CHAPTER 5

Final Exams and a Promise

December 11, Sunday

Early Morning

Iwatodai Dorm, Lounge

"Hrm...?" Yukari looked at the front door with sleepy eyes and a toast in her mouth. She stood up from her chair at the dining table and went to open the door, "...Mm, who could be here early this morning...?"

"Y-Yukari...!"

"*spits her toast onto Minato's face* M-Minato...?"

"You...didn't have to do that..." he said while wiping Yukari's toast-filled spit off his face.

"Sorry... But why did you return? I thought..."

"I just remembered that the Final Exams are tomorrow..."

"Ooh... Sorry, we also kinda forgot to remind you. But you were having fun there, so we didn't..."

"It's okay. But I have to go back to Inaba after, I promised Naoto that-"

"MINATOOO!" Junpei pounced on Minato which made them fall down. "What a morning this iiis!"

"Hey, Junpei," he stood up. "By the way, you're heavy..."

"MINAATOOO?" Minako squealed after spitting out her milk onto Minato's face because of excitement...

"Groooss...!" Junpei backed away.

"Sorry...! I was just surprised!" Minako giggled.

"Minato-senpai!" Ken jumped on Minato after he cleaned himself again and he carried him like his own little brother.

"Arf! Arf!" Koromaru nuzzled his nose on his leg. The rest came down with happy faces after hearing them.

"Minato-san!" Aigis quickly embraced him. 'We missed you."

"Hello, Aigis. N-Now...could you loosen your hug a bit...? It's tight and you've got robotic arms..."

"I'm very sorry!" she quickly released her grip.

"You have a lot of stories to share with us, bro!" Junpei said.

"I will after I study. Sorry, everyone, but I have to stay locked in my room until I finish the exams." Minato quickly went up to his room.

"What's his problem?" Shinjiro asked with a confused face.

"...He just remembered that tomorrow's the Final Exams," Yukari replied.

"Okay, that explains it. Well, I'd better go make breakfast now," Shinjiro went to the kitchen.

"I will assist Minato-san in his endeavor," said Aigis. "I will too," Metis added.

"No, you two, it's best if you let him study on his own. Plus, he's already a brainiac...despite his lazy nature," Yukari went to the dining table.

"I should go help Shinjiro-senpai make a big breakfast!" Fuuka happily smiled.

"Uh, I think Senpai should take care of that... You just go sit aside and enjoy your morning," Junpei said.

"Um, okay?"

oOo

For the next hours, Minato did as he says; locking himself in his room surrounded by tons of books, notebooks, and other reading references. He studied all the way up to the present lessons discussed.

"...The form present in this artwork is Surrealism... *sigh* I think this subject's done for the day. Let's see, history's next... Then..."

~ KNOCK KNOCK ~

"Excuse me, Minato? Shinjiro-senpai asked me to bring you something to snack on," said Fuuka.

"The door's open so you can enter," he replied.

"Huh, I thought you're literally going to lock yourself in this room just to cram," said Yukari.

Minato faced her with a zombie-look, "I'm almost at my limit...! If I have to review everything all at once all over again, I'll die..."

"Don't be so exaggerating! You're one heck of a lazy genius," she pointed at his forehead, "and there's no way that you'll fail, right, Fuuka?."

"Yes," she nodded, "You're very smart, Minato."

"Aren't you going to ask me how my stay there was?"

"We do, but that'll wait and you've still got a lot to cover," she tapped the books on the desk. "Well, we'll see you during the exams, good luck!"

"We'll help you if you need us, Minato," Fuuka smiled.

"Thanks you two."

Suddenly, Ken, Aigis, Metis, and Junpei rushed in, "We want to help you study!"

"Uh...thanks?" he stared at them. "Aigis, Metis, I appreciate it, but I can do it by myself. Ken, you're still in elementary; you won't understand much about this," Minato showed a book in front of Ken, then placed on top of his desk. "And Junpei...er, just concentrate on your own..."

"I understand," Aigis and Metis left the room, so did Fuuka.

"Oh right, I forgot. But I'll get to that someday, y'know!" Ken said and also left the room.

Junpei doesn't want to leave yet, "Don't you want my help? We'll be study buddies!"

"Thanks, but no... And you really have to go cram like me, Junpei."

