You will always be my always.

- David Levithan

Part I - The First Day

A heavy silence lay in the air of the Iwatodai dorm. Various boxes and luggage stood silently beside the doors, taunting the soon to be left behind members of S.E.E.S. Heavy thuds rang from the second floor, and the clicks of high heels stopped to make way for the familiar sound of Mitsuru Kirijo's two-knocks hitting the door. "Are you ready yet, Akihiko?" she asked, her voice only faintly heard by those in the lounge. A muffled reply came, followed by a sigh. Muttering incoherently under her breath, she headed downstairs to find the rest of the dorm members looking down into their laps.

"Why do you all look so upset?" Mitsuru asked. The group exchanged glances with one another, no one wanting to voice their thoughts. Saying it aloud made it all too real, all too heartbreaking. A cross of frustration and sadness passed on Mitsuru's face. "We aren't leaving forever, you know. We'll come by and visit the dorm often, and you are all seniors with the exception of Amada."

"Mitsuru, can't you two stay for a little longer?" Her auburn hair tied loosely due to lack of energy, Minako Arisato raised her crimson eyes pleadingly. "The dorm just won't be the same if it's just us, and I don't think it ever will be the same again if you two leave. And you can't promise us you'll visit, we know how busy you'll be managing the Kirijo group's businesses." Mitsuru shifted uncomfortably, no longer able to meet the former leader's eyes as they began to shine with tears.

"Sharp as ever, Arisato," Mitsuru said softly. "You're right, but I intend to visit as often as possible since I will be funding this dorm until you five graduate." Walking to the doors, Mitsuru pulled up the handle of her final piece of luggage, then turned to back to the new Gekkoukan High School seniors. "And you know, Arisato, even if I don't visit, he'll make more than enough visits for the both of us." Minako's face flushed, her tears dissipating, and Junpei Iori and Yukari Takeba both started laughing. Minako mumbled something about training, as Yukari regained her breath. Junpei, still laughing, shook his head.

"Oh man, senpai!" Junpei choked out. "When was the last time I heard you make a joke?! And a joke at Mina-tan at that!" Wiping tears from both laughter and sadness, Junpei walked over to Mitsuru and clasped her hands in his. "I'm gonna miss you senpai." Mitsuru gave him a sheepish grin, and nodded in agreement. "I'll miss you too, Iori. All of you."

Yukari smiled, still giggling. "Where is Akihiko-senpai? Isn't he leaving with you, Mitsuru?" The heiress laughed, and smiled knowingly.

"Yes, but no. I'm simply helping him relocate somewhere in the area along with Shinjiro once he's discharged. I'm heading back home. There's still work that father left behind." A glint of sadness and resolve appeared in her eyes, disappearing as quickly as it come. "And let's just say Akihiko isn't a light packer."

Proving her point, a yelp of surprise came from the stairs as various boxes taped securely shut stumbled down them. Chasing them was a flushed Akihiko Sanada, who sighed as they reached the bottom. "Dammit, I hope nothing's damaged," he muttered angrily. At the sudden appearance of the silver haired boy, Minako stood up in shock. Instead of his everyday red v-neck, Akihiko was dressed in a suit with a red tie, his signature black leather gloves still on his fingers. His silver eyes met Minako's crimson, and he froze. As the couple stared at each other, Junpei and Yukari smirked. "Lookin' good, Akihiko!" Junpei called.

Already red from the embarrassment of dropping his things, he turned away from Minako. "S-Shut up, Junpei. I have an interview today," Akihiko explained, agitation tinging his voice. Not bothering with his dropped baggage, he sat down in the vacant seat next to Minako, who reseated herself. She held his gloved hands in her own, and gave him what she hoped to be a comforting smile. "If I mess this up, I don't know what I'm gonna do for the next few years..." he muttered.

"What's the interview for?" Yukari asked curiously. "You never did tell us what you were going to do after high school."

Akihiko's gaze turned to the ground, hesitating. "To be honest, I never thought about it. This was a recent decision. I was too obsessed with getting stronger to think about my future," he admitted. "Then, when I realized I might not have a future back in December..." he trailed. A wave of sadness and angst went through the lounge as memories of a boy with a blinding yellow scarf who was long gone came flooding back.

"I decided to fight for a future then," Akihiko said softly. "I wanted to protect everyone then, and that hasn't changed." Minako squeezed his hand, her eyes earning the appearance of glass. With great resolve, Akihiko looked at Yukari, then Minako, whose grip was tightening on his hand as the seconds passed. He nodded firmly. "I'm going to police academy. If I make it, I can protect you... I can protect you all." As Minako lay her head on Akihiko's shoulder, tears gently streaming, it was clear that Akihiko was no longer speaking to Yukari. A hand gently tapped Yukari on the shoulder. She turned around to see Junpei and Mitsuru, who gestured to the door.

"Akihiko, I'll put my luggage away first, then. Please be outside with your things in 10 minutes. Iori and Takeba will be offering their assistance." Mitsuru nodded at the two, and began walking back towards the door, Junpei and Yukari in tow. With one last look around the lounge, she sighed. "Alright, you two. Let's move these outside first before we load them into the car," Mitsuru instructed. Akihiko and Minako sat on the sofa in silence with their eyes closed, holding one another. It felt like a thousand years before the door shut quietly behind the trio. The couple drew apart; they simply stared at each other, desperate to memorize each line and curve of one another's face, trying to embed it's perfection in their minds forever.

