Woo boy. Finals are fast approaching. Updates will likely be slowing down (if this one isn't hint enough of that). Anyways, not much to say except my eternal thanks to those who have read this story thus far and have enjoyed it.

Step Seven: Blindside

I don't know how I get myself into these situations, I really don't. You'd think a girl… scratch that. You'd think a person would learn to see signs of foreboding doom when they are apparent. Unfortunately, while I find myself to be keen in detective work, I still lack a common understanding of social occasions or other people in general. I can see the workings of a criminal mind but not of a teenager who seems to have a knack for manipulating specific female detectives into situations they'd likely never be caught dead doing. I am of course; referring to myself when referencing detectives but the culprit at hand is Rise Kujikawa. Mastermind of all things dangerous.

I had made it a habit to avoid Rise in the last couple of months; at least, until I managed to figure out my issue with the whole 'dating' thing or just give up on the plan regardless. I had been hoping (sort of) that if Kanji Tatsumi didn't come around then I'd eventually lose interest in him. I hadn't spent any significant time with him in the last week or so since we had lunch on the rooftop. It was partly because I felt the need to avoid him for a few days, and partly because he seemed to be avoiding me the entire week (again).

It was two days ago when I hadn't come up with any further plans or ideas that I began to wonder if the reason for coming up empty-handed might be due to a loss of interest in the whole thing. I assumed maybe I had been going through a phase that I was beginning to draw out of it and I'd be able to go back to my normal routine of not giving two cents about the idea of relationships. Then I was at the police station going over documents and re-categorizing them to clean the files up a little; but it wasn't until Dojima-san had asked if I had found a file particularly interesting that would deem my attention for a good fifteen minutes that I realized that even at work Kanji was distracting my thoughts, since I had been thinking about the boy. I don't recall having a solid excuse to give Dojima-san, or if I even gave him one.

Still, none of that really has anything to do with my current situation. While having been distracted with my own personal affairs, and trying to avoid Rise-chan for a good portion of that time, I had apparently forgotten about her birthday. A fact that she happily pointed out time and time again for whatever complaint I might have for the day. The odd thing was that she wanted to spend her birthday 'hanging out' with me of all people. It's not to say that I am under the false belief that I'm poor company. No, I know I'm poor company. At least for Rise-chan. We are complete opposites in hobbies, likes, and personality. While she's outgoing and social, I'd rather keep to myself, where she likes to collect makeup and beauty supplies, I collect books, where she likes dresses and other girlish clothing, I prefer to dress like… well… ME. Naturally, I would assume Rise-chan would have chosen someone who would meld better with an outing for her birthday. Someone as feminine as she obviously is. Someone like… Teddie.

I had offered to buy her a gift instead so that she may find someone else to spend her birthday with but she had adamantly refused my suggestion. "We haven't had time to hang out Naoto-chan!" She had said, "So all I want to do is have fun with you, kay? Or would you rather not fulfill that request after forgetting my birthday?" I knew it was a guilt tactic, one that I should be used to from dealing with criminals who attempt to manipulate their prosecutors or capturers. Still, there's a lot more wait to the guilt tactic when a friend is doing to you. Needless to say, I had agreed to spend the day with her.

It had started out simply enough. We met at the train station in the morning before heading to Okina. When we arrived we had gone out to get lunch. Simple and easy. Then came the 'window shopping'. Window shopping for a normal person is to simply gaze at items through the windows but Rise's version is to spot one thing from a window and insist we see everything in the store which meant spending an obscene amount of time in one location.

None of this really amounts to frustration and irritation that I currently feel at the moment. I could deal with the above mentioned details of the outing; however, Rise likes to take one thing a step too far. The latest place I found myself dragged into is a another clothing shop that Rise just HAD to check out because it was her favorite place in all of Okina. I had no interest in the place but I had allowed myself to be dragged into it. The shop wasn't the issue, spending a lot of time in the shop isn't the issue, the issue is Rise's current obsession.

"No." I found myself refusing for what was probably the fifth time.

"Aw, come on Naoto-chan. Just try it."

"I will not."

"But why?"

I started at the dress that Rise had clutched in her hands. It wasn't a bad dress, the make was fine enough, it was of modest length I believe. The shoulders would be covered, and the front didn't dip as much as what other girls seemed to wear these days. It was a simple black dress with a red sash to go along with it. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the dress itself. Having myself put into said dress was a completely different matter.

"There is no reason for it. I don't want it nor do I wish to wear it. To 'try it on' would be a pointless endeavor that would waste my time, your time, and the clerk's time."

"Pleeeease?"

"No."

"I just want to see how you look outside of your boy clothes." She said it with such distaste that I had to wonder if that's what she really felt for my choice in clothing.

"Illogical as it will never happen outside of this shop."

