore Kiryu as his aniki, Haruka is still cold and distant towards him. In his desperation to win back her favor, he learns that Haruka’s after a prize from the scratcher event happening at the local grocery store, and is determined to win it for her no matter the cost

2008 Shimabukuro Rikiya had been charmed by Kiryu Kazuma, and his yearning to have him as his aniki has led to him often visiting Morning Glory.

Rikiya: Aniki! Let's go get drinks together! Standing by for your answer!

Kiryu: Rikiya...... I already gave you an answer earlier. I'm busy today. You should get back to work. <Kiryu walks away> Rikiya: W-Wait for me anikiiii~!

Rikiya: Haaa.... Alone again..... Though, that's just one of the things that makes him so cool. (Tl note: overwhelmingly tempted to use the "attractive/good looking/handsome" meanings on かっこいい instead of cool lol) Rikiya: ....Oh? Haruka: Ah..... Rikiya-san. Good afternoon. ...............Bye. <She leaves>

Rikiya: Ah, Haruka-chan.... Rikiya: She sure didn't look happy to see me... Guess she still hates me.

Rikiya: Well... I guess being hated by her can't be helped. She was real scared I was going to evict everyone in Morning Glory after all... Rikiya: Kiryu no aniki swore an oath of brotherhood though... So I can't just leave things like this. Rikiya: If I apologize from the bottom of my heart, maybe Haruka-chan will forgive me... Rikiya: .........Hn? Koji: I want to get Haruka a gift for always working so hard, but I can't think of a single thing to get her.... Koji: Have you thought of anything Taichi? Taichi: I got this! Isn't this rock pretty? I found it out on the beach! Koji: ....A rock, huh. Well, Haruka will still be thrilled to get it. Now what am I gonna do.... Taichi: What about the scratchers down at the shopping center? Koji: Scratchers? What's that? Taichi: Haruka said she wanted to the prize from them, and wouldn't doing scratchers be fun? Koji: No way. I don't trust that it won't be a total bust. Taichi: But think about how happy she'd be. Rikiya: ....Scratchers at the shopping center? Hmm, come to think of it I was supposed to go to the super market. Rikiya: ......If I can get that thing Haruka-chan wants, she might forgive me, so it's worth a shot. Rikiya: With a little bit of luck and money, let's take a gamble on scratchers! <He runs downtown> Manager: Hey welcome! Right now we're running a scratcher campaign~.

Manager: The top prize, a trip to Tokyo, has already been claimed, but we still have a ring from a brand that's very popular with women, a coffee maker, an electric razor, and a 100kg of rice among the fabulous prizes jostling around! You can't miss this opportunity! Rikiya: (.....The only thing he listed that a girl her age would want is that ring. That must be what Haruka-chan is after!) Rikiya: Sir! Give me a scratcher! Manager: Ah, Rikiya-kun. Ready to have some fun? One entry for every 1,000 yen you spend at the store! <scratching noises> Manager: Annnnd... no luck. For the bottom prize, here's your free pack of pocket tissues. Rikiya: Damn... Totally drained, huh. I really don't have any more cash to blow on scratchers. Manager: That's a shame, Rikiya-kun. I'll be here with the scratchers for a while longer if you change your mind and want to try again. Rikiya: ....Say, mister. I really just gotta get my hands on that ring. Is there any way we could make that happen? Rikiya: ....I beg you! Truly!! Manager: No, and the answer stays no no matter how many times you ask~. Manager: Right now the odds are stacked in the customer's favor with how many scratchers have been pulled, so good luck. Rikiya: ....Man, that's really how it is, huh. I getcha... Gimme a bit to scrape up some cash. <Rikiya leaves, makes a phonecall> Rikiya: ....I'm all out. Mikio's broke too. I guess I could try getting a loan.... hmmmmm.....

Rikiya: What am I gonna do... My plan to show my sincere apologies to Haruka with that ring is turning out to be a huge bust. Rikiya: I gotta get more cash to do pulls with... If only there was some way to do free pulls...... (Tl note: Rikiya is the prime target for gatcha games) <he moves on> Rikiya: ....I ended up walking all the way around Ryukyu without getting a single idea. What am I gonna do.... Hm? Blond Chinpira A: Hehehe, look at all these scratchers. I'm a almost afraid I'll get sick of doing scratchers from this.

Blond Chinpira B: Mhm~! Hey, did ya see that employee's face? He was so scared, it was hilarious! Hehehe. <they leave> Rikiya: ....What were those bastards up to? <Rikiya returns to the store> Rikiya: !? Manager: Uughh.... Rikiya: Hey, hey..... you're not looking good. All your merch has been scattered and all the shelves are all smashed up....

Rikiya: What the heck happened while I was gone? Manager: Ah, Rikiya-kun... The truth is.... some blond haired chinpira came and stole all the scratchers..... Rikiya: Blond haired chinpira...? You mean those assholes just a minute ago did this? Manager: When they found out the top prize had already been claimed... they flew into a rage and started smashing things.... Manager: They stole all the scratchers and remaining prizes and said "You better have that top prize restocked by the time we're back".... Rikiya: What the hell? Manager: I don't know if the police could do anything, and I have no idea how I could get another trip to Tokyo lined up..... Manager: Rikiya-kun, I'm sorry. I really did want you to have fun with this scratcher campaign... Manager: Haa... I started this up intending to give back to my regulars... but now it's going to end like this... I guess it can't be helped. Rikiya: ..........It's just like you to still be thinking about your customers. Even at a time like this they're the ones you're worried about.... Rikiya: ...Sir, I'm going to crush those assholes. I swear it. Manager: Eh? Rikiya: I can't stand cowardly civilians like that. ....So I'm gonna kick their asses. Rikiya: While I'm at it I'll get back all the scratchers and all the prizes and return them to you. Manager: R-Rikiya-kun.... but.... Rikiya: Don't worry about it. This is my job as a member of the Ryudo Family. My boss would yell at me if I turned a blind eye to this. Rikiya: So, I'm off! <Rikiya leaves> Manager: Rikiya-kun..... <EVENT START>

Blonde Chinpira A: Ughhh......

Rikiya: ......Hand over the scratchers and the prizes.

Blonde Chinpira A: W-Who the fuck are you....

Rikiya: Ryudo family captain, Shimabukuro Rikiya. Chinpira: R-....Ryudo Family!? Y-You're... a professional....... Rikiya: ......We good? I don't think ya want this again.

Rikiya: If I ever hear that you're causing problems for that shop again then I'm going to silence you myself!!!! Chinpira: I-I got it.... it won't happen again. <back at the store> Rikiya: There you are, manager. The scratchers and the prizes. With this, you should be able to continue your campaign, right? Manager: R-Rikiya-kun...... Rikiya: I really nailed those shitheads, so you shouldn't need to worry about them coming after you for revenge. Rikiya: Of course if they do show up, just give me a ring. I'll handle 'em for you. Any time you need. Manager: Th-Thank you Rikiya-kun.... What can I ever do to repay you...... Rikiya: Don't sweat it. This is just the job of a member of the Ryudo Family. <Rikiya begins walking away> Manager: Ah, Rikiya-kun! Rikiya: ......I'm up shit creek here. What about Haruka-chan's present....

Rikiya: What am I gonna do..... I'm outta cash......... I got it. I'm sure I got some pachinko balls tucked away.... ???: Rikiya-kun! <manager runs up> Rikiya: Manager? Manager: Ha... Ha.... This.... I wanted to give this to you. Rikiya: This is..... the ring that was one of the scratcher prizes!? Manager: Yep. You said you wanted it. So I figured to repay you somewhere... I'd like to give this to you. Rikiya: Manager..... But isn't this a real major prize? Manager: It's fine. Without you the scratcher campaign wouldn't have continued at all. Manager: Oh, are you turning this down? I know this doesn't remotely make up for everything you did, and I'm truly sorry. Rikiya: ....I ain't turning it down! Thank you, manager! Manager: Hehe, that makes me glad to hear. Well, I'm heading back to the store now. See ya. <Manager leaves> Rikiya: Hell yes... Now I can give this to Haruka-chan as an apology! Rikiya: Finally we'll be able to wrap this whole thing up and move past things with one big gesture! Rikiya: Wait for me! Haruka-chan! <Rikiya runs off> Rikiya: .......Pardon my intrusion.

Haruka: Ah...... Rikiya-san.

Rikiya: (....She's still so distant. Guess she still doesn't like me one bit....) Kiryu: What is it? Rikiya. I can't get drinks with you today. Rikiya: Nah, I'm actually here for Haruka-chan this time. Kiryu: To see Haruka? Rikiya: Yes... Um, Haruka-chan. I actually have something to give to you. Haruka: Something to give to... me? Rikiya: Here, this. It's some kind of ring from a famous brand. Haruka-chan, this was that thing you wanted, right? Haruka: Eh!?

Kiryu: A ring? What's this about Haruka?

Haruka: N-.... No. I, don't really like rings...

Rikiya: Right. As soon as I heard you wanted this I rushed out frantically to-........ Rikiya: .......Eh!!??

Rikiya: What do you mean, you don't really like rings...... But.... Isn't this the ring you said you wanted? Haruka: ...N-No. I don't remember ever saying I wanted that..... Rikiya: That's.... B-But, you wanted one of the prizes from the scratchers....... Haruka: Scratchers.....? Oh, of course.... Rikiya: Of course....? Haruka: I wanted the rice so that everyone could have it to eat. Is that what you were thinking of? Rikiya: R-Rice!!?? <flashback to the manager talking about all the prizes they had> Rikiya: The thing that Haruka-chan actually wanted..... was the 100kg of rice.......... Rikiya: I was so sure it was the ring.... Seriously, man......... Haruka: I-I'm so sorry. Kiryu: ....Say, Rikiya. What's with the sudden present? Haruka's birthday's still a ways off, right? Rikiya: .........I wanted to give it to Haruka-chan as an apology. Kiryu: ....Apology? Rikiya: Yes. When I came to Morning Glory and threatened to evict everyone, for kids that have nowhere else to go, wouldn't that have been terrifying? Rikiya: Since then, Haruka's hated me. But I wanted to earn Haruka's forgiveness... Rikiya: That's why.... I thought I could give her that ring as an earnest apology. Rikiya: But then I went and got her something she didn't even want, so instead of being happy she's bothered by it... I really am a fool, huh. (Tl note: we might not have gotten to hear Rikiya sing bakamitai but he did at least say the phrase here lol) Haruka: .....Rikiya-san. Even though I never said I wanted it..... I really am happy to get it. Rikiya: ....That's sweet of you to say, Haruka-chan. But you don't have to lie like that to me.... Haruka: No, it's true. Rikiya-san, you picked out that ring to give me because you thought it'd make me happy, right? Haruka: The fact that you were thinking about me like that and working so hard to make me happy, well, how could I not be! Rikiya: Haruka-chan.....

