AN: I know this update took quite a while, but I'm here to say that this story is far from cancelled. I ran into a pretty rough writer's block several months ago and have not been satisfied with how I was writing the chapter.

Naoto walked down the Samegawa flood plain with an umbrella in her hand and her head buried deep in thought. It was a rainy summer day, the atmosphere humid as she assimilated with the crowd of students headed for school.

Last week had been the School Festival. Classes worked at food booths, managed themed cafes, and hosted several memorable events. She shuddered briefly as the unpleasant memory of her senpais cross-dressing for one of the contests resurfaced. Strange. No, strange would be somewhat of an understatement especially after seeing Kanji in that Marilyn Monroe getup.

Naoto shook her head. She too was blinded sided and thrown into a contest without her consent. Participating in the pangeant was uncomfortable to say the least. For those few short minutes she shared on stage, she didn't particularly enjoy the limelight. And with the recent news of her true gender shared to the public, she didn't know what her peers would make of it. But apparently they took it rather well. Despite forfeiting the swim suit section of the pageant, she managed to outdo Rise, Yukiko and Chie altogether.

Naoto sighed and tightened her grip on her bag. She found nothing noteworthy from her victory, though clearly her peers thought otherwise. Within a week the letters in her shoe box had multiplied from both the boys and girls at Yasogami High.

From behind Naoto heard the distinct sound of footsteps quickly heading her way. She paused and looked back as Rise stopped and sheltered herself under her umbrella.

"I knew I'd recognize that blue cap anywhere." Rise moved in a little closer. "You don't mind if we walk the rest of the way together, do you?"

Naoto extended the umbrella over Rise. She shook her head.

"Don't you think you should move closer? You're arm's going to get soaked." Rise linked her arm quickly bringing Naoto closer to her chest.

"A-Aren't you concerned that people will talk?" Naoto asked quietly. A few of the students down the road took a curious glance at the two of them, thoroughly intrigued with their development.

"I don't mind. We're just friends anyways."

Naoto looked down at her arm. Just friends. Those words wrung harshly in her head.

"Something on your mind?" Rise asked.

To be quite honest, Naoto was still heavily distraught over her feelings for Rise. This summer had opened so many questions for her that it felt as though she were going through a serious identity crisis.

"...Is it the murder case?" Rise asked.

"Somewhat," Naoto lied. She'd been off the investigation after her recovery. But since then she hadn't found any additional leads or evidence on the case. She didn't like feeling helpless. But there wasn't much of a choice but to wait and watch for the culprit's next move.

"You know, you were very brave to go out and get yourself kidnapped like that. Not many people can do what you did that night. Weren't you scared?"

"Despite having made certain precautions prior to my kidnapping, nothing could shake the undeniable fact that I was downright terrified." Naoto took a breath. "But I had no doubt you and your friends would come for me."

They stopped walking when they reached the school's front gates. Rise detached herself from Naoto's arm and looked her straight in the eyes. A small smile tugged at her lips.

"What? Did I say something unusual?"

"No," Rise said. "But it's nice to hear you rely on us."

Naoto flushed. Rise was looking at her in a way that was all too familiar. "A-Anyways do you have time after school today?"

"Yeah. Why, did something happen?"

"No, but I'd like to have a doctor examine Teddie. If you're free, I've scheduled a checkup for him after school today. A thorough physical examination might be a good first step in figuring out what Teddie is. And I thought it might be a good idea for the rest of us to get checkups as well. We should see if the fog over there or the power we've gained have had any negative affects on our health."

Rise smiled. "You really thought this out didn't you."

"It's the least I can do for the team. I just thought it would benefit the group to try and learn about Teddie and the other world while we wait."

"That makes sense," Rise agreed.

"I'll tell the others in the afternoon. I'm certain they would be willing to have Teddie examined."

Rise nodded. As they walked into the school together she couldn't help but notice the slight changes in Naoto's demeanor. Relying on others and looking out were the first steps in strengthening their bonds once more as friends.

Rise slipped into her class shoes and paused. The school bell rang but she remained completely still, rooted to her shoe locker as the students raced to their respective homerooms. She had a letter in her hand, written in a very familiar handwriting. She wasn't sure how or when it had gotten into her locker, but the fact that it got through was worrisome.

