Reunion 3: Day 1 – B: Down The River

Thank you, those who reviewed, followed and faved! I appreciate it greatly! You guys saw right through it, though. Yayyy~

Also, apologies for the late update. I've been struggling with how I want to take this story and illness. Also, computer problems, and watching Let's Plays videos and the anime to get a further grip onto the Persona 4 series.

Day 1, 12:00PM

After their lunch (which Kanji had to pay in the end), the three had exited the ramen stand and began to walk around town, mostly to get Naoto accustomed to the town again and to enjoy the sun and good weather while it lasted. She claimed she didn't want to, that she had already memorized it, and really, nothing had changed. But a nice walk was always good, so Kanji felt, and off they were.

Passing the street, a few heads were turned seeing the slim shape of Naoto. Rumors had been going on about a Detective Prince return, and now that she was in the flesh again, there were even some murmurings going about, mostly with the housewives shopping.

"Why do you think he's back?"
"You mean she? Maybe it's a new case of hers?"
"That was only a one-time thing!"
"Inaba doesn't need her anyway! She's old news!"

Kanji glared at some of the gossipers, and then softened up his gaze for when he turned to Naoto, "Dun worry 'bout them," he told her. The response was the tilt of a cap from Naoto, acknowledging his words.

"I don't care for simple gossip, Kanji-kun" responded the detective. "People are bound to spread corrupted words and lies about you, it is just a fact."

He nodded, having been on the brunt of that kind of slander before, "Mhm, but… it gets a little too much sometimes, right?" asked Kanji, who also thought he might try to start a conversation with Naoto… as hard as it was for her to help carry one.

"Not at all," said Naoto bluntly. "The Shirogane have been the brunt of much harsh criticism and rumors. What we are hearing is simply schoolyard gossip."

Kanji arched his eyebrows, surprised and even impressed by Naoto's cool attitude towards attention. Back when he was a troubled young man, afraid of his orientation, sexuality, social pressure and appearance, he would always get into fights with bikers or the police, gathering lots of attention to himself. Back then, he was too selfish to see that it held a negative impact to Tatsumi Textiles and its reputation. But then, he didn't care.

He had spent hours at times at the police station, often after threatening a police officer (he never came to blows with one: that would just end up with him thrown in a cell and shaming him for the rest of his life). Ryotaro Dojima, a guy whom he grew to respect for being one of the few guys there with some sense (not to mention he was Yu's uncle), was alright, but the rest were just smug old men who preferred not to do anything that would cause a ruckus, even if it were for the best.

He really could see why Naoto had been extremely unhappy with the state of the police.

Even then, Kanji hated when media tried to interview him or his mother, to make some new scare story about Japan's youth or to stir up trouble in Inaba. He had endured a lot of remarks aimed towards him and his mother, from, "Oh, that Tatsumi kid is a real troublemaker! His mother must be so ashamed~" to "The Tatsumi family messed up once the father died. Now the son's a delinquent!"

Suffice to say, he had exploded quite a few times hearing that gossip. And to think Naoto could take taunts and walk away with her head held up high was inspiring. She really was a strong person underneath the awkwardness, gender crisis and stern attitude.

The tall young man's face lightened up into a smile. A sincere smile at that, not the fake half-smile he had tried to do in his embarrassment. "Yeah, that's true."

But inside every strong person was a gooey center just ready to be seen… that seemed to annoy Naoto to no end though, driven by the cool detectives from her mystery novels. They never showed weakness, hell, they weren't women, full stop. Even though she had accepted her true self, there was always that odd moment of self-doubt. She knew to quench it though, as the last thing she would want were two years of discovery and learning squandered. Women could still be ace detectives, even if the order was against that.

An awkward silence, sans Teddie still singing off the Risette album, dawned upon the trio. Especially Kanji and Naoto. While Naoto walked, looking rather neutral, if focused, Kanji's eyes wandered away, a small, fidgeting frown printed on his face. He glanced back at Naoto, who was still looking straight ahead, and noticed from the downward angle he was looking at, how her lashes and lips were still naturally visible, even though she didn't wear makeup. Even if she was able to pull off being an androgynous boy for so long, not even that could prevent her natural feminine features from being visible time to time.

