Days had passed. Akihiko and Minato were walking together. Well, it was more so Akihiko pulling Minato along while the two were going around Iwatodai. Akihiko was determined to remind Minato about all the things that made him himself.
"Come on, Minato. I'm going to remind you about one of your absolute favorite things in life." Akihiko said, Minato stared off into space expressionless. He has yet to have removed the headphones from his ears.
"All right, here it is." Akihiko said, standing in front of the doorway to the Sweets Shop. Minato looked at him blankly. This was what Akihiko was referring to.
"You told me before as to how big of a sweet tooth you had. Especially when it came to baked goods." Akihiko explained, Minato was not paying any attention. Akihiko sighed a bit, expecting some kind of reaction to seeing the shop. Yet he paid no mind to it. He took Minato by the hand and dragged him in.
Akihiko went to the counter and asked for Minato's favorite of all baked goods: Melon bread with a bit of powdered sugar on top. Akihiko took a small piece of it in his hand and shoved it into Minato's mouth. Minato looked down at the protruding foodstuff that was sticking out of his mouth, but then took it in. Akihiko wasn't sure if he was imagining things or not, but he thought he saw Minato's eyes lightly bug out for a second. Suddenly Minato snatched the bread from the boxer's hand and took another bite of it. Minato may have kept the same expressionless face on, but Akihiko noticed Minato turning a light shade of red from delight of the treat.
"I'm pretty sure he remembers now." Akihiko chuckled to himself. Minato looked around and stopped at the dessert case. He walked over and looked at all the pastries until one of them caught his attention the most. It was a large cake that had vanilla frosting and strawberries on the top. The small label next to it stated 'Birthday Cake". Minato looked over at Akihiko and pointed at it.
"Today… Akihiko's… birthday… needs cake… for it…" Minato muttered. Akihiko was completely caught off guard by that statement. He was happy to have results, but didn't expect this.
"You… remember when my birthday is? I only told you about it once when I wanted to know yours." Akihiko said.
"Twenty two… of March… now… eighteen years…" Minato said as he fixed his gaze back at the cake.
"I completely forgot about it… and it really is today." Akihiko muttered, looking at his phone's calendar. He looked away and was startled when he saw Minato holding a slice of cake towards Akihiko.
"W-what are you…?" Akihiko was befuddled.
"Happy… birthday… Akihiko… sorry… about broken promise…" Minato said to him in a low voice, but a small smile forming across his face.
"Promise? Oh, that one…" Akihiko said and then put one of his hands over his face. A stray tear falling from his left cheek.
"Why… sad…?" Minato asked.
"I'm not sad... I feel so happy. I wasn't sure if I'd ever get to see that smile of yours soon. But, this means a lot to me. Especially coming from you." Akihiko thanked as he took the pastry from Minato. Akihiko got Minato another piece of Melon bread, which the blue haired boy instantly snatched when Akihiko handed him it as they sat down at one of the tables.
"I never really cared about celebrating my birthday before. But, it feels so much more special with you, Minato." Akihiko said as he took a bite from the slice of cake.
"… special…" Minato muttered.
"Hey, isn't your birthday April 12th?" Akihiko asked. Minato merely nodded.
"And you first came to the dorm on the seventh of April, I think. At least, that's what Mitsuru said, since you came earlier than expected." Akihiko was saying as Minato just nibbled on his Melon bread.
"But, Minato. That means your birthday wasn't celebrated and nobody mentioned anything. And you ended up getting attacked by shadows around that time. That's not really fair." Akihiko explained. Minato shrugged.
"My birthday… insignificant… always alone… never mattered…" Minato responded.
"But, Minato… I guess it doesn't matter when it comes to your own, but knowing that somebody else always being alone on their birthday. That doesn't seem right. Of course it matters!" Akihiko said.
"Would see… others happy… for birthday… would never… know why…"
"I'll tell you why. It's because it's your own special day. The day you were given a life and everybody would show you how happy they were that you're alive. At least… that's what my little sister Miki said what birthdays were about. I guess it's because I lost her is why I stopped celebrating my birthday. But, you never once celebrated it before. At least, none you can remember." Akihiko was saying. Minato took the piece of bread out of his mouth and just stared at Akihiko.
