Archive of Our Own ^beta

The first time Kanji felt the closeness to Naoto was when they first met up. Before the TV, before the fog, before the… before the everything, basically.

It was definitely before Kanji would want to admit to ANYONE that when the blue haired boy said he was intriguing. his heart fluttered.

~

1. The Floodplain

That damn- Naoto, was it? Where the hell is he?! Is he jus’ gonna ditch him?! God, of COURSE he was, why would he-

“Tatsumi-kun. I'm here.” Startled, Kanji turns around, finding the boy in blue standing behind him. “You were to walk me home from school, yes?”

“Y-yeah, of course!” He puts his hand on his head. “You know me, I love going to school! Hehe… he. Let's go.” Rushed, he starts walking down the plain, while the blue haired boy follows close to his side.

Kanji thinks- no, he KNOWS he's about to explode. What is he doing??? Is this okay?! Is this how close two strangers should walk with each other? Why does he care??? Is anyone watching?!?!

As his arms swing, he feels his pinky brush up against Naoto’s hand. He can't- no, this doesn't matter!! Why- he's not- ugh, why is he so frustrated?!”

“Tatsumi- kun.” The boy in the coat breaks the heavy, pressing silence. “There's a couple questions I have for you involving a case I’m working on. May I ask them?”

For some reason, this startles Kanji. “Is this about the biker gangs?! Is that the only reason why you brought me here???”

“Of course not.” He looks so sure and full of himself. “I've said this already, but you are an incredibly interesting man.” He pulls his hat slightly over his eyes, noticeably not making eye contact. “You intrigue me, Tatsumi. In a way not many people ever have.”

“Huh!? What's that ‘sposed to mean?” Again, he feels the proximity to Naoto, and nearly bolts right there.

Naoto stops to turn to face Kanji, making direct eye contact. “Tatsumi, you-”

Suddenly, they hear bushes rustle. “Chie!! Can you be quiet?!”

“If you weren't in my way, maybe I'd be able to stop needing to yell at you!!”

…Those are those random kids who were listening in on his conversation yesterday!! Kanji runs off, going to confront them- what were their names? He doesn't really care. That annoying Junes kid and a girl in green look up, and Kanji sees their souls leave their bodies. “Hey. What’re you punks doin’ here?”

The girl screams. “GAH!! Yosuke, I TOLD you this was a bad idea!!!!”

The boy- Yosuke?- stands up. “I-!! Hello- uh… we're just a couple on a date!!!”

“We are NOT!!” The girl shoves him. “We were just!! Uhhh!!! We were-”

“On. A. Date.” Yosuke barges in.

“ARE YOU GAY?!” The girl shouts.

Kanji feels his heart stop. “I…gay?”

“Chie, you blew it!!” He whisper shouts.

Ignoring the way the word ‘gay’ made him feel, Kanji cracks his knuckles. “Wanna say that again, PUNK?!”

“RUN FOR IT!!!” Chie shouts.

Kanji proceeded to spend the next hour chasing the pair around, telling them it's ‘not like that'. Naoto is long gone at this point, and Kanji DEFINITELY doesn't care. Nope!

Later that day- or was it the next day? His memory is a blur- he was kidnapped and thrown into a TV, and had to face an almost naked, very gay version of himself. In front of those weirdos who kept following him. A very strange week, to say the least.

~

Kanji ended up avoiding Naoto until SEPTEMBER, and of course it took him getting thrown into a tv to be able to talk to him again. Mr. Manly Man over here, unable to talk to someone unless their life is at risk.

~

2. Secret Laboratory

Naoto collapses into his arms, having just accepted his- her? Their? It's?? Either way- NAOTO just accepted their shadow, and the building was actively crumbling down around them. This exact thing has happened with every other dungeon, but for some reason, Kanji's heart is beating much faster than every other time. He doesn't have time to focus on that, though, as Rise is already calling orders to flee the crumbling base, and Naoto is definitely too weak to run out on their own.

