Encryption - Chapter Seven

*~*~*

The moment class was dismissed for the day, Yolei just about threw the door open. “Alright, girl, let's roll!” she shouted, nostrils flaring and glasses flashing in excitement.

Everyone but T.K. and Kari were giving her strange looks, with the two DigiDestined just smiling and the latter nervously laughing under her breath. “Be there in a minute, Yolei,” she waived her off, still packing up.

“What's this about?” the blonde asked aside.

“Girls' day out.”

A hum in his throat, T.K. nodded in understanding. “Have fun, then.”

“See you tomorrow.” Outside, Patamon flew off his branch (waving at Kari as he passed), and Gatomon took her time to stretch. Making eye-contact, the girl gestured with her head, and picked up her handbag just as the feline jumped down.

“Kari, I'm this close to leaving you!” the bespectacled girl announced over her shoulder, leaning out into the hallway.

With a knowing glimpse at T.K., she made her way to the door and beamed. “Let's get going, Yolei,” she scarcely got out before she was taken by the hand and swept off for the exit. Passing students could hardly get a good look at the pair as they rushed down the stairs and halls.

“If we hurry, we can swing by my place and get changed!” Yolei breathlessly exclaimed.

“There's no need to!” Kari stated, brows furrowed anxiously. “Mimi will be in her school uniform, too!”

They came to a screeching halt at the shoe lockers. “Oh, in that pretty turquoise blazer, yes?”

“That one, yeah.”

The stroll out to the school yard was normal until Gatomon hopped up on a nearby wall, and lifted a brow as she glanced down. “Aren't you forgetting someone, Yolei?”

They stared at each other for no longer than a few seconds before she released Kari. “Oh crap, Poromon!” she gasped, and then rushed back into the school (her shoes flying in the process).

Shaking her head, the brunette flexed her fingers. “Maybe I shouldn't have been so obvious about today.”

“I don't think you can be any more subtle with saying 'girls' day out'.”

“That's true...” Stepping aside, Kari turned to her Digimon. “So, what'd you do today?”

The white feline smoothed out her ear. “The usual, of course. To kill time, I had Patamon relay to me the entire movie he had seen on TV.”

“You pretended to listen the entire time, didn't you.”

It wasn't even a question, yet Gatomon frowned. “No, of course not. Why would I not be interested in a movie about cats?”

“Are you two still going on about that movie?” Kari gaped, though she cracked a smile. “You two really do want me looking like a cat. What other hints are you dropping, pray tell?”

A panting Yolei jogged up to them with her lumpy bag cradled in her arms. “Gah... I can't believe I forgot... Oh, sorry, Poromon.” She opened it up to give the poor ball of feathers some air and a hug, even though he was a little ruffled.

“You owe me,” he huffed, but accepted her apology.

“So, what are we doing today?” she changed the subject, her face lighting up.

Kari led the way. “You know us, we just go with the flow.”

“Or wherever Mimi's attention diverts,” Gatomon snickered, eyes rolling.

Yolei slumped with a sigh. “It's too bad Sora can't come.”

Cheekily, the brunette pointed out, “Technically, we should be in the same boat.”

“Hey, I'm studying! I know where I want to apply.”

Kari and her partner shot each other knowing looks before she said, “I'm still thinking on it. Tai was getting a bit specific.”

“How's he been doing? Any luck?”

“Nothing yet.”

Nibbling on her inner lip, Yolei leaned in. “If you want, I can ask my parents and see if they'll be willing to hire.”

The young DigiDestined smiled in thanks. “You'll have to bring that up with Tai, not me. I'll pass it along, though.”

Mimi was chatting on her cell when the duo arrived at their destination, a small park across from the shopping district. Her hazelnut irises gleamed when she spotted them, and apologized to her caller for the interruption before spreading her arms in welcome as she skipped for them. “Therrrre are my girls!” she trilled, her wavy hair bouncing around her shoulders.

“Hey, Mimi,” Kari laughed and Yolei sighed, bracing themselves for her hug.

Gatomon found herself caught up in the teenager's arms instead, an act she hadn't expected. “I heard from Izzy, Gatomon! Congrats!”

Once she found her voice, the feline mumbled, “Yeah, thanks.”

“What's that tone for? You should smile!” Mimi showed off her perfect teeth. “Does everyone else know?”

“We had made a decision to not make a big deal out of it,” Kari came to her rescue. “If Izzy told you, I'm sure everyone knows by now.”

