The Idol and the Prince
Part XX
11/22
Today marked the day that Shirogane Naoto was released from the hospital. Yukiko had fixed her up well enough so they could defeat Namatame's shadow and save Nanako, but the detective's loss of blood and fatigue landed her in the hospital for a few days.
It had been a strange two days for the detective, being hooked up to an IV, but the plus side was the fact that Nanako was only a few rooms away from her. The detective visited the little girl every chance she had, making her and Dojima almost permanent fixtures in her room.
In Naoto's mind, she not only wanted to visit Nanako, but she felt responsible for everything that had happened, still recovering from the guilt she felt.
Everyone had come to visit both Nanako and Naoto in those two days, everyone except for Rise.
Well, the redhead accompanied everyone with Nanako, but she had only popped into Naoto's room for a few minutes. Otherwise, she avoided the detective like the plague, still angry with how the girl went about rescuing Nanako. It had been weeks since they had last had a civil conversation, the thick tension becoming more and more unbearable for everyone around them.
Naoto stood at the hospital entrance, glancing up from her watch. It was around noon and she had a bag with her personal effects gripped tightly in her hands. Suddenly, she blinked in surprise at the figures approaching her. She had expected her driver to pick her up, but instead, found herself face to face with her upperclassmen and Kanji. Someone was missing and it didn't take Naoto long to realize who it was.
"W-What's everyone doing here?" The detective asked, flustered at the sudden attention she was getting. She didn't want let her feelings show, but she was touched by the gesture.
"Aren't you glad to see us?" Chie winked as she dashed over, hooking an arm around Naoto's neck as she hung off the petite girl's shoulders.
"Yeah, we took the afternoon off just so we could see you." Kanji scratched his head sheepishly, acting like it was no big deal. His cheeks were red with embarrassment, giving him away.
Naoto laughed, feeling relieved that no one was angry at her. "You didn't all have to do this…I just saw you guys yesterday, didn't I?"
"Tch, it's not like we were worried about you or anything. We just…wanted to wait until you were out to celebrate Nanako's rescue that's all." Yousuke skulked behind the rest of the group as he recited the line that Yukiko gave him to say. He rolled his eyes when Seta gave the detective a friendly hug.
"How about I treat you all to lunch as thanks? I know a really good restaurant just a few blocks away and the owner owes me a pretty huge favor." Naoto smiled, focusing on her friends, staying away from the subject of Rise. She was itching to ask about the idol, but struggled to act apathetic to the fact that Rise didn't show.
"Food? Free food?" Teddy burst in, running in from nowhere as he threw himself into the centre of the group, sparkling and shining in his blonde human form. "Should we get Rise-chan too? I'm sure she-"
A sharp elbow to the side cut the bear off mid-sentence and he doubled over in pain, wilting. It was a stealthy move from the usually passive Yukiko. The black haired girl recovered almost immediately, a serene smile on her face.
"That sounds like a great idea! Let's all have lunch to celebrate all this good news." Yukiko lead the group as she pulled Naoto and Chie along, not wanting to dwell on the subject of Rise. She saw the look that came over the detective once Teddy had uttered her name. On an executive decision, Yukiko decided that it wasn't time to deal with those feelings just yet.
After all, the redhead needed time to sort out her emotions and get over her anger. A group discussion wasn't going to help that.
It wasn't long before the high school students were seated at a near-empty French restaurant, the weekday lunch rush not the most popular dining time. Both Yousuke and Kanji spent a good few minutes freaking out over the expensive looking décor and the prices listed on the menu, but settled down after Naoto introduced them to the owner, a homely old lady who seemed delighted to treat the students to lunch if they were friends of the Detective Prince. Stomachs grumbling and orders placed, it seemed like no time at all before the food started filling out of the kitchen.
Conversation had erupted along the table, the guys having their own discussion about whose pasta dish was bigger while the girls sat waiting for their food, except Chie.
Chie blinked in surprise, salivating at the sight of a thick juicy steak placed in front of her. The smell was heavenly, so different from that cheap Junes food court stuff. Without even thinking, the brunette picked up her fork and knife, eager to dig in.
"Chie!" Yukiko chided her girlfriend, appalled that she was yet again so easily distracted by food. She knew steak was the brunette's weak spot, but even still, couldn't she have waited a few minutes?
The sporty girl pouted, looking up with her puppy dog eyes.
"Yukiko! It tastes the best when it's hot!" Chie gripped her utensils as she said this, unable to restrain herself.
Sighing, the black haired girl rolled her eyes, waving her hand in a 'whatever' motion. "Fine, go ahead. Naoto and I will sit here and watch you eat while we wait for our food."
"It's alright, really. I don't mind, Yukiko-senpai." Naoto chuckled nervously, not used to interacting with her upperclassmen without Rise there.
