The Fourth Night
Date: Monday, September 21st.
The current time was 2:53. The storm was not as strong as it was the previous days since it had started to ravage Port Island. Fuuka and Akihiko took advantage of the current situation and went out to Iwatodai for groceries, especially because they didn't have the proper necessities to aid Minato's recovery. Shinji was in his room again. Ken was sitting on the couch with a mug of hot chocolate. Mitsuru was sitting on the seat reading one of her books. Junpei, Yukari, Koromaru and Aigis were on the second floor, sitting at the table that was next to the two vending machines. Koromaru started to bark a few times.
"What's up with him?" Junpei questioned.
"He is asking when Minato will be able to play with him once again." Aigis translated for the dog.
"Probably not until a few more days, Koro-chan. And you'll also have to wait for the storm to blow over." Yukari said to the dog, who could surprisingly understand what everyone said to him. Koromaru began to whimper sadly. Koromaru was just as concerned for Minato's wellbeing just like the others.
"Don't worry, Koromaru. Minato will get back to his old shadow destroying real soon." Junpei said to Koromaru. He barked happily in response.
The front doors to the dorm suddenly opened, with Akihiko and Fuuka walking in with their arms full of plastic bags of groceries. Even with raincoats, the two were still soaked all over.
"Heh, maybe I should start doing my daily jogs in the rain too." Akihiko said.
"But, senpai, we don't want you to end up getting sick too." Fuuka responded. Akihiko just grunted, thinking that his idea would have benefited him.
After the two had put away the recently acquired supplies, Akihiko went up to Minato's room, holding a tray that had a bowl of hot oatmeal, a glass of orange juice, and a slice of buttered toast. He knocked on the door and heard Minato tell him to come in. But, when Akihiko opened the door, Koromaru sprinted from where he was sitting and ran in right past Akihiko, almost causing him to trip. Koromaru stood on his hind legs as he leaned on Minato's bed, ecstatic that he got to see Minato again. Minato chuckled lightly as he scratched behind Koromaru's left ear since he knew that Koromaru loved that spot. Minato was glad to interact with Koromaru again. Besides Akihiko, no one else came up to see Minato, when he was awake at least.
"Hey, Koro-Chan! What are you doing in there?!" Yukari called out from outside of Minato's door.
"Don't worry, about it, Yukari. I'm glad he came over." Minato said to Yukari. Koromaru barked happily that Minato wanted him to stay.
"Alright, if you say so." Yukari left after that and returned to Junpei and Aigis. Akihiko shut Minato's door then placed the tray in front of Minato. He put his hand on Minato's forehead, still feeling hot. Akihiko sighed lightly, thinking, while he may look like Minato was getting better, his body wasn't exactly agreeing.
"How are you feeling, Arisato?"
"Okay, I guess. I didn't feel light-headed when I woke up, this time. I guess that's some kind of improvement." Responded Minato, reaching to sip the orange juice.
"That's good. I'm glad that you're starting to get better." Akihiko said and Koromaru barked. "Heh, I guess Koromaru agrees." Koromaru barked twice happily. Minato petted the top of Koromaru's head, making Koromaru bark with glee. Minato really liked Koromaru. All dogs in general, as well as wolves and foxes, so it really did comfort him to have Koromaru here with him.
While Minato ate the food Akihiko brought him, the two conversed with each other just like the previous night, only without the phones being used. Minato did wonder as to why only Akihiko wanted to spend all this time with him. He figured he'd rather train in his own room. Minato understood that the girls couldn't go into the boys' rooms and vice versa, but he'd figure Junpei or Ken would stop by at least once. Maybe Ken didn't come by even if he wanted to because he was younger and more likely to get sick from Minato. Though, in the end, Minato didn't mind being with Akihiko at all. Akihiko was telling Minato story about his childhood with Shinji.
"He got us into so much trouble with that stunt that I just wanted to knock his block off!" Akihiko said while laughing about the events that had transpired in his story. Minato was laughing at it too, until the air conditioner in his room caused several papers from Minato's desk to scatter about the floor.
"I'll get that for you." Akihiko said, getting up to retrieve the papers.
"W-wait, senpai!" Minato exclaimed, trying to stop the gray haired senior. But it was too late. Akihiko and picked up and seen what was on the papers. They were drawings. Akihiko was surprised as to what the drawings were. They were all of HIM. Drawings of Akihiko in various poses. Ones with him standing next to his persona, Polydeuces. Him in a fighting position with his spiked gloves. As well as a close up drawing of Akihiko's face, his face bearing that smirk of confidence he would make.
"Uh…" Akihiko had no idea as to what he should say. Minato had his face buried in his hands. Through them he muffled something.
"…guh." Is what Akihiko could only hear.
"W-what was that…?" Akihiko questioned.
"Just go! Leave me alone, senpai." Minato exclaimed, moving his hands out of his face. Right when he said this, a huge roar of thunder ringed in anyone in a five mile radius's ears. The power went out momentarily, returned soon after. Rain was hitting against the window like it was bullets instead of water. Minato was completely red. Be it embarrassment or anger, Akihiko couldn't tell which it was.
"B-but, Ari"
"GET OUT!" This time, Minato yelled, causing him to cough erratically. Akihiko quickly put the papers onto the desk and left instantaneously, shutting the door behind him. Koromaru stayed in the room with Minato. He was whimpering, upset that the friends were fighting. Koromaru leaped onto Minato's bed, getting closer to Minato's face, wanting to help. Tears were streaming down his face. He looked and the dog and gently pulled him into hug.
Akihiko walked away from Minato's room, until Yukari rushed over to her senpai along with Junpei and Fuuka.
"Akihiko-senpai, what happened in there?! It sounded like Minato was yelling!" Yukari frantically asked the boxer.
"He… he got upset over something I did. I didn't mean to, but… He wants to be left alone right now. I… I'll try apologizing later if I can." Akihiko said to them as he was trying to move past them. He was trying with all his might not to let the water forming in his eyes to pour out in front of the others. He quickly retreated to his own room, shutting the door as soon as he was inside. He walked over to the speed bag on the side of the room and slammed his fist full of rage on it at full force. The stitching of the bag tore and the contents inside started to pour out of it. Akihiko slapped his right hand over his down tear filled face.
"Damn it!" Akihiko barely choked out that remark. "Why did I have to go and upset him!? I wanted to make him better fast, but I do this?! I'm so stupid! Why can't I do anything right!?" Akihiko kept beating himself over what had transpired. The last thing he ever wanted to do was to hurt Minato. The guilt was overtaking him as he dropped onto his bed, punching himself on the side of his head, silently sobbing to himself.
Back in Minato's room, Minato was laying down, asleep. The stress caused him to pass out from exhaustion. He had tear stains on his cheeks, and under his eyes, they were puffy and red. Koromaru was curled in a ball, nestled in the blue haired boy's chest. Minato had one of his hands on the dog, finding him to be the only source of comfort at the moment. Koromaru wasn't going to leave the boy alone. He was going to be there for a loved one this time to protect, in memory of Koromaru's previous Monk owner.