Junpei watched the brunette hang upside down on the horizontal bars. After sorting out his regained memories, he was certain that he wanted to say almost all the contents of his mental diary, but for some unknown reason, his mind was blank as a clean sheet of paper. He didn't know what to say, much less do. During their lunch at Hagakure and their walk to the shrine, Junpei stayed silent, wondering what happened to all the words that he wanted to say. Maybe I'm still confused. THE HELL! What's stopping me!?
A voice brought back Junpei from his reverie. "Hey Junpei, have you told anyone yet? About you remembering me."
"Nope. You're the first."
"Can you keep it a secret from everyone?"
"Sure." Normally, he would ask "why," but he decided to do it later, when his mind is works properly again.
Minako did one back hip circle then got down from the bar. She looked at her friend with slight unease. "Hey... Do you think Yukari doesn't like me?" The question suddenly reminded Junpei about his long overdue apology. The guilt he felt from his tirades returned to him once again.
"I know Makoto was your friend too," Minako empathetically said. "I understand if you resented me too."
"That's not the leader that I remember," Junpei said in an attempt to stop her from losing herself in her self-pity. He noted that compared to the Minako he remembered before, the girl before him was less confident and more pessimistic. He's only seen her like this a handful of times in the past, and during those moments Junpei would always be reminded that the girl always had so much weight on her shoulders, that her cheerful façade was crumbling because of the whirlwind of emotions inside of her.
Minako smiled softly. She sat beside Junpei and gazed at the playground. "Are you sure that the leader you remember is me and not him?" she inquired jokingly. "I mean some memories just popped into your head. Aren't you doubting that I might've done something to you."
The male feigned hurt. He placed a hand over his chest and said, "I'm hurt Minako. Are you actually doubting your best friend?" The two chuckled.
"I'm asking you if you doubt me," Minako cheerily countered, "not the other way around, Junpei."
"Nah, I don't doubt ya." Junpei closed his eyes when the soft breeze hit his face. "I just can't. Fake or not - even if they overlap with the memories of that blue-haired idiot - those memories are real to me. Everything in them became a part of me the moment they came into my head." He opened his eyes then grinned at his companion. "I'm still confused with all these shit but I can say this one thing confidently. Makoto and you are my best pals."
Minako flatly stared at Junpei. When the crimson-eyed girl remained silent, Junpei turned away to hide his already reddening face. "C-come on," he said with a shaky, sheepish voice. "I just said some really embarrassing shit here. You're supposed to say something back so you'd be suffering with me." Fits of giggles erupted from his side. Junpei looked back at his friend and gave his best death glare. "H-hey! Stop laughing!"
Minako wiped the tears of mirth that formed in her eyes as she tried to calm herself from her laughter. "I was just messing with you." The taller of the two crossed his arms and groaned. "Hey Junpei."
"What now?" Junpei said with slight indignation.
"Thank you." Minako stood up and dusted off her pants. "I have to back to the dorm now. See you later then." She started making her way towards the exit when Junpei suddenly called her out. She raised an inquisitive brow at him.
"About what I said back then... I'm sorry." The words finally left his mouth.
Minako beamed at him. "You know you don't have too." Junpei frowned. Upon seeing this Minako continued. "Either way, I accept your apology." She waved at the capped male and left.
Akihiko can say that being a cop can either be exciting or - to what he is experiencing now - extremely tedious. The silver-haired man returned to the station with scratches all over his face. This earned the young detective stifled laughter and some incredulous looks from his senior officers.
"I'm surprised to see you alive, Sanada," a calm voice said. Akihiko turned and saw that it was none other than Detective Kurosawa.
"The cat is safe now with his owner," Akihiko replied flatly. A victorious smirk made its way on his lips when he recalled the terrified mews of the fat feline when its owner - a wealthy, clingy, young girl - crushed it with her "hug" and punched it with her "kiss". The monster deserved it for making me go around the place running like an idiot. The silver-haired male sighed. I used to fight shadows and bears...
