Technically, they were breaking the rules.

But Minato was always so busy, so… night time was really the best time to spend time together. And Minako always seemed eager to back them up.

"So you saw Maiko-chan at the police station today?"

Minato nodded before pressing the skip button on his mp3 yet again. Well, at least it was a good song.

"I'm glad we could save her."

Minato spoke calmly but Yukari could pick up the relief in his voice.

"Me too… she's so young," Yukari sighed. "She's what—eight?"

"Nine," Minato corrected, closing his eyes for a moment. "She's two years younger than Ken."

Yukari sucked in a breath at that, closing her eyes. God… how many innocent children would get dragged into this? Them eliminating the Dark Hour seemed so distant, an unattainable goal sometimes.

But… they had to. Nobody else could do it.

"Hey Minato?"

"Hm?"

Minato's cool blue gaze flicked over to her. Yukari faltered under his gaze for a moment. But then she took a deep breath.

"Have you ever thought about what you wanted to do beyond fighting Shadows?" she asked.

"No."

Minato spoke without any hesitation, blunt as always.

"Really? Not even an inkling?" Yukari asked, craning an eyebrow.

A slow, tired blink. Sometimes Yukari really worried about the workload Minato took on. It had to be tiring and no—Yawn-B-Gone was not a good substitute, no matter what he thought.

"What about you?"

"M-Me?" Yukari chewed her lip as she thought. "M-Maybe something to do with kids?"

She was barely seventeen, but still, it would be nice to have an idea what she wanted in the future, wouldn't it?

"I think you'd be a good model," Minato said idly, turning the page of the manga volume he held in his lap.

"A model? Me?" Yukari laughed. "Come on, Minato, I'm a little short for a model, don't you think?"

Yukari was satisfied with her height. She was average height, after all, which was more than what Fuuka could boast. But fashion models were tall and lithe, with legs that went on for miles. Yukari simply did not fit the bill.

Minato shrugged. "You always model clothes for me."

Yukari rolled her eyes, giving a small scoff. "That's because you're my boyfriend, dummy."

Her boyfriend. It still felt surreal to think about. She couldn't exactly pinpoint when she started crushing on Minato but oh… she was falling hard for Minato. He had opened her eyes to so much…

"I got the top score last exam," Minato said, cracking a smile.

Yukari gave him a playful shove. "That wasn't what I meant and you know it."

"But… something with kids, huh?" Minato said slowly. "You are good with kids."

Yukari shrugged. "I just—kids are so innocent. They deserve better."

Better than what she had to deal with since childhood. Better than what Minato and Minako had to go through…

"What about kids of your own?" Minato asked.

"H-Huh?!" Yukari felt her face flush before she started to fiddle with the hem of her skirt. "I-I mean… maybe? I dunno how good of a parent I'd be though, with how my mom was…"

"You'll be better," Minato said simply.

Yukari's heart swelled at his statement; he stated it like it was so obvious.

"Thanks…" She then cleared her throat. "U-Um, have you thought about how many kids you'd want…?"

Minato's brow crinkled together as he thought. "Maybe… three? Dad always said three kids was a good number."

Wistfulness crept into Minato's voice and his eyes became distant. Yukari reached out, squeezing his hand.

It was only recently that Yukari had learned that Minato and Minako had a younger sister, three years their junior. Apparently, their relatives weren't willing to take all three of them… So Minato and Minako had gone together, while Naoto went with their grandfather. They kept in sporadic contact but apparently their grandfather and Naoto were traveling a lot this year.

"Three's a good number," Yukari said, leaning against his shoulder. "That would be nice."

Minato's lips quirked up, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "At least we're in agreement."

Yukari felt her face warm up. She had no idea how they had come to this subject but… it was nice to dream. Dreaming of one day getting married and having kids.

It… almost sounded like a pipe dream with their current work but it was something to work towards, right?

There were always specific dates when Yukari visited Minato's grave. His birthday, the anniversary of the Promised Day, and the anniversary of his death. It didn't matter how busy she was. She wouldn't budge on that. But… there was a good reason for why she missed visiting his grave this past January 31st.

Yukari shivered as she navigated through the graveyard. It may be only a couple weeks before March, but the temperature was still far from pleasant. At least it wasn't freezing. She stopped, adjusting the blankets in the baby carrier. Her fingers brushed over her baby's face. She shouldn't stay long for today though…

It took her a bit longer to find Minato's grave than usual but Yukari found herself standing in front of the familiar gravestone.

As always, her heart ached looking at Minato's gravestone. She… hadn't helped much with the funeral preparations, something Yukari still regretted. She had been struggling with her grief, all but drowning in it. As Minato's closest family, Minako had made all the arrangements, with the help of Akihiko. Mitsuru had been the one to pay for all the expenses, though.

