AN: Hi, thanks for stopping by! Just some Kan/Nao going on in here, which I hope you'll like. Gotta say thanks to zero-damage, I mean, Shortest Distance is just amazing, and got me to start writing, even if it's just a little, so I guess I'm just riffing off that.
So, yeah. Hope you'll enjoy what I've cooked up.


The school library was the best place to prepare. It was guaranteed to both be quiet by the hallowed rules of school law, and have the absence of a particular ruffian, who was the source of much confusion in the young girls' life. But now, at least, she had resolved to take action upon it.

Naoto was sat, a whole table to herself, which she had covered in notes, small scraps of knowledge she had managed to put together, on both her subject, and her methods to approach him. Little pieces; 'Aiya's- Acceptable food, but perhaps too loud', 'Gifts- Only allowed in certain contexts- see calendar reference'. Naoto didn't know much about romance, only small snatches from her vast collection of mystery novels, which remained limited at best. When the detective in the story became, intimate, with a key witness, in the past she had only sighed, and noted down the author, both to avoid their novels in the future and send a letter chastising them for sullying a mystery with such an unnecessary and tedious side plot. Now however, she found herself pouring through the novels that had made their way into her blacklist, which now resonated unsettlingly with her. She couldn't exactly place when her feelings changed, but nonetheless, she desperately hoped what she knew was sufficient.

She looked at other sources too- a detective could never be over prepared after all. Souji's manner with his rather impressive number of female friends, for example. Perhaps, if she was as direct and patient as he was, this would work. Hone in quickly, ask the one question that mattered, and work with the affirmative or negative given. Though the idea of the latter scared her, the mere chance of the former happening made her heart flutter. No, she thought indignantly, A Shirogane's heart does not 'flutter'. Nevertheless, the scowl faded away, and the creases in her forehead began to relax. She could see the changes within herself affecting her behaviour, but sometimes, it was welcome.

And then she moved, her binding feeling tight on her chest, and the frown returning. Damn. Her gender had once again made matters more difficult. Seduction worked with the male leading, a notion society had ingrained on the population over the last few centuries, and the female, being oh so impressed by his display, had no choice but to succumb to his advances. She was surprised at how spiteful she had sounded, but sudden bursts of emotion were becoming perturbingly frequent as of late. And this was when the change was unwelcome, when she decided she must have some kind of illness, affecting her better judgement, one with no cure, apart from following through with a probably bad idea.

Sighing, and glancing half-heartedly at the paper sprawled across the surface, she stood up. She had arranged to meet her target (Stop referring to him as you would a suspect, Shirogane) soon, and she had budgeted time to compose herself. Cramming wasn't particularly helpful in this instance either. Slowly, methodically, she returned the notes to their position in their designated folder, which discretely matched all the others in her briefcase. She firmly gripped the handle, and, taking deep breaths, began to walk to the lockers.

Kanji meanwhile was staring at the wall long after the bell had signaled the day had finished. The classroom was mostly empty, and breaking out of his trance, he locked eyes with the last student making her way to the door. She squeaked, at the high pitch only schoolgirls and small rodents can manage, and scurried out of the room. So, he thought, That's still the way it is, huh? The boy who was turning a substantial profit on making stuffed animals was still just Kanji Tatsumi- Big, scary, and definitely not the type of person you'd would want to associate with. He couldn't blame her, it wasn't like he wanted people to know about that part of his Mom's business in the first place, but it still stung regardless. Those tired old issues were always fuzzing up his head, but thinking of fuzzy, his mind wandered to what he was doing with the next batch of soft material he'd ordered from Okina. Maybe he'd start doing little mix and match accessories like he said he would. Old man Daidara could even make him some badges and pins and stuff. Nothin' sharp or nothin' though, he decided. Don't wanna hurt any kids n' all

Wait. He looked around. He couldn't get sidetracked, no matter how bitchin' the outcome would be. Why was he still in here again…? Oh right, he was thinking about 'meeting' he was called to. Why couldn't she call it hanging out like a normal person? So damn formal… Even the text, 'I have a matter I need assistance with. Meet at the river after school', with no abbreviations whatsoever. He still found it undeniably cute though, which of course reminded Kanji that this 'meeting' may be the most important event of his life so far, as it was every time he found himself was near her. Pure hysteria took hold; hyperventilation, wide eyes, sweaty palms, the works. Fortunately, he'd gone through this at least five times in the last 24 hours, so his recovery time was a remarkably quick ten minutes.

