It was the start of October, which meant a few things, the dark skies were becoming longer, the sun was spent less time gazing at the land, and lastly, it was the month of spooks and scary stories, thanks to Halloween.

But for Makoto, there was something more important than the days getting shorter or the fact it was the month of Halloween. It was Kyoko's birthday, and he didn't know what to get her. Only he knew it was her birthday after being the only one that Kyoko told.

Makoto didn't know why this was, but he had a fair idea. It was because she liked him, not in a fancy kind of way. Kyoko liked Makoto, and the barrier she had in place was lowered somewhat when the two were together.

Makoto didn't know what made himself so special to allow Kyoko to put down her barrier, but he was grateful that he got to see glimpses of the real Kyoko behind the stone mask she always put on.

There was one question on Makoto's mind, which was what to get Kyoko for her birthday? She hadn't mentioned it at all and made him believe she didn't want anything. But Makoto wasn't going to sit aside and not get anything for his friend.

"Hey, Naegi!" Said a female voice.

"Huh?" Makoto said, shaking his head then looking to see Junko, Mukuro, Taka, Mondo and Sayaka looking at him.

"Geez, how long were you daydreaming for?" Junko asked. "The bell rang like a minute ago for lunch, and you hadn't moved at all."

"Huh?" Makoto replied again as he looked around the classmate to notice everything, including Kyoko, was gone. "I was thinking about something."

"Was is Kirigiri?" Mondo chuckled.

"What no!" Makoto said as his cheeks began to blush. "I was thinking about…umm."

"Yes, you dig that hole deeper, Naegi," Sayaka giggled.

"Ok, people, let's leave the poor boy alone," Taka said as he put the teasing to an end. "Naegi, Kirigiri went up to your desk after the bell rang. But she noticed you were in deep thought and left you be."

"Really?" Makoto said, saddened. "I didn't know, oh no. I came off as rude to her." He quickly got up.

"Easy, bro!" Mondo said he put his hands on Makoto's shoulders and forced the latter to sit back down. "Calm down. Then I will let you go. You weren't rude, and you didn't notice Kirigiri, so how could you have been rude?"

"I guess you have a point," Makoto said as he began to feel better. "But still, I need to say sorry to her, and it must have been important."

"Important?" Junko giggled. "Come on, Naegi, think about it. The bell rang for lunch. I bet you she was going to ask you to spend lunchtime with her, and Kirigiri has done it a few times before." Then Junko's stomach began to growl.

"Speaking of which," Mukuro said. At the same time, her sister's face grew red with embarrassment. "We better head for lunch."

"Agreed," Taka nodded at Mukuro.

Hours later

The bell rang for the final time, and the students of Class 78 began to gather their things and leave class. Makoto, however, shot up from his chair and quickly walked over to Kyoko.

"Hey Kirigiri, I need to say sorry," he said.

"For what?" Kyoko asked, confused as she stopped with what she was doing to look at Makoto.

"I ignored you when the bell rang for lunch. The guys said you walked up to me and-"

"Naegi is ok," Kyoko said, hoping Makoto's fears to rest. "When I walked up to you, I noticed you were in deep thought. Whatever it was you were thinking about made to block everything that was going on in the class, and I didn't want to disturb you."

"Oh right, still, I'm sorry," Makoto said sheepishly. "How about I make it up to you?" Do you fancy going out for a meal tonight?" Makoto's eyes nearly popped out. Why the hell did he say that? He was too forward with his apology.

Kyoko looked at him for a few seconds, then out a tiny sigh. "I would like to, but I'm working on this case, and I'm busy right now. Maybe another time?" Kyoko smiled at Makoto for a few seconds.

"Yeah," Makoto said as he smiled back.

Kyoko took out her notebook and began to go through her notes. Makoto noticed that Kyoko was going to the back of the book, which meant she needed a new notebook.

