They'd settled into a certain walking arrangement after leaving the Mochida residence. Naomi was between Satoshi and Seiko, each of them holding one of her hands as they walked. Like the walk the two girls had taken before, it was more reassurance. And just like before, they got no weird looks for it.

"So, Mochida." Seiko didn't let the silence hang for long. "Yuka's looking better." Since she was a middle school student, the other survivors hadn't seen her as much as each other.

"Huh?" Satoshi snapped out of an apparent trance and looked over at her. "O-oh. Yeah." He nodded. "She's started sleeping in her own room again, finally."

"That's nice." Naomi spoke up too.

"Yeah." Satoshi nodded. When the tempo threatened to drop again, Seiko saved it once more.

"Are you guys excited for Suzumoto's next production?"

"Oh, of course." Naomi jumped at the chance to change the subject. "She's been working really hard on it."

"Yeah." Satoshi nodded. All three of them tactfully ignored adding that it was the first thing she'd started working on since getting out of the hospital.

"Last thing to enjoy before finals too." Seiko sighed, reminding them not so nicely that the school year would be ending soon and everything that came with it would be upon them. Despite being an annoying subject, it actually worked; the three forgot their nervousness and managed to talk about school and their classes for the next half hour of walking.

The restaurant they were going to couldn't be called 'top of the line', but it was a nice looking place with a moderately priced menu of food both local and foreign. Satoshi and Seiko had both agreed beforehand to split the bill, since Naomi was the date for both of them. The warm interior was a welcomed break from the chill outside.

There was a short show when they got to their table, a secluded spot near the back of the building. Satoshi had pulled Naomi's chair out for her to sit down, but had hesitated on doing the same from Seiko. It wasn't until the other girl stood there rolling her eyes that Satoshi quickly moved to repeat the gesture. "Just because I'm not your girlfriend doesn't mean you can forget your manners, Mochida."

"Uh…right. Sorry." He muttered sheepishly taking his own seat. Just like his hesitance to compliment both of them at the start of the night, he was still unsure on how exactly to interact with Shinohara on this occasion. What the two were comparative to each other was some sort of gray zone, and he had no idea if mannerisms for an acquaintance or actual friend was more appropriate. Certainly not the same way he treated Naomi.

Seiko was pondering the same question, although not as reluctant. "I wonder if all of us should be on first name basis with each other? Satoshi?" She drawled out each syllable.

"Uh…I guess…Seiko." He muttered in response. Naomi's face flushed little at the exchange. Maybe it did make sense, but something like that would take time getting used to.

It was a couple minutes of silence as they checked out the menu and ordered. Once the waiter left and the waiting for their food began, Seiko decided to start what part of the goal of this outing had been about- really defining and discussing this arrangement.

"What do you think our parents would think if we told them about this?" She wondered out loud, catching the others off guard with the terrifying idea. "I think my dad has a good idea about me." She reached over to lay her hand over Naomi's. "And he's always telling me I work too hard and to find something I enjoy. I think he'd be happy about this."

"My mom?... I…don't know." Naomi confessed. She'd sometimes gotten the impression her mother didn't want her in a relationship. Tragedy having turned her into a single mother, it wasn't surprising she'd been a little more insistent in warning Naomi about teenage romance. Her being an early and very lucky bloomer hadn't helped.

She had teased her daughter for talking about Satoshi so much though, so maybe not. But then there was explaining the being bisexual and in a relationship with two different people. Just thinking of it like that made Naomi feel…well, she didn't want to degrade herself, but not good. Her mother was usually a strict person. She really wasn't sure how she would react. But even if it was negatively, Naomi was certain she wouldn't have stopped this anyway.

"Well…" Satoshi took over. "I don't think my parents would be against it…" He muttered uncomfortably. His parents were…odd, he could say. Definitely not prudish in any way. Actually, when Satoshi had explained where he was going tonight, he'd gotten a look from his mother that was half smirk and half surprise, but in no way objecting. If there was a reason he didn't want them to know, it was to prevent embarrassment.

