A/N: Here's Naegiri Week 2022 Day Three, taking place during Kiki's last year of high school. Please read, review, and enjoy!

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

Day Three: Past/Future!

*Ding Dong*

Makoto opened the door to the manor, revealing the blue-haired junior detective standing awkwardly at the door. "Shuichi, it's good to see you." He warmly greeted.

"Ah, thank you, Headmaster Naegi…"

Makoto chuckled, shaking his head. "Shuichi, I've told you, Mr. Naegi is fine. You're here for your study date with my daughter, right?"

Shuichi's cheeks flushed pink. "Ah, it's not a date, but she did invite me over to study for our final exams…"

Makoto nodded and stepped back, allowing Shuichi to enter their abode. "Right this way, Shuichi. Kiki's waiting in the living room. You need me to show you the way?"

Shuichi flashed a nervously appreciative smile, but shook his head. "Thanks, but I remember the way."

Makoto watched as Shuichi walked down the familiar corridors of the manor, his nostalgic mind reflecting on simpler times. I remember when I got nervous talking to the headmaster…especially when I was friends with his daughter…

"Ano…Headmaster Kirigiri…?"

Makoto peeked his head into Jin's office, causing the administrator to smile warmly at the boy. "Naegi-kun. Come in, come in."

Makoto timidly closed the door behind him and took a seat at the nearby sofa. Jin rose from his desk and took a seat at the opposite sofa, folding his hands in his lap.

"Thank you for agreeing to meet with me on such short notice." Jin began, causing Makoto to nervously scratch his cheek.

"Oh, it's no problem…but…ano…why did you want to speak to me, Headmaster? I'm not in trouble, am I?"

Jin chuckled and shook his head. "Far from it, my boy. I called you here because I wanted an opportunity to express my gratitude properly."

Makoto tilted his head in confusion. "Gratitude…? For what, Headmaster?"

"Kizakura tells me that ever since the…Akafuku incident…Kyoko's been a lot happier. You've done a lot to make her smile and embrace her emotions. Between that and saving her life, I owe you a debt of gratitude I can never repay."

Makoto waved his hands wildly in front of him. "Th-That's not necessary! I was just keeping my promise and trying to be a good friend. That's no…something to celebrate…"

Jin shook his head in amusement. "Regardless, I am grateful for all that you've done, Naegi-kun." His lips tugged into a reluctant grimace. "If the world had more people like you in it…it'd be a much better place…"

"Headmaster…?"

Jin shook his head with a reassuring smile. "Nevermind, I digress. I apologize for taking up your time. I'm sure you have more important things to do with your day than listen to your headmaster's ramblings."

Makoto frowned, but nonetheless stood up and bowed. "Shitsureishimasu, Headmaster Kirigiri."

Jin watched as Makoto walked out the door, leaving the young father alone in his office.

"Shuichi!"

Kiki grinned, waving over to him from her position on the living room floor. The young woman had been humming, lying on her belly as she lightly kicked her feet in the air and skimmed her notes fanned out in front of her with her eyes.

Shuichi smiled, waving as he approached. "Ah, hey, Kiki. Shall we get right to studying?"

Kiki nodded, gesturing to the open space next to her. "C'mon, make yourself comfortable!"

Chuckling, Shuichi nodded gratefully and laid down on his stomach next to her. Taking open his notebook, he flipped to the page detailing their impending exams.

"So, what should we study first?"

"Hmm…" Kiki hummed. "Let's see…how about…English? I've picked up a little bit from the video games my Aunt Komaru imported from America, but it might be good to review it."

Shuichi nodded in approval. "Yeah, good idea. I'll flip to my English notes, then."

"Okay, let's see…what should we review first? Grammar? Or vocabulary?"

As the two debated how to begin their studying, they remained completely oblivious to Kyoko's watching from afar. The young matriarch smiled, seeing the bubbly young woman's animated chatter cause Shuichi to smile and debate with vitality and confidence.

