Hmm. Meh. Here is chapter 2, not too sure on it myself. I am in a serious hurry since I wrote this in my dinner hour at work. Kind of necessary since I won't be writing for half a week due to being at an exhibition for my magazine.
So yeah. Probably full of mistakes, though at least in this office I have the benefit of Spellcheck, which I don't have at home.
Chapter 2 – Finding Naoto
The rattling of the classroom door sliding open caught everyone's attention. Naoto couldn't help flinching as almost twenty pairs of eyes turned to stare at her small frame, standing in the doorway. She realised it was somewhat of a social faux-pas for an underclassman to barge into a second year room like this. Instead of worrying about it, she chose to ignore it completely.
She briskly made her way over to her friends, choosing not to meet the eyes of anyone else. It was unusual for a first year student to have such a close relationship with their Senpai. Naoto wondered if that fact might have added to the amount of people in his own year who seemed to idolise her, or want to befriend her.
"Sorry to bother you Senpais." She apologised with a quick bow of her head, both as an apology but also to hide the small blush she sported. Souji had smiled at the mere sight of her. No, him.
"Hello Naoto-kun, is anything wrong?" Chiie Satonaka asked, tilting her head to the side. He shook his head in reply.
"No. I was wondering if you were all free after school today?" They regarded her with confused expressions but all nodded to show they were available. "I had taken the liberty of booking Teddie in to see a doctor. I thought it might be the first step to figuring out what he is. At the same time, I felt it might be a good idea to have all of checked out." The four upperclassmen looked at each other for a few moments, seeming to communicate without words.
"Check us up?" Yukiko queried. Apparently they didn't understand her concerns.
"As well as possibly offering us some information on Teddie, we have no idea what being in the television world might be doing to our bodies. There could easily be some negative side effects." Her words seemed to startle them, Yosuke leapt to his feet from having been sat on his desk.
"Don't just drop worrying stuff like that on us!" He complained with a forlorn expression on his face. Naoto couldn't help the small smile that came to her face at his over-dramatic actions.
"Better safe than sorry Senpai. I have explained to Rise-san and Kanji-kun and they have agreed to be there." To say they had agreed might be a little far-fetched. Kanji had been incredibly skittish at the idea, at first she had thought him worried of being inspected by a doctor. Turned out he was simply terrified that a needle might be necessary. She had been forced to promise him she would not commission a blood test unless there was something seriously wrong with him. Rise had been quite uncaring, explaining that she was often sent to the doctors to make sure she was at the best of health.
"That sounds like a good idea Naoto." Souji spoke, making the others turn to regard him. "I had not thought of such a thing, I'm sure we will all be there." The others agreed with his words, convinced now that she had his backing.
"Thank you Senpai." She spoke bowing before dismissing herself and heading back to tell the others the news. She wondered if the tests would reveal anything on their confusing blonde ally.
As was usual procedure they had all been separated for their individual check-ups. Naoto had pulled some strings to get them all checked out at the same time, rather than force them to wait. Simply mentioning her name and that the information was important to the public safety, was enough to open some doors. If gather some strange looks.
Naoto herself had been led into a white-walled and clean room by an elderly male doctor who had immediately began checking her temperature and blood pressure with professional ease. It wasn't long until the more embarrassing part of the inspection was to take place.
"Naoto-kun, I need you to get into this robe, you can keep your boxers on. I assure you I am a trained and professional doctor." The old man's expression showed that he was woefully used to people being skittish in this. Naoto shook her head anyway, holding the thin material away from her.
"Doctor, I would feel much more comfortable if a female nurse could do this." No amount of dressing like a man had inured her to being seen undressed by one!
"I am sure you would Naoto-kun, but I cannot leave a young man undressed with a nurse. Now come." He strode to her and began to help her out of her dark school blazer. She couldn't help the blush that shot to her cheeks at what was happening.
"Wa-wait-, stop!" He was surprisingly adept at getting her out of her jacket, worryingly so, but she managed to scoot away from him.
"Mr Shirogane, I assure you I have done this a thousand times. You certainly have nothing I have not seen before in a professional sense."
"Somehow I doubt that . . ." The words slipped out of her mouth before she could stop them, but she stopped struggling. She would have to explain to him, she realised. "Sir, please take a closer look at my profile. I assure you all will be explained." The man shrugged and picked up her card, taking the time to read it carefully for any details he may have missed. She could only assume he had found it as his face reddened and he backed away.
