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 Thirteen: A Sentai Show and a Pop Performance!

Present Day

"So how did the show go, Daddy?"

"Well, after we mingled a bit, Hifumi approached us with our costumes and we took them to the bathrooms so we could change. Once we had gotten changed, we met up in the hallway with the others and…"

XXX

October 31, 2015

"…Not bad…" Kyoko complimented as she took in Makoto's blue costume.

Makoto blushed and replied "Thank you…you look pretty in pink. Too bad there's no purple Ranger though; you'd look really hot in purple!"

Kyoko blushed, smiling as she returned "Thank you, and you'd look much better in green personally; the costume would go with your eyes."

"At least you guys can make jokes about your costumes." Makoto and Kyoko turned to see Leon, Mondo, Mukuro, Celeste, and Hiro approaching them as the Ultimate Baseball Star whined "Why do I get stuck in this yellow suit? Why does Mondo have to be the Red Ranger? Red is my color, man!"

Mondo huffed and explained "Apparently the Red Ranger is the fuckin' leader, and Hifumi thought that since I lead a Biker Gang, I'd be a good choice for the Red Ranger."

"At least you can move normally in your costumes!" Hiro reminded them as he waddled "I still can't bend in this thing!"

Celeste giggled and commented "How awful it must be for the lot of you to have to act in such silly costumes…at least I got one worthy of my status in life."

Everyone else rolling their eyes, Kyoko suggested with a sigh "Let's just get this over with…"

"Excellent suggestion, Miss Kirigiri! It's almost time to begin anyway!"

Everyone turned, eyes widened as they saw Hifumi approaching them in a green lizard costume with curved yellow horns on his head.

"Hifumi?" Makoto asked "What are you wearing?"

Hifumi grinned proudly and announced "This is my costume for tonight's production. I'll be cast as the monster Miss Ludenberg's character conjures to destroy the Spin Rangers."

You cast yourself?! Everyone sighed and shrugged, realizing We should have expected this…

Turning around, Hifumi marched towards the doors to the Gym and ordered "Come everybody! Let's show the others a Sentai show they'll never forget!"

XXX

Celeste giggled, standing off on the side of the stage and pointing her scepter at a rampaging Hifumi as she ordered "Go, my Phantom Kerberos! Unleash your wanton destruction on this pitiful city!"

Hifumi let out a roar before he was interrupted by a masculine cry "Not so fast, Sorceress Spinda!"

Celeste scowled and cursed "Oh no, not…"

"That's right!" Mondo spun on stage as he chanted "Spin Red!"

Then Makoto and Kyoko spun on stage behind him.

"Spin Blue!"

"Spin Pink!"

Leon spun on stage next, chanting "Spin Yellow!"

Finally, Mukuro brought up the rear, chanting as she spun "Spin Black!"

All five of them simultaneously spun and exclaimed "Spin Rangers!" …I can't believe we're actually doing this…

"Ugh!" Celeste stuck out her tongue as she spat "If it isn't you pesky Spin Rangers! Well, you five have foiled my plans for the last time! Even you can't defeat my latest creature!" She cackled and raised her scepter, exclaiming "MAGIC SCEPTER! UNLEASH YOUR SPINNING STAR POWER, AND MAKE MY KERBEROS…GROW!"

As Hifumi stomped on stage, Mondo declared "WE NEED SPIN ZORD POWER NOW!"

Hiro awkwardly waddled onstage, arms stuck out to the side in his costume, Mondo, Makoto, Kyoko, Leon, and Mukuro declared "SPIN ZORD!"

After one final roar from Hifumi, Hiro spun into and collided with Hifumi, the Ultimate Fanfic Creator dramatically falling off the stage as the five rangers spun one more time and declared "Spin Rangers!"

Celeste yelled in frustration as she pointed her scepter at them and cursed "Curse you, Spin Rangers! You haven't seen the last of me!"

With a final "HMPH!", Celeste stomped off stage, Hiro and the five Rangers following after her as they were all too eager to get out of their costumes.

XXX

Makoto watched, now back in his Bunny of Good Luck costume as Sayaka led Kyoko and Mukuro on the cleared stage. The three were now clad in perfect duplicates of Sayaka's frilly pink and white idol outfits, Kyoko and Mukuro were blushing in embarrassment at being seen by the boy they loved in outfits that were totally antithetical to their respective personalities.

"Alright, everybody!" Sayaka cheered "We've got a great show for you tonight!" Grinning at hearing twin cheers from Makoto and Leon, Sayaka explained "So, the three of us are going to sing one of my famous songs, Negaigoto Ensemble!"

As Mukuro's brows furrowed in confusion, Kyoko's eyes widened as she realized Oh, I remember that! It was the song she made me sing with her in front of Makoto when we went shopping with Hina and Sakura!

"So, here's how this single is going to work! Kyoko and I will sing one verse at a time, and then Mukuro will repeat that verse. Are you ready!" Hearing cheers from Makoto and Leon, Sayaka exclaimed "Alright, then. A one, a two, a one, two, three, four!"

Holding their microphones to their lips, Sayaka and Kyoko sang "Kitto Shooting Love Shooting Heart."

Gulping, Mukuro took a deep breath and sang "Kitto Shooting Love Shooting Heart."

Mukuro sighed in relief as Sayaka and Kyoko smiled encouragingly at the nervous Soldier and continued "Motto takaku takaku."

