Connection

by ZS Fan

In Ikebukuro, everything is connected. When two of the city's most prominent figures get together, the change in their relationship cascades across the people of the city - even as the two men deal with issues of their own. Izuo and Shizaya

2. Chapter 2

…

Somewhere in Ikebukuro

…

The information broker in a fur trimmed jacket was walking along the streets of the city when the high school boy found him.

"Izaya-san! Good evening!"

"Good evening, Mikado-kun. So?"

"Eh?"

"Surely you didn't call me just to say 'good evening', did you?"

The black haired man turned with a smooth smile, and the black haired boy laughed sheepishly.

"Ahahaha….no, of course not! Actually, I wanted to thank you."

"…..Thank me?"

Izaya's smile was bemused. Mikado nodded energetically, his face innocent looking despite the sharp look he had gained in his eyes.

"Yes. I'm grateful for your interference during the Hijiribe Ruri stalker incident. If you hadn't interfered, Izaya-san, I probably would have set off on a path of no return."

Izaya blinked, but kept the smile on his face.

"What's this? You're changing your tune again? If my memory serves me right, didn't you accuse me back then?"

"Yes, but now I see that was my own pride. It was pride at power I thought I had, and that was why I was frustrated at Heiwajima-san's arrival."

The smile slipped off Mikado's face for a moment, but he soon looked cheerful again.

"But it's alright. I wanted to create a place for Masaomi and Sonohara-san to return to. That's why, as long as Masaomi and Sonohara-san are by my side, I don't need anything else."

"Is that so? What about your ideal of the pure Dollars? Wasn't that due to your own pride? Are you going to throw it all away?"

"What about you, Izaya-san? You have your own pride as well, but you have a relationship more important to you too, right? That's why you should understand how I feel."

The old Mikado would have wavered at Izaya's words, but the new Mikado who had evolved through his involvement in the events of the city stood firmly against him with confidence that could equal his own.

"In other words, you're giving up your wish of an exciting life?"

"Not at all. It's because I'm not bored now."

Mikado said honestly with a smile as he met Izaya's eyes.

"And why are you not bored?"

"Well, isn't my life now pretty exciting?"

"How so?"

Izaya looked like he didn't understand for once. Mikado laughed and explained to him –

"Being able to be with Sonohara-san and Masaomi again, isn't that exciting? Knowing that Masaomi is leader of the Yellow Scarves, and Sonohara-san is owner of the demon sword Saika, with myself being Founder of the Dollars. We're all on opposing sides, but we're able to spend time together peacefully. We can even talk about our secrets now. Isn't that exciting?"

Izaya was silent for a while as if he was thinking over the matter, before he gave a smile different from usual.

"I see. A change in relationship huh? Well, I suppose that could be pretty exciting as well."

Izaya said, but unlike Mikado, he didn't sound excited. He sounded as if he was just discovering there was such a thing himself.

"Right? An exciting life doesn't have to be an extraordinary one, I think. That's why Izaya-san, it's alright to give up your desire for an exciting life. You have a new exciting relationship now right?"

"Don't be mistaken. I haven't given up my desire for an exciting life. In fact, I'm living out my desire for an exciting life everyday to my heart's content. The job of an information broker is still quite exciting, you know? In addition, I have forged many other connections which suit my personal desires."

"Like the one with Shizuo-san?"

Mikado said with the air of an innocent boy –

"Or is it more than one? Shizuo-san doesn't seem like a man to hold back, right?"

- But his next words brought that impression to a halt.

From the look in the boy's eyes, he was clearly not talking about an innocent topic at all.

Izaya stared for a while, like his brain had not managed to compute that Mikado was asking about his sex life.

"Hello? Izaya-san? …..Oops, did I go too far?"

Mikado spoke as if to himself, and Izaya turned around.

A smile was visible from the corner of his lips as amused chuckles escaped him.

"Ha…hahaha….of all things….steering the conversation at the most unpredictable moment – you really are a splendid trickster."

"What?" He turned to Mikado's surprised look.

"Was that not the reaction you were expecting? Did you perhaps, expect me to feel embarrassed, or something of that sort? A blush, maybe?"

"Of course not."

Mikado smiled innocently back at him.

"I'm not Shizuo-san, after all. And if Izaya-san were to blush, it would be in a much more intense and heated moment that only Shizuo-san could provide."

Mikado spoke in public on the streets with a pure smile on his face, despite the sexual innuendo in his words.

But Izaya was not to be outmatched as his smiling face remained clear of any embarrassment.

"That's right. There's only one man who can embarrass me. In fact, I don't even feel embarrassed by myself, unlike you, Mikado-kun. Ah, but that was indeed an attempt worthy of praise, you have my approval in taking up human observation as a hobby – not that you need it, eh?"

"You're right. Thanks to Izaya-san, I no longer care about what people think of me. But I couldn't take up the same hobby as you. Still, I did want to see your reaction. But then again, Izaya-san is always so cool-headed after all, so I'm not really surprised."

Mikado said almost sheepishly but with a smile as if he had indeed wanted to learn more about the man who had changed his life.

"However, it seems Izaya-san has become more honest."

"What are you talking about? I'm always honest."

As if Izaya had never even spoken, Mikado continued on with a smile on his face.

"If it was in the past, Izaya-san, you wouldn't have admitted there was someone who could embarrass you."

It was just a statement.

It was just one statement said in the same casual tone as the rest of the black haired man's words, unseparated from the smooth rhythm, but the boy had pointed it out as if it was as obvious as a glowing koi fish in a pond that hadn't been there before.

And then his smile widened as he met Izaya's surprised eyes.

"I'm glad."

Before Izaya could comprehend the meaning of that statement, Mikado switched the topic with ease.

"Ah, sorry! Talking to Izaya-san is so interesting I almost forgot what I called you over for!"

"….."

Izaya was silent for once, and Mikado took the chance to speak.

"Thank you very much."

He said the sincere words face to face to the man who could have potentially ruined his life –

"You know, Masaomi told me. About how you got his girlfriend kidnapped and tortured in the war between the Blue Squares and Yellow Scarves, and left him to deal with the situation on his own."

- And had once ruined his best friend.

Yet with this clearly in mind, the boy was still able to smile and say –

"I forgive you."

"….."

"I forgive you, Izaya-san."

"…."

It was the first time Orihara Izaya had heard those words spoken to him from a human.

He did not have full comprehension of the situation, and it did not make sense to him why the boy could say those words no one had ever said to him –

"…I already forgave you when I asked you to be my lover."

- Except for his lover, but it had been reasonable for they had already formed a deep connection.

But he had no connection with the boy who had told him he forgave him for what he did to his best friend – something the victim himself couldn't forgive him for.

"Are you surprised?"

"…."

The boy was smiling. He did not tell the man the reason why he forgave him –

Yet had the man thought back to the first person who had said he had forgiven him, he would have been able to grasp the truth.

But he did not, for he was still genuinely confused over the boy's words.

That was why he could not find the answer, for there was no logic in them.

Only pure feelings from the human heart.

"But…..if you ever harm Masaomi or Sonohara-san….."

The boy's feelings were still pure.

They were always pure.

The boy didn't say what the consequence harming the people important to him would be.

He merely conveyed those words with a pure smile from his heart.

And the man, whose love for humans had just started to be purified with his first real relationship with the human who surpassed his expectations the most, found himself returning the boy's smile.

"Where are you heading off to, Izaya-san?"

Despite the man not saying a word for quite a long while, the boy still called out to him without hesitation when he had turned as if to walk away.

"Somewhere kids don't need to know."

It was not said in a demeaning manner, just a casual statement with no indication of what the man was feeling at those words.

"Izaya-san!"

"What is it, Mikado-kun?"

The black haired man asked, and the words that followed his question were ones he could not have predicted.

"If you don't have any friends, I don't mind being your friend! In the end, Izaya-san is a good person after all."

Izaya paused.

"I do have friends –"

"Chatroom friends don't count, Kanra-san."

"…You've become rather bold, haven't you? That's quite a jovial look on your face right there, Mikado-kun."

Izaya said as he turned with a bemused smile. He didn't look offended.

"No thanks. I'm not so lonely as to be friends with a kid still in high school. Besides, I already have a lover."

"Oh I'm sure Shizuo-san gives you plenty of company every night. But a friend is different, isn't it? I have Sonohara-san as my lover, but I also have Masaomi as my best friend. There are some things you can't talk about openly with Shizuo-san right? Wouldn't it be nice to have a friend you could do that with?"

"In other words, you want to gather information on my potential weaknesses? How sly of you, Mikado-kun."

"That's not it at all! And even if it were so, I would be sharing information with you in return."

"Information on me is much harder to find out than information on you, Mikado-kun."

Mikado just shook his head with a smile.

"Friendship isn't about gathering information. It's about human interaction built on trust. There is no give and take, we just share our thoughts and feelings with each other. We do things for each other because we care. That's all. It's something you'll have to experience to know what it's like. It's something really reassuring."

He spoke while meeting Izaya's eyes, as if he believed he could convey his feelings thorough the act.

Izaya's eyes remained smiling as always.

"I do have a friend, you know."

"Kishitani-san, right? But is he the sort of friend you could confide in?"

"Sometimes."

Izaya brushed off, not revealing that he had just confided in Shinra recently, for he did not want to make a habit out of it.

"Sorry, but that's not my style."

The information broker smiled smoothly then walked away.

"You have my phone number right? Send me an email when you've made your decision!"

Izaya merely waved a hand in response. But Mikado seemed to be satisfied as when he turned, the boy was gone.

"….Mikado-kun really has become bold, hasn't he?"

The black haired man turned his attention forward, sliding his hands into the pockets of his fur trimmed jacket.

"…..A friend, huh?"

He thought of the incident back in middle school, and his only friend whom he had made back then.

He thought of how his only friend had been calmer than him as he directed him to stop the bleeding –

For the stab wound that was supposed to be his.

Shinra is enough. He said he was trying to cheer me up, didn't he?

There's Namie too, though she would disagree.

But come to think of it, she did listen to me.

Any other man would have felt embarrassed at the remembrance of such a childish act, but Izaya did not.

As he had told Mikado, he did not feel embarrassed by himself –

Not even when he upset his own expectations of himself – for he readily accepted everything he did as a part of his human being –

Just as he did for the humans he loved.

As he thought about the woman he had confided in, the cause came to mind –

And I already have Shizu-chan.

A smile came onto Izaya's face as he thought about his lover, despite his unsatisfied thoughts.

…I haven't even solved the issue in my relationship yet, no way am I going to form another one, even if it is platonic.

It'll only be more troublesome

It did not take long for his thoughts to turn to those words he had received for the second time.

Of course I wanted to be forgiven by Shizu-chan, since I thought it was impossible.

But really, nothing is impossible when it comes to Heiwajima Shizuo.

Unlike before, the smile on Izaya's face was one of fondness instead of bitterness.

But, Mikado-kun?

…

Izaya's smile almost slipped off his face.

…Talk about openly huh…

The image of a certain energetic brown haired female came to mind –

Bringing to mind his original purpose as he stopped and blinked.

…

"…Where do you get those things from anyway?"

…

…

---

A week ago

…

The situation was of Adabashi staring at the boy in a ski mask who looked ready to fight.

It was night, and it was the 'climax' of the stalker incident the boy had been waiting for.

He lacked fighting prowess, but he had gotten the stalker's attention and was determined to face the troublemaker in the Dollars head on.

The boy heard the man laugh.

"Your height…is similar to Hijiribe Ruri's, of course, you don't have breasts."

"?"

Though the boy made no sound, the man continued speaking.

"Okay, you'll be Hijiribe Ruri –"

The man was taller than him, but suddenly the boy had to crane his neck to look up at him.

Adabashi couldn't grab the boy's neck, he was suddenly out of reach.