"Ah." He let out, letting his voice draw off uselessly as he looked uncomfortable. "I'll. . . go get a nurse then. I guess you have a reason for this, I'll keep it quiet." She nodded in thanks as he headed to the door. "I would advise you to undress to your underwear, there is a sheet on the bed if you need it." He quickly exited and his footsteps receded into the distance.
God. . . how embarrassing. For the both of us. She thought to herself, as she unbuttoned her white shirt, laying it carefully over her black jacket on a chair. Her breasts were held flat by a strong wrap of bandage that she applied each morning. Over the years she had grown used to the pressure and discomfort. It felt the worst if she accidentally caused it to bunch together, she could literally spend an hour each morning, making sure it was flat and well wrapped.
The bandages pooled on the floor as she unwrapped them, wincing as her abused and sore breasts bounced out of their confines. A light blush appeared on her cheeks. For her size she was quite well endowed, something that caused her more hassle than pride. Obviously she could not wear a bra under the bandages, or the straps would give her away. Besides, the bandages worked as support just as well. It didn't really matter if a nurse saw her breasts anyway, undoubtedly she would be prodding, measuring and performing other intrusive tests. Naked from the waist up and devoid of her cap she unbuckled her trousers and slipped them down her smooth legs, she was just pulling her feet from the folds when she heard the door open and close. She looked up from her precarious position and her eyes widened in terror.
"Hey Naoto, I'm all done how're yo- . . ." The wide silver eyes of her Senpai looked at her, his voice trailing off into silence as his body seemed to freeze like a deer in the headlights. Her heart was pounding in her chest at the situation. He knew, he knew the truth… Now he would turn her away, furious at her having broken his trust. She was standing before him with all her secrets bare.
Wait. Bare?
A girlish scream tore from her lips as she stumbled backwards, her hands flying to cover her exposed breasts from his wide eyes. Her feet tangled in the fabric of her trousers and she fell back onto the bed, her pale blue panties showing to him. A full body blush took over her, as one hand went down between her legs to try and cover herself. Her pale legs pressed together.
"Ah-ah-…. I-" The words apparently came from his lips though they made no sense. She saw him shake his head to gather himself. "I'm sorry! I entered the wrong room I'm looking for my friend!" His face went a dark red with an expression of total mortification taking over him. Naoto felt her sudden fear diminish a little. He didn't know!? Didn't recognise her!? Of course, it made sense. She always kept her hat tightly pressed onto her head, had a flat chest, wore a baggy jacket. He couldn't recognise her at all!
That didn't stop the embarrassment that took over her. Why was he still in her room!? She wet her lips as she tried to form the words that seemed to be stuck in her throat. She couldn't meet his penetrating eyes as they looked at her.
Looked at her!? Her eyes snapped to his, only to see that his eyes were not quite meeting her own. Instead they seemed to be trailing up and down her figure, inspecting her.
"Wh-what are you doing?!" She managed to gasp out, letting her female voice shine through. She couldn't let him figure out who he was talking to! Still, she had never taken Souji for a pervert! Yet here he was, undeniably making elevator eyes at her. Her blush grew stronger. She wondered what he thought of her . . .
"What the HELL is going on here!?" A female voice shouted in sudden shock, drawing both their eyes to the door, where a nurse stood, her eyes sharp. Souji apparently seemed to realise just how dangerous a situation he was in. Naoto took the chance his eyes left her to grab the thin white sheet and draw it across her body.
"Ahh! I'm sorry it was a mistake, I swear!" The grey haired youth stammered out before making a break for it. The nurse let him pass though Naoto could hear some ruckus as the door closed. She placed her head in the palm of her hand, hoping her Senpai didn't make too much of a scene.
Naoto opened the doors of the hospital and stepped out into the dimming light as she searched for her friends. She had finished and had Teddie with her, but couldn't find the group in the waiting room. Sure enough she spotted them across the road, apparently conversing. She walked towards them with a sigh.
"Ha ha, bwa ha. He-… hey Naoto!" Yosuke called between his loud laughter, almost choking on her name. She raised an eyebrow at him as she looked at the others. The girls were alternating between laughing and looking at Yosuke sternly. Kanji looked embarrassed and Souji looked . . . mortified.
"Why are you all out here?" Naoto asked curiously. Souji's shoulders seemed to slump as Yosuke almost fell over laughing.
