AN: (This was supposed to go on Ch. 1 but I forgot)
I really like the ship of the protagonist x Shinjiro, yet most fan works have Minako as the protagonist, not Minato and I much prefer him. I also love the idea of September working out differently in that Ken can slightly work out and begin to understand Shinjiro even if only a bit. Plus, adding in Minato and Shinjiro growing really fond of Ken (and knowing the difficulty of having dead parents decide to take parents roles) this idea was born. I plan to keep this a relatively happy piece (Cause S.E.E.S deserves it), with the exception of maybe some side pieces. This is going to be slightly canon divergent and I try to intend to not really go all meta into this fic, so I hope you enjoy.
No sooner than when S.E.E.S had completed yet another successful expedition through Tartarus, they had to reface the realities of school, well, Junpei had to reface the realities of school; the poor teen was still in shock over the realization of Chidori being a member of Strega. He was finally getting over the issue, when he had overheard Mitsuru and Fuuka discussing the situation of Strega. Currently Junpei was holed up in his room, refusing to come out for any reason despite it being monday morning; made worse was Mitsuru's threats towards Jupei if he ditched school.
"Iori! While I don't understand the pain you're going through, this is no excuse for you to abandon your studies. If you were to simply mull around, Strega, and by extension Chidori, would be accomplishing their goal." Mitsuru paused for a second, and was going to continue speaking until the door opened.
"Alright, alright I'm going." As quickly as the door was opened, the door was shut. Although there was a small smile on Mitsuru's face, Minato could see the distinct scowl of her eyes. Minato let out a sigh from seeing the minor squabble. Finally noticing his presence, Mitsuru turned around.
"I hope our leader doesn't try to get out of school as well." Minato followed her gaze to see that they landed on your injury. During a prior expedition, a shadow had charged at an exhausted Ken; Minato had pushed Ken out of the way and had gotten crushed against the wall by the shadow. Upon impact, Minato had heard a large crunch and later felt being encased by Juno's indestructible barrier while everyone else dealt with the shadow before he blacked out. When Minato came to, he had been in a hospital run by the Kirijo corporation. The only remnant of the whole disaster was a fractured left arm; and Minato wasn't ready for people to be fussing over him. Minato wouldn't admit it, but he hated being coddled; it made him feel useless. He had gotten his fill of being coddled when he woke up; most of S.E.E.S had asked him question, wondering if he knew who they were and the like. Once they knew their leader was safe, and they had arrived at the dorm, everyone had let Minato retreat to his room. A while later, Ken had nervously walked into Minato's room and profusely apologized for getting in the way and for being the cause of Minato's injury. A couple apologies in, Ken began to cry. Minato had been shocked at seeing Ken cry, only to remember the simple fact that despite the boy's, surprising maturity, he was still ten; broken out of his reverie, Minato tried to console Ken but Ken had left halfway through. Knowing that he would be heard on deaf ears, Minato didn't pursue. Ken's situation remained the same and the kid was going through a slump like Junpei. Except of wanting to stay at the dorms, Ken made it a mission to leave before anyone else had woken up, day included. Remembering Ken's current slump, Minato sighed, bringing attention from Mitsuru.
"Is there something troubling you leader?" Minato shook his head in denial. Seeing his, admittedly common, response Mitsuru seemed pensive. "While I know you are lying to me, I won't press the matter. Instead, when you feel confident enough to tell me, I'll be there to listen." Minato smiled at Mitsuru's thoughtfulness, no doubt brought out with the help of Fuuka. Seeing his smile, Mitsuru gleamed in positivity. "Well, now that that's taken care of and knowing that Junpei won't come out of his room today, it seems that he'll have to have a replacement."
"A replacement?" Hearing Minato speak, makes Mitsuru smile as she knows she's caught his interest.
"As president of the student council, I can't have people think that our dorm is all fun and games; we already have the special privilege of having co-ed dorms, so those of us who live here need to set examples for the rest of the students lest there be unsavory rumors about us. And I especially can't have the school think that it's student council president accept ditching; as such, Shinjiro will now be attending Gekkoukan." Minato remains silent. Mitsuru seemed to knew the question in Minato's mind. "I know just the trick to make him. You should probably get ready, and could you escort him to school to make sure that he actually goes. I'd do it myself but I need to be there early and knowing Shinjiro, he'll take as long as possible." You nod to Mitsuru's request/demand and head back to your room as Mitsuru heads to Shinjiro's.