"…"

The self-confident look was wiped off Adabashi's face.

There was a distant gasp from the other boy watching the scene.

"….Looks like I've found the guy…I think."

The man who had suddenly appeared was wearing sunglasses and a bartender suit. He held an old flip-phone in his hand, looking between it and the guy in his hold.

"…..Yeah, it's him."

The man's voice was calm as he closed his phone and kept it away, still lifting his target up above the ground.

He seemed completely oblivious to the tension in the situation which he had interrupted.

"Oi, you….Adabashi? Stalker?"

"You…got the wrong person…."

Being in the grasp of the man in a bartender suit, even Adabashi knew better than to brag.

"….You sure? You look hell of a lot like him…."

The stalker was turned around to face the monster of Ikebukuro.

Shizuo tilted his head, then uttered –

"Hijiribe Ruri. You know –"

He stopped there, for the man's expression gave him the answer he needed.

Waves of ecstasy washed away all fear from Adabashi's face.

His grin was soon dirtied with blood.

Shizuo had let go of him – only to punch him in the face, sending him crashing into the wall he would have slammed the boy into had the blond not arrived.

There was coughing, and teeth falling to the ground, as disjointed laughter escaped from Adabashi as he knelt on the bloody ground with ecstatic eyes.

"Hi-Hijiribe Ruri….Ru-ri….!"

"M-Monster! My monster….and another monster! Haha-hahaha! Gyahahahahah- g-uhhhh-!"

And then he fell over in a dead faint.

But Shizuo wasn't done.

"OI YOU FUCKING BASTARD…..IT'S NOT TIME FOR YOU TO BE DEAD YET…."

The blond was making his way to Adabashi, looking like he wanted to crush the man's head and give him a bloody death with his bare hand –

"W-Wait!"

"HUH?! WHO THE HELL ARE YA?!"

The boy peeled off the ski mask.

"…."

"M-Mikado….?"

The blond boy who had been watching the scene uttered in utter disbelief.

But Mikado's attention was not on him.

"H-Heiwajima-san, I – that is, the stalker is my responsibility! W-Why….did you….!"

Mikado's face looked like all hope had been taken from him at once.

"What….what are you even doing here anyway?! You quitted the Dollars, didn't you?!"

"….What? That bastard was causing trouble in your gang?"

"That's right! He was giving the Dollars a bad name – I was supposed to do something about that! And why did you…..again….! You're not even a Dollars member anymore, you told me you quit, right?!"

Mikado yelled hysterically, but Shizuo responded coolly.

"That's right. So? What does that have to do with anything? The bastard stalker pissed me off, I came to teach him a fucking lesson. Stay out of my way kid, if you don't want to get hurt."

"I'M THE BOSS OF THE DOLLARS!"

Mikado yelled from his wavering heart.

"I'm not just some kid, I'm the Dollars' Boss! The stalker was my responsibility, I had the opportune moment! And yet….!"

Mikado's fists trembled, he was so agitated that he couldn't find the words for what he wanted to convey.

It was like a shock in his heart when Shizuo appeared and resolved the situation with a single punch.

"…Look, the stalker was aiming for my younger brother's lover, and anyone close to her which includes my younger brother, so I was going to beat him up. I got the information from Izaya. I don't know what the hell you're on about, but go to him if you want to rage it out. 'Cause if you do it on me…I won't be able to hold back."

The strongest man in Ikebukuro told him coldly without sympathy, and that was the last straw.

The boy collapsed onto his knees on the ground, staring in despair.

"But….I hardly did anything, again…..! Even though this time….!"

"…..Tch!"

Scoffing at the display before him, Shizuo looked down on Mikado.

"Oi get up Ryuugamine, don't go groveling on your knees on the dirty ground at this time of night. If you're really the Dollars Boss, then don't go showing such an embarrassing sight to a former Dollars member. Otherwise I'd lose all respect for my former Boss."

"…!"

Mikado's eyes widened. He slowly heaved himself up to his heavy feet, as Shizuo spoke.

"…Fine. I already gave that bastard a punch which knocked him out. So as a sign of respect to my former Boss, you're free to do whatever you like with the stalker. It's none of my business anymore. Go take up the issue with Izaya if you're still mad about it, this is probably all his plan."

"But Orihara-san….isn't even nearby! I haven't seen him these past few months!"

Shizuo sniffed the air, but before he could say anything the voice Mikado had not heard for a long time called out.

"Who said I wasn't nearby?"

"O-Orihara-san!?"

The information broker who had been MIA for months was looking down from on top of a building.

He easily made his way down, all the while with his hands in his pockets, and landed next to the man in a bartender suit.

"Long time no see. So? What issue do you have with me…Mikado-kun?"

"….."

"What?"

Shizuo said when Mikado was staring as if he couldn't believe his eyes.

"No, it's just….."

He looked at Shizuo and Izaya as if they were supposed to understand. When the two men looked clueless, he stuttered.

"H-Heiwajima-san….? Orihara-san…?"

"What?"

Shizuo and Izaya said at the same time as they stood next to each other. Mikado started, almost looking like his old innocent self.

"….T-Together?"

Shizuo seemed to take it the wrong way. "How did you know? Is Celty telling everyone already?"

"Huh?"

"Ah, this is just a temporary truce –"

"We're going out."

Shizuo stated simply.

Mikado's eyes widened.

Kida's jaw dropped open.

"E-EHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH?!"

The two teenage boys exclaimed together as they stared at the blond man and black haired man.

"…..Shizu-chan, being with me for so long….yet you still haven't learnt the meaning of tact?"

"What…..are you embarrassed, Ii-zaaaa-yaaaa-kun?"

Shizuo smirked at Izaya, who did indeed looked as if he couldn't keep the slight embarrassment off his face.

He used the knife aimed at him to pull Izaya towards him so he could lay a kiss on his forehead –

Causing Mikado to yell as if in fright, and Shizuo to shift his gaze to him.

"What?"

"W-What, this is too out of the world! This is too strange! Too extraordinary! Heiwajima-san and Orihara-san – Shizuo-san and Izaya-san, going out?! DATING?! I've had all the information at my fingertips, so why did I not know about this?! This – d-dating incident?!"

"D-D-D-D-DAT-ING….?! I-I-I-IZAYA?!"

"I-IZAYA-SAN IS DATING BEFORE ME!?"

Mikado seemed to realize in 'horror' at Kida's words.

Then he gasped and frantically fumbled for his phone –

"W-Wait, today isn't April Fool's, is it?"

"Even if it is, do you think those two would come together to pull an April Fool's joke?! And it's July!"

"That's right! It's July! Then there's no way it could be an April Fool's joke….which means it's real?!"

"Heck yeah it's real! I mean Shizuo just kissed Izaya on the forehead! He didn't break the knife, he used it as a chance to k-kiss Izaya on the forehead instead?! It's not a bite but a kiss, a kiss! There's no blood whatsoever, if you don't count that disgusting blush that is."

The tension had dissolved away from the situation and Mikado and Kida were now acting like two normal teenage boys expressing incredulity over two enemies in their high school discovered to be dating.

"I-If Izaya-san really is dating, perhaps it's time I told Sonohara-san my feelings…."

"What are you talking about?! You realized this only now?! Oi oi, you listen to that bastard over there and not your best friend?! That hurts, Mikado!"

It was as if the two boys had not been separated for over 6 months as they were talking as if they saw each other every day, the blond boy making a dramatic gesture as he held his hand to his heart and the black haired boy waving his hands frantically.

"N-No! That's not it, Masaomi! I just thought if Izaya-san could date Shizuo-san, maybe I could date Sonohara-san too! M-Maybe Sonohara-san would agree to go out with me…"

"…..Man, you sure are dense! Anri likes you too you idiot, so go confess already!"

"T-That's right…."

Mikado smiled as his best friend clapped his shoulder in encouragement with the bright grin he had missed.

"…."

Izaya didn't look amused. Shizuo on the other hand, was looking amused at Izaya's lack of amusement.

"Don't pout, flea. ….Although it's cute."

"…."

Izaya sighed.

"…..Shizu-chan?"

"Hm?"

"Kindly don't kiss me in public."

"Why?"

"Because the result will be like this."

Izaya said wryly as he recalled the hysterics the two boys were in which had somehow turned into a harmonious reunion against his expectations.

It seemed that if a punch from the strongest man in Ikebukuro could take back the city's peace, a kiss from him could literally bring about harmony.

On the other hand, Izaya had to move many chess pieces and oversee many situations and water the seeds he had planted in humans' hearts with his words before he could bring about the crisis he wanted to see.

And yet all it took was one punch; or kiss in this matter, from Shizuo to shatter all his strategy.

The only emotion Izaya could feel at that moment was exasperation.

For once, he was seriously questioning his own agenda.

Why did I let Heiwajima Shizuo get involved in the Hijiribe Ruri stalker incident again?

…Right, because he pulled the lover card.

That sly beast.

If I were to do a reading, I would get The Lovers card, wouldn't I?

And here I was thinking Mikado-kun was The Fool.

Just what the heck were you thinking, me of two months ago?

Getting myself involved in a relationship of all things…..

With Heiwajima Shizuo, the man who ruins all my expectations…

I must have been insane.

Izaya thought, and resolved to dodge every attempt of Shizuo to publicly kiss his lover; him, in the future.

His pride had already taken enough blows from the man in a bartender suit.

"….So should I not tell people we're dating too?"

"That should be obvious, shouldn't it?"

"But Celty said I should let people know we're dating."

Izaya inhaled for patience, wondering indeed why he was, dating – Heiwajima Shizuo of all people.

"No, I'm quite sure you misinterpreted her words. That tsundere Dullahan who gets embarrassed at Shinra's lovey-doveyness, telling you to tell everyone you're dating? Impossible. She probably said something like you should let your friends know you're dating, or something of that sort."

"…..Yeah, I think she did say something like that."

Shizuo mused upon it, looking like he was just remembering.

…

Izaya was spared from having to answer as a van pulled up nearby, the door opening to reveal another high school boy who ran to his leader's aid.

"Mikado- senpai –! Are you all right –"

Aoba stopped short as he stared at the scene before him.

Mikado was smiling and laughing with Kida, having not sustained any injuries at all.

In front of them the two most dangerous men of Ikebukuro stood, next to each other, without destroying the other.

Aoba was at a true loss for words.

"Ah, Aoba-kun. I'm fine."

Aoba blinked when Mikado replied him with a smiling face.

"…What the hell is going on here?"

He indirectly directed this question to the man behind him, who replied –

"Just in time, Aoba-kun! I must say, you have perfect timing, the situation you graciously interrupted was becoming a bit too disgusting for my taste."

"…Orihara Izaya."

Aoba said with no small amount of loathing. Turning, he regarded Izaya with a deceptively innocent smile.

"What a displeasure to see you again. It felt like it was my lucky day when I heard the news that you were hospitalized after a stabbing incident. The city has been so wonderful without your presence. Yet here you are, showing up at such a prime moment – figures. This is a Dollars matter, so could you kindly leave? Also, what did you do to Mikado-senpai? And, is that Heiwajima Shizuo or an imposter? Why hasn't he killed you yet? Did you blackmail him or something?"

Izaya, who looked happy again, answered energetically.

"How full of questions you are, Aoba-kun! I'm a Dollars member as well, so I do have the right to be here, don't I? And I didn't do anything to Mikado-kun, it's Shizu-chan here who did everything. And yes it is Heiwajima Shizuo, but to answer that question would be quite tedious. Right, Shizu-chan?"

"Huh? But –"

"Hm? What is it, Shizu-chan?"

"….Nothing." Shizuo conceded, feeling as if he had to listen to the look in Izaya's eyes.

A look of satisfaction appeared on Izaya's face –

"They're dating!"