"Well, it's not like we're announcing it tomorrow." Seiko tried to sweep their worry under the rug. "It was just a thought!" Although she was secretly tallying the results. If Naomi's mom was against this, something Seiko doubted from the kind woman she'd met, it could mean trouble for them. Then again, they were all going to be adults soon anyway- Naomi and Seiko had both turned 17 just last month and Satoshi was turning 18 in half a year.

Maybe they could keep it a secret from them for that long.

"I wonder if our other friends have noticed yet…" Naomi wondered.

"Oh, I think they have an idea." Seiko had an uncanny ability to tell when people were paying attention to something, especially other people. Shinozaki and Suzumoto had definitely noticed the three's tendency to disappear off together, reacting with a stern, suspicious frown and giggles respectively. Ms. Yui probably had too, but their T.A probably understood (part of) their reasons and didn't say anything.

"Maybe." Satoshi admitted. Yoshiki had made a joke at him about it, but luckily interpreting Satoshi's guilt triggered babbling as embarrassment. Or at least Satoshi hoped that's what he'd interpreted it as.

"We don't have to worry about it." Seiko assured them. "They aren't going to betray us over it." They didn't doubt her on that- their little group of friends had a certain tolerance of unusual or 'improper' things, Seiko's perversion or Yoshiki's delinquent past as examples. Besides, now they were all bonded by something powerful enough even controversy wouldn't pull them apart.

Seiko was the only one to pick it up, but the mood at the table seemed to have improved after that discussion. That was good- they were making progress. Still, the whole evening didn't have to be dominated by the matter- they were here to have a short meal together and enjoy themselves. So when their food arrived and the started eating, they passed the time with more chatter about school and things going on at home for them.

There was a point later in the date where Naomi excused herself to the restroom. Seiko thought about going with her, but decided there would be many more opportunities in the future and decided to stay at the table. She chose this moment to discuss something with Satoshi that she'd wanted to say since the night began, or maybe even since that terrible night months ago. Something serious. "Mochida." She said without a hint of energy in her voice, almost hesitantly even, not to mention using his last name again.

"Hmm?" Satoshi looked up at her. "What is it?"

"I just wanted to say…thank you." Seiko nodded, blushing in a very rare display of embarrassment.

"Huh? For what?"

"This is only working because all three of us are cooperating. There can't be a lot of guys would be willing to share the girl they love with someone else. You didn't have to tell her she should apologize to me. You could've refused doing this, and Naomi probably would have chosen you over me… So…thanks for being willing to do this." There was nothing but humbleness and honesty in her words.

"Eh?" It was hard to tell if his reaction was from more confusion or embarrassment. Probably the second, given the slight color rising in his face. "Well…you know…" He said inexactly.

"Hmm?" Seiko pressed. The boy didn't really like discussing romance as all. Unlucky for him, she was persistent.

"I mean, you guys were always close." Satoshi mumbled. Of course Satoshi had noticed, like anyone with a pair of eyes, how close the two friends were in the stereotypical 'girly' way: the giggling and hushed whispering, talking about boys and fashion, going to the restroom together hand in hand- those and all variations of it.

But even someone as dense as him had noticed that there seemed to be something below that. Seiko's inability to keep her hands to herself was the biggest clue, although only because, with very few exceptions, Naomi allowed it. But there always seemed to be something deeper- Naomi was a different person when Seiko was around, more gentle and outgoing. Satoshi, having known Naomi since middle school, might've been the only to notice it. But he liked Naomi like that, so, despite all the awkwardness Seiko's presence brought, Satoshi indirectly enjoyed it. He cared about Naomi- so how could he deny her something she clearly benefitted from?

Now if only he could actually say that in words.

"It didn't have anything to do with the fact I'm a girl, did it?" Seiko asked.

