(2/18/11)
Monday...
Today, I decided to talk to Minako, but strangely, her door wouldn't budge. I considered trying to call her, but when I did, she didn't pick up.
After breakfast, I declined going with Junpei and went to check on Minako. I caught her just as she left her house.
"Hey, Minako!" I cried, "Over here!"
She looked at me and seemed sullen, "Hey." She said feebly as I caught up with her.
"Sorry about yesterday..." I mumbled, "But where were you? I've been looking for you yesterday."
"Really." She said apathetically, "Its fine. I was sick."
"But Kamina told me you went out a minute before I called..."
"That... I got ill. Don't ask." She said rather gruffly.
"Yukari and I were real worried 'bout you."
"Ah, so you were with Yukari, huh?" She smiled in disbelief, "Wow. That's just... Wow."
I raised an eyebrow, "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah." She muttered.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
"Whatever you say..."
"Argh! Fine. Ignore me like you always do... Jerk." She muttered beneath her breath.
"Is everything okay...?" I asked again tiredly.
"S'fine."
I sighed as we wordlessly went to school together, and for the entire day, she just ignored me, or avoided me. After classes, I decided to have a word to her as I caught up when she went out of the school.
"Minako, wait... About yesterday... It was taken out of context. I did not blow you off for Yukari. Never. I just happened to see her and-"
"And you just happened to forget that yesterday we had a date?" She said mirthlessly, "Charming."
"Oh don't be like that, please..." I pleaded, "Even if you ask Yukari, nothing happened, we-"
She stopped and looked accusingly at me, "Yeah, I heard enough about it already. I know you were with her yesterday. You're great pals, aren't ya?!" She demanded, "Well, if you two are so close, why don't you follow HER home!?" She cried as she ran off. Knowing how fast she could be, I didn't pursue her.
"Minako!" I shouted as I made my way home.
When I arrived, I immediately took my Evoker and went to Minako's, "We need to talk. Let's go for a drive."
Minako, who was researching something and editing wiki pages, merely shrugged and threw the key at me.
We went in the car and she insisted on driving.
"You know, Minako, yesterday... I regret it. I regret not seeing you." I admitted, "I mean, we're best friends. We shouldn't fight like this."
"Hmhm... I guess." She said boredly, "Minato... I accept." She said.
I was very happy with what she had said. I smiled as we cruised by town. After a some time of cruising wordlessly, and happening on an abandoned part of town, similar to where I was held hostage by the then-asshole Cato, Minako began speaking, "Minato... Let's say you had a girlfriend..."
"Where are you going with this...?"
"Bear with me. If you had a girlfriend, what would you do if she got impregnated by someone else?" She asked.
"I dunno. I'd probably be angry about it, but I'd support her all the way." I said.
"Well, what about the responsibilities?" She demanded.
"Oh... Well, I knew what I was getting into when we became a couple. I'd take some of the responsibility."
"Tch. That's what you all say." She spat bitterly, "But in all actuallity, you'd leave us like a used napkin! That's how you men see us!"
"Whoa, whoa... Time out, where is this coming from!?" I cried.
"Nothing. Nothing." She said, wiping her tears. I was confused to the max as I had no idea whatsoever about what was happening to her.
"You know, I'd support you if you were-"
"That's it. Get out." She commanded.
"What?"
"I said get out!" She cried.
"Minako, we're in the middle of-"
"Out! Get out!"
I promptly went out of the car as she sped away. I became instantly infuriated with her as I made my way towards town, using my Google Map App. It took me a while, being two klicks away from town, but I made my way to Le Pinque, where the Emperor was parked.
"Hey, Minako." I said loudly.
"Tch. What'd you want?" She said angrily.
"What do I want?!" I growled, "What I want is a glass of freaking water. I walked two kilometers after a crazy-ass chick kicked me out of her car in the middle of nowhere! I had to get out of there before either Leatherface attacks me with a chainsaw or Wrong Turn's cannibals mix me up in a pot and grind my bones for their bread!"
"Calm down." She said tiredly.
"Calm down?! Who are you telling to calm down?" I demanded, "Making someone angry and asking why they're mad is like shooting someone and wondering why they're bleeding!"
"Did you stop to think how I'd feel?"
"What?"
"I saw you and Yukari cozying up back at the Esplanade! You totally ditched me for her!" Minako cried.
"I did not!" I spat, "I was looking for you!"
"Really?"
"Yeah, really! You sneaking little spy!"
"Spy?!"
"Yeah, spy!" I said angrily, "What's more, I'm not apologizing. Why? I didn't do anything wrong! I didn't commit genocide or killed a child. I was with my FRIEND looking for you!"
"You just have it all figured out, don't you?"
"You're insane!" I cried
"What did you call me?!" Minako hissed.
"You're crazy! I'm calling you an insano!" I cried, "What the hell's the matter with you, Minako?! You keep snapping at me. Like you want to bite my head off or something!" I said crossly.
She bowed her head, "I... I'm late." Minako said quietly.
