Over9000 - trust me, Rise's texting does MY OWN head in. *points at Isakury* Thankfully I had someone to write her way of texting for me, because I could not have managed.

Oh yes, things are getting worse for poor Kanji. And Naoto. Thankfully, she had thicker skin...

RageCaje - Marvel at the Puppeteer...

Kir Royale

Ingredients (makes one cocktail)

* 20 ml Crème de Cassis

* 80 ml Champagne

* A fresh raspberry to float

Kanji pulled up his legs and wrapped his arms around them, giving Rise a long, slow stare.

"What?"

"You know I hate playin' this game with you guys."

"Oh, Kanji-kun! I promise we will have sensible rules!"

Naoto plucked at the skit/cape on her bathing suit, staring into the fire. "I for one would warmly welcome those. However, knowing you and your ideas of what constitutes as sensible, I would like these rules clearly established. Before we begin." Her eyes slid sideways to meet Rise.

Rise gave her friends a winning smile. "Don't worry so much! Besides, Chie and Yosuke are in charge of the drinks, and they know what's in them. See? I put the sensible ones in charge already!"

Just then, Chie and Yosuke re-appeared from actually mixing up the drinks. "Hey, Rise, you sure put some effort into the stuff you bought! You even thought of orange peels for decoration and stuff!"

Chie nodded, handing a glass to Yukiko and Yuu each. "And I can absolutely confirm – no alcohol anywhere. So if you get the giggles again, Yuki, it wasn't us."

Yukiko gave her friend a confused look and sipped her drink. Her face brightened at once. "Oooh, this is nice! Looks pretty, too, what is it?"

"Cream of coconut milk with cherry juice. Pretty, eh?" Chie sipped her own, identical drink.

Rise watched her friends sit around the fire and chat. Seeing they were burning what looked like half of a former tree, Naoto had suggested to burn it like a "Yule log" would be burned. She had explained that in some countries in Europe, a long, single log would be placed to burn all throughout Christmas, uncut, simply pushed deeper in the fire as the flames started to die down a bit.

The idol snuggled up tighter against Yuu and sipped on her iced pineapple juice, nibbling at the quarter-slice of the same fruit Yosuke had stuck to the rim of her clear plastic cup to give it some flair.

The evening was only getting started and while it was getting late now the sun had not yet set. The idea had been to start up the fire early, so it would be nice and warm once the sun set and while they had towels and blankets all around, they still enjoyed sitting out in their swim wear.

Well. All except Kanji and Naoto, who had both gotten up at some point and returned wearing their shirts. If they had at least gotten up to leave together and returned together, Rise sighed to herself. But, no, it was first Naoto, who stated she felt a small chill and had to be talked into at least not buttoning up. Then a short while later it was Kanji who left and returned with his flaming skull tank top.

Everyone else was dressed as they had been for lunch and now that Teddie brought out the snacks, chatter and jokes started to become livelier.

Sitting beside Rise was another clear cup half-filled with sand and a bunch of marked chopsticks. Kanji's eyes rested on the cup for a while, every now and again casting a scowl at Rise. And then giving a shy look in Naoto's direction, followed by a fierce blush and grabbing a stick to poke at the fire. Can't wait, can you? Man, I know how you feel, Kanji-kun.

She nibbled on something salty and crunchy and watched the group with a happy little smile. She had secured a spot right next to Yuu; Yosuke sat on the other side of him, flicking something across the fire at Teddie. Near him sat Chie, who was busy chatting with Yukiko. Next to Yukiko sat Kanji, still poking at the fire, one arm wrapped around his legs drawn up to his chest. Teddie sat next to the taller blonde, happily chatting with Naoto, who had seated herself between him and Rise after watching everyone else around the fire and a long moment of hesitation.

That was something Rise would need to fix. Later.

Yuu turned and she lifted her head to look up at him. "I'm getting another, want something too?"

"Oh, just a TaP for now, please. Thank you, senpai!"

He smiled, nodded and got up.

Rise watched everyone closely as she was ready to pounce at any time. She needed a bit of a lull in the chatter and she was just about to get it. Jumping in the moment of quiet, she announced, "Okay, time for the King's Game!"

Kanji squeezed his eyes shut, much as Naoto did. Everyone else seemed to happily look forward to this, cheering and whooping.

"It's warm still, so I say we move a bit away from the fire. That'll make it easier to grab the chopsticks, too, if we're all closer together."

Naoto nodded, mumbling, "And safer."

Rise and Teddie knew the plan by heart, they had gone over it again and again. They would let the others take the first turns and if they accidentally were to grab the king, they were to not bother Kanji or Naoto just yet. Keeping an eye on everyone's chopsticks and their markings, Rise picked up the first stick, knowing it to be the four. "Aw! Not the King. Okay, who is it?"

Everyone looked at their end marker and Chie punched the air. "HAH! Tonight is my time! King Chie has been crowned!"

"Oh boy," mumbled Yosuke.

"Okay, let's see… Number TWO! I demand you feed number Three a snack in a cute way!"

Yu started to chuckle and reached for the snack tray. "Can do, who is my number Three?"

Rise sulked quietly.

"Sensei! I am your number three!" Teddie overflowed with sudden sparkles. "Would you lovingly feed me some candied fruit, sweet sensei?"