"Uhh…Maybe." Satoshi admitted. He wouldn't call himself a jealous person, but he had felt something negative when other guys showed interest in Naomi or her looks. But Seiko? Nothing, except maybe envy if he was a truly honest teenage boy. Did it make him a bad person if he didn't mind just because of that? He hoped not. "It just didn't seem right to try and separate you guys." He tried to sum up his thoughts on the matter.

Seiko smiled, her gaze drifting towards the table top. "She really would have chosen you." She repeated. "Naomi really likes the idea of life after school…becoming a nurse, starting a family…You can give her that. Me? I'm going to have to stay and help take care of my siblings even after I finish school. That's why I kept trying to push her towards you- I would've held her back."

"Don't say that." Satoshi shook his head, prompting Seiko to look up. "The whole time Naomi and me were together…there…she was worried about you. She wouldn't leave you behind for anything." He stated with certainty.

"Yeah…" Seiko's eyes grew distant for a few seconds. "That's why she's so great…" She refocused on him. "Maybe there is more hope for me now. She likes it here and it's not like you want to move across the country, right?"

"Not really." Satoshi shook his head. In all honestly, he was still unsure what his future ambition was. Considering he'd be starting his third and final year of school soon, it was something he really should have. But in any case, he didn't see himself moving too far away from here, where his friends and family all were.

But that was something the three of them would have to think about if they actually intended for this arrangement to last for a while. Two people connecting their lives together and working them with each other's was a difficult thing. Three people? Maybe impossible.

Seiko glanced over to the restrooms where there seemed to have been a line and leaned back dramatically in her chair. "Naomi's taking too looong." She whined, not loud enough to be heard by other patrons but make the effort to look genuine. When the only other company she had didn't speak, she sat back up and propped an elbow on the table to rest her head against, deciding to get entertainment another way.

"Oh, and Satoshi." She started, her tone more playful and hosting a grin that most of Kisaragi associated with incoming embarrassment. "Just because the three of us are officially together, don't think you can stop keeping your hands to yourself."

Had the boy had an ounce of foresight, he could've stayed quiet and the subject would drop. As it was though, he had to ask her what she meant.

"Keep your hands off the goods." For emphasis, even though they were in a public place, Seiko patted her bust. The boy went the reddest so far that night.

"Wh-W-what?" He fumbled over his words. "W-why would I do that!?"

"Is that guilt in your voice?"

"No!" He shook his head back and forth. "I'd never do anything like that!" He blustered, flinching when Seiko raised a skeptical eyebrow as him.

"You do to Naomi." Seiko reminded him.

"That was an accident!"

"All five times this year?" Seiko asked, stumping him into silence. She was teasing of course; she knew they all really were accidents, just like she knew he still liked it despite that. She was actually kind of envious- he'd get a free pass when Naomi would usually smack Seiko on the head for trying. How she wished she had that kind of fortune.

"You do get what I'm saying though, right?" Seiko asked in a much more earnest voice to show she wasn't still messing with him. Satoshi was a nice boy, enough to where Seiko probably didn't have to say it, but she still felt like covering that base while the opportunity was present. Having to spend so much time on other people, she'd never really had time to look at herself and decide exactly what she was, but she knew Naomi was the only person she really wanted to be involved with in any serious matter. She was fine with Satoshi being there because she knew how much he and Naomi mattered to each other.

"Oh... Of course." Satoshi nodded after a moment. Maybe his mind had strayed occasionally- Seiko wasn't too far behind Naomi as far as 'endowment' went in either area and Satoshi was a teenager boy. But his mind had never gone too far. Naomi was the only person he wanted to spend time with. He knew how fortunate he was things could be this way and definitely wasn't going to try and take advantage.

"Good." Seiko nodded. After that conversation, even she had trouble restarting the conversation and a slight silence settled. Luckily for Seiko, a solution delivered itself.

"And…uh…just so you know, all those really were accidents!" Satoshi tried to have the final word.

