Begin!

~Normal POV

The next day, Kanji woke up to find another early text from Naoto. This one read: [Good morning. I was wondering if I could come over to your house after school? There's something I want to give you.]

Kanji felt his face get hot at the idea. Ok, he wasn't completely blind to the obvious, Naoto was asking to see him somewhere private. He'd been around the others long enough to know that this most likely meant she wanted to see his room. It was normal for that to happen once you started dating someone. The idea was nerve-wracking, but it would be nice as well. He'd get comfortable with it the sooner it happened. His hands trembled a little as he typed out a reply.

[Yeah, I'd love that! I'll bring you over after school.]

A short time later, she sent another text. [Thank you. And, we won't be able to keep our relationship secret for much longer after today. Rise especially wants to know, so we should get it over with and tell everyone at lunch.]

[I figured that would happen. But yeah, we gotta tell them.]

[I'll see you at school then. :)]

Kanji set his phone aside and got ready for the day. And mentally dreaded when they saw everyone at lunch…

~...

When lunchtime finally came, Kanji and Naoto were the last to arrive at the rooftop. They had stopped to discuss their plan first. But all they really settled on was just saying it without overthinking the matter. Their friends wouldn't mind at all. The two took their spots next to each other, closer than they normally sat, and ate their lunches while waiting for the others to give them an opening. It seemed to go well. Everyone was chatting and seemed to be in a positive mood. And then it happened.

"Naoto-kun, you and Kanji are certainly a lot closer today," Rise said, suddenly with a teasing smirk.

The two looked embarrassed as everyone turned their attention to them. They glanced at each other and decided there was no better time than this to say it.

"U-Um… that's because…" Naoto started, sheepishly. "W-We're… dating now…" She pulled her hat down and focused on her meal. Kanji also avoided looking at the others.

"Oh, my god! Finally!" Rise shouted.

"Yeah, it took you long enough!" Chie added, smiling.

"I'm happy for you both!" Yukiko said.

"I told you it'd work out." Yu said, simply.

"Nice, Kanji!" Yosuke said, winking playfully.

Kanji and Naoto were still embarrassed, but hearing how happy everyone was for them was nice. It didn't feel as awkward as they assumed it would. Though, Naoto saw Rise give her an "I want details" look. But she could get out of that later. Once everyone calmed down, they resumed their peaceful lunch without another word about the news. (At least, for now probably.)

"That wasn't so bad…" Kanji whispered, smiling.

"No, it wasn't…" Naoto whispered back, sharing his smile.

~...

After school, the two met up at the lockers and started walking to the shopping district. Along the way, they talked idly.

"So, what's this thing you have for me?" Kanji asked.

Naoto smirked. "It's a surprise. You'll see when we get there."

This made Kanji more curious, but it would be fun to not know yet. He was excited. And nervous. He usually kept his room very organized, so she probably would approve. It'd be hard to impress her with a messy room.

"Um, Kanji?"

"Yeah?" He looked down and saw she had held out her hand. He smiled and gently grabbed it as they walked.

Naoto was blushing. "Th-Thanks…"

"N-No problem…"

He was surprised at how soft her hands were. Much different from his own. Working with fabric dries out the skin, so try as he might, his hands would always be a little rough. Naoto, meanwhile, didn't mind it. His hand was warm against the chilly air. It was pretty sunny today, but that didn't stop it from being cold.

"Is this… weird for you?" Kanji asked.

"Not at all. I like it," Naoto answered, happily.

"Cool- I do too."

They settled into talking about other things until they reached the textile shop at last.

"Uh, so-"

"We will need to tell your mother." Naoto interrupted. "That's what you were going to say, yes?"

Kanji smiled. "How'd you guess?"

"It wasn't hard to figure out. And I'm sure she won't mind."

"That's not the part I'm worried about…" Kanji thought. He opened the door and let her in first.

They found his mom tending the shop as usual. "Oh hello, Kanji-!" Mrs. Tatsumi greeted, smiling. "And I see you brought Naoto-chan with you. Nice to see you again, dear."

"You too, ma'am…"

Mrs. Tatsumi didn't miss the fact that they were holding hands. "Ah, I see… I'm glad you two are finally together."

The teens were shocked until they remembered they were still holding hands. They quickly let go and avoided looking at her.

"Y-Yes, we are…" Naoto replied, shyly.

"Kanji has always liked you, you know. He talks about you all the time."

Kanji turned bright red. "Hey! Sh-Shut up!"

Mrs. Tatsumi merely laughed. "Alright, I'll stop. You go on and have fun."