Something seemed to click in her mind because she got suddenly happy and I wondered for a brief moment if I had said something wrong. I could feel the dread slowly creep its way up my spine. "See? It won't have to. Since I just want to see it. It doesn't mean it has to leave this shop. You said it yourself, would never happen outside of this shop, and since I just want to see, I have no intention of making you wear it outside."

"That's…"

"I mean, is it too much to ask that all I want for my birthday is to see you actually dress up for once?"

"…" She was doing it again. That guilt tripping thing and she was beginning to add the hurt puppy eyes and the sniffling to added advantage. I felt a sudden spark of immense hatred for the dress in her hands and I could feel my fists clench at my sides. I set my jaw yanked the dress out of her hands before walking (stomping) toward the dressing rooms.

Mental Note: Find a way to get back at Rise.

I spent a good ten minutes just looking at the piece of devil's clothing on the hanger and not doing much else. I had taken off my hat but my progress ended there. The dress was a foreign article of clothing that I had little experience with. I had worn dresses before but not since I was five years old. I felt awkward just looking at it and just the idea of wearing it.

"Did you die in there?" I heard on the other side.

"I can't…" My voice was barely audible.

"Do I need to come in there and help?"

"No."

"Then hurry up, because if I do, I might accidentally rip something and you'll be stuck wearing that the rest of the day."

I wasn't about to test that threat. That would be something Rise would do so I began to undress and only remembered to kick my shoes off when I tried slipping my pants passed them. I tried not to think about the whole thing and turned away from the mirror as I threw the dress on. The skirt an inch above my knees. It was awkward feeling to have my legs visible. I tried zipping my dress up but could only make it go halfway before it seemed to catch on something.

I bit my lip at my current dilemma. "….The zipper is stuck."

"I can help." She exclaimed and before I could tell her I'd be able to handle it (even though clearly I couldn't) she was slipping in the door. "Whoa… What is this?" For a moment I felt embarrassed and wondered if there was something wrong with my back. Then I felt her fingers pull at part of the bindings that I was wearing. "Girl, you can't wear this stuff. The dress will look funny."

"This is what I always wear."

"Don't be silly." And then she slipped out of the dressing room without further discussion on the matter and left me to wonder what exactly she's up to. I didn't have to wait long, just three very awkward long minutes before she was back inside and pulling a bra off a handle. "Try this."

"What? I'm not wearing that. Nor do I believe that… such items are meant to be tried on and put back."

"Duh, I bought it. Don't worry, it's your size." I almost questioned how she would even know what my size is but then I remembered that once upon a time ago I had made the mistake of taking everyone to the hospital to be checked up by a doctor. Rise had gotten to see my measurements and seemed shocked to find out what they were.

"D-don't. I needn't… I am secure enough in what I have." I'm fairly certain at this point I was having a hard time keeping my complexion neutral. The combination of being out of my element, talking about my breasts, and having to hold the dress up to keep it from falling was all very much embarrassing.

"Well, I already bought it so tough. You're doing this the right way. Now do I need to help you or can you do this part at least."

"Just… lay it down, and remove yourself from the dressing room. I can handle it."

"Kay!" She was all too happy to hear that bit.

Five minutes later I was unwrapped and putting the first bra on since… ever. It took my only a minute to get the bindings off and the bra took me an embarrassing enough time to clasp. I find it hard to believe that girls can put something on quickly when they have to find with the elastic and the friction. The garment didn't restrain nearly enough of the… front that I'm used to. Going from tight wrappings to help conceal my obvious figure to a full chest is far more awkward then putting on just a dress for a minute.

Fortunately Rise had gotten a black bra, something that at least would be conspicuous underneath the dress; although I supposed it could have been neon green and would never be seen either since the dress is black. I could only get the zipper back up halfway before I realized that I would need assistance. "Okay… I need help." If she had some smart retort to that comment, she likely knew better then to voice it just because of the level of irritation that I purposely didn't bother to mask.

"Mhmm!" She was in again and only took a couple of second to zip the dress the rest of the way up. She quickly grabbed the red sash and tied it around my waist. I could only stand there like the awkward individual I am and allow her to tie it off for me. I slipped my flats back on and thanked whatever powers that Rise didn't decide to try and go the extra mile to get me to wear heels as well.

"Come on." Rise started yanking my arm off as she practically dragged me out of the dressing room, "There's a three way mirror in the store. Let's have a look."

"Do we have to?"

"Yes!"

She placed me in the middle of the three way mirror and did this thing where she was looking me over as if trying to find some sort of imperfection. I grasped my left arm with my hand and kept my eyes glued to the floor. I had no interest in seeing what laid in front of me.

"Your so pretty!" Rise finally exclaimed happy.

"Thank you…" Translation: I'm going to kill you later.

