Without Yu

The scene of Kanji asking Naoto out reminded Rise of a horror movie. Thankfully, not because of any masked psycho running around or anything, but simply because she couldn't tear her eyes away from the scene. She and Kanji had spent the last couple of weeks preparing him for the challenge of asking out the Detective Prince. Now, as Rise sat at her desk and watched the trainwreck with bated breath, she wondered if it was enough.

Come on... Come on! Remember what I told you! Confidence! Directness! Gentlemanlyness! You can do it, Kanji.

He stood on the other side of the classroom with the bluette, stammering and flushing. His bashful and sheepish behavior was in stark contrast to the thuggish brute he typically appeared to be. Of course, Rise had ample time to get to know the real Kanji. He wasn't the neantherthal that everyone wrote him off as. Sure, he wasn't a genius, but he was an artist, with a genuine heart of gold under his rough edges.

The last week's preparation just brought the kindness and gentleness to the forefront. If Rise was in her shoes, she'd take Kanji up on the date without a second thought.

It took Rise only a moment to realize the implications of what she had thought, and she quickly nipped that thought in the bud. She just forced a practiced smile onto her face as he walked back to her. He was beaming, ear to ear. She told herself that, this was good. That everything was going well. That Yu would understand and forgive her, and that she wasn't jealous of Naoto.

That's what she told herself.

The soft click and hiss brought Rise out of her memories. Yu sat beside her on a school bench, a bowl of food for each of them sat in front of them. The older boy downed the carbonated nectar, before wiping his lips with his sleeve. He then cracked apart his chopsticks and began eating, glancing at her as she aimlessly stared at her bowl.

"So how you been, Rise? You seem to be taking recent events about as well as I am. What's wrong? My back hurt your knife?" he joked

Rise trembled at the words, and Yu felt a wave of remorse and pity wash over him. "Hey, seriously. What's up? You seem to be in an even worse mood than I am, and I just saw the girl of my dreams with another man." Yu placed his chopsticks down and he leaned closer, staring at her crestfallen expression. "Rise, come on. We're friends. I want to help you."

"Why?" Rise's fingers squeezed the hem of her skirt with shaky hands. "I mean, Senpai, I hurt you. I betrayed you."

"Fuck yeah you did," replied Yu, bluntly. He then immediately spoke again, with a far more gentle tone. "But I'm trying to be a better person, and while you may not be as perfect as the media portrays you as, I know you're not bitchy enough to have done this purely to hurt me. Let me guess. Wanted to help an ugly, lost puppy named Kanji, huh?"

"..."

"Yep." Yu took another swing of his soda, before letting out a breath. "So, from what I saw, they're pretty happy together."

"Yeah..."

"So why the long face? You should be happy, right? You did it, Kanji grew a pair and won Naoto's heart." He ignored the queasy feeling in the pit of his gut and continued speaking to the quiet ex-idol. "Rise, what's wrong?"

"..." Her lips moved, but he didn't hear anything.

"Rise. It's okay. I promise. Whatever's going on, I'll help the best I can."

And crazy enough, Yu actually meant it. Yeah, deep down he was still pissed off at her, and part of him still wanted to punch Kanji's teeth out, but it seemed time had changed the silver-tongued liar. His mind briefly reminisced about a time where Rise was just a walking sex toy to him, where he would just smile and nod and pretend to care about her. Now here he was, actually meaning the cheesy things he said to her.

Absolutely fuckin' nuts...

She looked at him and bit her lower lip for a second, before she spoke again. "I think I might like Kanji."

"So? I like him too, even if he is a stupid, piece of... Oh."

The festival was still in its opening stages when Naoto arrived. She was early for the engagement, a personal decision she had made when the inside of her apartment offered her little rest. Naoto watched as students ran by to prepare their own activities, while a few of the early birds were quietly mingling with one another, awaiting the festival to truly begin. She stuck out like a blistered, sore thumb among the school grounds, dressed in a cerulean blazer and plaid, cyan pants. Her trademark hat sat atop her head as she drank from a styrofoam cup.

Take off my skin, I will not cry, but you will.

The more you leave behind, the more you have.

Harder to catch the faster you run...

Naoto had been a fan of mysterious and enigmas since she was a child. While she was far from that same little girl, her grandfather continued to feed her weekly puzzles from the Shirogane Estate. This week's puzzles were not overly difficult, but it felt like Naoto had little time to spare for them. All of her time and attention was directed away; either by schoolwork, the investigation, or by spending time with Narukami...

Narukami... The older boy's reaction to news of her outing with Kanji Tatsumi was dramatic, even for him. She didn't understand why it upset him though. What did it matter that she chose to spend her time with him during the Culture Festival? Was he really so bent on spending time together? Was he jealous that Kanji-kun had asked me out? Naoto felt her cheeks flare against the cool, twilight air.

Stop. This outing is a social event between friends. Nothing more. Even if it were a romantic engagement, Narukami would not be jealous. Our relationship is strictly professional.

And yet, in some dark, corner of her mind, the same corner that her Shadow now resided in (she hypothesized) she wondered what Narukami would say if he was the one she was meant to meet.

