A/N: You shouldn't be surprised by now if I said I improvised this chapter. Also written in a day.

Sighhh I can't stop feeling like this story is a big mess. After finishing this, I will definitely fix everything.

Yep, it was two years and not three. I keep thinking it was three! Fixed.

Chapter 48

Taking Care

"School again. I hate Monday," Junpei said and yawned. "Worst thing… Ever! Sleepy..." He yawned again.

Minato nodded.

"You stayed past visiting hours again, didn't you?" Yukari asked. "It's almost full moon, remember? You should relax."

"Being with Chidori is the most relaxing thing ever, I told you," Junpei said. "You won't believe it!"

Yukari rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah."

Yukari walked slower and let the guys entered the building. Fuuka and Aigis got up to her.

"We're really doing it today?" Fuuka asked. "I thought you agree with me, Yukari. Shouldn't we wait for like, after full moon?"

"That, is unacceptable," Aigis said. "It must be done today, for the best outcome."

"... Right." Yukari asked. "Shinjiro-senpai is leaving soon, doesn't he?"

Fuuka looked at her. "He told you too?"

Yukari nodded. "I wonder what emergency he has. He has stayed for such a short time..."

After school, Minato walked out and saw Shinjiro waiting at the gate.

"Why are you here?" Minto asked.

Shinjiro looked away. "Umm, well-"

Aigis dropped down from one of the trees. "It is Mitsuru's command that both of you go take care of the dogs around campus."

Minato looked at her.

"I am serious, Minato-san."

Shinjiro sighed.

"Or there will be consequences."

Shampoos, here. Brushes… there.

Minato put the items in the cart. Shinjiro walked to him with dog food and cat food in his arms. He dropped them in the cart.

They finished buying the items and arrived at the station.

"Now, let's do our jobs," Shinjiro said.

"I'm forced," Minato said. "A friendly reminder that I don't know what I'm supposed to do."

"Don't worry, I understand," Shinjiro said. "We will start from the station and walk around. Our targets are all near the shrine."

Minato got the job of brushing and showering them while Shinjiro gathered new ones.

"I... never thought I have to do this…" Minato wiped the bubbles from getting into his eyes, only for the dog to shake his body again. Cold water splashed over him. Some fur got in his mouth. "Bleh."

"Head there, lil' mutt. Go go." Shinjiro sent more dogs toward him.

After that got out the way. it was the feeding rounds. Shinjiro unpacked the food and Minato poured them into bowls.

"Is this fine though?" Minato asked as he stood up.

"Huh?"

"Is this not encouraging stray dogs and cats to increase?"

"Oh, don't worry." Shinjiro said. "Most of them have owners. The problem is that they are old or don't have enough time, or that they're dead."

"That's bad," Minato said. "Who will continue after you?"

"Kinda hope it to be you."

Minato blinked. "Me?"

Shinjiro shrugged. "Well, the community is getting better. Kirijo Group gives full support for me for making this area a better place."

"Mitsuru helps you."

"Yeah. Last year was vaccinating, by the way."

"I'm surprised she still let you do this."

"She's surprised I still want to do this." Shinjiro carried the packages and kept walking to the next stop. "It's one thing I do to pass the time. This might be my last time."

Minato nodded and looked down. He knew Shinjiro didn't have much time left, but he's still like this, always putting other people before himself. Even now, feeding strayed animals.

"And if it's not you, it might be Ken. He seems to like Koromaru and his goldfish. Still, I'm surprised you joined me," Shinjiro said.

"I said I'm forced," Minato said, and regretted it.

"I know. I don't worth your time." Shinjiro shrugged. "Still, it's a good change."

They finished the work an hour later. The sun was setting.

They were walking back to the dorm then Minato stopped. "There's one thing that haven't change. About Ken."

"Hey." Shinjiro stopped too. "Can't you get along with him? He's just a kid."

Minato scowled. Of course Shinjiro cared about Ken. Shinjiro should take care of himself and have fun, not worrying himself over a kid, a kid that might not even worth it.

"You really hate him huh."

"Maybe. Not really," Minato said. "He makes me feel bothered. He's so…" Minato narrowed his eyes. "... Perfect."

"Mind following me?" Shinjiro asked.

"Here we are again." Shinjiro led him to the back alley. He stared at the area for a long time. "That reminds me, I met you here, too. Back then, I never imagined I would have to be in this mess."

"I'm glad you're in this mess together," Minato said, and dust dog fur from his clothes. "Literally."

They sat on the stairs in the back alley. It was getting dark.

"Can't believe it's almost two years already…" Shinjiro whispered.

"Huh?" Minato knew Shinjiro stopped coming to school since then.

"I haven't told you yet, but, I'll leave soon." Shinjiro shoved his hands in his coat pockets. His hands seemed to search for something. "Probably right after the full moon. You won't see from me again."

Minato frowned. You want to leave, huh. "You're just like this." He continued. "You try to… disappear, for some reason. Even when it's near, shouldn't you want to spend more time with us? Why do the opposite?"

"I doubt you'd get it."

"Once, maybe," Minato said. "Now, I don't get it anymore. You should know that SEES is something else. We aren't going to forget you just like that. You should know."

"... So, you know, huh?"

Minato nodded.

"I wish you don't, but… can't help," Shinjiro said. "I'm still not staying no matter how much you try to convince me."

"Remember that I don't want you to leave."

Shinjiro blinked, and chuckled. "You guys really are something." He turned to Minato. "You know what you all said? 'I don't want you to leave, Shinjiro.' You all said the same! You sure you guys didn't tell each other this, right?"

Minato shook his head. From the look of it, Shinjiro didn't tell them about the weak body part, only the leaving part. "And it seems I'm the last to know."

"You're wrong," Shinjiro said.

Of course, Minato thought. You would keep that kid out of the loop. It's all Ken, Ken, Ken.

"You and Akihiko keep telling me to take care of him." Minato said. "I try to understand him, but it feels forced at some point. Like how I don't want to give him special treatment, he, too, doesn't want it."

"Sorry 'bout that, but, just…" Shinjiro trailed off. "Do it for me, won't you?"

Minato nodded. At least, he wanted to do Shinjiro a favor. He owed that man that much.

"I guess, I'll try to talk to him, one last time," Minato said. "If he doesn't annoy me, and if I don't annoy him, then maybe we can get along."