#sloanefics

[sloanerisette]

To Have and To Hold From This Day Forward: Chapter 1 - Falling For You

My first entry for Miyakari Autumn is here!!! Thank you so much to @sluggybasson107 and @digitalworldbound for putting this on, I have been SO excited!!! I'm starting with Day 2 but will be working on the other days next month once I've finished with some big priorities!

I have wanted to write this idea for a while and it all came to a head when I decided recently to make this entire fic based around a Digimon Emperor!Yolei and Gogglehead!Kari AU, and I'm so so so excited to share this first one with y'all because I am very happy with it, haha. I absolutely LOVE Miyakari and I'm glad I got hit by the Miyakari bug recently because these two girls are so wonderful and I love them with all my life. My daughters who are also wives.

Summary:

Kari Kamiya never expected to take over as the leader for a new group of Digidestined. She never expected that she would have to lead new and old friends into battle against another Digidestined that wants to take over the Digital World.

And she would have never in her wildest dreams expected to one day share a future and a life with her.

You can also find it on AO3 here!

---

No matter how much they did, how many spires they toppled, and how many Digimon they freed, the Digimon Emperor started right back up whenever they left the Digital World without fail. The fact that she didn’t need to worry about resting and could instead throw as many poor Digimon at them as she wanted without any concern simply caused anger to flare up in her chest even more as they approached a small mountainside village that had recently fallen under control of the Emperor.

TK flanked her and Davis covered the ground approach on Raidramon with Cody and Armadillomon in tow. She swallowed hard as they got closer, and snapped her goggles over her eyes. “TK, you go left, I’ll go right!” Kari shouted, trying her hardest to make sure she was heard over the harsh winds. She looked down and saw Raidramon coming up on the semi-fortified gate to the village, and knew that now was the time to strike. The Digimon in the village had them outnumbered, but with most of them being rookies and a handful of Centarumon backing them up, it seemed manageable. She didn’t want to fight them, but it was just until they could get the control spire down. They had been through much worse than this in the past few weeks, and they would free this village no matter what.

The crack of thunder screamed through the air as the wooden gate to the village shattered into splinters and Raidramon burst through. Cody and Armadillomon hopped off his back, and Cody wasted no time Armor Digivolving his partner into Digmon. So far, so good. There was no sign of the Control Spire, but there was also no sign of the Emperor.

“Rosetta Stone!”

“Star Shower!”

The two attacks launched towards a clumped up group of rookies and two Centarumon, the impact of thee stone slab against the ground stunning them before the stars broke the Dark Rings. She frantically looked around for the Control Spire, her eyes only catching thick forests and far off mountain peaks. As the sounds of Raidramon and Digmon shouting out their attacks rang in the air, Kari’s breathing started to speed up, the knowledge that Davis and Cody could get overwhelmed if they took too long leaving her on edge. There was a brief reflection of the sun’s harsh rays that glared against her goggles, and she pulled them up and shaded her eyes with her hand. Kari’s eyes widened as she saw just a hint of shiny black in the mountain range that she immediately recognized.

“She must have thought we wouldn’t be able to find it…” she mumbled to herself.

It was far out of the way and well hidden, and there was no way this wasn’t personally chosen by the Emperor to best maximize the space she controlled. Kari looked down at Davis and Cody.

“Hey! I found the Control Spire!” she shouted. Davis shot her a thumbs up and a grin.

“Kick its butt!” he shouted, “We’ll be fine down here!”

She hoped so.

Pegasusmon’s wings flapped as TK caught up to her.

“As soon as we knock that spire down, the Digimon in the village will be back to normal, let’s go,” Kari said, and Nefertimon sped off ahead.

“Hey, wait up!” TK shouted, and Pegasusmon flew after her, “Kari! Slow down!”

But no, she couldn’t slow down. She wanted to topple that tower as fast as possible, because these Digimon needed to be freed.

How could she be so cruel? To try and rule the Digital World with an iron fist without any care for the world or its inhabitants. How could she sleep at night? Kari could still barely believe she had her own partner.

How could she be so unlike the girl she met at school just a few weeks ago?

***

Even though she and the other DigiDestined had been working their butts off around the Digital World, gym class never seemed to get easier. Today they were running, and despite how she had managed to outrun a Unimon while being chased yesterday, this was somehow worse.

Kari managed to stick to the middle of the pack, and had been so focused on keeping a decent pace that she hadn’t noticed someone run up next to her. Their footsteps were in sync, and it was only once she finally noticed the extra noise that she turned her head, nearly letting out a yelp as a girl with lavender hair had seemed to pop out of nowhere. However, it didn’t take long to realize who it was: Yolei Inoue.

She was a year older than her, but Kari knew about her from all the positive things Izzy had to say about her from her involvement with the school’s computer club— especially about the fact that she was something of a whiz when it came to programming. He passed leadership on to her when he moved on to middle school, but still kept in touch with her frequently.

“All this running sucks, huh?” Kari asked between breaths. Maybe starting up a conversation would make the rest of the period go faster.

“Yeah, I hate it. I wish we could run inside or something, it’s getting too warm,” Yolei said, wiping a light sheen of sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand.

“You’re Kari Kamiya, right?” Yolei asked. Kari’s eyes widened as her eyes locked onto Yolei.

“Oh— yeah! How did you—”

“Your brother’s come into our store before. He’s talked about you a bunch,” she said, then nodded to the goggles that hung from Kari’s neck, “Plus I recognize your goggles.”

Kari looked down and laughed gently, “I guess they do make a statement.”

“They really do,” Yolei smiled. Kari suddenly felt flush, but shook her head. The heat must have been getting to her…

It was weird, but this was one of the first times in a while she really talked to another girl her age. Sure, Sora and Mimi were her friends, but the latter was in America and the former was busy with sports and school. She couldn’t exactly tag along with either of them that much, not when she was so busy in the Digital World.

At the same time, though, she felt a bit lost. Yolei was a little bit older than her, and she couldn’t help but feel out of her league. The gym teacher’s whistle rang through the air over at another track where the boys were running.

“I bet you’re usually pretty busy with computer club, huh?” Kari finally asked as they rounded the track.

“Yeah, but the vice president’s been handling a lot for me since I’ve had a lot to take care of after school,” she said.

“Oh! Are you helping out with your family’s store?” she asked.

“Mhm.”

Things went quiet between them, and Kari focused on not falling behind.

“You’re friends with Cody, right? I see you hanging out with him and that other guy a lot,” Yolei finally said. Kari blinked.

“Oh, yeah, him and Davis. Or do you mean TK?” she asked. She hadn’t realized Yolei seemed to notice her that much, but it sort of made sense— she had recognized her by her goggles, after all.

“I meant the loud one with the dark, spiky hair, but I guess both,” Yolei said. Kari started to laugh, which turned into a wheeze with how out of breath she had been getting.

“Yeah, he’s kind of a character,” Kari said, still smiling. “Cody’s a great kid, too— how do you know him?”

“We’ve been neighbors for years.”

“Well if you ever want to hang out, I’m sure Cody would be happy to hang out with you, too,” Kari offered.

“I’ll have to see,” she said, her voice suddenly sounding clipped. Kari felt herself shrink a bit as she looked over at the other girl, suddenly feeling so much smaller than she already was.

Kari focused straight ahead, her face suddenly burning as she couldn’t help but feel embarrassed.

Thankfully, the teacher blew their whistle again, signaling the students to finish, and the two girls skidded to a stop simultaneously. Kari plopped down on the ground, taking some time to catch her breath, then Yolei stepped in front of her, casting a much needed shadow over her. Kari looked up, and Yolei offered her a hand. Kari took an extra moment to rest, then grabbed Yolei’s hand to get up.

“I’m sure we’ll see each other a lot more,” Yolei said with a smile on her face.

Kari felt the heat get to her again and her cheeks flushed. She needed to get some water to try and cool off…

“Y-Yeah… I hope so.”

***

Her breathing sped up as the memory rolled through her mind. Bile rose in her throat and she had to choke it down as anger flooded her. All she could focus on now was the black obelisk just ahead, and destroying it.

“Kari!”

TK’s shout registered too late, and as Kari looked over at him, she saw a blade of air shooting up at her from the edge of her peripheral vision.

“Nefertimon, watch—!”

Although Nefertimon started to move right, the attack still slammed into Nefertimon’s left wing, causing her to spin and Kari to fall off.

“Kariiiiiiiiii!”

TK’s scream was distant as she plummeted. She clenched her eyes shut out of sheer fear, feeling the wind whip against her body before it suddenly stopped. Before she suddenly stopped. Kari hesitantly opened her eyes and looked around, only to be met with a pair of big, round lenses.

“So you’ve finally fallen for me, huh?”

The Emperor.

She was holding her in a princess carry as she rode atop an Airdramon that was flying just above the canopy of the forest below. Kari flushed and glared at Yolei.

“Why did you catch me?” she asked harshly. The Digimon Emperor raised an eyebrow, then tilted her head and smiled.

“And let you fall?”

“It would get rid of a lot of your problems,” Kari spat. Yolei gasped in faux offense.

“But then I wouldn’t be able to see you, and I do so enjoy our meetings,” Yolei grinned.

Despite the intense wind and the harsh chill that came from it, Kari felt her face heat up intensely even as she shivered.

“I told you we’d see each other a lot more, and I intend on making sure that stays true. It’d be a shame if I lost out,” she added.

“So you’re doing this all just to… to see me more?” Kari asked, jaw dropped in disbelief.

Yolei cackled and shook her head, “Oh, I didn’t realize you had such an ego, Kamiya.”

“I-It’s not an ego…” Kari trailed off quietly.

It wasn’t lost on the brunette that she was still being held so gently by the Emperor. It was unnerving, and the more she thought about it the more her heart sped up.

“No, seeing you is just one of the many joys of it all,” she added

“Why are you doing all of this?” Kari asked. Despite how angry she was, her voice came out as little more than a weak, indignant squeak against her foe.

“I told you, because I truly do enjoy our time together, as rare as it is.”

That caused Kari’s flush to deepen and her brow to furrow, “N-Not that! I meant taking over the Digital World! Hurting all these innocent Digimon! Why would you want to do this!?” she shouted.

In an instant Yolei’s expression became impassive. She looked over her shoulder, seeing the small dot that was Pegasusmon’s attempt to approach the Control Spire and her minions. “You wouldn’t understand.”

“Then tell me so I can understand!” Kari begged.

Yolei scoffed, slowly turning to look back down at Kari, “No,” she said simply. Kari couldn’t stop herself from tearing up. But even that wasn’t enough to stir Yolei.

Her cape whipped in the wind which was the only sound around them.

“Even if I told you, would that change anything?” she finally asked.

“O-Of course it—”

“Of course it wouldn’t,” Yolei interrupted immediately, “We would still be enemies. You and your friends would still hate me. What would be the point?”

Kari was speechless, her face crestfallen as she looked up at the Emperor.

No, she wasn’t the Emperor… it felt like this was the best look at Yolei Inoue she had ever gotten. Her heart ached.

“If we were enemies you wouldn’t have caught me, or-or you would’ve dropped me already,” Kari said, her voice cracking.

“I already told you, I enjoy you too much to stop our little games of cat and mouse.”

That cool, confident aura came back in an instant, and it seemed impenetrable.

Maybe there was no way to get her to realize why this was all so horrible.

Maybe there was no getting through to her.

Maybe there wasn’t even someone to get through to.

Kari didn’t want to believe that there wasn’t a good side of Yolei somewhere. Somewhere, deep down, there just had to be. Even if the others thought otherwise, she couldn’t believe it was as simple as that.

Even if it was becoming harder and harder to think it, Kari still wanted to believe it with all of her heart.

There had to be good in Yolei Inoue.

“Cat’s Eye Beam!”

Two red hot lasers sailed right by Yolei, missing by only a few feet. Yolei clenched her jaw as she saw it from her peripheral vision.

“It’s a shame that our time together is up again,” she sighed, not wistful or playful, but genuine.

“Kari!”

Before Kari could say anything, TK, Pegasusmon, and Nefertimon started to approach, flanking Airdramon on both sides.

“Put her down right now!” Nefertimon shouted.

“You’re not getting away with her!” TK followed up.

The look on Yolei’s face was… smug. Confident.

Like she knew she would be able to get away with her.

Kari’s stomach churned again.

“Well, my dear,” Yolei started, “I guess it’s time to say goodbye yet again.”

Nefertimon sped up, now flying next to Airdramon.

“You know, Takaishi, if you try and shoot me down, she’ll go, too! Be careful!” she taunted, laughing after. Kari could practically feel TK’s anger despite the distance.

Yolei let her down gently, and Kari looked at her with sad eyes, before she took a breath and jumped. Nefertimon managed to maneuver herself for Kari to land on her in time.

“Silver Blaze!”

Pegasusmon fired an emerald beam from his forehead directly at Airdramon, but it zoomed up, dodging just in the nick of time. TK and Pegasusmon stopped next to Kari and Nefertimon, watching as Aidramon twisted in the air to face them. Yolei looked down at them.

“It was fun, but I really must be going. I have big plans to work on,” she said, that playful tone seeping back into her voice. She then brought her hand to her mouth and blew a kiss to Kari in an exaggerated manner, then waved with her fingers.

“Goodbye, my darling and your merry band of fools! I can’t wait to square off again! Ohohohohoho!”

Kari was still, quiet, trying to keep a stony expression but unable to hide the way her face was becoming redder by the moment. TK’s knuckles were turning white with how hard he was clenching his hands.

“Blue Thunder!”

Another attack shot up, this time from the ground, as a large ball of lightning sped towards Airdramon. Airdramon flapped its wings, causing the attack to dissipate, and the harsh gust nearly caused Nefertimon and Pegasusmon to spin away.

Without another word, Yolei flew away, still standing on Airdramon’s head. Nefertimon and Pegasusmon slowly landed, and Kari offered a weak smile to Davis and Cody.

“I’m so sorry I went off ahead without you all,” she said sheepishly, “I saw the Control Spire and I thought if I could take it down, then we could be done.” Once again she got ahead of herself and was more focused on finishing the job than doing it safely.

Tai wouldn’t have done that. Even if her brother could be rash, the safety of the group under his watch was always paramount. She was barely treading water in comparison.

“Kari, it’s ok. You don’t have to apologize, we came out of it ok,” TK said, offering her a lopsided smile. That smile didn’t offer her much reprieve in those moments, though.

“Even though TK is right, it’s important that we’re more careful next time,” Cody said. She knew Cody didn’t mean to lecture her, it was just a reminder of her mistake. A mistake that was so obvious in hindsight, but her tunnel vision left her so dead set on the immediate victory that seemed just in reach.

She wished she could just set all that guilt aside, but it was going to stay with her for a long time, she knew it. Even if they took down the Control Spire and helped the village, it could’ve gone so wrong. Someone could’ve gotten hurt.

“Where does that stupid Digimon Emperor get off trying to kidnap you, anyways!? Ugh, she’s the worst,” Davis huffed. He folded his arms and pouted, now glaring up at the sky

“She wasn’t always like this…” Cody mumbled, “I wonder what caused her to change… or if she was always like this.”

Kari looked up at the sky, holding her hand up to her heart. Yolei was long gone by now, probably planning some new way to ambush them. She was starting to add more forces to major areas she wanted to hold onto, and they’d have to push hard to try and free those sections from her control. If Yolei was able to separate her from the group, then those excursions would probably be doomed in an instant. There was going to be a lot of planning and preparation in the upcoming days…

A hand on her shoulder caused her to jump in place. Her eyes went wide and she started to pant.

“Whoa! I’m sorry, you were zoned out there, so I wanted to let you know we were thinking about heading back,” TK said.

Kari let out a long, relieved exhale, “Yeah… yeah that’s a good idea. Sorry, just a lot on my mind.”

“Let’s head back then! We deserve to relax!” Davis whooped.

But even still, Kari couldn’t tear her eyes away from the horizon, where the Digimon Emperor lay in wait somewhere out there.

She could feel her heart speed up again, as a rush of butterflies started to swarm in her stomach. So many of the things that had happened during this trip to the Digital World slotted together perfectly. Neurons lit up, causing a light bulb to shine as bright as the sun in her brain.

“…Oh no.”

#fallingformiyakari #miyakari week #miyakari autumn #digimon #digimon adventure 02 #emperor!yolei and gogglehead!kari au #hikari yagami #miyako inoue #sloanefics

[sloanerisette]

How To Win Your Senpai In 10 Days Chapter 5

Whew, finally an update! Sorry for the long wait, but I had a lot of trouble settling on a core idea/focus on for this day/chapter, but I finally decided on "Hangover" because of all of the drinking and Mimi's drunken texting. This was my big focus for @campdigimonth on tumblr, and lots of shoutouts to everyone who's a part of it who has offered me comments on my little sneak peeks and all the kindness! It means so much.

This chapter in particular is dedicated to @reliablejoukido for all of her support, kindness, and making sure I don't push myself too much with all my work. And especially for all the fun headcanons and thoughts we've shared! Thank you for being part of the Jyoumi squad with me! <3

I hope you all enjoy! <3

And here's to another year of wonderful Digimon fics and art!

Chapter Summary: After a much needed girl's night, Mimi has to deal with the fallout. Fallout that isn't just the horrible hangover she's gotten after all that wine.

If you want to check out the chapter on AO3, you can do so here!

---

The next morning came far too quickly.

Mimi was the first one to be sick that morning, making it to the bathroom just in the nick of time. She was also the one who was still sick even after Kari and Yolei, who had suffered similar fates, were eventually able to work past it. With all those glasses of wine last night— ones that were stronger than she expected Yolei to bust out— she was reeling. The ice cream didn’t help either.

Sora, who had managed to walk away with a bad headache, had been there to rub Mimi’s back and keep her hair out of her face until she was only just dry heaving. She needed last night desperately, but it didn’t make the morning any less unpleasant. As opposed to the decadent treats they indulged in last night, once she and Sora came back to the Inoue family living room, there were tall glasses of water and a bottle of pain relievers.

She sat down on the floor, right in front of the coffee table, looking at Kari who looked more miserable than she did. As the girls sat in silence, their Digimon slowly started to make their way from Yolei’s room, confusion and concern on their faces as they saw the states their partners were in.

“Hopefully you girls didn’t get up to too many shenanigans last night,” Hawkmon tutted as he eyed Yolei in particular.

Gatomon got to Kari’s side as soon as she could once she saw the half-dead expression she wore.

“Are you ok, Kari?”

“I’m fine, just…” Kari started slowly, taking another long drink of water, “…Still recovering from last night.”

“Next time we’re giving you half a glass at most,” Mimi said with a motherly wag of her finger. Sora narrowed her eyes at her friend.

“Or none at all, hopefully,” she mumbled, “Especially not if you’re going to take her share,” she added with a sigh.

Mimi and Yolei both ducked their heads and looked way from Sora, whose face could only be described as “not mad, just disappointed.”

Palmon sat next to Mimi and looked up at her, tilting her head.

“You don’t look so great, Mimi, are you sure you’ll be ok?” the plant Digimon asked, and Mimi felt her heart ache for worrying her partner so much.

“After some of the noises I heard earlier, I hope so…” Biyomon said.

Mimi offered as reassuring a smile as she could to her Digimon, “I’ll be ok, promise. I’m feeling a little better now.” She gently patted Palmon on the head, and her Digimon curled up to her and pulled her into a hug.

“I’m so glad!” Palmon said. How loud Palmon was definitely wouldn’t help her headache, but it could’ve been worse. Plus, there was no way she would say no to a Palmon hug right now.

“Hey, what if we went to Ai-Mart to pick up some snacks and stuff?” Yolei suggested before taking another long swig of water.

“As long as there’s no more alcohol,” Kari said. Hawkmon shook his head.

“I swear, Yolei, you really do need me to chaperone you sometimes,” Hawkmon said. Yolei waved him off.

“I promise, it’s fine. We had Sora and Mimi to help,” she insisted. Mimi ducked her head, knowing that she had done more to spur on the night’s rowdiness than not.

“It’s a good idea, though. We could definitely use something to soak up any of the alcohol still in our systems,” Mimi said. She finished her glass and slowly pushed herself up, rocking gently in place before raising her arms in the air to congratulate herself on a job well done.

“Ok, let’s clean up, get changed and see if we can get something to help with the hangovers,” Sora said.

Though the idea of cleaning up the living room didn’t sound appealing in the slightest, none of them were going to leave Yolei with all of the work. It had taken a while for all of them to handle it, but thanks to their Digimon helping out, too, they had managed to get it done before too long.

Back in her clothes from the day before, Mimi joined the others in heading for the elevator. Save for the quiet groans from Kari and Yolei in particular, everyone was silent and as they rode down, Mimi pulled out her phone and looked at it.

Joe still hadn’t replied to her texts from the night before. It wasn’t even that early, though she supposed maybe it was a blessing more than anything that he hadn’t gotten back to her. With how much of a nonsensical mess everything she sent him was, she couldn’t stop from feeling mortified. The ding of the elevator rang out and she walked out with the other girls, still looking at her phone as she followed close.

Despite her pounding head she still remembered last night clearly. Gushing over him, crying over him, and asking her friends if they would judge her for trying to win him back. And even now that she was sober, that thought was still in her mind. She did want to win him back… or just win him over, really. She didn’t want to hurt him or Manami, and that thought was even more prevalent now that her mind was no longer swimming in red wine and rocky road. No one deserved to get hurt… but someone would. If she did nothing, it would be her, but if she actually tried to pursue him, then she would hurt Manami and potentially ruin her friendship with Joe.

Could she handle that? Was she ready for that very real possibility?

She bumped into Sora as they stopped at the entrance to the store, then pocketed her phone and offered Sora a sheepish smile, mouthing a “sorry” in the process.

Yolei unlocked the door to the store, gesturing for them to go in and followed in after. She flicked on the lights and when she did, all of the girls cringed at the sudden, blinding fluorescence that poured in from overhead. Once they recovered, they started to look around, almost lost in where to start in the sea of convenience store goodies.

“Since Yolei handled everything last night, I’ll pay for the hangover cures,” Mimi said, before speeding towards one of the fridges against the back wall. Sports drinks were going to be one of the best options, without a doubt, and she already began plucking out a few for the group.

“What did you do back in New York?” Kari asked.

“Wait, you didn’t drink a lot in New York, did you?” Sora asked immediately after.

Mimi laughed, “No no, not that much!” she insisted, waving a hand to hopefully assuage her friend’s fears. “Only two or three times when hanging out with friends.”

Admittedly it was a few more times than that, but there were only a small handful of hangovers that really did a number on her like this morning’s.

Sometimes they would meet at one of their houses, ordering pizza and sneaking alcohol from their parents’ liquor cabinet, and would complain about whatever crossed their mind. Usually something school related.

Michael hosted a small goodbye party with a few of their friends the weekend before she left, which involved fast food, cheap beers, and a toast to her over some of Michael J Barton’s whiskey.

Mimi decided she didn’t like whiskey that night.

As she rifled through the freezer for drinks, she couldn’t help but smile at that memory. It involved a lot of joking, yet still heartfelt speeches about how they’d miss her.

With how empty she was feeling since she came back, she couldn’t help but wonder if maybe she would’ve been better off had she stayed in America…?

No, even with what happened with Joe, she still had other friends close by. As much as the aftermath sucked, last night would still be something she held near and dear for the rest of her life.

She popped the sports drinks into a small basket Palmon grabbed, and then started to walk through the aisles, looking carefully for anything that could help.

“If it was during a weekend we’d get some greasy fast food or something from a diner.”

“Ohhh, that sounds so good right now,” Yolei groaned.

“Carbs or something greasy helps. My mama told me umeboshi helps, too, because of the… acid, I think?” Mimi said.

“Oh, we have umeboshi onigiri here!” Yolei said, before padding off to the right aisle.

“Perfecto!” Mimi shouted, snapping her fingers then pointing towards Yolei. Yolei had a wide smile on her face at her idol using her catchphrase, and couldn’t help but giggle to herself as she grabbed a few packages of onigiri. Kari cringed and shook her head.

“You sure you’re ok, Kari?” Sora asked at a much gentler volume. Kari nodded.

“Yeah, my head just hurts still,” she sighed.

“Anything else we should be on the lookout for?” Yolei asked.

“I think these should be good,” Mimi said, “We should start off small so we aren’t too hard on our stomachs, and then we can always grab something to eat in a bit.”

The group converged at the cash register, with Kari leaning against it to help prop herself up. Yolei was starting to ring up the items, and Mimi pulled her wallet from her bag. Once she was done, she handed a drink to each of her friends before cracking open one of the onigiri. She cradled it gently in her hands, staring at it in awe.

“You look happy,” Sora teased gently. Mimi couldn’t help but chuckle, unable to take her eyes off it.

“I mean, it’s been a long time since I’ve had one of these. We made some back in New York, but we could barely find ingredients for the ones I like,” she said. After another moment to build up the anticipation, Mimi took a bite off the top and let out a content sigh.

“So good.”

Sora followed suit, taking a bite of her own, and nodded, “So good.”

Kari gulped down her drink, as if the relief couldn’t come fast enough, and once she was done she slammed it on the counter. Yolei’s eyes went wide.

“Did that help?” she asked.

“…Not yet,” Kari sighed. Mimi wrapped an arm around Kari and pulled her into a side hug.

“I promise you’ll feel better soon, sweetie.”

“Worst case we can just have a nice, all-day cat nap,” Gatomon said as she hopped up onto the counter.

Kari mumbled an “I hope” before she started nibbling on her onigiri. The group slowly fell into a peaceful silence as they all worked on their hangover cures.

Eventually the quiet serenity of the convenience store was annihilated as the door whipped open and they were greeted by the bustling Odaiba morning and a very familiar, very loud voice.

“Hey, we’re closed— oh, hey,” Yolei said. Mimi turned her head mid-bite to see Ken and Davis walking into the store.

“Hey!” Davis shouted with a wide wave to the group of girls, “What’s up ladies?”

“We’re closed, Davis,” Yolei grumbled, though it didn’t deter him from heading towards the counter. Ken shot Yolei an apologetic smile which caused a light tinge of pink to settle on her cheeks.

“We were just on our way to play a few pick up matches and wanted to pick up some things beforehand,” Ken explained, “I know you said you were going to be closed for a couple of days, but we saw the lights on so we thought we would check.” Yolei’s eyes instantly sparkled.

“Of course! Don’t worry about it! Take your time!” Yolei nearly shouted. Kari, who was standing next to Yolei, groaned and rubbed her temples. Davis narrowed his eyes and grumbled.

“Oh, but when I come in it’s a problem…”

Mimi and Sora leaned close to each other and snickered.

“Don’t worry, we won’t be here long,” Ken said, grabbing Davis’s arm before dragging him off to the other end of the store.

“Ugh, so annoying…” Yolei said, rolling her eyes as she angrily took a bite from her onigiri.

“Come on, he’s not that bad,” Kari said, “Plus you get to see Ken.”

Yolei's light flush turned into a burning red, which quickly started to overtake her face and the tips of her ears. She hid behind her food and glanced away from her friend.

“I mean, that part is good, I guess…” she mumbled. The three girls couldn’t help but laugh, which merely caused Yolei to slowly sink behind the counter— even more so as the two boys approached.

“So what are you ladies all doing here bright and early?” Davis asked as he and Ken started to unload their haul. Davis’s backpack started to rustle, and DemiVeemon and Minomon poked their heads out of it.

“Are we there yet?” DemiVeemon asked.

“Yeah, I wanna play— oh, hi Yolei!” Minomon squeaked out, waving a tiny little arm to the girl behind the counter.

“Hi Minomon,” Yolei said with a wave of her fingers before she began to ring up their items. “To answer your question, we had a girl’s night last night.”

“A girl’s night?” Davis asked as he glanced at the rest of them, his eyes finally landing on Kari, “What’s up with your girl’s night that’s making you guys look so rough?”

“You really don’t know how to talk to girls, huh?” Yolei asked, an unamused look on her face as she folded her arms.

“What!? N-no I’m totally great at talking to girls, I was just—” he stammered out, before catching the fact that Yolei stuck her tongue out at him. He narrowed his eyes at her and returned the gesture.