"Okay, fine, go then!" I said in annoyance, waving her off.
She shook her head, "No, Minato..." She said soberly, "I'm... I'm late late."
I suddenly became serious, "H-How long?" I said both nervously and seriously.
"Um... About three weeks and a half or so..."
I tried to be enthusiastic, "W-well, th-that isn't so late, right?"
She shook her head, "No, Minato... It is for me."
"Oh shit..." I cursed beneath my breath, "W-Well, it's not like we're the first two people to ever, uh, make this mistake before... Right? Right?!" I said with a panicked voice.
"Breathe, Minato, breathe." Minako suggested serenely.
"I... I... I don't understand..." I said stubbornly, "Why didn't you say anything?"
"Why?" Minako asked crossly, "So we could both freak out? I don't think so."
I was about to protest, but when I think about it, I would really freak out. In fact, I'm already freaking out. I decided to support Minako though.
I held her hand, "Minako... If it is true... I can help you. No matter what."
She withdrew her hand, "Don't go there, man. Tch, see, great men like you, with bright futures... don't need deadweight like me around."
"I'll support you." I said adamantly, "You're my responsibility now."
She nodded, "Thanks, Minato. Thanks for being a man."
I decided to clear my head for a while as I went out. I took a walk and began to break down and cry. I essentially ruined her life, her bright future was dashed so she could become a girl-mother of 17...
Then, I noticed I was close to the Exiles Stronghold, so I jogged out of sight and teleported, actually coming inside the base, with the guards welcoming me.
I greeted everyone as I saw Thalia. She seemed busy with stratagems and building traps with Sorensen, Theseus and Gyatso, and they fussed and fretted over me. I didn't want to trouble her, so I decided to just take a look around.
The place, which used to be an abandoned farm on a hill, is actually beginning to look nice. It was built Roman-style, as the hell was carved steeper by the stone-cutters and made it treacherous to enter, unless you go through the front pass, which was guarded heavily. The walls were in a star-formation, so there were no blind spots. Also, there was a little city of wooden and stone design, the 4 hectare land accommodating it generously.
I checked out the shops and found out I was a trading card character. Apparently, I was a trump card of little children, having 777 attack power.
Scouting the city, I realized that on this hill, sat the survivors of the Grey Exile Nation. I was a bit amused though, since there were several babies, newborns, in the arms of the women. It surprised me on how much they recovered and reproduced in such a quick way, before I realized they weren't entirely human to begin with. But I realized... unlike them, they had a long, fruitful life ahead, while my child would be subject to a short life of service to people and to eventually die for them. And seeing the newborns made me think of Minako as I entered the Drunken Exile's Bar and took a seat by the bar. Seeking to somehow kill myself by alcohol poisoning, I ordered a few glasses of Piña Coladas.
Setting my Evoker down beside me, I downed the glass, allowing the sweet taste to drown out my worries and regrets. I took the other glass and drank the contents with gusto.
"Another glass?" The barkeep asked as she fixed her metallic blonde hair.
"Yeah, no problem." I said with slurred speech, "Another one, please."
She made another Piña Colada and set it in front of me before taking my glass and cleaning it, "Not a heavy drinker, are we?"
"Nope. Not really." I said before drinking and wincing from the alcohol.
"Are you trying to forget something?" She asks.
I pursed my lips, "Nah. I'm drinking to remember." I said as I took out a picture of me and Minato.
"That girl must be your girlfriend..." She surmised as she eyed my Evoker, "You aren't planning on doing something... stupid with that gun... are you?"
"I need to defend myself, yeah." I muttered sullenly as I downed the glass.
"From killers?"
I sighed, "From life's hardships. See, Shadows are bastards, real tough sons of bitches, but life is more of an asshole himself. I need to... to use my Persona to deal with... with life's hardships..." I slurred and realized that this barkeep might be an Exile, therefore, would understand what I was talking about.
"I see." She said absentmindedly, "I kinda thought that, maybe, you might have problems at home. Parents?"
"Nil." I spat bitterly, "They're both dead."
"Relatives? Cousins?"
"Tch... Dead. Everyone's dead." I said in my semi-drunken haze.
"I assumed there was a problem at home or a sickness in the family." She said, "The answer to your problem is not at the bottom of that glass."
I shot her a look of disbelief, "You sure? I can try."
She smirked, "A great man once said... We are slaves to our own will, until we overcome them."
I smiled, then I realized I said that I said similar words to the members of SEES.
Suddenly, I recognized her as her features started to sharpen in my hazy eyes. Her blonde hair, her striking blue eyes and her shiny skin...
"Aigis!" I cried as I spilled my drink on my pants climbing up the bar to embrace her cold body, "What's... Who...?!"
She smiled, "Hello, Minato-san."
"What are you doing at the Grey Exile's stronghold?" I demanded, "Where have you been?!"
"I've been doing vigilante work, fighting Shadows and malefactors."
"I shall explain it more to thee." I heard a noble voice from behind saying that. Thalia stood tall, flanked by her Generals.
