(3/1/11)

Friday...

I woke today feeling completely refreshed. I knew what I had to do. I felt unnatural convictions with myself as I called Mitsuru today.

"Hello? Mitsuru here." Her cool voice said, "Greetings, Minato."

"Mitsuru? Hey. I need a favor. Can you please excuse Lee and I from our first periods?" I asked.

"Why? Give me a viable reason." She said strictly.

"I think you know about Lee's illness." I said curtly.

"..." Mitsuru paused, "How did you know?"

"A little bird told me."

"Well, yes." Mitsuru said hesitantly, "He's convinced there's no cure."

"I think I can do something about it." I said, "Can you get him a Doctor's appointment?"

"I think I can." Mitsuru said wryly, "Come to the Tatsumi Memorial Hospital. I need to procure assistance."

"See you then." I said as Mitsuru hung up.

When I finished getting ready, I walked all the way to Tatsumi Memorial Hospital. When I arrived, a man in black, beckoned me to the covered parking lot. I arrived to a black car, where he opened the backseat, revealing Lee scowling.

"Directress Kirijo is unfortunately busy at the moment, so she's asked you to come with him instead. Follow me." The man said as Lee stepped out.

"Lee..." I said formally, "We need to talk."

"We need to talk, eh?" He said bitterly, "Well, where to begin? Me raping Fuuka, you being knocked on your ass... We're not lacking in topics."

"Dude, I'm sorry about that." I said honestly.

"Tch..."

"Look, I'll make it right, I'll make it so you'll be with Fuuka."

"Haha, we'll see." Lee laughed, "I've been to many of these experiments. None of these poindexters can make heads or tails of what I have."

"We'll see." I smiled wryly.

We entered the Hospital and walked through the halls. Lee was made to strip in an examination room to undergo tests. MRI, CAT, CT scans and the works.

The final test was an experimental one. The Doctor led him to a room and we saw an imposing chair with a giant machine in front of it.

"This hunk of junk? I'm not sure about this..." Lee said uncertainly while the Doctor strapped him in a chair. He then wore a lead jacket.

"Relax." The Doctor said and handed me a lead jacket, "Well, here goes nothing..." He said before pressing a button. The laser fired into Lee and he was being electrified.

Lee cried in pain as the tendrils of electricity and radiation waved through his body like a tongue of flame.

When it was done, he was literally smoking.

"How are you feeling, buddy?" I asked.

"Heh... Like a million yen." Lee managed as the tests were concluded. The Doctor arrived after a while and began reading a paper as he smirked wryly.

"I suppose you want to shake my hand and tell me that I'm as healthy as a horse?" Lee joked wearily.

"Actually, I'd rather not. Lee, you are probably Japan's sickest man! You have so many diseases, it's a wonder you're still standing!" The Doctor cried.

"Holy crap! You mean I have cholera?" Lee asked frantically.

"Yes."

"Stomach ulcers?"

"Yes."

"Cancer?"

"Benign cancer, yes."

"Testicular torsion?"

"To some extent, yes."

"Middle school illness?!" Lee asked fearfully.

"Why, yes." The Doctor said.

"Oh fuck..." Lee whispered, "Nothing worse than Middle School Illness!"

"We can cure a few of them, but some are recurring illnesses. We've estimated your lifespan to be until 24 years. We can put you to Palliative Care if you..." He began as Lee gave a hollow laugh.

"What, you're gonna send a Priest to hold my hand and reassure me that everything will be well as my body rots from the inside?" He scoffed, "Nah. Ain't my style, Doc."

The Doctor nodded, "Very well. This concludes our appointment."

"Thanks Doctor." I said as Lee got dressed. I deliberately led him to the deserted smoking room.

Lee took out a cigarette and offered me one, "Want one?"

"No thanks. I don't smoke."

"Heh. Good choice. It's a filthy habit... these things will kill you." He mutters as he lit one.

"So... When you're about to die... What're you gonna do?" I asked.

"Maybe donate my body to science or something. I plan on seppaku." He said sadly, "It's better to burn out than fade away."

"Kurt Cobain?"