“Yolei just wanted to do something fun for me and the rest of us,” Mimi said, before taking another sip from her drink. DemiVeemon hopped out of Davis’s backpack and landed next to Hawkmon and Biyomon, talking with the two of them as Yolei continued to ring up the items.

Ken gently nudged Davis in the side as the other pulled his wallet out to pay. Davis looked at Ken and blinked once, then twice, then his eyes went wide.

“Oh, right! I almost forgot!” he practically shouted, then looked over at Mimi.

“Sorry, uh, about the other day,” he said, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. Mimi raised an eyebrow and tilted her head curiously. As he felt all eyes land on him, he ducked his head, “You know, about that comment I made at the picnic?”

“Oh!” A wave of sadness washed over her as she remembered the moment in question, it replaying in her mind just as clear as when it happened. She could feel Sora’s worried look on her, and she waved Davis’s apology off, keeping up that clearly rehearsed smile that had been the only one she could muster up to anyone.

“It’s ok, Davis, really, don’t worry about it,” she said. She knew with each word she said she could feel her voice start to waver more and more, but she swallowed it down before she actually teared up. Plus, it wasn’t like Davis did it maliciously. If there was one thing that boy couldn’t be, it was malicious.

“I just, you know, always thought that you and Joe were a thing,” Davis said with a shrug.

“Davis,” Yolei hissed. Ken closed his eyes, pinched the bridge of his nose, and silently sighed.

“I mean, like, nothing against Joe’s girlfriend or anything, but I don’t get why he wouldn’t date you. You’re a smokeshow! Right Ken?” he asked, wildly gesturing at Mimi. Ken shook his head, still pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Davis…” Ken mumbled.

“Davis!” Kari shouted at the same time, a prominent frown on her face. Davis held his hands up in front of him and took a half step back.

“I-I-I mean not more than you or anything!” he quickly added as he focused his attention on Kari.

“Davis!”

Both Kari and Yolei shouted this time, and Davis shrunk under their glares.

After that, Davis was quick to hand Yolei some money, keeping his head down the entire time from shame. Mimi appreciated the compliment, but Yolei had no intention of dropping it, her hands on her hips as she tapped her foot impatiently.

“Thanks for letting us shop,” Ken said with a bow of his head as they took their bags.

“And, uh, sorry again,” Davis mumbled. DemiVeemon hopped onto the counter and then onto Davis’s backpack, tumbling into Minomon as the two fell into its depths.

“Bye!” the two in-training Digimon shouted, squeaky voices muffled by the backpack. Davis couldn’t make eye contact with Mimi, Yolei, or Kari, and sped out of the store as fast as possible, with Ken giving the group of girls an apologetic look before following after them.

“Finally…” Yolei grumbled, shaking her head.

***

Now their girl’s night was done, they had successfully (mostly) beaten their hangovers, and the rest of the day was still for them to do with as they pleased.

Mimi, however, couldn’t think of anything she wanted to do even while Yolei excitedly threw out ideas for what they could get up to next.

A part of her wanted to go back home with Palmon, maybe watch some sad romance movies while chowing down on more ice cream, and continue to cry her heart out when she could muster up the tears for the last day and a half before school started back.

Yolei set a hand on her stomach after she finished locking up the store.

“I know we just snacked and everything, but I could go for lunch,” she said.

“I mean… I could probably go for some food…” Kari said with a sheepish laugh, “I think the closest thing we had to actual food last night were chips.”

“You said greasy food helped, right? I could go for a burger or something right about now…” Sora said with a wistful sigh.

“There’s a burger place a few blocks down we can go to?” Yolei suggested, jabbing her thumb over her shoulder.

The girls all looked at each other, and once Kari’s stomach loudly rumbled, they were quick to agree that lunch was needed. With their Digimon in tow, they walked down the street at a leisurely pace, the morning passerby looking at the Digimon curiously before continuing on their way. Even if they were somewhat famous in Odaiba, and even if the world had seen more and more of Digimon over the years, there were always the people who watched in awe whenever a Digimon passed by.

Every so often, when conversation lulled, Mimi pulled her phone from her bag, heart pounding as she checked to see if there was anything from Joe. And each time there was both a sigh of relief followed by a wave of stress when she saw there was no new message. After the fifth time she shoved her phone in her bag, she looked up to see that they arrived at their destination, and that Yolei was already rushing inside.

“Mimi,” Palmon said once everyone else was inside, looking up at her partner with that same worry in her eyes as had been there since they had been reunited, “Are you ok? You keep looking at your phone and you seem sad.”

Mimi’s shoulders sagged gently, and a weary smile made its way on her face, “I texted Joe last night before I fell asleep and I haven’t heard back from him yet…” she trailed off, tapping her foot against the ground, “…I wonder if I made him uncomfortable or I seem too… childish or something.”

She pursed her lips as her gaze went distant, staring off down the street at nothing in particular.

“I’m sure you wouldn’t! You and Joe are really good friends!” Palmon said.

Mimi crouched down and wrapped her arms around her partner in a tight hug, resting her head against Palmon’s flower.

“Thank you, Palmon,” she whispered to her partner.

“I hope so.”

Suddenly, the door whipped open, and Mimi let out a yelp as she nearly fell onto the sidewalk.

“Mimiiiiiiii!” Yolei cried out, blinking as she saw nothing… until she looked down. “Mimi! Oh my god! Are you ok!?” she asked.

Yolei squatted down, and with Palmon, she helped Mimi stand up. “I’m fine,” Mimi assured her friend as she dusted herself off, then looked over at Yolei, “What’s wrong?”

“Oh, nothing! You just never came in, so I went to get you.”

“Sorry, Palmon and I were just talking,” Mimi said.

“Well come on! We’re starving!” Yolei said. Yolei’s infectious energy pepped Mimi up a bit, and she tried to push away those stressful thoughts of her potentially ruined friendship with Joe. Sora and Kari already ordered, got their food, and made their way to a booth, and Mimi slowly stepped up to the counter, doing everything she could to keep those text messages far from her mind as she ordered. She and Yolei joined the other girls at the booth, and they started their meals in silence. Despite how long it had been, even the crunch of fries proved to be too loud for Kari to handle at times, and every so often she couldn’t help but cringe and press a few fingers to one of her temples.

“I can’t believe we have to go back to school in a few days,” Yolei sighed as she dragged a couple of fries through some ketchup she put on a napkin. The thought caused Mimi to slump in the booth.

“I’m not ready,” Mimi groaned. Sora slowly shook her head.

“Me either. I have a bunch to do for the tennis club that I’m not ready for.”

“I need to watch you play tennis this year, Sora!” Biyomon smiled, taking a bite from the burger her partner got her.

“Oh, can we go too, Mimi?” Palmon asked, kicking her legs happily as she looked up at her partner.

“I would love that! I’ve never had a chance to watch you play either!”

“Maybe we can all go?” Hawkmon suggested.

As everyone agreed in unison, Mimi felt her phone buzz and pulled it out, nearly choking on her food as she looked at the screen.

[Kido Joe]: Are you ok Mimi?

Her breath got caught in her throat as more messages started to roll in.

[Kido Joe]: Or I guess I should say were you ok…

[Kido Joe]: Are you ok now, I guess?

She briefly looked up from her phone, not missing how Sora was looking at her phone curiously before she went back to her own food. Did she tell him about last night? Or the hangover she was finally pushing past?

[Kido Joe]: I only ask because you misspelled a lot of words in your texts compared to normal.

[Kido Joe]: And because you texted me very late.

[Kido Joe]: Sorry for texting you so much now!

“Who is it?” Kari asked, and Mimi’s face heated up as she looked to see all eyes on her.

“I think we know,” Gatomon said before munching on a chicken nugget.

“Oh! Is it Joe?” Palmon asked, her eyes sparkling as bright as her smile.

“Yeah…” she admitted sheepishly.

After everything she said last night, and especially after telling Kari what not to do while drunk, there was no way she could admit why he texted her.

And this was all while she couldn’t figure out just what to text him, not wanting to keep him waiting too long because of how much it would undoubtedly worry him.

“Has he finally realized how perfect you are?” Yolei grumbled, taking a long sip from her now empty cup, the sound echoing around their table. Kari nudged Yolei’s side from her comment, who let out a grumble at it.

If only he had. She glanced back down at her phone, then at her friends, and slowly put her phone away.

“I’ll text him later,” she said, “Right now I need to spend time with my favorite ladies.”

She offered them a smile, and decided, for now, to wait for just a little bit as she tried to get her thoughts together.

They talked about simple things, with Yolei asking some more about New York, and Sora and her giving Kari and Yolei advice and encouragement for their upcoming year of school. Once they were done eating and left, Kari seemed to perk up some more, and the sun didn’t seem so oppressive now.

“We need to do that again!” Yolei said, stretching her arms above her head and stretching from side to side.

“Just no alcohol next time,” Sora said sternly. Kari said the same thing at the same time, punctuating her words with a drawn out groan. Yolei ducked her head, looked away, and started to whistle.

“I am up for a girl’s night anytime, and whether there’s alcohol or not, I will make sure my favorite ladies are well taken care of,” Mimi said, pulling the others into a hug. Their Digimon all joined in, taking up half the middle of the street.

Once they broke apart, the girls and their Digimon said their goodbyes to each other, and for a moment, Mimi stood against the side of the restaurant, her phone clutched in her hand as she stared down at the messages. Even though she had plenty of time to think, she hadn’t actually decided on anything to say.

[Tachikawa Mimi]: Hey!

Well that was… a start.

[Tachikawa Mimi]: Sorry about those texts last night!

[Tachikawa Mimi]: I was

Could she be upfront about it? Would he judge her? She grimaced and cringed, shutting one eye and angling her head away from her phone a bit as she tapped the buttons.

[Tachikawa Mimi]: A little drunk

She paused, heart beating even faster in her chest. She felt honesty wasn’t the best idea in this instance, but the words were now on the screen, unable to be taken back.

[Tachikawa Mimi]: Haha!

She cringed, feeling like that laugh didn’t help— and she couldn’t help but wonder if Joe could tell from reading just how fake that laugh was.

[Kido Joe]: Drunk?

[Kido Joe]: You got drunk???

[Kido Joe]: Are you ok? How drunk did you get?

Oh god. So many questions. She could picture clear in her mind how frantic he was just from how quick the texts came in. He was probably pacing in his room with a hand to his forehead in disbelief.

She pursed her lips, deep in thought for a few moments. Palmon looked up at Mimi with worry on her face. Mimi, however, looked down at her partner, and offered her a smile in hopes of calming her down, then squatted down to be on her level as she started tapping away again.

[Tachikawa Mimi]: I’m ok! I promise

[Tachikawa Mimi]: Just a mild hangover

As she stared down at her phone, she could feel her head pound even worse than it was when she first woke up.

[Kido Joe]: A MILD hangover?

[Kido Joe]: What’s considered mild???

[Kido Joe]: Are you dehydrated at all?

So many questions. So, so many questions. Ugh, she didn’t want to worry him at all. Maybe she should have lied. Just a little white lie to make sure he could rest easy. She started to type away a response before another message came in.

[Kido Joe]: Where are you at right now? Are you with anyone? Is Palmon with you?

Mimi furrowed her brow in confusion, slowly hitting the backspace before typing up a new message.

[Tachikawa Mimi]: Huh?

[Tachikawa Mimi]: Yes Palmon is with me why?

[Kido Joe]: Oh phew, that’s a relief.

[Kido Joe]: I asked because I wanted to check and make sure you’re ok.

[Kido Joe]: Where are you right now?

Suddenly her heart started pounding in her chest. Her cheeks felt warm. He wanted to check on her? Butterflies swarmed in her stomach at the thought, and she guiltily looked away from her phone.

“Mimi?” Palmon leaned over to take a look at Mimi’s phone, a beaming smile on her face. “Oh! Joe wants to see you!”

She was feeling better, did she really need to see him?

No, but she wanted to see him. And he wanted to make sure she was ok. Was that so wrong? She still remembered her words last night, drunken and slurred as they were, asking her friends about if they would judge her for fighting for him. To try and win him over. It was bad, every part of her knew it was bad, but she couldn’t help it.

If she saw him, though… it wasn’t necessarily trying to win him over, right? He was just checking on her. And knowing Joe, there was no way he would be calm unless he saw her with his own two eyes.

[Tachikawa Mimi]: I’m by Ai-Mart

However, as soon as she hit send, another wave of guilt washed over her.

[Tachikawa Mimi]: But don’t worry, seriously!

[Tachikawa Mimi]: I’m fine, honest

“Do you not want to see him?” Palmon asked with a gentle frown.

“It’s not that I don’t want to see him. I just…” she trailed off, letting out a breath that blew some hair out of her face, “I’m sure he’s busy since school is starting soon, and I don’t want him to worry about me when he should be getting ready.”

“But Mimi, I don’t think Joe would’ve asked to see you if he didn’t want to!” Palmon told her. Mimi knew that was the truth, but she couldn’t help but wonder if that was really the best decision for him. Or if he was just doing it out of some sort of obligation after what happened the other day.

[Kido Joe]: I’ll be there in ten minutes at the latest!

She felt a knot in her stomach when she saw his text come in. There was still a voice in her head that told her he was just doing it out of some sort of obligation. Mimi closed her eyes and shook her head to try and chase that errant thought away.

“We should head to Ai-Mart,” she said to Palmon. Her partner cheered as they headed back down the street. Despite how happy Palmon was, Mimi couldn’t stop the iron ball of dread that sank deeper and deeper in her gut.

***

Her feet felt heavy the entire walk over, almost as if her body was hesitating, too. But, Palmon was excited to see him, and Mimi was, too, a part of her touched that he would make the trip to see her.

As she approached the convenience store, she was relieved to see Yolei wasn’t there, if only so her junior wouldn’t get the wrong idea or blow things out of proportion. She did, however, see Joe standing there with his back to her, craning his neck as he looked around.

“It definitely hasn’t been ten minutes…” she thought.

Gomamon was perched on his shoulder, and once the seal caught sight of Mimi and Palmon, he tapped Joe on the head with one of his claws. Joe whipped around and Gomamon gripped tight onto his sweater so he didn’t fly off. As soon as he saw her, Joe’s eyes went wide, and he started running towards her. Mimi bit her lip, but continued walking to meet him halfway.

“Well if it isn’t my favorite flower!” Gomamon grinned, waving in an exaggerated manner as his partner skidded to a stop. Palmon waved both her arms above her head.

“If it isn’t my favorite seal!”

The edge of Mimi’s mouth twitched upwards into a small smile, and she didn’t miss how Joe’s expression lightened a bit. She also didn’t miss the careful once over he gave her, feeling herself flush under his inspection.

“You look ok…” he mumbled to himself, “Are you sure you’re ok?” he asked.

Mimi nodded quickly, “Mhm!” she chirped, hoping to ease his worries, though the way his brow furrowed indicated it wasn’t too helpful. “I had a bunch of water, drank one of those sports drinks that help out when you’re hungover, and I had a bunch to eat.”

“Oh,” he said, nodding slowly after, “That’s good. I’m glad.”

“That’s a shame,” Gomamon sighed with a shake of his head.

“Why?” Palmon asked.

“Because Joe got you a bottle of water! He was so worried, he was all,” the Digimon started, clearing his throat as he stood on his hind legs, “‘Gomamon, Mimi might still be dehydrated and not know it, so we better hurry up!’”

Joe turned a deep red and his jaw dropped, “Gomamon!” he hissed. Mimi felt heat creep up her neck and she tugged her collar gently, glancing away.

“Thanks,” she mumbled, rocking on the balls of her feet. She took in a quiet breath, needing an extra moment before she looked at him, “I told you that you didn’t have to do all this. I really am fine,” she assured him.

Joe’s face, however, still held that deep blush of embarrassment on it, which Gomamon seemed particularly pleased about. “It just makes me feel better being able to see that you’re ok,” he told her. He balled up his fist and coughed into it, once again averting his eyes from her. He took a moment to distract himself by rifling through his bag, before eventually plucking out the bottle of water and handing it to her.

Mimi felt warmth spread through her chest and she took it from him, cracking open the lid and taking a long drink. She held it up after.

“See, I’m all good now. Promise,” she said. Joe gave her one last once over.

“I’m glad you’re ok. I was pretty worried when you said you got drunk,” he said as he scratched his cheek.

“I appreciate it,” she said, letting out a soft laugh after.

“So, um,” Joe stammered out awkwardly. Mimi tilted her head as she looked up at him. He shook his head, trying to chase away the blush, though it was a fruitless endeavor. Mimi took another drink of water.

“Why did, uh— I mean— well—”

He continued to stammer out attempts at words, and Palmon tilted her head just like Mimi.

“Are you ok?” she asked.

“I think he wants to know—” Gomamon started, but Joe brought up a hand over his partner’s face to stop him.

“I-I just wanted to know… well, why you got drunk. Are you ok?”

Mimi swallowed hard. He looked so worried and that brought her guilt back tenfold. She knew she couldn’t beat herself up for texting him while drunk, but she also knew alcohol definitely brought out a person’s true intentions thanks to the lack of inhibitions, and she should have been more responsible with her phone. Especially after lecturing Kari.

If only she handed it off to Palmon, then she wouldn’t be in the second most awkward situation ever.

As she hemmed and hawed on answering, Joe frowned, “Mimi?”

“I’m ok, yeah,” she said, her voice not carrying that usual bright energy, even compared to just a few moments ago, “I just… had a girl’s night. And we got a little too crazy, I guess.”

She forced out a light, lilting laugh, one she couldn’t help but cringe at for how fake it sounded to her. She folded her hands behind her back, offering him a smile. At the very least, she could keep Sora, Yolei, and Kari out of it. Joe peered at her carefully.

“I didn’t realize a girl’s night involved getting drunk,” he finally said. Mimi tried to stifle back a giggle, but it bubbled from her lips rather ungracefully, and she put a hand over her mouth to try and cover it. Joe didn’t miss it, however, and he raised an eyebrow.

“What’s so funny?” he asked in such a sweetly curious manner that it almost left her giggling even harder.

“Oh, it’s just that that’s such a you question,” she said, the edges of her eyes crinkling as she smiled. Mimi still wondered if he realized how adorable he was.

She wondered if Manami thought he was adorable in the same ways.

“Is it? I mean, I guess…” he said, pausing for a beat, “I’ve never been a part of a girl’s night, so.”

Mimi laughed louder at that, “Well surely you and the guys must have had a guy’s night while I was gone!” she said between laughs.

“Should I have? I mean, I haven’t. Not like that, at least. Matt’s wanted to hang out but I’ve been pretty busy,” he said, before putting his chin in his hand.

“Maybe I should ask Jim if he’s had a guy’s night…” he mumbled to himself.

“Joe,” she said, pulling him out of his thoughts, “You really don’t have to worry about not having had a guy’s night,” she assured him, patting him gently on his free shoulder.

“Joe could do to lighten up a bit, though,” Gomamon mumbled.

“Hey!” Joe said. Palmon started to laugh, too.

“You guys are so funny!” she said.

“I’m funny,” Gomamon said, preening with pride, “Joe could still use some work.” Joe shot him a look.

“Don’t worry, don’t worry! I’ll help you work on your comedy chops while I’m here,” he added quickly, playfully nudging his partner with his fin.

“I appreciate it,” Joe mumbled in a deadpan tone. His voice brought along another flow of giggles from Mimi and Palmon. He turned his attention right back to Mimi after, “So, um, do you need anything else? I know you said you’re fine, but—”

He was still worrying. She felt bad he was still worried even though he could see she was fine, but she was also touched. Her heart fluttered, and she hoped it didn’t show too much in her expression. Even if a part of her was still worried that he was helping her out of obligation, there was… joy in the fact that she seemed to hold some place in his heart and mind, even now.

“We’re not leaving now, are we?” Gomamon asked.

“Oh! I mean, we don’t have to,” he shrugged.

“Good! Because I barely got to see Mimi the other day! I’ve missed her!” Gomamon said. Mimi took a half step forward and scratched Gomamon behind the ears.

“I’ve missed my favorite seal, too,” Mimi told him. Gomamon had a beaming smile on his face.

“See, I’m her favorite seal!” he said.

“So I heard,” Joe said, once again in a deadpan voice, but he was unable to hold back the smile on his face at seeing the two talk.

“It’s been so long, Gomamon! Have you been doing good in the Digital World?” she asked.

“Yup! Me and Palmon have been spending lots of time together! She’s shown me so many different flowers in the Digital World!” Gomamon beamed.

“And Gomamon and I have been to so many beaches around Server! It's been so much fun!” Palmon said, with a smile that stretched across her face. Between Gomamon and Palmon, their Digimon seemed so happy, and even if her and Joe weren’t going to spend much time together— the very thought of which still hurt her to her core— at least their Digimon had remained such close friends.

“Well, I’ll have to have Yolei open a Digital Gate for me sometime so I can come along!” Mimi said. Both Gomamon and Palmon cheered.

“You know it! We’ll give you the best tours of Server’s most lovely gardens and beaches!” Gomamon told her.

“Did Gomamon invite Manami to the Digital World, too?”

She knew she couldn’t just keep comparing herself with Manami in all these little situations. But that didn’t stop the thoughts from worming their way in her mind.

She shook her head to try to chase them away, and followed it with downing the rest of her bottle of water.

“You didn’t go too far out of your way to come here, right?” she asked. Joe quickly shook his head.

“No! Not at all! I told you I was nearby, right?” he asked.

“Yeah, but I’d hate it if I interrupted your day just cause I got a little drunk last night!” she said.

“Not at all. Like I said, I’m just glad you’re alright,” he said. “And, I mean, I’d prefer if you didn’t get drunk again, but if you do, you can call me if you need help,” he said.

“Thanks Joe, and the same to you. I know some good hangover cures,” she told him.

“W-Well, I don’t think I’ll be drinking anytime soon, but thanks…” he said with an awkward chuckle.

If she got drunk again, Mimi wasn’t sure she’d have the heart to tell him. She didn’t need to worry him this much again.

The two stood there awkwardly for a few minutes, Mimi’s head tilted up to look at him and their eyes met. She would love to get lost in his eyes right now. To not focus on anything else.

Gomamon nudged Joe again, “Earth to Joe!” his Digimon said, before poking him with one of his claws again, “We don’t have a lot to do, but I’m sure Mimi does!”

“Oh, no no no, I’m not busy at all!” she assured the seal, “Just dreading school starting back.”

“You’ll do fine,” he said, the warmth in those three words giving her hope that she might actually be alright. She was already a bit anxious about attending school in Japan again, but if Joe believed in her…

“Thanks.”

“And hey, if you ever need any help… well I’m sure Izzy would probably be better— and closer— but I wouldn’t mind helping you out,” he told her.

“Thanks, but you don’t need to worry. You’re finishing up high school and your classes are probably pretty intense. Plus you said I’ll be fine, so I’m sure I'll be fine!”

She placed her hands on her hips, offering him a triumphant smile.

“You will, but it never hurts to ask for help if you need it,” he smiled warmly.

“Ok Joe, you can stop being all googly-eyed now! We need to get lunch!” Gomamon said right when the silence settled. That snapped both of them out of their stupor, and their heads immediately turned away from each other.

“I, uh, I should let you go. And so Gomamon and I can eat lunch, too,” he said, the words spilling from his tongue in a stilted manner.

“Yeah, that sounds good,” Mimi mumbled. She stepped off the ball of her foot and headed down the street. “Bye Joe!” she said, forcing another awkward smile as she waved goodbye to him, Palmon copying the gesture. Gomamon gave a big exaggerated wave to Joe’s own timid one, and as she went further down the street, she couldn’t help but feel relieved that he couldn’t see her.

“See Mimi, he really wanted to see you!” Palmon said once they turned the corner.

Gomamon’s last comment was seared into her mind. He wasn’t googly-eyed about her, he was googly-eyed about Manami.

“Yeah…” she said, a gentle sigh falling from her lips. Despite the spring, the air around her felt cold. She wrapped her arms around herself and shivered, remaining quiet on the rest of the walk home.

***

Thankfully the trip back didn’t take all that long, even at the slow pace she and Palmon were going. Her eyes glanced towards the playground right next to her building, a bitter taste in her mouth as she thought about just a few days ago. She wondered if it would ever go away when she walked by here. A whole high school career having to walk by the playground she got rejected at by the love of her life didn’t sound great. The creaking of the swing’s chains almost sounded like a taunting laugh. Mimi clenched her eyes shut and reached for Palmon’s frond, finding comfort in holding her partner’s hand.

Her pace sped up and she pulled Palmon along inside, finally able to open her eyes and breathe a sigh of relief. A weight lifted off her shoulders now that she was standing by the elevators. She pressed the button and her shoulders slumped. As soon as they got home and she said hi to her parents, she knew she and Palmon deserved a nap.

The elevator dinged and the doors opened, and her and Palmon slowly stepped in. Mimi hit the button and leaned against the side, allowing herself to deflate.

“Hold the elevator, please!”

Mimi perked up as soon as she heard that shout, and instantly hit the button to keep the doors open. Just a moment later, Manami appeared, gasping for breath. Once she saw Mimi she straightened up and smiled, adjusting her glasses as she did so.

“Oh, hi Mimi, hi Palmon,” she said, taking a big step into the elevator, then dropped the grocery bags she was carrying, “Thanks.”

“Oh, no problem,” she said, offering the other a tight smile, while Palmon waved happily. All of the awkwardness she felt when talking with Joe and all of the sadness she felt looking at that little playground came flooding back.

“How’re you both?” Manami asked, still catching her breath as the elevator shifted and then started to ascend.

“I’m good!” Palmon said simply, her voice bright as always.

“Oh, I’m alright. I was just out with some friends,” she said, “How’re you? That seems like a lot of groceries.”

Her eyes trailed down to the five or six plastic bags that were stuffed to the brim and resting on the floor. Manami nodded.

“Oh, yeah, I was hanging out with Joe but he had to go so I just went to pick up a bunch of stuff my mom needs for dinner.”

“She was with Joe?”

“O-Oh,” Mimi choked out, “Was everything ok?”

Mimi felt her heart pound in her ears, everything else falling away as she waited for Manami’s answer with bated breath.

“I’m sure it was. He just got a text and said he had to go. Maybe he had to help his family with something,” Manami shrugged. Mimi prayed Palmon wouldn’t say anything, but thankfully her partner didn’t speak up about it.

He… he left his day with Manami… to check on her?

“Did you two have fun at least?” Mimi asked, her eyes darting over to see the floor ticking up painfully slow.

“Oh, yeah. School is usually so busy that we don’t have a ton of time to hang out together out of it, so it’s been nice to spend extra time together before it starts back up again,” Manami smiled.

“Oh, I can’t even imagine. Joe’s always been so focused on school as long as I’ve known him,” Mimi said.

“Well, it’s our last year to worry about that, at least,” Manami said. Next year, Joe would be off at some nice university with his girlfriend and she’d be left behind. The thought left her nauseous.

Her thoughts went right back to what Manami said a few moments ago… he was so worried about her that he left his date to make sure she was ok?

Ding!

Did it mean something? It had to… right? Was she just holding out too much hope that maybe something good could come from all of this?

“Mimi?”

Mimi blinked, then looked down at her partner, who pointed towards the door.

“We’re on our floor!” Palmon said. Manami was already out of the door, once again carrying the ton of groceries she brought along. Mimi stepped out of the elevator and Palmon followed, and the two walked in step with Manami until they reached the Tachikawa’s front door.

“It was nice seeing you, Mimi! And you too, Palmon!” Manami said.

“Bye bye!” Palmon said, waving goodbye as Manami hurried over to her own apartment.

“Bye,” Mimi said, waving weakly as she watched the other girl head inside.

“How’re you feeling, Mimi?” Palmon asked.

Mimi placed a hand over her heart as she continued to stare at the spot Manami had been.

She still wanted to fight. She had to. Those drunken thoughts from last night were her true feelings, and though she knew she couldn’t say it out loud, she couldn’t deny it.

“…I think I’m starting to feel a lot more hopeful about things.”