Yu shook his head and grinned. "Yes, dearest Ted, I will feed you." He picked up a set of unused chopsticks and picked up a piece of dried apple. Leaning towards Teddie, he made cooing sounds as Teddie purred and Rise felt so damned jealous! Also, it was the cutest thing ever!

Her senpai sat back next to her, giving her a sly wink, while Teddie was happily gushing over how he had already won the game.

Everyone placed their chopsticks back with smiles and chuckles, Chie getting a thumbs-up from Kanji even. Rise had to admit she needed to thank Chie for that command. It upheld the "No kissing" rule; it was playful and funny. The perfect ice-breaker. It would have been funnier if it had not been senpai, but there was no changing some things.

She randomly grabbed the next chopstick, found she wasn't the king and looked around the group.

"Oh. It appears I have just been decreed royalty," Naoto said with a small smile.

"Oh-HO, Nao-chan! What will your order be?" Teddie was practically bouncing while seated.

"Mhm, let's see… By royal decree… Number Two will have to guess number five's favourite colour in only three tries."

Kanji held up his number two. "Yo."

Chie gave him a big grin. "Okay, Kanji-kun, bring it!"

He snorted. "Too easy. Green."

Yukiko giggled and Chie shook her head. "Nope! Two more guesses!"

The bulky blonde spluttered. "Wait… what? Yer always wearin' green!"

"Yeah, but it's not my favourite colour, you dolt! I don't look good wearing it."

Kanji leaned back on one hand and gave his senpai a long, weighing stare. Rise wondered what was going through his head.

"Yellow then. That's always part… of…" He trailed off as Chie, grinning, shook her head.

Yukiko giggled louder.

Kanji punched a fist in his hand and eyed Naoto nervously. "Err… is there a punishment if I fail?"

Teddie replied, "Of course, there must be!"

Naoto raised her eyebrow at Teddie, then turned her head to smile at Kanji. "There may be consequences, it seems, yes."

His eyes widened and he now glowered at Chie. "Red. As red as you like your steak."

Yukiko started to cheer moments before Chie said "Aw, he guessed it!"

"HAH!" Kanji turned and pointed at Teddie and Naoto in turn. "Suck it! … eer.. I mean…" He gulped and looked away. "No, I mean, uhm…"

Naoto laughed and placed her chopstick back. "Well done, Kanji-kun, it does appear like you managed to escape dire consequences this time."

He scoffed and dropped his chopsticks back in the cup. "I still think Chie-senpai lied to make me sweat..."

"Nope! Yukiko knew the answer all along. She can confirm." She looked at her friend, then rolled her eyes at the stifled giggles and added, "Well, she could, but she is busy I think."

Rise quietly squeed into her cup while watching her friends.

When the cup reached her, only one pair of chopsticks was left. She picked it up without looking, knowing it wasn't the king.

Yosuke twirled the King between his fingers and grinned around the group. "All right! Number Four! If you could just swap any skill with number Six, what would it be?"

"Well, I'm Six," Yukiko said quietly and smiled at everyone.

Rise gazed at her chopstick and realized she was Four. "Oh!" She stat up straight and eyed her senpai with a small smile. "Any skill at all?"

Yosuke nodded. "Yep, any one skill whatsoever!"

The idol giggled. "Maragidyne."

The team ninja looked at her, stunned. "Oh, hah, I had meant something tangible from the real world, but that works, I guess."

"Really, Rise? But why would you want-"

"I sometimes get so jealous just watching, and whenever I watch you fight, you look so cool, Yukiko-senpai!" Rise moved her hand, pretending to flutter a fan, then making a straight slash with it. "Sure, Kanzeon is awesome and I love her, she is a part of me after all. But I would love to just jump in sometimes and zap a shadow alongside you all!"

"An understandable desire," Naoto put in.

"You think so, Naoto-kun?"

"Of course." She smiled softly at the idol. "The thirst for danger, the brief intoxication of adrenaline... yes, I can see why you would envy us this, it is only natural to desire the likes. However, we have not had to fight any real shadows in quite some time."

"Yeah!" Kanji grinned, punching a fist in his hand, "It's what any red-blooded man needs to do sometimes! Uh, well, an' woman, I guess."

Naoto glanced past Teddie, giving Kanji one of her trademarked mysterious smiles.

Rise just shrugged. "Ah, a girl can have her dreams!"

Yosuke grinned and placed his chopstick back, handing the cup around. "Risette, Lady of Fiery Death! I like it. You should make a concept album based on that or something."

The sun had started to set and the team took a break to watch the sunset. While snuggling up to Yuu, Rise kept an eye on her other friends.

Yosuke chatted with Yukiko and Chie in a small cluster. Teddie had flopped down into the surf, letting the sea lap at him. Naoto and Kanji…

Rise sighed.

Naoto stood by her lonesome self, gazing out at the sea. Whatever was on her mind, it was for herself to know and Rise to wonder.

And Kanji sat by the fire, poking at it aimlessly, watching Naoto.

"Something on your mind?" Yu gave her shoulder a squeeze. "Worried about Kanji?"

"You can't tell him!"

"I wouldn't dream of it," he smiled, "but maybe this is simply something he needs to figure out on his own, hm?"

Rise pressed her lips together. Not if I can help it. "Come on, you guys, let's get back to the game! It'll get cold, so let's make a new rule: Everyone around the fire, but we just hand the cup and chopsticks around. No peeking! And then whoever gets the cup lasts gets the first pick next time around."

