“Five years… you look like you’ve changed so much that it feels longer than that. Then again, 2009 proved a lot can happen in a year. What more with five, huh?”
It wasn’t Elizabeth, or Theo, although they certainly did try. There were days when one of them would stand at the foot of the seal, staring up at her with sad looks on their faces. Sometimes they’d speak, tell stories, and Minako’s voice always failed to reach them. They’d talk to her about SEES, how they were doing, and sometimes they’d make it known that they were aware of the presence of that blue-haired boy, who took her place in the Seal every year. That they were both important to Elizabeth and Theodore, and to SEES. They probably visited him, as well.
In a world where Akihiko knew Minako, he wouldn’t know of this boy, would he?
“No, not Elizabeth. You… don’t know him.”
Akihiko apologized. Of course he would, after hearing that story. Minako shook her head. But it wasn’t anything he should apologize for. She chose this path and she’d do it again in a heartbeat. Wasn’t the cycle proof of that?
Not SEES anymore, huh? It made sense. After five years, their activities wouldn’t be considered ‘extracurricular’ anymore. The name sounded more official, but it was a name she didn’t know, and a part of their lives that she didn’t know.
It’s like they’re so far away now.
Strange. She should be happy to see him, to know how well they were doing, that somehow after all these years they stuck together. Shadow Operatives meant they were still dealing with shadows, but at least it meant they were still a team. She should be happy, and she was, but-
-try hard as she might to say she was fine, Minako wanted a future with them too, even if being part of ‘Shadow Operatives’ meant they had to keep fighting!
“I’m not getting my hopes up,” she said, grinning. “If it’s anything like the past cycles, then my time limit is one year.”
Minako stood up, hands shaking, yet grin still in place. This time her eyes looked so glassy that if she blinked, tears would definitely fall. She did her best not to. Before knowing it–
“I-If I have to say goodbye again, Akihiko-senpai, I’d rather do it now.”
–she found herself rushing towards the door.
Well, 5 years was a rather long time. Time didn’t stop, and neither did Akihiko! Even though he had managed to get out of going to college by doing his own soul searching for his own personal strength, some things did have to change.
“Oh... right... The Shadow Operatives is what we call ourselves now. Mitsuru founded it a few years after everyone finally graduated. Admittedly, she, Aigis and myself are it’s most active members. Everyone else is kinda on standby,” he explained, looking down. But then she went on about how he didn’t know the person she swapped with. Still, he must be just as strong if he was also holding back Erebus.
But then he noticed her retreat to herself and away from the conversation and him. She seemed fearful of the situation, afraid of what was going to happen at the end of the year’s time. Truthfully, that... made a lot of sense, but also because this seemed like such a new development for her that she didn’t know how to take it (hell, neither did he, honestly).
Suddenly hearing her speak her words and stand up, he was seeing the girl bolt towards the door of the dorm.
His body reacted too slowly to her actions, and considering he didn’t want to make a mess from the drinks on the table, he didn’t want to rush out recklessly, either (something old Akihiko would’ve done in a heartbeat. But his body still rebelled, and he did so anyways -- luckily, he knocked the chair back and not the table, leaping for the girl’s hand to stop her from leaving.
“Y-you’re just going to leave,” he loudly questioned, gritting his teeth. “You’re just going to run away from everything, despite being given a chance to catch up? I know it’s painful with everything that’s happening, and it’s confusing as all hell, but.... We were taught to face our fears, not run from them. I know you know that better than anyone!” His hands gripped her arm more.
“I know it’s scary, I know you don’t understand what’s going on, and if it’s anything of what you’ve explained, then you only get a year with us. But isn’t some time better than no time? You’ve been given this time by the other person fighting Erebus... and you’d want to just throw that away? I think that person would want you to live your best days out.. I know it’s not 2009, but you’re here, in the present...”
He looked at the back of her head, wanting to look into her eyes. His hand pulled her to turn around to face him, seeing the glassy crimson eyes look back into his silver ones.
“Maybe we won’t have to say goodbye at the end... But would you ever now unless you stayed and tried?” Akihiko’s voice was soft and sincere.
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