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Prompt: A Day With Big Sis (Persona)
🕑 Added 2020-12-07 11:00:16 +0000 UTCSummary: Naoto and Yu have been dating for months now, but what about the young man's little sister. After Yu voices his worries to Naoto, the detective makes it a mission to make sure Nanako is okay and to keep her company while her family is away. Includes: No smut. Heartwarming slice of life.
---
Naoto felt ridiculous.
She stared at herself in the mirror, biting her lower lip as she looked herself over.
She had been in several video calls before in her life. This one shouldn’t have been any different. No, this was very different, no matter how hard she tried to rationalize it. She sighed, glancing down at her clothes, before looking back up towards her reflection.
It had been weeks since she and Yu had been together. Weeks since they defeated Izanami and saved both their world and Teddie’s. The Investigation Team was now enjoying their lives after the mystery of Inaba, and Naoto and Yu were free to enjoy their relationship.
Gah, her cheeks still burned red at the thought of her and her Senpai together. She loved him, truly she did, but love was a scary thing for anyone, especially her. Her heart raced as she thought of him, and her hands suddenly felt clammy as her throat tightened.
She told herself to calm down and sit. She glanced at her chair, before looking at her mirror once more. The famed detective tried to will her blush away, glaring at herself, before she sighed quietly and sat down.
Right on time, too, as her computer beeped repeatedly. She was getting a video call, and she answered it with a quivering hand as her boyfriend’s face appeared on screen.
“Hey there, Naoto. How are-?” His eyes widened, and his own cheeks began to turn red as he saw her. The young woman felt an iota of pride at that, smirking quietly as he ogled her.
Normally being watched in such a manner would annoy the young woman, but this… Having Yu Narukami staring at her new shirt was rather exciting, honestly. It was a simple tank top, a light shade of blue, but what was important was what she wasn’t wearing.
Her sarashi was gone, letting her body properly fill out the top as Yu’s lips parted. He stuttered, quickly turning his eyes away as he chuckled.
“W-wow. Um, you look good, Naoto.”
“T-thank you. I’m trying to be more comfortable in more… feminine clothing. Rise-san actually helped me pick it out.”
“I see.” His eyes were on her face, but she could almost see them fighting to dip down. Her blush burned hot on her face as she silently wished she had her hat to hide under. “Well, y-you look great. Um, like… like an angel.”
“Senpai, please, you don’t need to-”
“We don’t go to the same school anymore. Don’t think you have to call me Senpai anymore,” he teased, smirking at her as she pouted.
“I’m well aware, Senpai. A-anyways, I’m glad you like it.” Her lips were sealed as she stared at the corner of the room. She spoke again, and she almost immediately regretted it. “I-I’m wearing a skirt too.”
“Huh? R-really?” Yu replied.
“D-don’t be so surprised! I-I wore the uniform for Christmas,” she mumbled, fingers pinching and fidgeting with her skirt. “Um, I-I can show you. I-if you want.”
“I’d love to see it,” he admitted. “If you want.” He teased her, but she could see his crimson cheeks as she stood up from her seat.
Naoto stepped back, letting the camera catch her white skirt as she stood before him. Her fingers squeezed and rubbed against the other as she smiled for him. “H-how do I look?”
“I… You…” He looked so similar to that day together. Christmas together, watching him react to her in a school uniform. He gulped, holding his hand up. “J-just so you know, I’d react similarly if you wore a really nice suit too. I think you’re beautiful, clothes or no-” He blinked, and his face was even redder than hers for a moment as Naoto blushed.
“W-wait, no, that came out wrong, I-I-” Naoto giggled. She actually giggled at her boyfriend as he struggled to save face. When he heard her sweet voice, though, he smiled, sighing as he hung his head low. “You are so beautiful, Naoto. No matter what style of clothing. That said, seeing you in clothes like those, it’s… it’s a rare sight.” He muttered quietly, but she still heard him say, “I kind of like it…”
“You’re the only one I’m comfortable being around like this,” she admitted.