"Looking good, beautiful. You wore that outfit just for me?" He'd smile that stupid smirk and lean close, tilting her hat so they could stare eye to eye. "I mean it, though. You look great." And he'd actually meant it, and she'd seen the real man beyond the lies again... A man that was kind and true, but dangerous and flawed...

Naoto grabbed those thoughts and locked them away, tossing the key aside so she could properly ignored and deny them. She let out a sigh as she tossed her cup into a nearby trashcan. Her mind returned to her grandfather's riddles and she began to mumble aloud to herself.

"Take off my skin, I will not cry, but you will... An onion. More behind, more you have... Footsteps." Naoto recalled the mailed questions with pinpoint accuracy, before memorizing her own answers for later. "Harder to catch the faster you run... Your breath."

"Naoto? Y-you okay?"

"Huh?" Naoto lifted her head up and found none other than the boy she had been waiting for. He stared at her with concern as a faint, scarlet hue colored her cheeks. Kanji Tatsumi stood in front of her with clothes she had never seen on the boy before. In truth, the clothing he was adorned in were completely counter to his typical character.

Kanji had replaced his usual skull tank top and leather jacket with a dark violet, buttoned up dress shirt that sat on the edge of being pure black. His pants were a dark beige, with a black belt around them to keep them secure. Finally, draped across his arm and neatly folded was a black coat. His hair still resembled its swept back style, allowing her to better accept that the finely dressed man in front of her was, indeed, her classmate.

"K-Kanji-kun?" Naoto had to stop herself from asking if it was really him. Of course it was him, she scolded herself. She shook the thought out of her head and approached Kanji. "How are you?"

"I'm okay. Uh... How about you? You okay?"

"I am quite alright."

"Good. That's great," he replied, a scarlet flush forming on his cheeks, but rather than falter and stutter before the bluette, Kanji kept his cool. "So, uh... Wanna get started?" Naoto nodded her head in response, and the two began walking into the school to begin their not-date. As they walked, Kanji took a moment to lag behind and play with the collar of his shirt. Damn, this thing is tight...

"No, no, no, no, no, and no." Clothes flew across Kanji's room as the young man sat on his bed. The clothes soared through the air as Rise sighed and marched over to him, holding one of his many leather jackets in her hands. "Really? Kanji, how many leather jackets do you need?!"

"Hey, lay off! I just keep losing them," he grumbled, shrugging his shoulders as he stole his jacket from out of her hands. "Besides, what are you even looking for?"

"Clothes!"

"Uh..." Kanji's eyes drifted towards the several shirts and pants left around the room.

"Date clothes, Moronji." The boy glared at the girl as she sighed and scoped out the mess she had made. "Okay. We'll clean up your room and go out shopping. If you're going to take Naoto out on a date, you'll need the right clothes."

"Uhhh..."

"Don't worry, I'll cover for them," Rise comforted.

"Huh? You sure? I mean, you told me that the guy always pays for the girl's stuff."

"One, we're not dating, Kanji-kun. Two, it's okay. I can cover for the price if you carry the bags. Deal?"

Kanji contemplated the offer for a moment, before smiling. "Alright, deal."

"When did you start thinking this?" He didn't sound angry. He didn't sound confused. Yu sounded like a friend, kind, caring, and without judgement. Rise didn't want to even think about how real or fake he was being. She just took it at face value and put her cards on the table.

"I don't know. I don't even know if it means anything. I just, I realized he's nice to have around. He's nice."

"Nice? You say thank you, and make friends with people who are nice. Nice doesn't get someone to fall in love. Try again," Yu urged.

"He's... he's simple."

"He sure is," chuckled Yu. "Dumb as a rock, and just as good looking."

Rise felt her temper flare at his words. "Hey! He's a lot smarter than he acts sometimes. Maybe not in school stuff, but he pays attention. He's trying!" she growled, glaring daggers at the smirking man.

That smirk vanished suddenly, leaving a more neutral, humble expression behind it. "So you like how he pays attention to you? Not too much, not too little, just the right amount of attention a boyfriend should give?"

Rise blinked, realizing she had fallen for Yu's trap. She looked away, back at her untouched bowl of noodles. She quietly cracked apart her chopsticks and began to eat. He didn't force an answer out of her. He was patiently waiting for her to speak for herself.

"What's wrong with me?" she wondered. He raised a silver brow, but didn't say anything. "First you, now Kanji? Do I just look for the worst guys to fall for?"

"Okay, hurtful, but fair," Yu smiled. "Don't be too hard on yourself. I am, er, was? I was a manipulative, lying scumbag. I knew how to attract the-" Almost said stupid... Good save, me. "Susceptible... But Kanji's the real deal, I guess. He actually gives a shit about people and actually would, probably, make a good boyfriend."

He looked at Rise again, crossing his arms and leaning forward, against the table. "But you have to ask yourself this, Rise. Are you actually falling for him, or are you just looking for love?"

"Looking for love...?" She repeated the words again, but came out with no answer.

"So, what do you want to do first?" wondered Kanji as the two walked down the school hall together.

"You did not plan ahead?" Naoto inquired.

