Port Flashback – Last Christmas

Author Note: Weee I have writer's block so enjoy two more flashbacks.

December 24th, 2009

Under the bright lights of Pawlounia Mall, two young people held each other's hand as they walked towards their dorm. A girl clad in a pink cardigan, with a red bowtie, and a boy dressed in the outfit of Gekkoukan High School, his headphones dangling from his shoulders, his prominent blue hair mixing in with his dark uniform.

They smiled and laughed, cracking small jokes and quips with each other. It had been a wonderful Christmas Eve for both of them, and the proof for Yukari was in a brand bag, dangling from her right shoulder. While she had given Minato a slice of chocolate cake, he had told her it was delicious.

She knew he wasn't lying. She had put a lot of effort and practice into making a cake for him… shame Junpei had to take it and give some slices to Ken. But at least he enjoyed that piece, and she knew that when they ended the Dark Hour mess, she would make him another chocolate cake.

The two soon reached the Iwatodai dorm, right before curfew. Yukari, for the first time in what felt like years, almost bounced in her step. She liked going out with her friends, but hanging out with Minato, seeing his face, his smile, and feeling his kindness… the very thought made her heart jitter, and her cheeks heat up.

Minato entered the dorm, and gestured for her to enter, "Ladies first," he said charmingly, in that soft voice of his. Yukari smirked, in fact charmed.

"Wow, I never thought you were so chivalrous!" quipped Yukari.

Minato only turned back and smiled, "You should wait and see what I have for you."

And with that, a genuine smile fell on the girl's face, "Really now? Well… I hope it charms the pants off me!" upon realizing what she said, Yukari blanched, and she looked away, her face going red, "N-Not in that way."

The blue-haired boy bit his lip, chuckling nervously, "Y-Yeah, you could say that."

The two walked past the dorm's lounge, where they saw Junpei, Ken, Koromaru and Akihiko sat on the couches, Junpei's PlayStation 3 hooked up to what looked like a new TV, an HD one (Yukari theorized it was a Christmas present for S.E.E.S. from Mitsuru, since she was the only member rich enough to splurge on that luxury).

Junpei and Ken were nose deep in what looked like a fighting game, while Akihiko sat there, looking bored out of his skull.

"How can you play this sort of stuff, when we do it all the time in Tartarus?" said the confused boxer. Junpei shot him a confused look.

"Akihiko-san, you need to get educated on video games! Sure, it's like Tartarus, but it's a lot less stressful!" the capped boy grinned. Yukari rolled her eyes at his idiotic remarks, but couldn't help but admire his cheerful spirit.

"Junpei, Akihiko-senpai doesn't need his brains numbed by video games," scoffed the girl. Minato chuckled, and Junpei spun around to see Yukari, his jaw dropping.

"Says the girl who plays Mario Kart with her boyfriend~" the capped boy grinned. Then Ken scored a 44-hit combo in the fighting game, perfecting Junpei.

"Haha, I won, Junpei-san!" Ken said with a smile. He looked over to Akihiko, who gave him a thumbs up.

Koromaru barked in joy, as Junpei sank to his chair in defeat. Minato then grabbed Yukari's hand once again, causing a heat to run to her face, and they advanced up the stairs, "Come on, Yukari, let's leave the guys. I wanna show you your presents."

Yukari's eyes widened, "Presents?"

Minato turned to her, and nodded, "Yeah. It's in my dorm room… huh, bet you've never seen it. I've seen your dorm room all the time, you know, when we…" he zoned out, and his cheeks went red, before he broke into a nervous chuckle, "um, let's go."

The next thing she knew, Minato had opened his door, and he gestured over to his room. It was neatly organized, with a study table, a closet, a bed, and a few other things. She noticed the small table near the back, with some cushions to kneel on, and couldn't help but beam.

"It's not much, but it's home," shrugged the blue-haired boy. She stepped into his room alongside him, removing her loafers while he removed his shoes, and the two sat down on the cushions.

The two gazed into each other's eyes, milky brown finding clear grey, a silent heat hazing up the room. Just staring at his handsome features and that warm, soft smile of his made Yukari's face blaze up in heat, and her heart start beating. Her manicured nails dug into the cushion, what she would do to feel his hand in hers right now.

Minato then stood up, and retrieved a plastic bag, "Well, remember that one date, and I gave you a Jack Frost doll? I decided to get this rare new Jack Frost doll, it was a bit expensive, but…."

She knew what he was talking about, and she gasped, her eyes widening in sheer shock, "No… you didn't…."

