Chase The Truth

Chapter 65: Christmas

Begin!

~Normal POV

12/24 - Saturday

Today was Christmas Eve. Rise hadn't been this excited for a Christmas in a long time. It was her first one in Inaba in ages, and also her first one with her boyfriend. Naturally, she had asked ahead of time to spend the evening alone together at his house. They deserved to have a private celebration first before their proper party with everyone tomorrow. And it was very necessary for another reason: the two hadn't had any proper couple time in quite a while. The case kept getting in the way. But now there was no case left to stop them. They would have this night all to themselves. She blushed just thinking about it.

She had ordered their special Christmas cake in advance. There was a very nice bakery down the street from the police station that she had gone to pick it up from after school. It did suck that they still had to go to school today, but yesterday had been a day off and tomorrow was Sunday. She hadn't seen much of the others today. Other than a suspicious conversation she noticed Kanji and Naoto having in Naoto's classroom earlier. Unfortunately, she didn't catch any of what was said. Much to her disappointment, but they looked rather happy about something.

Rise left the bakery, carefully holding her cake box in her hands. She hoped Yu would like it. It was vanilla with strawberries mixed inside. She had been intending to head straight to Yu's house, but was momentarily distracted by spotting Naoto leaving the police station.

"Naoto-kun!" Within moments she remembered that she needed to not talk too loud. Her voice lessons had strained her throat lately and it was really flaring up today of all days.

"Hello, Rise-san." Naoto said, smiling. She approached and walked beside her since they appeared to be heading in a similar direction.

"What did the police need you for?" Rise asked.

"I was merely called in to clear up some details about Adachi-san's case. Since they are crediting me with being the one who caught him. I'm not sure if it's right to tell them it was a joint effort."

"Don't worry about it. I'm sure everyone will understand. It was your case- if they wanna give you credit, then why question it?"

Naoto thought for a moment. "Yes, I suppose that's true... They have been more respectful to me lately as well. I was offered to interrogate him myself, but I turned it down."

Rise stopped them both from hearing those words. "Really? But... that was your chance, wasn't it?"

"I'll have other opportunities in future cases." Naoto said, simply. "I've been patient for this long. And I have a feeling it won't be necessary. He seemed willing to confess when we caught him. But the main reason is..." She paused, turning a bit pink. "I have plans tonight."

Rise grinned mischievously. "Ooo? What kinda plans?"

"Just dinner at Aiya with Kanji. He said he had a present to give me." Naoto was smiling.

"Mhmm... Well, have fun on your 'totally not a date.'" Rise said, teasingly. "I gotta head to senpai's house." She used her free arm to give her friend a quick side hug. "See ya tomorrow!"

~...

Yu let Rise into the house in the early evening. It was cold out tonight, but that just meant it was a perfect night to spend indoors together. Yu had gotten an update from the hospital recently saying that Dojima and Nanako would be allowed to come home for a while tomorrow. It sounded like Nanako was awake and feeling much better at last. Thus, tomorrow the whole team would come over for their big party to celebrate, but tonight it was just going to be him and Rise.