Detective Kanji

Chapter 18: Double Date

Begin!

~Normal POV

The days passed rather peacefully in January. Everyone was enjoying their time together, even if they had to go back to school now. Yosuke had said something about a ski trip plan for after their next exams, so that would be nice. Nanako and Dojima were officially released from the hospital a short time ago. Despite this good news, the team got the impression that Yu had something on his mind the last few days. But he never opened up about what it was. He was probably just stressed over exams or something.

Naoto was hanging out with Rise right now. She had asked to talk about something. It didn't sound urgent, but Naoto was curious. Rise usually never asked her for favors of any kind.

"Ok- I have this idea, and I kinda need you to help with it!"

"Is something wrong?" Naoto asked.

"Well... no. Yes? Maybe?" Rise struggled to answer. "Wait, let me start over. So you know how senpai's been kinda distracted lately?"

"I have noticed that. Why?"

"He insists to me that it's nothing, and I'm sure that he's lying, but I can't get him to talk about it. And I thought, 'Ok, he doesn't have to tell me if he doesn't want to, but also I wanna help him feel better too.' And that's when I got this super great idea. I wanna take him out somewhere for a date night to take his mind off whatever's bugging him."

"Uh... then do it? He's your boyfriend, I don't see what you need me for..."

"I'm getting to it! So- my idea was to go out for a movie night in Okina. And then I said, 'you know what would make it even more fun?'"

Naoto had a feeling she didn't want to hear what Rise had in mind to make "a fun night with her boyfriend."

"It could be a double date!"

"...A what?" She hadn't been expecting to hear that at all.

"You know what a double date is, right? It's when two couples go on a date at the same time and all hang out together. So it'd be me, you, senpai, and Kanji. We could see a movie and get dinner somewhere too. I've thought about asking for a while, but there hasn't been a chance before, with the case and all, so I'm asking now! What do you say?" Rise finished, smiling eagerly.

Honestly, Naoto didn't know what to think. It seemed harmless enough, but also a bit nerve-wracking. She rather preferred being alone with Kanji on "date nights." But seeing the hopeful look on her friend's face, she decided it might not be so bad to try it once, just to see what it's like. It might be fun. Maybe if they had a good time, they could do something like it again too.

"I- um... Have you brought this up with Yu-senpai yet?"

"Yep! He said it sounded fun, but obviously I needed to ask you first." Rise answered. "I was thinking we could go this Saturday if we're all free."

"I know Kanji and I aren't doing anything this weekend... Hm." Naoto pulled out her phone. "Let me see what he thinks." She sent a quick text to Kanji explaining the situation. "By the way, if we do it, what movie would we see anyway? I'm not sure what's playing right now."

Rise put on a thinking pose. "I don't know either. But I guess we can pick when we get there. There's never too many options playing in January, but that means it won't be crowded either."

"That does sound nice..." Naoto felt her phone buzz in her hand. Kanji had replied that he was fine with going. "Ah, he's ok with it. So, I guess we'll go."

"Yay!" Rise gave her a tight hug. "Thank you!"

"Ugh-! R-Rise, please..."

"Oh- sorry!" Rise quickly let go.