After making my way out of the school, I headed towards the other end of the island. There wasn't any kind of train station back there, no doubt about that. But there was something else instead of it. Admittedly, it was a side of the island I liked more.

Putting my bag down, I sat on the edge of a block of concrete; the ground. Just below me were those strange spikey jack-like things for which I didn't have a real name and didn't understand their purpose.

…I really need to find out what they are.

The small waves rolled into the rock, back and forth, back and forth, like a pendulum that wouldn't stop moving. The ocean didn't stop moving for anyone or anything, not even a supernatural occurrence like the Dark Hour. Even if watching that was far more unpleasant than watching in the day time.

Mostly because it basically looked like a whole lot of blood crawling up against the concrete and staining it like plaque did a tooth… Stop thinking about that. That's just horrifying and creepy.

I'm so glad the Dark Hour's over.

The setting sun cast a bright, amber light over the surface of the normally blue water, dancing and jumping among the ripples, dips and rises of the constantly moving creases in the unpredictable floor that was the ocean. It really did look even better when you were up close and personal with the ocean.

That must be why I like beaches a whole lot. When you're on a beach, you become close to the atmosphere's inviting embrace. The water, the sand, the stone, the sun and the wind. All these elements made up the touch and hold of what could be called a beach, and the best part had to be the water. The shimmering curtain of water that was the ocean…

But then again… it was only like that when you were alone. And when you were alone, it isn't nearly as fun to be at a beach. With a group of friends, it was even better.

Speaking of friends…

Nyx was taken back to the dorm by Yukari, Fuuka and a begrudging Aigis. I mean, Aigis' dislike definitely lessened, but she definitely still didn't like being around Nyx whatsoever. Considering what I had to do to be able to keep the world from ending, I could understand where she was coming from.

That aside, this first day was pretty stressful. With Kanashi and Nyx around, who knew how this year was going to turn out? Next thing I know I'll have terrorists to deal with a love struck admirer to deal with. Actually, I'm pretty sure that love-struck admirers are a given occurrence with how attractive Nyx was and how popular I am already.

Well, that aside, maybe Nyx should take up the profession of sniping. I'm sure she'd be awesome at it, considering how good her eyesight is. Nyx, professional sniper.

Someone should make a demotivational meme about that. That would be funny.

Welp…

I find it kinda funny. For some reason Kanashi and Nyx are able to get along almost perfectly as opposed to every other interaction that either person had with another person. Of course, I was of the Fool arcana so I could get along swimmingly with just about anyone. I wonder why they seemed never to get into a disagreement with each other.

The blots of colour thrown across the sky were slowly turning from orange to a mixture of deeper red and violet. The music playing in my ear was strangely fitting enough as the evening pursued the sunlight.

I didn't even know why, especially since it had nothing to do with night time at all. Well…

I wonder what I'm going to do with the rest of my life if I somehow do my job for Nyx and convince her that it isn't a good idea to destroy the world. What a question. A question to which I had no answer. Honestly, now that I was here it felt even more like my presence in this world was needed less and less. Maybe it would've been a better idea just to keep Nyx sealed and deal with her shenanigans rather than deal with a world that seems less familiar to me by the moment.

I mean, after all this time I haven't found anyone that I truly liked any more than a friend. Hmph, no wonder Junpei says I should get a girlfriend. Even I'm starting to agree with him, and he's Junpei of all people.

…realize how emo this is starting to sound you ning nong.

With that last bit of self-berating, I slowly stood up and started my walk towards the station. I can't believe I spent so long here at the pier. I guess time flies when you're concentrating and thinking really hard.

By the time I had gotten back to the dorm it was already really dark, and all the lights that could appear in the night sky were finally turned on. That is, the moon and stars.

When I entered the dorm I found that only Nyx was in the lobby. And… she's… what is she doing?

I walked over to the couch and bent down, trying to see what she was doing. Oh Thanatos…

She's asleep. But why here of all places?

…What should I do? I don't really want her to react really badly or anything of the sort. That wouldn't be good.

As I was debating what I should do, this happened.

"Minato, what are you doing here?" she looked at me blankly. Her eyes were barely open, and it was one of those paralysing, stern looks. The one that she used for driving away fan boys actually.

"I was wondering why you were still sitting here," I answered just as plainly.

Nyx sighed before saying with an irritated tone, "I was waiting for you to come back. I'd have you know that I'm not seeing the point of going to school at all. It's insufferably boring, and most of all…"

Huh?

"If your attempt to get me to socialize with your friends was some pathetic try to get me to see the point of friendship, let us just say that it has failed miserably," she glared at me.

…well now, that wasn't what I was expecting. But I wasn't expecting her to see the point of friend—

Wait. She knows what friendship is now.

"Maybe. But we still have a year," I looked at her seriously. In fact, the fact that she's starting to grasp what friendship even is amazing. I didn't think she could get that so quickly. That's probably just the first step on a long journey for her.

