A/N: This chapter is the second part of the ask referenced in the previous chapter's author notes. 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 Eleven: Sayaka's Past! Dinner and Karaoke!

Present Day

"So where did you guys go next, Mommy?"

"Well, after I got changed, we bought a few of each shirt and left the store. We went to grab a quick bite at the food court…"

XXX

June 22, 2014

"Alright, Kyoko…where do you want to go next?"

Sayaka looked at her expectantly, the Ultimate Detective changed into one of her plain dark pink shirts at Sayaka's recommendation.

"We're already in a social outing, so why don't you go change into one of your new shirts?"

Hina and Sakura looked at Kyoko as well, curious as to what Kyoko would want to do. Said Detective sat there, resisting the urge to squirm in her seat.

Why are you asking me? I've never done this before… At last, Kyoko shrugged and replied "Why don't I just follow your lead."

Sighing in disappointment, Sayaka turned to Hina and asked her "Alright then…Hina, is there any place you'd like to go?"

Hmm…let's see…I would like to check out the sporting equipment…but that probably wouldn't appeal to Kyoko. Now let's see…what hasn't she done before…Oh! An idea coming to her, Hina asked "Kyoko, do you listen to music at all?"

Shaking her head, Kyoko admitted "My grandfather kept me so focused on my Detective training, music was never something I was exposed to."

Nodding, Hina asked "Sayaka, that new album of yours just got released, right?"

Nodding, Sayaka confirmed "Yeah. We released three new songs on it. Why do you ask?"

"Well, since Kyoko hasn't really listened to music yet, why don't we grab a copy of your CD and pick up a collection of music for Kyoko?"

Beaming, Sayaka answered "Great idea, Hina. Sakura, is that good with you?"

Shrugging, Sakura answered "I suppose I could try to pick up some workout music while we're there."

"Great! Then we're all in agreement." Stnading up energetically, Sayaka grabbed Kyoko's wrist again as she urged "Come on, let's go!"

Kyoko was barely able to grab her bag of clothes in time before being dragged to another store.

Fist clothes, now music…I'm seriously out of my element…

XXX

"Disc Union?"

Nodding, Sayaka explained "Yeah; they're a popular music chain. They carry a little of everything, so we should be able to find you some music you might enjoy. Come on!"

Sayaka and Hina rushed in, leaving Kyoko and Sakura to follow slowly in their wake.

"Feeling overwhelmed? Their excitement when it comes to music is impressive, isn't it." Seeing Kyoko nod in agreement, Sakura explained "I'm not much of a connoisseur of the medium, but I do like to have something to play in the background so that my exercises don't become tedious."

"And Hina? Sayaka I understand, her being the Ultimate Pop Sensation, but Hina never struck me as the music type."

Nodding in understanding, Sakura explained "Her brother Yuta liked to listen to music, and because they were so close, she grew fond of it too."

"I see…"

"Geez, come on you slowpokes! Sayaka and I are waiting for you!"

Chuckling and shaking her head, Sakura urged "We'd better get in there before she scolds us again."

Nodding, Kyoko followed Sakura inside before splitting up, Sakura walking over in Hina's direction, while Kyoko walked over to where Sayaka was. She looked over to where the Ultimate Pop Sensation was looking and noticed her hand on a CD case. Picking up a copy for herself, Kyoko inspected the small, square box; on the front was an image of Sayaka singing into a microphone while in a pink, frilly dress, with alternating layers of light and medium pink colors, complete with a pink bow on her chest.

"…Is this your new album, Sayaka."

"OH MY GOD!"

"IT'S SAYAKA MAIZONO!"

"THE ULTIMATE POP SENSATION! AND SHE'S JUST SHOPPING IN A REGULAR MUSIC STORE?"

"EEEEEKKKKK!"

"I LOVE YOU, SAYAKA!"

"CAN I HAVE YOUR AUTOGRAPH, SAYAKA!"

Kyoko found herself pushed back as a crowd of screaming fans, armed with photos and pens and miscellaneous merchandise flooded the store, surrounding Sayaka and bombarding her with various requests, from autographs to photos to dates, to even begging her to carry their baby!

…Don't these people know anything about personal space? Or privacy?

But Sayaka took it all in stride, giggling and consenting to the picture and autograph requests, but broke the hearts of everyone else when she told them "Sorry, but I'm taken."

"AWWWWWWWWW!"

Eventually the crowd dispersed, except for one lone teenage girl with a head of short-brown hair and an ahoge that Kyoko thought was oddly familiar.