Kanji shrugged his shoulders. "I didn't know if you wanted anything in particular." When she wasn't looking, the young man grunted and tugged at the collar of his shirt. Shit, this thing's tight. He tried in vain to stretch the cloth out, before glancing at the school's stairs. He briefly wondered what activities could be on the second floor, but a reminder of who was up there killed all curiosity. Instead, the young man looked around the hall, searching for something fun.

"How about that?"

Naoto looked to where he pointed and a feeling of dread instantly washed over her. A class room on the third floor had put a part of their budget to advertise their class' activities. the words were a bright, vibrant red, filled in with marker and each letter stylized to appear as though it wsa drenched and dripping red. Demonic faces decorated the words, some sticking their tongues out to try and lick up the raining blood drops.

"Horror of the Haunted Halls," Kanji read. "That could be fun, right? I've never gone through a haunted house before. You?"

"I... I'd rather not. Surely we can invest our time in a more dignified activity. I believe one of the first year classes has an art gallery. Let's examine that, shall we?" Naoto didn't wait for a response. She was already marching towards down the hall, leaving the blonde-haired delinquent to stare at her back.

"Did... Did I say something wrong?"

"You should take her to the haunted house first!"

"Huh? Really?"

Kanji took a moment to stop eating his ice cream to glance at his strawberry-ice-cream-eating compatriot. In his own hands was a cone of chocolate ice cream, half eaten and melting.

"During the Culture Festival," she explained, a soft smile on her features. "Girls love going through something scary hoping to see their man protecting them. If you and she go through it, she'll be on you in seconds."

"Huh." Kanji licked up his ice cream as he pondered the idea. Judging by the rising fire on his cheeks, Rise's words made their impact on the boy. "O-okay. Right. Haunted house... I can do that!"

"Good! And word of advice? Maybe try to control your cheeks. You're looking kind of like a tomato, Kanji-kun."

"Huh? Tomato...? Hey!"

Rise couldn't help but laugh at the sight of the furious tomato with a mouth. The other boy, to his credit, took the teasing as good-natured ribbing. All the same, he finished his ice cream with a few chomps, before looking at the girl.

"Yeah, yeah. It's real funny." He rolled his eyes as Rise's chortling finally ceased. "This the store?"

"Yep. Let's go, Kanji! You have a detective to impress!" she beamed, motioning him to follow after her. Her beaming grin hid the bubbles of remorse and dread well.

Naoto and Kanji walked along the gallery, examining the interesting pieces of art the class had put on display. In truth, many of the drawings and crafts were below even amateur level, but she still enjoyed this more than she would have enjoyed the supposedly haunted halls. She examined an above average piece portrait of a calm, cerulean waterfall as Kanji cleared his throat.

"So what was that stuff you were mumbling to yourself?"

"Huh? Excuse me?" Naoto blinked, pulling her eyes from the oil painting and looking at the blue-eyed student. He looked back at her and maintained a level of calmness, thanks to Rise's training.

"I heard you mumbling stuff to yourself outside the school. What was it?"

"O-oh," Naoto's cheeks turned warm at the question. She shoved her hands into her pockets and stroked the fabric of her pants with her thumbs anxiously. She dipped her head down to avoid his inquisitive stare as she muttered an answer. "My grandpa and I enjoy riddles. So he sends some to me from time to time and I try to answer them correctly..."

Kanji stood like a statue as she continued on down the gallery. "Seriously? Shit, that's awesome!" He followed after her as she kept her cobalt eyes directed at the floor, hidden under her hat.

"I-it's really nothing special."

"I've never been good at riddles. So I think it's pretty cool."

"It's nothing special," she repeated, trying to distract herself with someone's self portrait. The poor product did little to sway the conversation.

"Can I hear one?"

Naoto lifted her head up, meeting his oceanic eyes with her own blue-grey eyes. Her confusion was met with genuine curiosity. She felt the edges of her lips being pulled upwards as she replied. "Very well. I have been going over some of them in my head. Perhaps you'd like to help me with them?"

Kanji let out a nervous chuckle, scratching his warm cheeks with an anxious finger. "Uh... I-I don't know how much help I'll be, but I can try."

"The more you leave behind, the more you have. What am I referring to?"

The young man opened his mouth, before closing it again. He scratched his blonde locks as he pondered the question. "Uh... More you leave behind, more you have? How does... how does that work?" Naoto's face showed a certain level of amusement as he pondered the question, walking side by side with her.

"Do you want me to explain?"

"Can ya? I'm seriously lost."

"Footsteps. You leave more footsteps behind, and thus gain more." Naoto stopped in her tracks and swiveled her head to look behind them. They had left several footsteps behind them, from the painting to where they stood now.

"Huh. Okay, hit me with another."

"Ooh, how about this?" Rise suggested, holding up a blue jacket with white accents.

"I already have jackets," replied Kanji.

"You have a leather jacket. Correction, you have like seven leather jackets. Who even needs that many leather jackets?" she argued, placing the jacket back on its stand.

"I like leather jackets!"

"I know you do, and yeah, you fill them out well, but you need some kind of variety." Rise looked at another rack of clothes, leaving Kanji to glare at her. Before the implications of her words dawned on him and his eyes narrowed, as if trying to see through Rise.