Kanji knew this would happen. He should have just told her by himself first. Then at least he'd be spared some embarrassment in front of Naoto. But Naoto thought it was funny too, as she snickered quietly. The two went past the shop area and up the stairs.

~...

Kanji let her into his room first. It was an average sized room. It was very neat and tidy, even the bed was neatly made. It surprised Naoto as she looked around curiously. She figured it was cleaner than she expected. There was a work desk for his crafts, a place to store sewing and knitting tools, a tv across from the bed, and some shelves full of stuffed animals, some looked store bought, others were handmade, and a few Featherman action figures. She also noticed some weights tucked away in the corner by the dresser and closet. A laptop was sitting on the dresser, along with some headphones.

"I see… so this is where you live."

Kanji shrugged. "I-It's just a room…" He went to sit down on his bed.

"True, but a person's room says a lot about them."

"Really? What does mine say?"

Naoto smiled. "That you like cute things and keep a tidy living space."

Kanji smiled back, feeling a little less nervous now. She put her bag on the floor nearby and sat down next to him.

"Er, anyway… I'm sorry for intruding like this…" Her face was red.

"I told you I don't mind. I-I've just never had a girl over like this…"

"I've never been in a boy's room before either."

They shared a light laugh. It was getting to be nice just being together without having to fret over it. They were a couple now, they should relax and enjoy their time together. Naoto shifted a little closer so their arms were touching.

"The reason I came is because I- I wanted to give you something." She leaned down and pulled something out of her bag. "I, er… made this last night. Please accept it."

She shyly handed him a little fake badge with his name on it. It was identical to her own, only it wasn't a real one, of course.

"I haven't crafted anything like this in some time. It took me a while to find my old tool kit in my closet." She continued, with a shy smile. "If I had more time, I could have added a camera and a transceiver… Oh, but it flashes! I made myself one to match. I- I know it's not the most 'cute' gift, but I thought since you assisted me with a case… you should have one for being such a good partner. Um, don't laugh… or say it's childish or stupid, ok?"

"I love it, Naoto!" Kanji said, happily. "Thank you!" The fact that she made this just for him was awesome!

Naoto was happy to hear that. She thought her gift was kinda dorky. She thought about something for a moment.

"...The title of 'detective' became a burden to me… I thought I had no other aspects apart from detective self. But you gave me a reason to be, as neither adult nor man…" Naoto looked up at him, with pink on her cheeks. "Kanji… being with you… I felt glad to be a detective, and…"

She sighed suddenly in frustration. She couldn't get over how she sounded. It must be odd to him. She had to voice her concern before she went any further. Kanji didn't see what she was so upset about though.

"Um, d-do you find the p-pitch of my voice strange?"

Kanji blinked in surprise. Honestly, he didn't care one way or the other, but she seemed worried. He thought about it. Before they became friends, she talked much differently as part of her disguise. Her real voice was smooth and slightly husky, but distinctly feminine too. He decided that if he was going to accept her being herself, and he absolutely was, then…

"Well- I think your girl voice is… cute." He answered, blushing.

She turned even deeper red from hearing that. "O-Oh! I see- Um… I-It is rather embarrassing. I never thought I'd get used to sounding like that. People change I suppose… I think I'll grow to like myself." She smiled gently. "I wasn't considering the things that I should have… The people who care about me, as well as my own self… The detective, the child, the woman- The me who existed before them. I am… simply myself. Kanji, I'm glad to have met you."

The way she stared at him with such warmth and trust. It made him so happy. "I'm glad I met you, too, Naoto…"

It was then that Naoto remembered the position they were in. "Hm… y-you're quite close…"

Kanji chuckled. "I think we got closer than this yesterday, though."

"Er, yes, but- I- I suppose I'm still getting used to it…" She kept staring at him warmly. "I love you, Kanji."

"I love you too… So-" Kanji set aside the little gift on his desk and smiled at her. "If we're both going to get used to being close then…"

He didn't know where this sudden confidence came from. Maybe it was the fact that he wasn't worrying so much anymore. He put his arm around her again. Naoto smiled and took off her hat.

"Wha-?"

"It wasn't hard to deduce that you like how I look without it." Naoto said, slyly. "The way you looked at me gave it away."

"O-Oh…"

He was never known for being subtle so he should have expected that. And she was too observant not to notice. She set aside her hat on his bed, and leaned in to give him a soft kiss. Kanji pulled her closer to deepen the kiss, with his other hand gently grabbing the back of her head. Naoto wrapped her arms around him as well, happy in his warm embrace.

They lost track of how long they spent like that.

~End of Chapter