Disclaimer: I do not own, warrant or endorse any Shin Megami Tensei property whatsoever.
Summary: Minako Arisato and Shinjiro Aragaki deal with the repercussions of their first night together. Shinji isn't the only one no longer holding back.
As funny and crazy as the female protagonist seems to be in-game, (considering her choices of responses), I don't think she's any kind of deviant. Even so, I'm pretty sure staying a long time in a boy's room at night would have some residual effects. When I played through P3P and Maxed (plus the additional ending) Shinjiro's Moon Arcana Social Link, I managed it on 9/30, leaving me 3 days till the full moon mission, and the inevitable loss of a teammate.
Sooo… Here's the result of my warped imagination.
XxX
Chapter 1: Unlocked
10/1
Our teacher was experiencing uncontrollable bliss, now that we'd entered the point in the lesson plan where he could discuss Masamune Date in full. Anyone who'd ever even sat in for a single class with Mr. Ono, would know that this was his absolutely favorite person EVER. Every word since the bell had rung, (moments before actually), was bursting through his lips with unbridled, almost painful looking enthusiasm.
What with all the forays into Tartarus lately, the full moon only several days away, I was having more than enough trouble keeping my focus, even if the teacher seemed ready to explode at the front of the class.
You're always pushing me around all the time…
I could feel a small shudder course through my stomach and into my arms and legs. To be honest, Tartarus wasn't the only reason I was having trouble concentrating.
Last night, compared to the others, had seemed rather uneventful at first. We'd all trained a couple nights consecutively, so that night had been designated as a break to catch our breaths. Everyone had been hanging out in the lounge, talking amongst themselves, or in his case, surveying everyone else from the corner by the kitchen.
I had thought it funny when I realized, that, as much of a hassle as he'd claimed it was for him, (being expected to cook another phenomenal meal if he so much as looked in the kitchen's direction), that area was usually his default spot either way.
You're just gonna ignore what I want, huh?
Another shudder surged through my body, and I could see the goose bumps on the top of my arms, or at least what wasn't covered by the uniform jacket I had to wear now that winter had returned.
Yeah, well, two can play that game.
The two of us had become incredibly close in such a short time, and I was very appreciative of it. Partially because I felt he truly respected me, and I had no fear that he might just jump ship from the team, and leave us without his rather jaw-dropping strength. But, it was mostly because I had never expected the most stoic and abrasive member of the team to actually be one of the sweetest, and most endearing.
I thoroughly enjoyed being able to dine with him on those evenings he invited me. I was still too intimated (and fearful of rejection) to ask him first, no matter how much courage I'd gathered in the year. Sitting across from him as we ate, gave me the chance to really see past the fearsome mask he usually put up, though it helped that he did his best not to scowl when we were out.
The others, Akihiko and Mitsuru especially, seemed rather surprised whenever they noticed us chatting or heading out to eat together. The first time my Senpai heard about it they appeared flabbergasted. Akihiko looked taken back, appreciative, and a little jealous. Mitsuru had seemed shocked too, though I only noticed it since I was so used to reading her face for the more basic emotions. The second time we went out, I'm pretty sure Mitsuru had begun sharing in a little more of Akihiko's reactions.
Even so, neither had been louder and more surprised than Yukari and Junpei. The two were constantly trying to listen in on our conversations, or try and catch me off guard at school and see what we were up to.
Junpei's questions normally consisted of: "HOW DID YOU SIT ACROSS FROM HIM AND NOT GET MELTED BY THAT GLARE?" "Did he try and suck out your blood?" "Did he threaten you?" "Is it true he can bench press like, 900 pounds?" "Have you seen what lies beneath the beanie…?" "Does he cook for you? If you were a real friend you'd save some for me!"
