A/N: I decided to get this over quick before I get even more depressed by this pairing...
It took me a while to upload this because FF said I reached the limit of 15 uploaded stories...
Minako sat dazed in her chair as the others around her got up. It was Christmas Eve, and lovers seem to gather outside the hallway, or BFFs gathering for their yearly get together. Minako slouched down on her desk, depressed. Who would even bother celebrating Christmas Eve when the end is near?
"Oh look, Ms. Heart throb is lonely for Christmas." a fan girl sniggered as they walked past her table.
"Serves her right." another piped in. "Ryoji-kun is better off with someone else."
Normally, Minako would strangle these girls to their death. But since she's deep in her thoughts, she let them get away. They're going to die soon anyway, so what's the point of picking a fight with them?
"Hey, Minako?" Yukari said as she approached the brunette. Minako looked up at her, forcing a carefree smile.
"Yeah?"
"Do you have anything to do tonight?" Yukari asked. "I mean, I was wondering if you'd like to celebrate Christmas with a little girl party with me and Fuuka?"
Minako sighed. "I'd be happy to oblige, Yukari...but I don't think I'm in the mood right now..."
"Oh..." Yukari said, disappointed. "Well, that's okay...I'm sure you have other things in mind..."
"I'm going ahead." Minako said, standing up and picking her bag up.
"Okay, be careful."
"I will."
Minako walked around Paulownia Mall as she listened to her mp3. Around her, lovers exchange sweet moments and embarrassing display of affections. She even saw someone propose in the middle of the square. A bitter smile found its way to her lips as she walked around some more.
"I don't want you to suffer anymore...so please, kill me."
Ryoji's heartfelt plea came back to her as she dropped by the Velvet Room to fuse new Personas. Like the hell she could decide at the drop of the hat. She's not like her brother, who's good in deciding stuff. Isn't that the reason why their father had doted on Minato back then because he wants him to inherit the company? She selfishly wished that it was her brother, and not her, that was chosen to be the vessel for the Thirteenth Arcana. At least he'd arrive with the right decision faster than anyone else.
"Is something the matter, Master Minako?" Theo asked as he finished registering the new Persona that was fused. Minako looked up at him, startled.
"Ah, no...nothing's wrong..."
Theo reached out to her and adjusted her scarf. "If Master Minako says so then..."
Minako smiled at him feebly before leaving.
"It seems like you've grown to be attached to her, Theodore." Igor said as he leaned back and looked at the Compendium. Theo pretended that he didn't hear Igor's words and went about to prepare tea.
Minako found herself in front of the Flower Shop at Port Island Station. Wondering how on earth she ended up there, she entered the shop.
"Welcome." The shop keeper greeted Minako. "What can I get you?"
"Ah...I'm just looking around." Minako replied meekly. The shop keeper nodded and turned to the newly arrived couples. Minako looked about idly, admiring the flowers. An arranged flower boquet caught her attention at the far corner of the shop. She walked over to it and smiled sadly. It's a replica of the flowers given to her by Ryoji: a combination of white irises and bellflowers.
"You have some taste." the shop keeper commented as she stood next to Minako. "I had this young man order that specifically, though that was right after he babbled nonsense of buying roses and baby's breath..."
Minako found herself smiling. "That's a really weird combination."
"Isn't it?" the shop keeper said, smiling at Minako. Minako looked back at the boquet.
"How much is it?"
"This boquet? It's around 1200 yen."
"I'd like to buy two." Minako said, taking out her purse. The shop keeper looked at her, mildly surprised.
"Oh, okay..." she said as she handed the boquets. "But shouldn't your boyfriend be the one buying these stuff?"
Minako let out a chuckle. "He doesn't really know how much I love these flowers, even though I did say it to his face before, he might still buy those roses if I won't shove it to his face and say it out right."
After leaving the shop, Minako opened her cellphone and tried dialling Ryoji's number. And as usual, he's not answering. She just wished bitterly that even for once, he'd answer her calls. She want to spend even just a single day with him before they give him their answer on December 31st.
"Hey, if you're not going to say anything, then it's best to hang up." Minato's voice cut into her thoughts.
"Brother?"
"Oh finally, you spoke." Minato's sarcastic reply. "Don't you know that I'm in the middle of something here when you called?"
Minato blinked. She accidentally pressed the speed dial?
"Oh, I'm sorry." Minako replied. "I'll hang up now..."
"Hey, I know there's something you want to tell me." Minato said. "You wouldn't normally call at times like this. Isn't it Christmas eve over there?"