"Wait, what did you say?" he questioned, following the retired idol around the store.

Internally, Rise felt a rush of embarrassment and regret at her words, but she made a show of playing it off. She didn't even meet his stare as she looked through clothes. "You have muscles. Girls like that, but they can come off the wrong way if you don't have the right outfit to accent them. Oooh, maybe this?" Rise smiled, taking a fashionable, dark grey shirt and holding it against Kanji's chest to the boy's exasperation.

"D-do you think Naoto likes them?" he wondered, glancing at his covered arm.

"Hm... She doesn't seem like the type to swoon for a guy with strong arms, but they won't hurt. Naoto may be a detective, but she's still a person. I've seen her blush, and I'm sure you will too!" she teased. "Now, take these, try them on, and tell me what you think! And make sure it isn't too tight on you, but also not too loose. We want it just right," she commanded, shoving a pair of shirts and a jacket into Kanji's chest.

"R-right! Okay!" And like a good soldier, Kanji nodded his head and followed her instructions, marching towards the fitting rooms. As soon as he the door closed behind him, Kanji inspected himself in the mirror. He looked himself over with a growing scowl on his features.

Yu Narukami was a hot guy. Everything seemed to go right for him physically. But Kanji? Kanji was far from perfect, and he sure as hell wasn't hot. Only person to call him attractive was his ma, and that was her job...

I'm tall. Girls like tall guys, right?

Yu Narukami was tall too, but unlike Kanji, he didn't tower over people like a decrepit building. He was more like a gleaming skyscraper, like a monument or something. He inspired people. Kanji terrified them like he was about to fall and crush them.

Kanji threw off his jacket and looked at his face, leaning closer to the glass. He put a hand to his chin, feeling the tiny hairs that were beginning to grow on him. He rubbed his calloused fingers against his sandpaper skin and sighed.

Yu's face is like a freakin' sculpture made by some... some sculpture making guy! I look like someone hit a rock with a jackhammer until it looked like a head...

Kanj threw his shirt aside and looked at his bare and naked chest. He felt his arms, measuring the bumps that his muscles made. He flexed his body for the mirror, looking himself over with a bit of pride. That was one thing he had over his senpai. Then the idea of Naoto looking at him popped into his mind and his cheeks turned hot and breath short.

He let out a deep sigh as he began to dress himself in the clothes Rise had picked out for him. Every article of clothing had some designer logo or felt like it had been factory produced after some frou-fou artist sketched it out and called it style. To put it simply, these clothes were the kind of things he wouldn't be caught dead in. But if Rise thought they'd help him with Naoto over...

Kanji had his back to the mirror when he placed the stylish jacket onto him. He squeezed his eyes shut and turned around to take in the horror show he probably resembled. He forced his eyes open and took it all in, shocked to find that... he didn't look too bad. Granted, Kanji wasn't as fashionable as Rise probably was, but... he didn't look half bad.

He examined his purple shirt and felt his scowl turn upside down, slowly growing into a healthy smile. It hugged his body when he tucked it in, but he could stretch his arms up and down just as easily as he could in his leather jacket. His pants were a bit too dorky for his nature, but they weren't torn and no stains. They were clean and fresh and made him feel the same.

"Heh. Not bad," he chuckled, grinning at his reflection. "Not bad at all..."

Kanji stepped out of the fitting room with a new confidence and he turned his head around, searching for his partner in crime to tell her the good news. He expected to find her and maybe even wow her, but what he saw instead pissed him off. Rise was still in the main room of the clothes store, and she had her head nearly buried in a rack of dresses. That wasn't what caught Kanji's ire. It was the two douchebags staring at Rise from across the room.

"Dude, I'm telling you, I think that's Risette!"

"Dude, you think Risette would be hanging out here? Besides, look at her. She's way too plain to be Risette. Risette's a bombshell. She's like, a seven out of ten, tops."

"Hmm... Yeah, I guess you're right. Still, be my wingman. I'm gonna try and get her number."

Kanji's eyes drifted towards the copper-haired girl and he saw how her shape seemed to shrink with every word. The bubbly nature he always saw her with seemed to vanish as her dainty fingers squeezed a dress. The fabric wrinkled and her fingers turned pale and she shivered. If Kanji didn't know better, it was almost like she was on the edge of tears...

His eyes turned to the two boys again and he saw red.

"Hey!" The two boys turned their heads to find a well dressed, but pissed off demon of a man stomping towards them. They shrunk against his approaching figure, practically shaking as he towered over them. "You both better shut your mouths before I kick your collective asses, ya hear me?!"

"Oh God! T-that's Kanji Tatsumi!" one boy whimpered. "Dude killed a whole biker gang when he was a kid!"

"S-shit, d-don't hurt us! We didn't know you called her already!"

Kanji's nose flared like a bull as he leaned closer, causing both boys to tremble even harder. "I ain't calling shit! Both of you pack your shit and get out of here before I pound you into the ground, got it?"

"R-right!"

"W-we're sorry!"

