A/N: This chapter is part of an ask submitted to my ask box on Tumblr by one of my followers on AO3 and Tumblr. Please read and review, and enjoy!

The Ultimate Detective and The Ultimate Hope Gaiden: How I Met Your Mother (And How I Met Your Father)

Bonding Arc

Chapter Ten: Sayaka's Curiosity! A Girls' Day Out!

Present Day

"So who did you bond with next, Mommy?"

"Well…believe it or not, I ended up getting closer with Sayaka."

"But I thought you already got close with Sayaka. You know, after she broke Daddy's heart and you comforted him?"

"Well…I can't deny that I got to understand her a little more. But I can't truly say that we bonded yet. You see, it was later that week. We had just finished lunch, and your father had just left when…"

XXX

June 19, 2014

"You've really changed, Kirigiri-chan."

"Hm?"

Kyoko looked up from her coffee cup to see Sayaka moving to sit down where Makoto had been, softly smiling at her.

"What do you mean, Maizono-san?"

"Oh come on, don't play dumb! We've all seen the change in your demeanor since Makoto saved you. You used to avoid class at almost any cost, not to mention any opportunity to mingle with any of us. But now, you've been studying with Taka, sparring with Sakura, training with Hina, not to mention meeting with Chihiro and learning her…his secret…sorry, still getting used to that."

Kyoko nodded in understanding as Sayaka continued her praise "You've even managed to befriend Fukawa-san and Ikusaba-san! That's no easy feat, Kirigiri-chan."

…Gossip sure travels fast around here… Kyoko deadpanned before she hesitantly replied "…I'll admit, I have become a bit more…sociable in the past couple of months. But still, you're probably exaggerating…"

Shaking her head, Sayaka refuted "I also talked with Leon after you and Makoto went to that baseball game. He said that you were a really cool friend to know."

A…cool…friend? …Me?

"So I've…gotten a little curious. And I know we haven't exactly interacted much. So, I was thinking…maybe we should get to know each other better?"

"Do we even have anything in common, Maizono-san?"

"Well we won't know until we try, right? How will we know if we can be friends if we don't bother to learn about each other?"

That sounds…like something Makoto would say… Sighing in surrender, Kyoko acquiesced "What did you have in mind?"

"Well…I had already been planning to go shopping this Sunday with Hina and Sakura. So why don't you join us? It could be a fun girls' night out, and we could really learn a lot about each other!"

Kyoko frowned; shopping was not one of her favorite pastimes. She generally only bought the bare necessities, and couldn't see herself having a good time going to the store and loading up her room with impractical junk.

…Then again, I didn't think I'd enjoy going to a baseball game, or swimming, or having friends at all. In fact, I almost can't recognize my past self now…I really have changed… Throwing caution to the wind, Kyoko nodded in consent and agreed "Alright; I suppose I can work with that. Where did you have in mind?"

Smiling, Sayaka replied "Oh; there's this great shopping mall in Shinjuku that I love to frequent, and there's this great karaoke bar that we can grab dinner at! I'll e-mail you the address; meet us at the entrance at noon on Sunday, okay?" Seeing Kyoko nod, Sayaka jumped up, cheerfully replying "Great! I'll see you then!"

Kyoko watched Sayaka walk off, disappearing from sight as Kyoko sipped the remainder of her coffee.

…Did that just happen?

XXX

June 20, 2014

"That's great, Kyoko!" Makoto congratulated her as they walked through the hall after she told him of her newfound plans.

"Are you certain this won't be an inconvenience? I know we usually have done something on Sundays, so…"

After befriending Makoto, they ended up hanging out together on Sundays, doing something whether it was studying, heling out with one of her investigations, or just sitting together in comfortable silence. The regularity was never planned…it just happened due to Makoto being her best friend.

Shaking his head, Makoto assured her "It's fine. Truthfully, I kind of promised my little sister that I'd hang out with her on Sunday anyway. We're meeting outside of the gates and I'm gonna show her what's in the area."

