Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

[Iwatodai dorm, Dark Hour]

        He looked at the redhead who had just stopped the first girl from reaching for her gun holster in her tight. The girl with a pink cardigan gasped when the light came back on. He blinked twice, trying to adjust his eyes to the sudden change. The music in his earphones blasted again and he grimaced slightly, rushing to turn off his mp3 player.

        “I didn’t think you’d arrive so late.” The older girl approached them, and Minato remained unfazed as he let his player dangle against his chest. “Aren't you supposed to come with another person?” He readjusted his posture and scratched his neck.

        “Ah, yes, my sister was unable to come with me. There were some issues to resolve at our hometown and she insisted I should come and let whoever is in charge know” he chuckled lightly as he put his hand back into his pocket, wondering if she was pulling an all-nighter again.

        “Well then, my name is Mitsuru Kirijo, and I’m one of the students who live in this dorm,” she answered elegantly. 

        “Who’s he?” The other girl approached her and asked, not changing the volume of her words.

        “He’s a transfer student. It was a last minute decision to assign both him and his sister to this dorm. They will eventually be moved to a room in the boy’s and girl’s room, respectively.”

        “Is it okay for him to be here?” the brunette inquired.

        “I guess we’ll see” Mitsuru realized they were talking about him as he was not right in front of them, so she rushed to introduce her companion. “This is Yukari Takeba. She’ll be a second year this spring, just like you” the other girl turned to face Minato, just realizing he was standing there, silently.

        “Right, you can call me Yukari” Minato looked at the gun holders both girls carried, and decided to ask.

        “So, why do you have a gun?” his tone didn’t show fear, he almost sounded curious.

        “Huh? Um, well, it's sorta like a hobby... Well, not a hobby, but…” Yukari started stuttering and Mitsuru decided to intervene.

        “You know how it is these days. It’s for self defense” at Minato’s silence, she added “It’s not a real gun, of course”  Before he could ask anything more, she finished the conversation, “It's getting late, so you should get some rest. Your room is on the second floor, at the end of the hallway. Your things should already be there; why don’t you go and have some rest?”

        “Oh, I’ll show you the way, follow me” Yukari jumped in, motioning him to follow her. As he started walking, he stopped in his tracks when he reached Mitsuru.

        “Wait, about my sister’s things…” the older girl smiled and assured him they also were in the end of the hallway of the third floor. 

        “I wonder if she will be needing something of her luggage right now, though,” Mitsuru inquired. Minato smiled, shaking his head lightly.

        “I believe she will manage, she is very resourceful, after all” not for nothing she was the one who packed everything for both of them.

        “Very well then. Have a good night” she smiled politely.

        “You too” he nodded before resuming his way to the end of the stairs, where Yukari had stopped, waiting for him. 

…

        Once he closed the door, he dropped his bag on the floor and let himself flop over the bedding, belly down. It should have been a great give away when the lights stopped working, but Minato shrugged it off and came out of the train station and walked to the dorm. The streets were awfully quiet, even for a Monday night. To be fair, he also didn’t make a move when a girl his age almost pulled a gun on him after a mysterious boy made him sign a contract. Speaking of; Yukari surely didn’t know about the whole deal, but he still asked. He told himself that he was just tired, and that whatever strange thing that happened could be talked about tomorrow. Or not, because both girls seemed pretty secretive when asked directly.

        He shifted a little, the sensation of not sinking surprising him. After all these years sleeping in the same old bed, it would take a while to get used to that firm mattress. With a groan, he sat up and shifted a little, testing the springs before he got on his feet and started to undress. He smirked as he almost could hear Minako scolding him for lying in his street clothes. 

[Meanwhile, several hours away by train]

        A girl was sitting on the floor, searching frantically between piles of cardboard boxes and documents.

        “Damn it! Where is it?” she shifted and pushed something with her feet. She turned to it and found her flip phone laying, the light signaling she had a new message. She sighed and took the device in her hands.

        Minato: I just got there. Don’t worry, I brushed my teeth. Goodnight! 00:32

        “As talkative as always” she muttered, but she smiled before double checking the hour. “Huh, I was sure I had been organizing this garbage for hours” she left the phone on top of a box and stretched. “Man, these grown ups behave like they are the only ones with problems” a yawn cut her, tears appearing in her eyes. “Screw this, auntie isn’t going to miss all the receipts from the supermarket” she pushed the box with her feet. “Let’s hope there’s nothing important here and…” she sprung back and reached behind her “No no no, tell me that useless lawyer didn’t keep the will with the things on the desk. Ugh, this is gonna take all night”

…

[Iwatodai dorm. Early morning]

        As Minato finally was able to close his bag, he heard a knocking in the door.