“Lucky me.”
The two locked gazes with one another, smiles on their faces despite their rosy cheeks. “I love you,” he told her, and she sat back down with a glimmer in her eyes.
“And I you.”
---
After the awkward greetings were passed, the two made some small talk over how the other was doing. Once they were both ready Naoto began a movie for the two, sharing her screen for her boyfriend.
“So, what did you pick?” he asked.
“Murder at Midnight,” she replied. “I hope it’s alright.”
“I’m sure it will be,” he replied with a grin, sitting back as he watched the movie with his love. This had become something of a tradition for them, and they happily enjoyed switching from one to the other for their movie selection.
Yu’s selection was far more diverse than Naoto’s, but the young man certainly didn’t seem to mind as they shared theories with one another.
“It wasn’t the husband,” Yu declared. “No way.”
“Agreed. His alibi seems sound, and he just seems-”
“Too nice? Yeah. I don’t know, making him the villain seems like it’d be too easy and too cheap. So what do you think?”
“I believe the mother is responsible, or at least knows more than she has let on,” Naoto stated.
“Ooh. My money was on the tutor. Maybe she wanted something the victim had?” he wondered aloud.
The movie continued, and both watched with interest, though Yu would always make the occasional compliment aimed at her. She would blush and ignore him, until he said something she couldn’t ignore.
“How’s Nanako?”
“Nanako? I believe she is alright. Dojima hasn’t mentioned anything wrong with her besides some expected loneliness,” she replied. “Why do you ask?”
Yu’s eyes were on the screen, but Naoto could tell he wasn’t focused on the movie. She paused it, tilting her head. “Something’s wrong, Senpai. What is it?”
“I’m just worried about her, that’s all. She and I used to hang out everyday,” he explained. “And when I wasn’t around, Teddie would be there for her. Those two were really close, but he’s been working full time keeping his world safe.”
“That is true. The other Investigation Team members and I have not heard from him in quite some time. Save Yosuke, of course.”
“Heh, those two really are brothers,” Yu smiled, before he let out a quiet sigh. “Sorry, Naoto, I didn’t mean to interrupt the movie. I’ve just been thinking about Nanako lately. I try to call once a week, but it really isn’t the same.”
“It’s nothing to apologize for, senpai. I understand your concern,” the detective replied.
“Anyways, let’s get back to the movie. I think you’re right, it was the mom!”
Naoto nodded her head and started the movie again, though her mind seemed to linger on what her boyfriend had said. She thought to herself for a few moments before focusing on the movie, watching as the two protagonists ran into danger together.
---
Despite the Inaba case being long over, Naoto chose to remain in town for the rest of the school year. Between her studies and her friends, she simply chose to help out the local law enforcement when she had the time. Dojima-san was a competent officer, personal vices notwithstanding.
Some part of Naoto was tempted to reprimand the man’s smoking habit, but she saved it for another day as she texted the older man. He replied back promptly, apologizing for the latest news.
‘Sorry, this case is driving the younger officers crazy. I’m going to help them. We can go over our own case tomorrow,’ his message stated.
‘DO YOU REQUIRE ASSISTANCE? Y/N’ Naoto texted back, falling into her usual habit.
‘N. Small case, barely bigger than ours. I can handle it.’
Neither case was of any major threat, Naoto reminded herself. Just some minor burglaries. No injuries, thankfully. Certainly something to take care of, but the most valuable thing stolen at this point were some pans.
Naoto merely accepted that she would have a quiet night by herself as she walked out of Yasogami, walking back to her home. What she didn’t know was that she would be running into an old friend very soon.
---
Nanako sighed as she laid her head on the table. The young girl wrestled with her feelings, wondering just what she was supposed to do today.
She had to stay after school today, something she wasn’t completely against. She enjoyed helping her classmates, and she was rather good at cleanup duty. She helped the other kids fix up the class, before bidding them farewell.
