AUTHOR NOTE~
Hi all! Oh man, this is the first fic I've even touched in years. A recent stay in Ikebukuro sparked my urge to write. It's really amazing how familiar it feels here just from reading and watching DRRR.
Enjoy~
Disclaimer: I do not own Durarara.
"IZAYAAAAAAA-" It all happened in slow motion. She was reaching for her coffee when the vending machine was... uprooted? Her eyes followed as it hurled across the street, soon met with a tall blond with a misguided gaze. She didn't really have time to register what happened initially. Her hand was still where the dispenser WOULD have been. Slowly, she tilted her head back, locking on to her hand.
"EHHHHH?!" The girl jumped back from the now vacant spot on the sidewalk. "WHA-?!"
Shizuo didn't chase after the pesky informant like he normally would have. Strange. Instead, he stood there staring at the girl looking like an idiot. His legs froze in place, refusing the budge.
"I... didn't see you, are you -"
"ARE YOU OKAY?" The girl quickly grabbed his hands to examine them. "That can't be good for you!" Puzzled, Shizuo didn't answer.
"Well..." She paused awkwardly, taking the hint from his silence. "If you're fine you owe me ¥130." She attempted to joke. Gathering her purse and umbrella, she began to run off. Before she turned the corner she looked back and waved. And that's the first time he met her.
He didn't know her name, her age, or if she even lived in Ikebukuro. Maybe she was a tourist? She didn't sound like it, but she didn't look like she was from Japan either. Still he found himself thinking about her a lot in the following few days. Why wasn't she scared? Why was she concerned about him? Is she stupid or something? No, he just needed to pay her back so he wouldn't have to deal with her nagging him in the future. He tossed his cigarette aside and walked down into Ikebukuro station.
Truth be told it kind of aggravated him. It could have been his chance to get his hands on that damned flea. But he hesitated, and he didn't know why. Shizuo tightly clenched his fist and grunted as he slid his subway ticket through the gate.
'Stupid.'
The terminal he needed wasn't a far walk from the ticket gates. He looked down at his phone to check the time. "I'm a little early."
His hand reached for the cigarette box in his pocket, but stopped short. "Gah." He slumped his body against the wall. "Guess Tom will get here soon."
Looking around, his eyes wandered to the terminal across the tracks - unknowingly finding what they were looking for. Pale blonde hair that almost shone white, eyes as deep as the ocean, and a fair face unlike any he had seen. There was no doubt it was her.
His chest tightened, only dead sound escaping his lungs. Before he could finally find the strength to simply wave her down, he felt a harsh wind course through his hair. The train on his side had arrived, but Tom still wasn't there. That's fine - he could just get her attention when the train took off. He reached for the ¥130 in his wallet. He kept it close by just in case he DID run in to her again. Shizuo isn't one to break a deal... Even if he didn't exactly agree on it.
He waited impatiently as the last car whipped by slower than usual, Shizuo swears. There was no one. He must have not noticed the other train arrive. Down the track, a quick glimpse of it turning the corner. The money dropped back into his wallet with a clink.
"Tch. He's late." He growled looking back at his phone.
"Miss. You try sushi yes? It best in Ikebukuro!" She smiled softly at the large man handing pamphlets out on the sidewalk. Her hand reached for the piece of paper.
"Sometime soon. Sure."
"Hmm..." He leaned in closer to the girl. "Your face look like that of my country." She chuckled.
"Say - how much do you know about Ikebukuro?" She sat on the railing across from him and crossed her legs.
"Oh! I know much, why you ask, ptichka?"
"Hm." Her expression softened. "That's what my father used to call me."
'That's what I thought.'
She brought a finger to her lips. "I want to know more about a very strong man. Blonde, tall, handsome, and fearsome." She shot him a huge grin. "Do you know him?"
"Oh you speak of Shizuo! He good guy." Simon smiled back at the girl. "You come back for sushi someday, yes."
"Someday soon." Her hand flew up as she made her way down the street. "Not that hungry tonight."
She was certain she saw him in the subway. By the time she finally noticed the man her train had already arrived. 'He owes me a coffee.' She laughed to herself.
"What is this place?" Shizuo asked as they seated themselves.
"This is normally where I go after work." Tom smirked. "You're usually not around by that point."
"Yeah well I got some things on my mind lately." The blonde muttered while dangling the menu with one hand.
"Is that so~?" He plopped an elbow on the table, leaning in and widening his smirk.
"Shut up."
"Anyway. This place is pretty laid back. Not much hustle and bustle."
"Heyyy-a pretty lady."
'What an annoying drunken slur, bastards.'
"You can sssserve me anytime sweetie."
"Here is your tab." The delicate voice seemed unfazed.
"How can someone be okay with that." Shizuo grumbled. The cat calls continued, along with his aggravation. Three men donning a predominantly yellow attire gawked behind them.
"Annoying..." He fumed.
