It didn't take long to catch Fuuka up on the events of the last few days, and she looked thoughtful as she sat in the fourth floor meeting room with Ryoji, Akihiko, Aigis and me the following morning. Despite the progress, the atmosphere in the room was bleak. The dark hour had been gone for more than a month, but last night…

"There's no doubt about it. This is Nyx's influence." Ryoji said seriously. "I can't believe she's coming so quickly, though…"

Fuuka seemed to stir from her thoughts as she looked his way. "How is it possible that she's brought the dark hour back? From what you've told me, she's scattered and fragmented, right? She's not fully conscious yet."

Ryoji sighed and scratched his chin. "It's kind of hard to explain. Nyx isn't really a person, so much as she is a… reaction. Every shadow is an expression of humanity's darker thoughts and emotions." He glanced my way. "Prior to the Kirijo experiments ten years ago, they were usually cut off from the normal world. Only a few would creep through from other places once in awhile."

I looked away from him. "But then my grandfather started amassing shadows, deliberately coaxing them into our world…"

Out of the corner of my eye I caught Ryoji nodding. "Indeed. If they'd been successful, I… or, Death, rather, would've been a signal to… whatever powers that be that humanity was desirous of its own destruction. Nyx is the response to that." he concluded.

Aigis gave Ryoji a flat look as she spoke up. "But I stopped you."

He winced at the accusatory note on her last word. "Yes, you did. I was incomplete by the time you sealed me, but if I'd been left unchecked, I probably would've gone on to recapture my missing pieces." he admitted sadly.

"But, to simplify…" He continued, "There were still a tremendous number of shadows left behind in this world by the Kirijo experiments. The presence of so many of them caused some of their world to breach into this one every night as the dark hour. When Minato sealed Nyx inside himself, it also had the consequence of destroying most of the shadows left in this world, taking the dark hour with it."

"So then why is it back?" Akihiko asked, exasperated.

"I'm getting to that." Ryoji glared at him for a moment before continuing once more. "Even when she's incomplete, Nyx is like a miasma of impending doom hanging over the world. That miasma calls to shadows and brings them back through the divide to the human world. And as they come back…" He trailed off ominously.

I nodded slowly. "The dark hour comes back."

Ryoji nodded back at me. "Indeed. It might not be consistent just yet. There aren't that many shadows here yet, but… as they continue to multiply, I'm guessing we'll see the dark hour come back in full force. You'll need to be ready."

Akihiko shrugged. "All the more reason to reunite SEES."

Fuuka looked upset. "Without Tartarus, though… where will the shadows go?"

Ryoji frowned at her. "I don't know, to be honest. Hopefully it'll leave them in disarray…"

I shook my head firmly. "There's no point worrying about it. Regardless of what the shadows do, we'll protect people from them." I glanced at Aigis. "Right?"

She stared at me, and it took her a moment to respond. "Right. Destroying shadows is what I was made for." Her voice was a little bit quiet, and I wondered to myself what was on her mind.

"Speaking from experience, you're very good at it." Ryoji noted. Aigis gave him a quizzical look without responding.

We didn't need any more sparks flying. I stood up. "Try to be ready for anything, everyone. Our mission hasn't changed, it's just gotten… bigger." I concluded as I looked around at my assembled allies.

One by one they nodded at me. "No problem." Akihiko said confidently.

"I'll do my best." Fuuka added. Aigis and Ryoji gave me quiet smiles as they looked away from each other again.

They were my allies - and my friends, too, I realized, as I smiled back at them all. "Then let's all carry on as best we can."

I found myself in my room again a few minutes later, wondering what exactly "carrying on" would entail. I wasn't sure how I would prepare for the return of the dark hour. I already had my evoker and Penthesilea back, as well as weapons and gear from the lab. Aside from training, there wasn't much I could do to be ready.

Slowly I got up from my bedside and paced around the room. That left me with the task of reuniting SEES. In a way, then, nothing had changed. Nothing would change until the dark hour forced it to. I thought through my options.