As Chie wolfed down her steak, Yukiko directed her attention to the detective, leaning across the table, peering into the girl's face. "You're looking a lot more like yourself today, Naoto-kun."
"I guess I am." Smiling sheepishly, the detective took her hat off, brushing her hair back. "I just want to say that I'm sorry about how I acted in Nanako's dungeon. I was probably out of my mind."
Yukiko smiled sympathetically, gripping Naoto's hands.
The detective's hands were drawn up into closed fists, cold and clammy from her uncharacteristic nervousness.
"I think we were all a little crazy at that time." Yukiko let out a sigh, a smile spreading across her face. "I'm glad that at least one of us made some headway. I don't know how we could have done it without you, Naoto-kun."
Yukiko squeezed Naoto's hands reassuringly, trying to tell the detective how grateful she really was under that façade of doing what was right for the team.
"Thanks…It wasn't my best moment, but I'm glad that we saved Nanako and I'm glad that I didn't die that day." Naoto managed a genuine smile as she started to loosen up.
"Yeah, same here!" Chie chimed in between bites, savouring the taste of high grade beef in her mouth. "This steak is soooo good. If this is your way of apologizing, then you're definitely forgiven."
The girls chuckled at this, just in time as the server brought over the rest of the food. The tension had lifted, some semblance of normalcy settling in.
12/03
Naoto could only see red as she grabbed Namatame by the neck of his hospital gown, her teeth clenched together in frustration. Her hand itched to grip the gun at her belt. Most people thought it was just a prop or a taser, but the truth was that she actually had a permit for the firearm, like a real police officer. At that very moment, the detective wanted to abuse the power she had, to abuse it for the sake of revenge, for the sake of absolving her own guilt.
"This…this is all your fault!" Naoto held back the tears that burned hot with rage, shaking the man with all the strength she had.
The small framed girl was strong for her size, throwing the man up against the wall, eliciting a groan of sharp pain as his head hit the drywall.
"Naoto-kun!" Yukiko held out a hand to stop the girl, but the detective shrugged it off. Everyone in the room cringed at the violence, but stood by, offering no complaints to the treatment of the man who was responsible for the death of one of their friends.
"It's your fault that…that Nanako's…" The detective suddenly loosened her grip on Namatame, letting the man crumple to the ground with a thud. He put up no resistance, taking full responsibility for his failure. The temptation was so great. She wanted to strike him, beat him…
She wanted to make him suffer.
She wanted to kill him and erase his pathetic existence from the world.
"I-I-I didn't…I…" His voice was small, shadowed by the murderous intent in the room.
The detective almost reached for her gun, but stopped as the TV flickered on.
A silence fell over the group as they directed their attention to the screen, a pixelated figure coming into view. It was Namatame…or at least a version of him.
"I failed to save her. It's because you got in my way."
A muffled gasp went around the room. It was a first for the midnight channel to be communicating with them like this. Yousuke lashed out, trying to make sense of the sudden appearance. "What the-? Another Namatame? How!? The real one's right here, and we already beat his shadow…" The brunette voiced everyone's concerns.
"I failed, but it wasn't my fault. And the law can't touch me anyway."
The TV figure spoke again, smirking, turning its head, almost if he directed the statement towards Naoto.
The detective recoiled, feeling the guilt hit her once again. She felt even more useless, being ridiculed by this spectre.
Chie stole a look at the man still huddled over in fear on the ground, her pity disappearing. "Is that what Namatame's really thinking? Then he wasn't deranged….He knew exactly what he was doing…!"
Namatame was hunched over, rocking back and forth, trying to calm his nerves. "Th-This…Please stop…"
Kanji snarled, taking a step forward. "Huh? Stop what? We ain't even done anything yet…or do you want us to do something? Something fitting for a bastard like you?"
"Kanji-kun…" Rise put a hand on Kanji's shoulder and the two first years shared a look. The redhead pleaded with him to calm down.
Shadow Namatame laughed maniacally, shaking his head. "I don't care either way. Living or dying makes no difference. You lot wouldn't even have the guts to do it. You're just a bunch of stupid kids!"
"You underestimate us! You're the stupid one if you think your taunting will do anything." Yukiko spoke up; the usually quiet girl was livid.
"You're all just mad because the little girl died, huh? I know that it's hard to hear, but it's not my fault. I failed, but if only you had saved her earlier…" The shadow erupted in laughter again, mocking the group.
Naoto seethed, gnashing her teeth together as she stopped for a second to think. Her mind was clouded by unadultered rage. "It's not fair that you get to keep your life…" The detective reached for her holster, the tears spilling out. It had to be the only way. Everything…they were too late because of her.
