So this is my first fanfic in a long, long time. Replaying P3P got my mind a-spinnin', and I thought what better to do than to put it to words? I will be switching perspectives between Shinji and Minako.
Rating will be for planned future goodness.
His day had hardly begin and he was already feeling a headache coming on. He didn't mind coming into the restaurant early, that's something that he does without a phone call. What he did mind was the fact his ritual of having a cup of coffee before actually working was being interrupted to go run an errand that the prep chef would normally be doing right about now.
"Come on Aragaki, it's just a quick run to the cafe. You only need to do this while Hana is on leave. Then you can get back to your daily morning sulking routine, I promise." His boss shot him a smile across the island's counter.
"Tch, whatever." Shinji made his way around the island, grabbing a set of keys that were lying on top. He couldn't be that mad at his boss. Yasuhide had treated him well ever since he stumbled in here, looking to escape from everything that happened in Tatsumi Port Island. He even helped him find an apartment just a few blocks away from the restaurant and offered him work without even asking him for his credentials.
As he opens the door that leads out to the back of the restaurant, he stops to check his phone. 6:21am, April 7th, 2011. A little over a year since he left Port Island, a little over a year since she left. Even now, with time passed and distance achieved, he's still haunted by her. There's nights where he wakes up and swears she was just in the room. Even the room smells like the lavender shampoo she would use. Those are the good nights, the ones that don't come around too often. Most of the time he dreams of that day, on the rooftop of the school. He can remember every detail, from the way her lips curved when she smiled, the way her hair moved in the breeze, to the way she went still in his arms. It was on those nights he stared at the ceiling, wishing there was a way to free her, to bring her back home. Wishing he had more time with her. Really, just wishing for her.
He sighs, opening the door to the small pick up truck and jumps in the driver's seat. It's not a long walk to get to Cafe Noir but the truck made it easier to haul the bags of coffee beans that was needed for the restaurant. They would just get bags delivered with the rest of the food they ordered, but supposedly the cafe owner is Yasuhide's sister's husband's cousin, or something like that. Whatever the relationship was, they get a discount and better quality beans so it's worth the drive.
He puts the truck into drive and heads down the cramped alleyway leading out to the main road. From here, you can see some of the tourist attractions that bring people flocking here, even foreigners from overseas. He enjoyed seeing the temples when he first came here, along with the gardens. He spent a lot of time visiting those places. It was peaceful, and reminded Shinji of her every time.
He shook his head, mumbling to himself as he pulled into another small alleyway. "Got to stop thinking about her. Nothing good to come from dwelling...". He drives a little bit past the doorway he's looking for before parking the truck. He makes his way up to the door with the small black awning and rings the bell, hoping that whoever answers isn't too spooked to see someone other than the woman who's normally here to pick up the coffee, especially if that someone is looking as grouchy as Shinjiro Aragaki.
After a few moments, the door opens and he's greeted by an older woman with a full head of grey hair.
"Oh you must be Shinjiro. Yasu called just a few moments ago to let us know you'll be picking up the coffee from now on while Hana is gone. Is everything ok with her? She seemed fine last week. Is it that fiancee of her's? He's no good, I tell you! I told her months ago to get rid of him, that she can find better. She's such a sweet young woman. She doesn't need someone like him dragging her down. Don't you agree?"
Shinji stands almost dumbfounded by this lady's ability to talk what could easily be a mile a minute. She must've had extra expresso in her coffee this morning, he thought to himself. After taking a moment to rein in thoughts, he simply replies yes and squeezes past the woman to let himself inside.
The kitchen is similar to the one he's used to back at the restaurant, albeit smaller in size. The smells are a bit different too. Instead of smelling like various meats, vegetables, and what have you, this kitchen smells like coffee, pastries, and a bit of mochi. As he gazes around, he vaguely hears the lady telling him to wait out in the dining area while she finds the bags that were ordered. He makes his way out front, letting the smell of brewing coffee and the sounds of hushed chatting guide him.
The dining area is also smaller than what he's used to, but it does have a more intimate setting. Tables that seat two make up most of the seating area, with a raised bar facing out towards the windows, allowing patrons to gaze at those making their way through the city to wherever their destination is. There's soft music playing, almost hidden behind the sounds of coffee machines brewing all sorts of beverages made to the request of whoever orders them. The patrons are all absorbed in their own lives, whether it's reading the paper or browsing their laptops. As he turns from the kitchen to see who is taking the client's orders, he stops dead in his tracks.
There's no way that could be her. But he knows it is. That auburn hair, pulled back into that same high ponytail. Those bright red eyes that could read him like an open book. She looks almost identical to how she did that fateful day over a year ago, even the pins in her hair are in place in the exact same way. But something was a bit different. She seemed a bit paler than he remembered, her eyes not as bright. His feet were carrying him to counter without him even realizing that he was pushing people out of his way. In just a few short steps, he found himself staring at this girl face to face. Face to face with the one person that haunts his dreams. The one person he ever loved. Minako Arisato.
"Minako...". He found himself unable to say anything else. There's so much he wants to say, so much he wants to ask. But he's in awe and can hardly keep himself from jumping across the counter and embracing her in the middle of cafe. She's staring at him inquisitively, her eyes never on one spot for too long. He waits, waits for her to speak before taking any action himself. Any word would be wonderful, anything that would confirm that she really is free and no longer needed to seal Nyx. She stares at him a few more moments, before tilting her head and saying:
"Uhm, do I know you?"
Hope you enjoyed the first chapter! Any feedback is appreciated. Apologies for any typos/grammatical errors, I'm running without a beta.