"Yeah." Lee said as he puffed, "I'll go, knowing this world will be a better place without me in it."

"... do you believe in God?" I asked, "In miracles?"

"What?" Lee said in surprise, "Where is this coming from?"

"Well?"

"Uh... Yeah. I do." He said, "It's always nice to believe in something bigger than you, you know what I'm saying?... But if I believed in miracles, I'd be cured."

I nodded as I put my hand on his head, "Your faith is well placed."

"What the-"

"Salvation." I muttered as Lee suddenly convulsed from the magic entering his body. He smoked from his sleeves and collar.

After it had been done, Lee looked bewildered, "I... The pain... The migraines... The constant feeling of irrational insanity... What did you do to me?"

"I didn't do it." I smiled, "You did."

"Whoa... Am I... cured?"

"Yeah."

Lee nodded as he stomped on his cigarette, "I have to see this for myself."

He storms back and demands to be tested again. After thorough threats and oaths, the Doctor finally agrees to redo all tests.

After the tests (which made me woozy from radiation) the Doctor came back with incredible news, "You... This is amazing! You've been completely cured! How did this happen?!"

"I, uh..." Lee stammered, "I've been praying a lot, Doc." He said as he winked at me.

"Meh, works for me." the Doctor mumbles.

We later went outside and walked towards school.

"Amazing! Man, I'm converting to Born-Again Christianity at this point! " Lee declared.

"That's good man..." I said, "Anyway, I need some advice... About girls."

Lee's face darkened, "You know what would happen if I did... I'm not the go-to guy when it comes to girls... Unless you plan on scarring them for life."

"No, no..." I said quickly, "I mean whether I should confess to Minako or not."

"Are you sure about it?" Lee asked, "There's no turning back if you do,"

"I'm sure."

"Well, this is the perfect opportunity, bro!" Lee cried, "Listen... During the mating season, male spiders come out of their nests and court a female. And the female pretends to be uninterested."

"Oh, wow, I never thought of it to be-"

"And then, they mate and the female spider kills and cannibalizes the male before laying its eggs all over his carcass."

"Yikes!"

"Still a better love story than Twilight, admittedly." He remarked, "The point here is that it's pure animal magnetism. I'm so proud of you..." He fishes out his wallet and gives me a condom, "For you, my friend."

"Haha, what a cruel irony..." I laughed as I took it.

"How so?"

"If I used this when Minako and I had sex, she wouldn't have gotten pregnant,"

"Holy shit, you guys had-"

"I don't kiss and tell, buddy." I said as we walked to the school.

"Dude, you need to do this today."

I nodded, "Today."

"Time for you to nut up or shut up." he declared seriously, "Zombieland. Classic."

"I will."

"Yeah, otherwise, you should have just stayed with Yukari." Lee laughed as I began sweating.

We arrived third period, but we were given notices by Mitsuru, so we were excused.

"Where were you?" Minako whispered, "You missed our quiz in composition."

"I was... helping out a friend." I smiled as Lee seemed happier, his smile more thankful.

Classes were almost over as I contemplated on what to say to her. I kept staring at her and averted my gaze when she caught me looking.

"Something wrong?" She whispered.

"N-Nothing!" I said quickly, "Why would something be wrong? If anything's wrong, I wouldn't know anything about it!"

"..." She grunts, "You're acting really strange today... Weirdo."

The bell suddenly goes off, "...Class dismissed. Go eat lunch now." Kamina said, "Minako-chan, please erase the whiteboard."

"Okay." Minako said wearily.

As everyone went out, I stayed behind after class.

"Oh, you're still here?" Minako said as she looked back, "What's up?"

"Minako, I wanted to talk to you." I said, "It's important. Very important."

She smiled, "Okay, let's hear it."

I took a deep breath, "Minako. You're very important to me." I said, "And I'm starting to wonder about what you said... Do you... like me?"

She smiled rather crookedly, "Well, of course I like you, silly... You're my best friend."

Her saying that did not diminish my adrenaline-induced bravery, "I mean like, like."

"Wh-whoa, where is this coming from!?" She said in surprise. Her face flushed red.

