"How are you feeling, Arisato?" Mitsuru gently asked when Aigis, Ryoji and Teddie calmed down and decided to give the brunette some space.
Minako massaged her own shoulders before saying, "I feel kinda sore," she made a quick glance at Shinjiro before turning back to the red-haired woman, "and hungry." Her hands left her shoulders and settled on her lap. She looked down not allowing anyone to have a better glimpse of her face. "I have a lot of explaining to do, right?"
"Yes," Mitsuru said. "Don't worry, we'll do that some other time. For now, you should rest and gather up your strength."
Minako nodded, "Alright."
"Also,"Mitsuru placed her hand on the girl's head causing the younger girl to flinch and look up, "thank you for saving us, Arisato. You did a good job."
Minako couldn't help but to stare in awe and feel accepted. Though she knew the feeling of acceptance probably wouldn't last long, she was still happy. She wanted to smile at Ryoji and Shinjiro, to tell them how glad she was. But the words wouldn't come out; she was too speechless to say anything. When her two friends noticed her looking at them, they gave her a thumbs-up. The action almost caused tears to roll down her flushed cheeks. She tried to hold it in but Mitsuru's kind smile cracked the dam that she built. She hid under the covers and tried to stop the waterworks as fast as she could.
Everyone returned to their own lives. Junpei left to train his team for their next game. Yukari left for the shooting of another episode of Phoenix Ranger Featherman R. Mitsuru had to go on a meeting. Everyone was busy, except for those who live at Minatodai Dorm. But even they left for their own personal reasons. All of them left; all except Ryoji
There was silence between the two of them. Ryoji was unable to look at Minako. He wanted to apologize but he couldn't bring himself to do it. He clenched his fist for being too weak to do something so "simple".
"Ryoji," Minako started softly, breaking the silence between them. "I'm sorry for never considering what you feel… for dragging you here… For everything, I'm sorry."
"Please don't say that Minako." For the first time since they were left alone, Ryoji was able to look at her straight on the eyes. Sadness and guilt clouded his eyes. "I was selfish. I… I wanted to live like a normal human. I wanted to do so many things with you and everyone to the point that I wanted to forget all of this. I even hoped that you would just abandon all of this so that we – no – you can experience the life that you deserve. And because..." Tears rolled down Ryoji's face. He tried to continue but a sob escaped his lips. "...I don't want to lose you ."
Minako gazed and smiled at him kindly. "I guess we're both selfish. I brought you and Shinji here because I'm too weak on my own. I didn't want to be alone in a world where no one knows me. I wanted someone to help me in this mess I made. Sure I have Igor and the siblings but they can't be with me all the time… Then again... I can't just keep clinging to you and Shinji just because I'm weak. "
"Minako…" Ryoji bit his lip and walked over to his friend. He sat on the chair - the same chair where he slept on the previous nights. He ruffled her hair earning him a glare from the girl. "What are you talking about? I'm happy that you brought me here. Because of you I was able to live like everyone else. I met people who became my friends. You even gave me a brother, father and mother all in one person – Shinji!" Minako chuckled. Ryoji saw this and smiled. "You gave me so much that I wanted to return the favor. Along the way I may have my fears and doubts, but I won't let that stop me. You are the light that made any pain bearable for me. You gave me hope when I was about to lose it. That's why I hope…" Ryoji placed his hand on her cheek. He marveled at how warm it was. "You'll let me and everyone do the same."
Minako cried the second time that day. "That was so sappy, you know?" she said through her tears. Ryoji just smiled at him.
"That reminds me," Minako wiped her tears with her sleeves. "When did you confess to me? I don't think you really did that."
"Forget about that!" Ryoji said nervously.
"Okay?"
I don't know if I should be happy or frustrated that you're so dense.
That afternoon, the nurse informed Ryoji and Minako that she could go home. They decided to head back to the dorm having nothing better to do. Their journey back was engulfed by a comfortable silence. The two also appreciated how the sun painted everything with its orange rays of light.
