Did not expect to wake up twelve hours after posting this story to find so much feedback. Thank you all. Well, here we go. The start of Naoto's plans. Trials and errors is always a valuable method as a first attempt. Criticism is much appreciated. Enjoy!
Step Two- Initiate Contact
To: Kanji Tatsumi
From: Naoto Shirogane
Kanji, would you be able to meet after school today?
Shirogane
To: Naoto Shirogane
From: Kanji Tatsumi
Shit! Sumthin' happen?
Kanji
To: Kanji Tatsumi
From: Naoto Shirogane
No. Rise-chan has asked to spend some time with the two of us and has asked for me to pass the invitation to you.
Shirogane
To: Naoto Shirogane
From: Kanji Tatsumi
Oh, uh… kinda busy today. Maybe another time?
Kanji
To: Kanji Tatsumi
From: Naoto Shirogane
Rise expresses an urgency on meeting today, stating it is imperative that you be there.
Shirogane
To: Kanji Tatsumi
From: Naoto Shirogane
I do not wish to upset her by informing her you are unable to be there. Please make any effort to be there.
Shirogane
To: Naoto Shirogane
From: Kanji Tatsumi
K. Be there.
Kanji
To: Kanji Tatsumi
From: Naoto Shirogane
Thank you. I'll inform her.
Shirogane
To: Rise Kujikawa
From: Naoto Shirogane
While this request may sound unorthodox, I must request you to text Kanji Tatsumi at precisely 3:45 PM today to inform him that you are unable to make it to Junes.
Shirogane
To: Naoto Shirogane
From: Rise Kujikawa
Wait, what? I'm meeting with Kanji today at Junes? No one told me. Ooooh! That dummy! Not that I had plans or anything. Wait… Why am I telling him I can't meet him? I can make it. :)
Risette
To: Rise Kujikawa
From: Naoto Shirogane
Please do not go to Junes. Simply text Kanji to tell him you can't make it at precisely 3:45pm. Apologize and tell him you're okay.
Shirogane
To: Naoto Shirogane
From: Rise Kujikawa
Um… why?
Risette
To: Rise Kujikawa
From: Naoto Shirogane
He would not agree to meet without the false assumption that you had urgent business with the two of us.
Naoto
To: Naoto Shirogane
From: Rise Kujikawa
Wait, wait, wait. You want to meet with Kanji alone? OMG! OMG! OMG! Is this some sort of date? Are you actually tricking him into a date or something? Naoto-chan, I didn't know you had it in you!
Risette
To: Rise Kujikawa
From: Naoto Shirogane
That is highly improbably and illogical. I require to interview him for an assignment in one of my classes.
Shirogane
To: Naoto Shirogane
From: Rise Kujikawa
Suuuuuuure, you do. ^_^
Risette
Rise has always been a bit too keen on sensing certain lies. It might also have to do with the fact that she always assumes such reasons behind anything her friends do regardless of truth; eventually she'd had to be right. In my peripheral vision I could see her turn toward me and flash a smile from across the room. I did not wish to dwell on what thoughts were crossing in my friend's mind. I settled for adjusting my hat to block her image from my vision and focus my full attention on the remainder of the lecture. Fortunately only twenty minutes remained and Kanji did not share our classroom.
Mental Note: Find a reasonably logical excuse that doesn't involve Rise in the future.
School couldn't have finished soon enough and I didn't wait around for Rise to attack me; nor did I wait for Kanji in order to wait for him so we could walk to Junes together. In my mind it would be an illogical step to take as the whole plan involves meeting him is so that we would be able to talk. The walk to Junes has a 79.02% of exhausting all conversation before we'd make it to Junes.
The two of use should be able to be at Junes around 3:20pm or so. Since I have Rise texting Kanji at 3:45pm. That would give us a solid twenty-five minutes to ourselves. If nothing happens in that time, Rise supplies the perfect excuse for the plan to be abandoned for the day and for us to go our separate ways. I arrived at Junes at approximately 3:12pm and took a seat at the customary table that all of us had claimed from our time together. In theory, Kanji would arrive in three minutes and those three minutes are perfect to go over my notes.
I had done extensive research in that last couple of days while I formulated this plan. Several dating tip books and magazines had proven to be of very little use. Scenarios represented were illogical and improbable—often ripping ideas from books and movies. Most suggestions to 'hook the guy' had involved romantic atmosphere or involved wardrobe I would never wear. Inaba isn't known for it's 'romantic hotspots' and the only one that came to mind when thinking of any is the Amagi Inn. This, I deemed unacceptable as it would be far too forward and is for more of an adult situation…
When it coms to wardrobe, if I'm serious about getting into a relationship, I do not see the value of having to change for someone, outwardly or inwardly. If the person I seek isn't interested in what they see then it wouldn't work out. There is no reason for running around in a dress when I could be called in for a case at any moment; nor should the use of makeup be required. It would draw too much attention from everyone else due to the sudden change and I… never put makeup on before.