The friends agreed and returned, surrounding the fire. If due to habit or coincidence, everyone sat back down where they had been earlier – possibly in part due to how conversations had started between those sitting by one another.

Rise asked Teddie to pass the cup to her and made sure to grab the King's marker. Her eyes were on Kanji as he pulled the chopstick with the splintered end. That's the five... She placed her hand, fingers spread on her leg facing Teddie. Her eyes flicked to Teddie, who had one hand facing her pressed to his knee, the thumb and index finger tucked under. And a seven for Naoto. Thanks, Ted!

Yosuke turned up his chopsticks and sighed. "Nope. So who is it?"

Rise flipped hers up and squeed, "Oh, it's me!"

"Yay, Rise-chan," chirped Teddie, "oh, make it a sneaky one!"

"Oh, yes, something a little bit mean! We've been much too nice tonight!" Of all the people to say this, Chie wasn't the one she would have pegged wanting something a bit more underhanded.

Rise made a show of pondering her next command. "Hm! Hmhmhm... Oh! Yes! Okay, number seven and... mhm, and five have to swap drinks, take a sip, then trade back and drink again!"

"Ooooh, nice one," Yukiko happily giggled.

Chie frowned. "Wait, what? How's that mean?" She looked at her chopstick as her friend leaned over and started to whisper at her. "Oh? … yes… Oh... OH!" The two girls dissolved in giggles.

Naoto gave Rise a puzzled frown. "What an odd command... very well, I am seven." She held out her plastic cup.

Kanji stared at Rise in confusion, then held his cup out to Naoto. "Yo. Guess we're tradin'?"

The other girls watched with bated breath as Naoto nodded and they traded cups. She gave them another confused look, then noded to Kanji, "Well. Kampai?"

They both drank, shrugged at one another and changed their cups back, drinking a second time. When they did, Chie and Yukiko practically dissolved in delighted giggles.

Naoto froze with her cup still lifted as they did and stared at them. She slowly let the cup sink, staring at it. Then looking at Rise, puzzlement on her face. Then her eyes travelled to the cup in Kanji's hands. He glanced at her, shrugged and drank again, prompting another gleeful outburst.

Go on, Detective, put all the pieces together and... Ah, there it is.

Naoto's eyes widened slowly, her eyes snapped back to her own cup, to Rise, to Kanji and she fumbled, dropping the cup into the sand before her. Kanji saw her fumble, tried to reach over to help, but instead only lost his own cup as well.

"Oh no," Rise chirped, "my loyal subjects are without drink! I shall remedy that!" She got up, walked over to Naoto and picked up her cup. Slim fingers took a hold of her wrist and a very flushed Naoto whispered at her, "Kanji did not comprehend... he cannot grasp the implication of… that you gave the order to have us..." She stared into Rises eyes, the sentence unfinished.

"Hm, Naoto-kun?"

Her voice hushed even further, "… have us… our mouths touched... it's like... indirectly. Rise-san, please. Do not clue him in. I am not sure he could deal with that information today."

Rise smiled brightly. "Oh, you mean like a kiss?" She delighted in the squirm the young detective gave. "That cannot be. We said no kisses. Oh, Naoto-kun, you just drank from one another's cup. That makes you friends, right? Nothing mean..."

She also picked up Kanji's cup and vanished to the side where fruit juices rested atop of fresh ice in coolers. And in one specific little item, looking a lot like a medicine bottle, a small amount of vodka.

She stuck the sandy cups into the trash bag they had pinned to the ground and picked up two fresh ones. Smiling, she mixed up a seemingly virgin Piña Colada for her friends. Making sure the game was still going on behind her, she stirred in about a shot glass each of the clear, nearly tasteless alcohol into the formerly virgin drinks. With a sly smile, she placed a piece of pineapple and a curl of lemon on the rims of both cups.

Walking back, she watched Teddie giggle as he and Yukiko where running laps around their seated friends as if in a cart wheel race. Yukiko laughed loudly, holding Teddie by his ankles, while Teddie kept trying to outpace her, his hands flying over the ground. Rise grinned at the two, then handed Kanji and Naoto their drinks and sat back down.

The detective hesitated before drinking. Running her thumb slowly back and forth on the rim of the cup while giving Kanji a few more flustered looks before she drank deeply. A good half of her drink vanished and Kanji actually nearly drained his, not even noticing the attention he got from his crush.

All good. Just need to make sure we keep them thirsty.

The next challenge had Yosuke take a mouth full of wasabi-toasted peas and keep them there for a whole minute before he was allowed to eat them. Wiping the sweat off his brow, he glared at Kanji, who had issued the order. "You bastard!"

"Hah, could have hit anyone, man."

Chie chuckled, "Yeah, and I bet I could have done it. Easy!"

Banter continued and Kanji's idea of using snacks and drinks to challenge his friends was picked up several times, giving out challenges such as trying to say "Fluffy Bunny" with one's mouth full.

After several rounds Rise snagged the King twice in a row by sheer accident and announced after the second time, "I'll not be pulling for a few rounds, can I refill some drinks?"

She gathered the orders and started to mix up a few fruit drinks. With a sly smile, she added cranberry syrup, grapefruit juice and peach nectar together in two of the cups, dropping a maraschino cherry and some curly lemon peel into each of the cups, just before she added some of the special medicine for good measure. She eyed Kanji, hesitated, and gave his cup an extra splash. Big lug that he is, I bet he isn't feeling a thing yet...

