A/N: P3P is owned by ATLUS.

Note: Any occurrences in the following dates are disregarded because to make this fic work the events had to be adjusted.

Watch you waste away

You were born to shine, left behind

Slowly you fade to gray

Yet you say you were fine…

How could you believe that you've done wrong?

Faux pas

-social blunder: an embarrassing mistake that breaks a social convention/mistake

October 23, 2009

Akihiko looks forward for the day to get as good as it can. Earlier that day Minako asked him to eat lunch together. She even made a bento for them to share. Now with just the two of them alone at the rooftop Minako is smiling amused at him as he eats her dishes with much zeal, he decides that he enjoys this. Spending time with her. Immersing himself with every bit of her. Because even though he maybe the boyfriend he is still one of those people who has to wait for the blessing of her presence. That's just the kind of person Minako is. She is like public property. Open to everyone and much too concerned with lots of people at large. Sometimes he wishes he could have her for himself. Sometimes becomes more often.

Minako is unusually quiet and gloomy. At times like this whenever they're together, anywhere they may be (even within the confines of his room), between the two of them she is naturally the one who provides the roots for conversation. But Akihiko notices that her silence means something different. It isn't the kind of silence that settles. It's the kind that will be broken unsuspectingly by splinters. Minako purses her lips and leans her back on the railings. Then she hugs her knees and Akihiko straightens up, apprehensive.

"I went to see Shinjiro-senpai yesterday. Medical food isn't doing him any good."

And he knows that she means to say that Shinjiro looked feeble, so unlike the person they knew…know. His vegetative state rendering him with just a faint of life.

"He's probably going to complain about hospital food being not nutritious enough for a patient and very much tasteless when he wakes up."

She chuckles to lighten up the dripping melancholy in her voice. And she used when, not if. Because Minako is one of the few people who holds a faith of steel that Shinjiro is going to wake up. A few meaning him, and well…her. Just the two of them then. Even Mitsuru is somehow doubtful.

"He told me to take care of you, you know, to be by your side. And I promised him that I will instead of asking him why he kept saying such ambiguous things."

"Shinji honestly knew what was going to happen to him, didn't he." Akihiko says, although she doesn't expect him to answer. Minako raises her sight to the bright sky above them.

"I told him I love him. Back then I wasn't sure. I thought I just said it because I knew I was running out of time. All I know was something bad was going to happen and that…I had to save him. I desperately wanted to save him. I thought I could do so much. I was wrong."

Akihiko boldly rakes her whole countenance with his stare. Minako radiates like the sun's rays, shining amidst the gathering clouds, flickers in the middle of wilting emotions. And it's as if she were a part of the sun all along. But like any other lustrousness she can also fade. Minako lifts an arm her hands grasping nothing but air, Akihiko knew though that it's the clouds that she is trying to grab. And if he could he'd pick her up so she could reach up to the sky and take hold of it.

"Maybe saying it wasn't enough. I guess I couldn't prove anything in the end. But I really did. Love him that is. May still have."

Akihiko waits for the onslaught of hideous emotions. Nothing comes. He supposes that he should be angry hearing these things from her. But he isn't. He knew Shinji has feelings for this special girl. And his best friend knew all along the feelings he'd been harboring during those times that he had avoided Minako. Shinji knew even before he had figured it out himself. Resignation is what Akihiko only feels.

"I'm sorry." Minako utters as she holds his hand.

"Are you alright?" Stupid. Akihiko tells himself. After everything she's said that is all he could come up with. It's always going to be the first thing he asks, isn't it.

Minako gives him a wry smile and Akihiko looks into the depth of her eyes, searching. Searching for what her heart keeps and searching for the words to say.

"You must hate me." She whispers almost inaudible and hangs her head low.

"I…No…" he starts. He wants to tell her that it's alright, he isn't mad, he understands, it's not her fault. He could never hate her. Never. She may struck him hard, inflict him with lethal pain, and crush him down with her own hands but he would never feel hatred towards her. Because the affection he has for her will transcend everything. His love for her is wrought not only in his heart but in all of his being, in his bone, his blood, his skin. And he has willingly drowned himself in her.

However the words that tumble out of his lips are different but not half-hearted. "I trust you."

Akihiko envelopes her in his arms and buries his face in her hair. He caresses her sides and her back and he offers her forehead a kiss. And he wants to grip harder, gnaw deeper, make something hurt.

Minako eases out of his embrace and takes his face in both her hands. Her touch intensifying the churning feeling within him. She kisses him on the lips lightly.

"I love you Aki."

And Akihiko is half-tempted to ask if she really do. Or does she just say those words because she doesn't have a choice, that she only needs to save him too. But he doesn't. Maybe he doesn't really want to hear her answer.

He isn't one to call her in on her lies because he'd believe her anyway. Whatever truth she may give.

A/N: The song is Reach for the Sky by Secondhand Serenade.

I wasn't really satisfied with this but there's nothing to change anymore. So please read and review. Till next chapter.