terminology

hook - a short, powerful inside punch with the elbow bent to give the appearance of a hook

straight/cross - a punch thrown by the dominant hand.

inside - fighting at a close range

clinch - to hold onto an opponent defensively to avoid being hit and/or to muffle a blow


Part IV - The First Wave

Left hook into a straight...

Swoosh!

Akihiko grinned as his body moved fluidly around the hook, and ducked out of the cross. His opponent didn't bother to hide the surprise in his eyes when both his attacks missed, and it was Akihiko's turn to attack. He wasted no time getting back inside knowing the advantage was in his pocket, and began to rush. In a flurry of jabs and hooks, Akihiko rendered his opponent to a still one. There was no openings for a counter when Akihiko Sanada was rushing - you could only hope the bell would ring, or to find a moment to clinch to throw him off.

Blood pounded in Akihiko's ears, never relenting; he was waiting for a clean punch that would throw his partner off balance before going for a quick, strong straight that would likely send him reeling. Adrenaline fueled each swing and step, and it wasn't long before his opportunity arrived.

I've been waiting for this! Akihiko thought with a smirk.

Whap!

In one fluid motion, Akihiko had smashed his opponent's face with all the power he could muster. It didn't just send him reeling; it sent him to the ground. He stood in fighting stance, panting, waiting for his opponent to stand back up. Instead of standing, he rolled onto his back, his hand holding his bruised cheek.

"I surrender...!" his enemy breathed. "Jesus Christ, Sanada-san, that hurt!"

A collective laughter rang from outside the ring. "Yeah, sorry, Shijima-san," Akihiko said with a smile. "I wasn't going for an uppercut, I wanted a jab into a straight..."

Daichi Shijima laughed, and placed a tired hand on Akihiko's shoulder. "You're crazy, Sanada-san. Crazy. There's no stopping you once you get goin', huh?"

Replying only with a sheepish grin, the two stepped out of the ring. Vaguely familiar faces surrounded them, congratulatory pats and praises for Akihiko, and a string of playful scolding and teasing for Daichi. It was the first time for the university freshmen to be in the ring, and the first time Akihiko felt at home since he joined the university boxing team. Not having to lead and train fellow members for once, the change of pace and newly earned privilege to spar was refreshing.

"Hey, Sanada, Shijima!"

"Captain!" the team said in unison at the new voice.

All the members faux-saluted a tall, skinny, comely blue haired boy as he walked in. He had faded red jeans, and white headphones around his neck, his face impassive. Akihiko couldn't help but stare at the boy everyone else called captain. In comparison to Akihiko - no, almost anyone on the team, he seemed like a normal student. There was nothing about him that would betray he led a sports team, no less the boxing team.

"You're a decent infighter, Sanada," the captain said lightly. "That was a lovely uppercut, but if you didn't plan to do it, either your an idiot or you've got instinct." He nodded at Akihiko who was biting his lip to stop himself from retorting, and then turned to Daichi.

"Shijima, you're clearly not an infighter."

"Yeah, I prefer the outside," Daichi replied cheerily, missing the insinuated jab. "It's just Sanada-san rushed my ass 'till I couldn't feel it. He's helluva lot better than I am, I can say that."

Apparently satisfied by his answer, 'Captain' looked around, a small smile on his face.

"You guys the only freshmen today?"

The two looked at each other, hesitating.

"It's not that we're the only freshmen today, senpai..." Akihiko started slowly.

"It's that everyone else baulked after they learned about the schedule or after they tried out your hellish regimen," Daichi finished. Akihiko shot him a glare, and he shrugged as if to say, It's only the truth. And to their surprise, the captain laughed.

It was a surprisingly gentle, mellifluous melody. He gave them a genuine smile, and it was one of those smiles that were simply infectious.

"I'm the captain, Kazuya Minegishi. Just Kazuya is fine. I admit, it's a hard regimen, but if you don't have the guts to go through that, you can't fight in my demesne." Kazuya grinned, almost mischievously. He glanced at the clock on the far wall, and clapped. "Gonna close up 'till exams are done guys, don't want you failing 'cause I was irresponsible."

A mix of groans and cheers resounded as the team shuffled out, Kazuya impatiently tapping his foot. Daichi elbowed Akihiko lightly in the ribs and grinned at him in a way that reminded him of a certain Gekkoukan senior with a baseball cap. "Wanna go somewhere to eat, Sanada-san? My treat, I know an awesome place not too far from here in Iwatodai."


Evening | Beef Bowl Shop, Iwatodai Strip Mall 2F

"You're kidding me, right?"

"I swear, it looks bad, I know, but it's pretty awesome!"

