[True Love Is Agumon: What the heck? How do you know about Agumon?]
Looking at the familiar name on his phone, Taichi felt a wave of emotion.
Nearly a decade had passed since that unforgettable adventure with Digimon in his childhood.
The memory of that orange-yellow figure had gradually grown blurry.
The courage he once had was fading.
Life, love, academics, family.
More realistic worries weighed on Taichi's shoulders.
[Dark Group Owner: Yagami Taichi, welcome to the Darkening Chat Group.]
[True Love Is Agumon: Darkening? What does that mean?]
[Dark Group Owner: Tearing away unnecessary disguises. Releasing the emotions you've been suppressing and restraining, walking the path of your true self… that is darkening.]
[True Love Is Agumon: Hah, so edgy.]
Looking at the Group Owner's words, a scornful curve lifted the corner of Taichi's lips.
He mocked instinctively.
Unconsciously, life had already worn down his edges.
The adventures he once firmly believed in, loved passionately, fought for with hot-blooded passion and effort...
Now seemed so childish.
Darkening?
It's something only elementary school kids would shout about.
Adults could only silently bear everything, forcing themselves to accept it.
[Cat Burglar: @True Love Is Agumon, I can't agree with that. Daring to acknowledge the dissatisfaction in your heart is a form of courage. It's completely different from edgy teens moaning without cause.]
[The Archaeologist of Ohara: Indeed. The Group Owner once said in the announcement that everyone who joins this group truly has the potential for darkness. We all have painful experiences, and it's not some shallow child's play.]
[This Queen Is So Beautiful: Hmph, a cowardly man who still doesn't dare to face his own heart. Group Owner, just kick him out.]
[Dark Group Owner: Taichi, everyone here has their own reason for turning dark. You don't need to keep pretending.]
[Dark Group Owner: Deep in your heart, isn't there even a sliver of unwillingness?]
'How could there not be!'
Taichi couldn't help but clench his fists.
His phone's wallpaper still had Sora's photo on it.
In the Digital World…
The affection between him and Sora had been so strong, so obvious.
But...
"I'm sorry, I just like Yamato more."
On Christmas Eve, Sora, wearing her School Uniform, her face flushed red, uttered those incredibly heartless words.
The gift Taichi had prepared, a necklace he saved for three months to buy…
Fell heavily to the ground.
Around Sora's fair neck was the heart-shaped accessory Yamato bought her.
Taichi had seen it in the store.
Just the loose change for it cost several times more than the necklace he prepared.
"Ah, I see. It's fine. You should go find Yamato. Have a good Christmas Eve. I'll be okay alone."
Taichi couldn't really remember how he got through that day.
Wearing a sickening smile…
Saying things he didn't mean…
Suppressing the dizziness that made him want to vomit, and the urge to punch Sora in the face…
He waved his hand.
Pretended to leave nonchalantly…
In the end, he was still alone.
The Ishida Family had taken everything from him.
His girlfriend, his sister, the confidence he built in the Digital World.
[True Love Is Agumon: I...]
Taichi's eyes reddened, a glistening light swirling in his pupils.
'If it were possible...'
'If I could do it all over again...'
[True Love Is Agumon: How could I be willing to accept this?! I wish I could kill Yamato! Talking about being brothers for life, acting so friendly on the surface, but behind the scenes... he took everything from me!]
He finally said it.
Taichi let out a long breath, his previously smiling expression turning somewhat ferocious.
He felt as if a mask inside his heart had shattered completely.
At the same time…
Far away in the Digital World, the Digivice and the Crest of Courage suddenly darkened slightly.
[Ding! Taichi's darkening progress 10%. Reward: One Random DigiEgg.]
Hearing the system prompt in his mind, a smile curled on Hattori's lips.
[Dark Group Owner: By joining the Darkening Chat Group, we can help you achieve revenge and take back everything that belongs to you.]
[Dark Group Owner: This Newcomer Gift Pack is for you, Taichi.]
'Newcomer Gift Pack?'
Looking at the icon that resembled a pay-to-win game gift pack, Taichi instinctively clicked on it.
[Ding! Congratulations on obtaining an opportunity to enter the Digital World. Obtained Dark Digivice - Revenge.]
[Ding, Digimon bound by the Dark Digivice have their evolution speed increased by 2x, combat power increased by 2x, but become more uncontrollable. Evolution direction is not restricted; even Vaccine-type Digimon can evolve through the Dark Digivice.]
Taichi's pupils instantly contracted sharply.
In front of him, a door composed of countless data streams slowly opened.
Memories long sealed in his mind also gradually became clear.
[Dark Group Owner: Any darkening requires power as its foundation. Step through this door. When you emerge again, the world will tremble before you.]
[Dark Group Owner: And, don't forget, when everyone abandoned you, betrayed you, only that Agumon was still silently waiting for you to return.]
"I..."
Taichi looked at his own hands.
His body trembled incessantly.
There was nothing left to lose.
He had to change.
The Agumon who had waited for him for ten years, the Agumon who would never betray him.
"I'm back."
Without looking back, Taichi's expression was calm as he stepped into the data door.