My research had essentially been unhelpful. Current plan seems a bit… childish. Being inexperienced with this sort of thing, it seemed logical in my mind to try out something easy. The important thing was to get Kanji out of the shop and talking with me once more. Small steps first that potentially lead to giant leaps later if all turns out well.
3:35PM and still no Kanji. A quick survey of the area gives no hint of the blond and a quick look on the phone shows no messages or missed calls. Not sure if I should call. Don't want to appear anxious, would be abnormal to what I would normally do.
3:41PM now and still no Kanji. Perhaps I will call—
"Hey! I late? Never got a time we were meeting." Ah, yes. I foolishly assumed that 'after school' would automatically translate universally as 'immediately'.
Mental Note: Be more specific when making plans with Kanji Tatsumi.
"Uh… so where's Rise-chan?"
"Not here yet." Act normal, don't appear as something has changed; however, plan previously counted on at least twenty minutes before Rise texts. Only have three and a half minutes. Must adjust plan immediately. "How has Tatsumi Textiles been doing?"
Perhaps starting conversation is unusual for me. Immediate startled expression from Kanji confirms this. "Uh… s'all good."
Conversation is already leading down to a halt. Will need to adjust tactics, "Have you been creating a lot of dolls?" Bringing the dolls into the conversation seems to make Kanji nervous because he immediately looks around to ensure no one is eavesdropping.
Mental Note: Find another way to ask about such things in public.
"It's f-fine. Uh… kids like them."
"How many have you created?"
"Uh… I dunno. Never thought to keep count."
"Do you make anything aside from those?"
"Like what?"
"Clothes?"
"Uh… no. Except for my own."
Mental Note: Where one finds a store that sells a Skull shirt with hearts is explained finally. Case 1023 closed.
"You've been working there everyday for the past thirty five days." Not sure if stating this is a way to show I've noticed his absence or if it'd be taken as creepy. Reaction to statement is interrupted by his phone beeping. 3:45PM and little progress is made.
"Ain't that peachy. Makes me come all the way here, an' she decided she can't make it."
Mental Note: reframe from using other friends as excuses to meet Kanji to keep him from being upset with anyone else.
"Well guess we can go then."
"Stay." My mouth, for once, worked before my brain could think out a logical response. The one word that came from my mouth seemed to catch his attention. Uncharacteristically, he doesn't appear to be bothered the least and simply stares at me in response. An uncomfortable feeling works in my stomach and I pull the brim of my hat down to hide my embarrassment, "If you please." Fortunately I'm able to speak evenly; however it has come to my attention that I've been unable to look him in the eyes.
Calm down first, then I'll do it.
"Workin' any cases?" It dawns on me that this means he has accepted my invitation to stay. I'm not working on any case involving he police department; however, I am working on a personal case that he is strongly circled around, but that's not something I'm going to tell him.
"Nothing serious." Nothing at all.
"Oh. Uh…" Lack of subject in conversation is making this more awkward then it should. Initial plan is falling apart. Situation: still salvageable. Adjusting tactics: commonality.
"Dojima-san appears to be doing well lately with the absence of Seta-Senpai. I believe Nanako-chan is still depressed."
"Yeah… can't be easy having someone there for a year and havin' to say goodbye. S'not easy."
"Yes. Perhaps we should visit Nanako-chan sometime to help alleviate the loneliness she is likely dealing with."
"Uh… right."
Mental Note: Too forward or perhaps used too large of a vocabulary.
Subject change is in order. Plan has temporarily been salvaged.
"The book store has recently required a number of new authors that focus in detective novels."
"That's cool." Kanji is polite and is trying to seem interested by this news but I can tell it's not of an interest to him. While detective novels may not be of an interest to him, perhaps there are authors he does enjoy.
"Have they brought any authors you enjoy recently?"
"Not really." Perhaps he hasn't had much time to read while working in the shop recently
"….Do you have a favorite author."
"Not really."
"….Do you have an interest in reading?"
"Nah…"
Mental Note: Mystery of poor vocabulary and speech answered. Case 1021 closed.
Follow Mental Note: Get Kanji to read more, it'll be beneficial for him and for conversations.
Situation: falling apart once more. Not sure what possible adjustments to make at this time.
"While we're at the food court, it may be beneficial to take this time to get something to eat."
"It s'all good. Ma will throw a fit if I don't have an appetite. I really gotta go anyway. Talk to ya later Naoto." This time I let him go and made no attempt to save the situation. I think this marks as a failed attempt on my part; however, I have learned some valuable information from this conversation. I will simply need to make adjustments for the next meeting and… possibly get help on what to do next. This was the only idea I could think of and there was little to gain. I'm not even sure if Kanji even likes me anymore, or if he did to begin with. Previous theory was that he did like me; however, after speaking with him and noting the lack of usual discomfort he usually displays when speaking with me, it may be too late.
Mental Note: Research what one does if target displays no interest.
To: Naoto Shirogane
From: Rise Kujikawa
So how did your 'interview' go? Did you get the 'exclusive' with Kanji Huh? Huh?
Risette
Mental Note- reframe from involving Rise in anything further regardless of situation.