She handed out the cups giving each of her friends a warm smile and laughed out loud as Teddie tried to convince the others that playing the pocky game isn't kissing.

"No way, it totally is! No kissing, that was the rule," Chie growled.

"Yeah, damn bear, stop trying to get all feely with us. Once was enough, we're not repeating that, damnit!" Kanji nodded at Rise and took a swig of his drink. "Oh, man, this is nice! Sweet, fruity, a touch bitter…"

Naoto eyed her cup, looked at Kanji's and took a sip. "I concur, very nice. What's it called, Rise?"

Rise slowly grinned. "It's just a drink I came up with. Glad you like it!" The cup with chopsticks was passed to her, and she idly picked up number Three. She peered around at the chopsticks the others were holding, trying to check the numbers Kanji and Naoto had picked. Teddie's eyes were moving as well, possibly for the same reason.

Yukiko happily held up her red-marked chopstick and announced being the King. "And I want numbers One and Two to exchange drinks!" She giggled.

Rise coughed and snorted into her cup. Oh man! This could be bad. We don't need anyone besides Kanji or Naoto to get a little happy tonight. She gave Yuu a grateful smile when he asked if she was okay, then looked directly at Kanji.

The former punk cocked an eyebrow at his drink, then held up his cup. "Twice me now, I think this game is rigged. An' I was just startin' ta enjoy this, too."

Naoto had to slap Teddie on the back several times as he coughed around a mouthful of snacks. "You are not the only one, Kanji-kun. It has now been twice me as well. It appears that there must be a theme." She held up the sticks marked One. "But at least it seems we will not be losing out on the cocktail you stated to be enjoying."

Rise heaved a small sigh of relief. At least no one else was getting the spiked drinks. She watched her two best friends exchange cups, drink, but as they were about to pass them back, Yukiko shook her head.

"Nope! You get to hold on to the cup of the other person till that drink is finished!" Then she promptly dissolved into laughter, holding on to an equally mirthful Chie.

The idol looked worriedly at the cup in Naoto's hand. Kanji had not had a lot of that drink, and it easily had twice the dose of vodka she had given Naoto's. Hopefully this wouldn't end badly.

Naoto set her cup down and leaned back on her hands, chatting with Teddie while the one filled with some sand went around to gather up the chopsticks once more.

Kanji stretched, settling his tank top back onto his shoulders, before gripping his left arm cross-wise, pulling till something creaked unpleasantly.

Right. Now, let's bridge that gap between these two. Rise caught Teddie's eye and made the motion of stirring a cup to him. He nodded.

The next round, she kept an eye on Kanji's stick. She placed a hand on her leg, thumb tucked under, making sure Teddie could see clearly. He nodded at the fire, then beamed.

"I am your merciful King now! And I decree that number Six shall trade spaces with me! Hopefully putting me right next to a hottie," he chirped happily.

Rise snorted a laugh, looked at her chopstick and said, "Sorry, Teddie-kun, I'm Two, senpai is mine!"

Teddie sulked.

Kanji sighed. "Only if you keep your paws to yourself. 'm six… Sorry, Yukiko-senpai."

Yukiko took it really well, and Rise saw that her elegant senpai had already seen what that switch would do in regards to where Kanji sat now. Her smile only grew, if anything. As she patted the spot next to her to coax over Teddie. Kanji got to his feet and stopped, seeing where this was about to put him.

Naoto gave Teddie a fond smile, then watched as Yukiko patted the spot beside her… and then she froze. Rise happily cuddled Yuu's arm and watched as Naoto and Kanji just stared at each other, frozen, holding gazes in a long stare.

"You wouldn't happen to have had anything to do with this, Rise, would you?" Yuu's voice was low and she heard the broad smile in his voice.

"How could I? This was Teddie's turn!" Rise gave him a perfectly shocked look, and she knew he could not read her. She was a skilled actress, after all, and if she needed, she could lie with the best.

"Ah, but of course." His answer made clear how much of that he believed.

She turned her head back to Naoto just in time to catch her moving, now settling back on her knees and, after glancing at Yukiko once more, patting the blanket beside her with a small smile at Kanji.

Kanji scooped up his drink and plopped down beside Naoto with crossed legs, glowering quietly at Teddie.

The boy-shadow however seemed to not notice any of this. He happily snuggled onto the blanket beside Yukiko, already starting up happy, sparkle-filled chatter with her.

Okay, we got them there. Now let's not let them think this through!

Rise grabbed the cup, collected all chopsticks back into it and handed the cup back around.

Naoto picked up the King.

Rise noticed, but quickly stared unseeing down at her own chopsticks. Damn, she can reverse the command right away or do something similar. I should have gone for it. But that could have been way too suspicious.

Naoto looked up, turned her head to look at Kanji and bit her lip for a moment. Then she simply smiled and turned back to the group. "I shall resume being your benevolent ruler," she announced, with a rather non-Naoto twinkle in her eye.

Rise watched how Kanji eyed her closest female friend with worry, then hung his shoulders, looking at the marking on his own chopstick.

"And as for my command, I hereby order everyone to raise their glass in a toast of well-meant compliments to number Seven. Seven, you shall thank me for this decree by giving me praise." She finished by smirking and slipping the still unbuttoned shirt off her shoulders, placing it beside her on the blanket and giving everyone expectant looks.