        “It 's Yukari. Are you awake?” a girl’s voice sounded at the other side. As he was about to respond, he noticed he didn’t have his player on him. He frantically palmed his body before he finally found it in one pocket of his pants.

        “Hello! Please answer the door, or I'll get in trouble!” he hurried to take his bag and open the door, meeting her with a sheepishly smile.

        “There you are,” she said as she crossed her arms. “Good morning. Did you sleep okay?” She tilted her head as she saw him rubbing the back of his neck.

        “Let’s say it wasn’t that bad for the first night” 

        “Yeah, that usually happens every time you change the place where you sleep,” she chuckled. “Luckily, this dorm has a better quality of beds and pillows than most of…” she cut herself, realizing she was rambling a little too much.

        “Anyways, Mitsuru-senpai asked me to take you to school. It's getting late, so... Are you ready to go?” She took a step back and he nodded lightly, crossing the threshold and locking the door behind him.

        “Yeah, I’m ready. Lead the way”

Chapter Text

[April 9th, Early morning]

       Minato yawned, looking at his reflection in the mirror. One would think the strange dreams would come the first night before class, not a couple nights after. Whether the contract and that blue room meant something or not, he only hoped it doesn’t affect his life that much. He had enough of erratic behavior with his aunt. Though a little exhausting, it was nice getting to meet some people. One of the perks of starting at scratch is that nobody has yet found something wrong about you and let everyone know.
       Minato: Good Morning. Hey, how did it all go yesterday? Sorry for letting you all the heavy load. 07:11
       Minato: I’m sure you will love it here. It's me, and I already have some acquaintances. 07:11

       He sighed as he put on the jacket of the uniform. It felt good doing a favor to another person, that Iori doesn’t seem like a bad guy to be around, but he can only hope that yesterday won’t set a precedent and he won’t have to answer that many questions in class; the last thing he wants is to attract too much attention. The chairman seemed nice, but he wishes he won’t make a habit of visiting that much. Being exposed to those puns for a prolonged time can’t be good. He smiles to himself. He can’t wait to see Minako react to such lame jokes.
…
       Once he saw the front door of the Gekkoukan High, he heard a familiar voice.
       “What's up!? Man, today is the perfect day! The sky is blue... We're young... What more could we ask for!?” he halts and waits as Junpei catches him.
       “You’re always like this? Yesterday you didn’t seem so…” he gestures with his hand. Junpei looks at him for an instant before he laughs and pat his shoulder.
       “Dude, I'm not sick! Forget the ol' Junpei...! This is the REAL me! You should cheer up, too. After all, you've got ME as a friend.” Minato felt a smile curving in his lips. Someone was already calling themselves his friend. He decided to ignore that voice that says it won’t last long.
       “Hey, what’s up, man?” Junpei turned to look at him. He didn’t realize he slowed down his pace. He shook his head lightly.
       “I guess I’m sleepy today” he picked up his pace to match Junpei’s. Iori’s smile was still imprinted in his face.
       “Well, in times like these, it’s best to sleep during class!” The two guys kept talking as they went upstairs. “That adrenaline rush you get from dozing off right in front of the teacher can really spice up your dreams"
       "I don’t know about that, but sometimes I feel more refreshed when I fall asleep at classes than doing it at home” Especially when you don’t have someone knocking at your door because you are sleeping too much.
       “You said it! You go from dead to being completely full of energy again. It’s such a good feeling” a classmate hurried out of the 2-F classroom. They looked at each other before entering. “Then again, I'm not listening to the lecture, so I’m screwed later!”
       As he sat at his desk, he wondered if he would dream about that room if he sleeps during the lessons. Soon after, Yukari entered the room and shyly nodded at him. Iori winked at her and she actively ignored him. Maybe she was still worried about the rumours. Even if he fails at seeing the bad thing of arriving at school with a girl, he understands how cruel some rumours can be.

[A couple hours away by train, Afternoon]

       “Miss Arisato, you know well that despite being in the age range, your brother and your situation is far from ideal” Minako frowned, crossing her arms and laying back into the uncomfortable chair.
       “As you said, I’m aware that not having our guardian… alive, makes our future difficult” the older man looked down at her, but she didn’t shy away “But maybe I have to remember you that both of us were invited to study as transfer students at Gekkoukan High School, at Port Island. Which, in fact, I’m being unable to attend because-”
       “Watch your tongue, young lady,” the man states coldly, so Minako closes her mouth, but still glares at him. “You can’t really expect to trust blindly into a stranger, only because he promised to keep the inheritance from your parents”
       “He’s not a stranger” it’s the man turn to glare her, but she kept talking “he was a good friend of my father, and I know as a matter of fact that not a single yen has been misplaced”
       “And still, he didn’t reach out when you were given to your unstable aunt” the contempt of his words irks her “and his actions were limited to doing his job properly”
       “It was you who bringed out his involvement” or lack thereof, she thought to herself, “I only stated I trust that our funds are in good hands. We can afford a good future even with the status of orphans. I fear your agency is no longer needed”. Before she could stand up and leave he interrupted once again.
       “And yet again you made another mistake, miss Arisato” she clenched her fists, sat at the edge of the chair. As much as she wanted to leave and not hear another word, she knew best.