As much as Kanji liked Naoto for the way she was, a strong detective who didn't let things get in her way, he agreed with the general opinion that she would be one hot babe with some makeup on.

Heat began to rise to his cheeks, so Kanji decided he'd try to start up a discussion, even if starting discussions was a skill he… lacked, to say the least. Mostly because he ran the risk of someone (usually Yosuke) saying something that just might trigger a… less than savory response. "Umm… what's up? With yer detective work and all?"

"I have finished all my current cases, and had assisted my grandfather with his latest case. I will be taking on new cases next week." Naoto then looked over to Kanji, rather seriously, "But I wouldn't like to focus on work so early though, Kanji-kun."

Being taken by surprise by her bluntness, Kanji gulped, and turned his head away to hide his reddening cheeks from embarrassment, not wanting to look stupid in front of his crush again. "Oh! … Sorry."

"None taken," she simply replied back. Kanji's nervous apology caused her to glance at him, and Kanji, noticing, nudged his head an inch more. This was so embarrassing!

Luckily enough, Teddie came to rescue the strange silence by turning around to Naoto, with his usual happy grin stuck on his face, his blue eyes sparkling.

"So bear are you crashing out at, Nao-chan?" Teddie asked. While he didn't know much about her family, apparently she had a grandfather who travelled around the world, solving cases as part of the family business. All he remembered was that Naoto came from a distinctive line of Japanese detectives, the Shirogane, whom had been in close contact with the Japanese law, and famed for their skills.

Naoto's issue was that her father, the fourth in the Shirogane line, had died leaving behind a daughter, who was Naoto. And the world of law was a world dominated by masculine figures. While she had accepted herself for who she truly is, Teddie had noted that she still seemed to continue her male masquerade, perhaps she felt more comfortable like this, or it was still a necessity. He didn't know, nor did he feel he had to bother her about it.

Naoto looked over to Teddie, and closed her eyes, "A small rural house my grandfather had rented for the week, on the outskirts of Inaba. He told me it is best if I stayed on my own for my trip. Grampa and Yakushiji-san had made sure I will be fine, though, so don't worry," she then flicked her eyes open, and nodded her head over to the two guys, "You still have my contact details, I assume?"

Kanji and Teddie (who had a cheap smart phone thanks to his Junes discount) switched on their phones, checked their contacts, and nodded over to her. "Yeah, we've got ya number," spoke Kanji.

She nodded back, satisfied that they did have her details. In fact, it actually heartened her to know that, even though she hadn't contacted them in over a year. Maybe she was just being too careful for her own good… these were her friends, after all, "Good. I will ring you if anything comes up," she responded. She then put a hand to her hip, and took a deep breath, "I believe most of my week will be spent with you two, so should certain events happen, I will be sure to ring you."

Both males nodded. They then slipped their smart phones back into their pockets, and then looked around. They were already halfway past the town, and it seemed if they went any further, they would probably reach the basin of the Samegawa. Teddie's sparkling blue eyes slowly rolled over to Naoto, flashing that usual big innocent smile of his.

"We're just about to go to the Samegawa!" he noted, "I think there are some special memories we all have over there, don't you agree~?"

While Kanji shrugged his shoulders, not really caring where they ended up, a wave of nostalgia, both good and bad, seemed to wash over Naoto. The Samegawa was where she had dealt with the case of the Phantom Thief, who had stolen her childhood possessions, and led her and Yu onto a calculated goose chase throughout Inaba. Eventually, the Phantom Thief turned out to be Yakushiji, the secretary to her grandfather, and it was all part of a test from Shirogane Sr., who wanted his granddaughter to rediscover the joy and passion she had for her work, before everything happened.

It succeeded beyond his wild expectations. But it was also where Naoto experienced the pain of an unrequited love.

But to keep her cool though, she gave a small nod, even if her eyes told she was somewhere else. "Yes," she said, far more robotically than she ever sounded.

Kanji raised his eyebrows, rather surprised by her answer. While she was always cold and carried a mature air around her, despite being looked down upon as a kid by adults, she was so far off somewhere with that answer. Kanji knew he was the furthest thing from a shrink, so he tried not to let Naoto's new coldness bother him… but had something happened to her in Inaba that he didn't know?

