A/N: It's that time once again, more fluffy MinakoxKen. This one isn't as terribly fluffy as the other two, and it has the ring of something more serious...maybe that's the reason I'm not overly fond of this chapter. Oh, and although it may seem like these stories are following a time line, they aren't really. What happened in the chapter before doesn't necessarily affect what happens in the next chapter. Anyways, I hope that you enjoy. ^^
Once again, I would like to thank NeeNao, MangaOtaku777 and Raven236 for their reviews. You guys are too kind! :D
Coffee: a beverage consisting of a decoction or infusion of the roasted ground or crushed seeds (coffee beans) of the two-seeded fruit (coffee berry) of certain coffee trees
Minako stared down at the paper in front of her. It was filled with math problems that remained unfinished. A sigh escaped her lips as she set down her pencil in defeat. She couldn't concentrate.
Who had time to be worried about math when they were the only one who could make the decision that could determine the fate of earth?
She pulled out her cellphone and checked the date.
December 28th
Only 3 more days until I have to make a decision…
Minako shook her head and stood up from her desk. She needed to go outside and get some fresh air. The more she thought about the heavy decision she would have to make, the more it hurt both her heart and head.
She quickly pulled on her jacket and headed to the first floor. Mitsuru, who was sitting reading in one of the many chairs in the lounge, looked up as Minako entered the room.
"I'm headed out for a little bit," Minako said simply.
"Alright," Mitsuru responded, her eyes filled with understanding, "Just make sure you're careful."
Minako gave a small nod and headed for the door. She was just about to leave when she heard a voice behind her.
"Ah, Minako-san. Are you headed out?"
Minako turned around to see Ken standing in the hallway. In his hands he held two coffee mugs that were lightly steaming. A slight smile played on Minako's lips. In one hand Ken held his own coffee mug. In the other hand he held the coffee mug that he had given to Minako days earlier for Christmas.
"Yes I am," Minako answered, "Do you want to come with me?"
Ken's eyes lit up and he gave a small nod of his head, "I would love to. Just let me go grab my coat and…s-scarf." Ken added the last word as a slight blush brushed his cheeks.
"Alright, let me hold the mugs, I'll wait for you here."
Minako silently took the mugs and watched as Ken ran up the stairs. She looked down at the coffee mugs and gave a slight smile.
She could tell instantly which cup was hers. Her coffee was loaded up with cream and sugar and, as a result, a much lighter color. She had never much liked coffee, it was too bitter for her. She only drank it when the coffee was so overpowered that she couldn't even taste it.
Ken, on the other hand, always drank his coffee black. Minako had no idea how he managed to withstand, much less enjoy, drinking the hot and bitter liquid.
Yet, as Minako looked at Ken's coffee tonight she could have sworn that it was slightly lighter than normal. But he never added cream or sugar…maybe it was just a trick of the light?
Minako was woken from her musings as she heard the sound of Ken returning down the stairs. He was wearing a coat that was about two sizes too big and a long scarf. Minako smiled; it was the scarf that she had made and given to Ken for Christmas. The young boy had been wearing it as much as possible since he received it.
"Well then," Ken said as he stopped in front of Minako and lightly took his coffee mug, "Shall we be going?"
"Make sure you two aren't out too late," Mitsuru said with a knowing smile.
Ken and Minako looked at one another and lightly blushed. Although they both tried to continue to hide their relationship from everyone else, it was becoming more and more apparent that they were more than just simple friends.
"We promise," Minako assured the older girl as her and Ken headed out the door.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Minako and Ken looked at each other and gave a small smile. It wasn't often that the two of them had time to talk alone.
"Want to head over to the park near the shrine?" Minako asked as she pulled her coffee closer to her face. She was met by the sweet aroma and the welcome feeling of steam on her face.
"Sure, that sounds good," Ken replied, nodding his agreement.
As the couple began their walk, a heavy silence fell. Both of them were deeply entangled in their own thoughts. They were each struggling with the same question.
How does one combat the end of the world?
As the pair reached their destination, Minako silently walked over to one of the benches on the far side of the park and sat down. Ken followed suit and sat down next to her. The heavy silence continued as the both sat staring at their coffee.
"So…" Ken finally ventured, "Have you decided…what you're going to do."
Minako slowly shook her head, "I know I'm the one who ultimately has to pull the trigger…but I just can't decide…would we all be better off with our memories gone? But…I-I don't want to kill Ryoji-kun!..." Minako's voice shook as she once again bit back the tears that had been plaguing her for the past month. She gripped her cup tightly as if it was all that was holding her tears in.
A look of concern crossed Ken's face as he watched Minako express her inner dilemma for the first time. He knew that he could never understand the conflict she was facing in that moment. Yet, he wanted nothing more in the world than to be able to comfort her.
He lightly laid his small hand over Minako's hands, "I don't want to force you to make a decision. But, I do want you to know my decision. I want to fight," Ken finished resolutely.
Minako finally lifted her tear rimmed eyes from her coffee and met Ken's eyes. She didn't have to say a word; her question was displayed all over her face.
Why?
Ken gave a bitter smile, "Before I joined SEES I was completely lost. I was so set on revenge that I ignored everything else around me. Yet after I met you guys, everything didn't seem as bad. Sure it was still a hard time and I've done things I'm not proud of, but if feels like I might be able to enjoy life again, even if only a little bit." Ken paused for a second as he gathered his courage for his next statement, "A…And I got to meet y-you and…fall in l-l-love…. I don't ever want my memories of that time to go away…" Ken finished quietly
Minako gave a small smile. Everything that Ken had just said was true. She didn't want to lose her memories either. There were too many precious moments that would be gone.
"Thank you for telling me that Ken. I don't want to lose those memories either…" Minako said with a new determination in her eyes. Ken's face lit up when he saw that she was no longer crying and seemed to have cheered considerably.
"Well, should we head back? It's starting to get late and Mitsuru-senpai will not be happy if we show up later than ten," Minako stated as she stood up.
"W-Wait!" Ken said quickly as he also stood up, "I-I have one more thing to tell you…" If he was going to be truthful, he thought he might as well share everything.
"Hm? Is something wrong?"
"I…I used to hate being a kid. People would look down on me or denounce me just because I was a child. I tried to make myself appear older by doing things like drinking coffee without cream or sugar. But I think I'm okay being who I am now, because I get to…be with you…," Ken finished as he looked down at his feet. His heart was racing; he had never before revealed to anyone his deep insecurity about his age. But it just felt right that Minako should know everything about him.
"A-And maybe coffee with milk and sugar isn't really all that bad…" Ken added as he slowly ground his foot into the dirt.
Minako gave a slight smile as she shifted her coffee cup to one hand so that she could hold Ken's hand. Ken silently took her hand as the blush on his face deepened.
The couple walked hand in hand back to the door. Silence had once again settled between the two of them, but this was a silence of warm acceptance and understanding.
