DISCLAIMER: Persona 3 Portable is owned by ATLUS. The song is Near to You by A Fine Frenzy.

Author's notes: Truthfully, I wasn't satisfied with the last chapter and that when I was writing this one I was kind of frustrated because I feel like I'm losing my touch. Even so, I still hope this chapter makes up for everything. I was supposed to put some kind of filler chapter before this so the story won't jump ahead, but I changed my mind since I think I'll just leave it to your imagination on how Akihiko and FeMC sort of dated.

Thanks to all those who reviewed.

He and I had something beautiful

But so dysfunctional, it couldn't last

I loved him so, but I let him go

Cause I knew he'd never love me back

I'm Better Near to You

February 14, 2010 / Sunday / Morning

Tatsumi Memorial Hospital

She returns. On a Sunday. On Valentine's Day.

And he doesn't know what to say.

She sits silently at her usual spot beside his bed, on the sky blue plastic chair provided for visitors, glaring at the package on her lap and her fingers unconsciously fiddling with the hem of her skirt. Shinjiro notes she's somehow dressed fancy for that day. Her hair isn't in its usual up do, rather her curly russet locks are flowing nicely down her shoulders for a change but the pins are still there, and he couldn't help but think that she looks more beautiful that way. She wears a peach dress and over it a red bolero, her feet encased in a white sandal ornamented with artificial daisies. He wonders who she's dressed up for. Him maybe? He cuts that thought. No reason for her to do that from how their conversation turned out the last time. No reason to be hopeful. They aren't even–… He has to stop there.

Still. She was here. With him. He doesn't even try to entertain the thought of her going to meet up with somebody else.

"I'm sorry to intrude once more senpai but I need to be here, for my selfish reasons. Don't worry I'll make sure I won't upset you anymore."

She turns up her face to look at him intently, her eyes full of determination clearly indicating that he isn't allowed to say no.

She rummages inside the paper bag and takes out two boxes, a red one with a yellow ribbon tied on it and a white one, which is rectangular in shape with a red ribbon securing it. She places both boxes on top of his eating table. He stares at it. Shinjiro presumes the red one might be a cake, the size and shape tells him so. The white one he isn't sure, the fact that its only two inches in height but horizontally long enough. Chocolate maybe?

"Happy Valentine's Day Shinjiro-senpai."

No flirty and merry tone. No radiant eyes. No smile. No anything. Just a simple 'happy valentine's day' greeting.

That's it?

Shinjiro blinks, and waits for a dramatic cue where in her face would stretch to an endearing smile. But nothing comes. It disturbs him when he realizes how much dependent he is on her smiles and how much he fails to recognize that there might be times that she can't/doesn't/refuses to do it.

She only takes a deep breath before continuing.

"It isn't much but I made it especially for you. I hope you like it."

She stands up, the chair screeches against the floor with the action. Shinjiro follows her with his eyes. She isn't even going to wait for him to say thanks or apologize, does she? She must have deduced that he wouldn't. Nonetheless, he wants to disprove.

Say it.

Do something.

Damn it!

Minako Arisato bites her lower lip as if to contemplate a significant matter thoroughly, Shinjiro imagines the cogs practically turning in her head. Her gaze trails down his face until it stops on his lips, on his collar bone, or on his Adam's apple maybe. He isn't sure.

And then it happens.

An ironic glossed out hazy moment in the midst of a dispassionate exchange.

She is quick to lean towards him, and her actions very much precise. She kisses him. To be exact she kisses the corner of his lips. He is terribly surprised but he can't say that he doesn't like it. Enough to tingle and excite him. Enough to make his lips crave for more.

However, she pulls away almost immediately.

Only the lingering taste and softness of her lips is left with Shinjiro. And then she finally gives him a sad bitter smile.

"I'm truly very glad to spend this day with you, senpai. You won't be disturbed anymore, I'll…I promise I won't come back anymore."

With that she makes her leave, but Shinjiro isn't going to settle with that. He grabs her small delicate hand with his big one to prevent her from leaving. And it surprises her that he has the strength to do such; of course she would be surprised since she wasn't around to hear the news that he's finally started therapy and that his progress is quite good.

The clock on the wall ticks unbroken.

They are in a standstill.

They're just fucking words!

Shinjiro opens his mouth but she beats him to it. She wrings his hand off of hers and pulls away. Minako Arisato shakes her head and turns her back on him.

Once she's reached the door she looks at him over her shoulder.

"I wish I could stay but…" She frowns. "Bye, senpai."

The door slides shut with her walking away from him unhappily once more.

Shinjiro is left curiously to wonder about the stinging sensation within his chest. He considers Minako Arisato might actually deliver him early death through asphyxiation.