"I know, Shijima. I come here all the time."

The two looked at each other and laughed. Daichi shoved Akihiko into the shop, and they were still both grinning as they shouted their orders and sat down.

"So, what do you plan to do when you graduate?" Daichi raised an eyebrow at Akihiko, and mockingly folded his hands in front of him.

"Police force, no question about it. What else would I do after police academy?" Akihiko responded immediately. "How 'bout you?"

Daichi simply gave a shrug, and he leaned in towards Akihiko mischievously.

"How about girls, Akihiko? What's your type?" Akihiko's face turned a little red, and Daichi laughed at the seemingly innocent boy.

"I don't know, I don't think I've really got a type," Akihiko admitted. "We on a first name basis now, Daichi? Nothing attached?"

"Well, if we're gonna be sweaty and half naked together most of the time, you'd think so," Daichi laughed. "Guess we're both gonna die alone then, huh?"

"Don't get me wrong," Akihiko said slowly. "I'm not single, I've got a girl." He smiled, slightly bitter at the reminder. Daichi stared at him, as though searching for a lie. A waiter placed the beef bowls in front of the two, and while Akihiko began to eat, Daichi continued to stare.

"Dude, if you've got a girl, why are you here with me?! Is she cute?!"

"She is, yeah, but..." Akihiko trailed. He put his chopsticks down, and pulled out his cell. Staring at the little envelope and telephone as though a call or a text would magically appear, he continued his sentence a little quietly. "We're still fighting, haven't spoken since spring..."

"'bout what?" Daichi asked indifferently as he grabbed at Akihiko's phone.

"Hey!"

"I am so not giving this back to you 'til you tell me what's up man." Daichi tapped and swiped at Akihiko's phone, until a sly smile spread across his face. "Is this you and her, man? Damn, you scored nice. She's pretty cute - no, really cute. Why would you even think about fighting with her?"

Daichi turned the cell around, and Akihiko couldn't help but smile. Minako had insisted on taking a picture at the last summer festival with him on the sole basis that she rarely got to wear a yukata. She had him carry her bridal-style jokingly, and though he didn't agree to it, she jumped into his arms anyways. Yukari had taken several photos as the scene unraveled, but Akihiko only kept the final one, where he was holding her as though he was about to carry her over the threshold, and Minako was laughing, her arms wrapped around his neck.

"I... I told.. She.. No, we had an argument on trust. She left for two days, wouldn't tell me why, we fought. Please give it back, man," Akihiko plead as he made another desperate reach for his phone. Daichi nonchalantly stretched, putting the cell far out of Akihiko's reach. Just then, the cell began to vibrate, and a smiling picture of Minako appeared. A moment of silence passed between the two, before their little world erupted into chaos.

"Don't you dare, Daichi!" Akihiko roared, standing up. The forgotten beef bowls clattered unsteadily, and Daichi stood up defensively, his other hand poised to answer the call.

"Doin' it!"

"God, why?!"

"Hello, is this Aki- Hey!"

Akihiko grabbed Daichi's arm, but Daichi had a firm grip on the phone. He slid his finger quickly over to speaker, and tapped at it.

"Um, Aki? I-Is that you, Aki? Who's this?"

Akihiko and Daichi froze in place, and Akihiko quickly grabbed the phone out of Daichi's hand.

"Aki, are you mad at me?" Minako's voice was laced with worry, and it was evident she had recently cried. "I... I need you Aki, I'll tell you everything, I promise. Where are you?"

Akihiko looked at Daichi briefly, who was grinning. Taking speaker phone off, he put the cell to his ear and hesitated before replying.

"I'm not mad, Minako... I just.. No, are you mad? I'm at the beef bowl shop right now with - "

"Oh, what a relief! You're close to the dorm! I'll be there in a bit!" Minako rushed, and she immediately hung up.

Akihiko took the phone off of his ear, and stared at it, his eyes growing wide.

"She even sounds cute, man! She needs you! Oh, hey, what's up? Did she break up with you or something?" Daichi asked when he saw the look on Akihiko's face. Akihiko shook his head, and Daichi shot him a confused look. "Then why do you look so.." Daichi made wild hand gestures at Akihiko's face, to which he promptly slapped his hands away.

"She's... on the way?"

"No way."

"Yeah."

"...Do I leave? I don't wanna third wheel, but I wanna meet your girl."

Akihiko was still staring at his phone in wonder as he slowly sat down in his chair. "I.. don't know. But she'll be here any moment now. Stay if you want."

"Sweet," Daichi said simply, his eyes brightening. He sat down as well, and took a piece of beef into his mouth before spitting it out.

