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It had been nearly half a year since Kanji and Naoto had began dating. While things were still relatively awkward between them, they relished the time they spent together above all else. She still somewhat blamed herself for Kanji's injury from Adachi, but Kanji was adamant it wasn't her fault. It always helped her to remember his words. A simple, "S'nothin'." She knew it wasn't 'nothing', but she was grateful he didn't hold it against her.
One thing Naoto could never get used to, it was the concept of celebrating arbitrary days on the calendar. Least of all her birthday. She had celebrated Kanji's earlier in the year, but it was only because she was aware how much it had meant to him. In the back of her mind she knew Kanji would likely make a big deal out of her birthday, but she wasn't sure of the reason. "It is simply a day, Rise-chan." She began collecting her things, ready to leave school for the day. "I fail to see the big deal."
"Come on! It's such a big deal!" Rise couldn't believe the words she was hearing. "It's your birthday, dummy!"
"I am well aware what day it is." Naoto threw her book bag over her shoulder. "What perplexes me is the idea that it is something worthy of celebration."
"Hey, what are ya talkin' about?" Kanji walked over to them with a quizzical look painted on his face. "Ya bout ready ta go, Nao?"
"She's being difficult again!" Rise pointed an accusatory finger towards Naoto. "She doesn't think her birthday is a big deal."
Naoto was about to speak up before Kanji cut in, but he had a small blush on his face. "She ain't bein' difficult." He looked over to Naoto. "Well, maybe a bit, but if she don't want it ta be a big deal, it don't gotta be."
Rise gave Kanji a pleading look, trying to get him to side with her, but sighed when it didn't work. She made a whip crack sound, "She's got you whipped, Moronji." Kanji and Naoto tried to deny the allegations. "Come on, you know it's true!"
Naoto cleared her throat. "Be that as it may," Kanji blushed again and began looking at the ground, "Kanji simply understands that I don't like to be... pampered." Rise flashed Kanji with a face of disbelief that Naoto didn't quite understand. "Kanji and I are simply going to have a quiet," Naoto blushed as she still wasn't quite used to saying the word, "date tonight."
"Oho!" Rise's expression lifted, "So you do have plans tonight! I knew Kanji wouldn't let you get out of today without something special."
"S'not that." Kanji took Naoto's hand into his own. "We try ta have a date at least once a week. Just so happens we decided on tonight."
"Mhm." Rise didn't seem convinced. "Sure. I know to a big teddy bear like Kanji today is important. Even if it isn't to our wonderful killjoy detective." The couple was about to leave before Kanji announced he needed to use the restroom. Naoto decided to wait for him in the classroom until he returned. "Seriously, Naoto, you should enjoy today. More than just a regular day, I mean." Naoto was about to speak up until she was cut off. "You really don't know how much you miss dumb little celebrations like these when your boyfriend is hundreds of miles away."
Naoto saw the slight sadness in Rise's eyes. "I understand you're reasoning, Rise-chan, but I am simply not the type of person to get worked up over these celebrations." Rise huffed. "I shall see you tomorrow, R-"
"Wait a sec!" Rise began digging around in her bag before presenting Naoto with a small gift box. "Even if you aren't super into celebrations you can still take a gift from your BFF, right?" Naoto took the box and looked it over for a moment. "Go on! Open it!" Naoto slowly opened the box and gasped at what was inside. "I know you're not big on jewelry but I thought you may like it. If you don't you can totally give it back and I'll get you something else! I promise I won't be upset."
Naoto removed the necklace from the box and inspected it. It had a small locket attached that held a photo the investigation team had taken during their ski trip earlier in the year. She pulled down the brim of her cap to hide the emotion on her face. "I'm sorry! I promise you can return it-!"
Rise was quickly cut off by a hug from the usually reserved detective. "Thank you so much, Rise-chan. It's wonderful." She put the necklace around her own neck. "I love it." Rise began crying as she hugged Naoto again. "Why are you crying? I'm the one who received the gift."
"It just makes me happy to see you happy, dummy! I was so worried when we picked it out you'd hate it."
Naoto raised an eyebrow. "We?" Rise was about to answer until Kanji walked back into the room. He blushed as he saw the necklace around Naoto's neck. "Kanji, did you have something to do with this?"
Kanji cleared his throat and shook his head. "N-no idea what yer talkin' about. Ya ready to go?" Naoto nodded as her and Kanji left the classroom. He stopped outside the door. "One sec, gotta send a text."
Kanji: That was supposed to be a secret, Rise.