"Rise, are you okay?" Naoto asked.

Rise shoved the letter back into her locker. "Yeah I'm fine. I'll be there in a sec. You can go on ahead."

Naoto nodded and disappeared down the hall but Rise took another glance at the unopened letter. She wasn't seeing things back at the school festival and this was without a doubt her manager, Inoue-san's handwriting.

Turning to the nearest trash can she took the letter and tore it in half. She was done being an idol.

But more importantly, she was done being Risette.

Everyone underwent a thorough physical at the hospital Naoto recommended. It was an ordinary checkup and as Rise waited with the others by the lobby she couldn't help but wonder if there was any point in all of this. The doctors looked just as confused as they did.

When Naoto came out with the verdict of Teddie's examination, everyone was quite surprised with the result.

"They can't tell anything about him. I even had them take an X-Ray but nothing came up on it. No matter how many times they tried, it would always be too blurry to read." Naoto watched everyone's faces shift into confusion. "A visual examination and standard palpations indicated that he seems perfectly normal." Naoto sighed with disappointment. "But I felt bad for making them go through all of this."

"Man, we know about as much as Teddie as we do those Personas and Shadows..." Kanji muttered.

"Oh yeah, I did some research on the net," Yosuke began. "Persona means something like, another personality. And I think they listed Shadow under the related terms..."

"I performed my own research after the incident." Naoto looked at Teddie then addressed the entire group. "Persona and Shadow are common psychological terms. Of course, the ones we are familiar with don't quite fit those definitions. This is what was written in an unofficial project document that I happened to come across."

Naoto opened her messenger bag and pulled out a few printed papers, some words highlighted in yellow. She directed her index finger towards one of the paragraphs and began reading aloud.

"A Shadow is a suppressed power and when controlled by one's ego, it becomes a Persona..."

"Shadows, Personas...aren't they the same thing?" Kanji asked.

"Still, I couldn't find any information on how they're related to the other world," Naoto finished and folded the papers in her hand.

Rise sighed. "There's so much stuff about us that we don't have a clue about."

"There's some stuff we do know though." Teddie pulled out a collection of data from his pocket. "It's kind of embarrassing having only information about me. So therefore, I'll break the ice by announcing the results of everyone's physical exams!"

"Wha-!? No you won't! Give 'em to me, NOW!" Chie suddenly exclaimed.

Chie began reaching at Teddie who held the papers high above his head. "Ooooh... First place for shortest legs division is..."

"Hey, what kind of things did they examine anyway?" Yosuke asked. "Look if you're gonna blab it all then you might us well tell us the girls' measurements!"

With that, all the girls shot death stares at Yosuke's direction.

"WHAT!? Are you a complete and utter moron!?" Chie yelled out.

"Sure, go right ahead. My profile's been public knowledge for ages," Rise commented. "Oh, but my bust size is 2cm smaller than they print. My agency insisted."

"N-No! Don't say mine!" Yukiko stammered.

"Aww, I bet guys don't care what size you are Senpai," Rise said with a smile. "And having modestly sized breasts like yours would definitely make it easier to wear a kimono."

"Wh-What?" Yukiko blushed with wide eyes.

When Teddie leaned to Rise's side she quickly took hold of the papers and turned around. "Oh yeah, Naoto-kun's is in here too, huh? Umm, let's see...Naoto-kun's is..."

A long awkward pause ensued after. Rise's face changed to confusion. "Is this...for real? Wait, isn't this measured wrong?"

Naoto made quick work of the physical reports and easily pried them away from Rise's hands. "A-Anyways! The important thing is that according to the examination results, nothing's wrong with our health! So we won't be needing these anymore. I'm going to go shred them."

Everyone could see the embarrassment on Naoto's face as she she fled down the hall with the papers in her hand. Even Rise looked surprised when the usual cool, calm and collected Detective Prince suddenly broke character.

Naoto sprinted down the hall until she reached a safe distance. Having her measurements nearly exploited to the entire investigation team would've been horrific. Walking over to the nearest trashcan she began shredding the papers just as she said. But just as she had the last report in her hand she stopped.