“That's true.” Releasing the cat, the girl hooked her arms around her friends' shoulders. “Well, then, let's not let this afternoon go to waste!”

“Is Palmon not here today?” the lavender-haired teen inquired, looking around.

“I suggested she spend time with Mom. They promised dessert tonight, so if you girls—and Poromon—want, we can stop by my place later.”

Poromon's eyes grew in interest. “How about we skip the shopping and go eat?”

Mimi laughed. “Not bad, not bad! I know of this cute café that just opened, and they make delicious coffee, sandwiches and cakes!”

“...there's that, too,” the bird hesitantly agreed, the plumage drooping slightly.

“Sounds great,” Yolei beamed, rubbing her Digimon's forehead.

“You had me at 'dessert',” Kari admitted. “It'll be worth it.”

They ambled together to the district, Gatomon right at their heels still reeling from Mimi's interaction. She was a good girl, but she was a bit too affectionate, and being the first one to come into contact wasn't something she felt she needed. While Mimi's condolence nipped at the back of her mind, her cheerful nature was contagious, so she chose to push it aside to spend time with her friends. Sora's absence meant the DigiDestined of Sincerity was going to snap pictures for commemoration and send them over later, and the Champion didn't want to look like she wasn't enjoying herself.

Although it was hard to keep from being uninterested when the girls later went shopping. If it hadn't been for Kari's constant hopping in-and-out of clothes as Mimi analyzed and that she was still digesting (she had gone a little overboard with her order), she could've taken a snooze or gone for a walk.

“Kyaaa, it's too bad it's no longer summer!” Mimi squealed when the brunette pulled open the curtain for the umpteenth time, donned this time in a sundress and hat. “Pink is super cute on you!”

“Snap a photo, then,” Yolei suggested when she got out of the dressing room as well, her choice of clothes folded over her arm. “Oh my God, you are cute!”

Kari tugged at the hat's rim as she turned around. “Aren't the butterfly wings on the back a little tacky, though?” she inquired.

“Only you could pull it off, but if that's bothering you—”

“It's not, I was just wondering.”

Mimi bent down to check the skirt, pulling it out to its farthest range. “This will look pretty blowing in the wind.”

“Oh, Mimi!” the girl chided with a laugh before looking over at her Digimon, who had been holding onto the other selections. “What do you think, Gatomon?”

Ears perked up, she did a quick scan and nodded. “You do like your dresses,” she noted.

Kari then spun around on her heel as she took off the hat. “Thanks for everything, Mimi.”

She daintily waved a hand. “It's not a problem as long as it's in the name of good fashion!”

“I mean it, I'll pay you back.”

“Don't worry about it!” she pressed again.

“We can split the payment!”

Shaking her head, Mimi tapped her pointer on her friend's nose. “The only payment I need is for you to take good care of these clothes, and on the first day of summer, you must wear this dress from the moment you get up until your bath. Don't forget to stop by so I can get a good look at you.”

Yolei was nearly driven to tears by her words. “Go for it, Kari!” she sobbed.

Taking her by the hand, Kari smiled. “I promise, Mimi! I'll cherish it and pass it down to my daughter!”

Mimi snickered, “You don't have to go that far! Although it would be an honor to pass down good fashion to a new generation,” she then added to the side, eyes glinting.

The Digimon could only stare as the girls fawned over her like she was a queen.

As promised, they had an early dessert at the Tachikawa residence (where they discovered mountains of cookies, fudge, and other delectables waited for them with Palmon and Mimi's mother standing proudly in the midst of it all), and took home their spoils after more thanks were given. It was perfect timing, as Kari and Gatomon were able to greet Tai in the parking lot just as the lights were coming on. His eyes, of course, fell to the box in his sister's hands.

“Aw, Kari, you shouldn't have,” he teased.

“Actually, you should thank Palmon and Mrs. Tachikawa.”

“Oh, Kari, you shouldn't have!” he repeated, ecstatic. Then he noticed the bags hanging over her shoulder. “Spent your allowance on clothes again, huh?”

“Nope, this was Mimi. We went to a café prior, and Gatomon and I pretty much got carried away, it was that good.” The two grinned in unison.

Tai smiled. “I can help pay her back as thanks for taking care of you today.”

“She said it's fine, can't pay her back until summer anyway. Oh,” and she paused just before taking another step, “you should contact Yolei tomorrow.”

He blinked in slight confusion, but didn't ask any further.