With an increased confidence that reminded Kyoko of her first time singing, Mukuro repeated "Motto takaku takaku."

Nodding in approval, Sayaka and Kyoko 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 nervous blush disappearing, Mukuro 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."

Mukuro looked down, seeing Makoto smile at her and felt her determination return as she, to Junko's displeasure, copied the tune and rhythm of Sayaka and Kyoko's lyrics perfectly.

"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 Mukuro's final word leaving her lips, the class burst out in light applause, Junko doing so reluctantly after tossing the video camera in the trash behind her. Mukuro blushed, unused to the praise as Sayaka and Kyoko grinned at their boyfriends' proud grins.

As they stepped offstage, Mukuro went to rejoin Junko as Sayaka and Kyoko went to rejoin their boyfriends.

"Babe, that was awesome!"

"You too, Kyoko!" Makoto praised "The three of you made a great idol group!"

Kyoko blushed as she muttered "Th…thank you…" Her blush vanished as she saw Jin approach her, embarrassed by his proud smile. Embarrassed at having her Father witness her two performances, she hardened her stoic mask and told him "Not. A. Word." Seeing him hold up his hands in surrender, Kyoko turned to her boyfriend and told him "I'm going to go change into my costume; I'll be back in a bit."

Makoto and Jin watched as she walked out of the Gymnasium, sweatdropping before turning to each other.

Now that his daughter was out of earshot, Jin smiled and remarked "She really was quite good, wasn't she? I wish…I had been around for more of these kinds of things…"

Makoto smiled and agreed "Yeah, she was…and you're here for her now, Headmaster. That's what really counts in my book."

Jin nodded, replying "…Thank you, Makoto."

Unbeknownst to them, Kyoko could hear every word though the crack in the door, an exasperated smile on her lips as she took in their remarks.

Yes…you are here now, Dad. And even though I'm embarrassed you saw those performances…I'm also…happy you cared enough to come watch…

XXX

Present Day

"You were embarrassed that your Daddy came to watch? But why?! I'd never be embarrassed if you and Daddy came to school plays or stuff!"

Makoto smiled and told her "Kiki…it's one thing when you're eight. But Your Mother was a grown woman of nineteen. Once you become a teenager…having your parents come to those kinds of things feels embarrassing on some level. I know I would have been at least a little embarrassed if your Baa-chan and Jii-chan had seen me in that costume."

Kyoko nodded, admitted "Even so...I was still happy to see that he was being my Dad, even if I didn't exactly show it. I might have frowned at him…but my glare had none of the venom it did on my first day of school."

Kiki smiled and nodded "That's good…so what happened next, Mommy?"

"Well, after I got changed back into my Bunny costume, we continued to chat and mingle for a bit before we decided to call it a day. Once we were both showered and dressed in our pajamas, we crawled into bed and…"

XXX

October 31, 2015

"So…did you have fun this year?" Makoto asked as they slid under the blankets.

Kyoko nodded, commenting "I'm still not sure if it tops last year's…it did serve as the catalyst for our relationship after all…and I'm honestly not sure which one was more embarrassing for me…but yes, I did have fun."

"I'm glad…and at least Komaru's gift did come in handy tonight…" Makoto and Kyoko giggled, their thoughts wandering to Makoto's sister.

Kyoko kissed his cheek and assured him "Komaru's gonna be okay, Makoto…we'll get out of here soon, then we can go and thank her for her gift."

Makoto smiled bashfully as she replied "Thanks, Kyoko…" He yawned cutely before mumbling "…Guess that means we should go to sleep, huh?"

Kyoko held up a finger and corrected "Just one little thing…"

Makoto looked at her curiously as she reached for the table next to her side of the bed, his eyes widening in realization as she revealed the two sets of Bunny Ears they had worn today. Before he could utter a word, Kyoko placed his green Bunny Ears on his head, while attaching her lavender Bunny Ears on her head.

"There; now we can have a perfect end to this Halloween."

Makoto sighed, then shook his head in amusement as he smiled at her, snuggling against her and resign his forehead against hers. The two of them smiled lovingly at each other as the tips of their respective Bunny Ears pressed against each other, the fake appendages bending to form the shape of a heart.

"Good night, my Bunny Detective." Makoto mumbled as his eyes closed.

"Good night, my Bunny of Good Luck." Kyoko cooed before she closed her eyes as well, joining him in slumber as they shared one last thought before losing consciousness.

Thanks, Komaru! You're the best little sister anyone could ask for…

XXX

Present Day

"Aww, that sounds soo cuuute!" Kiki gushed as she tried to imagine a bunny-eared Makoto and Kyoko snuggled together. Makoto and Kyoko gave each other blushing smiles, happily embarrassed at the memory until Kiki asked "So what happened next?"

Makoto ruffled his daughter's hair and promised "Tomorrow, Kiki."

Seeing that her Mom wasn't going to budge, Kiki grumbled "…Okay…" before wiggling under the blankets.

Makoto and Kyoko smiled at each other before draping the blankets over their daughter's petite form, covering her up to her neck as they readjusted her pillow before leaning in to kiss her daughter's nose.

"Good night, Kiki. Sweet dreams…"

*Yawn* "…Sweet dreams…" Kiki returned before closing her eyes and falling asleep.

Nodding, Makoto and Kyoko quietly tiptoed outside, gently closing the door behind them as they went to their own room to snuggle on their bed, their foreheads eventually touching in the same manner as their teenage selves that one Halloween night.