This chapter will be extra rough, hadn't had as much time on it as I would like since I wrote it. But alas updates and all. I've been working on other things as well which will be coming out soon I'll bring those up another time.
Intimidating Pair: The Two Shiroganes
Next Chapters: Angry Pair then Birthday Pair
Intimidating Pair
"Please don't be too nervous..." Naoto said sheepishly. They were currently standing outside of the elder Shirogane's large study. The great oak doors gave Souji the shivers. They were huge as they were intimidating. He wasn't exactly sure what he was supposed to accomplish here, but he knew that whatever it was he needs to do it needs to be right. He gulped at the thought of what was waiting for him on the other side.
"Are you sure about this?" His voice wavered, not even trying to hide how nervous and scared he was.
Naoto nodded slowly. "Yes I think..." She put her hand to her chin in thought. "Hopefully Grandpa does not do or say anything drastic."
"Hopefully?" Naoto shrugged.
"I'm not sure what he's up too. He asked me to invite you to the Estate so he can get to know more about you, but he did not disclose any more information than that." That sent another shiver down Souji's spine.
"Yeah, that makes sense." He looked back at the door before taking a step forward. "I guess here goes nothing..."
He gently pushed the large oak doors open to see the patiently waiting eyes of the elder Shirogane at his large office desk. The study bookshelves seemed to go on forever, making the room considerably larger than what it actually was. The elder Shirogane looked up from his papers, and with a warm smile acknowledged the younger Shirogane.
"Nao-chan, my my, on time as usual." He looked to her side, taking a glance at the investigation team leader.
"Yes and you might Souji Seta." He interlaced his hands as he settled them on the desk, relaxing his posture. It didn't make Souji feel any easier however.
"Y-Yes I-I am..." He stuttered. Naoto frowned at how visibly shaken he was. She didn't blame him either. Matsuda Shirogane was a master of his field in detective work and the years of experience has generated an aura which makes him hard to not notice and for anyone not used the piercing gaze or the analytical break down he gives, it's easy to find him imposing. It's not like Souji was from a lifestyle where meeting well known people (Outside of Rise) was all too common. Naoto took Souji's hand in hers very discreetly and squeezed softly in reassurance. If there was any time he needed her support, it was now.
Matsuda chuckled, seeing the distress in the young man."Come now, I won't bite. Nao-chan can be my word of proof." He turned to her. "Isn't that right?"
Naoto only shook her head. "Normally, but this is a special case." The elder Shirogane could only laugh at his granddaughter's scepticism.
"I can promise you both I have no foul intentions here." He motioned to the two seats on the other side of the large desk. "Anyway, take a seat."
Souji nervously pulled the seat out and sat down, refraining from moving too fast or too slowly. He looked at Naoto, who was completely calm with no signs of giving up the territory on her boyfriend. Matsuda turned to Souji, his face showing a great size of curiosity.
"So Seta-san, tell me a bit about you." Souji pondered for a minute, wanting to choose his words carefully.
"W-Well my name is Souji Seta as you know..." Matsuda nodded slowly, a small smirk forming from his lips. "And I'm currently an attendee of Yasogami High School with Naoto but I'm in the year above. I'm also the nephew of Ryotaro Dojima." The name caught Matsuda's interest immediately.
"Ah so you're the young one giving him the run around. Now this makes more sense." He turned to Naoto. "I remember you bring up the detail that he was a family relative of Dojima-san. It must have slipped my mind."
Naoto nodded, "Yes, I know you used to be Dojima-san's sensei at one point. He speaks highly of you especially when I and Souji interact with each other."
Matsuda raised an eye brow.
"Hmm, interact?" He caught on to that comment had more meaning than what it sounded like at face value.
Naoto's blush was instant. "W-We tend to be close when Dojima-san sees us, so he always reminds me that we are young and should look out for each other." The elder Shirogane's smile grew.
