EMPEROR: RANK VI

Staring into the clear water, you become lost in your thoughts and reminisce about Yakushima. Though the trip was only a week ago, it strangely feels as though it took place months ago. A lot happened during those couple days. You've gained another team member, a humanoid robot by the name of Aigis. She seems oddly attached to you, but it doesn't bother you. Akihiko, on the other hand, seemed a little defensive the moment she declared her destiny was to be with you. The girls were a bit appalled too. At any rate, you're glad to have her on board.

There was also revelation about Yukari's father and his role in working with the Kirijos. Yukari's reaction was as one would've guessed, and Mitsuru had sent you after her to calm her down. You took Fuuka along for good measure, and the two of you were able to comfort Yukari.

Best of all, you felt that Fuuka and Yukari put down their walls around you during the vacation. Conversations flowed easier, and they both opened up to you a little bit. You are confident you can now begin social links with both of them.

But, as it turned out, social links would have to wait.

You somehow blissfully forgot about the swim practices culminating in a summer meet against a rival school that would start the day after you got back to the dorm. So when Kazushi, your fellow teammate, texted you during the wee hours of the morning the day after your Yakushima fun, you weren't exactly happy.

Still, you went to practice, which lasted for four days.

And today is the day of the meet.

"Minato!"

You shake your head, breaking free of your thoughts. Turning your head, you see Yukari, accompanied by Aigis and Akihiko. Aigis has the metal parts of her body covered by sleeves and tights, which has some people staring, not that you blame them. It's really hot today.

"Hey! Junpei, Fuuka, and Mitsuru-senpai couldn't come, but they wish you luck! We brought Aigis too because she really wanted to see you race," Yukari says loudly, waving. "We're counting on you!"

You wave back and tell her you'll do your best.

"Minato-san will win. I will assure he does," you hear Aigis say.

Akihiko gives her questioning look. "And how would you do that?"

Your friends begin to find seats on the bleachers, and Aigis' reply is lost in the chatter filling the room. Well, maybe you're better off not knowing.

Kazushi and Yuko, the team manager, come over. "Got some fans, I see," Yuko says, smiling. "Who's that girl, though?" She gestures to Aigis. "I don't recognize her…"

You answer that she's a friend and leave it at that. It's not like you could elaborate too much anyway.

"Sure," Yuko replies, though she doesn't sound entirely convinced. "Anyway, we'll be starting soon. Get your last minute jitters out!" She walks away, checking in on a couple of team members.

Kazushi begins to stretch and you start to do the same. Now and then, you glance over at your teammate, who is rubbing his knee. You know he's having problems, but nothing you said could convince him to sit out the meet. You admire his determination, but you also wonder if it's misplaced.

Cheers sound throughout the room, signaling the beginning of the meet. Up first is the butterfly stroke, which is what you chose to participate in. You take your place among the other competitors and stretch one last time for good measure.

"Go, Minato!" you hear Yukari yell.

"Minato-san will defeat all of you and emerge victorious," Aigis says loudly and monotonously. A few of your competitors' faces pale, and you can't help but smile a little.

Finally, you make eye contact with Akihiko. He simply nods and smiles. You nod back and turn your attention to the water. Your heartbeat slows as you wait for the starting pistol to fire.

"Begin!"

With the shot, you jump into the water. Practice the days before hand definitely helped; before you know it, you've reached the other wall. Your turn is a little off, but regardless, you make up for it with a burst of energy and return to the starting side. You resurface, gasping for breath. On the board, you see your name highlighted with the number one to the right.

You're pretty proud, and your friends are too. Celebratory exclamations of "Good job, Minato!" reach your ears as you shake water out of them. Your teammates come over and congratulate you.

The rest of the meet results in some major wins for Gekkoukan, with your teammates taking first in both freestyle and the breaststroke.

Finally, the medley takes place. Kazushi goes last, performing freestyle. He jumps into the water when his teammate returns. Your team has made good time; the other teams haven't even started the last stroke.

Things are looking bright until Kazushi attempts to turn at the other wall. You immediately notice something is wrong; Kazushi remains in the same spot for a couple of seconds, giving the other teams a chance to overtake him. You see his body sink to the bottom of the pool.

