AN:  I’ve been on a writer’s block, so I decided to try and write something, something that would motivate my writing juices.  Anyway, like the legal stuff includes, I don’t own Digimon at all whatsoever.  Currently, I’m only borrowing the characters for a temporary moment.  .  Oh, and I do not own “Yubiwa” either.  The song is owned by Yoko Kanno and all the other people who made “The Vision of Escaflowne”.  (I think Maaya Sakamoto has something to do with it to because she sings the song, so I’ll give her some credit too.  .)

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Hikari's usual gentle face seemed rather nervous.  In the girl's whole life, this was her first performance in front of a large crowd; and this show might very well be her last.  This was her last chance, Hikari thought; this was her last chance to prove her worth and her feelings.  Today was her last chance to declare to the world how she felt before it was too late.  The high-school talent show was her last chance to tell her number one how she felt before he disappeared from her life forever.  Hikari prepared herself as she heard her name being announced by the master of ceremonies.  She fixed and straightened her dress, and arranged her soft, auburn hair out of her face.

"And for our next contestant, Yagami Hikari shall perform a song.  Let us all give her a round of applause as she sings 'Yubiwa' (The Ring)," announced the host as the heavy curtain went up.

Bright, white limelights shined into Hikari's ruby eyes.  Her knee-length, spaghetti-strap, rose-red dress and matching sandals made Hikari stick out like a blood-red rose in a field of golden poppies.  A few fellow students in the audience, who didn't know Yagami Taichi was related to her, whistled and made catcalls at the lovely girl on stage.  Of course, those guys didn't very last long; Taichi, with his best friend Yamato's help, was supervising the high-school talent show and they were filtering out the "bad influences".

Hikari held the microphone up to her mouth.  She calmly inhaled and took a deep breath.  Her voice sounded clear and melodic, and it immediately captured everyone's attention.  "This song," Hikari started, smiling sheepishly, "is dedicated to my very special friend, my number one.  In his honor I sing this song for and to him."

          The slow, romantic music began, and the audience grew quiet.  Hikari's sweet, angelic voice started singing out her soul.

namida ga ato kara ahuredashite

saigo no egao ga nijinde mienai no

ikanaide ikanaide koko ni ite

sora e hikari kakenukete yuku

(As my tears keep overflowing,

I can't see your last smile through the blur

Don't go, don't go, stay with me

Light breaks through the sky)

konna ni chiisa na watashi dakedo

anata wo dare yori sei ippai aishita

arigatou ikutsumo no

taisetsu na kimochi

tewata shite kureta yo ne

(I'm so insignificant but

I loved you with all my soul, more than anyone

Thank you for all of the

precious feelings

that you gave to me)

sono toki zutto, watashi wa

kie kaketa hikoukigumo wo mite-ita

(At that time, I just

watched for ages as the vapor trail vanished)

wasurenaide

hitori ja nai

hanarete mo te wo tsunaide iru

hajimete no koi hajimete shitta

konna kanashimi ga aru koto

(Don't forget,

you are not alone

Even if we part, our hands are still linked

It was my first love, when I first

learned of sadness like this)

nanika ga shoumetsu shite mo nanika ga

futatabi yadotte

wakare ni kureta hohoemi wa tsuyoku ikiyou to yuu

anata kara no messejii

(Even if something fades away, something

will live again

The smile you gave me as we parted was

your message for me to triumph)

itsu kitto aeru

futari naraba

tookutemo hitomi mitsumeau

kibou to yume no subete o kakete

yakusoku wo shiyou yo

ano hi no hageshisa wo

daite

ashita saku mirai wo ikiru

(Someday surely we will meet again

and be together

No matter how far, we'll stare into each other's eyes

Bet all our hopes and dreams

Let's promise each other

that we'll hold on to the intensity

of that day

and live in the future that blooms in tomorrow)

          When the song ended, there was a moment of complete silence.  Hikari had poured out her soul and spirit as she had sung that song, and everyone in the auditorium had felt her passion.  There were people in the audience with tears in their eyes, feeling the compassion and love through her song.  The guys sighed, wishing and hoping that the song sung had been for them.  Even the school's staff had paused with their duties to stop by the auditorium and listen to Hikari sing, all feeling the emotion within the song.  After recovering from singing, Hikari took a polite bow, and after she did, the room exploded with applause.

          Taichi smiled proudly at his sister, rather glad she had allowed for her feelings to be expressed with intense passion.  Hikari’s older brother now felt content that his little sister had declared her precious feelings before it had been too late.  Yamato, standing beside Taichi, gawked as he clapped furiously for Hikari.  The Ishida knew now it was futile for anyone but HIM, the one guy, no, the one Hikari truly loved, to ever win the young Yagami's heart.

          Daisuke cheered loudly for his friend and old and former crush, and Miyako was right beside him with the cheering.  Iori and Ken were just as excited for Hikari, but they held back their enthusiasm, afraid of embarrassing Yagami.

          Takeru, clapping along side his friends, just smiled and applauded Hikari; he felt that now he could be more to Yagami Hikari.  Takaishi Takeru felt now that he could be more than Hikari's special friend.  The blonde, blue-eyed boy chuckled to himself, realizing Hikari’s sudden boldness.  About a week ago, Takeru had told Hikari of his love for her and that he would be moving away from Japan, never to return.  He had told his friend she did not have to feel the same about him; he had just wanted her to know.  Takeru knew that Hikari would have never revealed her emotions to the public unless they were one-hundred-percent sure; this performance was Hikari’s response to his feelings.  Takeru beamed a jubilant smile at Hikari, his heart now filled with renewed hope and love for the lovely, red-clad girl on stage.

          Hikari gazed fondly at Takeru in the crowd, her ruby eyes tearing up.  “Let’s promise each other, Takeru, that someday we’ll meet again,” Hikari quietly whispered to herself.  “Let’s bet all of our hopes and dreams and promise that we’ll meet again, that we’ll meet again and live.”