Chapter 7
Present Matters
Minato rubbed his eyes exhaustedly. He had spent much of last night trying to get the perfect gift for her. It wasn't that he remembered her birthday at the very last minute, but instead, it was that every store in the Palownia Mall had it on backorder. It was the latest addition in fashion after all. He was thinking of getting something from the Antique Store, but she wasn't old fashioned – she was more modern. The crane game at Game Panic had Jack Frost Dolls and Teddy Bears, but Minato kept grabbing air. In any case, she did think those two things were cute, but he was sure that she would love his first idea the best.
Last night, Minato finally got her the perfect gift. The owner of the Antique shop had gotten one for him, and she made him swear that he would bring her more jewels from Tartarus. He hastily agreed and brought the present back to the dorm. He was careful to hide it from her eyes and wrap it inside his room. It was exhausting to shop for girls.
With the week starting off with exhaustion, Minato willingly shut his eyes and drifted off to the sweet plea for sleep.
(- -)
-October 10, 2006, Wednesday
Palownia Mall
After School
"Wow! A Jack Frost doll!" Minako exclaimed. Her face was pressed against the glass of the crane game at Palownia Mall's Game Panic Arcade. "It's so cute!"
"Maybe for you. I personally like the Ganesha." Miki commented. Her face was also pressed against the glass.
Minato stared at the toys inside. "These won't work." He muttered.
Junpei appeared out of nowhere and smacked Minato on the back. "What are you mumbling about, dude?"
It had become a routine now for the Arisato and Sanada kids to walk home together with Shinjiro, Junpei, or Yukari accompanying them every now and then. Every day, when Minato picked up his sister from school, he met up with Akihiko and Miki there and they all would walk home. Minato would give Akihiko the food his mom cooked the night before so both Sanada kids and Shinjiro could eat it for dinner. Today was a Tuesday, meaning Yukari had archery practice, and Shinjiro was inside the Home Economics room at Konata Middle School.
Junpei didn't have much to do so he went along with Minato, Akihiko, and the two little sisters. Akihiko and Junpei were surprised that Minako wasn't asking for anything to eat from Wild Duck Burger this afternoon, but they soon found out why.
"Nothing." Minato answered. He didn't really want his best friend on his case and taunting him this afternoon, tomorrow, for a week, for a month, and for the rest of the year.
"Oh, are you still trying to decide, Minato?" The boy's little sister asked.
His friend raised an eyebrow. "On what?"
"Nothing."
"Don't you know, Junpei-kun?" Minako asked with a smile. "Yukari's birthday is in nine days."
Minato smacked himself in the forehead. He was never going to hear the end of it now. Junpei loved hearing any dirt on Minato and Yukari's friendship, especially with the bet still going on. Sure enough, Junpei began smiling like the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland.
"Oh?"
Akihiko stared blankly at Junpei, who was grinning stupidly and Minato, who was tugging at his navy hair again. "What? I don't get it." He said. "Why is Junpei smiling like an idiot?"
Junpei put his arm around Minato, dragging him along while saying, "What are you doing here around Game Panic, my friend? If you want to please your woman, then you should go buy her something worthwhile!" Akihiko, his sister, and Minako followed behind them. Though she was the youngest out of all of them, Minako was perfectly aware of what Junpei was getting at
. She smiled innocently, quietly enjoying her brother's uneasiness on the subject. Miki looked somewhat confused, but she seemed to catch on faster than her older brother, who continued to remain clueless.
"You must take her breath away with this gift! It will be special! Marvelous! Brilliant!" Junpei gushed.
"And how would you know what to get Yukari? You don't even have a girlfriend." Minato commented absently.
Junpei's arm fell from Minato's shoulders. He frowned and unnecessarily fixed his baseball cap. "Dude, that's cold."
"Why is getting a present for Yukari such a big deal?" Akihiko asked. He looked quite confused and unaware.
Miki smiled and said, "Don't mind him. My big brother was never really good with girls."
Junpei snickered. "Akihiko-san, you're not going to get laid for a very long time." He turned back to Minato, steering him into a store. "Now, let's go get something for your girlfriend." Akihiko continued asking his sister and Minako what Junpei was talking about, but the girls merely shook their heads telling him he will learn sooner or later. They took him by each hand and dragged him after the other two boys.
Minato knew that beneath his title as Yukari's childhood friend, there was potential for more. He wasn't willing to admit it anyone but maybe his sister. What he was worried about was that if he and Yukari did start going out, it might become awkward. There was a difference between platonic and intimate relationships. Yukari was keen on making it known that she and Minato were only friends. Yes, when they were younger, they spent almost every day together – they went over to each other's house, ate dinner with each other, and played games. Back then, Minato protected Yukari from anything, and she made sure Minato was on the right track when they were growing up. They completed each other.
"Now what did you get her last year?" Junpei asked, dragging the poor boy around.
