A/N: Hello everyone! Please try to review this chapter, and IF you can, I'd appreciate it very much. Hardly a reason not to review.
(2/10/11)
Monday...
Today went by without a hitch. Since investigations were still on-going, and the teachers and most students still suffered from nervous disorders on the wake of the shootout, classes were optional as of today, so the gang went to our place to hang by. Yukari even brought her bright eyed little sister, who seemed livelier now.
Hikari got along with everyone to an extent.
"Hey, kiddo, what do you like to eat?" Kenji asked her while they played cards with Lee and Quan.
"Ummmm... Food?" She said uncertainly.
"Food? Well, you're in luck, I like food too! Well, just ramen, but that counts!" Kenji said as Hikari laughed out loud.
"Your sis is quite the ball of fun, isn't she?" I noted.
"Yup." Yukari said, "She's the best. Though, she eats like you! I have to work extra hours at the Mandragora to feed her! I don't mind though..."
"Why not?"
"Because... she's all I have." Yukari said quietly.
"Yukari... you also have us." I said, holding her hand, "You two are not alone in this world. We still have each other."
"Thanks." Yukari managed. Then, Minako entered the room with a plate full of sushi.
"Who's winning?" Minako asked.
"Me!" Lee laughed, "I'm winning all these Jolly Ranchers-"
"I win!" Hikari laughed as she swept the candies with her arms.
"Why do you win?" Quan asked, "My cards trump yours."
"Because I win!"
"This is bullshit!" Lee cried, "A farce!"
"Hey, chill out!" Yukari said while laughing.
"I won those candies fair and square! There should be centralized rules, no matter what age!" Lee cried, throwing down the cards.
"I think the question here is: who's more childish?" Fuuka said.
They suddenly began to argue lightly, Lee denying that he was childish.
I decided to hang outside for some air. As usual, Minako joined me outside.
"So... This is it, huh?" Minako said suddenly as we looked at the cloudy skies, "After this, we may never see each other again..."
"Don't say that." I said, "I won't allow that. We'll keep in touch."
"Hmmm... You know what I'll miss? Our crazy, spontaneous, impulsive adventures. Like that time we streaked." Minako said.
"Or that time we went to Tokyo..." I muttered.
"Or the time we went to a wedding?" She said.
"Or went manhunting?" I said.
"Or when we destroyed Cato's, rest his soul, car?" Minako said, then suddenly her eyes lit up as a devilish grin appeared in her face, "Hey..."
"Minako..." I warned, "We shouldn't do anything rash."
"Oh, you're such a prune, Minato!" Minako chided, "What's life without a bit of risk?!"
"What's the plan?" I asked.
"Well, we take a cruise, do something fun and eat- your treat of course." Minako added.
"Fine... Fine..." I said with a sigh, "I'll drive."
"Yay!" She squealed as she tossed her keys at me, "I just love being spoiled!"
"Bleh!" I put my tongue out as I opened the door to the Mutsuhito and started the engine, "Where to?"
"Meh. Anywhere is fine. Praps the shoreline?" Minako said.
"Shoreline it is." I said, "Anything else, Pretty Miss?" I asked.
"Nothing more to note, dear Chauffeur. Onward, Smithers! And tee-dee-lee-doo!" Minako said with a faux Trans-Atlantic accent.
"Okay, now you're overdoing it." I said impatiently, "I ain't no one's bellboy-"
"Except me." Minako said imperiously, "Problem?"
"No Ma'am," I said, knowing better than to argue with Minako, "I'm your personal servant for the day, so abuse me like a book."
"Good boy." She said, feeling my hair, "Such soft hair!"
"Hey, not the hair!" I said, slapping her hands away, "Anyway, do you know what to do today other than acting like a completely mentally hindered chick?"
"Well, I was thinking of goin' to Okina City and check out the book store and maybe check out the museums and-"
"Minako, not to be mean, but that doesn't exactly sound so... 'spontaneously crazy'..." I said, "I was kinda expecting your usual brand of craziness..."