"Ah that reminds me of a story he once told me recently actually." Naoto instantly tripled in colour and Souji visibly gulped. "When he saw the two of you on the sofa watching TV, he told me it was nice to see that you finally met someone you were comfortable with."
Naoto shook away the heat in her cheeks and coughed uncomfortably. "Yes indeed, Souji-kun has been most helpful. He gives me a chance to express who I am without judgement." She turned to him with a loving smile, which put Souji at ease about their current situation.
"I don't think I can be the credit for everything-" Matsuda turned to him.
"Why not?" Souji cleared his throat.
"Well Naoto has this sensational ability to adapt and work with the situation when times call for it." The compliment causes Naoto to turn away, small dust of pink highlighting her cheeks.
"S-Souji-kun..." Matsuda chuckled.
"The affection between you to is quite stifling for an old man like me. It makes me feel older than I am."
"Grandpa, you are not that old plus..." She looked towards Souji. "...This is one of the few times I'm affectionate with him around others, this is not normal." Matsuda leaned forward.
"Why is that my dear?" Naoto fidgeted with her fingers.
"I'm still not used to this sort of situation. I don't think I'll ever will be but in the time I get alone with Souji-kun is when I feel I can be intimate with him." The deceleration caused Souji to blush a little.
"So when you say intimate, what does that include?" Souji was about to freeze up when he felt Naoto's hand squeeze his gently. She seemingly prepared for this when her answer was almost instant.
She coughed first to make sure she was clear. "We keep things simple, the companionship is enough for us a majority of the time. If there is anything else, reading or talking about various subjects helps pass the time when we are alone together."
Matsuda seemed satisfied with the answer as he leant back. "Glad to know. I cannot say I'm a little worried at times, Nao-chan spends so much time at your residence even someone like me would like to know what your activities are."
Naoto shook her head. "I can comfortably say that your worries are unwarranted. Souji-kun never forces me into anything and is happy for me to take the lead in this relationship."
"Excellent to hear, you guys are still young and all. You have the whole world ahead of you." The older detective turned to Souji once more. He was happy to see Souji's posture and expression has relaxed since he's sat down.
"Well, tell me more about your family. While I know all about Dojima and his little girl, I have no information about your mother or father. What do they do for a living?"
Souji looked down in thought before answering. "Well they both work in a tech company as managers so they travel a lot, and we move around Japan considerably as a family. So I'm not really used to having friends. I'm in Inaba because my parents had to move away from the country and they thought it would be too hard on me so I ended up with Dojima-san and Nanako-chan."
"Interesting, you seem like quite the lone wolf." A twinkle can be seen in his eyes. "Yeah... How have you found Inaba since you have moved here?"
"It's been great, being somewhere for a year has allowed me to actually make friends; I'm not so downcast about life as I was before I came. I just wish I had more time here."
"More time?" Souji rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
"I'm moving back to the outskirts of Tokyo for a while with family before getting ready for University." Naoto expression visibly saddened. "I'll be back in holidays and such; I'll try my best to visit everyone as much as I can."
Matsuda hummed in acknowledgement. "Don't give that face Nao-chan. You are very much independent, there is no reason that you can't go to see him when you have the free time."
Naoto's face shot up then blushed heavily. "I need your permission from you first grandpa. I can't just go galvanising to various places without your blessing." The elder Shirogane laughed again.
"Please, you go anywhere you want in Japan for investigations as it is. Seeing someone close to you is a perfectly good reason to go away for a while." Matsuda leaned forward again. "As they say, distance will make the heart grow fonder, I'm sure that will be the case with Nao-chan considering how she is."
Naoto flushed.
"Grandpa..." She muttered.
Matsuda smiled warmly, turning to the silverette. "I've enjoyed our time together, you quite the interesting young man to say the least." His piecing gave scanned Souji quickly. "You are person of promise, I'm definitely a lot less concerned about where she goes with you young man. I'll support you two anyway I can." Naoto nodded, releasing a breath she was holding.