"Uh…a stuffed animal if I'm not mistaken."
"Yukari isn't a little kid anymore, Minato."
"Then what would you suggest?" Minato asked crossly.
Junpei looked around the aisle before picking up a keychain that had the word "love" on it. "How about this?"
"Rejected."
His friend placed the keychain back onto the shelf. "Fine then."
Minako and Miki disappeared before coming back, each holding something different. Minako's was a journal, and Miki's was a black and pink wallet. Minato rejected both ideas, including Akihiko's suggestion for a gift card for Yukari's favorite store. To make it more fun, Junpei continued to drag his friend through the store, pointing out random items as suggestions. These guys were no help at all.
"I guess this is punishment for expecting any help from a girlfriendless idiot, an girl-ignorant boy, a fifth grader, and a first grader." Minato thought with dejection.
(- -)
-October 15, 2006, Sunday
The Pharmacy in Palownia Mall
Daytime
There were four more days until Yukari's birthday, and Minato still had not gotten anything for her. His friends were no help either. He wanted her birthday gift to be special, perhaps as a sign that he was ready to be more than her childhood friend.
Minato walked aimlessly through the shelves of medicine and other miscellaneous items of the pharmacy. His mom had seen a sale at the grocery store, and she certainly was a sucker for them. Her husband and only son were the only other ones home, and Minako was at cram school, and later, singing classes. Mrs. Arisato was quite pleased having her husband and son home. She forced them into the car and had them carry the grocery bags after buying so much food. Her claim was that she was pregnant and she needed food, not only for the new baby, but also so Akihiko, Miki, and Shinjiro could have a decent dinner.
The family car was filled with grocery bags, and the next stop was the pharmacy. This gave Minato another chance to look for something for Yukari. He wandered around, staring at the store's products. Nail polish? Which kind though? What color? Minato tugged his hair agitatedly. How come it was so hard to shop for girls? Maybe it isn't hard when they are younger, but once they get older and more aware of society, they get so picky over their gifts.
"Still beating yourself up, honey?" Mrs. Arisato asked her son as she walked down the same aisle as him.
He sighed. "I never thought I'd ask this, but can you help me buy something for Yukari?"
His mother covered her mouth with her hand, laughing lightly. "Ho oh, my darling boy is asking for advice! Aw, he's growing up into a fine, young man."
Minato's cheeks went a little red. "Mom, I'm serious!"
"As am I, dear." She chuckled. "There are several things in this world that women love most: perfume, jewelry, and fashion."
"Mom, those are really expensive…"
"I'll give you an advance on your birthday, Christmas, and weekly allowance." Mr. Arisato replied, joining his wife and son. "You'll just have to starve Minako a little while longer."
Mrs. Arisato smiled. "Come, come. I shall help you pick something out."
The three left the pharmacy, passing the Antique Shop next door. Minato glanced at the window, and did a double take. There in the window was a mahogany music box, decorated with small, gold and pink flowers. Minato cast a look of realization to his parents before rushing into the store and asking the woman inside how much the music box was.
"That box is worth 5000 yen, young man." She declared. The boy fumbled for his wallet, desperately trying to find enough money to buy the music box. He didn't know why, but he felt like this gift would be perfect for Yukari. She more modern and this was more old-fashioned, but perhaps it was the air of it would match hers.
Minato struggled to only find 2500 yen in his wallet. He was about to strike a deal with the woman when his father took his money and handed it to the clerk. He pulled out his own wallet and added whatever else was needed to complete the price. Mr. Arisato winked at his oldest child and said, "This money is coming out of your allowance next week."
The woman retrieved the item, carefully wrapped it and handed it to Minato. "Thank you for your business. Take care." She said.
Father and son rejoined Mrs. Arisato by the fountain. Minato's parents guided him to other stores for the other additions to the music box. Finally, Yukari's gift was complete. The only thing to worry about next was the wrapping and giving the gift itself.
(- -)
-October 19, 2006, Thursday
Adachi Middle School, Class 8-C
After School
Minato had the way he was going to give Yukari the gift all planned out. Minako was in charge of giving Miki the dinner for tonight. Afterwards, she and Miki were going to hang out with Maiko at the playground at the Naganaki Shrine. Akihiko and Shinjiro were free to do whatever they wanted, and Minato suspected it was a bowl of ramen at the Hagakure. Junpei was going to hang out with Kenji. So that just left Minato and Yukari.
"Hey, Yukari, do you mind if I walk you home?" He asked her after school.
She smiled and said, "Not at all. Just let me get my stuff out of my locker." She left him, and Junpei came over.
"Did you finally get a gift for yourgirlfriend?" He questioned with a snigger.
"Yes. It's better than whatever you suggested." Minato replied. "Junpei, when you do get a girlfriend, I just hope you won't get her laundry detergent for her birthday."
