Diversified Souls

♫ music: memories of the school (inside the cinema)

“If I had the choice between having any time with you over not having time with you, no matter the outcome, I’d would choose to have time with you. Every time, with no regrets.”

Akihiko’s voice came strong, it was confident – this wasn’t the Akihiko from 5 years ago that was uncertain of what he wanted to do. This Akihiko understands the power of choice and sacrifice, the power of what she did that day, and he’ll never forget it.

“Changing the past isn’t going to do anything, Minako. You can relive that year over and over and over again, and nothing will change. You said it yourself. I told myself that I would never change the past because I understand the drastic consequences that it can have. When we all fought over the keys, Amada and I respected your sacrifice. No one is saying that this won’t be painful. But this is the present! This isn’t the repeating timeline that you live every year. What you were given, you should cherish. And when your time here is over, we’ll face it then. Maybe then I’ll get to meet the other person that’s fighting for your time now.”

Aki’s words were genuine for what he felt, even if he was uncertain of the outcome at the end. But he knew if she just ran away, then they’d never know the true nature of what was happening.

“I never knew it was two of you fighting for us all. This whole time, I always thought it was just you. I guess I should thank him too, huh?” The boxer smiled, and a hand was placed over his heart. “I almost feel like I know him, honestly.”

He pulled the girl closer to him, wrapping his arms around her. “You don’t have to face this alone. Things are confusing, I understand. But if the cycle, by some miracle, has changed, then you should be thankful for it.” He sighed.

Truthfully, Akihiko wasn’t sure what he should be saying, but everything felt right. Then again, there was nothing really based to make this wrong in the first place. “Maybe Elizabeth found a way to let you live your lives every now and again. I’m not saying it’s true, but she was quite the miracle worker. But don’t throw away chances like this. It may not be what you wanted, and we might have to part ways someday, but fate brought us back together again, by the very same sacrifice you made.”

He smiled at her and then wiped her eyes from her face. “Now come on. It’s because of you that I’m even here. You could at least act like you’re happy to see me instead of wanting to run away from me. I don’t look that bad after 5 years, do I?”

Of which, the 5 years got Akihiko thinking…. why 5? It may have just been because something was altered, but more than that, there were two people fighting, not just one. But they repeat the years and swap. So…

“That other person… do you think you get to live your life on every even year? It’s 2014 now, and you swap every other year. If you’ve been doing this since 2009 and it’s been 5 years… That other person went first, you lived 2010, and so on..? I dunno, I’m just rambling.”

An unlikely Akihiko trait, but he could blame Mitsuru and Aigis for that one. “It doesn’t matter. The point is, you’re here. That’s all that matters. So…” 

“Welcome home, Minako.”

Tears came to a halt when strong, dependable arms wrapped around her. Minako closed her eyes, felt herself relax in his arms, and with just the sound of his voice as a catalyst, let the tension slowly drift away into the darkness. Everything Akihiko said was correct. She believed it with every fiber of her being, but then she also believed that behind every positive dream was an obstacle to be faced.

No one could fault her for placing more faith in these dreams.

“Yes...” she nodded. “Okay, we’ll... face it together, then.”

Akihiko musing over the blue-haired boy had her smiling a little, a profound sense of pride evident in the way she took a deep breath and pulled him in an even tighter hug. In a sense, Akihiko did know that boy -- had this been another timeline. Perhaps he would be having this conversation with that person rather than her right now, albeit in a calmer way. Her partner wasn’t exactly one to display emotions like an open book, unlike herself.

“I am happy to see you,” she insisted, crimson eyes meeting his for the first time since the embrace. And feeling a bit of her old self returning, Minako giggled mischievously. “On the contrary, senpai. You look rather hot after five years. I bet your fanclub’s grown into an actual organization by now.”

Maybe an organization as huge as the Shadow Operatives right now -- well, in reality, she could only assume the latter’s massive scale due to Mitsuru being the one who founded it. Strange why this group should exist, though. The shadows should have disappeared alongside Tartarus. What need would they have to fight again?

“Honestly, I’m not sure which cycle I’m on right now. Time doesn’t really work for me the same way it does for you guys. You say it’s five years on your end, but maybe it’s been a century for me. Or at least, it feels that way,” she said. “Maybe there’s a reason why I’ve been sent to the year 2014, though. Are we in the midst of strange happenings right now? I’m assuming the shadows are back if you and the others are fighting again.”

Suddenly, before Akihiko, stood Minako whose eyes were filled with purpose once again, closely resembling the leader she had been during all those times in Tartarus. And when he’d uttered his recent words, welcoming her back, she smiled.

It truly felt like she had just returned.

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.

“W-wait, Minako–!!”

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.

Oh, no-

His touch felt so real.