Nervously, the stranger walked up, in contrast to all the other fans politely asked "Ano…excuse me, Maizono-san? Can I get your autograph? I'm a huge fan of your music…"

Smiling warmly, Sayaka acquiesced "Of course. What would you like me to sign?" The girl took the copy of Sayaka's new album she had just bought, handing it and a pen to Sayaka who accepted them, uncapping the pen and preparing to write, asking "And who am I making this out to?"

"Oh, sorry. It's Naegi, Miss…"

That made Kyoko do a double take, properly taking in the girl's features as that name rung a bell.

Naegi? Wait…

"I kind of promised my little sister that I'd hang out with her on Sunday…"

Could she be…

"Alright, let's see…

To Naegi-chan,

Ganbatte!

-Maizono Sayaka"

Handing the photo and the pen back to her, the Naegi girl squealed in joy and thanked her excitedly "Thank you! I gotta go; my Onii-chan's waiting for me at the food court. Thanks a lot, Maizono-san!"

Kyoko and Sayaka watched as the pleased Naegi ran off and out of view. Shaking her suspicions from her mind, Kyoko turned to Sayaka who had a sheepish and apologetic expression.

"Sorry about that…this stuff kind of comes with the territory of being an idol, you know?"

Shaking her head, Kyoko commented "I don't think I could ever get used to that. Honestly, I don't know how that kind of attention doesn't get on your nerves."

Smiling grimly, Sayaka asked "What would you say if I told you that I came to rely on it?" Seeing Kyoko's curious expression, Sayaka elaborated "You see, my mother died giving birth to me, and my father was always working late to pay the bills, so I spent a lot of nights alone and rarely saw him."

…So she grew up without a parent…just like me…Kyoko realized, understanding that Sayaka had more in common with her than she first thought.

"I was really lonely…but that all changed when I saw a pop star on TV for the first time. She was so pretty, like a princess. She could sing, and dance…But more than anything else…looking at her smile, I could feel my loneliness melting away. I decided that I wanted to give my encouragement to others. And seeing their smiles of joy, makes me smile long after my performances end. Knowing that my fans pay such attention to me and smile at all of my performances…it makes me feel…loved, you know? The kind of love my mother never had the chance to show me…and what my father was always too busy to provide…"

…So where one of us decided to shut off relationships entirely from a lack of parental love, and another convinced herself that everyone was out to get her, Sayaka decided to fulfill that need by giving it to others…

Realizing exactly what she just confessed to, Sayaka blushed in embarrassment, apologizing "Oh, sorry about that. You probably didn't want to hear my backstory…"

Shaking her head, Kyoko admitted "Actually, hearing your motivation to become an idol was…interesting. Perhaps…"

Their conversation was interrupted when Hina ran up to them with a pile of a dozen CDs in her arms, Sakura following closely behind her with a single CD in her hand.

"Hey, Kyoko! I got you a bunch of CDs! Each one is a different genre, so you can see which ones you like and which you don't!"

Nodding appreciatively, Kyoko replied "Thank you, Hina. But, how am I supposed to play them?"

Before Hina could blush being so ditzy, Sayaka interjected "I have a spare CD player in my room. I can give it to you, free of charge."

"That's…a little much, isn't it?" Kyoko asked, a little uncomfortable with how much she was being gifted today.

Smiling while shaking her head in amusement, Sayaka assured her "Kyoko, we're doing this because we're your friends and want to do something nice for you. Surely Makoto must have given you something by now, right?"

Kyoko flashed back to the bobble head that Makoto gave her from Leon's baseball game, which was still sitting on her shelf, admitting …I can't argue with them on that one… Sighing, Kyoko surrendered "Alright, I'll accept them."

Sayaka and Hina beamed, followed by Sakura who lightly smiled at the scene.

Looking at her phone, Sayaka's eyes widened, exclaiming "Oh my gosh! I can't believe it's been so long! We'd better get to that karaoke bar if we're gonna get a good seat."

"Hang on; we still have to pay for our CDs!" Hina objected.

Frantically picking up a handful of her albums from the rack, Sayaka then confiscated the one in Kyoko's hand, tossing them onto the stack that Hina was lugging.

"Here! You and Sakura go pay for our CDs, Kyoko and I will go reserve our seats at the restaurant. I'll reimburse you after we get back to campus."

"Got it! Just leave it to me!" Hina promised.

"Come on, Kyoko! Let's blow this popsicle stand!"

"H…Hey!"