"Hey!" The two boys froze in the middle of the doorway. "Just so you know? That girl you were talking shit about?" Rise felt her body go stiff and her breath freeze in her throat. "She's a million times better than Risette! Got it?!"

"Y-yeah, sure!"

"W-whatever you say, man!"

"Kanji..." Her voice was so small. She couldn't lift her head to meet his softening gaze. She just stared at the ground as she stumbled towards him. "Thanks..."

"No problem."

"I was offered a role in a drama before I went on hiatus."

Yu and Rise sat outside the school, sitting on a bench, away from the hustle and bustle of the festival. They could still hear music and laughter from within, but it all seemed so far away as the two stared at the darkening sky.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. I was going to be a new girl at a high school full of quirky boys and girls and get wrapped up in all the drama that comes with high school." Rise let out a bitter chuckle as she shook her head. "When I refused the role, I didn't think... I didn't think my life would turn out like this."

"Yeah, our lives are kind of dramatic, ain't they?" observed Yu. "I mean, hell, when I came to this town, all I wanted was some sexy, fun time. Now I'm stopping a murderer and getting my heart broken by the one that got away."

"What's wrong with me? Why do I keep doing this to myself...?" The girl sounded so empty. So tired. Yu reached over to her and quietly placed a hand on the shoulder farthest from him, giving it a comforting squeeze. She leaned towards him, falling on his shoulder. He let her stay there as he spoke.

"There's nothing wrong with falling in love, Rise. Look, we still don't know what's going to happen. Either the night ends with them together or not. All we can do is sit here and wait."

"Easier said than done," she lamented.

"Most things are," he sighed, shrugging his shoulder. Her head gently rose and fell as she laid on his shoulder.

"I'm surprised you're taking it so well... I mean, no offense, but you've barely said anything mean about Kanji."

"Oh? I hadn't noticed," joked Yu, before he allowed his smile to fade. He sighed. "Honestly? I feel nauseous. It feels like my heart is being ripped out and stomped on, and yeah, it fucking sucks, and I'm pissed off, but ya know what? Long as she's happy."

That brought a soft smile to the retired idol's face. "You've come a long way." Yu just grunted in response as the window blew by. "Hey, Senpai?"

"Seriously, just call me Yu, Rise."

"Okay, Yu, can I ask you a question?" She felt him nod his head and she went on. "If you could go back in time, knowing what you know now, would you stop yourself from falling for Naoto?"

The silverette was silent for what felt like an eternity. Rise didn't look at him. She gave him that privacy as she rested on his shoulder, staring off into the sky. The wind howled again as she finally heard something from the young man. A chuckle.

"I know what I'm supposed to say. I know what would be the mature, moral thing to say." Yu cleared his throat and spoke with elegance and grace. "'I hold it true, whate'er befall. I feel it when I sorrow most, tis better to have loved and lost. Than never to have loved at all.'" Yu chuckled again, and Rise finally rose her head up to look at him. "And you know what the funniest, dumbest thing is? I actually agree with that. I fell in love with Naoto, and if I could go back? I'd fall in love all over again, every time."

"Even if she and Kanji end up together?"

"Even if that happens," he murmured. "Man. I feel bad. I was really hoping I could break the mold and say, 'fuck this shit, I'm out. I wish I had never fallen for Naoto,' but I guess that wouldn't be very honest of me, now would it?"

"Heh. I guess not," she sniffled. "Hey, Yu? Can I ask you another question?"

"Why stop now?"

"Do you think you and I ever could have been anything?" Silence. Rise lifted her head to look into his wide eyes. They were like two pools of shimmering, silver treasure. "Do you think we still could...?"

"Yeah, and my ma, she- she couldn't believe it. She was so mad! I'd never seen her yell that loud since," Kanji laughed. "Oh, man... The cops were shaking in their boots afterwards."

Naoto wasn't sure how it had happened. Perhaps her time with Narukami had left her more comfortable with social interactions. Perhaps the fact that Kanji Tatsumi had a genuine interest in activities she enjoyed was the key to a more easy conversation between the two. Perhaps Kanji was just an easy person to talk to, or maybe, just maybe, she had gotten better at talking to others.

Either way, Kanji and Naoto's outing had been an enjoyable one so far. Naoto was enjoying an activity she would have once called frivolous and pointless. It was almost comedic in a way. She had not expected Tatsumi to be such comforting company. He was almost as easy to talk to as Narukami had become.

The two's path had led them through the school's first floor, where they now entered another classroom. This class was serving food, with the students imitating waiters and waitresses at a black-tie event. Several decorations, including paper chandeliers hung from the ceiling and walls to try and enhance the atmosphere of the room. There were even cheap, electric candles sitting on every table. Most weren't even lit, as the room's lights kept the place perfectly illuminated.

"Heh. A-anyways, your turn. You wanna tell me another riddle or, uh..." Kanji pulled at his collar as Naoto stared at him. "I mean, I'd like to hear about you."

Naoto's felt her mouth become impossibly dry as the words sank. She coughed into her fist as she made her choice clear. "There's been one riddle this month that has left me scratching my head. Perhaps a fresh perspective would help me?" she thought as she walked towards a table. Kanji stood behind, sighing as he followed after her.

