Akihiko hates hospitals, for several reasons. There's the crisp, white linen that's cold to the touch, the scent of antiseptics and the smells of sickness, but mostly it's the waiting. It's a necessary evil he needs to endure at this point to get his approval papers for a return to combat, to boxing, to living. He feels like a rat in a cage.

Just give me a signed slip so I can get out already.

He brought some class material to peruse while he waits for the specialists to make their rounds toward his assigned room, but fidgets nonetheless, concentration to a minimum. The whole day keeps going sideways, starting with this morning.

It's been a while since his injury, and he feels just fine. A little sore here and there, but if he keeps his exertions to a reasonable level there won't be anyone the wiser. He hasn't started hitting the sack in his room quite yet, it's too noisy to do so unnoticed, but he decides this morning that some running is in order. Weeks of staying put are driving him crazy, his body is loudly requesting a jolt of movement and the lightning lodged between his knuckles needs an outlet before it fries his fingers to stumps.

At the crack of dawn, way before anyone sensible should be up, he makes his way in silence, clothed in loose sports gear and a pair of sneakers, toward the entrance of the dorm. Akihiko raises his hand toward the door latch and almost jumps out of his skin when the kitchen faucet starts.

He could slip out or face the intruder and find some kind of excuse as to his delinquent behavior. But Mitsuru…

"Going out senpai?"

Minako pokes her head from the kitchen's doorframe, eyes sparkling with mischief. She eyes the clock on the wall, his shoes, then her gaze rises toward his, and a brow takes a hike upward to question him.

He gulps, caught like a deer in headlights, and licks his lips in nervousness. Why is she up and about at 5 am on a school day? Does she even sleep?

Her hair is loose.

He blinks, registers that she is still dressed in a comfy pyjama, unruly curls billowing below her shoulders and there's no hairpins in sight. She almost seems like a different person for some reason, then her red glint flares. He forgot to answer her, and he can't seem to muster a decent excuse on the fly. His fingers drum on his hips as he draws a blank.

What am I supposed to say?

"I thought your injury wasn't healed yet, aren't you supposed to be out of sports for a while still?"

He grunts, clearly his plans are out of the window and now that he's been caught, he won't be able to pull this stunt again another morning. Mitsuru is absolutely going to find out about his latest stubbornness.

Minako waits a few seconds, expecting something from him, then sighs and smiles softly, dimming her eyes to a mellow warmth. She looks him over, then nods, pensive.

"It just so happens I came down and opened the front door this morning to watch the sunrise since I woke up too early, it's not like you unlocked it. If I accidently woke you up making tea, also not on you, and it drove you to talk a walk because what else can you do to pass time before school. You know? Off you go!"

She shoes him away with her hand like he is a small kid, matter entirely forgotten. Akihiko flashes her a toothy smile of gratitude and hops down the dorm stairs in a light jog.

Oh thank you!

He knew she understood his restlessness, they definitely will get along well.

He must have forgotten to close behind him in excitement since he hears her calling in the empty street as he runs away, she'll have to handle that for him as well.

"Don't go nuts out here senpai, we will need you soon in there!"

Her tone is jovial, and he grins in the wind as he picks up the pace. His legs are screaming for a good workout, and while his ribs are burning a bit as he breathes deeply, the pain is just a welcome friend at this point.

He's been recounting the events of the day in a somewhat abbreviated format to Shinjiro in his hospital room. There must be something on his face since his oldest friend keeps staring at him as if he grew a second head.

"What's wrong?"

Shinji, gruff as usual, has a weird expression on his face and his eyes look bewildered. Akihiko fears he mangled his explanation and caused something awkward, yet again.

"You are such a dumbass, Aki."

His adoptive brother keeps moving his head in a negatory mocking way, looking away with a smirk of amusement.

Well, this is new.

He usually always just sounds so annoyed with him since he left the dorm. What did he say that was so funny? Before he can answer or question his statement, he's getting called for his checkup over the intercom.

"Wait for me, should be quick."

He comes back down the hall to a crowded patient room. Just another unexpected development as the day keeps getting weirder and weirder. Shinjiro is standing tall and ominously close to the second years and Junpei looks about ready to run away in fright. Takeba stands flustered behind him and seems unsure which way to turn, while the twins stay back, curious at the unknown intruder when they probably expected him to be there.

Shinji suddenly growls.

"Tch… I don't have time for this shit."

As he makes his way to the door and the twins blocking the space, he gives Minato a look over. He grunts as if he recognizes a fellow spirit, then glances with interest at Minako. Meeting her eyes, his own orbs gleam, and Shinjiro smirks as he does a quick up and down on her to assess who he's currently looking at.

"You…"

If she is intimidated in any way, she's showed none of it and keeps a hand defiantly on her hip. That flame of fiery assertiveness is in full display. She meets Aragaki's gaze without flinching and doesn't blink. Akihiko doesn't recall seeing a standoff between any girl and Shinji, and it's a bit unexpected. Usually, people just cower before his old friend, or get out of the way.

Shinji smiles tightly, looks sideways to meet Akihiko's silver orbs and nods appreciatively.

What?

"Ah, nevermind…"

He just leaves the premises as fast as he can in a few long strides, planting the flustered juniors right there.

Akihiko fumbles with his own thoughts, he has simply no idea what just happened or why Shinji even acted this way. He shakes it off when Iori tentatively questions who that was.

"An old friend from school… sort of."