*~*~*

Thursday was not a day Gatomon was ready to start when it suddenly hit her that morning. She rolled over while Kari climbed out, different gestures that got the girl amused and concerned. “What's the matter, Gatomon?” she asked, reaching out to pet her head.

She “hmph”ed under her breath, peering at the wall. “I dunno,” she murmured, not feeling like talking.

“Are you not feeling well?”

Gatomon shook her head when she felt her ear. “Not that.”

“Having a mid-week crisis?”

“What day's it?”

“Thursday.”

A groan escaped her, and she buried her face into the pillow.

Kari frowned, pulling away to get dressed. “You can tell me, Gatomon. Are you getting sick? Is it just because it's Thursday?”

“I dunno how to say it,” she grumbled into the fabric.

A snicker hitching in her throat, the girl shrugged. “If you don't want to leave the apartment, that's fine. I'm honestly a little surprised you came along up until now. Did you get tired of talking about the cat movie you never saw?”

Gatomon lolled her head over to leer. “Are you still up for whatever you're picking tonight?”

“Of course!” Kari grinned at her. “You don't have to participate in movie night.”

“Can't. Wizardmon's coming over.”

They stared at each other as if they realized what she just said. “I never said what time it would be, did I?”

“No.”

“Well, might as well call him up. I'll go boot up the computer for you.” Patting down her uniform, Kari snatched up her hairpin before leaving the room.

Despite the alluring aroma of breakfast, Gatomon laid there gazing out into the living room, feeling as if she didn't have the energy to get up. She didn't know why she felt that way, nor why it was it struck her out of the blue. Nothing from yesterday led up to it, it was normal even with DemiVeemon nearly falling from the wings from when a basketball missed the backboard. If it had anything to do with whatever she was just dreaming of, she wouldn't know.

Willing herself to at least sit up, the feline stared listlessly at the ceiling until Kari walked back in. “Alright, the Digi-Port's open.”

Gatomon raised a paw. “I'll greet him later.”

“I was just letting you know.” She walked over to rest her arms on the railing. “If you're not up for it, Gatomon, we can cancel tonight.”

“No, it's not that.”

“Then what is it? You can tell me.”

She frowned and lowered her gaze. “That's the thing, though. I don't know myself why I feel this way.”

Her partner's expression softened. “Did... you get another dream?”

“I guess I did. I don't remember it being pleasant.” Gatomon scooted over to lean against her cheek. “What's wrong with me, Kari? Why am I feeling like this?”

Kari smoothed down her fur. “If it feels like the whole world's crashing down on you, I get that feeling, too. But we should keep our heads up instead of cowering. That way, once we find a solution to better it, everything else will fall into place.” Hugging her tightly, she whispered, “I promise, Gatomon, everything will get better once we get past this.”

Unsure what to say, Gatomon returned the gesture.

She saw Kari had left her D-3 in the computer room when she walked in later that morning once it was just her and Yuuko. The woman seemed a bit relieved she had stayed home that day, even made a comment it was “nice to have company”. That struck a painful chord for some odd reason, unsure how to interpret it without the sense of guilt.

The cat didn't think she'd find contact with Wizardmon so fast since she didn't know where his location was, but the Digi-Port was able to bring him up much to the surprise of both of them. “Ah, Gatomon!”

Seeing his eyes light up brought her to smile. “How'd you get to a TV set so fast?”

“Did you forget I'm a magician?”

Her face slightly faltered in remembrance when his brow quirked. She never knew what he was carrying on his person, let alone where. “So, uh... how're things going?” Ugh, couldn't have picked a better opening, she scoffed to herself.

“I'm doing better than I was yesterday, that's for sure.”

Gatomon blinked as she frowned. “What happened? Are you okay?”

“There's nothing to worry about, Gatomon. Being in solitude isn't enough to kill me.”

She grew flustered, a scowl twitching on her lips. “Smart-ass.”

Wizardmon laughed. “What about you? Have you been feeling well?”

If she had been more ruffled, she could have shut everything down the moment he asked, but knowing he can see through her kept her paws where they were. “I didn't wake up too great today, so I stayed home.”

“Was it another dream?”

She twitched. What was it about her dreams that got both Kari and him so invested? “I don't know,” she muttered, slumping in her seat. “I've just... had an uneasy week, is all.” It was only half-true, but she didn't want to go more into detail.

As she had purposefully averted her gaze, Gatomon didn't see what he was doing in his moment of silence. “I'm coming on over, then.”

