"Do you like it Koro-chan?" Shinjiro asked the eating dog. Koromaru happily barked in response. The boy ruffled the dog's head with a slight smile then moved towards the table, where his school bag was. He checked the contents of his bag while waiting for Ken to finish washing the dishes. With dishes clean, bags checked, and Koromaru fed, the two left and made their way to school.
"Will Arisato-san and Ryoji-san be alright?" Ken asked, concerned. Shinjiro, with eyes fixed on the road, nodded. The soccer team's captain can't help but to feel relieved with the other male's, somewhat, nonchalant response. "That's good."
Last night, when Ryoji woke up from his very short nap, Mitsuru insisted that he and Minako, who was still unconscious, be admitted to the hospital. Ryoji protested and said that he would be fine. Mitsuru, being Mitsuru, would not take "no" for an answer. Especially when she saw the bruises on his sides and back. And so Ryoji agreed. "At least Minako-chan's will be with me," was what he said before they left the dorm.
"Hey, Ken. Do me a favor and stop being so formal to Minako?" A pensive look lingered on Shinjiro's face. "It hurts her..."
Ken nodded. He stared at his classmate for a while and wondered what we might be thinking. Hurts her? How? Ken, drawing no answers to his own questions, turned away and sighed. He really finds the trio hard to understand. Whether it was because they were hiding so many things or how they behave, Ken wasn't sure. All that was on his mind was what will his friends and the three transfer students do now. I hope Mitsuru-san wouldn't be too hard on them.
"Aigis?" Ryoji gazed at the mechanical maiden curiously as she took the seat between his bed and Minako's. "What are you doing here?" he asked softly, careful not to wake the sleeping girl on the other bed. Aigis didn't answer for a while. She stared at the Minako with an unreadable expression.
"She will wake up soon," Aigis said to no one in particular.
Ryoji remained silent for a while. He closed his eyes to listen to Minako's soft, even breathing. It gave him assurance that his friend was alive and well. "Do you remember her?" Ryoji asked, his voice laced with hopefulness.
"What do you mean?" Aigis turned to Ryoji. She took this opportunity to examine the boy and compare it to the Ryoji she knew. They look identical, she thought. She also noticed how much he also looks like Makoto. Their facial features looks so similar... I wonder why I have never noticed before.
"Never mind," Ryoji said as he slowly turned his gaze to the girl. "Please tell the others not to be too harsh on her." A perplexed look appeared on Aigis face. Ryoji, sensing her confusion added "You guys will interrogate us, right?"
"We are not going to force you to answer. We will just ask questions to ensure that you are not an enemy."
"...Were you ordered to come here?"
Aigis didn't answer immediately. She turned to the girl once again. "I wanted to know if I have seen her before... I feel like I have seen her before..."
Ryoji smiled. "You should tell her that." Aigis gave him a puzzled look at him again. "It would make Minako happy..."
"What Iori said proves that Mochizuki is the same person we knew six years ago," Mitsuru said. She along with Akihiko, Fuuka, Yukari, Naoto, and Junpei - the only ones who were free - gathered around a round table. At first they were discussing the mysterious portal and the tower that it takes them to. But then their conversation took a turn to the possible identity of Ryoji Mochizuki when Junpei took off his hat to scratch his head. The sight of his hat triggered a memory of the raven-haired boy whispering his and Ken's name before succumbing to sleep.
"Does this mean that Nyx will come back?" Yukari said with fear. She clenched her sweaty fist. Hearing the word "Nyx" brought back painful memories. It reminded her of how powerless she was as she watched one of the most dearest persons to her go. It sometimes made her resolve to live her life waver.
"We don't know that yet," Mitsuru said. "But with Makoto acting as barrier I doubt it." Her eyes flickered with sorrow but she was able to conceal it well from five with her.
"I have a question," Akihiko suddenly said. "Do you guys get this strange feeling from that girl? There's something about her that makes me feel - I don't know - uncomfortable... especially during that fight with that shadow..."
"It just feels strangely familiar..." Junpei muttered as he stared at his hat. Running up the mysterious tower and fighting the shadow together brought back memories. It made him feel very nostalgic - like he was still venturing Tartarus with SEES and Makoto.
"Whoever she is, we need her," Mitsuru calmly said. "Having two people who can switch personas would be a great advantage to us." Despite how stoically calm she looked, Mitsuru felt uneasy. "That would be all." She stood and left the room. While walking down the hallway, she pondered about who the female wild card maybe.
"Kirijo-san," Naoto called her out. They were alone at the hallway - the others were still at the room, temporarily trapped in their own mind. "I'd like to ask your permission to access Arisato-san's files. It might be beneficial for us to know who she really is."
"Very well, I'll ask Kikuno to send you the files."
"Thank you, Kirijo-san," said the younger of the two. Naoto bowed and took her leave. Time to uncover yet another mystery.
What is that delectable scent?! Minako slowly opened her eyes. She stared at the first thing that she saw - the white ceiling - before turning her head to the side.
"This ish reary good."
"Moron. Don't talk with your mouth full."
"Hey..." she began with a raspy voice. Shinjiro and Ryoji continued to devour noisily the instant cup ramen in their hands. Minako sat up and tried to reach for the glass of water. Shinjiro, being the one nearest to her, pushed it closer to her. She thanked him and welcomed the liquid into her mouth, down to her throat.
"Can I have some?" Minako asked as politely as she could. Shinjiro just stared at her, deadpan. Ryoji, on the other hand, continued to eat his food happily; his loud slurps overpowered the sound of the girl's request.
After a few moments of staring at the girl's drooling face, Shinjiro decided to move his cup closer to the girl. The crimson-eyed girl looked at it as if it was an oasis in the middle of an extremely hot desert. She was about to grab it when Shinjiro suddenly retracted his arms to finish his ramen. Minako couldn't do anything but to watch him with her mouth agape. "You were tired of ramen anyway," Shinjiro said when he disposed the cup and chopsticks.
"I'll give you mine," Ryoji said. Minako looked expectantly on him. "But I already finished mine."
"Evil..." Minako crossed her arms and pouted. When it finally sank into her where she was, her expression slowly turned sober. "It really happened, right? It wasn't a dream..."
"It ain't a dream. We got caught." Shinjiro watched the girl clench her fist. She placed her hands on her lap and took a deep breath. "They're gonna find out eventually. And it's better this way."
"I know..." Her voice was weak. Her hair, which was loose from its usual ponytail, cascaded over her face. It may be enough to hide her face from them, but it was not enough to hide her feelings. Dammit!
"Shinji bought ramen for you too." It was a feeble attempt, Ryoji knew, but he still hoped that it would lighten the worsening mood of the girl.
Minako turned to them and said, "thanks" with a smile. A smile they knew was by no means of happiness, no matter how it looks. It pained them to see her that way. How she would always keep such a cheery, carefree facade to hide her true feelings. It always made their heart ache.
"Can I have it now? I'm really hungry." She held out her hand waiting for her meal. "Where can I get some hot water?"
"I'll do it." Shinjiro grabbed the instant ramen under Ryoji's pillow. "You should learn to rely on us more, stupid," he said. Ryoji nodded his head in agreement.
Minako smiled again. Though it was not of happiness, it was still real. "Thank you, Shinjiro-senpai, Ryoji."
Yo! I'd like to thank AmeYuuki for following and all of those who are reading this fic. Thank you very much. I also encourage you guys to tell me what you think. I must sound kinda desperate, sorry. I just want to know if this is any good or where should I focus more or improve in. Stuffs.