Which soon drained away as one of his humans was going against his expectations again.

That human turned out to be Kida Masaomi, the boy whose life he had ruined and whom was now smirking at him tauntingly as if he was enjoying seeing his reaction like he had done to him in the past.

"Izaya's dating Shizuo! It's not blackmail, it's love!"

He said as if he wanted to announce it to the whole of Ikebukuro, and put Izaya on centre stage in front of all his humans' reactions.

"….."

Izaya twitched.

He was sincerely berating his actions yesterday at the current moment.

Apparently reuniting with his best friend had put Kida in an extremely good mood – enough to dare to attempt to embarrass the man who had ruined his life.

Aoba blinked, like he couldn't understand what was being said.

Then a slow grin spread across his face.

"…..Pft! Dating – Dating?!"

His hand came up to cover his mouth as he stared in mocking amusement at Izaya.

"What's that? Orihara Izaya – Orihara Izaya, dating?! Heiwajima Shizuo? Orihara Izaya dating Heiwajima Shizuo?! Hahahah! Hahahahaha! Gahahahahaha!"

Aoba was hunched over, mirth on his face as he made no effort to keep his laughter at a minimum.

"W-Why – today isn't April Fool's is it! Did you lose track of time while you were in the hospital or something! Ahahaha! What a joke! Ahahaha – my stomach hurts! This is funny! Too funny!"

Aoba practically roared with laughter as he pounded his fist against his thigh, giggling uncontrollably, completely unaware he had ruined Izaya's expectations.

"….I didn't say it."

Shizuo said when Izaya gave him a glare.

Izaya was seriously refraining himself from grabbing Shizuo by the collar and shaking him vigorously in front of the kids who were way too amused for his liking.

"Anyway they're just kids. What does it matter if kids who aren't involved in your business know you're dating? Also, isn't this situation more peaceful?"

Shizuo said and smiled with the peace he had brought about.

Izaya just wanted to go home to his apartment in Ikebukuro.

Without Heiwajima Shizuo.

And perhaps complain to Namie about how Shizuo had ruined his expectations again.

But there was a greater desire on hand, and so he chose to take charge of the situation instead.

…

"I think you're all misunderstanding something here."

Izaya said as he moved forward away from Shizuo, spreading his arms as he did so.

"I'm not dating for the sole sake of dating. Why are you laughing? Shouldn't you know by this point, that I always have an ulterior motive?"

"Then why are you dating?"

Aoba looked torn between amusement and loathing.

Chuckling to himself, Izaya extended a gracious hand towards the Monster of Ikebukuro.

"A pawn I can move according to my own wishes – isn't that perfect?"

"…."

Shizuo's expression was unreadable. But Izaya took no notice as he addressed Mikado.

"Shouldn't you know, Mikado-kun?"

He took delight in Mikado's expression falling, knowing he was remembering Shizuo's intrusion of moments ago.

"That's why I got Shizu-chan – Heiwajima Shizuo involved in the stalker incident. Ahh, it was great, really great – that expression on your face! Of course, I don't hold any love for you personally, but I love this opportunity you presented, Mikado-kun! You see, I've been so bored recuperating from my injury – and what better cure for my boredom than the amusing human you are?"

Izaya said in unrestrained glee with a grin upon his face.

"Likewise, what better pawn exists than the strongest man of Ikebukuro, Heiwajima Shizuo? Especially as you've witnessed his power first hand. He was the perfect man for the perfect situation! And so when Shizu-chan asked me about the stalker's whereabouts, how could I deny? Right, Shizu-chan?"

Izaya said, and smoothly dodged Shizuo's punches.

"…Bastard, telling me what he looks like then not responding to my messages or calls….YOU'RE TRYING TO PISS ME OFF, AREN'T YOU?!"

"Well, I wanted to see how Shizu-chan would react! After all, what's the point if I give information so easily? Shizu-chan should use his brain if he really wants to find the stalker to save Kasuka-kun, don't you think? And he did in the end, so….."

"WHAT IF I FAILED, HUH?! IT'S KASUKA'S LIFE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HEREEEEEEE!"

"I didn't think my lover was that incapable? When it's the life of the brother he loves so much at stake."

Izaya spoke as he was evading Shizuo's attacks like they were still enemies, which was the first scene of them that made sense seen by Mikado, Kida and Aoba that night –

In ironic contrast to the words that didn't make sense.

"….Unlike a certain someone."

Izaya said as his gaze shifted from the blond man in a bartender suit who was behind him to the blond boy.

"L-Lover….?"

Kida looked like he was torn between reacting to the taunt and to the unbelievable information.

He flinched when the word brought to mind his own lover –

And how he had failed her because of the man who was now taunting him.

"…Lover?"

Aoba said with a 'I have no idea what the heck this bastard is up to now' look.

"Just what game are you playing now, Orihara Izaya? You dating is already like a joke, but having a lover? Getting Heiwajima Shizuo to go along with your farce, I'm almost impressed. Really, you blackmailed him didn't you?"

"…I asked Izaya to be my lover."

Shizuo spoke to Aoba for the first time.

He didn't say anything else, but he roamed his gaze across Mikado and Kida silently.

Aoba looked like he was wrestling with his own words. He settled on a wary glance at the unusually calm man in a bartender suit.

"It's the truth."

Shizuo said, barely sparing Aoba a glance. His attention was on Izaya.

"…Seems like there's an issue here I don't know about, so I'll leave you to it."

"Are you leaving?"

Izaya asked Shizuo, who was already lighting up a cigarette as he walked away.

"No," Shizuo said as he flicked a glance back.

"I'm staying."

Izaya said nothing, but a smile with hidden meaning was on his face as Shizuo settled himself against the wall and watched the situation from afar with his sharp eyes from behind his sunglasses, contrasting the smoke drifting lazily from his cigarette.

It felt like he was being dissected, but it was a feeling Izaya welcomed as he turned his attention away from his lover.

"Now, where was I? Ah yes, I was right there, examining the expression on your face!"

Izaya spoke jubilantly as if he had never left the conversation in the first place, every ounce of his attention on the human before him.

"So? How was it? This unpredictable, exciting situation? The man who destroyed your pride – Heiwajima Shizuo – interfering in the most unexpected moment! Don't you think you were presented with the opportune situation? In essence, it was mainly because of Heiwajima Shizuo telling you he was leaving the Dollars and making you realize your ideal is far from reality that you sought to make it reality, wasn't it?"

"I…."

"Really, it was such a generous act on my part. After all, haven't you always felt some regret deep in your heart? That you were picking things up a bit too late – that you should have done this earlier? That's why you're going to such extremes to purify the Dollars, right? It's a mask of pride to cover up your shame."

"That's….."

"I hit the bullseye, didn't I? Honestly, you haven't changed at all. That's why I'm disappointed, Mikado-kun. I thought with the person you've become – you would use the prime opportunity to rebel against your own shame – against the man who made you feel so powerless and weak. Yet all you've done is proven that you haven't conquered your shame – the situation was a double-edged sword and you picked the wrong side….Ryuugamine Mikado."

Izaya said, and waited gleefully for Mikado's reaction but it was Aoba who spoke next.

"Heh, that's a surprise. I would have thought you wouldn't have interfered in Mikado-senpai's plans. Aren't you the type to want to cause chaos for your own amusement?"

"That's untrue, Aoba-kun. Chaos is merely a byproduct – at the end of the day what I want the most is to see humans other than myself. Observe how they'll react in the most unpredictable crises. Such as the one I've graciously provided to Mikado-kun here."

"Oh really? Then why are you disappointed – if you only want to see?"

Aoba said, the way he was speaking was like he wanted to pick Izaya apart and stab at every piece of the incomprehensible man.

"It's like starting a fire. With a match, that is. You see, there are two types –strike-anywhere matches and safety matches right? What I usually use for humans in general is the former – any situation can be turned into an opportunity for human observation and I'll use and discard as many matches as I need to form a bright fire and see it burn. But there are certain humans in a certain state in a certain point of their lives that require more deliberation."

Izaya was speaking to the boy like it was something he should understand.

"So for these humans, I use safety matches instead. Safety matches can only burn when they're struck upon a specially prepared surface which is what I did with Mikado-kun here. Since this is such a pivotal point in Ryuugamine Mikado's life, it's like a safety match struck upon a specially prepared surface – only that it should burn but it did not. That's the kind of disappointment I feel."

Not even waiting for the boys before him to digest what he was saying, Izaya continued on.

"For Mikado-kun, it's like he's in an eternal state of inertia. There's only two modes for him. At unyielding rest or in constant motion with an undisrupted momentum. He resists any change to his current state of motion, whether it be the former or the latter."

Bringing his other hand out of his pocket, Izaya explained, "But it looks like his resistance wasn't enough to the force that met him at his turning point, in other words – he's back to his first mode – at rest. You see, the weakness and strength of inertia is that it's resistant to any change to the subject's current state of motion – including its own. In simple terms, since Mikado-kun is at rest again, it'll take a considerable amount of effort for him to enter his state of before."

"….So, all that has to be done is apply a force great enough to overcome inertia and move Mikado-senpai."

Aoba spoke smugly as if he was already planning on how to do so, and Izaya smiled at him.

"You're welcome to try, Aoba-kun. I look forward to you amassing Mikado-kun's potential. The question is, what would be the ideal amount of net force to conjure in this situation to attain a uniform state of motion – and can that ideal become a reality?"

"Of course. I'm the best at exerting the necessary forces for change after all."

"Even though you weren't the one who pushed Mikado-kun into his second mode?"

"Are you taunting me, Orihara Izaya?"

"Not at all. I would never do such a thing with my Raira kouhai cut from the same cloth as me."

"…..It disgusts me to even think we have anything in common."

Izaya was about to reply but another male beat him to it.

"So what you guys are saying…that you want a strong enough force to push Ryuugamine until he can't stop again."

Shizuo said. He paused in the silence.

Unaware of the change in Heiwajima Shizuo, Aoba prepared to dodge.

Indeed, the Shizuo in the past would have said something like, "PEOPLE ARE NOT OBJECTS, BASTAAAAARD' and sent Izaya and Aoba flying.

But the Shizuo in the present who sought truth merely scoffed.

"…..That's screwed up."

Aoba waited for a few more seconds, and when Shizuo did nothing except frown, he felt it safe to speak.

"Well Heiwajima-san, that's Orihara Izaya for you. Your lover. If he was a beautiful woman I would understand, men are charmed by beauty – but fortunately for the men in this world, he isn't, so what draws you to him exactly? He has such a terrible personality. Are you unable to get women so you turn to a man? If that were so, I'm sure there are many more choices than this guy here."

Shizuo narrowed his eyes and Aoba wondered if he had gone too far, but the blond's voice was as calm as before.

"I'm unable to get women but that has nothing to do with it."

"Eh, is that so? While I'm not the best guy to help you with your love life, don't you think you should reconsider? After all it's Orihara Izaya, the guy you hate the most. He's already made your life hell, why are you giving him the opportunity to ruin it even more? Society wouldn't look too kindly on you having another man as a lover, you know? Heiwajima Shizuo."

Shizuo removed the cigarette from his lips, letting it fall to the ground.

"First, I'm older than you so use polite speech towards me. Second, what I do with my life is none of your business, and third…."

Shizuo's shoe snuffed out the smoke from the cigarette.

"…WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE, INTERFERING IN OTHER PEOPLE'S LOVE LIVES AAAAAAAAHHHH?!"

Aoba was fortunate – had it been Shizuo in the past he would have been injured worse than the stalker. As it was, he was lifted up by the collar with the man in a bartender suit in uncomfortable close proximity.

But it did not stop the innocent smile from appearing on the boy's face.