I hadn't seen Junpei around the dorm at all. Maybe he was with his parents. Either way, I didn't have an easy way to get in touch with him. I had no clue where Ken was, beyond the fact that he was still living in Iwatodai. That left me with a choice between Koromaru and Yukari.

Yukari was proving problematic, but… I grimaced as I considered the prospect of trying to convince a dog to remember something. Yukari was also easier for me to talk to. Maybe it would come back to her in time?

I continued pacing, and eventually came face to face with my reflection in the mirror. As I stared at myself, I realized I had just the excuse to see Yukari, as well. I sighed as I headed out into the hall. I would have to hope I'd see some progress.

Yukari wasn't in the lounge. It was empty as usual. I hoped to myself that she would be in her room as I returned to the third floor and knocked on her door.

It took a moment, but soon the door opened a bit with a small creak. Yukari peered out at me through the crack, before opening the door wider with a smile. "Mitsuru-senpai. What's up?" She asked cheerfully as stood in the doorway.

I returned her smile, feeling a little flustered as I processed how to ask what I wanted to ask. "Good morning, Yukari. I had an idea for what I wanted to do today, and was hoping I could enlist your help with it."

She looked back at her room for a moment before nodding at me. "I don't really have anything planned. What did you have in mind?"

I tried my best not to let my embarrassment show as I replied. "Well, since I graduated, I don't have to wear uniforms anymore. That was essentially the core of my wardrobe for the past three years." My eyes flickered away from hers as I continued. "I'm a bit clueless on how to expand from here."

I saw Yukari's smile slowly turn wry. "You want to go clothes shopping with me? I can show you what's fashionable, or what would look good on you."

I nodded slowly. "That would be quite nice, yes…"

She grinned excitedly at me. "Give me just a moment, then!" She said, stepping back into her room and closing the door behind her, giving me a moment to reflect on how much I stood to be embarrassed today.

It was mercifully brief as she opened the door again soon after, a bag over her shoulder and a determined look on her face. "Let's go, Senpai!" She took my hand as she spoke and began guiding me towards the stairs. This would be an adventure, for sure…

We ended up at a clothing store in Paulownia mall. Yukari led me through the aisles, gleefully picking her favorite items off the racks as she described her plans for me. "Now, the number one issue I've always had with your style is that it's just too formal. I get that you're a billionaire heiress and all, but you're also a young girl. I think you can afford to bare your shoulders once in awhile."

I kept my head down as I followed her. Despite that, I caught several people around my age glancing curiously my way. I forced myself to focus my attention on the items Yukari was picking out. They were quite different indeed from the things my family's stylist had typically chosen for me to wear over the years.

By the time we got to the dressing rooms she had an array of colorful options in either hand, and she'd passed some along to me to carry as well. I looked back and forth between the two of us. "I have to try on all of this?" I asked incredulously.

Her smile looked incredibly pleased. "Of course! The best way to find out what style is best for you is to try on as much as you can. Why do you think they have changing rooms?" She replied, laughing a little to herself. "Besides, if I let you skip some of it, you'll just stay in your comfort zone. Plus, I'm dying to see you in a t-shirt." she teased.

I glowered at her for a moment before heading into the first unoccupied dressing room I could find with a resigned sigh. The first thing I ended up trying on was a pale blue dress that was entirely too immodest for my tastes. Still… as I looked at myself in the mirror, I had to admit it didn't look bad.

I braced myself and stepped out for Yukari's examination. Her eyes widened, and I was grateful for the lack of other people in the changing area as I felt my cheeks grow warm. "Wow, Senpai. You look really good. I like the contrast with your hair." Her grin returned as she waved me back towards the changing room. "On to the next outfit!"

I grumbled to myself as I returned to the changing room. Next up was… a t-shirt and jeans. My face darkened as I remembered Yukari's teasing comments earlier. Somehow, this was more embarrassing to me than the dress had been. I refused to look at myself in the mirror as I forced myself to walk back out once more.