He looks for an object to throw but there's nothing readily on his reach except for the boxes she's brought but he refuses to vent his anger on those. He resorts on using the easiest way.

"Fuck!"

When he finally calms down he decides to open the boxes. He was right; the bigger red box contains cake, a raspberry cheesecake. He unties the ribbon of the rectangular box and inside it is a pair of knitted mittens in the same color of his pea coat. He also finds a pink note stuck inside.

'I'm sorry' is all that was written.

Shinjiro couldn't help but sigh. He screwed up.

Well you and I have something different

And I'm enjoying it cautiously

I'm battle scarred

I am working oh so hard to get back to who I used to be

He's disappearing, fading, steadily

While I'm still so close to being yours

Won't you stay with me, please?

February 14, 2010 / Sunday / Afternoon

Chagall Cafe

"Your coffee is going to get cold if you don't touch it Minako." Akihiko says amused, feeling like he's reminding a child. He observes what reaction she would give but she remains impassive as she stares blankly at the brownies on her plate.

"Minako…" He calls out to her worriedly.

Still no response he holds her hand that is laid out on the table, finally this successfully gets her attention. She looks up at him surprised.

"Huh?"

"I said your coffee is going to get cold if you don't drink it by now." He tells her tenderly, his thumb stroking the base of her hand.

"Oh, sorry."

Minako retracts her hand from him and takes the cup of coffee; she blows on it before drinking a few sips. She places the cup back at the saucer and begins to toy with her fork.

"Is there something wrong?" Akihiko couldn't help but ask especially since she looks distracted. Minako stares at him guiltily stricken.

"I'm sorry." She apologizes and it confuses him.

"What for?"

She closes her eyes and sighs. Minako rakes a hand over her scalp.

"I'm sorry for being distracted. I'm sorry for…so many things."

Akihiko still doesn't understand but he indulges her.

"It's alright. Don't think about that right now. What's important is we're together. We're on a date. It's Valentine's Day! Our first Valentine's together. I want you to be happy."

This brings an earnest smile on Minako's face. She even chuckles lightly.

"It's supposed to be the other way around Aki. I'm the one who should make sure you're happy today."

Hearing her say his nickname never fails to make him all warm and blushing, especially when they're on a public place and at school. Akihiko clearly remembers how the jaws of his team mates on the boxing team dropped when Minako stopped by their club room, called him 'Aki' and clung to his arm sweetly. All of the students attending Gekkoukan High now know that they are officially a couple. It doesn't relieve him off his fan girls though, but at least Minako doesn't pay them any mind.

"I'm sorry for not being such a worthy girlfriend." She whispers, apparently she isn't finished apologizing yet. Akihiko frowns.

"What are you saying? That's not true! There will never be more worthy than you are for me. You are the only one I want Minako, the only one I'll ever like…and love." He says the last part shyly, his face getting red. Akihiko wonders what could be the reason she thought of this, those girls from school might have been ganging up on her again.

"Thank you Aki." She smiles, and this time it is truly filled with joy.

Minako proceeds to eat her neglected brownie and Akihiko is contented to just watch her enjoy her treat. Just being with her and watching her gives him a sense of peacefulness he couldn't explain, as if he had a presentiment of losing her before.

"Did you like the sponge cake I made for you? It wasn't too sweet, was it? It's not pancakes but I hope you like them." She eyes him expectantly, genuinely curious of his opinion about her Valentine's gift for him.

"It's delicious. Don't worry, it wasn't that sweet. I like them." He assures her. Akihiko notes that she needs to be more confident of her culinary talent.

"Really? I'm glad. I wanted to make you something other than pancakes since I often cook them for your breakfast. How about the pin? You can put it on ties too. I wasn't sure what to get you but when I saw it I thought that maybe you could wear it once you start attending college…" She trails off, her face appearing disheartened for some reason unknown to him. Or maybe he does. Maybe it's because once he goes to college they won't be able to see more of each other.

"Will you put it on me? I'd like to try it." Akihiko changes the subject.

"Oh, okay!"

Minako grins widely and takes the pin out of the tiny black box that has been sitting on top of the table the entire time. The silver circular pin with a leaf crest glints on her palm. She clasps it on Akihiko's coat by his chest and smoothes out the fabric after. She takes her time to admire it on him. Up close Akihiko sees the crumbs of brownies on her lips, he clears it with his thumb. Minako grabs his wrist defensively.

"Sorry, did I startle you? There are crumbs on your lips." Akihiko searches her disgruntled eyes. Minako merely shakes her head lightly.

"No…its nothing. I was, well…yeah you surprised me." She looks down on her lap. Something shifts. Minako entwines their fingers and beams coyly at him.

"Are there still crumbs on my lips, Aki?" It always surprises him how her moods change in a heartbeat.

