Akihiko Sanada 真田明彦 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
emperor_with_no_groove) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
partyofthree2013-05-19 08:48 pm
emperor_with_no_groove) wrote in partyofthree2013-05-19 08:48 pm
Entry tags:
[Closed] This is the noise that keeps me awake...
Who: Akihiko Sanada (emperor_with_no_groove) and Minako Arisato (hasthepotential)
When: Saturday night, late
Where: Cabin 1
What: After finding out about Shinji’s arrival, Akihiko decides to tell Minako.
Warnings: None so far.
Akihiko felt like he was off to one hell of a start in this strange new realm.
The return of his deceased best friend was the last thing he foresaw. It brought back all of the anguish he suffered through when Shinji first died. At the same time, he was happy, and even relieved, to have this amazing chance to see him again. How and why it happened, he wanted to know too, but the most important thing was having Shinji back.
He wondered if Minako knew yet. Shinji had deliberately sought solitude, so not likely. If that was the case, then Akihiko felt like he had a responsibility to tell her. She was their leader, after all.
Muttering the necessary phrase, he decided to send her a simple message using the necklace.
Shinji is here. He arrived today. I just thought you should know.
As Akihiko heavily sank down into an empty seat, he was grateful for the empty cabin. Back at the dorm, he could easily hide in his room until he felt normal again, but there wasn’t the same type of privacy here. For now, he had to wrestle with his demons while he was still able to handle it alone.
emperor_with_no_groove) and Minako Arisato (hasthepotential)When: Saturday night, late
Where: Cabin 1
What: After finding out about Shinji’s arrival, Akihiko decides to tell Minako.
Warnings: None so far.
Akihiko felt like he was off to one hell of a start in this strange new realm.
The return of his deceased best friend was the last thing he foresaw. It brought back all of the anguish he suffered through when Shinji first died. At the same time, he was happy, and even relieved, to have this amazing chance to see him again. How and why it happened, he wanted to know too, but the most important thing was having Shinji back.
He wondered if Minako knew yet. Shinji had deliberately sought solitude, so not likely. If that was the case, then Akihiko felt like he had a responsibility to tell her. She was their leader, after all.
Muttering the necessary phrase, he decided to send her a simple message using the necklace.
Shinji is here. He arrived today. I just thought you should know.
As Akihiko heavily sank down into an empty seat, he was grateful for the empty cabin. Back at the dorm, he could easily hide in his room until he felt normal again, but there wasn’t the same type of privacy here. For now, he had to wrestle with his demons while he was still able to handle it alone.
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"I know. It just startled me." Her eyes looked back up to him. "It sounded really close."
She didn't have a chance to protest before Akihiko rose from his seat and fetched her a blanket. She had a chill, but she wasn't cold--
--but oh, that was nice and warm. Especially after he squeezed her shoulders like that. She tugged the blanket tighter around her, offering her senpai a grateful smile. "I'm not sure yet. I'm sure it'll be different somehow...I mean, who knows how demi-gods play it?"
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His smile was a bit wry. "Sorry... You might not like staying here for long. The thunder never goes away. I haven't gotten hit yet, though, so you don't have to worry about that."
But even if he did, it wouldn't really hu-oh, right. No protection from his Persona. Damn, he kept forgetting about that.
Predictably, his lips stretched into a confident grin. "Well, we can figure out the rules later. If it's a challenge, then I'm in."
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That is not cool. Not cool at all. C'mere, senpai. Let's sneak you into her cabin...
Minako quickly matched Akihiko's grin, tilting her chin up proudly, posturing just a wee bit
while still being bundled up in a fuzzy blanket it's not weird. "It will be a challenge - you're going up against me and my cabin!"no subject
He was surprised to learn that, but it didn’t diminish his determination to win. “Really? Have the teams been decided already?” He didn’t think he would be going up against an entire cabin alone, but that just meant he had to be extra careful and on-guard.
“Heh, this should be interesting. I’ll be sure to test out your skills, leader,” he lightly provoked her competitive spirit, knowing full well that Minako had one. “Let’s see if they match up with your battle prowess.”
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"Not just you - but the number of kids in cabin eleven still outnumber all the others I think. But who knows? Maybe it'll even out more once it rolls around. It seems like new people are coming in every day."
