So what if Celty had noticed something about Shizuo besides his love for Kasuka after hearing his story? Inspired when I rewatched episode 7 (Shizuo's childhood episode).

"And that is why I HATE that disgusting flea!"

Celty 'stared' at the peeved debt collector, seeming to gather her words. It was hard to tell with Celty. Or maybe it was just a test of body language, and she was actually quite expressive for a Dullahan. But since she was the only headless fairy in Ikebukuro, we'd never really know.

[Shizuo…] She typed hesitantly.

"Ehhhh? What's with the dramatic pause Celty? I just spelled out my whole life story for you, whatever you have to say, I'm sure it can't be any more personal than that."

His encouragement seemed to make her even more hesitant, as if she was afraid of contradicting his words. But soon enough, she rallied. After all, not much could frighten Celty (besides aliens of course).

[So that's… all? That's why you hate Izaya?]

"HUH? That's all? What are you talking about Celty? That's plenty of reason! You even know the guy! I shouldn't have to explain why he's a prick- unless you actually like that flea?" Shizuo's suddenly suspicious eyes narrowed at Celty, his chest swelling with rage.

[No! No no Shizuo! That's not what I'm saying at all! Just calm down, let me explain!]

The debt collector grit his teeth, closed his eyes, and tried to breathe deeply. This was Celty. It would be stupid of him to get pissed at one of his best (cough and only cough) friends. But- he got so angry just thinking about the flea, so any actual mention of him was just automatically rebuffed, along with whichever idiot that had the nerve to talk about that bastard around him. And, the poor fools who had the nerve to be in close vicinity of him while said idiots mentioned said bastard.

Celty saw him getting angry and was about to back off, drop the subject entirely and never broach it again when-

A sudden movement flashed at both sides of Celty's peripheral vision, as if two cars had just speed away in opposite directions of each other. She glanced around swiftly, but there was nothing but the empty streets.

"Okay, Celty," Shizuo said slowly, opening his eyes, trying to keep his nearly nonexistent cool. "What are you trying to say?"

She shook off the weird sensation of being watched, and decided to make her case. [Well, I was just thinking that, most people form lifelong grudges against other people, because, uhhhh, they slept with their sister, or humiliated their family, or killed a loved one of theirs, right? And, well, Izaya didn't do any of those things so I just thought….]

Thankfully, none of this seemed to be setting Shizuo off. He just stared at Celty blankly. "Well, he has been trying to kill me for quite some time now, Celty. If he hates me enough to try and kill me constantly, it's obvious I should do the same."

[Yeah, Izaya is a really bad guy and he deserves to be hated, but you just don't seem the hating type Shizuo.]

Shizuo eyed Celty liked she had just grown a second head. Or in her case, a head at all….

"I'm sorry; I thought you were Celty, a friend of mine, who knows about my horrible temper and general attitude towards jackasses. My mistake, if you see her, could you tell her-"

Celty cut him off, shoving her PDA into his face. [Don't be so sarcastic. I'm just saying, you're not the type to hold a grudge like this!] She paused again, pondering what she herself meant by that. It had just seemed… right. It fit with Shizuo's demeanor. She struggled to put her revelation into words. [Obviously you're not the most patient guy in Ikebukuro, quite the opposite, you've proved that. So, that means… if your relationship with Izaya-] Shizuo snarled involuntarily, but Celty refused to be deterred- [was purely about hatred and revenge, you would have lost interest already. Ah, but it's not that I think you have a short attention span! It would wear down anyone quickly enough.] Celty added the last part hastily, not wanting to sound as if she was patronizing her friend.

Shizuo's upper lip curled and he stiffened. Celty could not help but be reminded of a feral dog. "Of course it's just about hatred! In case you didn't hear me the first twenty thousand times, I'll spell it out again: I hate Orihara Izaya and I will kill that bastard myself the first chance I get!"

Flash! There was a rush of air at the right of her body, as if something had just dashed to her side. There was a rambled hissing breathed onto her shoulder, almost sounding like words.

She twisted abrubtly to look and... nothing. There was no one there. Was this some kind of alien invasion? Were they trying to probe her? Oh no!

There was the touch of an invisible hand at the space her temple would be and her fear was gone. It was not soothing, it was as if someone had reached into her inner heart and ripped her fear from her. She almost instantly missed it, feeling as the guiding presence no longer driving her was disconcerting. But the hand was not done, pressing an image of Shizuo to the forefront of her mind with great urgency. And then the presence was gone. And then...

What had she just been thinking about? Ah, Shizuo, of course! That was it! She returned her attention to him, and then frowned inwardly. When had it been elsewhere?

Despite her intentions of not angering one of the only people in the world who had a chance at taking her in a serious one-on-one fight, her fingers seem to suddenly gain a mind of their own. Words flew from her like never before, as if she were very agitated, as if this discussion were personal, as if it were of great import that she won this argument. [Then why are you getting so defensive, Shizuo?]

He staggered back as she hopped from her bike and advanced on him. "Uh, hey, Celty, what're you-"[You always say that all you want to do to Izaya is kill him, and you're more than capable! So why is he still alive?]

Shizuo fumbled, startled by the dullahan's sudden mood swings. Was she on her period or something? …. Did she even get those? "Hey, he's a slippery bastard-"

[Don't make excuses! You've had plenty of chances! You aren't really trying! You don't actually want to kill him or you wouldn't hold back!]

"Celty!" Shizuo grabbed her by her shoulders as gently as was possible for him and shoved her away. She had been so caught up in her tirade she'd never ceased pressing closer to get in his face. As it was they had been chest to chest already. He kept his hands there, holding her at arm's length, just in case she forgot the concept of personal space without warning again. "Okay, Celty, I get it, okay? I get it, now tell me. Why? Why would I go easy on him?"

Celty's chest heaved outward and she held it there, as if she had taken a deep breath and was preparing for a huge dive.

[Shizuo, you like Izaya.]