Yukari laughed, "You really want to help him, Stupei? Hahaha, that's so not like you!"

"Ha. Ha. That's so hilarious, Yuka-tan," Junpei said. "I can't study by myself, so I'm here."

"Yeah right...you just want to leech the answers from someone smart, don't you? And don't you go studying with me or I'll shut you out."

"You're cold, Yuka-tan! I just want study partner! I read in a book that a person gets smarter while he studies with someone!"

"That's true, but you've got zero chance if you don't take studying seriously."

"Yuka-tan, you're so mean!"

"...I wasn't being mean."

Minato turned his chair and looked at them with furious eyes, "Would you two get out now...?"

oOo

Lunchtime

Yasogami High, Rooftop

"Well, has he called yet?" Rise fixed her hair after the strong wind blew.

"Not yet, it is his exams this week, and it will end this Saturday."

"I've got an idea! Do you want to go to Port Island and cheer him on?"

"Oh no, I couldn't... I'd love to, but... He's already smart and is capable of dealing it with himself."

"Aw, c'mon, Naoto-chan! We can bring everyone, and I can take care of the train fare too! But once that's done, we have to get back in time for school. What do you say?"

"But that will take a week off our school days."

"Pshaw! We've got no more lessons to cover so we're absolutely free!"

"I sure like to go... I-I mean just to visit him...! Um..."

"Then it's settled! Let's tell them later and go meet at Junes to prepare! Wait... I know! Let's go there on his last exam day! But we still have to tell them later. Ooh, I'm getting so excited!"

We were in Port Island during our field trip, but I haven't had the chance to see him even if we still haven't met... Wait...! *gasp*

* Flashback *

-During Yasogami's school field trip

Club Escapade, Paulownia Mall

"Man, these two sure are drunk..." Yosuke carried Rise on his back. Souji, on the other hand, was carrying Yukiko on his back. "I mean, how could that place get people drunk like that? Phew, good thing Rise-san's a light person to carry. Is Yukiko-san heavy?"

"I don't know, and since I'm a bit tired, I can't tell," Souji said, "Let's just return to the hotel and get them to rest. Hey Yosuke, Rise's drooling on your uniform..."

"Whew, let's get outta here already!" Chie fanned herself and went ahead of them to meet Naoto outside.

xXx

Outside the club, Naoto is waiting patiently for the others to go out until... "Hm... I have yet to be friends with them, but I just can't because I'm not used to it... And this place is definitely not the right one to-" she suddenly sees a blue-haired boy listening to his headphones walk past her. He was on his way to play the crane game at Game Panic. "Wh-Who was that...? How come he looked like me...?" The boy didn't noticed her because his eyes were locked on the Jack Frost Doll inside while walking fast.

"What's wrong, Naoto-kun?" Chie asked. "You looked like you just saw a ghost."

"Oh, um, I was just recovering from the atmosphere inside."

"I know what you mean! Sheesh, we should never do that again! Hey, Souji-kun, you better handle her with care or you'll face my kicks!"

"I know, I know... Come, Naoto-kun, stop staring into space and let's go. It's not like you to be like that."

"Y-Yes, Senpai." But she still stares at the boy playing the crane game, and knows that she isn't being tricked by her eyes. The blue-haired boy felt someone was staring at him, but he just ignored it and continued playing.

* End of Flashback *

oOo

December 17, Saturday

After School

Yasoinaba Station

"Well, is everyone here?" Souji asked.

"Naoto-chan's still not here," Rise said.

"What? Isn't she supposed to be the first one here and wait for us?" Kanji said.

"I guess she must still be nervous or maybe packing her things," Yukiko looked around to see if Naoto is coming.

"She has to be here in 3 minutes or we'll have to wait for the next train," Yosuke said.

"I think here she comes!" Teddie waved, "Ooh! Ooh! Naoto-chaaan, over heeere!"

"*pant pant* I'm sorry, I think I overslept..."

"Overslept? Dude, that's not like you." Then Yosuke laughed, "Don't worry, we're not leaving without you! You can apologize all you want, but we're still not gonna get angry."

"Th-Thank you, Yosuke-senpai."

oOo

-Final Exam Day

Morning (a few hours before the scene at Inaba)

Gekkoukan University

"Where is that guy?" Junpei paced back and forth, "If Minato won't show up, we're doomed!"

