Chapter Text
The air is warm with the faint chirps of cicadas, and the laughter of other students. Naoto had just arrived at the Inaba a few days prior, this recent case of murders drawing him in like a small rabbit to the jaws of a predator. He’s confident in himself, in his abilities and conclusions. Though there is one thing he is not confident in: talking to people his age.
Naoto sits at his assigned desk, face slightly flushed as girls talk over one another in an attempt to welcome him. He had heard whispers of others talking about him, the charming detective prince, full of an air of cool and allurance. He can barely keep up with everything everyone is saying, there’s just too much happening. Suddenly, a bright voice cuts through all the overlapping ones, his head immediately jerking in the direction of the sound. There stood a girl, her face full of a feminine charm, and features that only the finest artist could capture.
“So you’re the detective prince?” She said, her voice sweet like the most decadent chocolates ever produced. Her mouth pinched at the corners accompanied by small dips in her cheeks, and a playfully raised eyebrow. His breath hitched, and he swore he thought his heart was going to break out of his rips and run free. Thank god he knows how to keep his composure, or else he might’ve melted right then and there. The girl circled around his desk a few times, bronze waves following her movement, and a soft hum escaping her lips as she observed him. She abruptly stopped in front of his desk, her eyes sparkling as she leaned her face close to his. He could see every freckle that dusted her cheeks, smell the sweet aroma of her skin (was it perfume? He wondered what the scent was called), and acutely aware of the lack of space between them. It made his head spin. “You’re cute, I understand the hype now.”
His heart just slammed its stupid little face into a bed of nails. What did she just say?! He’s cute?! Sure, he’s been called many things, handsome, dashing, charming, mysterious, pretty, fine, but cute? Maybe when he was a small child, but never recently, and not by a girl as captivating as her. He blinked, trying to scramble to formulate an appropriate response. How was one supposed to reply to something like that? Before he could even open his mouth, he was cut off by her.
“Hehe. Speechless, aren’t you? Mr. Detective Prince?” she teased, a laugh bubbling up in her throat. “It’s okay, it happens to the best of us. I'm Rise Kujikawa… or, maybe you’ll be more familiar with… Risette?” Naoto blinked at the girl— at Rise, his brows furrowing slightly. Rise Kujikawa? Risette? His mind rushed to try and see if he had heard the name before, or seen her face. It would be quite difficult to forget a face like hers, she's breathtaking, and he doesn’t use that lightly. His eyes flickered in recognition, she was in that one commercial, wasn’t she? As well as hearing a few of her songs play while he was out and about. How was someone as famous as her, doing somewhere as… dull and insignificant as here?
“Oh— yes, I remember you,” he finally responded, trying to keep his voice leveled. Giving a small nod. Rise’s eyes lit up, a pleased look on her face. Though she was cut off from whatever she was going to say when Naoto got up from his seat and began packing his bags. She suddenly pouted, and crossed her arms.
“Where are you going? We’re in the middle of a conversation!” She whined, but not in an annoying way. It was more endearing than anything, that she wanted him to stay, that she wanted to talk to him. She suddenly moved forward, wrapping her arms around his as he moved to sling his bag over his shoulders. His heart practically stopped beating, every muscle of his body refused to follow any orders and just stayed still.
“The police station?” a hint of bewilderment in his eyes as he replied to her whine. She didn’t seem pleased with his response, instead of letting go as he hoped (or hoped against) she would, she clung closer to him. Shaking her head.
“That's lame! And you didn’t even tell me your name yet!” a small pout formed on her heart-shaped lips, a look that Naoto couldn’t help but burn into his memory. He hesitated, briefly considering just walking away and not offering his name. He’s sure she knows it, so why does she want him to say it so badly? But for some reason, that is absolutely beyond him, he responds:
“My name? Naoto Shirogane. Now, may I be on my way?” Naoto said casually, a slight hint of displeasure sprinkled in his words. Even when that could be any further from the truth. Rise stared at him for a long moment, no words spoken, nor were any sounds made. He felt like she was burning holes right through him, then burning through the ground. A prang of unease at this uncharacteristic silence surrounded them. Sure, he had just met her, but just from this short interaction he could infer a lot about her. One of the perks of being a detective, he supposes. Abruptly, she gave his arm a final squeeze, before letting go. Her hands instead rested behind her back.
“Hmph, I guess so,” but as she spoke, she looked to the side rather than him. Her bravado faltered, or maybe it was a part of the act. Maybe he was falling for it, like every other guy that passes by her. But that made no sense? He wasn’t one for… crushes. The mere thought of it made every nerve in his body buzz in the worst and best way possible. He needs to get out of there, now.
That was their first ever encounter, and many more followed. Naoto always held every memory involving her tenderly, even if it was negative. It was her, all of it was her, and he loved her. Even if he was too cowardly to verbally admit it, even if he’s still as cowardly today as he was two years ago. His current predicament is just evidence to support his claim.
God, he’s stupid. Stupid for coming to this party, stupid for drinking alcohol, stupid for not thinking straight, stupid for wearing these clothes, stupid for still being in love with her, stupid for not being himself, and stupid for being himself. Maybe he just needs some fresh air.