Rise: Sry! It just slipped out!
Kanji closed his phone and re-placed his hand in Naoto's. "Are you ready to leave, Kanji?"
"Yeah. Let's get goin',"
"Oh and Kanji?" Kanji looked at her and raised an eyebrow. "Thank you for helping pick out the necklace. It's lovely." Kanji's shoulders slumped in defeat. Secrets were never your forte, it seems.
Kanji sat on his bed, waiting for Naoto to return from the bathroom. He looked at his table and the cake he had bought in secret, hoping she wouldn't be too angry. If the cake don't do it I'm sure this will. He held the small gift box in his hand, contemplating just throwing it behind his bed and forgetting about it entirely until Naoto walked in. Her eyebrows raised as soon as she saw the cake and gift box. "S-surprise?" Kanji stood from his bed and made his way to the table. He sat down on one side of it. "I hope ya ain't too mad that I got ya a cake."
Naoto smiled warmly at him before sitting on the opposite side. "Kanji. You didn't have to do this. You know my feelings towards celebrating this day."
Kanji bent his head down. "Sorry."
"Don't be sorry." He looked back up at her. "I'm not angry. Simply... confused."
"Confused? What're ya confused about?"
She removed her cap and ran her hands threw her hair. "Why make such a big deal over my birth? It's nothing to celebrate. It is simply another day."
"It ain't ta me though!" Naoto gasped at his sudden outburst. "Sorry if I get corny or some shit." He took her hand and held it in his in the middle of the table.
"K-Kanji?" She looked down at their hands. "What do you mean?"
"Ah, well." He's blushing and she can't help but smile at the cute look on his face. "Ta me, the day ya was born is one of the most important days in the world. I mean like," he smiled, "this beautiful girl was born into this world and she grew up ta be the smartest, coolest person I know. And I get ta be with her! That's crazy ta me. Out of anyone, that beautiful, smart, funny, sexy, amazing girl chose me! Me!" He rubbed her hand. "It ain't just another day ta me, even if it is ta you. The girl I love was born that day!"
"L-love?!" Kanji suddenly looked like a dear in headlights.
"W-well... yeah!" He looked absolutely terrified. "Love!" He shrunk down a bit. "S-sorry if that's too forward."
She quickly leaned across the table to capture him in a small kiss. "I love you too, Kanji. I'm happy I was born today too, since I get to spend this day with you." They looked at each other for a moment before Naoto spoke up again. "W-we should probably get to this cake then, right?"
Kanji nodded before remembering the gift box he had. "One sec! I got ya somethin'!" Kanji handed the box to her. "S-sorry if ya don't like it or somethin'. If ya don't I can get ya somethin' else." Naoto inspected the box before opening it. Her heart stopped for a moment as she removed the small Kanji plush from the box. "I know it's a little corny, but I made one of you too." He stood up and removed a small Naoto plush from a drawer. "I thought this way, even when we ain't in the same place, we can still be together, y'know?"
Naoto hugged the small Kanji plush to her chest and sighed happily. "Oh, it's just perfect. I absolutely adore it. Thank you so much, my love."
"Y-your love, huh?" Naoto nodded shyly. "I think I could get used ta hearin' that." He winked at her. "Maybe I could start callin' ya my prince."
Naoto blushed and looked away from him. "I w-wouldn't be opposed to that..." Kanji laughed as he began cutting the birthday cake. "We should see if your mother would like a slice. I doubt the two of us could eat this." Kanji agreed.
The three sat around the table eating the cake and conversing until Tatsumi-san retired to her bedroom. "It's gettin' late. Want me ta walk ya home?"
"W-well, actually..." Naoto refused to look Kanji in the eyes. "I was wondering if we could... continue celebrating?" Kanji looked at her for a moment before realizing the implication. "Only if you want to, of course!"
"Naoto..." Kanji's eyes were wide, "are ya talkin' about...?" Naoto quickly nodded. She was about to speak again before he cut her off. "I'd love to, if ya really want to." She stood up before grabbing his hand and leading him back to his bedroom.
When they arrived inside his bedroom she smiled at him. "Consider this a thank you for the gift, my love." She slowly removed his shirt as he watched frozen with excitement. "I know it's not your birthday, but allow me to give you a gift of my own~."
A few hours later Naoto rested in a sleeping Kanji's arms, but she wasn't quite asleep yet. She smiled warmly and nuzzled into his chest. I can't wait until next year...~ Her smile remained on her face until she fell into a deep, restful sleep next to the person she loved most in the world.