Kyoko found herself being pushed out of the store before being dragged by the wrist again, Sakura and Hina slowly disappearing from view as Sayaka dragged her out of the mall.

Why me…?

XXX

Kyoko sipped at her tea, having finished her ramen dinner while Sayaka sat across from her, eating her hot dog, her french fries having been cleared from her platter. Hina sat next to the Detective, having also decided on a ramen dinner, while Sakura sat across from the Ultimate Swimming Pro. Her plate of BBQ chicken wings cleared, the Ultimate Martial Artist was now wiping the sauce from her lips with her napkin.

Clearing her throat, Sayaka asked "So, did you have fun today, Kyoko?"

Slowly nodding, the Ultimate Detective replied "Today was…interesting. I had no idea so much thought went into picking out one's clothes…and learning about your motivations for becoming an idol was…intriguing."

"So…you wouldn't mind doing this again?" Hina ventured.

"…While I wouldn't do things like this every day…I wouldn't be opposed if you all introduced me to something new every once in a while."

Sayaka beamed at the apparent success of today's events, while Hina grinned and Sakura closed her eyes and let a small smile cross her lips. Kyoko permitted the smallest of smiles to cross her lips, choosing to let her guard down for once in the company of friends.

"So…" Hina began "It's getting a little late…perhaps we should pay for our food and…"

"Tell Mom and Dad I said hi, Komaru!"

All four of their eyes widened at the familiarity of their voice, Kyoko thinking It can't be…

But when they turned their heads, sure enough, Makoto stood at the entrance, talking to the very same Naegi girl who had asked for Sayaka's autograph.

"I will, Oni-chan. Thanks for showing me around. Too bad we couldn't see your dorm, though!"

…So I was right; they are related…

Chuckling Makoto agreed "Yeah…Hope's Peak can be kinda strict when it comes to security. Still I think we had a good time, don't…"A horn interrupted the siblings, Makoto sheepishly smiling as he urged "You better go."

Makoto wrapped his arms around Komaru, who returned the embrace, replying "Good-bye, Onii-chan. I love you."

Squeezing her tight, Makoto replied warmly "I love you too, Komaru."

The four observers couldn't help but smile at the scene between the Naegi siblings, Kyoko starting to feel a quick burst of jealousy before pushing it back down. Komaru waved to her brother before dashing out the door, leaving Makoto alone at the entrance.

"Hey, Makoto!"

Kyoko glared at Sayaka, as if to say "What are you doing?!" as Makoto turned towards his classmates, smiling and walking over.

"Oh hey, Sayaka, Kyoko, Hina, Sakura! What are you all doing here?"

Smiling, Sayaka explained "We were just ending our girls' day with some dinner here. And you?"

"Well…I was spending the day with my little sister, and she wanted to grab your new album, so I promised her we could go grab it today. And she likes karaoke, so I promised her we would have dinner here. We just paid for our food and she went home with Mom and Dad." Scratching his cheek nervously, Makoto commented "She told me she ran into you and got your autograph. Thanks for doing that; I hope she didn't inconvenience you guys."

Waving his concern off, Sayaka assured him "Oh don't be silly; she was very sweet. Did you guys get to hear any karaoke yet?"

Shaking his head, Makoto answered "Umm…no…it seems to be a slow night here. Nobody wants to get on stage for some reason…"

At this revelation, Sayaka grinned mischievously, causing Kyoko and Sakura to look at her in concern and worry.

What are you…

"Excuse me? Waiter-san?" Seeing the waiter walk over to their table, Kyoko blanched as she told him "My friend here and I would like to do a karaoke duet!"

Nodding, he replied "Very well; right this way, ladies."

Sputtering as Sayaka circled around the table and pulled her out of her seat, Kyoko objected "B…but I…"

"I didn't know you sang, Kyoko…" Makoto interjected, a curious expression in her eyes.

"I…I don't sing…I've never sang…I don't know how to sing…"

Pushing her from behind, Sayaka assured her cheerfully "Don't worry, Karaoke's easy, and I'll be doing it with you! Besides, didn't you just say you didn't mind trying new things?"

"Th…that's true…but…"

Kyoko felt her voice die down as Sayaka pushed her up the stairs and onto the stage, the announcer holding the microphone in front of Sayaka as he asked "And who are we listening to today?"

Giggling, Sayaka answered "I'm Sayaka, and my friend here is Kyoko."

"Okay!" The Announcer pulled the mike back as he announced to the crowd "Sayaka and Kyoko are going to do a duet for you all!"