She's really bringing out the best in him…just like Makoto did with me during our days at Hope's Peak Academy…

The library doors swung open, allowing Kyoko's authoritative strut to disrupt the quiet, peaceful atmosphere. The young woman had come to study with her best friend, though her recent run-in with the Ultimate Pop Sensation had left her unusually miffed and anxious.

That teenage pop star has a lot of nerve! Accusing me of being jealous of her and Makoto…I just don't want him to get hurt. Given his trusting nature, that would be all too easy, especially for someone as charismatic as Maizono. She's the one leading him along! If he's not careful, Makoto's heart could-

"Hey, Kyoko."

Makoto's cheerful voice interrupted her thoughts. Shaking her head, she spotted the boy setting up his books and notes at a nearby table. The luckster smiled and waved her over.

Taking a deep breath, sh approached the table and sat down across from him. "Makoto…apologies for my tardiness."

Makoto chuckled, scratching his cheek. Kyoko found her anxiety eased by his carefree laughter, surprising the Ultimate Detective.

It's amazing how much he can clear the air, once one allows themselves to be receptive to his charms…

"...Kyoko?"

"Huh?" Shaking her stray thoughts, she finally saw Makoto's furrowed brow. "Apologies, Makoto. I must have spaced out for a moment. What did you say?"

"I was just saying that you weren't that late, was all. I just finished setting up my notes and saving you a seat."

Kyoko nodded gratefully and took out her own notes. "Very well, let us begin, shall we? What should we review first?"

"Ano…how about…Physics?" Makoto suggested.

"That seems amenable. Our worksheet homework should provide ample studying opportunity for us. Now, let's start with this formula regarding acceleration."

"Okay…this formula honestly tends to get me sometimes. Let's see…acceleration equals velocity over time. So if the car is going 50 kilometers an hour, and the time is…"

As Makoto tried to work through the formula, Kyoko listened attentively, interjecting with advice whenever he got stuck. Throughout their study session, she couldn't help but admire the effect he had on her.

It wasn't that long ago that I would have just holed up in my room and studied on my own. Now, though…I'm actually having fun studying with a friend. We're exchanging ideas, understanding how we think, strengthening each other…it's strange, but…not unpleasant…

"Hard at work, you two?" Kyoko teased, walking in with a tray of cookies. "It's good that you're working so hard on your exams, but don't push yourselves too hard. That can be just as dangerous for your mind as forgoing studying at all."

Kiki pouted. "I know that, Mom! We're not doing anything we can't handle; Shuichi and I have done these questions a bajillion times already."

Kyoko giggled, kneeling before them and placing the tray in front of their study materials. "Of course, my apologies. Anyway, I figured you two could use a study break, so your father and I made some cookies in the oven."

Kiki's mouth watered, her lips stretching from ear to ear. "Yum! Thanks, Mom! They smell delicious!"

"Ah, thank you, Vice-Headmistress…sorry, Mrs. Naegi."

Kyoko nodded and stood up. "Alright, enjoy the cookies, you two."

As Kyoko turned around and headed back to the kitchen, she couldn't help but hear their conversation. "Shuichi, grab a cookie, or I'll eat it!"

"Ah, slow down, Kiki." Shuichi laughed "The cookies aren't going anywhere."

"Reminds me of when you first ate at Mom and Dad's…" Makoto's amused voice echoed as she entered the kitchen.

Kyoko raised an eyebrow, watching her husband put away the cooking supplies."You think so?"

"Yeah, remember? You were so hesitant about just digging in and enjoying the food Mom made you. You were so focused on making a good impression that you seemed rather awkward and shy…" The two of them peered out of the doorway, spying on their daughter and her best friend. "Shuichi's been shy and nervous, careful not to become too casual, while Kiki's trying to get him to relax and smile and actually enjoy life."

Kyoko nodded in understanding. "Now that you mention it…I do see certain parallels between our past and their present…" Her lips tugged into a smile as she held her fingertips to her lips. "…And if all goes well, their future."

Makoto laughed. "Well, we can dream…for now though, let's leave them to their study session. They have their whole lives to see if they'll be repeating our past in their future."

"Indeed…so, what do you want to do in the meantime?"