And with that, a wide grin just split on Minato's face, "Yep! I bought the Raiho doll!" with that, he took out the Jack Frost doll, dressed up as Raidou Kuzunoha, with the hat and the black, decorative coat. It was adorable already, and Yukari couldn't resist grinning at the present.

It was so cute, and Minato had gone into all that trouble just to get it for her.

"Wow… Minato-kun…" she gasped, reverting back to the honorific in her daze. She took the Raiho doll from him, and true to what the ads said, when she squeezed the plush, she heard a digitized 'Hee-ho!' come from Raiho. Hearing that, she hugged it tighter, and grinned so widely at Minato.

But he wasn't done yet.

"Hey," Minato whispered to Yukari. She spun slightly on her cushion, and crossed her stocking-clad legs, watching the blue-haired boy rummage around a plastic bag.

"Well, whaddya have there, Minato?" asked Yukari, rather curious as to what Minato had. Was it another surprise? She squeezed the Raiho doll in her arms, a warm feeling coming from hearing the stuffed doll shout, 'Hee-ho!' and smiled at the second gift she got on this wonderful night.

She gasped when Minato brought out a cake covered in pink frosting, with sugar flowers decorating the exterior, and white, swirly frosting decorating the sides. Minato placed the cake on the table, letting her take in the wonderfully designed cake, and when he gazed back at her eyes, his cheeks flushed a dark pink, and he grinned at her.

She grinned back at him, and placed her hands on the table, "Jeez… you're spoiling me, huh? You don't have to go all that way just cuz I'm your girlfriend."

Minato just shyly shrugged, "I did it because I love you," he bashfully said. The reply was enough for their faces to go completely red, and both teenagers giggled.

But it made Yukari very, very happy, not that she'd admit it.

The boy brought out a knife as well, and knelt down on his cushion, placing the knife down on the pastry, cutting a slice. He took a small tissue, and gave the slice to Yukari, who gladly took it. He then looked deep into her eyes, that brilliant gray shining with warmth.

"I got it just for you, Yukari..."

"Thanks so much, Minato…" she said. Although she kept an eye out on what she ate, so to keep her waistline in control, for once this wouldn't be so bad (plus the cake wasn't big at all).

He paused, and looked deep into her eyes, with that serious look he usually wore on Tartarus. She knew then that he was genuine in what he was going to say, "Because, I want to promise you something. I know this sounds really, really, really lame and childish of me, but I want to be with you when we're seniors. And to be with you when we graduate, and when we go to college."

Minato paused, and sighed, smiling dreamily at her, "It's funny… before I came back to Iwatodai, I didn't believe in high school sweethearts, or that I'd fall in love. But… I just found that girl right here. The girl I want to spend the rest of my life with. I love you, Yukari."

Yukari could do nothing but blush and look down awkwardly, her face scorched with red, as her arms squeezed the Raiho doll tighter still. This wonderful, magical person was so kind to her, endured all her temper tantrums and mood swings, and all her hostility, and reached out beneath to her, because he cared about her.

To think she would get so worried over him talking to Fuuka, or to that Fushimi girl. Yukari wanted to cry, but she held in her tears, instead letting the excitement slowly get at her. Her throat seized up, and she let out a shaky breath, unable to hold back on the affection she held for the boy.

"M-Minato..."

Another big smile from Minato was her reward, "No more words, okay? Let's just eat our cake, yeah?"

Yukari took a big bite, the cake was definitely of high quality, and was strawberry too. She let the tantalizing taste crawl down her tastebuds, and the girl sighed, so happy to be alive right now, "This cake is good," she muttered after she swallowed.

Minato just shot her a bemused look, and she gasped, going silent to finish off the rest of her slice.

Soon enough, the entire cake was finished, and Yukari groaned when she realized it, "I'm gonna have to really work that cake off…" she muttered, "maybe in Tartarus or something. Then again…" and with that, she gave a red-faced smile to Minato, "I don't wanna think about Tartarus, not now, not tomorrow."

The boy nodded, and the happy look on his face was something Yukari would cherish forever, "Yeah… me too…."

But, Yukari frowned. She had nothing in return to give him, and he had spoiled her this Christmas. All she gave him was a piece of cake… maybe she should have bought something instead. She frowned and looked down at the table.

"Hey, Yukari, what's wrong?" Minato's voice broke her out of her funk, and she looked up, rather surprised.

"Eh?" she paused, and looked away, biting her lower lip in embarrassment. She felt rather ashamed, in fact, and she grabbed her sleeve, "Well… I dunno… I feel like I've got nothing back to give, and, well, it kinda makes me feel bad…."

Minato only grinned, "Well, I know one thing you can give me."