"Good," the other man said curtly. "Now, about the disappearances that's been happening." Kurosawa looked around to make sure no one is listening. When he has confirmed that no one was within earshot, he continued. "How long do you think that would take before it ends?"
"I'm not sure," Akihiko replied. "For all I know, it could take months - years, maybe - before it ends."
Kurosawa sighed. "I see... If it's not human then there's nothing much than I can do." He patted the younger male's shoulder once. "I'm placing my full trust in your group. Make sure that you guys stop this and protect everyone from whatever's doing this."
"Yes sir."
"I hope Minako-san is alright," Aigis said for the nth time since they left the dorm that morning. The five students of Gekkoukan High were now on their way back to the dorm. Shinjiro silently prayed that Aigis would stop asking once they've arrived at the dorm.
"Why don't you try calling her," Ken suggested. Aigis took her phone out to call the cause of her worry. She shook her head when no one answered. "Maybe her phone is on silent mode."
"Or maybe Mina-chan's favorite song is her ringtone," Teddie said while trying to push up his air glasses. "The song was so beary good that Mina-chan forgot that someone is calling her. Oh, she such an adorabear klutz."
"Stop the bear puns," Ryoji said wearily. "I don't think I can take it anymore. It's just as worse as Shinji's jokes."
"Oh, Gakky tells jokes too?" the blond boy asked eagerly. Ryoji nodded slowly. "I want to hear one."
Ryoji stopped and placed a hand on each of the boy's shoulders. "Teddie, if you value your life, you will not listen to Shinji's horrible jokes." Teddie pursed his lips and furrowed his brows. He gave a nod of affirmation making Ryoji pat his shoulder.
"Good."
Shinjiro rolled his eyes. "You morons do realize that I'm right here, right?" The two ignored him. "Whatever."
"Hey look!" Labrys pointed ahead. When they all followed her gaze, they saw Fuuka, Yukari, and Rise standing by the dorm's entrance.
"Rise-chan, Yuka-chan, Fuu-chan!" Teddie exclaimed gleefully as he ran to the three. "Have you come to see your Teddie."
"Nah," Rise said with a smile, "we're here to see someone else."
"But who would be worthy enough to be bestowed by a visit from the three of the most beautiful goddesses of the world?"
Yukari groaned. The exhaustion from the day before made her more grouchy. "Just shut up, Teddie."
"I'm sorry Yuka-chan..." Teddie hid behind Ryoji and Ken, not wanting to suffer the consequences of crossing the irritated Takeba.
"Why are you three here?" Labrys asked.
"Since Mitsuru-san would be busy for a while, she asked us to give something to Ken-kun and to our three new comrades."
"Let's go inside first then." Labrys was expecting for Koromaru to come running to them opened the door. But for some reason, the warm welcome she expected never came. She quickly looked around and saw that the white dog and Minako sleeping on the sofa. The former in the arms of the latter. "She'll catch a cold if she dozes here."
Rustling of clothes followed by heavy footsteps were heard. Teddie and Ryoji raced towards the sleeping forms with their school blazer in hand. Unfortunately for them, Aigis reached the girl first and woke her up. THAT WAS MY CHANCE! the two males simultaneously thought.
"Aigis?" Minako said, her voice hoarse from sleep. "Oh you guys are back. Welcome back!"
Rise ran to the girl on the sofa and took something out off her pocket. She took Minako's hand and placed a small, circular object. It was a badge. Minako curiously looked up at the idol.
"It's a sign that you're officially a member of the Shadow Operatives," Rise said. "But since you're still a student, you'll only be a reserve member." She turned to where Ken, Ryoji, and Shinjiro. "The same goes for the three of you."
"So we're only going to be support?" Ken asked.
