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Even if their situation was bad, taking breaks and relaxing are still important. Going through the labyrinths non-stop would tire people out eventually. That was the reasoning Yu Narukami gave to SEES and the Investigation Team, which they accepted.
But it quickly became moot when they realized that Yu had taken them back to the Group Date Café labyrinth. “Um… Senpai, why are we here again?” questioned Kanji, his voice filled with confusion.
“We’re here to relax. And doing a favor for a friend.” replied Yu with a grin.
“Favor my foot. This was your idea.” deadpanned Minato.
“Don’t worry. I’m sure everyone will have fun.” assuage Yu.
“Glad to be your source of entertainment.” snarked Minato.
Naoto sighed at their exchange. “It would be nice to know what it is that you two are talking about. So, mind explaining to us what do you have planned, Yu-senpai?”
Yu then turned to face the whole team. “It’s simple. I asked Minato-kun here to go through the matchmaking game for us.”
“Which I still think is a bad idea, mind you.” quipped Minato.
Yu ignored Minato’s response and continued. “I’m sure it will be fun for everyone. Maybe after you’ve seen us both went through it, some of you would want to try it out yourselves.”
“Okay, I don’t get the point of Minato-nii doing it.” commented Minako. “I mean, I’m pretty sure it’s just gonna fall on Yukari-chan.”
“H-Hey! D-do you really need to say that?!” stammered Yukari while blushing.
“Can you even deny it, though?” Minako asked back.
“T-That’s…”
“Even so, I think it would still be a worthwhile experience.” continued Yu, undeterred. “If it does land on Yukari-san, we can see it as further confirmation of the couple's decision and the accuracy of the game.”
“I must admit, I’m rather curious as well.” mused Yukiko.
“Like we need more confirmation of them being lovey-dovey.” quipped Junpei.
Yosuke shrugged. “Eh, I don’t see why not. It’s not like the Shadows in this area are much of threat to us anymore.”
“Don’t worry about it, Yukari-chan.” assuage Rise. “It’s only awkward at first, but it’s actually kinda fun. Looking back on it, it wasn’t as bad as it looked. I’ll even say it was exciting. They don’t make you do anything too embarrassing anyway.”
“Glad to have your support, guys.” smiled Yu.
“Well… when you put it like that…” murmured Yukari. “Okay… I’ll admit, I’m… curious as well…”
Realizing that he’s being slowly outvoted, Minato just sighed in defeat. “Fine… Let’s get this over with.”
When they arrived at the matchmaking game section, Yu took a step back and let Minato come forward. Sighing once more, Minato just stepped forward and began answering the questions given to him. Minato didn’t dwell too long on any questions, mostly answering them by instinct. Amusingly, it was Yukari who was the most tense during the whole thing. She even flinched a little at some of the questions.
After Minato answered everything, the announcer started the dramatic to unveil the ‘destined partner’. Minako couldn’t help commenting with a dry tone. “Just you watch. It’s gonna land on Yukari-chan in 3… 2… 1…”
The spotlight suddenly shined right above Minako, surprising everyone present. “Wait, what?! What’s going on?! Okay, I love my brother, but definitely not that─”
Minako’s words were cut off as the trap door below her and her brother opened, dropping them down with a scream. They landed on the hard ground with a thud. Minako quickly picked herself up and dusted herself off. But she soon realized that her right hand was holding Minato’s left. “Huh?! Minato-nii, let go already!” wailed Minako.
“I can’t.” hissed Minato
Minako tried hard to pull her hand away. But as her brother said, it seemed their hands were stuck together. No matter how hard both of them pulled, they couldn’t separate their hands. Eventually, they slumped in defeat.
“Did Yu-kun tell you anything about this?” inquired Minako.
“He didn’t.” growled Minato. “Most likely he wanted to make it a surprise.”
“Well, no use complaining about it. There’s only one way out of here, so let’s just go.”
Both of them walked down the only pathway that was available to them. The atmosphere around them definitely fit the romantic mood; from the decorations, the trees, and even the sky. As expected from the matchmaking game in the labyrinth. But each time they noticed the atmosphere, as well as the situation they found themselves in, more chills went up their spine. They hasten their steps in effort to ignore it and to get out of the place quicker. Unfortunately, what awaited them up front horrified them even more.
“No! No way! Not even in a million year!” shrieked Minako as she saw the badly photochopped image depicting her and Minato in wedding outfits. “There’s no way this will ever happen! I’m gonna destroy everything first before I let this happen!”
Minato buried his face in his right hand. “Yu, a little warning would’ve been appreciated…”
“Some brain bleach would be handy right now. Or an actual gun. I’m really tempted to tear this stupid poster to pieces.”
“If we still have our weapons, I’ll help you with that.”
“Too bad we don’t…” sighed Minako. “Let’s get out of here and forget this ever happened.”
The rest of the walk wasn’t as bad. After kicking the door to the ‘chapel’ open, Minako found her hand free at last, and the twins pointedly took some distance from each other. The rest of SEES and the Investigation Team finally arrived. Minako saw most of them sighed in relief the moment they saw the twins.
“Phew, glad to see you two are okay.” sighed Junpei. “I mean, I know Yu made it out okay. But I’m just… worried… ‘cuz of… you know…”
Minako breathes out in an attempt to calm herself down, and then grabbed Junpei by the shoulder. “It’s okay, Junpei. I appreciate your concern.”
“About that… Can I… ask you something?” asked Yukari hesitantly. “I’m not… actually competing with you… am I?”
Minako suddenly snapped at Yukari. “You’re not! There’s no way I’ll ever thought of my own brother that way! Understand?!”
Yukari took a step back in fear from Minako’s sudden shout, raising her hands in surrender. Yu then spoke out, “It’s okay, we won’t judge. If you have some unspeakable─”
“Yu Narukami, don’t you dare finish that sentence…” growled Minako while turning her attention to Yu. Yu wisely shut his mouth.
“Hmm… so the one closest to Mina-chan is her hunk of a brother.” mused Teddie aloud. “No matter! I will proof to everyone that I’m much more─ Um, Mina-chan, Minato, why’re you looking at me like that?”
Teddie’s scream of agony echoed throughout the labyrinth that day. Everyone in SEES and the Investigation Team decided to move on from the entire event, and remember to never bring it up again in front of the twins.