Pairing(s):

- Souji x Naoto

- Original character x Naoto

Warning(s):

- Huge possibilities of people being out of their characters

- Appearance of an original character

- Ratings may or may not go up

- -.-.-Page Break-.-.-

Disclaimer:
All rights are owned by Atlus. :)

Prior Engagements
Redefining Friendzone

Hanamura Yosuke laughed. In fact, Hanamura Yosuke laughed quite loudly that he unintentionally caught the attention of the Junes food court occupants and passers-by. Yet, the orange manager gave very little care towards the scene he had just caused upon his decision to enjoy his afternoon break with his best friend.

"T – that… that was too," He managed to breathe in between laughs, not minding the embarrassment he was causing Souji that very moment. "That was too precious! Man, I wish I was sober – I wanted to see that!"

The silver male sighed as he tilted his head back before reaching one of his hands up to cover the upper half of his exhausted expression.

Yosuke was not helping at all.

"I needed to save face…" Seta Souji confessed while he decided to stay in his current position. "…when she… damnit!"

"Aw, geez, Partner," His companion, who sat beside him in that familiar Junes round table, spoke as he had finally managed to compose himself. "So you went with—"

"I – I see. I hope you and Kanji well then!"

And Yosuke laughed once more. "Dude, the fact that you assumed it was Kanji does not save face!" Souji's orange haired companion pointed out in pure amusement. "It just becomes obvious that you're jealous of the guy!"

"Shut it, Yosuke." The latter huffed, sitting in an upright position. "I'm just lucky that it wasn't him in the first place." He paused – "I think I could never bring myself to talk to Kanji again, if ever it was him."

"So are you still up for the chase?" Yosuke forwardly questioned, reaching a level of composure once more as he held his drink. "I mean, she is engaged after all."

"I don't know…"

"Man, Souji, you are one whipped son of a gun—" At that moment, it was the other's turn to release a sigh.

"—but she never told me to keep away." The twenty-five year old silver grinned whilst he reached out to run his fingers along the rim of the canned drink before him. "I'd like to stay by her until she decides to push me out."

"Like I said, you're whipped." The Junes manager chuckled, taking a sip from the can he had within his hold. "Well, you were always the noble martyr of the group, anyways."

"You know, someone did say it's easier to catch a chicken that's tied up." Satonaka Chie suddenly chimed into the men's conversation as she appeared from the duo's back. It was an act that earned her slight jumping reactions from her friends. "Honestly, if you guys are gonna talk about someone, do it quietly. You're lucky Naoto's not with me right now."

"Eavesdropping, much?" Yosuke snorted – his eyes, following their newly arrived companion as she took her rightful seat in front of Souji.

The fully-pledged policewoman rolled her brown eyes. "Try checking your volume next time."

"How was work?" It was silver's turn to greet with a nod.

"Exhausting." Chie replied in a dry tone.

"I'll say," Yosuke sarcastically groaned. "Sitting in your police car and doing nothing all day can be a handful."

Silver eyes blinked, waiting for banter to commence between the two. It was something that had truly been tiring. Yet, the twenty-fiver year old silver knew it was one of the few peaceful circumstances that he missed during his time away.

However, much to his dissapointent, the manager's statement had been something the law enforcer maturely opted to ignore. Although, Souji knew Chie would have loved to pound the Junes manager into the next month.

The aforementioned woman's arms could only cross. "Anyway, take it from me, Souji," She smiled as she turned towards the person she spoke to. "Right now, you're only rival is Naoto's fiancé."

"Since when are you a love doctor?" Yosuke's brow rose in question. "You were never in a relationship."

To which the lone female of the group retorted: "What's it to you? It's not like you've had a steady girlfriend!"

"At least I have experience."

"Jerk!"

Then the banter came.

Unfortunately, in a short span of time, Souji's mood for it had disappeared.

"It's not gonna be any easier." He spoke, cutting the heated argument between his companions. "And just like I said, whether I chase her or not, I think I'm content with just being by her."

At that moment, the latter's friends saw their supposed leader in a different light. After all, the wry smile that graced their companion's face was enough to speak for itself. During that instant, Souji, whom they had come to believe, could do anything, was powerless. Hopeless. Vulnerable. That very instant proved that Seta Souji – leader of what they once called the Investigation Team, their little circle of friends – was human.

Especially towards certain matters of the heart.

"If it helps," The light brunette of the three coughed, "They're not married… yet?"

Souji shrugged in defeat.

The wry smile was still plastered onto his face.

"I – isn't it time you head to Okina?" It was useless, and he felt useless as well. But that was the only way Yosuke could think of in order to steal his best friend away from his conflictive thoughts. "You wouldn't wanna keep Nana-chan and Dojima-san waiting, right?"

-.-.-

"Are we all set for dinner?" Green eyes looked towards his female partner who had just exit the watch store. His blackened hair was neatly pulled back, keeping the strands away from his facem allowing him a clear view of the shorter who neared his vicinity.

Naoto nodded, finally she had reached him. Her eyes casted upwards to the taller man – "Dinner would be nice." She replied with a small smile.