She was free to go now, but she didn’t go home. Instead she stopped by the river, sitting at the table near it, quietly thinking.
Nanako couldn’t help but wonder, ‘why bother going home?’ She glanced at her phone, staring at her father’s message about working late again tonight.
Ever since the incident in which she had been kidnapped months ago, her father insisted she have one to better keep an eye on herself, though really it was for him to keep a better eye on her. She didn’t blame him, of course. Taking care of a daughter, along with an already high stress job was more than most men could take.
Still…
Her father wouldn’t be home for hours, and Nanako had no one else to talk to. Her Big Bro was gone, off in another town thousands of miles away from her. Teddie hadn’t been seen in weeks beyond a promise to Nanako that they would meet again.
So where was he? She sighed quietly to herself. Big Bro had told her that ‘Teddie will be very busy,’ and that he couldn’t play with her for a while.
She just hadn’t expected ‘a while’ to take so long. Not to mention that the rest of her Big Bro’s friends just seemed so busy lately. There was no one to hang out with her.
Nanako didn’t want to be upset. She was so tired of being sad. There was a time where everything seemed better, and she was surrounded by friends and family. She sighed quietly, wiping a tear from her eyes.
She wanted to go back. She wanted-
“Nanako?”
---
Naoto was on her way home when she saw Nanako sitting by the river. She blinked, watching the little girl laying her head on the table, sighing quietly as time ticked by her.
For a moment, the young detective saw herself in the young girl. How many times was she alone after the passing of her parents? How many times was she left to her own devices while her grandfather worked to give her a home and food?
She felt her fingers curling into her hand as she thought about how busy Dojima was lately. Perhaps she could help him, while giving Nanako some company?
“Nanako?” she called out to her, and the girl in question lifted her head up to see Naoto walking over. She blinked, before smiling as the older girl stood before her. “How are you?”
“Oh, I’m okay,” she mumbled, but Naoto could see through that lie like glass. “I-I was just sitting out here before I went home.”
“I see. Your father is working late tonight, isn’t he?” She nodded her head, and Naoto smiled at her, a subtle blush on her cheeks. “Well, maybe you would like to spend some time with me before going home?”
“R-really? Thank you!” Her eyes widened, before she jumped up and embraced the taller girl. Naoto’s eyes widened, unused to physical affection like this. She held her hands up, unsure if she was meant to pet her, or to return the embrace. Thankfully Nanako released her, and smiled.
“What should we do first?”
“Oh, well, um… Is there anything you would like to do?” Naoto asked, and Nanako put a finger to her lip, pondering the question, before gasping.
“Ooh! I want to visit Kanji-kun and look at all the stuffed animals on sale!”
“That sounds nice.” Nanako grabbed Naoto’s hand, surprising the taller girl again as the two walked together. Naoto ignored her subtle blush as she asked the young girl, “Do you like stuffed animals, Nanako-chan?”
“Mmhm! I have a bunch! Big Bro got me a Teddie one before he left, and Daddy got me one that looks like a knight, and... oh! Rise got me one with a pretty dress!” she explained. The girl was practically walking on air, clearly not having anyone to talk to lately.
Naoto did her best to be that someone, though part of her couldn’t help but feel a slight sense of… guilt? No, that wasn’t the right word for it, but maybe it was close? No, it more a sense of wanting to belong.
Yu and Dojima both gave her gifts. Shouldn’t Naoto? I-if she was dating Nanako’s older brother, didn’t that make them close? Almost like f-family…? Naoto felt her lips tighten as she gulped. Her face was red once more as Nanako turned to her.
“Do you like stuffed animals, Naoto?”
“Oh, n-no. They’ve never really been for me, honestly.”
“You’ve never had one?” she asked, and Naoto shook her head.
“No, but I did have a lot of gadgets when I was your age,” she answered, feeling a bit old fear tickling her mind. Naoto brushed it away with ease, but she remembered the many times her female classmates wouldn’t want to play with her due to her unique interests.
