Exams were over. Minato couldn't concentrate. He couldn't even remember a single question. His pen moved on his own. He hoped he could trust his hands... Junpei was, or at least tried, being cheerful. He's still better than these two girls. Yukari was annoying and Fuuka was pessimistic, as usual.

Junpei said he aced P.E. which wasn't that unexpected "Heh, I have another subject I aced as well!"

Yukari raised her eyebrows. "And that is?"

"Secret!" Junpei actually seemed happy. Is he that confident in that certain unknown subject? "Psh, a real man doesn't dwell on the past… I'm thinking ahead to Yakushima!"

"Oh yeah, that's coming up soon, isn't it? I guess I should start getting ready." Yukari sighed. "I guess I should be more enthusiastic, huh?"

Minato went to Tatsumi Memorial Hospital. He still felt guilty. That was new. He was staying longer this time, and he felt attached to the dorm already. It was unlike meeting the strangers along the way. Minato walked to his senior's room then the pajamas kid stopped him.

'Wait, Minato,' Pharos said. 'I sense something… Hermit-ish. Faint Hermit-ish...'

Minato narrowed his eyes. "You mean, my online social link?"

'Geez, I don't know!'

"Okay, okay…" He approached the door and knocked. "Senpai?" No reaction. He knocked again. "Akihiko-senpai?"

"Come in!" A woman voice from inside said.

Minato entered the room. Akihiko had just finished doing his exam. Toriumi was collecting the papers. Mitsuru had made a special request to the principle that Akihiko does his exam in the hospital due to his injuries.

"... Good afternoon, Toriumi-sensei," Minato said and stared at her.

After the greeting, Toriumi left, leaving Akihiko and the dumbstruck Minato in the room.

"Minato?" Akihiko called.

"H-huh, oh, Senpai…" Minato said. "Can we talk today?"

Akihiko nodded.

"I'm sorry for everything," Minato said. "For being useless in the fights… for being a hindrance. I even attacked you." He sighed. "When I was charmed, I said lots of things... That's what I thought. I never say it out loud, but that's what I really thought..." Minato looked down. "When I was in fear… My hands kept shaking. It made me remembered my past… I was unable to resist, and ended up being a burden."

"Me too."

"Huh...?"

"You were totally right," Akihiko said. "I've been thinking a lot about what you have said."

"I was charmed," Minato quickly said. "Still, it… It was mean."

"Still the truth," Akihiko said. "... I was a fool who was attached and dwelled on the past. I kept training foolishly without a solid goal." He went quiet for a while. "I train because I wanted to protect people, but turned out I can't even protect myself... But protecting people is just an excuse. I want to redeem for my wrongs. I failed to protect someone before. It was all because I haven't forgiven myself yet."

Minato kept quiet.

"I've decided now, I'm going to train and get stronger. It's not the same. I'm not training blindly." His eyes were filled with determination. "I want to protect my friends, my friends who are by my side, not someone in the past."

"You're not angry at me?" Minato asked.

"Why would I be?"

"But…"

"It's the truth. I'm okay." Akihiko smiled. "Someday, I would have to hear that. Thanks for being direct."

Minato would remember this conversation for a lifetime.

Mitsuru had texted Akihiko about everything the boxer missed. Minato filled in the areas. Akihiko could leave the hospital today. He even asked the field leader to let him fight. Minato agreed. The boxer was glad, but soon became really disappointed because his job was to collect money on lower floors.

Now that he mentioned it, Minato hadn't planned what to do with the white dog yet. He wouldn't be able to see Koromaru for a few days. The blue haired boy told the girl at the shrine to feed the dog in his absence.

The evening before the trip, Minato walked to the seniors relaxing on the sofa. "Mitsuru-senpai, Akihiko-senpai."

Mitsuru looked up from her book. "What is it, Arisato?"

"The former member of SEES," Minato said. "That man with peacoat..." The seniors glanced at each other. "Will you let him come with us to Yakushima?"

Mitsuru closed the book. "Unlikely."

"Just asked and you'll know." Akihiko stood up. "I'll go find him!" And he ran out of the dorm.

"One track mind, Akihiko." Mitsuru shook her head, then she turned to Minato and smiled. "Thank you for suggesting that."