She… she is smiling. And flushed. And being social! And, oh dear, she's feeling warm. Her eyes moved to Kanji, who sat beside Naoto with wide open eyes. If the little bit extra in his drink had taken any hold, he didn't show it. Gah, this is bad. He's still way too aware of himself and everyone else. And the drink she took from Kanji isn't anywhere near empty yet.

While watching Naoto in distress over just how drunk she would be, Rise had not looked at her chopstick or listened to anyone else.

She surfaced to hear Naoto say, "That would only leave you then, Rise-san."

Looking at her chopstick, Rise saw the markings of Seven. "Oh! It is me! Hurrah! Well then, let the praise flow. And I work in showbiz, I'll have you know if your schmoozing isn't up to par!" She added a wink and pose on reflex.

One by one her friends gave her praise and compliments, but all Rise could do was keep an eye on Naoto and Kanji.

Naoto had made herself comfortable, clapping and laughing at the compliments given to Rise. Her eyes shone – and Rise tried hard to find out if this was just joy or alcohol.

Kanji barely paid attention to anyone else, a bemused but happy little smile playing at the corners of his mouth as he watched Naoto from the corner of his eyes.

Naoto turned to expectantly look at Kanji and they just smiled at each other for a moment. Yukiko started to giggle and Rise gave a huge, fake cough.

Kanji blinked and turned to look at the others. "Wh-What?"

"It's your turn to tell me all my wonderful qualities, Kanji-kun."

"Oh…" His eyes snapped away from Naoto to Rise. "Oh! Right. Uhm, let's see…"

Naoto's smile started to fade and a hint of worry stole into her expression.

Rise suddenly felt her own smile creep into a snide grin. Oh, yes! Oh, thank you, Naoto, thank you! You had forgotten about that bit from this afternoon until just now, didn't you? You had wondered what it meant when I walked away with Kanji. You worried when you saw me put my hands on his chest. And you disliked seeing me look at him the way I did. Now all your worries and confusion are right back knocking at your door.

Part of Rise felt a little guilty. She had played at swooning over Kanji just to shake Naoto to pay attention. But she knew, from her own loathsome experience, that nothing brought a woman's thoughts into order like the fear of possibly losing her man. The image of Marie-chan tried to enter her mind and she crushed the image with a mental fist. Later. For now... Naoto.

Kanji rubbed the back of his neck, frowning at his cup. "Oh." He lit up and gave Rise a smile. "Sorry, can't toast ya, Rise, I finished my-"

He couldn't finish whatever his intended sentence was. Naoto held her cup out to him, her face solemn. Her voice had no warmth in it as she softly said, "No excuses, Kanji-kun."

He frowned at the cup, took it – and had to pull it towards himself twice, because Naoto didn't let go at once. She gave him the oddest look, then let go.

"T-Thank you? Uhm. So, Rise…" He looked down into the cup and started to slowly swirl the contents. "You're a-awesome."

He was about to lift the cup, when Chie jumped in. "Oh no you don't! We all had to say different stuff and be specific!"

Naoto nodded, keeping an eye on the blonde.

Teddie added, "You don't want to be the one Rise remembers as not knowing what to say, kuma? And just being paw-some isn't enough!"

"UGH, you guys are terrible!" He pinched his eyes shut, then got to his feet. Holding his cup out to Rise, and began to talk. "Yer awesome. Yer, like, a big shot star an' ya still make time ta hang out with us. That's huge of ya. An… an' yer always there for me, y'know? Like… like when I… you know. Stuff." He ran his hand though his hair. "When I need someone?" He muttered, looking at the cup then visibly steeled himself and looked right at her, "You pretty much decide someone's a friend and that's that. No goin' back on yer word or stuff. Like… yer… yer my best friend, damnit!"

Half way through his speech, Rise had clasped her hands over her face, fighting tears. Kanji "The Punk" Tatsumi gave his praise so deeply honest and clear. She hadn't expected it, nor expected the way Yu-senpai put his arm around her shoulder and hugged her while her friend stumbled through his words.

"So… yeah. Kampai and stuff." He raised his cup once more and fully drained it in one go while the others cheered him on. Rise jumped up and ran over, hugging him tightly. "Oi, OIII! Leggo, Rise, geez," Kanji protested weakly, trying to struggle out of the hug that pinned one of his arms against his side, holding the thankfully empty cup away from her.

"You big dumb lug… You're awesome, too, Moronji!"

He awkwardly patted her back with the hand still holding the cup. "Thanks, I guess?"

From below, she heard a low, even voice. "I believe the order was that the King would receive final praise…"

Rise turned her head to look down at Naoto, who gave her an oddly cool look.

"Oh, you're right!" Rise dropped to her knees in front of her closest female friend and smiled hugely. After everything Kanji had just said, all mischief was driven out of her and all she wanted to do was gush over her friends in earnest. "My liege! To me, as well as the others here, you are the brain and soul of the group." Still flush with the emotions Kanji's speech had pulled up, Rise felt her eyes well up again, and she reached out to take Naoto's hands. "You say the things we think, even if they aren't nice. Without you, we'd have missed so many clues. You're also very kind and outgoing towards us. You are willing to put time aside to study with anyone who asks you… well, any one of us, anyhow. You… you're an amazing person. My life would be so much bleaker without you." She smiled, a tiny tear beading at the corner of one eye. "I'll always be fighting in your corner, and I think you are my best friend."