Yukari was about to ask, when suddenly, it clicked in her head. She got off her cushion, moved up to him, and kissed him gently, her glossy lips pressed against Minato's smooth, soft lips.

Soon, one thing lead to another, and the two found themselves without clothing, under the sheets of his bed, their lips searching each other's bodies around, their skin seeking each other's bodies.

Before they went into a night of passion, as Minato dotted her collar with butterfly kisses, he grinned sheepishly at her, "You know, Yukari Arisato doesn't sound so bad…."

Yukari snorted, and smiled, pinching his cheek as she moaned to his lips on her skin, "Maybe in a few years~"

The two spent a wonderful evening in his bedroom, completing their Christmas Eve. And they drifted off in each other's arms, awaiting the new days… together….


July 11th, 2013

Yukari found her eyes snapping open, in a much different room… and, judging by the scent, her own place.

Her eyes snapped back to reality. She raised her back off her bed and whipped the covers off, stretching her long legs and arms as she let out a big yawn. While she moved to the bathroom, she tried to rub the sleep out of her eyes, and for once, she felt serene… peaceful… because she had a dream of a wonderful memory.

Then her stomach lurched. No longer was she the teenage girl of 17. She was an older Yukari Takeba, 20 years old, and in a few months, she'd be 21.

She had tried to distract herself through a shower, putting on makeup and getting dressed in her usual summer ensemble of a pink tanktop, jeans, and sandals. As she snapped her sandals on, retrieved her handbag and opened the door to the warm sunshine, she suddenly gasped, and felt the same guilt and heartbreak she felt from last night. Yukari frowned, it wasn't usual that she had a dream about him. Especially a dream of a memory.

It made her so weak. She made a real promise, didn't she? To live her life to the fullest, to make sure Minato didn't have to suffer. And yet, she felt like deep down, she just might be betraying that promise.

"Why am I still thinking about him? I just… I need to stop. I got a job. A future. I can't just be living in the past because I was happier."

She walked out of her apartment, and as she locked up, she leaned back on the door, looking up sadly at the blue sky, the world that they had protected and saved, thanks to him.

"Am I wrong for taking refuge in my memories?"


August 15th, 2010

The Naganaki Summer Festival… last year, Junpei had gone with Kenji, but this year, after all that happened, he had a very special friend with him.

He could remember her vividly decorated yukata, a white thing with a pink floral pattern painted around the sleeves and chest area, and her geta clog sandals had red straps to finish the theme. He remembered her smile, her cheeriness, and her happiness during that magical night.

"Hey, Junpei, what mask should we get, ey~?" Yukari's perky voice rang, and Junpei looked over the mask selection. He saw a Featherman mask, Black Condor to be precise, and grinned. He also saw a fox mask, who seemed to peer into his mind with its stare… somehow, Junpei felt a desire to buy the mask.

As if the fox mask wanted all his yen.

Yukari stepped back a little, her geta clacking against the cobberstone, "H-Hey, Junpei, why're you lookin' at that fox mask for?" the girl looked at the mask, and her eyes widened… Junpei managed to break his gaze from the mask long enough to see Yukari staring at it with raised eyebrows, "Ya know… it's like it wants all my yen."

The capped boy gently nudged Yukari on the shoulder, and she shook her head, like she was coming out of a trance, "Come on, Yuka-tan. Let's go," he said with an infectious grin, "don't wanna spend all night staring at masks, we got a lotta stuff to do!"

Yukari smiled back, and turned over, "Yeah. But grab a Featherman mask for Ken-kun instead. You know he likes that stuff, even though he says he doesn't."

Junpei's grin got wider, that kid really needed to wind down some, especially with Akihiko gone, "That I'll do, Yuka-tan!" he grinned. He picked up a Red Swan mask, bought it, and walked over with Yukari to the next stall in the festival.

Junpei took all the sights and sounds in. The cheering, the enka music, the clacks, the yukatas, the rich smell of food, and when he looked over to Yukari, seeing that happy smile perched right on her face, he was glad. He knew he did the right thing, giving her a hand to help her heal from the horrors of their days as part of the S.E.E.S..

Of course, he needed to heal, too, but still, they both were happy.

Yukari only looked ahead to the takoyaki stall, eyes brimming, "Come on, Junpei, let's go grab some food!"

At that point he couldn't resist teasing her, "But Yuka-tan! You don't wanna get fat, right?" even if it meant a geta to his toes (which hurt even though he was wearing sneakers), her flustered, snarling reaction was worth it.

"This won't make me fat, Stupei!" she slammed a foot to the ground, and stood up straight. How she did it in those sandals, he didn't know. He simply grinned widely at her.