Heart rate now in the triple digits, he recited the mantra he had stolen from one of Senpai's 'Man's Life' books back to himself. "Today is the day. This will be simple. You just have to say it. Be a man!"Its' effect was remarkable, and, checking his watch, he got up, and strode to the exit. Today had to be the day, right?

For some reason, neither of them had anticipated their paths crossing prematurely at the school gate. The both froze, exhaled, and proceeded as they had individually rehearsed.

"Yo, Naoto." Kanji's greeting was suspiciously casual, but the girl who could usually pick up on those things was busy working on her own.

Her reply, she decided, would be a curt nod. Formal and familiar. "Kanji-kun."

"So…" Kanji scratched the back of his head awkwardly, trying to think of a good opener. "What's with this meet? You said you needed help with summit'?"

Naoto was lost, scanning the boy opposite her up and down and still finding no logical reason why it was him of all people that had fundamentally changed so much of what she thought about herself. But that was an old topic. Action took precedence now. "Hmm? Oh yes… There was a fabric sample from a crime scene my grandfather sent over. I thought you might be able to offer some insight as to where it came from." This was a lie, of course. Evidence should never be offered to civilians, the assistance of her friends with the case of the TV world none withstanding. The evidence here was just a talking point, something her research had insisted as a necessity, something both parties had a common interest in. As such things were few and far between, she went for something less conventional. A scrap of a dress, ripped from an old doll that had been an unwanted constant throughout her life. Considering Kanji's affinity for textiles, and her love for investigative analysis, presenting it as a piece of evidence seemed a neat way to get things moving on the conversation side of things.

"You serious?" The punk was amazed. His weird little hobby could be useful, even to someone as great as the blue haired detective? That gave him a buzz, which was unfortunately counteracted by the pressure that it could be true. "Err… You sure about this? This sounds pretty serious, I'm sure my Ma could do better job…"

Naoto looked at him quizzically. She never considered this approach could intimidate him. She had seen his handiwork, and it was rather sublime, by her standards of needlework at least. He places so much doubt upon himself… the detective thought sadly, and then realised she had just left him standing. "No, no, I'm sure you'll be, um, sufficient." The last word went higher, like it was a question, and she chastised herself. Composure is key, Shirogane. Composure is key.

Kanji was also pouncing on his lack of self-belief, internal monologue raging. Come on man, get it together! Girls like it when you're confident, right? Don't screw this up! He puffed his chest, and pointed to himself in a move with much more goof than bravado. "Well, I'm you're man! Whaddya got for me?"

Startled by his sudden change of tone, and suppressing an insufferably goofy smile of her own, Naoto began to reach into her coat pocket, but stopped before the scrap was presented. This was an exercise in her telling him how she felt, if such tumultuous set of emotions could be put into words. The setting wasn't appropriate. "I think we should go somewhere quieter. The evidence could get contaminated in an urban centre."

Whilst Kanji thought 'Urban Centre' was a stretch to describe anywhere in Inaba, he bought the rest, and even thought it could work for him. Away from everyone else, he might finally take that first step. "Yeah! I mean, uh, whatever you say." He thumbed to the exit. "You said we were gonna meet by the river right? The shelter should be empty right about now, wanna get movin'?"

Naoto nodded, and they left together. They walked side by side across town, somehow more comfortable with each other than they had ever been at this proximity, the nervous energy they usually felt between each other dulled for some unknown reason. They were enjoying their silence, stealing glances whilst the other's head was turned, with their minds going in similar directions. Perhaps I should just say it now, strike quickly, gauge a response and react accordingly. You should totally just go for it. Come on! Do it do it do it-doitdoitdoit?

But they both held back, fear oddly beating the pair, whose feats included catching a murderer and defeating a god. They reached the river disappointingly quickly, and walked to sit at the table under the shelter. The area was deserted, exactly as they had hoped, no distractions could get in the way. Their eyes locked as they sat on the bench, Naoto's mouth becoming suddenly dry, and Kanji's brow beginning to glisten in perspiration.

You've been in situations more dire than this, which you resolved with ease. This is nothing. But it was something, something bigger, both pushing her forward to take the leap, and holding her back from the ledge. She nervously reached for the fake evidence, hoping the façade of a case would buy her more time, and placed it on the table between them.

