Chapter 11: The Older Sibling
"Alright, everyone."
Mizuki's calm voice cut through the lingering tension. "Instead of worrying about me, I think you should all be focusing on your own situation." He let his gaze drift over each of their faces, a faint, unreadable smile playing on his lips.
"Aren't you curious? About why you were brought to this world."
"This world?"
Before anyone else could process the implication, Joe Kido took a hesitant step forward, his expression a mixture of confusion and disbelief. "Uh… Mizuki, you have to be joking, right?" he stammered, forcing a weak laugh. "What do you mean, 'this world'or'that world'? We're on Earth, aren't we?"
Mizuki watched Joe, the boy's earnest nature written all over his face. He offered a sympathetic glance, a small kindness before delivering the final, devastating blow to his denial.
"I wish I could tell you otherwise, Joe, but I'm afraid this isn't Earth," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "Or let me ask you this: do you really think miraculous creatures like Digimon exist back home?"
At Mizuki's gesture, Joe instinctively looked down at the creature cradled in his arms. The Digimon, a Gomamon, had only just evolved from his Bukamon form a short while ago. Though he had been terrified at first, Joe had slowly started to accept the little guy, especially after Gomamon had protected him without a second thought.
As if sensing his partner's turmoil, Gomamon met Joe's gaze and patted his arm reassuringly with a small, fin-like paw.
"You've got to accept reality, Joe," the Digimon chirped. "Just learn to enjoy the ride!"
"There's no way I can enjoy something like this!" Joe shot back, his voice cracking.
Watching the two bicker, their dynamic a perfect echo of the straight man and his comedic foil from the original story, Mizuki allowed himself a small, genuine smile before turning his head.
It was then that LadyDevimon, who had been observing him in silence, finally spoke, her voice a low murmur meant only for him.
"Mizu, you seem to be smiling more than you used to."
"Have I?" Mizuki touched a finger to his own cheek, tilting his head in genuine curiosity. "I always thought I smiled quite a bit."
His question was met with a deep silence from his partner.
'Ah,'Mizuki thought, blinking.'Did I say something to upset her?'He couldn't have known that what LadyDevimon felt wasn't anger, but a sharp pang of resentment. She resented that these children, strangers he had only just met, could so easily draw out the smiles she treasured. The spark of resentment didn't fester. Instead, it ignited, transforming into a cold, hard resolve that settled deep within her data core.'To make Mizu happy, I must work harder,'she vowed to herself, her crimson eyes fixed on him.'If I reach the Ultimate level, surely he'll smile for me more often.'
Ordinarily, Mizuki's connection with his Digi-Soul would have allowed him to sense the shift in her emotions. But with his attention divided among the group, he could only push the flicker of unease aside for the moment.
"Mizuki," Tai's voice broke the quiet, pulling his focus. "Based on what you just said… do you know how we got here?"
Mizuki turned to face him. He had to admit, this version of Tai was far more cautious than the one he remembered, a change undoubtedly brought on by his little sister's presence. He gave a slight nod. "I know a little."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "You all remember that little device you received before everything happened, right?"
"You mean this thing?!"
At his prompting, a chorus of rustling sounds filled the clearing as the children pulled the small, rectangular objects from their pockets. They held them up, their gazes a mixture of hope and apprehension.
Mizuki confirmed their suspicions with another nod. "That's right. That's a Digivice. It's the symbol that marks you as the 'DigiDestined'."
"The DigiDestined..." Koushiro murmured the words, his brow furrowed in concentration. Suddenly, his eyes widened with understanding. "Does this mean… someone wanted us to come to this world to do something?"
"Exactly. You've hit the nail on the head, Koushiro." Mizuki gave him an approving look. "Just as sharp as Tai said you were. You figured it out in no time."
"No… it's nothing, really…" The praise made the shy boy flush, and he waved his hand dismissively.
As Tai playfully clapped Koushiro on the shoulder, Sora, who had been quiet until now, spoke up, her voice laced with uncertainty. "Um, Mizuki… this entity you mentioned, the one that brought us here… they don't want us to, like, save the world or something, do they? Like in a story?"
"What? Save the world? That's so cool!"
Before Mizuki could answer, Takeru let out an excited cheer. As the youngest of the group, the deeper, more dangerous implications flew right over his head. For him, this was all a grand adventure. He hugged his partner tightly.
"Patamon, do you think I can be a hero who saves the world?"
"Hmm," the little winged Digimon hummed, flapping his ears happily. "I don't know what a hero is, but if it's you, Takeru, I'm sure you'll be great!"
Takeru's moment of joy was cut short by a sharp, displeased voice.
"Don't be ridiculous," Yamato snapped, his expression stormy. "Takeru is just a kid!" He glared into the distance, his voice tight with anger. "Dragging us into this world without any explanation—"
"Brother…" Takeru's cheerful expression crumbled, and he looked up at his older brother timidly.
Yamato's stern gaze softened slightly, but his tone remained firm. "Takeru, you don't understand. 'Saving the world' sounds dangerous. If anything happened to you… I wouldn't know how to face Mom. I'd never be able to forgive myself."
"Matt's right," Joe added, having recovered from his earlier shock. The conversation had sent a fresh wave of fear through him, but seeing that he was likely the oldest among the chosen children, he forced himself to stand tall. "Forcing a bunch of kids to save the world… whoever is behind this is completely irresponsible."
Except…
"Joe, why are your legs shaking?" Gomamon piped up, having hopped out of Joe's arms to curiously poke at his trembling calf.
The observation drew an immediate, flustered protest. "Gomamon, you don't have to be so honest!"
"But I think you're even more honest than me, Joe!"
"Go-ma-mon!"
Seeing the gloomy mood settling over her friends, the ever-sincere Mimi exchanged a look with her partner, Palmon, before speaking up, her head tilted in confusion.
"Um, does everyone have to be so upset? I mean, it's definitely annoying to be brought here without any warning, but… as long as Palmon and everyone else is here, it'll be okay, right?"
Mimi's simple words shifted the atmosphere. One by one, the children turned to look at their own Digimon partners.
Catching Tai's gaze, Agumon puffed out his chest and thumped it with a small claw. "That's right! I'll definitely protect Tai!"
To prove his point, he opened his mouth, preparing to demonstrate his "Baby Flame" attack. He was only stopped by the frantic shouts of Koushiro and Kari. If they hadn't intervened, under Tai's expectant gaze, Agumon might have set the entire forest on fire.
"Setting fires is a serious crime, you know," Mizuki commented dryly.
"Honestly, Tai, that's just like you," Koushiro added with a helpless sigh.
Having calmed down, Tai felt a flush of embarrassment creep up his neck, but he couldn't help but protest. "Hey! What are you talking about? I've already learned my lesson!" He turned to his sister for support. "Right, Kari?"
"Mhm," Kari hummed, offering her brother her usual warm, gentle smile. "Brother is right."
Gazing at her adorable, smiling face, the sting of his friends' teasing instantly vanished, replaced by a wave of warmth. "See? Kari is the best!" he declared, pulling her into a big hug.
"Hehe."
As her brother squeezed her, a flicker of fond helplessness crossed Kari's face, and she gently patted his back in a comforting gesture. Though she was just a little girl, the way she soothed him radiated an inexplicable maternal warmth, a quiet strength that belied her age.
The sight left Koushiro and Mizuki, who were standing nearby, completely dumbfounded.
"Is… is that normal?" Koushiro asked, utterly bewildered.
Mizuki watched them for a moment longer, a wry smile touching his lips. "...Honestly," he murmured, "sometimes I'm not sure who the older sibling is in that pair."
Koushiro found he had no response to that.
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