A/N: Oh my...I'm at the 7th chapter already? That means there are only three chapters to go...):
Ryoji went home after escorting Minako back to the dorm. He's so happy that everything's okay between the two of them he even texted Junpei later that night about it.
"Dude, I think you're starting to fall for her." Junpei said when he called Ryoji on the phone. "And here I thought you can make her fall for you."
"Maybe I AM falling for her." Ryoji chuckled. "Ah, Junpei. You are a cunning cupid. To think that you'd even make me fall for her too."
"Hey, I didn't really intend that to happen." Junpei said. "But dude, seriously? I mean, Minako-tan had been under scrutiny of Akihiko-senpai's fangirls before when the two of them became close. Surely your fangirls might target her too?"
"Don't worry Junpei. I'll take care of Minako-chan." Ryoji said sincerely before hanging up. It took him a while to calm his nerve, for seeing Minako to love the very first gift he had given her made him giddy...
"But the end is nearing..." Ryoji suddenly mumbled. He frowned, suddenly uneasy. He's not really quite sure what that phrase means, but thinking of it disturbs him. He knew that Minako will be the one who'd be suffering a lot from it...
Career Experience was a breeze for Ryoji, since he was assigned to work for Chagall Cafe as a waiter. His natural charm had the cafe full from morning till late at night. During his break time, he saw Junpei who seems to be really down.
"Hey, is something the matter?" Ryoji asked as he sat down beside Junpei. Junpei only looked at him.
"Yeah, everything's fine." Junpei replied dully. "Hey Ryoji...can you do me a favor? Don't tell anyone where I am..."
Ryoji blinked. "If there's something bothering you, I'm here to listen."
"Nah, I'd be fine." Junpei waved him off and walked away. Ryoji only watched his friend go before returning to his duties.
Minako finished her duties in Wuck, still disgusted and unnerved by the trash that piles up everyday there, and headed to Paulownia Mall to visit Officer Kurosawa. As she emerged from the police station, she saw Ryoji.
"Oh, hello princess." Ryoji greeted her. "Are you done with your duties?"
"Yes." Minako replied. Ryoji looked at her questioningly.
"What are you doing in the police station?" Ryoji asked.
"Just checking for some lost and found." Minako replied, feeling bad that she had to lie to him. She just checked in with Officer Kurosawa's request of finding the lost people that had wandered into Tartarus and collected the reward.
"Oh, is that so?" Ryoji smiled at her. He, then, took her hand and led her towards Chagall. "You don't mind if we talk for a while?"
"I don't mind at all."
The two of them sat in a corner table, away from the prying eyes of the other customers. The manager recognized Minako, who had been working part time for him every Monday to Wednesday before, and gave them their best coffee. Free of charge of course.
"If I'd make a conclusion, I think that manager has taken a liking to you." Ryoji said as they enjoyed their coffee.
"Do you think so?" Minako looked at Ryoji, wondering if he's jealous of the manager. The two of them sat there quietly for a few minutes before Ryoji broke the silence.
"I've seen Junpei earlier..." Ryoji said. "He seems to be not himself..."
Minako set her cup down, a sad expression on her face. "He...skipped again, huh?"
"I was wondering, if something happened to him?"
Minako gave him a sad smile. "He...lost someone precious to him..."
"Oh," Ryoji said softly. "He...must be going through a hard time..."
Minako laid her hand on top of Ryoji's. She knows that Junpei is one of his very few close friends, and that goes the same for her too. Minako jumped a little when Ryoji tightly clasped her hand into both of his, a fearful expression on his face.
"Ryoji-kun...?"
Ryoji looked at her tenderly, as he brough her hand up to his cheek.
"I think...I know how Junpei feels." Ryoji said softly as he pressed his cheek to her palm. "I'd also be devastated if something bad happen to you."
Minako reddened. She always blush whenever with Ryoji or if Ryoji's the topic. She had noticed this recently, as she work for Wuck. Heh, at least no one's around to tease her...
Ryoji sat on his chair, barely listening to the lecture. Junpei had cheered up somewhat after a few days, and Ryoji's happy with that. He wonders if Minako has something to do with it. He sighed heavily. Yeah, he's starting to fall for Minako first before he can even make her fall for him. Ah, such twisted fate. He even feel a little jealous of Junpei for he lives in the same dorm with her.
As the final ring of the bell for dismissal rang, Ryoji stood and turned to look at Minako. She's already packing her bag, with only a folder for the Health Committee business out. He frowned, wondering if he should ask her out.
"Oh, Ryoji-kun~!" one of his fangirls cooed as they flocked about him. "Do you have something to do? If not, why don't you join us for karaoke?"
Ryoji blinked and smiled at them sweetly. "I'm very sorry ladies, but I've already got plans."
"Aww...then we'll see you around next time?"
Ryoji only smiled at them as he slipped away from them and followed Minako towards the Clinic. He could hear Minako's laughter as she walked with her co-committee, Saori Hasegawa. Ryoji finds Saori beautiful enough, but he only has eyes for Minako now.
"Uh, Minako-chan?" Ryoji called after her. Minako turned to look at him.
"Oh, Ryoji-kun. Are you not feeling well?" she asked, concerned. The three of them were standing outside the Clinic. Saori looked at Ryoji then at Minako with a knowing smile.
"Ah, no. I'm perfectly fine, princess." Ryoji said. "I just thought to ask you out but it seems like you're busy...So I'd be going now."
Saori let out a chuckle. "It's alright. You'd do me a favor for taking her away from Mr. Edogawa even for a day."
Ryoji frowned as Minako scowled at Saori. "Don't say things that are misleading, Saori-san!"
Saori smiled at them. "She soaks up whatever weird lessons Mr. Edogawa says about the occult. It'd be nice, even for a while, for the Clinic to be quiet."
Ryoji chuckled. "I didn't know Minako-chan is interested in such stuff."
Minako flushed, not looking at Ryoji. "Yeah, so what if I'm interested in such stuff? Everyone has the right to have one eccentric hobby or two..."
Saori took Minako's folder from her arm and lightly pushed her towards Ryoji. "Teehee, you're so cute Minako-chan. But I can manage for a day."
Minako frowned at Saori. "But Saori-san..."
"Are you three done chatting?" Mr. Edogawa cut in as he opened the door.
"Oh, yes. I'm just seeing Minako off." Saori replied. Mr. Edogawa looked at Minako.
"Oh, is that so? That's perfectly fine. Since I have nothing to teach her today. In you go, Saori. Check the new supplies that had arrived and stack them neatly. I'll be in my office."
Minako only stared at them as they both entered the Clinic. And to think she'd been looking forward to this day to spend time in the clinic...
Ryoji cleared his throat, obviously unnerved by Mr. Edogawa. "Well, since they have shunned you, should we go somewhere?"
Minako turned to look at him, distressed. "This is the very first time I got shunned by people..."
"I'm sorry, princess..." Ryoji said, stroking her cheek. "It's my fault...If I hadn't called out to you..."
Minako waved him off. "Yeah, it's your fault. And because of that, you have to treat me to the Sweet Shop at Iwatodai Strip Mall."
Ryoji blinked then gave a relieved chuckle. He was afraid that she's going to be mad at him again...
"Whatever my dearest princess wants, I'm happy to oblige." Ryoji said, taking her hand and leading her out of the campus. Some of his fangirls saw this and Minako could feel the intensity of hatred. It's much more painful than to the ones she had recieved when she went out to eat at Hagakure with Akihiko some time ago.
A/N: Wonder how will Ryoji confess in the next chapter...