A/N: Here's my submission for Day One of Naegiri Week 2022. This chapter takes place during the beginning of Makoto's tenure as Headmaster of Hope's Peak Academy, before his and Kyoko's marriage. Please read, review, and enjoy!

The Ultimate Detective and The Ultimate Hope Gaiden: Naegiri Week 2022!

Day One: Overtime!

Amethyst eyes fluttered open, their owner letting out a great yawn as she sat up and stretched her arms above her head. Still rubbing the sleep out of her eye, she turned to the spot next to her on the bed.

"…Ohayou, Makoto…Makoto…?"

Kyoko frowned. The spot where Makoto normally laid with her in her apartment appeared completely untouched.

"That's strange…did Makoto make the bed after he woke up…or…did he not even come to bed?"

Shaking her head, Kyoko swung her legs over the side of their bed. Smoothing out the creases in her nightgown, she made her way to the door, hoping to find her husband in the common area.

"Makoto?!"

Kyoko's eyes widened in shock at the sight in front of her. Her scream of terror echoed in her mind as she saw her beloved, slumped over at the table. His face was planted on the wooden surface, and he didn't appear to be moving.

Makoto! Kyoko panicked How did…what the…what happened?! Kyoko put a halt to her morbid thoughts, taking a deep breath. Calm down, Kirigiri. You don't even know if Makoto's…investigate. I need to investigate…

With the tepid steps of her detective roots, she cautiously approached her fiance and pressed her thumb against his wrist. Encouraged by the rhythm she was able to make out, she released his wrist and moved to lift his head from its spot on the table. Once she let her other hand rest above his lips, she sighed in relief at the breath tickling her fingers.

Thank Kami he's just asleep…but still…why didn't he come to bed…? He told me last night he was going to finish some…work…before bed… Shifting her eyes to the table, she saw a stack of papers and a dried-out pen in front of him. Makoto…did you work on paperwork all night…?

A familiar odor tickled her nose, and her eyes widened at the numerous cups forming an arch around his work. Curious, she picked one up and peered inside, making out some faint brown residue. Sticking her finger inside, she scratched off some of the flaky substance and stuck it in her mouth.

…Civet Coffee…he must have snuck into my Civet Coffee stash last night and drank all this coffee to pull an all-nighter… Another stench, a far less pleasant one, wrinkled her nose. Glancing down, she noticed a small, wet patch at his groin.

…And apparently, drinking all that coffee caused his bedwetting habit to resurface… She sighed in disappointment and shook her head. I'd better wake him up… She rested her hand agains this shoulder and gently shook it. "Makoto…Makoto, wake up…"

Makoto groaned, his wife's gentle, yet firm movements rousing him from slumber. Eventually, his eyes cracked open, causing him to yawn and rub the sleep out of his eyes.

"O…Ohayou, Kyoko…" Her stern frown caused his remaining drowsiness to dissipate, causing him to frown in turn. "Ano…is something wrong, honey?"

"It would seem…my husband-to-be never came to bed last night."

"Never…came to bed…" As he repeated Kyoko's words, his eyes widened in a panic. "Oh crap! Sorry, Kyoko! I meant to come to bed, but there was just so much paperwork I had to take home!"

Kyoko nodded. "Which is why you filled half of the mugs in the apartment with my Civet Coffee…"

Makoto bowed his head in shame. "Go-Gomen…you just always swear by the stuff, so I…I just figured…if anything could keep me awake long enough to get all this paperwork done."

Kyoko sighed, resting her fingertips against her forehead. I swear, you're like a teenager trying to cram all night by downing Red Bull… Shaking the thought from her head, she inquired "Makoto, why didn't you ask me to come help you? You know I'm experienced as an administrator."

"I…I know…it's just…" Makoto sighed dejectedly. "You've done so much to show me the ropes…I couldn't have managed this school without you holding my hand!" Kyoko's cheeks flushed pink, though she kept silent. "But I…I wanted to prove I could do this job on my own, you know? I…I wanted to make you proud…"

"Makoto…"

Kyoko's eyes softened in understanding. She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her chin atop his shoulder.

"Makoto…I am proud of you. I've been proud of you every single day. You don't need to prove anything to me; I've seen you at your best. But remember what you taught me; there's no shame in relying on those you trust."

"Kyoko…"

"So the next time you're working overtime…let me share in the work too. We're in this together, alright? Whether as comrades, as coworkers, or as family…I'll always be there to support you."

"Kyoko…" Makoto's lips tugged into a touched smile. "Okay…I won't try to go it alone next time."

Kyoko smiled in contentment and released him from her embrace. "Alright, you go take a shower while I make breakfast. You could…use the change of clothes…"

Makoto's brow furrowed in confusion until she gestured down to his pants with her finger. His gaze lowered and his cheeks turned red as tomatoes when he saw the wet spot.

"S-Sorry! I haven't done that since-"

"Since 5th Grade, I know." Kyoko rolled her eyes in amusement. "Just go take a shower and I'll clean up all these cups and get breakfast ready."

Still embarrassed, Makoto quietly nodded and slinked over to their shared shower room. Now alone in their common area, she began picking up the cups. Once she brought them to the kitchen and began washing them, her lips began to tug in concern.

So much coffee…maybe I should lock my supply so he can't go overboard on caffeine again…or maybe get him decaf…