"So, how about you let me make up for those last sixteen years by telling you how much I'm happy for you being alive with me right here right now. And I'll make sure you feel special every day." Akihiko said, reaching to hold onto Minato's hand. Minato was about to retract, but kept himself from doing so.
"I… glad that… Akihiko is… alive too…" Minato said, having another small smile come across his face. Seeing Minato like this made Akihiko's face light up in joy. Akihiko took some of the cake on his fork and fed it Minato, eager to taste.
November, on a Sunday. It was just Minato and Akihiko in the dorm at the moment. Akihiko was sitting on the couch looking through one of his magazines while Minato was laying down with his head on his senpai's lap. Minato had just put the last bite of Melon bread in his mouth, savoring the taste.
"I don't think I could ever get sick of these things." Minato said. Akihiko looked down and chuckled a bit.
"If you keep eating them as often as you do, you probably will." Akihiko said back.
"I'm just partaking in the treats the gods were oh so generous enough to bestow upon us." Minato said as he moved his arms about to aid in his exaggeration.
"I never did expect you to be the type of person to have a huge sweet tooth before you said so. It's kind of cute, though." Akihiko said.
"At least from all the sweets, my lips will taste nice whenever you give me a kiss." Minato said as he licked his lips a bit.
"Well, because you offered." Akihiko said as he moved Minato up a little to kiss him. "Yup, tastes pretty sweet." Akihiko said to the younger boy.
"Told you. This talk of sweets makes me want cake now… I haven't had any in so long." Minato muttered.
"You were the one that started talking about sweets in the first place!" Akihiko laughed.
"Well, still… Fuuka had asked me to help bake a cake for somebody's birthday one day in cooking club and I got to keep a piece for myself. It was so good." Minato reminisced fondly.
"Hey, that's something I don't know, actually. When is your birthday anyway? It's getting closer to the end of the year." Akihiko asked.
"Oh, it already passed. It was April 12th. I didn't know anybody yet, so I didn't say anything." Minato answered.
"Aw. I wanted to celebrate it with you."
"Eh. It's not really a big deal. What about yours, Aki?"
"Passed already too. March 22nd."
"Before I even got here. Heh-heh, then we'll just have to wait a few more months then."
"We'll still get to celebrate Christmas together this year, though. You have Christmas cake waiting for you."
"Oh, god, yes!" Minato said as he shot up, sitting himself upright with bright twinkles in his eyes. Akihiko burst out laughing. "Hey, don't laugh. Cake is life." Minato pouted. Akihiko started laughing even harder. Minato couldn't help but laugh along with Akihiko.
"If you love Christmas cake so much, I'll be sure to get you one as your Christmas present." Akihiko chuckled. Minato moved his face closer to Akihiko's.
"You better keep your word. The last thing I want is for the cake to be a lie."
"The cake is a lie. Where have I heard that before?" Akihiko repeated.
"I'll bake a cake for your birthday, Aki. Any kind you want. Just tell me, and I promise to make it."
"If you insist. But, I don't really want anything crazy. Maybe just a normal vanilla one. With strawberries on top."
"Kay, Aki. I promise."
"Come on, let's go before you eat another piece of Melon bread. You had three already." Akihiko said as he stood up. Minato got up with him, still wanting to acquire at least one little piece before leaving. Yet, Akihiko had dragged Minato out with him already. Akihiko just took Minato along the area, looking at whatever else may help recover Minato. Akihiko was looking the other way when he was stopped by Minato not moving. He looked back at him, and Minato was looking in the direction of an alleyway.
"Hey, what's up? There isn't anything over there. Probably some street thugs, but it doesn't matter." Akihiko said. Minato let go of Akihiko's hand and walked over to the direction of the alley.
"Minato! Where are you going?!" Akihiko said as he tried stopping Minato.
"Hear… problem…" Minato muttered, Akihiko being very puzzled.