"H-hey Shizuo, calm down. She's the bartender-"
CRASH
Wood scattered as it collided with the wall... Just inches from her head. Several bottles of Russian vodka also falling victim. Splintered remains of what once was a chair laid on the floor by her feet, mixed with fractured glass and the burning smell of alcohol.
Their eyes met once more. "Hi again."
"Listen Suzume. I am so sorry." Tom said nervously, reaching for the back of his head.
"It isn't a problem at all." She sat with the two men at their table. "If anything you did us a favor." A glance over to Shizuo, who was looking away from the two talking.
"They've been a hassle for a while." A sigh escaped her lips. "The look on their faces was priceless." She giggled and rested her chin in her palm. "I've never seen you here with Tom before." She directed the conversation towards Shizuo, who had been mostly quiet since the incident with the chair... and vodka... and the gentle girl sitting among them.
"Hm," He finally looked at her. "Don't go out much." Short and sweet - just where he wanted to keep his involvement.
"So you're his bodyguard?" She continued to drag him along. "I can see that you're a good choice."
"I-uh. I mean." He was caught off guard.
She smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry about any of it. I'm fine, we're cool, no worries. I'm not too concerned for my safety or anything." A hand calmly rested on his shoulder. He didn't recoil. It was a soothing touch, though not too overbearing.
"Thanks." He didn't take the time to think about it.
"I don't want to keep you guys." The chair pushed back under the table. "I'm off early. Not gonna let that go to waste." She chimed. Tom laughed and stood up with her.
"Nice seeing you again!" He grabbed his coat - Shizuo's cue to get up as well. The girl had already vanished by the time he looked back.
Outside, Tom and Shizuo stopped for a second. Rained pattered the sidewalk in front of them, forcing the two to take refuge under the bar's awning.
"What's a girl like that working at a place like this?" Shizuo lit a cigarette.
"C'mon. It wasn't that bad was it?" Tom chuckled. "It's a nice little place I think.
"Guess so." He leaned his head back on the wall. "You go on without me. I gotta grab an umbrella anyway." Tom was already well down the road. He looked back and shot the blonde a grin.
"Whatever." He muttered.
When he was out of view, Shizuo ran to the Family Mart several blocks down and grabbed two umbrellas - just in case.
He looked at his phone and leaned back against the building. Hopefully he didn't miss her. He made his trip as quick as possible, certain the girl would take a few minutes to head out. Door chimes echoed through the chilly air of the night. Just a side glance... Don't make it too obvious.
"I - forgot my umbrella." She sighed in defeat, taking the spot beside him.
'Dammit.'
"Here." He tossed her the second one. "Let me... Walk you home, to make up for everything." She took notice of the small grimace he made at the words.
"I live pretty far away. You don't have to." She paused. "Only if you insis-"
"Yes." He cut in, opening his umbrella.
"Mm." She nodded and followed suit.
"Where do you live?" Shizuo finally broke the silence between them.
"By Minami... Between that and Sunshine." The dead air swallowed their surroundings once again. It was actually peaceful for her. She was so accustomed to walking home alone, it was nice having someone there. Even if they were a man of little words.
Usually she would ride the Y line from Ikebukuro station to get home... But they had long since passed it. As long as he didn't mind the walk, she was fine with it.
"I owe you ¥130 still." He snapped the girl back from her thoughts.
"The umbrella makes up for it plenty." She smiled up at him. "Shizuo..."
"Heiwajima."
"Heiwajima..." She attempted to keep the conversation going. "I moved to Ikebukuro not too long ago, so I don't know many of the household names. Seems like you're just as mysterious as the Black Rider around these parts."
"Hmm?"
"I've lived in Akita since I was little. Decided to move to 'Bukuro about three months ago. It's been a shock to the system so I've just been taking the time to adjust."
"Suzume Zharova." She stopped and bowed. "It's nice to formally make your accomplice." She continued down the street.
"The first time we... met, was the first time I ventured out other than to work and back." She grinned sheepishly. "Quite the impression indeed." She stretched her arms behind her head, umbrella rendered useless. "That's when I decided I kinda like it here."
"I bought that so you wouldn't get wet."
"We're almost there. Just down this road."
Her apartment was nestled on a quaint street with a perfect view of Minami Ikebukuro park. It looked like a relatively nice neighborhood. Buildings didn't seem too rundown, and it was probably just outside Yellow Scarves turf. Shizuo saw her wave to several men in business suits, who were giving them prying looks. He reached for the cigarette in his mouth, resting it between his fingers. The corner of his mouth twitched in agitation... But he quickly subsided it with a sigh. Didn't want to cause any more trouble for the girl tonight.
"Are you alright to get home yourself?" She asked from the doorstep of her complex.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine."
She gazed at him for a few moments. "Thank you for doing this. It means a lot." A sincere tone you rarely hear, here in Ikebukuro. Shizuo simply nodded and continued on his way.
"You are an interesting man, Shizuo Heiwajima." She smiled to herself in the comfort of her home. She could still see the tall blonde from her balcony window, umbrella in hand.