The thought of Naoto perhaps having a secret admirer or a secret relationship was enough to make his stomach flip, both out of envy for the guy, and of concern for Naoto.

Day 1, 12:40PM

After more walking, the trio had finally made it down to the Samegawa riverbank, towards the sheltered table that had some memories for Naoto. Some really pleasant memories, in fact, some that she would cherish for the rest of her life, all with one special guy with the shining and quite beautiful grey hair and those mystic cool, but kind grey eyes.

Naoto glanced at the table, before she quickly turned her head away. Her feet stopped, the soles of her shoes seemed to part the grass beneath them, leaving dirty shoeprints on the ground below. She could close her eyes, and she'd be two years younger, sitting with Yu, discussing what they have found out about the Phantom Thief that day. She could remember sitting there, her cheeks flushed as he helped deduct his riddles. As kind and thoughtful as he was, he was one of the smartest young men she had the pleasure of dealing with.

A wry smile crossed her lips; Yu would have made one hell of a detective.

Teddie had already made his way over to the seats, and patted his bottom before planting it down on the bench. He then span around, kicked his legs up in the air and gazed upon the river, smiling, "Man, what a nice river! It makes me think of the birds and the bears and the wonderful summers of Inaba~ where I can score with some honies!"

Kanji and Naoto also sat down by the bench, but when Kanji sat down, surprisingly, Naoto also sat down just left of him, and stared out at the river, her dark eyes mired in concentration. Kanji looked at her side profile, well, at first he tried not to look, but his eyes couldn't help but gaze upon her. Those lashed eyes, her cute nose, and her lips, all brought out by the locks of her dark hair. She had a hell of a side profile indeed.

And whenever he looked in the mirror, Kanji saw a… rough guy, to put it lightly. Masculine brow ridges, a prominent nose, thin lips usually crossed into a frown. While he wasn't a skinny pretty boy like Yu, Yosuke or especially Teddie, Kanji wondered sometimes, if anyone did find him attractive.

That said, there was an emerging heat in his cheeks once again. So he turned over to Teddie, who was on the opposite bench, kicking his legs and crowing about 'scoring'.

"… Whatever you say," Kanji scowled. Seriously, would Teddie ever stop talking about 'scoring'? Since peacetime, all he had done when he wasn't in the TV World was hang around with the rest of the group and work at Junes, a routine he called, 'his daily slavery'. Even if Teddie managed to 'score' one of the ladies who worked at Junes, he never got very far before they dumped him, usually because he often said something that annoyed them, or creeped them out.

Teddie then put a finger to his lips and arched an eyebrow, as if he were thinking of something, then his expression caught alight with a big wide grin. "That reminds me! Kanji-kun, when you gonna teach me how to finish a sewing model? It's been six bearsome months since you started teaching me, and I need to finish mine for my honey! She'll love it!"

Something got stuck in the startled Kanji's throat, and his eyes opened up until they were the size of dinner plates. Usually he'd be able to settle down Teddie, but with Naoto here, how was he able to deal with this? Would she think of him differently?

This only made things worse for Kanji when Naoto, interested, raised an eyebrow. "Hmm? Sewing model? Do you teach now, Kanji-kun?" she said, her face not changing.

Kanji would have usually denied it, and tried to save face in front of his crush. Granted though, the one thing he had learnt, especially from Yu, was that you couldn't lie to yourself. Kanji puffed his chest and cocked a smirk, trying to look manly and impressive.

"Hell yeah I do! I teach people how to make the cutest things at Tatsumi Textiles! I teach anyone over the age of 4!" boasted Kanji.

Teddie raised his hands in the air, cheering for Kanji's spirit, "Yeah! And thanks to Kanji-kun, I'll be able to make something bear-y special! So cute, she will never be able to reject me!"

Really, two years had brought in some changes. Amused by what she was seeing, the former delinquent and the Shadow cheering and being enthusiastic for their textiles. In another time, maybe she would watch him work, or maybe attend one of his classes. Naoto chuckled to herself, loud enough for them to hear, and spoke up.

"That's cute,-"

At Naoto's words, Kanji's face went almost as red as a beetroot hearing that, "C-c-cute?" he stammered, making Teddie laugh out loud at his reaction.

