A/N: This Chapter is the result of two asks sent 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)
Despair Arc
Chapter Twelve: Happy Halloween!
Present Day
"So did you guys really dress up in the bunny ears that Auntie Komaru got you?"
Blushing in embarrassment, Makoto admitted "…Yes…we did. Your Mother was very persuasive, and on Halloween we were getting dressed…"
XXX
October 31, 2015
"I still can't believe you found this stuff in the warehouse…" Makoto grumbled as he secured his fake bunny ears atop his head, the white band buried in his hair just in front of his ahoge.
"…I'm a little surprised myself…I stumbled across it by accident while I was taking a walk when we had our argument about living arrangements." She revealed as she secured her own lavender bunny ears on her head in the bathroom. "Is your costume on?"
"Yeah, it is…"
"Alright, mine too."
The door swung open as Kyoko stepped out into their room, Makoto staring as he took in the sight of Kyoko standing nervously in front of him. Kyoko was now dressed in a purple leotard, with matching purple boots and gloves that extended to just below her knees and her elbows respectively. Her thighs were covered by light gray leggings, and around her neck was a detached collar and an orange tie.
Kyoko smirked, her nervousness dissipating as she teased "Glad to see you approve of my costume."
Blushing, Makoto smiled and nodded "Yeah…you look…really cute as…as a Bunny Girl…"
Kyoko walked up to him as caressed his green bunny ears, replying "You look pretty cute as a Bunny Boy yourself…"
Removing her hand from his bunny ears, Kyoko stepped back to admire his costume. Although he still kept his usual sneakers, he now wore a pair of dark brown shorts and a sleeveless light green hoodie that was unzipped about halfway, exposing a small amount of his flat chest. Similar to Kyoko, he also wore a detached white collar around his neck, except attached to his was a simple red bowtie, as well as a pair of detached white cuffs around his wrists.
Seeing his embarrassed expression, Kyoko giggled and told him "Don't look so glum; it's only a costume!"
Makoto sighed and admitted "I know, and it is a costume party…I'm just…embarrassed is all." Reaching up to touch his Bunny Ears, Makoto explained "I…kinda thought these would just stay in the closet forever…"
Kyoko smiled understandingly and suggested "Well, think of it this way; Komaru will be very happy that we're thinking of her by wearing her gifts."
His embarrassed frown shifting into a small smile, Makoto nodded "…You're right, Kyoko. Whether Komaru's alive or not, we're going to keep her in our hearts and memories."
"That's better…now…" Kyoko offered her hand as she asked "Shall we go, my Bunny of Good Luck?"
Accepting her hand and threading their fingers together, Makoto kissed her cheek and returned "Yeah…let's go, my Bunny Detective."
XXX
The room went completely silent for a split second, everybody's eyes widening as they took in the sight of Makoto and Kyoko's Halloween costumes.
Makoto sighed as they both thought Three…Two…One…
As they predicted, their classmates burst into a chorus of laughter and giggles, only Byakuya, Sakura, and Mukuro keeping silent, though they still held amused smiles as they observed Makoto and Kyoko's costumes.
Makoto blushed in embarrassment as Kyoko squeezed his hand in comfort until the laughter died down. Sayaka and Leon walked over to them, the Ultimate Pop Sensation dressed in a dark blue leotard with matching boots, a blue jacket, and grey leggings while Leon was dressed completely in green: green gloves, green pants, green boots, a green vest and a green Robin Hood-esque hat.
Leon snickered "Dude, nice costumes!"
Sayaka couldn't help out a giggle as she teased "Yeah, the bunny ears are a nice touch."
Seeing as her boyfriend was too flustered to answer, Kyoko explained "They were a Christmas gift from Makoto's sister. Since this is a costume party, we figured this was the perfect opportunity to try them."
The two of them sobering up after hearing about the accessories' origin, Sayaka and Leon nodded while Sayaka complimented "Oh…well she must have good taste; they do look cute on you."
Leon rubbed the back of his neck nervously and apologized "Yeah, dude, sorry about laughing earlier…"
Now recovered, Makoto shook his head and assured them "It's fine; I think they're embarrassing too. You guys look really cool in your Green Arrow and Black Canary costumes by the way."
Sayaka and Leon grinned before the Ultimate Baseball Star replied "Thanks! We haven't exactly been able to go costume shopping, and Sayaka and I wanted our costumes to complement each other. That meant I had to leave my Ranma cosplay in the closet so we could reuse our costumes from last year."
"Well…at least some of us were able to procure new costumes."
"Oh, Celeste…" Makoto greeted as they turned to see the Ultimate Gambler coming towards them. "Nice costume!" Makoto sincerely said as they took in her black gown, red lace collar, and black scepter with a white star ornament attached to the top.
Celeste giggled and twirled in place, bragging "I'm glad to see you recognize the quality of this costume. Hifumi does have his uses after all."
All four of their eyes widened as Makoto asked "Wait, then that costume is…"
"Correct, Mr. Naegi! Miss Ludenberg's costume is for her part in tonight's Spin Rangers play! She's set to play the evil queen Sorceress Spinda!" Turning to Celeste, Hifumi thanks "Much appreciation for agreeing to take part in my production, Miss Ludenberg! Perhaps in the future you wouldn't mind starring in…"
Hifumi trailed off as Celeste glared at him, smiling politely as she interrupted "Hifumi, remember I'm only doing this because you said I could keep the costume. You make fine tea and your costume creation capabilities are indeed admirable, but I have no interest in your hobbies. This is a one-time deal while we're stuck in here, understood Hifumi?"
Hifumi gulped and nodded "Y…yes, Miss Ludenberg…"
"Much better…" Celeste giggled.