"What problem?" Akihiko asked until they heard a guy yelling angrily.
"Stupid mutt! Trying to fucking bite me!? This'll teach you to mess with me!" The punk was yelling at a dog in the alley. The dog was clearly terrified of the man. He pulled his arm back to punch the dog. However, he didn't make contact with it when he felt something snag his arm.
"What the Hell?!" He said, turning around. Minato was gripping the punk's arm tightly. "Let go of me, ya little shit!" He yelled.
"Leave… Him… Alone..." Minato said in a low voice.
"Stay out of my business!" The punk yelled, as he was about to hit Minato. But Minato quickly uppercut him in the stomach, hard, causing him to hunch over in pain. Minato kicked one of the punk's legs and made him fall.
"Never… bother… another one… again…" Minato said in a hush tone, having eyes that could kill stare down at the punk. He picked himself up and hobbled away. Minato walked over to the dog, knelt down and pet him gently, wanting to make sure that he was alright. The dog wagged his tail, happy for the friendly contact.
"Sparky! Where are you?" The voice of a little girl was heard from the other side of the alley. The dog barked and ran over to her. Minato stood up and looked over.
"Did you find Sparky, mister? Thanks a lot!" She said to Minato.
"Be sure… he stays close." Minato answered.
"I will! Thanks again, mister!" The girl said happily as she walked away with the rescued dog. Akihiko walked over to Minato, a bit surprised.
"H-hey, Minato… what was…?" Akihiko began.
"Heard dog… in pain… wanted… to help…"
"Um… Well, the thought was okay, but you can't really just do reckless stuff like that. You could've gotten hurt yourself." Akihiko said. Minato looked back at him, but didn't say anything. He started walking away in the direction to the station.
"Hey! Where ya going?!" Akihiko said as he went after him. Minato would refuse saying anything to Akihiko the entire time as they made it to the dorm. Minato had walked in, Akihiko following. He stopped trying to get Minato to say anything.
"Oh hey…. Huh?" Yukari greeted the two until Minato walked by as if it were nothing. "What's wrong with Minato-kun, Akihiko-senpai?" She asked.
"I… I'm not sure… But I think I made him angry or something. I'm finding out now, though." Akihiko said as he ran after Minato. Minato was about to enter his room until Akihiko grabbed Minato's shoulder and turned him around forcefully.
"Minato, if you're angry or anything, fine. But, if I upset you or anything, just tell me! I don't want you avoiding me all the time." Akihiko said as he gripped him.
"I'm not… angry at you… I thought… you were angry… at me…" The young boy answered.
"What? About what happened in Iwatodai? No, I'm not angry at you for that. I just thought it was a little rash. I've done plenty of reckless things before, too."
"Not angry… about that… about how… I acted… before… man made me… remember… what anger feels… I thought… I made you… angry…"
"Minato… I could never be angry with you." Akihiko said as he pulled Minato into a hug. "I was angry at myself for not preventing this from happening to you." Akihiko held onto Minato tighter. "Don't you dare think that any of this was your fault. I was scared that you had sacrificed yourself when facing Nyx. And I felt like I could never forgive myself if anything bad happened to you."
"I'm… sorry… Akihiko… Never wanted… to cause you… pain…"
"Don't worry, Minato. Everything's fine when I'm with you."
"Have… something…" Minato uttered. Akihiko was a little confused as Minato walked into his room. He walked over to his closet and pulled out a box that was wrapped in glimmering red wrapping paper and had a small note on it. He handed it to Akihiko. Akihiko took hold of the note first, seeing that it read 'Happy 18th Birthday to my special Aki!' Akihiko looked at Minato.
"Got… some time… ago…" Minato said to him. Akihiko opened the box and saw that it contained brand new crimson colored boxing gloves that shined as if they were just made along with a painting of Akihiko with angel wings holding Minato in his arms. Akihiko was speechless. He looked back at Minato and Minato smiled lightly.
"I… I have no idea what to say. Thank you, Minato. These are both amazing. I can't believe you did this. I've never gotten such a special gift before."
"I feel… happy… when Akihiko… is happy…"