Naoto had not moved or made a sound during this speech, and even now, as Rise had finished and the others cheered, she seemed frozen. Her eyes had started to glint and she was absolutely fighting tears as well.

Without warning, she moved, dropping her friends' hands, pushing herself up against Rise, crushing her in a tight hug.

The idol yelped. "N-Naoto-kun," she laughed, "you okay?"

"I'm wonderful," she whispered, still holding on tightly. "I needed to hear this. Thank you."

Rise knew she shouldn't, but she had to. She whispered back, "Kanji-kun was nodding the whole time. Did you see it?"

Naoto nodded, but remained quiet.

The girls parted and smiled at each other. "So far, Detective Prince, I think you have won the game!"

Naoto's smile grew wider. "Well, the logical result of this will be that everyone else needs to try harder now."

Rise sat back beside Yu, hugging him simply because she could, before checking the next chopstick she idly fished from the cup. One.

Yosuke flourished the King chopstick and grinned hugely. "My turn! You'll remember the rule of King Hanamura the First!"

"Mhm, I just bet..." Chie smirked into her cup and grinned.

"Oh, is the populous unruly? Then I shall keep them busy, to avoid a plot being staged!"

Chie froze and stared hard at him. "What are you-"

"By royal order, everyone needs to wear an item of clothing or wear clothing in a way they normally would not! You may ask your friends for help in arranging this. Aaaaand," he slowly lifted his arm, glancing at his naked wrist, "I will graciously allow you a quarter of an hour for this."

Chie shook her fist at him quietly, stared for a moment, but did not say a word. Possibly because everyone else was on their feet already, chuckling and chatting as they planned their outfits.

Naoto and Kanji still sat, both frowning at Yosuke, but it was the blue-haired girl who smacked her knees and pushed herself to her feet first. She turned to look at the blonde beside her. "Kanji-kun, would you lend me your shirt? I promise I will be most respectful in using it."

"Huh? Oh, er, s-sure. Here ya go."

She nodded, took it and disappeared to her tent. Rise got up and dashed after. "Oh, hey, Naoto-kun, would you lend me your hat? Senpai never wears hats, I wanna see if I can make him put it on."

"Sure." Her hand appeared, holding out her hat.

"Thank you!"

Rise ran back, wanting to get Yuu to put on the hat, found he had made other arrangements and instead decided to use the worthy and serious Shirogane hat in a new way.

She re-tied her hair into one long pony tail, hanging off the left side of her head, while putting the cap on jauntily over the right side. She had no mirror, but she was sure it was cute.

Kanji re-appeared, wearing his purple long-sleeved shirt slung over his shoulders by its sleeves; the sleeves rolled up into one another. He actually kind of looked like a college student like this, very sleek and smart.

Chie returned, wearing Yukiko's cardigan – and Rise had to agree. Red was not for her to wear.

Yukiko had her hair up in a tight bun, wearing what looked like Yosuke's pants. Very much like a business woman; the idol approved.

Teddie still tried to convince Chie to lend him her dress and she finally gave in, sending the boy-shadow scrambling to the tents.

Movement at the corner of her eye made Rise turn her head. And gape. Naoto appeared from the direction of her tent, wearing the bathing suit Rise had picked out. She looked better in it than the professional bathing suit model could have had pictured.

The black-and-blue bathing suit was cut to ensure anything that could possibly show a low cut was used. The cut for the hips hugged very high, giving the impression her slim legs were even longer. The back showed a long, swooping drop, pretty much only suspenders for the cloth on her lower back, giving lots of room for a white lace pattern running up. On the front, the cut showing her chest was not as low – this was Naoto after all and Rise had wanted her to wear it – but the lace pattern was here, too, spanning from side to side over the middle third. Unlike the bare back, here the strings of the white lace spanned over a darker blue.

She had added Kanji's long shirt and absolutely wore it in a way she'd usually never wear one. While she had her arms in it, she had rolled up the sleeves high to her biceps and the front was not buttoned up, but tied snugly under her breasts.

Oh you beautiful, glorious, wonderful creature! Do you realize what you just did?

Rise turned her head, giving Kanji a sly, wide smile.

It took him a few moments, but he finally noticed her looking and gave her a quizzical look in return.

The idol nodded her head towards Naoto, who had nearly reached him and was getting ready to settle down.

He turned his head, saw her. And froze.

Their friend leaned into Yuu and happily watched as Kanji didn't move a muscle, simply taking in his team mate. He was possibly too startled and at this point too tipsy to care that he flat-out ogled her. And she, for her part, looked at him for a long moment, smirked and waited for the others to comment.

Oh this is just too delicious…

Rise decided to stop the meddling at this point. The earlier scare of swapped cups was too fresh, and besides, Naoto seemed in a very good place – as did Kanji.

She had settled back into sitting with her legs sideways, her body leaned much closer towards him. She chatted, laughed at jokes, played along with even the silliest commands and gave a few more surprising ones of her own. If this had been any of the other girls, the word flirtatious would have fit perfectly.

Kanji also must have started to feel it. He dropped his shirt shortly after having to give Rise her public praise. Like the other boys, he sat cross-legged, got up now and again to fetch the girls' drinks and even mixed up a few surprising fruit cocktails for everyone.