Kyoko looked like a frightened animal, totally frozen in shock as the microphone was handed off to Sayaka. The Ultimate Pop Sensation lay a reassuring hand on Kyoko's shoulder as she whispered words of encouragement.

"It'll be fine. I'll sing first, so just copy my lyrics, okay? And don't worry about your performance; the goal of karaoke is to have fun."

To…have fun? Hearing Sayaka's encouragement, then glancing at the crowd and seeing Makoto smile at her, Kyoko took a deep breath, steeling her resolve and telling herself It'll be fine…it'll be fine…

Sayaka took a deep breath of her own, and with a melodious voice, sang "Kitto Shooting Love Shooting Heart."

Seeing the crowd look at her expectantly, Kyoko sang with a shaky voice "Kitto Shooting Love Shooting Heart."

Smiling at Kyoko, Sayaka continued "Motto takaku takaku."

With just a smidge more confidence, Kyoko copied "Motto takaku takaku."

With her well-practiced melody, Sayaka continued "Gimon fuan USO bakari kakemeguru nichijou, Togisumasareta kono sekai ni ukabu na mo nai yuuki, Yozora no hoshi tachi ni uchiakeru negai wa, Otona ni naru ni tsurete chiisaku chiisaku natteku no kana."

Her voice losing its shakiness after having sang a couple of lines without incident, Kyoko mimicked "Gimon fuan USO bakari kakemeguru nichijou, Togisumasareta kono sekai ni ukabu na mo nai yuuki, Yozora no hoshi tachi ni uchiakeru negai wa, Otona ni naru ni tsurete chiisaku chiisaku natteku no kana."

Looking down, Kyoko saw her friends smiling at her performance. Feeling her anxieties pushed back to the recesses of her mind, Kyoko regained her true confidence as she continued to copy Sayaka's lines without missing a beat.

"Dare ka no BUUTSU wo haku yori hadashi de hashiritai, Kagayaku chikara ga dare ni mo aru."

"Kitto Shooting Love Shooting Heart, Miageta sora ni PURIZUMU, Yume ni tsuzuku youna michi wo fumishimete, Zutto Shooting Love Shooting Heart, Machikogareteta mirai he, Motto takaku takaku tonde yukitai, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star..."

"Kioku no katasumi ni korogaru ENTAAPURAIZU, Shokisettei no kono sekai wa oboete ite kureru ka na."

"Kizutsuita dake kokoro wa yawarakasa wo mashite, Kodoku ni makenai tsubasa ni naru."

"Ima wa Shooting Love Shooting Heart, Kokoro nakusanai you ni, Hoshi ni todoku youna mizuiro no kotoba, Zutto Shooting Love Shooting Heart, Mabushii hodo no mirai he, Motto tsuyoku nareru yuuki ga hoshii."

"Kitto Shooting Love Shooting Heart, ima wa chiisana TAMAGO mo, itsuka takaku takaku tonde yukeru yo ne, Zutto Shooting Love Shooting Heart, Machikogareteta mirai he, Motto takaku takaku tonde yukitai, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star..."

As the last lyric passed Kyoko's lips and the duet ended, the crowd erupted in applause, making Kyoko blush at being praised by total strangers.

"Great job!" Sayaka whispered as they stepped down the stairs, Makoto walking over and patting her on the back in congratulations while Sakura glared at Sayaka for her stunt, to which the idol merely gave a sheepish smile.

XXX

"You know, you really do have a good singing voice."

Her face painted red in a seemingly permanent blush, Kyoko denied as they walked back to their dorms "You're exaggerating, Makoto."

Shaking his head, Makoto insisted "I'm serious. Once you really got going, it sounded kinda…pretty…like…what was her name…oh yeah, a singer named Hikasa Yoko."

Smiling wryly, she teased "You seem to have a considerable knowledge of music. Are you planning to become a pop idol yourself?"

Bellowing in boisterous laughter at the mere thought of that idea, Makoto denied "No…I'm not cut out for it like Sayaka is. My sister just likes to watch a lot of anime, and Hikasa-san just voiced a lot of characters is all. I always would watch anime with her, so that's the only reason I know of her."

Nodding in acceptance, Kyoko continued to walk in silence with Makoto until they reached her dorm, bags of clothes and CDs in hand.

"So…" Makoto began "…Did you enjoy your girls' night out?"

Nodding, Kyoko confirmed "…It was…interesting. We expanded my wardrobe, and I now have a lot of music I need to listen to so I can determine what genre I'm into."