#campdigimonth2024 #Digimon #Mimi Tachikawa #Jou Kido #Jyoumi #Joe Kido #Kido Jou #Tachikawa Mimi #digimon fanfiction #sloanefics

[sloanerisette]

How To Win Your Senpai In 10 Days Chapter 4

Happy Odaiba Day!

Really wanted to get an update for my Jyoumi romcom fic out today, and I managed to do it! It's awesome to see so much Digimon love and I'm going to add onto it! I love Digimon, and I love this fic and I'm so happy to share the Jyoumi AND the Digimon love!

Chapter Summary: Hoping to get her idol to feel better, Yolei plans a night for her, Mimi, Sora, and Kari. Of course, being Yolei Inoue, she's got a lot more in store. Spurred on by the night's events, Mimi gets an idea in mind with what she wants to do with everything that's happened the past few days.

If you want to check out the whole fic, you can do so on AO3 here!

I hope you all enjoy!

---

She may have been able to hold back her tears on the car ride home with Joe and Manami yesterday, but she certainly couldn’t that night. She told her mother and father about her heartbreak the day before and how it had gotten even worse that afternoon. No matter what soothing words or hugs they gave her, though, it didn’t help. Mimi wasn’t sure what would help at that point.

Yolei had the big idea for a girl’s night the next night, reviving the DigiDestined Girls group text after a month and a half to present the idea. Her parents were gone visiting some family for a few days, which left the Inoue apartment the perfect place for them all to gather. As much as she was looking forward to more time with her friends, a part of her couldn’t help but wonder if they were trying to look after her and make sure she was doing alright. Still, the thought brought a smile to her face and she nearly immediately replied that she was in.

But even the excitement of girl’s night couldn’t get Mimi up bright and early, instead holding onto Palmon as she laid in bed, feeling the slightest hint of relief at having her Digimon there with her. If it was up to her, she would’ve stayed in bed and lazed about in her pajamas, and at most she would’ve gone out to watch some dramas with her mother and cry her heart out some more.

Both her mother and Palmon insisted that she take a long bath, put on a face mask, and then get dressed up in something cute and fun for girl’s night. She went along with it with a weak smile, not entirely feeling it as she sat in the bath on her phone, checking with Yolei to see if there was anything she wanted her to bring.

“Just your beautiful, perfect, stunning self!” was the text she received back.

“But also, an overnight bag! I’ve got everything else covered!”

So there wouldn’t be any fancy cookies from her, she was sure the others would understand given the circumstances.

She allowed herself to soak for just a few extra minutes, half tempted to fall asleep in the warm water, but once the alarm on her phone went off, she got out to get ready.

“Are you feeling any better, Mimi?” Palmon asked as Mimi looked through her drawers to find some cute pajamas.

“…Not entirely,” she admitted with a long sigh, shaking her head after. It was the easiest way to tell Palmon without breaking her poor Digimon’s heart. She knew she had to be honest, but there was no point in making her partner feel worse about Mimi not feeling great.

Palmon let out a quiet whine before she popped off the bed, throwing her fronds into the air.

“You know, I bet whatever Yolei has planned will help!”

Mimi sucked in a quiet breath and put on a smile as she turned to look at her partner, hoping to seem brighter than she felt.

“Definitely!” she chirped, before taking the pink tank top she was holding and shoving it into her duffel bag. After that she tossed in some nice pink pajama pants and hoisted the bag over her shoulder, giving Palmon a thumbs up.

“You ready to go?” Mimi asked.

“Yeah!”

With a quick goodbye to her parents and the promise to text as soon as she got there, Mimi and Palmon made their way to the Inoue apartment. It felt strange to be out with Palmon as normal, but with how so much of the world had been exposed to Digimon over the past couple of years, she was glad she didn’t have to hide her partner or pretend she was just a stuffed toy anymore. It was especially heartwarming to see all the kids who seemed so fascinated by Palmon and asked them about Digimon.

It was these little things that made her heart feel so much bigger despite all the pain that dwelt just underneath the surface. And it was enough to help distract Palmon from needing to worry about her on the rest of the trip to Yolei’s. As she got ready to take the elevator up, she started to feel excited. Excited and, honestly, a bit anxious. Were they going to fret over her constantly? Were they going to look at her all sad because of Joe and Manami? Were they—

“Hey! Mimi! Palmon!”

Mimi’s head whipped around in an instant, and she blinked a few times before her eyes trained on Kari and Gatomon.

“Oh, Kari, it’s great to see you!” Mimi cooed as the younger girl jogged over to her to catch up to the two of them. Kari wasted no time in wrapping Mimi in a hug, and while Palmon joined in, Gatomon gracefully jumped off Kari’s shoulder and onto the ground.

“You just saw me yesterday! You saw both of us!” Kari laughed.

“I know, I know,” Mimi said, the two finally letting go of each other, “I guess I’m still not used to being back yet.”

“I’m sure you’ll adjust soon enough. I imagine your internal schedule must still be pretty off, huh?” Kari asked.

“Oh, you have no idea,” Mimi sighed, “I’ve been making sure to stay up at normal hours, but it isn’t easy.”

Granted, part of that was because of how low she felt and how nice lying in bed in the dark was.

“If it was me I’d definitely be taking plenty of cat naps,” Gatomon added, before jumping up to hit the elevator button with a claw.

“It’s been tempting,” Mimi said between giggles.

“Well, hopefully Yolei doesn’t put you through the wringer tonight,” Kari said.

“I’m sure she’s planning on going all out,” Mimi said.

Knowing Yolei, anything could happen tonight. As much as she was looking forward to it, she only hoped it would be something fun and relaxing, since she didn't have the energy for anything too wild. Still, she needed to be prepared for anything.

The elevator finally dinged and its doors opened, and after letting Kari and Gatomon go first, Mimi sucked in a deep breath as she and Palmon followed.

***

As soon as they got there, they saw Sora waiting at the door, and the sight of yet another friend left Mimi’s heart feeling just a touch lighter.

Biyomon flapped her arms happily as the girls and their partners came over, and before any greetings could be exchanged, the door swung open and Yolei greeted them all with a wide smile.

“My favorite ladies!” she said, gesturing for them all to walk in, and following up with a hug as each of them passed by.

Hawkmon was in the kitchen pouring himself a mug of tea, letting out a sigh of relief as he walked out.

“Hey Hawkmon, are you here to chaperone us tonight?” Sora asked.

“Well, we never know what Yolei might drag you all into, so I imagine my presence tonight might be useful in case she decides to go too far,” Hawkmon said. He let out a quiet hum after and then took a drink of his tea. He gave Yolei an almost knowing look before walking off to the living room.

Kari quirked an eyebrow before she slowly looked at Yolei.

“Should we be worried?” she asked. Yolei waved a hand to dismiss her concerns.

“Nooooo, no no no! I just want us all to have a fun, chill night!” she insisted, though the unspoken “for Mimi” lingered in the air. “Don’t you trust me?”

Sora fixed Yolei with a hard stare, hoping that it would help reveal any secrets that her junior might be keeping. Despite the awkward, almost anxious grin on her face in response, she remained silent. Mimi clapped her hands together after a moment to break the silence.

“Well I can’t wait! Thanks for inviting us over, Yolei,” Mimi smiled.

“Now all of you, go into the living room! I’m gonna get a few things from the kitchen,” she winked before padding off. The remaining three girls shared confused looks as they heard Yolei rifling around. Kari started to walk ahead of Sora and Mimi, at which Sora turned to look at Mimi.

“Hey… are you doing ok? After yesterday?” she whispered.

Mimi looked down, unable to help the frown on her face. “I’m… managing,” she said, voice quiet and shaking, before she sucked in a sharp breath. It was a lie she hoped to convince Sora of, but it was dashed once tears started to well up in her eyes. Sora grimaced.

“Mimi…”

Mimi wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and shook her head, “No no, I’m fine, really. Honest,” she said, doing her best to force a smile. Both Palmon and Biyomon looked up with clear worry on their faces.

Palmon reached a frond up to Mimi’s hand to hold gently in hopes of soothing her partner even a bit. It helped a bit, but Mimi still felt her heart ache as each little moment from yesterday’s picnic played over and over in her head.

Mimi held on tight to Palmon’s frond as they made their way into the living room, and Mimi wasted no time as she curled up onto one end of the couch, tucking her feet under her as she looked at the small TV. It was off right now, and her dim reflection looking back at her.

Kari and Sora looked at each other, neither of them quite sure what to say to Mimi in those moments. The silence was soon gone in favor of drawers being opened and slammed shut at a rapid rate. Kari cringed as she could only begin to imagine what could be happening back there.

“Almost…! Ready…!” Yolei called out from the kitchen, and Hawkmon sighed from behind his cup. Sora looked over at Kari.

“So… how’re you, Kari?”

“Oh! I’m good. Not entirely looking forward to school starting…” she sighed, “I’m glad that we’ve all had so much time to hang out.”

That was enough to bring a slight smile to Mimi’s face as she continued to stare off into the distance. It was small, but between the airport, tonight, and even the picnic, she had been able to see her friends more than she had throughout most of the time she lived in New York.

“Oooookaaaaaay! We’re gonna have a killer night!” Yolei whooped. The three girls and their Digimon partners all turned to see Yolei walking over with two wine bottles in one hand and a mess of wine glasses in the other. Sora’s eyes went wide instantly, and she shot up from the other end of the couch.

“Yolei, no!” she shouted, though she didn’t seem deterred in the slightest.

“Yessss!” she shot back with a wide grin.

“Yolei,” Kari sighed, shaking her head.

“Come on! It’ll be fun!” Yolei insisted. “There’s no parents here, it’s just us girls, no harm done!” Yolei shrugged as she walked over to set what she had so far on the coffee table, before she padded back to the kitchen without so much as pausing for a breath.

Sora sighed and started to massage her temples.

“I had a feeling she had something planned,” Hawkmon mumbled.

“We should have expected it,” Kari deadpanned.

“I can hear you guys, you know!”

The freezer slammed shut, and moments later Yolei walked back with some pints of ice cream and spoons.

Mimi blinked as she took it all in. Her friends, wine, and ice cream… right now, with how low she was feeling, she couldn’t have asked for anything else.

Without a word, Mimi reached forward, flipped open the lid of one— chocolate chocolate chip— and jabbed a spoon into it.

“See, Mimi is up for it!” Yolei said with a wild gesture towards her.

“Mimi…” Sora said with a frown.

It dawned on Mimi in those moments that Yolei had probably planned this what with how prepared she seemed to be. As much as she appreciated her junior’s consideration, she also felt bad that things seemed bad enough that Yolei felt the need to go all out for this.

At the same time, wine sounded so good right that she couldn’t complain too badly. As she waited for the ice cream to thaw a little bit more, she leaned forward and grabbed the glass. She saw the look Sora gave her and offered her a weak smile.

“I think I’ve earned a little wine by now, right?” she said. Sora’s look softened a bit and she sighed.

“You aren’t wrong. Let’s just… be responsible with it, ok?”

“We will!” Yolei insisted, popping a corkscrew into one of the wine bottles.

“Sora, are you sure about this?” Kari asked, looking over at her pleadingly.

“No, not entirely, but I know that there’s no use in trying to stop Yolei when she has her mind set to something,” Sora said as she gestured to Yolei, who pulled the cork out and started to pour the first glass for Mimi.

Kari sighed again and shook her head before she took a seat on one of the nearby chairs.

“Look, that’s why it’s a girl’s night sleepover!” Yolei said, now working on pouring a third glass, “We drink, have ice cream, bitch about everything that’s bothering us, and then we sleep it off! Everyone wins!”

“Well what about us?” Gatomon asked.

“I have a bunch of snacks in the kitchen. Especially those fish crackers you like so much, Gatomon,” Yolei offered with a wink.

Gatomon looked from Kari, to Yolei, then back to Kari. After a moment she hopped off of Kari’s lap and started walking to the kitchen without a word.

“Just one glass of wine, Yolei!” Kari insisted. Yolei grinned.

“Ok, ok! Just one glass for you!” Yolei said, pleased by her victory.

At that point, Mimi grabbed her glass and took a long drink, letting out a sigh of contentment after.

“I needed that so much, thank you Yolei,” she said, voice wavering and eyes watering. Palmon pulled Mimi into a hug, nearly causing some of the dark red liquid to spill onto the couch.

“Mimi, I’m so sorry about how sad you’ve been feeling!” Palmon cried.

“Me, too… I know things weren’t great yesterday,” Sora said.

Mimi stared off at her reflection on the TV again. She didn’t want to think about that picnic, yet it was all she could keep her mind on, even now.

“Well, I still think he’s an idiot for choosing someone else over you,” Yolei said, with a shrug, before grabbing her glass to take a drink, “I know I said it yesterday, but like, I would be lucky if I could date Mimi.”

“…He really should have told you. I know he doesn’t owe us that, but it just doesn’t make sense that he wouldn’t say anything,” Kari frowned.

“I didn’t even realize he never said anything,” Sora said, pinching the bridge of her nose, “If I had known I would’ve let you know, Mimi.”

“No, it’s ok Sora, really. Like you said, you didn’t know,” Mimi insisted, before taking another long drink. Once she finally pulled it from her lips, it was nearly empty, and Yolei wasted no time in filling it back up, nearly to the rim. Sora cleared her throat loudly, causing Yolei to duck her head, flushing from embarrassment as an awkward laugh bubbled from her throat.

“If it’s anyone’s fault, it’s Joe! Stupid Joe,” Yolei grumbled as she took her glass again, swirling the liquid in it before she took another sip.

“He’s not stupid,” Mimi said, swallowing down some nausea as an image of him and Minami flashed in her mind.

“You don’t need to defend him,” Yolei said, “He hurt you! You’re allowed to be mad at him! Right?” she asked, looking over her shoulder at Kari, who glanced away.

“Right?” Yolei asked again, this time looking over at Sora, who, too, remained silent. Yolei let out a long, frustrated sigh, then looked down at Hawkmon, “Right!?”

Hawkmon folded his arms, then after a moment, nodded sagely, “Though I don’t believe it would be right to take it out on Joe, I believe Yolei is right in her general point.”

Yolei’s jaw dropped in shock, “Wait, you’re agreeing with me?”

“To an extent, yes. I believe Mimi is allowed to be frustrated if that’s how she feels, though, like I said, I don’t believe it would be right to take it out on him. Nor is it right for you to try and egg Mimi on to be mad at him.”

“I’m not!” Yolei shouted.

“I would never take it out on him,” Mimi said, taking another sip, “I’m not sure if I do feel mad at him…”

“How are you feeling about it all?” Kari asked, “If you want to talk about it of course.”

“Yeah! Come on, have some ice cream, too!” Yolei said, before lowering herself on the ground next to the chair Kari was sitting in, taking another drink as she looked up at her senior on the couch.

Mimi pursed her lips, trying to focus on looking at the wine as opposed to any of her friends or the Digimon.

“I know that he doesn’t owe me a relationship or anything, but I still feel heartbroken,” Mimi finally spoke up, feeling herself grow closer and closer to crying.

“Mimi…” Palmon whined sadly, still holding onto her partner.

Mimi set her wine glass after taking another sip, then folded her hands together in her lap.

“I just thought after all this time I’d come back and it would be this incredible moment and it just… wasn’t.” She began to wring her hands together anxiously, “I poured my heart out to him about how I’ve loved him for so long and how I was so ready for us to start going out now that I was back.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Kari said. Mimi sniffled, barely holding back tears.

“I-It’s ok,” Mimi said, voice shaking, swallowing down a lump in her throat. It was getting harder and harder to resist breaking down the more she talked about it, but at the same time, all she wanted was to talk about this. A part of her wanted to cry about it, especially after yesterday. Even if she said it was ok, it wasn’t. Not with how much her heart had been aching since then, and especially now.

Mimi was quiet for a moment, then reached forward to grab the ice cream container she had stabbed a spoon into earlier, now soft enough to eat, and took a big scoop to eat.

“Oh this is sooooooo goooood,” she groaned, sinking into the couch a bit more as she took another spoonful to eat.

“Well, what are the rest of us waiting for? Girl’s night! Girl’s night!” Yolei shouted, following it up with a loud whoop.

As opposed to the wine, Kari was quick to grab one of the containers of ice cream, wasting no time digging in. Sora eyed the wine, and when Yolei caught sight of it, a large grin grew on her face.

“C’moooooon Sora, it’ll be fuuuuuuun!” Yolei said in a sing-song voice, waiting with bated breath to see if her senior would indulge with her and Mimi. Sora closed her eyes, silently contemplating for a few moments, then grabbed a glass and took a sip.

The sight left Yolei and Mimi surprised, and the loud cheer Yolei made left Mimi unable to help but burst into giggles.

Yolei dropped down onto the middle of the couch, wine nearly flying out from her glass from the suddenness of it, and took a long drink as she, too, sank into the cushions.

“Girl’s night is already so fun,” Yolei grinned.

***

The group had changed into their pajamas a while ago, just after they had first started the “festivities,” but despite the comfy, bright pajamas Mimi had on, her mood was anything but. All she wanted was to cry and languish.

One bottle of wine just had a last few drops while the other had maybe a glass left in it. Three pints of ice cream were decimated, with Mimi cradling one in her arms and Yolei and Kari sharing one more. A few bags of chips had been broken out, with Sora reaching for another handful from inside a crumpled bag that was nearly empty.

Kari’s single glass of wine was nearly finished, and she had slunk onto the floor, face bright red from the alcohol, unable to stop the giggles she burst into every so often.

Sora had managed to finish her glass, and though she was more collected than Tai’s younger sister, she was still feeling a little woozy, trying to do all she could to try and (fruitlessly) soak up the alcohol.

“If we’re being honest,” Yolei said, swirling the wine in her glass a little too hard, nearly causing it to fly out, “What’s so great about him anyways?”

“Nooo, he’s wonderful!” Mimi cried, putting a hand to her heart.

That didn’t deter Yolei, though. “I’m just saying, he’s not even that handsome. You could do waaaaaaay better!”

“Yolei!” Kari shouted. Yolei whipped around to face her.

“He is handsome, though! He’s so tall and adorable and he’s got that awkward charm and his glasses are cute and oh my GOD when he had long hair!” Mimi gushed, the words messily spilling from her tongue as the tears welled up in her eyes again.

“Oh, Mimi…” Sora frowned. She shot Yolei a look, and Yolei ducked her head.

“I was just trying to help! Mimi should know she’s the ultimate catch! She could get anyone she wants!”

“But I just want Jooooooe!” Mimi sobbed as the waterworks began and the tears broke through, unable to be held back any longer. “He’s so perfect and I love him and I don’t want anyone else!”

“But you could do so much better and he needs to realize what he missed out on!” Yolei said.

“Yolei, I really don’t think this is going to work,” Kari whispered.

“I’m just trying to help her feel better!” Yolei whisper-shouted. However, Mimi was back to sniffling.

“But he’s p-p-perfect for me…” Mimi said, voice tight, before more tears began to spill.

She truly believed it. Sure, she was young, but she wanted to believe in true love. In the idea that she and Joe were meant to be. It made it all the harder to accept that this was how it turned out.

The room fell silent as Mimi started to cry again. After a minute, she grabbed her glass again.

“I mean I just don’t think it’s fair!” Mimi cried out suddenly, her words starting to slur together as she took another gulp of wine.

“No, no, you’re totally right!” Yolei said, hiccuping when she paused for a breath, “It’s not fair and you’re sooooooo right to say it!”

“I mean, just, it’s us, right?” she asked loudly. “It’s always been us! Ever since we went to the Digital World! He was always there for me, and— and I was there for him, and—”

“…You’re not wrong,” Sora said as she crunched on some chips.

“See!”

Yolei leaned over to grab a spoonful from the pint her and Kari were sharing, letting the spoon rest in her mouth.

“That’s why I’m saying you need to fight for him!” Yolei shouted. Kari cringed at the sudden increase in volume.

“Yolei! You said you wouldn’t encourage Mimi to get between them!” Kari chided. Yolei’s exaggerated shrug nearly knocked the spoon from Kari’s hand.

“But wouldn’t you want someone to fight for you? I would! Just think about how romantic that would be!” Yolei insisted. Sora shook her head, clenching her eyes shut as she suddenly felt a wave of dizziness hit her.

“I mean…” Kari mumbled.

“Just imagine! TK and Davis and that guy you talked about who’s in your math class fighting for your affection! Wouldn’t you love that?”

Kari let out a squeak as she covered her mouth, her face reddening even more, if such a thing were possible.

Sora’s eyes widened and she couldn’t help the teasing smile that quickly grew on her features.

“A boy in your math class? Does Tai know about this?” she asked.

“No!” she shouted, the word muffled by her hands. Yolei was cracking up, and even Mimi couldn’t help but feel the slightest bit better (and distracted) by the way they were teasing Kari.

“It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that you have everyone fawning over you,” Yolei shrugged.

“She’s right! You’re so adorable, Kari! You’re going to be a real heartbreaker soon,” Mimi said with a wink. She was still teary, still ping-ponging between feeling good and feeling miserable, and even though she knew the alcohol wasn’t helping, she couldn’t help but want to drink. Partly to feel better, but mostly to try and push down those bad feelings by any means possible.

Kari let out a groan as she buried her face in her hands, mortified to a degree which she never had been before.

“Well, clearly Kari likes that idea, no matter what she says,” Yolei grinned, taking a spoonful of ice cream for herself. She washed it down with a gulp of wine, before turning her attention to Sora.

“And Sora, wouldn’t you just loooove for Matt to fight for you?” Yolei asked. Sora rolled her eyes.

“That’s different and you know it,” Sora sighed.

“How so?”

“Because we’re dating! That’s completely different! He would be fighting for his girlfriend! Not fighting for someone who he isn’t in a relationship with!”

The reminder that she wasn’t in a relationship with Joe caused her face to crumple again, and she fell into another bout of sobs, finding solace in another large spoonful of ice cream.

“Mimi, don’t cry,” Sora frowned, “It’ll get better soon.”

“I don’t want it to get better soon,” she said between sniffles, “I want it to get better now!”

She wanted her heart to stop aching constantly.

She didn’t want the thought of seeing Joe to be the most awkward thing in the world.

And she wanted her time back in Japan to actually be happy, and not completely miserable.

Her spoon hit the bottom of the pint with a dull thud, the sound only compounding her sorrow.

Sora crawled along the couch and wrapped her arms around Mimi in a tight hug.

Mimi’s body continued to shake as she sobbed, and both Kari and Yolei stumbled over to the couch to join in.

“I just…!” she sniffled, “I just wanna hold his hand, and-and give him kisses when we meet after school, and hold him, and…!”

Mimi burst into another loud sob, body shaking as those images flashed in her mind, so close, but just out of reach.

“Can I have one more glass, please?” Mimi asked as her friends finally pulled away.

“Mimi, I don’t know if that’s a good idea…” Sora said.

“It’s Mimi’s night! I mean, it’s all of our night but it’s also Mimi’s night! If she wants more wine she gets more wine!” Yolei said. She took the bottle and poured the last of it out into Mimi’s glass. Mimi shifted up in her seat and took a sip.

“Thanks.”

“Look, all I’m saying is I just think Mimi would be in the right if she wanted to get Joe back,” Yolei said.

“It’s not getting him back though, Yolei,” Sora said, “Don’t encourage it!”

Yolei folded her arms, “Well, we know Mimi, but we don’t know Manami! Don’t you want to root for Mimi? Don’t you guys want her to win?”

“It’s not about winning or losing…” Kari told her.

“Yolei, I appreciate it, but…” Mimi trailed off, looking down at the little bit of liquid remaining in her glass.

“Maybe I just… lost my chance,” she finally said, tears running down her cheeks. She continued to look down at her wine as the other girls looked at her with rapt attention. “Maybe I should’ve told him sooner and seen if he wanted to try to date long distance, or… or something.”

No matter how much both Yolei’s voice and her own rang in the back of her mind that she should “fight for her man,” Sora and Kari were right.

“I could never try and tear them apart or get in the middle of it. I want him to be happy.”

But that still didn’t stop the voice. Even if she insisted that yesterday, too, it couldn’t stop that feeling from lingering deep inside.

Sora set a gentle hand on Mimi’s shoulder, “I’m proud of you, Mimi,” she said. Mimi mustered up a weak smile in response.

“Thanks…”

The way her stomach churned unsettled her, and she downed the last gulp of wine, setting the glass down with a shaky hand.

All she had left was some ice cream that was slowly starting to melt.

Kari started to talk to Yolei about her insistence she would want guys to fight for her, unable to help but burst into giggles again partway through, and Mimi fell silent, slowly sipping away at her glass.

She deserved to be happy, too. She deserved to have that chance with Joe. If it didn’t work out, then that was one thing, but she never— they never had a chance to see. As her friends talked and the night crept along more and more, the thought remained at the forefront of her mind.

When there was a lull in the conversation, Mimi managed to place the finally finished quart on the coffee table and shifted on the couch, now resting her head on the arm.

“Would you guys hate me if I did fight for him?” she asked.

“What?” Sora asked.

“Of course not! I’m totally here to cheer you on!” Yolei shouted.

That brought a small smile to Mimi’s face.

“Mimi, I thought you just said you wouldn’t,” Kari said.

“I know! I know, and I’m not saying I would, but like…” she trailed off. Her mind was spinning and it was getting harder to find the words she was looking for.

“What if, is all,” she said.

“…I wouldn’t hate you if you did that, but I would be upset that you decided to do it, especially after you said you wouldn’t,” Sora told her.

“I don’t think any of us could ever hate you, Mimi,” Kari nodded, “But… I would probably feel the same as Sora,” she cringed.

“O-Ok…” she said slowly.

It hurt, but it wasn’t like she could blame them for feeling that way. Maybe she would feel the same way if she actually did try and fight for him and win him over. But at the same time, she just wasn’t sure if she could sit and wait and possibly never get her chance.

Mimi forced out a laugh and rubbed the back of her neck, “It’s probably just the alcohol talking!” she blurted out suddenly, “I’ve had so much to drink tonight.”

Sora shot a look at Yolei, who immediately looked away.

She didn’t exactly feel that way, though. No, she was starting to get stuck on the idea that fighting for Joe was the right thing. She couldn’t help it, she didn’t want to hurt anyone, but she couldn’t stop that idealist nature leading her to think about something so happy and idyllic. For now, she was able to keep the thoughts of Joe being angry at her, hurting him and Manami, and how this could ruin her most valued friendships just out of mind.

“Maybe we should get some sleep. I can go grab some pillows and blankets in the closet,” Yolei said as she managed to push herself to her feet, teetering in place before she managed to get her balance.

“Just don’t wake the Digimon!” Kari said.

“I won’t, I’ll be right back!” Yolei said before she stumbled off to the hallway.

“I’ll go with her just in case she’s too drunk,” Sora said, before getting up and slowly following Yolei down the hall.

Mimi looked over to Kari, unable to help but smile gently.

“How are you holding up for your first time drinking?” she asked.

“Well the room is still kind of spinning so… maybe ok? I could probably be doing a lot worse, I think.”

“Don’t worry, it’ll be worse in the morning,” Mimi chuckled, “I remember my first time drinking. And my first hangover, ugh,” she groaned.

“I’m not looking forward to it,” Kari said, closing her eyes to try and stop the room from moving around so much.

“We’ll get you something in the morning to eat to help. Don’t worry, I won’t leave my girls out to dry.”

“Thanks, Mimi.”

“Of course, sweetie. Oh, and the number one piece of advice I always hear: don’t text while drinking or drunk. Especially not someone you like.”

“I-I think I can do my best to manage that, I mean I don’t have anyone who would even fit that!” Kari said, letting out an awkward laugh as her eyes darted anywhere but at Mimi.

“Don’t worry, my lips are sealed.”

It wasn’t long until Yolei and Sora came stumbling back in, arms so full of pillows and blankets they could barely see past them. Yolei tossed the blankets on the floor and put her hands on her hips.

“Our partners are somehow sleeping soundly, so I think that’s a sign we should, too,” Sora said, craning her neck over to see the clock, seeing it was well after midnight.

