CHAPTER 7

Like a Dream Come True

The dorm hasn't been this lively since they graduated high school. Naoto and her friends haven't experienced going out of town together until now. Yukiko still has that dream to go outside Inaba, but this doesn't fulfill her wish. Metis has learned that the quote 'the more the merrier' is true, and she's happy to be surrounded by them. Aigis sees the wonder of having met people like them, and to help her and Metis to know what is means to be fully human. The sister androids still has yet to learn about human nature, and so their journey won't stop here. Souji has a few more weeks before he returns to the city, so he's living up to his promise of spending time with them. Fuuka's really thrilled to be with people who have the same culinary skills as her (being not-so good...), and tries her best to make it as her stepping stone. Minato's busy watching TV with Yosuke and the others.

"Is the food ready yet...?" Junpei groaned while half-asleep.

"We're almost done!" Rise replied.

"Sweet, this is gonna be great! Risette's making a home-cooked meal for us!" Junpei's suddenly wide awake.

"I told you to just call me 'Rise', Junpei-san!"

"Dude, I'm warning you, I wouldn't try tasting any of their dishes. One taste and you're dead," Yosuke said. "I've got nothing against Naoto-chan, so there's nothing to worry about hers."

"W-Why, does their food taste bad? Hey, Minato, you were at your sis' place; did they try making you a meal?"

Minato tries to reminisce about the party at their house, but all he remembers is passing out after tasting Yukiko's dish, "U-Uh... I don't remember..."

"Want us to remind you?" asked Kanji.

"No, I'd rather try remembering it on my own, thanks..."

xXx

~ BOOM ~

"Eeeyaah...!" Rise screamed.

"What's wrong?" They all stood up and looked at the kitchen.

"*sniff* Mine exploded...!"

"Whaaat...?"

Covered in soot dust and blown up ingredients, Shinjiro sighs, "*cough* I knew something like this would happen... And I thought Fuuka's the only one with skills like this."

"Waaah! I tried so hard...!" Rise cried. "I learned almost all the basic ones!"

"Don't worry, Rise-san, we still have the other meals ready!" Minako tried to calm her down.

"Did something happen here?" Yukari went down the stairs with Mitsuru and Akihiko after hearing the loud noise. "What was that loud... What the...?"

"Why are you covered in...?" Akihiko paused, "Uh, I think I don't need to ask anymore..."

"Rise, you really had to blow up someone else's place, huh?" Chie coughed.

"And I thought I'm already the worst cook..." Yukiko untied her hair to wipe off the particles caught in it.

"We'll just clean up," said Naoto.

"Fine, you girls do that while I think of something to do with this one," said Shinjiro.

"I told you we shouldn't make them cook anymore," Yosuke chuckled.

"Oh and I suppose you can do better?" Chie glared while holding a kitchen knife in her hand.

"Why are you holding that...?" Yosuke hid behind Souji. "Keep that thing away, you're gonna get someone hurt!"

"At least ours are a bit improved!" Chie said.

"There's no need to blame one another," Mitsuru said, "This is just a small accident that can be easily fixed."

"I'm having so much fun here too!" Teddie said while petting Koromaru, "I've never been so thrilled!"

"The rest of the food's safe. Start setting up everything, you guys, it's time to eat," said Shinjiro, "We'll give the guests some extra space."

"Yeah, finally!" Junpei hurried to help set up.

xXx

"Why didn't you invite Chidori along?" Minako asked.

"I did, she said that it was okay even with Takaya and Jin, but she said they had their own plans. Maybe on the next get-together she says. Hey, I thought you're gonna invite Ryoji?"

"He said he wants to, but he's already got plans."

"Bummer and I thought we'll gonna get jamming tonight."

"We have a full house tonight," said Akihiko, "I've never had a feast like this with so much people."

"Where is Minato-san and Naoto-san?" asked Aigis.

"I think they went upstairs after eating," Metis replied. "He said that he'll just tour his sister around."

"Don't bother following them, Aigis," said Yukari. "Let those two have their moment. They'll be fine, and so stay here and bond with us."

"Okay, Yukari-san."

"Why're you eating that?" Kanji took his bag of animal crackers from Rise and Chie. "I was saving it for dessert!"

"Aw, c'mon," said Chie, "you've got two large packs left. Just let this one share with us."

"I agree. *munch*" Yukiko took a bird-shaped cracker. Kanji sighed as a response.

"Are you bothered by the inconvenience of this dorm?" Mitsuru asked the Yasogami group. "We only have enough chairs and furniture even before we were living together."

"Not at all!" they replied.

"We don't mind sitting down on the floor," said Yosuke, "especially since it's soft and smooth."

"Yep, not a problem for us," Kanji added.

oOo

Inside Minato's Room

After taking Naoto around, Minato took her to his room to have a brother-sister conversation. He let her sit on his bed while he takes the chair.

"So this is your room," said Naoto, "I imagined a dorm room would be like this."

"It's not that big, but we get by. I like this room because it's nice. But when Junpei yells during before exams, it's not that sound-proof," he chuckled.

"Why did you take me in here? Aside from the fact that I'm allowed because I'm your sister, I presume there is something else on your mind that you want to talk about."

"Yeah, and it's about the promise I gave you. You've taken a week off with your friends to stay here for that promise, not just to cheer me for my exams. Aren't they bothered that it's just a promise between us, and that they're skipping school just for this?"

"I've talked to them about that matter, and they are willing to accompany me here. We also wanted to spend more time with each other because Souji-senpai will leave after his year in Inaba. I suppose we don't have much lessons to cover, so we are using this time to our advantage."

"Ah, I understand. Then I won't stop you; go make memories with your friends."

"What about our promise?"

"We can still do that. After we spend time with them, we'll get the time for ourselves, what do you say?"

"But I worry about Grandfather since he's not here..."

"He said he'll be fine, and will wait for next year. I'll go make it up to him on the New Year, it's my own decision."

"You know, I've been always hoping that I'll be able to see you again. I never thought that you were dead. But I'm still upset over the death of our parents... Still, we don't have the power to turn back time nor bring them to life. I accept what has happened and hope for the best."

"I never stopped too, about thinking that I still have a family. But I admit that I once lost hope that I may never find my family again. Even after I moved here, I still keep trying to remember. But now, everything's coming back bit by bit, and that's something."

"Minato, I really don't want to leave your side, all I want is to live peacefully with you, Grandfather, and everyone else," she suddenly embraced Minato.

He let out a faint smile and gently caressed her head. "Naoto," he said, "I won't leave you or Grandfather alone; I'll do my best to take care both of you. Nothing will separate us."

"What about your decision about where will you reside?"

"I...haven't thought about that... I don't want to think of anything regarding it until I'm done with my promise to you."

"Brother..."

"Now, let's go eat dessert; I'm sure there's some downstairs." He stood up and went ahead of her "I'm not letting myself sleep until I do," he laughed.

"Wait for me!" she stood up as well and walked with him.

CHAPTER 7 END