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She couldn't do anything. Her best friend was lying on the floor, very quickly losing blood, and it was her fault.
They should have realized sooner that Adachi had been the killer. It was so obvious in hindsight. Every time they ran into a wall in the case, he would be there, coincidentally pointing them toward the "right" direction. Always saying more than he meant to. His closeness to the case would make him privy to what the Inaba police knew and what they didn't, They should have seen past his bumbling nature and awkward personality. She should have seen past it. She was a detective for God's sake.
Naoto was frozen completely, she couldn't stop looking at Kanji lying on the ground. "-to! Naoto!" She looked up to see Rise crying with her hands on her shoulder. "It's gonna be ok! Yosuke ran off to get a doctor! He'll be back any minute, I swear!"
Naoto heard the words she was saying, but couldn't process them. Her mind wouldn't let her think of anything other than Kanji's body on the floor. "Is he going to..."
Rise shook her, "No! Absolutely not. Yosuke will be back soon and the doctor will fix him right up!"
Naoto looked around, looking for the other members of the team, but they were all gone, giving chase to Adachi as he ran. Naoto began hyperventilating, knowing a panic attack would soon follow, she sat down in a nearby chair. She couldn't do this. Not again.
Rise looked between her and Kanji with worry, his breathing appearing very shallow. "Naoto! Listen to me! I'm here, Kanji's here. We aren't going anywhere, I promise!"
Naoto couldn't hear her, everything suddenly starting to turn black in her vision. "I can't... can't lose h-h-him." She put her hands over her head. "C-c-can't be a-a-a-alone a-again."
She could barely see Rise in front of her, but couldn't hear a word coming from her mouth. She seemed to be crying. The last thing Naoto saw before passing out was Yosuke running back into the room joined by 3 other people she couldn't quite make out and a gurney.
Naoto would awaken several hours later, sitting in what appeared to be a waiting room. As her memories slowly returned to her, she was instantly filled with a sense of worry and despair. She stood, but before she could exit the room, the door opened and Rise appeared holding two cups of coffee. "Oh thank God. You're awake." Rise flashed her a tired smile and handed her one of the cups.
She took a small sip, "Kanji-kun... is he...?"
Rise sat down and her smile left. "He's in surgery. They said that the bullet didn't hit anything vital, so he should be ok. Once he's discharged Senpai said we should take him into the TV world and Yukiko-senpai can try to heal him."
Naoto sat back down. "I see." Her face suddenly took on a scowl. "And Adachi-san?"
Rise winced, "He escaped into the TV. He's backed into a corner, but we can't do anything yet. Not until Kanji is ok." She nervously stared into the cup in her hands. "We don't know where he is inside the TV, but it's bad, Naoto. His presence there... I don't know what it does, but it makes the shadows seem... angry, somehow. When we go after him we'll need Kanji."
Naoto placed the cup on a table and slammed her hands onto her knees. "Dammit! This is all my fault! If I had just noticed sooner Kanji wouldn't have been..."
Rise put her hand on Naoto's shoulder and give it a light squeeze. "No, it's not your fault! Adachi had us all fooled, not just you. None of us blame each other, and I know Kanji wouldn't blame you either. In fact, he would probably be more pissed at you for thinking so than you are at yourself right now."
"But Adachi he was... he was going to shoot me. Why would Kanji-kun get in the way?" Tears began falling from her eyes. "Why would he risk his own life for mine?"
Rise grabbed a nearby tissue box and handed it to Naoto, who replied with a small "Thank you."
"He would do it for any of us, Naoto. Not just you. It's just the kind of guy he is." Rise began to tear up too. "That big lug's heart is too big for his own good."
Naoto smiled at that, she knew all too well how selfless Kanji was, as he would take hits for her countless times while fighting shadows. " I have no idea how I'll ever be able to thank him." She sniffled as she wiped away the remaining tears from her face with a tissue. "Nothing I do will ever be able to show him how thankful I am for all he has done."
"I'm sure you'll think of something." She let out a yawn and checked her phone. "It's getting late. Grandma's gonna worry if I stay out any later. We should probably be heading home."
Naoto suddenly tensed for a moment. Nothing sounded worse right now than going home to her empty apartment. "I think I'll stay here for now, Rise-chan."
Rise's eyebrows shot up. "Are you sure? I'm sure you could but wouldn't your bed be more comfy to sleep in than some waiting room chair?" Naoto quickly shook her head.
"I'll be quite alright, I doubt I'll be getting much sleep anyways. You should go home, your grandmother will be worried sick."
Rise watched her for a moment before sighing. "Yeah, you're right." She threw her Styrofoam cup into the trash can and stood. "Try to get a little bit of sleep, ok?" Naoto nodded and Rise bent down to hug the detective. "Call me the second you hear something."
"Don't worry, I will. Goodnight, Rise-chan." Rise smiled at her, gave her one more squeeze, and left the room.
