A/N: Here's Naegiri Week 2022 Day Five, tking place during Kiki's time in high school. Please read, review, and enjoy!

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

Day Five: Autumn!

Leaves crinkled under their feet as they stepped through the park's entrance. Their fingers threaded together, they smiled nostalgically at the green fields of grass, the cool blue lakes, and the multicolored trees sprinkling the area.

"It's just as beautiful as we remembered it, isn't it, Kyoko?"

The former detective giggled, leaning her head against his shoulder. "Indeed, this park brings back fond memories of days gone by…" She shook her head, dismissing the memories of their teenage years before the Tragedy in favor of the bright future they faced in the present. "Well, shall we go? Yoyogi Park isn't going to explore itself."

Kyoko sighed in relief as her feet broke the water, nearly leaning back in relaxation. Makoto smiled warmly, sinking his own feet in the lake while he placed his shoes and socks next to hers.

"We picked a good day to come here…" Kyoko mused, closing her eyes. "The weather's fairly warm for this time of year."

Makoto grinned. "Must be Mother Nature's birthday present for you." Kyoko giggled, expertly kicking her foot and causing a splash of water to hit him in the face. "Wah! Kyoko!" Once he wiped the water from his eyes, his eyes narrowed, flaring in determination. "Alright, two can play at this game!"

Makoto bent down, scooped some water with his hand, and threw it at his wife. She laughed, shielding her face with her arms.

"Makoto!"

Laughter filled the pond as their splash war continued. Their clothes gradually became soaked with water during their playful fight, feeling like teenagers again instead of the grown administrators and parents they would have to return to being when they came home.

Kyoko wrung out the water from her hair, squeezing and twisting her long, lavender locks in her scarred hands. "In retrospect, perhaps I should have had the foresight to bring towels for this kind of event."

Makoto chuckled sheepishly, scratching his cheek as water droplets continued to fall from his spiky locks. "Sorry, that's my bad. Still, nothing a hot bath can't fix when we get home."

Kyoko raised an eye brow, her lips tugging into a mischievous smirk. "Oh? And how hot were you planning on making the bath tonight, Headmaster?"

Makoto's cheeks turned pink, but he let out an amused laugh. "You're such a tease, Kyoko."

Kyoko hummed. "Perhaps, though it's become harder to fluster you with each autumn that goes by…I rather miss the days when I could leave you speechless with a well-timed wisecrack."

Makoto shrugged. "What can I say? Guess managing a school for twenty years has made me accustomed to things that used to leave me speechless."

"Indeed." Kyoko nodded. "And you've done a wonderful job of following in your father's footsteps."

Makoto's smile radiated with joy. "It always warms my heart to know that I've done a good job as Jin Kirigiri's true successor…and the fact that I'm acknowledged as his son."

Kyoko smiled, glad that she had been able to make peace with her father and that she was able to assure her husband that he had more than filled their father's shoes. The two fell into a comfortable silence, enjoying the serene silence of the park until a nostalgic sight caught her attention.

"Hm? What do we have here?"

The couple approached the nearest tree and looked up. Kyoko's eyes sparkled as she focused on one of the branches.

"Well, what do you know? Some sakura flowers in the middle of autumn? It's just like our first date."

Makoto chuckled in amused amazement. He knelt down, silently gesturing for Kyoko to climb on. Kyoko giggled and swung her legs atop his shoulders, wrapping her arms around his neck for support.

"It's years too late to tell you not to take a peek, I suppose…" Kyoko teased, causing Makoto to shake his head in amusement as he stood up.

"Can you reach it?" Makoto inquired, almost making Kyoko pout at the underwhelming reaction.

"I think so…got it!" Kyoko declared, tugging on the bunch of flowers until they broke free from the branch.

Once Makoto knelt back down again, Kyoko slid off his back and got to her feet. dusting the dirt off her skirt, she smiled at the treasure in her hands.

"They're beautiful…thank you, Makoto."

Makoto grinned and leaned in for a quick, chaste kiss. "Happy birthday, Kyoko." He whispered once they broke apart.

"Thank you for celebrating another birthday…and another autumn…with me. Well, shall we go?" She gestured to the setting sun. "It's getting late, and we shouldn't leave Maki with Moku and the twins for too long…"

Nodding in agreement, Makoto took her free hand and they began their walk out of Yoyogi Park. Another autumn may have come and gone, but they looked forward to many more together.