"I see…"

"Besides…" Makoto continued while smiling "I've said before how it's important to have some girl friends you can talk to. I know things with Sayaka got…complicated last month, but she really is a great friend to have. Plus it's also a good opportunity to learn more about Hina and Sakura."

Kyoko nodded in acceptance before turning around, informing him "Well, I need to go to the station and work on a few cases. Goodbye, Makoto."

"…Yeah, goodbye, Kyoko."

XXX

Present Day

"You really didn't want to come with, Daddy? But I thought you loved spending time with Mommy!"

Chuckling, Makoto answered "Well…I won't say that wouldn't have liked to spend time with her, but every girl needs some time to spend away from other boys. You'll understand once you grow up a little more."

Nodding, Kyoko replied "Indeed. I didn't know it at the time, but spending time with other women was something I really needed. It gave me someone to confide in…things that were…too embarrassing to tell your father at the time."

"But what could have been too embarrassing to tell Daddy?"

Makoto and Kyoko looked to each other, slight blushes on their faces before Makoto told her "You'll know when you're older."

Pouting, Kiki groaned "Fine…so how was the actual shopping trip?"

"Well, I had taken the train to Shinjuku, and had just finished walking when I saw…"

XXX

June 22, 2014

Kyoko looked up, standing in front of a long, rectangular white and silver building, a sign standing on the roof that displayed a blue and white crown, text printed in blue font.

"Keio?"

"Oh, Kirigiri-chan!"

Kyoko looked to see Sayaka running up to her, Hina and Sakura tailing closely behind the Ultimate Pop Sensation.

Nodding, Kyoko greeted "Maizono-san. Hina, Sakura." Glancing towards the massive building, she asked "So, this is the shopping mall you were mentioning?"

Nodding, Sayaka answered "Uh-huh! Welcome to the KEIO! It has everything you could ever want; clothes, music, video games, and that karaoke bar is right next door! So, what should we…" It was then that Sayaka's eyes settled Kyoko's Detective uniform; pointing at her, she exclaimed "Kirigiri-chan?! Is that what you choose to wear for outings?"

Kyoko looked herself over before replying "…It's what I always wear outside of class. I did buy a blouse and skirt when I went to that baseball game with Makoto, but only because he said it would be hot and encouraged me to dress lightly. I assumed that a shopping mall would have air conditioning, so…"

Huffing, Sayaka moaned "Geez! You're thinking way too practically! Your wardrobe isn't just for warmth and protection; it's a symbol of your identity! It's supposed to make a statement!"

"A…statement?" Kyoko replied dumbly.

"Look!"

Kyoko's attention shifted to Sayaka's clothes; the pop idol wore white and pink sneakers, a hot pink t-shirt that exposed her shoulders and an acceptable amount of cleavage, and a blue skirt that matched her eyes.

"I'm a pop idol, so even when I'm not on stage, my outfit should reflect that! My blue skirt helps to accentuate my eyes, my hot-pink shirt shows off my sense of fashion that matches my idol costumes, while my sneakers show that I'm warm and approachable!"

"I see…"

"Look at Hina next!" Running around and tugging Hina by the arm, Sayaka continued "Look! Her low tank-top exposes just enough to accentuate her femininity, while her red track jacket and denim jorts just screams "I can compete just as well as any boy!" Right?"

Hina blushed at being so critically examined, while Kyoko admitted I suppose that makes sense…

Finally, Sayaka pointed to the bulky Martial Artist and exclaimed "And Sakura! Her ripped sailor suit serves two purposes! It simultaneously says "I'm a girl and have a feminine side," while simultaneously warning people "Just because I'm female doesn't mean I can't kick your ass with my eyes closed!" Get it?!"

Taking in all this information, Kyoko closed her eyes, musing …I had no idea an outfit could say so much…

"You though; purple's a nice color on you I'll admit, it brings out your eyes and your hair. And the skirt's not bad; that part's fine. Your top though; the button up, the jacket, and the tie that sticks out like a sore thumb…it makes you look like you're all business. That's fine when you're on the job, but when its just you and your classmates or your friends, it's way too stuffy and formal. And your boots…"

"My boots…?"