"Hey!" he shouted at no one in particular. "Can I have a new bowl?! My food's cold!"


Late Evening | Beef Bowl Shop, Iwatodai Strip Mall 2F

Minako played out what she was going to say inside of her head several times as she headed up the stairs. Each time she had to mentally slap herself, because no matter how many times she did it, it always ended the same: Akihiko would simply call her crazy.

It's better than not talking to him at all, Minako thought grimly.

Nearly a whole month had passed without the two holding a tangible conversation, and it always killed Minako that she couldn't bring herself to apologize. Withholding the truth from Akihiko hurt more than anything, and with the last push from Yukari (You guy's can't fight forever, and I bet he's dying to talk to you, too), she called him. Hearing his voice after so long had her heart tied into knots, and she had sprinted out of the dorm when he said he was close by.

Taking a deep breath, Minako stepped into the beef bowl shop, her crimson eyes scanning the shop for a flash of silver. She smiled in relief to see Akihiko grinning like an idiot at her, and she quickly walked over to his table. As she got closer, she noticed Akihiko wasn't alone. Akihiko pointed at her, and the other boy turned around.

His soft brown eyes matched his styled hair, and he had a black dress shirt on with a blue and white striped tie. He would have looked businesslike, had it not been for the fact his goofy smile closely resembled Junpei's. Minako returned the smile, wondering if Akihiko had already settled into his new university life.

"Hey, you must be Minako!" he piped up cheerily. Minako nodded slowly, and gave a questioning look to Akihiko. He shrugged apologetically, but his friend, ever-chipper, continued. "I'm Daichi Shijima, on the boxing team with Akihiko. Nice to meet ya! I see I'm in the way, so I'll just wait out for Akihiko."

With a wink, Akihiko had flushed red, and Daichi Shijima whispered something into his ear, provoking him into a quick punch. Daichi laughed merrily and picked up his half finished beef bowl. The two watched him as he simply sat himself down on the other side of the shop, and continued eating.

"Sorry," Akihiko mumbled in embarrassment. "You hung up before I could tell you that idiot was with me."

"It's no problem, Aki. I'm just happy to see you after such a long time! How've you been?"

"Great. School's not too hard. How about you?"

Minako shrugged and looked down. She rested her arms on the table, and then crossed them. "If you don't wanna talk about it, Aki..." she said quietly. "I'm sorry, I just didn't expect Shijima-kun to be here. I was going to just start talking but - "

"Hey, I wanna know," Akihiko said gently. He reached across the table and took her hand in his. "I promise, Minako, I won't laugh, interrupt, nothing. And I'm happy you came to see me. Really happy."

The two smiled at each other, the rip in their relationship slowly mending.

"Okay, Aki. I'm going to sound completely crazy but... Remember how in Tartarus, after we healed up, I would sometimes end up with a new Persona? Or maybe just randomly blank out? Or how about the first time we went to Tartarus, you, me, Junpei, Mitsuru and Yukari? Junpei said I looked like a zombie, but.. Sorry, rambling. There's this door in the lobby..."

An hour passed.

And then another.

Daichi briefly interrupted to report he was leaving. Never breaking eye contact, they simply nodded, and Minako continued telling her peculiar tale as though he had never said bye.

Half an hour passed, and they got kicked out of the shop.

Another half hour on the bench by Wild Duck, and Minako finished.

"You know... if you just said Theo and Elizabeth," Akihiko pointed out, "we'd all believe you. Maybe. I knew those two were weird..."

Minako smiled, and jabbed Akihiko's ribs. "You say that, but 'between mind and matter'? You believe that?"

"Yes and no," Akihiko said thoughtfully. "It's confusing, but it makes sense. I don't have a reason not to believe you, Minako."

Minako rested her head on Akihiko's chest, and closed her eyes, yawning. She could hear his heart quickening, and felt his arms wrap around her gently.

"Hey, Aki?"

"Hm?"

"I'm really lucky."

"Yeah? I think I am, too," Akihiko said softly. "You tired? I'll walk you back."

"No! I'm not... tired!" Minako said stubbornly, suppressing another yawn. "I just want to sit... he..."

Out like a light bulb, Minako's body weight completely dropped on Akihiko's chest. She snored softly, and Akihiko stifled a laughed. As gently as possible, he pushed her head off his chest, and he stood. With great care, he picked Minako up and carried her like a baby, cradled in his arms.


Early Morning | Iwatodai Dorm

"Minako, wake up! You're gonna be late!"

"Mmm... another minute..."

"Mina-a-a-ko!"