"Uh, yeah..." Minako said as she walked up the steps of their dorm.
"So why are you on the phone, talking to me, instead of hanging out with your girl friends? Or that guy?"
"Nah," Minako replied as Akihiko and Junpei watched her go up the second floor. "To tell the truth...I kind of miss you on times like this."
It took Minato some time to process what his sister had said. "So there IS something bothering you. What is it?"
"I forgot how I'll send over the gift I made for you." Minako said, entering her room. On her desk, two neatly wrapped gift boxes sat. One for Minato, and one for Ryoji...
"You're getting chummier by the minute." Minato replied, actually surprised that she made a gift instead of buying one. "Oh shoot...My secretary's hunting for me already...I got to go, Minako."
"Yeah, sorry to have disturbed you."
"It's okay. You are my only family, and family comes first."
"Minato?"
"Yeah?"
"Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas to you too, Minako." Minato replied. "I love you."
December 31st. Minako locked herself in her room the whole day, staring at the boquets she had bought. She knows deep inside that everyone wants to fight Nyx, even though they're afraid. She admires their resolution. As for her, she still haven't decided what course of action she'd take on.
"Hey, Minako?" Yukari said as she knocked on the door. "Are you not coming down for lunch? Everyone's worried about you."
"I'll be fine, Yukari." Minako replied. "I just need some time to think things through..."
"Oh..okay." Yukari said. "We're all downstairs if you'll ever need us..."
"Yeah..."
Minako listened as Yukari's footsteps died. Then she sighed, and lie back down on her bed. She thought of Bunkichi and Mitsuko, wondered what would their reaction be if she say to them "I'm going to die soon and I'm afraid". She could imagine Mitsuko's horrified expression and Bunkichi's patronizing stare. They might say "You're not our Minako-chan, for our Minako-chan always tackle a problem head on without being afraid. Our Minako-chan will face death with bravery"...
Minako smiled. Yeah, they'd probably say that. Almost everyone she knows will say the same thing. That she's a headstrong girl (Junpei even called her a tomboy once), and would not back down, even at Death's door...
Akinari's face popped into her head, of his feeble smile and gentle ways. He struggled to live for nineteen years...he deserves another chance on life. That was when Minako finally decided that she'd fight, even if it means she's going against Nyx. She won't let any "Great, maternal-being" ruin the lives of those people she cares for.
Especially Ryoji and Minato.
"Hey, long time no see." Ryoji said, faking a cheerful smile. Junpei grinned at him widely.
"Long time no see pal." Junpei said as he headlocked Ryoji. "You know, you caused our Minako-tan quite a heartache last Christmas."
"Oh," Ryoji said softly as he looked towards Minako. "I'm sorry."
Minako kicked Junpei. "Please, do not listen to anything this perv say."
"Hey!" Junpei said, his feelings hurt. "I thought we were best buds?"
"Well, you deserve what you got, Junpei." Yukari said. Ryoji looked at each of them. Minako reached out to hold his hand, which he took and held lightly.
"I hope your decision was not influenced by the fact that you have to kill me." he said gently, feeling Minako's hand tighten. "Just decide what you think is right."
Ryoji turned towards Minako with his gentle smile. "I'd be waiting upstairs in her room, when you all finally decided." He kissed her forehead before walking up the third floor. Minako sighed heavily and turned towards SEES. With the look of determination in their eyes, it seems like there's no point in asking what they have decided.
"Well, we've pretty much known each other for a long time." Akihiko said. "So there's no real need to tell what we really feel, right?"
"I agree." Ken said. Koromaru woofed in agreement. Minako smiled at them, the first genuine smile she managed to muster after all those weeks of dread.
"Well, I'll go tell him what we've decided." Minako said, turning towards the stairs.
"And don't forget to give him a big smack on the face!" Junpei called after her. Minako wondered what Junpei meant. Did he want her to kiss Ryoji or slap him?
Ryoji sat on Minako's bed, looking at the boquets on her desk. They look like the ones he had given her some time ago. He smiled sadly. If only they had met in a much different time. He took her pillow and hugged it. Her scent filled the room, making Ryoji want to inhale it all in so that he won't forget her. That he won't forget their love.
Minako entered her room, saw Ryoji hugging her pillow and staring at her boquets. She smiled at his blank expression.
"Hey," she said. "Why are you staring at the boquets?"
Ryoji turned to look at her. "Well, I was just wondering who gave them to you."
"A special someone gave them to me." Minako said, as she approached her study table and sat on her chair. Ryoji raised an eyebrow.