“Eh?” She did a double-take once light began emitting from the monitor, and she scrambled to grab the D-3. “Gah, wait, Wizardmon! I wasn't—!”

She caught him coming through, the device and chair clattering to the floor by his weight knocking them backward. She tumbled themselves into a roll so she could come out on top, her fur puffed up and claws snagging his clothes. “Nice catch,” he coughed out.

“You idiot, not when I'm in front of the screen!” she growled, pupils shrunken.

“What happened in here?” Yuuko inquired as she hurried in, just to trail off when she noticed them. Then she smiled, “Oh, did I walk in at the wrong time?”

Gatomon stared at her until Wizardmon sat up so she slipped into his lap. “More like it was poor timing on my part, Mrs. Kamiya,” he stated, ignoring the leer she shot aside.

“I see. I guess you came early since Gatomon couldn't wait?”

The feline sniffed and got to her feet. “I didn't ask him to,” was her response as she picked up Kari's D-3 and exited the room.

Yuuko glanced between them. “Is something wrong?”

“It's Gatomon we're talking about, she'll calm down later,” was what she heard her friend say before crossing into the bedroom.

She watched herself so she didn't chuck the item into the desk drawer, then stood there glaring at it. “The hell's going on with me?” she hissed, a shiver running through her body. “I didn't ask for any of this...”

Slamming it shut, she abruptly collapsed to her knees, her claws marking the surface both frightening and satisfying. Kari wasn't going to be happy, yet at the same time, she needed that. The combination ultimately left her in a state of confusion where she sat, her figure relaxing against the desk.

“Am I happy?” she breathed to herself, resting her paw over her heart. “Am I... losing my happiness?”

“You're happier than you were six years ago.”

Gatomon swerved her gaze over to Wizardmon at the doorway, feeling a frown crease her brows. “I didn't ask you,” she grunted.

“You weren't ever going to ask.” He stepped to her side where he crouched, his eyes remained on her. “I apologize for coming over on my own accord.”

Why would he be sorry for that? “I don't care about that,” she huffed, breaking eye-contact.

“Are you sleeping well?”

“Why're you asking—” Gatomon stopped herself, knowing exactly why. “I didn't write any of them down,” she then whispered, ears flicking back. “I couldn't remember them long enough to.”

She squirmed a little under his scrutinizing stare, wanting to leave the room, yet couldn't bring herself to.

“I've read myself to sleep all week,” he responded matter-of-factly.

Gatomon scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Stop doing that, then.”

“It was the only way for me to bring myself to rest.”

She glanced over. “So what's your point?”

Wizardmon smiled. “You should not go to sleep with such heavy thoughts on the mind. That's how you're getting sick.”

“I'm not—”

“Kari worries about you. Do you want her to get sick as well?”

Gatomon gritted her teeth, silently cursing him. “I'm not reading myself to sleep, if that's what you're suggesting.”

He shook his head with a sigh. “There's nothing for you to worry about in the present time. I can look after myself.”

Her insides fluttering, she shot to her feet. “I'm not always thinking about you, Wizardmon,” she snapped, although it was more towards herself. “I loved spending time with Kari this week, and I wanted it to just be the two of us. And I spent some time with the other Digimon as well... it was just like how it always was.”

The mage straightened up, still keeping his eyes on her. “So what was different?”

Her paws clenched as her body tensed. “I... I don't know...”

Thursday was not going as she expected it, though she had this coming. She should've either just fallen back asleep after Kari left, or just waited until she was in a better mood before contacting Wizardmon so early. Hell, she might have as well just gone to the school so she wouldn't have made her concerned. Or she could've struck up a conversation with Yuuko after she expressed her relief she was going to be at home, it would be nice to get to know her more.

“Is there someplace you'd like to go today?”

Gatomon gaped at him. “Huh?”

“Where'd you like to go?”

She knew him long enough to know this was his way of cheering her up. If she were to try and refuse, he had other ways of getting her to comply, and she didn't want to put up with whatever else was up his sleeve. Hanging her head, she blurted out the first thing that popped to mind. “Um... Fuji TV...”

Wizardmon nodded in approval and gestured for the door. “Let's get going, then.”

A gasp died in her throat. “You're serious? I didn't mean—!”

He was already out of the room to announce their departure, “We'll be out for a while, Mrs. Kamiya.”

