Author's Notes: Greetings once again to all my beautiful readers! Whether this is your first time here or you've been along for the entire ride, welcome. And more than that, thank you all for hanging on this long. Hope you're all still enjoying the show.

Again, many thanks to my editor/beta, Enact. Mistakes, if there are any left, are probably mine.

For those of you who like P3 fics, I've started a Minato x Mitsuru story called Change of Engagement, and will be updating it on an alternating schedule with Continuance so they're both making progress. If that strikes your fancy, then give it a read.

And speaking of reading, enjoy!

Chapter 20

It was December 27th, and the Dojima household was under siege. The landing pad was littered with shoes and coats and scarves and hats of every shade and shape, contrasting quite well with the tidy wreaths and Christmas decorations Nanako and Souji had put up earlier in the week. The kitchen was home to an orchestra of sights and sounds and smells, from the massive turkey cooking in the oven to the knives cutting vegetables and hitting cutting boards to the heavy aroma of meats and onions and gravies. And all throughout the house were laughter and banter and chatter: the sounds of friends and family enjoying each other's company.

Dojima himself was leaning against the wall by the living room, enjoying a whiskey cocktail that Souji had handed him when he arrived. He'd been about to ask where Souji learned to mix drinks, and how he knew where the liquor stash was, but the slow burn of the whiskey and the sharp zest of his nephew's ingredients convinced him that the details didn't matter this time. It was perfect for taking the edge off the cold, and he was on his second one since Souji's friends arrived. Perhaps it was the drinks, or maybe he was just getting used to having so many teenagers around his house now, but their discussions and jokes sounded less like noise than they had more than a year ago. Even Tatsumi Kanji seemed like less like the punk he'd been on the news, fitting in with the likes of Shirogane Naoto and Amagi Yukiko.

Souji's guests weren't what he'd call his own friends, per se, but he couldn't help but feel the bonds they'd forged with each other, and with his nephew. And he was proud to say that he'd seen them grow in the visits to his house.

That thought made him glance into his glass. Geez, he'd have to take it easy – he was getting soft. Still, he couldn't help watching the group as they were clustered in groups around his house, from Souji and Teddie and Tatsumi Kanji in the kitchen, watching stove burners and oven gauges and the variety of pots and pans his nephew had on the go:

"…and he's interested in Ebihara Ai?"

Kanji shrugged, leaning against the fridge and careful not to get in his senpai's way. "He sure talked about her a lot. Her and manga artists. Don't think he ever mentioned anything else, and he was wondering if you had some advice for getting to know her. He's an alright guy, I guess, so I figured I'd ask."

"Who's Ebihara, Sensei?" Teddie asked, trying to sneak a spoon into the sauce dish.

Souji's brow creased, trying to find the right words to describe Ai while he snapped a spoon down on Teddie's utensil and ignored the exaggerated pout he got in response. "That's… a tough one. Ai's pretty selective when it comes to guys, and the only reason I know her is out of dumb luck. The most I can recommend is that he get to know her as a person first, not as a student. But I'm sure that goes without saying."

"Kinda, yeah. It'd help if you could pass on something specific for him, y'know? I'm not sure if he'll really get anywhere, but, I dunno, maybe he'll get somewhere with her."

"I'll think of something," he promised, reaching for the spice rack. Then he spoke without looking to the side: "Leave it alone Teddie, or Nanako might get a new bear quilt for Christmas."

The blonde stopped with his hand over the bread basket, still warm from the oven and smelling heavenly with fresh butter and garlic and herbs. "But… but Sensei, it'll just be one!"

"No. We'll wait until it's all ready, or you won't have any room for the rest."

Teddie slouched back with an exaggerated grumble and contented himself with watching the others.

…to Satonaka Chie and Shirogane Naoto standing by the kitchen table, with the latter cutting vegetables on a cutting board and the former leaning over with a look of intense concentration on her face:

"Huh. So that's how tough the exams are? I knew there'd be a physical test, but they throw that much book work at you?"

"They were a challenge for me," Naoto replied, focused on the cutting board and vegetables in front of her and careful with the knife as she answered the questions, "but I'm not familiar with the candidacy exams for the local officers. Dojima-san would be a better source of information than I on that subject."

"He won't say," Chie replied with a small frown. "Says it's a better test if I go in not knowing what's going to be on the exam. I mean, how does that even work? My teachers always gave us a review and an idea of what we were facing."

"Then they may expect you to study and memorize all the material," Naoto suggested. "Even in Inaba, they want the best candidates for the position. Especially considering what you might face in the line of duty."

"I know," Chie sighed, watching her kouhai's swift, sure movements. "Doesn't make it any easier though."

…to Nanako and Hanamura Yosuke, sitting on the couch, and Amagi Yukiko, kneeling by the table.

"I'm glad we could get together so soon after Christmas," Yukiko told them, cheeks still flushed from the cold. Because of her responsibilities at the Inn, she'd arrived just recently and was warming her hands on a mug of hot chocolate. "Honestly, I was expecting all of us to have plans."

"My parents are working tonight," Yosuke put in, stretching against the cushions, "so this is a lot better than leftovers and instant noodles. Besides, there's no such thing as too many times to hang out together with good food, right Nanako-chan?"

The girl was leaning into the corner of the couch, dressed in her usual white and pink, but her hair bows were a festive green and red, and she nodded at him, but then looked past him with rapt interest. He followed her gaze, turning toward the kitchen, and chuckled when he saw what had her attention.

"I want to learn to cook more," Nanako told him, happily looking over at where Souji and Naoto were hard at work. "Breakfast is always better when Big Bro's here. And I want to cook for Dad when he's around."

Yukiko nodded with a smile. "That's a great idea, Nanako-chan."

"I'm sure Souji'd teach you if you asked him," Yosuke told her. "I mean, you can do a lot worse for teachers. Or maybe Naoto – at least she's using a cookbook. You could definitely learn from her."

Because of how close the couch was to the table, Chie perked up at Nanako's voice, and turned with a cold glare at Yosuke's words. "Hey, you know that cake you were so big on last year? We helped make that too, so it's not like everything we touch turns out bad."

"You had Naoto helping you," Yosuke pointed out. "So you can't take credit for that. And if you're so sure of yourself, which course are you covering?" Naoto glanced up, watching them bemusedly in her stained white apron while she was up to her elbows in salad mixings. Behind the girls was Souji, clad in a grey dress shirt and black slacks, both which were still mostly pristine, who broke off his conversation with Kanji to give Yosuke a sharp stare and a shake of the head.

"That's just because she's using a cookbook," Chie shot back. "And because the table's too small for more workers, or I'd be helping too."

"Why was it her idea to use a cookbook in the first place?" Yosuke groaned, leaning back and rolling his eyes. Then he turned to his young companion with a lopsided smirk and a wink. "See, Nanako-chan? If your brother's too busy, you can always ask Naoto to teach you. She'll give you the best advice."

"Don't listen to him, Nanako-chan," Chie replied with a tight smile, glaring at Yosuke. "Cooking's like fighting – sometimes you just have to do it by feel and jump in, no matter what's on the other side."

"I don't recall seeing a cake recipe that involved saffron and tarragon, like Rise-san suggested," Naoto murmured, looking at the pages of the book Souji had given her. "Or Tabasco sauce. And while many artists claim a measure of intuition in producing their work, a steady grasp of the basics should be given priority to unguided experimentation."