"That's a misunderstanding, Heiwajima-san. I would never be so bold as to interfere in your love life. I'm merely providing my humble opinion to the future of your forbidden relationship –"

"JUDGING? IS THAT IT? YOU'RE JUDGING MY RELATIONSHIP….?"

Shizuo's voice was dangerously low.

Apprehension began to creep up on him, but he kept his smile in the face of danger.

"P-Please stop!" The voice came from the boy his senior. "Heiwajima-san, Aoba-kun didn't mean it! He was just…."

A hand laid on Shizuo's arm. "Shizu-chan."

And suddenly, Aoba was back on the ground. He almost stumbled and fell, but righted himself.

He looked up just in time to see Izaya draw his hand back from Shizuo's arm, and a sudden loathing filled him.

Aoba didn't know if he should resent being 'rescued' by Izaya, or indulge in a dry humor at being defended by Mikado.

Whatever it was, it didn't stop Aoba from taking steps back until he was out of Shizuo's reach.

Even he knew he had narrowly escaped a life-endangering situation.

"Your logic doesn't make sense. If I were to turn to other 'choices', the result would still be the same. Izaya might have screwed my life up, but that's got nothing to do with how society will look upon me if I have him as my lover, just because he's not a woman."

Shizuo was back to that calm tone of voice as if he hadn't lost his temper in the first place, but his gaze was as hard as the metal of the signposts he could maneuver with one hand alone.

"You're the same type of person as the flea. I've dealt with him for a long time…so don't pull that kind of shit on me."

Aoba was unable to resist a smirk, even as his eyes narrowed in loathing.

"Heh…if we're the same type of person, does that mean you could fall for me too? Heiwajima-san."

"Aoba-kun!"

There was a hand on his shoulder as if it could protect him from Shizuo's wrath.

But the man in a bartender suit just scoffed.

"Too young kid, even if I swung that way."

"Eh is that a yes, Heiwajima-san? I'm so happy!"

'What the hell is wrong with this kid' – Shizuo conveyed such a look to Izaya, who shrugged helplessly with a look of bemusement like he didn't even know how the situation had come about.

"No." Aoba blinked. "Same type of person," there was a finger on his forehead.

"Doesn't mean same person."

Shizuo pushed like he was pushing a button and Aoba fell back against Mikado, who yelped as he caught his kouhai.

"Ow ow….haha, Heiwajima-san, could it be you were going easy against me because –"

Despite feeling like he had sustained an injury already, Aoba had the gall to continue testing Shizuo's patience –

"Argh shut up you talk too much!"

There was a cry of surprise.

Aoba was seeing stars.

Kida, who had been watching the proceedings with a dazed sort of comprehension, found himself wincing in sympathy for Kuronuma Aoba of all people – and couldn't even regret it as he had been subjected to the same attack.

His forehead was throbbing at the painful memory.

"Aoba-kun! Are you alright?!"

Aoba couldn't even reply his senpai. It felt like the contents of his brain hadn't settled back into place yet.

What just…..happened?

I saw Heiwajima Shizuo's hand, then –

…..I've been dealt too much damage.

"What…..I'm sure I used less force than before…..is it because they're kids? Maybe their skulls aren't as thick….."

Shizuo looked as if he was figuring out the truth of the universe. Izaya gave his lover an amused look.

"While not everyone's skull is as thick as yours, I'm sure if you flicked an adult it would have the same effect."

"Aaaah? Then, shall I test it on you…Izayaaaaa-kuuuun…..?"

"Shizu-chan, I know you haven't had a lover before me but a flick which could make me end up in that sorry state isn't exactly an affectionate gesture. But, since I'm such a generous lover, flick me or kiss me, I'll welcome it gladly. "

Izaya said in his usual extravagant way, but eagerness was in his gaze as he looked up at Shizuo.

Shizuo looked caught off guard.

"Uh….."

"Well, get on with it Shizu-chan."

Izaya said as if he was anticipating the choice Shizuo would make.

Shizuo looked like he suddenly didn't want to flick anyone anytime soon.

He also looked like the only thing stopping him from kissing Izaya was the presence of the three kids.

In short, he looked like he was in a dilemma in front of his lover who was ready to welcome any action from him.

"What Orihara Izaya…..is this the masochist's pleasure you were searching for?"

Aoba had gotten to his feet during the moment with Shizuo and Izaya which he mockingly interrupted.

Izaya, who looked like he had been about to place a kiss on Shizuo's cheek to solve his dilemma, turned to Aoba without looking offended.

However, only Izaya would know what he was about to say as the boy who had been the focus of the whole debacle spoke.

…

"That's unfair…."

Mikado seemed to hold a lackluster expression as he stared at Izaya.

"….That's unfair, Izaya-san! You were the one who said if I wanted to live an exciting life, I had to evolve from my everyday boring life!"

His tired eyes gained a glimmer of disbelief as if he couldn't believe what was happening in front of him.

"But you….why? Why are you doing this? Why are you trying to return things to such a boring state of affairs?! I – I was so close!"

"If I really was trying to do that, I would have used another guy, wouldn't you say? Rokujou Chikage, the leader of Toramaru who pushed you over the edge."

Mikado flinched. He clenched his fists tightly. Gone was the boy who had implored Shizuo to not hurt his kouhai. A darkness rose in his heart.

"….Then, what's with this situation?"

Izaya read the look in the boy's eyes.

"My relationship with Heiwajima Shizuo has nothing to do with my plans for my humans."

"Oh really? It doesn't seem that way to me. The Izaya-san – Orihara-san in the past would have never entertained the possibility of a romantic relationship. In fact, even if he had one, he would have never admitted it so openly. You've sure changed, Izaya-san."

"O-Oi, Mikado…."

Kida placed a hand on Mikado's back but he received no response. He glanced warily at Izaya.

Narrowing his eyes, Shizuo looked like he wanted to say something. Izaya held up his hand as if to halt him and spoke to Mikado coolly.

"Being interested in monsters doesn't mean we base our lives around them."

"Don't you love all humans equally anymore? And you say that has nothing to do with it?"

"How very unlike you, Mikado-kun, attacking someone in order to defend yourself. I'm surprised, I had never thought you were that type of person. But rest assured, I still love you as a human."

"Don't avoid the subject!" Mikado shouted so loudly that Kida flinched.

"Mikado…."

But Mikado was deaf to everyone's words besides his own.

"It's true, isn't it?! Now that you have Heiwajima Shizuo as your lover you no longer love all humans equally anymore! You're just hiding behind the façade of him being a monster because you don't want to admit it, that you've defied your own goal in life! And so you use your relationship in one of your plans, claiming that has nothing to do with it –! In the end, you're just a coward –"

Izaya slapped Mikado.

Eyes widening, Mikado stumbled back, clutching his cheek in shock and hurt.

"Mikado!"

"Mikado-senpai!"

Aoba and Kida had rushed to the shaken boy's side, and Kida had whirled to face Izaya in anger.

"OI! WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR -?!"

Then he felt the burning presence beside Izaya and understood.

All his anger drained away in the face of a much greater rage.

Swallowing in trepidation, Kida returned his attention to Mikado.

"…..Tch!"

Aoba, who had noticed how Mikado would have been fatally injured by Shizuo's hand had Izaya not made his move first, scoffed as he glared to the side.

"Mikado! Are you alright?!"

Kida was speaking worriedly with his hands on his best friend's shoulders.

Some of the vibes of rage had fallen away to be replaced by surprise at Izaya's unexpected physical action, but Shizuo seemed to still be trying to keep his anger to a minimum.

"Are you done?"

Izaya's voice was cold.

Flinching at the freezing expression on Izaya's face and the burning one on Shizuo's, Mikado lowered his head, his hand to his stinging cheek.

"…..Yes. I'm sorry –"

"Don't apologize for something you're not sorry for."

Mikado bit his lip. He had never heard such a cold voice directed at him by Izaya before.

Even if he had dared to go against Izaya in such a frightening state, the anger in the atmosphere he could feel from Shizuo kept his feet rooted to the ground.

I….

I can't win.

I'm still as powerless as before…

Mikado thought, as Izaya looked at him with an unsmiling face.

"Well now that you've woken up – what was it that you were really trying to say?"

…

…

---

It was at that moment that Mikado was taken back to the past.

- When he stood and watched as Heiwajima Shizuo resolved the situation with power he didn't have.

- When he stood and watched as Rokujou Chikage, the leader of another gang, told him to let go of the Dollars because his own organization was too huge a burden for a naïve kid like him.

- When he stood and realized the reality of the situation, which hit him harder than the gangsters had, before he was saved by Anri, the girl he liked who held more power than him.

- When he fell and cried at his own powerlessness and helplessness, unaware his best friend was standing and watching him with guilt and similar feelings to his own.

It was taking all the willpower he had left to hold his tears back.

Ah, I see.

Even though I thought I had caught up….

Even though I made it so that other people had to catch up…

I was still left behind by this city.

I was unaware that such a huge change had happened with two of the city's most dangerous men.

Even though I thought I had all the information at my fingertips

It's just like that time.

I didn't know what had happened which had led Heiwajima Shizuo to intervene.

It was so unpredictable it was like some kind of cruel joke, and so I lashed out at Izaya-san

But to Izaya-san, and Shizuo-san, my feelings were the incomprehensible misgivings of a misguided child

I haven't grown at all.

In the end….

It's me who's the coward.

…

---

"Mikado….?

The voice of the best friend he had just reunited with sounded, bringing him out of his internal monologue.

"How…."

But he was not in the best state of mind, and the emotions that had resurfaced at the memories confounded him even more.

Forcing his tears back, Mikado yelled -

"How can I justify my actions like this….!"

"Just now….what did you just say?"

"Eh?"

"'How can I justify my actions'….you, you weren't using me as an excuse, were you?"

"…..!"

"I'm disappointed, Mikado-kun. And here I thought you were doing it out of your own desire…..to return the Dollars back to your own pure ideal."

"….Or are you still doing so – but you refuse to acknowledge it's all a result of your own actions, that I was merely a catalyst? And so you're putting the blame on me?"

"I-I'm the one at fault….?"

Izaya's words had echoed the words in his wavering heart.

"Aren't you?"

Izaya was smiling again, but it was not a kind smile.

"I…"

…

…

---

Throughout all this, Masaomi had stood and watched.

Just like he had two months ago.

The analogies and the discussion between the three males had flown over his head, he could not understand their meaning.

He had been shocked when Mikado had started shouting, and had snapped back to action when Izaya had slapped Mikado, but his anger was quelled immediately by Shizuo's which was a much higher degree than his own.

Deep in his heart, he knew that Mikado was in the wrong, that the boy he knew would have never accused anyone in the way he had –

But it wasn't what Masaomi cared about.

All he knew – and cared about was that Izaya was using logic to beat down Mikado – a boy who relied primarily on his pure feelings.

…

What can I do?

This is the guy who made my life hell

Why…is Shizuo-san on his side?

Are they really…..

…

Just like in the past, Izaya had been doing something in the background, and this time it involved Heiwajima Shizuo whom he had admired for being able to direct his animosity at Orihara Izaya without hesitation.

And the result was the current situation, where Masaomi was feeling once again like he had failed to save someone precious to him.

Mikado….

If….If only I had gone to you that day….

Masaomi clenched his teeth, his anger at Izaya and even Shizuo rising towards himself.

….I can curse Izaya in my head all I want, but the truth is I can't go against him

After all, it was me who failed to save Saki – no matter how much of a coward I am, I have to at least acknowledge my own cowardice….

And now that he has Shizuo-san on his side….

We were able to somewhat get along just now after I apologized, but now…

Gulping audibly from the strongest man's burning gaze which made his palms sweat, Masaomi shook his head.

…No, that's not it!

All that doesn't matter right now!

Mikado – I won't let him do the same to Mikado!

Looking at the state of his best friend who looked like all hope had been drained from him, Masaomi found his resolve.