Kanji isn't really focused on how everyone is shouting, or why Teddie is doing front flips, because all he can feel is Naoto's head leaving on his chest.

“K- Kanji-kun…”

“You’re weak, save your breath.” Kanji tightens his grip. “Trust me, I'll drill you for this later.”

Naoto weakly laughs. “That's- *cough* deserved.”

“What’d I jus’ say??”

“Oooooo, Kanji~!” Rise teases, wiggling her fingers at him.

“NOT the time, Rise!!” Yosuke yells back, already running.

…They should probably get going.

Trying to push several thoughts into the back of his mind, Kanji scoops Naoto up into his arms, rushing to the exit. Naoto keeps mumbling to her- him? Now's not the time to worry about that- self. Something about “I can handle myself…” but he's not taking that BS right now.

Why on earth would they allow themselves to get kidnapped?? Just to find the killer? And what- risk killing themselves in the process?? That's stupid! Naoto is way smarter than that! Their determination to find that killer seems to come in priority over their brains, though…

He's been thinking about Naoto too long. He tightens his grip on them, his heart racing in the process.

“Kanji-kun…” Naoto murmurs. “You- you’re exerting yourself too much! Your heart- it's-”

“OH LOOK THATS THE EXIT!”

----

They finally made it out of the TV. “Naoto, that was the dumbest thing you've ever done!!” Kanji berates them.

They take their hat off, rubbing their head. “Augh… yeah, I know.”

“Jeez, I- I mean- WE were so worried!!”

Rise gasps. “You were worried!! Awww!!”

“Buh- shut up!!!”

~

Kanji never took Naoto to be a sentimental person. Stuffed animals seemed to be completely out of the question for him… them? Not her, Kanji knows that much.

So you can imagine his surprise when they walked into the shop one day.

~

3. Tatsumi Textiles

Kanji was just running the front desk while ma’ was running errands. Normal boring stuff, ‘oh the class is next week’ ‘sorry come back later’ ‘that'll be 1000 yen’, mind numbingly boring. Not that he has anything better to do, that is.

That was, of course, until someone walked in.

“Hello, welcome to Tatsumi Textiles, how may I-” He loses his train of thought when he looked up and saw Naoto at the entrance, holding a plastic bag with something in it. “NAOTO!! Uh- uhm-” He coughs into his hand, already losing his cool. “Uh. What are you doin’ here?”

At this point, Kanji has accepted the fact that he has a massive crush on Naoto. Boy or girl, they are crazy cool and smart, and if he's being honest, he's ok with the fact that he likes dudes as much as chicks. Or at least getting to the point where he's okay with it. It's probably due to the fact that he's been talking to Yu a lot, who seemed very knowledgeable on it. Anyways- Naoto. In shop.

“Kanji-kun, I-” They take a big breath in. “I… I need you to fix something. Are you able to do that?”

“What..?” After seeing a look of embarrassment on Naoto’s face, Kanji quickly stands up straight. “I-I mean, yeah! Of COURSE I can! I love fixin’ shit- I mean things! Not shit!” Keep it together, Kanji!!

Naoto sighs. “...Okay. It's incredibly embarrassing, so please don't make fun of me..”

“Heh. You’re the one who should be making fun of me! Don't even worry ‘bout it.”

They chuckle before putting on a serious face, reaching into their bag. “It's just something I had as a child that I've kept for nostalgia's sake, but if any harm comes to it I swear on my life and on everything that I've done that I will-”

“Just open the bag, dammit.”

Rushed, Naoto digs into the bag, handing Kanji a little stuffed cat with stuffing coming out of its arm. Well… its lack of arm. “His name is Mr Stuffles. He… he was in an accident.” Naoto's face must be on fire.