"Regardless of the process," Souji cut in from behind them, "it's most important that the food be cooked and finished so it can be eaten. There's no point in trying for something and having it not work out."

Naoto nodded and continued her cutting, glancing between her two senpai. "I agree. The end result is what matters. And Souji-senpai and I have things under control, Chie-senpai, so don't let Yosuke-senpai provoke you."

The martial artist bit her tongue for a moment, then narrowed her eyes. "You really should follow your own advice, Yosuke, or you'll die at university from living off noodles and pocky."

"Funny thing is, I still think I'd live longer than if I tried whatever you were trying to make," Yosuke muttered as Nanako and Yukiko laughed.

"Just because you don't know good food doesn't mean mine's always going to be terrible, you know. It just takes practice and the right ingredients, and I'll bet you I can make meals as good as Souji."

Yosuke shook his head after rolling his eyes. "How does that old saying go? 'It's alright to learn from your mistakes, but try not to learn so much'?"

There was a cold growl near the table, and Kanji broke off his own conversation to look at Souji. "Uh, Senpai? You've got all the knives, right?"

"That'll do, you two," Souji told them firmly. "No bloodshed before holiday meals – Dojima family rules." Chie glared and Yosuke smirked, and it wasn't until Nanako asked Yosuke a question about Junes that the tension began to fade. Naoto sighed and continued her chopping while Souji shook his head and continued talking to Teddie and Kanji.

And so the night continued. The tale had nearly caved in from all the food Souji had spent the day making, from French bread soaked in garlic and butter to North American stuffing and a turkey glistening in its own juices to an Italian salad and sauces, and a variety of other dishes from all across the globe. He'd even made a small curry dish at Dojima's request, and Yosuke had made a point of grabbing some before it disappeared. "Now this is real curry," he murmured around the mouthful, ignoring the glare Chie gave him. Souji himself spent half the evening in the kitchen, trading out dishes and mixing drinks (always keeping a close eye on Teddie and Yukiko) and turning down offers to help. The only time he recruited the others was to clear off the table, and even that was secondary to the gifts the group had brought for Nanako, which were set carefully on the table while she was nearly buried in wrapping paper. Souji used the time to fetch a box from his room, and gave Naoto and Kanji a set of books, on machinery construction and needlework, respectively, some DVDs to Chie, a set of headphones to Yosuke, and a new phone for Teddie. Nanako had as much fun looking through the gifts he'd gotten for the others than she did with the ones given to her. "Hey, Big Bro?" she asked as she looked around the table, "didn't you get anything for Big Sis Yukiko?"

Half the table burst into chuckles and suggestions and knowing looks. Souji took Yosuke's ribbing and Chie's laughs in stride, but it was Yukiko who answered the question. "He's giving me my present later, Nanako-chan," she told the girl, "but thank you for thinking about that."

Dojima had to wonder what that meant, especially since his nephew refused to talk about it when the others asked. But then Souji brought out dessert and coffee, and the topics shifted again.

It was late in the evening before the others left, and most of them hadn't wanted to move from where they were sitting after such a fine meal, but eventually they all got up and made promises with Souji to get together before January. Nanako was so tuckered out that she was sleepily saying her goodbyes from the couch, curled up against the arm. Dojima nodded and smiled as they left, returning a few bows from the group. As Souji said a few last farewells, the elder of the two walked over to the couch and watched his sleeping daughter. She was the picture of a happy evening: her cheeks were still a little flushed from her laughter over dinner, hair starting to escape the loosening bows, and her hands tucked under her chin in loose fists. Every now and again she'd open and close her fingers and murmur something in her sleep before going still again. She looked younger in repose than she did up and around, small enough to fit on his arm. Finally he approached her, kneeling down next to the couch.

"Come on, Nanako," Dojima whispered, shaking her gently. She didn't make a sound then, just curled into the couch a little more and sighed in her sleep. Souji and Dojima watched her for a moment, matching smiles on their faces as they looked at the girl who'd become the cornerstone of their family. "I'll put her to sleep," the detective quietly told his nephew, leaning over to gently scoop his daughter up.

Souji nodded, not stopping his eyes from following her as his uncle took her to bed. He allowed himself a few moments to take in the peace of his home, still humming with the voices of his friends. The memories of this place never compared to actually being here, and while some might say that being around the same people so often was bound to get old, he never felt like they were an imposition. They were all his family.

"Need a break from your break?" Dojima inquired dryly as he returned, seeing his nephew where he'd left him and a relaxed smile on his face.

"Not really," he replied, leaning against the kitchen table. "Just thinking."

Dojima chuckled before heading toward the sink. "Coffee?"

"Sure." While Dojima filled the pot and brought out the cream and sugar, Souji finished washing the plates and dishes. The kitchen was home to their tinkering and light conversation as they easily worked around each other in the small space. Finally the dishes were clean and Dojima carried two steaming mugs to the table. Souji dried off his hands and sank into the chair across from his uncle with a small sigh, not unlike Nanako's before.

"So what're your plans?" Dojima asked while they waited for their coffee to cool. "You still have correspondence courses to complete, right? What then?"

"Studying, part-time work, get ready for the entrance exams in the fall," Souji replied, stretching in place. "I imagine I'll be here a lot though. Most of my studies will be online, so I'll be around to help out around the house if you need it."

"You're not our maid, you know," Dojima commented with a smirk, leaning back in his chair and folding his fingers, resting his left arm on the chair's back. "You can do whatever you like while you're here. But if you're going to be around for the rest of the year, I guess we can expect more visits from your friends?"

"Probably. I'll make sure they stay under control." Souji sipped at his coffee before carefully setting it down, but his hands froze on it and a flash of something crossed his face. It looked like a mix of surprise and wariness, but then it subsided behind an apprehensive set to his features.

Thinking he was just winding down from the evening, his uncle chuckled. "It's alright. If I had any concerns about it, you would've heard about them by now. Same with Amagi Yukiko." The mention of her name made Souji blink and stare into his coffee. "If you want to see her here, then I'm alright with that. You don't need my permission, and I trust your judgment." Now there was a distinct tapping from the other side of the table, and Dojima's eyebrow raised while he took a long swig of coffee. "Something wrong?"

"Well, about her," Souji muttered while still tapping his mug. He was at a loss for words, and tried to cover up his fidgeting with a pull of caffeine. "I'm planning on helping Yukiko around the Inn for a few hours on New Year's Eve," he told Dojima finally. "I'll make sure Nanako's taken care of before then if you have to work."

"It shouldn't be a problem," he replied with a sip of coffee. "I've already booked some time off. A few rookies owe me some favours, so there won't be any last-minute hitches."

"I see," Souji commented, tapping a nail against the handle of his mug. "That's good. I'm sure Nanako will like that."

"Yeah." Dojima stared blankly at his nephew, and for a moment it felt like they were in the interrogation room at the station. The nervous taps, the unsteady breathing, how he was shifting and fidgeting in his seat. After all the things his nephew had seen and done during his time in Inaba, what was making him so nervous now?

"I talked to Yukiko earlier," he began, carefully choosing his words. "And she said her parents would be around on New Year's. And I was wondering if you had any plans for that evening."

"I was planning on spending it with Nanako," Dojima replied, keeping his face neutral. "Unless something else comes up."

"I… well, I was wondering if you could stop by the Inn if you get a chance," Souji told him in a rush.

The elder of the two blinked a few times, then concealed his knowing smile behind another drink of coffee. "I see. Was there a particular reason you wanted me to visit?"

