The Ultimate Detective and The Ultimate Hope Gaiden: Playdate with Tsumugi and Gonta!

"Tsumugi! Gonta!" Kiki cheered as her new friends came to greet her.

"Kiki!" They greeted as they ran up to her, the three new friends bowing to each other before Tsumugi and Gonta turned to each other.

"Hello. My name's Tsumugi. Shirogane Tsumugi. Kiki told me you helped her to the Nurse's Office on the first day of school." Tsumugi smiled as she bowed politely.

Gonta smiled awkwardly as he bowed his head, greeting "Hi. Me Gonta. Gokuhara Gonta. And no worry! True gentlemen always help ladies in need!"

Kiki giggled as her parents smiled at the friendly scene, then turned to the two pairs of parents as they approached.

"Thank you for orchestrating this little playdate for Tsumugi, Mr. Naegi." Mrs. Shirogane greeted as she bowed.

Mr. Shirogane nodded "Yeah, she loves anything and everything anime, but we were worried that she might not make any friends in school. So we were pleasantly surprised when she told us she had made a friend and wanted to have a playdate."

Makoto smiled and assured them "Don't worry about it; we were happy to let Kiki invite a friend over."

Meanwhile, Kyoko was conversing with the Gokuharas, the matriarch thanking "Thank you so much for having Gonta over, Mrs. Naegi. We try to take him camping whenever we can, but it's so nice to have him spend time with real friends instead of the bugs he loves so much."

Kyoko nodded, assuring them "Don't worry about it; I was once a Detective and nearly let it consume me until I was able to make friends through my husband."

Mr. Gokuhara nodded, an eyebrow raised in curiosity as he mused "A Detective? That sounds really interesting; you'll have to regale us with your many stories sometime. Perhaps over dinner with your husband?"

Kyoko nodded "If this playdate goes well, perhaps we can discuss that."

Mrs. Gokuhara smiled and agreed "I'll be looking forward to it." She then walked over to her son and told him "Okay, Gonta. We'll be back between four and five to pick you up, so have fun with Kiki and the Naegis, okay?"

Gonta nodded energetically and assured them "Don't worry, Gonta will have lots of fun!"

His Father then approached and continued "Be sure to be a gentleman while you're here, okay? You're the Naegis' guest, and how you conduct yourself reflects on our house."

Gonta nodded nervously and agreed "No worry! Gonta promise to be true gentleman!"

Mr. Gokuhara nodded and chuckled "That's my boy. Well, time for your Mother and I to be off. Have fun, Gonta."

"Bye Mom! Bye Dad!" Gonta waved as they walked to their car and drove off.

Meanwhile, The Shiroganes approached their daughter as her Mother told her "Have fun, Tsumugi. Your Father and I want to hear all about your playdate when you come home. We'll be back to pick you up between four and five, okay?"

Tsumugi nodded "I will Mom, I will, Dad."

Mr. Shirogane smiled and ruffled her hair, making Tsumugi giggle as he told her "That's my girl. Well, we're off now, Tsumugi."

"Bye Dad! Bye, Mom!" Tsumugi waved goodbye as her parents drove off, leaving her alone with Kiki and Gonta.

"So…want to go meet my parents?" Kiki offered. As Tsumugi and Gonta nodded in agreement, Kiki smiled and turned to face her parents, introducing "Tsumugi, Gonta, this is my Mommy and Daddy, Naegi Kyoko and Naegi Makoto."

Makoto beamed and greeted "It's nice to meet you both, Shirogane-chan, Gokuhara-kun."

Kyoko gave a small smile and nodded "Likewise."

Gonta bowed respectfully and greeted "Mr. and Mrs. Naegi, Yoroshiku onegaishimasu."

Tsumugi smiled and gave a more modest bow, repeating "Mr. and Mrs. Naegi, Yoroshiku onegaishimasu."

After they stood up straight, Makoto offered "Why don't we head inside the house and get started?"

"YAY!" The three cheered in unison, making Makoto and Kyoko chuckle as they followed them in the direction of the Naegi Mansion.

XXX

"Wow…" Tsumugi and Gonta breathed as they stared up at the elegance of the Naegi Mansion.