"Let me guess... You were expecting me to suggest that we rob a bank, hold everyone at gunpoint and eventually get killed in a police ambush?" Minako suggested as she sipped on the juice she brought.
"The whole 'Bonnie and Clyde' package, yeah." I said, "The entire shebang."
"Well, be disappointed. I'm NOT doing any of that." Minako said huffily, "But if I do, I'd wear Junpei's ID. That'd really be interesting!" Minako said, "He'd get arrested!"
"You are just kuh-ray-zee..." I mumbled as I drove towards Okina City.
"Hey, if I knew we'd go on a spontaneous trip, I would've planned it beforehand!" Minako said.
"But that defeats the whole point of being spontaneous!" I said, "It needs to be unplanned and unsupervised."
"Well, I suppose I really can't argue with that logic... But how am I suppose to know what the heck to do?" She said with a sigh.
"Hey... Did we plan the Tokyo Trip? The streaking? The wedding?" I said as I put an arm around Minako's shoulder, "When the right time strikes, Hamuko, we'll know exactly what to do! So just relax! Enjoy this moment!"
She nodded, "Yeah... Sorry." She apologized, "Anyway... I always did like driving by the beach... Makes me feel like I'm in one of those music videos..."
"Yes, well, I suppose it is pretty..." I mused, looking at the noon sun.
"Man, oh, man! I just cannot wait to get into Okina! I hear they have the finest stores there! Just think of all the books waiting to be bought be me!" Minako squealed with anticipation.
"Well, if we ever get the money, I'd like to take you to this place, the Mall of Asia in the Philippines... That place is SO large, you literally take two and a half days to finish looking at every store!" I said excitedly.
"For real?!" She cried.
"For real!" I confirmed, "They don't call it the largest mall in Asia for nothing! They have one of the best bookstores there. If not, there are loads of malls full of bookstores. The possibilities are endless. But the traffic will drive you insane," I said, "But I love that place though..."
"So, you've been there, huh?" Minako said, sounding somewhat sad.
"Yep. Once with Yukari last year. We had such a crazy time too! Oktober Feast was unforgettable. Yukari was so into the music, she started dancing and some of the bandmembers liked her so much, we got special backstage tickets and everything! Man, that was fun."
"Uh huh." Minako said as I drove through the road in silence.
"Eh... Hamuko? Is everything okay?" I asked uncertainly.
"Oh, yeah, everything is fine. Why'd you ask?" She said.
"Well, you kinda seem sad or something..." I said.
"Not really... You and Yukari... Have such a history together..." She sighed.
I took some time before answering, "Well... We WERE dormmates, after all, so it's natural we became close..." I said and after seeing her nod, I said, "Minako, I don't exactly know what you heard about me and Yukari, but it was extremely complicated and the breakup was just... downright messy."
"What was she like as a girlfriend?" She asked.
"Oh man... She was nice and sweet, loved to have a good time, was a good person... still is, and was an alright girlfriend... Most of the time... But usually, she was cranky, grumpy and she was driven by her passions and controlled by her moods... Being with her is like playing Russian Roulette."
"Is that so?"
"I know that you might have heard the reason why we broke up... And its true... All true."
"Well, I did hear you and Yukari were an A-Team, both as a power-couple and athletes... But I don't think I heard the full story yet. Mind telling me?" She asked.
"Sigh... Alright..." I took a deep breath, "Yukari and I had a a few months of complete and utter happiness, until January's end... After that, Yukari sorta became cold and distant... The first one, she didn't want me to look at her, since it'd give others the wrong impression. Then, she would get really mad if I put my arms around her, in public. After which, if I told her that I loved her, she wouldn't reciprocate unless we were alone. Then, she'd cancel our dates if someone sees us together. I was really hurt, but I strove on, since I really loved her, and I knew she loved me too. She was just coping with her trust issues, but I could only take so much..." I said, "We eventually broke up, and I moved out of our apartment. Junpei and Akihiko took me in when they were about to move in."