Thankfully, Nanako was nothing like them. She was grinning ear
“Gadgets?” Nanako blinked. “Like a spy?!” she beamed, and Naoto chuckled.
“I suppose so, yes. Just some tricks of the trade I had when I was younger,” she explained,
“That’s really cool! Can you show me sometime?”
“I-if you want to see them…” Naoto blushed, smiling slightly as the two walked side by side.
---
Tatsumi Textiles was a simple store when Naoto had first arrived in Inaba, and not much had changed in the time between then and now. That said, the young children who visited with their mothers and fathers now had a wide array of stuffed animals to look at and play with, keeping them entertained as their parents spoke to Kanji’s mother.
Nanako was no different, pulling Naoto along to look at the various stuffed animals. She marveled at them, smiling as a familiar face greeted the two.
A familiar face that wasn’t Kanji.
“Naoto? Nanako?” Rise blinked, seeing the two.
“Rise? I wasn’t aware you were in town,” Naoto replied, seeing the young idol walking over. She hugged Naoto, making the detective blush once more, before she embraced Nanako as well.
“Rise!” she grinned.
“I got in last night. I was going to surprise the gang, but my grandma needed me to pick up some stuff. I’ve been running errands for her all… day,” she yawned. “I’m so not ready for tonight,” she muttered.
“Tonight? What’s tonight?” Naoto asked.
“Oh, it’s nothing major. I’m actually in town to perform at a stage show they’re having in Okina City,” she explained.
“A stage show?” Nanako repeated. “Like those things where people wear costumes and fight monsters on a big stage?”
“Mmhm. I sang the opening to the new season of ‘Beautiful Heroes.’ The stage show is about teaming up with those other superheroes. You know, the ones who wear the silver spandex and have those big, glowing eyes?”
“The Ultra-Heroes?” Naoto asked, eyes widening, causing both girls to look at her. Her face immediately turned red again, and she wondered if she was doomed to blush for the rest of the life as she coughed into her hand. “Er, I-I am aware of them.”
“Oh, right,” Rise giggled. “I totally forgot you and Senpai were Tokusatsu fans. He said your-” Rise caught herself, glancing at Nanako as she tilted her head.
Naoto knew Rise was speaking of the world her Shadow had created. The place was heavily inspired by the shows of her youth, like Kamen Rider and Super Sentai. Even her Shadow was meant to resemble the hero Kikaider.
Just thinking about it left her mortified, she thought to herself.
“What’s Tokusatsu?” asked Nanako, cocking her head to the side.
“Er, Tokusatsu is a way of filming. It’s essentially filming a live action series, but with a heavy use of special effects.” explained Naoto, still fighting a blush due to her knowledge of the genre.
“Oh, so like when a Kamen Rider does a big kick and the monster explodes?” Nanako asked, and Naoto was the one caught off guard this time. “A bunch of the boys at my school like it, and sometimes I watch it when it’s on TV. Do you like shows like that, Naoto?”
“I… Um…”
“Yeah, Naoto. Do you like shows like that?” Rise teased, giggling as the detective hid her rosy face with her hat.
“I-I suppose so.”
“Then can we go see the stage show? Can we? Can we?” the child asked, hopping up and down with a grin.
“Oh, N-Nanako, I’m sure the show is sold out if it’s for tonight,” Naoto argued, only for Rise to clap her hands.
“Risette to the rescue! They actually gave me a couple of tickets to enjoy the show following the opening night. It’s not really my thing, though, plus I had no one to go with me. I was thinking about just Naoto and I, but I think you’ll enjoy it way more than I would,” Rise smiled.
“Rise-chan, are you sure?” Naoto inquired.
“Of course I am!” Rise took out her phone and tapped a few buttons on it, before Naoto’s beeped. “I emailed the tickets to you. Just show off that email to the staff, and they’ll let you in. And don’t worry about the date, they’re for whenever you want to go. So you get to see me in the show tonight!” She gave the two a wink.