Kanji could not be more smitten than he is right now. He almost slaps himself to get rid of his dumbass blush, but he sucks it up. Being a man and whatnot. “Well, it'll take a bit of fabric, but Mr Stuffles will be just fine.” He takes the stuffed cat by its lone arm. “I'll get this back to you in-”

Naoto slams on the desk between the two. “CAN I WATCH-” A blush spreads across their face. Another blush? The same blush? “S-sorry, that was barbaric of me. I… I would like to watch you fix him… b-because he's important… to me.” Their voice gets progressively quieter as they continue.

“O-of course! I- hell yeah!” Kanji cracks his knuckles. “He's gonna be fixed SO hard!!!”

Naoto finally seems to relax. “Thank you, Kanji-kun.”

----

In the back room, Kanji finds himself just staring at the stuffed cat, needle and thread in hand, unable to think straight. He's sitting on a couch, knee to knee with Naoto, and his face is burning up. He can hear their breathing, and is in a constant state of almost losing his cool. The only thing keeping him from losing his mind is the calming act of sewing the cats arm back on.

After more stiff, awkward silence, Naoto takes a big breath in. “Kanji-kun, may I tell you something?”

This snaps Kanji back into reality. “Y-yeah, go ahead.”

Nothing is said.

“...Naoto? You all good?”

“I'm… I'm trying to find the words.” They fidget with their hands on their lap.

Kanji hums. “Take your time.” He continues sewing, and is definitely NOT glancing at Naoto whenever he sees an opportunity.

…Because he's just staring at them. They somehow manage to look so calm and together even when they're stressed, and Kanji can't help but admire them. They're so…

“...You’re staring at me.” They tilt their head to the side. “Is there something on me?”

“GAH!” Kanji falls off the couch, and is pretty sure his face is on fire. Correction, it definitely is. “I- I WASN’T- THERE’S-”

“Kanji-kun, calm down!!!”

“I CAN’T!!!”

“WHY NOT?!”

“CAUSE YOU’RE HERE, DUMBASS!!”

“I-” Naoto stops right as Kanji realizes what he said, and the implications of it. “Kanji-kun, if you are put off by my presence, please just say so.” They stand up, brushing off their clothes.

“HEY!” He stands up, making sure to put Mr Stuffles down safely on the couch. “Hey, I never said that. That's not even what I meant!! You gotta stop jumping to conclusions like that!”

Glaring, Naoto walks right up to him, glaring at his face (and there are feelings in that which he will unpack later). “Enlighten me then, what did you mean.”

“I- uhm- w-well, y’know…” Kanji Tatsumi, man of the hour, has been reduced to a blubbering mess over- what even is it now?? Them being in his face?! “It was just- I mean- you’re not- aha…”

After holding eye contact for a little while longer, Naoto sighs. “I was planning on telling you that… I want to identify as a man. I thought that it would be- well-” They turn to the side, clearing their throat. “Relevant to you. Or- moreso, I was hoping it would be relevant to you. I appear to be mistaken.”

“...So you’re a dude?”

“I- yes.”

There's a slight pause before Kanji simply says “Cool! So ya use he?”

Naoto seems slightly taken aback. “I- I would like to use a mixture of he/him and they/them. If that's okay.” He fidgets with the ends of his sleeves. “Does this… turn you away? If I've gotten the wrong impression, then I'm-”

“WAIT.” Kanji interrupts. “If- what are you saying? All this ‘I got the wrong impression' ‘is my gender relevant to you’ blah blah, what's that all about?? I don't care if you're a guy, I'm still your friend!!” His heart sinks only slightly when he says friend, but he feels like ignoring that right now.

Naoto stumbles back onto the couch, still fidgeting with their sleeves. He signs for Kanji to do the same, so he does, starting back up on finishing the sewing. “I-” He gulps. “I was wondering about your… sexual orientation, and if- uh- if that would apply to me. If you- uhm-"

They take a big breath in.

