He had... He'd told her that day, he said for her to keep smiling. He told her... He said that she shouldn't cry. I did, she thought, I did, I did, I did, I did. It became like a mantra in her head. For so long, Shinjiro. It was something she couldn't get rid of. "I tried," it came out in a sob. Her voice was choked with emotions. Walking closer to him, her knees collapsed out from under her. She was close enough to cradle him in her arms. "I did, sempai, I … I- I did… I tried for your sake." She didn't care who saw it, she laid her forehead on his, her hands tenderly brushing out his long hair. Unintentionally knocking off his beanie as he gasped. She was heedless to it. His breathing was too shallow. There was so much time left in the dark hour… there was no one… nothing… what could be done now?
He was fighting in his own way, trying to speak, lessen the pain… If not for himself, then… He spoke to the leader. "Don't cry, Minako." She forced a smile, the grin pulling at the corner of her mouth. "O-okay, sempai." A nod. "Okay, then, I'll try again, huh?" He spoke, not only to her, but to everyone else, as well… They were words the leader could no longer hear. Looking down at him still; the two bullet holes… Somehow he… Shinjiro seemed … almost content. It shook the leader.
"You idiot. Here you are, always … you always called me the fool, but you… now you're…" her breath hitched so that she was unable to finish the sentence. Somehow, Minako laughed. It was shaky, at best, but she saw Shinji's lips twitch at the sound. "You always play the hero, don't you?" It came out sadder than she meant it to be, "… you're always going to be looking out for us, huh?" Her eyes closed tight when she heard him gasp again, painfully. His breathing got shallower yet.
But Minako… hearing him speak so … so strongly when he couldn't even stand on his own two feet. "You … you're really … something, you know." Fainter, shallower gasping. She whispered, "I love you, senpai, you hear me? Don't you ever forget about me, okay?" Her tears fell so much stronger now, but she smiled through it. Arisato beamed. She knew… she knew Shinjiro wouldn't survive, but… she wanted her smile… her laugh to be the last thing he saw, so… she laughed, she hugged him tight and letting him go, tried to smile again. He chuckled, pained. "I'll keep smiling for you, senpai," she resolved, "I promise."
It fell on deaf ears.
Shinjiro had stopped breathing.
…
…
Ken screamed; agonizingly painful.
Minako's face twisted.
Her tears fell unchecked.
"I'm sorry, Shinji. I'm so sorry."