“Thank you, Rise!” Nanako beamed, hugging the idol again. She did pull away slightly, though, confused once more. “But why didn’t you ask Kanji-kun if he wanted to go with you?”
“Huh?”
“It could be like a date!”
“A date?! With Kanji?!” Rise squeaked, and for once in her life, Naoto found a chance to tease Rise about something.
“You and Kanji-kun have been getting rather close recently, especially since Senpai left Inaba.” she commented.
“T-that’s just cause we live near each other! He and I are just friends!”
“But Big Bro said that you two were best friends like Naoto and him,” Nanako commented, and Rise huffed.
“W-we’re good friends, b-but we’re not friends like him and Naoto.” Naoto chuckled quietly, earning a glare from the idol. “What’s so funny, missy?”
“Nothing, nothing.”
“Hey, Rise! You gonna help me out with this or not?” Kanji’s voice asked as he walked out of the back with a large bag in each hand. “Huh? Oh, hey, Naoto! Nanako. What’s up?” he asked, smiling at the two.
“Hi, Kanji-kun!” Nanako beamed, running over to hug the taller man. “I can help you, if you want!”
“Uh, yeah, maybe later,” he chuckled, eyes bouncing between the bags and the tiny child.
Naoto and Rise glanced at one another, eyes meeting as the detective smiled. Admittedly, Naoto never was good in the battlefield of the heart. She could be ignorant at the best of times to other’s feelings, but Yu had made several comments about the two before.
She smiled at the idol, who pouted, glaring at Naoto with a knowing stare. The detective chuckled, feeling what it was like to tease others for once, and she savored the moment.
Naoto hoped the best for them. Truly, she did.
“Rise?”
Kanji stood right behind the idol, surprising her. She quickly turned around to face him, but one foot smacked into her leg. She fell back, and Kanji moved like lightning to catch her. He dropped one of the bags and stretched himself towards her, leaning forward to wrap an arm around her waist.
Their faces were inches apart as her hands clung to his leather jacket. Her face was turning a bright shade of red, afflicted with the same embarrassment Naoto was given. The detective chuckled quietly as Rise’s lips were squeezed tightly against the other.
He had her, sighing a breath of relief as she stared at him. “Shi-” He stopped himself, glancing at Nanako. “S-shoot. Rise, you’ve got to be more careful.”
“Um, r-right,” she muttered, thanking him as he helped her onto her feet. “Thanks, Moronji.”
“Seriously?” He rolled his eyes, before he handed her a bag. She took it in hand, holding it as he picked up the other. “Whatever. Come on, let’s go. See ya later, guys. Er, girls?” He waved goodbye, and the two girls returned the gesture.
“R-right.” She looked at Nanako and Naoto, giving them a small smile. The blush on her face was impossible to miss. “Enjoy the show you two.”
“Bye, Rise-chan! Bye, Kanji-kun!” Nanako waved goodbye to the two, before running over to take Naoto’s hand in hers. They watched their friends leave, before the younger of the two looked at the bluette. “Hey, Naoto?”
“Yes, Nanako?”
“How come Rise and Kanji aren’t dating? Like you and Big Bro?” She asked, and Naoto answered with warm, rosy cheeks.
“O-oh, well, some people just need time, that’s all.”
“I hope they don’t take too long. They look like they’d be happy together,” she thought to herself, before she gently tugged on Naoto’s arm. “Can we go see the show still? Please? Please?”
Naoto smiled, nodding her head as she squeezed the child’s hand. “Alright, alright. We can go.”
“Yay!” She grinned, clapping her hands as Naoto smiled.
---
The train ride to Okina City was a pleasant one, and once they arrived, they walked to the stage show together. Nanako marveled at the big city, leaning her head back to try and look at the top of the tall buildings. Naoto chuckled, smiling at the young girl’s wonder, until they arrived at the show.