Mental Note: Find a way to kill Rise Kujikawa and get away with it.

"Well, if you're done. I'll be getting dress again."

"Aw don't be such a pooper." She stepped up next to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders to keep me in place. "Look, we look like a pair of sexy beasts." She lifted her free arm up and gave a 'V' sign to the mirrors. "Besides, I know someone who would be thrilled if he ever saw you like this."

"Rise…" I warned in tone only. She had been particularly good the entire day about not mentioning anything Kanji related. It was strictly on a 'do not tread' zone.

"Well come on, just look, how could he not?"

I let out a huff and glanced up. The first thing I noticed was the redness of my face. Clearly out of my element and red was not a flattered complexion. I looked far younger now then I ever did in my other clothes. Without my hat to aid me, and my clothes to conceal everything else, I felt like I was twelve. Well… maybe not because I never heard of a twelve year old having such a erm… sizeable top portion before.

Rise obviously had selective memory I decided. She had all of twenty seconds to look at my measurements back then before I got my hands on them. In twenty seconds she seemed to be able to memorize my measurements because the dress fit the way girls seemed to always like to have such clothing fit. It wasn't to my taste, nor would it ever be. If, by some strange miracle a long time down the line that I find myself getting married, I'm not so sure I'd wear a dress to that. Actually, I likely wouldn't even get a wedding. I'd insist just going to the courts and getting the paperwork filled out. Whoever was stuck marrying me (as unlikely as it is) would have to learn to deal with that fact.

"Thanks!" I snapped out of my thoughts and glanced over my shoulder. Rise apparently had left my side. How long had I just been standing in front of the mirror exactly? She had a large bag slung over one shoulder and making her way out the door. Clearly she found something she liked and decided to buy it. I quickly made my way back to the dressing room so I could get changed. When I got there I found an appalling discovery. My clothing… my pants, my shirt, my bindings, even my hat were all gone. My lips parted in disbelief but quickly surmised I stepped in the wrong dressing room. I quickly looked in the others only to find the rest empty as well. I ran out of the dressing room and toward the front of the store.

Rise was standing outside the window sporting my hat on her head and a large grin. When she saw that I saw her with it, and I connected the dots as to what is in her bag she started walking away from the store. "Rise!" I shouted and almost ran out the door. Two things kept me planted in the store. One being that I was still in a dress, the other was the fact that I hadn't paid it. I turned toward the cashier with a look of horror. Rise had my pants and my pants have my wallet and my wallet had all my money.

The cashier cleared his throat and seemed to decipher the look on my face, "Your friend paid for the dress." Of course she did. The cashier was in on the whole thing. It was one large conspiracy.

Mental Note: Shoot the cashier.

I moved to the door and poked my head out and checked both way on the sidewalk to be sure no one I know would see me. Nevermind the fact that we're in Okina and nobody we know would be around anyway. Well, would unlikely be around at least. I took off after Rise. She hadn't gotten too far. She was sitting on a bench and twirling my hat on her finger. "Rise! Give me that…" Wait, "Where is the bag? Where's my stuff?"

"What stuff?" She tried to play innocent, "Oh! You mean this?" She waved the hat around and I made a move to snatch it but she pulled it back. "Uh, uh uh! This would look weird with that dress. I'll hold onto it."

"I can report you for theft."

Her eyes widened in mock surprise, "You'd chance you coworkers seeing you dressed like this to report lil ol' me?" Damn. Apparently my silence was an obvious enough answer to her because she shoved my hat into her purse. "I couldn't let you ruin this chance. It's too perfect!" She seemed far too excited about this and I felt far too upset over it all.

"What chance?"

"Nothing!"

"Rise." I warned.

"Well, I can't very well have a chance picking up a guy with me walking around with someone who looks like a guy. It's just one day, it won't kill you." No but I may just kill you.

"We should go to the movies."

"You should give me my stuff back."

"I will… After the movies."

"I do not wish to be seen dressed like this."

She lifted a brow at me and glanced around and the unfamiliar faces walking by. "You know… I don't think you have to worry about anyone recognizing you. Even if they were from our school I doubt our senpai would even recognize you." That was possibly correct but I'm not about to test that theory.

"Rise, please return my belongings."

"Just sit through one movie, then I will. Theaters are dark, so you'll be all nice and hidden. Otherwise, you'll be without your things until you can find a way back home with no cellphone or wallet."

Mental Note: Torture and then kill Rise Kujikawa.

"Fine. Lets go right now then." The sooner we got there the sooner I could get my things back.

"Whoa, I have to get dressed first. Tell ya what. You go buy the tickets…" she scavenged in her purse and produced some money and held it out. "…and I'll be back here in thirty minutes or so I can get dressed up too. It'll be fun."