"Yukiko's parents have been asking about me," the younger man confessed, "and it seems that they'd like to speak to a relative of mine, as a character reference or something. And since you're here, and you know me pretty well, I was hoping you could do me a favour."

Dojima couldn't help it. He chuckled at Souji's fidgeting and nervousness, and broke out laughing when the teen turned a half-hearted glare at him. "Meeting her parents, are you?"

"I met them back in May," Souji replied shortly, looking toward the kitchen sink and drumming his fingers on the table. "Her mother seemed alright with me, but her father… that was a different matter."

"Runs in the family," Dojima told him through his mirth, and explained further when he caught his nephew's curious glance. "Chisato's parents were a mixed bag when we first started going out, but it was the other way around for me. Her father was in my corner from the moment I opened the door, and her mother never had a good word to say to me. Still," he continued with a grin, "this is a good challenge for you."

"I think I could do without it," Souji replied with a low groan and a yawn. "Still, could you talk to them for me?"

The detective leaned closer, never losing his grin. "Are you sure you want me to talk to them so soon? I think the challenge would be good for you. I've seen you charm the fangs out of a rattlesnake, so working with the Amagis will keep you from taking their daughter for granted."

"Do you really think I'd do that with Yukiko?" the teen asked flatly.

"You never know. Not now or any time soon, but who knows where the future will go? Lots of couples take each other for granted after they've been together for a while." Dojima finished off his coffee and pushed himself out of his chair. "If you are going to be working there, then you should get some rest. I imagine you're going to have a long few days soon. And let me know what times work for the Amagis," he told Souji as he passed him on the way to his room.

There was a sigh of relief from the table, and a creak as a body leaned back, relaxed, into the chair. "Thanks, Uncle Dojima. I owe you one."

And so it was that Souji had slipped into the Amagi Inn on New Year's Eve, using the side entrance and dodging the many guests in the foyers and sleeping quarters. Yukiko hadn't been clear on exactly what she needed help with, but he got the impression that whatever it entailed, there would be time to spend with her. And that was more than enough to convince him.

However, for all the support he got from his girlfriend and the rest of the staff, Amagi Katsushiro had been particularly curt when they met in the hallway. "If you're going to be here, then you may as well make yourself useful. There are some boxes and crates that need to be moved – Yukiko can show you where they are," the man informed him with dark eyes and a grim scowl. "And I'm sure Yukimura will have work for you in the kitchen. Make sure you don't disturb our customers when you're working."

The temperature slowly rose after the man left, and Souji shook his head. It seemed the man hadn't warmed up to him in his absence. They'd had their misunderstandings perhaps, but couldn't he work past them? Yukiko, on the other hand, took the time to give directions or suggestions whenever she could, busy as she was with running the Inn on behalf of her parents 'for practice', and while playing the part of a packhorse hadn't been what he'd expected for the evening, he was willing to take what he could get.

While he was hauling boxes from one storage room or the other to the different parts of the Inn, she took the time to guide him to where they needed to go until he knew where he was going, and even after that. While she was walking in front of him, he let his body go on autopilot and his mind wander. And when his eyes dropped below her shoulders, he couldn't help but notice the way her kimono was hugging the swells of her hips and swaying of her rear as she walked. Maybe his eyes needed to be checked, but he swore that she'd grown since the last time he'd really looked at her. A little taller, and her figure was definitely taking on a curve that was harder than ever to ignore. He didn't like thinking of his girlfriend in the purely physical sense, but he couldn't deny that now she was more beautiful than ever. And when she looked back at him, he pulled his eyes back up and smiled until they reached the room.

He'd bent down to drop off one crate and pick up another, this one with linens, and turned as he rose, looking to her for directions again. Her eyes shot up to meet his, and he couldn't help but notice the small blush and smile she wore as she directed him down the halls. He took in the view she offered as she walked in front of him, but noticed that the back-and-forth motion was more distinct this time, like she was trying to get his attention. But what had she seen that amused her? What was the joke?

He'd been up in his own head when they reached a crossroads in the corridor, and ended up passing by the turn. He came back to his surroundings when Yukiko called him back, but when he turned, he caught where her eyes had been before they rose to meet his. If he had to guess, she was looking at him around waist level.

Souji didn't bother hiding his smile. Clever girl. It seemed that two could play the game, and she wasn't going to let him have all the fun. The smile she gave him in return was more appreciative than appropriate, and she didn't look away when he looked at her knowingly. "Shall we?" he inquired with a nod down the hall. She turned to walk next to him and they continued to their destination, hiding their wandering eyes and appraising looks behind idle chatter.

She was called away when they dropped off the last crate, but they'd had their fun for the time being. He was still admiring her, and her hips and backside, when Yukimura, the Inn's head chef, found him and asked if he knew his way around a cutting board. Yukiko was already around the corner, so Souji didn't bother with words – he just started walking toward the kitchen. He was set on washing and cutting duties when they got there, despite his protests that he could do more. "It's what we need done for now," Yukimura explained, "and there aren't enough burners for more cooks." So Souji rolled up his sleeves and began washing and peeling and cutting in the middle of the spacious kitchens.

Of course, being distinctive and so readily available was tantamount to an unspoken offer of scrutiny by all the Inn staff, and he'd never have believed that the cleaners would have a reason to pass through the main kitchens, clear across the Inn grounds, until he heard them pitch in with the questions. He focused on cutting meats and stirring pots to keep busy while they all took turns noting different things to each other and prodding him curiously. When he finally could get in a word edgewise, asking Yukimura what else needed his attention, the chef just shrugged and went back to giving orders. It didn't escape Souji's attention that while the kitchen staff were ordered around like recruits on a training course, the others were exempt from the head chef's commands and observations. And they, of course, were the ones asking the questions and making the comments.

"Yukiko-chan talks about you all the time, so where have you been until now? If Dojima-san's your uncle, where does the rest of your family live?"

"I hope you know what you're getting into – Katsushiro-san hasn't had much good to say about you so far."

"Don't let that bother you. Ryoko-san talked about the flowers you sent Yukiko-chan, so you probably have her on your side."

"Ahhh, so you sent that bouquet. You made a good choice, using such a wide selection. Who taught you hanakotoba?"

The queries and comments might have gone on longer had silence not struck and rippled through the staff like a rock to water when Katsushiro entered the room. Workers in the kitchen went back to their duties, still talking among themselves, while the others were soon nowhere to be seen. "How is Seta-kun performing, Yukimura-san?" the man asked in a tone that was anything but welcoming.

"Quite well for the moment, Katsushiro-san," was the chef's smooth reply. "He follows instructions well and adapts without needing very much time." Souji shook his head, keeping to himself how quickly having people talk about him like he wasn't in the room could kill his mood. He stared back when Yukiko's father looked at him, unblinking.

"If you're done here, I'd like to talk to you." And Katsushiro turned toward the door, not waiting for a response. Souji grimaced and checked his tongue before following the man to a simple meeting room. Katsushiro closed the doors on his end, and gestured for Souji to do the same. After he did, he knelt on the floor before the table, staring at the man without fear. Katsushiro's dark gaze pinned him in place, but the younger man didn't flinch. Both were silent for a moment until the older of the two spoke. "You weren't here long enough in May to make much of an impression. Now's as good a time as any to correct that."

Souji felt the chill off the man, and instead of warning him off, it just got on his nerves. He could understand the man being protective of his daughter and skeptical of her suitors, but this was pushing it. "Respectfully, Amagi-san, if there's something you'd like to discuss, then let's discuss it."