Quietly moaning, she forced herself to follow him, nearly jolting out of her skin when Miko yowled right outside the front door. Yuuko stepped out to watch the cat scurry off, then turned to the Digimon. “I've never seen her do that before,” she said, hand at her chin. “Well... actually, no, the night Wizardmon stayed, she refused to come out of the bedroom, and then there was that morning he was in Kari's room where she practically begged to get out of the apartment.”

Gatomon spoke up before Wizardmon could say anything. “She's just not used to him, yet. He scares small children dressed like that, so it's no surprise he scares cats.”

Both he and the woman stared down at her, though she ended up giggling. “Is that so? Our worlds must be polar opposites after all.”

The pair left for the stairway, in which the sorcerer muttered tongue-in-cheek out of earshot, “I scare small children?”

*~*~*

Unlike the previous week, it was a quiet walk to the television station, they weren't stopped once on the way if only because there were no children below middle school age to be seen. Passersby also didn't stare, let alone give them a passing glance, and Wizardmon wasn't slogging behind to sightsee. Gatomon still kept space between them, but they made small talk, which lifted her spirits a little until they reached their destination. Hiroaki Ishida expressed surprise to see his visitors (more-so toward the mage), though as Patamon had told her, he had no qualms with her last visit and even chuckled over it.

Thinking he would've been distracted by the many workers and actors traveling between rooms, she didn't expect the observatory to be his choice of interest. She didn't want to step inside so soon, yet her companion had insisted, and ignored the looks the employees were giving them as he walked to the far windows. Gatomon anxiously watched him from behind, unsure what was going through his mind looking out at the landing. To their astonishment, he tapped the staff to the pane and it swung open like a door, allowing him to step outside. Flustered, the feline ran up to lean over the sill, and was about to raise her voice to him when he came to a halt some yards away. The moment he turned to face her and a wind picked up, she found herself relaxing, her pounding heart slowing to normal.

That's right—he was no longer bound to it. It was now nothing more than a memory of days long past. She could still see it play out in her mind, but not in the present time. Myotismon was no longer around to threaten the peace, nor to take more lives. He had lost, thrice. The only thing that was lost between herself and Wizardmon was time, but not all of it.

In the midst of spectators, Gatomon hopped onto the platform, feeling as if the wind was urging her forward. He smiled over at her, and held out a hand in beckoning, which she obliged after a moment's hesitation. When she was in reach, his fingers hooked onto her claws and he bowed. She dropped her eyes in humility until he swept her up to hold above his head and spin about, an action she wasn't happy about, but was too shocked to express past her breaths as it sunk in.

It was a bout of emotion in celebration of freedom. The death of the master meant no more darkness and hatred, no more sorrow and pain. Judgment delivered by a being of holiness, light guided the way home. Gatomon could never forget how it felt when the arrow pierced the vampire's heart, but she also was never able to convey it. If the fates had allowed it, it probably could've been like so.

It was better late than never.

Whether it was in the spur of the moment or not, Wizardmon suddenly tossed her high into the air before flying after for a catch, the window closing up below. The feline clung to his neck to regain her momentum, but it was hard for one's insides to catch up while defying gravity. After passing through a layer of clouds, he was slowing down to a hover, and she peered down at Odaiba below, even scanning the bay and passing a glance in central Tokyo's direction.

Seeing his expression as he looked out at the landscape was comforting to know he was thinking the same thing: he could have planned it out better. The thought was sweet, though, Gatomon had to admit, and she leaned her head on his shoulder.

“The next time you want to show off, make sure the sun's completely set,” she whispered, half-joking.

Wizardmon chuckled, then veered off in the direction of the large Ferris wheel.

*~*~*

Kari frowned down at Miko as she sat stiffly across the door. “Come on, girl,” she attempted to coax her in, patting her leg. “It's getting late. Do you want to spend the night outside?”

Yuuko shook her head, a little amused by the sight. “Don't force her in,” she said. “She knows to knock when she's ready.”

The girl yielded, stepping back so her mother could pass. “Are you expecting to be out long?”

“About a couple of hours or so if your father doesn't take the last train.” She waved inside at Gatomon where she sat at the couch, and smiled at her daughter. “You guys have fun, and make sure Tai studies.”

“No need. You can tell him on the way down.” Kari pointed down to the stairs where the teen just came around the corner.

Even from where they were, they could see he had a pleased look on his face, and his strides were smooth. The moment they locked eyes, Tai hurried up to them. “Are you off to greet Dad?” was the first thing he asked his mother.

“I am. You look like you had a good day.”

Kari leaned closer to him. “Well, Tai?”