Each time he went back to take his seat beside Naoto, he hesitated. And each time she smiled at him, patting the spot next to her. As the game stopped and evening moved into night, he kept settling down closer to her each time.

Chie and Yukiko got up and walked along the shore, watching the night sky. Teddie ran after them and soon the three of them strolled together, pointing at the glittering stars above.

Yosuke and Yuu stepped away together, Yuu muttered to Rise something about his partner having girl problems. Rise smiled and nodded. Maybe if tonight went well, she could help those two dorks next.

This left her with Naoto and Kanji. She got up, walked over to them for a moment and slung an arm around each, pulling them into a hug - and closer to each other. "Thanks again, you two. I had so much fun tonight!"

"Hey, hey, watch it," Kanji chuckled. He wasn't his loud, aggressive self tonight - most likely thanks to the spirits she snuck him, "Yer gonna make me fall into Naoto's lap!" He moved his arm down, leaning on it for support so he wouldn't fall onto either girl.

Naoto patted Rise's arm and gave her a much more unguarded smile. Generally, she would flush and bluster, but the small gleam in her eyes was likely the reason she was different right now. "Why thank us? I understand everyone was helping you in assembling this outing? In truth, I should be thanking you. I had not contributed much, but I am having a wonderful time..." Rise leaned back ever so slightly, allowing her friends to see one another. "And I got to partake in the food Kanji-kun created. I am not a chef, but maybe you'd teach me at some point, Kanji-kun?"

"I'd love to..."

And exit, stage left. "Oh, I'll be right back, I want to make sure the trash bag is secured for the night, I think we'll all be headed to bed soon."

"Ya need any help?"

"No, I'll be okay. Kanji, please, mind the fire for us."

The idol all but jumped up and darted away. They had put up tents for everyone, but some were clustered closer. Naoto and Kanji had pitched at the far sides from one another, the big tent - more of a four-sided mosquito net - had been taken down earlier and stowed. This made all tents stand in smallish clusters around the fire. Rise busied herself with actually securing the trash. She had tossed the medicine bottle away once she was pleased with where Kanji and Naoto were and she wanted to make extra sure no one found it.

She heard the low voices of Naoto and Kanji, interrupted by soft chuckles from both of them and smiled. Never had she experienced her two friends this much at ease with one another. She wished this could be possible at all without liquid courage.

She also saw everyone else return, Teddie giving a huge yawn as his group arrived only moments before Yuu and Yosuke.

"Right," the petite blonde chirped, "and now I believe the custom calls for a goodnight-kiss! Please form an orderly line so everyone will get th-"

Yosuke sighed, grinned at Yuu and grabbed Teddie by the arm. "Come on, bear, let's go to bed. And my tent will remain facing yours, if you try to sneak out, there will be hell to pay!"

Everyone grinned or chuckled at the scene and one by one everyone said their goodnights, picked up their blankets and towels and headed to their tents. They would certainly get ready, chat a bit, and fall asleep in no time.

Rise had placed her tent near both Naoto and Yuu, making sure to be surrounded by protection and friendship. She waved at her two friends and vanished into her tent, pulling the zipper nearly all the way down. Nearly. She just had to see what happened next.

Kanji wasn't sure when it happened, but Naoto's hand rested on his. It might have been earlier, when she had laughed about one of his jokes and patted is hand. Or maybe when Rise had shifted her closer a little while ago. Whichever it was, he liked it. It was cool, and soft and gentle. He wished it could stay there.

He wished many things. He wished he knew why she had opened up so much today and how long it would last. He wished he knew how to ever reproduce it. And he wished his heart would stop aching at every smile she gave him, at every laugh and chuckle, at every coy look.

Whatever this is, it'll not last. I shouldn't get too crazy.

"Hey, Naoto, lemme just take care of something..." He picked up the remaining half-log carefully. "Huh! It's warm all the way to the back!"

Naoto chuckled gently. "Of course. The remaining moisture in the wood heats up, passing along the temperature of the fire from the other end. Oh, do be careful not to hurt yourself..."

Kanji nodded and picked the log up while taking extra care to not spill hot ashes or hitting anything with it. He carried it to the shore and rammed it, ember-side first, into the shallow surf. When he was certain no dangerous heat remained that could cause a fire or hurt anyone stumbling around in the dark. He walked back.

Naoto had turned around and watched him, smiling.

"Jus' wanted ta make sure-"

"I came to that conclusion, yes. We should also bank the fire here and possibly extinguish it."

"Yeah, that's the next step. You can go lie down, I can handle this, ya know?"

She leaned back on her hands. He swallowed hard at the immediate dryness in his mouth as he watched her chest push forward while she did, her legs shifting. "No, I enjoy watching you take care if these matters. It suits your personality. Everyone else is retiring, but you secure the camp." She shifted, possibly fully unawares how sensual the small movement came across. "Besides. I am enjoying your company. Markedly, even."

Unsure on what that exactly meant, he just grunted and started to bury the fire pit in sand. Every now and again he cast a glance to the side, watching her watching him. She's just being friendly, nothing to hope for. But you might as well give her a show while she watches! Besides, 's getting warm...

Kanji slipped off his top, immediately sighing at the cool night air on his skin.

"Won't you be cold?"