“That’s a good idea. I could really use it,” Yolei sighed, as she moved the coffee table out of the way.

Even with the combined effort of the four girls, it took over fifteen minutes to get the blankets and pillows spread out.

“Thanks for tonight, Yolei, this was great,” Mimi said as she pulled a blanket over her, snuggling against her pillow.

“Anytime,” Yolei said, “We need to do another one of these soon.”

“Yeah,” Sora agreed, letting out a gentle hum as she closed her eyes, “Hopefully with less wine, though.”

The girls tittered for a moment, and Mimi rolled over on her side, pawing for her phone which fell between the couch cushions. When she finally grabbed it, she hid it under her blanket to make sure no one would see, and began slowly tapping away a text.

[Tachikawa Mimi]: Heyyyy!

[Tachikawa Mimi]: Hope yuo had a good day!

[Tachikawa Mimi]: Wana hang soon?

[Tachikawa Mimi]: Txt me whenevr!

[Tachikawa Mimi]: Its late tho sry good nihgt! lol

Mimi gently set the phone back on the couch, and as she closed her eyes and began to slowly fade off to sleep, she couldn’t help but feel a little bit better. Maybe sober her in the morning would feel different, but for now, she had a plan, and she was ready.

#Digimon #Digimon Adventure #Jyoumi #Joe Kido #Jou Kido #Kido Jou #Mimi Tachikawa #Tachikawa Mimi #fanfiction #digimon fanfiction #sloanefics

[sloanerisette]

To Have and To Hold From This Day Forward: Chapter 2 - You Make Me Feel Warm

My second entry for Miyakari Autumn! I still plan on working on the last two and will hopefully have those posted in December! I have some good ideas but I need to make them clearer and have the time to actually work on them.

This one is a little bit shorter because I worked with a writing/dialogue exercise I saw and wanted to test myself when it came to limitations/strict guidelines in writing a piece, so I'm really nervous about it, but I hope you all enjoy! And thank you again to @sluggybasson107 and @digitalworldbound for putting on this wonderful event and letting me be sapphic as hell with my writing <3

Summary: This is just but one stop in the long road that is and will be Kari and Yolei's life: their honeymoon.

You can also find the whole thing on AO3 here!

---

“You’re still looking at the lights?”

Kari looked over her shoulder, her smile soft and warm as she locked eyes with Yolei. She nodded to the balcony, still leaning against the railing despite the light dusting of snow.

“They are pretty beautiful,” Yolei said simply, settling next to her wife. She stared out at the bustling city that stretched out for miles, all lit up for the holidays.

“I kind of want to just stand out here all night and watch. It’s so over the top compared to home,” she said, her eyes sweeping over what seemed like a forest of trees all lit up in reds, yellows, and blues.

“You’re right.” Yolei had traveled to plenty of places during her university years, but there were few places that were as grand a spectacle in the winter as New York.

“Coming here was a great idea,” Kari said, letting out a content sigh.

Yolei hummed in agreement.

“It’s been a great honeymoon,” Kari smiled, angling her head to get a better look at Yolei, offering her that same, trademark smile that always caused butterflies to swarm around in her stomach. Even after so many years, it still had that effect on her. She wondered if Kari still had that same feeling with her even now.

Yolei leaned into Kari, who nuzzled into Yolei’s arm.

“I remember when we got serious… I wracked my brain thinking of where I’d want to suggest for our honeymoon,” Yolei admitted, her cheeks starting to burn a deep crimson as she glanced away.

“So you decided to take us to the busiest city in two worlds,” Kari teased gently. Yolei couldn’t help but blush as she stared ahead.

A beat of silence drowned the world out, then Yolei swallowed hard, “Did you ever expect to end up here when we first met?” she asked, hoping the light tone of her voice undercut the seriousness of her question.

“I used to believe I’d end up in a similar place. That one day I would get married, have a child, and teach when I didn’t need to stay home all day,” Kari explained.

A taxi driver laid on their horn, sound blaring through the borough, rising all the way up to their hotel room, and it mingled with English Christmas songs that were playing from an old, tinny speaker at a corner store.

“But you’re happy that it’s us, right?” Yolei suddenly blurted out.

Kari smiled, a light pink dusting her own cheeks as she looked down at her wedding ring to admire it. She twisted it with her right index finger and thumb, her smile growing the whole time.

Yolei sighed, “I wish I didn’t think like this, but I can’t really help it. I guess part of me still thinks about the past and how we started out. And then I can’t help but feel like… I don’t know, maybe I don’t deserve this?” Her stomach turned and she was unable to look Kari in the eyes at that moment, as tears started to glisten in her own.

Kari reached for Yolei’s left hand with her own, their rings gently clinking together, then looked at her, “You never have to worry, because I’m always going to be glad that I have you by my side for better or worse,” she told her, her voice a whisper that was nearly drowned out by the sounds of the city. Kari wanted Yolei to be the only one to hear it, though.

Yolei cradled Kari’s cheek with her free hand, then closed her eyes and leaned in to gently and lovingly kiss her.

#fallingformiyakari #miyakari autumn #miyakari #miyako inoue #hikari yagami #digimon adventure 02 #sloanefics

[sloanerisette]

To Have And To Hold From This Day Forward - Chapter 3: Cold And Alone

Miyakari Autumn may have ended a few weeks ago, but I am still set on finishing this lil fic! This one is for the prompt "Cold and Alone" and I am SO excited to have it out because I've been working really hard at it!

Summary: For years, Kari has been tormented by forces of darkness that she can't even fully comprehend. Now, so many years later, and it's trying to claim her again to extinguish her light. But Yolei will be there to try and protect her wife, no matter what threatens the love of her life.

You can find the whole thing on AO3 here!

---

Work couldn’t end soon enough. As much as she loved working for Izumi Technologies, some days were incredibly tiring, there was so much to do, and all she wanted was to be back with her wife and kids and especially her wife.

Oh, how she missed her wife.

As she looked down at her phone while on the subway back to their neighborhood, one taken at their wedding, at the moment they shoved cake in each other’s faces, Yolei held a fond smile on her face and held back from tearing up. Even fifteen years later and there wasn’t a day she didn’t feel the same way as that fateful day. Hawkmon looked up at Yolei with a knowing smile in his eyes.

“It’ll be nice to get home and relax with our family, won’t it?” he asked.

Our family. A pair of words she still couldn’t believe at times. After the start they had, that she had, here they were, with a home and a family.

“I’ve been waiting all day,” Yolei said simply.

When the subway dinged, Yolei was quick to maneuver through the crowds, a spring in her step despite how tired she was. They’d have dinner and once the kids were in bed they’d cuddle up on the couch with some wine and snacks and continue one of those horrible American dating shows Yolei got caught up in during the brief time she stayed with Mimi during undergrad. It was the ultimate guilty pleasure, and the two frequently lamented how one lady was meant to pick out a partner between all sorts of men who clearly didn’t deserve her.

She was buzzing with excitement as she approached the door, having to hold back from squealing with delight. She swung the door open and popped in with the same dramatic flourish as always.

“Honeyyyyyyyy I’m home!”

…

Where was her beautiful wife to greet her?

Yolei’s smile quickly gave way to a deep frown as she slipped off her shoes and padded inside.

“Babe?” she called out as she craned her neck to look at her son and daughter watching TV, “Hey kids, where’s mom at?”

They remained distracted by the television for a few moments before their son Ichiro looked at her, a Nyaromon sitting in his lap, while a Poromon was nestled next to their daughter. Gatomon was curled up on the couch with her eyes closed.

“Oh, hey mom! Mom’s taking a nap,” he told her.

“A nap?” Yolei repeated quietly.

“Yeah! She picked us up and then said she wasn’t feeling good so she wanted to lie down before dinner,” their daughter Haruka added.

“I’m gonna go check on her real quick and then we’ll figure out dinner, ok?” she said. They both cheered, but despite that Yolei couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious. She wasn’t even sure why, but something in her gut left her on red alert. She barely processed Hawkmon peeling from her side to occupy the kids as she started to walk again. When she approached their bedroom door, she couldn’t help but hesitate for a second as she reached for the door knob.

Kari was feeling alright this morning… maybe it was some sort of 24 hour fever? It was the season, after all…

They were probably out of stuff after their kids both got sick a few weeks ago, too, so she’d have to pick stuff up…

Her mind was racing with thoughts of what to do, what might be wrong, and how to handle it all in that brief time before she opened the door. She held in a breath and slowly peeked inside to see Kari lying on her side, facing away from the door.

“Oh, baby…” Yolei frowned. She stepped in and closed the door behind her, “Kari, are you ok? Are you asleep?” Her voice was soft and gentle as concern creased her features.

“Mmmm’kay,” Kari mumbled, her voice barely audible. Yolei was straining to hear her and walked forward, rounding the bed and crouching down to look at Kari.

She seemed… mostly fine? Maybe a little paler than normal, although her eyes were tired, with thick, dark circles underlining them. Yolei’s mouth dropped open a bit.

“Are you sure? You look kinda rough,” Yolei whispered. At the very least, there was no trash can or mess nearby. She brought the back of her hand to her wife’s forehead, letting it rest there for a moment. It was something her mom and dad did when she was a kid to check for a fever, but frankly… Yolei couldn’t exactly tell. Was this supposed to be helpful?

“You don’t feel warm or anything,” she said.

Kari shook her head, “I’m ok, honest,” she breathed out, “Just not feeling that great. I was feeling kind of bad during the last half of the day but it got worse when we got home.”

“Oh, baby, I’m sorry. Look, I’ll take care of things tonight, ok? I can get dinner handled and take care of the kids,” she smiled, hoping the sight would help assuage some of her wife’s pain, “Is there anything you need?”

“Maybe something for a headache and a glass of water?”

“Of course. I’m on it, my perfect queen,” Yolei said, standing up and planting a gentle kiss on Kari’s temple, “I’ll be right back.” She snuck out of the room as quietly as she could so as to not disturb her wife, and closed the door behind her. As she let out a sigh, she saw everyone’s heads peeking around the corner. Yolei offered a smile as she walked over.

“Is mom ok?” Ichiro asked.

“Yeah, she’s just really tired and has a headache,” Yolei frowned, “I’m going to get her some water and then I’m going to pick us up some dinner.” Dinner… dinner… Where was there to get something quick? She could probably call for some delivery from Davis’s restaurant? Then she’d have to get Ichiro’s and Haruka’s orders and their son was still pretty picky at times…

“Yolei, are you ok?” Hawkmon asked as she leaned against the counter after pouring the glass of water for her wife. Yolei folded her arms and sighed.

“Yeah, I’m fine, Hawkmon. I think,” she paused for a beat, then another, “…I always just get anxious when one of us gets sick.”

Hawkmon gently patted Yolei’s knee, “There, there, my dear. Everything will be fine. Kari is strong, and you’ve heard the stories from her parents, right? She’s been through worse than a mere cold.” Hawkmon offered a smile. Yolei slowly broke from the deep frown both on her face and in her expression and returned a small smile in kind.

“You’re right, but I guess that’s just what has me so stressed,” she shrugged, “I’m just overthinking it.”

She grabbed a bottle of painkillers from the cupboard and grabbed it and the glass, “I’m going to pick up dinner for everyone after I drop this off, do you mind watching the kids while I’m gone?” she asked. Hawkmon saluted.

“Gladly!”

Yolei walked as quickly as she could back to their room without breaking into a run, and when she opened the door she saw Gatomon sitting next to Kari, gently rubbing her arm. Gatomon’s ears perked up and she turned to look at Yolei. Yolei once again rounded the bed and placed the water down. She opened the bottle and pulled out a pill.

“Still feeling rough?” she asked, voice low and soft. Kari nodded as best she could as she slowly pushed herself up and took it from her hand.

“Yeah… I’m probably just going to try and fall asleep after this,” she mumbled, then took a long drink of water.

“I’m gonna pick up some dinner, do you want me to get you anything?” Yolei asked. She reached to take one of Kari’s hands in her own, gently squeezing it. At the very least she wasn’t too warm or too cold. Honestly, it brought the same warmth and relief it always did. It helped loosen up the tension she had been feeling more and more by the second ever since she got home.

��No, I don’t really feel all that hungry,” she said with a shrug. Of course, that just meant Yolei would pick something up for her anyways and put it in the fridge in case her wife wanted a midnight snack. Yolei gave Kari’s hand one more squeeze, which Kari returned, mustering up a weak smile to offer her in hopes of assuaging her nerves. As much as Yolei appreciated it, and though she didn’t let it show on her face, it didn’t do all too much to help.

“Make sure you keep a close eye on her,” she said to Gatomon, shooting her a playful wink.

“Don’t worry, she’ll be perfectly safe.”

Yolei headed for the door, grabbing a jacket on the way out. As she passed by the living room, she pulled her phone from her pocket.

“Ok kiddos, Digimon, mama’s picking up curry, what do we want?” she asked as she opened up her notes app.

“Me and Poromon want katsu!”

“Oh, we want katsu, too!”

“As tempted as I am to branch from my usual choice, I think I will go with the katsu as well.”

They all talked at once, and it was only thanks to going through this type of situation so many times that she managed to catch it all. Lots of katsu, she would get a chicken cutlet for herself, seafood for Gatomon, and vegetable curry for Kari.

“Perfecto! Be good, I’ll be back soon!” she said with a wave before popping out of the apartment. If she kept her mood up, then she wouldn’t have as much reason to worry.

…That was what she tried to tell herself, at least. If she kept moving, kept herself focused on picking up on food, and kept her thoughts on anything but that anxiety gnawing at her, then she could make it through the night without much issue. The cold winter night nipped at her ears and clouded her glasses. She pulled them off and wiped them with her jacket’s sleeve when she got into the elevator.

Thankfully the curry place they frequented was only a few blocks away. Even if she wasn’t a fan of making the walk in this weather, the prospect of delicious curry and dinner with her family (even if it would be without her wonderful wife) left her chest feeling warm. The streets were still busy in the early evening, and people talking to each other or on their phones, advertisements playing on giant screens over various buildings, and music playing from stores and radios all helped drown out some of those errant thoughts that kept trying to poke at her more and more.

Christmas lights were starting to be put up on a few of the smaller restaurants and storefronts, and as Yolei gripped onto the phone in her pocket, thoughts of their honeymoon, of their first times taking their kids out to see Christmas lights and watching the wonders in their eyes, all filled her mind. Of going to Mimi’s Christmas parties and kissing under mistletoe that her idol would sneak her when no one else was looking.

As she reached the curry shop, someone opened the door and the delicious aroma of food wafted out. She took a large step to grab the door just in time and whipped in, unable to help but shiver as the warm air hit her body.

She checked her phone for any word from Kari, half-relieved and half-worried to see there was nothing from her. She could only hope that her wife was simply sleeping off her headache and exhaustion.

She droned off her order once she reached the front of the line, and stepped off to the side to let the next woman put her order in. She rocked on the balls of her feet and listened to the music playing as she waited for her food, and jumped when a loud pop song started blasting from her pocket.

“Sorry! Sorry!” she apologized to the other patrons and the staff who turned to look at her. Yolei tapped on her phone and brought it up to her ear.

“Hello?”

“Kari is missing!”

An iron hand gripped her heart as fear took over her body. Hawkmon’s words rang in her ears over and over as all of the air was pushed from her lungs. This couldn’t be happening. How could this be happening? The girl working the counter calling her order was distant to her as the world fell away around her. This felt like all of her worst nightmares come true. Hell, this was a nightmare she couldn’t have even begun to imagine.

“Yolei! Yolei, you need to get back here right now!”

“I… I…” she breathed out slowly, swallowing down a lump in her throat.

She wanted to scream. She was mere moments from screaming, and instead barely managed to hold back as she burst out of the restaurant and started sprinting back home, pushing through anyone and everyone who didn’t move out of her way. Her breathing was heavy with each stride she took down the streets. Her brain buzzed, louder and louder with each passing second, almost enough to cause her to collapse. She didn’t even think about how her phone call was still going, all that mattered was getting home. What she would do when she got there she had no idea, but it was the first step.

Nothing else mattered.

She had to get home.

She had to figure out what happened to Kari.

The elevator up was agonizingly long. If it wasn’t for the fact that it would be hell to go up a dozen flight of stairs or so to get to her floor in her boots, she would’ve sprinted her way up, taking the stairs three at a time. By the time the elevator reached her floor she was ready to claw through the door. Her hand fumbled in her purse as she tried to get her keys, and after a moment she finally slammed them into the lock and barreled through into the apartment.

Haruka and Ichiro were both on the verge of tears, with Ichiro struggling to hold back from sobbing as he started to sniffle loudly. Gatomon rounded the corner on all fours and skidded to a stop in front of Yolei. Hawkmon flew over to the entryway and Yolei knelt down.

“What happened? What do you mean Kari disappeared?” she asked, voice wavering as she did her best to try and keep it together. If she broke down then her kids wouldn’t be far behind. For now she had to hold it together. For her kids’ sake, for Gatomon and Hawkmon’s sake, and for Kari’s sake. If she lost it and started sobbing now then she couldn’t save Kari, and nothing was more important than getting her home safely.

“I-I was just sitting there next to her and she kept mumbling about how she ‘didn’t want to go back’ and ‘she couldn’t face it again’.”

“A-And then she just disappeared?” Yolei asked. She was so focused on Gatomon that she didn’t see her kids running forward, and nearly fell over as they grabbed onto her.

“Is mom gonna be ok?” Haruka asked.

“Mommy, where'd she go? Why is she gone?” Ichiro cried as he shoved his face into the arm of her jacket.

“M-Mom’s gonna be fine, kids,” Yolei choked out, before she swallowed hard. She couldn’t tell them the truth that she didn’t know— she could barely even handle that right now.

“Gatomon, are you sure she said that? Did she say anything else?”

Gatomon shook her head, “I couldn’t make out some of it, she was mumbling into her pillow a lot of it.”

“Didn’t want to go back…” Yolei mumbled to herself. All of a sudden the lightbulb went off in her head and she froze. No. No no no. This couldn’t be happening. Not again. Not after so long.

“It’s-it’s the Dark Ocean. It has to be. It got to her somehow,” she said. Her breathing was getting quicker and more shallow, and it took Hawkmon’s hand on her arm to just barely stop her from hyperventilating.

“But how? It’s been years since it’s tried to get her!” Gatomon said.

Years. As far as she was sure, the last time had been when the two of them had their Digimon DNA Digivolve. Before that it was when she was kidnapped by whatever force was there that wanted her. It had her again, and she couldn’t let it keep her. Her heart continued to pound in her chest, and she started pacing.

“We-we need to get there. The three of us. We have to rescue her,” she said, the words rolling off her tongue quickly as her mind raced frantically. Both of the Digimon looked at each other and nodded as the two children looked at her, still afraid.

“Mom is gonna be ok, right? You’ll get her back, right?” Ichiro asked.

“Of course we will,” Hawkmon assured the boy, wanting to cut in just in case Yolei continued to unravel.

She pulled her phone from her pocket and brought it to her ear as she started to call her sister.

“Momoe? I need you to come over and watch the kids. No, this is an emergency! Kari is missing!” she shouted, “Me, Hawkmon, and Gatomon are going to get her now. You need to get here as fast as you can, please,” she begged, voice on the verge of breaking. She fell silent as her sister spoke, then hung up and turned to look at her kids.

“Aunt Momoe is gonna be here soon. Don’t open the door for anyone except her.”

“Mom will be ok, right? You’ll be ok, right?” Haruka asked. Yolei crouched down and opened her arms, at which the two ran to her for a hug.

“We’ll all be ok, I promise,” she said, planting a kiss to each of their heads, “We’ll be back soon,” she added, before standing up. Without another word, she strode towards the balcony and whipped open the slider door, then turned to look at Hawkmon and Gatomon. “You guys ready?”

Gatomon ran to her side, while Hawkmon flew out the window. As soon as he was out, he Digivolved into Aquilamon, and flapped next to the balcony. Gatomon ran and jumped, soaring through the air to grab onto Aquilamon. Yolei took a few steps back and swallowed hard, then started to run. She couldn’t let this stop her, she couldn’t waste any time. She jumped up and landed on the railing, nearly tumbling forward, then hopped off and landed on her partner.

“Gatomon, you remember where Kari disappeared, right?” Yolei asked.

“Yeah, it was that way!” Gatomon shouted over the wind.

“Aquilamon, go!”

“On it!”

***

As her eyes slowly opened, she was met with the sight of a dark, lifeless sky and the sounds of the ocean’s rough, choppy waves. She could barely move her head enough as her body moved, but she was just cognizant enough to realize that she was in the ocean, being carried by the ways.

She was back in the Dark Ocean, and she didn’t have it in her to try and swim away. To do anything more than just lie there and stare up at the sky. The voices had been scratching at the inside of her head for weeks now, trying to tempt her to come back here, “where she belonged”. And the whole time, Kari had shouldered that burden and those voices by herself, through teaching and dinners with family and friends, and here it had taken her.

The darkness was going to claim her. It was going to push her under the currents and use the light she held for its own nefarious purposes.

And there was nothing she could do.

“Child of Light, I always knew you would come back, and here you are at my home yet again,” a rough voice rang in her head, “Just accept what awaits you and give up. Let the waves wash away the Light and bring you unto my domain.”

Her lips parted just slightly as the spray of the ocean flew on her face from yet another wave. She wanted to say something. To scream. For Gatomon, for Yolei, for her family, but she didn’t have it in her. She felt weak, barely able to keep herself floating along the water. Everything in her head felt fuzzy, except for that booming voice that seemed to absorb everything else. Her arms were held out, the only thing that seemed to keep her afloat, using most of her strength as her eyes slowly closed again, somehow less dark than the world she ended back up in.

“Time after time you push others away, yet once again you end up here. A sign that your presence here is meant to be.”

She pushed them away. Even that day, as the voices got louder and louder and overwhelmed her to the point that she had to lie in bed and hope it could go away, she pushed away Yolei. Her wife, her partner in life, all because she felt like a bother for it. Everyone would just worry if she told them that it was back, waiting impatiently for something to happen, if something happened. Did she even deserve Yolei? Deserve the life she had with her, Ichiro, Haruka, and their Digimon? All of her friends, her family?

No, maybe she didn’t.

All of the sounds slowly started to meld together, gnashing against her mind in a painful cacophony. Would it just be easier to sink beneath the waves and be taken by this?

Maybe… Maybe…

Her presence here was meant to be.

“Kari! Kariiiiiiiiii!”

Huh? Was that…?

Though her eyes were closed, it felt like she could see her. Yolei out there, somewhere, looking for her. Trying to find her. But there was no way she could actually be there, right? She was trapped here, no one else could be here… no one but her and the one who brought her here.

She could still hear her wife, repeatedly calling for her, her cries getting more and more distressed, close to breaking as her voice strained with each shout.

Rain started to fall, quickly picking up and drenching not just Kari in the ocean, but also Yolei, whose bangs were now matted to her face and stuck to her glasses, and Gatomon and Aquilamon.

She could see the pitch black silhouette with its shining red eyes piercing the horizon, and her fingers gripped Aquilamon’s feathers tighter than before.

“I don’t care who you are!” she screamed, “Give me back my wife!”

“The Child of Light is actually the Bride of Light? It doesn’t matter, she has brought herself to my domain and I will not let go of her. I will take her Light and plunge it into Dark as I have sought to do for so long.”

Yolei brought a hand to her head and clenched her eyes shut as the voice spoke directly into her head, rattling her skull.

“I will keep her, so go now or drown.”

She grit her teeth, trying to steady herself as the voice finally went quiet.

“We’re not giving up Kari!” Gatomon shouted at the hulking behemoth.

“Right!” Aquilamon shouted.

They were right, they wouldn’t give her up. Yolei helped bring her back from the brink before, and she would do it again, no matter what.

“Kari! We’ll fight this darkness together! As many times as it takes! I don’t care how tough it is and I don’t care what’s out there trying to take you away, but I’m here! Remember what I said? The darkness will never beat you! And it will never split us apart! Do you hear me? Kari!”

She hoped Kari could hear her voice. She needed her to know this, to know her strength. No matter what happened, she would be strong enough to get through this. And Yolei would always be there to remind her of that and fight for her.

Yolei’s eyes began to scan the ocean, looking for any hint of her.

“Where is she? Where is she…?” she mumbled to herself, head jerking in every direction to try and spot her. Finally, her eyes spotted pale alabaster in a sea of murky waves, and she felt her heart stop.

“Aquilamon, there!” she shouted, pointing in the direction she was. As soon as they were above her, Yolei pushed herself up and jumped off her partner, careening towards the water as she dove down.

“Yolei!”

“Yolei, what are you doing!?”

She could hear the Digimon, but their voices felt far away as she plunged into the water, barely able to keep hold of her glasses. She broke the surface and swam over to Kari, struggling against the current the whole time.

“Kari! Kari I’m here!” she shouted. She could see Kari’s eyes, just barely open, but they still held the same affection as always. It was the smallest shining light imaginable in this hell. Kari let out a weak cough, offering her a small smile as she reached out a hand to her. Yolei grabbed it, doing her best to tread water. “Please, tell me you’re ok,” she begged.

“Thank you… for always fighting for me. I’m sorry… I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I just… I didn’t want to bother you. I didn’t want to worry the kids,” she breathed out, tears pooling at the corners of her eyes, “I don’t want it to split us up.”

“It won’t, I promise. We’ll keep each other safe, just like we always have.”

Ever since she realized the errors of her ways, how horrible she had been, and how happily Kari was to accept her in her life as a friend and eventually a lover, she wanted to keep Kari safe. And she wanted Kari to keep her safe— it would be how they got through the tough times together.

“We’ll go home and-and the kids will be so happy to see you, and we can have dinner, whatever you want, even if it’s something I think is gross,” Yolei rambled.

Kari laughed weakly, “Even shirasu don?”

“I’ll eat five bowls of it just for you,” Yolei choked out, unable to stop herself from crying, too.

“Kari! Kari!” Gatomon cried out as Aquilamon finally lowered to the water’s surface.

Yolei reached for Kari, pulling her towards her and helping push her up onto her Digimon.

“Yolei, get on!” Aquilamon shouted. Yolei started to swim towards Aquilamon, but before she could get to her partner, she started to struggle.

“Get her… out… of here!” Yolei gasped before she dropped beneath the tides.

“Yolei!” Kari shouted, reaching into the water to be met with nothing.

“We can’t leave without her!” Kari screamed, panic clear in her eyes as she couldn’t even so much as see any sign of the other in the water.

Aquilamon, however, pulled away, and started to head back to the shore.

“I’ll go back for her, but Yolei wanted to make sure you were safe!” Aquilamon said. Aquilamon flew fast, nearly crashing into the sand as he met the ground. Kari tumbled off Aquilamon and Gatomon hopped next to her.

“How are we going to get her? None of us can swim,” Kari whimpered. The three stared out at the horizon, and at this point, the waves were so rough that none of them could even begin to guess where she was.

Yolei saved her. Yolei did everything she could to save her, and now it was because of her that her wife would drown. Kari’s body shook as tears started to fall uncontrollably.

“Yolei! Yoleeeeeeeeeeeeei!” she screamed, gasping for breath after, “Yolei! Don’t leave me! Please!”

She pushed herself up and tried to run forward, before almost immediately tumbling forward into the water. She got onto her knees, hands digging into the wet sand to try and anchor herself as the tide ebbed and flowed. She didn’t have her Digivice, none of the others were there…

“Yolei! Yolei! I’m sorry!” she screamed, hoping to be heard above the wind and the waves.

“I will claim this one’s lifeless body and then as the Light inside you burns out, I will take you and let the darkness fill you as it has been waiting to do so.”

Kari gripped her head, unable to stop herself from screaming.

“Not like this, not like this,” she mumbled to herself. It was a struggle, but she forced her eyes open.

“Yolei! I love you! You’re my light, and I can’t lose that or you!”

A bright light gathered at her chest, over her heart, and she started to glow. Gatomon and Aquilamon rushed forward, and the light gathered and shot towards the two of them, enveloping them. Kari turned to watch in silent awe.