There in her hands was Rise Kujikawa's full physical report. Naoto paused for a long while. She knew it would do her little good to look through the file herself. After all, Rise admitted her measurements were public knowledge in the first place. If that were true all she'd need would e a quick search through the internet to find out herself.
Naoto paused. But it wasn't like she wanted to know anyways.

Or did she?

Naoto looked down at the envelope one last time, Rise's name printed in dark black ink. Before she could second guess herself, she let out a steady breath and carefully opened it.

"Naoto-kun?" Rise called out across the hospital hallway. After her shocking discovery the Detective Prince ran away faster than ever, disappearing into the hospital without a trace. She felt horrible if she'd leave her after their fully paid physical exams without a thank you. So she figured she would at least walk home with her and spend some time together. "Naoto-kun, where are you?"

Rise was just about to turn into a sharp corner when a man in black stopped just ahead of her. He was one to raise suspicion, dressed in all black from his sunglasses, suit, tie and shoes. If Rise was going to be honest, the man looked exactly like someone from one of those undercover spy movies.

"You know a detective by the name of Naoto Shirogane, correct?" He addressed her.

Rise looked back to see if anyone else was around. There was none. She thought for a moment, considered lying, then decided not to. "Yeah, I do."

"Deliver this to him," the man said briskly. He handed her a white card. "He will understand. Good day, then."

Rise held the card in her hand and the man walked past her without another word. "Wait!" she said and raced back around the corner, but when she did the man in black was nowhere to be seen. Rise ran down the hall to check but all that were there were the nurses at the station. She doubled back and held the white card in her hand.

How did he know Naoto? And what was this card she was holding? He said Naoto would know what it meant. What did he mean by that?

Rise groaned and set her back against the wall. As if things couldn't get any stranger. She was about to continue searching for Naoto when they suddenly crossed paths.

"Rise?"

"Naoto."

Rise realized that the files weren't in Naoto's hands anymore. Guess she was serious about shredding all the information, her information.

"I thought you went home with the others," Naoto said.

"I offered to stay behind. Besides I'd rather walk home with you."

Naoto smiled. "You didn't have to do that."

"I wanted to. Midterms are coming up and I have a feeling we won't see much of each other the next few weeks."

Naoto nodded. She didn't need to study much to keep up with her classes, but she wasn't sure if she could say the same for Rise. The girl had a bad habit of reading fashion magazines and watching movies rather than reading up on math formulas.

"Oh, and by the way some guy told me to give this to you." Rise handed Naoto the white card. She looked at it intently as if studying it further.

"What sort of person gave this to you?"

"He had black sunglasses, which he was wearing inside the hospital."

"Sunglasses?" Naoto raised an eyebrow. "Wearing those, especially indoors would only make one stick out. What we can take from this is that he wanted to help hide his face at any cost. The man must also know you as well. He wouldn't have entrusted the delivery to anyone he didn't know..."

Rise stared at the card in Naoto's hand. "You think he has something to do with the case?"

Naoto shook her head. "That's one thought, but it's too soon to say. This might be a different case entirely. But if it's me he's after, it could be anyone." Naoto shoved the card into her back pocket. "I'll keep the card. The man is most likely still here in Inaba."

"So what are you going to do?" Rise's eyes were wide with worry.

"Find him, of course. He might be a threat to me and to you, which is why I can't drag you into this."

"Let me help you!" Rise pressed. "I'll help you find him, or find out whatever this is."

A long silence passed. At first Naoto was reluctant to take Rise's help. "Yosuke-san told me I have a tin ear for other people's feelings."

Rise knew that Naoto was worried about her too and she kind of liked that they were working together on a separate case together. The opportunity presented several benefits, but more than anything Rise just wanted to help Naoto. They walked out of the hospital together just as the sun began to set and even stopped by at Aiya's on the way home. By the time Naoto and Rise arrived around the Central Shopping District night had fallen and both were satisfied from their meals.

"The flavor was a little strong, but it was good. My grandma's food is kind of bland. Though tofu is good for you," Rise said as they walked side by side along the downhill slope. A nice, calm atmosphere settled between them. After their physical examination and the unusual run in with the mysterious man in black, today wasn't so bad.

Rise stopped walking and Naoto was forced to wait. "What's wrong?" Naoto asked. She followed the direction Rise was looking at. A man was sitting in front of Marakyu Tofu in the middle of the night.