Before anyone else can say or do anything, you leap into the pool, heading for Kazushi. Muted screams and yells make their way into the pool as you grab Kazushi by the arm and use all your strength to bring him up. When you break the water's surface, someone immediately helps you up. Yuko is frightened, saying something along the lines of "what the hell was that?!" as her shaking hands support you and Kazushi. A small group forms around you, and Kazushi coughs, trying to get water out of his lungs.

"Kaz, what the hell happened?" Yuko asks, her voice trembling.

"My… my leg just froze..." Kazushi answers weakly. "I couldn't move it… and… and I panicked…"

You start to say something, but the teacher responsible for your team gently pushes you aside and quietly says, "Kazushi, is there something you haven't told us?" The pained and scared look on Kazushi's face sends a wave of sadness through your body.

A couple of minutes later, Kazushi is escorted outside with Yuko and some other people. Your team members' conversations are worried and quiet as they make their way to the showers. Before you join them, you look back to Yukari, Akihiko, and Aigis, who are still seated on the bleachers. Yukari is hurriedly whispering to Aigis, who has a strange expression on her face, like she's confused.

Akihiko looks back at you, and there's something like respect shining in his eyes. Underneath that, though, you sense the same fear you saw when that cabinet almost fell on you. You give him the typical nod before disappearing into the shower area.

Twenty minutes later, you've completely dried off and changed clothes. Your team members finished earlier, but when they asked if you wanted them to stay, you told them they could go ahead. When you go back outside, you're surprised to see Akihiko.

"Hey. You didn't have to wait," you say as you walk up to him.

"Consider it repayment for waiting for me during boxing practice," he answers, giving you a half-grin. "Takeba and Aigis had to leave earlier. Some Kirijo researchers are giving Aigis an exam today." He pauses. "Good job out there, with your swimming and rescuing Miyamoto."

"Yeah…" You wonder about Kazushi, hoping for his the best.

"Do you want to go visit him?" your senpai asks. "I heard they're taking him to the hospital I was in at the beginning of the year."

You tell him you would. "Would you want to come along?"

Akihiko smiles. "Yeah, sure. Let's go."

The two of you make your way to the train station, talking about the meet prior to Kazushi's incident. He seems genuinely impressed with your swimming ability and challenges you to a race if you all ever go swimming again. You accept, laughing softly along with him.

At the closest monorail station, an electronic billboard declares a 15-minute wait for the next available vehicle. "Damn, we must have just missed it," Akihiko sighs as he sits on one of the benches. You take a seat next to him, not really minding. At least you're shielded from the sun for now.

The conversation turns to you and your teammates. "Miyamoto is lucky you were there," Akihiko comments. "I mean, you just jumped in. You didn't hesitate at all."

You nod. "To be honest, he had mentioned his knee earlier. So, when I saw him not moving, I knew something was wrong…"

Akihiko nods, then thinks for a second. "You know, I really respect that. Having such a strong concern for your teammates and an immediate instinct to protect… though, I guess that's why you're our leader." He is completely serious. What he's saying isn't out of flattery, but cold, hard fact.

You smile and say, given the chance, you'd protect everyone you could. Aigis, Yukari, Mitsuru, Fuuka, Junpei... "You, too, Akihiko-senpai. Whatever it takes, I'll protect all of you."

The surprise in Akihiko's face quickly turns to embarrassed happiness. "R-right. Same here. I'll… I'll do my best." His face darkens for a second, but it disappears quickly.

The speakers crackle to life before more can be said. "THE MONORAIL IS APPROACHING. FOR YOUR SAFETY, PLEASE STEP AWAY FROM THE TRACKS. DO NOT BOARD UNTIL THE MONORAIL HAS COME TO A COMPLETE STOP."

The monorail pulls into the station, bringing with it a strong gust of wind. As the gust hits your face, you feel Akihiko's link strengthen.

"That's us. Let's go, Minato-" Your name slips out of Akihiko's mouth easily enough, and it takes him a second to register what he just said. "Oh, sorry, Arisato."

You tell him it's okay, that you don't mind him calling you Minato.

"Well, okay. Then… Minato." Akihiko carefully tests out your name, and it makes you smile.

The ride to the hospital is pleasant, and Kazushi, although a little tired and even annoyed at having his secret found out, is thankful you came to visit. Later in the evening, you and Akihiko grab a bite at Hagakure, where he pays for your meal to celebrate your win at the meet. Feeling content and satisfied, the two of you go back to the dorm.