A deep red light shot from the murky ocean, a beacon in the dense darkness, before turning to shoot towards the Digimon. The two lights fused together, before shooting out in a blinding burst of pink and red energy.

“Gatomon!”

“Aquilamon!”

“DNA Digivolve to…!”

The light shimmered away to reveal their DNA Digivolved form.

“Silphymon!”

Without wasting a moment, Silphymon shot into the air with a speed never before seen from her, jetting straight towards where the light from the ocean had come from. She dove into the water, an aura of light covering her and keeping her safe as she swam down deeper and deeper and deeper. It was hard to tell, but she could just manage to see Yolei, still sinking further into the depths.

From the shore, Kari watched with her jaw dropped, heart pounding in her ears as she waited for something, anything, that could show they were ok. She couldn’t lose any of them.

She didn’t know what she would do if she did.

But suddenly, a geyser of water shot up and Kari squinted to see Silphymon, with Yolei draped over her shoulders.

“You can try and save them all you want, but you’ll fail. I will kill you and claim the Child of Light no matter what it takes!”

Silphymon’s jaw clenched, as she stared at the silhouette that seemed to be covered by that perpetual fog.

“Kari and Yolei are our friends, our family, and our partners, and you’ll never lay a hand on them!” Silphymon shouted.

“Thousand Whips!”

The fog broke just enough for an innumerable amount of tentacles to burst forth towards Silphymon, but the Digimon was unfazed.

Instead, she started to charge up energy, once again radiating that aura she had when she Digivolved.

“Static Force!”

It was an attack Kari knew all too well from all of the foes the two of them fought against, but this was unlike anything Silphymon had ever unleashed before. Far larger than any attack their partners had unleashed in this form, and Kari couldn’t help but wonder if this would be something to surpass one of Wargreymon’s strongest attacks.

The blast of pink energy tore through the tentacles, shredding them into pixels of data effortlessly and dissipating the fog. Kari could see the face of her long-time tormentor, some sort of horrible sea monster adorned with prayer beads, chains, and strange markings. But the sight was short-lived, because as soon as the blast had met the monster, it too was destroyed instantly.

And once it was, Kari suddenly felt like she could breathe, like a massive weight had finally been lifted off her shoulders. Her first taste of air after decades plunged into the darkest depths.

Silphymon sped back towards her, reaching her in no time, and gently set Yolei’s unconscious form down and into Kari’s arms.

“She’s still breathing,” Kari whispered, then looked up at Silphymon, “Thank you for saving her. For saving us.”

“We wouldn’t be able to call ourselves your partners if we couldn’t keep you safe, could we?” Silphymon asked, trying to break the tension in the air with the soft-spoken comment.

Kari held onto Yolei tight, crying into the crook of her shoulder while the two Digimon de-Digivolved into Gatomon and Hawkmon. As they did, the Dark Ocean seemed to melt away around them, slowly fading into the shore of the beach at Odaiba. Though it was pitch black outside, the lights of the city shone behind them.

“We’re back home…” Hawkmon said with a sigh of relief. Yolei slowly started to stir, then began to hack, sputtering out water from her lungs. Kari pulled away just enough to give her wife some space, the relief on her face clear.

“Yolei, Yolei, you’re ok,” Kari said with a wavering voice. Her eyes slowly fluttered open and she looked at Kari, her face instantly breaking into a wide smile.

“You’re safe…” she breathed out before coughing again.

“Yolei, please, don’t push yourself,” Kari told her.

“’M fine, I’m fine,” she mumbled, shaking her head, “You can’t expect me not to push myself now that I know you’re safe and sound.”

She was safe and sound, they both were, when it wasn’t that long ago that she was ready to give herself up to the Dark Ocean.

“I know, but I’m still going to tell you,” Kari said, gently tracing her fingers down Yolei’s right cheek, just to assure herself that she was real and there. That she wasn’t still floating in that horrible ocean, ready to be brought under at any moment.

“Fair enough,” Yolei said, letting out another cough. She then looked back at Kari, that grin turning slightly mischievous, “So I’m your light, huh?”

The tears started to stream down her face faster and Kari couldn’t help but laugh, “Of course you are, silly,” she said, slowly devolving into a crying, laughing mess as she pulled Yolei back in for a tight hug.

Yolei pulled away, just for a moment as she planted a long kiss on her lips, then nuzzled into her again.

“I hope you know that you’ve always been my light. And you always will be.”

#fallingformiyakari #miyakari autumn #miyakari #miyako inoue #hikari yagami #digimon adventure 02 #sloanefics

[sloanerisette]

To Make It Through Your Worst Days - Camp Digimonth 2023

Here’s my first thing I’m working on for Camp Digimonth! It’s a Yolei-focused oneshot/character study I started last month but ran into some roadblocks with. I wanted to really look into the anxiety that I see her having (given episodes like Run Yolei Run in 02), and see how that affects her so many years later once she’s started to settle down.

I hope you all enjoy this! This is also up on AO3 here

---

Her mom had said that the second pregnancy would be easier than the first. Five months in and Yolei could confirm that was a complete fucking lie. Morning sickness was much worse this time around, but worse than that was the way her brain buzzed at times. For some reason, her anxiety had started to take more of a toll on her than usual.

For just over two months now she had been on a big job, having taken to doing freelance audio production in order to help while Ken was between cases. The clients had been rather demanding, but she liked to believe she had really nailed it. It was a track for an indie film that had been filming in parts of Odaiba, and included both the music that would play during the climax as well as some work on the film’s audio itself to help enhance it so it would really pop. This would be her first time doing something that hadn’t been for a small time musician or some sort of local business’s ad on the radio, and as she was helping her daughter get ready for school that morning, the confidence she had started to wane and fade into anxiousness.

It was eating at her deep in her gut, and once Ken and Haruka left, panic had started to overtake her. In just two hours she would have that meeting, which meant she had two hours in which her brain could convince her of any and everything. It didn’t help that she insisted Hawkmon go off with Ken and Wormmon that day, either.

“Go, go! I’ll be fine, honest!” she had insisted amidst all of her partner’s concerns.

She would be fine physically, sure, since the long bouts of morning sickness had passed a while ago, but that didn’t stop her brain from ringing like mad between her ears.

“It’s just going to be a quick, easy meeting. You’re going to send them the tracks, they’re going to love it, and you’re going to tell everyone the good news at dinner,” she mumbled to herself as she had taken to compulsively cleaning the living room a second time. Sweat matted her bangs to her forehead, and it was only then that she realized she needed to slow down just a little bit.

The lavender-haired woman looked down at her phone on the arm of the couch and took in a quiet breath. Everyone was working right now. There was no one to talk to for a brief moment to try and calm herself down.

Yolei had opted to finish her cleaning by giving the kitchen counter a once over before getting ready, doing her best to shut out the intrusive shower thoughts. Today hadn’t been so bad, as she had been able to push through most of those quiet moments with a lightly citrus scented shampoo that Kari had gotten her a few weeks ago alongside some music playing on her phone. Ken had been incredibly insistent on her taking self-care a little more seriously than usual during her pregnancy to try and make things easier on herself.

Usually she was happy to indulge in some self-care, whether it was delicious food or a little bit of retail therapy (which, granted, had been much less since they started their family), but the little things like this had truly been a boon in helping her out.

Afterwards, she put on her nicest dress and got ready for the video call, relieved she wouldn’t have to make a trek out to the office for it.

With one last brush of her hair, she opened the video call program and turned on her webcam mere moments before a call came through. Once she accepted, there were two men sitting on a couch, each in a business casual combination of blazers, t-shirts, and jeans.

“Mr. Okamoto! Mr. Hanamura! Great to talk to you again!”

“It’s great to talk to you, too, Mrs. Ichijouji. We’re really excited to hear what you have for us,” Okamoto started off with an easy smile as he leaned back.

“Sure thing! Give me just one minute to upload these and…” she started, fingers deftly tapping away at her keyboard, “There!”

“Thanks, we appreciate you being willing to work under that time crunch. Post production is nearly done, so your tracks and a few others are all we’re waiting for,” Hanamura said.

Yolei sucked in a deep breath and put on a wide, confident smile that she certainly hadn’t been feeling at the moment.

“Well I’m really happy with what I came up with, so I think you will be, too,” she told them, all while she kept up her smile.

She had lost plenty of sleep over this project recently. This project was one she had done a lot of work on when she couldn’t get to sleep at night, or during those rare times in the middle of the day that she had an hour or two to sit down and chip away at it. She’d been working on it for nearly half of her pregnancy so far, and it wasn’t easy, especially not with everything else she did to keep the home organized.

It was a big job, and while it wouldn’t necessarily make or break their finances, it would certainly do a lot to help if it all went well, and it would be a great piece to add to her resume for any other gig work she would want to take in the future.

A lump was stuck in her throat, and she kept a hopeful smile plastered on her face as they hit play and the music track came on. It was bombastic, with heavy-hitting bass and powerful synth that she thought would be killer for the movie they were making. Aside from the music echoing from the video call, everything else was achingly, painfully quiet, and the knot in her stomach got tighter and tighter.

She couldn’t take it anymore, she needed a response now.

That hopeful smile went away as she saw their faces go sour, the distaste clear in their expressions, and her heart sank. All of this work, all of the feedback she had gotten from Ken suddenly felt meaningless, and she could feel beads of sweat begin to gather at the crown of her head.

“You know, Mrs. Ichijouji, I don’t… I just don’t think this is very good,” Okamoto said bluntly, and it felt like a knife to the stomach. It hit so quickly and was so severe that she felt dizzy.

“This really isn’t what I envisioned for the scene, in all honesty. I’m not sure I want to listen to the other audio,” Hanamura sighed and shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration.

“R-Really…?” she asked slowly, “I mean, you mentioned you wanted something big and bombastic, right? I was reading what you sent over and when comparing it to the audio track I just thought—”

“Well, yes, we wanted big and bombastic, but this feels too… too techno. Too dubstep,” Okamoto cut in as he held up a hand to stop her, “It feels too basic and juvenile for what we’re going for.”

Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck. Her head was swimming in a choppy ocean of self-deprecating thoughts, and it was taking all of her energy to focus.

“In all honesty, while I appreciate your thoughts for what you felt could fit, as the directors of this film, I think we have a better idea of what we know would work,” Hanamura said firmly. She felt sick. Not to mention stupid and… childish. Did they really need to talk down to her like this!?

“I-I’m sorry, I really didn’t mean to insist that I knew better or anything, I just thought it might be good,” she choked, swallowing hard after ad she tried to push down the bile she could feel starting to rise.

“We need you to redo this,” Okamoto said sharply, “We really can’t afford to miss our deadlines and we’re already cutting this close as it is.”

“I can redo this, yeah. I-It’s no problem,” she said, nodding rapidly.

“Good. We can only give you a month, though,” Hanamura said, before he checked his phone, “26 days, actually,” he added with a sigh.

What took her nearly two full months now had to be done in less than one!? This was ridiculous.

She wanted to insist how ridiculous it was— how she needed more time— but she couldn’t afford to. How would she be able to look at Ken and Haruka, Hawkmon and Wormmon, if she had to tell them that she lost this job completely because she argued with her clients? The job that she had been so sure of?

“Yeah, that’s… that’s fine.”

As they relayed new directions painfully slowly and in the most basic and simple of detail— as if she couldn’t understand it otherwise— she nodded numbly, the words going in one ear or another while she typed, relieved that they’d also be sending the updated guidelines and requests via email.

“Please get the new track to us ASAP,” Hanamura said, and Okamoto nodded silently.

“Of course. I’ll… I’ll be on it ASAP,” she said, letting out a huge sigh of relief as soon as she hung up the call. She slumped against the couch, unable to help the tears that started to pour no matter how much she wiped her face with her arm.

“Shit. Shit shit shit,” she cursed under her breath, relieved their daughter wasn’t there to see her mother look so pathetic.

Yolei knew she had to get started, but even just thinking about it felt so overwhelming. Her anxiety was starting to run rampant, and it didn’t help either. It was another reminder of how she messed up something so basic, so simple. Something that should’ve been a gimme.

Worse than that, she felt so stupid for crying like this. She felt so stupid and frustrated that she allowed herself to be talked down to like that when she never put up with it before.

“You shouldn’t have gotten your hopes up, Yolei. This is what happens when you get too confident,” she mumbled to herself, unable to help but cringe as a brief moment of clarity shone through about how this was just a symptom of her anxiety at work. It was something she tried to work on, and when Ken or one of the others had been around, they usually were able to help talk some sense into her.

It was a time like this she really wished she could call up Cody so he could help set her straight. He wouldn’t accept her wallowing like this, but considering everyone else had their jobs and priorities, all she could do was wallow. She looked down at her stomach and gently poked it.

“Your mommy’s a mess,” she laughed weakly, tears continuing to spill down her face.

God, what a mess she was. How did Ken put up with her when she got like this? Would Haruka end up like this one day? Would their next kid be doomed?

She was spiraling again, but this time she couldn’t recognize it and she certainly couldn’t stop herself.

Now Yolei ran through the whole gamut in her head: wondering how Hawkmon could handle her when she was like this, how her friends were willing to deal with her (if they really were able to), and how she was able to even land an opportunity like this in the first place. At this rate, she’d fail at this and wouldn’t be able to get another shot.

Those thoughts had filled her head so fully, and she suddenly felt nausea overtake her. The stress that was racing through her mind left her sick to her stomach, and she rushed to the bathroom as quickly as she could, barely able to make it in time.

Her mouth and throat burned once she was done, and the only things she could do was muster up taking one long swig from her water bottle. Her body was tired and her mind even more so, and as much as it pained her, what with knowing how much she had to do not just with this gig, but also around the house, she needed to slow down and gather herself.

But she’d have to pick up her daughter from her mother-in-law’s place later and with how red and puffy her eyes were from the fact that she was still crying, going there would be an absolute mess.

She shuffled to her and Ken’s room, feeling guilty for the fact that she was going to lie down in bed when everyone else was being responsible adults.

“I really hate you sometimes,” she spoke softly to the mirror, speaking just as much to herself as she was her brain.

She buried herself under the covers, not satisfied until she was completely engulfed. Yolei clenched her eyes shut, unable to stop the torrent of intrusive thoughts from pushing into her head again until it ultimately became so overwhelming that she passed out from exhaustion.

Two hours later she woke up, shooting a hand from under the comforter to grab her phone on the nightstand. Yolei paled as she saw the time and choked out a weak sob.

“You can’t just waste time like this,” she muttered, shaking her head as she pushed her face into the pillow before she let out a weak wail. With a deep breath, she opened one eye to look at her phone, throat tight as she saw a text message from Ken preemptively congratulating her on a job well done.

Yeah, a job well done laying in bed after getting scolded by her not-even-bosses.

But she knew she needed to call him, as much as she hated the idea of pulling him from his work, if only because she knew she wouldn’t be able to get to the subway in this state, let alone go pick up her daughter. She didn’t feel right asking for help, but she had to. With a lot of hesitance, she called him and put it on speaker, already burying her face in her pillow once again as the phone rang.

***

“Dang, Hawkmon, you’re on the case today, too?” Davis Motomiya asked as the group of Ken, Wormmon, and Hawkmon approached his food cart.

“Yolei insisted I go along to assist Ken and Wormmon, though I have a feeling she just wanted some time for herself before her big meeting today,” Hawkmon explained.

“She did seem more anxious than usual,” Wormmon added as he remained perched on Ken’s shoulder.

“Oh yeah, that movie gig, right?” Davis asked.

“Yeah,” Ken nodded, “She was working on it like crazy and it sounds really good.”

“She’s been fretting more than usual about it,” Hawkmon added.

“More than usual?” came the voice of Veemon as he popped up from behind the cart, wiping sweat from his forehead, “I didn’t think that was possible.”

An ugly snort escaped Davis, which caused him to turn bright red as his gaze moved to Ken, who arched an eyebrow at him curiously.

“Sorry, man, Veemon’s timing was just really good,” Davis said sheepishly as he jabbed his thumb in the direction of his partner. Hawkmon folded his arms and let out a huff.

“…We were wondering if we could get lunch?” Ken cut in before looking down, offering Hawkmon a sympathetic smile.

“Oh, Ken, can I get some extra mushrooms today?” Wormmon asked.

“Of course. So, we’ll have—”

Ken was interrupted by his cell phone ringing. He looked over his shoulder to see a small line forming behind him. “Sorry, I’ll be right back,” he apologized with a nod, before stepping out of line. Hawkmon quickly followed suit, standing off to the side of the cart.

Ken took a few steps and pulled his phone from his pocket to see Yolei calling, and he couldn’t help the small smile on his face as he picked up.

“Yolei? How’d the meeting go?”

But instead of any excited rambling, he was immediately hit with the sounds of sobbing and muffled words slurring together. Ken’s chest felt tight, and he instantly went into fight or flight mode.

“Yolei? Yolei, is everything ok? What happened?”

From over at the cart Davis was looking Ken’s way with concern as he was getting an order ready. As soon as the words left his mouth, Hawkmon all but flew to his side, worriedly looking up at him.

“I fucked up Ken I fucking fucked up and this whole job is a mess and and and I can’t believe I did this I’m so sorry.”

Ken’s frown grew deeper.

“Yolei, can you try taking a deep breath?”

“Ken, is everything alright with Yolei?”

On the other end Ken could hear Yolei attempt a deep breath, only for it to turn into another wracked sob.

“Yolei, try to take another deep breath. It’s ok, I’m here.”

It took a few minutes before her intense crying started to settle down.

“Ken? Ken, I'm so sorry.”

“You have no reason to be sorry, Yolei. What’s wrong?”

“The meeting went horribly. I messed everything up and I only barely managed to get a chance to redo it and oh my god I’m so sorry I’m so so sorry Ken.”

Ken wasn’t happy knowing his wife was alone and in so much pain, but at least it wasn’t some sort of immediate health emergency. He just needed to get home as quickly as possible.

“You don’t need to be sorry, I promise,” he assured her.

“I feel so bad I know you’re so busy and this case is important but can you pick Haruka up? I just… I can’t and I’m so—”

“I promise, you don’t need to be sorry. I’ll head over and get her then come right back home for the day.”

“Thank you,” she said weakly, sniffling in between her words, “I don’t deserve you guys.”

“Don’t say that, you do. And we’re lucky to have you in our lives,” he said. He wasn’t sure if she would believe him, but he knew that reminding her would help break through the wall of self-loathing that always rose when this happened.

“O-Ok. Thank you.”

“I love you. We’ll be back soon. Just try and get some rest if you can.”

“Lo-Love you, too…”

With that he hung up and let out a sigh.

“What’s going on, Ken? What’s wrong with Yolei?” Hawkmon asked impatiently.

“Yolei’s having a really bad anxiety attack. Apparently the meeting didn’t go well…” he said.

“I knew I shouldn’t have left,” Hawkmon huffed, “She kept insisting but I knew it wasn’t a good idea…”

“I don’t think she would’ve let you stay, Hawkmon,” Wormmon said.

Ken nodded, “He’s right. You can’t beat yourself up. Yolei is just very…”

“Stubborn?” Hawkmon asked. Ken chuckled gently.

“I was going to say headstrong. But yes,” he said, “We just need to go pick up Haruka and then go home.”

Ken looked back over to Davis’s ramen cart, seeing that the lunch rush had been served during the course of the phone call. He gestured for Hawkmon to follow along before making his way back to his best friend.

“Everything ok, dude? You were on the phone for a while,” Davis said.

“Things… didn’t go well with Yolei’s meeting today. We’re going to pick up Haruka and then head home,” Ken told him.

Veemon frowned, “Oh… I’m sorry, guys.”

“It’s ok, Veemon,” Ken said. Hawkmon nodded.

“Yes. We know you wouldn’t say anything if you knew this was happening already,” the feathered Digimon added.

“Hey, you guys still want lunch? Yolei has never turned down my ramen before, and you could take some to my favorite niece, too,” Davis suggested with a wide smile.

“That’s a great idea, actually. It’ll be a pretty big order, though, you think you’re up for the task?” Ken asked with a slight smirk. Veemon puffed out his chest in response.

“Up to the task? Are you kidding? Do you know who we are!?” Veemon asked.

Davis was equally fired up in an instant, “Yeah! Man, Ken, I thought you believed in us!”

Ken couldn’t help but laugh, glad to see that such a little, teasing comment had gotten his best friend and his partner so amped up.

“Veemon, get your bandana, we’re whipping up the best damn batch of ramen the Ichijouji’s have ever tasted!”

“On it!”

Ken couldn’t stop his leg from bouncing as he sat on a bench a few yards from Davis, listening to him sing while he worked.

“Are you ok, Ken?” Wormmon asked as he hopped down onto the bench, looking up at him.

Ken sighed, “Not particularly, Wormmon,” he told his partner with a weak smile, patting him on the head.

“It isn’t particularly fun knowing Yolei is suffering while we’ve been working, is it?” Hawkmon mused.

Ken’s gaze was fixed to the ground as he wrung his hands together, staying silent. Hawkmon cleared his throat after a moment.

“I still remember the first time I really became privy to this,” the Digimon sighed, “It might be one of the most nerve-wracking experiences I’ve ever had with her.”

Ken remained silent, still, but glanced over to his wife’s partner. Wormmon focused on Hawkmon intently.

“It started a few nights before we…” Hawkmon paused for a beat, which caused Ken to quirk an eyebrow curiously, “…Before we went to locate the Digimon Emperor’s base.”

Ken swallowed hard, and Wormmon couldn’t help but scuttle over to gently pat him on the leg.

“She could barely sleep, and once we were in the Digital World she was forging ahead of everyone to try and find the base so we could put a stop to it once and for all. She was climbing control spires and putting herself in danger constantly because she felt she wasn’t capable or strong enough. She was overly proactive and nearly got hurt because of it. And when I got hurt protecting her, she was inconsolable.”

He knew that his friends went through a lot trying to stop him back then, but he never knew this had happened to Yolei and Hawkmon…

“Please don’t get me wrong, I’m not aiming to make you feel guilty, I was just thinking about how long I’ve known her to be like this. She pushes herself so much that she runs herself ragged. But she also doesn’t want anyone to worry— or for anyone to think she’s incapable. The fact that she told you feels like a big step forward.”

Ken sighed, “It does, but it just means she was probably holding all of this stress back the entire time she’s been working on this. It’s not good for her.”

Ken massaged his temple and clenched his eyes shut.

“Maybe it might be a good idea if Hawkmon and I stay home tomorrow?” Wormmon suggested. Ken opened his eyes slowly and looked at his partner, offering a weary smile.

“That might be a good idea, yeah. We’ll think about it more tonight and see how she’s doing in the morning.”

“Orrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrder up!”

Wormmon let out a yelp of surprise as Davis walked over with a plastic bag in each hand.

“And there’s the food for my favorite family,” he grinned.

“Thank you so much, Davis, I really appreciate it,” Ken said.

“C’mon, Ken, I’d do anything for you, you know that!” he told his DNA Digivolution partner as he handed off the bags, “I packed in another serving so Yolei has two bowls of ramen to chow down on. You know, cause she’s eating for two now,” Davis said, folding his arms, a very satisfied grin on his face.

“And there’s extra mushrooms for me…?” Wormmon asked as he looked up at Davis.

“Of course!” Veemon said as he jumped over from behind the cart, “And extra noodles for you, Hawkmon!”

“Thank you,” Hawkmon said with a bow of his head.

“Thanks again, guys,” Ken added.

“Seriously, no problem, dude. I hope Yolei feels better. And tell Haruka Uncle Davis says hi!”

“Will do. We’ll see you later.”

“Like tomorrow for more ramen?” Veemon asked as Ken started to turn on his heel. Ken couldn’t help but laugh.

“We’ll probably be back tomorrow, yeah.”

***

Ken had held onto the bags the whole way to his parents’ apartment, relieved that it was such a quick trip from where Davis had set up shop for the day.

“Ah, Hawkmon, do you mind?” Ken asked sheepishly as they approached the door.

“Not at all,” Hawkmon said simply, walking over to knock on the door.

He could hear the sounds of his daughter scrambling around, her laughter making it through the door, and it brought a small level of comfort to him. When the door opened, the expression on his mother’s face turned to surprise immediately.

“Ken!”

“Hi, mom.”

She blinked a few times, “What’re you doing here?” she asked. After a moment, she smiled, “Oh, sorry, I was just expecting Yolei. How’re you? Is work going ok today?”

Ken nodded, “It is, yeah. We just stopped by to—”

“Mommy!”

Ken stiffened a bit as he saw his small, four year old daughter run next to his mother, holding a Pururumon in her arms. She adjusted her glasses, the large, circle lenses making her eyes look so big and full of wonder— and they reminded him of his wife in an instant.

“Daddy? Where’s mommy?”

Ken felt himself heat up a bit, and he scratched his cheek as he thought of just what to say.

“She’s at home. She… wasn’t feeling that good, so she asked me to come pick you up,” he told her, offering her a small smile. Haruka frowned.

“Is she ok?” she asked immediately. Ken’s mother’s brow creased with worry.

“Is Yolei doing alright?”

Ken nodded slowly, “Yeah, the pregnancy has just been really rough on her this morning.��

Haruka’s frown deepened, “Are you sure mommy is ok, daddy?”

“She’s just feeling a little under the weather, but she’s fine, sweetheart, don’t worry.”

Thankfully that seemed to assuage her fears rather quickly, and her face lit up again.

“And we brought lunch for you, too,” Wormmon told her, which caused her to jump in place from excitement.

“Yay! Yay!” she cheered happily, stopping only to hug her grandmother’s leg, “Bye grandma!”

“I’ll see you soon, dear,” Ken’s mother said as she knelt down to give her granddaughter a hug, then looked up at Ken, “Let me know if you need anything. I should still have some home remedies from when I was pregnant with you.”

Ken smiled weakly, “I will, thanks mom. Are you ready to go, Haruka?”

“Mhm!” Haruka nodded, before waving goodbye to her grandmother.

As the small group started to head back home, Ken couldn’t help but glance down at his daughter every so often. She reminded him so much of her mother— Haruka was practically the spitting image of Yolei in every way— and that just left him feeling more anxious about her still being by herself. Haruka held her Pururumon close to her, the tiny, pudgy bird cooing and squawking happily.

Nearly a perfect little copy, right down to having the same Digimon partner, and those facts always left Yolei preening with pride over their daughter— even more than she usually did.

“Is everything ok, daddy?” Haruka asked sweetly, head craned up to look at her father. Ken bit the inside of his cheek at her words.

She was just as intuitive and quick-witted as her mother, too. Maybe being reminded of that could help her out a bit…

“Everything’s fine,” he smiled, “I don’t usually get to pick you up, so I’m happy to see you,” he told her, which was the truth.

Thankfully, his answer was enough to cause her face to light up with a smile, which soothed some of the ache in Ken’s chest.

“I’m happy to see you too, daddy! I wish mommy could’ve been here, too,” she pouted, “I knew another baby was a bad idea… it's making mommy not feel well…”

Ken let out a weak chuckle, “Don’t say that, sweetheart. I’m sure as soon as your little brother or sister is here you’ll be happy to have them around,” he told her. Haruka pouted harder— if that was even possible.

“Maybe… but I already have Pururumon!” she said, nuzzling the little baby bird blob.

“Well, I can’t wait for the new baby,” Wormmon piped up, and Hawkmon nodded in agreement.

***

Ever since her call with Ken, Yolei had kept his pillow over her face to cry into— at least once the hyperventilating and intense sobs had stopped. Even still, all she could think about was how she had absolutely fucked up.

Her mind was still swirling with those thoughts of how she had ruined everything, how everyone would be mad at her, and how she had ruined their chances at making sure they could be more financially stable with another kid on the way.

She didn’t hear the door open, but she did hear the commotion of everyone coming in, and at that point she couldn’t help but pull the pillow even closer to her face— if that were somehow possible— as she started to cry again.

“Haruka, my dear, let’s get you ready to eat,” Hawkmon said, his voice muffled by the pillow over Yolei’s ears.

“Can I say hi to mommy before I eat?”

“She might be sleeping. I’ll go check on her first, and after you eat you can see her if she’s up. How’s that sound?” Ken told their daughter, and Yolei could feel a deep pit in her gut start to form.