"I doubt I'll be much help, but I ain't no man if I don't trust. What's the riddle?"

The two sat down on unfolded chairs, seated around a table that was just two desks pushed together with a white cloth thrown over them. A single, pink and silver candle sat between them, flickering from on and off between the two.

"Imagine a large, dark room. There is no way to illuminate it, thus you have zero visibility. How do you escape within a minute?"

Kanji gawked at the riddle, before letting out a low stutter. "Uhh... Keep going left?"

"A unique strategy," Naoto noted with a curious tone to her voice. "But sadly impossible. There is not enough time. The room is too large to escape within the time given. Now, I have several theories on how escape is possible, but my leading theory is currently-"

"Hi there, may I take your orders?!" Naoto was cut off as a young waitress greeted them, skipping over with a notepad in hand.

"Oh, uhh... I'll have a couple of spring rolls," Kanji quickly answered.

"Do you have any coffee?" Naoto inquired. The girl's blank stare gave enough of an answer and the bluette sighed. "I'll have a bottle of water, thank you."

"Okay! Can I just say, you two make a really cute couple! I assume your boyfriend is paying for your water?"

Naoto's eyes widened, as did Kanji's. Both of their faces turned scarlet, but only one of them voiced their thoughts. "We are not a couple. Tatsumi and I are just friends. This is not a date! I will be paying for my own water!" Her reaction, no, her outburst was far louder than it needed to be and it elicited several stares from other patrons. Naoto's discolored face ignored them though, and she quietly tipped her hat down to ignore them better.

She couldn't see Kanji's own stare, his aquamarine eyes cracked from the force of her shouting. He let out a quiet sigh as the waitress apologized and walked off. "Um... Y'know, I could pay for the meal, right?"

Naoto didn't even look at him as she replied like clockwork. "It's quite alright, Kanji-kun. I will pay for my own order."

"Really, it's no problem."

"I insist."

"I-" Kanji bit his tongue and began to count down from five. When he hit zero, he released a captured breath. "Alright. Well, you wanna talk about anything?" Naoto was quiet, leaving the blonde to decide on the subject. There was a long pause, before he cleared his throat and spoke. "I... uh... I made you something."

"What?" She finally revealed her steely eyes to him again. He was smiling, even though his insides were spinning around like a twister.

Thanks, Rise. "For this. I... uh... I made you something. For this. I already said that," he mumbled to himself, before reaching into his pocket. "I-I don't know if the others told you, but I'm pretty good at putting stuff together. Stuff like clothes or stuffed animals. My family owns a textile shop. You've... been there." The boy sucked on his lip as he inwardly cursed at himself. "Heh. Sorry. I'm... I'm not really used to talk to... people, I guess."

"It is quite understandable, Kanji-kun." Naoto returned his smile and a weight was lifted off of his shoulders. "I can sympathize. I am still struggling with social interactions. I've been told I have a tin ear, so to speak."

"Huh? What's that got to do with anything?" he questioned, raising a brow.

"Well, it alludes to 'the Wizard of Oz.' A common children's story and popular classical film. There is a character within the story known as the Tin Man, and he fears he is unable to feel emotion due to his lack of a heart. The Tin Man does goes on a quest to acquire a heart, but... er." Naoto came to a stop and tipped her hat once more to shield her flushed cheeks. "I apologize. I ramble at times. Please, go on, you had something for me?"

"Hey, s'cool. I think it's neat. Er, you talking."

"Yes, Narukami has told me similarly. I do not know if he is merely teasing me or being genuine in such compliments." Kanji ignored the pang in his heart at the mention of senpai's name. He kept his smile, even when Naoto seemed to remember something. "You know about Narukami, yes? Perhaps we could talk about him later? I've been rather curious about him and I was wondering about your view of him."

"Yeah... No problem." His face was smiling, but his heart was pounding. He bit his lip again as he thought, Did she just agree to this so she could ask me about him? He ground his teeth against each other, but he calmed down when his finger brushed against the lump in his pocket. Remember what Rise said. I can do this.

"Kanji-kun? Is something the mat-"

"Here are your orders! Enjoy!" beamed the waitress, placing their orders on the table. Both offered their thanks as she skipped away, leaving them alone once more.

"So I made you something," he repeated. "I... I hope you like it." Kanji hooked the trinket on his finger and lifted it out of his pocket, handing the key chain to his friend as her eyes widened.

"Why can't I wear my jacket?! It's freakin' cold out there!"

"You'll be fine. I got you a coat, didn't I?"

"Yeah, but..." Kanji glanced at one of his many leather jackets, before his eyes drifted back to the purple shirt Rise had given him. He sighed. "Whatever." A hand gently fell on his shoulder as Rise spoke, her voice laced with concern and sympathy.

"You okay? Butterflies in your stomach?"

The look on Kanji's face said it all. "Y'know, my dad wore a leather jacket when he met my ma." He glanced at Rise and snickered at the look on her face. "Seriously. Crazy, huh?" His blue eyes drifted back to the violet shirt and his smile wavered. "Guess I like wearing them cause it makes me feel like he's by my side, y'know...?" He tore his eyes from the shirt and looked at the retired idol. "I mean, that and I like the way they look."

