"What's wrong, Gammamon? Why did you ask us to meet you here?" Hiro asked his younger brother.

Gammamon could only giggle with Jellymon while Angoramon gave a soft smile.

The three humans shared a glance. They had been watching movies yesterday, and even if they had promised to be careful, no one really trusted Jellymon or  Gammamon to stay out of trouble during the one day they went out without them.

Still, it was better to give them the benefit of the doubt, so Ruri asked, "Did something happen?"

"Well, we... Sorta lied about why we wanted to go out," Angoramon spoke up first.

"Eh?! So it wasn't for bonding?!" Kiyoshiro gasped.

"It was... In a way?" Jellymon sounded unsure. Was yesterday bonding? She didn't know, but it HAD been nice and she did feel closer to them so it counted in her book.

"But we have surprises!" Gammamon smiled.

Hiro blinked. Surprises? What was his brother talking about?

The three Digimon then got out the presents they had prepared, now wrapped in wrapping paper after being placed in a box by the store clerks. Hiro got a red one, Ruri had pink and Kiyoshiro blue.

"Merry Christmas, Ruri," Angoramon smiled as he handed his to the social media influencer.

She quickly opened it up, and gasped upon seeing its contents, "Angoramon!"

"I-it's a reference to how we first me-" Just like that day, she cut him off by hugging him, "This was the best Christmas present ever! Thank you so much!!"

He blushed a lot but hugged her back, "I-I'm glad for that."

"Here," Jellymon handed hers to Kiyoshiro, whose mouth went completely open after seeing what she had gotten him. Of all the things! "J-Jellymon-sama! Y-You bought this?!"

"It's with my own money, Darling!" She reassured him while showing the transaction proof. Kiyoshiro had made her that account on her insistence a week ago... Had it been for this?!

"J-Jellymon-sama!!!!" He embraced her tight, and even though she vocally refused, she never pushed him away. "T-Thank you so much!!!"

And as for the final duo?

"Here!"

Hiro wasn't expecting much, to be honest. He knew Gammamon was a child, so he would have accepted anything from his brother.

But to see a hoodie wrapped up with a black flame image sewn onto its back? Hiro hadn't expected Gammamon to remember that he liked hoodies. He could tell how hard Gammamon must have thought about this just by looking at this.

Without thinking, the usually reserved student wrapped his arms around his baby brother and kept him close, a bright smile on his face as he said, "Thank you so much, Gammamon. You did a great job at choosing the gift."

Amanokawa Hiro meant his words from the bottom of his heart this time. Gammamon had really gotten him something he liked. And maybe there was Gulus, but he knew now; Gammamon was Gammamon and no dark evolution could change that. Maybe he could get one of his older hoodies from his childhood and give it to Gammamon to wear.

Ruri was sure she had some books Angoramon would enjoy at home too. If not, there was always the bookstore!

Meanwhile, Kiyoshiro decided that maybe splurging his money for Jellymon for once as a gift would be nice. Just once though! She used up way too much money normally!

Still, as Christmas finally neared its end, the group had a lot of fun together, playing games, watching movies, and honestly? Nothing could take away those memories.

It was definitely the highlight of their lives as partners.

Did they forget about the two new friends? Yes.

Did the new friends forget about them? Of course not.

When Jun finally met Angoramon again during a hangout with Ruri... Well let's just say there was a lot of shouting, introductions and teary reunions, even if Bokomon didn't remember them.

Because even if memories leave, the bonds remained somehow. Perhaps it was a miracle in and of itself.

There were always mysterious things in life, but some don't have an explanation. They just... Happen. A mystery. A mystery best left unexplained.

Still, when a mystery comes around that's Digimon-related, there are five kids around to keep the peace and that's a good thing! Friendships and bonds will be tested as the story continues, first with Episode 22: Nightmares!

Wow this was really fun to write! XD I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I know it's rushed but I actually felt a surge to finish it now so that's that. :) I really liked this story! Thanks for requesting, Xeno-nii!