"I suppose," Nyx sighed heavily. She did not seem like she was looking forward to it. "I am beginning to feel a need for some proper sleep. You better get some rest Minato. You have a long number of days and convincing situations to persuade me from now on," she said nonchalantly as she climbed the stairs.

…Even if she's starting to understand, she's just as harsh. Oh well. It's a step in the right direction at least, and that's what matters now.

…I need some sleep.

A number of days passed until the end of the week came and our free day came. So far, progress has been slow and nearly negligible right now. Well, slow and steady wins the race I suppose. I still have a lot of weeks to try now. Of course, next thing I know, I'm gonna be at the end of the year with no more progress made. Wonderful thoughts Arisato. Wonderful. You're so optimistic.

Accursed sun is giving me negative thoughts. There's a reason why I'm calmer at night time. It's much cooler, and not as bright.

I came down to the lobby rubbing my eyes of the sleep that had settled on my lids. Nyx seemed to be in much the same state, but much sleepier looking. But then again, I should be used to this by now. After all, she's like this all the time. She was more of the night owl for a good reason.

However, there was something decidedly different about this one time that I had come down kinda late.

"Come on, come on!" Junpei cheered.

Hack, slash, smash, what the heck are they playing?

"Be patient man," Kanashi chuckled a little before blood splattered everywhere.

Oh. God of War. Okay then.

"Awesome man! Hi-five?" Junpei grinned at Kanashi.

"Sure," he smiled slightly before returning the gesture. Since when did Kanashi get so buddy-buddy with Junpei? Okay, brotherly bonding over video games works I guess. "Victory goes to us two against Thanatos," he said.

Nyx seemed roused from her sleep once she heard 'Thanatos' and she glared at both of the guys with the iciest of glares. Junpei flinched under her gaze while Kanashi merely tried to ignore it. Didn't work so well.

"Thanatos is no weakling," Nyx growled.

Kanashi backed off and raised his arms in innocence before sighing. "Come on, it's just a video game, Nyx," he shrugged.

Glaaaaaare.

"…Never mind," he said quickly before sitting back down. Yeah, unfortunately no-one is able to resist backing down to Nyx's sniper-like gaze. Not even me, and I'm supposed to be immune to Fear and Shock. Quite a powerful gaze.

Junpei laughed awkwardly before he turned around and it seemed he finally noticed me. "Oh hey Minato! Wanna play God of War?" he asked.

"You're asking me when I just woke up and haven't even had breakfast yet?" I laughed a little.

"Well, breakfast is supposed to be the most important meal of the day," Kanashi mused out loud.

"Yup," I replied simply.

"Oh my god, a fu-!" I heard Kanashi shout.

I turned around holding a can of natto and… Koromaru.

Junpei turned to him with a curious expression. Or maybe it was one of those nosy looks. Either way, he was still curious.

"S-Sorry it's just that… I don't like dogs…" Kanashi answered the unsaid question with clenched teeth.

"Oh. Koromaru doesn't bite if that's what you're worried about," I say reassuringly. "He's amazingly smart for a dog," I continue.

Kanashi gave me a largely sceptical expression before bending down, trembling slightly. "U-Uh… h-hi?" he said nervously, holding his hand out ever so slightly. I wonder if Kanashi's scared of dogs because of an experience from before? That would be something worth getting over.

Koromaru barked happily, his tail wagging back and forth in a blur, almost like a helicopter blade. He raised his paw and Kanashi near instinctively pulled his hand back.

Koromaru whined before sitting with a sad expression. "You're really persuasive, you know that?" Kanashi mumbled before holding his hand out again.

Koromaru looked up again and looked at Kanashi happily before placing his paw on Kanashi's palm. He blinked before moving his hand up and down, finally getting into a rhythm as he grew used to it.

"…I guess not all dogs are bad," he said with a strained tone and a broken smile.

AN: Aaaand update number two! This one was more introspective, but I hope people like it nonetheless! Yeah, Kanashi actually has a fear. A fear of dogs. He has another but that's for later. It's kinda obvious why, since Minato hinted at it, but it's for something later that'll become pretty important. XD

Anyways, please review! I'd appreciate it!

Anakin: I was so into it, I made one myself. I need more of a life than that… XD jks.

The one strike comes from Yukiko during the event where you went around with the omelette after you got to Mitsuo.

I wouldn't either, and I'm the writer!

Jhellou: She's a sniper. =P

Guest: Maybe, but he's veeeery important. Yeah, I kinda got some of her attitude from the video actually. That was some funny shit right there.

Nights: Probably. And if that's horrifying, then what ELSE has he seen? Now that's a mystery, ne? XD

We'll just have to see, right? =P

Thanks Nights!

RomanceDagger: Yup! I remember it the most as well! That's why I used it!

Yoshikunitsu: Haha, thank you! I'm glad to know that! I'll do my best, even with all my assignments and a competition coming up, I'm not gonna give up on updating this! =D