"Kiki…this is your home?" Tsumugi asked.

Kiki smiled and nodded "Yep. It was passed down to my parents by my Great Grandpa Fuhito before I was born."

Makoto smiled as he approached the front door, assuring them "You two can relax; our house may be fancy, but we're not uppity people. And we're just going to stay in the Living Room so there's no chance of you two getting lost before your parents come to pick you up."

"Okay." Tsumugi and Gonta nodded, relaxed now that they had that assurance.

With that, Makoto finally turned the doorknob and led the trio inside, the two guests looking around in awe as they passed through the entrance.

While the party made their way to the living room, Makoto asked "So, I figured for your first visit, you guys could start with a movie night. I think we have time to watch two movies before your parents pick you up."

Kyoko nodded, then asked "Kiki, are there any movies in particular you wanted to show your friends?"

Kiki shrugged and declined "Not really, Daddy. Tsumugi and Gonta are our guests, so they should get to pick."

Kyoko smiled proudly and nodded "That's very nice of you. So, any requests from the two of you?"

"Any anime movie is fine with me." Tsumugi replied.

Makoto nodded "Alright, I think I know of a classic you'll like, Shirogane-chan. What about you, Gokuhara-kun?"

"Hmm…what movie does Gonta want?" Gonta pondered, admitting "Gonta not know. Gonta only seen bug documentaries."

"I see…" Makoto replied, suggesting "Well, I think I know of an American movie you'd like."

"Really? A movie Gonta like?" Gonta bowed his head and thanked "Thank you, Mr. Naegi."

Makoto smiled and assured him "Don't worry about it." Once they arrived in the living room, Makoto announced "Alright, we're here. You three sit on the couch and I'll get some popcorn ready for you guys. Kyoko, you mind putting on Kiki's Delivery Service?"

Kyoko nodded as she walked over to the nearby coffee table and grabbed the remote, fiddling with the options as she searched for Makoto's childhood favorite while he went to the kitchen to make the popcorn. Kiki climbed up onto the couch, flanked by Tsumugi on her left and Gonta on her right. The three of them smiled as they stared at the screen, the selection menu fading to black as Kyoko pressed PLAY.

XXX

"Hey Kiki, can you pass the popcorn?" Tsumugi asked, leading Kiki to nod and hand the bucket of popcorn to Tsumugi.

As Tsumugi grabbed a handful of popcorn and handed the bucket back, Kiki saw Gonta whimpering as he held his hands over his eyes.

"Gonta, what's that matter?"

"Gonta scared for Witch Kiki! Tombo in danger, but Witch Kiki can't fly yet! Witch Kiki's gonna crash, then nobody will be there to save Tombo! Why are Kiki and Tsumugi not scared?"

"Well…I've seen a lot of anime movies at home, so this kind of tension is what I like about them. Not knowing whether it'll have a good ending or a bad ending…it's just so exciting!"

Kiki nodded in agreement with Tsumugi and explained "I've also seen this movie a few times with my Mommy and Daddy, so I'm not really scared by it anymore…though I was the first time. I…kind of hid in my Mommy's shoulder when I saw this scene the first time." Kiki blushed then pointed out with a grin "Gonta, look!"

Gonta moved his fingers to allow his eyes to peek out, then gasped as he grinned and finally lowered his hands before he exclaimed "Witch Kiki did it! Witch Kiki flew! Witch Kiki saved Tombo!"

Tsumugi nodded, replying "See? This movie had a happy ending after all!" She then turned to Kiki and suggested "You know Kiki, you could pull off a good Kiki the Witch cosplay!"

Kiki mimicked Kyoko's thinking pose before she mused "You think so? Maybe she'll be my Halloween costume this year. So how'd you guys like the movie?"

Tsumugi smiled and nodded "I really liked it; I can see why it's a classic. Miyazaki-sensei really knows how to make a good anime film!"

Gonta nodded in agreement "It may not have a single bug…but Gonta liked it too. The movie was very heartfelt, and make Gonta cry more than once!"

"Glad to see you liked the movie." The three children turned to look at Kyoko, who came in and announced "Alright, we're gonna take a break before the second movie to have some actual lunch."