"Hehe! This hunk knows where all those bourbons go~" teased Junpei, as he stared at her thigh area, hidden by the sash and lower half of the yukata. Yukari crossed her knees and a faint pink came onto her cheeks, that same angry scowl on her face.

"S-Stop it! God, you really are an idiot!" Yukari yelled, before she turned tail and began walking to the takoyaki stall on her own.

Junpei only followed her, grinning widely, "Eh, she'll calm down."

An hour later, the two were leaving the festival, going down the staircase, the two had decided to go walking to their dorms. Yukari said she could handle walking in her geta, so Junpei shrugged it off, but he couldn't resist his usual foxy grin.

"Yuka-tan, you should totally give me a buzz if ya want a piggyback or something," he told her as they continued walking, sneakers and geta against concrete.

She scoffed with a playful smirk, "From you? Pfft!"

Junpei only rolled his eyes, man, that snark of hers. But really, tonight had been a good night, he felt it when he woke up in the morning, and he definitely enjoyed every second of the festival, with Yukari. He felt healed.

So when they arrived at their new dorms, ready to part ways for the night, Yukari had halted. Junpei had stepped past her, so he turned around, "Yuka-tan, somethin' wrong?" he teased, "Ya feet hurtin' too much?"

Yukari shook her head, and actually grinned at him, "Nah, nothin' like that. I just wanted to say… I had a really good time tonight, Junpei. Thank you so much."

To hear that made him feel good, that he could make one of his friends happy. Junpei only shook his head, and put a hand to his cap, "Dude, it's all cool. It was real fun as well, I'm glad we got to go together. Then again, we've done a lot together this summer break, huh?"

Yukari paused, and a melancholic expression crossed her face, "Yeah… we have been, huh? We've been seeing each other for the past few months, huh?"

Junpei could feel a tension between him and Yukari. He was happy enough with her, but she was a very attractive young woman, and Junpei knew he wasn't on her league. But, he did like seeing her, at school or in their free time, and he felt his relationship with her grow closer and closer throughout the last few months.

"Yuka-tan, I mean… what's wrong?" he asked, he knew something was troubling the brunette.

Yukari's face went red, and she looked down at her feet, "Um, I kinda feel a bit guilty about this, going on dates with you an' all… 'cause, you know… Minato…"

Truth be told, Junpei did feel rather guilty too. The idea that he was 'stealing Minato's woman' was a disgusting thought, as he really did like Yukari as a friend, and several times in high school, had wondered if he had feelings for her. And only now, did he even feel he could have a chance with her.

He still wondered if, deep down, he was still jealous of Minato and really was trying to take the departed blue-haired boy's girlfriend. He wasn't jealous anymore, but still, the thought prevailed.

Pushing that train of thought away, Junpei looked away from her, "Well… Yukari… yeah, I said it… ever since we started seeing each other, I've been feeling guilty too. I mean… I think Chidori would want me to be happy, you know? And, maybe I'm wrong, but I think Minato wants you to be happy, too."

She smiled sadly, but it was a smile regardless, "Yeah… yes, I agree, Junpei."

And so, Yukari pursed her lips, her cheeks started to redden up, and if by instinct, Junpei's head started to get closer to hers.

"Y-Yuka-tan…" Junpei gasped, his arms hunched up and his eyes kept widening, was this really happening? Sure, he had been seeing Yukari for a few months, but they were never this serious. Junpei snickered inside over how everyone would react to the fact that he, the class clown of 3-D, was dating Yukari Takeba.

Her pink, glossed lips came closer to his, and Junpei's mouth began to drop, his lips parting, as a rare blush crossed over his cheeks. He moved his head a little closer to hers, bracing his lips for a kiss….


July 11th, 2013

Then, he woke up to a flash of sunlight. And with a throbbing headache at that too, "Argh… god…" moaned the disorientated Junpei, "what the hell happened last night?"

He held his head, trying to keep his thoughts in one piece, as his vision blurred in-and-out. He could make out Koromaru's whimpers, and the bright sun shining down through the open blinds. He tried to perch himself up, but his head throbbed in pain, forcing him to collapse onto the couch again.

Junpei thought he was supposed to be somewhere today, but he just couldn't remember. The lanky young man sank into his couch, and groaned. He had been so happy when he had that dream of him and Yukari together, back in senior year. Because back then, he really was happy.

Now, he tried to smile, but he couldn't help but wonder where his life was going. And the thought only depressed him more and more with each day passing.

He really should have joined the Shadow Operatives fulltime when he had the chance.

Then, Junpei managed to look up, and saw his Junes apron hung over his doorknob.

Panic gripped his entire system at that point.