"Right, I better let you get ready and get cracking at that case," Makoto said. "Goodbye, Kirigiri."

"Goodbye, Naegi," Kyoko replied as she looked at her notebook. Then putting it away then she collected her stuff and left the class.

Makoto noticed he was the only one left the class and quickly gathered his stuff and left the class as well.

Makoto made his way to the dorm area with one question on his mind. What was he going to get Kirigiri for her birthday? He was completely stumped.

He soon arrived at his dorm and headed into the room and laid on the bed to think.

"What am I going to get her?" Makoto said as he stared up at the ceiling. "I don't have that much money, but I want to give her something thoughtful."

"Maybe I can phone Komaru and ask her for help?" Makoto said, then he quickly shook his head. "No, forget I said that. Komaru would tease me, and I can't be having that."

Makoto went silent and continued to stare at the ceiling then his eyes widened. "Wait!" He said quickly as he got up. "Oh, how could I be so stupid? I know what to get Kirigiri."

Makoto quickly got changed into his casual clothing and a hoodie to keep warm, and he left his room, soon the dorms, and headed to the school gates.

Kyoko left the dorm area with her notebook in hand when she noticed Makoto walking to the gates rather quickly. "Hmm, I wonder what has gotten into Naegi?" She asked, then a smile appeared. "Maybe I should tag along before I start my investigations."

Kyoko followed Makoto out of the school and expertly ensured Makoto didn't notice her if he began to suspect someone was following him. However, much to her disappointment, Makoto had walked into a local shop.

"I'm guessing Naegi wanted snacks and drinks," Kyoko sighed. "But why would he be walking that quickly to shop? No matter, I suppose I better get to work," Kyoko added, then turned around and walked away.

A minute later, Makoto walked out of the shop with a bag filled with snacks, juice and Kyoko's birthday present. Makoto was chuffed with himself.

Days later

Kyoko was now 18 years old, but to her, it was a normal day. She did get texts from her father and grandfather, which were nice, she will admit, but as she got older, her birthdays got less memorable. But Kyoko did often wonder what it would feel like if she got a gift from Makoto.

Kyoko was walking to class to start a new school day. Instead of spending her birthday in class, she should have asked her father for the day off to have more time working on that case that she was on.

When Kyoko reached the classroom and took her seat at her desk, half the class were present, but the only person who she kept an eye on was Makoto, but he was absent.

But soon, Makoto arrived, and he walked over to Kyoko's desk. During this, Junko walked into the class and watched the pair.

Makoto pulled out a note and handed it to Kyoko. "Read it," he smiled, then he walked over to his desk.

"Hey everyone," Junko said as she took her seat. "Naegi has just giving Kirigiri a love note."

"Oh, knock it off, you troll," Byakuya sighed as he was reading his book. "Leave the pair alone."

Kyoko ignored Junko and Byakuya as she opened the note.

Hey, Kirigiri.

Happy birthday! I wanted to let you know that I have got a gift, but you wish to keep your birthday a secret. So, I have kept the gift in my dorm room. If you have a few minutes after class, do you mind coming to my dorm room and I will give you your present? I think you will like it, and it will be helpful to you.

Have a great day.

Makoto.

'Naegi got me a gift?' Kyoko thought as her heartbeat got slightly quicker. 'Oh, that boy, always surprising me. In a good way, of course, but what could have Naegi got me that will be helpful to me?'

Kyoko put the note into her pocket. "Naegi."

Makoto turned around to face Kyoko. "Yeah?"

"Yes, that would be fine," Kyoko nodded.

Makoto began to smile and nodded back.

"Oh my god!" Junko giggled. "I think Naegi has just asked Kirigiri out!"

But everyone ignored her, much to her disappointment.

Hours later

Class was finished, Makoto and Kyoko had collected their belongings, and they headed for Makoto's dorm room.

"So, Naegi, can you give me a small hint as to what the gift is?" Kyoko asked.