Minako nods, "That... really sounds sad." She wipes a tear off her face,
"Hey, are you crying?" I said, "Why are you crying?" I said, laughing.
"I get emotional with these kinds of stories, idiot!" Minako sniffs.
I held her hand, "Minako, that's ancient history now."
She merely stared out the window, watching the coastline zip by, until an idea popped in her head.
"I have an idea!" She cried, "Let's go out for a dip!"
"What?" I said in confusion, "Right now? I didn't bring any extra clothes."
"So did I. Let's have fun!" Minako cried.
"Where do I even park? This place is definitely a no parking zone..." I said uncertainly.
"Come on, dude, we'll only be a few minutes!"
"O...kay..." I said, pulling up by the kerb.
"No one would notice. Only an idiot would notice!" Minako said as she excitedly disembarked.
"I guess..." I sighed and went out.
We hopped into the hot sands and frolicked.
"Hey yo! I betcha can't beat me to the shore!" I cried.
"You dare challenge Minako?!" Minako cried in a grand voice.
"This beach isn't big enough for two heroes!" I said in a exaggeratedly defiant voice.
"You're a hero, all right..." Minako said, "Just not a SUPER one!"
"Dude, what's the difference?"
"Nothing!" She zips away as I tried to follow, but she just outstripped me in usual Minako fashion.
She reaches the water first as I tackled her playfully, causing us both to get soaked.
"You're no match for me!" Minako cried as she splashed water into my face.
"Argh! That stings! Take this!" I squirted a jet of water with my mouth.
"Disgusting!" Minako cried in disgust.
"World Famous Arisato Hydro Pump." I said with pride.
"Touché." Minako said as she wades towards me and puts her arm around me as we gazed into the horizon, "We're having fun, right? Loads of fun, right?"
"Most definitely!" I cried, "Every moment with you is fun!"
"Yes!" She cried too loudly.
"Minako..." I said, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing!" Minako says quickly, "Uh, take this!" She grabs a handful of sand and shoves it down my shorts.
"Ack! You jerk!" I cried as I froze, "Fuck! The Mutsuhito!"
"What about it?" Minako laughed, still clutching clumps of wet sand.
"It's getting towed!" I pointed as a someone rigged the Mutsuhito to the back of a tow truck and drove away.
"Hurry!" She cried as we rushed towards the car, but by the time we arrived, it drove to a point where following it became impossible,
"Aw man! This is horseshit!" I spat at the tow truck.
"Damn... I'm so sorry... What do we do now?" She asked.
"What can we do? I haven't any money right now... It's back home. I only brought a coin purse, that I left at the car... And all I have-" i checked my pockets, "Well I'll be damned. I have five bucks I left from the beach trip-"
"The what?" Minako said.
"Never mind. At any rate, it's hardly enough to get out of the impound..." I said sourly, "Let's head to Okina City. Looks like we'll have to walk, wet clothes and all."
We began walking down the road in silence. Minako felt really guilty, even though it was HER car. We eventually reached Okina City and were walking down the streets.
Suddenly, Minako bursts into tears.
"Hey? Minako? What's wrong?" I asked, putting my arms around her, "Don't worry about it, Minako..."
"It's all my fault!" Minako sobbed.
"No, don't worry about it." I reassured her, "Junpei once crashed a train, and I didn't get too mad about it."
"I... I thought I'd make memories, but instead-"
"We had the greatest adventure yet." I said, "Minako, boring or not, you're my best friend and I'll stand by you, no matter what happens." I said.
Minako then opens her eyes and smiled, "Minato..." Suddenly, she gasped, "The Emperor!"
"What? Where?!" I cried, "Where is His Excellency?"
"You fool! I meant the car!" Minako cried exasperatedly as she pointed down the street, about four blocks away.
"Oh, right!" I cried, "But what do we do?!"