It was hard to tell, but Souji thought he saw the man's mouth quirk a little, like he was suppressing a smile. "To be associated with the Amagi family means accepting our tradition and living up to our expectations. Yukiko's going to inherit the Inn at some point. Not soon, but eventually, and she'll need skilled people around her to help her. While I can't see why, she's rather fond of you. It's logical that she'll want you to support her when that happens. I want you to tell me how you plan to do that."

"I grew up around businessmen, Amagi-san. I know my way around budgets and customers better than I do my own clothes. And, if I'm able to, I plan on using those skills to help Yukiko with the Inn."

"That's a rather tame show of commitment, Seta-kun," Katsushiro snapped. "If you plan on helping her, you'll need to do better than just paying lip service and telling me what you think I want to hear; it won't help her if you end up being a dead weight."

Souji couldn't help the near-glare that twisted his face. That was pushing it, but now he could take the gloves off. If the man wanted to see what he could do, then it was only polite to give a stellar performance. And it was high time listening to his parents for so long came in handy for something. "You want me to talk business, Amagi-san? Because I'd be more than happy to if you have the time."

"That sounds like a challenge," Katsushiro noted with a brittle smile.

"It is if you want to take it as one."

Yukiko's father chuckled coldly and gestured to the younger man. "Very well then. Show me."

He'd been categorizing the details since Yukiko had mentioned visiting the Inn at the Christmas party, so he didn't need any notes. Instead, he took a deep breath to collect his thoughts and began, looking Katsushiro square in the eye. "The hospitality industry, not just here, is a fickle field for investment and performance. You have a strong foundation in terms of your employees and reputation, and the Inn itself is sturdy and very well maintained, but there are always external factors. Like keeping large reservations on schedule, having other groups to make up the difference if some cancel at the last minute, and finding the space for everyone if they all show up at once. Then performance of the staff when things are busy, making sure the service is excellent regardless of how many guests are here and making connections with new clients so that there's a supply of new business. Inaba might not have much of a draw by itself, but there is the rail line that goes through to Okina City, not to mention how much ryokan can be advertised in cities on either side of that rail line, like Tsuyama, Mimasaka and Okayama.

"Then there's the matter of supplies. Not just for what can come from anywhere, like food, cutlery and other raw materials, which you can buy from Junes, but also for the things that require a more personal touch. That's why your family has such a strong working relationship with Tatsumi Textiles and Marukyu Tofu. It's why, if I had to guess, Junes made several overtures to you when they first opened. And you probably haven't taken them up on those offers, even when they became more and more attractive from a business perspective."

Katsushiro's eyes twitched when Junes was mentioned, and Souji could see a small, grudging smile struggle its way across his lips. He might not say it, but that was what he'd expected to hear. But he showed none of that in his voice. "Continue."

"The topic of clientele is a more varied one than it initially seems," Souji proceeded without hesitation, "because keeping customers and attaining new ones is not only the whole point of running a business in the service industry, it's also the most fluid aspect of the business itself. Most companies rely on local events, regular customers and times of the season, and new businesses opening in neighbouring cities as a means of advertising their services. Because Inaba's a bit remote, a new angle would need to be taken to have the same effect, being an increase in business, without requiring the other variables to change. We can't rely on other businesses to open in Okina City, after all, and leave the rest to hope and luck."

"Perhaps. If that were the case, how would you address it?"

"There are a number of ways, but most of my ideas involve word of mouth and communication with other business circles, tapping into younger markets than what you have now so that when Yukiko inherits the Inn, her client base will be sustainable." Souji deliberately kept his own part in the future scenario to himself, and Katsushiro didn't miss it if the narrow glare was any indication. "And it's not to say that your clients won't support her when she does take over, but more that they might not be in a position to patronize the Inn in ten years, for example. So she'll need to tap a younger circle of customers, expand her reach if she wants to maintain the status quo, or even grow larger. I know people who can help with that, open connections to groups that might remain untapped otherwise."

The suspicion was obvious in Katsushiro's eyes, but so was the grudging respect that had wormed past his defences. He stared at the younger man for a moment, then checked his watch before rising and walking toward the door. "Very well, Seta-kun. You've made your point. I have some things to look after. You can go back to work."

Souji bowed politely to the man, holding back a triumphant smile as best he could. "Of course, Amagi-san. It was a pleasure." He was aiming for stoic and polite, but he was sure some satisfaction was in his voice. Katsushiro grunted once as he passed and slid the door shut behind him. Souji allowed himself to bask in the small victory for a few moments before exiting the room and heading back toward the kitchen. He had just turned a corner, however, when he nearly bumped into Yukiko, who was leaning against the wall with empty hands. Her working apron was missing and she wasn't flushed or looking down any hall of the corridor intersection. She was off the clock, he deduced, or as off the clock as she ever was. She stepped closer, head tilted and arms linked behind her back. "You were talking with Daddy?"

"Discussing business," he replied diplomatically, not letting the man's attitude sour his tone. Yukiko always brought out the best in him. "It seemed like he had some concerns about how well I understood the resources needed for the Inn to thrive the way it does."

"He was testing you?"

"It did seem that way."

"So you're done talking with him?"

"I believe so. He said he had something else to deal with, and suggested I go back to what I was doing before." He shrugged and quirked an eyebrow. "I was heading back to the kitchen, unless I get a better offer."

"I have one for you," she replied swiftly. "An idea on how we can spend the evening," she added with a spark of mischief in her eye and a small smile that reminded him of her mother. "It's New Year's Eve. And I think the staff can look after the Inn on their own for a while."

He took a moment to switch gears and let what she said sink in before leaning closer, a slow smile spreading across his face. He loved his girlfriend, and he could admit that to himself without a moment's pause, but there were aspects of her that he was finding absolutely irreplaceable. And this part of her, canny and ready to bend the rules when she wanted, was quickly catching his attention and holding on tight. His eyes matched hers and his voice lowered, taking on a conspiratorial note. "I'm all ears. What did you have in mind?"

"I want to visit the shrine," she told him. "Tonight. So we can see the new year and make our wishes. Just the two of us."

He didn't have to think about his answer; it was on his lips as soon as she stopped speaking. "Sounds good. And with the moon out, it shouldn't be hard to see," Souji replied quietly, taking in the moment for as long as it lasted. She really was beautiful when she smiled like that. "Not to mention that the crowds should be gone by now."

She nodded and began backing away. "I'll meet you at the side doors. Wait for me. I want to get changed first."

It was an easy mistake to make, thinking that Amagi Ryoko's staid smile and impeccable manners were the product of a mind restricted by tradition and protocol, too narrow for subterfuge. She had a beauty, many would say, that rivalled that of a classical painting. And like a painting, all that one needed to know about her was on display for any who looked. An easy mistake, and often a critical one, that she encouraged by allowing her husband to tend to the more direct business matters while she observed and planned at his side. People knew to watch their words with him, but were rarely so careful around her, and every mistake they made was an opportunity she could capitalize on.

It was how she'd dodged the minefields that were the various engagement offers in her youth. It was how the Inn, for all the troubles they might have had in the past, was flourishing and growing every year, no matter how much Yukiko fretted over the subject. And it was why she'd chosen to sit back and watch her daughter's blossoming relationship with Souji-kun, content to wait and see what he did and how Yukiko responded. So far, she had nothing to complain about.

