Chapter Text
A few years after the incident in Kano Island, a lesser research facility known as Kamishiro Tecnology approached the World Union’s chairman asking for details from the Sapotama and e-pulse, for a specific purpose.
Kamishiro Technology had no ill intents, it was a promising scientific business with the hopes of assisting the humanity in several fields, turning their lives better or finding cure for unknown diseases…
Like the mysterious case of Cold Heart Syndrome.
But later, the CEO of it perished from unknown causes… The only successor for their company was the man's son named Kamishiro Yuugo. He was young, 14 years old and having this older person, Sanada Arata, working as his business partner and rep until he turned 18.
Yuugo continued looking for answers, especially about the cause of his father passing. Something kept bugging him… It couldn’t be by natural causes, his late father was healthy and presented no illness in every medical check-ups. Could it be—
Yuugo’s pursuit for the truth caused his Sapotama to glitch and give the birth to a digimon — a black calico cat with green eyes named BlackTailmon. This digimon vowed loyalty to Yuugo, and embraced his desire to unveil the truth behind the Cold Heart cases, and most importantly… the death of Yuugo’s father.
But Kamishiro Yuugo’s stubbornness and intellect became a nuisance for Chairman Wong and…
. . . He disappeared .
.
.
.
“We got another job?” Tomoro yawned, walking to Yosshi’s car.
“B-but…!! My breakfast! I need my breakfast, y’know?!” Gekkomon whined, teary eyes and being dragged by his tail. Tomoro was too sleepy so he was pulling it lightly instead.
“Don’t complain. I also had none, ok?”
“Buuuuuut—”
“We can get something to eat later,” Pristimon said nonchalantly.
“Yeah, we just need to see what is it and get it done,” Reina added with an annoyed tone. They all were alredy inside the car, heading to Garando.
“Where’s Kyo..?” Tomoro asked the others.
“Kyo-san said he had to do something important,” Makoto answered, “If anything happens, he and Murasamemon will come immediately to assist us.”
“Ah… right.”
“Well, we have to plan something for the special day too” Reina grinned, “Don’t forget about the ‘Glowing Dawn’s Anniversary Plan’ ok? So we need to finish this task, get paid and then prepare everything for the big day.”
“Alright!” the others replied with a cheer.
…
“Cleaner Group: Glowing Dawn…” Someone was looking at a screen, “Founder: Sawashiro Kyo.”
Kyo’s name, photo and information was all on the hologram monitor.
“According to our little research, Sawashiro Kyo was a former Five Stars’ member.”
“Codename: …Star of Gold, Kyo the Golden.”
Another voice then said…
“The old team might be our target until we find the culprit. So far we investigated the Stars of Wood and Earth. There’s no recordings about the Star of Water other than the new member. And the Star of Fire…”
A sigh was heard,
“We need to find them first. But perhaps we should let that one for later…”
A third voice then commented: “Right, so we start with Sawashiro Kyo. If he is the one we’re looking for, then…”
At Garando,
“What’s with that request though?!” Reina babbled, “We should investigate a fictional story this time?!”
The hologram of Kawarazaki coming from Maki’s Sapotama sighed in disbelief.
“It’s indeed a real case. Someone has invaded Klay Arslan’s residence.”
“And why should we do something about it?” Tomoro said, disgruntedly… He couldn’t forgive Klay for all the atrocities caused to not only his family but also using Hotaruko, Granit and other victims as e-Pulse living batteries to evolve Proganomon’s further… And, if it weren’t for Raito…
“As much detestable he is, there were evidence a digimon was in the scene. And if it was a digimon, it has to be stopped at all costs.”
“…?”
“No one had seen the intruder getting in, only when they were already inside. The security was found uncouncious and with a black card.”
“No one saw them sneaking inside?” Tomoro repeated.
“A Black card? Was it… a card made of Nori?” Gekkomon tilted his head.
The hologram changed to the said back card. At first glance, this specific card really resembled a dried seaweed… But after that, it was actually a black coated cardstock with golden metallic ink.
It also presented some symbols on it…
A ringed planet with two moons,
A scale,
A shining star,
A moon’s reflection on the water,
And the mathematician ‘Root’ symbol (√).
——— Was it just aesthetic of they meant something?
“It’s a calling card,” Chiropmon corrected Gekkomon.
“That’s why Reina called this case a ‘fictional story’, because it only happens in fiction.” Pristimon explained.