"Thalia...? Will someone please explain to me what's going on...!?" I cried.
"We came across her during our patrols. She was attacking Shadows with such power, we thought she was you." Thalia said, "We were shocked, however, to find her to be... well, to find her as an automaton. But she was so human-like, we asked her services in exchange for letting our scholars research on how to make her human. She works here in her spare time. Well, I shall allow thee to catch up with her."
I looked at Aigis, "So... You're affiliated with the Exiles now...?"
"Yes." Aigis said, "I will now play the world-weary barkeep listening to your problem. Please tell me."
"Well... You meet someone, right? You two get close. Everything is perfect... for a while. Then, someone stops trying. You talk less and less. You drift away. Awkward conversations. No communication whatsoever. Then, memories start to fade, but the feelings don't. The person you know became somebody that you used to know. That's how it usually goes... Sad really."
"Is something bothering you?"
I gulped, "I... I got my best friend, Minako, pregnant." I said with trembling voice.
"That isn't so bad, right?"
"Wrong. It's bad." I cried, "I mean, even if Heaven and Hell would consent to our union, my child would carry on my curse as the Messiah! How can I ever forgive myself for siring a child who would be destined to die young?!"
"Your best friend is the only person who knows you're crazy, but loves you anyway," She smiled, "Everything always happens for a reason. People change so you can learn to let go. Things go wrong so you can learn to appreciate when they go right. You believe lies so that you'll learn to trust no one but yourself. And sometimes, good things fall apart so better things can fall together. Maybe you didn't plan this to happen, but would you miss it for the world?"
Suddenly, I began to see her point. She was right: There was nothing I can do to stop it, but I would never allow myself to let a child grow up without a father. I knew what it was like.
Downing my last Piña Colada, I said, "Thank you, Aigis."
"No problem." She smiled.
Then, two Exiles beside me began to complain, "Hey, we come here everyday for cheap, quality liquor, verbal abuse and to complain about our problems. You never helped us even once, but you gave the Messiah sage advice?!" The first one cried.
"A little early to be playing favorites, eh Aigis-san?" The second one demanded.
"I am a robot, not a miracle worker." Aigis said mirthlessly.
I hurriedly went out and teleported away to Narda. I then knocked on the door before entering. Minako was laid in bed as she looked over her shoulder and smiled before turning back.
I moved towards her, slipped off my shoes, and climbed on her bed and carefully put my arms around her as I smelled her sweet-smelling hair and kissing it. She leaned towards me and gently caressed my face with her gentle hands.
I knew then that I didn't want Minako to be my friend anymore. I had to tell her soon that I want our friendship to end... And our romance to begin.
A/N: Well, wasn't that a cool chapter? Just wanted to show I didn't hate Aigis wholeheartedly. i've had a change of heart, actually...
and I still had finals tomorrow, but I decided to just scribble a few lines, and, well, it evolved into this two hours later -_-
Anyway, I hope you enjoy! Minato will confess his undying love to Minako in two or three chapters, but will it become DYING love instead? Instead of imagining it, just stick by and read it later!
Reviews are always appreciated, dear readers!
P.S. Minato and Minako are NOT having sex again in this or any other chapter.
Q/A:
Hoshi: I kinda realized that. I tried googling on how to break an arm without it hurting. Thanks for the concern! Hope you enjoyed the story!
Aaron: There was no rubber involved. And, yes, she might be Guinevere also...
Gin: Yup. Yukari's role in this story is to piss everyone off xD anyway, she might be a bad guy too. And I do realize its a bit controversial... Sorry for that...
Nights: Haha, yeah, those two are a laugh. And, yes, Cato kinda needed to die for Minato to become more determined. And Yukari is kinda like that, I guess.
Lion: that's good to hear she's out of the combat zone... And yeah, Elder is doing well, at least... becoming more stronger.
Radaketor: He meant she was pregnant. And don't even get me started with them...they read a story, yet don't have the freaking common courtesy to leave a review... The views are at least 83,000 in the month of October. It kinda hurts for them not to review, but what can I do about it? Anyway, Elder's journey is confirmed now. I need to explain how he became the Elder.
Blah: if it isn't really clear for you to understand, she didn't mean to ruin their date. She just 'happened' to meet Minato there. And there's no need to copy-paste the line. I think I know it, since I wrote it -_- also, its slightly annoying when you do that, tbh.
Oh, and you'e wrong. Why would Minato react like that? And that 'Lucy' person is right. Yukari might be a bad guy.
Rick: Thanks!
Celeberty paradox? I don't get it.
Duly noted, since the references kinda stopped after a while. And thanks! I love making them!
What about Lee-Leah's faceoff? Can you please elaborate?
Well, Naoto is connected with him, so... That's how it goes, I guess. And you saw that line Viktor used?
No worries! I didn't find anything offensive about this review! In fact, I like them long.
Donald: Thanks. Though somewhat inferior to Days of Autumn, I loved writing it.
Guest: Well, make an account and I'll be glad to enlighten you on what comes next.