But, for all her talent and experience, she needed none of those sharp observations and honed insights to know that her husband was as cross as a tiger with sore teeth. His quiet muttering and tight, sharp pacing, always turning in place mere inches from the vase where Souji's elegant bouquet to their daughter sat, filled the room more than his considerable size already did.

"How did your talk with Souji-kun go?" she asked finally from where she was working on the ledgers. It didn't take a fortune teller to figure out what had put him into such a mood in so little time. And, predictable as a metronome, his eyes snapped up in a glare fierce enough to strip the lacquer off the wood floors. A glare that turned back to the floor when she stared back at him coolly. He continued his pacing, less angry but still edgy and anything but smooth.

Finally Ryoko sighed and turned in her seat to address him. "Why does it bother you?" she asked softly, not letting his agitation sway her.

"Why doesn't it bother you?" he shot back, finally pulling out of his fuming and turning to face her.

"Because I see how happy she is," was her quiet response, and any reply he had died off as he stared at her. "And because I trust her. If I thought Souji-kun was wrong for her, he wouldn't ever set foot on these grounds again. But I don't. Yukiko's growing up in ways I never thought I'd see, and more importantly, she's never been this happy, even with Chie and her other friends. You saw her earlier, didn't you? She's not that happy just because it's New Year's Eve; it's because of him. If she believes in him that much, is it really so wrong to give him an honest chance?"

"You think they're ready for that?"

His words were sharp enough to cut glass, but Amagi Ryoko saw past them and caught a glimmer of something in his eyes. She didn't need time to interpret it, because she'd felt it herself months ago: fear. Her husband, for all the bite he showed the world, was still a father with a daughter who was almost entirely grown up. A daughter he had been looking out for since she was old enough to crawl, had been protecting from the world as she grew in beauty and stature, and had been supporting since the day she first called him "Papa" or "Daddy." And now he was watching the woman she'd become move forward with her own life when it felt like only last week that she'd been in braids and pink dresses, asking to keep a stray puppy and bringing a rambunctious, short-haired tomboy over to play.

Ryoko stepped up to her husband and slid her arms around him, slipping into a loose embrace. He didn't bother trying to keep up his harsh façade by that point. Instead he melted against her, returning the gesture and resting his head on hers. He tightened his arms around her, holding her close. So close that she could hear his heartbeat. She returned the squeeze and let him soak up the calm she felt. "When did she grow up so much?" he asked her, sounding wistful and a little lost. "When did she start getting interested in boys and skipping classes to visit them on the other side of the country?"

"She's growing up," Ryoko told him, just as quiet. "She's found something she wants, and she's holding onto it as much as she can. You can't blame her for that."

"You never went that far," he noted quietly.

She chuckled, a sharp, canny look to her eyes. "I never needed to. Everything I wanted was polite enough to come to me."

"Would you have gone to Tokyo to see some guy you liked though?"

She pulled back a little and looked him in the eye. Another time, she would have told him it depended on how broad the guy's shoulders were, or how tight his ass was. But her husband wasn't looking for jokes, so she gave him the truth. "No. I would have gone further. Much further."

"And you're alright with that?"

"She's not a child anymore," Ryoko pointed out. "There will be a day when she'll take over running the Inn, and she'll have to shoulder the decisions without us."

"And Seta will be here to help her," he noted tonelessly. "Do you think he's right for her? After everything he's been involved in, from the police and those murders to Risette, don't you think she could be making a mistake?"

"If he's capable enough, then he'll help her when she takes over," she told him. "And I think Souji-kun cares for her, no matter what happens around him. Because he doesn't seem like he looks for trouble on his own. You talked to him; what do you think? Does he really seem so bad for her?"

He was silent, looking at nothing for a moment, then gave a heavy sigh. "He knows business and economics." Ryoko had to smile – much as Souji-kun might impress her husband, the man wouldn't be caught dead encouraging him. "If he sharpens those skills, then Yukiko won't need any help running the Inn."

And won't need us. Ryoko heard the words even though he hadn't said them. "You know that's not true," she replied immediately, narrowing her eyes and tapping him authoritatively on the chest. "She may have grown up, yes, but she'll always be our daughter. And you'll always be her father. There will never be a day when she won't need you, because that's not something that will ever change. If it isn't for support, it will be for advice or help that we can give her. Don't ever think she won't need us."

He looked at her for several long moments, then chuckled and gave a nod before pulling her close again. "I suppose you're right. I just wish she had better taste in boys."

"There have been others worse than Souji-kun," she told him. "He's not as bad as you want him to be, no matter how many stories you've heard about him." He gave a grunt, but didn't speak again. "Besides," she continued with a knowing smile after a few moments of unbroken peace, "is that really why you don't like him? Because he's an unknown variable from the city and has succeeded where no one else has?"

Katsushiro pulled back, looking at her with a puzzled frown. "What other reason is there?"

"He doesn't remind you of anyone?" she teased as she leaned against him more. "A certain supply delivery man who refused to take 'no' for an answer from his company's client's daughter?"

He looked startled for a moment, then tried to glare at her even as his scowl cracked into a grin. "I was more reliable than he's proving to be," he insisted. "You never saw me on the front covers of celebrity magazines. Or spending time with teen idols and hell raisers in biker gangs."

She chuckled, a teasing set to her lips. "But he's no less dedicated. And if I recall correctly, you had to work past your share of suitors and misconceptions. My parents thought you were… do you remember the words they used?" she asked slyly, pretending to forget.

"'Reckless, loud, and bad-mannered,'" he supplied with a wry smirk. "'Completely unsuited for the management of a dive bar, never mind an Inn with a rich history.'"

"I believe my father hated you after we were married too," she continued with a twinkle in her eye.

Katsushiro grunted, finally breaking from his gloom. For all the grief his in-laws had given him, they were easily his greatest source of humour now that those days were over. There was no denying that he'd contemplated murder when they were doing everything in their power to keep him away from his wife, but now he could look at the memories and understand a little of where they were coming from. And take pride that he'd won in the end.

"And you came through it for the better," she noted with a smile. "From a delivery man and truck driver to the Inn's assistant manager, fighting every step of the way."

"It was worth it," Katsushiro assured her, leaning in for a kiss that his wife happily gave. A child and twenty years of marriage hadn't changed how easily she could get under his skin and brush away his problems.

"Do you feel better now?" she inquired as the kiss ended, resting her hands on his hips.

His lips quirked, almost into a smile, then he gave a dry chuckle. "I will be," he replied, grazing her cheek with his thumb. "I don't have to like him though, do I?"

"It's your choice, but don't let Yukiko hear you say that," she advised with a smirk that lit her eyes up like fireflies.

There was a series of knocks at the door, stopping him from responding. "Excuse me," Kasai called through the door. "Dojima-san has arrived. He's waiting in the east foyer."

"Thank you, Kasai," Ryoko replied, still smiling at her reticent husband. "We'll be with him shortly. How is Yukiko handling the guests?"

There was a slight pause, and when Kasai answered, there was a smile in her tone. "She has been doing quite well. I was about to see if she required any help now, actually."

"Of course. Thank you."

It wasn't Dojima's first time to the Amagi Inn. Last time he'd been here, it had been for business. Collecting statements and trying to get answers out of concerned parents hadn't given him time to become acquainted with them, and while he could sympathize with them for being worried about their only daughter, he'd had other things on his mind.