Reliving the past meant her body had memorized every interaction to the letter. All of it. And when she returned to the Seal, every word faded as soon as they escaped her breath. Minako grasped at whatever she could feel on her fingertips, and engraved every fleeting sound into her mind. She held onto every memory because everything else was fragile.

But here, the sound of his voice roared loudly that every word kept echoing in her ears, and the slight pain felt in his grip destroyed the comfortable notion that this was merely a dream. Minako certainly saw truth in his speech. Heck, it was something she herself would have said had their circumstances been reversed, but…

“You don’t get it, senpai. Honestly, I don’t know how old I am. Or if it really has been a mere five years for me. I can keep reliving all of 2009 because it’s something I’ve accepted long ago, sacrifice myself a million times because it’s something I could prepare for. And even though it hurt to keep saying goodbye to you more times than I can count, it’s something I’m willing to do because in reality, you’re here, in the present time, which means-”

When he pulled and turned her around to face him, the tears fell.

“Which means I’ve only had to keep hurting the Akihiko from five years ago.”

She’d seen him cry over Shinji. The pain in his eyes when he recalled what happened to Miki twisted her stomach into knots. Did she have to add on to that pile? Twice?

“Spending that one year with you all was more than I could ask for. Seeing you here, alive and well, already feels like a blessing, and after missing you so much, I really want to be with you, but… I can feel it, senpai. I can feel him still fighting, and when he needs to regain his strength I have to be there to take his place.”

This is another thing I wanted to make and hoarded in my likes until I had the means to do so!! I love things like this so much - Mod Velvet

A rendition of this post from @incorrectpq2

She… what? She had to relive 2009 over and over again? His eyes widened from the revelation that she had been through this time and time again. It confused him, but it also made perfect sense. How she didn’t look surprised by anything, how she was so cheerful about it all… But this time… this was different wasn’t it?

She wasn’t in the year 2009 here. No, she was in current time, in the present. How would that affect things? There was nothing here for her to ‘relive’; this was an empty dorm, everyone had moved on with their lives.

Snapping back into focus from her question, Akihiko stammered and fumbled over his words for a second before replying. “Ah, uh, it’s… 2014. It’s been 5 years since the battle with Nyx.”

Akihiko thought about it for a moment – he remembered Erebus, he remembered fighting that black shadowed abomination. But if Minako’s fight kept Erebus at bay, who was doing it now? If she was here…

“–if you’re here, then… maybe… Elizabeth did it? She succeeded in destroying Erebus and freeing… wait…”

‘Before that happens, someone takes my place.’

Akihiko closed his eyes. Someone took her place. Maybe that person was Elizabeth herself? Who knew… Though, now that he thought about it, Elizabeth was super unlikely. That woman was practically unbeatable, and the last time he had to fight her, it took almost everything he had to even make her submit, even then, she still didn’t even look exhausted.

“You’re strong enough to stop the monster we barely stopped together alone. I think that adds to your list of amazing feats,” he praised. “Don’t sell yourself short. But… I’m sorry… On behalf of everyone in the Shadow Operatives, I’m sorry we couldn’t do more for you…”

The thought of losing Minako over and over again really tore at Akihiko’s heart, but he only had to worry about the thought of it; she had to actually relive it – meaning all those events that year as well. Ryoji, Shinji.. Ikutsuki… 

“I think I understand now…. though I don’t understand why you’re here still… in the present… Are you just… free? Or is this another timed escape…?”

“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?

“Shadow... Operatives?”

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.

Her chest tightened.

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.”

A blink at his words before she looked up. “Wouldja like me ta clean yer shirt for ya?” Blood was a pain to clean out of clothes. A hum as she wondered if the even had any lemons. 

“Nah,” he shook his head, chuckling. “I wouldn’t wanna trouble you with this. I can probably just do it myself if you tell me how.”

It was such an easy and obvious retort that he expected her to say it, but for whatever reason, he couldn’t stop himself from wanting to answer it. Akihiko closed his eyes and took another sip of his coffee, nodding a bit. Before answering, he paused for a moment.

“I knew you’d avoid the question… but if I don’t respond, I’ll likely walking in a circle with you with the questions,” he chuckled. Giving a small sigh, he gave his answer.

“You haven’t aged a day since Graduation Day,” he stated bluntly, looking at her. “You look the same as the very last time I saw you smile.” That made him grimace a bit saying, since… after all, she did die. He tried to not think about that, however. “I would know,” he said pulling his wallet out and showing her a picture of them.

Akihiko bit his lower lip before retracting the picture and folding his wallet shut. Maybe that just revealed how much he still cared, perhaps he showed his hand too early. And if this was all a dream, then he’d have to accept that and be upset when it ended. But for now, he had her here and he’d run that risk.

