A/N: This fic was inspired by a post made on Tumblr, and takes place around the same time as Makoto and Kyoko's engagement. Please read and review, and enjoy!
The Ultimate Detective and The Ultimate Hope Gaiden: Kyoko's Recovery! Bonding Over Hair Brushing!
"Alright! Brush, check! Mirror, check!"
Makoto frowned with worry as he watched Hina excitedly pack a small bag with supplies.
"Hina…I know you're excited…I am too, but we just got Kyoko back the other day. Wouldn't it be proper for us to give her some time to rest on her laurels before we go visit her?"
Pouting, Hina objected "No way! That's exactly why we should go visit her. Think about it; she spent hours lying on the floor while we were working to stop the Killing Game. Her hair must be all frazzled and messy from not having brushed it since the morning of your trial. So, as her closest female friend, I'm gonna wait on her every hair-related need!"
…I can't say you're wrong exactly, but… Sighing in surrender, Makoto acquiesced "Alright, I suppose there's no stopping you. Just please don't wear her out too much, okay?"
Nodding, Hina assured him "Don't worry; Kyoko's tough as nails! It'll take a lot more than me to wear her out!" As Makoto couldn't help but nod in agreement, Hina smirked teasingly as she continued "Besides, while I'm gone, you can work on how you're going to confess to her!"
Sighing, Makoto facepalmed as he blushed, trying to deny "I'm…I'm not…"
Her eyes narrowed in annoyance, Hina repeatedly jabbed her finger against his chest as she lectured "Don't you dare try the denial act with me, Mr. Naegi! We all saw how devastated you were when we say she was poisoned, and I still remember when you sacrificed yourself to protect her during Mukuro's trial! So just man up and confess already! It's about time you grew a pair and just told her how you feel!"
Turning around with a grunt, Hina marched down the hall, leaving Makoto alone in the common area of their Future Foundation living quarters.
"Tell her how you feel…she says that…like it's not the most terrifying thing in the world. I know I love her and I want to spend the rest of my days by her side…but is it really time? Can I really…risk having my heart broken again? …Like she did?"
XXX
*Knock, Knock*
"…Enter…"
Hina gingerly opened the door, quietly slipping inside and closing it behind her, immediately running over to her charge as Kyoko struggled to sit up, her muscles weakened from the hours of inactivity from being near-death.
"Kyoko! Don't strain yourself; let me help!"
Hina sat down on the edge of the bed, dropping her bag to the floor as she wrapped an arm around Kyoko's back, easing her against her pillow so she could sit up with minimal effort.
Sighing, Kyoko admitted "…I suppose I do need to take it easy for a while. Thank you, Hina."
Grinning, Hina replied "Hey, that's what girl friends are for, right?" A more serious expression crossing her face as she observed the portion of Kyoko's face that was still purple, Hina asked "How are you feeling, Kyoko?"
Grunting, Kyoko admitted "My physical strength has slackened, so basic physical tasks are frustratingly difficult. However, I've recovered my vision in my affected eye, and the doctor said that the purple in my face should dissipate with time."
With a sigh of relief, Hina replied "That's good." Her gaze turning to Kyoko's violet hair, Hina pouted and exclaimed disbelievingly "I can't believe that even after going nearly a week without brushing it, your hair still looks pretty! I mean, look at it; it's so neat it barely even needs brushing!"
Smirking, Kyoko asked "Is that why you came? So that you could brush my hair?"
Nodding, Hina replied "Well, yeah! I mean, since you're still having trouble doing physical tasks, I figured I'd do it for you until you're better! But…since it looks so fine already, I guess…"
"…I wouldn't be opposed to it. Besides, it has been a while since I groomed it properly. I wouldn't be surprised if a few knots formed in the last few days."
Hina instantly cheered up, grinning as she proclaimed "Sure, you can count on me!"
Kyoko watched with amusement as Hina bent down, digging into her bag until she pulled out a simple hairbrush, wordlessly pressing the spokes to her scalp as she brushed downwards, the tool like a log going down a waterfall as she groomed Kyoko's beautiful hair.
"Hmmm…" Kyoko moaned as she let herself relax, Hina's brushing feeling like a miniature massage against her scalp.
Although she generally hated to be pampered, when her closest friends like Hina did it, she didn't feel upset about it.
