It was the next day. Even if it was difficult, Akihiko still tried helping Minato get back to his old self. He had explained to the others as to how Minato wasn't experiencing memory loss, but something different. Akihiko described that Minato was now more of an empty husk that was deprived of all emotions. Akihiko still believed that he needed to do SOMETHING to help. He was back in Minato's room, trying to do what he was yesterday, trying to remind Minato about specific things.

"Okay, I'm Akihiko. You are Minato. And we LOVE each other." Akihiko explained, making hand gestures to point at himself, Minato and made a shape of a heart. Minato would still just stare at him, not responding to anything he did. Akihiko had no idea as to what else would help.

"Hmm, can you tell me what my name is?" Akihiko asked, thinking that he was starting to feel like a father teaching an infant to talk.

"Name…" Minato lowly said. Akihiko waited for Minato to continue, but he just blinked a few times and didn't say a word to him. Akihiko sighed. This was becoming too frustrating. He just really wanted to have the boy he loved back, especially after being terrified of losing him during the battle with Nyx.

"Please… just say my name, Minato. I know that you know it, just… please." Begged Akihiko. Minato did nothing. Akihiko put one of his hands on his face, tears beginning to flow.

"I don't know what to do anymore… I said that I'd protect you, but… I feel like I lost the real you, Minato." Akihiko choked out, shining streams going down his cheeks. Minato was still looking at Akihiko, until he adverted his attention to the water on Akihiko's face. He stared blankly at him, but moved one of his hands and wiped some of it away. Akihiko moved his hand away from his face and looked at what Minato was doing, a little surprised.

"Don't… cry, Akihiko." Minato muttered, emotionless in his tone. Akihiko was completely flabbergasted. Just when he was about to give up, Minato had displayed some level of concern for the gray haired boy.

"M-Minato! There's still some of you in there!" Akihiko exclaimed in joy, while Minato looked at him blankly. "Maybe there is a way to help." Akihiko thought.

"Tears…?" Minato quietly asked.

'Well, of course. I thought I lost you. I thought I lost the Minato I love."

"Love…?" Minato muttered.

"This is really confusing… you don't understand love, but still seemed concerned for me." Akihiko was puzzled. Out of nowhere, the two could hear Koromaru scratching at Minato's closed door, whimpering, wanting in.

"Koromaru… wants to be… in here." Minato muttered, as he went over and opened the door to let the dog in. Koromaru barked out of happiness and jumped up and down. Minato stood there, looking at the dog, expressionless.

"You remember Koromaru's name, too?" Akihiko asked.

"Koro… Akihiko… Mitsuru… Yukari… Fuuka… Aigis… Ken… Junpei… Shinjiro…"

"You really do remember us all, even with Shinji gone, but you…"

"I don't… want anyone… to worry… about me." Minato said emotionlessly.

"Not worry? Even after all this, you're thinking about everybody else more than yourself? It's like the only part of yourself that is still in you is your kindness."

"I want others… to be okay…"

"Maybe there's a way I can remind you about what makes you yourself..." Akihiko suggested. "Huh, but where should I start?" Akihiko thought out loud. Akihiko had too many things cluttering his mind that he couldn't think straight. Maybe if he asked the others for advice.

"Come on, Minato." Akihiko said has he grabbed Minato's hand and headed for the downstairs lounge. Once, there he decided to tell the others as to what had happened and his idea to get the old Minato back.

"So, Minato really does seem like an emotionless husk right now, but there's still a faint part of himself still there…" Akihiko sighed, just now finishing his explanation as to what had just went on.

"Is it possible that this is all related to our battle with Nyx?" Ken asked.

"Arisato did begin acting in such a way after the final battle, it would seem that would be the most plausible reason." Mitsuru said.

"It feels so sad to see him like this… stripped of feeling anything at all." Fuuka said.

"I know he wasn't exactly the most open person and rarely talked, but Akihiko-senpai really changed Minato into a happier person. I can't imagine how that must feel for you, senpai." Yukari said to him. Minato glanced around with a blank expression.

"Don't want… anyone to worry… for me…" Minato breathed out. Akihiko put his hand over his face.

"Even like this, he still puts everybody before his own wellbeing. I never knew someone could be so selfless… But he won't even call me 'Aki' anymore." Akihiko began to sniffle.

"Why… tears… Akihiko?" Minato asked in a mutter.

"I-I'm not!" Akihiko quickly said while rubbing his face franticly.

"…Friends… don't like me… this way…" Minato lowly said as he turned around and slowly walked.

"H-hey! Wait!" Akihiko exclaimed, going after him. Minato was at the bottom of the stairs when he was stopped.

"They just want to help you, they don't hate you or anything." Akihiko said, until he noticed a single tear going down Minato's cheek.

"Remember… pain of… sadness…" Minato said.

"B-but, why are you…"

"Made others… sad… because of me… Remember what… sad is… Never want… them to be… like that…"

"Th-then if I show you things that triggered your emotions the best, then maybe you can remember exactly how you used to be." Akihiko guessed. Minato just stood there, having more tears come forth.

"But, don't worry, Minato. I'm always here, so you don't have to cry anymore. Even if you do, I'll always be there to have a shoulder for you to cry on."