"Why is Koro-chan outside?" Minako asked. The said dog was sitting at the front door patiently. When the dog noticed them, he began to bark. He ran to them. Minako opened her arms and cuddle the dog. "Did you miss me boy?" Koromaru barked. When she turned to say something to Ryoji the boy was already gone. I guess he's already inside. "Let's go inside."
When Minako opened the door, she was greeted by a six people with a horrifying mask on. Each of them has a weapon in hand. They inched closer to the crimson-eyed girl. Minako was too scared to even scream. She turned to Koromaru for help but the dog just stood there happily wagging his tail.
Suddenly one of them stepped forward and yelled, "SURPRISE!" with a hoarse voice. In response Minako kicked the person to where it hurt the most. The guy writhed in pain. He rolled all over the floor making his mask fall off to reveal Teddie.
"Why, Minako-chan!?" Stream of tears were flowing down from his eyes. He asked the girl again with his raspy voice. "What did I do to deserve this!?"
"What is this? What happened to your voice?" she asked, ignoring his questions. "You sounded fine, earlier."
Aigis and Labrys removed their mask. "It is a surprise party," Aigis said happily. "Shinjiro-san suggested that you like horror-themed parties."
Minako glared at who she supposed was Shinjiro. The male looked away and smirked. The wild card returned her attention to the blonde android and smiled slightly. "Thanks, I guess... What about him?" She looked down at Teddie who was still on the floor.
"The idiot screamed so much during his punishment," Labrys said in annoyance. She glared at Teddie.
"Punishment?"
"We were making you something when this-" she pointed at Teddie "-came and ruined everything by eating all of the cookies."
"I didn't know it was for Mina-chan," Teddie said, hiding behind Ken.
"You're the one who suggested the whole cookie thing!"
"Sister," the blonde android called, "please calm down."
Labrys folded her arms and looked away to calm herself. After placating herself, she turned to Minako and welcomed her back. "You made us worry, ya know?"
"I did?"
"Yeah... We were all scared that ya ain't gonna wake up anymore."
Minako looked surprised for a moment. She soon replaced it with an apologetic smile. "Sorry."
"Don't be Minako-san." She turned to Ken who was beaming at her. "We're just glad that you're all right."
"Enough of this," Shinjiro said. Unlike the others he still has his mask on. "The food will get cold."
"Yes, yes..." Ryoji said nonchalantly. He smiled slyly and said, "Mom". Hearing that, Shinjiro immediately removed his mask ang slammed it on Ryoji's face. "Ow!" He rubbed his nose. "What would I do if my beautiful face was damaged?!"
"I don't know," Shinjiro said lazily. He turned to look at his face. "All I see is a butt. Where the heck did you put your face? I can't see it."
Ryoji threw a fit. Shinjiro ate as if the black-haired boy wasn't there. They all enjoyed there dinner.
Yu, Naoto, Chie, Yukiko, and Yosuke all went to Hagakure for dinner. Chie noticed that Yukiko hasn't touched her food. "Yukiko, are you okay?" she asked.
Yukiko was startled by the question. She turned to Chie and smiled reassuringly. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just..."
"What?"
"I feel like I've seen Minako-chan before. I just don't remember when."
"Maybe a guest from the inn looked just like her," Yosuke suggested. "Maybe, that's why you thought you've seen her."
"Yeah... maybe."
Yu glanced at his junior. He knew right away that something just sprouted from her mind. "Or maybe she was a guest at the inn." He turned to his blue-haired junior and noticed the corners of her lip curving upwards. "You found out something?"
Naoto snapped her fingers and said, "I believe so."
"Are you going to tell them?"
"We'll know when the time comes, senpai."
Hey you guys. So yeah... I'm not sure about this chapter. Anyways, thank you to all of yo reading this fic. Thank you to Rosalinda Lancaster for saying what you think.
Well, bye then and have a good day.