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Naoto nodded and invited the blond in.

"Please take a seat," she offered as she went ahead into a room. Kanji nodded and noticed that in the living room, papers are scattered everywhere. He noticed a black laptop rested on the table, and beside it are papers, probably case related.

"'Please take a seat' she said, where do I sit?" the sofas are also occupied with papers and he dared not moving any of them because he was sure that he will get a long lecture about messing with other people's property from Naoto. So he settled by simply leaning against the wall. Moments later, he heard light footsteps revealing Naoto in her casual at-home wear. He gulped as she had no intention to hide her well-developed breasts from him hidden under the black Neo-Featherman baggy T-shirt. He noticed how fair her complexion is when he saw her legs. She had little to hide as she wore knee-length plaid shorts. As expected, there was nothing 'girly' about her dressing and he was totally fine with it.

"Sorry that I took so long," with the change in wardrobe, she discarded her hat and her short blue hair was free for him to view. She noticed that he was staring at her and blushed. "I-Is my dressing not suitable?" she instinctively drew her arm closer to her chest, deducing that he might not like what he saw.

Kanji shook his head. "N-No. Hell no! You look sexy!" he exclaimed.

"T-Thank you," Naoto blushed again and lowered her head followed by her arms.

"So uh…I can't really take a seat with all this clutter. What are these anyway?" he turned his attention towards the heap of mess.

"Ah, these are the cases that I have been working on."

"The Namatame case?"

"Yes, and other cases as well. This is embarrassing, I'm going to clean this up." She sighed and approached the non-habitable living room to at least clear the sofa.

"I'll help." Kanji offered and joined Naoto.

"Oh, n-no, Kanji-kun. It's perfectly fine. I shouldn't trouble a guest with this mess," she responded, sorting out the papers. She navigated through the mess to a steel cabinet at the side of the room when she stepped on the papers lying on the floor and failed to balance her footing, falling flat.

"Naoto are you alright?" Kanji rushed to help her up.

"It seems that I do need an extra hand. This mess is uncontrollable." She sighed, feeling rather guilty of asking Kanji for help. She instructed Kanji to pile the papers up and simply store it in the steel cabinet while she cleaned the coffee table and the sofa. While the mess seemed to not be such a big deal, it took them almost an hour and a half to completely clear the living room of paperwork and turning it into a habitable area once again.

"Phew that was hell of a clean-up. I actually broke a sweat, and this is winter!" Kanji exclaimed as he took a seat.

"I apologize once again for the mess. I'll go make some drinks as thanks. What would you like to have?" she asked.

"Anything's fine."

Naoto nodded and headed towards the kitchen. She sighed as she opened the cabinet to look for something drinkable to serve her guest. It was the first time that she was having someone over, even her clients have never set foot upon the Shirogane property. Maybe her grandfather's clients have, but never hers. To think that Kanji Tatsumi would be the first boggled her mind. She failed to notice her rapidly beating heart and her slightly trembling fingers as she poured hot water into two glasses as her mind was completely preoccupied with thoughts about what should they do next or what topic should they discuss.

"You're thinking too hard," she scolded herself as she loaded the two steaming glasss and some snacks onto the tray.

While Naoto was away, Kanji sat cross-legged, unexpectedly sharing the same sensation as Naoto – shaky hands and rapidly beating heart. He had no memory of stepping to a girl's house and be alone with her before. Ever. He was worried about what he would do to the girl if he were to unleash his beast inside. If he has any. "Damn it. Calm down!" he clenched his fist, mentally beating himself up.

"I apologize for the wait," a voice called out and Naoto's figure appeared into the living room carrying a tray of hot drinks and snacks. "This isn't much but please enjoy," she smiled as she carefully set the tray on the coffee table. "I do hope you fancy hot chocolate. I-I heard it serves best during winter. Although the weather is nothing to be fond of, considering the fog but, please enjoy." the detective served the steaming hot coffee to Kanji who seemed to be shocked at her gestures.

"I never thought you of all people to serve me drinks," he blinked.

"W-Well, oftentimes clients would pay my grandfather a visit and it is only courteous to serve the guests drinks, yes?" excluding the fact that she has never had anyone associated wit her coming over, she explained and felt heat rise up to her face again. "D-Does it seem out of character of me?" she muttered.

"W-Well, no uh…yes it does. But it's uh…how do I put this…it's cute?" Kanji rubbed his nape again. Naoto blushed heavily as Kanji said those words, she had no idea how to interpret the compliment. The glass wavered under her hold, spilling the steaming content slightly on the tatami. "Whoa, careful!" Kanji warned as he caught the glass before more damage is done.

"I…apologize for being a klutz." Naoto lowered her head in guilt. "I have no idea what has gotten into me."

"No it's okay," Kanji smiled as he took a sip. "Hmm this is good," he complimented. Naoto froze. It was too much for such an innocent girl like her to handle. It was a sensation that messed with her head, tangled her thoughts and rendered her speechless. "So, what should we do now?" he turned to the detective who sought comfort beside him. "Naoto?" Kanji was rather surprised at Naoto's bold move to sit beside him. He had expected her to sit at the edge of the sofa, across from him, but no. Moreover, she leaned against him and rested her head on his shoulder! If this is another one of those illusions, he'd rather for it to continue even though it makes him look stupid. But he just had to make sure and burst his own bubble. "Hey, Naoto? You're not actually doing this right? This is an illusion right?"

"Hmm…I wonder," she sighed and closed her eyes. "If this is an illusion, would you not wish for it to remain as it is?" Kanji swallowed hard as the detective just spoke what he was thinking. "If this is an illusion, I'd ask you to remain here for the night."

What Naoto said took Kanji completely by surprise to the point that he choked his drink. "W-What are you saying?" Kanji asked.

"I am saying that…were this an illusion, I would ask that you remain here for the night." She repeated, taking a sip of her own drink. "But that seemed out of character," she trailed off and straightened up.

"W-Well," Kanji cleared his throat. "I mean…if this is an illusion, I'll stay. 'Cuz you know, it's not safe for girls to be home alone." He knew his reason for staying is rather clichéd and would not hold out but they were talking 'ifs'.

"I see," she paused. "Then…were this an illusion, I would want you to stay. Though, I fear that your mother would be worried if you are to come back late."

Kanji nodded. True, his mother would be worried but at the same time, he wanted to stay for the night. His heart was torn between his interest and his duty as a son. "You're right…" Kanji answered. "So pack your stuff and we're going to my place!" he suggested.

It was Naoto's turn to choke as she looked at Kanji with bewilderment. "E-Excuse me?"

"You heard me. Since your gramps and his whatever is away, it means that you're alone and it's not safe for girl to be alone. So, I am inviting you to my place so I can keep an eye on you and my Ma. Problem solved!" he explained. Naoto blinked rapidly trying to assess the situation and the reasoning that Kanji gave. It somehow made sense but was it okay for her to stay at a guy's place. She never stayed at a guy's place before in her life so it made her nervous. "W-Well? Don't you think that it's a flawless plan?" the blond asked again.

"It…it is executable. But would your mother be okay with it?"

"You're okay. Ma won't mind. Another girl in the house would make her happy!"

"If you're sure, then I will pack my bags." She stood up and excused herself.

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