Haruka: Really though.... I don't hate you, okay? Rikiya: Eh? Haruka: I... think you're a good person, Rikiya-san. So I don't have a reason to dislike you. Rikiya: Wait, but... Earlier when you saw my mug you looked real upset and ran off immediately, didn't you? Haruka: That was... sorry... I think I was trying to hold in a sneeze. Rikiya: .......a sneeze? Haruka: Right. Honestly I was dealing with a cold earlier.... I didn't want to get you sick, so I was trying really hard not to sneeze..... Rikiya: --Which explains why you were keeping your distance..... What the hell. Have I just been totally overthinking this........ Kiryu: ...Heh, I'm glad for you Rikiya. Your worries were misplaced, and this is all settled now. Rikiya: A-Anikiii.... Haruka-chan's.... a good kid....... Rikiya: I horribly threaten her and she doesn't hate me...... I don't even get her the present she wants and she's still thrilled..... Rikiya: Even if it was my job to scare her.... She's... She's such a good kid, that Haruka-chan.... <Rikiya drops to the ground> Rikiya: I'M SO SO SORRYYYYYYYYYY!!!!

Haruka: R-Rikiya-san!? Kiryu: H-Hey. Rikiya, quit grovelling!

Rikiya kept his head bowed in apology for a long time, until Kiryu and Haruka were both troubled by the excessiveness.

Bonus stuff:

I was so sure Haruka wanted to trip to Tokyo to give to Kiryu so that he could go visit. The rice was my second guess, but I was so ready for the emotional pain. Shout outs to @agentshilonglang for correctly guessing it though!

This one wasn’t as long or a fraction as difficult to translate as the previous Rikiya board game event, but I am thrilled to have more Rikiya content. This card also has a new character story, and I pulled it so I’ll get that translated sometime soon-ish! I’m actually thinking of holding a poll on which story to do next when I hit 300 followers.

Finally this was the song that played on the main page of the event, tho they skipped the intro portion:

youtube

#rggo #ryu ga gotoku #ryu ga gotoku online #yakuza #Rikiya #rikiya shimabukuro #Haruka #Kiryu

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shihalyfie · 4 years

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A meta and analysis on Yagami Taichi

Being the face of Adventure and arguably the rest of the franchise, Taichi has the honor of being an important figure in the realm of shounen anime overall, which has the unfortunate side effect of very often being described with things that don’t actually match him at all -- the way people often talk about him (especially mainstream press) tends to portray him like a stereotypical shounen hero who charges aggressively into everything and is hot-blooded all of the time. That’s not...quite on the mark.

I think “impulsive” is certainly a correct way to describe him, but in a very different way than one might think -- and, in fact, Taichi is much more of a multifaceted character than he’s often pigeonholed as. How? Well, let’s talk about it!

Taichi in Adventure

The main reason it’s probably incorrect to call Taichi “hot-blooded” by nature is that, in actuality, he is far more often too chill than otherwise. It’s not that he aggressively charges into everything without any rhyme or reason! Rather, it’s more like he takes everything very easily and has a “don’t worry about it!” attitude.

In fact, I think our friend the Animation Chronicle explains it better than I can:

If he doesn’t know/understand something, he acts while he tries to figure it out...

So in other words, rather than our conventional version of “being impulsive” meaning beelining to the most aggressive possible action, rather, it’s more like “the first thing that pops into his head” -- even if it’s a fairly easygoing or relatively harmless-seeming solution, he just goes for it because it sounds like it’ll work and he doesn’t see any reason why not.

That said, it’s also made abundantly clear by multiple sources that his ideas do come with some kind of consideration:

From the Animation Chronicle: “He appears to move with reckless abandon, but he actually does take in his surroundings and he takes good care of his juniors in the soccer club.”

From the Adventure novels: “Taichi treated everyone without discrimination, as equals. That attitude of his didn’t change, even towards Koushiro. If Taichi hadn’t invited him, Koushiro was sure that he would have never gone to summer camp.”

Sora and Koushirou even back this up personally in Adventure episode 16, when Koushirou points out that Taichi had always been kind to his juniors, and Sora recalls an incident when he’d foregone an opportunity to score a goal because he’d known Sora was more likely to pull it off successfully.

So in other words, Taichi is, fundamentally speaking, not someone who does things for personal glory, but does want to work for other people’s sake. It’s just that, in trying to carry that out, he has a tendency to default to the first thing that pops into his head. Or in other words, Taichi’s primary way of thinking is “act first and figure out the details later” -- and this has both good and bad things about it.

Firstly, the fact that Taichi has such an “action-first” philosophy means that he’s capable of acting very practically in situations when others would freeze up. A very good example of this is Adventure episode 21; after angsting for half an episode considering quitting the fighting and enjoying his life at home, the moment he realizes that everyone else will be in danger if he leaves everyone be, he immediately instinctively steps in to help everyone. It’s not necessarily that Taichi doesn’t feel the stress or danger of fighting; it’s just that when he sees the practical impact of people he cares about getting hurt in front of him, all bets are off, because he needs to help people now.

The second thing is that, as Koushirou points out, he’s very kind to his juniors, and people in general -- he doesn’t really pay much mind to things like seniority, and is more concerned about treating everyone in accordance to their practical capabilities. This means that he’s someone who has a certain sense of charisma, especially since he’s appreciative of people’s abilities.

This is best indicated in Adventure episode 28, when two important things about Taichi are brought to the forefront:

Taichi’s natural charisma and ability to appeal to people makes him someone good at “bringing people together” -- indicated by the fact that the group hadn’t taken long to completely fall apart after he’d momentarily departed in Adventure episode 20, but came back together after he’d rallied them. The Adventure kids, coming from rather different social circles and backgrounds, were not originally the type to stay together or be particularly tight with each other by default, and so, during the first half of the series when they still had ways to go in terms of having any kind of meaningful bond with each other, they were unconsciously dependent on the charismatic Taichi to keep them together.

Taichi is a “natural leader” in every sense -- “leader” meaning not only someone who pushes people forward, but also someone who recognizes others’ abilities and is willing to delegate rather than trying to do everything by himself. This was briefly demonstrated in Sora’s Adventure episode 16 flashback when she remembers that Taichi willingly gave up the opportunity for a goal when he understood she could do it better (it’s reflected in his soccer position, too), but also here in Adventure episode 28, he gives the task of solving the card puzzle to Koushirou because he (correctly) determines that Koushirou, not himself, is best equipped to do the job. Also note that the episode makes clear that everyone agrees to it specifically because Taichi appointed him to the position -- much like how “understanding everyone’s abilities and delegating properly” is an important and necessary skill for a leader, everyone trusts Taichi to make that decision, and therefore trusts in Koushirou because he was appointed by said well-informed decision.

So those are the good things about him. What about the drawbacks?

The first is that Taichi is, unfortunately, a little emotionally insensitive. He doesn’t mean badly, of course -- you can’t deny that his penchant for teasing or trolling people makes him quite a fun person to be around -- but he tends to lack a bit of emotional insight and is prone to crossing the line with his remarks. Again, this is a symptom of him being too chill about things at times; he tends to react with “what’s the big deal?!” -- a statement that one should absolutely not say when arguing with someone, and which tends to get Taichi in hot water, especially with Yamato.

While the trope of “the shounen hero and the cool rival often having friction” is quite common in anime like this, Adventure’s play on it is actually quite different from how it would usually be played elsewhere. In most other shounen anime, this kind of relationship would have to do with something like the hot-blooded protagonist wanting to charge in and the cool-headed person wanting to be more “rational” about it, but in Adventure, Taichi and Yamato are pit against each other due to reasons that have to do with emotions. Yamato, contrary to what his character archetype might suggest, is someone who’s openly passionate and emotional, and is also someone who goes out of his way to care about others and their welfare -- so he often gets into fights with Taichi because he perceives Taichi to be insensitive and not putting sufficient thought into the others.

Yamato’s reactions are certainly extreme -- Adventure episodes 9 very clearly depicts him as the one losing control of his emotions and escalating the argument with Taichi to a full-on fight, whereas Taichi wanted him to calm down -- but he’s not fundamentally wrong in that this is an aspect Taichi needs to improve about, because it is true that Taichi tends to take the first suggestion of “what’ll get something done” that pops into his head, but also has a problem of vastly underestimating how dangerous things might be.

Again -- and this is very important to stress -- it’s not that he doesn’t care about others, and it’s not that he’s unaware of the dangers around him or the potential for repercussions! As Sora says in Adventure episode 16, he is conscientious of his surroundings and aware of potential risks. He has always put thought into his actions, and he doesn’t just charge into things with no rhyme or reason. He just has an abysmally poor sense of judgment, because he’s so naturally chill that he thinks “it’ll be fine, don’t worry!” -- and thus starts stubbornly locking down on what he wants to do because he’s so sure it’ll be fine and that everyone (usually Yamato) is overreacting.

If you want a specific example about Taichi’s tendency to misjudge: in Adventure episode 9, Taichi and Yamato get in a fight when Yamato perceives Taichi as too insensitive about Takeru’s potential welfare, which weirds Taichi out because Yamato’s being awfully overprotective. On its face, it might seem hypocritical because we later find out in Adventure episode 48 that Taichi is just as overprotective of his own sister, but it’s important to note that in the relevant episode, Taichi states that he has to go out of his way because Hikari continually fails to vocalize whenever she’s hurt or in pain. This implies that Taichi sees Takeru as someone who’s clearly capable of taking care of himself because he expresses himself better (and thus, Taichi doesn’t understand why Yamato has to go out of his way for him). Indeed, Takeru ends up latching onto Taichi because he sees him as treating him with the independence that Yamato won’t -- but Takeru has his own very deep-seated emotional issues that he just happens to be very good at hiding, and while Taichi is certainly always looking out for Takeru, he never seemed to have become aware of this problem.

This difficulty in judgment leads into a certain pattern of behavior that Taichi exhibits that only comes up in very specific situations, but is so consistently depicted that it’s basically an inherent trait of his: what I call the “Yagami Taichi stress response”.

Taichi is the kind of selfless person who prioritizes others’ welfare over himself, and there are times when it will often fall into almost self-destructive levels. (This is a trait he actually shares with his sister, although the two of them naturally deal with it in very different ways.) His first priority is “helping everyone”, and especially “helping anyone who’s in trouble” (especially when it’s happening right in front of him). Which means that whenever he feels that others are depending on him for something, he ends up often taking too much responsibility for everyone’s welfare, and starts cracking under the pressure.

Because Taichi is the kind of person who prioritizes “action first” and figuring things out as they go along, this means that his reaction to stress is basically becoming a completely unfocused mess. Or, in other words, he lets the thought of but we have to do something!! completely consume his head, methodology be damned, and he starts panicking and doing everything in every which way to get it done, to the point he starts lashing out at others or becoming an emotional wreck because of the stress. The first time we see this is Adventure episode 16, where, being the only one with a working Crest and feeling that he and Agumon have the responsibility of protecting everyone, starts pushing himself and Agumon to carry everyone’s burdens, resulting in everything going wrong and the dark evolution to SkullGreymon at the end of the episode.