"I really thought a lot about what you said, Minako, and it got me thinking... I know what I'm fighting for now."

"Okay..." She said, quite unsure.

"There's something I've been keeping in my heart about you..."

She held out her hand, "Meet me at the Iwatodai Hilltop after class. Don't be late." She said with a quivering voice and walked away without a word.

I knew she was serious. She was the biggest acrophobic person ever.

Minako deliberately avoided all forms of eye contact during lunch and classes and after the dismissal bells rang, she bolted out the room very quickly.

Making good use of my Dark Arts abilities, I hid in the bathroom and teleported to the hilltop and waited. I was sorely tempted to call Minako, but I realized she might be getting ready for the rest of my revelation... That, or she tried to put as much miles behind her back as possible.

"Hey," a gentle voice squeaked as I turned around. Minako stood there, fidgeting as I stared at her hungrily in the setting sun.

"Hey." I grinned at her, "Uh... The sun looks gorgeous from this view."

"You said it." She sighed as she and I took a seat by the grass. We looked at the sunset, which was beautiful, "So... What did you want to tell me?"

"Well... Not so long ago, Yukari told me that she still loved me." I said, "She was being truly sincere."

"Ah."

"Hear me out. I was honest with her as well when I said it to her."

"And what did you say?" Minako asked as she looked right at me.

I smiled vaguely, "I told her that... I was in love with someone else."

"..." Minako grunts.

I nodded. Time to nut up or shut up, "Minako... It's been a while since we first met each other... Back then, I never knew that we'd become friends the way we did. And we came a long way too. Our trip to Tokyo, the House party, our night out, the school trip... Even firebombing Cato's car."

"If I recall correctly," Minako mused, "He was still an asshole back then."

I nodded, "But Minako... We've been through good, and even worse times, but I didn't mind, because... because those times brought me closer to you."

She smiled and blushed, "Oh, Minato..."

"Yeah... you know, growing up, I never really had what I wanted... In fact, I'm not sure what I want right now... But I do know what what I need." I held her hands, "You, Minako. You're the one that I need."

She looked me in the eyes with surprise.

"See..When I'm with you, I don't know what to feel... love, contentment, maybe even guilt... But being with you, I know what kind of man I want to be." I then looked down on the floor before settling my gaze into her eyes, "I really want to be the man you've always dreamed of. Someone who you can rely on, someone who can be always be there for you when the going gets tough and most of all, someone who you can grow old with. Because on the day we met, Minako, I didn't only found a friend, but the one I want to spend the rest of my life with."

"Wha-"

"Minako, to make this short... I... I want you forever. Forever and always. The times we shared together made me realize... I don't want you... I need you." I said as I looked directly into Minako eyes, "Looking back into my life, I know why I felt an unescapable dispair... For a time, I thought my life was just meaningless. Just a whisper in the wind. I know now that it felt that way because you were never in my life way back then." She seemed to be in the verge of tears, "But you are now. And since then, I have never been happier in my short life. Whenever I see you laugh, I suddenly become happy... When I see you sad, I get depressed... When you get mad, I get upset too... I really don't know how to say it, Minako, but... There'd be no Minato Arisato without you."

Minako's breath became deeper as her tears began build in her eyes. "Minako, I-" I strengthened myself, "I love you, Minako!"

Minako's eyes grew wider as my words began to sink in. I just looked ahead into the sunset.

I finally did it...

"..." Minako sighed, "You know what, Minato? I... I don't really know what to say..."

A pang of anxiety struck me. This was the usual line of friendzoning someone.

"But I know one thing... I don't think anyone ever loved me like you do, and I don't think anyone ever will."

I smiled as I looked lovingly into her eyes.

"You know what?" Minako asked, "Leah once told me... that I was your reward for everything you've done for this world..."

"That's not true." She said, her eyes shining, "Because I now know that... You're my reward, Minato." She said as her lips quivered, "And I'm really glad you came into my life. I mean, who do you think you are, Minato?"

I became pale as she glared at me.

"You stole my heart! It's only natural I'd fall in love with you!" She said in mock anger, "I'm stealing your last name."

I smiled, "it never really occurs to both of us that we have the same last names?"

