Staying Strong
A/N: Personal headcanon that this is based off of – After Shinji's death, Minako fell into a state of catatonic depression. She lay in Shinji's bed for a week, wrapped up in his jacket without eating. Or moving for that matter. This story takes place as she finally starts to settle into the fifth stage of grief and is able to begin functioning as a human again. Constructive criticism wanted.
The air seemed to have gotten much colder than she last remembered it. Minako Arisato hugged her body for more warmth as she continued on her way to Gekkoukan High. Her brown eyes were stuck in half a squint from the mornings light. It had gotten much brighter too. She took her time as she walked to the Iwatodai train station. Not because she wanted to be late to class, that is. She didn't want to push her legs too hard. After all, they hadn't been used in a while.
After purchasing her ticket and sitting aboard the train, Minako checked her watch. Just past six. She closed her eyes and began doubting the decision to even leave his room today. The farther along the rail the train went, the more her heart tugged and pained. Almost as if the organ was trying to move her back to the dorm. Minako gripped the bookbag on her lap and stared into it. The teen closed her eyes and took slow breaths. It would be okay. Leaving that room would be okay. The familiar ding of the intercom broke her from her trance-like state. The train moved faster too. Minako rose, along with the other passengers and stepped out onto the Port Island platform. Her legs began to shake with each step down the stairs, making her stop every few moments to try and regain her footing. The brunette took a deep breath and closed her eyes again. Somehow, she managed to set her emotions aside.
Minako continued on to the school, holding her head up and keeping her eyes straightforward. She had done enough crying. And as she desperately tried to hold onto this confidence, it slipped though her grasp like sand. She found herself staring at her dragging shoes as she continued onward towards her high school. More and more students entered her peripherals as she neared the building. Minako came to a stop before the entrance way and lifted her head to look at the building. Students swarmed around, chatting in groups or making groggy trips into the building. A few noticed her arrival and either waved or began talking in hushed whispers to themselves. All of that was trivial. Minako looked up at the cloudy gray sky. She had made it out of the dorm. She had made it across town. She had made it to the school. She needed to be stronger, after all, and these were the first baby steps on that path.
"...Shinji, I know you're watching. Are you proud?" she asked quietly to the clouds, "I'm going to keep fighting. For you and for everyone else." She blinked more rapidly as her vision quickly blurred up. "It's going to be difficult without you. But I know you'll still be beside me to help me. Just like always."
From behind, the wind picked up to a gust. Minako held tight to her bag and held down her skirt, shutting her eyes tight. As soon as it started, the wind died down. Minako looked back at the sky and smiled before taking the step past the gate lines and onto the school grounds.