"Kanji..." Rise looked at one of the many leather jackets littering the room and lifted one up from the ground. She turned it over in her hands, inspecting it of any stains or marks, before looking at the boy again. "If it means that much to you, I can-"

"Nah. You're probably right. Whole thing looks better without it. Besides..." He began to put the shirt on over his plain, white undershirt. "I don't need my dad watching my back on this one. I got you." He grinned at her, and Rise felt her cheeks turn pink at the cool gaze.

"When I would get nervous before a performance, my manager would always try to give me a pep talk. He'd tell me, "Rise-chan-" The idol lowered her voice, trying in vain to mimic her manager's baritone voice. The attempt brought a smile to Kanji's features. "You can do this. You're a smart girl, you've been practicing for weeks, and you're a natural. Everything will be okay."

"Uh... I'm a smart girl?" Kanji repeated, amused by her imitation.

"You know what I mean, Moronji," she snickered, lightly hitting his shoulder with her hand.

"Yeah..."

"Hey, I've probably hung out with you more than any other girl, right?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Then trust me. You're a great guy. You're kind, sensitive, and just big ol' teddy bear deep down," she complimented, poking the delinquent's cheek. The taller boy scoffed, and gently tried to elbow her away.

"Knock that shit off," he joked.

Rise smiled at the boy and felt a small increment of pride and delight. She remembered her first meeting with the boy. He, Yosuke, and Yu had came to her grandmother's shop to warn her of the murderer. Yosuke, and looking back, even Yu were starstruck. Not Kanji. He never saw Risette, something not even Yu could admit to. Now she was friends with the blonde boy.

And he's going to run into Naoto's arms and leave me behind. Rise stopped and shivered slightly. Kanji hadn't noticed thankfully. W-where did that come from? I'm not... I don't...

"Rise? Hey, you okay?"

"Huh? Yeah! Yeah, I'm great! What's up?"

Kanji peered at the copper-haired girl, before shrugging. "I was saying that I made Naoto something for our uh... date." The boy's cheeks flushed as he reached into his pant's pocket. He pulled out a small keychain and Rise marveled at the sight of it.

A gorgeous blue bird, flapping its wings as it took off. There was a chain connected to it, linked to a large, metal circle. The sapphire-colored bird was soaring, eyes, legs, and beak as black as night, The trinket was soft to the touch, almost pillow-like. Rise was beaming at the sight, astonished by the skill and craftsmanship.

"Kanji, you made this?! T-this is so cute!" Rise held it in her delicate fingers, treating the tiny avian with the utmost care. She turned it over in her hands, gushing about the lovable trinket.

"Heh. Thanks. I've been working on it for a while and, well... You really think it's nice?"

"Kanji, I love it! I mean, this is just... it's so cute!"

"Thanks. You think Naoto will like it?"

And just like that, Rise felt like smacking herself. She had been caught in the moment. A boy, one that she had been spending over a week with, giving her an amazing, and handmade, gift... Could she really be blamed for getting lost in the moment?

"Naoto's gonna love it, Kanji."

She didn't know why that hurt so much to say. She just did what she did best and faked a smile.

"Rise." Yu lifted a warm, steady hand to her cheek. She didn't dare rest her head on his palm without his permission, but his thumb gently drew circles on her cheek. It brushed away a tear that she hadn't realized had even been there. He looked at her, and she looked back, holding her breath. "There will never be anything more than this."

Rise laughed. It came out harsher than she meant it to. She pulled away, but his hand kept her sitting beside him. "I'm not sure what I was thinking."

"That misery loves company. That maybe you had it right the first time. That maybe if I held you in my arms and kissed you on the lips, you could forget about Kanji like that." He snapped his fingers to emphasize his point. "Yeah. I get that. I-" Was going to use you to get my mind off of Naoto. "I... get it. I do."

"But...?" She felt like she already knew his answer. She still waited for his answer.

"Well, I'm trying. Trying to change, I mean, just like you. I..." Yu closed his eyes and sighed. His hand slipped from Rise's shoulder, but she didn't move away. The two sat on that bench, alone and cold as the night ticked on by. "There was this girl. Ayane. She's in my music club."

"You're in the music club? Aren't you also on the basketball team? And drama club? How-"

"Rise. Focus," scowled Yu. He exhaled through his teeth and looked away from the copper-haired girl. He leaned forward, glaring at his hands. "Ayane told me she liked me today."

"What? Oh. Oh no..."

"Yep. The Old Yu just loves causing problems for me, and yeah, if you were wondering, I did manipulate and lie to her. She fell for me, and I was planning on maybe getting some of her before ditching her when I left town." The silverette let out an aggravated groan as his fingers clenched and tightened into fists. "I don't even remember why her. She's not even that cute! What was I even thinking?! You're an idol, at least." Yu sighed again and placed his hands on the back of his head, gently pulling down as he continued. "Anyways, one thing led to another... I told her the truth. Got slapped. Then I saw Naoto and Kanji together. So, yeah..."