Yukari's queries were more laced with common sense, but all the more invasive because of it: "So I guess he's a nice guy after all?" "What did you guys even talk about?" "How often do you guys hang out?" "Does he initiate it, or do you? He does? Have you tried?" "What kinds of things do you say to each other?" "Favorite music?" "What's he into?" "Does he cook for you? If you were a real friend, you'd save me some…"
It was strange, but I more often than not rebuffed their questions. I felt more special knowing that he'd shared those things with me, and didn't want to give up the feeling. That had struck me as odd when I first noticed it.
Ken was probably the one who'd been most affected, though I wasn't sure why. I'd only started hanging with him a few days before Shinji (being able to say his first name still makes me smile) had asked to hang out. Although we did still grab bites to eat, Ken seemed more subdued, and I at first attributed it to jealousy. I'm still not convinced that's it, or at least, not all of it.
"MISTER IORI!"
I nearly screamed when Mr. Ono slapped the ruler down on Junpei's desk. I am TRYING to inform you about the Supreme Being that was, is, and forever shall be, Masamune Date! I only ask that you keep your eyes opened and focused!"
"Dammit Junpei," I muttered. I really wasn't one to talk though, not in this case at least. Here I am flash-backing, not taking a speck of notes.
"This is your fault, you know." I had faced the door, his front pressed against my back. "I'm all confused."
My body had moved beyond shuddering. I was trembling now. I improved my posture, closed my legs, and tried looking directly at Mr. Ono.
My mind however, wandered back to him. In an effort to maintain control, I forced myself to think about three nights ago, instead of just last night.
Three nights ago I had found him in his usual area of the lounge, just leaning against the wall near the kitchen, with his eyes closed. We'd gone to Naganaki shrine a few days before that. The memory of his back against the moon, his smile framed by the glow of moonlight behind his body… As we sat atop the jungle gym, he told me about memories of a time that felt as though they were from a different life, and of a special trinket he'd lost recently… The whole scene was still so clear to me now, a week later.
After he'd first told me about his pocket watch, I'd decided to do my very best to find it for him. I had tried scouring the town, checking his usual spots like Hagakure, the shrine, and even the back alleys of Port Island Station. A girl doesn't have to worry about thugs when she's got a five foot naginata with her…
It wasn't until I'd had a brainstorm that I realized something lost, like that puppy Koro-chan had taken care of, may have been taken to a lost and found. I'd headed to the mall and conversed with Officer Kurosawa.
I was all smiles that evening three nights ago when I ventured back into the dorm. The look Shinji gave me would have been enough, but his words, and the sincerity of the emotions behind them, made the whole search worth it.
I'd been in an impenetrable cloud of bliss for those following two days, until at school yesterday, I came to a realization, and turned myself into a complete and nervous wreck.
You're all I can think about, day and night…
I could barely keep myself from letting out a moan, like some demented starving banshee in the middle of the classroom. 'Of course,' I thought, ' I just had to let my memory trail on back to last night… Dumbass!'
"Minako-san?" My name came to me whispered, and I turned to find Aigis watching me intensively from her seat. "My readings indicate that you're body is undergoing rapid levels of heating and stress. Are you alright?"
All I could do was nod my head.
XxX
I'd only lasted five minutes after Aigis had asked if anything was wrong. Words and feelings and… actions, from last night, were flowing back into me uncontrollably. I needed to call him.
I'd barely managed to escape the class with excuses of 'lady troubles,' and even then Mr. Ono had seemed hesitant to allow me to leave.
He probably thought my frail and weak 'female constitution' couldn't handle the tales of adventure surrounding Masamune Date, the world's best Samurai. As if.
I rushed down the stairs towards the bathroom and entered the stall at the end of the hall.
"Calm down… Calm down… Just Freakin' calm down…" I kept a steady mantra going to control my breathing, and pulled out my cell phone. My body was reacting to every solid object I brushed against, so I merely stood in the center by the toilet and began to dial.
'Please pick up, Shinji…' I chanted in my head. I needed to talk to him, maybe to meet him somewhere nearby, or, if he'd be willing, to come here so I could see him…
Four rings, and finally, he picked up.
"Shinji?"