Naoto sat sharply awake for the next few hours, having looked at every magazine in the waiting room multiple times. She let out a yawn, thinking about getting a moment of shut-eye until a nurse suddenly came in with a small smile on her face. "Are you the friend of Kanji Tatsumi?"
Naoto quickly stood up and nodded. "Yes. Is he ok? Was the surgery successful? May I see him?"
The nurse giggled a bit at the detective's sudden questioning. "The surgery went well and he is recovering now. His mother is with him, but he won't be open for visitation for a few hours still. He wouldn't be much company anyway, he's still quite out of it due to the medication. You can go home now, I know you're worried for your boyfriend but you need to take care of yourself too."
"B-boyfriend?!" Naoto's face was completely crimson at the word. "Tatsumi-kun is a friend. We are not..." she took a deep breath to calm herself down. "We are only friends."
The nurse laughed again, "Oh, my mistake, dear. Regardless, it would be best for you to go home and get some rest."
Naoto looked down and pulled her cap down to slightly hide her blush. "Are you certain I can't see him for just a moment? I do not think I'll be able to rest at all until I see he's ok."
The nurse smiled at her softly. "I'll be right back, ok?" Naoto nodded as the nurse excused herself from the room. She began pacing, unsure of what the nurse left to do until she returned a few minutes later. "You can see him, but only for a moment, alright?"
Naoto nodded and let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. "Thank you, ma'am." She gave a quick bow. "I shall be quick."
After the nurse escorted her to Kanji's room and excused herself, Naoto stood for a moment, unsure if she should even go in. After a minute or two she finally worked up the courage to enter. As soon as she did she saw Tatsumi-san sitting next to his bed in a chair fast asleep. Her eyes quickly darted to Kanji, lying in bed resting. He looks so peaceful, she thought. She went over to him and wiped a hair from his face. "Kanji-kun..." Her vision blurred as tears started to form in her eyes. "Thank you so much."
"Naoto-chan?" She looked over to Kanji's mother who appeared to have woken up from her sleep.
Naoto backed up and wiped away the tears from her eyes. "Ah- Tatsumi-san. I'm so sorry for interrupting your slumber. I simply wanted to check on Kanji-kun before heading home for the night."
Kanji's mother gave her a warm smile. "Nonsense, dear. Don't apologize. I'm touched that you've stayed so late, actually."
Naoto nodded and tried not to begin crying again, this was all her fault. "Tatsumi-san, I am so s-sorry. Adachi he w-was aiming for me. At the last moment Ka-Kanji-!" She hiccupped. "I'm so, so sorry!" The floodgates broke and she was sobbing now. "He could have-!"
She was broken off suddenly by Kanji's mother's arms around her in a tight hug. She quickly hugged back and cried into her shoulder. "I'm so-"
"It's ok, Naoto-chan. Kan-chan is going to be ok." She pulled back and looked into Naoto's eyes. "I know you blame yourself, but Kanji would never, and neither will I. He cares about all his friends so much, you especially."
Naoto blinked at her and began blushing again. "M-me? Why?"
"You're practically all he ever speaks about. I've never seen him so infatuated with someone. He would do this for you again in a heartbeat, I promise you that."
Naoto couldn't believe what she was hearing. Does he... But why? I'm so... plain. "I see." She backed up and cleared her throat. "I should be heading home, I would hate to get in the way of the nurses or doctors any longer than I have."
"I understand. You be safe heading home, alright Naoto-chan?" She gave Naoto one more quick hug. "I shall call you as soon as he has woken up. I'm sure you'd like to express your thanks as soon as possible."
"Yes, I would appreciate that if it wouldn't be too much trouble, Tatsumi-san." She bowed to her and left the room, quickly leaving the hospital and walking back to her apartment.
After a quick text to Rise about Kanji's condition, she closed her phone and collapsed into her bed, exhaustion suddenly hitting her like a ton of bricks.
The next morning she woke up and instantly checked her phone. After reading and responding to texts from the Investigation Team group chat and Rise-chan she went to the kitchen to pour herself a cup of coffee. While drinking it her phone suddenly began ringing and she quickly answered before the first ring had even finished. "Hello?"
On the other side she could hear Kanji's mother, clearly smiling as she spoke. "Good morning, Naoto-chan. I hope you had a good night of rest."
Naoto blushed, remembering the dreams she had including a certain tailor. "Y-yes. It was very refreshing. And you?"
"I've had better." She laughed, "Hospital chairs aren't exactly comfortable for an old woman like me."
"Tatsumi-san you are not old! Those chairs are uncomfortable for everyone."
Kanji's mother scoffed, "How sweet you are, Naoto-chan. However I am calling to inform you that Kan-chan has awoken."
Naoto smiled and tears threatened her eyes again. "That's wonderful! Is he alright? May I... May I see him?"