Everything was her fault and she needed to fix this somehow.
Everyone in the room saw the action, but Rise was the first to react.
"Naoto! Stop!"
The redhead lunged at the detective, grasping desperately at the blunette's hands. Rise expected Naoto to resist her, but the shorter girl stopped, coming to her senses rather quickly.
Naoto sobbed, feeling ashamed that her thoughts had led her to think that murder could ever be the right mindset to adapt. The detective gently shook off Rise's hands, backing away from Namatame, afraid that she would have a change of heart.
The detective turned her back on her friends, heading out of the room. The whole world was backwards. She wasn't herself.
Suddenly, a nurse rushed into the room, frantic.
Naoto stopped in her tracks and stared at the woman along with her other friends.
"Is Doujima Nanako's brother here? She just woke up and I heard that he was headed up here."
Everyone's eyes widened at the news and they followed the nurse out in a desperate frenzy.
The meter jumped from 200 to zero in emotions almost instantly once the group found out that Nanako was going to be okay.
It was all too overwhelming, their rage and anguish melting into relief as they heard the news. Souji was the first to enter Nanako's room, brought to tears when he was greeted by the little girl's weak attempt at a wave. Her smile was still bright, fatigued, but still the same Nanako that everyone loved. The rest of the group watched the exchange at the doorway, the medical staff only letting family into the room.
Rise dropped to her knees, the strength sapped from her legs. She couldn't contain her tears as she sobbed uncontrollably, just so relieved that Nanako had come back to them. The redhead hugged herself as she sat on the floor of the hospital hallways, shaking with sobs.
A pair of arms snaked around her, helping her off the ground and onto the chairs in the waiting room. The idol welcomed the contact, the familiar scent comforting.
"Naoto…"
"Rise, Rise…everything's going to be alright."
Rise returned the embrace, burying her face into Naoto's chest. "I-I'm so relieved…I'm so happy that Nanako is okay…"
"Me too…" Naoto's voice cracked as she held Rise to her, her own tears spilling down her face.
All the previous tension had seemingly childish feud was over, Rise's animosity towards the detective, forgotten. It was a reprieve for both of them and they finally let out a sigh of relief. For a few precious minutes, they were lost in their own world, the crushing grief that they felt, melting away.
"I'm…sorry." Naoto murmured into the nape of Rise's neck, not having the chance to truly say it for these past few weeks.
Rise couldn't help but laugh through her tears, feeling stupid for ignoring the detective all this time. She really hadn't changed. She was as childish as ever. It took almost losing Nanako for her to realize that she needed to cherish the moments they had together.
"I'm the one who should be sorry…" The idol broke their embrace momentarily, holding the detective at arm's length as she looked into Naoto's teary eyes.
Naoto chuckled as she raised a sleeve to her face to wipe the tears away, embarrassed that she had been crying like that in public. Well, the entire hallway was full of teary-eyes teens, gathered around outside Nanako's room.
"No, I was being stupid. I was the one who couldn't be adult enough. I was stubborn and selfish and…." Naoto trailed off, stopping herself before she accused Rise of lying to her again.
"It doesn't matter." Rise wiped her tears with the back of her hand, shaking her head as she smiled from ear to ear. "I'm just glad that we're not fighting anymore. I was…lonely without you, Naoto." The redhead cupped the detective's cheeks with her palms, bringing their faces close as she whispered her words. Their foreheads were touching, their now steady breathing warm on each other's faces.
Rise snuck a glance at Naoto's lips, her breath catching in her throat as she resisted the temptation to kiss the blunette right there. The idol leaned in, closing her eyes.
"Rise…" Naoto fought the magnetic pull between them, parting her lips slightly. "We can't…our friends are here."
Scoffing, the redhead leaned in, pushing past Naoto's defences. "And you care why? You spent the last week making it hard for your friends to like you…" Rise gripped the front of Naoto's shirt in her fists, pulling them so close that the tips of their noses touched.
The detective swallowed hard. "I guess…you're right."
"I always am." Rise smirked as she closed the distance between them, bringing their lips together for the first time in so many tortuous weeks.
The two girls shared a deep kiss, not caring that more than a few pairs of shocked eyes were trained on them. They were desperate to make sense of what they were doing in the TV world, to make sense of the stakes that were so real in this game of theirs. The only way they ascertained what was real in their life was through their relationship. With the fog getting thicker and talk of the apocalypse coming to pass, Inaba was place of chaos.
Being together gave them the reassurance that even while the world crumbled around them, they would still have each other.
Almost losing Nanako today was a grim reminder of their morbid convictions.
A/N: Alright. So...one more chapter and an epilogue. Sounds feasible. Let's hope it doesn't take me another few years to finish this thing...
Review if you're here :P