"Shinji!"

"Hmm?" Shinjiro turned his head aside as he saw Akihiko ran towards him. Noticed that his childhood friend wore pants, boots, fingerless gloves and red cape. "Are you going to the Iron Fist Touriment, Bryan?" he joked as his hand is on his waist.

"Hey! This is my traveling clothes," Akihiko reminded.

"You looked like Bryan from Tekken. He's badass character," Ken commented.

Junpei came in with his baseball uniform. "Guys! Let's go to the Hakagure Ramen!" he cheered.

The boys went to the Hakagure Ramen for dinner. They were eating their special ramen.

"Phew! Just like the good ol' days," Akihiko relived happily.

"You and Shinjiro-san love this place to hang-out and eat ramen, don't cha?" Ken asked with smile.

"Yeah but sometimes Aki forced me to rejoin SEES," Shinjiro mumbled.

"But no anymore because of the past. I learned my lesson. Sorry about that," Akihiko apologised.

"No need to apologise. It wasn't your fault. It's my decision for my recklessness. Also, I'm not a Persona-user anyway," Shinjiro said.

"Wait! How did you lose your persona?!" Junpei shocked.

"While I was in a coma, my Persona transferred to Akihiko and merged into Caesar. Sounds okay for me to set him free. I don't deserve that power anymore but I will move on for better future. Plus, if you need something, I'll help you out," Shinjiro explained with kind smile.

"I see... Glad you're okay. Oh! The ramen is going to get cold,," Ken smiled as he slurped the ramen.

"You're right. Well, more eating, less talking," Junpei

grinned happily and continued eating the ramen.

While the boys finished up their ramen, they went home. Shinjiro went to the grocery to buy some ingredients for his cooking. Suddenly, he noticed the three punks surrounded the green-haired and silver eyed college girl at the ally.

"'Sup, little girl! Are ya lonely?" the punk smirked.

"It's pretty dark and quiet in here. Do ya want to hang-out with us?" the second punk tried to grab her but Shinjiro grabbed the girl and stayed away from them.

"Stay here. I'll handle this," he said.

"Hey! Hey! Don't mess with us, you son of a bitch!" the punk shouted angrily as he punches.

Shinjiro grabbed the punk's arm, pulled him. Gave a headbutt. The punk got hurt and dizzy. The two punks shocked as they saw their friend defeated by Shinjiro.

"Um... Nevermind! Let's get outta here!" the third punk said nervously.

The three punks retreated.

"Hmph! Cowards," Shinjiro heavily sighed. He looked at the girl. "Are you okay?" he asked.

The girl nodded shyly.

Shinjiro raised a brow that the girl can't speak or shy to speak. "I don't know if you're mute or can't speak but the important is that you're alright. No need to thank me. Now, go home safely," he remained to her.

The girl nodded again. She grabbed Shinjiro's hand and put a lot of round wrapped candies. She bowed, ran away and then, disappeared.

After the incient, Shinjiro went home. Placed the grocesaries on the table. Ken and Akihiko noticed him.

"Shinji, where have you been? I thought you're home around eight," Akihiko asked.

"I bought some grocesaries, kicked some punks' asses and saved the girl," Shinjiro answered.

"No kidding! You saved the girl. Sounds heroic. Did you ask her name?" Ken surprised and saw the candies on the table.

Shinjiro shrugged. "Dunno. I didn't ask. You can have some candies if you like. They're from the girl as a 'thank you' gift," he said.

"Alright," Ken took one candy, opened the wrapper and ate it. While eating it, the candy is sweet and chewy. The flavor is a mixture of milk and sugar. "Mmm... I never tasted this candy before. It's good and has milk in it," he commented.

"What? Let me taste it," Akihiko took a candy and ate it. "You're right... Wait! Is this pastillas?"

"Pastillas? I didn't know she has those," Shinjiro confused as he ate the pastillas.

"What is a pastillas?" Ken raised a brow.

"A homemade candy made with powdered milk, condense milk and sugar. It's from the Philippines and Spain. We ate this since we're at the orphanage. Our friend, Misona made this," Akihiko replied.

Shinjiro suddenly realized as he heard the name. It mentioned from Minako's final letter and his childhood memories. The problem is the appearances. 'The girl I saved... Was it her? No... Impossible. Maybe she bought it or learned it from the internet... If I see her, I'll just ask.'

End?

(Open Window – Mitis)