"Great!" The taller beamed as he automatically took the lead, a signifier that the two of them should start walking. "I found this Chinese restaurant just around the corner and…"

The blue lady took her steps right by her partner's side as she absently listened to his rambling. Looking from the corner to steal a fast and short glimpse of the man beside, Naoto wondered – Did… I make the right decision? The male she walked side-by-side on that very moment, the half-Japanese, half-English she had known since her college days – was she correct to have accepted his offer for marriage? It was a pondering that could never escape from her mind.

"Is there something wrong?" Rang her fiancé's voice, pulling Naoto back to reality.

The smaller of them shook her head. "It's nothing, I'm just surprised," She answered calmly as she looked back into his green eyes. "You've become quite accustomed to Okina in such a short time."

The latter smiled.

It was sincere.

"Of course," The latter replied in high spirits as they came to a stop. "I need to understand the kind of environment my future wife and I will be living in."

Shirogane Naoto blushed in the suddenness of the statement.

Then she coughed – "I live in Inaba, not here…" With those words, the twenty-four year old detective turned away to hide the embarrassment that crept over her face.

The taller laughed. "I know," He admitted. "But you never know, we might just take the kids here."

Such only earned him signs of discomfort from Naoto, which he had quickly realized.

"I was kidding." He chuckled, leaning down to the woman's level.

"…I—"

And right before the blue haired detective could reply to her companion—

"Shirogane, it's you again?"

Blue and green orbs looked to where the sound had came from – Dojima Ryotaro, Dojima Nanako, and Seta Souji had graced their presence in the scene. There they were, standing before them with rather curious expressions on their faces.

Suddenly, it had dawned on Naoto.

They have arrived at the restaurant.

-.-.-

There, the five of them comfortably sat around the circular table good for exactly five people. It was a nice dinner indeed – a rightly light feast fit for a happy bonding family. However, there was a set back to the setting at hand. Two of them were not even related to the other three. Nor were there even close family ties.

"I can't believe I get to finally meet the Senpai!" The lone raven of the group grinned. "I've heard so much about you."

Souji hesitantly laughed as he watched the pure delight that emitted from the man who sat beside Naoto. "R – really now?"

"Yes, and – of course – I've heard about you, too Dojima-san."

Ryotaro nodded as he shoved a dumpling into his mouth. "I'm glad to know I wasn't forgotten." The eldest spoke upon finishing his plate.

Both Nanako and Naoto, on the other hand, only watched as the men's conversation went on. Yet, unlike older female, who merely continued to eat her dinner, Nanako was more intent on watching the passing exchanges between her cousin and the man who was earlier introduced as Mizuki Kito. It was a friendly talk, the sixteen-year-old was well aware of that. However, the stiffness that Souji hid so well was quite obvious to her. There was a question she had needed to ask—

"It's not that I'm intruding, but what exactly is your relationship with Shirogane?" As if someone had heard Nanako's plea, her father asked. "I saw you following her around the station earlier."

It sounded as if it was an interrogation.

Something the Dojima head did not mean for.

Different pairs of eyes turned to him. Then to the Mizuki-fellow. Then to Naoto.

But then, from Naoto, the youngest of the group's brown orbs ended onto her cousin.

"You caught us off-guard there, Dojima-san." Kito grinned, his hand reaching for the chopsticks that he seemed to have forgotten. He wore a ring that had been similar to the blue one of their group.

Souji blinked, "So…you're the fiancé." He unintentionally breathed out.

With those words, Kito knew that the twenty-five year old caught the idea.

Ryotaro nodded towards the ring. "I guess my hunch was right then."

The mentioned fiancé sighed in amusement, "Wow, you're sharp. No wonder Naoto speaks highly of you." His grin widened. "How did you know?"

"I saw the rings when you were at the station." The graying man shrugged before he decided to chug down his drink.

The Seta male had intended to answer as well, "N—"

But he was unfortunately cut off as Nanako gasped, eyeing the detective before her. "Nao-chan's…engaged? I didn't know that! Since when?"

And at that single moment, Naoto twitched – "We, uh… one month. S – sorry." Her composure disappeared at the sight of the teenager's disappointed orbs. "It's really not a cause for alarm, though." The detective wryly smiled towards the brunette. "We've kept it a secret from others outside the Shirogane and Mizuki families."

Green eyes blinked – "Seta-san seems to know."

So did silver, "Chie and Yosuke know."

Naoto sighed, "I told Rise-chan after she threatened to lock me in a dressing room at Junes. She must have told our friends after that." She confessed, much to her disliking. "As for Senpai… I told him, myself. Last night."

Silence filled the area for a brief moment as the sixteen year old secretly held onto Souji's free hand from under the table. Her act had resulted to a tighter hold from the silver man beside her. Nanako, yet, could not decipher what he meant. Whether he was fine or acting fine.

"Nao-chan tells Big bro everything." The brunette said in defense of her beloved cousin. "They're very close to each other."

To which Naoto had visibly smiled reminiscently.

Both Kito and Souji noted the reaction.

"I can see that," Mizuki Kito agreed, looking at the silver man. "Kujikawa-san had to force it out of her. But she told you quite willingly, huh?"