Now he could enjoy the ambiance of the ryokan while he waited, breathing in the scent of incense and fresh snow. The room wasn't particularly large, but it was certainly clean, and had a lived-in feeling with a low table that reminded him of his own living room. He pulled his jacket off and began going over his words, noting for the fourth time that evening how odd the situation felt. He'd expected to have this discussion with the first guy who wanted to ask Nanako out (and he was already sharpening barbs for the day it happened), but he'd never expected to have to speak to a girl's parents on behalf of his nephew. That said, it wasn't as onerous a task as he let Souji think it was – more than anything, it reinforced in his mind that the promise they'd made before was still in effect. That Souji and Nanako were his family, and no price was too high for them.

Of course, only Nanako was allowed to know that – it was good for Souji to have to sweat a little sometimes.

The door on the far end of the room slid open and revealed the Amagis. He took the spare moment to go over the details of the pair before he smiled and nodded to them. If there were ever someone who didn't have the right to judge a couple on their appearances, it was him. Chisato had reminded him of that more than once, often when they were going for family pictures. But he couldn't help smiling to himself as he matched gazes with the imposing Amagi Katsushiro and the polite Amagi Ryoko. The man reminded him of so many other local businessmen in Inaba, with that firm veneer of authority and pride, but Dojima caught the respect in his eyes. At least he wouldn't try to throw his weight around, or hadn't yet. And his wife, well, he'd heard enough about her to know better than to underestimate her.

"Detective Dojima-san," Ryoko greeted with a polite bow, which he smoothly returned. "It's wonderful to see you again. Please, sit, make yourself comfortable."

"Thank you," he replied, sinking to the floor and resting in front of the table. "I appreciate you taking the time to see me. I know this is a busy time of year for you."

Katsushiro had nodded in greeting and took a seat across from him. "Not at all," Ryoko answered as she lowered herself next to her husband, with considerably more grace than either man had. "It can't be a simple matter for a detective to set time aside for a personal visit. Thank you for the opportunity."

"Especially if it clarifies some things about Seta," Katsushiro added in a neutral tone, dark eyes serious but steady. "We have some questions that Yukiko feels you would be able to answer, and he's your nephew, if I recall."

Ryoko glanced at her husband for a split-second, something unreadable in her eyes, but continued without a hitch. "Souji-kun's involvement with Yukiko has us curious about some things, Dojima-san, particularly since we know so little about him personally. It's made us curious about him, especially since he's gained so much attention in a relatively short time."

"I understand," Dojima replied with a wry smile. "Souji's made a habit of standing out, when he's here and when he isn't, so I doubt you're taking well to him getting involved with your daughter. I understand how you feel; I'll probably be the same way when Nanako's her age."

At the mention of his daughter, Ryoko nodded in recognition. "Yukiko's talked about Nanako-chan before, and she was a delight when she stayed the night last October. Very mature and well-mannered. She's doing well, I hope?"

"Quite well, and thank you for asking."

"I'd heard about her incident last year," she ventured carefully. "I'm glad she's alright after all that."

"Nanako's a fighter," Dojima replied proudly. "Nothing keeps her down for long. She was itching to get out of the hospital and play in the snow long before I was. And Souji's been through the mill, and I've never heard him complain, so she comes by it pretty honestly."

"You touched on a point before, Dojima-san," Katsushiro brought up, "that you felt I might object to your nephew seeing our daughter. Why do you assume that? Or has he mentioned our meeting back in May?"

Dojima chuckled. "Souji never talked much when he got here two years ago, so it might sound strange, but he has a way of making waves wherever he goes, and with whoever happens to be around. Whether it was making new friends here or getting involved in things that normal students wouldn't bother with, he's changed things and people around him for as long as he's been here. So it's easy to see why you might think he's a troublemaker or unreliable, and if I didn't see it myself, I wouldn't believe that things just happen around him the way they do. But it looks like he was born under the right sign to live an interesting life.

"Whatever happens around him though, I know that he always works for what's best for his friends." The detective gave a dry, almost grudging smile. "Even when those friends are high-profile celebrities or teenagers well on their way toward a criminal record. He has a way with people that I don't think I'll ever understand."

"You feel quite strongly about him," Ryoko noted. "He's lucky to have such supporting family."

"Nanako wouldn't let me sleep at night if I didn't stick up for him," Dojima told them sardonically. "She's come a long way since he moved here, and I can't take too much credit for it."

"All that aside," Katsushiro brought up, less tense now but still suspicious, "he seems reluctant to bring up his parents as a topic of discussion. Is there something we should know about him? I want to see our daughter happy, but we do have a reputation to consider."

Dojima took a deep breath and tapped the table in front of him. He was impressed they'd waited this long to ask, but it didn't make taking sides any easier. "I see your point, but when it comes to our family, there isn't a quick answer. Souji's become pretty distant from his parents, and last time I talked to my sister, it wasn't hard to see why. They don't communicate very much, and none of them seem ready to change that. So if you're hoping that my sister or her husband will be in touch sometime soon, then you'll probably be disappointed. There's just too much between them and Souji to change right now, and that shouldn't reflect on him. He's done what he can, but if they won't meet him halfway, then there's not much anyone can do. That's why I think he cares about his friends so much. They're like another family to him, and they've all gone through a lot together."

"So you don't think he's hiding anything?" Katsushiro asked directly.

"Not where your daughter's concerned," Dojima replied. "There's not a doubt in my mind. He might still have university ahead of him and years of education before he gets to where he wants to be, but I think he'd do it all for her without a second thought. And your daughter has always struck me as smart enough to know when someone's flattering her with ulterior motives."

"She is," Katsushiro replied, and all his gruffness couldn't hide the pride in his voice.

"In the end though, you won't find anyone who cares more about his friends and loved ones than Souji. He doesn't do things the way you or I might, but he's not any less sincere for it. If he's dedicating himself to your daughter, then there's no doubt in my mind that he'll do anything to make it work."

"Do you think it will be enough?" Ryoko asked calmly. "I don't doubt his dedication, but sometimes life doesn't turn out the way we want it to. How would Souji react if his circumstances changed outside his ability to control them?"

Dojima gave a short laugh. "I can't think of anything that could affect him that much, honestly. He's not someone who lets details or problems stop him when he has a goal in mind. As far as I see it, it's not a question of if he makes his university career and ambitions work, but instead just a question of how. And no matter what happens, I'm sure he'll land on his feet."

The two shared a long look, and Dojima got the feeling they were both coming to the same point. What that point was, he'd never know, but he had a feeling similar to when he and Chisato had talked about their days before marriage. If that were the case, he decided with a small smile, then Souji would be fine.

"Thank you for your insight on this matter, Dojima-san," Ryoko told him as they looked back across the table. "It's encouraging to hear so much honest praise from one of Souji-kun's relatives."

"Of course. Is there anything else you need to know?"

"I don't think so. We need to discuss the information you've given us now."

Just then there were several knocks on the door, and it slid open several inches to reveal the worker outside. Dojima recognized her as the one who'd greeted him at the lobby when he arrived. "Pardon the interruption, Ryoko-san, but are you nearly done with your meeting?"

"Yes, we're just finishing up. Is Yukiko still handling everything? Or has she turned in for the night?"

"About that," Kasai told them slowly and biting her lip, like she was looking for the right words. Or trying to keep from laughing. "She saw to her responsibilities and chose to leave the Inn with Souji-kun. She mentioned wanting to 'see the new year together,' so they've been absent for some time."