Again: It’s important to remember that, even at his “worst”, Taichi’s main priority is helping and protecting others, which means that his way of responding to that stress is basically determining that he’ll take all of the responsibility onto himself. That involves things like forcing himself to “work harder for everyone’s sake”, or becoming dangerously self-sacrificial, or at least allowing himself to become an emotional wreck because as much as he knows better, his one strongest thought is always we have to do something!!

Taichi exhibits more of this behavior in Adventure episodes 48 and 49, to the point he gets unusually aggressive with Koushirou (which is also explicitly pointed out as him not acting like his usual self) once he starts panicking about Hikari’s welfare. Again, note that all of this stems from we have to do something!! -- he basically starts panicking because despite Koushirou clearly doing the best he can, once things start going south, it’s just not enough.

So, speaking of things going south: because Taichi often misjudges situations, whenever things go wrong, he takes it badly. This is someone whose first course of action is to “act first and work it out as we go along,” but the number one thing he can’t stand is seeing other people get hurt, and so when other people do get hurt because of the consequences, Taichi shuts down -- for instance, when he learns that his ploy to attempt to get Greymon to evolve ended up hurting Koromon and everyone around him in Adventure episodes 16-17, and when his taking the Digital World too lightly (taking Koushirou’s explanation of it being “like a game world” at too much face value) ends up getting Sora in trouble and his own life in danger.

Which leads to a certain degree of irony: Taichi’s behavior isn’t normally out of solely recklessness -- mainly really poor judgment and a tendency to underestimate things -- but when he does slip up and start having to deal with consequences, he does become reckless. But because this recklessness is out of a desire to “not let anyone else get hurt”, it results in him being reckless specifically with his own welfare -- he’s the kind of person who “takes too much responsibility onto himself”, and his way of responding to the issues of “someone might get hurt” and “but we have to do something!!” means that he, by default, responds to everything with “okay, then I’ll be the one who gets hurt!” Or in other words, his solution to preventing other casualties while still doing something to help others involves becoming dangerously self-sacrificial. Because in the end, Taichi is the kind of person who hates seeing people being in trouble or hurt in front of him, and his instinct is to always protect people, no matter what.

But, again: Taichi’s way of “action first” is not a fundamentally bad thing -- remember, Adventure episode 21 established very well that this trait of his is very good for bringing him out of his biggest bouts of hesitation, because he has a very practical understanding of the need to fight in order to prevent more casualties. This is especially because the final arc of Adventure deals heavily with the concept of “collateral damage”, or the question of how to handle fighting to save people, when people are inevitably hurt (or, in this case, dying) in the process.

Yamato accuses Taichi in Adventure episode 43 of not being conscientious enough about the friends they’ve lost in the process, but once Yamato succumbs to his resentment and personal beefs and starts selfishly picking a fight with Taichi in Adventure episode 44-45, Taichi indicates that he is keeping his fallen friends in mind -- it’s just that, to him, not continuing the fight is an insult to everything they’d died for (especially because, indeed, more people will get hurt if they don’t do something).

And, ultimately, in Adventure episode 50, Taichi does conclude that Yamato, Jou, and Mimi are right about one thing: while he’s always been right about them needing to do something, they do at least need to be careful about how they go about it so that they don’t incur more sacrifices along the way. Fortunately, Taichi is a soccer captain and perfectly capable of quickly coming up with a suitable plan on the fly (he even cites it in this episode, and in fact had already demonstrated an ability to come up with tactics when necessary back in Adventure episode 20) -- it’s not that he’s never been able to do flexible thinking, it’s just that his natural tendency to be “too chill’ about things and overestimate the efficacy of the first thing that popped into his head was something he needed to learn to think through a little harder.

And so, the final episodes of Adventure indicate him finally starting to tap into his capacity for that -- thus truly becoming the definition of the Adventure group’s “leader”.

Taichi after Adventure

We learn in Our War Game! that Taichi still has a bit of a way to go in terms of the “emotional sensitivity” part, most notably when Taichi starts getting defensive when he accidentally disrupts the computer connection, and Koushirou (most likely correctly) pinpoints this insensitivity as the likely reason he and Sora got into a nasty fight prior to the events of the movie. In fact, while Taichi already clearly had some shades of this in Adventure, when his “teasing” of others or stepping over their boundaries could sometimes go a little too far, it’s especially indicated here that Taichi is very, very bad at dispute resolution, because he keeps trying to deflect blame for his own actions and indirectly accuses Sora of being the irrational one in regards to their argument. (Again, for anyone entangled in a dispute with a friend: “dismissing the other person’s feelings” and going for the ad hominem, instead of at the very least acknowledging them in the process of making your point, is the number one worst way to handle this.)

Of course, Taichi wouldn’t have gotten this far if he didn’t have the natural charisma to compensate -- again, he’s fundamentally someone who cares about other people and attends to them. But, unfortunately, he’s still bad at knowing how to deal with other people’s emotions and learning to deal with them with proper empathy...

...So, in fact, it’s striking that the Taichi we initially meet in 02 is someone who, most of the time, seems to come off as very mature and put-together. The fact that he so willingly turned over his goggles to Daisuke at the beginning of the episode is a really huge deal, frankly -- even if you don’t subscribe to the theory that there’s any major sentimental backstory to it a la V-Tamer, that’s still an item he’s kept on him since he was a tiny child and clearly must have a huge amount of attachment to, yet he immediately handed it over to Daisuke the moment he felt Daisuke was worthy of it.

It’s actually quite a bit of a swerve for those of us used to the more “playful” Taichi who sometimes took things way too lightly, but it’s also important to realize that this is the Taichi that Daisuke and his friends see. This is especially in light of the fact that Daisuke starts off the series with a very severe inability to be assertive, so Taichi, who’s always been naturally assertive from the get-go (almost too much sometimes), is everything he is not, and therefore admires.

Taichi is still Taichi, which means that he’s still subject to the Yagami Taichi stress response, and he gets very close to blowing up angrily at the others when they show up late. But unlike how he had a whole train of being rather out of control when emotionally compromised in Adventure episodes 48-49, he gets himself together fairly quickly and admits that he also didn’t want to force everyone to come if they didn’t want to (to the point where he had even thought about going alone with Hikari in the worst-case scenario -- again, note the tendency for self-sacrifice and putting responsibility on himself).

We also see him about to lapse into it again at the end of the episode, when he freezes up because he’s not sure about what to do in regards to the potential of hurting Agumon in the process of getting him back -- but Yamato manages to get him back on his feet, rather literally, and with a punch to the face.

This punch tends to be really often misinterpreted as if violence is just a fact of life when it comes to Taichi and Yamato, but it is very, very important to understand the context behind this scene and how it differs from the two’s relationship in Adventure. Whenever the two fought back in Adventure, it would be a very vicious argument with the two genuinely angry at each other, and with Yamato accusing Taichi of being insensitive and thus becoming hostile and resentful towards him. In this scene, however, Yamato has become conscientious of Taichi’s own feelings and reasons for hesitating. This is evidenced by the fact he only does a single punch and holds out his hand to Taichi right after -- said punch was strictly meant as one meant to snap him back to reality, and Yamato holds out that hand knowing that Taichi will not take it as anger or resentment, but rather “I did this because you needed something to get you back into focus, I know you also know this and won’t take it as an insult, and I understand your feelings and want to help you.”

It’s important in establishing the level of deep trust Taichi and Yamato have where they understand each other’s positions now without fighting over it -- the two of them even point out in the next episode that the reason they can get away with this is because of how much worse they used to go through before, but now, the two of them treat each other with mutual sympathy, understanding, and support, and devoid of condescension whatsoever. And because of that, Taichi is able to “snap out” of his hesitation much more quickly than he would three years prior, because now he has Yamato’s emotional support, and Yamato even frames the situation in a way the “we have to do something!!” Taichi would understand: if they don’t do something, Agumon will continue to be the Kaiser’s slave destroying everything that he himself would never want to see destroyed, and even if they end up accidentally losing him in the process, it would arguably be a bigger mercy to him than it would to let him continue in this state. It’s all very practical reasoning that works best with Taichi’s way of thinking, and because of that, they’re able to push forward into the events of the next episode.

But just because he’s become more mature doesn’t mean he’s lost his characteristic charisma or ability to be playful or a tease -- after all, Taichi has always had a penchant for a bit of a smug personality, sometimes even bordering on the petulant. This especially comes out when he’s with Agumon, but, really, Taichi is a person who really likes fun.

On another interesting note, however, Taichi sends Sora off in 02 episode 38 when he’s very heavily implied to have caught on that Sora is about to confess to Yamato, and pushes her on without giving her grief for it. Regardless of whether you subscribe to the theory that Taichi has his own unresolved feelings in the situation, the important part is that he understood that this was a grave enough situation for Sora that this did not merit teasing her or insensitively poking into her feelings on it -- in other words, it’s a huge contrast to Adventure episode 26 when he was clearly at a loss on how to deal with her when she was emotionally compromised, and Agumon and Gabumon commented that he wasn’t as mature as Yamato in dealing with this.

But now, Taichi is much more capable of showing actual empathy for others and understanding when it’s the time to hold back on the teasing or potential insensitivity, and for that, Agumon compliments him on the same maturity he’d failed to express three years prior.

By the time we get to Kizuna, the fact that Taichi is one of the lead protagonists is for obvious meta reasons (he’s the protagonist of Adventure, after all), but it also makes sense that a movie centered around the millennial existential crisis -- and, specifically, the issue of career uncertainty -- would have him as a major player in it. Remembering that Taichi is fundamentally the kind of person who operates as “act first, deal with it later,” it makes perfect sense that the terrifying pressure of dealing with something as vague and uncertain as career pressure would be something that Taichi would continually put off. Again, Taichi is a very practical-minded person who usually works best with things that are clearly happening in front of him, so “wide-ranging” things are things he plays badly with.

Despite Taichi being very clearly depicted as “out of it” for this movie, at the very least, certain fundamental personality traits of his haven’t gone away -- for one, he’s still one of the most expressive characters in the movie (to the point many a fan has commented on his jackpot of facial expressions) in terms of petulance, sometimes getting a little defensive, and driving poor Koushirou a little nuts with his tendency to be reckless with electronics. He also gets a bit cocky during the battle with Eosmon, which, again, tracks with his tendency to do that every so often (and to be fair to him, everyone was guilty of severely underestimating Eosmon at the time, so it’s not like this was a major miscalculation on Taichi’s part).

Moreover, much like in 02, Taichi and Yamato are understanding of each other’s feelings to the extent that Yamato is the first person Taichi calls to dump his feelings about his existential crisis over. Even though they’re still prone to some mild bickering at the beginning of the movie, they immediately go back on high-fiving terms right after, so it’s a very far cry from the time back in Adventure when Yamato would look down on Taichi for being insensitive.

But here, we have this one line that basically represents the source of all of the problems Taichi ends up going through in this movie, including the reason for his loss of Agumon: Taichi is trying to “force” himself to become an independent person, and in the process is pushing Agumon away, and, on a more metaphorical level, his own self.

