Izaya woke to the sound of beeping, crimson eyes meeting white. His brows knitted as he briefly wondered if this was afterlife, until his blurring vision cleared and he saw a ceiling. With every exhale, he felt the puffs of breath ghosting over his skin. The informant lifted a heavily bandaged hand, tugging the oxygen mask off of his face promptly after sitting up. His body felt sluggish.
"What…" His own raspy voice called out.
If it wasn't for his observation skills, he would've thought that he was in a hospital. Yet, even though it was filled with several medical equipment, the room was still way smaller compared to a regular one you see at hospitals. Plus, the decorations seemed way livelier than the plain patterns those nurses often use. That, and he could hear Shinra shouting down the hallway. Ha. He let out a shaky laugh, palm pressed against his forehead. So the person who'd found him knew Shinra. They wouldn't be a random citizen, of course, for the doctor worked underground.
I wonder who it is? Could it be Shizu-chan~? But of course, everyone in Ikebukuro knew of the hatred the man harbored for Izaya. Why would one save their arch enemy? Shizuo might've been the last one Izaya saw before he fell unconscious, but maybe someone else had stumbled upon the site after that.
I should meet them and shake their hand. I really thought I was done for this time.
"Orihara Izaya has defied death for the second time. Ding ding ding!" He threw his arms up in celebration, throat feeling scratchy when he shouted the words at the top of his lungs.
"Ah…"
Izaya rubbed his throat, turning to his left to search for water. And he thought about how quick it took for his world to turn upside down when his gaze fell on a frame sat neatly on the nightstand. The jug of water behind it was long forgotten while the raven haired man stared at the picture. His breath hitched, recognizing the person in it. I'd forgotten the way you look. The picture seemed to be recent, noted Izaya upon seeing the wrinkles on the woman's face.
It didn't even occur to him that he was caressing the photo, admiration swimming in his half lidded eyes. "It seems like you're still as beautiful as ever, ne… Orihara Kyouko?" sang Izaya. He had to tear his gaze away, even if his heart kept on pulling him back towards the picture. Izaya had adapted to live his life without the presence of his parents and he wasn't about to let something like this break down the walls he'd built for years. Thankfully, Shinra came bursting in as a distraction.
"I heard the abnormal EKG beep—Eh?" Shinra blinked. Expecting a heart failure or something of the sort, he was quite surprised to see the informant up and looking fine. But Izaya wouldn't admit that his heartbeat had quickened because of the picture. Not even to his childhood friend. Instead, his chapped lips curled up into a wry smile. Shinra noticed that and he quickly walked to the nightstand to pour the patient a drink.
Izaya's eyes followed, and his gaze was once again brought to the frame. He knew Shinra would pester him about it later. And as he accepted the glass from Shinra, gulping down the liquid—he knew of only one person who could've put that there. That one person who knew who was it that Izaya had called for moments before his 'death', and had gone through lengths to meet his wish. The one whom since he couldn't let Izaya see his mother before he passes out, had him see her when he woke up instead. Even if it was just a picture. Not to mention letting him live, and saving him at that!
"I can't believe this." Izaya chuckled.
Unpredictable as always.
"I hate you so much, Shizu-chan."