Yukari blinked for a long moment before stifling a laugh. I glared at her. "It's not funny…" I protested quietly.

She shook her head. "You're right, sorry." She said after a moment as she got herself under control. Nonetheless, her smile was triumphant as she looked me over once again. "I never imagined I'd see you wear something so casual, Senpai. You look good in it, too." She noted pleasantly.

I felt a pout coming on as I looked down at myself for a moment. "Thanks." I said before quickly retreating to the changing room again to escape Yukari's gaze. Before I changed, I snuck a peek at myself in the mirror. This… didn't look bad, either. With a sigh, I set it in the "maybe" pile with the blue dress as I went to try on the next outfit.

It went on like that, and I lost track of time as I went through outfit after outfit. We made several trips back into the store to try out different combinations, and gradually, Yukari and I pruned down our selection to the things that suited me best while still escaping my longtime comfort zone. By the time we left the store with a few bags apiece, much of my embarrassment had faded to be replaced with satisfaction.

"This was a good trip." I reflected as we made our way through the mall, weaving between passers-by.

"It was!" Yukari agreed heartily as her bags swung by her side. "You're going to look so good from now on, Senpai." she said with a wink in my direction.

My cheeks heated just a little once more, but I was alright with it this time as I nodded at her. "I certainly hope so. I put a lot of money into this." I snarked back.

She laughed at that, before briefly glancing at her phone. "We've got a good amount of daylight left. We can probably spend some more time here at the mall before going home, if you like."

"I'd like that." I said with a smile.

She smiled back at me for a moment before it faded as she turned her head. "Hey. Is that Junpei?" She asked me as her eyes narrowed for a moment.

I turned to follow her gaze, and quickly caught sight of the familiar figure sitting alone on a bench, away from the crowds. He looked a little different without a baseball cap on his head, but it was definitely Junpei. He was hunched over something in his lap. "It certainly looks like him." I answered.

Yukari looked concerned. "He's been a total ghost for the past week or so. We should check on him."

I frowned as I recalled the reason I'd initially come here with Yukari. I needed to remind the both of them of who they were. I set aside the fun I'd been having before as I nodded at her. This would be another chance, then. "Agreed. Let's talk to him."

We walked over to the bench where he sat. He didn't seem to notice us. "Hey, Junpei." Yukari greeted him. I realized he was staring at Chidori's sketchbook. He had a pencil in his hand, and he was slowly tracing disconnected lines on an empty page.

After a long pause, he looked up at us. "Oh. Hey, you two." He didn't sound much like himself. His voice was flat and distant.

Yukari and I stared at him uncomfortably for another moment. "Mind if we sit down with you?" I eventually asked.

His eyes flickered between the two of us as he seemed to consider. "No. Go ahead." He finally replied.

With a little hesitation, we sat to either side of him. Yukari leaned over his shoulder to look at his incomplete-looking sketches. "I didn't know you drew." She commented quietly.

"I… don't." He said simply. He sounded confused.

I glanced past him at Yukari. She grimaced at me. I turned my attention to Junpei once more. "Where have you been, lately? At home with your parents? A few of us back at the dorm were worried about you."

He slowly set the pencil down after drawing another isolated line, heaving a frustrated-sounding sigh. "I've been alone. I've been thinking."

"About what?" I pressed him.

His gaze turned to me, though he only moved his head very slightly. "There was someone that I used to know. She was important to me. This was hers." He explained, tapping the sketchbook with the end of his pencil. "I don't remember her anymore, and it's driving me crazy. I've been trying to remember what she looked like…"

He flipped through the pages of the sketchbook. Various half-formed drawings dotted the previous pages. It seemed like he couldn't quite capture her image. "You don't remember her?" Yukari asked, sounding confused.

Junpei slowly shook his head. "No. I don't remember her face, or her name, or what we did together… All I know is how I feel about her. It's so… frustrating…" he trailed off. Yukari looked baffled as she glanced my way again.

