#(shinji is laughing at junpei for getting dunked on by an 11 year old but he absolutely doesn't want ken to think he's laughing at HIM)

[still-breathing-au-p3r]

There’s a test for all the second-year classes tomorrow, so the five of them have planned a study session. Aragaki and Amada are already seated at the table on either side of one corner, each absorbed in their own work. Koromaru lounges on the floor next to Amada’s chair. 

It’s a bit of a surprise to see the two of them together like that, but a nice one. Clearly they must have hashed at least some things out. The tension that has strained between the two of them since Aragaki returned to the team in September isn’t entirely gone, but it has certainly slackened.

Fuuka had a short errand to run, and had said that they could get started without her, but– can they, really? They can’t just grab a head start like that and leave her to lag behind. There’s nothing to be done but postpone their studies until she returns; that’s the only courteous course of action.

Yukari, Junpei, and Aigis fill the time with conversation. Minato participates in the discussion in that he stands between Junpei and Yukari and tilts his head at appropriate intervals to show he’s listening. It’s not long before the topic drifts over to Ryoji, as it inevitably tends to these days.

Yukari and Junpei exchange a significant glance, then both look to Minato. He allows the eye contact, but very carefully does not return any of the significance. He feels like he can guess what they think the ‘real reason’ behind Aigis’ dislike must be, but… He would really rather not get into that.

Aragaki doesn’t even look up from his schoolwork.

Minato blinks. He has never said anything one way or the other to Aigis about Ryoji’s character. Although, he does suppose that hanging out with him the way Minato has been could reasonably count as a vote in favor of finding Ryoji trustworthy.

Junpei scratches the back of his head and grins in sheepish surrender. Aragaki turns away from Amada and sneezes into his elbow with suspiciously apropos timing. Aigis gives one brisk nod as though she’s filing this information away for the future while Yukari fixes the hem of her sweater to hide her smile. Minato catches Amada’s eye and makes the Feather Victory Salute– Amada sticks his tongue out at him briefly, but he returns the salute under the table.

Fuuka returns moments later, bringing their reprieve from the studying they had unanimously agreed upon to an end. It also brings the subject of Ryoji, Aigis’ distaste for him, and what might be the cause of it to a close for now, so Minato doesn’t despair too heavily.