A/N: Here's my submission for Day Two of Naegiri Week 2021, taking place after "Hope's Peak Academy Reopens!" Please read, review, and enjoy!

The Ultimate Detective and The Ultimate Hope Gaiden: Naegiri Week 2021

Day Two: Little Things!

"Headmaster Naegi!" Makoto looked up from his desk to see Hina coming up with a stack of papers. "We need more gym supplies! The ones the Future Foundation gave us before they dissolved are old and falling apart."

Makoto swallowed his exasperation and smiled at his new gym teacher. "Sure, I'll sign those forms, scan them, and mail them to the appropriate vendors."

"Thanks, Makoto! We'll make do until we get the new ones then."

Makoto waved as Hina turned and left his office. He then sighed and moved the stack of papers to the far corner of his desk.

"One more stack of paperwork to sign…as long as…"

"Headmaster Naegi!"

Makoto withheld his sigh as he looked up at his sister Komaru. "Hey sis, what can I help you with? And I told you before, you can still call me by my first name when it's just us or our friends."

Komaru rolled her eyes before she explained "Toko and I have been getting a lot of calls and e-mails from concerned parents. Apparently, they're objecting to some of the literature in this year's curriculum."

"On what grounds?"

Makoto frowned before Komaru explained with a pout "They're claiming that some of the content will make the students uncomfortable."

Makoto sighed in exasperation before he decided "Send me the list of literature you and Toko decided to teach this year and I'll review them. I don't want to dismiss the parents' concerns, but I don't want to engage in censorship just because some people feel uncomfortable."

"Sure, I'll let Toko know and we'll send you the list. Thanks, Headmaster!"

Makoto smiled at his sister before she turned around and walked out of the office.

"Well, at least it'll give me some pleasure reading…maybe Kyoko and I can read them together on the couch." Makoto smiled at the thought of an impromptu date night with his fiancée. "Hopefully, the rest of the day will be nice and qui…"

"Yo! Headmaster Naegi!"

Damn, I jinxed it! Keeping that thought to himself, he looked up at the former fortune teller. "Hiro, what is it this time? If this is about another broken crystal ball…"

"No, nothing like that. This is serious, for serious!"

"…Alright, Hiro, what did you need my attention for?"

"Well, I'm planning to start auditions for our first school play soon, but I can't think of anything for our first production!"

You're the drama teacher, how could you not have thought of a single play to perform? "If you're having trouble figuring out what play to perform, why don't you ask Toko? She must have read a bajillion plays by now. She's probably even written a few herself."

Hiro beamed as he exclaimed "You know, you're right! I'll ask her during lunch. Later, Headmaster!"

Once he left, Makoto sighed in relief. "There, at least there's one thing that doesn't require my attention. Maybe now I can…"

"Makoto."

Makoto felt like banging his head against the desk as Byakuya strolled in. The former Ultimate Affluent Progeny approached his boss with an air of superiority, as though their roles were reversed.

"Byakuya, what is it?" Irritation leaked into Makoto's voice as his employee walked over and slammed a folder on his desk.

"We need to talk about this latest financial report." Makoto opened the folder and scanned the front of the first paper as Byakuya explained. "Ever since the Future Foundation dissolved, our creditors haven't been paying on time."

Great, just what I need, financial problems burying this school just after we build it… Makoto pinched the bridge of his nose before he decided "I'll…talk to Kyoko…maybe her old detective connections can track down our creditors and convince them to pay up."

Byakuya nodded before he wordlessly turned around and walked out of the office. Makoto groaned and rested his hands against his face.

I swear, if I get one more piece of bad news, or request for supplies, or someone asking me for curriculum advice, I'm gonna…

"Makoto…"

"What?" He groaned from behind his hands, not bothering to see who had called his name. "What do you want from me?!"

"…I was just wondering if you wanted to grab a cup of coffee." Makoto's eyes widened as he lowered his hands and looked up at his concerned fiancée. "My calendar doesn't have many meetings today, so I thought we could grab some civet coffee before lunch."