"We were catching up with each other." Seta Souji answered back, meeting seemingly steely green orbs.

The eldest of the group snorted, "Kids." – A comment that caused immense pain upon the moment Nanako decided to connect her elbow to her father's unprotected side. "…ow!"

"Kito-kun," The blue-headed young woman called, in hopes of steering away the unwanted aura that should envelope them in a matter of minutes. "Souji-san."

However, it was of no avail as her fiancé continued on, "I guess I know who I'll be going to for advice."

"I don't know about that." Silver eyes closed as their owner shrugged…

…and then, opened once more after he had spoken. Stealing a quick view of the expression he knew for so long. The calm façade that Shirogane Naoto wore could no longer fool him at that point. Souji knew that beyond her serene face was a very worried woman.

-.-.-

"Goodnight," Naoto's raven fiancé bid while Yakushuji opened the car door for the young lady. "Goodnight to you too, Yakushuji-san." He followed as respect.

"Mizuki-san." The Shirogane confidante nodded upon assisting his mistress out of the vehicle.

Naoto turned to Kito, shooting him a small smile. "Goodnight."

"I promise," The green-eyed man spoke just before the car door had closed. "We'll have dinner, just the two of us. Soon."

Then came the roar of the engine as the car began to move. The detective could only watch as the vehicle vanished into the dark Inaba night. Then and there, Shirogane Naoto released a sigh of relief. She was quite grateful that the night ended. Moreover, it concluded on a rather peaceful note – given that she knew Kito was unreasonably jealous and that Souji differed from his usual self.

"The look on your face tells me it was an eventful night, Naoto-sama." Yakushuji's elderly voice rang from behind as she entered her home. "Is everything alright?"

"Yes, I'm just exhausted." The younger replied, climbing the stairs in seemingly deep contemplation. "How's Grandpa?"

"Fine, he took his medication and went straight to bed."

"I'll see him tomorrow then." With those words absently escaping her, Naoto gave full attention to the mobile phone she had recently whipped out.

Her finger dialed a number familiar to her.

-.-.-

It was a busy night at the Amagi Inn, he could tell as he watched the workers hustle from one place to another – attempting to provide the best service to their guests. Consequently, Souji was out rightly ignored. However, the silver twenty-five year old would not have it any other way at that point.

He preferred to venture to his suite quietly.

Which the man was triumphant in doing so.

Yet the victory could only last for so long – Souji's phone rang violently in his pocket.

Much to his chagrin.

Barely noticing the name that flashed onto the screen as he locked his door, he answered: "Hello, Souji speaking," in a rather dry tone, emphasizing how much he wished to be left alone.

"Hello, Senpai," The voice greeted in a rather monotone manner. Yet, even at the rather deadpanned sound of the caller's voice, silver eyes widened. "Did I catch you in a bad time?"

"Hey," Souji replied to the greeting at the exact moment he sat on the chair that rested beside the opened window. "No, not, really… is there something wrong?"

Naoto's voice resounded in a soft hum, a response that should mean she was fine.

The silver man only smiled.

"I wish to apologize," She followed-up. "For intruding your family dinner…"

At her words, the older of the two chuckled. "It's fine," It was just like the detective to worry over trivial matters. "The restaurant was full in the first place. None of us had any idea." He reasoned upon looking out the window and up at the Inaba sky. "I think I should be sorry too, on our part – you guys were on a date, weren't you?"

Silence.

And then Naoto spoke once more, "…it was spur of the moment, really." She quietly confessed. "I also want to apologize for how Kito-kun acted."

Souji sighed at the mention of the name he would rather not hear.

"Naoto, is this phone call going to consist of you apologizing the whole time?"

"H – huh? I… sorr—"

"Naoto."

"It's the rightful thing to do," The twenty-five year old man's smile returned. "…sorry—"

"—Naoto, sto—"

"For not being able to wait," The ever more feminine voice from the other line shook. Souji, in turn, felt a sudden rush of coldness run across his body. He was uncomfortable as to where his underclassman went with her thought. "And reciprocate…"

The silver gulped.

"Souji-san?"She called; although still shaking.

Silver eyes closed.

The discomfort brought by the latter's words dissipated at the very sound of her voice. Shirogane Naoto, to Seta Souji, was perhaps one of the biggest ironies he found in his life. To him, she was frustrating and – at the same time – someone he would be happily cherishing.

"I should probably leave you to yourself. Good—"

"—reciprocated or not," Souji finally spoke, prohibiting Naoto to leave the conversation. "I'd still stay by you…"

-.-.-

The detective's very own blue orbs widened just as she straightened her position from her previously slouching pose. Naoto could not find it in herself to believe what she was hearing from the man on the other line. She had not expected such imposition.

Seta Souji spoke once more, "I mean, if it's alright with you…"

A warm smile crept slowly on her face, closing her eyes in the process as she leaned against her chair's rest. The blue woman was, at that point, reminded of her senior's caring nature. One of the traits she found admirable in her upperclassman.

"Naoto?"

"Thank you, Souji-senpai."

To Be Continued

Author's Note/s:

- I made some minor edits. HAHA.

- Please leave a review! :) Thank you!