I don't care who's right and who's wrong –

I won't let Mikado become like me!

…

…

---

"No! It's not your fault, Mikado! Don't listen to him! Izaya – Izaya's just screwing with your head! It's what he wants, to make you believe things you normally wouldn't about yourself!"

"But it is, Masaomi. I….."

Mikado took out something, unknown to Masaomi, which he had planned to use on the stalker.

"Eh…..?"

Masaomi felt like all the breath had left him, he couldn't understand the sight in front of him.

Liquid was poured all over Mikado's hand.

"…STOP!"

Just before the flame touched skin, Masaomi shoved away the Zippo lighter, it fell to the ground and the blond boy grabbed his best friend's hands in a crushing grip.

"YOU IDIOT, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! WHY DID YOU TRY TO BURN – W-WHY DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THAT ANYWAY?!"

"I was going to use it on the stalker…."

"You….were going to burn a guy alive?"

Mikado just continued smiling at Masaomi's disbelieving eyes. Masaomi's heart shook and he clenched his teeth, jerking Mikado by the wrists.

"WAKE UP! WHAT ARE YOU SAYING, MIKADO?! ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO YOURSELF?! JUST WAKE THE HELL UP ALREADY, RYUUGAMINE MIKADO! YOU JUST TRIED TO BURN YOURSELF ALIVE!"

My fault?

Is this my fault?!

Because I left?

Because I didn't go to you that day?!

Masaomi thought as he shook Mikado vigorously, almost violently as if it could revert him back to his 'normal' state.

"If it's for my selfish desire….what will I do if I hurt you, or Sonohara-san?"

Masaomi's eyes widened. But before he could reply, another voice cut in.

"Oi, Ryuugamine."

"…"

"You're not the only force."

Shizuo had spoken, the atmosphere around him calm again even as his eyes were narrowed behind his sunglasses.

"If you can't deal with the forces pushing you on your own, then get a shield to resist change. And if you want to change, do it on your own, or get someone you trust and make them a force. There's lots of methods. You don't have to let anyone push you until you fall off the edge."

"With all due respect, Heiwajima-san…..if you hadn't interfered, I would have been fine."

Mikado seemed to be still holding some negative vibes towards Shizuo, and Masaomi could only tighten his grip on his shoulders protectively.

"…Even though you almost burned a guy alive?"

"Are you saying that, Heiwajima-san? When you send people flying all the time? What difference is there between your actions and mine?"

Oi oi, do you have a death wish, Mikado?!

Trying to burn yourself alive and now trying to piss Shizuo off?!

Just what the hell are you thinking?!

…Seriously, don't become a suicide applicant like me!

Masaomi thought, but his voice was stuck in his throat as Mikado met Shizuo's gaze head on.

"….True, I won't deny that. In fact, I'd have probably killed the stalker if you hadn't intervened."

To Masaomi's relief, Shizuo merely pushed his sunglasses up and spoke with his words, not actions.

"So I might not be the best guy to say it but I'll say it anyway. You were under pressure. And – …Izaya what's the formula for pressure?"

"Force over area of the surface on contact."

Izaya, who had been quiet the whole time, was watching the proceedings with a smile that made Masaomi want to hit it off his face.

"…..Yeah, that's it. Area. Size. Ryuugamine you weren't a very big guy. You're big now, as the Boss of the Dollars, but you weren't very big then. With a large force exerted on a small area – the pressure was great. So it wasn't your fault you couldn't resist it – and Izaya is trying to make you think it is."

Masaomi looked at Izaya, but Izaya's expression didn't change.

"You're a big guy now who can control your organization. Yet you look like pressure's still bogging you down. And as long as you let it get to you, you'll always be small and be subjected to the forces of people like Izaya and that kid who's like him."

At the side, Aoba smiled thinly, but made no move to go against Shizuo.

The hostility from Mikado seemed to fade as he looked up at Shizuo with surprised eyes.

"That's…."

"Logic. If you want to beat a guy like Izaya who can manipulate your feelings, you've got to rely on hard logic. Fighting against Izaya's logic with your feelings is like fighting water with fire. You'll lose no matter how hard you try."

With a scoff, Shizuo looked to the side.

"…Usually it would be none of my business but if I'm the force that pushed you to such an extent…."

"….Shizuo-san…"

Mikado's emotions were written all over his face.

…

…

---

Are….

Are my feelings….

Were they not seen as childish nonsense?

Is this my own pride….or is Shizuo-san feeling guilty about the impact his actions had on me?

Because this is…..

I'm not being ignored

Shizuo-san is going out of his way to provide me with some advice

And Izaya-san did something he would usually never do, to bring me back to my senses

Was Izaya-san….protecting me from Shizuo-san?

I went against Izaya-san and Shizuo-san, but they're showing concern over me.

And Masaomi….

With the shift in Mikado's feelings, his reflection on the past events seemed to have changed as well.

The darkness retreated from the boy's heart, leaving the light he saw.

…

---

"If you want to take out your anger on someone, take it out on me. I won't fight back."

Shizuo was speaking again, convincing Mikado further of his feelings towards the situation.

"…But if you take it out on Izaya….."

Izaya looked extremely pleased. But Masaomi wasn't even thinking of wiping that smile off his face anymore, not with the boiling atmosphere around Shizuo. His hands were shivering on Mikado's shoulders.

It felt like if he so much as thought of bringing any harm to Izaya, he would incur Shizuo's wrath.

Lest Shizuo snapped at some unfavorable memory several minutes back, Masaomi finally let his voice out.

"Heiwajima-san is right."

Turning Mikado to face him, Masaomi spoke to the wavering boy.

"I'll be your shield. I'll be your shield, Mikado! It's fine if you can't deal with the pressure, you'll always have me! I – the truth is, I might not be the best guy to help you, but two heads are always better than one right?!"

Mikado was smiling again, but instead of darkness, there was a hesitant light in his eyes.

"But what if…I want to be in a state of motion? Masaomi is thinking it's better if I'm at rest like before, but what if I don't feel that way?"

Masaomi didn't need to understand the analogy Izaya had used for Mikado to understand him.

"…..Then I'll support you."

"…."

"If that's what you truly want, if it's what makes you happy, I'll support you even if I don't like it. But – just – tell me! Stop keeping things to yourself and tell me what you want so I can know!"

"Masaomi…."

"If you want to do such dangerous things, as your best friend I can't stop you. But as your best friend, I'll watch over you, so that you don't cross the line and fall over the edge."

Removing his hands from Mikado's shoulders, Masaomi let them fall to his sides, clenching his fists.

"….Because I know. I've gone through that before – I was controlled by my feelings and I didn't even notice I had reached the edge until it was too late. That's why, I don't want the same thing to happen to you!"

Looking directly into Mikado's eyes, Masaomi brought his insecurities into the air.

"Maybe I don't know you as well as I think, maybe you're not as good a guy as I thought – but all that doesn't matter to me! You're still my best friend, Mikado! And I just….don't want my best friend to commit the same mistake as I did!"

Masaomi yelled his true feelings he had kept in his heart out, forcing himself to face his past for his best friend's future.

"Masaomi…"

Mikado murmured, seeming as if he was finally seeing him, and Masaomi grasped the chance –

"That's why – can't we just go home? Together, to Anri-chan. If the three of us can be together again, I'm sure everything will be okay!"

"That's right….we promised to reveal our secrets when the three of us are together again…."

Biting his lip, Mikado smiled wryly as he directed his gaze to the side. Masaomi waited with a pounding heart as Mikado returned his gaze to him once again –

"Alright. Let's go home, Masaomi."

Masaomi gasped as if he had hoped but hadn't expected Mikado to agree, and Mikado told him –

"But, if I decide not to return to normal life even after we reunite….please don't try to stop me."

"Anything! I'm fine with anything you decide, Mikado!"

Masaomi shot his hands out in glee, facing Mikado with radiant eyes.

"Anything you want! Ah….seriously, I'm so glad! I'm so happy, Mikado! Come here, you stubborn bastard!"

"Hey…! Masaomi!"

Mikado spluttered in embarrassment like the innocent boy he had been as Masaomi engulfed him in a happy hug, right in front of Aoba, Izaya and Shizuo.

…

"What a touching friendship."

Unfortunately, the touching reunion was interrupted by the man in a fur trimmed jacket.

"You just had to say something, didn't you?"

Masaomi sent Izaya an annoyed glare, but Izaya only shrugged.

"Hey, I'm being genuine in my words. I don't have such a thing myself, so I'm quite envious."

"Is that why you tried to break us up? Because you were jealous?"

"No way. I think you misunderstand me, Masaomi-kun. Like I told Aoba-kun, what I desire to see is not necessarily chaos – I merely wish to observe humans other than myself. How they react in unpredictable crisis situations. The situation before me right now of touching friendship is the result of the intersection of the feelings of you and Mikado-kun to the crisis situation, my involvement included; therefore, I accept it as fully as I do any human's."

"And if it had a different result?"

"It wouldn't have made a difference. Maybe Mikado-kun could have tried to burn Shizu-chan alive. Maybe he could have attacked you so you couldn't stop him. Maybe he could have just walked away calmly and plotted to take Heiwajima Shizuo down, since he's no longer in the Dollars. There were a lot of choices he could make – but whatever he chose, I just wanted to see."

Izaya said as he moved forward, his hands in his pockets as he spoke as if it was a trivial matter for him.

"Similarly, perhaps in the past your feet could have moved and you could have saved the girl important to you. Perhaps you could have been hospitalized with her. Perhaps you could have called the police. Didn't you think of that? Why didn't you? Why couldn't you think of other options? It was because your thoughts and feelings were centered on the unpredictable crisis situation, wasn't it? And because you couldn't save her, your choice has resulted in the moment right now – you looking after your best friend so he wouldn't make the same mistake you did. Everything was decided by you."

And then he held out his hand, still speaking in that same casual tone.

"You can't understand humans' hearts until you open them up and look. You said it just now, didn't you? You told Mikado-kun to tell you what he wanted – which means you weren't aware of his thoughts and feelings beforehand. And that was what I wanted to see – his reaction from his thoughts and feelings. His frequency of consciousness at a certain point in time."

With that same look in his eyes, Izaya moved, gesturing like he was directing a show.

"The fact is – it's impossible to know what a person is thinking until the time actually comes. No person can fully manipulate another. I'm not some omnipotent god – I'm merely an information broker who gives humans a little push as they stand on the perilously thin line between one side or another, so that they can take the first step even as their hearts waver. Of course, it goes without saying I would push the chess piece in the direction that works to my advantage. And sometimes they're not standing on a thin line so I need to use a force great enough to overcome inertia so I can see some movement. Other than that – it's kind of like charity, don't you think?"

He stopped, turning to look at Mikado, whom Masaomi had his arms protectively around, as he met the boy's eyes.

"Of course if Mikado-kun decides to use enough force to push himself back into a uniform state of motion, I will be there to watch."

"But that's what you want, isn't it?"

Masaomi accused Izaya, but Izaya was unperturbed.

"Indeed, I do have my preferences. That's exactly why I try my best to not impose - it would pollute my humans' pure reactions from my computation of logical possibilities without feelings involved. Sometimes my feelings are so passionate and I go overboard, and the outcome is something I have to reflect upon – but that's another matter."

"Personal matter?"

The blond boy smirked tauntingly at the black haired man as he took a personal stab –

"Personal matter. I'm human too, aren't I? Though I don't blame you for thinking otherwise – even I think I'm like the devil sometimes."

But the man who had already executed many personal stabs himself smiled in a surprisingly accepting way.

"….I will never understand you."

Masaomi said it like he never wanted to, and Izaya returned his hostility with an easy smile.

"Don't worry, you're not the only one."

