Chapter Ninety-Nine: Amusement Park Plan

"Boxing is a sport that demands intense concentration of the mind. Besides mastering solid technique, it’s essential to be adept at seizing advantageous opportunities in the ever-changing battle, decisively adopting the most effective tactics and methods of attack..."

On a boxing ring, Qin Fei, wearing gloves, listened intently to Samo's explanation.

"So, boxing is excellent for training mental strength and digital soul... Watch my movements."

Qin Fei observed Samo, who was continuously striking the sandbag on the ring, his attention unwavering.

"But boxing cannot be rushed. You must start from the very basics, follow the principle of gradual progression, and learn and master the fundamental movements step by step..."

As he spoke, Samo demonstrated the boxing stance, the basic left jab and right straight.

Qin Fei stood beside him, mimicking these foundational poses.

...

"Gurgle~"

Gradually, both lost track of time, until the protest of their stomachs reminded them they were close to missing lunch.

"Alright, that's enough explanation for today. This afternoon, we'll do some simple focus mitt and sandbag drills."

Wiping the fine sweat from his forehead, Samo took off his gloves and dismissed Qin Fei.

"You're right, proper training requires a full stomach. Thank you for your guidance, Captain Samo."

Qin Fei was also covered in sweat, but Lorettemon had appeared from somewhere, gently wiping his forehead with a cotton towel.

Seeing Samo's peculiar gaze, Qin Fei blushed, but didn't move away, letting Lorettemon's towel linger on his face.

"Sigh~"

Samo sighed for reasons unknown, casting a glance at the resting Pipefoxmon on the chair. Both were envoys of the Digital World, yet the difference between them was so stark.

"Well then, I'll trouble you again this afternoon!"

...

Leaving the training room, Qin Fei and Lolo headed straight for the staff cafeteria. As they relaxed, their hunger grew even stronger.

After a satisfying meal with the Digimon, Qin Fei, with nothing else to do, decided to wander around DATS. Unexpectedly, he bumped into Thomas and Gaomon, who had just returned from a mission.

"Qin Fei? ...Did Captain Samo assign you another task?"

Thomas recognized Qin Fei at a glance, greeting him cordially yet calmly.

"No, I just finished lunch at the cafeteria. You just got back from a mission?"

"Yes, I just resolved a Digimon issue. Want to check out the command room? There are some familiar faces there, and it might help you get used to the environment."

Qin Fei thought for a moment—he had nothing else to do—so he agreed to Thomas's invitation.

...

With the sound of the mechanical door opening, Qin Fei was surprised to see Daimon and Agumon standing on the other side, as if waiting for someone.

But when they focused their attention on Thomas beside him, Qin Fei suddenly understood.

"Welcome back!"

"We've been waiting for you."

"We've waited a long time!"

Daimon and Agumon spoke in perfect harmony.

"Huh?! ...Huh?"

Seeing Daimon and Agumon behaving so differently from usual, with their respectful demeanor, Thomas and Gaomon’s hair stood on end.

This wasn’t the usual Daimon and Agumon. Normally, they’d be openly competing with Thomas. Why were they so agreeable today?

Even Shizuno and Lalamon, nearby, looked over in confusion.

"Ah... Right."

Oblivious to the stunned expressions of Thomas and Gaomon, Daimon gestured for Agumon to bring out a cup of hot tea, once again speaking with utmost respect, "You must be tired from your mission. Please, drink while it's hot..."

Agumon echoed, "Please, drink..."

"What... What are you doing? Da..."

Thomas’s brow and mouth twitched endlessly, unable to comprehend what was happening, sensing something unusual in the air... Otherwise, he might really be seeing ghosts.

"Isn’t it obvious? They’re acting as attendants..."

Agumon answered innocently, leaving Gaomon helpless: "No... That's not what we meant."

"I mean, what's the point of all this fuss?"

Thomas bent down, his eyes almost touching theirs, scrutinizing the peculiar Daimon and Agumon with deep suspicion.

"Really... You're overthinking, Thomas..."

Daimon, feeling guilty, looked away from Thomas's face.

"Thomas...?"

Thomas’s brow twitched. When had Daimon ever spoken to him so respectfully?

"Be careful, master. There's a dangerous aura here," Gaomon warned, regarding Daimon and Agumon with concern, finding their behavior odd.

"N-No, it's nothing... Don't be so wary."

Daimon's gaze grew more evasive... clearly uneasy.

"Impressive, you could sense it just from their aura?"

"Idiot!"

The naive Agumon at his side instantly broke Daimon's composure, forcing him to hurriedly cover Agumon's big mouth.

"I told you, hiding won't work."

Thomas finally seemed relieved, arms folded as he looked at Daimon, saying, "You’re so transparent, even a child could see through you. So, what’s going on?"

"Ah, it's like this... Today at school..."

Daimon laughed awkwardly and began to explain.

Listening from the side, Qin Fei gradually understood: Daimon had failed a class and needed to retake the exam, or he’d have to repeat the grade.

"So Daimon is an academic underachiever..."

"Yeah, that's the situation, but I..."

Before Daimon could finish, Thomas took a sip of the tea Agumon served and decisively refused, "I see... No."

"But I haven’t even made my request yet!"

Seeing Thomas coldly refuse before he could speak, Daimon was furious.

"Even though I have a doctorate, I must say, tutoring you is out of the question."

Qin Fei suddenly remembered: Thomas, though only fourteen like Daimon, was a bona fide genius, already holding a doctorate.

They truly were opposites.

"Indeed."

"No, absolutely not..."

Shizuno and Lalamon chimed in from the side.

"I'm not asking you to tutor me."

Daimon replied irritably.

"Then what do you want from me?"

"...I have a favor to ask."

Daimon organized his thoughts and, under Thomas’s confused gaze, said, "Actually... Tomorrow is Chika's birthday."

"Chika... Your little sister?"

"Yes. Because of the retake, I really can't spare the time, so... could you keep her company until I finish my exam?"

Thomas froze for a moment, then asked strangely, "Wouldn't it make more sense to ask Shizuno?"

Thinking of Daimon's family—just mother and daughter—Thomas felt a bit awkward.

"No problem," Shizuno perked up immediately.

"Her wages will be sky-high," Lalamon added untimely from behind Shizuno.

"Don't say such unflattering things!"

Shizuno glared fiercely at Lalamon.

"Huh? So you'd do it for free, Shizuno?"

Lalamon stared at her.

"That... That's another matter..."

Shizuno felt guilty as well.

"Shizuno won’t do. I need someone who can interact with her like a father."

Daimon suddenly said, then looked at Thomas with grave earnestness. "So... please!"

...

Perhaps it was Daimon's sincerity, or perhaps his shamelessness, but in the end, Thomas agreed.

...

"Looks like Daimon trusts Thomas quite a lot."

Watching the scene unfold, Qin Fei seemed to smile at Lolo.

"So, what are you planning now?"

Lolo glanced sidelong at Qin Fei, already sensing from his words that her tamer had other schemes in mind.

"Lolo, tomorrow I'll take you all to the amusement park. How about it?"

Qin Fei didn’t answer Lolo’s question. Instead, like a sudden inspiration, he excitedly asked Lorettemon beside him.

Lorettemon: "???"