"Please don't leave me, Aki," Minako said quietly, clenching her firsts. "I know you'll have a hard time visiting, and I don't want to burden you. You'll still be practicing for boxing, training to be a policeman, and studying law. You don't have to come." Suddenly, Minako turned her gaze down, embarrassed. "I'm sorry, it's like I'm telling you one thing and another. Forget it," she mumbled, a fresh batch of tears starting. "I was never good with words anyways."

Discarding his gloves, Akihiko cupped Minako's face in his hands. He wiped her tears with his thumbs, and studied her intensely. "I'm not great with words either. I was never one for words when actions will do," he whispered, pulling her into a tight embrace. She laughed softly, returning the hug.

"Are you nervous, Aki?" Minako asked, a small smile spreading across her face. "Your heart's pounding, I can feel it."

"H-Hey! Don't say that!" Akihiko said a little loudly, pulling away. His face was a deep red, but he was smiling anyways. "I promise, Minako, I'll visit. No matter what happens. Even If I have to go through Tartarus and back, I'll come back. You did it for me, I can do the same." Minako kissed him gently, and put her head against his chest.

"If it wasn't for Elizabeth and Theo, though... It's just one year, right Aki? I'm not worried about you visiting, I'm more worried about a new Akihiko Sanada fan club appearing. After all," she added playfully, "you're gonna be a boxing champ over there, too." Pounding his back gently with her fist, he laughed.

"Yeah, just one year. This isn't goodbye, Minako. I said I'd give you things for your music box every year, didn't I?" Reluctantly, Akihiko pulled Minako off of him, and forced her to look at him in the eye. "I'm not losing someone precious to me again, Minako. I won't let you go. I love you too much to let you slip away. I love you, and I'll love you always."

With that, he kissed her with all the pent up emotion inside. It was hesitant, shy, sad, and passionate all at once. It said everything Akihiko didn't, and Minako didn't need to say anything. When he drew back, they were both flushed, traces of smiles dancing upon their faces. "Always," she said to herself, smiling to herself.

"Help me unpack my things at my apartment? That way you can visit me, too," Akihiko asked shyly. Standing up, he moved to the end of the stairs, stacking the various boxes methodically before pushing them to the door. Minako pulled three boxes off the top, and her smile widened. "Yeah, I'd like that," she said. "You really are handsome in a suit, Aki."

Opening the door for a blushing Akihiko, Minako looked at her boyfriend with admiration and love. We can do this, she thought to herself determinedly. It's just one year before I graduate, too. We'll make it.

Minako stared across Iwatodai, the moonlight enveloping the city in an icy glow. Checking her cellphone, the clock read 23:34; it was nearly the Dark Hour - or what would have been. She sighed, swinging her feet against the top of the dorm. I knew he'd be busy with the second interview and all, and yet here I am, she thought glumly. It had been over a full 24 hours since she had contacted Akihiko, 24 hours since she walked out of his apartment, exhausted from lifting the peculiar objects she had found. Through the unpacking, she found out what was in the boxes, and why there was so many. Akihiko had packed loads of protein powders, his boxing equipment (including his punching bag), law books, and some of Shinjiro's things, including his old axe from the days of S.E.E.S. It was a strange, heartwarming experience to help Akihiko move in to his new home. The way he smiled with amusement each time Minako tried to carry something too heavy, and how each time they ran past each other they would exchange a tired grin... It had only been a day, and it already pained Minako to think about Akihiko being miles away. Deep in her memories, she didn't notice when someone sat down at the edge of the building beside her until she felt a hand tugging at her sleeve.

"M-Minako... Are you thinking about Sanada-san right now?"

"H-Huh?" She turned in the direction of the small voice to see Ken Amada looking at her worriedly. Mussing his hair, she gave him a small smile. "Yeah. Akihiko has already left us behind, huh, Ken?" she said sadly. Ken rested his head on her arm, and nodded in agreement. The two sat there on the roof of the Iwatodai dorm in a comfortable, sad silence. Akihiko had been Ken's role model, despite his close relationship with Shinjiro. Each time he asked Minako a question, he would always compare himself to Akihiko, a light of wonder shining in his eyes whenever he said his name. Minako cursed herself internally. It's not like he was dead, and not like she couldn't visit him either. She was simply being clingy. "Hey, Ken-"

Ken was sleeping peacefully, his mouth hanging slightly open. Minako smiled at the sight, forgetting that midnight was pretty late for a kid and that Ken himself was a kid. His maturity always threw her off a little, and never knew what to expect from him. Carrying him with little difficulty back into the dorm, she could feel her heart crying. "Oh Akihiko," she said softly. "I'm not the only one who needs you."

A/N: Hi! The fact your reading this means you actually read to the end. I hope. This is my first time writing fanfic, and I've been hungering for Akihiko for the past weeks. I'm sorry for numerous things, from my writing style to the sketchy plot, but I really love Minako/Akihiko :c. I think this will end when Minako and crew graduate, with maybe a prologue. This is set a few weeks in March after Aki and Mitsuru graduate to give you guys an idea of where I'm at chronologically. I'd appreciate any feedback ^_^ Next chapter I've planned out a bit, it's in the works. Just think Shinji and fighting, maybe not together, but you may or may not see where this is going. I hope you guys stay tuned (even if you did, I wouldn't know. I'm still figuring out this website creys), but even if you don't I'll just sit here snickering to myself about my own scenarios between the two.