"You mean you're doomed," Yukari laughed.

"Calm down, Junpei," said Fuuka, "Minato won't miss this day, just like the other days."

"You're worried because you won't be able to copy his answers!" Yukari is laughing hard.

"That ain't funny, Yuka-tan!"

"You were busy talking to Chidori last night so you barely studied! Good for her since she's studying well, but the fact that you disturbed her while she's studying is rude."

"Chidori doesn't mind it! Right, Chidori?"

"I do," Chidori replied. "Now, I'll have to look for Takaya and Jin since they're not yet in this room..." and Chidori pouted at the thought of her being the twosome's constant reminder. "Why do I still have to put up with those two anyways...?" she murmured to herself.

"Chi-Chidoriii...!"

"Chidori! Why don't you just let those two imbeciles at their own risk? They're leeching off you like Stupei!" Yukari shouted.

"That's so harsh...!" Junpei banged his head on his desk.

Just then, Minato and Aigis are running towards the room. "Phew! Has it started?" Minato panted.

"It's starting in 10 minutes...! Where were you?" Junpei said.

"I...kinda overslept..."

"OVERSLEPT? Minato...!" he wagged Minato back and forth.

"You won't copy my answers, Junpei..."

"Daaamn... I'm gonna flunk...! Why not...?"

"Uh, because you didn't study well...?" Minato yawned.

"Thanks for getting him out of bed, Aigis," Yukari said. "If you hadn't dragged him out, he'll still be sleeping until it's over."

"I was hesitant to threaten him while he was sleeping. I learned that a person dreaming will respond to reality outside his mind during his sleep."

"That's alright; at least you woke him up. *sigh* I wish he'd stop being so lazy..."

xXx

After Lunchtime

They dropped off at the same train station Minato was when he first got to Port Island. They took a walk around until they reached another train station.

Port Island Station, Near Rafflesia Flower Shop

"This is it..." Naoto is awed at the sights. "Port Island."

"Ooh, it's just like how I remembered it!" Rise jumped. "Wow, so it improved a lot since I left."

"Look, Yukiko! They're selling flowers," Chie took Yukiko to the flower shop. "Wow, they've got almost all kinds. We haven't got to explore here before," Yukiko said.

"So anyone knows where we're headed?" Yosuke asked, but none of them answered. "I thought so..."

"You kids look like new," the florist said, "Where are you from?"

"Inaba," said Yukiko. "We're here to visit someone."

"My, you've come a long way, and so nice of you all to visit a friend here. I might be able to guide you to your destination, if you'd like."

Naoto springed ahead, "Um, can you tell us where this place is?"

"Gekkoukan University? That's over at the next island, but not that way because that's where its high school is," she pointed towards the Gekkoukan High building.

"How about if you direct us here?" Naoto pointed at the word 'Iwatodai Dorm' on the paper she's holding.

"That's on the same island, but don't worry, the train here will take you directly to there."

"Thank you very much," Naoto bowed.

xXx

Iwatodai Strip Mall, Wild Duck Burger

"Where do we go now?" Teddie is munching his burger.

"Sounds like a hassle to go to high school if we lived here," Kanji said. "That's most likely if we lived in the dorms like Minato-san."

"Can we go to the mall first?" Rise tugged Naoto's shirt, "We haven't gone shopping much during the field trip!"

"But you've gone through the shops quicker than any regular shopper," Yosuke laughed. "Besides, I don't wanna see that night club again... It's bringing me back to the humiliation we've had there..."

"But you weren't picked, Yosuke," Chie said.

"Yes, I was...did you forget...?" he groaned. "All of us did..."

xXx

"By the way, Naoto-san," said Souji, "why did you suddenly decide to visit here? Was it because Rise-san said it or were you forced?"

"I came here on my own decision. Rise-chan also encouraged me, so..."

"Aw, isn't that sweet? All for the sake of being with her brother!" Yukiko smiled.

"Y-Yukiko-senpai...!" Naoto blushed.

"Ms. Kashiwagi won't even notice us that much; she's busy lecturing us on things we're not interested in," said Chie.

"I don't know about the part where we'll get scolded for being absent for a week though..." Yukiko added.