“But why would someone do that?” Makoto mused, “Are we dealing with someone playing the role of a phantom thief…?”
“We don’t care about it. We need the Glowing Dawn to capture this individual.”
“Alright, but have them snatched something from Klay’s residence and need to be retrieved?” Reina asked.
“The intruder did not steal anything, fortunately. We suspect they may be looking for Klay himself, or has given up and left only that card.”
“Huh… No heist?” Makoto blinked.
“We will be recompensating you with a good bounty this time.”
“Oh? How much?” Reina glanced at the hologram, especially when the quantity paid was…
“W-WHAT THE?! THAT MUCH JUST FOR A SINGLE BURGLAR?!”
Reina’s voice echoed through the room.
The trio left Garando, walking back to Yoshimura’s card when suddenly Gekkomon smelled the sweet scent of pastries nearby. He couldn’t hold his impulse, especially after not eating anything so far.
“G-Gekkomon!! Come back here!!”
Tomoro’s voice was becoming distant…
“Ah!! A monster!”
It was a little child walking back with a package of donuts, she tried to defend herself though— But Gekkomon only sniffed her package. Suddenly, his belly growled loudly.
“… You’re hungry…?” She blinked, “Ah! Here, little funny lizard!”
She took a donut from the package gave him one.
“OOOH! Thank you!!” the digimon had sparkles in his eyes, gently picking it from her hand with his paw, gently and carefully… Then took a bite, calmly. He wouldn’t want to be impolite and a savage in front of this little girl who had just shared food with him! “Hmmmm, Delicious!!”
He was enamoured with the taste of the coat of chocolate, sprinkles and the soft dough. Before he could say anything…
“It’s from this café!” she pointed to the logo and name on the package — Infinity Café — with a grin, “They make the best pastries and drinks there!!”
“Oh!!”
“Gekkomon—!!”
Gekkomon heard Tomoro’s voice…
“Thank you, Thank—”
Suddenly, the gecko digimon noticed a hand grabbing his back with brute force. Oh it was just…
“Why did you had to run away like that?! What if someone had seen y—”
“Hello, mister!”
“… Uh…” Tomoro gulped, “Sorry, he’s a little impatient…”
Gekkomon’s belly growled again.
“Mr. Gecko is hungry!” the girl said, then took Tomoro’s free hand and pulled him, while carrying the package with her other hand, “Here, here, come with me!”
“H-huh…?!”
Reina and Makoto came with them… And let the little child drag them all to another street, and stopped in front of an old-fashioned building with a butterly logo, the mentioned café she had just talked about to Gekkomon moments ago.
“A… coffee shop?” Tomoro, Reina and Makoto exclaimed.
…
Infinity Café is a cozy yet retro style… Though it also had a modern touch from the year of 2050, those combined in harmony. It was a small business, so the staff was another kind of family there.
it was rude to not walk in and take a break, especially when none of them had eaten yet.
The barista looked peculiar though… Spiky hair, its length to the neck and an emo bang covering his right eye. It didn’t seem that energetic… He took the orders and went inside. While Reina and Makoto alongside the other three digimon were chatting, Tomoro glanced at the young barista from their table.
It felt something was off…?
“Tomoro?”
Gekkomon’s voice calling him made Tomoro come back to his senses.
“Uh? What?” and he looked at Gekkomon, clueless.
“Do you think we should take some for Kyo and Cougarmon?”
“Hmm… We will see.”
Inside the kitchen, the barista took a moment to pick the order made by his cousin-in-law, the patissier and co-owner of the café. The actual owner was his cousin though… But none of them were present at the moment. Sometimes they let this quiet 18-year old boy run the business all alone.
“Wait a moment, Ohwada-kun.”
…But he wasn’t always alone.
Another boy, who shared a few similar traits from the barista but wasn’t exactly a sibling or relative at-all, looked at him.
“You know who they are, right?”
Ohwada Rui nodded in silence, then looked back, …
“Glowing Dawn.”
“Man, why are they taking too long!!” Reina complained, “We have no time to waste—”
“…Sorry for making you wait.”
“EEK!!”
The quiet barista basically arrived like if he had just materialized in front of the table. Then, he placed the orders and left.
“D-did you see where he came from?!” Reina babbled, asking the other two.
“That was quite fast, indeed” Makoto commented, impressed.
“…”
Tomoro looked at him again, entering the kitchen and closing the door without looking back. He felt something was looking at him… Something… was making him get up. But he shook his head, and came back to his senses.