Taichi moved out of his parents’ house under the pretense of not burdening his family, but Hikari’s comment about their mother wanting him to drop by indicates that it’s not likely they necessarily wanted him to move out -- and despite that, Taichi is miserable in his daily routine of walking back and forth from school and working at a part-time job and eating convenience store food. He’s clearly lonely, yet he won’t allow Agumon into his room (it’s stated that his visit midway into the movie is his first time here). He keeps his old goggles and Digivice, yet he shuts it in a drawer and only opens the drawer to stare at it from time to time, and when Agumon finally does visit and finds his AVs, Taichi freaks out and pins it as an “adult thing” before he finds himself in the awkward situation of basically gatekeeping his own partner with a societal standard he doesn’t even understand.

I should point out that the AVs are not strictly porn, if you want to be really technical about it; it’s “gravure” videos, involving a cosplayer dressing up in sexy/high-exposure outfits and striking suggestive poses, but it’s not actually explicit porn. Moreover, a toned-down version of this scene exists in the Shueisha Mirai version of the novel, where the issue is not about AVs but rather the fact that Taichi only has alcohol in his fridge -- absolutely nothing non-alcoholic, despite how impractical this is -- because “[he’s] an adult, after all.” So the point of this scene is that Taichi’s being performative, or in other words trying to do Adult Things because That’s What Adults Do. And since a Digimon partner is representative of the inner self, and especially established in 02 to have relevance to one’s “less dignified and more childish dreams”, Taichi looking down on Agumon, i.e. looking down on himself, becomes the reason why he ends up losing him at the end of this movie.

As things get worse for Taichi and the crisis escalates, we actually get another glimpse of the Yagami Taichi stress response -- Yamato confronts him on whether he’s okay with going in to save all of the Eosmon victims despite knowing what’ll happen to their partners. Taichi, frantically (Hanae Natsuki’s voice acting really sells it here), has an emotional outburst and professes that, no, of course he’s not, but, again: they have to do something!! Because in the end, Taichi is a selfless person who understands that bad things are happening to people now, and the important thing is saving them now and dealing with the consequences once that’s done with, and even Yamato admits that, as much as he hates it, this is the correct answer.

Taichi does, unfortunately, lose Agumon at the end of the movie, but there are multiple indications he’s already on his way to getting him back, given that Taichi’s starting to address all of the problems he was neck deep in at the start of the movie. In the middle of the movie, after having shut his goggles in the drawer all of this time and only pulling it out whenever he was depressed, he decides to embrace the courage they initially symbolized and puts them back on his neck, and when we reach the climax of the movie, he uses Hikari’s old whistle to wake everyone up. This needs to be distinguished from all of the “nostalgia” everyone else had been drowning themselves in by looping themselves eternally in old memories from a desire to never move on from them; symbolically speaking, Taichi’s blowing of the whistle represents acknowledging the important things in your past, and making productive use of them to move onto the future, rather than the unhealthy reactions of either drowning eternally in nostalgia, or performatively shutting everything out about your past in a bid to reach some arbitrary standard of adulthood.

Hence, Taichi’s thesis -- the one he had failed to write at the beginning of the movie -- is only filled out once Taichi embraces that past version of himself, because his thesis summary is about reflection on his past experiences, and making use of those to think about how to apply them to the future.

This is, obviously, intended as a lead-up to the 02 epilogue in which Taichi becomes an ambassador -- or in other words, someone who indeed specializes in “bringing humans and Digimon together” and offering proposals on how they can coexist in the future. Agumon, of course, is an important part of this job (look at his suit and bowtie!), instead of Taichi shutting him out and treating him like someone who doesn’t belong in his adult life.

Of the careers depicted in the epilogue, Taichi’s is the most “furthest-reaching”, since, as a diplomat, he has influence over a pretty huge range of things, which fits with Taichi’s tendency to shoot for some pretty high things -- and, also, conceptually, it works well with what we’ve always known since Adventure to be Taichi’s true specialties as a “leader”: having the charisma and understanding to bring people from different places together, and to lead them all forward.

#digimon #digimon adventure #digimon adventure 02 #digimon adventure last evolution kizuna #kizuna spoilers #yagami taichi #taichi yagami #shihameta

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patamon · 2 years

Note

11, 17, 21!

Hello anon! Thank you so much for sending in the ask. I'm sorry it took so long for me to answer T-T

Question 11: What is your favorite digimon video game?

I feel so ashamed to admit that I don't play Digimon video games. I downloaded ReArise and got through the first few tutorials. I thought it was super fun but then a few days later, Toei announced they were shutting down ReArise and I didn't see the point in continuing the game so I deleted it from my phone. But like everyone, I'm super stoked about Digimon Survive! I bought a Switch for myself last Christmas and it's still in its box and everything. I think I will break it open just to play Survive once it's released next month!

Question 17: Who is your favorite goggle boy?

I think last year, I would have said Taichi, but after my Tamers rewatch, I would definitely say it's Takato from Tamers

He's just so wholesome and determined to do right by his friends and family. I like the growth he went through, and how at the beginning of the series, we met Takato as someone without much experience with Digimon, and we were on this journey of growth with him. So even though Taichi has the nostalgia factor for me, I would have to give it to Takato

Question 21: What is your favorite plot arc from any season (i.e. Devimon's arc, Etemon arc, Myotismon arc, World Tour arc etc)?

Ohhh this is actually quite difficult for me, I think each arc have its own good and bad elements. But I would have to say the Vamdemon/Myotismon arc, when the team has to return to Odaiba to find the missing eighth child. I liked that the kids were back on their own turf, and we got to see what their family lives are like before they met their Digimon.Trying to hide the Digimon from their parents and casual observers added a fun element to the episodes, and of course I was sooo invested in the search for the eighth child, and the Wizarmon sacrifice was such a moving conclusion to the storyline, it still gets me during my rewatch T-T.

The only criticism I had was that Taichi should have realized sooner that Hikari was the eighth child, especially because they figured out early on the connection between their status as Chosen and what happened in Hikarigaoka but hey they're kids so...I can suspend my disbelief for it? But if I were to ever rewrite that arc, I would have Taichi figure out Hikari's status much sooner, and for the rest of the arc be him trying to hide/protect Hikari from Vamdemon, and even have him be at odds with the other Chosen because he doesn't want to disclose what he knows about Hikari to the other, and maybe we can have a Friends situation where one-by-one, they begin figuring out that Hikari's status as a Chosen (perhaps Sora figures it out first because she's close to Taichi, then Koushiro, etc...)

Anyways I'm going to stop typing now before this becomes an AU essay 😂

Send me prompts for the Digimon Ask Game!

#ask game #patanon #thanks so much for sending the ask #it gets my brain in the digimon mood and thats always a win for me

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ashxketchum · 3 years

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For the handholding prompts! Taiora + 37? :3 Have a lovely day

Hello! Sorry for such a long wait, at first I was really confused by what I should write for Taiora with this prompt, and by the time I got around to outlining the scene, life happened 😔

But finally today I was able to sit down and get this out of my brain! This is set right after the battle with Ordinemon in Tri Part 6 and is mostly canon compliant. I hope you enjoy it, thank you for requesting 🧡

37. not realizing they’re holding hands till someone points it out

Taichi’s gut kept telling him that he was missing something, but he brushed it away. What could he be possibly missing when he was sitting with a wall of comfort surrounding him? That’s why even as the thought continued to gnaw at him, he refused to open his eyes and acknowledge the problem, it could be dealt with later, when his nap would be over and he would wake up feeling well rested and refreshed. For now he wanted to bask in the feeling of floating in sunshine, with every aching muscle in his body being cured of it’s pain, every tired fibre in his body being refuelled with energy. He wouldn’t dare open his eyes right now, not when he could hide under this umbrella of comfort for a little while longer, because who knew if it would still be there to shelter him from the stinging raindrops of reality when he woke, or if it would leave him drenched and broken, as it had once before.

NEXT STATION-

The words rang in his ears like a blaring alarm and suddenly Taichi was very much aware of where he was and what he was supposed to be doing. His eyes jolted open and he made to get up, when a familiar weight on his shoulder made him halt as realisation dawned fully upon him, of course the warmth had belonged to Sora who still slept quietly with her whole body leaning on him and her head resting on his shoulder, just like two puzzle pieces perfectly aligned.

The announcement echoed again throughout the train compartment and Taichi broke out of his daze, deciding that now was not the time to marvel over these little things, he quickly stood up. When he did so, Sora woke with a start, her eyes fluttering open in slow motion, but as they didn’t really have time for her to be fully awake, Taichi grabbed her hand in his and pulled her onto her feet, dragging her behind him as he rushed to get out of the train just as the doors slid shut.

He turned to face Sora and ask her if she was feeling okay but saw that her eyes were still drooping low and she held on to his grasp on her hand tightly for support as her feet wobbled out of balance. Taichi couldn’t really blame her, in fact he was relieved that he wasn’t the only one who felt like they had been made to run a marathon for 1000 years without a break. The visits to Digital World, the adventure and the battles had always been exhausting, but today their strength had been put to test in a way that none of them had ever expected to encounter, and the price of overcoming it all was pure exhaustion, both mentally and physically.

So Taichi kept quiet and gently pulled Sora along with himself across the mostly empty platform, glad that he had been the one to volunteer to take her home as he was so familiar with the route that he could probably reach there even with his eyes closed. He also didn’t mind the silence that had settled between them as they walked slowly but steadily, as Taichi wasn’t sure if he had anything left to say to anyone after the lengthy interrogation him and his friends had been subjected to by the authorities right after Ordinemon had been defeated, without so much as a moment spared for them to deal with the loss of their Digimon friend.

Even though Taichi’s session had lasted the longest as he was the only one to witness Nishijima’s demise he still felt that Sora had been subjected to a more difficult task, which was consoling not just Meiko, but also Hikari and Mimi as they had sat in the room waiting to be called in for questioning. As always, she had given every bit of her energy into taking care of others rather than herself, so Taichi attempted to make things easier for her the only way he knew how to, by keeping quiet and giving her the space to deal with everything at her own pace.

It was when they reached her home and rang the bell that Sora finally looked like she was awake, right on time Taichi thought, as at least he’d be able to tell her to take care of herself and have her actually retain those words in her head. So he turned slightly, hoping to bid her goodbye before her mother opened the door, but as tired as he was, he missed his chance to make a quick escape. The door swung open before he could open his mouth and a bright light was cast upon them and the dimly lit hallway.

Mrs. Takenouchi stood behind the door, looking like she had rushed to the door in a hurry that was uncommon for her, her face an odd mixture of relief and concern as she studied her daughter. Then her eyes travelled down and she raised them in mild surprise, another thing which was unusual for the stern Mrs. Takenouchi, so both Taichi and Sora followed her astonished gaze and experienced a rude awakening themselves as they saw that their hands were still tightly clasped around each other’s. They quickly pulled their hands away and shifted a few steps away from each other to put some distance between them.

Taichi was amazed by how despite of being so tired, his body could still find the energy to turn his face into a heated mess, and smoke coming out of his ears now wouldn't come as a shock to anyone.

“Good evening, Mrs. Takenouchi.” He mumbled awkwardly to fill the silence and draw attention away from the fact that he had been unknowingly holding onto Sora’s hand for who knows how long now. He could only hope that Sora too knew that it had been unintentional, and that he hadn’t meant to overstep his boundaries.