"Yeah. I missed a spot." Akihiko is unable to suppress a grin, and their eyes speak of what their lips want.

"Where?" She replies breathless.

"Here…"

He mumbles then leans in to meet her lips with his for a gentle kiss. He briefly nips her lower lip before pulling apart. The deliberate display of affection makes Akihiko's face heat up, he doesn't regret it though, nor is he ashamed of it. Moreover, he treasures every moment and every exchange spent with Minako.

Minako smiles lovingly at him, her eyes lighting up with so much warmth and affection. Akihiko would give everything and do anything to stay with Minako like this and be with her for as long and as much as he can, and if the gods permit it maybe even forever. He devotedly hopes for a future and a forever with her, no one else but her.

Akihiko only falls in love once and he will never fall in love again, except for her.

"I'll make sure to give you a wonderful White Day."

Minako's eyes merely glaze over.

Near to you I am healing but its taking so long

Cause though he's gone and you are wonderful it's hard to move on

Yet I'm better near to you

Earlier at Tatsumi Memorial Hospital

You walk stiffly with a stoic face towards the comfort room once you stepped out of Shinjiro's room. You clench your fists so hard and turn your chin up to hold up all the storming emotions within your chest. When you finally get yourself inside a cubicle that is when you exhale the breath that you haven't even noticed you were holding. Fat tears unconsciously fall down your cheeks. You realize you're crying, of course you are. You think there isn't anything much more painful than leaving and turning your back to someone you love. It's tearing you apart so much that it sends your whole world reeling out of hinge.

A sob escapes, and then it turns to outright bawling that you cover your mouth to prevent yourself from screaming. You let yourself carelessly sit on the toilet lid as you feel your body tremble from the pain and loss. You've lost him again, this time a different kind of loss. You're crying so much that you think you'll cry until all of your tears dry up. You're not like this, you weren't like this before. You're not this weak, and a few matters make you cry. But once again, it's Shinjiro who makes you cry, turns you like this, makes you feel this way. He's always going to be the one who would affect you so much, isn't he?

Such pain as this shouldn't be experienced

I'm still reeling from the loss

Still a little bit delirious

And then what about Aki?

You remember Aki, and you force yourself to stop crying and stop mourning for the distance you've created with his best friend. You're with Aki now. Aki chose you and felt for you. Shinjiro hadn't, but still. Even so, you also chose Aki. You have to live with it.

You dry your tears and wipe your eyes with the back of your hands and compose yourself. You still have to meet up with Aki and it wouldn't do well if he sees you looking like a mess. He'd probably press about the problem.

You stand up, but then a passing thought came upon you. Maybe you can follow through with Shinjiro and then let Akihiko walk in on the two of you, kissing or making out or something, whatever that might make him angry. And then the three of you will have a huge fight leading to both of them condemning you. However, Akihiko might come crawling back to you offering forgiveness saying he understands and that you might have just grown to like his best friend but you could still be together, because it can't be that you purposely two-timed them, for him you're probably too noble for that. Akihiko always did put you on a pedestal.

You chuckle to yourself for the stupid thought.

This is probably the consequence of your selfishness. Your feelings and your thoughts, it's all conceited. You can't determine between what you want and what you need.

Who do you want and who do you need.

Do you need Shinji because he's the one to make you grounded or is it Aki that offers you security that you can't live without?

Do you want Shinji simply because he's the only one who gives you that tranquility within you or is it Aki that you want because of his blind devotion?

You just can't choose can you? Maybe that's why you can't be with either of them.

Nonetheless, there's one thing you're sure of, you love them both. You just can't let go of either.

You may love them both, but you can't have them both. You're always going to have to choose who you love more. But you can't answer that too.

You wash your face and freshen up, time to go to Aki.

After all, it's Aki who makes you feel all wanted, needed, and loved. In his eyes you're beautiful and perfect. Something you never had ever since you were young.

So you go to the person who'd give it all unconditionally to you, an orphan girl longs for so much attention right.

I only know that I am better where you are.

Author's Notes: I hope Minako didn't come off as a bitch here because I really want to portray her as a girl torn between two guys she's in love with. So I hope I did a good job. The pin was just an excuse for Minako to get near Akihiko, I can't really think of what to give him that would require her to get close to him. And the mittens were made by Minako at sewing club.

It would be quite a while before I update, I'm going to be really busy this week. I just got lucky I found some time to finish this chapter. Also, the next chapter might be a lemon. I'm not sure.

Please Review.

MissFortune-Hime: I'm happy you loved that past chapter 'Stranger'. And it's good to know that there's someone very much excited for my crossover fic.

Mimi Minato: I don't have much to say about the last chapter either, but I hope this one makes up for bursting the bubble last time.