School is such a drag. It's not that you don't know the material- you actually grasp it pretty well. It's just that homework is boring and, maybe due to that, some things just end up going over your head.
You don't mean to, really. And you're getting by just fine, but... you can't help but think that you can do better than this. That you can achieve
more. Even if you only know of one way to do it.
It's time to go to Haruka.
You're not the only one she tutors, of course. She's been running a study group of all ages for a couple of months now, and it wasn't all that hard to squeeze yourself in. Being on good terms with the one running the thing has its benefits, it seems.
Not that it means much. The group itself isn't all that large. Most people your age don't bother with tutors, and you feel strangely out of place, never mind that it's a 'class' of three. You, the blue-haired older boy with glasses that seem just the
slightest bit too large for him, and the redhead who mumbles something while messing with his computer.
And then there's the teacher herself, leaning back in her chair with papers covering the table in front of her, written in an odd symbolic script that looks vaguely familiar.
Just to be sure, you take out your Digivice. Yep. There's definitely at least
some overlap there. For a moment, you wonder if leaving Biyomon at home was strictly necessary, before shaking you head. You don't know if you can trust these boys yet, let alone introduce them to your bird buddy.
The first session isn't all that comfortable. The two boys write and pass notes to each other in the odd symbol-script while Haruka attempts to teach you quantum physics. You don't quite get there, but you think you've picked up something from it.
(Sora has gained the skill: Knowledge (Real World) at +5)
(Sora's Knowledge (Digital World) skill has increased)
It takes a few weeks, but eventually you start to find your place in the library. Of the three of you, Izzy is easily the smartest, quickly grasping new concepts and writing notes entirely in those odd symbols, so that others won't be able to copy him. He seems to really look up to Haruka, and is obviously her favorite.
When it comes to academics, Joe isn't very far behind Izzy, but you wonder how much of that isn't just him being older. It's certainly not
natural genius. Izzy catches on more quickly than anything, but Joe makes up for it with hard work and study.
And then there's you. While a lot of the reading and writing the group does is the same as you've been learning in school- in contrast to the math and science, some of which you're not sure
high school students are learning- a lot of notes have symbols along with them, which doesn't really help you, because you
can't read the symbols. But you try your hardest despite that, and Haruka
does eventually remember to teach you.
(Sora has gained the skill: Digicode Programming at +1)
"How did you not already know this?" Izzy asks you. "That device you carry has Digicode on it!"
You pause. "Is that why the two of you didn't help me? You thought I already knew it? I literally just found it one day!"
You don't say
how you found it, of course. There's really know way to prepare others for this crazy. You doubt they'd believe you either way, even if they are learning to write in the language of the Digital World. Especially since they don't actually know that's what it is.
"So, why
are you teaching us Digicode?" You ask Haruka one day after your session. The others haven't gone home yet- Joe's buried in a first-aid manual while Izzy's enjoying the local internet connection, which you didn't know was open to the public.
Assuming he hasn't just hacked it. You wouldn't put it past him.
"It helps to be able to write in a way nobody else understands," She tells you. "Really, having a go-to cipher this complex could save your life one day."
You doubt that. Highly. But you decide to humor her. "Why would I need one?"
"Reasons. Honestly, I'm more worried about you kids wandering between worlds," She admits. "And it's the written language of the Digimon, so you may as well learn it. I was the only one of my group who
did and that ended... badly. Things might have gone better had we the time or the people to translate that prophecy the entire way, but we didn't, so... That's what happens when you carve that stuff in supersize font on a mountain, I guess." She shrugs, and doesn't elaborate further.
You're not sure you want her to, honestly. You haven't heard a lot of stories about what happened in the Digital World, but on all accounts, none of the major events were entirely pleasant.
"I see. Th-thanks." You're still not entirely comfortable around Haruka, but you think that maybe, in her own way, she's trying to look out for you.
Summer has come and gone, and soon it hits you how long it's been since Parrotmon. That night had more of an effect on your life than any other, but you think the year after has been just as important.
You have gained a level! You have three stat points available for allocation.
[ ] Write-in (Vote by plan)
You have 35 months remaining. Choose your next project.
[ ] Summer might be over, but there's still time to exercise. Kazuya's willing to help, so long as you let him off come winter. (Time: 3 months. DC 30. Train physical skills, improve relationship with Kazuya.)
[ ] You're impressed by how Daigo manages to talk his way through anything. You should see if he'll teach you. (Time: 4 months. DC 70. Gain Intimidate and Diplomacy skills, improve relationship with Daigo)
[ ] It's called a 'Digital World', right? Does that mean it has something to do with the computer? (Time: 6 months. DC 85. Results: ???)
[ ] You're sort of curious about Rikuto. Maybe you should see if you can't learn more about him. (Time: 5 months. DC 50. Train Wisdom-based skills, improve relationship with Rikuto.)
[ ] Matt's mentioned a music group for kids before. It certainly couldn't hurt to participate. (Time: 6 months. DC 45. Gain music-based skills, improve relationship with Matt.)
[ ] It comes to mind that you've never met Joe's family. You should fix that. (Time: 1 month. DC 50. Gain Medicine skill, improve relationship with Joe.)