“Good evening, Taichi. I am relieved to see that you’re both okay, though you do look like you need a few days worth of rest.” She smiled softly at the two teens, turning to face her daughter with an affectionate gaze, she added, “Sora, welcome back.”

“I’m home.” Sora replied almost automatically, and satisfied with the response Mrs. Takenouchi passed a peculiar look to her daughter before she headed back inside, leaving the two of them alone to say their goodbyes.

Sora took this chance to move inside her house, now taking Mrs. Takenouchi’s place in the doorway, finally facing Taichi with her eyes wide open, though they were still filled with reflections of what had transpired in the past few days.

Taichi remembered that he had been meaning to tell her to take care of herself before her mother had arrived at the door, but when he looked at Sora now, with her figure illuminated by the white light coming from inside her house, her vermillion eyes shining with tears that were being kept at bay with every bit of remaining energy in her body, he lost the words he had so carefully selected a few moments ago. He wished instead that telling her how much he cared for her and her wellbeing could be as easy as taking her hand and pulling her to her feet. He knew he had to say something however, because not only had the silence between them become suddenly deafening, but also because he couldn’t possibly leave without a word of appreciation or gratefulness for all that she had done for Hikari and the rest of them today.

“Don’t forget to eat dinner,” He joked, hoping to lighten the mood enough to easily slip the words he wanted to say out of his mouth, but his half-grin seemed to light something in Sora as one lonely tear slipped down her cheek slowly despite her strained efforts to keep it from happening.

“Don’t ever disappear like that again, Taichi.” Her voice trembled as she spoke and Taichi felt a pang in his chest at her tone, “I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t come back. You can’t leave me behind just like that!”

“I’m sorry.” Taichi muttered quietly, that was all that he could manage to say out loud.

In reality he wanted to remind her that there were other people in her life who would easily be able to fill the gap he would leave, that it was not fair for her to stand there and tell him this, knowing well enough who he had meant to save in that moment. But he held his tongue, it had been a long few days for both of them and now was not the time to turn regrets of the past into bitter remarks that he may never be able to go back from.

“Please. Promise me, you will never do that again.” Her pleading voice was just above a whisper and it was a miracle that it even reached his ears.

“I will, if you promise something in return too.” Taichi replied in a determined tone, his hands balling up into fists on their own as he fixed her with an intense gaze. Sora looked at him with doubt at first, but eventually nodded at his words tiredly, “You have to promise to start putting yourself first from now on, no matter what.”

“That’s a difficult promise to make.”

“So is what you’re asking of me.” Taichi refused to back down.

“I’m asking you to take care of yourself, that isn’t too hard.”

“Likewise.”

And silence settled between them once again as Sora glared up at him and Taichi returned the favour with equal vigour. He had no idea how either of them still had the energy to keep this up, but even if it meant sacrificing being closer to his bed for a little while longer, he would gladly do so to get Sora to treat herself better. If he had learned anything from what they had all been through in the past few days, it was that change should always be embraced, for better or for worse. He didn’t know just how much Sora could change her ways or how it would affect her presence in all of the Digidestined’s lives, but he knew that if she didn’t start now then she wouldn’t start ever and he was tired of seeing her be the victim of her own labours of love.

“Okay.” She sighed in defeat, as her glare turned into an exhausted and disgruntled stare, “Okay, I promise to put myself first from now on, no matter what.”

“And I promise to take care of myself and not jump headfirst into danger without a second thought.” Taichi chimed after her, a smile spreading across his face as he realised that he’d actually gotten Sora to bend to his demands.

There was a first time for everything, he thought to himself, and secretly hoped that this wouldn’t be the last of it either.

#taiora #taichi yagami #sora takenouchi #digimon #digimon fanfiction #digimon adventure tri #writealot #you know a taichi pov was pending from me when I inserted him in literally all the mimato oneshots lol #one more request to go from this series and i hope to get it done soon!

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jumukus · 4 years

Text

A3! Translation: Itaru Chigasaki’s SR [Promise to Bloom] - Let’s Play! Real Life Gacha: Itaru’s Turn

Because members of Mankai Company kept losing their dorm keys, Itaru suggested holding a keychain gacha event so that they could attach keychains to their keys.

*opens door*

Izumi: Hey, I'd like to discuss our rehearsal schedule--

Itaru: …..

Izumi: !?

(F-For some reason, Itaru-san looks really gloomy…)

Citron: Hey, Director!

Chikage: Welcome.

Izumi: Hello. So, umm…

Chikage: This guy? Just ignore him.

Izumi: No, no, no, I don't think that's possible.

Citron: This is the reason why he's like this.

Izumi: Capsule toy? Wait, they're all over the place.

Citron: They just released new capsule toys for Kniroun.

Chikage: So he went to different places to collect all of these toys; got all excited that he even held some sort of unboxing ceremony, but…

Itaru: I didn't get...the rare toy that I wanted.

Izumi: I, I see…

Mind if I ask what kind of item that makes you this gloomy?

Itaru: A voiced Knight of the Round Table keychain.

Chikage: So it has the character's voice or something?

Itaru: Some god-tiered player who got it said the voice actor is really famous.

And you can only listen to his voice through that rare keychain, that's why I wanted it sooooooooo baaad. But reality is cruel.

Citron: He can basically create an army with all the dupes he got at this rate.

Izumi: I'm so sorry to hear that…

What are you going to do with all these dupes, by the way?

Itaru: Hmm…

Alright, Director, you take this pile… Citron, this one is yours…

Please distribute them around the neighborhood and spread the Kniroun sect.

Izumi: What? Do it yourself.

Itaru: Can't do. That'll be OOC.

Izumi: What are you saying now when you've declared yourself a fan during the Kniroun play?

Chikage: Regardless of what you do with the dupes, throw away all of these empty capsules immediately.

Itaru: Yea, yea, understood.

I'm going to roll some again.

Izumi: Huh!? You're buying more!?

Itaru: I won't stop until I get it. Bye.

Citron: So fashionate and bettermined!

Izumi: You mean passionate and determined?

(I feel like this room will be packed with capsule toys than it already is in no time…)

Itaru: I know it's freaking popular but how could I not find them anywhere… This sucks.

Guess my only option now is to wait for restock.

Sakyo: How many people has it been? God.

Kazunari: The key was there before, right?

Itaru: Hm?

(Guess someone lost their key again. It's been happening a lot these days, huh…)

(Kind of hard to enter the room when you also lost your key before. Let's just discreetly go in…)

*opens door*

Sakyo: I figured you wouldn't notice that your stuff is gone if you don't attach anything to it, not to mention how hard it'd be to find that item.

Attach a keychain or something to your keys after this, got it?

Itaru: (Attach a keychain...)

(...Ah.)

I have a suggestion.

PART 2

Izumi: Itaru-san?

Tasuku: When did you come in?

Banri: And what's your suggestion?

Itaru: Say, wanna do real life gacha?

Hisoka: Real life gacha…?

Itaru: Basically you put your keychains in a capsule and use a machine to exchange them.

It's like exchanging presents, I guess.

Kumon: Wow! That sounds so fun!!

Tsuzuru: So that's what you mean by real life gacha.

Sakyo: God, you better stop coming up with that kind of idea.

But I don't think it's a bad idea. That way, those who don't attach a keychain to their keys will be forced to attach one.

Kazunari: OMG! This is gonna be so lit! Imagine the excitement we feel thinking whose keychain we get...and how much fun we're gonna have choosing our own!

Izumi: I've gotta admit it sounds really fun.

Itaru: I know some of you guys have already attached a keychain so feel free to replace it with the new one if you want.

Citron: Now then, let's choose what kind of keychains we want to put inside the capsule!

Muku: Yes!

Taichi: Gotcha!

Itaru: ...Even though it's my suggestion, I have no idea what to put inside the capsule…

Well, let's just think about it later. Gotta search for that first. Hmm…

Hm? I swear I put it around this place. Where is it?

*door knocked*

Izumi: I'm coming in.

Oh, this place's gotten messy again…

Itaru: Oh, hey, Director-san. What brings you here?

Izumi: I want to talk about our rehearsal schedule. You went to buy capsule toys before I could bring it up.

Itaru: Oh, okay. My bad.

Izumi: What are you looking for now?

Itaru: Hmm… Oh, found it. There you are.

Izumi: A capsule toy machine!

Itaru: I bought it on an impulse but ended up not using it.

I figured we could use this for our real life gacha event.

Izumi: I see. ...Hm?

There's a capsule inside the machine, Itaru-san.

Itaru: What?

Izumi: I think there's still an item inside the capsule? Maybe you forgot to open this one?

Itaru: Heck yeah, rate-up time! Don't tell me this is…

…

...A normal Knight of the Round. I got this countless times it's killing me.

Izumi: Now, now… Even the normal one looks cute to me, and maybe you'll get the rare one next time. Who knows?

Itaru: I've decided.

Izumi: Decide what?

Itaru: I'll go with this keychain for our real life gacha event.

Izumi: Why are you choosing a dupe you don't even need for the event…

Itaru: ...I hope someone who can treasure this keychain will get it.

Izumi: …

Itaru: Well, while it's true that I don't need this dupe, Knight of the Round is still one of my favorite characters. I guess you can call it a part of my mission to spread the Kniroun sect.

Izumi: I should’ve known you'd say something like that…

Oh well, that aside, you really love Kniroun, huh.

Itaru: You’re saying that now?

Izumi: Hahaha.

Chikage: Chigasaki, it's your turn now.

Itaru: OK.

*rolls*

Itaru: It sure is thrilling to open the capsule, huh. Let's see, what do I get….

...Hm?

Masumi: What's that?

Sakuya: There's a button here...

Itaru: Don't tell me… clicks.

Keychain: "Overflowing passion, surging emotion... To Geneva’s biotope, s'il vous plait...!"

Troupe Members: !?

Masumi: …

Tsuzuru: T-This is…

Sakuya: That surprised me! I didn't know a voice would come out of this!

Citron: Look, there's a paper inside the capsule.

Itaru: "Not for sale"...

Citron: Oh! A rare thing!

Chikage: A voiced, rare keychain… Isn't that what you want?

Itaru: Not this one…

Keychain: "Good morning, big birds; Good morning, little birds...A carnival in San, San, San Francisco…!"

Itaru: ...But oh well, I might as well keep this since it's a pretty interesting item.

The keychain’s part is fully voiced so here we go if you want to give it a listen.

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izumiyagami14 · 3 years

Text

overthinking

enlightenmonth // [day 9-12] past or future Summary: After receiving an offer for the job of her dreams, Hikari has too much on her mind. She needs to talk to someone to…

A dimly lit phone screen engulfed Hikari’s pale face as she let out a defeated sigh. The chirping from the crickets outside wasn’t the only thing keeping her up. For the first time in a long time, she had too much on her mind.

On her phone showed an email with the subject titled: “Kindergarten Teaching Position Offered!” Of course, at first she was excited to be offered her first job in the field she just graduated from, but now, all the different scenarios played in her head, causing her stomach to turn.

