"This was a beary smart plan if I do say so myself," Teddie says full of pride.
Yukiko and Chie look at each other then back at the happy guy standing across from them. Chie holds a large bag in her hands. The bag is full of everything they need to turn Kanji's room into a romantic evening. Of course, two girls can't just barge in, which is why Teddie had to offer to cover the textile shop while Ms. Tatsumi deals with an 'emergency' (Rise's Mom wanted to help).
Yukiko smiles, "Good work Teddie. Now watch for Naoto and Kanji while we set up."
Her and Chie rush down the hall towards Kanji's room, leaving Teddie on lookout duty.
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Naoto can feel goosebumps crawl up her body. Her left side still feels warm as it is pressed up against Kanji. The dress offers her no protection from the cold, but that hardly bothers her. What's bothering her most is that Kanji hasn't looked at her since they left the school. According to all the dating magazines Naoto has read, this is a bad sign.
Truth be told, she didn't sleep at all last night. Between nerves and nightmares she never stood a chance. So Naoto did what Naoto does, learn. She took the chance to dig out a pile of dating magazines Rise insisted she keep. Naoto never had the heart to throw them away, and now she needed them. Each of them described a strategy for courting a partner in grave detail. How to bat her eyelashes, and curtsy, as well as what to say to make a boy notice her. Kanji looking away means he doesn't notice her, so now it's time to adapt. The best way to adapt is to convince him that he has to look at her.
"K-Kanji-kun?"
"Yeah?" He responds, never turning his head towards her.
"Do you like my dress?"
Kanji looks at her out of the corner of his eye, his trembling hand held still by Naoto's, "It's........it's wow"
Naoto panics, "Does it look bad? I'm s-so sorry."
"No wait!" Kanji yells, drawing the detective's eye. "Y-You look amazing. I just don't wanna s-stare."
"You can if you want," Naoto's face turns a vibrant red as she speaks.
The blonde boy's head slowly turns to look at her. He is clearly weary, worried that if he looks too fast he might upset Naoto. The stunning sight of her nearly throws him off his feet. Until this moment he didn't even think about the fact that she is right next to him, holding his hand tight. Everything about Naoto feels different today. Her outfit and demeanor feel so much more girly than normal. Kanji's eyes scan every inch of Naoto, him not being able to help his staring.
Naoto can feel his eyes on her, but it is different from earlier. When all her classmates stared at her she felt exposed, and humiliated. When Kanji stares, she feels proud, maybe even happy to show him this side of her. She strains herself trying to keep up her formal way of talking. An embarrassingly girlish giggle escapes her lips.
Kanji grits his teeth and blushes, "What's so funny?"
"I just like the way you are looking at me."
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Ms.Tatsumi walks back into the textile shop, her tired expression one of more mental fatigue than physical. She walks in to see Teddie carefully examining the shelves attached to the wall. Relief washes over her. Leaving the store to Teddie was a risk that paid off. Simply put, everyone knows that the bear is a little unreliable when it comes to big jobs like this.
"Welcome back, Mama Kanji!" Teddie cheers.
Ms.Tatsumi laughs, "I assume everything was ok while I was gone?"
"Everything was great!"
Teddie's voice raises to a strangely high level. Hopefully, Chie and Yukiko got enough time to fully set up the room. The truth is that they kind of had enough time. Everything they needed to set up is set up, but with Kanji's Mom back their escape route is cut off. A panic sets in between the two of them as they try to silently search for some escape.
"Chie, look," Yukiko whispers. "That's our way out."
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Kanji stops outside the front door of his house. His hand clutching Naoto's, being the only thing stopping him from running for his life away from this nerve wracking situation. "Are you sure you wanna do this?"
"I'm sure. You invited me over for Christmas, so it's only fair your Mother knows the truth."
"Hell yeah Naoto. That's real brave of ya."
Naoto gets a determined look, "it is simply a courtesy."
Kanji pulls open the door to the textile shop. Inside, his mother sits in the step chatting with Teddie who looks more than happy to make conversation with her. Naoto pulls Kanji inside the house. She is desperate to rip this conversation off like a bandage. Ms. Tatsumi and Teddie look past Kanji, focusing on Naoto.
Teddie's eyes light up, "Wow! You look amazing, Nao-chan!"
Ms. Tatsumi is clearly shocked by what Teddie said, "Nao-chan? Wait...Naoto-kun? Is that you?"
"Hello M-Ms. Tatsumi. I apologize for springing this on you with no notice, but Kanji invited me and I figured it was best to come clean". She takes a deep breath, "I am a woman. Due to personal circumstances I kept that fact a secret. For some time now I have been comfortable enough to tell people my true gender, but last time I was here I suppose I panicked. I am truly sorry to have deceived you."
"Ms. Shirogane, I accept your apology. I also appreciate you giving my son the time of day. He can be a bit of a handful."
Kanji is about to snap back at his mother when he feels Naoto squeeze his hand. The detective's calming presence seems to quell the sharp tongue he was about to use. The truth is that he is also very happy that she is giving him the time of day. Naoto's giggle catches his attention. It's girly in a way that he appreciates. Kanji gets a warm feeling in his heart seeing the formal mask slip away to shoe the more vulnerable Naoto. The only question now is why is she letting that facade slip this much out of the blue?
Naoto does an adorable sway as she talks, "He is very kind to me. It's the least I can do for him fixing my hat."
A bubbly feeling is overtaking Naoto with every word she says. She can't help but wonder if this is what Rise feels all the time. The thumping heart beat settles down some, as if Ms. Tatsumi's presence is helping her. A loud thumping sound from the backyard startles everyone in the room. It is followed by another loud crashing noise. The Detective in Naoto is ready to spring out to investigate but something is stopping her. Six feet of something clutching her hand. Against her better judgment she relents and stays at his side.
The door to the shop slides open again, revealing Chie and Yukiko. They are covered in leaves and dirt. Suspiciously, the leaves are similar to the ones planted behind the textile shop beneath Kanji's window. Surely a coincidence.
"Oh heeeeeeeey guys," Chie says in a nervous manner. "We just came by to uhhhhh."
Yukiko slides in, "Pick up Teddie!"
"Yeah! Pick up Teddie. Let's go Ted."
Teddie gives two big thumbs ups. His eagerness to help with the plan is odd but reassuring. Chie and Yukiko drag Teddie along with them out the door.
Ms. Tatsumi flashes a smile, "I have some stitching jobs to work on, so Kanji just take Naoto to your room."
The way she says it embarrasses Kanji badly. It was as if Naoto is some toy that he has to take to his room. He shakes his head trying to get the words out.
"Oh also," Ms. Tatsumi chimes. "You look lovely Naoto."
Naoto blushes a bright red as Kanji leads her to his room.
YOU ARE READING
KanNao Story: Fixing The Hat
FanficKanji has been crushing on Naoto since he met her, so the two crossing paths one day isn't special. What is special is the way Naoto begins to feel around the blonde punk as they grow ever closer.