“You’re seventeen and haven’t aged a day, Arisato… how… what…?” Was this like before when they went searching with the keys? The places in time?

“Please be honest with me, Minako. I’m begging you.”

Beating around the bush wasn’t an option, huh? Honestly, she saw it coming. One couldn’t just disappear from people’s lives for who knows how long and pop right back in again like it was nothing, especially under such special circumstances, after everything they’ve been through. Akihiko might be a dork sometimes, but he certainly wasn’t a fool.

Pulling out his wallet, he showed her a picture of the two of them. He looked younger... and happy. By his side was Minako, who looked even happier to be there. The picture seemed to be in good condition, but looking closely, some of the edges were chipped. It was old, yet well-taken care of. Her heart ached.

I’m begging you.

--For honesty? For the truth that could potentially hurt him once he knew? Minako strongly wanted to avoid that risk, but his gaze... refusing them would be impossible. She never could, even back then.

“I’m not sure you want to know,” she said, closing her eyes for a moment to gather enough courage. When she opened them, they were full of resolve. “The truth is, I’ve been guarding a seal.”

Of course, he already knew that. She’d been watching them when the events of the aftermath took place. She always was.

“It’s an... endless battle.”Minako spoke slowly, but her voice was clear. “Every day, Erebus draws closer to Nyx, hoping to set her free. He makes it to the door without fail, and I push him back until he’s far enough to start struggling again. He never gives up trying to reach her.” The sadness was evident in her crimson eyes, and in the way she smiled. “I’m ashamed to admit it, but... sometimes I get tired. So, so tired that my soul almost shatters.”

“Before that happens, someone takes my place.”

And she hated it. She hated the fact that someone else had to carry this burden with her, when they could be out here living a life of his own, maybe follow their dreams, fall in love... get married and have kids.

“When I’m out of the Seal, I’d be sent back to relive the year of 2009, when I met SEES, and... and you, senpai. And everytime that happens, I try to look for a way to defeat Nyx for good. But it’s always the same ending. Always.”

“Maybe it means I’m not strong enough, and I’m sorry, but if reliving that year over and over again means you guys get to move on towards your happy endings, I’m okay with it. So don’t worry about me, senpai. I’m good.”

Fiddling with the fabric of her skirt, Minako tilted her head slightly to the side. “I’m... not sure why I wasn’t sent to 2009 this time, but... it makes me happy to see that you’re doing well.” A pause.

This was all so strange for Aki. In particular, normal was a bad thing, routine days, but… he wasn’t sure if this wasn’t just an illusion or if something bigger was brewing.

Taking a sip of his coffee (it was strangely bitter), he looked up at the girl asking him how had he been. How was he? Well, he was fine until someone he thought was completely gone was standing here before him. So to answer that question…

“A little confused, if I’m being honest,” came the boxer’s voice, looking over the red haired girl. “I’m just trying to figure out how you’re back here… I thought you were gone forever…” Which obviously was a lie, she was sitting right in front of him. A disgruntled groan left the male’s lips as his words continued to get caught in his throat after leaving his mind to say. It was an entire mess.

“I…I’m sorry. I just don’t really… know how to really say anything about this… like… should I express joy, or is it faux… are you going to be gone again, am I dreaming… is this a dream…”

He reached down for his coffee and took another sip, this one tasting better than before. Resting it on his leg, he looked her over, and then his brain came to a question that probably should’ve been asked from the start, considering her apparel and overall look, and her mannerisms (which were pristine to her).

“…Arisato… how… old are you right now?”

How tactless of Akihiko, but this question might clear up 70% of the questionnaire, if not more. He just had to know. She didn’t seem to have aged a day since then, and he was curious.

“I know we’re still in the dorm, but… as you can clearly see, it’s not all the same.” This was honestly something he ought to call Mitsuru about, but he wanted to handle this for himself for now. Especially considering he didn’t know what was happening… Mitsuru might call him crazy.

Leaning back to take this all in, Minako watched as Akihiko took a sip of his coffee. This weird phenomenon certainly justified his confusion, although to be fair, weird had somehow become normal for them now. Unusual was the usual. The days were consistent with battles and smiles and heartbreaks that went on and on and on.

But this situation was weird, even for her. Normally, the cycle trapped her in a loop, reliving the happiest and saddest year of her life where she met friends and then part with them soon after, then she’d return to the Great Seal. This... looking at Akihiko, eyes riddled with experience, a mature stance, and the physical differences... -he’d grown taller, hadn’t he?

She had already accepted the fact that she couldn’t bear witness to their futures, that it would be impossible to see their lives beyond graduation, and how sharing the future with them would merely be a dream that consistently, annoyingly eluded her fingertips. She made peace with that, so... why?