I set my hand on his shoulder. He flinched ever so slightly. "So all you have left of her are the feelings she inspired in you?" I asked. He nodded. I pondered for a moment before an idea came to me. "Well… maybe you can draw that, then."

Junpei blinked, turning to look at me fully for the first time since we'd started talking. "Draw my feelings?"

"Yes. That might help you figure things out." I said affirmatively.

He looked thoughtful as he turned to his sketchbook again. "Maybe…" He said quietly. "That's not a bad idea." After another moment, he added, "I'll come back to the dorm soon, okay?"

Yukari still looked confused, but that seemed to bring her some relief. "Okay. You better!" She said as she nudged his arm with her elbow.

I slowly got to my feet. "It looks like he could use some more time to himself. Let's go get something to eat, okay, Yukari?" I said, offering my hand to her.

She looked between me and Junpei for a moment before nodding and taking my hand, rising to her feet. "Thanks." She gave Junpei one last look. "Feel better soon, won't you?" She offered warmly before turning to follow me back into the crowds.

She slowly shook her head as she fell into step beside me. "What was that all about?" She asked me with a questioning look.

I still didn't see any recollection in her eyes as I looked back at her. I sighed as we made our way deeper into the mall. "He's just… having a bad dream, I suppose."

Despite the fun I'd had with Yukari, my feelings the next morning were predominantly ones of frustration. I still wasn't making progress with her memories. While she was always pleasant and happy to be around me, I could never get even a hint of recollection from her about her time in SEES. It was like she didn't want to remember.

In a way, I could understand that. She'd been reluctant to join in the first place, and had a hard time settling into her position as a persona-user. It was difficult for her to accept the potential of her death, to accept the risks of battle against the shadows. Maybe Yukari was happier believing she'd never had to go through any of that.

I reflected sadly on that thought as I made my way down to the lounge again to find it empty once more. It seemed like Junpei wasn't back yet. Hopefully, I'd be able to help him once he returned. In the meantime, that left me with relatively few options. I wasn't sure how I'd do it, but I supposed I would take a shot at getting Koromaru back on board.

My motorcycle got me to Naganaki shrine quickly, and I shook my hair out as I removed my helmet and set it aside before heading onto the grounds of the shrine itself.

Koromaru's master had been a monk who worked at the shrine. He'd died early last year, leaving Koromaru to wait for him indefinitely, protecting the shrine in his stead. We'd only found out about his potential when he'd killed a shadow that trespassed at the shrine. I had to wonder how the disappearance of the dark hour would affect his memory.

To my surprise, Koromaru was not the only one at the old shrine when I reached the top of the steps leading up. Even more surprising, it was someone I knew.

Ken Amada knelt by the white-furred dog, petting him with a smile on his face. I stopped in my tracks. This was both an opportunity and a risk. If Ken didn't remember me, it could be awkward indeed to approach him now as a stranger. I wrestled with my options as I watched the two of them.

After a long moment, Ken glanced my way with wide eyes. "Ms. Kirijo?" He asked, confusion in his voice.

I felt a little confusion myself. Did he recognize me, then? "Good morning, Amada…" I said quietly from the entrance to the shrine.

Slowly, he smiled at me. "What brings you to Naganaki Shrine?"

I took a few steps closer, glancing between him and Koromaru. "Well, I was originally here to see Koromaru… but I could also use a word with you, too."

His smile faded a little as he considered that. "This… isn't about the dark hour, is it?" He said, worry in his voice.

I blinked. Had he remembered all this time? "You still know about the dark hour?" I asked incredulously.

He nodded gravely. "I lost my memories for awhile. Yukari's theory was correct. But… things slowly started coming together after that. It all came rushing back to me after a nightmare I had a few days ago." He gently ruffled Koromaru's fur. "That's part of why I came to see him."

I sighed softly as I moved over to sit down next to them. "How much do you already know, Ken?"

He frowned at me, looking perplexed. "What am I supposed to know? We beat Nyx, somehow… now life goes on, right?" He looked a bit sad. "I kind of wish I'd forgotten about all that. Not that I didn't like spending time with you all, but… the nightmares are kind of hard to deal with."