She needed to talk to someone.

She scrolled through her contacts, desperately trying to find someone, anyone to talk to.

Taichi? He’s alseep.

Takeru? He’s on a vacation with his brother before he starts his career.

Sora? She’s busy with her career.

Mimi? She probably wouldn’t understand her overthinking.

Who would understand what she is going through?

Hikari kept scrolling until she landed on a familiar name on her list. She hesitated for a second before pressing the dial button.

The phone rang twice before the call was picked up.

“Hello?”

She exhaled in relief. “Hey, Koushiro.”

“Everything alright?” His voice sounded tired but full of concern.

“Yeah, yeah. Everything is good... To be honest, I didn’t think you were going to pick up…”

“I’m always up at this time.” Concerned tone turned to defeated as a pause settled in. “Are you sure you’re okay, Hikari?”

She inhaled deeply. He always knew when something was up. “Actually, can you come over? I really need someone to talk to.”

Without hesitation, he responded, “I’ll be over in ten.”

In seven minutes, Hikari’s phone buzzed next to her pillow. A text filled the screen from the man she was waiting for with one word: Balcony. She replied with a simple okay and tiptoed to the balcony, careful not to wake her brother and her parents. She unlocked the door latch.

As she slowly opened the sliding screen door, the late summer breeze brushed her skin. She cautiously walked over to the edge of the balcony and looked down. Koushiro stood there hands in his pockets in the pale moonlight, giving Hikari a soft smile. She returned the smile and waved. “Give me a minute. I just need to plan my escape route,” she whispered just loud enough for him to hear.

“Roger that,” he nodded.

She quietly walked back inside, put on her shoes and grabbed the nearest throw blanket. As she made it to the front door, she hesitated on grabbing her hoodie from her room. She shook her head, deciding against it as she might wake someone up, grabbed her keys, and slowly closed the door behind her, careful not to make a sound.

Hikari ran down the stairs and walked over to Koushiro. “Thanks for coming,” she huffed, out of breath.

“Of course. Did you have any place in mind to talk?” Koushiro asked, looking down at her.

“We can just sit on the roof of the complex, if that’s okay with you,” she replied.

“That’s alright with me,” he agreed and the two started their route.

For it being 2:14 in the morning, the summer cicadas sang in the crisp night air, filling in the holes of silence casted between the two. As they made their way up the complex’s stairs to the rooftop, the evening night had a slight chill, causing Hikari to shiver for a brief second. Once at the top, she walked over to a clear spot and laid out the blanket for the two to sit on. She sat down with her legs stretched forward and patted the empty spot next to her, indicating for him to join.

“So,” Koushiro started as he sat down, knees up for his elbows to rest on them. “What is it you wanted to talk about?”

There was a lingering pause. She kept her head facing toward her feet in front of her, unable to answer his question. “How are you doing? Are you liking your new career job?”

Her answering his question with a question caught him off guard. “Uh, it’s going well… Besides working late every night and the occasional all-nighters, it’s going… great.” His tone said otherwise. “How about you? You just graduated from college, so are you looking for jobs right away?”

“Yeah, I might…” she stiffly responded, leaning backward on her hands and keeping her eyes away from his. She wanted to bring up her pending email, but couldn’t.

“Hikari, are you okay?” He asked, looking down at her. He always knew when something was up.

“Yeah, I’ve just been… thinking a lot,” she responded, gazing out into the distance and trying her best to dodge his eyes.

“What about, if I might ask?” He asked, studying the girl next to him as the gears turned in his head.

“Do you ever think about our childhood?”

He was taken a little aback by her next question, still positive that this isn’t the main topic in her mind. “All the time,” he eventually responded.

She smiled softly. “Even though we were the Digidestined-“

“And still are.” He lightly added.

She giggled and nodded at his response. She looked up at the night sky to gather her thoughts. “Yes, and still are. And even though we basically had the weight of the world on our shoulders, some of us never really realized it until later. We were only kids. Our only worries were about the small things. Like what to wear to school and who would we sit with at lunch.”

Koushiro continued to look at Hikari, determined to find the underlying meaning to their discussion. Even though he couldn’t really relate to where her part of the conversation was going because he always realized their overgrown, overwhelming responsibility, he continued to listen. “That is correct…”

She let out a sigh as she continued. “As we continue to grow older, our life choices are getting bigger… Our future is closely approaching.” And I’m terrified. “And sometimes… I wish it would slow down and go back to the way things were.”

Koushiro looked up and let out a similar sigh. “I understand that bit. I wish I had more time, too.”

Another breeze of chilly night air rushed through, causing chills to run through Hikari’s body. Before he realized what he was doing, Koushiro slowly took off his flannel jacket and lightly placed it on the girl’s shoulders.

“Thank you,” she whispered with a genuine smile.

“Anytime.”

They continued to sit on the blanket as a comfortable silence hovered over the two. Koushiro was busy analyzing her questions, actions, and nonverbal cues and trying to figure out the real reason she wanted to talk. She mentioned my career, changed the subject about her future, and bought up the past. What could it be?

There was a slight discomfort in Hikari’s breath when she finally asked, “Do you think-“

“All the time. I’m a great thinker, you know,” he joked, trying to lighten the mood.

“That’s not what I meant and you know it” she giggled and tried again. “Do you think-“

“Yes, I do.”

Hikari gave him a quick nudge with her shoulder, causing him to go a little off balance. “Will you quit that? I’m trying to ask you something serious, Koushiro.”

“My apologies. Ask away,” he replied once he fixed his posture.

“Thank you.”

“My pleasure.” He joked again.

“Do you think,” she started, but paused to figure out how to word the next part. “Do you think I’ll be a good teacher?”

Koushiro twisted his head at her in disbelief. “What makes you ask that?”

She continued to look down. “I don’t know. I’ve just been… thinking…”

Koushiro dropped his shoulders when the realization of her actions rang in his head. “Hikari, what was it you really wanted to talk about?”

She exhaled sharply, unable to move around the dilemma anymore. “I was just offered a job for teaching Kindergarten.”

He smiled, his mind guessing right. “That’s prodigious! Are you going to accept it?”

She nodded her head, looking off into the distance. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll probably take it.”

Koushiro sensed her uneasy aura from the hesitation from her voice. “Hikari, are you sure you’re okay?”

And just with those simple words, Hikari’s thoughts exploded inside of her and gushed out. “I’m just so worried I’m going to fail! I’ve wanted to do this my whole life! And now that it’s finally here, I’m terrified that it might not be what I was hoping it would! What if the kids hate me! What if I’m unable to manage the classroom! What if I can’t teach math! What if…-“

Koushiro’s eyes popped out of his head at her outbursts and instinctively reached out to her. The two were now entangled in one another, Hikari’s head on Koushiro’s chest with his arms securely around her.

They remained like that for a few long minutes before Koushiro gathered his thoughts to speak. “Hikari, it’s going to be fine. You can’t think like this. It’s going to consume you. It’s going to suffocate you.” He whispered to her, thinking about all the times he was alone like this. This can’t happen to her.

“I’m just so worried…” she breathed into his shirt with her face buried into his chest. His scent started to comfort her. “I’m sorry. I’m probably just overthinking everything. I don’t need to burden you with this.”

“You’re not being a burden. No one should go these thoughts alone…” Koushiro brought her head under his chin and thought about what to say next. He needed to choose his next words carefully. “The future is always uncertain, and that’s okay. One thing that is certain is that you will be a great teacher.”

Her sniffled and pulled away to meet his gaze. “You really think so?”

“I know so. The absolute best. Take the job, Hikari. It’ll be worth it in the end.”

After a couple minutes of calming her breath, she nodded and let out a shaky exhale “Okay, I will.” She placed her head on his shoulder. He placed his elbows back on his knees and resumed his previous spot.

The two continued to sit together under the moonlight and a comfortable silence. Koushiro could still hear the the gears turning in her head when she asked, “What if a student is having difficulty reading?”

“Then you’ll think of some strategies to help with that.”

“What if a student gets gets sick?”

“Then you’ll be able to take care of them.”

“What if a child gets sees a spider and freaks out so much that they run out of the classroom and out of the school and down the street..”

Koushiro laughed at her over exaggerating thoughts, continuing to stare off in the distance. “You’re starting to sound like me.”

“Let’s talk about it. What goes on through your mind?” She whispered, sending chills down his spine.

The dark blue and purple hues from the slowly rising sun started to send a warm welcome to the new day. He wanted to continue and talk to Hikari every day if he could, but now was not the time.

“We’ll talk about me another day. Let’s get you to bed. You need to rest.” Koushiro whispered back to her.

The two slowly stood up and Koushiro grabbed the blanket from underneath and handed it to Hikari. She started to take off his jacket, but he held a hand up to stop her. “I’ll come back tomorrow to pick it up.”

They walked down the stairs and stopped by the front door of the Yagami residence. The comfortable silence landed between the two again. Their evening talk was coming to an end, but neither of them wanted it to.

“Thank you again for coming,” Hikari admitted. “You didn’t have to come, you know...”

Koushiro shrugged. “I know, but I wanted to. If you ever need to talk, I’m always here to lend an ear.”

Hikari took a step toward him and placed a hand on his cheek. She felt him shiver at the touch, but didn’t know if it was from her hand or if it was from the cold, crisp evening air. “Same goes for you, too. You don’t have to do everything by yourself. We’ll talk about you another night.”

Even though she was struggling tonight with her thoughts and her future, she always had time to care for others. That’s how he knew she would be the greatest teacher ever.

He nodded and unknowingly leaned into her hand. “Let me know how your first day goes, okay?”

“I will,” she said with a smile and kissed him on the cheek.

He felt his face heat up and he froze in his place. Instead of saying what was going through his genius mind, he silently watched her turn around and locate her keys in her pockets. As she turned the key and slowly opened the front door, he started to turn toward home.

“Hey, Koushiro?” Her angelic voice stopped him dead in his tracks and he turned back to her.

“Hmm?”

She gave him a soft smile that made his heart flutter. “Take care of yourself.”

He returned the smile, hands in his pockets. “Same goes for you, too.”

#koukari #enlightenmonth #koushiro izumi #hikari yagami

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seventeenlovesthree · 4 years

Text

“Desire”

Summary: Koushirou is determined to rescue Hikari from an all too familiar situation, a known enemy. Thankfully, he is aware of having the unconditional support of his Digimon partner, Tentomon, and the complete and utter trust of his best friend, Taichi. Confidence and urgency drive him forwards - but he didn’t expect his own desires to get in the way once again. (Post Digimon Adventure Tri.)

Warnings: I want to shower Koushirou Izumi with all the love in the world, unfortunately he has to go through a bit of angst to get it. Everyone adores and supports him dearly though this is no fluffy wish fulfilment at all.

Ships: Hinted Taishirou.

„Are you sure you want to go alone?“

Taichi sounded tense, fists clenched as he stood beside Koushirou, watching him type away furiously on his laptop, searching for a gateway to enter the digital realm in the most convenient way. Agumon and Tentomon shared an apprehensive look with each other – whereas the third Digimon in Koushirou’s office, Tailmon, walked up and down restlessly, the uneven sound of her paws on the floor a clear indicator that something wasn’t right.

