This interesting chapter takes place on the year after the Persona 4 Arena/The Golden True Ending. This also takes place in the same calendar year as Melting Snow (The Summer of the same year.)

Original Document Name: Tanabata

Beta Reader: KasaiStormDog


Festive Pair

From memory, Souji didn't meet his significant other until after Tanabata festival rolled around. When looking back at the event and walking around with Rise, he thought about the fact he never saw Naoto in a Yukata. The image made him day dream, the thing is, when New Year's rolled around, most of the guys were interested to see Naoto in one. I think the disappointment hit them a little too hard but typical Souji dismissed it for the time being but something to take note of for the future. This brings us to today...

"I'm still quite nervous about this..." The sleuth mumbled. She was looking at the blue outfit still wrapped up in transparent packaging. They were currently in their hotel room in the Oita Oasis Hotel. The couple managed to book a quick weekend trip away to celebrate Tanabata in the Oita prefecture. For Naoto it wasn't something she has done in years. Usually the quiet time around the holiday made it easy to complete the paper work around cases and investigations. But meeting Souji and the rest of the investigation team, she began to appreciate public holidays and traditions as times to spend with people you love and care for.

"I'm sure it will be fine." Souji responded, putting a reassuring hand on the detective's shoulder. She jumped from the contact.

"I've never worn one before. I know how to put them on but wearing one is going to be really strange." Naoto shook her head then turning to see the former leader smile.

"Well it was a gift from my parents. They really appreciate you looking after me, they asked if you had one and I said no." He put his hand to his chin in thought. "...Didn't think they would actually get you one though."

Naoto closed her eyes and smiled. "Yeah, just like them to do something like this."

"Well if you don't want to wear it that's fine, as long as we get to experience the festival, it's what I care about." Naoto nodded.

"Don't worry, I have every intention to wear it, just this is all new to me so try not to tease me so much." Souji suddenly wrapped his arms around his partner, causing her to yelp at the attention.

"I'm sure you would look good in it, just let me know if you need a hand and I'll help."Naoto blushed heavily at their close proximity.

"I-I will..." Her voice faded as Souji leaned down to give her a tender but reassuring kiss. Their watches bleeped.

"Prox: 1M"

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A couple of hours later, Souji was waiting in the main lobby of the hotel. He checked his watch periodically every two minutes waiting for his girlfriend to come down from their room. She kicked him out needing the privacy to get changed. She would have been too embarrassed to change with him in the room but it was taking a lot longer than he originally expected.

Just then his watched beeped. "Prox: 7M"

He looked up from his watch to see the lift doors open up. From what he saw left his jaw slack, eyes open in surprise. Naoto Shirogane, the one who used to hide her gender from the world was wearing a Kimono. The colour was a very deep navy blue with a shimmering silver flower patterns along the dress. She shuffled awkwardly, her okobo footwear clattering against the flaw with each step she made. She was trying to get used to the smaller steps and the restriction on her legs and feet.

"I'm sorry it took so long, it's a lot harder to put on when I'm on my own." She said weakly. Souji looked at Naoto's face, she has done small things, she applied the smallest hint of eye liner on and she had a vibrant blue flower as a hair clip while her long hair was wrapped up in a bun.

"You look absolutely stunning." Souji exclaimed. Naoto flushed at her boyfriend praise. She faced down at her feet and fidgeted with her hands in embarrassment.

"Please Souji-kun, I know you mean well with this praise, but please refrain from speaking about my appearance." While deep down inside, she loved the praise and attention she got from her boyfriend, sometimes she was so nervous, the compliments made her feel even more as the focus than before.

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to put you under pressure." She shook her head, even under a heavy blush she smiled happily.

"No, your continued support makes me happy I get to even try, so don't worry too much about me." Souji held out his hand to her.

"So my detective, should we go observe the stands of this festival and aim to enjoy ourselves?" Naoto took his hand and smiled warmly.

"Yes, lets."

About 15 minutes walk away the couple reached their destination of Kanaikemachi where all of the stalls were hustle and bustle with people, stall vendors and performers enjoying the amazing warm night and the local food they had to go for. On the way there, Naoto and Souji saw the Tanabata dancers on the main road of Chuo Dori with university students from both Oita and Beppu performing along the closed streets. Naoto marvelled at the bright and vibrant clash of colours, the amazing scent of traditional street food and sound of the exciting Oita Taiko Group of the Shrine drumming to their hearts content.

