Detective Kanji

Chapter 14: Visit

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.