"There's someone in front of my house. I can't tell if it's a reporter or a stalker." Rise looked worried and Naoto stepped forward to get a better look. They kept their distance for now. With all the strange happenings in Inaba it was perfectly normal to be extra cautious at night.

"Should we call the police?" Naoto asked.

"U-Um, that's alright. We don't really know if he's dangerous or not. Let's just wait and see." Rise smiled nervously at Naoto. "But...thanks for that. Hmm, but still...that guy...where have I?" Rise began walking home and Naoto followed right behind her. It wasn't until she got closer that she realized who was at her house. "Inoue-san, is that you?"

The man's eyes widened instantly. Earlier he looked like he was nodding off while sitting, but one look at Rise had him brimming back to life. Naoto wondered how long he had been waiting.

"Rise-san!" His voice was full of excitement and joy that Naoto didn't quite consider him a threat anymore.

"Wh-Why are you here? And in the middle of the night? I've already settled everything with the agency."

"I know," Inoue-san said. "I'm here because personally, I can't accept that. I've watched you over this entire time as your manager..."

"I'm not a personality anymore!" Rise cried out. Naoto was taken aback by Rise's harsh tone that she cringed slightly. "My private time doesn't belong to a manager anymore! Go home, if you don't I'll call the police!"

"W-Wait!" Inoue-san said and put his hands up. "Rise-san, could you please just think it over? I strongly believe that no other actress can play that role better than Rise Kujikawa. Your fans were looking forward to the movie too."

"You still want me to act?" At this point Rise was fuming and there was very little Naoto could do to restrain the girl.

"Huh?"

"...Anyway I'm through with it! I have nothing to do with showbiz and all that stuff now! I..." Rise looked back at Naoto and marched back to her, seizing her arm and dragging her to Inoue-san. "I-I've decided to marry Naoto-kun once we graduate high school!"

Naoto had been expecting a title along the terms boyfriend or partner, but not a fiance. She tried to look composed, but Rise held her arm so tightly she barely felt any blood flowing through her limb.

"I said before I was only on hiatus, but I've changed my mind! There's no way I'm coming back! Naoto-kun sees the real me. Naoto-kun's gentle...and..."

Rise was desperate and Naoto sensed as much. She didn't have much of a choice than to go along with her story. "Rise and I have already agreed to it," she said with a straight face. Rise blinked several times out of surprise but quickly fell into her role again.

"S-See? I told you," Rise finished with a smile. Naoto's face flushed. She looked relieved but Inoue-san looked heartbroken.

"I'll go for tonight, b-but I..."

"Go away! Now!" Rise yelled from the top of her lungs.

That seemed to do the trick. Inoue stepped back and broke into a light jog until he disappeared from view. When he was gone Rise groaned and released Naoto's arm, facing away from her house and looking out into the empty street. Naoto stayed quiet allowing Rise the space she needed. She watched her cross her arms protectively over her chest and looked off to the side.

"Inoue-san was my manager when I was still an idol. I saw him at the school festival and knew he was probably looking for me, but I didn't think he'd come to my house."

Naoto waited from a distance. So the man was someone who spent a lot of time with Rise when she was still an idol. He must've treasured her to come all the way to Inaba to try and get her back. Naoto could sympathize with Inoue-san. Surely he would've realized that the chances of Rise coming back would be quite slim.

"I'm around his daughter's age, so he treated me like his family. But...he's a stranger now." Rise watched the gravel under her shoes, then turned around to face Naoto. "Naoto-kun, I'm sorry...Lying about marrying you and all."

Naoto knew it was all an act, a desperate lie Rise made up to keep Inoue-san away. "It was...a lie?" Naoto asked with a rakish grin.

Rise's face seemed to brighten for a moment and Naoto smiled back. They shared a mutual understanding, one they very much needed to escape Inoue-san for the time being. "I guess it wasn't an entire lie. Maybe I could marry you. Just maybe," she teased.

Naoto flushed and couldn't hold eye contact any longer. A part of her wished Rise's words held an ounce of truth. Her comeback had worked well, so well it backfired in her face. The atmosphere between them returned somewhat normal and Rise smiled with relief.

