Lovers Motel
He's sitting on a bed in the hotel but can't remember why. He's forgetting something and he knows it. He just doesn't know what. Minato struggles with his foggy mind for an answer but the sound of running water distracts him. A shower. He has a wary feeling. Minato stares at the door to the washroom and asks himself what he's doing here and who's behind the door.
'Embrace your desire...'
An unfamiliar voice rings in his head. Minato shakes his head and tries to ignore it.
'I am the voice of your inner self... Enjoy the moment... That which cannot be felt is merely a dream... The present is all we have.'
The voice tries to tempt him but the words don't reverberate with his heart. Minato rejects the voice in his mind.
'The future is but a fantasy, memory a fabrication... Let your desire free you from your shackles... Such is my wish.'
Minato continues to resist, refusing to give in.
'Pleasure is what you truly want. You stand before the doorway to bliss. You cannot deny your instincts... Embrace your desire...'
He knows there are more important things that need to be done, that he doesn't have time for pleasure. Minato gets to his feet and shakes his head again. He finds his mind finally getting clearer. At the same time, the shower suddenly turns off. The blue haired teen's eyes are drawn to the door and he walks a few paces closer, wondering who will exit it.
To his great surprise, it's Mitsuru who comes out. More shocking still is the fact that she's in nothing but a towel. Minato takes a step back in surprise and quickly averts his eyes, a light blush dotting his cheeks. The last thing he expected was to see anyone so undressed. Mitsuru mumbles something he can't make out and then she gasps.
"W-What... Why?" Mitsuru mutters.
Then she abruptly turns and runs back into the washroom, the door slamming shut behind her. Several minutes later, Mitsuru exits the washroom again. This time fully dressed. An awkward silence fills the room where neither of them can hold each other's gaze. Minato thinks he should say something first. After all it wasn't him who came out the shower like that.
"Uh..." Minato says.
The only problem is he is unsure of what he should say in this kind of situation. Mitsuru is holding her arm and looking away in that way of hers when she feels uncomfortable. Minato doesn't have enough tact to lighten the mood and he isn't sure how to reassure her. He feels pretty useless right now. So all he can do is...
"...It looks like the Shadow was interfering with our thoughts." Minato says.
All he can do is draw things back to why they're here. The junior feels rather pathetic at this moment.
"It looks that way." Mitsuru agrees.
Another awkward silence threatens to overtake them.
"Hello! Minato, Mitsuru! Can you hear me?" Fuuka suddenly rings in their heads.
Both jump at the suddenness of her being there, having forgotten all about her.
"Ah, yes, we're here." Mitsuru says.
"Thank goodness! I'm sorry it took so long but the Shadow was interfering with your thoughts." Fuuka says.
Neither of them have the power to say anything after that comment.
"Anyway, the Shadow is still where it was before." Fuuka says. "Please meet up with the others! They're on the floor above you!"
"We're on our way." Mitsuru says.
Minato can't help but wonder how she manages to sound as if nothing happened. Fuuka clicks out after that and the two are left alone together again.
"I'm sure this goes without saying but," Mitsuru glares at him, "if you tell anyone, I will execute you."
Mitsuru then promptly leaves the room and Minato can only meekly follow behind her.