There were hundreds of people around the stage, moving into the line or taking pictures with the standing models of the franchise’s heroes and villains. Nanako seemed particularly interested, running forward towards one character in particular.
“Ooh! Who’s this?!” she asked, looking up at the silver man. The statue had a silver face, hands, and boots, but with a black and red skintight outfit.
“That’s Ultra Geed,” Naoto explained. “He’s the son of the villain, Belial.” Nanako blinked, before her eyes widened.
“Who’s Belial?”
“Oh, well, he was a good Ultra-Hero until he turned evil,” Naoto explained, earning a look of amazement from the young girl.
“Wow, you’re so smart, Naoto!”
“Oh, I-I just enjoyed the show when I was younger. I’m not as familiar with the newer generations,” she replied with warm cheeks and shifting eyes. Nanako then took her hand, pulling her towards the statue of Ultra Geed.
“Can we take a picture together with him?”
“I don’t see why not,” Naoto smiled, standing with Nanako besides the famed hero. She took out her phone, smiling as she aimed it at an angle to capture the three. Nanako had to stand on the tips of her toes, but she was just barely able to get her head in frame.
Naoto leaned down a little to help make it easier for her, before Nanako beamed. “Ooh! We should say something heroic! That’s what these heroes say, right? They go like, ‘henshin!’ o-or they strike a pose!”
“Oh, well... “ Naoto found herself glancing around, as if afraid Rise or her boyfriend would spring out to tease her. Once she knew the coast was clear, she stated, “Geed usually says ‘Here we go,’ as his catchphrase.”
“I like that!” Nanako smiled. “One, two, three-”
“Here we go!” Naoto and Nanako shouted, a blush on Naoto’s face. That was the first time she had done that in years.
She had tried to ignore or drop many of her interests after her parents’ death. Habits that she had labelled as childish or immature were forgotten, but try as she might, memories of watching valiant heroes of justice were as ingrained in her mind as the mystery stories her father read to her.
Nanako clapped her hands, hugging Naoto again, before looking at the long line. “We should get in line, huh?”
“Indeed.”
“Can you tell me more about the Ultra Heroes? I want to know the stuff you know, Naoto!” Nanako beamed.
“W-well, I suppose I can tell you what I remember…”
---
“And he was the 35th generation Ultra-Hero.”
“That many…?” Nanako repeated as the two sat down. Her eyes widened, before looking up at Naoto. “You know so much, Naoto! You’re so smart! Not just about superheroes, but about everything! Big Bro would talk about how smart you are all the time.”
“O-oh. He did, did he?” Naoto asked with a blush as they sat amongst the crowd of children and adults.
“Mmhm. I remember asking him if he liked you and his face got all red like a tomato. Like this!” She tried her best to show Naoto, puffing her cheeks as the detective chuckled.
“Is that so?”
“Mmhm. He talked about you lots!”
Naoto gulped, silently mulling over the comment as she looked at the stage. There was a massive television screen in the back, with two ‘levels’ to the actual stage for the actors to stand and fight at. Naoto’s acute eyes could pick out several compartments and holes for the actors to slip in and out of.
“Do you know anything about the other heroes? The Beautiful Heroes?”
Naoto shook her head. “Not much, honestly. They are a children’s program about young girls who transform into their alter egos to fight evil. Like the Ultra-Heroes, but their alter egos are more along the lines of frilly dresses.”
She tried not to sound dismissive, but a part of her couldn’t help but hold the tiniest shred of bias. It was immature and stupid, but it was just an unfortunate memory of her youth. When she was young, she scoffed at the girls putting on bright dresses to fight evil. No, to her, real heroes wore spandex or were hard-boiled detectives.
Of course, she knew nowadays that heroes came in many different shapes and sizes. The bravery Rise and Yukiko showed in the face of evil was evidence of that. Each of her female friends were great heroes and allies, masculine or feminine, and were worthy of respect.