"Of course, of course." Seiko waved a hand in playful dismissal. "Your secret's safe with me. But…" She leaned over the table. "If you're willing to give me lessons, imagine what we could accomplish." Seiko winked, causing Satoshi to shut down completely. Fortunately for him, Naomi returned just then. She took one look at Seiko, still sporting her perverse grin, and Satoshi, dead silent and pink, and just sighed as she sat back down.

"What did you do to him?"

"Nooothing." Seiko feigned innocence. Naomi rolled her eyes and gave Satoshi a reassuring pat on the shoulder to snap him out of it. She felt the moment relevant to lay down a ground rule she'd come up with thinking forward to this night.

"You're going to have to control yourself when it's still the three of us." Naomi told her girlfriend. "Don't act like it's just the two of us." She was saying this in front of Satoshi to reassure him too.

"Hmm?" Seiko hummed.

"You know what I mean." When it was just the two of them, Seiko tended to be either more explicit or physical in her play: pinching, poking, tickling, the like. Not the Naomi actually minded (although she tried to act mad about it) or wanted Seiko to change, she just thought there was a time and place for it.

"Aw, but why?" Seiko acted hurt.

"Because I said so." Naomi went a little red. She wasn't going to admit that it embarrassed her when Seiko acted up while Satoshi was around. Just a few weeks ago the three had been sitting by themselves on the school roof doing much of nothing when Seiko decided it'd be fun to pin Naomi down and tickle her. When the torment had finally ended and the girls both sat back up, Satoshi had been facing the other direction with his school bag strategically on his lap. It had taken Naomi only a moment to realize, quite mortifyingly, that from where he'd been siting Satoshi would've had a perfect view up both their skirts during the event.

Seiko was a girl and that was just her way of affection. Naomi didn't hate it and (begrudgingly) thought it was even a little fun. But it was still pretty intimate and while Seiko didn't have much a sense of shame, Naomi did and would've preferred Satoshi didn't see her like that; however nice he was, he was still a boy.

"Oh fine." Seiko sighed, play acting although she really did respect what Naomi wanted. By the relieved but red look on his face, Satoshi knew what Naomi meant and was grateful for it. "How often is that going to be though?" Seiko asked seriously, looking between her two companions. "When's it's just one of us with Naomi?"

They looked at each other, racking their minds and finding that, for the past few months, such instances had actually been pretty rare. Seiko and Naomi would walk to and from school together since they lived relatively close to each other. Naomi had gone over to Satoshi's house on occasion to work on homework or see Yuka (Seiko spent most of her time after school caring for her siblings). Other than that, the three spent almost the entirety of their time in each other's presence.

"We'll have to work on that." Naomi admitted. She loved both of them, but she didn't think they had to be together ALL the time. Recently, it had only been part of the healing process. She did like the idea of just spending time or going out with either one of them. Although that particular thought made something like guilt pop up in her mind.

"We got time to figure it out." Seiko smiled reassuringly.

"…Yeah." Satoshi agreed after a moment. Both their smiles reassured Naomi. They didn't have to figure out everything tonight. The fine details could wait. They'd already discussed it enough and really should've been trying to wring some more enjoyment from the night out. That's what a date was for, after all. The conversation for the rest of their meal was small talk on either school or their friends. A few laughs were had and for the first time that night the three of them really felt at ease.

Just like Naomi, Seiko later excused herself to the lavatory just as they finished their food. Without her to prompt conversation and keep the atmosphere up, the table was reduced to an awkward and embarrassed silence between Satoshi and Naomi. Even if this had only been a date between the two, the occurrence would've probably been the same.

"So, Naomi…" Satoshi stuttered, finding some bravery in the fact the night had been good so far. "You're enjoying yourself, right?"

"Yeah." She smiled at him. "Are you?" He nodded, relaxing a bit. "Sorry about Seiko earlier." She saw him blush a little at the mention. "Some of the things that come out of that girl's mouth…"

"She's not so bad." Satoshi admitted, actually surprising her. "We were just talking about staying friends since we're doing this for you."

