junkosakura01: I can't decide on a good name for the school's name, so I just used that name instead... ~_~ I forgot to mention that Minako doesn't have a surname here, so it's up to you what hers will be. I hope I fixed the things and complaints I've been thrown at. If there's more, tell me right away and I'll do what I can.

CHAPTER 4

Thoughts

Four days have passed since he arrived; Minato's really enjoying his stay. He's also been calling the dorm to tell how he's doing and asking how they've been doing. Yukari is the most to receive his calls because she's the one Minato calls often, because she's usually free after school. If Yukari wasn't able to answer, he'd call Minako, Junpei or even the dorm telephone and let anyone answer it. Minato's thinking of whether he should stay or return to the dorm. If he should stay, he'll have to either finish his year or transfer to a college in Inaba (if there is one, that is).

December 10, Saturday

After School

Shirogane Estate

"Naoto? Naoto!" Minato wakes up from his nap.

"What is it, Minato?"

"I've been...thinking..." Naoto's expression changed, seems like she knows what he will say, "Thinking about what?" she said.

"If... I stayed here. I was thinking that if I stayed here, I'd have to choose finishing my year in my school or get transferred."

"U-Uh..." she was speechless; Naoto felt she wouldn't able to answer. It'll make her happy if he were to stay, but if that will make him leave his life in Port Island, then it feels like it's her own fault, she thought. Naoto went near the window and gazed at the lush flower gardens and bushes lined at their lawn. "I can't..."

"Ah, I see, okay," he went near her, "I understand, that's why you can't answer. Well then, I'll be taking a stroll around this place, Inaba's got lots of place I haven't gone to. Or I'll just roam around the estate since I haven't." Minato chuckled and left the room.

Naoto thought deeply after Minato had left. It'll be a hard decision for her and Minato to make. "Yeah, what will become of the events if he left his home there...?"

oOo

Gekkoukan University

"Hm? Still no Minato?" Kenji approached Junpei. "I didn't notice him much 'cause I was busy looking at someone else, hehe."

"Yep, he's still absent."

"For what reasons? C'mon, Junpei, fill me in at least a bit! Minato's also my buddy, y'know!"

"He's gone to Inaba to visit his real family," said Yukari.

"Whoa, his real family? I thought he was an orphan?"

"Well he isn't right now. Dude's got a letter from his grandpa saying he's been looking for him since the incident years ago."

"Do you think he'll stay there?"

"I'm sure he'll be able to decide..." Yukari frowned.

"I wish Minato-san would be able to, or else I won't be able to protect him," Aigis said.

"Aigis-san, you still keep saying that stuff?" Kenji chuckled, "I've been hearing you say that since we were in high school. You really like him, don't ya?"

"'Like'?" she wondered.

"Stop messing with Aigis, Kenji," Yukari said. "Don't get her into your silly nonsense."

"Ooh, I think you've got a rival, Aigis-san!" he elbowed her.

"Shut up!" Yukari then took Aigis and walked away. "Come on, Aigis, let's leave these two idiots and go home."

"Yukari-san's got issues..."

"I think so too... Hey wait, Yuka-tan! Let's wait for the others!"

"Fuuka's already gone ahead with Metis, while Minako and Shinjiro-senpai's got errands," Yukari's voice trailing off.

xXx

"Yukari-san, why are you angry?"

"I'm not, just a bit stressed; so stressed that I poured it out like that. The finals are coming up, y'know?"

"Did Kenji-san meant 'like' as an expression for affection?"

"Uh yeah, sort of? Aigis, it's just a word to tell you care for someone. It's no big deal, actually..."

"I see..." Aigis nodded, "Then I say 'I like Minato-san!'" Yukari stopped walking after hearing her say that. "You like him?" Yukari looked back.

"Yes, you told me that it's a word meaning you care for someone," Aigis replied.

"W-Well, I did say that... Ugh, I'm a bit tired today, so why don't we just go home, okay?" Yukari smiled and walked with Aigis.

oOo

Shopping District, Near Shiroku Store

"Oh, it's Minato-kun!" Rise exclaimed.

"Hey!" Chie waved. "Come eat with us!" Minato approached them and sat down on the empty seat. "So, how are you doing here in Inaba? We haven't seen you since after we showed you around."

"I've been staying in," Minato walked towards them, "I've been catching up with Naoto. So where's the rest?"