Naoto shook her head, telling herself both franchises were for children regardless of their target demographic. The show began as the lights began to dim, and the announcer of the show walked forward with Rise by their side.
Nanako cheered for the idol, waving at her as she greeted the crowd. Naoto doubted she could see the two of them in the audience, but she still clapped her hands along with everyone else.
Rise gave a few kind words to the audience, thanking them for coming, before she asked them to cheer for the Ultra-Heroes and Beautiful Heroes. Suddenly the prologue was ruined as men and women in ridiculous outfits and wigs swarmed the stage.
Naoto chuckled as she watched the villains surround Rise and the male announcer, laughing and bragging about their ‘evilness.’ Nanako seemed rather enraptured by the show, gasping as one villain grabbed Rise’s arm.
“Let her go!” she growled, and Naoto smiled at her anger.
Then the screen behind Rise came to life, showing a bright flash. Several men in spandex ran onto the stage, each of them in bright colors mixed with silver. They began to strike a pose, though Naoto blinked as she saw a few women in the group.
The Ultra-Heroes announced themselves, posing together as the villains summoned men in rubber monster suits to fight for them. Nanako cheered for the heroes as they fought the kaiju, and Naoto was reminded of herself.
It was an embarrassing part of her past, but… it was a part of her. As much as her desire to try being more feminine, as much as her masculinity, it was all a part of her true self.
“Come on, you can do it, Ultra-Heroes!” Nanako cheered, and the two girls watched as the kaiju began to overpower the heroes, knocking them to the ground.
They laid there as the villains laughed and their monsters roared. Nanako gasped, before Rise turned to the audience.
“Everyone! Please, I need your help! We need to cheer for our heroes! Believe in them, let them know you believe! The power of our bonds can help them, but only if we cheer together!”
It was silly, and cheesy, but there was a charm to it. Naoto could hear many of the children crying out for the heroes, and for good to prevail. Even Nanako was rooting for them.
Naoto noticed Nanako was looking at her expectantly, and her face turned red as she nodded her head. “Y-you can do it, Ultra-Heroes! For great justice!” she declared with a blush, remembering an old catchphrase from the heroes.
“Yeah! You can do it!” Nanako beamed, pumping a fist into the air.
Rise began to sing, and the lights dimmed as pink, yellow, and blue flashes appeared on the screen behind the actors. Suddenly several girls in bright dresses ran onto the stage, helping the Ultra-Heroes onto their feet as the villains reacted in horror.
Once again, Naoto was pleasantly surprised to see some men in the group of Beautiful Heroes. They wore finely made suits or fashionable clothing. Completely impractical for an actual fight, clearly more flash than substance, but they stood with their allies as equals as the two groups worked together.
Rise was saved as her song was played on the speakers, and Nanako bounced with glee at the show before them.
---
Naoto and Nanako rode the train back to Inaba with smiles on their faces. As nice as it would have been to have Rise join them, she was asked to go to an after show party. So the two left on their own, and Naoto watched in amusement as Nanako gushed about the show.
“There were so many bright lights! And then when everyone shot their lasers as that giant monster, it was so amazing! I’d never seen anything like it! And they said we helped when we cheered them on, and it was so cool!” she giggled, and Naoto nodded her head in agreement.
“It was nice, wasn’t it?”
“Can we go again, Big Sis? Can we?”
“I don’t see why not. I’ll check their schedule, and-” Naoto’s voice was caught. Her eyes widened as her bottom jaw hung under her. She blinked. “N-Nanako, what did you call me?”
“Hm? Big Sis. Is that not okay?” Nanako pouted. “I’m sorry, I just thought that since you and Big Bro were dating that… i-it seemed right. I’m sorry!” she repeated, but Naoto held up her hands.
“N-no, it’s perfectly fine! Please, don’t apologize! I-I was just surprised, that’s all.” She cleared her throat, using her hat to hide her face. “A-are you sure you want to refer to me… like that?”