His friend went on the defensive, quickly stating, "Okay, that one was a joke!"
Minato looked over Junpei's shoulder and saw Yukari coming back. "She's coming back."
"What?"
"She's coming back! Get out of here!" He shoved Junpei away, and he disappeared out of the classroom. Minato grinned at Yukari as she approached him. He tried his best to make it look like he didn't just turn his best friend away in a hurry.
"What was that all about?" She asked.
"Nothing." Minato said quickly. "So, shall we go?"
Both set off together, in the direction of Yukari's home. His own was across town, but today, he didn't mind the long journey. They spoke of school, their friends, and outrageous ideas that mirrored the ones they had as kids. Minato could feel his bag heavy with Yukari's present. They approached her front door of her house. This was now the time. Minato extracted the wrapped music box from his bag and handed it to her.
"By the way, happy birthday, Yukari." He said.
"Oh, you shouldn't have, Minato!" She took the gift and unwrapped it on the spot. She gasped when she saw the mahogany box, decorated with gold and pink flowers. "It's beautiful…"
"Well, try it out."
She grasped the knob and winded it until the knob wouldn't budge any further. She opened the lid and a soft, dreamy, yet haunting melody began playing. Inside the music box was lined with dark red velvet, and something important could be stored inside. Minato had placed a small bottle of fashion's latest perfume inside as well as a white leather choker, decorated with a heart.
Her eyes traveled from her gift to Minato's eyes. "It's wonderful… All of this must have been very expensive, Minato."
His face cracked into a grin. "It's all right. I just had to starve Minako for several weeks."
She laughed. "Thank you."
Minato lightly touched her shoulders. He placed a small kiss on her forehead. "Happy Birthday." He murmured. Yukari gently touched the spot where he had kissed her.
Minato began walking down the driveway. He turned back to see the surprised Yukari still touching her forehead. "See you later!" he called out. He broke into a run and out of sight.Damn! I did that without even thinking! He thought furiously.
The moment he disappeared, Yukari let out a short breath. She felt her cheeks burn up. Gingerly, she touched them, feeling the heat emanating from her skin. "Why…am I blushing?" She wondered out loud. She retreated back into her home, still contemplating what had just happened.
Little did she know, there were four shady figures hiding in the bushes in the house next door. Akihiko, Junpei, Minako, and Miki poked their heads out of their hiding spot. They had made up the stories of their absence so Minato could be alone with Yukari. Then they all tailed the pair, hoping to see the outcome. Junpei was grinning like the Cheshire cat again, Miki and Minako looked absolutely delighted, and Akihiko still looked as confused as ever.
"He kissed her on the forehead! I can't believe he did it!" Junpei laughed excitedly.
"It looks like Yukari-san is coming to her own realization." Miki commented with a soft smile.
"Realization of what?" Akihiko asked.
"It's so obvious, it's cute!" Minako added.
"What's obvious?" the platinum haired boy asked.
Junpei threw his arm around Akihiko and said, "Akihiko, I think we should find you a girlfriend soon. Maybe you'll understand afterwards."
"Understand what?"
"Hey, get off my property!" an occupant of the house yelled from the window. The four kids looked at each other for a moment. Well, they were trespassing after all. The occupant had every right to yell at them.
"Now would be a good time for us to run." Junpei replied. They all nodded. They hesitated for a moment before erupting into a full sprint for the nearest train station.
(- -)
Waking up from his world, Minato found that school was coming to a close. He began packing up his books. Like in the other world, his bag was heavy with Yukari's present. Once the bell rang, students got up, leaving the classroom, and others stayed behind to socialize.
"Minato, want to hang out today?" Yukari asked.
"Sure thing."
They went to Palownia Mall. Minato accompanied Yukari around the mall, visiting shops. There was one shop that they lingered at the most. Yukari stared at the model of the latest brand bag.
"I wish I had one, but it is completely sold out right now…" She said quietly.
"Would you like one?" He asked. He took out the bag and handed it to her. "Because you can have this one for your birthday." She stared at Minato and then the purse. She threw her arms around him with gratitude.
Perhaps, under two different circumstances, Minato and Yukari belonged together in both worlds. He was sure of it.
Yes, I'm finally done with this chapter! I had a slight writer's block in addition to school. Right. Time for notes. I found out Yukari's and the birthdays of other characters from the Persona 3 fan book (which is only exclusive to Japan, of course). That book had a list of all of the birthdays of all characters. Although, only the protagonist's was not clear, except for the fact that he was born in 1992, because he is 17 in 2009. I found it interesting that I am the same age as Mitsuru, Akihiko, an Shinjiro. Haha. I do plan on having a chapter for each character's birthday. It makes it more fun, don't you think? I'm not sure which chapter should be next. Maybe it will the appearance of Fuuka. Anyway, thank you reading, and I always appreciate reviews and feedback!