"You don't think they're like, dating, do you?" Yukari questioned. She was gathered around the table in the kitchen with Makoto, Junpei, and Fuuka. They watched as Mitsuru and Akihiko prepared for what was, seemingly, a night out. None of them missed the way Akihiko's hand lingered on the small of Mitsuru's back as he helped her into her coat, and they were shocked to see that she was comfortable with that fact, as it was common knowledge that she wasn't really a fan of physical contact.

"Nah!" Junpei said loudly, once their senpai had left the dorm. "Can't be. Akihiko-san is the most clueless person I've ever met, and Mitsuru-senpai is emotionally constipated. There's just no way."

They all jumped when they heard a low grumble coming from the stairs. "Emotionally constipated, huh?" Shinjiro said, shaking his head as a smirk graced his lips. "That might be the most accurate thing I've ever heard. Mitsuru wouldn't know an emotion if it smacked her in the face."

The juniors all chuckled, and Fuuka bit the inside of her cheek. "Still though, that was odd. I always thought it was possible that they had a thing for each other, but I never actually thought they would have something going on…"

Makoto gave them one of his eery smiles. "Why don't we get to the bottom of this, then? We could always do a little reconnaissance."

"Guys, NO," Shinjiro said firmly. "That is a BAD idea. They won't be happy campers if they catch you, especially Mitsuru. She's scary when she's angry. Anyway, if there's something going on and they wanted you guys to know, I'm sure they wouldn't bother trying to hide it." Shinjiro was obviously aware of what was going on between his two best friends, but he wouldn't be the one to give away their secret.

Junpei strode up to his senpai and clapped him on the shoulder. "Cmon, Shinjiro-san. Let us have our fun. I'm sure that nothing is really going on anyway."

Shinjiro sighed. "It's like you guys have a death wish, or something. Curiosity killed the cat, you know.

Yukari chimed in. "I don't know guys, I mean don't you think it'd be a little intrusive?"

"It's harmless," Makoto said, waving his hand nonchalantly. "It's all in good fun."

"Man, I'm pumped now!"

Shinjiro grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and then proceeded to retreat up the stairs. "Do what you want. But don't expect me to save you from their wrath."

Once he was gone, the juniors all leaned in eagerly. "Okay, so here's the plan…"

—-

Makoto, Junpei, Yukari, and Fuuka all sat in the command room, huddled around the console. The screen displayed a perfect view of the dormitory lounge. "Jeez, when are they gonna come back?" Junpei said, letting out an exasperated sigh. "Definitely before midnight, right?"

"Shut up, stupei! Look!"

At that moment, the door to the dorm opened slowly, and Mitsuru stepped in, followed by Akibiko. Akihiko was in the middle of a sentence. "Eh, it could've been better. The main character was kind of a pussy…"

"Stop that. You know I don't like that word."

"Right, sorry."

Mitsuru shrugged out of her coat, and Akihiko took it from her, hanging it on the rack along with his. He collapsed on the couch, running his hands over his face. He flicked on the tv as Mitsuru took a seat beside him. "Three more cases of Apathy Syndrome, huh? That's absurd."

Mitsuru nodded in agreement. "I've been doing some thinking recently," she said seriously. "I don't think we've been visiting Tartarus enough. We really need to step up our game. We obviously can't run ourselves ragged, but there have been a number of nights where we could've gone and didn't."

"Yeah, I was thinking the same. We should try out a few new strategies too…"

Yukari shook her head in disbelief as they listened. "I can't believe that's all they're talking about. They're unbelievable."

"You could say that again Yuka-tan," Junpei agreed. "They're both battle crazy fools."

The juniors continued to watch intently as Akihiko and Mitsuru's conversation died down, leaving them in comfortable silence. Akihiko slid his arm around Mitsuru and drew her into his side, and Mitsuru visibly relaxed as he did so. "I can't believe this is happening," Fuuka said, shocked.

"What the actual fuck?" Junpei exclaimed loudly. "How do those idiots have a partner when I'm still single…"

Down in the lounge, Akihiko ran his hand up and down Mitsuru's side soothingly. She made a little noise in the back of her throat as he did so, and Akihiko smirked. Oh, he could have fun with this.

He trailed his hand down to her thigh and continued to move it back and forth. Mitsuru looked at him and raised an eyebrow. "What?" he said innocently. She shook her head and rolled her eyes at him, turning back to the tv.

He could tell she was trying hard to ignore him, but he also knew that what he was doing tended to have a strong effect on her. It was ironic, because in everyday life, she was normally the leader, and he the follower. But in regards to all physical aspects of their relationship, he was almost always the one who initiated it, the one who was dominant. Most people wouldn't expect that from Mitsuru, but he absolutely loved it. It was the on time she truly let her guard down. He loved that it was something she only shared with him, and he loved that he could reduce her to such a mess in such a short time. He loved watching her come undone.

Back in the command room, Yukari shifted in her seat a little. "Okay, this is a bit much. I'm starting to get uncomfortable."

Mitsuru shifted her in seat. "Stop that," she told him, her voice raspy.

"Stop what?" he leaned in towards hers and claimed her mouth, wasting no time in deepening the kiss. He ran his hand farther up her thigh and the gasped.

Fuuka slapped the off switch on the console, and the footage disappeared from the screen. "I feel so guilty," she said, hanging her head. "I can't believe we just watched that."

"Damn," Yukari said. "I will never be able to look at Mitsuru-senpai the same. That was intense."

Junpei was pouting. "I can't believe Akihiko-senpai has gotten laid before me…"

"It'll be alright, man," Minato said, laying his hand on his friend's shoulder.

"Yeah, whatever," Junpei said, still sulking. "I'm just gonna go to bed and cry now…"

Yukari and Fuuka followed them out of the room, wanting nothing more than to block what they had seen from their minds.

—-

Mitsuru and Akihiko were still kissing fervently on the couch. Akihiko was on top of her with his hand slipped down the front of her skirt when she pushed on his chest. He broke off the kiss and looked at her. "Someone could see us, you idiot," she said breathlessly.

"So?" he replied defensively. "I don't even understand why we're hiding it in the first place, it's not like I care if everyone else knows."

"No! That's not it," Mitsuru said quickly. "I just don't want anyone to walk in on this." She reached up and ran her thumb across his cheek, smiling up at him. "I'm not embarrassed or anything. I don't care if they know either."

Akihiko's eyes softened, and he felt an overwhelming rush of love and possessiveness. He swiftly stood and moved to lift her into his arms. He narrowed his eyes at her, and his voice came out deep and husky. "Let's continue this upstairs."