“Kanji-kun, your looks and personality have captivated me, and I would like to pursue something that isn't just a friendship.” He immediately turns away after his confession, covering his face with his hands.

Kanji’s entire world slows to a halt as he comprehends what Naoto just said. “...Ya serious?”

“...Yes.”

He is completely at a loss for words now, more so than usual when Naoto is around. He is completely silent, trying to find the proper words in his jumbled up brain for this situation. Words aren't his strong suit, though. He's much better at punching things. And swinging chairs. And sewing!!

Sewing… He just realized he finished repairing the cat. Maybe he could-

Pulling out his red thread, he quickly sews a small heart onto the newly fixed arm of Mr Stuffles. He taps on Naoto’s shoulder, who flinches before turning around to see the repaired plush. “I… words are hard, I hope this gets my point across.” He chuckles to himself. “You’re much better at words than me.”

Hesitantly, Naoto reaches out, taking the plushie in his hand, noticing the little heart. What happens is Kanji sees the biggest smile spread across Naoto’s face as he starts giggling. Naoto! Giggling! Cause of him!!! “...Kanji-kun, you are such a dork.”

He rubs the back of his neck. “Heh. I hope you… get what I mean?”

“I get what you mean.”

“G-great! Uh-” Kanji suddenly finds himself with nothing to do with his hands. Why does he need to do something with his hands..? “So… now what?”

They scoot ever so slightly closer. “...May I stay here for just a bit longer?”

“Hell yeah you can!!”

-----

Hours later, Ms Tatsumi walks into the back room to find the detective prince asleep on her very awake son's shoulder. Kanji looks like he hasn't moved in hours, completely fixated on Naoto. He also looks like he burnt his face with how red it is.

…She was going to scold him for not properly closing up the shop, but she is not one to get in the way of young love.

~

Kanji hasn't ever gone on a date, let alone with a GUY. Who's INTERESTED. In HIM. He can't even pretend like he wasn't nervous.

~

4. The floodplain (again)

Kanji is actually losing his fucking mind. Look at him, just standing at the floodplain, watin’ around!! The anxiety is eating him alive. Is Naoto late? Was he just really early? The foods gettin’ cold! He WAS-

His train of thought is cut off by a panting Naoto running up to him. “K-kanji-kun!!” He puts his hands on his knees, catching his breath. “Sorry I'm late- I- *achoo* I had to finish- *gasp* making these.” He pulled out a small plain cardboard box from his bag. “I'm not as- *gasp* good at decorating as you- *gasp* but these chocolates are for you.”

“Y-you made these?” Kanji asks, taking the box from his hands, opening it to see some small, well made chocolates.

Naoto wipes their brow. “Yes. I made sure not to take any advice from the girls.” He huffs. “Yukiko-senpai wanted me to add shrimp, and Chie-senpai thought that I should add citric acid.” He coughs. “And Rise wanted to add Nanako-chan's garden vegetables. To chocolate.”

“...D’ya think they were trying to poison me?”

Naoto looks off to the side. “That… is incredibly likely.”

Blinking slowly, Kanji eats a chocolate, which does NOT taste like any of those things. They taste rather sweet, actually!! “Oh my god.” He says, eating another. “These are great!”

“D-don't eat them all right now! What about dinner?”

It's time for Kanji to show off his awesome date planning skills. “D’ya think I didn't plan for this?” He picks up a bag from the side of him that Napoli seemingly didn't notice. “Already ordered from the ramen store! I was- uh- thinkin’ we could sit on that one hill. Y’know the one.” He rubs the back of his neck, trying (and failing) to keep his cool.

There's a glint in Naoto’s eyes before he shakes it away. “That- that sounds lovely, Kanji-k-”

“You can drop the ‘kun’, y’know.”

“Huh?”

“The ‘Kanji-kun’ thing you always do. Ya don't gotta do that anymore.” He fidgets with his fingers. “I think we're kinda… past that point? Uh- aha…”

After a pause, Naoto firmly nods. “Understood, Kanji.”