After getting dressed, Minato decided to head down to the lounge and wait expectantly for Shinjiro to come down as well. After five minutes, Minato sees Mitsuru with a small smirk plastered on her face. It seems that she was able to convince him. As she opens the door turns back to Minato, "Please make sure that he actually attends, his conduct school will be mine and Akihiko's concern. Thank you again." Along with a small wave, Mitsuru is finally gone. Minato waits some more, until deciding to check on Shinjiro. As soon as Minato gets to his door, Shinjiro walks out, although he's surprised to see the second-year waiting outside his door.
"I'm going. You really going to babysit me? I can get to school on my own." Shinjiro closes his door behind him and starts walking, not waiting for Minato.
"I didn't think you'd actually go." Minato takes big strides to keep up with Shinjiro.
"Well I didn't think I'd have to babysit you either, but Mitsuru just knows how to push people's buttons to get what she wants." Hearing Shinjiro's words, quickly catches Minato off guard. He tries to hide it, and would have if Shinjiro didn't see Minato's eye widen. "She asked to me to walk you to school because of your injury and she knew nobody would mess with you if I was with you. She wouldn't take no for an answer. Then she threatened me with kitchen duty for a month if I didn't go." Minato smiles at hearing about Mitsuru's threat, yet he feels as if something doesn't add up.
"I thought you liked cooking though? You always seem so happy to make food for Koromaru." Over hearing the incident in which he'd been discovered by Aigis, Shinjiro goes slack-jawed for a second.
"It's different. Koromaru can't cook for himself." Shinjiro goes silent, as if thinking about adding more. "I ain't cooking that protein crap for Akihiko either." Hearing that makes Minato laugh since it's true. He recalls when Fuuka had made lunch to Akihiko as gratitude for saving her from Tartarus - Minato also knew it was because of her crush since he saved her but Akihiko was as dense as a brick. Akihiko had somehow lived and had given get advice on cooking; which had pretty much revolved around adding protein to anything and everything. Needless to say, when Shinjiro found out, he was more than pissed. Remembering the debacle elicited a small chuckle from Minato, surprising Shinjiro and a few looks from other train passengers.
"What's so funny?" Shinjiro seems incredulous to have heard Minato laugh.
"I remembered the time when Akihiko taught Fuuka to cook with protein and how angry you got." Shinjiro is still in shock from the the surprise of not only hearing his leader laugh but talk fit a surprisingly long time for the second-year. It takes a while for Shinjiro to recover.
"Don't remind me of that mess." Shinjiro pauses once again before deciding to speak again. "Thanks for not telling anyone else about the situation with Aigis and Koromaru." Feeling cheeky, Minato decides to press his luck.
"How do you know I didn't tell anyone?" Shinjiro gives a snort from hearing Minato's question.
"Everyone would have been talking about it, especially Junpei. Aigis sure tells you everything doesn't she?" Minato nods at the question which seems to give courage in him. "Thanks for having Aigis make sure that Ken's okay." Heading the rare gratitude from Shinjiro makes Minato give an even rarer smile. And from the corner of his eye, Minato can see a small blush form on Shinjiro's face.
"It's no problem. Why is it that you care about Ken so much?" Before Minato can ask more, Shinjiro gives him a deadly glare.
"It's none of your concern."
"But-" It seems that Shinjiro if starting to get irritated.
"I said it's none of your business!" The shouting has caught almost everyone's attention. The ambience between the two immediately deteriorated after the question is asked. Seemingly lucky, the train arrives at Port Island Station and the two get off at their stop. The walk to Gekkoukan is silent the rest of the way. Minato can hear the gossip surrounding the two due to the unlikely pair and Minato's arm cast. Most likely due to anger, Shinjiro actually goes to his class, a fact Minato still made sure of despite the silence. Shinjiro slams the door, prompting Minato to walk back to his own class. Once he arrives, barely on time, Minato gives a small hello to Yukari and sits in his desk. Minato slumps his head against the desk. First Ken, and now Shinjiro. Minato was terrible at relationships and coming to the thought of just giving up on trying to know the two. He would just be pushed away regardless.
AN: Thanks to everyone for reading the first chapter and to those who left a kudos.
Hope you enjoy this chapter, everything will get much better I promise. (also more ken next chapter.)
P.S. The other pairings beside Minato x Shinjiro will be more side mentioned than anything since I want to keep this centered around Minato Shinjiro and Ken.