"I don't care about that." Minako said, "Because, Minato? I love you too!" Minako angrily declared her love for me.

"You... You serious?"

She smiled. Suddenly, she punched me in the face, downing me, "That's for not saying it any sooner." She then jumped on top of me, "And that's... for everything else." We both laughed as Minako rested her head in my chest.

"You know... they said that to make you fall in love with me, I needed to make you laugh..." I smiled as I kissed her eyebrow, "But every time you smiled or laughed, I'm the one who ends up falling in love." I then held her hand, "Minako? Would you... Uh... Do you... Will you be my girlfriend?"

She took a deep breath, "I've been waiting for so long for you to say those words... yeah, I'm honored to say yes."

My heart jumped for joy as I kissed Minako's hand.

"Can you do me a favor?" She asked.

"Okay."

She stood up and sat against my back, "I always wanted to watch the sunset like this..." She sighed, "You must think I'm koo-koo, eh?"

"Not at all." I said, savoring the warmth from her back and the feeling of her breathing, "If I knew it'd be like this... I would have confessed months ago."

"Oh, another thing..." She said, "I get jealous really easily and I like things to go my way." She said as she playfully pulled my hair.

"Ouch." I cried before laughing, "Sure."

"Oh shit..." She cursed, "I forgot my bag at school."

"I forgot mine too." I admitted as we both laughed.

We stood up and went to retrieve our bags. Though we always were joined at the hip, we were holding hands and leaning against each other for the rest of the way.

When we arrived, dusk was falling, but the sun was still bright.

"I'll go get the bags. You wait here." I said.

"Okay... I love you."

"Forever and always, my love." I brushed Minako's bangs all the way behind her ears before kissing her on the cheek, "I'll be back."

I walked all the way inside the school and hurried towards the room. After retrieving our bags, I noticed Minako's composition, which was a letter. Deciding to sneak a peek, I read it:

Which person is my inspiration Grade: C- (refrain from using net-speak!)

By minako

my inspiration in life is minato, my best friend. because hes shown to be an alrite dude and super awesum than others. while hes alrite with being helpful, hes also abit naive at times, but secretly, i liek him so much. shhh, dont tell anyone. hes the best thing that ever happened to me.

I smiled while reading it. Then, the door was being pounded loudly.

"Alright, alright!" I said loudly as I opened it.

Yukari fell on top of me with several books.

"Ow... You alright?" I said, helping her up.

"Yeah..." She said as she picked up the books.

I helped her put her books to the table.

"Thanks." She said sweetly.

"Okay..." I said as I checked my phone. No messages yet, so Minako can wait while I help Yukari with the books.

Yukari came closer, "What are you doing?" She asked playfully.

"Nothing... Hey, that's a really nice drawing of me!" I said as I plucked it out of her book.

"No!" She said as she reached over to grab it, unbalancing herself and crashing on top of me.

"That makes it twice now..." She breathed.

"Yukari..." I said as we stood up, "You're pretty heavy for such a small girl."

"I am not heavy!" She said in a mock hurt voice, "And I'm practically a woman now!"

We both laughed. She traced her fingers from my navel to my throat.

"You know Minato, we were both young when we fell in love..." She noted, "You're so handsome now... your hair is longer... and you've gotten so tall..." She said fondly as she touched my hair. "And I thought you were just like the other boys... rude, loud and perverted, but not you..." She said, "But as I got to know you more, I began to really like you... You've always been there for me, so when you told me you loved me, I was so happy..." She tried to smile, "But it did have to end... but when I saw you with Minako, I remembered then how much I loved you."

Then, she broke down, sobbing on my chest, "I'm really sorry for everything!"

I patted her and comforted her as we lay on the floor, "Yukari... Everything that happened to us only showed we weren't right for each other."

Then, she closed her eyes and then she opened it again, "Minato-kun..." She breathed as she got closer, "Um...I...I..." She took a deep breath, "I don't want any regrets!" she said as she went closer to my face.

"Don't..." One part of me said, "Hell no. You love Minako, not her..."

"I have to." Another part of me said.

"That ship has sailed long ago... Think of Minako..."