Minako groaned and pulled her blanket over her head. For some reason, she was incredibly tired. The gears of her mind were slowly turning as she searched for a reason as to why she'd be so exhausted, and another round of insistent knocking hit her door. Sighing, Minako reluctantly slid off her bed and opened the door to be face-to-face with...

No one.

"Good morning. Yukari told me to get you so you could leave together for school. She has archery," the voice rushed. "I.. nevermind! I'll be going first!"

Minako blinked a few times as a figure darted in and out of her peripheral vision, and it took a few moments to register that the blur of orange was Ken. Though she was curious about why he acted the way he did just now, Minako was now more focused on the fact she was stupid enough to stay out late when Hidetoshi had called another early meeting

As she began changing into her uniform, it dawned on Minako that she didn't recall changing out of it. Pieces of indistinguishable dreams and memories popped out at her, and she couldn't help but thank the heaven's Akihiko was Akihiko, flushing red at the thought. Pinching her face, Minako grabbed her school bag and ran downstairs to the first floor to find everyone was already awake, eating peculiarly shaped pancakes. Only Ken was absent from the breakfast.

"Hi, Minako," Fuuka greeted warmly. "I made breakfast. They look a little weird, but I promise they taste normal!" She gestured to a plate beside Aigis, and Minako took her place. Koromaru barked, and licked her hand as she sat. Minako smiled at the cute, white dog and scratched him behind the ears.

"Mihnathan! Whajd ju do lash nigh'?" Junpei swallowed, and grinned at her. "Did ya run off and get married to Akihiko-senpai? Didn't even send an invite, I am wounded that- ow!"

"Give her a break, Stupei," Yukari scolded. "You don't even know why she was out."

"And I suppose you do?!"

As Yukari and Junpei bickered, Minako began eating, glad not to have to defend herself. Aigis turned her attention to Minako, and smiled happily

"Hello, Minako. I will accompany you to school this morning," Aigis said cheerily. "It has been awhile since we have all gone to school together."

"Oh yeah, hey?" Minako said in wonder, shaking her head. She forked a piece of her pancake, and chewed thoughtfully. "Time sure does go by. Though, it's like those two don't even notice."

Aigis nodded, somewhat grimly as she looked at Yukari and Junpei, whose argument had diverged from Minako to school activities. Minako smiled tiredly at the pair, and finished eating. She stood to put her plate away, but Fuuka quickly took it from her, and began clearing the whole table. Junpei began to protest until he glanced at the time.

"Aren't we gonna miss the train if we don't leave, like right now?"

"Oh, crap!" Yukari stood abruptly, and she headed straight for the doors. "Guys, c'mon! The archery team's gonna flip if the captain's late!" she shouted, a little pride in her voice.

Junpei clucked his tongue at her as he followed, and Aigis and Minako did the same. A breathless Fuuka caught up to the four as they made the first turn towards the station.

"I can't... believe you guys.. just left me!" Fuuka said, clearly hurt.

"Thought you were right behind us, Fuuka," Junpei said solemnly. "If it wasn't for Yuka-tan running, we woulda waited. After all, it's just her that's gonna be late. Minatan's got Hidetoshi on a string, so even if she was late - hey!" Junpei winced at Minako's kick to the calf.

"I do not have Hidetoshi on a string," Minako replied heatedly. "Why don't you just believe he's actually a pretty good guy?"

"It's Hidetoshi, Minatan. But really, what up with you and senpai?" Junpei raised a questioning brow, and raised his arms defensively when Minako raised her hand to slap him."I'm serious! Akihiko-senpai was just carrying you like at the summer fest, remember?! Jeez..."

"Nothing," Minako said as calmly as possible. "We cleared the air, and we're alright. Aki's.. Aki. I hope I get to see him soon." A smile played on her lips, the image of Akihiko tucking her in and kissing her goodnight playing on the back of her eyes.

No one questioned her further; Junpei gave a mocking, disgusted look and promptly turned away. Simple chatter filled the silence as the distance between them and Gekkoukan closed.


authorsnote: oh man I did most of this right before spring break ended and after work, sorry that some of it is sketchier than usual. Apologies for bringing in characters from other games (I really lack creativity with characters sometimes, and I really wanted to write even in my brain dead state), but there's no way in hell I'd be able to write this using only canon characters when there's like 0 mentions of any other seniors at Gekkoukan that I could see being buddy-buddy with Akihiko. my midterms are coming up, I'm desperately avoiding anything that says sin, cos, and tan. i have a perhaps happy surprise incoming next chapter? to even it out, it'll be more Minako centric. I hope. I love my Aki.

alright friends, see you soon! c: