Begin!

~Normal POV

Kanji was a nervous wreck today. This was it. Fate had decided that today would be the day. He knew because he got a text from Naoto… It said she wanted to see him after school. She wanted to try to finally catch the Phantom Thief. He accepted right away. This was the perfect excuse to spend time with her. It wasn't the best setting for it, but it would have to do. Yu did say that things won't always go according to plan, and that was ok. He could just use what he had. They agreed to meet up by the lockers.

Before heading to the meet up spot, Kanji ducked into the bathroom and quickly tried to fix his hair. He figured if he was gonna do this, he should try to look good. Would she mind that he wasn't dressed nicer? He sighed to himself. No, he couldn't worry about that. Use what he had, that was the plan. Once he was satisfied with his appearance, he went to the lockers.

Naoto was waiting for him there. She didn't notice him at first, cause she seemed to be lost in thought. He cautiously approached her.

"H-Hey, Naoto…"

Naoto jumped a little and looked pink in the face. "Huh? Oh, there you are… Sorry, I was busy thinking. Ahem, are you ready to go?"

"Yeah, if you are," He answered.

The two exited the school and started walking along the path. The walk was rather quiet at first… Naoto glanced at him. He looked very much the same as usual, but perhaps different somehow too. His hair looked different, and so were his mannerisms. She had the sense that he was acting very nervous about something. But try as she might, she couldn't make her brain try to figure out what. She couldn't stop thinking about her confession. Her heart was pounding. Her stomach felt all fluttery. She could hardly focus on anything else. She had tried fixing up her appearance a little before meeting with him, but she doubted it was even noticeable…

Kanji chanced looking at her while she wasn't paying attention. Something about Naoto seemed different today. Maybe he was seeing things. She looked kinda nervous and fidgety. Other than that, she looked the same as ever. Still just as gorgeous, even if she was wearing her hat. He was too wrapped up in thinking about his confession to really dwell on it though. He could feel his hands sweating in his pockets. Even just standing next to her was a challenge. The feeling of his heart pounding made him want to run for the hills. But no, he promised himself he wouldn't run away from his feelings ever again. Especially not this one…

As they walked, Kanji also realized that he had no idea where they were heading. This was just the same path they walked on together the first time they ever hung out. It was nice to remember, but didn't she have a plan in mind?

He cleared his throat and asked. "Uh, so where are we going?"

Naoto was thankful for the question, as it was a good distraction. "The shopping district… I've found a good lead for us." She smiled a little.

"Oh, cool…" Kanji replied, sharing her smile.

More silence followed. It seemed until they reached their destination, neither of them really knew what to say.

"Um, how are things at your shop?"

Kanji was surprised by the sudden question, but didn't mind it. It was something to talk about so that his nerves didn't drive him crazy. "Pretty good. It's getting close to winter, so we're getting more orders for blankets and scarves. And little kids wanting new dolls."

"Ah, I hate cold weather, myself, so I understand that feeling."

"Oh- if ya need a new scarf, I…" Sadly, Kanji couldn't bring himself to finish. He was going to say he'd be happy to make her one as a gift, but he was too nervous.

Naoto chuckled lightly. "M-Maybe, we'll see…"

~...

The rest of the walk had been relatively the same. But when they finally arrived in the shopping district, Naoto tried her best to focus on the case. She had spent time asking around, and finally found a good lead. If they were lucky, they would finally catch this thief once and for all. And then… She decided that then she could do the other thing she wanted to do while they were together.

"I have learned that in recent days, a suspicious man has been spotted around the shopping district." She started. "They say his appearance doesn't mark him as a tourist or a shopper."

Kanji got curious hearing this. "You think it's gotta be him?"

"It must be. And when I checked, the owner of Shiroku Store said she saw that man only a few hours ago. She confirmed it was the same man who bought the card."

"Damn, so he could still be here."

"If that's true, then he's likely looking for his next hiding place for one of the stolen items. We may be able to catch him in the act." Naoto said, confidently.

Kanji smiled. "You seem happy."

"Huh? I am?" Naoto thought about it. "Well, I'm not unhappy… I suppose I have some mixed feelings about it. The detective I dreamed of becoming as a child… I feel like that's what I am now…" She smiled, wryly.

He was happy to see it. This was going well so far. She was in a good mood. Now all he had to do was look for an opening. But first, they had a job to do.

"If my deductions are correct, there are two things remaining that the Phantom Thief has stolen." Naoto continued, "And if so, I'm quite certain that he's going to hide that one. Perhaps he is…"

He didn't bother asking what the last two were going to be. If they were about to catch this guy, it might not matter.

"Anyway, where in this area could he hide something unnoticed…?"

Kanji thought about it. Since this was where he lived, he could think of at least one good place. It was right next to his house.

"The shrine would work. It's usually pretty empty and quiet, unless there's a festival or holiday."

Naoto smiled at that. "That's a good idea, Kanji-kun. Let's go!"

The two made their way to the Tatsuhime Shrine. As Kanji said, it was empty and quiet from the outside. They went further in and stopped. A man in a suit was standing by the fortune box. He seemed to be looking for something. They couldn't see his face, and that made him all the more suspicious.

Naoto and Kanji smiled at each other. This had to be the man they were looking for. There was no sign of him having anything with him just yet, but he matched the description of the suspicious man given by others. And even better, he didn't hear them coming, so they had the element of surprise.

Naoto motioned for Kanji to follow her as she approached the stranger first.

"You're-!" Naoto barely said a word before the man turned to look at them through his sunglasses.

And then he pulled out a knife towards her. She stood frozen in shock.

Kanji felt his blood boil. This man dared to pull a weapon on Naoto!? He had to do something! He quickly ran over and stepped between her and the man, shielding her protectively.

"Kanji-kun?!"

"You wanna get to her, you gotta go through me, asshole!" Kanji shouted angrily.

"Th-There's no need for alarm!" Naoto shouted, quickly. "That knife is a toy!"

But it seemed Kanji's threat got to the man as he suddenly dropped the knife and ran away.

"Hey, get back here so I can kick your ass!" Kanji yelled. He was about to chase after him, but Naoto grabbed him by the arm, preventing him from doing so.

"We have what we came here for, there's no need to hurt him." Naoto said, sternly.

Why did Kanji do that? Did he have no faith in her? Why did he shield her like a damsel in distress? The mere thought of being treated that way angered her to her core. She was more than capable of looking after herself! And the idea of someone she cared for putting himself at risk for her sake made it even worse! Thankfully, Kanji seemed to listen to her and didn't chase after the culprit.

Seeing that, Naoto bent down and picked up the knife and examined it. "This knife… I knew it. It's another of the seven tools I made…" She held it up to show him it wasn't a real blade and glared at him. "This is a knife-shaped radio. As I said, it's just a toy."

"It… It ain't real…?" Kanji said, quietly. He suddenly felt stupid for assuming the worst.

"Exactly!" Naoto shouted, angrily removing her hat, almost about to throw it in frustration, but held it in her hand before putting it back on and continuing to glare at him. "But even so… What you did! What if that knife had been real?! You would've been in grave danger!"

Kanji was angry again now. How could she say such a thing?! She was being reckless and a dumbass all over again, just like when she got kidnapped on purpose.

" I would've been in grave danger?! Oh, so if it had been real, do you think I woulda just let you get hurt?!"

"You're always like that! I can't imagine becoming a woman only to have a man protect me! And yet- You always…!" She was trembling now. Her mind was reeling with anger and confusion. " Why…?!"

"Because I love you!"