"They're not bad, per se. They warn people that you can kick their ass anytime, but for a casual outing, it's better to go a little more casual. Like…maybe some steel-toed sneakers. Then you'd be a little more open and inviting, but still give off the impression that you're tough as nails!"

Nodding, Kyoko admitted to herself When you put it that way, I suppose my outfit is a little bland…

A determined look in her blue eyes, the hardness reminding her of the time she chewed he rout for being so harsh with Makoto, Sayaka declared "That's it! Our first stop has to be the clothing store. Come on, Kirigiri-chan!"

"H…hey!"

Kyoko found herself being dragged by the wrist into the KEIO mall, Hina and Sakura jogging close behind her.

…What on earth have I gotten myself into?

XXX

"Old Navy?"

Nodding, Sayaka replied "Uh-huh! It's an American chain; they sell casual clothes. Nothing too fancy, but enough to give your wardrobe a sense of flair."

Nodding in reluctant acceptance, Kyoko followed Sayaka inside, finding herself surrounded by stacks of jeans, racks of shirts, various causal clothes, anything she could ever ask for in the clothing department. The Ultimate Detective, not having had a clue about fashion prior to today, felt overwhelmed and intimidated.

Where would I even start? Seeing Sayaka sift through the various clothes, Kyoko hesitantly asked "So…where should I start looking?"

"Hmmm…" Sayaka mused "So your skirt's fine. It's a good color for you. I'd say the first step is to find a top that can complement it. You said you wore something more casual when you went to that baseball game with Makoto, right? Can you tell me what you wore?"

Nodding, Kyoko replied "Let's see…I believe it was…a plain pink, short-sleeve shirt."

Hina squealed "Oh, you must have looked so cute in that, Kyoko!"

"I…I'm not sure that…"

"Okay, that's a good starting point. We can look at some pink shirts. Come on!"

Seeing the other girls run ahead, Kyoko sighed as she followed after them, lest she get lost in this unfamiliar environment.

XXX

"…How's this?"

Kyoko walked out of the changing room, the top of her Detective uniform currently hanging inside the stall on a hook. Instead, covering her upper body was a plain dark pink T-shirt, its length covering just past the waistband of her skirt.

"That's great, Kirigiri-chan! It compliments your skirt so well!"

"Yeah!" Hina continued after Sayaka "It totally looks cool on you, Kyoko!"

"I must say, it does suit you…" Sakura complimented.

"Th…thank you…"

"Although…" Sayaka criticized, causing the Ultimate Detective to look up as she continued "You've gotta drop that awkwardness. You've gotta walk out with confidence! Show us that you own those clothes! Here!"

Sayaka dug through the pile she had collected, tossing Kyoko a similarly pink shirt with a picture of a magnifying glass printed on it.

"There; not only does it match your shirt, but it shows off your Detective persona. Now get back in there and try on that shirt. And remember, you own that shirt!"

Kyoko turned back around and went through the entryway, placing the new shirt on the seat as she pullet the current one over her head. Tossing it next to the new shirt, Kyoko bent down to pick up the new shirt, holding it by the sleeves as she looked in the stall's mirror, looking over her half-bare form.

"Confidence…how am I supposed walk confidently into a world I know nothing about? How do I know this'll actually look good or cute or whatever covering my body?"

Although Kyoko never looked it, she did have some amount of vanity; what teenage girl didn't want to feel good about how they looked? With her mother Hibiki dead and her grandfather never having remarried after his wife divorced him, Kyoko never had a female role model growing up to teach her about things like fashion and body image.

With all her training focused on being a good Detective, Kyoko's mind never wandered to any subjects of real femininity, her only exposure being analyzing the motives of different culprits and victims. But now that she had bonded with Makoto and learned to bond with other people, now that she was thrust into this new, totally subjective world where practicality was basically thrown out the window, she started to feel insecure and self-conscious about her appearance.