Kanji’s heart backflips 17 times.

“Shall we get going? The sun is starting to set, and the food must be getting cold.”

“Y-yeah! Shall!! I- I mean, we shall! Uh-” Naoto chuckles at him, and he honestly has no idea how he managed to find someone that won't make fun of him for his… small vocabulary.

----

The view on the hill is stunning. The sunset looks pretty cool too.

…Oh god, when did Kanji start thinking such corny things?? Jeez, he really is far gone, isn't he?

“The sunset is lovely.” Naoto observes.

Kanji snaps himself out of his daze. “Oh! Uh- yeah! The sun! Set! Sunset!!!” He's hoping the lighting makes his blush less obvious.

Unfortunately for him, Naoto is way too observant for him. “Kanji-ku- *ahem* Kanji. You’re flushed. Are you alright?” He tilts his head to the side.

“Uhhhh…” Well, there's no denying it, but he has no ideas for a good excuse. “W-well y’know. I, uhm- it's just-”

“I don't follow.”

Kanji puts his hands over his face. “‘Course ya don't. I'm just- uhhhh. Distracted.” He's not wrong about that. He is VERY distracted.

This is probably the first time Kanji has ever seen Naoto confused. “Well, there isn't much you could be focused on here, besides… hm.” Kanji witnesses Naoto’s brain enter ‘detective mode’ live right in front of him. “There's the food, the sun, which you clearly don't seem to be watching, and me- oh.” His face blooms with a warm blush, and oh my GOD Kanji might just lose it. “Uhm. I see.” Averting eye contact, he plays with the ends of his sleeves. “I- me too- I- I'm not good at this.”

“Me neither.” They both stare at each other for a moment before they both start laughing. “Man, we are hopeless, huh?”

“Definitely.” In the middle of laughing, Naoto lets out a snort before immediately covering his mouth, turning a bright shade of red. “Uhm-! You didn't hear that!!!”

This only causes Kanji to laugh even harder. “Dude, that was adorable- EEP!”

…So Kanji Tatsumi definitely did NOT just squeak in front of his crush. And there's no way in hell that be just called them adorable on accident because of his big dumb mouth moving before his brain. 

The duo just stare into the others eyes, both completely red in the face. Seemingly to try and hide this fact, Naoto pulls his coat over his nose and mouth, averting his eyes. “I'm… I'm going to try to do something. Please feel free to pull away if you find it necessary.” While Kanji tries to process all the big words Naoto just used, he almost doesn't notice how one of his hands ends up in theirs. Key word: almost. Kanji takes his eyes away from their interlocked hands to look at Naoto, who's still looking away and holding their coat to hide their blush. “I've… been wanting to do that for some time. And I just thought- since we're here- and the setting seemed proper to… well-” His voice was getting progressively higher pitched and quieter as he went on.

Being basically unable to form words, Kanji simply squeezes the hand he's holding. “I- uhm- I like this.”

“...Oh.” Naoto squeaks, barley above a whisper. “Well then.” He scoots slightly closer, brushing their legs together (which is definitely NOT going to be the death of Kanji). “We could stay here for a while. I would enjoy watching the sunset with you.”

Kanji looks forward, seeing the sun pass the horizon. “Dude. The sun is basically gone.”

“Well, could we watch the stars?” Naoto turns with a glint in his eye, no longer holding his coat up to his face. “I've always enjoyed stargazing. Ever since I was young- uh, sorry. I don't want to bore you-”

“KEEP GOING!” Kanji shouts before slapping his hand over his mouth. “I mean- go ahead. It's not like I have much to say.”