Her…and I wouldn't mind if Makoto did this too… before blushing and shaking the thought from her head.
Hina grinned as she continued blushing, asking "You were wishing it was Makoto brushing your hair, weren't you?"
"…You have no evidence to prove your assertion, Hina…"
Gathering some strands on the right side of Kyoko's head, Hina lectured "Kyoko, you're a better liar than Makoto, but even you can't lie about your feelings convincingly." Twisting some of the strands together, she continued "Besides, I remember how you and Makoto were the cutest couple ever at Hope's Peak. And when we were sheltered, you guys were practically married, you were so close!"
Blushing as memories of their blossoming relationship flooded her mind, Kyoko sighed and refuted "…We were practically kids, Hina. We've all changed since our memories were erased and restored. Past precedent doesn't guarantee that history will repeat itself."
"Fine, then how about how much you looked out for each other since the Killing Game?" Hina continued to attempt to braid Kyoko's hair as she continued "I remember how distraught you were when Makoto sacrificed himself for you." Seeing Kyoko's guilty expression, Hina moved on "Plus, on the helicopter ride to the Future Foundation, you hugged him against you and let him sleep on you!"
Unable to suppress a gasp, Kyoko held a hand to her mouth as she asked incredulously "You…saw that?"
Nodding, Hina continued "And to put the cherry on top, there's the fact that you risked death to save him. Answer me honestly; if the cure didn't exist, would you still have activated your Forbidden Action, knowing the poison would kill you?"
"…Yes" Kyoko reluctantly admitted.
"I thought so. Not just anybody can do that. We all know Makoto would do it for anyone in a heartbeat, but for anyone else, it has to be to save someone they value more than their own life. I mean…Sakura was my best friend, but if we had been in your shoes…I don't know…if I would have had the resolve to give up my life to save hers. I loved her as my best friend…but I can't say I loved her like you and Makoto love each other…"
…I DO love him…but does he love me?
Hina released Kyoko's hair in frustration, groaning "That's it! I give up; I don't know how you braided your hair like that every day!"
Grateful for the change in topic, Kyoko chuckled and admitted "It's something that takes time and patience. Believe it or not, I used to style my hair in twin braided pigtails when I was a little girl."
Grinning, Hina gasped "REALLY? Oh, you must have looked soooo cuuuuttteeeee! You've gotta style your hair like that one of these days so I can see how you looked!"
"…It's one of those styles that only looks attractive in a girl's pre-teenage years. Now that I'm in my twenties, it just looks immature and unprofessional." Seeing Hina's pleading eyes when she turned her head, Kyoko sighed and caved "…Though I suppose one day couldn't hurt. In the meantime, just focus on brushing the hair down, alright?"
"Sure, you got it!"
Hina tightened her grip on the handle as she resumed brushing the hair downwards, Kyoko relaxing and feeling her mind clear as she focused on Hina's ministrations.
XXX
*Knock, Knock*
Hina frowned at the silence coming from Kyoko's door, calling out worriedly "Kyoko? Are you awake?" At hearing no reply, Hina bit her lip and reasoned "Maybe I should quietly check in, just to make sure she's okay. She could be sleeping, but…"
Hina gingerly turned the doorknob and opened the door, only for her jaw to drop as she witnessed the sight before her. Kyoko was indeed asleep, but she wasn't alone. Right next to her was a slumbering, smiling Makoto, still dressed in his shirt, tie, and work pants. The former Luckster's hand resting on her back, Kyoko's face was snuggled against his chest, her arms wrapped around his neck as she buried herself in his protective embrace.
Hina gasped as she took in the sight before her, wondering No…freaking…way! Did they really…
As if on cue, Kyoko groaned, her face turning just enough to reveal a content, loving smile as she sleeptalked "Makoto…I love you…"
Still slumbering, Makoto groaned "Kyoko…I love you too…", his hand rubbing her back in loving comfort.
Her gasp morphing into a grin, Hina stepped back outside, closing the door behind her as she started giggling uncontrollably.
"Well, I'll be…they finally did it!" Her giggles dying down, she looked at the closed door as she finished "Rest up, you two…you've earned it!"
Hina walked back to her room, bag of brushes in hand.
I might not have gotten to brush her hair again today…but I'd say this makes up for it!