Are my breasts too big? Are they too small? Is my belly too plump? Does this shirt show too much of my breasts? Does it not show enough? All these questions and more swirled around Kyoko's head, making her feel dizzy as she wished more than ever that Makoto was here to guide her.

"You're getting soft, Kyoko. Makoto's not here, and besides, he's a boy. He's right; this is something he just can't help me with. I just have to…"

"Hey, Kyoko? It's Hina; are you okay in there?"

Taken out of her confusion by the Ultimate Swimming Pro's concerned voice, Kyoko take a deep breath, telling herself "Just pretend you're on a case. You're undercover and you're wearing a disguise so the culprit doesn't suspect anything. You can do this, you can do this…"

Kyoko gingerly put her limbs and head through their respective holds, pulling the shirt down until the hem stretched over her waist.

…Walk with confidence. Walk with confidence…

Kyoko took a deep breath and narrowed her eyes, turning to open the door and strutting out of the changing room, confidence in her every step. The Detective looked to Sayaka, who nodded in approval, making her internally sigh in relief.

"That's more like it! Great job, Kiri!" Hina and Sakura nodded in accord, making the insecure Detective feel even more relieved as Sayaka continued "We can get a few of those and a few of the plain ones so you have some variety and can alternate."

That makes sense, I guess… "So are we done with shirts now?" Kyoko asked, ready to move on to something else.

"Not yet; just a couple more." Kyoko watched with concern as Sayaka held out a V-neck shirt and a shorter shirt, both of them the same dark pink as the other two she tried on, the pop idol encouraging "Here, try these on real quick, okay?"

Sighing, Kyoko caught the shirts as Sayaka tossed them to her before turning around to walk back into the changing room. Eventually, she walked back out, remembering to show her faux confidence as she came back out, the shirt fitting loosely around her torso while the V-neck exposed just enough to put the top curves of her breasts.

"Wow, Kiri! You look really sexy in that shirt!"

Frowning, Kyoko looked down at her partially exposed chest, observing "It kind of leaves my heart vulnerable to an assault, doesn't it?"

Pouting, Sayaka retorted "You're thinking too practically again! Forget the criminals, or the weapons, or whatever! Just think about YOU!"

…Just about me?

"Anyway, there's still the other shirt left, so try that one on now, then we'll be done!"

Sighing, Kyoko walked back in, only to come out wearing the shorter T-shirt. Her midriff exposed by the short length of the shirt, Kyoko's self-confidence was now gone, the Detective repeatedly trying to pull the fabric down to cover her bare belly.

"It's…a little short, don't you think?"

Sayaka giggled and replied "It's supposed to expose your belly, Kiri! Trust me, it totally attracts boys, and combining those shirts with your confident walk, Makoto's sure to fall head over heels for you!"

"…Why would I want him to fall for me?"

"'Cuz you're totally crushing on him!"

"…Wait, Kyoko has a crush on Makoto?" Hina asked confused.

"I…I think you're under a misunderstanding. Makoto and I are just friends, that's it."

"Then why do you two spend more time together than anyone else on campus?" Sayaka pointed out.

Nodding, Hina concurred "They do always eat three square meals a day together…"

"And you guys are like…way closer than just plain friends. I've seen how you always smile in his presence, and he smiles at you too!"

"He's my first friend. It's only natural I'd be at ease around him…"

"Come on, Kiri! Denial isn't just a river in Egypt. My intuition is always spot-on. You like him, and I bet he likes you too! So just go and show him you're interested!"

"Yeah!" Hina concurred "It's like I always said, you've gotta try for that gold medal. So go and reach for that gold medal of love!"

"That's not…"

"Hina, Sayaka, that's enough."

"Sakura…" Hina trailed off at Sakura's unusually hard tone.

"But…" Sayaka started, only to be silenced by Sakura's disapproving glare.

"If they really are just comrades as she claims, then such talk will only be pestering her. If she is in love, as you claim…then it's best that she approaches her loved one without our intervention."

"…You speak from experience, I assume?"