“Huh…? Maybe I didn’t… sleep enough.” He muttered.
Someone else gritted their teeth — “Tsk!” — when Tomoro seemed able to resist to something.
“Let’s pick something for Kyo and Cougarmon and go check Klay’s mansion,” he and the others got up from the table and went to make another order.
…
The Glowing Dawn trio went to Klay’s mansion and started investigating it. Chiropmon was scanning the area with Makoto, Reina and Pristimon were asking questions around while Tomoro was a little… dizzy?
He felt he was distant from everyone… Something usual for oversleeping, but.
Wait a second. He did not oversleep. He slept and woke up well.
So why is he just feeling something dragging him… Something trying to invade his own mind and—
“Tomoro!!”
Gekkomon snapped him out, and he looked at his partner.
“Are you ok?” Gekkomon frowned, “You’re looking really odd since we left the café, y’know…”
“I’m fine. It was nothing… I was a little… distracted.”
“Hm?”
“…A lot had happened so far. And we didn’t find that digimon to get Asuka’s Sapotama and e-Pulse back…” he sighed, frowning… “I think I can’t get rid of that sense of guilt.”
“Hmmm??”
— Come. —
“H-Huh?!” Tomoro eyes widened.
— You want it… I know you want it. You want to break free. I can help you. —
“Tomoro?” Gekkomon tilted his head.
— Maybe we can help you… if you help us as well. —
“I smell something…” and the digimon starter sniffing the air
— So come, Tenma Tomoro. Come with us. —
Gekkomon then shouted:
“… A DIGIMON!!”
And this interrupted the mysterious voice in Tomoro’s head. Tomoro himself shook his head and glanced at Gekkomon, “A… A digimon is here?!”
“I’m sure about it, y’know!”
“Ugh… where is it?”
“Sniff sniff… THIS WAY!!”
And Gekkomon showed him the way. As Tomoro and Gekkomon went pursuing the scent, the boy spotted a shadow moving quickly, trying to run away from them.
"That guy is fast, y'know!!" Gekkomon commented, impressed.
So fast, they felt futile to continue chasing that suspect! But it was too late, the shadow managed to attract them far far away from the other two, like if it was trying to make the trio separated.
Glowing Dawn’s strength come from their bonds.
If they are together, there’s no way we could beat them.
However, if they are separated…
“Stop right there!!”
…they become an easy prey.
“Stop, y’know!!”
And then the shadow stopped. Or rather, hid in a closed room. Once Tomoro and Gekkomon got inside, something locked the entrance.
“H-huh?!”
Tomoro went back to the door and tried to open it, but no luck.
“Kh, it’s locked!?” He then started slamming his first on it, “HEY! WHOEVER DID THIS, OPEN THIS DOOR! NOW!”
“Tomoro-san, what’s wrong?”
At least the earpiece in Tomoro’s ear was still working.
“Makoto! Reina! I need—”
But suddenly, something hit Tomoro in the head and he was knocked out. Gekkomon gasped:
“T-Tomoro!!” And when he looked again, he met big, glowing green eyes staring him.
“W-wha—?!”
Liar Dream.
“!!!!”
…
“Tomoro-san is in danger, Reina-san!”
"I know, I know! I heard something from his communicator!”
Makoto and Reina, alongside their digimon, rushed to the area tracked by Makoto’s visor by using Tomoro’s Sapotama. They knew something was strange in this case, especially when the enemy was unknown digimon not even spotted by the security before.
An invisible enemy.
“Tomoro!!”
And a few meters before reaching the locked room Tomoro was in…
“Huh? What is it?”
They stopped… in front of Tomoro and Gekkomon.
Reina and Makoto sighed in relief, but Reina aggressively pointed at him and hissed:
“What’s wrong with you?! We were looking for clues and you were just slacking off?! And pranking us?! That’s low!!”
Makoto blinked, but it wasn’t sure if he bought that hypothesis.
“I wasn’t pulling a prank on you!” Tomoro barked back, “Something ambushed me! I almost got caught, but Gekkomon saved me!”
“So you saw the digimon?!” Wolvermon exclaimed in surprise.
“No, it managed to escape before we could catch it or, see who it is” he pouted, “Gekkomon only hit it in the face, and then it became invisible or something…”
The others exchanged glances, it felt like that case was more complex than they thought.