Kanji moved his gaze to the fabric, with disappointment. While Naoto was worried it was from him expecting more, in fact he was just yelling at himself in his head. GODDAMNIT THAT WAS A MOMENT (maybe)! TAKE IT NEXT TIME JACKASS! Desperate for something else to focus on, he grabbed the tattered square on the table. "W-w-well…" he stuttered, passing it between his palms. It was white, although dirty, with a chequered pink criss-cross design. He stared at it so intently the less rational side of Naoto's brain was worried it was gonna burn. "It's polyester, and it sure as hell isn't as good as any we sell. Feels too rough and it's a little too thin. The pattern on it's real small, too small to make much sense on a dress or something… Maybe a cloth or a handkerchief…" He paused. "Actually, the ways the frays go on the edges make me think it was something smaller- OOOooh! From a doll, it's gotta be from a doll!" He smiled triumphantly, and sniffed the fabric, recoiling in slight horror. "Yeah, this has to have been from some kid's toy. Smells like they never wanted it away from 'em, even to get washed, poor little bastard..."

Stunning, she thought, sidetracked from her worries, In his element he is completely brilliant. She reminded herself to never underestimate him, despite appearances. "Impressive," she murmered, "Absolutely correct…"

"What?" In the stillness of the riverside, he had heard what she'd said. "You already knew all that stuff?"

Naoto was floored. "I, well…" Why didn't I predict this? Such a rookie mistake…

"So what was this, huh? Some stupid test?" Kanji's voice got louder, and combined with his large frame it couldn't help but be threatening. "I thought I was actually helping!" His offense at this would normally be minor, but the anticipation and disappointment from all the things left unsaid between them amplified his frustration. "Where do you get off pulling this kinda crap Naoto?"

Speechless, she scoured over her previous plans, to find something to calm down the blonde beast beside her, but nothing was apparent. Another small lie was the easiest way to resolve matters. "You're right. I simply wanted to see the extent of your skills as a tailor." She sighed. "But it seems I have offended you, I apologize. In any case you exceeded my expectations."

Kanji had to admit being praised by freakin' Naoto made him feel much better, but he still felt a little bitter, in full knowledge of how silly that was. "Just… why man? Why not just ask me to make somethin'? Judge me on that? I'd give that a good shot." Who am I kiddin', I'd give anything a good shot if you asked me… he added wordlessly.

"Small evaluations such as this were a stalwart in my childhood. I'd forgotten my experiences were perhaps… Unique." The air felt heavy, pressing down on the two of them, the shelter doing nothing to hold it back. Their confidence of previous had been evaporated, and they were both on the same troubling line of thought. If we're so different, how is this ever going to work?

As if the weather hinged on the mood, a gentle drizzle of rain began to fall, unnoticed by Naoto and Kanji. The boy decided to try and break the tension. "It's okay, just… Don't try that kinda thing again, alright? I hate it when people are messin' with me."

"I wasn't 'messing' with you, I was merely-" Noticing the impetuousness in her own voice, she changed to a different tack. "You are right. I'll try and be more upfront and honest about my intentions in the future." The irony of that last statement wasn't lost on either of them, but the dramatic movie kiss Kanji played in his head, and the slightly more conservative version in Naoto's, failed to materialise.

Looking away, Kanji noticed the weather, giving him an unfortunate reminder. "Crap. Ma's out of town, and she told me to watch over some expensive cotton she left out in the air… I gotta jet. I'll catch you later, yeah?"

As the boy got up and carried himself away from the table, some unnatural courage sprang from somewhere deep within the detective. "Wait! Kanji!" He turned and looked at her, hope blossoming in his eyes. But the wild streak faded, and the girl only floundered. "I- well… I want…" She sighed, and kept the bigger words hidden, while only smaller ones came out. "Are we, um, 'cool'?"

The boy was disappointed, but he pushed a smile to the surface. "'Course we are. We'll never not be."

A half hearted wave marked his exit. Once he was out of her sight, he began to run to the store, partially out of frustration, partially out of the knowledge his mother's wrath knew no bounds when it came to the operation of Tatsumi textiles. You chickened out man. What's it gonna take, dumbass?

Naoto, left at the bench, was furiously rubbing her temples. Her meticulous planning had led to nothing, and she was no further than when she started. It seems this particular problem is going to take more than my usual methods to be solved.

As the rain fell, as the distance between them increased, their thoughts intertwined, reaching the same conclusion. I really need some help with this…


AN: See what I'm doing with the bold and italics? Kinda lame I know, but I kept finding doing the character's thoughts tricky, and I thought this was an interesting solution to make it easier for me.
That's your lot for now, thanks for checking this out, and feedback is always appreciated. No idea when I'll be able to rustle out the next part, but stick around!