She smiled, "Something only an Mina would do." She grinned broadly and immediately took off for the truck.
"Oh! Wait up!" I cried as I ran after her, but I had a chance to admire her athleticism, her agility as she weaved through traffic, people and stalls. She vaulted through planters, slid through car hoods and climbed through fences and comes to a stop about four feet away from the tow truck as it screeched to a stop.
She smiled and swaggered to the side of the car and starts banging on the window. I stopped by the side to catch my breath.
The driver went down, "What the hell is wrong with you, kid?!" He hissed, "Ya got a death wish?!"
"Sorry about that, but that car you're towing happens to be my car and I want it back." Minako said boldly.
"Sorry, but it doesn't work that way. I can't just give people their cars back willy nily. I gotta impound this right away." The driver said resolutely.
"Please?" I begged, "We won't do it again."
"No." He then begins to climb back.
Minako thought for a while and snaps a finger. Then she starts to bawl like Risette. Even the driver looks back.
"It's so hard! You know?! I just lost my aunt and I gotta get home for her funeral and I don't have any money to get home!" Minako sobbed.
"Hey, calm down, kid..."
"No! You don't understand! I need to get back! And why won't you let me...?" She sobbed louder.
"Have a heart, grandad!" I cried, "Have mercy to the bereaved!"
"I... I'll get fired for this, but-" he sighed and unhooked the car, "Get out of here, the both of you!"
"Thanks!" Minako said, suddenly breaking character, getting in with me and driving away.
"Minako, you are a drama Queen." I said, laughing.
"Excuse me, but I happen to be a prodigy of an actress. They're still talking about my skills at Hamlet, Act 4, Scene 7." She said, "France Troubadours, class of 2008."
I thought for a while, "You do realize Ophelia is dead in those parts?"
"Meh, I decided to wing it after I accidentally tore my dress shank." She shrugs.
"I should have known..." I laughed.
Minako stretched and yawned, "Hey, Minato..."
I took another sip of Cielo Mist from the car cooler, "Yeah?"
She looked towards the horizon, "Let's get out of here."
"Get the fuck out of here!" I said playfully, "What are you talking about?"
"I'm serious." Minako mumbled seriously.
"What...?" I said in confusion as I stared at Minako, whose eyes were set on the horizon.
"Let's get out of here. Pack our clothes, take some money and get out of here in the middle of the night, with the Mutsuhito..." She said with a tranced voice, "You know, escape all this bullshit life is throwing at us. See how they like it."
"Are you actually serious...?" I said in disbelief, "What about school? Our friends? Where will we live?"
"We'll keep in touch with the,." Minako said, "And we can go to school somewhere else. Wait til we're 18 and just get a High School Equivalency Exam, work for a while and go to college together. We can stay in a shelter or something. As long as we're together."
"Minako..." I said, "That sounds nice and all, but think of it... If you DO leave, will it really be the end? Will we never truly see each other again? You have to think things through."
"Right," Minako took another swig of Cielo Mist, "Right Minato. Always right." She said as she poked my ribs, "That's my best friend, Mr. Right!"
"Shut up!" I said teasingly as I pushed her head away playfully.
We parked, strolled for a while, bought a few books and went home. I hoped we had more time, but it was dawning on me that Minako is leaving tomorrow.
A/N: Well, this is it. This might be the penultimate ending. Thanks for the support so far! I do hope you will all review! Especially those who haven't reviewed yet. Please try to, even if you don't have much to say! Better than randomly skimming it like a stranger, huh? Anyways, thanks!
Q/A:
Hoshi: Yup. Fishing is a big thing in Inaba, especially AT NIGHT... Hehehe...
Also, Lee's dynamite may be a result of him having nerdy friends, who made it for him using lab stuff. That or he bought it. I leave it to you to decide which.
Thanks! I want Thalia to be old fashioned, yet attractive.
Gin: Sea Guardian of P4: Golden