"Oh." Naomi realized, thinking on all the ways Seiko could said to embarrass him on that subject. The answer was probably infinite. "That's good." She wasn't worried about dishonesty, obviously. Satoshi may have been clumsy, but he was loyal. And if there was anything to worry about with Seiko, it was when it was safe to take her eyes off her. She was genuinely glad because if those two could get along, it would really help make this thing work.

Her only insecurity in this relationship was with herself. She loved both of them- she couldn't deny that. But…did she love them both equally? Could she still do what she wanted in life and maintain a relationship with two people?

She didn't know. But she wanted to try. Anything less in her life and it would just seem empty to her. Satoshi and Seiko understood that. But she did worry what other people would think of her. Selfish? Or more likely far worse? Was she really being selfish?

"Is something wrong?" Satoshi noticed the worry on her face.

"Eh?" Naomi didn't realize it was showing. But since the opportunity was there, she told him about that first insecurity. Satoshi just smiled that reassuring smile she liked so much and reached across the table to grab her hand.

"I don't expect you to treat us the same- Shinohara…" He paused to contemplate using her first name but decided against it and went on. "She's important to you in a different way from me. And…" His face went red and he hesitated to finish the sentence. "She's a girl too…so of course you'll be more comfortable…around her." That got Naomi blushing too.

As awkward as it was to think about, she had wondered if she was being unfair being a lot more comfortable being close to Seiko while her and Satoshi still managed to be awkward around each other. That and allowing her friend's 'grabby' humor style. Of course, she was sure Seiko did it just for kicks rather than 'another' form of enjoyment. Still, she couldn't shake the thought from her mind.

But Satoshi was right. He was someone dependable in her life, caring, understanding, someone who liked her for who she was and who balanced her own faults. Naomi wanted- and needed- someone like that in her life. Seiko though, Naomi had only realized recently as well, was an important emotional crutch for her even while she carried many of the same traits as Satoshi. But as good as he was there were things Naomi wouldn't share with him, parts of her she didn't want anyone to know. But Seiko did know and helped Naomi come to terms with the things she didn't like about herself.

No, both weren't the exact same level of importance to her. But they still were important. And maybe her attention would be unevenly split. Life wasn't perfect and there were hard choices to make. But it didn't really need to be perfect. If all three of them understand that and were happy, then everything still worked.

This really would work.

She returned the gesture by squeezing his hand.

"Aww…" Seiko returned at that moment. "I missed something." Her friend's antics only put Naomi is a better mood.

"I'll tell you about it later." She promised. Seiko's curiosity was piqued, but she could wait. They were all done eating by that point, and it was late, so they figured it was about time to wrap things up. As agreed beforehand, Satoshi and Seiko split the bill, and the three headed home in the same fashion they'd come.

They hadn't even left the light cast by the restaurant front before Seiko was picking their minds. "It was a good night, wasn't it?"

"Huh? The date's not-" Anticipating the crack Seiko would make if Satoshi finished that sentence, Naomi put her hand over his mouth. Seiko's sly grin only confirmed her suspicions.

"It was fun." Naomi nodded. "I… I had a good time, both of you. I'm glad we agreed to this."

"That's good." Satoshi nodded.

"So?" Seiko pressed them.

"What?" The other two said it at the same time.

"So, are you two convinced this'll work?" She got behind them and put and arm over each their shoulders. "We did this to find out." Satoshi and Naomi glanced at each other, embarrassed smiles creeping over their faces.

"I think so." Naomi squeezed Satoshi's hand. "I'm still worried about a few things…But tonight really made me think we can do this." Satoshi nodded in agreement. There was still a ways to go, but nothing bad had happened and tonight's discussions had really gone a ways into calming their reservations.

"Victory!" Seiko yelled triumphantly, getting a few odd looks from other people on the street. She also managed to yell it into her companions' ears, and stumbled when they both moved away to counter the noise. She regained her balance and pulled the two back together before moving to Naomi's other side. "We need to start planning the next date!" She declared. "One where we can enjoy ourselves more!" The others laughed a little at her energy, liking the idea.