Izaya said it like it was something Masaomi should feel reassured about.

…

Masaomi would have replied with some snide remark had he not heard a voice he had not heard for a long time.

"Ryuugamine-kun! …Kida-kun?!"

"Anri!"

"S-Sonohara-san!"

"Kida-kun….? How come….you're here?!"

Anri yelled for the first time in front of Masaomi after a reunion of 6 months.

"A-Anri….I can explain…..I, passed by, incidentally…."

Masaomi stuttered after getting over his surprise at seeing Anri raise her voice.

'Meow!'

The Scottish fold which had been hiding from the stalker and staying away from the conflict dissolved the tension in the situation, gaining everyone's attention.

"Dokusonmaru! Kida-kun, Ryuugamine-kun, did you two save the cat?"

Running up to Dokusonmaru who rubbed himself against her leg, Anri smiled in relief.

…

"…Dokusonmaru?"

"Ah, Heiwajima-san!"

Realizing Shizuo was there, Anri began to bow.

"I'm so sorry! The stalker attacked me, and Dokusonmaru ran away…."

"What? The stalker attacked you? Are you alright?"

"Yes…"

Anri stood up with Dokusonmaru in her arms as Shizuo scratched his head.

"You got some hidden fighting skills or something?"

"Something…..like that…."

Anri looked away, for Saika's voice was starting to resound in her at the presence of the strongest human.

"Sonohara-san….."

"Ryuugamine-kun, what happened to your hand? Are you alright? Kida-kun, did something happen here?"

Taking note of Adabashi who was still knocked out, Anri asked anxiously and Masaomi laughed sheepishly.

"Ah, it's a long story…..Anri. But everything's all right now, so don't worry! The three of us are back together again, right Mikado?!"

"Yeah…we did promise to talk about our secrets when we got back together again huh?"

Mikado smiled faintly, but there was happiness in his eyes as he was surrounded by two of his most precious friends.

"We did….."

Anri smiled timidly in return and Masaomi grinned, declaring, "So, let's go! We can crash at Mikado's house and talk all night – or we can just roam the city like we used to do and find some place! Anything's fine, as long as the three of us are together again!"

Mikado gave a smile in his best friend's direction. "Yeah."

…

…

"So it ends like this."

"Aoba-kun?"

"What a letdown, Mikado-senpai. The game barely started."

Aoba looked immensely displeased, not bothering to hide his unfriendliness towards the touching reunion, unlike Izaya's acceptance of before.

"Eh, seems like a third force has entered and knocked us off both the board. Considering he was the force who stopped Mikado-kun, I'm not really surprised. Not to mention there's something inhuman…."

Izaya said with an unfriendly glance at Anri who looked at him warily, but he did no taunting.

"More like you brought it."

Aoba spoke shortly in a clipped tone to Izaya, who looked amused.

"Hey, Aoba-kun."

"What?"

The resentment in Aoba's voice was almost tangible as he walked away, but Izaya's smile remained.

"I give you permission to date my sisters so….choose whoever you want. It'll be a load off my hands anyway."

Aoba paused, his expression was unseen save for a smirk.

"So you won't bat an eyelash if I hurt them?"

"I doubt you could harm them emotionally, those twins are pretty sturdy. And they're not exactly physically weak either, they've been learning from Mikage-chan and Eijirou-san after all."

"But if you do….well we'll see then won't we? I'm interested in my own reaction as a human being myself – what would I do….really?"

Aoba continued walking away. Izaya soon caught up with him.

"Why are you following me?"

"Because I'm interested in your exact feelings at this exact point in time which upset your expectations."

"Do me a favor and disappear."

Aoba spoke coldly, in contrast to Izaya's light-heartedness.

"Don't be so defensive, Aoba-kun. That's why I said, you have to love humans more. There are so many possibilities and outcomes of a single situation, it's no fun if you desire just one. Just like this – I'm very interested in your feelings and state of mind brought about by this unexpected situation. What is it you're feeling right now, Aoba-kun?"

"Hatred. Towards you."

Even though Aoba couldn't be any more cold, Izaya's smile grew wider.

"Really? Or is it fear, Aoba-kun? That you're not as horrible a person as you think you are?"

"…Isn't that self-reflection, Orihara?"

Aoba spared Izaya a glance.

"Perhaps. But now that I have Shizu-chan, I've evolved. Now that I have Heiwajima Shizuo, I have nothing to fear. That's why I can be honest with you like this."

'But I already know a person who makes me madder than you can ever make me. Next to him even you look like an interesting and humanly human being. That is why I can stand here and talk to you with a cool head'. You've sure changed your tune, haven't you?"

A smile full of malice made its way to Aoba's lips.

"So? You've found the person you're 'dying to be used by'? Are you thriving on your 'masochist's pleasure' now? How low you've fallen…Orihara Izaya. Really, you've become so pathetic I almost pity you!"

Not waiting for Izaya's reply, Aoba continued walking away.

"But I'm glad. I'm grateful, really. Seeing you makes me convinced something like love is useless. A waste of time. Instead of using others, you've let yourself become used instead! Haha! Well, for me, I will always, eternally be using others, I will never allow myself to be used by anyone like you have."

"Didn't you already allow yourself to be used by Mikado-kun?"

"….That's different. It's a mutual agreement. Sure, Mikado-senpai used the Blue Squares and me to his heart's content, but I also used him to further my own plans."

"Are you so weak that you'll lose yourself just because you change a bit? Well think on that, my kouhai. We're the same type of person after all."

Aoba made a 'tsk' noise as Izaya spread his arm as he walked alongside him.

"Look at me, have I changed that much?"

"Yeah. You're actually doing good now, that's a horrible change."

Izaya only laughed at this, "Rather honest with other people, aren't you? Why don't you direct that honesty towards yourself?"

"Well, whatever. It doesn't concern me. But you know…..I've done plenty of bad things. You'll have a long way to go if you want to surpass my horribleness."

"Ah, but it stops there. Because like you said, I'm actually doing good now. What would you do then? Well, whatever your reaction will be, I'm interested to see."

"Whatever the result will be, I will still love you as a human…..so be reassured, Aoba-kun."

"That's quite a disgusting thing to hear."

By this time, Aoba had reached his destination, the van which was parked some way away from the scene.

"Oi Aoba, you sure took a damn long time! And why haven't you brought Ryuugamine along?"

"Change of plans, guys. The plan failed. We're going back. How are the guys who got injured by the stalker?"

"They're pretty beat up but we've done – wait, who's that?"

Izaya smiled at the humans before him.

"Hey."

"Ignore him. That's just a detestable hyena."

Aoba said blithely as he climbed into the van, just as someone called –

"Aoba-kun!"

"…What is it?"

"I-I'm sorry….."

With his face still hidden from view, Aoba replied promptly.

"Don't apologize for something you're not sorry for. Mikado-senpai is always true to his own feelings right?"

"Still, I'm sorry…"

Aoba got into his seat, shifting his gaze to Mikado with an unreadable expression.

"….Well, see you in school, Mikado-senpai. Have a good talk with Anri-senpai and Kida Masaomi."

"I'll talk to you properly tomorrow!"

Aoba nodded slightly in acknowledgement, as Izaya waved cheerily, "Bye bye, Aoba-kun!"

"Good riddance, Orihara Izaya."

Aoba slammed the door of the van in Izaya's face, and Izaya moved back lest his kouhai decided on a hit and run, for he did not want another trip to the hospital.

…

"Ah finally that guy is gone. If only that other bastard would disappear…."

Masaomi muttered under his breath after watching the scene, and Mikado spoke up.

"Aoba-kun isn't that bad…."

"…You're way too kind-hearted, Mikado! That guy is the worst! Next to Izaya!"

"….Izaya-san isn't that bad either."

Masaomi stared at Mikado, then sighed and held up his hand.

"Ok, I give. All that doesn't really matter now anyway, now that the three of us are back together again."

"I'm surprised. I thought you would say something about how you would have to protect me…."

"W-Well, I wanted to but after thinking about what happened just now, I figured you could protect yourself…..but I'll always be watching over you though! So don't think you're off the hook just yet, Ryuugamine Mikado!"

"A-hahaha! Ow! Owww Masaomi that hurts!"

"What are you saying, the stalker would have hurt you worse, you idiot! You really are a big idiot!"

Smiling as she watched Masaomi press his knuckle into the side of Mikado's head, Anri said, "Then, shall we get going?"

Masaomi responded by slinging his arm around Mikado's shoulder and walking forward with his smiling best friend.

"Hey, Sonohara-san….Masaomi?"

"Yeah?"

Masaomi responded cheerfully, and Anri looked at Mikado as he spoke.

"I wanted to create a place for Sonohara-san and Masaomi to return to…..I didn't manage to do it, so why are you two here with me? It feels a bit like a dream…."

It was at this point that Masaomi and Anri exchanged a look of mutual understanding, despite having been separated for half a year.

Then they turned back to Mikado, with Masaomi speaking first –

"You've already created it."

"Eh?"

"You really are an idiot, aren't you? You didn't need to create a place – we already had it from the start!"

"What are you saying?"

"Idiot!" Mikado blinked as Masaomi hit his head lightly with a disarming grin.

"You still don't get it? There's only one place for Anri and me to return to."

"….And that place is you."

Anri finished softly, as she gently touched Mikado's wrist with a smile.

"A-hahaha….is that so. I'm….really an idiot, aren't I?"

Mikado averted his gaze with a smile, but was soon brought back by a certain sensation.

Anri's hand had moved to clasp his, and Masaomi was holding his other hand.

Mikado sensed the smiles before he saw them.

"Welcome home!"

"Welcome home, Mikado…!"

…

…

He was not in a hospital bed like he would have been had he continued down that dark path.

The situation had changed due to two of Ikebukuro's most significant figures' interference, bringing about the reunion between the three with less cost.

…

Ordinary or extraordinary, he felt in their words something he had wished for all this time.

The smiling boy clasped the boy and girl's hands in return with tears in his eyes –

…

"...I'm home."

…

…

…

---

At the same time

…

"Izaya."

"What is it, Shizu-chan?"

"What are we going to do about that guy?"

Shizuo asked the mastermind, as everyone was leaving the scene except them.

"We're not the ones on clean-up duty. Mikage-chan and Ran-kun will be coming over later, so leave him."

Izaya said this as if he was speaking to an over concerned classmate and walked away from the scene. Shizuo followed him.

"….Why did you bring me here?"

"I wanted to see how Mikado-kun would react if his plans crumble so easily because of Shizu-chan you know? After all it was Shizu-chan telling him he was leaving the Dollars that brought him closer to the breaking point, until he was pushed over by Rokujou Chikage. So if Shizu-chan were there and intervened again…what would happen I wonder?"

"Alas! Mikado-kun is weaker than I thought and he crumbled so easily. Well if it's like that, there's no point. If his willpower is that weak and he's using my words to him as an excuse…..he'd just breakdown in the future without carrying out his ideal."

Izaya responded in his usual extravagant and over-confident manner to his lover, who told him bluntly.

"You weren't being honest."

"Oh?"

Izaya challenged Shizuo with his gaze, as Shizuo walked beside him.

"That safety match….you used the wrong surface on purpose."

"…."

Izaya smiled as he linked his arm with Shizuo's and leaned against his shoulder.

"That's quite optimistic of you."

"You knew the kid would break, and that's why you sent me over. You knew this was a turning point for Ryuugamine, and if he were to be saved, this moment would be optimal."

"Are you going to say next I interrupted a tenuous state of affairs? Me?"

"Didn't you? That's what Ryuugamine said isn't it. If you had left him and hadn't used me to bring him back to reality, he would probably have been stuck in his ideal of a pure Dollars and done even more bad things. And with the kind of guy Ryuugamine is, it'd break him in the long run. 'Cause he's not the kind of guy who's a villain at all."