Naoto's laugh will kill him one day. “Well then,” In a move of boldness, Naoto inches closer, putting his head on the other's shoulder. Intentionally this time, as opposed to when he just fell asleep. “Which constellation shall I start with…”

Kanji is unable to form words beyond “Y-yeah!” or “Woah…” for almost the rest of the night. He would've been lulled into sleep from Naoto’s calming voice if it weren't for the fact that his body was definitely running at 10 times the normal speed. He's honestly never played such close attention to anything before.

----

The moment Kanji entered his bedroom later that night, he sewed a mini plush of a star that he hung off of his mirror. He probably wouldn't have been able to fall asleep if he didn't get his nervous-excitement energy out.

He slept holding a pillow in his arms that night.

~

Naoto is very new when it comes to… relationships. Romantic ones, that is. He doesn't really know what normal relationship milestones are. Or how to go about them. Or when to go about them.

It's a good thing Kanji’s heart moves faster than his head, or else their relationship would've probably never advanced.

~

5. The Tatsumi Household 

The Tatsumi house was a very warm one. Kanji’s mother made a wonderful meal and was very welcoming and understanding. Asked a lot of questions, though. Mostly questions to embarrass her son, which Naoto would be lying if he said he didn't find that mildly funny.

And now he's in Kanji's bedroom, waiting for him to return from washing the dishes. Naoto isn't really sure where to put his… anything, honestly. He places himself on his boyfriend's (saying that still makes his heart flutter) bed, patiently putting his hands on his lap. The room is filled with various small handsewn plushies alongside biker posters. Two very clashing styles, but both very much 'Kanji.’

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. Kanji opens the door to his bedroom, waving his hand. “Sup.”

“You’re back.”

“Sure am.” He plops down next to Naoto on the bed. The two of them have been getting progressively more comfortable with physical contact, so Naoto doesn't mind sliding closer and grabbing Kanji's arm.

“I really like your room.” Naoto muses. “It's very in character.”

It looks like Kanji blue screens. “Uhhhhh. Y-yeah! I mean- thanks! I like yours- no, that's not- argh, I can't focus with you here!!” He slams his back onto the bed, bringing Naoto down with him, both now staring at the ceiling. “You got too much-” He vaguely moves his free hand around. “Y’know??”

Naoto scoffs. “I'm afraid I don't know what-” He mimics the motions Kanji was just making. “Means.”

“Pfft. Aren't you- like, a detective? Isn't deducing shit kinda your thing?”

“I don't think even the world's greatest detective could decipher what you mean.”

Kanji rolls onto his side, now facing Naoto (they're- they're so close…). “Dude. You’re the world's greatest detective."

Naoto sputters, immediately going red. “I- that's completely illogical! There are far too many detectives in the world!”

“Hmmm. Well at least Japan, right?”

“T-that's still much too vast.”

Kanji looks like he's putting the most thought he ever has into anything right now. …That was not intended as an insult. “Ok, but you’re definitely the smartest detective in Inaba, got it? I don't make the rules.”

Naoto snorts at this. “You clearly are making these arbitrary rules.” He sighs, turning to also face Kanji. “But I'll give that one to you.”

“YES!!” Kanji pumps his fist, before seemingly getting distracted and proceeding to get focused on something on Naoto. Or maybe something behind him? Possibly beside him. He's not really sure. “Woah, you’re…” His deep grey eyes that Naoto very easily gets lost in widen.

Naoto hums, gesturing for Kanji to continue.

Like a switch was flipped in his brain, Kanji’s eyes somehow go even wider as his entire face goes red. “I-I MEAN- I DIDN’T SAY ANYTHING!!!” He shoots up before falling off of the bed. “UH- ERASE THAT FROM YOUR BRAIN! FOREVER!!” 

“Wh- Kanji?!” Naoto jolts up, looking over the bed to find their boyfriend already up and pacing his room. “What on earth could you have said that could've possibly elicited that reaction?”

“N-NOTHING!! NOTHING AT-”

“Kanji dear, could you keep it down?” A voice calls from downstairs.