His smile grew crooked. “You know the school won't let me work part-time.”

“But what did Mr. Inoue say?”

His stance became a little straighter. “I can start at any time, although it'd be part-time.”

“That's still great, Tai!” His sister clapped her hands in delight, hopping on her heels. “You got a job waiting for you!”

“Congratulations, Tai,” Yuuko beamed, her gaze softening. “Your father will be pleased when he hears of this.”

Tai ran his hand through his hair, dropping his stare to Miko when she trotted inside. “I'll be honest in that if I wasn't captain of the soccer club, I'd use that time to go to work.”

“But then we'd be talking about your studies and job.” Laughing to herself, their mother waved and left.

With an all-knowing look at each other, the siblings went inside, Tai expressing surprise Wizardmon  was in the kitchen. “Again? You know you shouldn't feel obligated to make us dinner.”

“I'm actually Kari's helper,” he corrected, holding up the dishes he was cleaning.

“And let me guess: Gatomon's the couch warmer.”

She smirked impishly. “I'll save a 'warm spot' for you.”

That was the clincher until after Tai had finished his dinner, and Kari jumped up to prepare the movie. Gatomon knew what it was without having to ask, and she began to question whether-or-not to stay. She didn't hate the movie, per se, but as it was Wizardmon's first exposure to it, she didn't really want to be there for when he started asking questions and Kari would gush out the answers. The eldest sibling flopping himself down on the other couch was at least comforting, but she also didn't want to hear his scathing responses again.

It was apparently normal, but she swore the film was a wedge between the Kamiya siblings' otherwise-happy relationship.

“Don't tell Mom I'm skipping my studies to watch with you guys,” he announced from the sidelines.

If Kari caught on to his motive, she didn't show it and instead gave a gentle, deadly smile over her shoulder. “Don't worry, your grades will tell on you for us.”

When Wizardmon took his seat next to Gatomon, Tai voiced concern, “Not to rain on your parade, Kari, but you sure this is how you want to introduce Wizardmon to movies? A sappy American film based on a famous stage show?”

The Champion just shrugged. “I said I'd come, so I'll take what I can get.”

The feline gave an amused smirk. “Good luck with that, I've seen this twice and I can't tell you what the hell I've watched.”

Kari shot them both a baffled look when she pressed a button. “Stop that, you two are going to give him the wrong idea.”

Tai and Gatomon shared knowing glances when she went to the kitchen to put together snacks.

*~*~*

“Hey, son, I want to lay something on you for a minute.”

Matt Ishida looked up from his dinner as his father loosened his tie walking in. The furrow on Hiroaki's brow was the first thing he noticed, and immediately he knew something was up. “Yes, Dad? Need to release some steam again?”

“No, it's not that.” With a slight sigh, the man pulled out his pack of cigarettes for a stick. “Gatomon visited me today, and she brought her friend, Wizardmon. Remember him?”

The blonde found himself relaxing a little. Was that all? “I do. T.K. and Tai told me he had returned, I just haven't seen him.”

“Pleasant fellow, I can see why he was visited every year. But that's not what I want to talk about.” Lighting it up, Hiroaki strolled into the kitchen to see what his son had cooked up and reached for a plate. “Gatomon's visit was so she could apologize for the little ruckus last week.”

Matt smirked wryly. “I thought you were fine with it?”

“I am. However, I was called in to the security room shortly afterwards with reports the cameras had a malfunction.”

“Again?”

“Second time this month, I know. I keep thinking, 'They're a little old, it's about time to replace them.'” He paused to pull out the carton of milk and peer inside, deciding to chug the rest of it down (from behind, Matt made a mental note to make toast in the morning). “But today wasn't as bad. Last week, however, I had received reports of electronics in general going on the fritz for a few seconds wherever Gatomon went.”

Thoughts of tomorrow's breakfast went out the window. “Whoa, it was that serious?”

“No, no, things worked fine afterwards, that was the thing. Anyway, something was bothering me with the second reports, so I had checked last week's footage. The staff told me they had noticed her coming into the building and making her way to the observatory, but had thought nothing of it as she comes often. Thing is, though, she didn't look too good.”

Matt frowned, thumbing the spoon handle. “Both T.K. and Tai mentioned in passing she hadn't been well. Must've been a bug that was going around if she was up-and-about.”

“Interesting.” Hiroaki set down his food at the table, but remained standing. “Point I'm getting at is the electronics weren't acting up until she was running off. Everything was completely fine when she came in.”