"Yes, he is able to receive visitors. All he's talked about since waking up is wanting to make sure you were alright. I think it would do you both good to see each other."
"I agree." She finished her coffee. "I shall be there shortly." She closed her phone and ran out of her apartment, it completely slipping her mind to inform the rest of the team.
As soon as she arrived outside of Kanji's room, she saw Tatsumi-san and ran to her for a hug. Kanji's mother made a sound of surprise and Naoto backed away. "My apologies, it's just... sorry." Tatsumi-san is a great sense of comfort, it seems.
"It's alright, dear." She looked Naoto over, noticing a sheen of sweat on her brow. "Naoto-chan, did you run all the way here?"
Naoto looked down in embarrassment. "O-oh... Well, I was very excited to see him."
Kanji's mother laughed, "I can see that, dear. Then you better get to it. I'll give you two some privacy then." Tatsumi-san placed her hand on Naoto's shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. "Take as long as you'd like." Before she left Naoto gave her a small nod.
After Tatsumi-san left, Naoto stood staring at the door, unsure of herself suddenly. Will he even want to see me? He could have died because of me. She began biting her nails. What if he hates me? What if he never wants to see me again? She could feel tears threaten to come to her eyes, but quickly slapped herself. No, No more crying. Even if that's the case, I must face him. I'm an adult, after all. She worked up the courage and slowly opened the door and stepped inside.
The instant she saw him, she began crying again. Kanji turned his attention from the window to her "Oh, hey, Nao-" He was quickly broken off by her arms wrapping around his neck in a tight hug. "GAH-!"
She held his head close to her chest as she sobbed "I'm so sorry, Kanji! I am so, so sorry. Please, forgive me!" After a few moments she began to worry as he said nothing in return. "K-Kanji?"
"C-can't b-breathe!"
She gasped and quickly jumped back, blushing deeply. "I-I'm so sorry, I have no idea what came over me. I was just so relieved you're a-awake." She quickly wiped the tears from her face. "Oh you must hate me. I'm so sorry, I merely wished to confirm you were alright." She turned to the door. "I'll see myself-"
Suddenly, she was stopped by a shout from Kanji. "Hate ya?! I could never, dammit! Why'd ya ever think I did?"
"Y-you were shot, Kanji! I almost got you killed..." Naoto walked back to his bedside and sat down in a chair.
"That's bullshit and y'know it. Ya didn't almost get me killed." He tried to flex a muscle but made a pained grunt. "I'm made of tougher stuff than that!"
Naoto grabbed his hand and gave it a tight squeeze. "You absolute fool, why would you potentially throw away your own life for me. I don't understand."
Kanji looked down at their hands and blushed. "I didn't understand either, not really. I just... I know I'd never be able to live with myself if ya got hurt when I could do somethin' to stop it."
"I..." It was her turn to start blushing. "Why?"
"Y'know ya just... ya mean a lot to me, Naoto. Couldn't bare to see ya hurt."
Naoto, at barely above a whisper, gave a quiet "Thank you."
"'S not a problem, I'll be up and good again in no time flat." They sat together for a moment, just looking in each other's eyes. "So where's everyone else? Not that I'm complainin' with ya bein here."
Naoto's blush deepened and cursed under her breath. "Damn! When your mother called me this morning, contacting the others completely slipped my mind."
She took out her phone when Kanji suddenly tightened his hold her hand. "Hold on a sec." Naoto gave him a confused look before he continued. "Maybe we could... ah, never mind."
Naoto tilted her head in confusion. "No no, go ahead."
"Well..." His blush deepened. "Maybe we could just... me an' you for a bit, y'know what I mean?"
Naoto smiled warmly and slid her phone back into her pocket. "I believe I do." She leaned in close to him and kissed his brow. "I didn't sleep very well last night, perhaps we could both use a bit more rest."
Kanji looked at her before giving his own kiss to her cheek. "I 'spose you're right." He closed his eyes, his mind was running a mile a minute, but he took a deep breath, inhaling her scent as he began to relax.
Naoto made a noise of agreement. "I suppose I am, my hero." She had known for a while that she felt something different for Kanji than she did for the rest of her friends, but it had never clicked in her mind just what those feelings were. She was certain now what it was, but for now she'd leave them unspoken. They had plenty of time to settle that with him later, together. First and foremost for him was healing, but after that, she knew that it would be time to give chase to Adachi. She promised herself that this time, it would be her protecting him. From anything.
Tatsumi-san smiled as she closed the slight crack in the door she had been watching the two from, it seemed the two were so focused on each other they hadn't noticed her snooping. She quickly made her way outside, intending to go home and get some rest in the comfort of her bed. If she knew anything, it's that her son would be completely safe with the detective. She would have to repay her soon, but she was sure she'd have time. She was going to be seeing a lot more of Naoto Shirogane in the future.