Shizuo adopted a thinking pose with his hand to his chin, and Izaya took the opportunity to further enjoy his closeness with Shizuo.

Shizuo's other hand came up to stroke the soft hair of the cuddling flea idly as he spoke after some thought.

"…..I think the inertia analogy would be more accurate. You told me once I was like an unstoppable force, didn't you?"

"What about it?"

"So I was thinking….if Ryuugamine was in a state of motion with a constant momentum, it would require a force strong enough to knock him back into the other state of idleness. And if nothing could stop Ryuugamine in his path, then what he would need would be a force that would be as equally unstoppable as him. Though you'd have to consider that it would need to exceed him in physical strength too, and that's why you used me."

"On the other hand, the match analogy doesn't match. …..It's impossible for the safety match not to burn if it's a specially prepared surface with all the ingredients. Unless you took away some ingredients or something…..otherwise it doesn't make sense. I get the idea, but there's no logic behind it. So it just sounds like your way with words, you flea."

The hand on Izaya's hair gave a ruffle before sliding back into the pocket of the man in a bartender suit.

There was a short but peaceful silence.

"….I knew there was a reason I chose you as my lover."

Izaya spoke in a different tone of voice. Shizuo shifted his gaze.

"What?"

"Nothing." Izaya said, but the smile on his face was undeniable. He seemed to be genuinely happy for some reason Shizuo didn't know.

"I simply love Shizu-chan's skills of deduction."

Shizuo tilted his head as if to say, 'I have such a skill?' which Izaya read and answered –

"Shizu-chan is missing my point as usual, but I suppose Shizu-chan will be Shizu-chan. Yes Shizu-chan you do have the skill of deduction – or you wouldn't have been able to see through my plans."

"That's because everything in Ikebukuro is your fault. I didn't deduce anything – I just pinpointed it to you."

"Exactly. Pinpoint – to do that you would have to start from somewhere and progress from point to point, wouldn't you? Even if it ends up being a straight line. Something like joining the dots, perhaps? In that case you would have to know where the dots are before you can connect them to get the big picture."

Izaya suggested, speaking to Shizuo and looking at him as if he was eager to hear his opinion.

But Shizuo surprised him again.

"No, I think it's more like a laser."

Shizuo said simply like that was all to his point.

But Izaya's smile widened.

"A laser huh? What about a homing missile? Both serve the same purpose, but since Shizu-chan manages to reach the conclusion that it's my fault no matter where he is, wouldn't a homing missile be more fitting?"

"….If I'm hunting you down it'd be like a homing missile 'cause I'd manage to hunt you down no matter where I am even if I have to pass some obstacles on my way. But if I'm reaching the conclusion that it's your fault it'd be a laser 'cause I'd just point it directly at you, and it'll reach the same target in an instant no matter where I am, cutting through any obstacle you set out."

"It seems we have to agree to disagree. But I still love that skill of Shizu-chan's anyway."

Izaya said, and Shizuo looked at him, before a fond smile spread across his face.

"….You're a good guy, Izaya."

"You really are being too optimistic. I simply carried out those actions based on my own personal desires."

"…Tch! Whatever you say, shitty flea."

With a smirk, Shizuo looked away.

…

Izaya reached for Shizuo's hand, and intertwined their fingers together.

Shizuo blinked at him.

But instead of questioning, he merely smiled back at Izaya and grasped Izaya's hand with his own in return.

…

…

---

At that moment, Izaya felt as if he didn't need anything else.

Just like he had when Shizuo had asked him to be his lover, and he marveled at the emotion inspired in his human being.

It didn't matter to Izaya that there were still things uncertain in their relationship.

It didn't matter to Izaya that he still didn't know why Shizuo had forgiven and accepted him as his lover.

It didn't matter to Izaya that Shizuo had upset his expectations in their relationship and didn't even know.

It didn't matter to Izaya that by having a human as his lover, he was defying his own life goal to love all humans equally.

Even if all his humans were to suddenly declare that they returned his love for them, Izaya would pay them no mind, no heart.

His heart was already somewhere else.

…

…

---

Izaya would reflect later on that perhaps this was why humans wanted to live in peace, but right now another thought was in his mind.

"More importantly –"

Are you really mine?

"Huh?"

Shizuo looked clueless but willing to hear him out, making Izaya feel uncharacteristically nervous.

Averting his gaze slightly, Izaya inwardly berated himself for his sudden insecurity.

"Izaya?"

Shizuo had stopped as if in concern for him, and Izaya realized his hand had slipped away from Shizuo's.

No turning back now, eh?

The moment's as good as any, I suppose

Izaya thought wryly to himself at Shizuo's searching gaze. He made a show of sliding his hands smoothly into his pockets, but his words as he raised his gaze were hesitant.

"…Hey. Shizuo….are you –"

"Heiwajima-san!"

Izaya almost jolted in surprise – that was how invested he had been in that particular moment.

"Thank you! It's thanks to you that the three of us are back together again! I know you don't know what it means, but thanks anyway! Right, Mikado?"

"Yeah, thank you Heiwajima-san!"

"Thank you!"

Shizuo had a 'what did I do' look on his face, but he soon returned the kids' smiles.

"Yeah."

Izaya was dimly aware Mikado, Anri and Masaomi had left the vicinity, when Shizuo spoke to him again.

"Sorry about that. What was it you wanted to say?"

…

Masaomi…..did he do that on purpose?

….Ha…hahahaha if that was his form of revenge even I have to admit it's brilliant.

Breaking the atmosphere between my lover and I like that….

That's why you can never underestimate humans.

Not to mention Shizu-chan is as oblivious as ever.

Really, why am I….

"Izaya."

His name sounded a little more intense this time.

Izaya still hadn't gotten used to Shizuo calmly saying his name.

"It's nothing." Izaya waved off, slipping a hand into his pocket as he brushed past Shizuo.

But Shizuo didn't seem willing to let him go. He grabbed Izaya's wrist and held him there.

Their gazes faced opposite directions.

"What is it, Shizu-chan?"

Izaya asked nonchalantly, nothing on his expression showing that his heart was pounding in his chest.

Shizuo's brown eyes moved to regard Izaya from behind his sunglasses.

"You called me Shizuo."

"Yes, that is your name."

"What was the important thing that you wanted to say?"

At that moment, Shizuo and Izaya didn't seem like lovers. They seemed like two men in a civil confrontation on their own terms.

"It wasn't that important –"

"Don't lie to me, Izaya."

Don't make me distrust you again. The words hung like their stained past in the air between them.

"…Shizu-chan, it hurts."

Shizuo tensed, but he didn't let go of Izaya's wrist. He slowly loosened his hold, then pulled Izaya to face him.

He said nothing, but Izaya understood. Averting his gaze slightly to calm his heart, Izaya spoke honestly.

"…I can't say it now."

Don't force me into a corner.

Shizuo seemed to hear those words, from the growing apprehension in Izaya's eyes, the downward curve of his lips, the way his gaze wasn't seeking, but retreating.

The flea would always escape when forced into a corner, but it was more than that. It was the way Izaya hadn't pushed him away, hadn't taken back his hand, had responded to Shizuo honestly after he had told him not to lie to him.

It was the way Izaya had listened to Shizuo.

In a way he never had when they had been enemies.

Shizuo's heart overflowed with emotion. He tilted Izaya's chin up, looked into those eyes that had never looked at him with fear, and kissed him.

It was a light kiss. Shizuo drew back before Izaya could respond, and tugged the black haired man. Izaya fell against Shizuo's chest, and the blond man cradled his head carefully, speaking from his heart in a way he did with very few people outside his family.

"Sorry. I shouldn't have pushed that on you. I – didn't mean to force you into a corner, not when you always escape when I do. I –"

Shizuo broke off. Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, he confided quietly in his lover.

"Sorry. I – I haven't had a relationship before, so…."

Shizuo sighed. Yet through his uncertainty, he turned to face Izaya honestly, asking of him –

"….Forgive me, Izaya."

Shizuo's gruff voice made it sound like a statement. But his eyes showed a request.

As if the surface was going to fall away any moment, Izaya's hands raised hesitantly. They rested on Shizuo's bartender suit before Izaya leaned forward, resting his head just under the bowtie.

"Alright. But on one condition."

"Anything."

Izaya smiled at the way Shizuo had said it without hesitation.

It was the perfect time.

It was the perfect time to solve the issue in their relationship which would lead to another confrontation in the future.

Not that Izaya knew, for he was simply being true to his desire at the moment.

For there was something he wanted more.

…

"Forgive me."

…

…

---

There was silence, and it was like Izaya's world had stopped.

Then there was a hand on his cheek and his gaze inadvertently met Shizuo's.

…

"…I already forgave you when I asked you to be my lover."

His world seemed to start again. Izaya let out a breath he didn't know he was holding, and a smile.

"…Is that so."

Izaya said. He raised a hand, placing it over Shizuo's hand on his cheek as a rare smile he reserved for his lover graced his lips.

"There's nothing to forgive, Shizuo."

Shizuo forgot how to breathe for a moment. He was about to steal the breath from Izaya's lips in return when the black haired man detached himself and turned smoothly.

"Now that our little moment is over, let's continue towards our destination, shall we?"

Shizuo saw through him immediately, and he smiled as he caught a glimpse of pink on Izaya's cheeks. He soon caught up with Izaya and ran a hand through the glossy black hair of the man who was his flea, dipping to murmur in his ear.

"I'll wait for you."

Izaya's foot paused in mid-air, but he soon found his momentum again and Shizuo moved so he was walking beside Izaya, reaching out for his lover's hand.

"…You can tell me anytime you want."

The smile which appeared on the beautiful features of the handsome man made Shizuo want to kiss him. But his attention soon shifted when Izaya clasped his hand, as their shoulders touched.

Shizuo entwined their fingers, as Izaya leaned against him in contentment. He smiled in the peaceful silence.

Izaya seemed to be enjoying their close contact too, and he brushed his fingers against the back of Shizuo's hand lightly.

"…I really like Shizu-chan."

"Yeah."

Shizuo gifted him with the smile he had wished for a long time to be directed to him.

Izaya smiled back, almost shyly at the softness in Shizuo's eyes. Then he parted hands with Shizuo.

It was an automatic motion for Shizuo when he followed Izaya up the building, only now he was travelling beside Izaya instead of chasing after him –

For he had finally caught up to the flea.

They reached the top at almost the same time, running on the building as casually as they did on roads, though they were soon in the air again.

"Where are we going?"

"Russia Sushi."

Izaya replied, his voice as flowing as the wind which brushed past their faces as they parkoured across buildings to their destination.

"I thought you wanted me to bring it over? Ootoro, I mean."

"I changed my mind. Since I'm here in Ikebukuro, we might as well go to Russia Sushi together. Haha, Simon's gonna get a shock!"

"But I thought I was going to visit your apartment….."

Shizuo's contemplative voice reached his ears, and Izaya smiled as he grabbed onto the ledge, pulling himself onto the advertisement board.

"You can come see me anytime you want, Shizu-chan."

And then he was off again with Shizuo catching up soon after. They were right beside each other now and they exchanged smiles.

"Ah yeah….I know, but I thought I was going to bring a gift over….hey, is there anything other than ootoro that you want?"

Shizuo asked, his calm voice an ironic contrast to the superhuman feats of parkour he performed with muscles not like a normal human's.

Izaya felt a warmth in his heart, which made him think of something else –

"How about hotpot?"

"Hotpot huh…got it."

"Really? Shizu-chan is going to have hotpot with me?"

Izaya drawled as he jumped down from a familiar lamppost. Shizuo took another route and dropped straight down from the building, but they landed on the same ground.

Izaya wondered if he could get his lover to employ some techniques in order to utilize his superhuman strength, as Shizuo spoke.