"But Yukari needs this... To clear her doubts."

"Is this truly important?"

"Yes... Because she's been hurt so much by this..."

"No. This is betrayal."

I made a decision not to kiss her, But before I could think of anything else, her lips came into mine. They are as soft and as supple as they promised. It felt so good and absolutely wrong at the same time... This is what Adam and Eve probably felt after they ate the forbidden fruit. It seemed like an eternity after we had kissed, but then we broke apart as we looked at each other. I felt satisfied, but guilty as hell.

Clang!

We both looked at the root of the noise, the door, and found Minako looking at us with a blank look from her glazed red eyes.

"Ah!" I said in surprise, "Minako..."

She looked at us blankly, then she did something I never expected. If she did anything else, it wouldn't have surprised me. She looked betrayed.

She smiled brightly.

"Hehehe... I'm sorry..." She laughed, "I... really didn't mean to interrupt..."

"Minako, wait..." I pleaded.

"So, I guess the feeling is mutual..." Minako said sadly.

"..." Yukari was silent.

"Uh... er..." I stammered.

"Hahaha." Minako laughed emptily, "Huh... I knew it was too good to be true... Wow... That's... great." She went to get her bag from my hands, "Just... bloody brilliant."

"Minako!" I shouted.

"Later." She said without a second look.

I went to go after her, but Yukari held me, "Wait..."

I looked at her impatiently, "Yeah?"

"Thank you..." She bowed, "For accepting me."

"Tch... You really ruined everything this time, Yukari!" I snapped and went after Minako.

"Minako, wait up!" I cried.

"You again? Just leave me alone. Go back and suck on Yukari's tongue!" Minako said annoyedly.

"Minako, please listen! I was trying to call you!" I pleaded.

"And what, you thought Yukari's mouth was the phone?" Minako said angrily, "You were trying to suck her soul out!"

"Tell me what you want me to say and I'll say it!" I said, "I'll give you anything!"

"Okay, you know what? Give me a jet, Minato. And maybe a ton of cash on top of it! So that when I fly that thing, I'd crash, cause that's how I feel right now!" She said as she walked faster.

"That was a bit unnecessary, but what do you want me to say?" I pleaded.

"Say that you actually feel something for me!" She turned around to yell, "Tell me that, after all this time, you like me." She sobbed, "Because no matter what kind of bullshit you whispered in my ear at the hill, your actions speak otherwise!"

"I love you! I don't know how to stress how much I really do!" I said passionately, "Yukari latched herself on my face like a... a freaking remora! You're seriously gonna begrudge me for something I didn't want to do?!"

"You know what? I really, really like you, Minato..." She said as I froze on the spot, "You just can't seem to get that into your thick skull!"

"R-Really? Why didn't you-"

"Now it's too late." She said as she strode off.

"Wait, so you're just gonna give up on me, just like that?!" I demanded, snapping my fingers at 'that'.

"No, Minato..." She said sadly, "You're the one who gave up on me."

I felt that comment hit my heart like a white-hot lance as I watched Minako walk away. And just like that, the woman I've been waiting for so long is gone.

A/N: I really didn't mind about the in-between chapter pause. I just wanted to post this since I love MinaxMina so much! Well, it's not like you guys care or anything, but I really love to write about them!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please review! (Please!)

And I really, truly hope you guys liked this story and appreciate it if you enjoyed!

Q/A:

Kronos: Thanks! Well, I wrote this in four hours, so I'm just feeling excited! You guys had this one coming, I'm afraid. I didn't want to drag the Minamance for so long. Heh, I'll patent that saying!

Nights: Hope this chapter made you furious! Especially at the end. I did alter most. Hehe, thanks buddy, but you guys did the reviewing!

Hoshi: Yeah, which is why only a minuscule amount of my stories contain Aigis. And to answer your question, it was rushed. Mainly since I was hyped to post this chapter, which I hope wouldn't seem rushed.

Aaron: Well, he said it in this chap. And I haven't even played DS before. The only SMT games I played are P3:FES, P4, DS: RK vs. SA, DS RK vs. KA.

Felix: He woke up.