"Everything looks so astounding, was it like this in Inaba before I arrived?" Souji nodded.

"Indeed, everyone goes all out for Tanabata, it's amazing of some of the stuff you see, and it's known as couples' time together too." His hand left hers for the moment and wrapped around her shoulders to bring her closer.

"A-Ah Souji-kun..." She sputtered. Souji only looked down to her and smiled.

"Its fine, we are quite far from Inaba, no one knows me and no one will recognise you in what you are wearing so let's just enjoy ourselves." She contemplated his logic before turning to him and nodding.

"I can agree with that." Naoto looked up at the stall games and saw something pique her interest.

"S-Senpai!" Souji turned to the sleuth. "I'm going to attempt to beat that game."

He saw the pellet gun game she was pointing at and laughed, considering who he was dealing with. "What's so funny?" Souji just continued to snicker as he shook his head.

"It's just that's so you." He chuckled again at her sudden flush. "Let's go, I'd like to see you destroy it." Her look turned into a coy smile.

"I won't disappoint."

Moments later, Naoto held up her pellet rifle, feeling the weight and balance before aiming.

"The prize for winning is a Hello Kitty plush courtesy of the Sanrio store in the city!" The stall owner announced. Naoto took a look at the prize and scoffed.

"Hmph, it will be the thing to show I've beaten this game." Her eyes narrowed on the cans as she lined up the rifle against her shoulder. Souji watched on, waiting to see the party's markswoman get to work. Considering her accuracy when fighting shadows, stationary cans will be nothing for her eyes of precision.

"Are you ready?" Naoto gave the smallest of nods. "Go!"

With almost frightening efficiency Naoto fired a hail of bullets each hitting a can with deadly accuracy. The stall vendor and nearby onlookers looked in awe and shock by the speed of Naoto's clearance of the cans. She was so efficient that she still had a whole round of ammo for another set as she turned and let loose on another set of idle cans intended for another play that evening. Just with the first set, they fell with minimal resistance under the accuracy of Naoto's precision. The whole spectacle took no longer than 50 seconds but the two sets of 10 cans were all scattered behind the firing wall. Naoto twirled the rifle with her right hand so it faced upwards and blew against the barrel professionally, with pride. She turned to her boyfriend and flashed him a knowing smirk.

"I-I think we have a winner..." The vendor owned exclaimed slowly. He was still in shock from that display. The onlookers roared in applause as Naoto placed the rifle back gracefully. "H-Here..." Naoto looked at the store owner as he gave her three sets of Hello Kitty plushies. While two were about medium size, the third was quite large and needed two hands to hold.

"Thank you." Naoto said politely as she passed over the big one to Souji.

"I don't know who you are, but someone with that amount of skill should work for the police." She flashed him knowing smile.

"Well you never know..." She said cryptically as she sauntered off to walk away with her boyfriend into the festival.

"Well that was fun." Souji just chuckled.

"You did not hold back." She shrugged, holding close her plushies.

"No need, not often I get to let loose like that..." She sighed blissfully. "...It was liberating."

Souji just continued to laugh. However something caught his eye."Hmm, over there!" Naoto followed his point of vision.

"What about it Senpai?"

"Karaage, I heard Oita is known for it. Let's go grab some." Naoto just followed behind him, wondering what the excitement was.

A couple minutes later the couple was sat by the side as they had a small basket of Karaage skewers.

"They are as good as they advertise!" Souji exclaimed like he's found treasure. Naoto could only snicker at his happiness. It wasn't that Souji wasn't an upbeat person, it was more his love for food brought a very expressive side in him. Good food will always make him noisy, but a happy Souji aura was very contagious and it was hard to not be smiling in his presence because of it.

"You are certainly pleased with your findings." She took another bite. Regardless of how happy Souji was, he wasn't wrong when he said they were good.

"Definitely, I've wanted to try this since I got here." Souji took another bite gleefully as he continued to admire the taste.

"This has been a nice break." Naoto's simple comment broke Souji out of his admiration as he looked at the sleuth. Her gaze was out into the passing crowd in the busy street. Her look was thoughtful, but also quite lost like she wasn't too sure where she was.