"You're so mature. Th-This isn't good. I feel like I'm going to depend on you even more." Rise touched Naoto's face, her hand cupping the detective's cheek gently. It pained Naoto to have Rise touch her this way. It was all too familiar, like when they were dating. They stared at each other unmoving with nothing but the cool summer breeze passing between them. "J-Just kidding," Rise said with a laugh, breaking the tension.

Naoto gave her a sheepish look then rolled her eyes. "I-In any case it's getting late. I should get going," Naoto said. "My Grampa's probably worried."

The streetlights flickered on above them and the cicadas began buzzing from nearby trees. It was getting late and the Shirogane estate was at least half a mile away from Rise's place.

"Stay over tonight."

"What?"

"You can sleep over at my place. Tomorrow's the weekend and we don't have school. I'm not letting you walk home alone after that guy in black gave you that card."

Naoto paused and considered Rise's offer. She was still recovering from her kidnapping and if she would be ambushed a second time, she wasn't sure if she could hold well on her own. "I'll call my Grampa first and let him know."

Rise grinned broadly. "Great, it'll be a sleepover."

Later that night Naoto followed Rise up the stairs and into her bedroom. It was quaint and small, nothing like her own in the Shirogane estate. A twin sized bed was at the far corner of the room and a desk was at it's opposite end by the closet. During Rise's stay for the summer, she'd tweeked out her walls with some music posters and trinkets. It seemed to give the rustic room a bit of character.

Naoto paused at the door and Rise began tidying up some of her books scattered haphazardly on the floor. "Sorry if it's messy. I haven't had any time to clean up."

Even after the invitation, Naoto felt a little awkward being in Rise's bedroom. This was the first she'd been in anyone's home other than Touko's. She didn't have many friends growing up and she certainly never had a sleepover before.

When Rise finished cleaning Naoto was still standing at the door. "Why are you so far away? It's not like I'm going to bite you or anything."

Naoto took a step forward hesitantly, finally crossing the boundary. "Sorry, it's just...this is all new to me."

"You've never been to a sleepover?" Rise asked.

"No," Naoto admitted.

"Well neither have I," Rise said with a small smile. There was some sadness in her eyes and Naoto caught a glimpse of it before it disappeared. "So we'll be each others firsts."

Something in the way Rise said it made Naoto sheepish. She'd taken a good amount of her firsts for many things, like her first kiss. "W-What exactly does one do at a sleepover? Do we just...sleep?"

Rise tried not to laugh but she couldn't hide it when Naoto looked utterly confused. The Detective Prince carried a childlike innocence that she ended up being adorable at times. "I don't think anyone really sleeps during a sleepover."

"Then why would it be called a sleepover if no one actually sleeps?"

"Because everyone's too busy having fun with each other. You know; they play games, share scary stories, have pillow fights." Rise walked over to her bed and threw one of her pillows at Naoto's shoulder playfully. She laughed loud and proud when Naoto flinched.

"Pillow fights, huh." Naoto tossed it back at Rise, hitting her squarely in the face. She waited for a response, and Rise jumped off the bed running at her with full speed. She didn't know what to do next so she accepted the tackle and they both fell to the ground with a dull thud. Rise smacked Naoto with one of the larger pillows through and through. "Wait! I surrender!" Naoto cried out while blocking her face.

Rise tossed the pillow aside and sat on Naoto's hips. When she realized the position she was in, she moved away and sat on the ground. It wasn't that it would make her uncomfortable, but it would probably make Naoto feel bad. She could never forget Naoto's renewed confession at the school festival.

Naoto sat upright and straightened herself out. Rise grew strangely quiet after their short-lived pillow fight. She wondered what was running through her mind. Was it Inoue-san? Her career? Midterms? Naoto stopped guessing and decided not to ask. Some things were better left unsaid.

"Do you still like me, Naoto?" Rise's question came without warning. She looked up at the Detective Prince and waited.

"...I do."

"Romantically?" Rise didn't even know why she was asking these questions. The words just slipped out of her mouth and she was desperate to find some sort of reassurance in Naoto's answers.

Naoto blushed. She didn't want to admit it. And there wasn't a point in confirming it aloud.

"When we were dating, were you in love with Rise or Risette?"