Ryoko was hiding a smile behind her hand before Kasai was done talking while Katsushiro's face went dark. After all the progress they'd just made, this was hardly a way for Souji to show how reliable he was. Dojima shook his head and smiled; his nephew truly had the oddest luck of anyone he knew. "I think I can find them for you," he offered. "As a gesture of good faith. And it'll keep them from having to walk back here in the cold."

"That would be appreciated, Dojima-san," Ryoko responded, her eyes still dancing with amusement when she glanced to her husband. Propriety wouldn't let Katsushiro say anything disparaging about Souji, now that a decision had been made. Sharp woman, that one. "And thank you for your time this evening."

"Of course. Thank you for having me. I shouldn't be too long." And he grabbed his jacket, nodding to them once more before he made his way towards the front doors.

He was thinking many things as he walked toward his jeep. Like how the Amagi girl's personality made more sense now that he'd had a conversation with her parents. And that it was understandable as to why Souji had been careful in wording his request. He had to give her parents credit – that had to be one of the first times he'd seen his nephew seem genuinely worried about something, even more so than when Souji'd been invited to meet them seven months ago.

But mostly, he was thinking how Souji had missed his calling as an actor. Because his timing was truly something to marvel at.

If he'd been thinking about it, he probably would have recognized that what they were doing was a bad idea. A really bad idea. Even after standing up to her father and using his business acumen for something other than amusing the rich snobs his parents called 'coworkers', and even after asking Dojima to take some time out of his evening to put in a good word for him with the Amagis, he knew that sneaking off with Yukiko when he was trying to get her parents to give him the time of day was an act of self-mutilation that would have impressed Vincent Van Gogh.

But he wasn't thinking about it, and hadn't been since she'd met him at the side door of the Inn in her kimono. She'd wanted to leave once she got there, but had to tell him twice because he was floored by how she looked.

He'd seen her in kimonos before. It was part of who she was. The first time they'd really talked, she'd been wearing one, and of all the times the girls had dressed up during the days of their TV world excursions, she fit them the best. She always had measured steps and easy breathing when Chie and Rise fidgeted and tried for grace, but just ended up fighting with their clothes. So it shouldn't have surprised him that she was wearing a kimono to celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of a new one. She'd been in her Inn kimono most of the night, so, indeed, there should have been no surprise at all.

Knowing that intellectually, however, was nothing like seeing it in person. Her usual kimonos, pink or blue, had an air of simplicity to them, appealing without needing to stand out or be flashy. In contrast, what she was wearing when she met him was made to be noticed. The deep red reminded him of her usual sweaters and barrette, which was absent in favour of a hair band with ornamental balls of the same shade, holding her hair up in a high ponytail he'd never seen her wear before, but was fast becoming a fan of. He saw the earrings he bought for her, standing out against her pale skin, and the colours of the beads matched her attire perfectly. The flowers and sakura branches design was familiar, but was done in near-black instead of white or silver, and it set off her hair beautifully. The long sleeves added a stately, almost antique formality to her that was so present in her personality, but that he'd never seen in her choice of clothing before.

Now he was seeing it, and he couldn't get enough. He couldn't remember most of the trip to the shrine, nor did he notice how cold it was until they got there. He was too busy watching her. "That really suits you," he told her finally, tightening his hand on hers.

"Thanks," she replied with a smile, leaning in closer and resting against him. To keep warm, of course. They took the steps slowly, enjoying their time together too much to rush things.

The shrine might have been host to New Year's celebrations earlier in the evening, but by the time they got there, the grounds were deserted. Instead the torii glowed in the light of a half moon and a clear sky full of stars. It had seemed dim enough on the way over, but the moonlight hitting the snow gave the area a hazy radiance that felt like he was walking in a dream. With Yukiko there next to him, her arm wrapped around his, it was far closer to a dream than reality, and only the sharp chill around them convinced him otherwise.

"Shall we make a wish?" she inquired, bringing him out of his thoughts. He nodded, and they headed toward the offering box. Souji pulled some coins out of his wallet and tossed them in, and they both clasped their hands and made their prayers. Without any other people around, and with the sharp chill in the air, it was hard to say how long they were there, but Souji noted that his nose had gone cold in the meantime. They both stepped back from the box and looked at each other, and Souji noted that her eyes seemed darker than usual, especially when she stepped a little closer.

"I left my phone at home," she admitted without looking or sounding sorry in the least. "Is there still time before the new year?"

He pulled his phone out and checked the time, chuckling when he saw the display. 12:49AM. "Looks like we missed it."

She gave a low hum, not looking bothered by the information. "Oh well. Next year, right? We'll just have to make sure we make the most of the time we have."

"Couldn't have put it better myself," he replied as he wrapped an arm around her and tilted his head back to look up at the stars. "You don't get a view like this back east. Too many lights and too much pollution to see much of the sky."

She looked up with him, not saying anything, and not needing to. A comfortable silence fell over them until she finally broke it with a long breath. "I'm glad we could do this. It'll be nice, having you back in Inaba."

"It's good to be home," he told her. "Good to see the others and Nanako and Dojima again. Good to get out of the city." He tightened his arm around her, turning to see that she was already looking at him. "And I'm glad to be back here with you."

There was another of those long moments, but instead of peaceful observance, it was charging the air between them. Tighter and tighter, like piano wire, a connection completely in tune with them. "What did you wish for?" Her voice came out low and richer than usual, exactly like it had in Kofu before they had to get to her train.

It had been a good idea in Kofu, so why not explore it again? "Let me show you," he told her quietly, and pulled her close as her arms tightened on him.

It felt like cold lightning. Her lips were chilled from their walk to the shrine, but didn't dissuade him from kissing her anyway. And there was that spark, that little shock that her touch sent through him. Hand, arm, face, it didn't matter – it was his body's hardwired response to her, and only her. And this time it jolted straight to his brain, heightening the crisp scent of frost and tree bark around them. Yet the kiss itself felt different now. It wasn't calm like their first had been, and yet it lacked the overflowing passion that their time in Kofu had held. This was deeper, newer, and it sent shivers through his body as he broke only long enough to breathe before continuing their kiss. If Yukiko's small sighs and pulling him tighter against her were any indication, she wasn't in a hurry to change the status quo.

So absorbed was Souji in the feel of his girlfriend pressed against him that he didn't register that her right hand, resting on his waist, was sliding slowly lower. He was unaware even as her fingers tagged on his belt. But he nearly jumped out of his skin when her hand, palm and fingers and all, rested on the left side of his rear and squeezed. Not tight enough to sting, but more than hard enough to feel.

"Y-Yukiko?!" he exclaimed, surprised that the next move between them was made by his staid and reserved girlfriend. But she giggled and tilted her head innocently, leaning in closer as her dark eyes danced with mischief. The same impish light that he'd seen when she suggested this trip to the shrine.

Not about to let her make all the moves, he pulled her flush against him, feeling the curves and contours of her body through the kimono, and lowered his face to the side of her neck. So close, he easily heard her breath hitch in anticipation, but she still hadn't moved her right hand. Instead, she gave him another squeeze. "Yukiko," he growled, dragging each syllable out in a mock warning. Her only response was another giggle, so two could play this game. He brought his left hand down her side, past her waist, and began exploring the same contours of her hip that he'd been eyeing earlier. Even through the fabric of her clothes, the toned muscle and soft flesh was easy enough to feel, particularly as he dragged his hand down the long length of toned thigh, then back up and around to the pert curve of her rear. Her breath caught as he matched her, and he chuckled as he kissed at her neck. She wasn't objecting, and he wanted to pick up where they'd left off in Kofu.