„There is no reason for all of us going into the void at once“, Koushirou replied eventually, eyes flickering over the laptop display. „It’s more efficient if only one of us goes, especially considering we have to be one hundred percent prepared.“

„For what exactly…?“, Agumon asked, as Tailmon made an anxious mewling sound.

„We cannot let our emotional guard down for even one second“, Koushirou elaborated, stopping to type as he had found the gate he was looking for. Every second counted since they all had seen Hikari vanish right in front of their eyes in the middle of the street, out of the blue, swallowed by a black hole consisting of data and sparkly dust just about ten minutes ago. Without hesitation, Koushirou had used his analyzer to gather as much information about the data as possible. One of the first things he had figured out quickly was that a Digimon had to be involved in this maneuver. While there was a lot of information he couldn’t fully extract, the data stream had led to traces of a Digimon he had encountered at least once before. And due to knowing the nature of this Digimon, he immediately realized that the attempt of rescuing her wouldn’t be easy.

„Hikari-san was most likely the target of the abduction due to her spirituality in regards of the Digital World - and her empathetic nature in general. Vademon is a type of Digimon that gets attracted by extraordinarily developed characteristics and emotions – and uses this to its advantage, luring its victims into a false sense of security to gather energy.“

„Hikari…“, Tailmon whispered angrily – and Taichi didn’t look any less agitated.

„How could she disappear so suddenly, we couldn’t even reach out to her!?“

„Since it is highly possible that she wasn’t aware of what was happening, she had no way of defending herself against it. My digivice can’t get any signal from her, which means that she’s probably unconscious or at least in a place and state that doesn’t allow her to communicate with the outside world. She may be behind some kind of… Firewall, for the lack of a better term.“ He didn’t want to say „it might even be a world we haven’t been to yet“ in order not to worry them even more. „So we have to get her out of this place by cracking through that wall first.“

Even though his digivice was unable to display Hikari’s location in any capacity, his software could identify a huge increase of data in one of the portals that were a bridge between the real and the digital world. Tracking down the constant growth of data was a clear cue as to where they might find their opponent responsible for her disappearance.

„I need to save her, I want to come with you!“, Tailmon exclaimed, making Koushirou shake his head.

„I’m sorry, but it’s too dangerous. Your feelings are tied to Hikari-san and it’s likely that they will trap you there as well.“

„How do you even know all this?“, Agumon asked again, which made Tentomon next to him shrug, and whisper quietly:

„Personal experience, unfortunately…“

„The same goes for you, Taichi-san“, Koushirou elaborated, ignoring the comment. „We cannot risk you getting lost in there.“

If Taichi contemplated being offended by the indication of being way too emotional to resist mental manipulation, he didn’t let it show. There was a hint of wrath behind his eyes, directed at whoever decided it was a good idea to separate the Yagami siblings from each other. The moment he looked at Koushirou though, his glance softened a bit.

„So… What’s your plan instead?“

„Tentomon and I are not prone to the mind games Vademon might play on us, because we know exactly what to expect. Once we have tracked Hikari-san and are certain to have an advantage of our own, I will send you a sign through the communicator, so you can join us with Takeru-kun and the others as soon as they arrive.“

With a sigh, Taichi interrupted the eye contact for a few seconds, breathing in and out deeply. Koushirou assumed a thousand thoughts to rush through his head, one of them probably being „Why does it always have to be her?!“. He then opened his eyes again, took a step forward, and put a warm hand on Koushirou’s shoulder.

„Okay… I trust in your judgment, you know that… Just be careful. I’m counting on you, Koushirou.“

Taichi’s expression was full of urgency, yet somewhat gentle – Koushirou tried to remember the last time he had looked at him like that. A part of him wanted to memorize this view, another would have liked this hand to stay a little longer… But the expression itself made his determination go through the roof.

„I will try my best“, he replied, a reassuring smile on his lips, the remnants of warmth on his shoulder still lingering when he turned to his Digimon partner. „Tentomon, are you ready? I have the location memorized, I need you to lead the way.“

„More than ready, let’s do this.“

„Yes.“ One hand was clutching the digivice, prepared to reach out towards his main computer, as the other held his secondary laptop to keep track of the route he had designed. Tentomon held onto his leg, bracing himself for the sensation of getting sucked into the digital realm. „We won’t take any risks, as soon as we know it’s safe, you’ll hear from us.“

„Good luck, you two!“, Agumon broke through the silence as they watched both Koushirou and Tentomon get engulfed by the familiar light stream of a digital gate. Both Taichi and Tailmon couldn’t keep their eyes off the remaining speck of light for a few more, agonizingly long seconds…

Rushing through data streams was a feeling Koushirou would probably never get fully used to. Tentomon’s claws – now located on his back as he clung onto his shirt, so they wouldn’t drift apart – at least gave him some sense of safety. The tension in his shoulders and face, he told himself, was the result of being fully focussed on what they might have to face. It had been seven years since his first encounter with Vademon, a crucial experience he wouldn’t ever be able to fully forget. In these seven years, besides learning to value his inquisitive heart through everything they went through, a lot of other things had happened, a lot of fights were fought, loads of knowledge gathered. He knew what he had to do – if he was able to find an answer to every question, defy every temptation, there was no way they would fail…

„Heh…“, he heard Tentomon chuckle behind him, pulling him out of his thoughts.

„Is something wrong, Tentomon?“

„No, but… You never cease to amaze me, Koushirou-han. That was a true display of confidence and calmness when you explained your strategy.“

„You thought so?“ Koushirou felt himself smiling.

„Very impressive. I like it when you believe in yourself and aren’t afraid to say it out loud without a shred of doubt. You’ve come so far and should be proud of yourself!“

„Thank you.“

He was close to adding a bashful „You flatterer, you’re making me blush“ to that – as he was genuinely feeling flattered –, but consciously decided against it. The last time he had played down his own skills or achievements in front of Mimi, she had hit him on the back, saying „If you keep putting your light under the bushel like this, you’ll grow grey hair and get wrinkles!“

Somehow, that had stuck with him. Even more so when he had later talked to Sora about the meaning of toxic mindsets spoken out loud, and how avoiding those could have great effects on your self-esteem. Thus, he ended up wanting to commit to trying this out – with Tentomon being the one he felt most comfortable practicing it with.

He was thankful for the support of his partner at all times, thankful for being able to grow, slowly but steadily.

But if Koushirou was completely honest, he was more proud of the fact that his confidence was actually able to convince Taichi this time. The memories of past adventures may have become a bit foggier over time, but certain things still remained vivid in his mind – the fact that Taichi had always dealt with his guilt, the burden of protecting and shielding Hikari from harm without accepting his help even once was one of them.

I trust in your judgment. I’m counting on you.

He valued this kind of faith put in him now more than anything else. It made the still present smile on his lips grow even brighter.

For some reason, he felt like Taichi had been opening up more in recent times. He couldn’t put his finger exactly on what it was, but after months of them barely spending any time or even talking and ever since getting their Digimon partners back, he seemed more committed to „keeping the band together“. Not to mention that this wasn’t always possible or even remotely realistic, but with the return of Daisuke and the others, him calling Meiko regularly after she had moved back to Tottori and them generally spending more time in Koushirou’s office… It all seemed much more peaceful than he could ever have hoped for.

And he enjoyed the gentleness in Taichi’s eyes.

The occasional fights against Digimon trying to invade the real world had almost become a routine and this time, Koushirou would make sure to restore the peace again.

He had to.

„We’re almost there.“

„Oh yes, I can feel a change of atmosphere…“, Tentomon agreed, the grip on Koushirou’s shirt intensifying. The data stream was leading to an intersection, as the display of the laptop simultaneously hinted at a huge increase of data. The following moment, they entered a new cyberspace, filled with something that could only be described as a… Remarkable number of dark digieggs, a distorted mess of wafting strings connecting each and every egg, seemingly providing them with energy, causing them to multiply slowly.

It was breathtakingly horrifying.

„Is that… Another human I sense?“

The echo of a voice, a disturbing crescendo of noise all around them that didn’t appear to have a clear source, but caused Tentomon to float in front of Koushirou, intending to protect him in any case.

„You imbecile… Oooooh, foolish human creatures, coming here on their own to fuel my energy?“

„Oh, the contrary!“, Tentomon answered while Koushirou tried to locate the true source of the voice.

„It’s somewhere close…“

„The other human has so much delicious life force to offer, so much desire, so much guilt…“

Both Koushirou and Tentomon flinched. The other human…

„Hikari-san has to be here.“

„Do you think she’s maybe inside one of these eggs?“

„Possibly…“

„Ooooooooh“, the voice exclaimed once more, a silhouette forming to their right. „You are here for the human girl, I presume? What a sweet coincidence, so I don’t have to go out of my way to gather more human souls… Fortunately, I sense a lot of desire within you too, a lot of greed even, how practical… Are you even aware of your sins?“

Koushirou braced himself, everything happened as expected – unlike when he was thrown into the pit of „hell“ when he was only ten years old, he was prepared this time around. A different Digimon, a new chance. He wouldn’t be fooled.

„Koushirou-han, we shouldn’t waste any time, let me evolve and attack!“

„Not yet, if we get its guard down and irritate it first, Hikari-san might reveal herself.“

„But…“

„What confidence, why would I ever tell you where this human girl is? Foolish, as said before… And selfish. There are three very… Selfish needs I can sense inside you… First, the urge to know everything, gathering, eating up all that knowledge-”

“There is nothing to be ashamed of“, Koushirou insisted, „Wanting to know everything and using that knowledge for good is no sin!”

“How brash.“ The voice seemed to have become a bit quieter, the silhouette more defined. „Second, wanting to use that knowledge, wanting to feel useful, to protect those that are dear to you…?”

“To improve, to advance, to help everyone be well, get better, and stay safe. There is nothing greedy or selfish about that.”

They could recognize Vademon next to them almost perfectly now. Tentomon watched in absolute awe, still ready to go on a rampage, but as before, he was impressed by how easily Koushirou’s calculations and predictions had become true. However, their opponent also appeared to be rather aggravated than irritated, still looking for a way to win this little „game“.

“So analytical, so very rational, convincing yourself of your worth… Are you sure all of this isn’t just an act, a play…? How about the third one… Something you want to yourself… And only to yourself… Or rather… Someone you want… A very special someone you already thought you lost through the years…?”

Hearing these words, Koushirou’s heart finally skipped a beat. Someone he wanted…

„I…“, he hesitated, a little surge of panic rising in his chest as he was unable to give an adequate response this time. Despite the determination he had felt before, he didn’t have an answer, all words had vanished from his mind. A mischievous smile of triumph formed on their opponent’s face.

„Koushirou-han, what does that mean?“ Tentomon appeared to be just as puzzled as him, yet eagerly awaited his partner to make another comeback.