“Yeah. Why not?” Nanako scooted closer, snuggling up beside Naoto. “You’re a hero, just like my Big Bro! Plus, if you two get married, then we really will be like sisters!”
“M-mar…?” Naoto felt her heart racing as she nervously laughed.
“Are you okay, Big Sis?” Naoto didn’t say anything, only nervously looking away as Nanako tilted her head. The smaller girl opened her arms and embraced her sister, squeezing her tight as Naoto nervously smiled.
She felt her heart racing and her face burning warm, yet at the same time… She felt pride swelling up inside of her.
They were family. Was that okay to think? Was it alright to consider them that? No, Nanako called her Big Sis. Of course it was. And Naoto felt herself sniffing slightly, rubbing her moist eyes. It was so embarrassing, but there was a rush of euphoria and pride overwhelming her.
“Hey, Big Sis?”
“Hm?”
“It was kind of silly how they were fighting those big rubber suits,” Nanako commented, and Naoto looked down at her, raising her brow. “I know none of it was real… But I really liked seeing heroes working together. I liked seeing all the guys and girls being equal, and heroic together. It reminded me of you and Big Bro! He said, you two are going to be detectives together and save the world! You’re like real life versions of those heroes!” she giggled.
Nanako wasn’t like other children her age. She had seen danger and death, and she had almost lost her innocence in a way. She was forced to grow up, much like how Naoto had… But there was a light in her eyes as she smiled at her sister, and Naoto swore on her family’s name she would be there for her new little sister.
---
Yu Narukami smiled as he sent the call to his girlfriend. He wore his pajamas, but part of him wondered if he was underdressed. His girlfriend had stated that she had a surprise for their movie tonight, and he wondered if she’d be in that school uniform again?
He blushed, rubbing his face a little as he thought of her. He had such a weakness to the woman. He loved her heart and mind most of all, but he’d be lying if he wasn’t weak to her body too. The more confident she was getting in her appearance, the harder it was for him to resist leaving for Inaba first thing in the morning.
Course, he had a surprise visit planned for her, but he’d keep that hush-hush for now.
The call was finally answered, and Yu was floored by what he saw. Nanako sat on Naoto’s lap, both women beaming at him. There was a stuffed animal in Nanako’s hands, a blue dog that he didn’t recognize, but what caught his attention most was Naoto’s hair.
There were several bows in it, along with the occasional flower hair clip. She was blushing profusely as she greeted him with his sister.
“Hi, Big Bro!”
“H-hello, Senpai…”
“I… Nanako, did you do something to Naoto’s hair? It looks-” Yu snorted a bit, holding back a laugh. “Extra pretty today.”
“Mmhm! She let me do her hair for your guys’ date! I’ve never gotten to do someone else’s hair before! She says she might let me do it again!”
“M-maybe,” Naoto muttered, earning a laugh from Yu.
“I love it! Nanako, you look so tall! You’re almost as tall as Naoto!”
“I am?! Yay!”
“Does that make her tall or me short?” Naoto inquired with a knowing grin.
“Love you,” he replied back with a wink, making her blush again. “So, Nanako’s the surprise, I’m guessing?”
“I-if that’s okay. She hasn’t seen you in so long, and-”
“It’s better than okay! I love it,” he beamed.
“Big Bro! Look what Big Sis got me!? Isn’t he cute?” Nanako asked, holding up her new stuffed animal.
“Yeah, he’s really-Wait, what? Big Sis?” he blinked, eyes widening.
“Uh huh! We’re sisters now, since you two are getting married!”
“Married?!”
Naoto laughed as Yu’s reaction mirrored her own from not too long ago. She smiled, letting the two siblings catch up, talking to one another as she held Nanako’s body. She had let the little girl pick their film, and tonight the three would be watching ‘Beautiful Heroes Shining: A Miracle of Heart.’
And honestly? Naoto was excited, but maybe that was partly because of her company…