Compared to the walk there, the return trip was a content silence. They did all walk a little closer together, with Seiko outright resting her head on Naomi's shoulder for the duration of the trip. It actually did feel kind of natural now, and the trio either didn't notice or didn't care when a few people did notice them.

The time for them to start saying their goodbyes for the night came when they got back to Satoshi's house. Like the dorks they were, Satoshi and Naomi became awkward again for a few moments before the later spoke. "Thanks for tonight." Naomi managed.

"Ah, your welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it." Satoshi turned to Seiko, wondering if words were in order too.

"Thanks for cooperating." Seiko beat him to the punch. That best summed it up.

"…Thanks." Satoshi awkwardly nodded. "I guess I'll see you guys at school tomorrow." Naomi smiled and leaned forward to kiss him. The kiss held for a few seconds, the two lost for as much time in their own little world before they broke apart, both blushing.

"Good night, Satoshi."

"G-good night, Naomi." With a final smile and nod, the boy turned and headed for his house. Naomi and Seiko turned and kept walking, first to Naomi's house and then Seiko would head home alone.

"So Naomi." Satoshi was probably still in earshot when Seiko went on the offensive. "What did I miss?"

"Hmm? Oh." Naomi remembered she'd promised to tell Seiko. "It was just something I was worried about." Naomi told her what she'd been so unsure about and how Satoshi had reassured her. Seiko listened, nodding in agreement with the boy's words.

"Oh, but I course I don't expect to compare to Mochida." She elbowed Naomi in the side. "Someone's gotta give you all those babies you want." Seiko made a sound vaguely resembling a gasp as a hand firmly grabbed a hold of her left cheek and squeezed. Her girlfriend dragged her like that for a few more feet before letting go.

Seiko gave her girlfriend a few moments to let off steam before she spoke again. "But Naomi? I'm really glad I was important enough to you to try this." The two walked in silence for a few moments, Naomi being unable to switch moods as fast.

"I couldn't just cut you out of my life like that." Naomi admitted. "You really important to me- I'd probably be a different person without you in my life."

"Naomi…" Seiko purred, leaning on her shoulder. "And besides," Seiko jumped right back into her normal self. "That can be fixed. There's no reason you can't be as open with him as you do me. Your bath is big e…" Seiko trialed off as Naomi made a warning noise in her throat. "Just kidding!" Naomi sighed.

"You're really going to have to go easy on that stuff now." She reminded her.

"I know, I know." Seiko assured her. "Anything for you, Naomi. Just promise not to worry too much, okay?"

"I won't." Naomi promised. "You both showed me it's not something to worry about." The two spotted Naomi's house ahead and slowed their steps. "You'll be alright walking home by yourself?"

"It's only around the corner." Seiko nodded. "I'll be fine." The two stopped in front of Naomi's house, and Seiko glanced around to see if the coast was clear. "I get my own goodbye kiss, right?"

For the first few weeks, the two had been very shy on such contact- even Seiko had looked like she might've fainted the first time. That wasn't the case anyone and she practically leapt on her girlfriend when she said yes. Seiko got lucky and Naomi let her hold the kiss for a few seconds longer before the two pulled apart. Even then, Seiko decided to steal one last hug for the night.

"I'm so excited for tomorrow." Seiko murmured in her ear. "It's only going to get better from now on."

"Yeah." Naomi returned the hug. "Good night, Seiko."

"Good night, Naomi. We'll all be together again tomorrow." Naomi pulled back from the hug and smiled at her.

"I can't wait."

XX A/N XX

Well, there's the two shot. A bit of fluff and examining the characters and how the relationship could work. Now that I've wrote this pairing, I got an itch for it. Might write more in the future. Actually, I've reworked an entire story concept I had to incorporate this pairing with an even more in depth exploration. I might as well market this as a sneak preview. My ramblings aside, hope you enjoyed this short story.