"Na, I actually run hot. 'm always nice and toasty." He gave her a warm smile... and stared.

She held the corner of her lower lip pinned under her teeth. Leaned back. Showing herself in a way only his deepest (and most embarrassing) dreams had ever presented her to him. And in those dreams he was not busying himself by putting sand on a fire. More like oil...

This was his own fault. She had only started to show off after he had. But he couldn't back down now, damnit!

Having covered the whole of the former fire in a thick layer of sand to prevent sparks from flying, he walked to where they had kept their juices in coolers. Just about all of the ice was gone by now, and he shifted around bottles to carry the now-empty larger cooler to the fire. He slowly poured out the contents over the heaped-up sand, grinning at the hissing and steam as he killed the banked embers with water and wet sand.

His crush shifted, sitting up on her knees, watching closely.

He returned the cooler, redistributed the bottles and closed everything up tight.

Turning, Naoto eyed him still. He could see her eyes clearly on him in the light of the moon, could see her smile. Again she patted the blanket beside herself and again he felt drawn to do as she asked.

He settled close beside her, both facing the cooling fire pit.

"It's late," he said.

"Yes. I believe it is well past midnight."

"Mhm."

There was no more vapour rising, only a few small curls here and there.

"Say… When did we wanna leave tomorrow again?"

"There was no precise plan, but sometime around mid-day was what I assumed."

"Right."

A momentary breeze tickled up a few wisps of steam from the dying embers.

Her hand shifted, gently coming to rest against his arm. "Kanji-kun?"

He shivered briefly. "Y-Yes, Naoto?"

"It was nice to sit and talk with you today."

"Yeah. 'T was."

"And..." Her voice trailed off.

He waited.

And watched her.

And then said, "And?"

She pulled her hand back and sat up taller, looking at him. "And I am sorry if our argument earlier today has tarnished our friendship. Both Teddie and Rise seemed concerned that I was especially abrasive towards you."

He tilted his head slowly, trying to keep up. Then shook his head strongly. "Wh- No! No, Naoto, you were... you know, you were right. I was being weird. Ya did the right thing. Talkin ta me."

"I am glad," she replied softly. Then her smile came back. "Well, Mister Tatsumi, would you see me to my tent?"

Kanji possibly imagined it, but he could have sworn that he heard Rise squee. "Miss Shirogane, it would be my pleasure."

They grinned at one another as they picked up their discarded shirts and got up - until Naoto's legs gave way and she fell into his arms with a startled sound.

"Whoa, Naoto! You okay, man?"

"I... yes... uhm... I must have constricted blood flow to my legs for too long. I cannot feel my legs at all."

"You… god, Naoto, what?"

"Ah, apologies," she chuckled, "That may have sounded way more drastic than I meant it to. I believe my legs are asleep. Would you mind if I hold on to you for support?"

"N-No, of course I won't mind. C'mere."

She slowly wrapped her arm around his waist, and he hesitantly laid his hand around her shoulder. Steadying her, they walked quietly to her tent.

Kanji suddenly had to think of the idea Teddie had; an assembly line for kisses. 'Line up and smooch,' a mock-Teddie voice chirped in his head. He snerked.

Naoto looked up at him with a questioning smile.

He grinned and whispered, "Teddie and his idea of lining up so everyone could get a kiss goodnight."

Naoto grinned widely. "Well, it would have been time-efficient," she replied in a whisper of her own.

"Dumb bear. A kiss ain't somethin' to be efficient about. It's how it feels and making sure the ones involved are happy with it."

They stopped before her tent. "Well," she put in softly, "it was a very Teddie thing to suggest. He is always very casual about physical signs of affection."

"Yeah, I guess." He turned to her, ignoring her hands remaining around him and simply sliding to his back. In his head everything was still calling Teddie names and chuckling at time-efficiency. "I hope you'll sleep well, Naoto."

Her smile was warm. "Yes, you as well, Kanji-kun."

That damned bear. Goodnight kiss. Silly. He ran his hand up from her shoulder to the back of her head, leaned down and felt one of her hands follow his movement, sliding up his back as he came closer. "Goodnight."

It took several slow moments for his brain to assemble all the pieces and assign them to the correct situation. Teddie had suggested goodnight kisses. Everyone else had agreed it was a silly idea. He had taken Naoto to her tent so she wouldn't fall over her fallen-asleep legs. She was holding on to him. One hand on his lower back; one hand curled up on his shoulder; that hand's thumb slowly rubbing against him in small circles. He was supporting her with one hand on her shoulder. And one hand cupping the back of her head, fingers tangled in her soft hair.

And they were kissing.

Both moved carefully, softly, gently, touching the lips of their partner.

He froze at just about the same moment she did.

His eyes snapped open to look into her wild-eyed gaze.

Panic seemed to slow down not only time, but everything. He pulled away from her, slowly untangled his hand from her hair, pulling his hand forward to rest on her shoulder again. Her hands remained where they were, but with stilled fingers.

"Uh."

"I- I... Uhm."

He took a slow step back, his hands trailing along her arms; her hands slipping to his arms and following along until he was holding her hands. He pulled open her tent flap and waited. "Goodnight then?"

She swallowed, allowing herself to slink into her tent quietly. She hesitated before pulling down the zipper and said softly, "Sleep well."

Kanji stared at her tent, pinched his eyes shut, then turned to walk across their small site to his own tent.