"Are you ok there?" Naoto continued to face the passing crowd but nodded.

"Yeah I am..." She subconsciously took another small bite before swallowing quickly. "You know, before I wasn't much for festivities and all but look at me now." Her expression changed to a small smile.

"Two years ago I would have avoided something like this as much as possible. I was sticking to comfortable clothes and avoiding being close to people." She turned to Souji, while her expression seemed blank, her eyes twinkled in wonder. "But now I am in an internal city holiday with my boyfriend wearing a Kimono. If someone told me this back then I would have shot them for making a fool out of me." She laughed lightly.

"I guess that makes me the fool really." She ended. Souji patted her head affectionately causing her to nuzzle against his hand.

"You and me both." She hummed in agreement. Souji finished off the last of his skewer.

"Why don't we try and clear as much as the festival as possible and find a good place for the fireworks?" Naoto nodded pulling herself using Souji's help once he got up first.

"Luckily there isn't much else we need to clear." Naoto bundled the two plushies in her right arm but then looped her left with Souji's right.

"Let's go." Souji smiled as he hoisted the bigger plush with his free arm and they continued walking down the route of the festival.

The rest of the festival was an amazing blend of sound, sight, taste and smell. The pair walked up and down until Naoto's feet felt that they were going to give way. She wasn't quite used to the okobo she had to wear. Souji hoisted her into a bridal carry after managing to get some light rope to tie the giant plush to his back so his arms can be free. She blushed heavily but due to the pain in her feet she didn't protest.

"We'll start making our way to the riverbanks; I heard the fireworks will be taking place there." Naoto only snuggled into her boyfriend.

"That is fine, let us go." Souji kissed her hair as they carried on to the river bank.

When they got to the riverbank, a large amount of people who were attending the festival migrated to the Oita River for the fireworks display. Everyone sat around in anticipation waiting for the big moment. The couple had to walk down the Route 21 riverbank until they managed to find a less crowded spot. Carefully Souji placed Naoto down on the slopped grassy hill, and then took a seat next to her. She cuddled to him.

"When do the fireworks begin?" Naoto asked. Souji looked at the watch he was given as a gift.

"In about 30 minutes, they plan to start at 8pm, hopefully they aren't late." Naoto nodded and snuggled closer to her significant other; he just wrapped his arm around her and brought her closer.

"Souji-kun?" He turned to her.

"Hmm?" She looked down at the ground, her expression turning shy.

"I've had an amazing time with you today." She said with a soft blush. She leaned in closer. "Thanks for reminding me what there is to live for and giving me a reason to stay." Souji kissed her forehead.

"Don't think it's all you here. I wouldn't have as much of a reason to go back to Inaba if it wasn't for you as well. It's a two way thing, plus I love the time I spend with you. If I could do this all the time I would, but lives are in the way." She nodded but was happy he felt the same.

"Could we do this again next year?" Souji nodded.

"Sure we can go to another city, come back here or stay in Inaba. As long as it's you I don't mind where." Her smile was nothing short of radiant, so much it even caused Souji to blush. Interrupting them was the faint sound of crackle in the background signalling the display was about to start.

"Ah it's starting!" Naoto pointed to the sky in excitement. The first sets of fireworks hissed into the sky then exploded with tremendous force, leaving behind a deafening sound and a set of beautiful and bright colours in the sky. The couple and all of the audience were left in a sensational awe at the sheer beauty of the display. Colours, shapes and patterns painted the clear black sky as everyone watched. During the middle of the display Naoto scooted even closer to Souji, attracting his attention.

"Is something wrong?"

Naoto shook her head. "No, I'm just enjoying the moment." Souji raised an eye brow. He looked at her, seeing the reflection of the colourful explosions in her eyes. Even with the constantly changing shades in the sky, he could see a very faint blush on her face.

"I understand." She turned to him with a look of nothing but unrestricted, pure affection.

"I love you Souji-kun." Souji smiled, mirroring the same look of warmth.

"I love you too." With that she pushed herself up and kissed him deeply with as much passion she could muster. His arms reflexively wrapped around her and pulled her close, deepening the embrace.

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This actually wasn't supposed to be chapter 3 but chapter 6. But hey, it was ready so it went out.

Working on my next Souji/Naoto work. Taking requests.