"Nope," Makoto smiled. "You will need to wait and see."

Kyoko mind raced all day, wondering what Makoto had gotten her. She was hoping that he slipped, but he was tight-lipped, which impressed her.

The pair reached Makoto's dorm. Makoto opened the door, and he allowed Kyoko to walk into the room first. And he followed her in and closed the door behind her.

Makoto walked over to his clothes drawer and opened it. "Right, I need you to close your eyes and put your hands out together."

"Naegi, I'm 18, not five," Kyoko said, uninterested.

"Please!" Makoto begged.

"Alright," Kyoko sighed. She closed her eyes and put her hands out together. Kyoko could hear Makoto closing the drawer and walked over to her. Then she felt something placed on her gloved hands.

"Right, you can open your eyes," Makoto said.

Kyoko opened her eyes to see a black notebook and pen resting in her hands.

"I hope you like it," Makoto said as he smiled. "I noticed days ago that you were at the end of your current notebook, so I thought I would buy you one for your birthday."

Kyoko stared at the notebook and pen. Outside she showed no emotion, but inside, however, she was delighted.

"Thank you, Naegi," Kyoko said quietly.

"You don't need to thank me, it was your birthday after all," Makoto replied warmly. "Now, you can continue your investigation or even start a new one."

Kyoko didn't reply. She continued to look at the two items while Makoto walked over to his drawers to tidy up his back was facing her. Kyoko put her gifts into her pocket, and she put her two gloved hands up to look at them.

Kyoko took a quick glance at Makoto, and then she turned her head back to her hands. She slowly took off her right glove and walked over to Makoto. She gently reached out for Makoto's left hand and grabbed it.

Makoto froze as he felt something rough touching his hand. He looked down to see a burned hand touching his. "Kirigiri?" He said, surprised. "Your hand it's-"

"I know," Kyoko sighed.

Makoto now fully understood why Kyoko hid her hands, but he was confused about why she was holding his hand without the glove.

"Naegi, I only allow people that I deem too close to me to see my hands for what they truly are."

'Close to her? Wait, does Kirigiri see me as a close friend?' Makoto thought.

"As you know, Naegi, I'm cold, and I've put a barrier up so nobody would get close to me, but you," Kyoko began to chuckle slightly. "You are very stubborn, and well, you've managed to crack my barrier ever so slightly to see the real me a few times. But my hands was something I would never going to let you see. Because they are a painful reminder of who I can trust, but this gift, you didn't need to get me anything, but you did, and it's made me happy, and I feel like I can trust you, no, in fact, I do trust you."

"Kirigiri, I don't care if you trust me or not," Makoto said finally. "Heck, even if you didn't trust me, I would still give you a birthday present because you're my friend." Makoto turned around while keeping his hand locked with Kyoko's hand.

The pair looked into each other's eyes.

"Kirigiri, listen, even if you fully trusted me from the getgo, I would never ask you to show me your hands because it appeared you were hiding your hands, which meant something terrible must have happened. I mean, you even wore the gloves during our swimming classes. But seeing your right hand, I understand now, and I'm honoured."

"You're honoured?" Kyoko said, confused.

"Yes," Makoto smiled. "You said you only allow people that you deem as close to seeing your hands, and I'm one of those people, so I'm honoured. Also, I don't see your hands as ugly, and I see your hands as beautiful."

"Beautiful?" Kyoko replied, surprised. "But my hands they are-"

"I don't care," Makoto said calmly. "I'm still holding your right hand, aren't I? Kirigiri, seeing your hands doesn't change how I feel about you."

"How you feel about me?"

"Well yeah," Makoto replied as he began to blush.

Kyoko narrowed her eyes. "Why are you blushing?"

"Umm, it's gotten hot in here," Makoto said nervously. "Two seconds, I need to go to the bathroom to pour cold water on my face."

Makoto broke contact with Kyoko's hand as he rushed to the bathroom.