“Ok. C’mon Hawkmon, c’mon Wormmon! Let’s eat!”

“Please, don’t run so fast! My legs can’t keep up!” Wormmon cried out, barely able to be heard by Yolei, while Haruka’s giggles started to break through the down and dreary atmosphere that lingered like a dark cloud above Yolei.

As the sounds of Ken’s footsteps grew closer and closer, Yolei held the pillow tighter and tighter, not even wanting to be perceived by her husband.

“He deserves better. He deserves someone who can actually do a fucking job right. Someone who doesn’t end up like this…”

Wormmon and Hawkmon, too… Hawkmon, especially. If it weren’t for the fact that Hawkmon and her were destined to be partners for life, he could probably go off to find someone better to be with…

“Yolei?”

Ken’s voice was soft and gentle, almost as if she could break if he spoke too loud. So caring and kind… Her heart clenched and she couldn’t help the wracked sob that tore from her.

She could feel the edge of the bed sink with his weight as he sat down. Was he looking down at her with pity? How many times had he looked at her with pity or shame before? Surely dozens, right?

A shiver, followed by a brief warmth, ran through her body as he gently set a hand on her knee.

“Can I take the pillow off?” he asked her, and she gave an exaggerated shake of her head, the pillow still just about glued to her face, “You can breathe alright, right?” he added, to which she followed up with a nod.

“I know… I know what happened has been weighing on you a lot today, and I know it’s not as easy as me just saying it’s ok to chase it all away… but I promise you, you didn’t mess up anything because of how those guys reacted to your work,” he told her.

She let out a weak sound that caused Ken to grimace. He knew it would take more than just this to help her feel better, but he wasn’t going to give up. He began to gently rub her knee.

“You know, you worked really hard with all of this, and you should be proud of that. I am,” he told her. His gentle touch helped in soothing her, causing her arms to relax a bit. No longer did she have that tight grip on the pillow, but even still, she couldn’t help but continue to cry into it.

Why? Why was he being so nice?

“B-b-but I… you had to stop working… and… and…” she blubbered, letting out another weak, strained cry. Her voice was scratchy from crying so hard over the course of the day.

“It’s ok.”

He couldn’t say those two words enough, wanting to reassure her— now and always— that no matter what, things would be alright. To try and steady her and keep her in a good place as best he could.

“But the money… and… and Haruka… and—”

Ken bit his lip gently, his brow creased with concern.

“I know things are tighter with money than when we first got married, but it’ll be fine. We have savings. And if worst comes to worst, we have friends who can help us out,” he told her.

“That’s just putting more stress on everyone, and then everyone will be mad at us. And it’ll be all my fault.”

The sheer insistence and need to do everything, how much her mind raced, how much she had to prove to be useful to others, to show that she could handle everything thrown her way.

It was easier to see all these little things now that Hawkmon had mentioned it. He knew when she got anxious before, when things really affected her, but now they seemed to be clearer than ever. This had weighed down on her so heavily throughout the day and had left her stressed to no end, and Ken internally cursed the fact that he hadn’t insisted someone stay there with her to try and help ground her before her meeting.

The man swallowed hard and ran a hand through his hair as he looked at his wife.

“Is it ok if I take the pillow now?” he asked slowly. Yolei remained quiet, but then slowly nodded.

“If you’re ok seeing your wife look so pathetic,” she droned quietly. Ken slowly leaned over and pulled the pillow from her, setting it down next to her. Her nose was red from running so much, and her eyes were red, puffy, and tear-stained. She squinted up at him, adjusting her vision to focus without her glasses.

“I wouldn’t say pathetic. I’d say beautiful. In a lot of pain, but beautiful as always,” he told her. Yolei’s brows knitted together as she sniffled.

“I’m not,” she said simply, unable to help but let out another weak sob, her chest heaving as she did so. More tears began to spill from the corners of her eyes.

“You are,” he said, knowing he had to orient the conversation in a different direction, “Do you want to talk more about how you’re feeling?”

She let out a long, low sigh. It was clear from the look on her face that the answer was “no”, but she was silent, and her lip wobbled for a moment before she whispered, “Yes.”

“I’m such a mess,” she huffed out, “I can’t even do a fucking contracting job right.”

Ken couldn’t help but wince at her curse, silently thankful that Hawkmon and Wormmon were able to keep Haruka preoccupied.

“What happened at the meeting?” he asked finally.

“I sent them the song and they hated it. They trashed it immediately and then they kept telling me I didn’t know what I was doing,” she paused, and then sighed, “They’re right.”

“That’s not…” Ken started, but Yolei continued.

“I was working on this for months and I just completely messed it all up. If I can’t even do one project for some stupid indie film, then how am I going to be expected to do actual big work again one day?”

All he wanted to do was argue, but for now, he stayed quiet. Maybe he just needed to let her… speak her mind. Let it all out and get it all off her chest, and then he could try and shoot down each of her arguments against her.

“And what if they hate this next attempt and don’t want to pay me? Then we’re so screwed and I’m never gonna get work again and we’ll be even more screwed. All because of me.”

She trailed off, before letting out a sad laugh, “You, Hawkmon, Wormmon, you guys would all be way better off without me.”

Ken felt his chest clench, “Yolei—”

“And what about Haruka? One day she’ll probably have a massive anxiety attack and it’ll all be my fault. It-it gets inherited, Ken. She’s going to inherit it and it’s going to be my fault.”

“Then we’ll help her get through it. She would never fault you for something neither of you can control.”

Yolei’s gaze fell down, “She’d be right to, probably. So would this one.”

The air was pushed from Ken’s lungs, and as soon as he recovered from the way her words left him reeling, he was quick to speak.

“Neither of our children would ever hold this against you. You have to believe that,” he said, before offering her a small smile, “Do you think Haruka could ever be mad at you? You remember how happy she was when we found out her partner was Pururumon, right?”

A weak, mirthless chuckle bubbled from Yolei, “It was like Christmas for her.”

“Exactly,” Ken smiled, “And… if Haruka ends up having anxiety, then she has you to help her with that.”

“Maybe she would, but-but still— you, and Hawkmon, and—”

“We wouldn’t be better without you,” Ken said immediately, “I said earlier that we’re lucky to have you, and I mean that. You’ve done a lot to help Wormmon and I, you know that.”

“And Hawkmon… Hawkmon is your partner, Yolei. He could never hate you.”

“But…” she argued weakly.

“Yolei,” Ken started as he took one of her hands in both of his, “All of this is a lot, but… it’s a part of you.”

He cringed at how poorly that came out.

“Sorry, I just mean that… yes, your anxiety has been a lot on you, but for better or worse… it’s just a part of who you are.”

“For worse,” Yolei cut in with a huff.

Ken went quiet again, chewing on the inside of his cheek as he tried to think of something to say that could help. Every direction he went, she cut off his attempts to try and assuage her anxieties. It had clearly been a tough day, and she was still reeling from all of this, even now.

Maybe for now…

“Do you want dinner? We picked up ramen,” he offered. A hint of brightness shone through in Yolei’s eyes at his words.

“Y-Yeah?” she choked out hopefully. Ken nodded.

“Davis even packed a second portion for you, because you’re eating for two, as he said.” Another weak cry left Yolei’s lips, though this time he could tell from the look on her face that she seemed happy.

Something bright to help start to break through all the gray that had fallen over her.

“I guess even he can be smart sometimes,” she said, her words light, teasing, and lacking any of the bite they held back when they were bickering preteens who were almost always at each other’s throats.

“I’ll go get our food ready,” he said, starting to stand up, though she grabbed onto his sleeve.

“Um,” she started abruptly, quiet as she started to think of how to verbalize what she wanted to say, “Can we… eat in here tonight? I’m just not ready to see them yet.”

“Of course. I’ll be right back,” he said, her grip loosening so the soft cotton fell through her fingers.

“Ok…”

A part of her was scared to have him leave. What if after today, even a brief trip to the kitchen proved too much?

No, no no no, she heard him: they were lucky to have her, Haruka loved her, and Hawkmon was her partner for life. He meant that, right?

He was back not even five minutes later, and she let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding as she saw his silhouette in the frame of the door.

“You’re back,” she said quietly.

“What was that?” he asked. Yolei sucked in another breath and cleared her throat.

“I-I’m so hungry,” she stuttered out, “It’s just set in that I didn’t even eat lunch.”

“Well, it’s a good thing we had Davis’s foresight to help out,” Ken joked lightly, and Yolei responded with a playful eye roll.

“Yeah… I guess I’ll text him a thanks tonight,” she said as she started to push herself up. Once she was leaning back against the headboard, Ken handed her the first bowl of ramen. She opened the lid, cracked apart a pair of chopsticks, and began to dig in. Ken sat at the edge of the bed again, following suit as he plucked out a piece of pork and started to eat.

He’d have to text Davis thanks, too.

The two ate in silence, with Yolei ravenously eating and Ken taking his time, just happy to see his wife doing better. Thankfully their Digimon partners had been doing a good job in keeping Haruka preoccupied, asking all about her day with her grandmother.

Partway through her second bowl, Yolei loudly slurped some of the broth before she looked over at Ken, who was still picking at the last few mushrooms and bean sprouts in his mostly empty bowl.

“…I’m sorry,” she sighed.

Ken looked at her and blinked, chopsticks in his mouth as he had just taken another bite of food.

“What for?” he asked after he swallowed.

“For… being so much trouble earlier. And arguing with you now,” she told him, and a gentle frown settled on his face.

“You don’t need to apologize, Yolei. We’re partners, and you would do the same for me.”

Yolei nodded slowly as a few tears began to stain her cheeks again.

“I know, an-and like I said, I’m sorry for arguing with you. I’ve been so stressed out and everything just piled up and I felt so…” she trailed off, then sighed, “…Useless. Like I’m just a burden.”

Yolei’s shoulders slumped and she looked down at the bowl in her lap blankly, eyes focused on the little bit of broth left.

“I know this has been tough on you. But you’re not a burden. I’m always here to remind you that,” he said, leaning forward to wipe the wet from her cheek.

Yolei sniffled, tears welling up in her eyes again as she shivered from his touch.

“I-I just have to ask… you’ll never get sick of me, right?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper. Ken froze for a split second, but then immediately shook his head.

“No. I promise, I never could,” he assured her, his voice just as low and his words meant only for her. Yolei swallowed hard, but relief flowed through her whole body.

“A-And you’re happy with where we are?”

Ken nodded.

“And Haruka is happy? Sh-she loves us? She loves—”

“She does. You should have seen how much she missed you when I went to pick her up,” he said, and Yolei smiled.

“We can go out there if you’re up for it? I’m sure they’d all be happy to tell you,” he added.

“Can I finish my ramen first?” she asked timidly, “It’s just… really good… and I’m so hungry…”

Ken laughed, “Of course.”

It didn’t take too long for Yolei to finish eating, after which she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. Ken offered her his hand to help her up, and they took a slow walk out to the small living room of their apartment.

Coloring books and toys were scattered around the coffee table and the rug, and Haruka was busy coloring in a drawing of Wormmon and Hawkmon while Hawkmon watched. Wormmon was carrying Pururumon on his head, who happily babbled as they did laps around the dining room table. As soon as Ken and Yolei came into view, Haruka’s head shot up and she beamed instantly.

“Mommy!” she shouted, dropping her crayon as she ran over to give Yolei a hug. Yolei wrapped her arms around her daughter and closed her eyes, reminding herself about what Ken said.

“How was your day?” she asked. She could feel the worried look that Hawkmon was giving her, and when she peeked one eye open she saw that she was right on the money.

“It was good! Pururumon and I had lots of fun at grandma’s! And look! I drew this picture of Hawkmon and Wormmon!” Haruka said, breaking from her mom’s hug to run and grab the picture, holding it up to her.

“I think she caught my good side really well,” Wormmon said as he turned to look at Yolei and Ken.

“It looks great, sweetie,” Yolei told her with a big smile, “She did, Wormmon,” she added. Wormmon brought two of his claws up to his face as he blushed gently.

“My dear, are you feeling better now?” Hawkmon asked. Yolei grimaced for a moment as she thought about it. Did she feel better? …Not entirely. But she was getting there. Slowly.

“…Mostly, yeah. I think I’ll just need to sleep this off,” she told him.

“Did the picture help?” Haruka asked hopefully.

“It did, yeah.”

Haruka cheered and started jumping in place happily.

“Mommy’s just going to sit down real quick…”

It took a bit to make her way over to the couch, the exhaustion from all that crying and sobbing having drained most of her energy, even after two full bowls of ramen, and the pregnancy definitely wasn’t making it easier. She wasn’t quite at the point of waddling yet, but she’d be getting there soon enough. She sat down next to Hawkmon, who looked over at her, concern still clear on his face.

“You’re sure you’re doing alright? Ken had mentioned what happened earlier and…” Hawkmon trailed off, not wanting to elaborate too much with the little one around.

“I’m doing a lot better than earlier, I promise, just…” she paused, afraid of asking, but she still had to know, “You’re… happy as my partner, right?”

Hawkmon’s eyes went wide, then he gently patted her arm, “There is no one else who I would’ve rather had pulled out the Digi-Egg of Love all those years ago.”

Yolei blinked away the tears that were threatening to spill again, and she leaned over to hug him.

“Thank you,” she whispered, and Hawkmon returned the hug.

“We have been through a lot and we will go through plenty more, I’m sure. If you ever need me to assure you that I am happy to be your partner, do not hesitate to ask.”

She opened up to Ken today, and had opened up to Hawkmon again… It wasn’t easy, but if she could keep going, keep doing this when things got tough and she felt like she was barely treading water, maybe it would help her see the good things more easily.

Even right now, she was still treading water, but seeing how happy her daughter was to see her, the unrelenting kindness her husband offer, and the meaningful words her partner offered her…

They really were just as lucky to have her as she was to have them.

Haruka clambered over to the couch and pulled herself up to sit next to her mother. She looked up at her and began to kick her legs, “Mommy, can we watch something before bedtime?”

“Haruka, I’m not so sure—” Ken started, taking a step forward. Yolei raised her hand and shook her head.

“Just for a little bit. But then you have to go to bed, ok?”

Haruka pouted and nodded, “Ok…” she said, before she leaned into her mother happily. Ken smiled gently and walked over to Wormmon to pick him and Pururumon up, and then moved to the couch, letting Haruka grab her Digimon before he sat on his daughter’s other side.

Just relaxing on the couch with her family, she could already feel herself getting a bit tired, but that wasn’t going to stop her from enjoying this little bit of family time. She yawned and grabbed the remote, then handed it to Haruka after, who quickly flipped through the channels before settling on a rerun of a magical girl anime she was a fan of.

“Ooh, this one’s really good!” she squeaked happily before gently petting Pururumon.

She could still feel that buzzing in her head, the voice in the back of her mind trying to scare her, but Yolei looked at her family and their Digimon partners, and let out a gentle sigh.

She had a good life with a good family, and she was going to do her best to keep reminding herself of that now and each day when things got rough. Maybe it wouldn’t always work that well, but she just had to believe in that.

As hard as it was, she just had to try and believe that she was capable of all the work her brain told her she wasn’t of earlier, and that she had the lifelong love of a family she thought she didn’t deserve. Because right now, as she looked at her daughter giggling, at her attentive partner, and at her happy husband, for the first time today she was slowly starting to feel at peace.

#campdigimonth2023 #digimon #digimon adventure 02 #yolei inoue #miyako inoue #ken ichijouji #digimon fanfiction #character study #sloanefics

[sloanerisette]

Digiweek 2022 Day 7: How To Win Your Senpai In 10 Days Chapter 2

Happy Odaiba Day! I did all I could to get this update out just in time and I’m so happy to have succeeded! I hit a bit of a roadblock with part of this chapter but managed to push through it and get this up, so I hope you all enjoy!

Digimon has been such a big part of my life the past few years, and writing this story has been so new and fun from most of the usual Jyoumi fare I write!

I hope you all enjoy!

Also on AO3

Chapter description:  Mimi Tachikawa is ready to celebrate her homecoming with her friends and the boy she has been waiting to see for so long. Joe Kido is so happy to see his best friend finally come back to Japan for good. But as they reunite, old feelings light a spark that Mimi wants to accept head on, and one Joe Kido has to struggle with now after so many years.

---

“How does it look? Do you think it looks ok?” Joe asked Matt and Sora as the trio of them lingered towards the back of the large group they had. Both groups of DigiDestined had come to the airport to see the grand return of one of their own, and they hadn’t half-assed it, either. Tai, Davis, and Yolei all saw fit to create a big sign that had Mimi’s name on it, that Davis and Yolei were currently carrying as they headed the veritable parade of teenagers that were headed for the baggage claim.

“Ugh, I can’t get this stupid tie to look right for some reason…” he grumbled, shaking his head as his hands fumbled with the knot, untying it once again and attempting to retie it just as quickly.

“It’s just the airport, anyways,” Matt said, unable to help but snicker as he looked at his friend. All dressed nice with his school uniform’s jacket and a nice pair of pants, he stuck out like a sore thumb compared to everyone else, all in casual, springtime clothes.

“Well, still, I wanted to look nice. Mimi’s coming back home and it’s a big deal!” he argued. Sora leaned forward to look at Joe, offering him a smile.

“It’s nice that you wanted to do that, though, Joe,” she told him. “Do you need any help with the tie?”

Joe shook his head and bit down on his lip, fingers working quickly to tie his tie yet again.

“No… I think I… got it…” he said as he straightened his tie, “How do I look?”

“Like a guy who’s trying to look really nice despite how much he says there’s nothing going on between him and the girl who’s coming back to Japan,” Matt said bluntly, pausing for a beat before continuing, “And who has a girlfriend.”

Before Matt could continue, Sora responded with a sharp elbow to the ribs, causing the boy to wince in pain, though that didn’t deter the grin on his face when he saw that Joe was beet red.

“M-Matt!” he hissed quietly, gritting his teeth as he shot the blonde a glare, “I’ve told you, it isn’t like that! I-I just want to look decent! It makes a good impression!”

“A good impression on people who already know him?” Matt asked with a quirked eyebrow, unable to help but smirk.

“Matt,” Sora said, a clear warning with the tone of her voice brokering no argument.

“There’s nothing there, Matt,” Joe said simply, looking away from the two. Sora shot a look at Matt and shook her head, arms folded. Matt shrugged his shoulders then shoved his hands in his pockets.

Sora, meanwhile, placed a gentle hand on Joe’s shoulder, “It’s ok, Joe. Matt’s just messing around. Not at the best time, granted,” she said, pausing for a moment to shoot another look at Matt, who ducked his head and looked straight ahead, “But let’s just focus on the fact that Mimi’s back, yeah?”

Joe nodded slowly, “Yeah,” he said, unable to help but smile at the reminder that pretty soon he’d be seeing his best friend again— one of his favorite people imaginable— and he wouldn’t have to worry about her leaving again.

“Ok, Davis, Yolei, we’re starting this welcome back party right! Let’s get that sign up!” Tai said, clapping his hands together, at which Yolei and Davis held it up. Plenty of people who were arriving looked over in confusion at the commotion coming from the big group of teenagers and their sign with “MIMI TACHIKAWA” written in bright pink letters, though the group of them didn’t care, all just too excited to see their friend again.

“Oh my god, I can’t wait to see Mimi again. I just know even coming off a plane she’s going to look perfect,” Yolei gushed, starry-eyed at the very thought of seeing her senior again.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you this excited in a while,” Cody mused, eliciting a chuckle from Ken and an eye roll from Yolei.

“Hey, I don’t blame her. It’s been a long time since we saw her,” TK said.

“And we barely got to see her last time, too,” Kari frowned.

Joe, Matt, and Sora finally reached the back of the group, Joe’s gaze meeting the back of the sign, with the ink bleeding through faintly.

Mimi really was coming back. The thought brought a smile to his face, but even the warmth of the knowledge that his best friend would be back soon didn’t take away the nerves he had been feeling. Sure, the two of them had talked pretty often, and sure, she had come back to Odaiba recently, but he had been so busy getting things figured out with his college entrance exams, and then there was everything with Armageddemon…

“Where is she? Where is she!? Her flight isn’t going to be late, is it?” Yolei whined.

“Don’t worry, Yolei, I’m sure she’ll show up soon enough,” Ken assured her with a gentle smile. Sora took a step forward.

Izzy craned his neck to look over at the arrivals schedule, “It looks like her flight should have just landed, Yolei. She should be coming out pretty soon, I’m sure.”

Yolei let out a sigh of relief, but that only left Joe feeling more stressed. How was that even possible!? It was just Mimi, there was no pressure at all!

“Ok, DigiDestined!” Tai’s voice boomed out as he clapped his hands together. All sets of eyes from the group— and a fair few from passersby— instantly turned to the gogglehead. “Mimi will probably be out any minute now, and we’re going to give her the welcome home she deserves! As soon as we see her, everyone shout ‘Welcome Home!’ as loud as you can!”

The young man looked pleased with himself, placing his hands on his hips as a proud smile spread across his face.

But, he had to admit, looking at it all… it really was a welcome home celebration fitting for Mimi.

Five minutes of waiting and the Digidestined were waiting with bated breath as scattered groups of people poured into the baggage claim.

Five minutes turned into ten, and the wait started to feel unbearable. Had he been sitting down, Joe knew his leg would’ve been bouncing like mad, and the fact that he wasn’t fidgeting now was confusing even to him.

“Hey, Izzy, are you sure it said her plane got here?” Yolei asked, looking over her shoulder at him.

“I’m sure it’s just taking a bit for them to get off the plane and get here,” Sora said gently, offering Yolei a warm smile.

“Well I hope she gets here soon, we have a whole afternoon planned!” Tai said.

“I’m sure Mimi doesn’t want to spend longer on the plane than she has to after how long her flight was,” Matt reasoned.

It wasn’t long after that a whole new group of recently arrived people started to pour into the area.

Looks of elation crossed all of their faces, except for Joe, who stood there, waiting for Mimi in anxious anticipation. When he finally saw her, though, just a few feet ahead of her parents, his eyes instantly lit up, and a grin made its way on his face instantly.

To his left, Matt was grinning to himself at the sight.

“Ok guys, on three,” Tai said, “One… two… three!”

“WELCOME HOME!” the group shouted. Most of the people in the terminal were in shock by the sudden celebration, but once Mimi saw the sign, her eyes were wide and she instantly ran towards her friends, maneuvering her way through the crowd as best as she could.

“You guuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuys!” she cried out, tears now welling up in her eyes.

“Mimiiiii! Oh it’s so great to see you!” Yolei said, as her senior pulled her and Davis into a tight hug.

“It’s so great to see you both, too!”

Both Yolei and Davis were moon-eyed, and in no time the rest of the group had started to swarm her. Joe hung back for just a moment, his throat tight at the sight of her.

She had gone back to her natural hair color, a soft brown that was up in a messy bun. She was wearing a white tank top with a light pink jacket and simple, light blue jeans. Even when she was dressed down for a plane ride, she still managed to be fashionable effortlessly. He’d seen plenty of pictures of her, sure, but having her here in person, after only being able to see her for such a brief amount of time when she was last here…

Joe let himself stay back as Mimi was greeted by everyone, getting into quick little conversations and doling out hugs like there was no tomorrow. He was just happy to see her, honestly, and didn’t mind waiting a bit while she talked with everyone else.

Mimi had other plans, though, and as soon as she pulled away from a hug with Tai and Kari, she rushed right over to Joe, looking up at him with the most dazzling smile of hers he had ever seen.

“Joe! Oh it’s so good to see you!”

She wrapped her arms around him and pulled herself close, and Joe couldn’t stop the deep crimson flush that flooded his face. His eyes darted down to Mimi, then to the group, who were all staring at the two of them, which only left Joe’s face burning up harder than before.

Tai and Davis both held wide, conspiratorial grins on their faces. Yolei’s hands were clasped together and resting against her cheek, as she stared at them with nothing less than awe. Sora, Izzy, TK, Kari, Cody, and Ken all held kind smiles, while Matt shot Joe an exaggerated wink.

He loved his friends, but oh god were their reactions making this situation feel awkward when it shouldn’t have been at all. He offered the group an awkward smile, before he looked down at Mimi and hugged her back.

“It’s so good to see you, too, Mimi,” he said softly to her. It had been so long since he’d seen her, since they’d been so close, and suddenly it felt like all of Joe’s stresses had washed away. School, exams, all the nerves that had built up as he waited to have this reunion with his best friend, it was all gone, now replaced by a warmth that spread throughout his chest and caused his normally tightly-wound self to loosen up.

When they finally broke the hug, Mimi immediately started to dig through her bag.

“Hold on! I have a gift!” she said, her voice bright and excitable.

Joe let out a laugh of disbelief, “What? Mimi, you didn’t need to get me anything,” he told her.

“But I wanted to!” she chirped, digging through what Joe could’ve only figured was an endless pit of her things she wanted and needed for the flight out. He angled his neck to try and see what she might have been looking for.

“Finally!” she whisper shouted to herself before first pulling out a small bag of chocolate and dropping it in his hands. He blinked.

“Chocolate? Thanks, Mimi, this is great,” he beamed, “It’s going to make a great study snack.”

Mimi returned a bright smile in kind, “That’s not all!”

Joe blinked again.

“Hm?”

“Aww man, I want chocolate, too…” Davis mumbled in the background, before he was loudly shushed by Tai.

In the brief moment that Joe’s attention went from Mimi to Davis and back, she was already holding a small box in her hands.

A light shade of pink tinged Joe’s ears as he took the box from her and opened it up, which merely caused that shade of pink to darken.

“M-Mimi!”

Inside the box was a slate grey bow tie. Joe’s jaw dropped as he reached down to feel the material.

“Do you like it…?” she asked slowly, looking up at him, brow furrowed as she waited for his answer with bated breath.

“This is incredible,” he breathed out.

“…Yeah?” Mimi asked quietly, still tight with nerves. Joe nodded eagerly.

“Yeah, it’s great. I’d put it on right now if I didn’t already have a tie on,” he told her with a warm smile. “You didn’t have to do this for me, though.”

Mimi shook her head, “I wanted to, though! I found this little place in Brooklyn that hand makes all their things!” she chirped happily. Joe couldn’t help but smile as he ran his thumb gently over the bow tie again before he closed the box. “As soon as I saw it, I thought of you! The color is just like your crest, and I figured it would be just your style.”

Joe’s eyes went wide as he suddenly felt heat scratch at his face, the tips of his ears going pink. He ducked his head as that heat threatened to overtake him completely, unable to help but feel flustered from the fact that all of their friends were witnessing this from just a few feet away.

“Y-You did…?” he asked with wide eyes.

At this point, though Joe wasn’t paying too close attention, a soft flush crept its way onto Mimi’s cheeks, “Yeah, it was just…” she trailed off for a moment, “Just a little something I wanted you to have,” she added simply, before she clasped her hands behind her back and gave him another bright smile. Joe closed the box and set it in his pocket as gently as he could.

“W-Well thanks, Meems. I’m going to wear this a bunch, I already know it,” Joe smiled, the rosy color that had settled on his face now starting to slowly fade. Mimi couldn’t help but preen, that smile shining even brighter as the two fell silent. Not long after, Tai quickly stepped forward.

“You have candy for the rest of us, right Mimi?” Tai asked teasingly, and Mimi laughed gently.

“Oh, don’t you worry! I brought enough for everyone!” she assured him with a gentle pat on the arm, “I just wanted to give Joe his gifts first.”

The smile on Tai’s face left Joe’s chest tight, and he offered a strained one back.

“By the way, we were thinking of treating you to lunch to continue your big welcome back celebration, you up for it?” he asked.

“Definitely! I just need to let my parents know real quick,” she said.

“You’re sure you won’t be too tired, Mimi?” Joe asked, “You were on an incredibly long flight and your body thinks it's in a timezone that’s halfway across the world!”

Mimi shrugged off his concern and flashed him a smile, “I’ll be fine! I can sleep later! Plus, I’m finally back after so long! You don’t really want me to go home while you’re all going to go out and have some fun, are you?” she asked. Joe rapidly shook his head.