Makoto sighed, feeling guilty for lashing out at the woman he intended to marry. "Sorry, Kyoko…I'm just…"

"Just what?" Kyoko pulled up a chair and sat down next to him. She looked into his eyes as she took his hands in her own and asked "What's wrong, Makoto?"

Makoto bit his lip, going back and forth over whether to vent to his fiancée about his frustrations. The gentle squeezing from her gloved hands made him cave.

"I've just…been feeling a little overwhelmed today. Hina came in and gave me some purchase forms for some gym supplies I need to sign off on. Then Komaru came in and said some parents complained to her and Toko about some of the books they're going to teach this year. Afterwards, Hiro came and tried to pick my brain about what play the drama club should do this semester. And as if that wasn't enough, Byakuya came and reported that some of our creditors haven't been paying their shares of the school's financial costs."

Kyoko frowned, finally realizing what her future husband was dealing with. "I see…everything's been piled on top of you this morning. But Makoto, these are just little things. You don't need to get all stressed about them."

"I know, but…" Makoto sighed and hung his head. "…What if I'm not good enough?" Kyoko stared incredulously at her fiancé as he admitted "What if I didn't think this through? Those kids deserve a headmaster who doesn't lose his composure at the first sign of trouble. What if I'm not good enough? What if I can't live up to the example your dad set?"

"My father?"

"I won't lie and say that he didn't make his share of mistakes, but he knew how to do his job, Kyoko. He knew how to be there for the students. And if I get stressed out from a few unanticipated errands…how can I possibly say that I'll be what the students need when we have a real crisis?"

"Makoto…" Kyoko sighed and wrapped her arms around Makoto, embracing him lovingly. As he blushed, Kyoko encouraged "Makoto, I know you like to think of my father as a role model, but he had a first day at this job too. I'm sure his first year on the job must have had some hiccups, and he must have felt the same kinds of anxieties that you're feeling right now."

"Yeah, but…didn't he have Chairman Tengan advising him?" Makoto pointed out. "He had the former headmaster himself…"

"And you have me." Kyoko interjected. "I was the Director of the Fourteenth Division, and even as a student detective, I visited his office numerous times. I've gained some idea of what his job entailed, so I can help you adjust to your responsibilities. Besides…"

Kyoko leaned over and kissed his cheek, darkening Makoto's blush and making Kyoko giggle.

"You said my father knew how to be there for the students, but so do you. Remember how many students have come to you for help, and how quickly you leapt into action to solve their problems?"

That's right…! Makoto realized, recalling all the times he had sat down with students from the freshman class.

"You told me yourself how you listened to their anxieties, and promised to accommodate them. And I've seen your work in action. This school has been a happier, more harmonious place than the original ever was. But you're only human, Makoto. You're allowed to feel stressed and upset. But when you do, come and tell me, and I'll do my best to help you and show you the ropes. You're the best choice to lead this school, Makoto, and the qualities that make you a good headmaster are also what made me love you."

Kyoko… Makoto breathed in awe before he watched Kyoko shed her right glove, revealing her scarred skin underneath.

"Don't sweat the little things, Makoto. You're worthy of the title of headmaster, just like you were worthy of the title of Ultimate Hope!"

Makoto chuckled before he nodded energetically, his self-confidence rejuvenated. "Thanks, Kyoko. I won't worry about the little things anymore."

"Pinky promise?" Kyoko asked as she raised her pinky.

"Pinky promise." Makoto agreed as he wrapped his pinky around her own, treating it like a solemn vow.

They let their pinkies linger, taking comfort in each other's touch until at last, Kyoko reluctantly removed her own finger from his. "Now then, why don't you and I go grab that coffee?" She slipped her glove back over her hand, obscuring the scars from view. "Afterwards I'll track down those creditors Byakuya told you about, but for now I want to enjoy a nice cup of coffee with the man I love."

"With donuts?"

"Yes, with donuts, as long as we don't tell Hina."

The both of them giggled as they stood up. Their fingers laced together as they walked hand-in-hand out of the office. Makoto wouldn't let the little things bother him anymore, thanks to Kyoko's promise to stay by his side.