I grimaced. I didn't want to tell him the truth. But… we needed everyone we could get, and he would figure it out sooner or later if I kept it from him. The dark hour was returning, after all. "Ken… We think the fight might not be over."

His face paled, and he was silent for a beat. "You're kidding, right?" Koromaru seemed to be eyeing me. Did he understand, too?

"I wish I was…" I said miserably. I explained the situation to them, piece by piece. Ken and Koromaru listened to me quietly, and the boy's expression grew darker and darker as I went on. By the time I finished, he wasn't looking at me anymore.

"So we're back to square one, then…" He said. He sounded bitter.

"I'm sorry, Ken… We're going to do our best to keep the worst from happening, though. We beat Nyx once, and we can beat her again." It was hard to look at him. I'd explained my part in things, and I could tell that a little of him wanted to blame me.

After several seconds of silence, Ken spoke up again. "It's not what I wanted to hear… but I understand why you did what you did. And I understand that I'm one of the few people who can do something about it."

I slowly brought my eyes back to him. He was watching me intently. "Will you help us?" I asked quietly.

He nodded. Koromaru barked his assent, too. Gradually, Ken's smile returned. "Of course. For better or worse, SEES is like family to me, and on top of that, I do still want to keep on living, you know." I felt myself starting to smile back at him. "Maybe this'll even help me get rid of the nightmares."

Another social link came to me, this time from Ken. Koromaru nuzzled up against my leg. I stroked my fingers through his fur, and he seemed pleased. Both of them were on-board, then. It was another step forward. My voice rang with some of the reassurance I now felt. "I certainly hope so, Ken. We'll all banish the nightmares together."

I stared at Ken's number in my phone's contact list as I made my way to the front door of the dorm. He was our ally once more, but he would likely be less accessible than the rest of SEES. He couldn't really justify moving back to the high school dorm again. At the least, however, he could visit.

I pocketed my phone as I opened the front door and stepped inside, shutting it behind me. As I turned back to face the lounge again, I realized Junpei was there, evidently waiting for me. He rose from his seat on one of the couches and approached me, sketchbook under one arm as he looked me over. "Hey, Senpai." He greeted me quietly.

I eyed him for a moment before putting on a smile. "Hello, Iori. How are you doing?" I asked politely.

He looked at the floor with a sigh. "I'm fine. I wanted to tell you something."

He sounded serious. "What is it?" I pressed him.

Junpei slowly took the sketchbook out from under his arm and stared at it. "Your idea was good. I'm going to try to draw my feelings. It might take awhile… but I want you to see it when it's done, okay?" He looked up at me again on the last word.

I looked between him and the sketchbook. It seemed like my idle suggestion had really had an impact on him. My smile felt warmer as I nodded at him. "Of course. I'd love to see it. I hope it will help you, too."

He breathed what sounded like a sigh of relief. "Thanks." He replied succinctly.

I wondered something. I wrestled with the idea for a moment before speaking. "Does the name Chidori mean anything to you?" I asked him quietly.

Junpei blinked slowly at me for a beat. "The name doesn't sound wrong…" he said thoughtfully. Eventually, however, he shook his head. "It doesn't tell me anything, though." He admitted with a frown.

It wasn't a matter of simply describing his real past, then. He needed to truly remember it. It made a sort of sense, I supposed. "I'm sorry…" I said quietly.

He shook his head again. "Don't be. I appreciate the help." As I watched him, I thought I could pick up a little of the Junpei I'd known for the last year beneath the gloom now hanging over him. The tiniest hint of a smile turned up the corner of his mouth as he turned towards the stairs, eyeing his sketchbook once more. "I'll see you again soon, Senpai."

Time froze as I finally established my social link with Junpei. My thoughts swirled as it faded and he walked away. "See you soon." I replied. That was a link with every member of SEES, save Koromaru. If nothing else, my persona felt considerably stronger than it ever had before.