She leans forward over her knees, her eyes gleaming even sharper than before. "You just try it." She's leader for a reason, you know!
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The levelheaded senior was, of course, completely undaunted by that look in her eyes. To prove it, he leaned forward as well, their noses almost close enough to touch. "I have high expectations of your performance. Don't disappoint me."
He felt considerably more relaxed since Minako had first come over to his cabin. His head had been a jumbled mess, but now he was a little more at ease, able to poke fun and even laugh a bit. She really did have a positive effect on others, he mused silently, and wondered if that came from her natural ability, or was inherited from her parent god.
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She didn't flinch once as Akihiko dove into her personal space, her eyebrows arching sharply in unwavering amusement. "Since when have I done anything other than completely blow your mind?"
You know the answer to that one, buddy!
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Akihiko smirked at her in response. Her show of confidence was endearing. She seemed to never be caught off-guard, no matter what was thrown at her...
That thought prompted him to move forward and close the distance between them with a tight embrace. He had needed some sort of outlet for his emotions, but Minako managed to calm him down. It reminded him of the times they had hung out together, simply enjoying each other's company over ramen or running or even eating sweets.
Akihiko let go of her after a few minutes, and offered the brunette a small smile. There was a bit of pink on his cheeks, but he wasn't flustered. Hugging her had felt like a natural thing to do. "...Thanks. For coming over."
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Well, at least he let her come close to finishing her sentence.
"......" Oh...this feeling...
...actually, it was a little...tight...but it triggered a familiar squeezing sensation in her chest. It seemed like eons since she'd inhaled that familiar scent Akihiko always seemed to carry in his hair. Even if they were in the middle of a foreign camp somewhere strange...for a moment, she felt as though they were back in Iwatodai, in the dorm...
"....." She remained speechless, slack-jawed, staring up at the familiar sight of flushed cheeks and softened eyes...ah, no...
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"I guess not... I know I've gotta train harder so I can protect all of you guys, and nothing's gonna stop me from doing that." He was a man that learned from his mistakes, and tried his best not to repeat them. "Still... it wouldn't hurt to know what we're fighting against."
Minako was staying silent, for some reason... Akihiko had to wonder if he just said something wrong. She didn't seem offended, though?
"Wow!" He exclaimed with a laugh. "I definitely haven't seen that look on you in a long while. Are you okay? You're not feeling sick, are you?" He poked her red cheek with one finger.
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Heh. She was so stubborn, after all.
It was Akihiko's fingertip poking into her cheek that snapped her out of her bittersweet reverie, and, as though on reflex, she started swatting his hands away and shaking her head furiously. "I'm not sick! I'm just fine! Healthy as a horse!"
She brings both of her hands and pulls down on the top of her head with a soft whine. Has he forgotten they were the only two in this cabin?
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He smiled at Minako, but then winced when one of her swats caught him just underneath his mouth, causing a particularly distinct muscle contraction. He lifted a hand to touch his jaw where Shinji had punched him earlier. It wasn’t hard enough to form any nasty bruises, and the redness had already faded, but the pain still remained.
Akihiko shook off that unpleasant sensation and set his hand atop her head when he heard her whine. “You sound like Koromaru,” he teased in a lighthearted tone, “Do you want a treat, or a walk?”
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"Oh no!!" Her hands quickly flew to cover her mouth as she stood frozen in place, watching Akihiko wince. "I'm so sorry! I wasn't paying attention!"
Have the guiltiest of looks as she compliantly allows the pat to the head. If she hadn't just caused you hurt, she wouldn't exactly take being compared to the pup, but...
...well, guess she owes you this one, Akihiko.
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“It’s okay,” he assured her, “Don’t worry about it. You didn’t hit me that hard… I’m just a little sore from earlier, that’s all.”
He retracted his arm and instead, cupped his forehead within his hands. He was careful to angle his head down to conceal his jaw from her.
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Suddenly Minako's expression took on a concerned tone. "Did you and Shinjiro-senpai get into a fight?"
THERE ARE REASONS she guessed this right away, you know!