Naoto adjusted her cap slightly, before talking again, "- yes, cute," she said to Kanji, "but may I ask you, Teddie… who is your 'honey'? Mind telling us?"

For possibly the first time, Teddie seemed to be taken aback, and he tried to duck his head down. However, his pale skin and position wasn't enough to hide the fact that his cheeks were visibly glowing. From what they could hear, he was mumbling incoherently, his hands clutched his knees, as his face grew more and more crimson. He was… blushing?

After a few seconds, a recovered Teddie pulled up, and flashed his usual cheerful grin, "None of your bear-siness!" he chirped like his old self. His face was back to its cream colored self, but there was a faint stain of pink on his cheeks. Teddie was smiling, but his eyes were still flustered. That girl was rather precious, but he wasn't going to reveal it until he had scored with her!

Even reformed Shadows like Teddie could have a romance, or at least a crush. He had fallen for a certain girl, thought Naoto. He had done his usual sparkling flirting with no hesitation, so Naoto knew it wasn't herself. It was likely it was someone on the Investigation Team. Probably not Rise, as she and Yu were together for a while, only splitting when Yu left Inaba….

Thinking of Yu here was bound to bring back painful memories though. So Naoto tried to push it out of her mind, and let the call of nature calm her.

The water's steady flow made smooth background music for the trio's little moment of peace. Nobody said a word. It wouldn't have fitted the atmosphere. Kanji let himself lean on the table, and felt a yawn coming through… the sun was making him sleepy. The young man stretched his arms out, but as he pulled them back in, he felt his left wrap over Naoto's small, slender shoulders and neck. It was an accident, a genuine accident, but Kanji almost freaked. He gasped and pulled his arm away from the small girl.

The sudden sensation of a long arm around her caused Naoto to fall completely still, instead of fighting back like someone else might do, despite feeling rather uncomfortable with it. While this spot was serene and held memories, maybe even romantic, the small detective glanced over at Kanji, face completely neutral, yet with a serious glare.

Kanji looked surprised, and tried to clarify, "H-hey! T'was an accident! I'm serious man!"

"I know."

Kanji winced at how cold her reply was. She wasn't in the best mood it seemed, maybe something reminded her of a bad memory. "Um… is there anything ya wanna talk about?" was all he could say.

Naoto softly shook her head. "No."

With a nod, Kanji put his hands behind his head and leaned back, this time, shuffling away from Naoto slightly.

Since Kanji and Naoto just stared out at the river, thinking, Teddie, feeling the sun and the humid heat, swiped a hand past his forehead to wipe off the sweat. "It's bear-y hot today… hmm… what do people do to cool down… I'm about to roast!"

Suddenly, an idea hit Teddie's brain (or at least, his thoughts, considering that physically, he didn't have a brain), and he snapped his fingers. A light seemed to flick above his head, "Bingo!" he grinned. "I know what we could do tomorrow, guys!"

Both Naoto and Kanji turned over to Teddie. Something told the rough young man that this wasn't going to be a wholesome, family friendly idea, or even a good idea at all. And it wasn't just because it came from the perverted Teddie, "Yeah, what? What's on yer mind?"

"Yes, please tell," Naoto added in. Again, she wondered just what Teddie had in mind. Hopefully, it wouldn't involve what was in front of them… but her mind was already starting to figure out what Teddie might be trying to get at. Her mouth fell flat in a second, it wasn't a pretty thought.

Cocking a grin as he did so, Teddie put his hand to the air, his finger aimed towards the sky, and chanted; "Kanji-kun! Nao-chan! I suggest that we all do a wonderful, wild and wet event tomorrow, one that will rock all our bears off…"

Naoto's eyes widened, "Oh no, don't tell me…."

Teddie got louder, and he almost screamed out, "let's go swimming tomorrow! We can go down to the beach and swim to our bear's content!"

Usually, Kanji would be all up for it. But there was her to think about, and, well, he would guess she wasn't up for swimming, especially since swimming usually meant you took off your clothes and….

Oh damnit, blood was starting to seep from his nose. Kanji quickly spun his head away from the two, trying to hide the emerging nosebleed. The thought of Naoto in a bathing suit was… too much!