„Do you deny that it is true?“

„I don’t understand, that doesn’t make any sense, it’s impossible to claim any person as my own. And I haven’t lost anyone either.“

For a brief moment, his parents came to mind. But ever since coming to terms with his past, ever since they gradually became more and more honest and genuine with each other, ever since he had tried to face all the insecurities it had caused him, he had never really considered his biological parents as lost…

„Because you haven’t realized it yourself yet? Or because you don’t want to realize it…?“

„Koushirou-han, don’t listen to them, don’t let them confuse you!“, Tentomon tried to get through to his partner, raising his voice to get rid of even the slightest shadow of a doubt. „You’re perfectly fine, there is nothing wrong, nothing selfish about wanting to be close to the ones that are important to you. All our friends are waiting for us to return, they’re all there for you! We will get Hikari-han and return to the real world!“

„Y-you’re right!“ The words were causing him to smile weakly, if there was someone who fully understood him, it was Tentomon. Nevertheless, the Digimon did not seem moved, the evil grin still prevailing, a dark curtain of energy around it increasing with every passing second.

„Whom do you intend to get the human girl back for? Be honest-“

„What an unnecessary question!“, Tentomon interrupted again, sensing that Koushirou still was not back on track, intending to keep the darkness away from him, his heart. „Hikari-han is our friend, she doesn’t belong here! Koushirou-han, let us end this quickly!“

„Indeed, prepare to evolve!“, the moment Koushirou pulled out his digivice, suddenly, a bright beam of light ascended from behind Vademon, forcing him to close his eyes and raise an arm in front of his face in order to protect himself.

„Tentomon, what is happening?!“, he shouted, eyes closed shut, a deafening noise surrounding him – just to disappear abruptly. „Hikari-san, is it you?!“

„Nah, the last time I checked I was still pretty much not Hikari…“

As if he had just gotten stung by a bee, Koushirou twirled around, unable to believe his ears – and eyes for that matter.

„Wh- Taichi-san… What are you… Why am I…“

He was standing in his office. The dark curtain had vanished, sunlight shone through his window, the certainty of familiar scents, temperature – and Taichi, who was lounging around on the couch in front of him – surrounding him.

It felt completely surreal.

„Are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost?“ Taichi tilted his head, looking worried.

„I’m… Where’s Tentomon? And Hikari-san, I-“

„Calm down, everything’s fine.“ With this, Taichi stood up to walk towards him. „Tentomon‘s out with Agumon to grab something to eat for us and Hikari is with Daisuke, Takeru and Miyako. I told you that like five minutes ago, did you fall asleep?“

„… It couldn’t have been a dream, could it?“

„You really did see a ghost, didn’t you? Man, you need to sleep more at night, your sleep pattern is worse than mine…“

Feeling thoroughly overwhelmed, Koushirou first looked at his hands, then reached for his desk, both his hands stroking over its surface to check whether it would vanish beneath his fingers. Almost to his disappointment, it felt unmistakenly authentic. There was nothing off about his office, no uncertainty or any sign that this place couldn’t be possibly real. But what had happened before then…?

„You’re a ball of stress, what in the world happened to you?! Come on, sit down, alright?“, Taichi asked with a crooked smile, making Koushirou sit on his chair by his desk by pushing down his shoulders. His hands didn’t disappear on the spot though and Koushirou couldn’t help but look up. He was obviously used to Taichi putting a hand on his shoulder on several occasions… But the way his thumbs were stroking over the fabric of his shirt was definitely new. „You should take a break, all these algorithms can wait for a hot second. Here, lemme spoil you a bit.“

„What-“

The words were followed by Taichi‘s hands applying pressure onto his shoulders, a gentle yet effective massage that made Koushirou realize how tense and stiff he really was.

„Ow…“ Surprise and a hint of pain were equally represented by that sound, causing Taichi to chuckle.

„It’s been a while since we’ve been alone in here, hasn’t it…?“

Koushirou’s heart was about to jump out of his chest. This didn’t come off as familiar at all – the softness of Taichi’s voice, the lingering body contact… The way he could feel him lean in from behind, nose almost buried in his hair.

„What are you doing…?“

„What do you mean? Can’t I be supportive of my best friend every once in a while, you prude?“

His words didn’t appear to be mean-spirited or annoyed at all, there was such a smooth, teasing tone involved, an adorable pout that Koushirou’s first instinct was to stand up again, bringing more physical distance between them. Taichi blinked at him a few times, direct eye contact felt incredibly disorienting to Koushirou right there.

Maybe because it felt so nice?, an inner voice told him, causing him to shake his head and turn around, away from the elder, trying to collect his thoughts properly. Hadn’t he just reflected on Taichi having become more open? Hadn’t he been delighted, joyous that they had finally grown closer again, talking about everything and nothing and spending time together? Why did that short, simple massage feel so incredible that a part of him absolutely wouldn’t have minded continuing, instead of doing…

What was he intending to do again? Didn’t he want to look for someone…?

Hikari-san…

A slight headache crawled all the way into his skull.

„But you haven't been like this before…“

He heard Taichi sigh behind him – followed by the feeling of two arms wrapping themselves around his shoulders, culminating in the softest hug he had ever received in his whole life. Taichi was leaning against his back only so slightly, leaving enough room that he could have escaped him at any given moment if he so desired.

Except Koushirou’s body didn’t feel like moving at all.

„I haven’t? Maybe I should have been more like this then…“ Taichi’s low voice was so close to his ear, hot breath brushing against his already heated skin, making him shiver. „I’m sorry if I ever seemed… Distanced towards you. I never meant to do that, I guess I was just being… Insecure. And reckless. You deserve better than that, always did.“

Koushirou‘s body froze entirely when he felt a pair of lips pressed tenderly against his neck.

„I should definitely be better… For the person that means the most to me…“

Sensory overload was the only way he could have described his current state. Legs feeling like pudding, heart pounding in his ears, his face probably matched the colour of his hair by now.

So much better than warm hands on shoulders and intense hazel eyes looking into his soul…

„… And I’m the one you want, isn’t that right, Koushirou?“

Crack.

Maybe it was the memory that was still fresh, the uttered words that seemed so familiar, like he had just heard them minutes ago… But this was where the glass cracked, the bubble exploded. Once the word „want“ was whispered, Koushirou remembered what had happened. Why it happened. How it could have happened.

An almost painful slap to his face that he wished he had never experienced. At least not like this.

„Vademon was right. And I was right too. This… This isn’t real“, he mused quietly to himself.

„What?“

Without using any force, Koushirou grabbed Taichi’s hands as carefully as he could to remove them from his body, stepping out of the embrace – even though his heart almost broke into two when he saw the elder looking rejected, hurt even.

„You’re not the real Taichi-san.“

„That’s nonsense!“, the other snapped, looking at him like he had lost his mind. And maybe he actually had. „Of course I’m real, you’re being silly.“

Just as before, he took a step towards Koushirou – who now reached for his digivice, stopping him in his motion. He didn��t remember putting it back into his pocket, but now that he felt it in his palm, little particles of floating data made their way into his vision. Just an illusion…

„No… You are what my subconscious wants you to be, aren’t you? All my wishes have basically come true at this point… I’m researching and learning more and more about Digimon, the Digital World every single day, I’m surrounded by my Digimon partner, my parents, my friends, overall, everything is peaceful… All that is left for me to desire is…“

Your trust.

Your attention.

Your smile.

Your hand on my shoulder.

You.

„Koushirou…“

„How peculiar that this is something I dreamt up myself, huh?“, he laughed out loud, making the Taichi in front of him look even more worried as several parts of the office turned into distorted data packages.

„Koushirou-han!“

„Koushirou-san…!“

„KOUSHIROU!“

Muffled voices came from a distance, but he was still able to recognize them – especially the last one. Looking at his digivice, then back to the illusion in front of him fondly, knowing that everything around him would fall apart very soon.

„But do you know what? Even if my true desire is considered selfish… The same goes for deciding to stay inside a dream forever.“

Then, another bright beam of light suddenly swallowed the entire room, more data particles destroying the perfect view, making it all crumble piece by piece.

„Holy Arrow!“

The attack of Angewomon tore through every last fabric of the dream and Koushirou could see not only her and Hikari, but also Takeru, HolyAngemon, WarGreymon, Tentomon – and Taichi. The real one this time, he was certain.

„Koushirou-han, you’re back!“ Tentomon floated into a half hug, rubbing his sides enthusiastically. „You’ve been frozen inside one of these eggs, as we’ve assumed, nothing could reach you.“

„I’m sorry I worried you.“ Koushirou returned the hug, feeling incredibly drained and tired, but also relieved after all that had happened, while the evolved Digimon destroyed the eggs around them one by one. „I should have listened to you.“

„All that matters is that we’re all here – and that we can get out of here again soon, together!“, Taichi interfered, nodding towards Vademon, which was trapped between two Holy Arrows.

„Shall we?!“, he grinned at Koushirou, who felt his heart sink again. But they had no time to lose, so he returned the gesture.

„Let’s send them away. Tentomon!“

Once outspoken, Tentomon evolved to AtlurKabuterimon, joining his companions. HolyAngemon used his powers to open a portal to an alternate dimension before both WarGreymon and AtlurKabuterimon reached out for their final attack.

„Gaia Force!“

„Horn Buster!“

He may or may not have heard the words „Your greed will be the end of you!“ coming from the portal before it swallowed up Vademon completely – but it could as well have been Koushirou’s imagination.

Just as surreal, just as scarring as everything else.

The cyberspace then started to crumble as well and they all had to hurry to get back to the data stream they initially came through.

„That was a close one…“, Takeru sighed, holding onto his still evolved partner while they all „surfed“ next to each other.

„How… Did you get here all of the sudden?“, Koushirou asked, referring to all of them, whereas his eyes were still fully and utterly glued to the brown hair floating next to himself and AtlurKabuterimon.

„I remember hearing a voice calling my name…“, Hikari explained, looking significantly more vital than himself, though also slightly exhausted. „I’m not entirely sure, but it sounded like your voice, Koushirou-san. It felt… warm and hopeful. When I heard it, all the darkness around me seemed to fall apart and I could think clearly again.“

„I could sense her awakening and we immediately rushed to get her out of one of these eggs“, Angewomon added, pride seeping from her voice. „It may have been a bit too early since you didn’t send a sign, but in the end, it all worked out.“

„So you did reach her, Koushirou-han. Your tactics weren’t for naught“, AtlurKabuterimon reassured him – and so did Taichi’s hand nudging his shoulder.

„You’re absolutely amazing, do you even realize that?“

Koushirou couldn’t hide his smile once again. This was the real Taichi Yagami – the one in his imagination may have looked and even acted somewhat similar, but could never come close to the original.

The sheer extent of affection Koushirou was feeling right now could never be replicated. A kind love he didn’t think he could put into words – yet.

„The same goes for you.“

#fanfiction #taishirou #taishiro #my fanfiction #digimon #digimon adventure #taichi yagami #koushirou izumi #tentomon #koushiro izumi #hikari yagami #tailmon

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violettelueur · 3 years

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— JUJUTSU KAISEN SERIES : EPISODE TWENTY-TWO PREVIEW