“N-No, of course not!” the words tumbled from his lips quickly.

“Then it’s settled! Let’s keep this celebration going!” she cheered. From behind, everyone smiled at the confirmation, and Davis, Yolei, Matt, and TK all let out a cheer in response.

***

Getting a group of twelve teenagers to settle on a place to eat would’ve normally been a trial, but Mimi’s suggestion of barbecue as something simple and easy, where they could all be close together and talk while at the grills while they cooked their own food would be fun.

Joe had attempted to sit off to the side, but as soon as they were all scrambling for chairs, Mimi had grabbed onto his arm and yanked him along to sit in the middle, next to her. Yolei had instantly rushed to sit on Mimi’s other side, while Sora and Matt sat next to Joe. Tai sat down on one end of the table, next to Sora, while Izzy sat next to him. On the other end next to Yolei was Cody, with Davis and Ken next to him. Directly across from Mimi were Kari and TK.

While it definitely was chaotic to have all of them in one place, talking, laughing, and joking around, Joe was glad to have taken the day off from his school work and academic worries. Not only had it been a while since he was last able to spend real time with everyone, but considering the occasion, there was no way he could miss this.

There was no way he could— there was no way he would miss his best friend coming back to Japan. His hand slipped into his pocket, and he loosely held the small box in his hand, unable to help but smile to himself. He watched quietly as Mimi handed out candy to everyone else. It was some American candy with chocolate and peanut butter that he never had before and told Mimi he would try after dinner tonight.

“Oh man! Mimi, this is so good!” Davis said with a beaming smile on his face. He took a moment to lick a bit of melted chocolate off his thumb, then let out a content sigh.

“I’m pretty jealous that you could just get this whenever,” TK said before popping the last bit of his in his mouth.

“Thank you very much, Mimi,” Cody smiled.

“Yeah, thank you!” Kari added.

Izzy took a drink from his bottle of tea and then nodded, “I can only imagine what other kinds of candy you must have been able to have.”

As Joe took a brief moment to look at Mimi, it was easy to tell just how ecstatic she was just not from everyone’s reactions about the candy she had given everyone, but also just being back home. Joe couldn’t help but smile, too, which, as Mimi looked around at their friends and caught Joe’s smile, her own grew.

The two’s eyes met, which must have seemed to any of their friends to last a few moments too long, but also felt far too short. Mimi opened her mouth to speak, but before she could say anything, a waitress placed a plate of meat down on the table with a loud clatter, causing the both of them to just about jump from their seats. Mimi took one last, brief look at Joe before she turned her attention to the food which was starting to arrive at the table en masse.

“Oh, this looks great!” Mimi chirped, and Joe couldn’t help but smile at her excitement. As Joe looked around the table to see all of their friends start to cook their food, and once he looked over at Tai, Matt, and Sora, he saw the former two start to grin at him. Joe’s expression almost immediately started to falter, and once Sora noticed, she shot the two boys a withering look. They instantly focused on the grill, wasting no time in starting to cook their food.

“Sorry,” Sora mouthed to Joe, who shook his head immediately. He offered her an appreciative, if tight, smile before he too went to focus on his food.

The meal had gone peacefully, and Joe primarily remained quiet, more than content to listen to his friends talk while he enjoyed his food. The younger Digidestined were talking about their adventures in junior high school, while the older kids were lamenting how little they were looking forward to school starting back up again.

“Well, at least now we have Mimi going to school with us,” Izzy said as he peered down at the piece of beef that was sizzling on the grill, giving it a quick once over before flipping it over to let it cook more.

Although Joe kept his smile up, he couldn’t help but feel sad. Another reminder that his friends were so far away. While he was fretting over intense coursework and getting ready for university, all of his friends were going to be enjoying their high school years right by each other. And once school started up again? How many chances would he have to see everyone before he was deep in the throes of studying?

As he picked up another piece of meat from the grill, he quietly mulled on those thoughts. While he was quietly focused on his plans to be attending University of Tokyo’s pre-med program next year, Mimi set down her chopsticks and clapped her hands together, quickly gathering everyone’s attention.

“So I know it’s short notice, but I was thinking since we still have a few days until school starts back again, I was thinking… what if we had a picnic!”

Joe couldn’t help his smile. It was almost like she read his mind and knew how much he wanted to try and spend as much time as he could with everyone before he’d be too busy to even think about unwinding.

“That’s a great idea!” Sora said, and the rest of the Digidestined followed in a chorus of agreement.

“Awesome! I can make a bunch of food, and maybe we can meet at Odaiba Seaside Park?” Mimi suggested.

“Nuh uh, no way,” Yolei spoke up, causing Mimi to blink in surprise, “You just got back! Let us handle the picnic feast!” she grinned, “I’ll bring a bunch of stuff from my parents’ store!”

Mimi’s eyes sparkled, “I really don’t mind cooking, but… would you mind bringing me a tuna mayo onigiri…?” she asked. A triumphant grin was glued to Yolei’s face.

“I’ll bring as many as you want!”

It almost seemed like Mimi was going to sob tears from joy, “Oh, I love you so much Yolei,” she breathed out. Her words caused Yolei’s bright smile to turn into a smaller, goofy one, her cheeks going flush, and she rubbed the back of her neck.

“Anything for you, Mimi,” she said.

“Well, can I at least make some dessert for everyone, then? I’m sure we’ll have something at home that I can make!” Mimi said.

“Well if you’re sure, I don’t think any of us would turn down anything you’d make,” TK said, to which came another round of agreement.

As the group started to fall into excited talk about the new plans for tomorrow, Mimi turned to look up at Joe.

“You’ll be there too, right?” she asked, voice hopeful. Joe nodded immediately.

“Of course.”

The way Mimi smiled left Joe smiling, too, and for the rest of their time at the barbecue restaurant, the mood was bright, and even Joe, for all his worrying and anxiety, was just as bright and sunny as Mimi.

***

As the sun started to dip into the horizon, the group had opted to split up for the day, everyone still in high spirits both from Mimi’s arrival home and for their plans for a continued celebration of her homecoming.

“Are you sure you don’t need to go back home now?”

“I’m sure, yeah. Plus I don’t want you to walk back home on your own.”

“Thanks.”

The two had made their way back to Mimi’s apartment complex— the same one she lived in originally— and had remained mostly quiet along the way. The mere presence of the other was enough for them, and they simply enjoyed walking together. Mimi was happy to enjoy the little ways Odaiba had changed and stayed the same, the beautiful flowers they passed by from various gardens, and the beautiful sunset they were privy to.

“I’m really glad you were able to make it today,” Mimi said simply as the two rounded a corner onto another street.

“I told you I wouldn’t miss it for anything, right?” he said. Even if he had some studying to catch up on tonight, he’d gladly deal with that if it meant he got to be there to see his best friend come home.

Come home.

It was another reminder that she really was back, not just for a week, but until she might ever decide to leave again.

“I know, it’s just…” she trailed off, and as Joe looked at her, he tilted his head slightly as he saw she ducked her head.

“…I was just really happy to have you there,” she said with a shy smile.

“Well, I was really happy when you told me you were coming back,” he said, pausing for a moment, “I’m really glad you’re back.”

“I’m glad to be back,” she said softly.

The two fell into silence again, Mimi trying to will her blush away while Joe was looking ahead at the sunset ahead of them again.

A few moments later Mimi brought the back of her hand to her cheeks, relieved that it no longer felt so warm, she spoke.

“I’m not gonna lie… I was really surprised to see you cut your hair!” she said.

“You’re not the only one,” he said, pausing for a beat, “Well— not that you cut your hair, but it’s not pink anymore!” he said.

“I wanted to keep it, but knowing how much stricter school would be here, I thought it would be easier to just go back to being brunette,” she said.

“It still looks good, though, you don’t have to worry about that… even if I will miss being able to pick you out of a crowd at any time,” he laughed.

A look of mock offense came on Mimi’s face and she stopped in her tracks, placing her hands on her hips.

“You wouldn’t be able to find me in a crowd just because I don’t have pink hair now!?”

Joe let out a louder laugh, “Well, I’d like to hope I can, so please don’t get too mad if I don’t…?” he asked.

Mimi turned her nose to the sky, “Hmph!” Just a moment after, though, Mimi burst into laughter, and Joe did too, garnering a few looks from people across the street. Nothing mattered to the two teens aside from each other’s company, though, and though it took a bit for the two to calm down, they eventually continued on their way with bright smiles.

“I won’t lie, I do miss your long hair,” she said.

“Ah, yeah, it was getting a little too long to manage. And my dad thought it would be better if I went back to short hair,” he shrugged. Mimi frowned.

“Aww… well, maybe one day? It would be a shame if you never even grew it out a little bit again,” she said. Joe nodded.

“Hopefully, yeah.”

As they approached a small playground right next to Mimi’s apartment building, she stopped and reached over to gently tug on Joe’s wrist.

“Hey… do you mind if we hang out here for a bit? I just want to… talk for a little bit.”

Joe’s brow furrowed slightly as he looked down at Mimi, trying to gauge if anything was wrong with her. However, nothing seemed wrong if the expression on her face was anything to go by, and he gladly allowed himself to be dragged off to the playground. Mimi sat down on one of the swings and started to gently swing back and forth. Joe sat down next to her, hands resting in his lap as he looked over to his best friend. He waited for her to say something, but she seemed to be deep in thought, staring at the ground. Joe stayed quiet, not wanting to stir her from her thoughts.

“So, ever since I found out we were coming back to Odaiba, there’s something I’ve wanted to tell you.

Joe blinked in surprise, and his eyes were laser focused on her.

He suddenly felt his heart beating— pounding— in his ears, and his breath was still, chest tight.

“She just wants to say how happy she is that she’s back. That she’s happy we can hang out again after so long. That’s all.”

And suddenly, the guilt he felt over not bringing up his girlfriend to Mimi crashed over him like a tidal wave. It wasn’t like he was trying to hide his girlfriend from anyone but Matt and Sora, but with how busy he was and how little he’d had a chance to see anyone, it just never came up.

Considering the few times he and Mimi had talked since then, it was mostly to catch up about how she was, or her checking in to make sure he was taking care of himself and not studying himself to exhaustion.

Anything like… like that… it was so long ago. There was no way she felt the same. She had spent years in America. There was no way…

“Do you remember when we had to go fight the Dark Masters? And I was… so sick of fighting and losing our friends and I just couldn’t do it anymore? And you stayed with me?”

His breath caught in his throat, and although he opened his mouth, wanting to say something, anything to try and get ahead of this, it felt like it was full of cotton, and he was almost too numb, too focused on her, to say anything.

Instead, he slowly nodded.

“We were already friends, but I just… thought you were so wonderful. Being there and supporting me. I was so scared and I didn’t want anything to happen to Palmon, but you were and Gomamon were so brave,” she said, letting out a wistful sigh after, “And things with us felt kind of… different.”

Mimi’s voice was a whisper, and even though there was no one else around, it was as if she wanted to make sure only Joe would hear her. She was shyer than he had ever seen her, and it was absolutely unlike what Joe had heard or seen from her before.

“You knew that too, right?” she asked, turning to look at him. She had been swaying gently back and forth on the swing, but finally stopped, one last creak of the metal chains ringing out around them.

“Y-Yeah…”

Fleeting moments way back when, glances that lasted too long, the way he would feel swarms of butterflies in his stomach when she would grab his hand to drag him along somewhere with the others. The way he had given her that valentine after their trip to the Digital World, which had remained an unspoken secret between the two of them after all of this time. Something he wanted to talk to her about until she tearfully revealed to the group that she would be moving.

At that point, though all of those same feelings stayed, they didn’t talk about it. Instead it was sad smiles and heartache for him, and though he wasn’t entirely sure, it seemed like it was that way for her, too.

Knowing that anytime he would see her after that would be just fleeting moments hurt, and it was easy to see on her face just how much her feelings must have mirrored her own.

Tears started to prick at the corners of her eyes, and Mimi immediately blinked them away to try and head off any crying, but it didn’t work. Instead her eyes started to water and she took a deep breath to try and calm herself— to no avail.

“Joe… you mean… so much to me. You’re my best friend, but for so long, even when I was in New York… you were always so much more than that.”

“Mimi…” he breathed out.

This was… this was something he thought about for so long, but had always remained hesitant on ever bringing up while she was so far away. The distance hurt, and he wasn’t sure if he would’ve been able to handle that.

Maybe it was cowardice. Too afraid to bring up his crush to her in the saddest of times, and too afraid to feel the sting of a long distance relationship, where they’d have so few chances to talk and even fewer to hold each other and spend time together like a normal couple their age.

Now he had a girlfriend, having assumed that any feelings she had were long gone, and his brain was screaming. Screaming for her to stop and not continue with where he knew she was going, and screaming at himself for having not told her sooner.

Joe sat there still and short of breath as Mimi was mustering up the strength to say those next words that Joe had wanted to hear for so long, but knew now more than ever that he couldn’t.

“I like— no— I love you, Joe. I… I really do. And you have no idea how happy I am to finally be able to tell you! To be back home and to have this chance to have us!”

Joe stared at her in quiet amazement, seeing the tears start to spill down her cheeks. What he wouldn’t have given to be able to wipe them from her cheeks and hold her. To tell her that he felt the same and had for all this time, even with half the globe separating them.

Mimi’s hand lay against her heart as she looked at him, “Joe. I… I want nothing more than to be your girlfriend. To have you as my boyfriend.”

She started to smile, a wide one that left Joe’s heart pounding. Seeing Mimi smile, and because of this, should’ve been the best thing for Joe Kido.

And in a way it was, but it just as much broke his heart right down the middle. A brief image flashed through his mind of what he would have done had he not had a girlfriend, and all he could see was him picking Mimi up and spinning, letting her laughter fill the air as they celebrated their new relationship.

As much as that mental image warmed his heart, it left his stomach turning, feeling as though that thought alone left him betraying his girlfriend. At that point he looked down, unable to stop himself from tearing up, too. Mimi’s elation faded near instantly when he did, and she leaned down to try and get a better look at his face, concern clear on hers.

“Joe…?” she asked quietly. He took in a deep, ragged breath and swallowed hard before he spoke.

“Mimi, I… I have a girlfriend…” he told her slowly. She deserved better than this, to be told during what he could only now imagine was something she had been waiting to tell him since she found out she'd be moving back. He couldn’t look at her, because he knew he wouldn’t be able to handle the sight of her face.

Mimi said nothing.

Joe clasped his hands together, resting his forehead against them.

“I’m… sorry. I’m really sorry, Mimi.”

Sorry that he hurt her like this.

And sorry that things couldn’t be different for the two of them.

“I think I’m going to go home. My parents are probably waiting for me.”

Her voice was tight, and as he finally turned to look at her, she was already standing. Her eyes were red and puffy, and she seemed moments away from breaking down into sobs.

“Let me walk you back,” he said, slowly pushing himself up.

“It’s just right over there, I’ll be fine, Joe,” she told him, offering him a tight, awkward smile.

“…Please? It would just… help me feel a lot better if I knew you got back safely.

Mimi turned her head away from him to wipe her eyes with the back of her hand, then looked up at him again.

“…Ok. Thank you,” she said quietly.

The walk to the front of her apartment building felt agonizingly long, the awkward silence lingering over them like a thick fog. Joe wasn’t sure if Mimi wanted to say anything, but he wanted to just… apologize. Over and over again. For hurting her like this. But he didn’t have the strength to do so. Once they reached the door they stopped, and Mimi turned to face him. Joe took a deep breath.

“Mimi…”

“I’m sorry.”

“Can we still be friends? You’re my best friend… you always will be,” he said.

Mimi was quiet for a few moments, but then slowly nodded.

“Of course. You’ll… you’ll always be my best friend, too…” she trailed off, glancing over to the door. Joe felt like he just made it worse. But he just needed Mimi to know that she would always be his best friend.

“I’ll see you tomorrow…?” he asked.

Mimi offered him another tight smile.

“Yeah, see you tomorrow, Joe.”

Without any other words between the two, Mimi quickly walked into the building, speeding towards the elevator as quickly as she could. Joe was able to catch just one quick look at her as she pushed the door open and went in, seeing more tears start to spill down her cheeks. Joe’s shoulders slumped and he turned to make his way back home.

He had been so excited to see Mimi… she had been so excited to see him. And now he hurt her so badly when he never wanted to do anything like that. Years ago he made sure she was safe in the Digital World, and now…

All he could hope was that tomorrow they could try and move past this and still be the friends they had been for so long.

#digimon #digiweek2022 #day 7 #odaiba day #digimon fanfiction #jyoumi #ship related #ship #joe kido #mimi tachikawa #jou kido #sloanefics

[sloanerisette]

How To Win Your Senpai In 10 Days Chapter 3 - Camp Digimonth 2023

Ok that was a long break between updates, sorry, BUT I wanted to get this chapter out by the end of January, and I managed to do it! This chapter is a LOT longer than the last one, because there was a lot I wanted to put in, and honestly there was a ton of editing I did because I kept adding stuff, taking stuff away, rearranging stuff, and I think ultimately I'm happy with where it is now. I didn't want it to feel too bloated, so I took out a few things, but I think this will be a very fun chapter!

I hope you all enjoy, because if this chapter is where things really start to heat up, from here on out it'll be a roaring fire!

If you want to read it on AO3 or comment, you can do so here!

Without further ado!

---

Yesterday it felt like the sky cracked open and fell apart all around her. Like the ground opened up and swallowed her hole, leaving her falling and flailing forever.

Mimi had to use all her strength not to cry in front of her parents over what had happened, and instead put on a brave, bright face for them over dinner as they talked about being back and asked how her time with her friends was.

Once she was heading off to bed, though, she stared down at her phone, looking at the last texts she had with Joe.

[Tachikawa Mimi]: We’re taking off in a few!

[Kido Joe]: Make sure you get plenty of rest on the way over.

[Tachikawa Mimi]: I will!

[Kido Joe]: And make sure you wipe down the tray table on the plane! Those things are ridden with germs.

[Tachikawa Mimi]: Way ahead of you!

[Tachikawa Mimi]: I’ll see you soon Joe, I can’t wait :)

[Kido Joe]: Me either. See you soon, Mimi.

Nothing since.

She felt guilty for not asking if he had gotten home safely, but she was still feeling too hurt to talk to him. She’d have to face Joe tomorrow at the picnic, but that would be something to handle at that point. For now, she wanted to lie in bed and wallow over all that had happened.

Mimi was never the type to wallow in sadness, she knew that, but right now her heart hurt too much to do anything else. Her phone had been abuzz both from her friends in New York and the other Digidestined about the flight to Japan, plans for tomorrow, what it was like being back after so long… and as much as she wanted to get in hours long conversations with them all and stay up well past midnight to talk, she just didn’t have it in her.

For now, she would just go to sleep and look forward to the fact that tomorrow she would be able to wake up and have a picnic with her friends. The last time that had happened was far too long ago and had been under less than ideal circumstances, and even if she wouldn’t be able to show up with Joe, hand in hand, she would still be with her favorite people in the world to enjoy the day.

As she slowly started to drift off to sleep, she held that thought close to her in hopes that it would ease her mind and heart even a bit.

Unfortunately, Mimi’s slumber wasn’t nearly as restful as she hoped it would be, instead plagued with the day’s events playing on repeat in her mind.

By the time she woke up, it wasn’t even 8 in the morning yet, and after a half an hour lying in bed, looking at the ceiling without being able to fall asleep, Mimi finally pushed herself out of bed.

She needed to busy herself and do something before she’d need to get ready for the day, and as she checked the kitchen, she was relieved to find that at some point yesterday her parents had gone to pick up ingredients to bake.

Even with the heavy weight hanging over her, Mimi couldn’t help but feel a bit excited at the prospect of making something for her friends after so long, and quickly got to work to prepare some treats for the picnic. She was in her element, and for now, working on this brand new cookie recipe to wow everyone kept all those painful thoughts at bay.

She settled on white chocolate and matcha cookies, given this was the first time in so long she actually had matcha to work with, and the combination sounded especially tantalizing to her. By the time they were in the oven, her parents were finally up, surprised at how much of a whirlwind the kitchen had become.

“You’re up early, sweetheart! I figured you would’ve wanted to sleep in after how busy yesterday was,” her father teased her gently.

With how focused she was on baking, Mimi’s smile was so bright, that she had to continue to force it now that the reminder of yesterday slammed back in her mind.

She had to keep up that smile so her parents wouldn’t get concerned. They came back to Japan and her parents were so happy to know she’d be able to spend time with her old friends again.

Mimi couldn’t just show them how she was feeling after all they had done to come back…

The brunette swallowed hard and forced a wider smile than before, “We’re all having a picnic today! I wanted to bake something nice since no one’s had a chance to try my treats in so long!”

Her voice broke a bit at the very end and Mimi internally cringed, praying they didn’t catch it.

“Oh! That sounds like such a great time! All of you have fun!” her mom chirped happily, and Mimi let out a quiet sigh of relief that it seemed to pass by with no issue.

“I will, mama, thanks,” Mimi smiled. Her mother moved to the oven and leaned forward to look at the baking cookies.

“They smell delicious!”

“It’s a new recipe I thought up! I think they’ll be a big hit!” Mimi said, “I made plenty for all of us, too!”

“Well, I can’t wait to try them!” her dad said.

Now her smile was a lot more genuine as pride welled up in her. Maybe she wasn’t feeling good, but knowing that she was in the process of making some amazing cookies her friends and family would love had her feeling just a bit better.

“I think I’m going to get ready while this first batch is baking,” Mimi finally said after a few moments.

“Do you want me to take them out for you when they’re done?” her mom asked.

“Please! You two can take as many from the first batch as you want!” she said, before running off to the bathroom.

After last night, a nice, hot shower was exactly what she needed, and she continually reminded herself that things would keep going. She would still be able to enjoy the day with her friends despite what happened with Joe.

Even if she had to quietly pine from afar, having her closest friends nearby would be enough to ease the pain of her aching heart. At least she hoped it would be.

After she was done, she put on her best sundress and did her hair and makeup before she checked her phone to see she had gotten a few new texts.

[Kido Joe]: Hey Mimi!

[Kido Joe]: Do you need a ride to the park today?

[Kido Joe]: I have my brother’s old car, so I can be there any time.

A sad smile settled on Mimi’s face, and she couldn’t stop the gentle flush that graced her cheeks.

Why did he have to always be so kind and thoughtful and considerate and helpful? It would’ve been easier to handle if he wasn’t, but… that was just Joe. Always thinking of others.

Her thumbs hovered over her phone screen, shaking slightly as she thought of what to say to him. After a moment she swallowed down her nerves and began typing away.

[Tachikawa Mimi]: Good morning! If it isn’t too much trouble, it would be great! I’m gonna have a lot of stuff to bring with me, and it’d be great to not have to take a bus over!

[Kido Joe]: Sure! Just let me know when you’re ready.

[Tachikawa Mimi]: Of course! I just gotta wait for some more cookies to finish but once they’re cooling I’ll text you!

[Kido Joe]: I’m excited to try whatever it is you’re making. I’ll see you soon.

[Tachikawa Mimi]: See you soon!

She could handle this. It would be no problem.

***

With two containers filled to the brim with cookies in her arms, Mimi barreled out the door, ready to head down and wait for Joe to get there. However, just a few steps out and she bumped into someone, causing both her containers and an armful of books to spill across the walkway.

“Oh no!” Mimi cried out, letting out a sigh of relief as she saw a second later that they were safe and sound.

Right after it clicked that she bumped into a person who had also spilled their things, too.

“I’m so sorry!” she cried out as her head whipped around to look at who she ran into.

A young woman, who couldn’t have been much older than her, with big, round glasses that made her eyes look almost owl-like and short, messy brown hair. She was wearing an oversized hoodie and a long, striped skirt that went to her knees. She had black shoes on and high socks to match. Mimi couldn’t help but think how they seemed like such complete opposites. She helped pick up one of the books that the girl hadn’t gotten yet and handed it to her.

“Don’t worry about it, it happens,” the girl told her as she took the book from Mimi and brought the stack of books to her chest as she started to stand up. Mimi grabbed her two containers of cookies that had thankfully remained sealed and dirt-free, and stood up, too, offering the girl a smile, which she returned.

“You’re not hurt or anything, are you?” Mimi asked, and the girl shook her head.

“I’m fine. Honestly, this many books is pretty usual for me, so it’s ok,” the girl said chuckled, “Are your… are those cookies…? Are they ok?”

Mimi laughed and nodded, “They’re cookies, yeah. Matcha and white chocolate chip. They’re ok, thankfully.”

“That’s an interesting combination,” the girl said, tilting her head curiously, “I’m sure whoever they’re for would have really missed out.”

“Oh, yeah. I’m having a big picnic with a bunch of my friends today and I decided to bake a ton of cookies. I’d feel awful if I wasn’t able to bring them these,” she said. A light bulb turned on in Mimi’s head and she opened up one of the containers and offered the girl a cookie, “Here, you can have one, too!”

The girl blinked in surprise, but took it and took a bite and started to nod to herself. Her eyes went wide and she looked down at the green and white cookie she held.

“This is really good, thanks,” she said when she swallowed. Mimi smiled wide.

“Of course! I’m glad you liked it! It’s a new recipe, so I was kinda nervous about it,” she said.

The girl laughed, “Well if the rest are that good, I’m sure there won’t be any complaints,” she said before popping the rest of the cookie in her mouth.

“Thanks!” Mimi chirped happily, “Oh! I’m Mimi, by the way.”

“Manami,” the girl returned with a nod, “Did you just move in?”

“Yeah! Right here,” Mimi said, pointing to the door behind her.

“I live just two doors down. It’s nice to meet you.”

“You, too!”

She had a new friend now— sort of. Though she wasn’t sure if they would be particularly close or hang out a lot, Mimi was always glad to meet someone new and make a new friend. However, Mimi’s eyes went back to Manami's books and she tilted her head curiously.

“I’m heading to the library to study today.”

“Really? But school hasn’t even started back yet!” Mimi cried out. Manami shrugged lightly.

“I know, but my classes this year are going to be pretty intense, so I want to get ahead of the game,” Manami told her.

Mimi couldn’t help but chuckle softly and Manami quirked an eyebrow.

“Oh! Sorry! I’m not laughing at you or anything. You just reminded me of a friend when you said that. He’s always studying and doing schoolwork, and most of the time we have to drag him along to do anything,” Mimi explained, unable to help but fall into a bout of giggles.

Manami ended up smiling and laughing, too, “I can relate to that a little too well. I’m kind of a workaholic.”

“Nothing wrong with that!” Mimi insisted with a nod. She always felt that way with Joe, especially with how important his academic future was to him, but, just like she told Manami, she always did her best to make sure he took care of himself. Even when she was across the world, she’d send the occasional text to try and remind him to take a break and take care of himself.

“Just make sure you take care of yourself, and it’s all fine, I think,” Mimi added with a smile, which Manami returned.

“Ah, I’m not keeping you from your picnic, am I?” she asked. Mimi blinked.

“Oh, no, don’t worry! My friend is on his way to pick me up but I don’t think he’s here yet,” she said.

“That’s a relief. Do you want to come down with me? I need to get to the bus stop before the next bus gets here,” Manami said as she adjusted the books in her arms slightly.

“Oh, sure!” Mimi chirped happily.

The two girls made their way down, talking briefly about Manami getting ready for her last year of high school and Mimi’s recent arrival back to Japan, and conversation flowed easily as they stood on the sidewalk while Manami waited for her bus.

The two girls laughed and made their way down, talking briefly about Manami getting ready for her last year of high school and Mimi’s recent arrival back to Japan, and conversation flowed easily between the two as they stood on the sidewalk while Manami waited for the bus to arrive.

“It was really nice meeting you today,” Manami said. Mimi beamed brightly.

“You, too! I didn’t have many classmates who lived near me back in New York, so it's nice to have someone close.”

“The people who lived in that apartment before you were this elderly couple. They were really kind, but they weren’t exactly people to really talk with.”