"Why was Naegi blushing?" Kyoko said as she folded her arms. "Why did he say seeing my hands doesn't change how he feels about me?" Kyoko thought hard. "Come on, detective think, you're meant to be smart, I'm sure I can fig…." Kyoko froze as she began to figure out everything. "N-Naegi likes me romantically? Me? How?!"

Kyoko was so confused. How could Makoto like someone like her? She was mean, cold, and pushed people away. But then Kyoko realised that Makoto must have liked the real her that he had seen a few times.

"Why me?" Kyoko whispered. "Naegi could have gone with Hina or Maizono. Those two are happy and always smiling, but me? Why did he choose me?"

Makoto walked out of the bathroom, feeling better; however, that feeling vanished when Kyoko looked at him intensely.

"Naegi, do you have romantic feelings for me?" Kyoko asked firmly.

Makoto froze on the spot. Kyoko had figured out that he had a crush on her. How on earth was he going to get out of this one? With honesty, he figured.

"Because I find you beautiful Kirigiri," Makoto said nervously. "I…I also find you interesting."

"You find me interesting?" Kyoko said, confused.

"Yeah," Makoto smiled as he felt the nerves fall away. "You always hide the true you, and I'm eager to find more about the real you. Weirdly, it feels like I'm a detective looking for clues to learn more about my suspect."

Kyoko began to laugh softly at the idea of Makoto being a detective. She thought of the idea as cute.

"Kirigiri, I do like you. I've liked you for quite a while now," Makoto said honestly as his face turned red. "But the reason I've kept quiet was that I value our relationship. I feared if I told you how I felt about you, you would be disgusted and tell me to go away."

Kyoko felt horrified at the idea of her telling Makoto to go away. "Naegi, I would never do that. Honestly, I think I would need a few seconds to process that new information if you did tell me, but nothing would change our relationship as friends."

"Oh, that's good," Makoto sighed. "I feared-"

"However," Kyoko said as she cut Makoto off while put her hand up to her chest to feel her heartbeat going fast. "It would change our relationship romantically."

"Huh?" Makoto replied, confused.

"I like you as well, Naegi," Kyoko replied, blushing. "I've grown quite fond of you, Naegi, over the months, and that fondness has become something more. That is why I want to spend as much time with you as possible. I never for once second think you would like me in return because of my personality. But hearing you say that you like me has made me happy."

"Kirigiri," Makoto said, stunned. He couldn't believe this beautiful girl liked him. "I don't know what to say."

"Neither do I," Kyoko said, letting out a small chuckle. "I've never been in this position before, so I don't know how to react in the best possible way."

Makoto walked forward, and he slowly wrapped his arms around Kyoko. Kyoko felt safe, but she couldn't understand why a simple hug washed all her fears away.

"Kirigiri," Makoto whispered.

"Yes, Naegi?" Kyoko whispered back.

Makoto was risking everything. If he didn't ask this question, he would regret it forever. Makoto moved away from Kyoko and looked her in the eyes.

"Kyoko Kirigiri, will be my girlfriend?" Makoto asked nervously.

Kyoko's eyes lit up. She couldn't believe Makoto had asked her out, and her heart was now going ten times faster. Kyoko looked at Makoto with a warming smile. "Yes."

Makoto's eyes widened in disbelief. He couldn't believe Kyoko said yes. He leaned forward and slowly kissed his new girlfriend. Both of them enjoyed their first kiss.

"Makoto," Kyoko whispered. "Thank you for making this my best birthday to date."

"I'm glad," Makoto smiled.

Kyoko smiled back, and she kissed him.

Thank you for reading.

I DON'T OWN ANYTHING.

Small update: At the end of August, I got myself a full-time job, so as a result, I can no longer spend time writing stories, however, I will continue to do WLYM but for small one-shots, I'm not sure. To everyone who has reviewed and favourited my fics over the past three years, thank you.