Nanako touched the tiny, gold star she wore around her neck. She always wore it, even to sleep. Teddie had given it to her years ago on her seventh birthday. "I thought it might remind you of me!" he exclaimed. She still remembered it like it was yesterday. I think I've been in love with him since we first met, she thought. I just wish that made it clear what the right thing to do is. She shook her head as she studied herself in the mirror. She was wearing the pale pink sheath she had bought the week before. There was a party tonight at Naoto and Kanji's house. Nanako had a feeling that some big news was coming, she just wasn't entirely sure what it was. She had agreed to go to the party with Teddie, who would be showing up on her doorstep at any moment. Nanako slipped into some black ballet flats, and headed downstairs to wait.

"Oh, Nanako, you look really nice!" Dojima commented when she came down the stairs.

"Thanks, Dad. I'm going to the dinner party at Naoto's house. Teddie is coming by and we're going to walk over together," she said as casually as possible.

"Is that so?" Dojima asked, looking at her over his newspaper.

"Y-Yes," Nanako said, trying not to panic.

"Well then, tell everyone I said hello."

"Oh, of course I will, Dad!" Nanako stepped into the kitchen and very quietly let out the breath she'd been holding. She had expected a comment about Teddie. It isn't like Dad to be so calm about this.

A moment later the doorbell rang. "I've got it, Dad!" she called out, hurrying to get to the door before he did. When she opened it, she wasn't expecting the breath to get knocked out of her. Teddie was standing there in a suit, holding a yellow flower and looking down at her with dreamy eyes. Nanako had never seen him look quite this handsome before. Or this sparkly.

"Are you alright Nana-chan? You sound like you've been running around the block," he said.

"F-Fine," she stammered.

"You look bearutiful this evening!"

Nanako laughed, regaining her composure. "Thanks."

Dojima had made it to the door behind her. "You kids be good. And have a nice time," he said.

Nanako looked at him curiously. He was being way too cool about this. "We will," she said.

"Thanks, pops!" Teddie said cheerfully with a big grin. Nanako quickly grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the street, waving to Dojima as they walked off. "Oh, I almost forgot," Teddie said. "This is for you." He tucked the yellow flower behind Nanako's ear.

"Umm, thanks," she said shyly. Then she took a deep breath, reached for Teddie's hand, and continued walking to the party.


Dinner was really nice. Because everyone was there, they had to push a couple of tables together, but there was a place for everyone. Nanako found it interesting that Miusagi sat by Kanji and Naoto, rather than joining her and Teddie at the other end of the table. She'd assumed he would want to sit near kids his own age. Still, he seemed perfectly comfortable there. After dinner, they all gathering in the cozy living room.

"Thank you all for coming tonight. We have a couple of pieces of news to share with the group, and we thought it would be nice to get everyone together," Naoto began.

"Come, on, tell us already!" Chie taunted. She gave Naoto a wink, which made Nanako certain that she knew already.

"Yeah, guys, let's get on with it already," Souji said in a teasing tone.

Kanji's eyes met Naoto's for a beat before he loudly shouted, "We're having a baby!"

"Oh my gosh, you guys!" Rise squealed, immediately grabbing Naoto for a hug and an attempt at touching her stomach.

"Nice!" Yosuke exclaimed, fist bumping Kanji.

Souji pulled Kanji into a hug. "I knew things would work out for you, buddy," he said very softly.

"Thanks, senpai," Kanji beamed.

"This is such wonderful news, you two," Yukiko said happily. Naoki punched Kanji on the arm, smiling softly and saying nothing.

Teddie got away from Nanako and ran up to Naoto. "Nao-chan, you have a baby growing inside you?!"

Naoto laughed. "That's right," she said.

"C-Can I… Can I touch your belly?" he asked, barely restraining his excitement.

"There… isn't really a reason to yet. It's too early to… feel anything."

"Oh, ok Nao-chan," Teddie said sadly. "When it's time can I?"

Naoto laughed again. "Yes, Teddie. I will let you know."

Nanako noticed that Miusagi was just standing to the side, smiling at them. She walked up beside him. "You don't look very surprised," she said quietly.

He turned to her and grinned. "Not at all. They told me a while ago." His eyes narrowed. "You don't looked surprised, either," he said suspiciously.

Nanako laughed. "I'm not. They've been together forever, what else were they going to announce at a party?" She slipped over to Kanji and Naoto to give them congratulatory hugs, then pulled Teddie away from them, as he was still questioning Naoto about babies and when this one would be ready for touching.

When everyone finally settled down, Naoki spoke. "So, umm, the other piece of news is ours." He looked at Yukiko, and she beamed at him.

"We're getting married!" she said brightly, not taking her eyes off of Naoki. Everyone went into a frenzy again, hugging and congratulating.

"Geeze, it's about time, you guys!" Chie exclaimed. This sent Yukiko into one of her laughing fits, and before long the whole room was laughing with her.

After another hour, with the party looking like it wasn't going to break up anytime soon, Nanako and Teddie decided to head out. They asked Miusagi if he wanted to join them, but he said he was going to stay a little longer before going home to see his mom. "I guess it's just you and I," she told Teddie when they stepped outside.

"Where would you like to go?" Teddie asked.

"The river," Nanako answered. "We can sit on the hill and look at the town." It was really pretty at night, with all the house lights on in the dark.

They sat down at the picnic table facing each other. "That was a really nice party," Nanako said. "You look… really good all dressed up," she said, starting to feel shy, but being honest anyway.

"You think so?" Teddie asked. Nanako nodded. He leaned in and kissed her sweetly. "I think you look even better. All Nanako."

Nanako giggled. She looked into his sparkling blue eyes and couldn't hold back anymore. "I love you, Teddie."

"Oh, Nana-chan! I love you, too!" Teddie said with relief.

"Can… Can I be your girlfriend, Teddie?"

"I would like that…" Teddie said.

"...beary much?" Nanako asked.

Teddie laughed, kissing her again. They spent a long time by the river before Teddie walked her home.

Souji had just pulled up on his scooter when she was walking to the door. "Did you have a nice evening?" he asked, one eyebrow raised.

"Yes! You?"

"Absolutely." They walked into the house together, both saying goodnight to Dojima and heading to their rooms for the night.