AMICITIA.

       it was more than just the distance that seemed to be increasing between her and taichi. it was more than just this strange ominous feeling that surrounded her when she caught a glimpse of him.    ❝ are you and takeru-kun, like this? is this distance normal?  i don’t know, maybe its because he knows he’s going to university soon. maybe its just this strange feeling of–❞ a sharp exhale as she took a bite of the ice cream in front of her.  ❝ i’m sure that oniichan doesn’t want anyone to see our partners treated like this, either, yamato-kun. i’m sure he feels the same about agumon. but– ❞     

         hikari remembered the way he looked when he first saw the distorted digimon in front of them. the distortions, something was wrong with the digital world. she could feel it as it tugged at her and told her to do something. ❝ it feels strange doesn’t it? ❞ feet dangling over the wall they were sitting on. ❝ i know that we are the only ones that could figure this out. that we, as digidestined are the only ones that can really stop this from happening again. but, to have all this responsibility, i’m sure it must be overwhelming oniichan. yeah–that sounds right. –or maybe you did upset him. ❞ she playfully tried to ease the conversation as she took another bite of the sweet dessert.

❝ Takeru and me are a little different. Dad lives with me while he lives with mom. Even though they decided to talk more ...they still expect us to stick on opposite sides. He visits on weekends if our school meetings allow it. That distance doesn’t stop him from worrying about me. ❞ Implying his own family life isn’t off balance would be an understatement--it’s been a few years and the ambling relationship between his parents haven’t changed much. They’re different people now than when they were mere children---more accepting and discussing rather than fighting. However, it still left an odd sense of air between them and will remain single parents.

He knows nothing will change if no one says anything--he doesn’t wish to stand still nor witness the distortion between Taichi and Hikari in this situation. A sound of disagreement escapes between his teeth at the subtle accusation at off setting the balance between their circle. He crosses his arms in defiance; a childish display. 

A mysterious smile align his lips, eyes sharp at the insidious suggestion plainly presented like an inside joke. The tilt of the head innocently displays his counter claim, the palm of his hand delicately cradling his chin in question. Brows lift subtly; once again food is used alike a undertone accusation. 

There is often the assumption that because of his personality he isn’t intelligent. That’s just not true. Concentration is what he lacks more than anything, there are just so many more interesting things to do than study for a few bits of paper with judgmental letters and numbers on. Taichi is happy in his own little Taichi world, his parents are not happy about it. He looks at fair haired with an expression that can only mean, ‘you think I didn’t know that already?’ But the matter of fact is that Koushiro is just too serious when it comes to studying, at least with this friend there is potential for slacking off. That angelic face doesn’t fool him at all.  “ Well….you know, I’m no good at studying on a empty stomach. “  God. He’s not even trying to be subtle about wanting Yamato’s food anymore.

A hefty task feeding an endless abyss; an elbow leans heavily against the arm of the chair--it’s early afternoon upon their released school day that fortunately leads into the weekend. And they aren’t listed as clean up crew for the board meetings via class president. Now they can focus on assignments that ultimately meant life or death within their graduation--right? A deflated breath that hides a laugh cascades against his tongue. As always .....

     ❝ did you and oniichan have a fight? he hasn’t been–he’s been acting strange, lately. ❞

Said sibling has habitual tendencies when sulking... that inevitably sink into timeless thoughts that he ambles along not to share with the rest of the group. A glance to the side emits the disclosure; for not just this occasion but a few in queue. Lightening the load is what a musician does, right? Fingers string a hesitant line against his pants leg in response--suddenly his tongue feels dry.

It’s a mock-reluctant offer that tethers behind his lips---a nonchalant arch of a thin brow; his own performance is passing but his grades and papers aren’t archived behind his eyelids as other students. He pays attention in the end and perhaps that’s going to assist in the long run. 

An empathetic arch of the brow indicates the lofty response---one he’d give to an aimless fan at one of his rehearsals....well...not entirely but close enough.