It was a beautiful midsummer evening. The six friends sat at a stone table under an oak tree in the park, which afforded them a view of the river as they enjoyed their dinner in the form of a picnic. Picnics, they were coming to realise, were a favourite way of dining, and the official "cooks" of the group – Izumi, Junpei, and of course our darling young Tomoki – had prepared a veritable feast: the table was laden with dishes of cheese pizza, sesame noodles, tossed salad, lamb chops, and pastries, with a sparkling apple cider that Izumi had specially bought and chilled the previous night. A cool refreshing breeze stirred the air, which was heady from the scent from the fully-bloomed flower bushes. As they ate and chatted, they were consumed with a genuine sense of well-being, especially Tomoki. Life was good, and already he understood that to be aware of happiness when you are actually feeling it, and not just in retrospect, was to be happy indeed.

It had been nearly a month now since their unbelievable adventures in the Digital World, but the positive lasting impacts were clearly evident: even Kouji, the acknowledged "lone-wolf", was no longer as cool and detached as he had previously been. Now that he had found the answer to the lost, floundering feeling that had haunted him for so long about his family, and he had realised that he could make true friends despite all obstacles, everyone could see him stop trying to turn his heart into ice for self-preservation. Like his friends, he has used his experience in the Digital World to improve himself. He is merrier now; more prone to hearty laughter at good jokes, and in his eyes was a warm twinkle that intensified when alit on his twin and Takuya.

Especially Takuya.

But that is an aspect of the tale that must be left for another time, ladies and gentlemen.

For here comes what should be the primary focus…

In the form of a tall, well-built, handsome young man with ash-brown hair and emerald-green eyes that mirrored those of his younger brother's.

"Hello, Tomoki."

Tomoki's eyes grew very wide. "Big Brother, what are you doing here?"

Yutaka Himi shrugged, the brotherly smile on his lips turning cool and perfunctory as his eyes registered each of his brother's friends. Kouji fancied he saw those emerald orbs narrow – only for a moment – when they alighted on his brother and Takuya, who were seated on either side of Tomoki, and could not help but frown slightly. The perspective Izumi seemed to have noticed something as well, for she blinked and glanced from Takuya and Kouichi to Yutaka, a sinking feeling at the pit of her stomach. Junpei simply stared.

"I am a little sick of Mom's cooking, so I thought I would try something else. Mind if I join you and your friends?"

There was something about the way Yutaka said it that made it seem more like a statement than a request.

The six friends exchanged glances with one another, then – as one – turned to Tomoki with an expression that said: "He is your older brother, so we will leave the decision to you."

"No problem, Big Brother. Here, you can sit beside me. There is plenty of room. And food. I will go fetch you a set of cutleries."

"Never mind, Tomoki, I will do it."

"Thank you, Big Brother Kouichi."

One would have thought that Yutaka would be appeased, but no: the green-eyed monster in his heart had already started to growl when he realised the sitting arrangements with regards to Tomoki, a growl that erupted into a roar at how Tomoki seemed to have "asked permission from his friends" before permitting him to join in, as if he was an intruder. When he saw how Kouichi and Tomoki had smiled at each other before the older twin went to fetch the extra set of cutleries, he was torn between the desire to smash Kouichi's head against the stone table and the urge to scoop up Tomoki – hat and all – and dash back home where his little brother would be safe and sound.

For there was something in that smile…that look…oh well, I trust you all know what I mean.

Yutaka Himi would have none of it.

Tomoki was only a little child who obviously did not know better, and hence it was up to him – as Tomoki's biological older brother – to ensure that his little brother was protected even from himself, and that his affections lie in the right place.

But first…he would have to find out, as much as he possibly could, about what he was dealing with.

"This lamb chop is really good. I daresay that I have rarely tasted anything like it," Yutaka commented honestly, smacking his lips. "Is this also part of your culinary triumph, Izumi?"

Izumi shook her head, chuckling. One could always count on her to play a good host, despite her personal feelings. "You have Tomoki and Kouichi to thank for it."

Yutaka turned to Tomoki and Kouichi, both of whom shared another mutual smile, blushing slightly. If there was one notable similarity between the Warrior of Ice and the Warrior of Darkness, it would be their sense of modesty. They were the sort of people who humbly dismissed praises, and believed that the mirror always cast a better reflection in someone else's bedroom. This exchange would have served to put Yutaka again on his guard, but something in him made him hold the monster at bay to listen to what was said.

"Big Brother Kouichi and I have been experimenting lately with recipes and books. It is fun to learn them one by one. But today's credit should go to Big Brother Kouichi – he is the one who cooked the chops." Tomoki explained, running his hand through his hair. Everyone knew by now that it was a sign of his nervousness.

"Oh, no." Kouichi shook his head, his blue eyes unconsciously warm and twinkling as he regarded what had to be the most adorable, most lovable little boy God had ever put on the planet. He himself was ignorant of the gentleness he always demonstrated whenever it came to Tomoki, a sweetness that was simultaneously similar yet different to how he regarded his beloved twin, especially in the sense that it certainly rivalled it even if it did not surpass it. "The credit should be Tomoki's: he was the one who coated the chops with honey, and prepared the sauce of cider and honey and meat juice. If it had not been for him, the chops would not have been so tasty."

Takuya laughed a warm, cheery laugh that Yutaka, despite his jealousy, could find nothing to cringe at. "Stop it, both of you. Izumi's right. The credit goes to both of you. It takes two hands to clap after all, right? Days that you two do full justice to a recipe are the days where my stomach's happiest."

"You and your stomach." Kouji punched Takuya's arm lightly, a smile that was a mixture of exasperation and resigned tenderness on his lips. It was this very quality about Takuya that made him so…so…so…endearing.

Junpei swallowed his mouthful of noodles and chop and laughed. "Come on, Kouji. Give Takuya a break. A healthy appetite is a virtue, a blessing in disguise."

Says the person who could probably spoil any weighing machine the instant he steps on it, Kouji thought, though he settled for just turning to level a pointed look at Junpei's rounded belly.

Yutaka stared down at Tomoki. "You really are enjoying yourself, are you not, Tomoki?"

Tomoki nodded, smiling up at his older brother with that innocence and trust that was now tempered with a budding maturity, a new worldly wisdom. "It is fun, Big Brother. Doing things with friends is fun."

"Fun, eh? Well, I can believe that." Yutaka patted Tomoki's head – a soft light touch that made the latter stare at the former, given how times where the older Himi brother demonstrated affection to the younger one were few, very few, and very far-in-between. Truth be known, Yutaka's turmoil was now more intense than ever. The joy that his brother had found friends with whom he could be genuinely, blissfully happy was warring with his increasing jealousy of their intimacy. What is it about them brings out a side of you that neither our parents nor I had ever been privileged to know, Little Brother?

Ignorant of his brother's true feelings, Tomoki went on: "There is nothing in the world more precious than true friends who care about you and whom you could share your heart with."

It was the straw that broke the camel's back, the voice that urged Yutaka to be just a quiet observer and listen automatically silenced itself. What am I doing? What on earth have I been doing? Yutaka mentally reprimanded himself. I have been gorging myself and letting them sink their hooks deeper into my brother!

"I am very, very glad that you have found true friends, Tomoki, though I have never seen them before, or heard of them from you. Care to explain how you all met?"

Due to the numerous positive reviews that I have been receiving, I have decided to elaborate further on this story. But I am not sure if I have lost my touch, since it has been so long. Please tell me honestly what you all think, and remember that I am always open to suggestions. Until next time...