It is a bright Saturday morning in Ruli's house but it is not the same as everyday. Ruli doesn't wake up early as she usually does, because she's feeling pretty hot for some reason.

"Ruri?" Angoramon asks as he walks in.

Her throat is too sore to respond. She feels so tired too, and even feels chills.

He checks her forehead and notes how hot it is. "You're sick..."

"N..no...I'm...okay," She tries to protest but a cough gives her away.

"You're not fine..." He chides.

"But....your.....meeting....at the...gathering...." She protests through several coughs.

"I'm sure Shira can cover for me, " He frowns.

Ruri goes silent. She feels bad now.

He pats her, "It's okay."

She knows it isn't. He has been looking forward to this meeting for weeks. It's clear on his face how much this meeting means to him, but...

Angoramon heads out to get the things needed, leaving her there with her thoughts. She mentally curses herself for getting sick. Angoramon rarely leaves her side, after all. These gatherings are his time without her. Something fun for him! And yet... she is ruining the biggest one for him.

​Why does she always ruin things for those she cares for?

She coughs more. Damn it!!

Her fever is getting worse. How she even got sick is still a question in her mind. She frowns. She wishes she could get better right away... Soon she is too sick to think clearly, and her breathing is heavy.

Angoramon heads back in and places a compress on her forehead.

"You should go...." She tries to persuade him.

He shakes his head. He can't.

"Please....I'll be okay... Just go. I am just burdening you..."

"No, you're not!"

"Yes I am..." She tears up.

"Ruri..."

"Please just go...." She covers herself in the blankets.

"Ruri, please... you're always looking out for others..." he says.

"But because of me you'll miss your meeting....you should've chosen another human....I'm just a burden to you.... I make you worry.... cause problems for everyone.... I hurt Aoi and Mika... Hiro and Higacchi...."

"Ruri, that's not true...."

"Yes...it ... is... " She soon drifts off to sleep, although her eyebrows are furrowed.

He frowns and pats her gently. How can she think about herself like that?

​​He decides to text Mika and Aoi to come over. Maybe they can help.

After a while, they arrive. Their partners are relaxing at home for now.

"Mika, Aoi." he lets them in. He knows Ruli is still a bit too contagious for them to be around, but he needs advice on how to help her. He's not a doctor...

"We got some medicine from the drugstore," Aoi says as she holds out the bags.

"And I'll make some warm soup and porridge for her," Mika smiles.

"Thank you. Though I don't want you two to get sick, I do have some questions."

"Ask away!" Aoi says.

"How can I cheer her up?" He then tells them all she said.

The two share a glance, and Mika says, "I'm not sure... We did cause that pain to her, made her feel guilty...."

Aoi looks down. "Yeah..."

"You were not at fault. The sin codes and a misunderstanding caused that," He reassures them.

They both relax.

"How do I cheer her up though?" he asks.

"Hmmm maybe some cartoons or movies?" Mika offers.

"I was hoping I could do something more," he frowns.

"Maybe just talk!"

"She's been avoiding it."

"Huh..." Aoi frowns at that. Ruri avoiding talk? It must be really bad.

"I really want to cheer her up..."

They share a glance again before Aoi offers, "Maybe small talk? She'll open up at some point so be patient."

"Okay," He nods. That sounds good enough to him.

"Alright! Good luck, though!"

They leave after a while.

Alright, time to get Ruri to open up.

She is still sleeping, at least he thinks she is.

He sighs, but he has to wa-

A cough gives away she was faking it.

"Ruri..."

"Go away..." she gives up and mutters.

"No..."

"Please just go...."

"No... I can't."

"Why?" She sits up and tears up. "You've been looking forward to this meeting for weeks! You can't miss it because I'm sick!"

"I can't enjoy it if I know my partner is sick!" he protests.

"I ruin things for you...."

"What?! No way!"

"I am...."

"Ruri, that's not true-"

​"Frozomon...."

"That wasn't your fault!"

"I shouldn't have separated from you, I should have stayed!"

"Ruri, that-"

"You could have all died....if Tesla didn't partner swap with me...."

He stops. She's right, but...

"Then with Reppamon...."

"Reppamon was-"

"I was too hard on you and nearly got killed because of it."

"It was an accident!"

"Vamdemon....."

"Ruri..."

"You got hurt...."

"I'm fine now!"

"What about the Morphomon incident?"

"That was..."

"I should have noticed the piano sooner!"

"Ruri...."

"I just cause you pain..."

"That's not true..."

"Yes it is," She tears up.

"Your piano playing is perfect."

"Huh?" she blinks.

"I... I was interested in you because of your piano playing."

"Just that?" She asks, a bit saddened.

"At first yes, but.... Eventually I saw how amazing you were."

"Me, amazing...?" She coughs more.

"You always help others, and no matter how much someone hurts you you still love them..."

"I really do huh?" She smiles a bit

"Reckless but that's awesome when it's you."

She pouts at the last remark. He chuckles. She isn't that reckless, but sometimes she is.

Her coughing gets worse, so he gives her some warm water.

She drinks it and he smiles.

"Thank you."

"No worries."

".....Can you do me a favor?" Ruli asks.

"Yeah?" He asks back.

"Could you read me a book?"

"Sure!"

She waits for him to choose a book, so after a while, he chooses a Sun Novelist book. It is a story about a child lost in a fantasy-like world who meets a dragon. The dragon, despite knowing he will die, guides the child home.

Angoramon smiles. Another classic from the Sun Novelist.

"What do you think?"

"Nice! I heard recently that Sun Novelist will have her books into movies soon!"

"That's awesome!!"

Ruli nods and coughs a bit, but he smiles and pats her head.

"What was the meeting about?"

"I'll ask Shira about it."

".....You didn't know what it was about?"

"Not really. But it was supposed to be about an event coming up between Digimon and humans."

"W-what?!" She coughs more.

He nods. "That's why I was so excited."

"And...I made you...miss it..." She starts to feel bad again, looking down. She really is a bur-

"I won't be able to focus either way," He shakes his head.

"Still though. I want to make it up to you...."

'Maybe after you're better," He smiles.

"Ok...." She is sad again, but he pats her and gives her a smile, making her smile as well. She'll repay him for sure!

The next day gives her that chance because the tables have turned.

Angoramon sneezes as Ruli checks his temperature. It's pretty high.

"Looks like I got you sick..."

He coughs, "It's fine...."

"No, I'm going to take care of you now," She puts him on the bed

"You don't have to!"

"I will!"

"But today you're going out with Mika right?"

"She'll understand. Let me take care of you this time. Please," she begs.

"Ruri..."

They're two souls of the same feathers, he realises right there. That's why they're partners.

He smiles a bit, and says, "Alright."

This makes Ruri smile back.

The end