“Anyway, let’s go back. It probably ran away, y’know” Gekkomon nodded sagely.
“Ok then…” Reina shrugged.
While leaving… Tomoro, looked back at the direction of locked room he was in minutes ago and smirked, but it wasn’t a cocky smile, but more likely a sad one.
“I’m sorry for this…”
He whispered and followed the others.
…
“So… You didn’t find anything…?”
They all were back home. Reina and Makoto reported what happening to Kyo, who listened to them patiently and paying enough attention to it. Cougarmon was sleeping in his cushion, while the other digimon where on the lap of their partners, except for Gekkomon who was on Tomoro’s side.
“Yeah, Tomoro said he was ambushed by our guy but…” Reina frowned, and threw her hands with a disappointed sigh, “…he didn’t see it and let it escape.”
“…” Tomoro definitely gave her a grumpy stare, but had not said anything in return.
Makoto looked at him in silence, then back to Chiropmon, who exchanged his gaze with the boy.
“I see…” Kyo nodded sagely, “Even if you couldn’t end the case quickly, at least Tomoro is fine.”
“Yeah, that’s all what counts, y’know!”
“But Tomoro…” Kyo turned his gaze at the boy, especially at…“where did you hurt your eye?”
…the mysterious scar on his right eye. Small but thick. At least Tomoro could open his eye…?
“… It was in the fight,” he looked away, “I’m sorry… I disappointed you.”
“No, you didn’t,” Kyo smiled kindly to him, “I’m relieved you three are safe and back home.”
“Not that you mentioned it…” Makoto said, “Reina-san and I did not realize you had a cut in your eye…”
“Man, that probably was rough…” and she frowned, “If we had come faster…—”
“It’s okay,” Tomoro sighed, “This isn’t concerning. We had witnessed worse scenarios before. And actually, this is nothing compared to… watching others getting Cold Hearted…”
This felt quite odd, but still accurate to Tenma Tomoro’s behavior.
“Well, let’s eat, y’know!” Gekkomon clasped his paws, “I’m hungry! Those pastries we brought to Kyo and Cougarmon… Hmmm!!!”
“Ah, right! We brought something for you, Kyo!” Reina grinned.
“Shouldn’t we eat dinner first?” Kyo chuckled awkwardly, “I prepared it already.”
“Ohh!! What will it be tonight?!”
“I think Tomoro will like it, specially.”
“Hmm?” Tomoro looked at them.
…
“Thank you for the food!”
“…”
A very kiddy-like meal but filled with veggies, white rice and a beautiful, pretty hamburg steak and a blob of sauce on top of it. It looked a perfect, well-made and cooked with all the love and care from Sawashiro Kyo, something Tomoro himself likes it…
…but, that night was different.
“……………”
Tomoro was glancing at it, with a disgusted face.
Kyo and the others were eating already, but when they spotted it…
“What’s wrong, Tomoro-san?”
Makoto’s question made him jump on his seat, and look at them, surprised.
“It’s… I’m not… hungry.”
“Huh?!” Reina blinked, “You never refuse a plate of hamburg steak when Kyo does it!!”
“……….. I’m sorry. Gekkomon, you can have it.”
“OHO!! THANK YOU FOR THE MEAL, Y’KNOW!!”
Tomoro left the room and went outside… Kyo was perplexed by that behavior, but he just believed something went bad on today’s case to have made Tomoro completely shut-in.
“…Hamburg steak…” He squinted his eyes, looking at the water, “Sigh…”
.
.
.
“You don’t like Hamburg steak… Seriously?”
“… I… I have my reasons. Besides that I got another problem to care now.”
He heard voices, muffled and distant… His eyesight was blurred, like if he hadn’t been wearing his glasses. But when he managed to fully wake up…
“H-huh?! What the—?!”
…he found himself locked inside a strange room, inside a bubble. Gekkomon wasn’t with him either.
“Where… Where am I?!”
He looked around, and saw a digimon nearby… It was a Lunamon? No, it’s bigger, so perhaps Lekismon?
She turned to him with a grin,
“Oh, you’re awake! Straaaaaange, this bubble was supposed to keep you sleeping…”
“What the heck you mean by that?! Put me down! Get me off here! Now!!”
“Geez, calm down kiddo… We need your help so we can continue our own investigation!”
“Investigation…?”
“About the former Star of Gold, your current leader.” Her voice tone changed to a more serious and creepy one.
“…K-Kyo!!”