“Doesn't the observatory have cameras?”

The man puffed, looking a little cynical. “There's more blind spots in that place than I have in my own peripheral vision. But we have footage of her entering and exiting the observatory within minutes of each other, so she wasn't there for very long. She looked spooked, too.”

“'Spooked'?” Matt repeated, not liking what he heard.

“Well... it might've been she was startled by the employees. They looked just as surprised on the footage, so...”

“Dad, what are you getting at?”

He shook his head with a sigh. “I don't know what she was doing that caused her to run out in a panic. I'm considering writing it off as it being a cat thing. However, I still remember those nights three years ago when Wizardmon's ghost was causing trouble for everyone, and watching the glitchy footage of Gatomon running out of the building made me think of that, so I had to check.”

The teen leaned forward in his seat. “You caught his ghost on camera last week?”

Hiroaki gave a single nod. “Very brief, nothing more than flickers, but only in the footage Gatomon was in.”

Compared to three years ago when his father was stressing out over the station being haunted, Matt could tell he had some thought put into it. Slumping a little in his chair, he was finding himself confused he showed some concern if nothing more came out of it. “So... why bring this up?”

“Something about it bugs me, and I don't know what,” the man huffed, arms folded. “Maybe I'm just a little tired, or his visit caught me off-guard since he's been dead for years. I barely know him, yet I swear there was something, just a smidgen, that was different about him than what I remember six years ago.”

“Well...” Matt trailed off, trying to think of a plausible explanation. “Myotismon's gone, so perhaps he's not as tense anymore?”

A shrug of the shoulders. “Ah, who knows. The station tends to attract weird things, anyway, so I should be used to this kind of stuff, you would think.”

“I dunno, I like hearing your office stories because you have the weirdest stories.”

Hiroaki rolled his eyes with a smile, and snubbed out his cigarette.

*~*~*

The two-and-a-half hours went well with very little interruptions and questions. Kari the whole time had clearly struggled to keep her adoration for the film under wraps, while Tai had the patience to sit through the film and keep his comments suppressed (although he chuckled under his breath at a few parts). Even though she wasn't into the movie like her partner, Gatomon had found herself realizing it wasn't all that bad (she didn't care for the singing, however) yet she still couldn't grasp the romance plot line. Then there was Wizardmon with his chin propped in hand and eyes glued intently to the screen, a sight that had gotten the feline to double-take the first time she noticed.

Once the credits rolled, movement returned to the room. From the corner of her eye, the cat watched her friend lift a finger, but he remained silent for a few moments longer as if he was planning out his words. “I have several questions.”

“Yes, Wizardmon?” the girl replied, sounding a little choked up when she set the pillow aside. Gatomon didn't really get why it was the ending always seemed to upset her.

“First off, was that really why he wore the mask? What was so bad about his face?”

Tai was trying hard to hold back a snicker. The feline braced herself, knowing what was coming.

Kari looked like she was becoming remorseful. “...does that bother you?”

Wizardmon waved his hand about. “Not at all, I'm just disappointed the build up wasn't remotely close to being as disfigured as they claimed.”

“It's better in the stage version.” The girl's voice got its strength back, now that she knew there wasn't any insensitivity.

“Fair enough. Second, where in the story did she fall in love with him? All he did was hypnotize her with song. Are we to assume he stalked her since she could sing?”

Tai leapt to his feet with hands over his head in praise. “Thank you! The guy's a creep who lives under an opera house, there was no way she was going to stay with him.”

Kari went on the defense. “Hey, Phantom is not a bad guy! He's just misunderstood!”

“Admit it, Kari, you're only attracted to him because of his mask.”

“What!”

“He totally looks like a certain cartoon character you used to crush on.” He smirked at her face. “Also, there really wasn't anything proving she actually did fall in love with him.”

Gatomon awkwardly sat on the sidelines, not wanting to get into the conversation, but her curiosity got the better of her.

“And how was he going to love her, anyway?” Wizardmon continued, trying to curb the tension. “His views on romance was twisted.”

“It's about damn time I got someone on my side for once.” Grinning, the boy clasped the Champion on the shoulder. “Together, Wizardmon, you and I can take down anything Kari throws at us until her eyes open to the truth!”

“I never said he was a terrible person. He's just not a very happy one.”

“And that's why he needed to love Christine!” Kari crooned, shooting her brother an intense look. “Only she could open his heart to what is good in the world!”

“She had to break his heart, still,” Tai said.

