CHAPTER 2
Meeting
"Really?" she quickly embraced Minato. "I'm so sorry for acting cautious, I only did it for self-defense."
"That gun you just..."
"This? It's real... But it's empty right now, and I use it to scare away enemies."
"I'm still wondering myself how you found out about me in Port Island..." Minato said to his grandfather as he was being tightly embraced.
"Nice to meet you," Naoto smiled. "I didn't expect I'll see my twin brother again."
"Me either," he said, "I never thought I had a twin sister like you."
"We lost you after that incident at Moonlight Bridge years ago. We thought you were already dead as your parents."
"I was saved by...something I didn't expect that time. I couldn't describe what it was either 'cause it all happened in an instant. The next thing I knew, I was awake in someone else's home."
"Whatever the reason is, we're still happy to know you're alive," his grandfather patted Minato's head.
xXx
"I still can't imagine I lived here. I lost part of my memories after; my mind was a complete blank. I only knew my name from this watch I have, and remembered a few things after. As for my parents, it was a memory that can't be forgotten. I felt so alone that time. Fortunately, a kind couple found me when I woke up the next morning, and took me in. They soon named me Minato Arisato."
"But now, you know we're your true family. And your name should be -Minato Shirogane-," said Naoto.
"Do you still wish to retain your surname?"
"I'll think about it."
"I can still see that blunt attitude of yours," Naoto laughed, "Still the same person as ever."
"What's that supposed to mean, eh?"
"Nothing!" she laughed some more, "It's just that *giggle* it's your nature to be like that."
"Ah, yeah..." Minato covered part of his face with his hair. "Wait, what?"
Naoto just laughed. "I know! I'll introduce you to my friends! I'll call them right away, wait just a bit! Um, hello? This is Naoto..."
"Hoho, she sure is happy," he smiled, "I've never seen her like that after you were separated. She kept crying and locking herself in her room, and as well pouring out everything in her detective agendas. None of us expected that incident will happen when you and your parents had a short trip to Port Island without Naoto."
"Why didn't we take her with us anyway?"
"Hello? Yukiko-senpai, are you free tomorrow?"
"We had her stay because of a case she handled. She was a child prodigy after all; having the ability of a great detective."
"Wow, she did? Awesome! It's too bad that I don't remember about that."
"Okay, I've already called the others. Thanks, Souji-senpai, I'll see you all tomorrow."
"How many did you called...?"
"Seven."
"What...? This is so embarrassing... Showing up like this, and then taking me to meet your friends here…"
"But that is the right thing to do, isn't it? I'm just so proud that I... *sniff* *hic*"
"Aw, don't cry...! Naoto!"
"Sorry, I was overwhelmed with happiness..."
"She's rarely seen emotional, so let her be right now. You two take your time and enjoy yourselves. Minato, she's very certain of this, just have fun and walk around with her."
"Yes, Grandfather," he nodded.
"But that will wait until tomorrow. He just got from his trip, you know. Let him rest then you two go do as you please."
"It's a good thing I told them to meet in Junes after school tomorrow," she sighed.
xXx
Evening: Iwatodai Dorm
"Minato-san hasn't called since he left..." Aigis waited beside the telephone.
"Um, I don't think he'll be calling from there, Aigis... Is he?" Ken said as he plays with Koromaru.
"Aigis," Yukari said, "don't worry too much. He'll call us, but I think he'll be calling from his cell phone."
"Anytime now," said Aigis, "I will stay here and wait."
"Aigis..." Yukari sighed, "Suit yourself, then. I'm going out for a bit. Those five aren't here yet, so please take care of them."
"I will, Ken-kun and Koro-san will be under my protection. I'm sure they will be home before dinner."
oOo
December 5. Monday
After School
Junes Food Court
"Wow, he sure looks like you a lot," Chie commented. "We thought you were an only child."
"Nice to meet you, I'm Teddie!" Teddie shook his hands with Minato.
"Hi, I'm Minato."
"I'm Chie Satonaka! Nice to meet you!"
"Yosuke Hanamura, nice meeting you, pal."
"Yosuke's family runs this place!" Teddie interrupted.
"Hello, I'm Yukiko Amagi."
"Yuki-chan's family owns an inn!" Teddie interrupted again.
"Yes, he's right. If you have the time, please stop by there," she said.
"Kanji Tatsumi," he nervously shook his hand with Minato, "nice to meet you too."
"Kanji's family owns a textile shop!" Teddie interrupted once again.
"We'll do the honor of introducing ourselves, thank you," Kanji grunted.
"Rise Kujikawa! But I'm sure you're familiar with the name Risette?"
"Ah, Risette, hm... The celebrity? I heard you had a show at Paulownia Mall in Port Island."