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After another minute or so, Akihiko lifted his head and let his clasped hands dangle between his legs. “I don’t think he gets it… I have to protect people that are precious to me. If I can’t do that, then… I’m no good to any of you.” He closed his eyes and sighed again. “I should have done more to help him… Maybe I could’ve stopped that bastard from pulling the trigger…”
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And they both knew that would've been worse, in the long run. "Shinjiro-senpai...he said it's what was right."
Minako reached across, firmly placing a hand on his knee. He was the type to communicate his feelings with action, so maybe that was the only way she could reach him, right now. "You're plenty good for us. More than good. You'll just end up hurting the people that love you if you don't start seeing that for yourself."
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His implication was fairly clear. Though, considering Shinji’s reaction earlier, Akihiko thought it would be better not to state it outright. His honesty apparently caused others to become angry with him. But he would be lying if he claimed not to have run that alternate scenario through his head, over and over.
He blinked in surprise at Minako, but didn’t move away from her hand. “I’m done wasting my time on tears, but that doesn’t mean I’ll stop trying to get stronger. I’ll stay with you guys till the end, and we’re not there yet. Don’t worry about me. I’m not needed as much as the others, like you, Mitsuru, or Fuuka.”
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...it's just...a real pity he's having to rush the process, seeing as Shinjiro was back, in the flesh.
They'd work things out. They'd have to, somehow. One way or another.
Minako smiled over the fact that they could still have talks like this, even when they weren't on the same page, exactly. However...she knew that, at least for a little while, they wouldn't always see eye to eye.
Case in point.
"You are needed." She squeezed his knee before she'd even realized it. An accident, though it was better than having that uncomfortable swell in her chest again. "Don't worry about being stronger senpai--"
She had to stop. She needed to stop right there, when her voice started to crack, when her eyes threatened to water up. But, God help her--gods help her, she supposed--she couldn't help herself.
"Worry about being happy. Please."
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His gaze dropped for a minute, looking down when she squeezed his knee. The contact didn’t bother him. He knew Minako was the affectionate type, from watching her interactions with others. She was trying to make him feel better. It was selfish of him to place all of this unnecessary burden on her.
He had to find a way to deal with it himself.
“Happy…” he repeated softly, the word sounding foreign on his tongue in reference to himself, “I wonder… what it even means.”
Akihiko exhaled evenly and unclasped his hands to place one over the back of hers in a comforting gesture. “I’m sorry, Minako. You don’t need to hear all of this. Heh… If only you weren’t such a good listener.”
He wasn’t used to droning on like this, but Minako was always so patient with him, even when he asked her strange questions out of the blue, or misunderstood some of the things she said. She didn’t get angry or frustrated with him, when she should have, many times over. He didn’t doubt that she helped their other teammates in similar ways as well.
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She tried not to admit it to herself, but she'd never been all that good at lying, either. She needed him to be happy. To see joy on his face, to see that in spite of everything that happened, and has yet to happen - that it was all worth something, in the end.
She couldn't admit to it. That would be selfish of her, and...The Seal couldn't be selfish.
Could she? In this world? She hadn't wanted to consider it, the risk being too dire. Any moment now, the other shoe could drop.
"It means..." Minako mulled over her answer for a moment, her smile finally returning as she straightened up, letting her hand reluctantly drop back into her own lap. "Eating all the beef bowls you can manage before you make yourself sick!"
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Akihiko’s eyes flitted up to the ceiling when another clap of thunder suddenly rang above their heads. He had completely lost track of time while they were talking, something easy to do whenever he and Minako hung out together. He considered asking her to stay longer, but the thought gave him pause. Hadn’t he already taken up enough of her time? Maybe Minako had other things to do.
“Hey… It’s getting late,” he remarked quietly, “Do you need to go back and sleep?”
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The sound of thunder cuts off any further conversation in that vein, and Minako stands from her seat, straightening her skirt with her flattened palms. "I guess it is. We've had a long day."
She looks to Akihiko, her jovial face cooling. "Are you going to be able to sleep alright?" Sure there was the thunder, but...the other things are what she really thinks is going to keep him up.
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Akihiko shook his head dismissively. “Don’t worry about me.” He rose from his seat and headed toward the front door. “Want me to walk you back to your cabin?”
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...not because she expected him to (though he'd always been the type), but if she could put off parting ways for just a few seconds, you can bet your bottom-dollar that she would.
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