Kanji froze. He didn't know what happened. The words- they just came out of him… He swore his heart stopped… His face was bright red now. He wanted to run… But he couldn't move a muscle. He just stared at her. Too scared to move or speak…

Naoto was frozen in shock again… Did he really just say what she thought he said? There was no mistaking it. She heard him. And she likely could hear nothing else. "I love you…" The words repeated in her head as her heart raced and her face went red. For some time, all she could do was stare at him. She had a thought about running away, but she couldn't move.

"Wh-What…?" She finally said, shakily.

Kanji got even more scared. Her face was so red. Was she going to be angry at him…? Did he just lose her forever…?

Naoto's thoughts were still reeling. He… He didn't just say he liked her as a friend… No, Kanji Tatsumi just said he was in love with her. He didn't just feel a reciprocated crush for her, no it was love. Well, she had wanted to tell him that she liked him today, but she hadn't remotely expected this. She wanted him to like her, but she hadn't considered the idea that he might have fallen in love with her. Her anger had subsided… It was replaced with that familiar warm, fuzzy feeling she got around him normally. But still, she was confused too. She had to be sure of what he meant. There was no place for miscommunication at a time like this.

She finally willed herself to move and look away from him to hide her very obvious blush. "Er, U-Umm… W-Wait a moment… I- I thought you just said something serious…"

Kanji knew he had to push through his fear and respond. He was able to say it. And a real man owns up to the things he says.

He took a shaky breath and said, "I- I did… and I meant it, Naoto… I love you."

If her face could get any redder, it did from hearing him repeat it. "E-Er, well…" She avoided looking at him. "N-Now that you've said such a thing… I- I can't even look you in the eye…"

The words worried him at first, but her tone was very soft and shy. She didn't seem like she intended it to sound negative at all. He took it to mean she wasn't offended. But… she still hadn't given a proper response.

Naoto was still stunned. She wanted to reply, but… she really didn't know if these feelings she had for him were just a mere crush or full on love. She liked him so much, cared for him, but love- well the word never crossed her mind before. It wouldn't be fair to him to say anything until she thought it over first. To know how she truly felt. If Kanji truly loved her, he would understand and be patient for her reply.

"K-Kanji-kun… I- I would like some time to think about this, please…"

Kanji felt strangely relieved to hear that. He could see why maybe she would need a little space after such a huge confession. It'd be good for him too, to help him calm down and get a clear head.

"Y-Yeah, sure." He replied, quietly. "Um, whenever you're feeling up to it…" He left the suggestion vague.

"Th-Thank you," Naoto said, shyly, "I'll call you later… I'm going home now-" She blinked as she remembered the whole reason this happened in the first place. "Oh, and you don't need to worry about the Phantom Thief anymore. I've got it all figured out now."

"Oh, good, I-I'm glad!"

They stood there nervously for a moment unsure of what to do. Until finally-

"So, er… G-Goodbye!" Naoto quickly ran off, her face still a deep shade of red.

Kanji watched her go without following. She said she wanted space, he would give her space. She could make it home by herself without him. He sighed with relief knowing that she didn't get angry… She didn't hate him for it. He had told her his true feelings and she didn't resent him. It was a comforting thought. He walked out of the shrine and over to his house. He was prepared to wait for her. Forever if he had to.

~...

That night, after Naoto gave a thorough scolding to Yakushiji for going along with her grandpa's little trick on her all this time, she finally went up to her room. She got dressed in her pajamas and crawled into bed. She didn't expect to fall asleep yet. Her mind was full. She heard her phone buzz. It was a text from Rise asking how it went. She didn't feel like replying, so she ignored it.

She closed her eyes and concentrated her thoughts.

When Kanji said he loved her, the first thing she felt was shock. Then confusion… then… There was no denying it, joy. She was happy. Those warm feelings came back again as she thought about it. She recalled every moment the two shared, from the very first meeting to today. Every happy moment spent with him. It all led back to the same feelings. She felt herself smiling.

"I guess this wasn't just a crush, after all…" She whispered to herself.

With that happy thought, she rolled over and got comfortable under her blankets for a good night's rest. With a smile on her face.

~End of Chapter