"Souji got kicked out!" He suddenly exclaimed in a breathing moment, before succumbing to his mirth. Naoto blushed in embarrassment but hid it by looking at the floor. "Ah dude…" The young Hanamura laughed, "He walked in on some naked chick, got a good look I hear!" Chiie smacked him back of the head as she sighed.
"The poor girl was probably terrified." She shouted angrily. Naoto tried to ignore the embarrassment that was warring within her as she sought to catch everyone's attention.
"It wasn't my fault!" Souji defended as he waved his hands in front of his face. "I thought it was Naoto's room!" Everyone turned to look at the young detective, who simply raised an eyebrow.
"I was speaking with the head doctor about Teddie." A lie of course, but they would not know that.
"Senpai's perversions aside." She spoke, ignoring the startled squawk the man let out. "I have the medical results for Teddie here. They were unable to find out anything. No in-depth examinations yielded any results. X-rays came up blurred. According to basic tests and palpations, he is perfectly healthy." The group became more sombre at that news, silently wondering what Teddie even was.
"This silence is un-bear-able!" The blonde suddenly shouted, waving some white papers over his head. "So to break the ice, I will read out the results of everyone's physical exams! Time to bear the truth!"
Teddie froze on the spot as a cool barrel touched his side, drawing his attention down to Naoto's stressed eyes. The entire group let out a nervous laugh.
"Mine." She spoke with one hand outstretched, accepting her results. She was too high strung right now to deal with Teddie blurting her gender or measurements out or some such silliness. She took the gun away once her information was safe. "Go ahead. I'm headed home."
As she walked away from the group she heard the sounds of struggling and yelping, which she could only assume was Chiie breaking bones again. She was being very rude she knew, and pulling a gun on Teddie was unacceptable. There had just been too many close calls today, she felt like she wanted to get back to her apartment, lock the door, then just collapse.
Such desires were quickly quashed as she heard someone running after her. She started a little as a hand descended on her shoulder, but relaxed as she was used for support while the other caught their breath. She turned to see Souji panting, she forced away her slight blush as she regarded him.
"What is it Senpai? Or should I call you ero-senpai?" He groaned at her joke but smiled. She felt her stomach flip a little at that expression. It was simply too difficult to speak to him this soon after he had seen her naked!
"Glad to see you're embracing your sense of humour Naoto. Though if you call me that I'll spread rumours around school that you're looking for a girlfriend." She chuckled at his good natured teasing as she shook her head. Agreeing to his terms.
"Sorry Senpai, what did you need?" He seemed to pause for a moment before looking away, a deep blush taking over his features as he fidgeted. That surprised her, what could possibly be bothering him so much?
"Well. . . I-." He trailed off and she patiently waited for him to continue. "Naoto, you're a detective. . . can you find missing people?"
"Of course, I can. Is something wrong? Is Nannako-chan.." She did not bother to hide the concern in her voice but he quickly shook his head.
"No, no. They're fine. Well, can you find people. . . like from descriptions?" She raised an eyebrow at his fumbling questions.
"Sometimes all we have for evidence is a description of a person. We do our best and if we put clues together then we can sometimes find the person. Why?" Had he found some clue on the killer, from which they could track him down. It would not be much to work with, but it would certainly help them if they were to watch over the next victim!
"No. Well. There was- I . . . " Again he trailed off. Naoto's curiosity and patience got the better of her however.
"Senpai. Just speak now. Or I will shoot you." She didn't make any movement towards her weapon, nor would she. His eyes widened anyway.
"Ah wait! I want you to help me find this girl I met at the doctors!" His face went red as he hung his head in embarrassment. Which was fortunate, as Naoto's eyes were wide and her face was also white.
"What?!" She choked out, unable to control how fast her heart was pounding. She almost expected the hospital to call her back right now and treat her for a heart attack.
"Ah, forget it! I'm sorry. See you tomorrow!" He quickly ran off in the opposite direction, never once turning to look at her. It started to gently rain before Naoto managed to rouse herself to begin heading home. What the hell is happening!? Souji wants me to help in finding me!? What the hell do I do now!?
Oh dear Naoto. I'm sure this will bite you soon! What interest does Souji have in this mysterious woman he perved on?
R+Review. Sorry for rushed quality of chapter. Writing for a magazine means I can do some serious speed-writing when necessary.