"Thanks Grandpa, I appreciate the support." Souji nodded.
"Thank you Shirogane-san." He shook his head.
"It's Matsuda, keeping it friendly will be the status quo." He said with a smile. Looking at them both he nodded. "With that, you two are dismissed." The couple shuffled out of their seats, they both bowed politely and turned to the door.
"Seta-san?" Souji turned to the elder Shirogane, he flashed to a serious expression for a moment, before turning to a gentle smile. "Would I have a word with you on your own for a second?"
Naoto was about to protest. "Grandpa-"
"Don't worry, it will be quick. Run along." Souji straightened up.
Naoto looked to her grandfather, then Souji and back to her grandpa. She hesitantly nodded. "As you wish..." Naoto gave Souji one more look of concern and nodded slowly before walking to the door.
"Seta-san, take a quick seat." He slowly took the seat he occupied before. Worried he might have done something to concern or anger the elder detective. He heard the oak doors shut behind him, a new bout of nervousness washed over him.
"I must admit, it will be very rare that we'll ever get to talk one on one like this. Naoto has a tendency to be protective over what she considers hers so I doubt she will allow much time with you alone." He leaned forward, his expression turning serious just like he saw a moment ago.
"That makes sense..." For the first time, Souji felt the worry he had was justified.
"What I'm saying Seta-San, is that please don't let Naoto rush head long into things. She is still young and she is still ignorant to many of the things around her." He looked down, sadness washed over momentarily like he remembered something. "She is not used to companionship, she's not used to being loved and not having parents to guide her has obviously left her with holes in her experience and knowledge and she will be heavily influence by her actions with you."
Souji stiffened. "I-I understand."
His voice turned authorative and cold. "So Souji Seta, a word of warning. While I appreciate Naoto-chan's words, I believe, no. I know that you've done a lot more as a couple than you let on. Excuse my self-confidence but reading the two of you is not something out of my realm of capability. I've practically raised Naoto and while you are quite the enigma I'm confident I can see much more in your relationship than you think. "
Souji could feel his hands sweat.
"So I will tell you this. I will be watching, and if need be I'll have other people take surveillance if I feel Naoto is in danger in anyway. So please be aware Seta-san, if you think Naoto can be protective, I can be just as much if not worse. Do I make myself clear?" Souji paled.
"Yes sir."
"Good, while I prefer that you do not mention this to Naoto-chan she will figure it out soon rather than later. Considering your expression and posture it will be the former. You may leave." He said simply while rearranging the papers on his desk.
He looked back at Souji who was frozen in place, "Do you have any questions?", coldness enveloping his tone. Souji quickly shook his head and got out of his seat. As briskly as he could he left the office and slipped out of the oak doors as quietly as he could.
As soon as he heard the doors closed behind him he rested against the wall next to them letting out the breath he was holding.
"Souji-kun!" He looked to the side to see Naoto's face full of concern. "What happened? What did he say?" She asked frantically.
"Warning... He saw through your comments..." Souji breathed as he panted, trying to get his breath back.
Naoto's face twisted in frustration and anger. She looked at the oak doors, with the temptation of charging in and trying to set her grandpa straight but thought against it. Instead she huffed clasped her hands around Souji's right arm.
"I do not appreciate his actions especially while ejecting me from the room. If he was going to make his comments in that fashion, I would rather be in attendance." Her tone lost the bitterness and her expression lost the anger, switching to annoyance instead. Her mind caught on to an idea to improve the situation but she blushed heavily as the thoughts went through hear head.
"Come Senpai, we are going to my apartment." She said, hiding her expression under her cap. Souji, who just recovered, looked at her in question.
"Is that a good idea?" She took off towards exit pulling the silverette in tow.
"If Grandpa thinks he knows everything about our relationship then he's wrong." She looked at him with a glimmer of mischief in her eyes. "Ask me again if it's a good idea this evening..." She said cryptically, literally dragging him out of the Shirogane estate.