"Okay, Mommy!" As Kiki jumped off the couch, Kiki urged "Tsumugi, Gonta, you'll love Daddy's cooking?"

"Well then, let's get going!" Tsumugi exclaimed as she jumped off the couch, Gonta following suit as they followed Kiki to the Dining Room.

Kyoko giggled as she followed after the energetic group to the Dinner Table where her husband was waiting.

XXX

"Thanks for the food, Mr. Naegi!" Tsumugi and Gonta exclaimed as they followed Kiki back to the couch.

Makoto chuckled as he followed the energetic trio of children back to the couch, replying "It was my pleasure. I'm just glad you enjoyed the food. Alright, now that you're all settled, let's get another movie on for you guys before your parents come back. Gokuhara-kun, I believe I promised you a movie you'd like. How about A Bug's Life? It's a movie where all the characters are bugs."

Gonta immediately grinned, his eyes sparkling as he started bouncing in his seat, exclaiming "A movie where all the characters are bugs! Oh boy! Gonta so excited! Gonta can't wait to watch Bug's Life! Thank you, Mr. Naegi! Kiki, Tsumugi, let's watch Bug's Life together!"

Gonta wrapped his arms around their waists, squeezing the breath out of them as he hugged them tightly against him.

"Glad you're…so excited…Gonta…" Kiki and Tsumugi wheezed, making Makoto chuckle as he fiddled with the options.

At last, he started the movie, Tsumugi and Kiki sighing in relief as Gonta finally let go of them, folding his hands in his lap politely as the movie started.

XXX

"…Is it over yet?" Gonta squeaked, his hands covered over his eyes as Hopper met his demise.

As the scene transitioned, Kiki rolled her eyes and assured him "Yes, Gonta, Hopper's already been eaten by the birds."

As Gonta sighed in relief and lowered his palms, Tsumugi giggled "You don't do well with tense scenes, do you Gonta?"

Gonta shook his head and confirmed "Gonta always get scared by tense, violent scenes. When Hopper gave Flick a black eye, and when the birdie almost ate Dot, Gonta was on the edge of his seat! Gonta wanted to cry for Flick! Of course, Gonta get scared when bugs get eaten in documentaries too!"

…Those weren't really that violent, Gonta… Kiki and Tsumugi deadpanned, sweatdropping before Gonta relaxed into a smile.

"Though…the scenes when the ants celebrated, Gonta loved those happy scenes."

Kiki nodded "I agree, Gonta; this was a very feel-good movie by the end. What do you think Tsumugi?"

Tsumugi nodded "I'm more of an anime fan to be honest, though I'll admit American 3D animation has its charms. In any case, this was a fun little movie."

"Glad you guys enjoyed the movie."

The three children turned their heads to see Makoto and Kyoko walking into the living room before Kyoko told them "Good timing too. Shirogane-chan, Gokuahara-kun, your parents just drove in. Kiki, say goodbye to your friends."

"Okay, Mommy." The three of them hopped off the couch before Kiki bowed to her friends and told them "Thanks for coming, Tsumugi, Gonta. It was really fun having you here."

Tsumugi nodded after she stood up "I had fun too, and your parents sound really nice and cool. It was nice to meet you, Gonta."

Gonta smiled and replied "Gonta had fun too, watching movies with Kiki and Tsumugi! Gonta owuldn't mind another playdate with you two! Oh, maybe Gonta can show you Gonta's pet bugs!"

Great…bugs… Kiki and Tsumugi sweatdropped, not having the heart to refuse him.

Makoto chuckled and broke up the conversation, holding out his hands and suggesting "Alright, let's get going. I'll take you outside to your parents."

Tsumugi and Gonta nodded, taking his hands before waving to Kiki with their free hands and calling out "Bye, Kiki!"

"Bye Tsumugi! Bye, Gonta!"

As Kiki watched her two friends exit with her Father, Kyoko smiled and commented "I'm glad you had fun with your friends. Alright, time for you to check over any homework you still have to do."

Kiki nodded "Okay, Mommy."

As Kiki ran off, Kyoko smiled, thinking I'm glad you had fun, Kiki…fun with your friends. That's a luxury I never had at your age…