“Y-yeah. Sorry, Ma!” Kanji clears his throat before fixing his hair. “Naoto, I- well, I actually have something that I wanna give ya. It's- uh. It's a bit embarrassin’ and what not, so don't go makin’ fun of me for it, okay?!”

Naoto chuckles. “Kanji, you know I won't make fun of you no matter what you give me.”

“Heh. I do.” Kanji smiles before he goes digging in his dresser. “I know it's somewhere in here…” He keeps mumbling to himself, leaving Naoto in suspense on what the gift could possibly be. “OKAY! Found it.”

“Oh? What is it?”

Kanji’s face has a charming blush on his face as he holds the surprise behind his back. “Well, you know… that cat plushie you have… I kinda, well I- I made a. Uhhhhhhhh….” The blush spreads to his ears as he chucks something soft at Naoto. “TAKE IT!”

The wind gets completely knocked out of him as the fluffy item falls to the ground. “OOF- what…” Naoto takes a good long look at what Kanji just threw at him. It's… it's a blue stuffed cat, probably bigger than his head. He picks it up, inspecting it closely. It has a blue hat, a blue coat, blue eyes, and… “Kanji, is this… me?”

“...His name is Meowto.”

Naoto’s eyes have never been wider. He grins harder than he ever has in his life. “Kanji, it's-” He runs up to him, hugging him tightly.

“OOF! Nao-”

“Kanji, it's perfect. I love it so much.”

“O-oh. Yeah! N-no problem!” Naoto can feel Kanji's heartbeat in his chest. “I was worried that you- you wouldn't like it.”

Naoto lets go of him, making direct eye contact. “Kanji, I… there's something I need to tell you.” He gulps, feeling their closeness. “You're… you're so kind and caring, and always put others over yourself. I constantly find myself charmed by you whenever you do… well, anything. Your strength is admirable, and you are *ahem* objectively handsome.” They break eye contact, fidgeting with their hands, feeling his heart beat speed up rapidly. “All of this is to say, I… uhm… I'm- *gulp* I… I think I'm in…” The word is on the tip of his tongue, and both he and Kanji know that. Looking back up, Kanji’s eyes are fixed on him, and full of hope and anticipation. “Kanji, I'm in-”

He gets cut off by Kanji bending over and kissing him on the lips. Well- almost the lips. He missed ever so slightly, only hitting the corner of Naoto’s lips, before immediately backing up, completely red. “OHMYGOD- I’M SO SORRY- IVEBEENWANTINGTOKISSYOUFORSOLONGANDITHOUGHIWOULDTIMEITWITHYOURCONFESSIONBUTIWASTOOEARLYANDIMISSEDANDIMSOSOSOSOSOSOOOOSORRYPLEASEDONT- uhm-” He goes silent when Naoto, on his tippy toes, takes his face in one hand, closing his eyes and kissing him proper.

Naoto pulls away, fully flushed. “If I picked up on what you said correctly, you've been- well, wanting to kiss me for some time at this point, and you wanted to kiss me right as I confessed. But your eagerness and haste caused you to cut me off and miss my lips.” He chuckles. “Kanji, that is the most you thing you've ever done. This is why I said you're incredibly charming. The confession was perfect.”

Kanji just stares at Naoto. “I… you… you never finished it.”

“I think what I just did was clearly a confession.”

“Ya didn't say the word!”

Naoto sighs, hugging Meowto. “Fine. Kanji Tatsumi, I am in love with you- ACK!!” 

Kanji picks Naoto up, hugging him tightly and spinning around. “YES!! YES, YOU-” He laughs to himself, clearly giddy, kissing him again. “I LOVE YOU TOO!!”

Naoto starts laughing with him. “Kanji, I can't- *snort* pffft. Hahahahaaha!”

The two of them collapse onto the ground, still in each other's arms, laughing about nothing in particular. Naoto is confident that he won't be shy about proximity nearly as much as before, ever again.