Meaningful days slip by, some faster than others. Nyx has been defeated and the world is truly at peace now.

They are alone on the rooftop of Gekkoukan High. Cradled in his arms, Minako slips away to peaceful dreaming while Shinjiro feels overflowing gratitude and love. He tries to calm his thudding heart with a slow and deep breath.

He is such a moron, forgetting someone as precious as Minako for so long. It is she who pierced the fog that had been his coma.

He starts from his reverie when she caresses his cheek with the back of her hand. Shinjiro clasps it, not wanting to let go. He wants to see her bigger smile so he drops a quick peck on her fingers.

He gets his wish and Minako sleepily brightens. "Lying here in the spring sun feels so nice. Tomorrow, we'll trade places."

Shinjiro looks gently down at the face he has grown accustomed to these past weeks. She can't stay with him. She is drifting off to another world of play reserved only for her and he can't follow.

Shinjiro's throat clams up so much he almost can't breathe. But he does, precious air in and out.

"Yeah? What if I don't want to sleep?" His voice is hoarse, tinged with fondness.

Minako's lethargic voice and body doesn't diminish the fiery soul in her drooping eyes. She tries to focus on Shinjiro's face and nods slightly. "You'll like it. And when you wake and tell me so, I'll get my turn again. But you'll join me, 'k?" Shinjiro's sleeve slips between her fingers, but she has no more strength to tug.

Shinjiro tightens his hold to keep her here with him for as long as possible. Minako blinks to stay her eyes open to consciousness so she can feel him.

"I-" Shinjiro's voice catches at a surge of emotion, at words he never imagined he'd utter. Minako's struggle to stay conscious pushes him onward. "I love you, Minako Arisato."

The sleepiness in Minako's eyes doesn't dull the shine in her tender gaze. "I love you, Shinjiro Aragaki."

They share a smile before the lure of eternal dreams embraces her at last.

-THE END-