School finally ended for that day. The persona-users of Gekkoukan High decided to unwind by going to Wakatsu for dinner, but, when they arrived, the restaurant was full. So they decided to head back to the dorm to change, and take a nap or do their homework. After doing their own business, they returned to where they planned to have their meal, this time with Koromaru. Fortunately for the seven, the restaurant was no longer as packed as it was when they stopped by, a few hours ago. They took the seat by the window - so they could keep an eye on Koromaru, outside - and waited for their order.
"I wonder who will be the next president," Aigis thought out loud. Her sister, who was seated beside her, giggled. "What is wrong sister?"
"Do ya really have to ask, Aigis?" She pointed at the door of the men's room and said, "The new student council president of Gekkoukan High is behind that door." And on cue, Ken came out, shaking his hands dry.
"I'm starving," the boy said as he took his seat beside Labrys.
"How are you so sure that Ken-san will win?" the blonde suddenly asked her albino sister.
"Have ya seen how many students look up to him? Even the other candidate is looking at him in admiration." A first-year student, Ken's fellow council member during his junior high days, decided to run as president. The sophomore was famed for his altruism and good leadership skills. Labrys once wondered if this person will be the one to take the title, but when she happened to pass by a bunch of first-years during break. "He said that it would be better if Amada-senpai wins," is what one of them said. The other asked "why?" and she said answered that the boy wasn't ready yet, and that wanted to learn more from his senior first.
"Yeah," Ryoji agreed. "I think he just want to have first-class seat on Ken's speech."
Ken smiled awkwardly and said, "I don't think that's it. I think he just wanted to have the experience of campaigning. He told me that as long as he can help the student council, he's fine with not winning."
"I thought he was president during his last year in middle school," Shinjiro said.
"He was, but he wasn't elected." Shinjiro hummed after hearing that.
"He really looks up to you," Minako said. "I saw him the other day, watching you while you were training with the soccer team."
"That's kinda creepy," Ryoji shuddered. "Oh, our dinners here!"
"Let's eat."
"Are you sure she's not in the TV world?" Mitsuru asked Rise. The older woman's cool countenance was slowly cracking to reveal the anxiousness she felt. Fuuka has been missing for nearly 24 hours. She, along with a handful of people, investigated the scene, hoping to find any clues to who might be the captor of the teal-haired girl or where she might've disappeared to. They spent hours, searching for leads; all they found were her report, scattered around the room.
"I'm sorry, Mitsuru-san."
"How about that tower?" Rise shook her head. "Where could she be?"
"Don't worry, we'll find her," Rise assured both the older female and herself. "Why don't we asked Aigis and her group for help?"
"They have to focus on school," Mitsuru said."Not just with their studies, but also with observing the effects of the situations to the school."
"I hope you don't mind me asking, Mitsuru-san, but isn't it useless to have them observe? I mean, how will they know if it's just normal, student forgetfulness or dementia, and not memory loss?"
"I've already thought about that," Mitsuru said, looking slightly conflicted. "But we still have to know the magnitude of the impact of whatever force we're fighting." With that said, the redhead was suddenly reminded of how little she knows about what they're fighting. The lack of substantial information unsettled her; it frustrated her even more that the only one that might know all the answers was Minako. It's not that she disliked the girl, but because she has yet to question the girl properly without her breaking down. "If only Arisato would just start talking..." she murmured.
"I'm sure we'll end this soon," Rise reassured again.
"Ryoji."
"What is it now, Teddie?"
Teddie, whose head was on the table, cheek touching the surface, lifted an arm. "Carry me."
"And why would I do that?" Ryoji flatly asked.
"Because~ I beary stuffed... and I don't think I can move anymore."
"Why me?" Ryoji glared, hoping, just this once, that he looked as threatening as Shinjiro. But ended up looking like a pouting child.
"Because you're Ryoji," Teddie drawled. Ryoji sighed and left the blond to follow others, who were already outside of the restaurant. He'll be back, Teddie thought. He could hear their muffled voices from where he sat. Then he started to worry when he noticed their voices becoming distant. He quickly stood and ran after them, despite the rising nauseous feeling. "Wait up!"
"Someone help!" yelled a raspy voice, in distraught. Teddie and his friends stopped. They spun to the direction to where the voice came from. They saw a hoary woman who can barely stand straight. Her form was shaking as she glanced left and right as quick as she could, in search for help. "Please, anybody! My husband collapsed!"
Minako decided to stay with the old lady and wait for any news about the condition of the elder's husband.
"Why did he collapsed?" Minako asked gently.
"Recently," the woman began, "he's been forgetting so many things. We've tried consulting the doctor, but they said that nothing was wrong with him. But," she clenched her wrinkly hands, "as the days gone by, he started forgetting more, even the name of our own son. I brought him to the doctor again, and he said that my husband has Alzheimer's disease." Minako offered her handkerchief when she noticed the elder's eyes, glossy with unshed tears. "The doctor was shocked; he couldn't believe that it has progressed at such as fast rate."
Minako stood and embraced the old woman. "I'm sorry," she said, not only because of the woman's predicament, but because deep in her heart, she knew that she has something to do with it. "I'm so sorry."
"You don't have to say that, Minako-chan."
"I'll fix this, for you and for Bunkichi-san."
"Minako-san." Aigis and Koromaru ran to the girl to greet her. "How are Bunkichi-san and Mitsuko-san?"
For a moment, Minako looked pained, but it quickly disappeared before Aigis could even process it properly. "Please tell Mitsuru-san about this because I know that they're a victim of what we're fighting. Mitsuko-san is alright, but she's really worried about Bunkichi-san, The doctor said that Bunkichi-san needs to be at the hospital so that they could keep a closer eye on him and to make sure nothing happens..." Minako stared unseeingly at the floor. The sting from her hands broke her from her trance; she didn't realized that she has clenching her hands so hard. Aigis noticed this, and was about to ask the girl about her hands, but before she could, Minako announced that she was tired and dismissed herself to her room.
In her room, Minako rinsed her hands, changed her clothes, and went to bed absently. I wonder... If I tell them, will it fix everything...? She turned to her side and faced the wall. Her eyes landed on the pink rabbit plush. The wild card grabbed and embraced it. She inhaled the scent of it, as if doing so will help her arrive to a conclusion. I'm just making excuses again...
"No regrets."
"No regrets..."
Her eyes widened, partially, drooped down that it was barely open anymore. "Yeah, yeah. I know, Makoto." Slowly, she drifted to sleep, but not before saying, "No regrets..."
This is kinda short (can't really go beyond 3,000 no matter how many ideas I have). I just feel like ending it here. What happened to Fuuka? Probably dead (I'm kidding, please don't leave). I'm reading 3rd book of The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani (I know it's for kids, but it's just so awesome. Even if almost all they do is... something... I still LOVE it). I don't know what I'm saying anymore.
Anyway, thank you for those who added this crap to their favorites/alerts. And to those who reviewed, Megami Tensei Emperatriz and Asahar4, thank you so much [you guys just make me so happy, even though most of the time, almost nothing happened, you still bother to leave reviews... I suddenly feel guilty (o_o)].