The two girls burst into a titter of giggles, and Mimi’s chest felt a bit lighter once again. When things took such a downward spiral yesterday, a part of her wondered when she’d feel better. But so far today she made a new friend in Manami and would be able to see all of her friends soon enough.

And that included Joe, even if seeing him would break her heart just as much as it would make it soar.

The sound of a car engine rumbling in the near distance caused both girls’ heads to turn, and that gnashing of conflicting feelings started to well up in her gut again. She kept up a smile, not wanting either Manami or Joe to see her so upset.

Even if he was dating someone else, she didn’t want to take it out on him. Even if it hurt like hell, she didn’t want him to think she didn’t support him.

“I hope you have a good time with your friends today.”

Manami’s voice stirred her from her thoughts, and Mimi smiled.

“Thanks! I hope studying goes well,” she said, offering her a small wave as Joe’s car pulled up to the street.

“Thank you,” she said simply. Mimi padded over to the car and opened the door, bracing herself all the while. Though the smile on her face was genuine, she still had to do everything she could to not show any pain.

“Morning, Joe!”

Joe offered her a warm smile as she poked her head in, hands still on the wheel, “Good morning, Mimi. How’re you?”

Admittedly, she couldn’t exactly be honest with that answer, but at least it would only be a white lie compared to a bold faced one.

“I’m doing good. Excited for the picnic!” she said brightly, holding up the container of cookies for him to see, “Also made something preeeeeeetty good, if I do say so myself.”

Joe chuckled gently, “Well you know I’ll never say no to anything you make,” he said. She tried to push down the elation she felt in that moment, unable to help but feel warm at just a few simple words.

“You ready to go?”

She nodded and got in the passenger seat, turning her head briefly as she heard Manami walk by.

“Bye!”

Manami turned her head and waved to Mimi and then stopped in place, eyes wide with surprise.

“Joe?”

Mimi’s head whipped around to look at Joe, whose jaw was slack and eyes wide.

“Manami?”

As her new friend came closer and closer, a bolt of realization struck Mimi and her eyes went wide, beads of sweat starting to form at her brow.

This couldn’t be happening. This had to just be a friend from school. It couldn’t be— it couldn’t be what she knew deep down it was.

She could feel her heart pounding in her ears as the girl she just met stopped at the side of the car.

“This is your friend who just moved back to Japan?” Manami asked, and Mimi felt utterly nauseous.

“Y-Yeah! I’d introduce you, but it looks like you two are already acquainted,” Joe said.

“Yeah, she lives just a few doors down from me,” Manami said.

“So, uh, Mimi… this is my girlfriend, Manami,” Joe said slowly, and though she felt like she couldn’t look at either of them in those moments, she forced herself to look over at Manami.

“It’s nice to meet you again, Manami,” Mimi said, letting out a soft, forced laugh.

After how low she ended up feeling yesterday, becoming friends with Manami had been a respite from it all. But that had been dashed in an instant, and she wanted nothing more than to sink under the dashboard and never come out.

“So you’re meeting all your friends for a picnic today?” Manami asked, then looked down at the containers of cookies Mimi held, “You should try and get as many of those as you can, they’re really good,” she added with a smile.

This was Joe’s girlfriend. The girl he chose while she was gone.

“Yep. Mimi thought of it yesterday while we were at lunch,” Joe smiled, “You’re going to the library today?”

Manami nodded, “Yeah, I want to try and get ahead on some of the things we’re going to learn in science this year.”

Manami would be at the library while the rest of them were going to have a good time together. She wouldn’t have to worry about any of this and could instead distract herself with the company of her friends. She could just—

“You should come with us!”

Both Joe and Manami looked at Mimi in surprise.

“Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to intrude on your group,” Manami said slowly.

No, Mimi wasn’t sure. Honestly she wasn’t even sure why those words spilled from her mouth so messily. A part of her wanted to see what they were like around each other, sure, but to bring her along? This was a day for their group, as Manami had said. But it was too late now, it was out there, and she couldn’t take it back.

“It’s fine with me… if it’s fine with Joe?” Mimi suggested. Maybe he would say no.

“Uh, sure, that sounds good,” Joe croaked out. Manami smiled and shuffled her books into one arm, then got in the back passenger door.

“Thanks for inviting me, Mimi.”

Mimi sank in her seat slightly.

“Of course. It’ll be great to have you there.”

The rest of the car ride had been painfully awkward, not just for Mimi, but for Joe as well, who was radiating anxious energy during the drive. His fingers drummed against the wheel at stops, and he was laser-focused on the road ahead. She was pretty sure even Manami was able to sense his awkwardness, with the way that she stayed quiet after her first few comments to Joe had been met with silence.

Frankly, the arrival at Odaiba Seaside Park had been a blessing, and it took all of Mimi’s restraint to stop herself from running off ahead to find Sora and cry. This picnic was her idea and there was no way she could ruin it at minute one.

Just about everyone else was there already, and they were all talking and having fun— something Mimi wasn’t entirely sure she could muster up today.

Tai, Kari, and Davis, and Ken were passing a soccer ball back and forth, while Yolei was sitting with Izzy as he typed away on his laptop, the clacks of the keys filling the air. Sora and Kari were deep in conversation, punctuating their words every so often with a laugh. As the three of them approached, Mimi forced a bright smile and waved to her friends.

The closer they got, though, the more of their friends that turned to greet them, and they were met by confused looks from most of the group.

“Hey Joe, Mimi, took you a while, huh?” Tai asked with a teasing grin on his face, barely catching the ball as Ken kicked it towards him.

“Sorry about that, we didn’t miss out on much, did we?” Joe asked.

“We’re just waiting on Matt, TK, and Cody. We had the idea of bringing along our Digimon, so they went to get everyone,” Izzy explained.

“That sounds great!” Mimi said, actually feeling genuine excitement for the first time today. She’d be able to see Palmon after so long, hug her, be able to cry to her, and they’d all be able to be around their partners. It would be just like old times…

“Yo, Joe, I didn’t know you had a sister!” Davis shouted out, and both Mimi and Joe cringed.

“You dork, he doesn’t have a sister,” Tai said, shaking his head as he took a few steps forward, “Obviously he brought his cousin along,” he added with a scoff.

Manami turned a faint shade of red and Joe grimaced. The attention of the entire group was on them, and suddenly he felt himself getting hot, and it wasn’t lost on Mimi as she looked at his face.

“A-Actually, you guys… I’m really sorry for bringing someone without letting everyone know, but… this is my girlfriend, Manami,” he said. Manami laced their fingers together and held up their hands, smiling as she adjusted her glasses.

Mimi’s gaze moved across the group of DigiDestined, trying to get an idea for how everyone was feeling at the news: Tai and Davis were wide-eyed with their jaws dropped, Sora’s lips were pursed in a thin line, her expression so neutral in a way Mimi wasn’t sure she had ever seen before. Ken and Kari both seemed surprised, but they offered her a simple smile, though it seemed to Mimi that Kari could sense the tension in the air just as well as her, and Yolei seemed… incensed.

“Wait, girlfriend? But I thought Joe was dating Mimi!” Davis shouted out, and Joe instantly turned a deep, beet red and he ducked his head. Mimi’s face heated up, and she averted her eyes from the group, unable to look at any of her friends, and especially unable to see what Manami’s face looked like in those moments.

Manami was silent for a moment, more confused than anything, before she let out an awkward laugh, “Oh, uh, no, that’s me,” she said.

Davis opened his mouth again, but instantly closed it as soon as he saw the look on Sora’s face.

“Sorry,” he peeped out after a brief few seconds of silence.

Tai’s eyes went wide as he looked at how serious Sora looked, then he craned his neck over to look at Izzy.

“Have you heard back from the guys yet?” Tai asked as he walked over to him.

“They’re almost at the Digital Gate, so we’ll be opening this up for them shortly,” Izzy said.

“I’m so excited to meet all of your Digimon,” Manami said as she folded her hands together, “I’ve never actually seen too many, besides that big one that was in the harbor a few years ago, let alone met any!”

“Our partners are all a really interesting bunch,” Sora smiled as she glanced over at Mimi, “It’s gonna be nice to see Palmon again, huh?”

Mimi let out a gentle sigh, “It’s been so long since I’ve seen her,” she frowned.

“It’s not fair that you guys don’t get to have your Digimon around as much!” Davis said.

“Well, we can always keep our partners with us for a while if we all want to,” Izzy said.

“Hopefully Gomamon doesn’t flood the tub again…” Joe sighed, before he took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“I can’t wait to meet him,” Manami said with a wide smile.

“He’s great, but he’s… a lot. You’ll see what I mean.”

Manami laughed, and Mimi felt her heart ache again. Couldn’t they get this picnic started already so she could be preoccupied? Kari walked over towards Joe and Mimi.

“Do you have a partner, Manami?” Kari asked sweetly.

Manami shook her head, “Oh, no, I don’t, but I’ve been in the area my whole life, so I’ve seen just about everything that’s gone on,” she said, before looking up at her boyfriend, “Plus Joe has told me plenty of stories.”

A light bulb turned on in Ken’s head and he snapped his fingers.

“Joe borrowed your bike to help Davis and I get to the Rainbow Bridge, right?” he asked. Davis looked at him, then to Manami, then back to Ken, and then at Manami again.

“Whoa! You’re right! I didn’t even recognize you!”

Manami laughed gently, “Yeah, he sprinted over to me and told me about how his friends needed to get there to be able to stop an evil Digimon.”

Joe’s shoulders slumped, “It was a lot of trouble finding it after,” he sighed.

Davis rubbed the back of his neck and looked away from the oldest DigiDestined, “Oh… sorry about that…” he said quietly.

“Oh, it’s ok,” Manami said, waving it off, “We ended up finding it, and we watched you two defeat that huge Digimon. It was incredible!”

Davis beamed with pride.

“Oh, it looks like they’re ready, everyone stand back,” Izzy called out as he pushed himself up from the grass and stepped back. The group gathered around Izzy’s laptop in a wide half circle, all of the DigiDestined waiting with rapt attention.

The screen turned white, and a blinding light shot out, at which everyone covered their eyes. When the light died down, Matt, TK, Cody, and twelve Digimon were standing there.

“Maybe next time we should take a few trips,” Matt said, shaking his head, “I wasn’t sure if we were all going to fit.”

“Well, at least this is better than the computer lab. I don’t think we would’ve survived a dozen Digimon landing on top of us,” TK laughed before he waved to the group. As Matt glanced across everyone there, a brief look of surprise crossed his face as he noticed Manami. He fixed Joe with a hard glance, before he slowly lightened his expression.

“I hope you all weren’t waiting for us too long,” Cody said as he dusted off his shirt and pants.

“Nah, you’re good,” Tai said as he jabbed his thumb over his shoulder towards Joe, Mimi, and Manami, “They just got here, so you’re right on time.”

TK’s eyes widened as he noticed Manami, “Oh, I didn’t know you guys were bringing extra people,” he said.

“It’s good to see you again, Manami,” Matt greeted her simply. Mimi felt her heart sink. He already knew her?

“You too, Matt. It’s been too long since I’ve seen you and Sora.”

…Sora, too? She could feel tears start to well up in the corner of her eyes, and she blinked them away as quickly as she could, hoping no one else saw. She looked at Sora, who shot her a guilty, apologetic look.

“So, uh,” Joe cut in, “That’s Davis and Ken,” he said, gesturing to the two boys, at which Davis grinned and waved, “Izzy and Yolei, TK, Kari, and Cody, that’s Tai, and, well, you already know Matt and Sora.”

“It’s so nice to finally meet you all! Joe’s told so many stories, and it’s great to put all these faces to your names,” she said as she offered the group a bow.

Joe felt himself heat up as Matt stared himself down, tugging at his collar to try and cool off a bit.

Luckily as soon as the introductions were done, everyone was immediately distracted by the herd of Digimon running forward to meet up with their partners.

“Mimiiiiiiii!” Palmon cried out, and at that point, Mimi couldn’t hold it back any longer. She let herself cry— this time, out of happiness, as she fell to her knees and pulled her partner into a tight hug. Palmon hugged her just as hard and started crying, too.

“Oh, Palmon, I’m so happy to see you. It’s been too long,” Mimi whimpered, burying her face in her partner’s shoulder.

“That just means we’ll have to have a great day!” Palmon cheered in between her own sobbing, patting Mimi on the back gently, “I’m so happy to see you, too, Mimi.”

“Do you want to… do you want to stay with me for a while?” Mimi asked, finally pulling herself away, her eyes watering and her lip wobbling.

“I’d love to!” Palmon grinned.

Mimi cried again, this time a rougher sob, and she buried her face in her hands for a moment as she tried to gather herself. At this point, Palmon stopped crying, and looked over her partner in concern.

“Mimi, are you ok?”

“I-I’m ok, Palmon, really. I’m just… so happy to see you. I really needed this,” she said as she wiped her eyes.

A couple yards away, Gomamon had all but flown towards Joe, nearly knocking him over as he leapt into his arms. Manami laughed at the sight.

“Oh, Joe, old buddy, old pal! You actually decided to pull your nose out of those books, huh?” Gomamon teased as he patted his partner on the shoulder. Joe’s chest felt warm at his partner’s teasing, but fixed him with a deadpan stare.

“Great to see you too, Gomamon,” he droned, unable to keep it up for too long before his face cracked into a smile.

“It’s always great to see me!” Gomamon winked, before he looked at Manami and blinked.

“Did you bring your cousin?”

A deep blush consumed Joe’s face and he furrowed his brow, “She’s not— this is my girlfriend, Manami.”

Gomamon seemed shocked, tiny jaw dropped as he looked at his partner.

“Huh, I didn’t expect that,” Gomamon said. Joe looked at Manami and mouthed an ‘I’m sorry’ to her.

“Who did he expect?” Joe thought to himself.

Thankfully, besides the brief flush of embarrassment, Manami moved past it quickly enough, “It’s good to meet you, Gomamon. Joe’s told me so much about you.”

“Of course he has!” Gomamon said triumphantly, “I bet he’s told all of our best stories!”

“Well he did tell me about the time you ate all their rations while you two were lost in the ocean on a… mattress?” Manami said as she placed a finger on her chin, trying to remember.

“It was a whole bed, thankfully,” Joe said.

Gomamon puffed out his cheeks, “Oh, so that’s the story you tell? Not any of our cool ones?” he asked, and Joe started to laugh.

“Relax, I told her about everything,” he smiled.

Gomamon’s brow raised, “Wow, I’m not used to you joking around this much.”

“I made one joke, Gomamon.”

“I know,” Gomamon grinned. There was a beat of silence, and then Manami just about doubled over with laughter.

“You two are so cute!” she said, wiping a tear from her eye once she started to calm down a bit. Gomamon looked over at her with a proud smile on his face.

“I like her,” he said.

Joe was transfixed on Manami in those moments, a fond smile gracing his features.

“Me, too.”

***

Sora and Biyomon walked over to Mimi and Palmon, and Sora squatted down to be on Mimi’s level.

“Are you alright?”

“You know her?” Mimi whispered, and Sora’s eyes went wide. She could already piece everything together just based on how painful it seemed to be for Mimi to say those three words.

“He never told you about her?” Sora asked as she felt all the air pushed from her lungs. She turned her head to look at Joe, Manami, and Gomamon, then focused back on Mimi, now adjusting herself to sit cross-legged on the ground.

“He didn’t tell any of us about her besides you two,” Mimi said, unable to help the harsh edge in her voice, swallowing a lump in her throat and letting out a shaky breath before continuing, “And I poured my heart out to him yesterday.”

Mimi choked out a weak sob and in that moment Sora felt her heart break.

“You—”

“Told him I love him? Yes,” she said, mere moments from crumpling as her shoulders shook, “And he decided the right time to tell me about his girlfriend was right then.”

Sora was getting angrier with each word Mimi said, and when she looked over at Matt who was busy talking with Tai and Izzy, she could tell from the look on his face that he was feeling the exact same way. She distracted herself from it in that moment as she pulled Mimi into a tight hug, which the two Digimon quickly joined in on.

“I’m so, so sorry, Mimi. I’m so sorry,” Sora whispered.

“It’s…”

Ok? Of course it wasn’t.

But what else was she supposed to do? She promised herself she wouldn’t take it out on him. That wasn’t fair on him. Even if she wanted to be, she just couldn’t manage to be mad at him.

“It’s fine,” Mimi choked out, forcing a smile on her face as she briefly pulled away from the hug. Seeing how strong Mimi tried to look in those moments left Sora pulling her into another hug, and Mimi melted into her friend’s arms and let out a quiet sigh. Once she managed to calm down a bit, she wiped her eyes and pulled away, and Mimi swallowed a lump in her throat.

“So… you and Matt know her?” Mimi asked slowly, and Sora once again had that guilty look on her face as she looked away.

“Y-Yeah,” she choked out, “We ran into them one weekend while Matt and I were out. We were just as surprised as you are.”

“Oh.”

“Mimi… are you ok…?” Palmon asked, and Sora turned back to see that Mimi seemed on the verge of tears again.

“I-I’m fine, Palmon,” she said, silently glad she had decided to put on waterproof makeup this morning.

Footsteps stomped over, and both girls looked to see Yolei and Hawkmon approaching. Yolei looked as mad as she seemed when Joe introduced his girlfriend to the group.

However, as soon as she reached her seniors, Yolei’s expression softened, and she too, squatted down and hugged Mimi.

If there was anything good about all of this, it was that she was getting a lot of love from the people she loved most.

“I’m so sorry, Mimi, oh my god. Oh my god I’m so, so sorry,” the words spilled from her lips messily.

“Thanks, Yolei.”

“I have so many tuna mayo onigiri for you! You can have literally all of them today, I'll fight Ken if he even gets near them.”

Mimi coughed out a laugh, and this time the few tears that spilled from her eyes were from laughter.

“You’re the best,” Mimi said as they finally pulled away, “I know I suggested the picnic, but would it be bad if I just stayed with you guys the whole time? Or at least… didn’t go near Joe?”

“Not at all!” Yolei chirped immediately.

“You’ve been dealing with a lot. We can all hang out with you today if it’ll help,” Sora smiled.

Mimi was glad to have such good friends.

“Yolei, you don’t mind coming with me to help get the food set up, do you?” Sora asked.

“Not at all,” Yolei said as she shook her head, “Will you be ok until then, Mimi…?”

Mimi nodded, “I’ll be ok, promise,” she said before she handed the containers of cookies to the girl, “Do you mind taking these over, too? I made cookies.”

Yolei let out a wistful sigh, “You are literally the best,” she beamed.

“We’ll be right back, Mimi,” Sora said, waving goodbye as the two girls and their partners walked over to the small caravan of coolers.

“Ok everyone! We’re going to get lunch ready!” Sora shouted as she clapped her hands, getting everyone’s attention in an instant.

Mimi watched as all their friends gathered around Yolei and Sora, everyone getting plates full of food. She couldn’t help but smile as she watched everyone excitedly grab her cookies, unable to stop the laughter from bubbling from her throat as she watched Davis stuff a few in his mouth right away. That joy disappeared just as quickly when Manami grabbed a few for herself, Joe, and Gomamon.

Thankfully, she didn’t have too long to be caught in her thoughts, as Yolei was rushing back as quickly as she could.

“Mimi! I got you so much stuff!” she called out, panting for breath as she finally stopped in front of her senior and offered the plate. Hawkmon was a few steps behind her, carrying a plate stacked high with food.

“It’s a wonder you didn’t drop all of that everywhere!” Hawkmon chided, before he sat down, shaking his head and tutting at his partner’s behavior. Yolei smirked before she handed Mimi a plate of food and sat down next to her partner.

“Thanks, Yolei,” Mimi said before she picked up one of the many onigiri that was stacked on her plate. She picked it up and took a bite, allowing herself a few moments of peace to quietly enjoy it, as bittersweet as it was. She had missed delicious, convenience store snacks like this, and to be able to enjoy it surrounded by friends was something just as special. But with all she had been thrown into, even the simple joy of her favorite snack had lost some of its luster.

As Sora and Kari walked over, they could see the hurt clear on Mimi’s face.

***

As Matt walked towards their little group, Joe could immediately feel the danger he was in. The way blonde’s eyes were narrowed at him, his stiff body language, and the way his fists were clenched, Joe felt his fight or flight response screaming in his brain. Somehow Manami and Gomamon hadn’t seemed to notice, and in fact, Manami waved to Matt in greeting.

“Hey Matt, do you wanna hang out with us?” she asked. Matt’s expression lightened and he put on a smile.

“Actually, I was hoping I could talk to Joe for a few minutes? Just some…”

Matt’s eyes narrowed on Joe again, and he swallowed hard.

“Guy chat.”

“Oh, sure! Gomamon and I will go find Sora, then. See you in a few,” she said, waving goodbye to Joe with her fingers before she padded off across the park to the girls. Gomamon flopped over her shoulder and waved exaggeratedly to Joe.

“Well, at least Gomamon will have someone to help take care of him when I die…”

“What is wrong with you?” Matt hissed under his breath as soon as the two were out of earshot.

“I— I—” Joe stuttered.

Matt folded his arms as he stared down his friend, “Well?”

“Mimi… told me how she felt about me last night when I dropped her off…” he said, unable to look at Matt in those moments. He rubbed the back of his neck, his face hot just knowing how Matt was glaring at him.

“And you brought her along today? The hell is wrong with you?”

Joe’s eyes went wide as they snapped to Joe, and he shook his head, “No! No no no! I didn’t plan on that! Really!”

Matt took a deep breath and then let out a slow exhale to calm himself, “Then what happened?” he asked, unable to keep the slight bite out of his words.

“So I asked Mimi if she wanted me to pick her up, since I just… you know… wanted to offer that same friendship I always have. I wanted to make sure things wouldn’t change because of what happened yesterday,” he started.

“So, uh, when I went to pick her up, Manami saw us… Apparently she and Mimi are neighbors now…” he sighed, the information still turning over in his mind uncomfortably, “And Mimi asked if she wanted to come along.”

Matt quirked an eyebrow curiously, quiet for a few moments, before he shook his head and moved some hair out of his eyes.

“I can’t believe you, man,” he huffed out.

“How was I supposed to know Mimi liked me!?” Joe asked.

“Anyone with eyes can tell,” Matt shot back, “You even knew she liked you.”

Joe threw his arms up in the air, “I didn’t think she would still like me! It’s been so long since then that I just figured…”

Matt rolled his eyes, “You’re the only one.”

The blonde ran a hand through his hair as he looked over to see Manami with the girls, sitting between Sora and Mimi.

“I-I’m sorry, I really didn’t mean to drop everything like this…” Joe grimaced. He struggled to swallow down a lump in his throat.

“You don’t have to apologize to me,” Matt told him.

“…Yeah, I’ll… I’ll try and find a chance to apologize to her,” Joe nodded slowly. He owed it to her after yesterday. Seeing her like that had been tough, and it was why he wanted to offer that olive branch by driving her over.

“Why didn’t you tell anyone else about Manami?” Matt asked. Joe scratched at his cheek and sighed.

“It wasn’t on purpose. I mean, we’ve just been so busy that I haven’t had many chances to talk to anyone,” he shrugged. Matt fixed him with a steely gaze as he put his hands in his pockets.

“Why didn’t you tell Mimi?”

Joe froze, slowly turning his head to look at his friend.

“Uh, well, to be honest…”

***

The sun was slowly starting to make its way to the horizon, the sky turning orange against the deep blue water that was right by the park. The small group of girls— sans Manami— were sitting together near some of the boys playing soccer.

“I still can’t believe he brought his girlfriend that none of us knew about,” Yolei huffed out as she angrily took a bite of one of Mimi’s cookies.

Kari and Hawkmon sat next to Yolei quietly, unsure of how to react. Gatomon had finished eating and was curled up in Kari’s lap, asleep. After a bit, Kari cleared her throat.

“He is usually really busy, plus he goes to school pretty far from the rest of us…” she reasoned, “We know how he throws himself in his work, after all…”

“But the fact of the matter is, why would he date someone else when Mimi is right here!” Yolei shouted a little too loudly as she wildly gestured to her, causing Kari and Sora to cringe.

“I mean, I would be lucky and honored to date Mimi. Anyone would be,” Yolei added with a shrug.

Mimi sighed as she looked down at the last bite of onigiri, “I wish we could’ve moved back sooner.”

It was a selfish thought, but she couldn’t help it.

Mimi ate that last bite and began to chew, when Yolei’s eyes went wide and she clapped them against her knees.

“You gotta win your man, Mimi,” she said, deathly serious.

“Yolei, no,” Kari and Sora both immediately said, though that didn’t deter her.

“I mean, I don’t know Joe that well, but everyone can tell how into each other you two are,” Yolei said. Sora grimaced.

“Am I wrong?” Yolei asked, raising an eyebrow expectantly.

“…No,” Kari said quickly.

“Even if you aren’t,” Sora started with a look that brooked no argument, “You can’t just try and get in between their relationship,” Sora told Mimi.

“I would never,” Mimi said, “He means too much to me to ever do something like that.”

Kari smiled and Yolei frowned.

“That’s our Mimi,” Kari said, and as Mimi looked at Tai’s younger sister, she returned the smile.

“But—”

That one word seemed to spark something in Mimi’s mind.

But she had waited years to come back so the two of them could have their relationship.

Mimi had these feelings for a long time, and she knew Joe had them for at least a while, too. She obviously didn’t want to take any of this out on Joe, or not be supportive of his relationship, but… was it entirely wrong for her to be upset about this?

That was Joe. That was the Joe she had known for years ever since they ended up in the Digital World and became best friends. That was her Joe, and if she hadn’t been whisked away to New York, they’d probably be a thing right now, right?

The thought kept burrowing deeper into her mind, refusing to let go.

It wasn’t right for her to get in between Joe and Manami’s relationship, but…

…Didn’t she deserve a chance to fight for him? At least a little bit? After she laid it all out for him, only to have her heart shattered and to still be hurting?

She had been waiting so many years for the two of them to have a chance at a relationship, and she couldn’t just sit back and do nothing. Not when she, not so deep down, wanted to try and get Joe to see that they belonged together, because even if she wanted nothing more than for him to be happy, she still wanted that happiness to be with her.

There was no way she could ever say it, but now the thought was stuck there: she had to win her man.

#campdigimonth2023 #digimon #digimon adventure #digimon fanfiction #jyoumi #joe kido #jou kido #mimi tachikawa #sloanefics

[sloanerisette]

New Jyoumi Fic: How To Win Your Senpai In 10 Days

For those who may be following me for Digimon fics and the like, I’ve finally posted the prologue to a new fic I’ve been working on for a while!

How To Win Your Senpai In 10 Days

A romcom style Jyoumi fic involving Mimi moving back to Odaiba for high school and wanting to start up a relationship with him after so long, only for her dreams to come crashing down when she gets there.

This first chapter here is the prologue, where Mimi calls to let Joe know the good news.

I hope you all enjoy!

#digimon #digimon fanfiction #jyoumi #joe kido #jyou kido #mimi tachikawa #sloanefics

[sloanerisette]

walked through the living room while my parents briefly had the parent trap on and it instantly had me think "god i need a jyoumi parent trap au" and now i'm lowkey planning this in my head

obviously mimi goes back to america after the divorce.

i'm thinking yolei plays the role of chessy as like, someone who maybe helps joe with the systems behind some major hospital/clinic joe is running?

davis of course has to be in america and be the martin because let's be real he would definitely be the gossiphound and conspirator in helping get joe and mimi back together once he catches wind. is this also me fitting a minor daiyako agenda in this only on accident this time i swear

also it still has to be in adventure canon so despite august 1st picnics they still haven't seen each other (joe has probably given up because he does not want to leave the awkwardness after things ended and the way they ended)

but of course let's be real once things start coming out about joe and mimi and joe being in the same place you know the likes of tai and matt would be conspiring to help set them up/see each other again, too

i'm already working on, 3-ish digimon fics, have a handful of oneshots and the like i want to do, and now THIS, alongside OTHER fics and GAMES and FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK WHY DOES MY BRAIN NEED TO DO THIS WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN TO MEEEEEEEEE

(this'll happen one day i plomise)

#sloneposting #sloanethoughts #sloanefics