"I don't know...Rise...Why are you asking me all of this?"

"Forget it. I'm sorry. I don't mean to sound so sentimental." Rise absently fumbled with her fingers. She paused as if trying to rethink whatever she would say next. "It's just...Naoto-kun, have you ever thought that you're pushing yourself too far, or that you were just acting?"

Naoto evaluated Rise's question. "All the time. Mostly around my line of work. As the youngest detective on the police force many of my colleagues don't acknowledge my existence. It can become quite troublesome because of that. I feel as though I always have to put up a facade to gain even the slightest ounce of recognition."

"Really," Rise said with a smile. "Then you might be a better actor than me."

A brief silence passed between them as they sat across from each other on the wooden floor. "I feel like I've been able to relax since coming here to Inaba. Meeting all of you, laughing together, watching the store, reading comics, playing with the neighborhood cat...When I was at my parent's house, I was on my best behavior around them. Oh, but Grandma doesn't ask me anything. Y'know, like why I quit or what I'm thinking of doing next. All she talks about is tofu, she says I'm just like tofu. I had to ask her what that meant."

Naoto listened very carefully. She and Rise spent a lot of time together, but they seldom spoke about their feelings and problems. To have Rise open up this way was enlightening, and to that Naoto smiled warmly.

"The way she explained it...Tofu looks weak and fragile, but it's actually pretty resilient. Even though it stands out because it's not like any other food, it can be mixed in with any recipe or flavor...Tofu is incredible...But I'm nothing like that." Rise looked up at the several music posters that hung on the wall. Even she wasn't vain enough to keep up one of her as Risette. "I...I was actually bullied at school before I made my debut. I wasn't good at talking and I always looked at my feet. I was alone the entire time. But I didn't have a problem with that. No one expected anything of me."

Naoto imagined herself in the same situation as Rise. Growing up with both of her parents gone wasn't easy, and making friends was a challenge. She never did communicate well with her peers. Reading the detective novels and spending time in the library was the only place she found true comfort, until it eventually became a sanctuary.

"I wasn't interested in being an idol, but I wanted the chance to change myself. And just by chance, I won." Rise released a humorless laugh. "When it happened, I panicked thinking maybe I should turn their offer down. But then I thought...If I appeared on TV, I could make friends. That was the only reason I went through with it...After a while I realized something. The peope wanted to hang out with was Risette, not the real me. Risette is the one everyone likes...the fictional character they sold to the public. That's the same with you, isn't it? You don't have to deny it...I won't be mad."

Naoto shook her head. "A few months back I didn't even have a single clue who Risette the idol was. When I first met you...When I fell for you it was just as you are now, Rise."

Naoto had a strange urge to touch Rise gently for assurance, but she didn't.

"R-Really?" Rise said with a rueful laugh. She softened her eyes at the Detective Prince and blushed.

"Yes..." Naoto began but suddenly stopped when Rise leaned forward, bringing their faces close to each other. Naoto's heart thumped hard in her chest as their breaths lingered into the scant space between them.

"That makes me happy," Rise said as she dropped her head onto Naoto's shoulder. A few tears slid down her cheeks, but she quickly wiped them away with the back of her hand and put up a weak smile. She looked up at the clock, then back to Naoto who was already starting to feel tired as she yawned to the side. "I know it's still early but we might as well get some sleep now. You look like you could use some rest."

Naoto nodded in complete agreement. They picked themselves off the ground and Rise began removing her school uniform in front of her. Naoto quickly turned away and closed her eyes out of respect, but Rise continued on without a single care in the world. They were both girls after all and these types of things were normal.

"I have some clothes I could loan you for the night," Rise offered.

"M-My school clothes will do." Naoto felt Rise's hand on her shoulder and she turned around to find the starlet in a pair of pink pajamas, a blouse and shorts. Her top was buttoned carelessly, allowing a slight glimpse of her cleavage.

"You could take this off. It gets a little hot since the air conditioner in my room is kinda broken." Rise loosened several buttons on Naoto's shirt. Her eyes were trained solely on the detective's chest. She was curious to know if what was written on her physical report was true. Naoto stopped Rise only when her shirt was unbuttoned halfway through.

