It was the next day, approximately 11:26 in the morning. Akihiko woke up sluggishly from the sunlight in his window hitting his face. He glanced over at his clock and saw what the time was.
"Oh, shit! I overslept!" Akihiko scrambled to exit, not even getting a change of clothes on. He walked over to Minato's room and knocked on the door.
"It's me, Minato." Akihiko said. There was a silent pause.
"Come… in…" Minato quietly answered. Akihiko walked in was surprised to see that Minato was holding an Evoker.
"Minato, what are you doing?"
"You said that this… was not… real gun… forgot real… purpose… of this… but meant for… per…so…na…"
"You remember personas and shadows now, then?"
"Yes… and reason why… gun scared me so much… Not just because… Akihiko got hurt… but also… because of first shadow… attack back in… April…"
"You mean… when you told me that you wanted to end your life on that night?" Akihiko asked. Minato nodded slowly.
"It reminded… me of darker days… days close to death… was so… scared…" Minato said in a hushed tone, putting down the Evoker and holding onto his arms. Akihiko walked over and hugged him tightly.
January 31st. It was the promised day. The day that The Fall would happen. The SEES members were taking a moment before ascending to the top floor after previously battling Jin and Takaya. Minato walked over to where Akihiko was sitting alone. Minato took a seat next to him.
"How are you doing, Aki?" He asked him.
"I'm fine. Pretty pumped actually to be taking on an 'unbeatable enemy'." Akihiko said as he pumped his fist in the air.
"We are facing Death itself. The others are fired up and determined, but still pretty afraid right now."
"I guess they have a good reason to be. But, I'm fine. I have nothing to worry about."
"Yeah… Aki, take my hand, please." Minato said as he put his right hand out. Akihiko went ahead and did so, feeling how Minato was. Minato was trembling.
"M-Minato… you're shaking like a leaf."
"Yeah, I'm actually terrified beyond humanly possible."
"Th-then why…?"
"I'm scared about one of us, or anybody else, not making it back. There's no way that I was going to go down without a fight, but I was still scared of fighting Nyx. That is, until I reminded myself about your warmth. I have absolutely nothing to worry about as long as I'm right next to you and the others, right here or on the battlefield."
"You… could tell that I was bluffing about not being scared, were you?"
"Was more obvious than you thought." Minato chuckled. Akihiko pulled Minato into an unexpected kiss.
"I don't really feel so scared anymore with you here." Akihiko whispered, putting his forehead against Minato's.
"As long as we have each other to trust and support the other, we'll never have to be scared of anything."
"Right. I love you, Minato."
"I'm pretty great, yeah."
"Watch it, Arisato."
"Ha-ha, I love you too, Aki."
"Smartass up until the very end."
So, what say you about going and giving Nyx a good thrashing?"
"Heh-heh, I couldn't agree with you more."
"Minato… you never have to be scared as long as I'm here with you. You can always trust me to protect you. Actually, I don't know if I can say that you ALWAYS can, seeing as though I couldn't prevent you from becoming like this."
"I… do trust Akihiko… Am like this… to save…"
"You were ready to sacrifice yourself to save all life on the planet…"
"Save… Akihiko… No reason to… be scared of what… may happen… as long as… Akihiko is right here…" Minato said as he picked up the Evoker he had set down.
"Always trust Akihiko… not afraid to… fight for others…" Minato said as he eyed the Evoker. Minato may have recalled the terror of what Fear was, but he regained the strength of Trust and Courage.
"Akihiko… is… special… to me…" Minato quietly said as he moved back into Akihiko's arms. Akihiko looked down at him.
"Special?"
"He… with me… all this time… He… always helping… feel better with… Akihiko around… Arms around me… feel safe… Akihiko… sang for me…"
"I wanted to make you feel better, to help you however I could. I felt like I had to do something."
"Akihiko was… the one who… had familiar angel voice… from before…"
"You remember that it was me who sang you that?"
"Akihiko… special… I…"
"I love you, Akihiko."