"And who is this special someone?"
"What are you getting jealous of?" Minako laughed. "You're MY special someone."
Ryoji looked at Minako for a moment, amazed that she can still be cheerful despite how grave the situation is. Then he smiled.
"I really missed you, you know." Minako said softly. Ryoji put aside her pillow, stood up and hugged her.
"I missed you too." he said, framing her face with his hand and kissing her softly. "But we don't have much time..."
"I know."
Ryoji looked at Minako's ruby eyes. "Don't tell me all of you decided to let me live?"
"That's right."
"But..."
"No buts.." Minako said firmly, standing up and hugging Ryoji. "We really can't kill someone who had spent quality time with us. Well, apart from the Chairman that is."
"But I'm not human..." Ryoji said, holding Minako at bay and showing her his real form. Which, for Minako, reminded her of her Thanatos persona.
"See?" Ryoji said in his not-so-human voice. "I'll bring death and strife to this world until I'm sated. I'd like you to reconsider your decision..."
Minako looked at him gently, holding out her hands to frame his face. "You know, you don't look so bad in this form, but I still prefer your human form. It's more cuddly. And only a few inches taller than me..." she pouted, realizing that she's standing on tiptoe so that she could reach Ryoji's face. Ryoji sighed as he returned to his human form.
"That's much better." Minako said, contented. She hugged him tightly. Ryoji embraced her in return.
"Minako-chan..."
"Hey, remember what Junpei said earlier? About last Christmas? What he said is true." Minako mumbled. "I've waited a long time for you to call, you dummy..."
"I'm sorry." Ryoji said, taken aback. "But I just..."
Minako sniffed, holding back her tears. "How do you think I can give you your gift if you won't show up?" she demanded. Ryoji blinked, confused.
"Minako-chan...?"
Minako grabbed a gift box and shove it to his face, her own face red. "Here. I just thought it might suit you..."
Ryoji took the box and opened it. Inside was a hand-knitted scarf. He took off his old ones, leaving it on her bed, and wore the ones Minako made. Minako avoided looking into his eyes, obviously embarassed.
"It was my first time knitting for someone else." Minako said. "So I'm afraid it's too simple for your taste..."
"What are you talking about?" Ryoji said, slipping off a silver ring from his finger. "It's gorgeous."
"Don't make fun of me." Minako said as she looked at him. Ryoji took her right hand and slipped his ring on it.
"I want you to hold on to it." Ryoji said. "If you do...I think I can stand the fate that will befall me."
Minako sniffed, tears welling up as she hugged him tightly. "I love you."
Ryoji held her close to him. "I love you too."
January 31st. At the top of Tartarus...
Minako, wearing the scarf formerly owned by Ryoji that had been left in her room, and the others arrived, and were ready to face Nyx Avatar, formerly known as Ryoji Mochizuki. They fought their hardest, with Minako leading them to victory.
"Hey Ryoji-kun..." Minako said before she land the finishing blow. "I thought I finally beaten the playboy attitude out of you...But here you are, being with this Nyx in front of me..."
"Minako-tan?" Junpei said incredulously. Sometimes, she weirds him out with her wrong timing for jokes.
"Minako..." Nyx Avatar said weakly. "Come..."
"The hell I will." Minako said, annoyed. "I'll teach you a lesson so that you'll not cheat on me again." She attacked and felled Nyx Avatar. Everyone tensed up, however, when Nyx Avatar rose up to the moon. Everyone was pressed down by the moon's powerful gravity, and Minako lost her consciousness...
...Her consciousness woke up in the Velvet Room, with Igor exclaiming softly that his work is finally done as he forged The Universe wild card...
...Minako rose up, despite of Yukari's cursing and frantic calls of others, to the moon to seal Nyx...
March 5th. Graduation day.
Minako lay on her back, watching the clouds. She feels light, as if finally the burden thrusted upon her was lifted off her shoulders. She listened to Aigis rambling on chummy stuff, feeling the wind blow softly...
Minako slowly closed her eyes, with a smile on her lips, as she heard Junpei's voice yelling from somewhere downstairs.
"Wait for me...Ryoji-kun..." she whispered as relaxed. "We'll be...together..."
A/N: Sorry if it's a little rushed at the ending. It's so depressing that I know everyone knows what happened during those times...
And...this is my lengthiest fan fic evar ( ﾟдﾟ)(ﾟ∀ﾟ)
I'm working on an epilogue btw...I don't want their story to end like this...