"Yes and no," Fuuka answered. "Mitsuru-senpai wants your help at the same time she wants all of you to do well in your studies. That includes you too, Aigis, Labrys, and Teddie."
"It's not any different than what we were doing before," Shinjiro told Minako.
A smug smile formed on Minako's lips. "This might be too hard for you, Shinji. I you spent most of your time before skipping classes. I'm worried how you'll be able to keep up now."
Ryoji spoke before Shinjiro could even retort. "Don't worry, Minako-chan. Shinji did well today so I'm sure he can handle it in the future... I think."
"Now you're asking for it!"
"Calm down would ya," Labrys scolded.
"I almost forgot. Shinjiro-kun, Ryoji-kun, Fuuka-san and I will be explaining some things to you about our little group." Rise pushed the two boys to one of the sofa and forced them to sit. "Minako-chan you can leave if you want since Mitsuru-san already explained things to you at the limo, right?"
"Yeah." Since there were two limos, all the girls decided to take one for their "girl time." While the boys as Teddie, Ryoji, and Junpei said, "waste away in a world with not a single flower."
The two began by introducing each member from the first to the latest members. Teddie, Ken, and the two sisters headed upstairs to change their clothes. Minako decided to step out for a while. She stood carefully as to not wake the Koromaru.
"Minako." The said girl turned to see Yukari beckoning her. Minako walked over to her and followed her outside.
"Is there something you need?" the wild card politely asked. Yukari bit her lip and fidgeted. "Are you alright, Yukari?"
"...I'm fine." Yukari took a deep breath. "So you didn't go to school?"
"Yeah, hahaha," Minako laughed nervously. "I overslept."
"Just that?" Minako nodded. "Well it's still the first week. I doubt you missed anything that important."
"Yukari," Minako called out softly. She stared at the nearby tree. It danced gracefully with the wind creating a soothing sound of rustling leaves. "Can I ask you a question?"
"I'll consider if you accept my apology." Yukari looked at her solemnly. "I'm really sorry for everything that I said... I was really too harsh on you."
"Apology accepted." Yukari eyes widened. She never expected to be forgiven so easily. Then again, Minako might have accepted just so she could ask her question. What Minako said next made her think. "It was my fault too anyway."
"Why?"
"I was stupid and tried to hide everything from you." Minako sat down and brought her knees closer to her chest. "I thought that by doing so, I would be able to protect you. But then I ask myself 'What am I protecting you from?'" A leaf landed in front of her. She grabbed it and twirled it using her thumb and index finger. "And then I realized, maybe I was selfish - that I was doing this for myself. Maybe I was only trying to protect myself from the pain of being forgotten... I'm rambling now, sorry."
"What's done is done," Yukari said. "There's no use blaming ourselves or someone else now, right? We will just have to move forward together."
"Yukari..."
"Though I must say, we're both pretty selfish." The older woman chuckled lightly. "Now what was it you were going to ask?"
"I hope you don't mind."
"Go for it."
Minako freed the leaf from her fingers. She watched it get taken away by the wind to place she doesn't know. "What was Makoto like?"
"Mako-chan, why do you think does the sky cry?"
"Because the god of the sky got scared because Mina-Mina looks looks like a ghost."
The girl pouted. "I don't look like a ghost."
The boy laughed gleefully at his friend. "I'm just joking. But sometimes... I get nightmares you would disappear like a ghost and I won't be able to see you anymore."
"If I did become a ghost, I'll just visit you in your dreams. That's how they do it in some shows right."
"...I still don't want lose my best friend."
"..."
"Minako?"
"Silly Makoto! No matter what happens, we will always be best friends. Don't forget, okay?"
"Okay."
She stuck her pinky out. "Pinky swear?"
The boy intertwined his pinky with hers. "Pinky swear."
"Makoto-kun, Minako-chan, your mothers are here to pick you up."
After days of having a hazy image on how this chapter will be like, I finally did it ＿|￣|○
Anyways, thank you readers.