Nodding, Makoto replied "I thought that shirt looked different. It um…it kind of looks…nice on you."

"It does?"

Nodding, Makoto confirmed "Yeah. It goes well with your skirt…plus…it kind of shows how far you've come with opening up to others, wearing something more casual."

"…I suppose it does…" Reaching for her door, Kyoko bid him "I need to get to bed. Good night, Makoto."

Nodding, Makoto replied "Okay…good night, Kyoko."

Kyoko closed the door behind her, dropping the bags on the ground and deciding to empty them tomorrow morning. For now, she opted to grab a nightgown from her preexisting wardrobe, heading over to the shower.

Once she had turned the water on, she shed her clothes, stepping into the warm water. As she lathered her hair, she looked down at her nude body, feeling a surge of self-confidence that she lacked when she was trying on shirts at Old Navy earlier. Smiling, she continued to rinse the suds from her lavender hair, until Makoto's words rang in her head.

"You really do have a good singing voice."

"Do I really? Does my voice sound…that good?"

Deciding it wouldn't hurt to listen to herself now that she was in the privacy of her shower…for investigative purposes, she opened her mouth and started to sing, recalling the lyics that Sayaka had inadvertently taught her.

XXX

Present Day

"Is that when you started singing in the shower, Mommy?"

Baths with her daughter and shower sex with her husband notwithstanding, Kyoko had a habit of singing in the shower, as her husband could easily attest to.

Nodding, Kyoko confirmed "Yes, Kiki. If Sayaka hadn't dragged me up on that stage and forced me to find my singing voice, I don't think I would have ever developed the habit."

"Not like we're complaining." Makoto commented "Your Mama's singing voice is so pretty…it's like having our own private concert every day."

Blushing, Kyoko deduced "…You two have been pressing your ears to the door while I've been showering, haven't you?"

Makoto and Kiki both had bashful smiles on their faces that just screamed "Busted!"

Sighing, Kyoko smiled and replied "…Whatever. It's not like I'm trying to hide it or anything. In any case, it's past your bedtime, Kiki."

"…Will you sing me a lullaby, Mommy? I really want to hear you sing again."

Keeping her soft smile, Kyoko nodded "Of course, sweetie." Turning to her husband, Kyoko encouraged "Makoto, why don't you head to bed? I can tuck Kiki in once we're done."

A little disappointed that he couldn't be privy to this particular concert, Makoto hid it with a smile as he leaned down and kissed his daughter on the nose, cooing "Good night, Kiki. Daddy loves you."

Nodding, Kiki replied "You too, Daddy."

As Makoto turned around and left the room, Kyoko watched her daughter lean over and lay her head in her lap. Smiling, she stroked Kiki's hair as she started to sing an old lullaby from when Kiki was a baby.

"Hush little baby, don't say a word,

Mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird.

And if that mockingbird won't sing,

Mama's gonna buy you a diamond ring.

And if that diamond ring turns to brass,

Mama's gonna buy you a looking glass.

And if that looking glass gets broke,

Mamas gonna buy you a billy goat.

And if that billy goat won't pull,

Mama's gonna buy you a cart and bull.

And if that cart and bull turn over,

Mama's gonna buy you a dog named Rover.

And if that dog named Rover won't bark,

Mama's gonna buy you a horse and cart.

And if that horse and cart fall down,

You'll still be the sweetest little baby in town!"

Kyoko looked down at Kiki, the little girl snoring in slumber. Kyoko smiled before turning her gaze to the door, calling out quietly "I know you're there."

Chuckling sheepishly, Makoto scratched his cheek and apologized "Sorry, I just couldn't resist."

Sighing, Kyoko smiled and beckoned "Well, come on. There's room up here for you too."

Grinning, Makoto walked around to the other side of the bed and crawled in, draping the blankets over the three of them. The Naegi patriarch draped a hand over Kyoko's, gently resting against his daughter's belly.

Smiling nostalgically, Kyoko cooed "Doesn't this remind you of when she was still just a toddler? When we could all cuddle up on one bed after a long day? I…I miss those days, Makoto. She…she's growing up so fast!"

Smiling softly, Makoto assured his wife "Hey, honey, it's okay! We've still got time with her; she is only five after all. We've still got a few more years left before she really grows up. So let's treasure the moments we can still have with her."

Nodding, Kyoko agreed "Okay, Makoto."

Wrapping their free arms around each other, Makoto and Kyoko fell into slumber on their daughter's bed, Kiki squeezed between them in a loving sandwich as they slept, cramped but comfortable as a loving family.