I found myself wondering about the possibilities as I made my way to my room. Would whatever power was sleeping within me be enough to stop Nyx? Minato had managed. Maybe I could, too. I felt a little shiver of nervousness as I considered the prospect of ending up like he had after sealing Nyx.

Though I'd accepted the potential of my own death, that didn't mean I would be happy to go to it. This held especially true if it meant I would suffer along the way. I sighed and sat down on my bedside. This was going to haunt my thoughts for a long while.

I worried over the future until the hour grew late. I watched the clock as midnight approached. Ten seconds to go. Tick, tick, tick, tick… the clock struck twelve. Nothing happened. Nothing had happened last night, either. It seemed the dark hour was inconsistent indeed, now.

I yawned and leaned back in my bed. I wouldn't complain about the chance to get some sleep without a struggle. I was just about to properly get ready for bed when a knock sounded at my door. I glumly anticipated Ryoji, or Fuuka, telling me something horrible had happened.

I blinked in surprise as I opened the door to see Minato staring back at me, a curious expression on his face. He looked different than he had in the past few days - more aware, more expressive as his eyes roved over me and briefly glanced back into the room behind me. Still, I could see a little of the tiredness still lingering in the lines of his face.

"Hello, Minato." I greeted him with a smile. "It's a pleasant surprise to see you. I didn't realize you were up and about again." I slowly opened the door wider to stand in front of him.

He returned my smile with a small one of his own. "I can't mope about in my room forever with all the work you guys are doing in my stead. You'll make me look bad."

I felt a little rush of warmth in my chest. He was talking like himself again. "Considering the things you were willing to do to protect us all, I doubt any of us could ever make you look bad." I teased back at him.

He let out a little breath that sounded like a laugh. "You're not going to convince me to go back to moping, if that's what you're aiming for."

That got a giggle out of me. "I wouldn't dream of it."

We were quiet for a moment, staring at each other, before he spoke again. He sounded just a little embarrassed. "Go out with me tomorrow?" He asked quietly.

I shivered, and not from the evening cold. I'd been keeping it down, but I really had been missing Minato since he'd been pulled away from me first by graduation, then Nyx. The thought of things finally going back to normal made me feel a little like crying, a little like flying. "Of course. I'd love to." I finally said, my voice a little shaky.

He caught my feelings for the thousandth time, and quietly pulled me into a hug. "I'm sorry for all of this mess…" he said quietly into my ear as I hugged him back.

I felt myself calming down in his arms. "You have nothing to apologize for…" I replied, nuzzling my head against his shoulder.

We parted reluctantly after a long while and decided to get some sleep. Minato went back to his room. I was a little disappointed, but I could understand, given what he was struggling with. I settled under the covers of my bed and thought about tomorrow.

I had good dreams for the first time in weeks.

I felt my nerves returning as the next day came. It had been a chore to decide what to wear from the things I'd bought with Yukari. I'd almost chosen the little blue dress, but… I felt like maybe that was the wrong choice, today.

I ended up dressing casual, and reflected with some embarrassment that it was quite comfortable as I waited in the hallway that morning. At least it suited my new hairstyle.

I sighed quietly to myself as I watched Minato's door. I wanted this to be a good day for us both. Minato needed the motivation. I needed him... I struggled to force my worries down while I waited.

The door at the end of the hall opened, and Minato stepped out and shut it behind him before approaching me with a relaxed posture. I noticed he'd forsaken his beloved music player for once. I felt a blush forming on my cheeks as he smiled at me. "You look good, Mitsuru." He complimented me.

My eyes flickered away from his down to his chest. "Thank you…" I replied quietly. I realized I was smiling despite my nerves. "You too."

We went out into the city together, idly chit-chatting as he guided me to his intended destination. Soon, I found myself in the familiar surroundings of Iwatodai station. I blinked as I realized where he was leading me. "Wild-Duck Burger…?" I asked with a mixture of disbelief and amusement.

He grinned back at me as we stepped through the doors. "You never did finish your burger."