"Yukiko-senpai's at the inn, Kanji-kun's at their family store right over there, Senpai's taking care of Nanako-chan, and Yosuke-senpai and Teddie's working at Junes. I usually move around while Rise-chan's busy at their tofu shop over there. That's pretty much what we do everyday. I'm sure Naoto-chan's doing her time too."

"I just remembered," Rise said, "I had a show in Port Island, right? Since that incident happened, I never got to see the sights again since we left right after. Well, what's it like now? I wanna know, if that's okay."

"Still the same."

"What about the city?"

"Same as it always will be."

"You're a man of few words, huh?" Chie said and chewed off a chunk of meat from her skewer. "You're like Souji-kun, but only more silent."

"But you sure talked much when you talked about some other things when we were together," Rise added with a smile.

"I just said what I wanted to say."

xXx

"Tell us something about yourself, Minato-kun."

"I'm not good at telling things about myself..."

"Aw, c'mon, why not?," Rise sipped her juice.

"So what are you doing right now? Oh, want some? It's my treat."

"No, thanks, I'm just taking a stroll; I just wanted to get to know the place before I decide."

"Decide on what?"

"Whether I leave Port Island and stay here or not."

"I just wanna ask you this: how's it going with Naoto-chan? Is she being a good sister to you? What's it like?"

"Naoto's a fine sister, a sister I never remembered I had. Thanks to that incident, I lost almost all of my memories. But since I came to Port Island, I've been getting one surprise after another."

"And?"

"All is good, I'll just have to adjust myself and decide soon."

"Oh, that's good. I'm sure you'll be able to."

"I had fun talking with you two. I should get going now."

"Yeah, I hope we didn't take too much of you time."

"No, it's alright."

"Was it fun talking with a celebrity?" Rise went a little close to Minato's face, "*giggle* But your face doesn't show it. Huh, I understand your type. You're not that interested in seeing celebrities like moi."

"Stop flirting him like that, it's giving me the creeps, Rise-chan..."

"Hahaha! I'm just kidding, Chie-senpai! Sorry about that too, Minato-kun! I've rarely had that side of me showing since I stopped being a celebrity."

"Rise-chan, I support you in being just a 'normal' person."

oOo

Evening

Shirogane Estate

"You're back! How was your stroll?"

"It's making me...miss my friends back at the dorm..."

"...I see..."

"But I wasn't trying to make you upset, Naoto. I should be the one who's supposed to be upset because Junpei told me that Sensei's piling a lot of make-up homework for me when I get back," he tried to make her laugh. But it's true, Minato's really under a pile of homework to do since he left.

"Is that so?" Naoto let out a soft giggle, "Is there any way you can accomplish it while you're still here?"

"I might just sleep through it," Minato laughed.

"I can't let you do that if you're here," Naoto laughed too.

"This has been a fun stay, Naoto, it really is. If Grandfather hadn't sent me that letter, we might still be strangers to each other."

"Yes, I agree with that. I was surprised when he told me you were still alive and that he was going to send you a letter."

"I wonder what they are doing right now... I hope they're okay."

"I'm sure they are," she smiled.

"Um... I... Listen, I still haven't decide on whether I have to stay or not, but that doesn't mean I'll stop looking after you."

"I know... But whatever your decision will may be, I will accept it. If I interfered, then I consider myself as a selfish sister."

"Don't say that, Naoto. Interfere or not, that won't change the fact that we're siblings." Then Minato's phone alarm rings, "Wait, that was just my phone alarm... Oh shoot...! I almost forgot that the finals are next week...! I've got to cram-e-er, study...! I've got to study!"

"U-Uh, why don't you calm down and try to review everything? You can at least study a lot in just one night. But you were studying, didn't you?"

"Uh... I was doing some reading while you were at school or at least I think so..."

"What do you mean you think so...?" Naoto stared dumbfounded at her twin brother.

"Naoto, I have to go back now! My grades are at stake! If I don't pass this one..." Don't fret, Minato, you have maxed out Academics so you don't have to worry about a thing... *snigger*

"Right now? You have to go back now?"

"Yes...! But I'll be back here again, promise! Can you tell Grandfather for me? I'm sure he'll understand, so please?" and he rushed to his room and started to pack his things. Naoto is left dumbfounded staring blankly at what just happened.

CHAPTER 4 END