"It's been a rough night," mumbled Rise.

"Very." He rose back, straightening himself out as he glared at Rise. "Would you even want to be with me? I mean, really?" Rise didn't say anything as her almond eyes drifted away from him. His glare vanished, and a calmer mind guided his hand back to her shoulder. "Rise, you are an amazing girl. You really are, I mean, I don't even know if I'd be here if it weren't for you, but I simply don't like you that way. I know it sucks, but I'm done with faking love."

The memory of Ayane sobbing flashed across his mind and Yu inhaled deeply. His free hand flinched, nearly balling into a fist, but he relaxed it before it could. "I'm sorry." He wanted to laugh at their lives, but all that came out was a bitter grunt. "I'm sorry, Rise."

"It's okay, Senpai." They locked eyes, and finally found the strength to laugh. Rise wiped away her tears as Yu felt his lips being tugged into a small smile. "It's not. It hurts, and I feel so dumb, but-but it'll be okay."

"This is very impressive, Kanji-kun," Naoto commented, gazing at the trinket. "And... and you made this for me?"

"Y-yeah."

"I hadn't known we were meant to make one another gifts. I don't have anything for you, and... honestly, I'd feel guilty taking this."

"Don't!" Kanji pushed the extended hand back to her and he took a deep breath. "I mean, t-there's something you can do for me... i-if you want to make it even with me."

Naoto couldn't ignore the writhing in her stomach. She saw the fire on Tatsumi's cheeks. She saw the way his chest rose and fell as he took in fast, rushed breaths. She saw the way his eyes gazed at her. It was a stare that she was all too familiar with, but she still pleaded and hoped that she was wrong.

Kanji-kun, please, don't...

"Maybe we can do this again? As more than friends...?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

"I-I said, maybe we can do this again as-"

"I heard you." Naoto couldn't meet his pleading stare. She felt her mouth dry up as his blue eyes burrowed holes in her skull. "Tatsumi..."

"Call me Kanji. Ya don't have to keep using honorifics either. You can just call me Kanji..."

"Kanji-kun, I'm sorry."

Those words hurt him a lot harder than they should have. They were just words. They shouldn't have felt like he was getting his heart stabbed, but God damn it, it fucking stung. The regret in her voice fell on deaf ears. All he could do was glare at her, muttering to himself, not even meaning or expecting her to hear him.

"Why are you sorry? I'm the one being dumped."

"Kanji-kun." Naoto took a moment to contemplate her words. Part of her wanted to repeat the same lines she always said when pressed into this issue, but with Kanji, she simply couldn't bring herself to speak with the same cold, apathy others received. "I'm sorry, but I simply do not want anything more than a platonic relationship."

"With me? Or with anyone?"

"With anyone." Naoto placed both hands on the table and sighed, raising her head to glare back at him. Her cobalt eyes softened when she saw his pained, shimmering eyes. "I am sorry, but I simply do not want a relationship like that. I'm not looking for this kind of relationship with anyone! Not while there is a murderer running around, and not while I need to devote my time to solving this mystery and putting the killer behind bars. I can't waste my energy on distractions such as this."

"You sure have a funny way of doing that. Don't you and Senpai 'devote' yourselves to each other all the time?" he spat.

Naoto was taken back by the venomous remark.

"Narukami and I are friends, and yes, I would even go as far as to call him my closest friend, but I promise you that our feelings for each other are..." There was a pregnant pause as Naoto searched for the proper word. "Professional. Simply professional."

"Yeah. Right," he scoffed.

"I hope- I truly hope you and I can still remain friends, Kanji-kun..." Kanji didn't respond. They just stared at one another as time ticked by. Naoto realized the trinket still hung from her fingertips, gently swaying back and forth as she raised her hand and stretched it out to him. "I'm sorry..." His hand met hers midway, and he gently wrapped his shaky fingers around her hand.

"Keep it." He wanted to ask her to, but it came out more like he was pleading her. Naoto opened her mouth to deny the idea, but his eyes locked with hers once more. "Just keep it. Okay?"

"Very well..."

END

Finally done with this chapter. Man, what a journey. This chapter came out a lot longer than it was meant to, and it was originally going to be even longer. A lot of stuff that was going to be in here will be moved to either Tales or Chapter 22 probably. Now then, thoughts on the chapter...

Contrast and foils were a big thing here. Yu and Rise being foils to Kanji and Naoto, plus Rise and Kanji being foils to Kanji and Naoto. It was a challenge portraying the couples as I wanted to. Both Yu/Rise and Kanji/Naoto were meant to come off as 'better as friends' rather than lovers.

Rise was written with a flaw in mind, and that flaw was her rashness when it came to falling in love. She fell in love with Yu and Kanji, and a big thing about her is that she needs to take it a bit slower. That, and that Yu and her are better as friends, rather than lovers not in love.

But yeah. Dramatic, huh?

Big Question: Would you guys like next chapter to focus on the fallout of the night OR the Drag Queen Pageant? Take it slow so the relationships have time to develop, or speed forward to the videogame stuff?

Take care, everyone and sorry for the wait. Hopefully next time will be sooner! Have a good one everyone!