We ended up in a booth just like last time. We'd even ordered the same things. This was the place where Minato and I had first started to click. I smiled at him across the table as he bit into his sandwich. "I can't tell if this is you holding a grudge, or just being sweet." I reflected.

He eyed me. The expression looked a little like it had back when we'd first come here, when he'd been closed off to me. I caught the playfulness behind it, however, as he replied. "Maybe I was just hungry."

"Hmmm…" I trailed off with feigned thoughtfulness as I took a bite of my burger. It tasted much like it had on my first visit - but somehow, I liked it this time. I still couldn't avoid wiping the grease away from my lips a moment later, though.

Another grin slowly spread across his face. "Enjoying it this time?" He asked.

I chastised myself for the embarrassment I felt at his question. After a moment, I had to laugh at the odd prudishness that still pervaded my thoughts from time to time. "It's better…" I admitted. "Still incredibly greasy, though." I added after a moment, pouting as I tried to rub some of it off my fingers.

He was staring at me with that smile of his, and I could tell his attention was fully on me, now. "Sorry… that'll probably never change, unfortunately." He looked thoughtful as he continued to watch me. "You, however, have changed quite a bit." He commented after a short silence.

I frowned at him. "I hope you don't mean that in a bad way." I said a little uncertainly. I knew I had changed plenty in the last few months, but I couldn't be sure how Minato felt about that.

He shook his head vigorously. "Not at all. It's been amazing to see. You seem a lot happier, and a lot stronger." He winked at me. "Now you really are more Mitsuru and less Kirijo."

I felt my smile return, along with my blush. "And it's all your fault." I replied.

He laughed at that. "Maybe I had a hand in bringing it out, but I'm sure that part of you was always there somewhere. All I really did was fall in love with it."

Another shiver ran through me. "I'm really glad you did." I said quietly to that. "I love you too…" I added after a moment. He met my eyes again. My heart fluttered. Today would be a good day…

We finished our meals a while later and departed the store together. We took an unfamiliar route out of the station, and I wondered to myself where we were headed next before the landmarks began to line up for me. I eyed Minato curiously as the answer came to me, and it was quiet between us as we made our way towards our destination.

Eventually we arrived on a grassy hill with a view of the moonlight bridge. Minato took a seat in the grass, and I sat down beside him. "What brings us here?" I asked him softly.

A little smirk curled up the side of his mouth. "Can't we just be here for the view?" He retorted.

I smiled sympathetically at him. "Maybe… but I think I know you too well to believe that."

He sighed and set his chin in his hands, supporting his elbows with his crossed legs. "I've been thinking about beginnings lately. How we got here." He nodded in the direction of the bridge. "This is where my story got started, ten years ago." His eyes turned toward me and his smile returned. "That burger place is where our story started."

I thought about that for a moment. "Does any of that bother you?" I asked.

He looked back and forth between the bridge and me several times before settling on me. "It did. I was tearing myself apart over my choices just a few days ago… lost in my thoughts, I suppose." He paused, and for another moment we simply stared at each other. "Now, though… I don't regret anything. When I'm around you, I'm content with myself."

I felt my face grow warm, but I didn't try to hide it or deny it as I smiled at him. "I'm glad to hear that." A few memories of the last few months flickered through my mind. "I was afraid of my choices too before you came along. Now I'm happy to be me."

He was smiling back at me now. "I'm glad for that, too." He leaned closer. Another heart flutter. "I love you, Mitsuru." He said simply.

He'd almost said it back in the restaurant before, but hearing it directly like this again made my world feel brighter. I leaned closer to him. I could feel his breath on my lips. "I love you too, Minato, and I always will." I replied, before pressing my lips to his.

He kissed me back. It was a relief I'd been longing for in the back of my mind for days. It took some effort on my part to eventually pull away. We stared at one another for one more quiet moment before he gave me a sheepish smile. "Do you want to just… stay here awhile? I don't want to go anywhere else right now."

I gently took one of his hands in mine and squeezed it with a contented grin. "We'll stay as long as you want."