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Minato was in agony.
The words that had come out of Ryoji's mouth rendered him speechless, deaf, and blind all at once.
"I... I stole your chance to grieve the death of your family. I filled you with apathy while I became more human..." Those were the words Ryoji had said before fainting. Whether it was from exhaustion or fear, Minato didn’t know. But he knew one thing for certain—
Ryoji and Aigis had ruined his life. Because of their actions, he had been unable to feel anything for years. He couldn’t grieve his parents’ deaths or his sister’s suicide. That night ten years ago, Minato Arisato lost his humanity. Everything he should have felt was consumed by the festering monster growing inside him, leaving nothing but an empty shell of a human boy.
Since Ryoji’s confession and his warning about the impending choice Minato alone had to make, he had stayed in his room, letting endless tears and years of stress and grief wash over him.
For the first time in his life, he felt something—and he hated it. The hatred he felt for Aigis, the conflict of deciding someone’s fate, and most of all… fear. Minato was terrified, and there was no escape. This was his fate. The contract he had signed all those months ago had sealed it.
"Mom... Dad... Sis... help me," Minato whispered—no, pleaded—to the dark shadows of his dorm room, the sinking feeling in his chest never leaving.
Knock, knock.
"Minato-san... It's me, Aigis. I—I’d like to talk, if it’s okay with you."
Minato frowned. He didn’t want to hear her voice. Hell, he didn’t even want to look at her after what she had done to him.
Knock, knock.
"I know you said to leave you alone, but... I—I want to make sure you’re okay," Aigis said, worry filling her once robotic tone. Not that Minato cared. The irony wasn’t lost on him. Now that he could care, all he could feel was a mix of the worst emotions imaginable.
Minato’s tuned Aigis out as he remembered the aftermath of Ryoji’s confession...
---
A Few Hours Ago
"Why would I forgive you?" Minato asked, his voice cracking in a hoarse whisper.
No one said anything—not even Aigis, who looked as though she were trembling.
"I watched my mom and dad get ripped apart when I was ten years old... Then, three years later, I found my sister hanging from our bedroom ceiling," Minato said matter-of-factly, his voice dark. Gasps filled the room.
"M-Minato—"
"Shut up!" Minato growled, cutting Mitsuru off.
"I watched all of that, and I didn’t even cry or scream or curse God for forsaking me. No, I went on with my day like it was nothing!"
The room was silent as Minato’s bitter recounting of his once-mysterious past tore through everyone present.
"You wouldn’t understand that pain, Aigis, because you’re just a machine—just like I was for the past ten damn years!" Minato finished, his voice cracking as tears spilled down his face.
No one said a word as he stormed upstairs to his room. Everyone was either shocked into silence or stifling tears.
---
Present Hour
The knocking continued, but Minato ignored it—until another voice interrupted Aigis.
"Minato... it’s me, Mitsuru. You don’t have to open the door, but I want you to listen."
"I-Is she gone?" Minato asked hoarsely.
"Yes. I sent her away," Mitsuru replied, a hint of surprise in her voice.
Minato stood on shaky legs and walked to his door, opening it slightly to see a very concerned Mitsuru.
"Mitsy..."
It was all he could manage. Her piercing red eyes sent a wave of warmth through him. He needed her.
"This might be a bad time, but... may I come in?" Mitsuru asked politely, her beautiful face marred by worry.
Minato didn’t answer. Instead, he walked away from the door, leaving it open for Mitsuru to enter. As she stepped inside, the oppressive atmosphere hit her like a tidal wave.
"I... know everything is hitting you all at once. I can’t imagine what you’re feeling right now, but—" Mitsuru began, only to be stopped by Minato lazily raising his hand.
Sitting down on his bed, Minato finally spoke. "I—I just... I need you," he said, his voice breaking as he dissolved into sobs.
Mitsuru sighed sadly and rushed over to embrace him. His frail, trembling body shook in her arms, but she didn’t care. He needed her, and she would be damned if she wasn’t there for him.
They didn’t need words to communicate how they felt. Not that Minato could form coherent sentences in his current state—he was too much of a blubbering mess. But just feeling Mitsuru’s warmth against him was enough to calm him, at least a little.
"Mina..." Mitsuru started, but her words caught in her throat. There was nothing she could say to ease his pain, so instead, she held him as if her life depended on it.
She didn’t know how many hours had passed since she climbed into bed with him. Then again, she wasn’t counting. Just being there with him seemed to ease her worries, and she hoped her presence had the same effect on him.
"Mitsuru?" Minato’s voice, hoarse from crying, broke the silence.
"Yes?" Mitsuru responded softly, careful not to be too loud, knowing how sensitive his ears could be.
Minato let out a shaky breath, as though he was trying to steel himself. "B-Before... I said some things I’m not proud of. It felt like something took control of me, and I was just watching from the outside."
Mitsuru’s expression softened. She gently ran her fingers through his hair—a soothing gesture she knew always calmed him. "Minato, no one blames you for what you said. Your words were hurtful, yes, but I think everyone understands your circumstances."
"I snapped at you, too..." Minato murmured, his voice filled with guilt. He sounded almost like a child confessing to something he didn’t fully understand.
"You don’t need to worry about that. I’m fine. Honestly, I’m more concerned about you," she reassured him with genuine concern. And it was true. She didn’t hold anything against him. Grief had consumed him, just as it had consumed her after her father’s death. But through all her turmoil, Minato had been her one constant, her anchor in the storm.
"You’re too kind to me, Mitsy... I don’t—"
"Shh." Mitsuru silenced him with a finger to his lips. "It’s not about deserving kindness. I love you, and I’ll always be in your corner, no matter what."
Minato closed his stinging eyes. How could one woman be so perfect? Sometimes, he thought she was an angel sent from the heavens. Maybe he was right.
"Later... I want to apologize to everyone for what I said. Even if they understand why, they’re still my friends. My family... Even Aigis is part of that. I may never forgive her for what she did, but I’ll try."
"That would be a good step. I’ll be beside you the entire time," Mitsuru said with a small smile. "But if you ever need me to take over, just tap your index finger and thumb together." She finished with a kiss on his forehead.
Minato was grateful for her thoughtfulness. It was little things like that—silent signals and gestures—they’d developed over the course of their relationship that made him feel supported. Despite only being together for a few months, it felt like they’d known each other for years.
"You know... my sister would’ve loved you," Minato said softly.
"Hm, is that so?" Mitsuru chuckled, grateful he was opening up again.
"Yeah. She’d probably swarm you with questions—about when we’re getting married, having kids, if we’ve already had kids, and even whether you prefer strawberry jam or mango jam."
Despite the deep red blush coating her cheeks, Mitsuru couldn’t help but laugh. "She sounds like quite the character. What was her name?"
"...Kotone."
"What a beautiful name. I think we’d get along. And for the record, strawberry jam is superior," Mitsuru joked, earning a quiet laugh from Minato.
"That was her favorite too..."
A comfortable silence settled between them as they held each other tightly.
"Shall we get some sleep?" Mitsuru asked gently.
"No... Not yet. I want to be with you a little while longer."
Mitsuru was more than happy to oblige. She was tired, yes, but Minato needed her. That was all the justification she needed to derail her sleep schedule—though he’d have to pay for that later.