But she tried her best. To try and live for Minato. He's been gone for nearly thirteen years now… But there were times where Yukari felt Minato's absence as keenly as the day he had died. It was in this… that she understood her mom so much better now.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Minato," she whispered. "I'm sorry I couldn't come to visit sooner but um… there's a reason why I couldn't come until now."

Yukari had to admit, it was still a little painful to walk. She winced before she lowered the baby carrier to the ground. Minako had wanted to come with her, but Yukari had insisted on doing this on her own. She then lifted the passenger into her arms. She took a moment to stroke the soft cheek, brushing away the fine blue hair to drop a kiss against the tiny forehead.

"I-I don't know how it was even possible," she whispered before tears stung at her eyes. "But… you gave me one last gift. Meet Sonomi, Minato…"

Sonomi was a small baby, even with her being born on the dot, though given Minato's side of the family… it made sense. Minato had been the shortest out of the guys, barring Ken. And while Minako was average height, Naoto was rather petite.

Sonomi blinked blearily at Minato's grave before her eyes fluttered shut. Yukari chuckled before cradling her close.

"Sorry, I'm sure she'll be more interested in you when she's a little older. But I wanted you to meet her." She then shook her head, a sigh escaping her. "I just… wish that you'd get to see her grow up. MJ and Miyako are so big now…"

Her pregnancy had been a… shock, to say the least. She had found out that she was pregnant shortly before they had all been trapped in the Abyss of Time. She had eventually cracked after Aigis and Metis had defeated her and Mitsuru-senpai, finally breaking down and confessing that she was pregnant and that's why she wanted so badly to bring him back. It was then Minako had rushed forward, hugging her and promising that it'll be okay, swearing that she'd support Yukari no matter what.

It hadn't been easy. People had whispered and stared, more and more, as her pregnancy progressed. Even Ekoda had been nasty about it, making the occasional barbed comment. Junpei had gotten into a fight or two, trying to defend her despite Yukari berating him that he shouldn't listen to the gossipers.

But her friends had supported her unconditionally. And… so had Mom.

And for that, Yukari was grateful. Raising the twins wasn't always easy; being a single mother to twins—especially as Miyako grew more and more rambunctious—had been a… trial. She had named her son after Minato, of course. It had been Minako's suggestion to use the nickname 'MJ', having read it in English literature. And Yukari had chosen Miyako, to reflect Minako's name. As a thank you to her best friend, for standing by her, no matter what.

But even with the difficulties, Yukari felt no greater joy than when she was with her children.

They would be turning thirteen in the fall and sometimes a small voice would nag at her that she ought to try and remarry, give them a father. But she tried. She had tried dating a few times throughout the years. But every time… she couldn't help but compare her prospective boyfriends to Minato. How could they compete with Minato, who had helped her through so much? Even when he struggled with his emotions, he had tried to comfort her. His words had been stilted and unsure but somehow… they had reached Yukari. And she still remembered the way he had held her so gently, that night at Yakushima.

They had too short of a time together, but Yukari would never regret it. Not when Minato encouraged her to reach out to her mother again, not when she had three beautiful children as a result for loving him.

"I think she'll take after you too," Yukari said softly. "I thought she had gotten your eyes when she was born but they've turned brown, like mine."

Minato had once said that he loved her eyes. She had laughed at him then, saying that they were nothing special. Especially compared to Minako's bright red eyes, Mitsuru–senpai's darker eyes, and Fuuka's light turquoise.

Brown was just… ordinary to Yukari. But Minato had said her eyes were warm. Especially beautiful when she smiled.

Minato wasn't so naturally charismatic—that was more Minako's forte. But there was something so endearingly sweet when he complimented her, speaking like it was as obvious as stating that the sky was blue.

She could see Minato's mark on her older children. She could see it in how MJ dealt with difficulties, meeting them with cool determination. She saw it in how Miyako treated her younger cousins, not always the most vocal about her affection, but she always showed it.

She missed him so much still; it was like a dull ache. It was a bearable pain… but always present.

"I love you, Minato," she breathed out. "I always will. But… I know you're watching over all of us. And I will always treasure the memories we had together… and what you've given me."

Sonomi shifted, resting her head against Yukari's chest. Yukari just leaned down, kissing the top of Sonomi's head.

She had plenty of hardships, yes. Especially with people insulting her for bearing the children of the man she loved. But… life was still worth living, despite all the pain.

And she wanted to do her part, to make things better for the world as a whole. To lessen Minato's burden and to ensure that her children would have less burdens to shoulder.

Been slowly working on the next Ace in the Hole chapter (and some Shuann Week oneshots) but I managed to finish this little gift fic I wrote for one of my best friends, Lunnaire! She introduced me to the Persona series, back in high school, and we developed many of our headcanons together. She also recently posted her second gen fic Papillion Hearts, starring Sonomi, so if you're interested, please check it out!