Not the chapter I plan to write but it came out anyway. Some nice character focus.

Rated T

"Did you always wear panties?" Rise's question made Naoto blink for a moment before looking up to her from her coffee.

"What?" Quickly taking a bite from her sandwich. She chewed for a second, making sure she got the question right as she asked herself in her head.

"Did you always wear panties or does it depend on the day?" Raising an eyebrow in confusion Rise glanced at her expression giving her one back of curiosity.

"Why is it important?"

Seeing the Idol roll her eyes only made her sigh. "You never used to wear them. It was mostly boxers before. I barely saw you wear panties back then..."

"Should it make much of a difference?"

"Well yeah. You wear panties now."

"Not all the time."

"Oh..." Naoto observed as she saw Rise lean forward making herself feel a little uneasy. A soft smirk now plastered on her face. "...Did you start wearing them to impress Souji?"

"N-No! Of course not, I've just grown to accept they aren't terrible plus he doesn't care what underwear I wear anyway." Her face bloomed in an embarrassment at the thought of being called out.

"Really?"

The sharp eyes of the detective narrowed. "Yes really. And for your information he likes how my bottom looks in my boxers."

That last declaration came out with a little more pride than she intended. Putting fingers to her chin, Rise looked up as her mind contemplated several things unknown to her best friend sitting opposite her. After a moment she gave her another look, which was strangely unreadable.

"So do you think if I started wearing boxers Souji will comment on my ass?" Naoto's eye twitched for a split second but it went completely unnoticed by the person speaking to her.

"I don't think that's necessary."

"Hmm, why not?"

"You already wear revealing underwear. I don't know how you do it." Her face formed into a small frown. It was a small portion of her psyche but it was enough mental uncertainty to eat at her. Her self consciousness at being unable to wear things like that was something she found frustrating.

"Oh mine? Yeah I guess but I just go with a mix of what looks good and what feels comfortable. I just think a special pair of panties can set the tone for the day. Also doing photo shoots for some underwear and lingerie companies means I get free stuff quite often. Can't let it go to waste, not like I got anywhere else to wear it."

Naoto's next question came out before she had a chance to run it through her mind's filter

"How are you able to be in such little clothing with everyone taking pictures?" The question took Rise by surprise. Mostly due to the fact she never thought of it as anything unusual but then she remembered just how sexually conservative relatively speaking Naoto was and how she thought of certain things.

"I've been used to it as something that's a part of the system. Originally it's swimsuits but breaking it down there isn't really any difference between swimsuits and underwear. The only difference is who sees it."

Rise's words reverberated in Naoto's head as she pondered them. The logic was sound but it didn't make her feel any easier.

"Is something wrong?"

"I'm jealous,"

The Idol's eyes widened for a moment at Naoto's answer. "That I can parade half naked in public for work?"

Naoto shook her head slowly. Taking a moment to think about her words. "More like having the self confidence to wear it and wear it openly."

"I see it as nothing more than a job. At the end of the day it's eye candy for a bunch of my fans and money in my pocket."

Naoto felt herself nodding at her words of wisdom.

"I only wear the 'nice' stuff for you and Souji anyway. The way I see it is that the people out there see Risette. The cheerful, bubbly, carefree person who is always willing to give out autographs and help people..."

She took a quick draft of the hot cocoa in front of her. "But when I'm here I'm the moody, selfish, demanding, self conscious girl that is Rise. I'm fully aware that Risette is another part of me but it doesn't have to always be me."

"Yeah I fully understand."

"I know you do the same."

Rise's comment brought a small smile from Naoto. "Yeah, you got me there. Detective Shirogane at the scene. Naoto at home."

"Yep, I've seen it for myself and I see shades of myself in the way you handle it."

"Just like a light switch?"

"Exactly like that."

They both took a sip of their respective hot beverage, the pause gave enough time for Naoto to dwell on her thoughts. After a moment Naoto hummed when she noticed the cheeky smile that her best friend had.

"Hmm?"

"I know the exact way to describe you."

"Go on..."

Her grin only grew wider. "A Sleuth on the streets but a freak in the sheets."

The colour rose in Naoto's face instantly.

"I beg your pardon!?"

"I'm not wrong am I?" Naoto shook her head vigorously.

"Please I'm no freak-"

"It was a figure of speech honey. Anyway, should I start wearing boxers?"

The Idol couldn't but laugh at the sigh Naoto made. "No, I think what you wear now is fine. Maybe one day I'll get the courage to wear what you do..." Looking up the all knowing grin Rise had made her backtrack a little. "...Sometime in the future. I think Souji likes it."

"Nah whatever you wear or do, keep doing it. I've tried my absolute hardest but he absolutely can't look at anyone else the way he looks at you."

Under the heavy blush, Naoto's lips formed a small yet bashful smile. That compliment meant a lot more than Rise would think.

"Thanks, it means a lot coming from you."

"No need, only saying what's true."