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It had been over an hour since the rest of SEES had started their frantic search in the bustling dormitory of Iwatodai. The usual camaraderie was replaced with anxiety as everyone rummaged high-and-low for their leader, Makoto and their robotic companion, Aigis, who had both "mysteriously" disappeared on the night they should have been heading to Tartarus to train. Mitsuru, with her usual composed demeanor, was leading the investigation. "Where could they be?" she muttered, her brow furrowed in concern.
Yukari and Junpei had just finished searching through the girls' and boys' floors of the dorm, respectively, while Akihiko and Ken were coming down the stairs from the rooftop. "They weren't up in the garden." Akihiko shrugged.
"Maybe they went out already?" Junpei looked over at the front door. "Y'know, like on a secret mission, or somethin'?"
Yukari shook her head. "That would be stupid."
"You don't think they would have gone on without us...?" Ken sighed, pensively.
Just as she was about to call for another sweep of the dorms, Mitsuru heard what sounded like a faint giggle; it was coming from the closet near the shared computer. "You don't think...?" No one ever used that room, so it had never crossed her mind to investigate it. Mitsuru hesitated for a moment, took a deep breath, and then gently pushed the door open. A loud "thud" echoed from inside as she turned the doorknob; to her surprise, nestled among the dust of musty old clothes and unused supplies, were Makoto and Aigis pressed closely together. Mitsuru's eyes widened, her cheeks turning pink.
The two quickly tried to pull themselves apart from each other, but found themselves hitting the walls behind them, again; it was a very tight space, after all. Makoto, trying to regain his composure, looked up at Mitsuru looking slightly embarrassed, while Aigis had an expression of both confusion and naivety.
Mitsuru cleared her throat, placing her palm on her forehead. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to—"
"It seems we have been discovered, Makoto-san." Aigis turned her head to Makoto.
"Hey, uh, Mitsuru-senpai." Makoto rubbed the back of his now sore head, his cheeks also slightly pink. "We were just, uh... trying to... discuss... new... battle strategies."
"Oh yeah, I hope they involved keeping our necks from getting as beat up as yours!" Junpei laughed. "Your's is lookin' pret-ty bruised, bro!"
Damn, burned by Junpei.
Makoto shot a dirty glance at him. Mitsuru's cheeks were still pink, but she gave the two a gentle smile. "Well, you two are certainly resourceful. But I'm glad you're both safe. Just be more mindful next time. No more disappearing without a word." She made her way over to the front door. "Now, shall we finally get going?"
Crap, I forgot that was tonight. Makoto sighed internally. The group laughed as they all followed Mitsuru, Junpei playfully nudging him with his elbow and winking as he passed by.
"And maybe next time, try to keep the romantic escapades in less... conspicuous locations?" Yukari rolled her eyes. "Sheesh."
The two waited a moment until the rest of the team had followed Mitsuru outside.
"Shall we, Makoto-san?" Aigis stepped out of the closet first, extending her hand to him. "I think tonight will be an excellent opportunity to try out these new battle strategies." she giggled.
Makoto smiled, pulling himself out the awkward space and taking her hand before gently squeezing it. "...And hopefully with a little less dust."