Nodding reluctantly, Sakura closed her eyes and admitted in response to Kyoko's question "Even I have the heart of a woman."

"Sakura…"

Seeing she was now outnumbered, Sayaka acquiesced "Alright, I won't push the issue anymore. I just…wanted to help my friends be happy, you know?"

I'm your friend? Reluctantly, Kyoko nodded and expressed "Your concern is…appreciated, but I'd rather you drop this subject for the time being." As Sayaka nodded with an apologetic look on her face, Kyoko reflected on their exchange realizing …She does have a point though. I don't know if it's Makoto, but…if I were to fall for a boy…it might be beneficial to have a set of clothing that would show more skin than normal. These two show too much, but maybe…

Kyoko's eyes wandered until she settled on another article of clothing. Walking over to it, she took one off of the stack before walking back into the changing room, the other three girls bewildered at what just happened. Before they could talk amongst themselves, Kyoko walked back out with a much more natural confidence, wearing a hot pink tank top that exposed her shoulders and ended just above the waistband of her skirt, the word "Kibou" printed across the front in big, black font.

"Is this a good compromise?"

Looking her over for a moment, Sayaka smiled, exclaiming "Kiri, that looks so cute on you! Great choice!"

Nodding, Hina concurred "Yeah! And it looks perfect for playing basketball in!" Seeing Kyoko's curious expression, Hina explained "It's an American sport. Hope's Peak is bound to have the equipment for it; I can teach you sometime!"

Nodding, Sakura concurred "That shirt may have even been inspired by Hope's Peak. See the word on the front? Kibou, as in Kibougamine Gakuen, the Japanese name for Hope's Peak Academy."

Nodding, Kyoko asked "…So you think I should get this?"

Nodding, Sayaka answered "Yeah! It draws attention to you, plus it really just suits you, Kiri!"

"…Kyoko…" Seeing Sayaka's surprised stare, the Detective elaborated "You called me your friend, so I suppose if we're friends, we should be on a first-name basis, Sayaka." Seeing Sayaka slowly smile and give a thankful nod, Kyoko finished "Well if that's everything, then I'll change back into my normal clothes and we can pay for these."

With that, Kyoko walked back inside, out of view as she closed the stall door behind her, pulling the tank top over her head as she looked at herself in the mirror one more time, a twinkle of self-confidence that wasn't there at first shining in her violet eyes.

Allowing a small smile, she mused Confident…I guess…I've found it…at least enough for this. Sayaka…thank you…for helping me find it in this strange world of yours…

XXX

Present Day

"Wow, Mommy, Sayaka really shipped you and Daddy hard!"

Chuckling, Kyoko replied "Yes, Kiki. She knew my own feelings well before I did."

"I had no idea she tried to get us together so early!" Makoto interjected.

Blushing slightly, Kyoko admitted "Well…the whole conversation was kind of embarrassing, at least to my teenage self, so I'm not really surprised I never told you about it then. And after we got married…it just didn't really seem important anymore…"

Smiling, Makoto intertwined their fingers and assured her "Hey, I'm not upset about it, honey. It's actually kind of endearing, getting to learn a little more about your feelings like this…"

"Makoto…" Kyoko gasped as her husband leaned in to meet her lips in a soft kiss, his wife hungrily returning it with equal gentleness.

The sappy gesture disgusted the five-year-old Kiki, who stuck out her tongue and interjected "Ugh, Mom, Dad, that's gross! You're gonna give each other cooties!"

Separating, Kyoko retorted "Kiki, there's no such thing as cooties. Understand?"

Nodding meekly, Kiki replied "Okay, Mommy. So what happened next?"

Makoto looked at the clock on the wall and told her "Tomorrow, Kiki. It's past your bedtime, and this is a good stopping point."

Yawning, Kiki reluctantly complied, snuggling into her pillow as her parents tucked her in, wishing her sweet dreams as the five-year-old girl fell into slumber. Makoto and Kyoko then walked out, closing the door behind them as they went back to their bedroom to pick up where they left off.