Since Kanji was busy trying to stop his nosebleed, it was left for Naoto to respond. The detective's usual expression was cracking in favor of a stammering, reddening expression, and she actually seemed to gasp. If she went to the beach, then she might be pressured to swim, and, well, she didn't want to expose her body. The hot springs was fine because there were girls around, but with two guys….

The bandages around her chest seemed to tighten in response. Granted, she did feel rather hot, and a swim in the cold sea would actually be a pleasant experience. But not only was she having to hide her masquerade, but she also didn't want them to know some… other things. Anything could go so wrong when your guard is down, and so, Naoto shook her head. "I… I…."

Teddie frowned, obviously disappointed. He thought the two would have loved to go swim, but, alas, maybe Naoto just wasn't comfortable. If only she had come in the winter, then they would have had so much more fun! "Aw, that's a shame. Bear-be we can do something else?"

A pang of guilt swept over Naoto. While she was uncomfortable, no doubt about it, she didn't want her friends to change over their plans just because of her. Still blushing, Naoto tipped her hat to hide her expression, and then slowly nodded her head. "Umm… how about we go there then?" she stammered. While she dreaded the thought of showing her body, and was rather embarrassed about it, maybe she could just sit down and read a book, so she didn't have to get in the water… or wear something else.

To hear that made Teddie's entire day. Maybe then he could get Naoto into a swimsuit, and be finally able to see what she looked like under these bandages! Well, he did get a faint peek at the four girls when they were in the Amagi Inn back in 2011, but he didn't tell anybody, and he was too busy fleeing for his life with the other guys to really care. It was a faint peek after all, it wasn't like he actually saw much.

Teddie grinned and started dancing on the spot, "Hurray! You're the best, Nao-chan!"

Kanji had turned around by then, and heard what was going on. He then turned his head right back to hide his next nosebleed. His entire expression had dropped into a mix of awe, glee and horror, while red liquid still poured down his nostrils. Everything, his dreams and his nightmares, were coming together! Tomorrow! 'Oh… hell no!'

Day 1, 8:30PM

The trio spent a few more hours around the river, then went back and had dinner, before they parted ways and made a spot to see each other.

After the day had ended and the night had set in, all Kanji could look forward to, was to drop down onto his bed and collapse into a deep, deep slumber. With Naoto settled in and Teddie gone back to the TV World for the night, Kanji's bare feet slid across the wooden floor, as he approached his room….

He stepped inside, and turned his back to his bed, ready to lie on it. A sigh was the only thing to pass Kanji's lips. He pressed the palm of his hand onto his forehead, and rubbed in annoyance, tension and nerves. He had survived the first day without completely irritating Naoto, yet he felt he needed to make her stay as memorable as possible. Now, he just had to get through the second day. The second day, though… Teddie had proposed they hang out somewhere else. Maybe they could go for a swim, either at the new swimming pool or at the local lake.

And people go to lakes to swim (usually). People wear swimsuits to swim. Girls wore revealing swimsuits.

Even if he didn't want it (and he did want it), the mental image of Naoto huddling to herself, holding her knees with an adorable blush and wearing a blue-and-purple bikini, still popped up in his head. He could see her smooth like porcelain skin, her outward, slender, yet a little curvy, hips, her dainty arms covering her chest so well, he couldn't see her bust line, her short purple hair framing her lovely face and flushed cheeks, and her wide open dark blue eyes, staring in shamed embarrassment of her own beautiful body. She turned her head away from Kanji, "No, don't look!" cried Naoto, in a tone more higher pitched and feminine from her usual androgynous tone. And it was really, really cute.

As if on cue, a geyser of a nosebleed suddenly exploded from Kanji's nose, causing him to fall onto his bed. Kanji frowned gravely as he rolled up two tissues to stuff up his nasals.

Now he was really not looking forward to tomorrow.

Day 1, END

Poor Kanji. He never gets the long end of the stick… not in that way, though!

With the Yu X Naoto stuff, I might explain what happened. Depends if I can fit it into the story and if you guys are interested.

Also, would you prefer if I refer to Protagonist as Souji Seta, or are you okay with me still using Yu Narukami? The Yu name is a personal preference for me, but I want to hear what people have to say.

Seeya again!