"Oh, so you heard about that? Bummer since it got cancelled when there was a blackout. The club was so dark until they turned on the emergency lights on," she sighed.
"It was just a power shortage," Minato said.
"Hi, I'm Souji Seta. So you're the person Uncle helped out yesterday."
"Hm? Are you Dojima-san's nephew?"
"Yes," he smiled,"and welcome to the neighborhood."
"Thanks."
"This is where we often hang out, Brother."
"I see."
"Let's tour him around, Naoto-chan!" Rise said while dragging Minato. "I can't wait!"
"Then let's get going," said Naoto.
oOo
North Shopping District
"Naoto-chan!" Chie waved, "You and Minato-kun come here and pick your flavor! Yosuke's treating us all ice-cream!"
"What...? Hey!" Yosuke disagrees, "I just asked if you guys want some! I didn't say that I'll be paying it all!"
"Well you didn't clear your sentence," said Chie, "Besides; we've already picked ours, so just pay for ours, 'kay?"
"You must still be tired," said Naoto, "you've been quiet."
"...Yeah, must be it. Hey, I'm always quiet..."
"Look! I see Mr. Fox!" Rise pointed towards the shrine.
"Mr. Fox?"
"Fox is our friend from the shrine."
"Shrine?"
"We just befriended him, and he has the Tatsumine Shrine under his protection. It's that place over there."
"He also tries to fulfill his duty by helping fulfill the wishes in an ema," said Souji.
"That's amazing," he patted Fox on his head. "Maybe I'll wish for something using it sometime."
oOo
Evening comes, and the two reunited siblings were relaxing by the living room. Minato looked at all the albums laid out in front of him by Naoto. It's surprising that Naoto had that emotional side, and it's very unusual for the Yasogami group to see, especially while they were spending the day out earlier.
"And this one's when we had that party," Naoto smiled, "But that was the last birthday party we had together."
"Sorry if I can't remember much, Naoto," Minato said as he closed the book, "We'll get another party together, *laugh* but that's kid's stuff."
"How's it going with your family in the city?"
"I don't live with my foster parents," he lied down on the long couch, "that's why I moved to the school dorm along with my team members. They're all nice people, even the dog we adopted."
"A dormitory? That sounds good, since you'll be able to learn to be independent. Who are the people there, and what do you mean by 'team members'? Can you tell me what they're like?"
"The dorm's headed by one of the Kirijo Group's only daughter, Mitsuru-senpai, but she's already in college. She's a sophisticated person, a former president of the Student Council, and usually studies advanced stuff. Akihiko-senpai's the boxing captain during high school, and also in college now. He's a popular person too, so the girls are always tailing him. Mitsuru-senpai and Akihiko-senpai aren't at the dorm anymore since they're at some well-known university somewhere. Fuuka-san's a shy person who, uh...has trouble with cooking... Then there's Junpei the clown, but he's really someone you can have fun with. Ken's now a high school student. Yukari's someone me and Junpei's scared of for being strict on us. Then Koromaru's a dog we adopted after his master, the shrine priest, passed away. Shinjiro-senpai's in the same year as us since he dropped out during high school. Minako's a super hyperactive girl, and there's the sister androids Aigis and Metis."
"Androids?"
"The Kirijo Group is testing out their latest project on androids. So far, according to them, those two are the first successful after lots of attempts. They had them working like a real human, even in feelings and emotions. But since Aigis saw me, she keeps clinging to me as if I was accident-prone. She says things like 'I will protect you from danger' or 'I swear to be of use in times of need', things like those. It's a bit awkward... But adding to that, They're actually designed to look human but with built-in weapons."
"Sounds like she has taken a liking to you," Naoto laughed. "Ah, so they're like battle androids?"
"Pretty much like it, and it looks like they're also working on for future uses of androids like them."
"All those people you mentioned are all students like us, and I feel that you've treated them as family."
"Right," he yawned, "But geez, I'm not that good at telling stories... Plus, I'm sleepy..."
"There's one thing you forgot to tell me! What do you mean by team members?"
"We're a part of a special club during high school."
"What kind of club? Please tell me! I want to hear more things about you!"
"No, and it's hard to describe... Can we do it tomorrow...? Mm, I think I'll take a nap here for a while..."
"Huh, so that's how you'll respond to my simple request." Naoto stood up and picked up the teapot. She walked over to a sleeping Minato, and then gently placed it over his forehead, "I'm sorry, but it's not appropriate to sleep here like that. If you want to sleep, do it in your bedroom."
"OWOWOW! IT'S HOOOT!"
CHAPTER 2 END
junkosakura01: About the 'special club' part, I don't have a good idea for it so let's just leave it like that... Anyone who has an idea, go ahead, as long as it's still part of school. ^_^ Also, I've removed some of the honorifics, I hope you don't mind.