Her idea of fun and my idea of fun are completely different. Still, it would be quicker to get to the movie and finish it rather then argue more of it. I'm in near panic mode so rational arguments were fleeting passings to me at the moment. "What movie?" I was anxious; it was obvious in my tone.

"Oh! Uh…" She had to think about it because she obviously hadn't thought too far ahead in this. "That new Sherlock Holmes movie. You should like that." I actually didn't care to see the movie at all but I wasn't going to argue. I moved as a person with a destination and goal. My jaw was locked and set with my brows drawn together tightly as I made my way to the theater. The movie she handed me was crunched up in my fisted hand. I had contemplated using the money to take a train back to Inaba but decided I didn't want to risk running into anyone in my current attire.

Exactly twenty minutes I was sitting back at the bench. At least, I'm fairly certain it was twenty minutes. I didn't have a means to check the time. Much of it passed by while I silently stewed over the current events of the day. After awhile I had decided that it had to be far longer then a half hour to have passed and Rise still hadn't shown up. I didn't believe she would abandon me, not like this. Not without my phone or money. She hadn't told me where she was going; however, so it's not like I could go looking for her so I continued to wait and silently panic.

"Wh-whoa, wait…N-Naoto?" I was on the verge of getting up and running across Okina in search of Rise when I heard my name. My eyes snapped open and I must have looked quite the sight. I'm fairly certain my eyes appeared to be bugging out when I finally looking up to the recognizable voice of Kanji Tatsumi. Not good. No no no no no. Why was he here? How could he possibly be here out of all days? Why? Why? Why?

"K-Kanji-Kun." Out of my element. I needed my hat at the very least. Why couldn't I have been given my hat? My security blanket? My reassurance? Something to just hide my face under in a situation like this? If I looked like a deer caught in the headlights, then Kanji looked something beyond that.

The moment I looked up, his eyes were bugging out as much as mine but his mouth was opened wider then needed; actually it wasn't needed at all. He seemed to be leaning forward a bit as well. I moved one hand over my face and looked at the ground. I'm uncertain how to gauge his reaction. I cannot blame such a reaction, I must have looked weird in such attire after spending all of our friendship in clothing that a boy would. "I…Rise forced me." I found myself trying to explain. "Please stop starring."

"Sh-shit. S-sorry. I just y-y'know." No I don't. He turned so his back was to me and I felt a lot better suddenly. "Shit. Rise! Where is she? Damnit… I knew she was up to something. Damn."

"Wh-what? What are you talking about?"

"She texted me earlier in the mornin' tellin' me to meet here for her Birthday. 'You have to take me to the movies' she said 'it's my birthday and everyone else is busy. And you can't dress like a bum.'"

It was at this part of the story that I noticed, for the first time, that he wasn't in his usual attire. Well, he wasn't for the most part anyway. It was the same attire I had seen him wearing when he put on the show for the hospital. "She, had me buy movie tickets." I held up the accursed items. He peeked over his shoulders at the tickets in my hand and quickly snapped his gaze back forward.

"Oh…uh…ha…Uh… Well, guess she changed her mind and got you going with her instead. Yeah, that's prolly it." He tried offering up an explanation.

"No… I believe this was her plan the entire time. She has all of my belongings, otherwise I would have left." Wait a second. Kanji has money, "But, if you are willing, perhaps you'd be willing to pay for my train and bus ticket so I can leave." That oughta put a kink in Rise's plan.

"O-oh. Uh… yeah. Sounds good. Let's do that."

I suddenly felt smug and quick proud of myself. I would have stayed that way if I hadn't suddenly remembered that this was Kanji, the boy I had a crush on and had spent the better part of the last few months trying to get into a relationship with him while trying to be discreet about it. Now I had been presented the perfect opportunity and was about to ruin it.

"Unless you wished to see the movie first." I suddenly posed. I kept my voice neutral but I can't say the same for the color in my face.

"What?"

I quickly devised an excuse, "I have already spent the money on the tickets. It would be a waste to throw them away." It made perfect sense to my logical mind.

"Oh, uh. Yeah. S'cool. I mean… y'know, if you want to." Kanji fails at trying to act calm and normal. While I may have plenty of practice and likely the best at keeping face, Kanji is probably the worst in the school.

If I want to take a major risk at making a fool out of myself by going to the movies with Kanji dressed in my current fashion. I would likely sit there awkwardly and not pay attention to movie and would instead continually feel out of place and naked all at the same time silently threaten bodily harm to Rise for putting me in such a situation. Do I honestly want to risk feeling like a complete and utter fool in front of Kanji just to sit next to him for two or so hours in a theater surrounded by numerous people?

"I do." I answered.

(A/N- One, two, and three. Cue the 'boos' for stopping it here. See you all next time!)