       “Because you see, even if your studies are being paid off right now, the cost of superior education is far greater that you think”
       “Stop beating around the bush and say what you have to say” Minako stood up and looked at the man sitting behind the desk. Even if she was holding up herself, the trembling of her body wouldn't go unnoticed by anybody.
       “Sooner than later you will have to choose, miss Arisato. Once out of the school, you both will have to take care of ourselves. I fear only one of you can aspire to enter a good university” Minako gave a last glare to the man before leaving the office, but she could feel her lower lip trembling.
Once on the street, she closed the door of the building with such force that some passersby looked at her. She held herself up, but once they got out of her range of vision, she fell to her knees, hiding her face.
       “Shit” her voice trembled. She felt her eyes stung and her nose started to itch. Still, she couldn’t allow herself to cry. Not now. Not in public.
…
[Iwatodai dorm, evening]

       After Mitsuru called him out for coming late, he chatted with the girls before going to his room. Takeba suggested they should use the kitchen more often, and he almost said Minako was a pretty decent chef. Still, he bit his tongue. His sister had enough on her plate, and surely the last thing she needed once she arrived was taking care of the dinner of even more people. He stopped by one of the vending machines and took out a soft drink before going to his room. Once he changed, he looked at his desk, considering studying before deciding against it and sitting at his bed. With the beverage in one hand and his phone in the other, he checked on Minako.
       Minako: same as today, Horrible. 16:42
       Minako: I can’t believe that I once wished to be an adult. I don’t want to grow up anymore. 0 out of 10, I don’t recommend. 16:43

       He smiled. Even if Minako behaved too mature sometimes, she still had the same age as him. Minato got comfortable into his bed and took a sip of the soft drink. Ugh, too much gas for his taste. But the taste was sweet enough without being tooth-rooting. Maybe he should receive his sister with one can for her.
       Minako: Oh, right You were making friends. 18:58
       Minako: Srry I didn’t reply. I guess I was too stunned. 18:58
       Minako: Who r you and what have you done to my brother? 18:59

       Now, that made him chuckle. Only she knows how to take his insecurities and make fun of them without stinging. Well, most of the time.
       Minato: I already died. Today he gave me a tour around the city. 20:27
       Minato: The guy is great, but a little overbearing sometimes. Also he almost lost his savings in the crane game. 20:27
Minato: I’m pretty sure you will like him. 20:28

       He was taking another sip of the drink when his phone chimed again. He definitely struck a nerve. He felt his stomach groan. Maybe he shouldn’t drink it all at once.
       Minako: Hey! The hell does that mean? 20:28
       Minato: Nothing, nothing. Don’t worry, soon you will be here and you won’t have to worry about all that crap anymore. 20:30
       Minato: Speaking of which. Unfortunately, we won’t share classes this year. 20:30
       Minato: My home room teacher is nice, but she didn’t read our history in advance. I guess yours will do their job and read the whole thing. 20:31

       He gulped down the rest of the drink and tossed it to the bin, the can falling outside. At least there wasn’t any liquid left. He looked back at his phone and frowned. She didn’t answer yet, which was strange coming from her.
       Minato: Hey, are you okay? 20:35
       Minako: Yeah, sorry. Just a little exhausted. Gonna hit the bed soon. 20:37
       Minako: We will see each other again soon :) 20:38
       Minato: When you come, I’ll be waiting for you at the station. I found something you may like. 20:38
       Minako: Hm, that sounds scary. Can I trust you? 20:39
       Minato: It seems I can’t be a good brother because then you grow suspicious. 20:40
       Minato: That big head of yours doesn’t need to worry about that, it’s nothing bad. Go to sleep, We’ll see each other in a couple of days. 20:41
       Minako: do you have your uniform ready? If you fall asleep I won’t be there to help you 20:46

       Minato couldn’t avoid rolling his eyes. He eyed the shirt and jacket of his uniform, hanged outside of the closet, and the pants folded on the back of the chair. He knew she was right. Having it ready had saved his ass several times. But he would never admit it.
       Minato: Yes, mom, I have it ready. Good night. 20:46
       Minako: night 20:47