"Quit worrying, Yukiko! King Moron's already dead so he's not here to bring the trash-talk on us, and Chie's right about Ms. Kashiwagi," Yosuke nodded in agreement, "Besides, it's almost Christmas so I bet there's not much stuff to cover."

"That's true," Rise said.

"I just remembered, you're almost leaving, huh...?" Yukiko looked at Souji.

"Yeah, only a few more weeks and then it's back to the city for me. But I've still got Christmas and New Year to spend with you guys, don't worry!" Souji smiled.

"That's the reason why I went here..." Naoto said while looking down.

"What reason?" Kanji asked.

"Before Minato had gone back, he told me that..."

* Flashback *

Shirogane Estate

"...I promise you that I'll spend Christmas with you, Naoto. But why limit to that? We'll have Grandfather join in! I'm not deciding that only just to make up for the lost years, but we'll spend it like it's supposed to be-because we're a family."

"You really mean it?"

"Of course I do!"

Minato promised that he'll return to Inaba to spend Christmas with me and Grandfather once his exams are done. When I told Grandfather that he will go back here in Port Island and about that promise, he was so happy. Happy because even though we're not complete, Minato was able to fill in the lost years, even not all of it, we would have if it weren't for that incident.

*End of Flashback*

"So touching...!" Rise starts to cry.

"It's like in a TV drama...!" Yukiko was next to cry.

"I wish I had your life...!" Teddie sobbed.

"I-I'm not making anyone cry...! Teddie, not so loud, please...!"

"Stop sobbing, you sound like a wailing bear!" Yosuke whacked him. "And you've already got a life, room freeloader...!"

"Ouch, that hurts!" Teddie caressed his head.

oOo

Gekkoukan University

"WHOOO! YEAH!" Junpei stretched his arms with a big grin. "I've answered all of Sensei's test! Thumbs-up for me!"

"Did you answer the last part?" Yukari looked at his mischievously, "The test question for 10 points? Sensei said that you have a chance to fail if you can't answer that one."

"What, there was that question...?" Junpei's eyes widened, "Oh maaan...! I knew it was too good to be true...!"

"Mm, I was sure I'd answer that one question..." Fuuka frowned. "Yukari, do you think I wrote the right answer?"

"Of course! You're a smart person too, y'know!" Yukari nodded then stretched her arms, "Phew! I thought I won't be able to go through it! By the way, what I said about the 'fail to answer that one question, you fail the whole exam'? That was just an exaggeration," she laughed.

"WHAAAT...? Man, don't scare me like that...! So how did you fare, Minato?" Junpei asked, and Minato gave him a thumbs-up, "Phoo, I shouldn't have asked..." he sulked some more."What about you, Ai-chan?"

"I have conquered every question with ease."

"Metis...?"

"I have reviewed answers like the teacher told us."

"Ryoji?"

"I think I'll get a good grade. Welp, see you guys later!" Ryoji went home by himself.

"And Shinjiro-senpai...?"

"Mine's fine as long as I'm not in the same league as you. That means I'll pass..." Shinjiro said.

"Really? Damn, why am I always..."

"...A loser?" Yukari laughed while giving him pats on the back. "Cheer up; Shinjiro-senpai's going to make us a special meal for finishing the finals tonight!"

"Really?"

"Yep, I'm in the mood to make us a special dinner for tonight."

"Woohoo!" Junpei jumped.

"But Junpei's in charge of cleaning the dishes," Shinjiro added, "Not only because he's sure to fail, but because he's really in charge for tonight's dishwasher."

"Say what...?" Junpei whined. The rest laughed and went home.

CHAPTER 5 END

junkosakura01: So you've noticed Strega's there, eh? Yep, it's them, but not as Strega; just a trio of absolutely normal students studying in the same school as S.E.E.S. Chirdori's character is her original style as a goth-loli girl with a hobby of sketching, and likes Junpei. In this fanfic, she's close friends with the group. As for Takaya and Jin, they're a duo resembling a typical student: not-so concerned with school, always ditching class, and they're also not that close with the group like Chidori does. Because of that, they have poor Chidori to keep them at bay. As for Ryoji, he's still the laid-back guy we knew. Since this is a fanfic, there's freedom, and I've made this as normal as possible. I don't have any idea how a Japanese college works, so I kinda followed ours and made it into a six-day exam. Whoa, making it like that is pure torture... O_O'