“But he never stopped loving her! It's the epitome of romance!”

After locking eyes with Gatomon to find she was on neutral ground, the mage moved on, “Characters aside, it was a nice-looking movie. Although I'm not sure if the black-and-white segments, which I presume is the more 'present' time in that movie, were all that necessary.”

“I like the final scene, though,” Kari sighed out.

“Oh, no, it's a nice way to let us know the whereabouts of the characters, but when it comes to the pacing, I think they could've cut down on it. And the music was nicely composed with a very strong overture.”

“It sounds better in surround sound.” She was already lost to her thoughts, everyone could see it.

“The actors could've sung better, in the meantime, but they weren't awful.”

There was a brief pause as the words sunk in. “Okay... yeah, I can agree to that. The stage production's better.”

Slightly red in the face from all of the mirth he was holding in, Tai slowly made his way to his room. “Anyway, sounds like I'm no longer needed here,” he announced with a loud exhale. “I got to get to my lair so I can study before it's past the point of no return. I can promise you, Wizardmon, that the next film isn't going to be a bleeding heart romance.” He slipped inside to dodge a pillow to the head.

Sliding off the couch and stretching above her head, Gatomon turned to her friend with a suspicious look. “I thought you've never seen a movie before, Wizardmon.”

“I haven't, but you know I read a lot.”

She hummed quietly in her throat as he got up as well, thinking back to the small collection he had had at Myotismon's castle. “Must have been some pretty entertaining spell books.”

He cocked his head in mock disappointment. “You know those aren't the only books I read.”

A devilish smirk on her lips, she rested a paw on her hip. “I didn't know you were into romance stories,” she purred through her teeth, watching his expression falter. “Yuuko has some of those books lying around somewhere. I'll go pick one out for you.” She strolled for the woman's bedroom, waving her tail around.

“Now you're just teasing me.”

Kari became interested, not bothering to hide the smile she had developed listening to them. “Wow, there's Digimon writers? I wonder what your stories are like.”

Wizardmon combed his fingers through his bangs, brows scrunched in thought. “Actually, I don't think any of the books I've read were done by Digimon at all.”

“Oh, think they're stories from our world?”

“The Digital World does have human world inspirations, so it wouldn't surprise me. Although I've never heard of any Digimon making movies for entertainment.”

“Can you imagine what those would look like?” she joked, shaking her head.

Gatomon walked back into the room, a book in hand. “Kari, think Yuuko would mind if this was borrowed for a few days?”

With one look at the cover, Kari quickly swiped it. “These are so embarrassing!” she moaned, sheepishly averting her eyes.

The Digimon glanced at each other, the feline almost pointedly, though Wizardmon didn't look amused. “Well, I suppose I'll be on my way, then,” he said, picking up his staff, hat and cloak.

“Thanks for coming, Wizardmon,” the girl immediately replied, dropping the book on a shelf she passed by. “I'm glad you at least liked it.”

“I found some enjoyment. I look forward to whatever the next title will be.”

Kari laughed. “It's Tai's turn, so it'll be something.”

Gatomon followed them into the computer room, noticing Miko darting underneath the bed in the next room. As her partner brought the Digi-Port back up, she turned her attention to Wizardmon. “I'm glad you had some fun,” she quietly told him. “I don't really get the point of movies, so I rarely have something to say about it with Kari and Tai. Besides... it was just nice to have you here.”

He smiled down at her. “Thank you for the suggestion, Gatomon. It honestly couldn't have come at a better time; I needed a break.”

Curling her lip, the tiny Champion glanced between him and Kari when she stepped away from the computer. “You're welcome to come any time,” she nearly stumbled over her words. “It's not just for movie nights, so you know.”

“She's right, Wizardmon,” the girl chimed in. “The DigiWorld may have a mind of its own sometimes in when it wants to open up its gates or not, but it shouldn't stop the two of you from staying in contact. You should take advantage of this while you can.”

“The biweekly stays still hold true,” Gatomon added, scratching an ear as she turned her head. “But just make sure you reach us first before you cross over.” She intended for the emphasis, knowing he'd catch on.

Addressing her with a nod, Wizardmon walked forward to be pulled into the light, then looked back and waved to show he made it through safely. Shutting everything off, Kari gazed down at her Digimon, taking in how soft her expression was. “How did your day go?” she asked, wanting to hear for herself.

Noticing she was staring at their reflections in the monitor, Gatomon let out a sigh through her nose and shrugged. “It got better,” was all she was willing to admit.