"At least you look good in your costume…I look fuckin' dorky in this!" Mondo interrupted as he approached them, clad in a red Sentai outfit, accompanied by Mukuro who was dressed in a black Sentai outfit. Bringing up the rear was Hiro, who was dressed in a multicolored robot suit.
The Ultimate Clairvoyant shot Hifumi an annoyed glare and agreed "Yeah, and what the hell, man! Forget looking cool, I can't even bend over in this!"
Fire blazed in Hifumi's eyes as he pointed at Hiro and declared "Mister Hagakure! You are supposed to be the Spin Zord! I'll have you know that I based your costume design off of my previous Robo Justice costumes! They're not supposed to bend at the waist, because robots don't bend! You need to have a costume that fits the part!"
"But what if I need to go to the bathroom, for serious?!"
Everyone watched as Hiro and Hifumi continued to bicker about his costume, sweatdropping as they sighed in exasperation.
Leon rubbed the back of his neck and commented sarcastically "Oh yeah, thanks for reminding me." Seeing Makoto and Kyoko's confused expressions, Leon elaborated "Hifumi roped me into playing one of those stupid rangers in his little stage play. So uncool, man…at least Sayaka will be singing the theme song."
SAYAKA?!
Seeing Makoto and Kyoko's incredulous stares, Sayaka smiled and nodded "Yep, I promised to sing his silly little theme song if I could do a quick pop concert after his play is done."
Makoto's eyes sparkled, making Kyoko roll her eyes in amusement as he exclaimed "Really?! That's so awesome, Sayaka! I can't wait to see it!"
Sayaka giggled and replied "I'm glad you're looking forward to it! Although…" Sayaka pouted as she admitted "I'm used to doing these things with a partner; I don't want to sing on stage by myself! If only I had a partner…" She then smirked at Kyoko and Mukuro, who gulped before Sayaka cheerfully asked "Kyoko, Mukuro, how would you like to form an idol group with me tonight after Hifumi's play?"
"Oh, me? I don't really sing that much…I'm not sure my singing voice would cut it for an idol group…" Kyoko weakly protested.
Nodding, Mukuro agreed "Being on stage is Junko's thing…and I have a terrible singing voice…"
"You girls should totally do it!" Kyoko and Mukuro turned to an energetic Makoto in shock as he told them "Kyoko, I've heard your singing voice, it's absolutely beautiful! And Mukuro, your voice is so soft, it's perfect for singing on stage! You'd know that if you just tried! And Sayaka will be there to help you every step of the way, so there's no reason not to!"
"M…Makoto…" Kyoko and Mukuro blushed, touched by Makoto's compliments.
Seeing Makoto and Sayaka stare at her expectantly, Kyoko caved and sighed "…Alright, I suppose I can do one song."
Sayaka grinned, then turned to Mukuro and asked "What about you, Mukuro? We'd love to have you!"
"O…oh…I still don't think…"
"DO IT, MUKU!" Everyone stared as Junko sauntered over to them, wrapping her arm around Mukuro's shoulders as she told her "Do it! It'll be fun to watch you try and sing on stage!"
"Ju…Junko…" Unable to resist in the face of her sister's pressure, Mukuro nodded "O…okay, Junko!"
"Perfect! And I'll be taking video so I can look back on watching you humiliate yourself whenever I'm bored! Well, I'm gonna go mingle with the others, so see ya!"
Junko left before Makoto could scold her, leaving the others to sweatdrop as Sayaka tried to reassure her "Don't listen to her, Mukuro; you're gonna do great once we get onstage!"
Mukuro merely nodded and walked away in the direction of her sister, leaving the others alone for the time being as Leon turned to Sayaka and offered "So babe, you wanna go mingle for a little bit? I think we have about an hour before I have to get in that stuffy costume."
Sayaka giggled and agreed "Sure; let's go grab some candy!", taking his hand as they walked away.
It wasn't long until Mondo followed suit, muttering "I uh…I'll go hang out with Bro and Chihiro until its time for that fuckin' show. Later, dudes…" as he left Makoto, Kyoko, Celeste, and Hifumi alone.
Celeste smiled and excused herself "Very well, if you'll excuse me, I'll go and have some punch before I make my debut."
"W…wait for me, Miss Ludenberg!" Hifumi begged as he chased after her.
"Hey, Hifumi, man! You've gotta help me get out of this costume until the show starts!" Hiro pleaded as he waddled after Hifumi, leaving Makoto and Kyoko to sweatdrop alone.
Sighing, Makoto offered his hand and suggested "Let's go grab some food too; I'm hungry."
Kyoko giggled and accepted his hand, threading their fingers as he led her to their usual table.
XXX
Present Day
"Wow, Mommy!" Kiki's eyes sparkled with glee as she gushed "Being in a play with Daddy AND singing in an idol concert with Sayaka and Mukuro?! You're amazing, Mommy! I can't wait to hear all about it!"
Kyoko blushed as she stammered "Th…thank you, Kiki…"
Makoto smiled, amused at his wife's rare, flustered state before he sighed and told his daughter "Alright, Kiki…it's time for bed."
"Aww…but it's so early!"
Makoto chuckled, ruffling his pouting daughter's hair as he replied "I know, but the rest of this part is gonna take a while, more time than we have time for. Besides, it's better to go to bed early than late."
"…I know…" Kiki's pout softened as she sighed and bargained "…Can you just…lie down with me until I fall asleep?"
Kyoko smiled and nodded "Sure, Kiki."
With that, they all crawled under the blankets, Kiki resting her head against her parents' chests as they al snuggled together. None of them knew how long it took, but without another word, they all drifted off together, Makoto and Kyoko too happy snuggling with their little girl to even think about retiring back to their room.