“You don’t have to feel anything, silly,” said Minako, her playful voice betraying the intense emotions welling up inside. “Just feel what you feel. If you’re confused, happy, or sad all at the same time, that’s fine too.”

Her gaze never left him. She watched his every move as if desperately trying to record it all. The little moments she would take with upon returning to her fate, to normal days. And while Minako felt something warm spreading across her chest (the first time she’d been at ease in a while,) it faded as swiftly as the next question was heard.

“…Arisato… how… old are you right now?”

For the first time in the conversation, she looked away. Just how much should be said, Minako had no idea how it would affect him. She didn’t want to make him sad, or to throw his life off-balance like this. Perhaps seeing her again reopened old wounds for him. He’d be better off staying away from her and moving on.

She didn’t have the luxury of moving on herself, therefore she ended up inside the dormitory, right?

“How old do you think I am, senpai?” she asked, shooting it back at him. “You can think of this as a dream, if that’s what you want.”

hyperviolent estelle bright master post

‘I guess even after all those years, some things never change. After all, you were the one that made the impossible happen, weren’t you?’

It was strange to just be… normal. Normal for Akihiko was typically a bad thing, and if nothing weird was happening in his life, then he should probably be more careful of things to come. After traveling for so long after the events of high school – to new places, meeting new people, being back in the dorm was super unexpected and surprising. But he welcomed it here.

Especially considering the circumstances.

A cabinet door slammed shut as Akihiko pulled a mug out from it, trying to really… process exactly what was going on here. Or rather… formulate exactly what to say or ask. Gray irises moved over to the coffee maker and pulled it out, pouring two cups before returning it to it’s home.

Home.

It’s a basic word that most didn’t think about when it came down to it; it was something of secondhand nature, but truthfully, Akihiko had to think about it here. What was considered home to him? He had traveled for so long and so far that home didn’t seemingly exist. Wherever the wind took him, was where he went. But for some reason, when faced with this dilemma, this was where his heart wanted to go. The dorm.

The Iwatodai Dorm. The place where him, along with eight other special beings took on their secret night life disguised as an extracurricular activity. As an orphan, home wasn’t a concept that Akihiko conceptualized correctly… but his heart said this was home. And it was probably right. Especially for this particular… problem.

He leaned over the counter top and looked back over his left shoulder at the person sitting on the couch waiting for him to return. He’d have to face them sooner than later… but when it came to this person, Akihiko never knew what to do. After all, it had been five years now. But faced with this situation, he felt like he was back in high school.

Grabbing the coffee filled mugs and heading back to living room lounge, he set one of the cups in front of the other, and then sat across from them in the other chair.

“I’m not really sure what I’m supposed to say here,” he started, closing his eyes. “It’s a little hard to come to terms with honestly.” Akihiko inhaled sharply, and then opened his eyes, looking at his reflection in the liquid. But then the boxer steeled himself and looked at person across from him.

“I… just… don’t know what to really say here. I…” He stopped himself before continuing. “We thought you were…. well… but…” Setting the cup down, his hands folded over one another before cracking his knuckles.

And while she fought seemingly endless battles, Minako was never alone. By her side would be the man with brilliant resolute eyes, beautiful strands of azure hair gently sweeping across his features. Together, they fought, and took turns guarding the seal.

Oh, how she would have preferred to fight alone and give him the fulfilling life he so deserved. Yet instead of holding this boy’s gaze amidst the chaos and the distant howling of Erebus, her crimson eyes blinked, and she found herself in sudden silence.

Instead of the massive door she was used to seeing, there stood a normal, wooden, familiar one. The vast, white space quickly faded into the narrow but comfortable walls of the Iwatodai dorms. She was no longer stood, instead seated comfortably on the living room couch as if it were normal. As if this had always been.

The sound of her sigh broke the silence, followed by the creak of a door. It swung open to reveal a familiar face.

Her heart skipped.

The person, while inevident in his stance, failed to hide the shock in his eyes at the sight of her. She was obviously not supposed to be here, but he kept going. He kept walking towards the counter and routinely made his coffee. As if this had always been.

Akihiko.

The sound of his voice.

Uncomprehending of his words, a smile spread across her face, eyes glassy with suppressed tears as she held herself together surprisingly well. Every inch of her being wanted to run towards him and tackle him to the floor, but Minako stayed rooted to the couch, hands clenching at the fabric of her skirt while he spoke. While he processed all this.

And Minako, she... she was still processing, as well.

Akihiko... Akihiko-senpai...!

“I- sorry,” she laughed sheepishly, tugging at stray strands of her auburn hair. “Could you... repeat that? I was just a teensy bit distracted.”

By the sound of your voice. I thought I’d forgotten it. Thank goodness.