They stared at each other for a long time, neither of them saying a word. Naoto felt the heat rise to her cheeks and forehead. With the air conditioner broken, the summer heat sank into her skin quickly. It would only be a matter of minutes before she'd start sweating. Naoto fell back on the bed as a brief lightheadedness swept over her. Having her chest bound tightly wasn't helping either.

Rise turned off the lights and moved to the detective's side. She wiped away a bead of sweat from Naoto's forehead and looked deep into her eyes. Rise was studying her, staring at Naoto like she'd never seen her before. Tentatively, she tried to loosen another button on Naoto's shirt.

"Rise...don't," Naoto warned.

"You're going to overheat if you don't take it off," Rise said in a quiet whisper. Her fingers stayed on the button with Naoto's hands resting right on top. She could understand Naoto's insecurity to an extent, but the last thing she wanted was to have her faint.

"I-I can manage. I'll be sure to take it off later on," Naoto proposed thinking a compromise sounded like the best decision at the moment. With Rise so close, she wasn't so sure how the night would end.

"Why not now?" Rise asked. She pushed Naoto swiftly on her back and pinned her shoulders down hard with more force than she intended. Naoto gave a soft gasp underneath her. Her twin sized bed didn't exactly provide enough room for the two of them, but it would just have to do for the night. "Now hold still..."

Rise undid the rest of Naoto's shirt within several minutes although the Detective Prince put up more of a fight than she expected.

"Now was that so bad?"

Naoto frowned. "I think that counts as sexual assault."

"Relax, it's not like I'm planning to strip you naked." Rise said the words without thinking. Naoto flushed under her. They both realized that this argument was something they'd gone over their school trip. After the King's Game, everything spiraled out of control that night. "Is this...weird to you?"

Naoto stilled underneath. "Sort of," she admitted.

"I don't intend to make this any more awkward than it already is. I just...I know I suggested we stay friends but sometimes...I want more."

Naoto's faced in utmost confusion and Rise struggled to straighten her thoughts. In an attempt to clarify her feelings, Rise leaned down and paused, lowering herself until their lips connected for a brief moment. She pulled away when Naoto made no move to reciprocate the kiss.

"...I thought you suggested we should simply remain friends." Naoto's voice trailed off.

"I did."

"Then why did you kiss me?"

"Because...I still like you Naoto. Do I need any other reason to kiss you?"

Naoto clenched her hands into fists by her side. She was nervous, excited, and terribly hot with Rise on top of her. A burning desire seared deep in her heart. She wanted to kiss Rise back, but couldn't. There was a hint of desperation in Rise's voice that didn't sound quite right.

"Don't you want to kiss me too?" Rise whispered into Naoto's ear.

"What's gotten into you?" Naoto began. She didn't sound terrified the least bit. Instead, she sounded concerned and worried. Rise was acting strange, and if she were to kiss her in her current state the night wouldn't end well for both of them.

"I don't know." Rise confessed. A long silence passed.

"Rise," Naoto said and reached up to touch her face gently. "Whatever you want to say, you can tell me. But this...this isn't you."

"You said you liked me as Rise and not Risette. I wasn't lying when I said that made me happy. You might as well be the first person to tell me that."

"...So you wanted to reward me with a kiss?" Naoto exhaled. "I meant what I said, and I don't expect anything in return for it. Not even a kiss from you."

"Well, when you put it that way it sounds silly, doesn't it? Now I just sound desperate."

Naoto shook her head. "Believe me, I do want to kiss you, more than you know. But not like this...not as a reward." Not when I still don't know who I am or what I am, she finished in her head.

Rise eased away from Naoto and lay beside her on the bed. The two of them looked up at the ceiling together, the tension between them slowly fading. "Can I at least hold your hand tonight," Rise asked hesitantly. She shifted to her side and rested her head on Naoto's shoulder, finding some comfort against the detective's body.

"Of course." Naoto intertwined their fingers and closed her eyes.

In the darkness she didn't know what awaited the two of them. There was so much she didn't know; about the TV world, the murder case, her relationship with Rise Kujikawa, but more importantly herself. Naoto took a deep breath and held Rise's hand firmly. Even with all that was happening around them, she was grateful for one thing.

At least she didn't have to go through it alone.