It seemed she had the same idea, because her next kiss was open-mouthed, messier and more passionate. His next breath brought in some of her taste, like sharp cinnamon candies and fresh snow, and it mixed with her scent, filling his head with her. It was supposed to be the lady that swooned, but she was making his world spin while his knees shook. When his arm tightened around her, he felt her lips separate and the tip of her tongue meet his. He paused for a moment, surprised again that she'd make the first move, but refused to let the chance pass. If she wanted to change gears, he'd go as fast as she wanted. He raised the hand on her back to rest between her shoulders, angling her for a deeper kiss that returned the gesture. She pressed in closer, and he flexed his hand on her rear, delighting in the moan he pulled from her. Any further explorations were dampened by their need for air, however, and they reluctantly pulled apart, almost nose to nose.

"It's not fair that you can kiss so well," she told him between breaths.

"What ever happened to the girl who was afraid of talking to boys on her own?" he asked huskily, caught between the heady rush of his girlfriend and the sharp cold around him. The contrast only made the buzz more potent.

"She met a guy who made her feel alive. And she wanted to keep feeling that way every chance she got," she replied, staring him in the eye without a hint of embarrassment or shame. "Are you complaining?"

"Not for a second." It didn't take him long to catch his breath, probably from years of basketball, so he decided to take advantage of her state and began kissing and nipping along her neck, letting her reactions guide him. A chuckle here, and small gasp there, she told him more than if she'd been using words, and he wanted more.

And he might have kept going if he hadn't heard the approach of a vehicle. A jeep, to be precise, that squeaked rhythmically as it pulled to a stop. He pulled back from her neck to collect his thoughts, putting the pieces together when he wasn't breathing in the warm scent of her skin. Dojima's timing was impeccable. Instead of his choices involving which part of his girlfriend he partook in next, they were narrowed down to how much of their relationship he wanted to show the man closer to him than his own father.

He growled in frustration. A large part of him wanted to dismiss the choices altogether. He wanted to keep going and ignore the shrine and the cold, to pursue what he and Yukiko both wanted. But he couldn't. His head was starting to clear, and he couldn't shake the small voice in the back of his mind, asking if they were going too fast. And he couldn't ignore it. Things were changing and he needed to consider them somewhere other than on the shrine steps. No matter how incredible she looked in that kimono, no matter how elegant her high ponytail made her, and no matter how much the constant restraint was wearing on his nerves. He wanted more, but wasn't sure he knew what 'more' meant at this point. Or how far she was ready to go.

And with Dojima approaching, they were simply out of time.

It was hard. Her scent, her taste, and the feel of her curves against him made pulling back a monumental challenge, like he was struggling against the waves. But pull back he did, slowly, retracting his hand from her ass and met her eyes when he could, so close that their noses brushed against each other. A cloud of white rose between them when he gave a heavy sigh. "Looks like our chaperone's arrived."

"Hmm?" Her eyes were half-lidded and almost black in the dim light. Between them and her kiss-bruised lips, he forced himself to hold back again. Even when her hand raised and rested on his waist, tugging him closer.

"I mean Dojima's on the street," he clarified, and she blinked, sober reality settling in on her fine-boned features. "Probably here to pick us up. And if I had to guess, your parents are wondering where you are by now. Better if you get home before you need help rearranging your kimono."

"Would that be so bad?"

At least she didn't need convincing. Giving her a smirk, he pulled her close for one last long, deep kiss, feeling her breath hitch. Breaking off before she could pull him closer, he rested his forehead against hers, making her the only thing he saw. "No, but when we do this, I want to do it right. Not on the shrine steps, and not in the dead middle of winter."

His words took a few moments to sink in past her post-kiss haze, but she gave him a small smile filled with anticipation that he would have expected to see on Rise and replied "I'm going to hold you to that."

She really had changed. But as much as that might have seemed like an invitation any other day, now it just felt like an affirmation. There would be another time, another place, and they'd go from there. Still, knowing how much she wanted to take that next step, he couldn't help but feel disappointed at the interruption.

While he was stewing in irritation, she was so content that she leaned against him, letting him support her weight. Setting his left hand on her back and his right arm around her front and side, he steadied her against him. His cheeks were starting to sting through the numbness from the cold, but from how he had her against him, he ended up with his nose in her hair. The smell, coupled with the sharp scent of the night air and ice, bled the tension from him, second by second. Even without addressing the matter, she could put him at ease. And he didn't need to see her to know that she was smiling.

"Right… there." Click. They both looked over in time to see his uncle holding his cell phone out, just so, before slipping it into his coat pocket. "You know the shrine could have waited until tomorrow morning," Dojima told them with a smirk as he approached. "And if nothing else, you could have let her parents know where you were going."

"We had the time, so it made sense to make the visit now," Souji replied, letting the cold air cool him off despite having Yukiko leaning against him. "Besides, you'd never get a view like this in the daytime."

"And this way, we won't have to take any time out of our schedules tomorrow," Yukiko added, still a little flushed from their earlier activities. "And it's quieter this time of night. I hope this wasn't an inconvenience for you."

"Tonight's been interesting so far," Dojima replied dryly to Yukiko, "so it's not like picking you two up was completely unexpected. But your parents were wondering where you'd gone, and it is freezing out." He glanced over at his nephew. "You weren't planning on walking back to the Inn, were you?"

"Not if you're offering us a ride," was Souji's reply. The cold was starting to sink in, even more so without Yukiko's kisses to keep him warm.

Dojima chuckled and shook his head, saying crazy kids without speaking a word. "Come on. The jeep's nice and warm." They both nodded and followed the detective briskly to try and beat the cold. Much as Souji wanted to get to a the still-running vehicle, however, he was still simmering from their shared affections. His lips tingled, and he could still feel Yukiko's hand on his ass. He glanced to the side, noting how sharp she looked in profile, and leaned a bit closer, making sure only she could hear him.

"We'll have to continue our discussion later." He tried to sound calm and light, but couldn't keep the low growl out of his voice. "When we have more time, and when there won't be any interruptions."

The old her would have tripped up or stuttered a reply, but the new her didn't. Instead he got a deep sidelong glance, edged in promises and unspoken feelings. "I'm looking forward to it," she replied, voice rich and smoky and sending him into shivers. Damn. She still got the last word in.

She had changed. He hadn't noticed it in Kofu or heard it in her voice during their conversations, but she wasn't the same girl he'd met in the rain by the river all those months ago, or the young woman who'd fought next to him in the TV. Even his capable girlfriend who'd seen him off in April was missing. What stood in their place was a woman who was all those things and more, who'd grown in his absence in ways he was only noticing now. He cursed himself for his assumptions – of course she'd have changed. She certainly wouldn't have remained in a stasis while he was away.

But his self-scolding died off easily enough. Yes, he had been blind to her before, but now they had time and opportunity to change that. And he was looking forward to learning the different ways she'd changed. Each and every one of them.

Author's Note, Post Script: Yeah, I'm ending it there. Seems like a place as good as any. For those in my audience who're frustrated with the pacing and interruptions these two are facing, I just want you to know that I'm not planning on dragging the tension out forever. Things are progressing according to plan, and they will be coming to a head in the (relatively) near future. There is a method to my madness, after all.

On a different note, this marks the end of the 'beginning arc' of the story as Enact and I have dubbed it, and the next chapter will be the opening of the 'intermediary arc'. Expect to see more of the other characters doing what they do best, with, of course, Souji and Yukiko keeping things interesting.