"Why not? Hotpot usually is for a number of people….but eating it together with my lover sounds nice too."

They were walking on the ground at a normal pace again. Shizuo wrapped an arm around Izaya's waist to draw him close to his body and Izaya leaned up, removing Shizuo's sunglasses so he could see his brown eyes after kissing him on the cheek.

"I'm looking forward to it then."

For once, Izaya wasn't even aware of the humans around him – not when Shizuo blinked and an easy going smile spread across his handsome features, and his soft brown eyes were filled with peace his lover had given him.

"Yeah. Look forward to it, flea."

…

…

---

Current time, nearby Russia Sushi

…

Izaya was smiling happily as he took the same path he and Shizuo had walked, when a familiar voice called him.

"Iza-nii! Iza-niiiiiiii!"

"Well, this is unusual. Usually I would have received a kick to my cervical spine around this moment."

Izaya said as he turned around, and saw why.

"Ah, this is Kuronuma Aoba – a classmate and friend! But Iza-nii probably already knows right?"

Mairu exclaimed cheerfully, as Aoba gave Izaya an unfriendly look which he returned with amusement.

"Hey, Aoba-kun. Fancy seeing you here."

"Fancy seeing you alive and well, Orihara Izaya."

"What what? Could it be, you two have met before?! Wah, what a surprise! Not only does Iza-nii know our classmate and friend he's already gained animosity from him! Hey hey what did you do to Aoba-kun, Iza-nii?!"

"…What (Did you)…..do (threaten)…?"

"I did nothing of that sort, don't you two feel the slightest bit of guilt suspecting your older brother so, Mairu and Kururi?"

"Not at all, since our older brother is such a horrible guy! In fact, if he wasn't family, he would be the type of person I'd stay far away from!"

"…No (Did not)…redemption (change)…"

"I was a fool to expect any family love from you two."

Izaya shook his head and sighed lightly, as Mairu said brightly, "So Aoba-kun, how did you two meet?"

The look in Aoba's eyes grew in distaste as he gave a crooked smile, "Sorry, but I'd rather erase that encounter from my memory."

"Eh but if you want Kuru-nee or me or both of us you'll have to get along, you know! You two might be related in the future!"

"….I'll pass."

Aoba said and made to walk away just because Izaya was there, but was stopped easily.

"You promised, didn't you? That you'd go shopping with us!"

"Your (You)…word (promised)…"

"…Hey, don't corner me from both sides like that."

The blue squares leader found himself powerless at the hands of the two twin girls, who were clutching his arms.

"Who's thriving on their 'masochist's pleasure' now, Aoba-kun?"

"Shut up, Orihara Izaya."

Aoba said with a look of deep loathing, before it morphed into mischief as the situation hit him.

"What about you? How's your relationship with Heiwajima Shizuo? I knew you were a masochist, but I didn't think it extended to the point that you would have the guy who's been trying to kill you for years as your lover."

Silence, while Aoba looked triumphant as the twin girls hanging from his arms froze in shock.

"EHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH?!"

"…"

"What's this, Orihara Izaya? You didn't even let your own family know? That you're in a relationship with Shizuo."

Aoba said with a joyful grin as Izaya looked almost uncomfortable.

But it was only a split second, as the smile made its way back to his smooth face.

"Oops, look at the time. Goodness, I really have to go. I must have been enjoying the scenery a bit too much."

Izaya talked as if to himself even though there was an audience in front of him, and broke off into a run, to the indignation of his little sisters.

"O- Iza-ya! Ootoro? Where is lover Shizu-o?"

"Not now Simon, gotta run!"

"WAAAAAH- GET BACK HERE, IZA-NIIIIIIII!"

"….Iza-nii….!"

Ah, did Kururi just yell?

They're chasing me, aren't they?

Goodness, I'm really in trouble.

Who knew I would be chased by someone other than Shizu-chan?

By those apathetic sisters of mine no less

Props to you for reading the situation so well, Aoba-kun.

The young man had a grin of enjoyment on his face even though the situation had come about by his 'kouhai' trying to sabotage him.

With his swift reflexes, he was soon perched on top of a telephone pole, as Mairu and Kururi regarded him indignantly.

"Explain, Iza-nii! Just what the hell did Aoba-kun mean by that?! You're in a relationship with Shizuo-san!? Are you sure it's the real Shizuo-san?! And you didn't let us know!?"

"How (Since)….long (when)….?!"

"Hey hey, are you trying to advertise my love life to the whole of Ikebukuro? I appreciate not having to defend myself from a kick to my cervical spine on a public street, but this really isn't much better."

Izaya spoke as he peered down at the two humans who were his biological family.

"Little sisters shouldn't interfere in their older brother's love life. Your older brother has his privacy, you know."

"Privacy –! When you're the type of guy who interferes in other people's lives, breaking through their privacy walls like you break through firewalls on other people's computers! A guy like you speaking about privacy is hypocritical to the max!"

"What can I do, as an informant? Every guy has his job to do."

Izaya spoke like he was a proper member of society but Mairu seemed to not be listening to him as she shook her fist up at him.

"Break up with Shizuo-san!"

"Now why should I do that?"

"Because….because! You were supposed to be our ticket for seeing Yuuhei-san but now you're Shizuo-san's lover and that means Shizuo-san wouldn't want you to throw yourself in front of a dump truck laughing anymore which means we can't carry out that scenario which means we can't see Yuuhei-san! It's not fair!"

"…And here I was thinking you two had become less twisted, but I see I was wrong on that point."

Izaya sighed and said. He sat back on the telephone pole and spoke to his pouting sisters.

"Unfortunately, that's something I can't do."

"That's selfish, Iza-nii!"

"Now really, who's being selfish? Me, who's pursuing something that shouldn't be other people's concern at all, or you two, who want to kill your own brother to see an idol?"

"Who said you had to be killed? Shizuo-san won't die even if he's hit by a truck!"

"I don't think there's a point of comparison there. Shizu-chan is Shizu-chan after all."

"Your words are making less and less sense, Iza-nii!"

Mairu puffed her cheeks out, her pout increasing in intensity as Kururi looked up at him.

"...Why…not (did you not)…?"

Izaya would have patted Kururi's head had it not involved dropping to the ground in front of an angry Mairu, which he wasn't really partial to at the moment.

"Now shouldn't you two examine the situation from a different angle? You thought you had a chance to see Hanejima Yuuhei because you knew his brother right? Well now you know his brother – and the lover of his brother who just so happens to be your older brother. Shouldn't you turn your thoughts in a more normal direction?"

"Eh, what do you mean by that?"

"…Confused (don't understand)…"

Oh right, I almost forgot.

My sisters aren't normal after all.

"...Instead of sending your older brother to his deathbed to see your idol, you should make use of his new connection instead, don't you think so? For instance, if you ask your older brother nicely, he might speak some words to his lover who's the brother of your idol, who might be convinced to let the sisters of his lover see their idol…"

Izaya trailed off. It took Mairu and Kururi a while, but their faces soon lighted up.

"I see! Finally you're saying something which makes sense, although it was so unusual it took me a while to comprehend! Because you're the furthest definition from normal after all!"

"Do you really have to insult me even while thanking me?"

"That's incorrect! I had no intention to express gratitude at all! Since there's no meaning in expressing gratitude to a guy like you! But if you really will speak to Shizuo-san to introduce us to Yuuhei-san, my opinion of you will change and you'll have much more meaning in my eyes!"

"…Really (Will you really)?"

"…That your brother will only have meaning to you if he has a connection to your idol…I must admit, I'm deeply saddened. Whatever happened to family love?"

Izaya sighed deeply with a bitter smile, and Mairu tilted her head at him.

"It's not as if you consider us as family Iza-nii, since you said you treat every human being equally. Unless you treat all humans like they're your family? But in that case, it wouldn't be family love! Or is it because now you have Shizuo-san whom you always call a monster as your lover that you've decided to pay attention to your family? …Weird! You're really weird, Iza-nii! I don't understand you at all! But it's ok as long as you get Shizuo-san to introduce us to Yuuhei-san!"

"Equal (Same)…love (kind of love) …ask…Shizuo-san…"

Kururi murmured as Mairu yelled up at him. Izaya smiled and gave a moment like he was thinking about it.

"If I feel like it."

"Wha – wait, Iza-niiiii!"

Izaya had travelled via telephone poles after giving the ambiguous statement. By the time his sisters had caught up with him, he was already halfway up a building, and he gave a casual wave as Mairu's words faded into the distance.

"Tell…Shizuo-san! Tell…him!"

Now did she mean 'Tell him to introduce Yuuhei-san to us' or 'I'll tell him you didn't tell your family about your relationship' – or perhaps both?

Well, Shizu-chan's reaction would be interesting to see if that were the case.

Izaya thought as he ran up the building. He soon reached the top and pulled himself over easily, landing on the building like he was landing on the ground.

"Well well, it's the first time I've seen those expressions on my little sisters' faces."

It was at this moment that there was a vibration in his pocket. Izaya drew his hand out.

The smile on his face faded away as his eyebrows drew together and his face twitched slightly as he looked at his phone screen.

…

"…Looks like I have no choice."

…

…

---

CHATROOM

Orihara Izaya, reborn!

Tsukumoya Shinichi
Welcome, Orihara. The city has been peaceful lately, hasn't it? Considering who is in a romantic relationship now.

Orihara Izaya
Tsukumoya. There's…..something I need information on.

Tsukumoya Shinichi
How direct of you. Well, whatever could it be?

Orihara Izaya
…Sex…

Tsukumoya Shinichi
…..I'm sure Heiwajima Shizuo could help you with that.

Orihara Izaya
….Toys.

Tsukumoya Shinichi
…..

Orihara Izaya
Sex toys. I require information on that.

Tsukumoya Shinichi
…Ha. Haha. Hahahahahahaha!

Orihara Izaya
Tsukumoya.

Tsukumoya Shinichi
Hahaha. HAHAHAHAHHAHA! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA!

Orihara Izaya
Tsukumoya!

Tsukumoya Shinchi
My….apologies. It seems I had just experienced the human phenomenon of laughter

Orihara Izaya
…This is not a laughing matter, Tsukumoya. I am venturing into unknown territory, who knows how unpredictable those objects of merchandise could be. In addition, there could be possibility of contamination. Thus, reliable information is vital.

Tsukumoya Shinichi
Ahhh….yes. Ha. So, what information do you want on…..sex toys? Do tell me the specifications Orihara, and I will assist you to the best of my ability. Size? Bigger or smaller than Shizuo's? Or maybe you want one that is the same size as Shizuo's, in which case you will have to provide me the measurements. Circumference and Length. What about color? Flexibility is a factor as well. What category are you looking for, one that moves? Or would you prefer those on a string? 'Anal beads'. There are many different types, from what I see. We would of course not want one too overwhelming for your anus.

Orihara Izaya
How touching your concern is, and what a pervert you are. I haven't decided on the details yet, which are unimportant, what I'm more concerned about is finding a reliable origin for my purchase, to maximize personal hygiene – since I'm not aware of any commercial shops which sell sex toys.

Tsukumoya Shinichi
Of course, that can be arranged easily. The information will be sent to your email shortly. But I must insist, Orihara, on the specifications. There is quite a variety out there on the Internet as well as commercial shops. Which origin would you prefer?

Orihara Izaya
The latter would be appreciated.

Tsukumoya Shinichi
And the specifications?

Orihara Izaya
You're enjoying this, aren't you?

Tsukumoya Shinichi
Greatly. But I assure you, I also have your best interests in mind.

Orihara Izaya
I find that hard to believe. Whatever. I'm not too concerned about the specifications and I can't exactly go and measure Shizu-chan nor would I provide you my lover's measurements anyway. That monster is definitely bigger than average though, I'll leave you to your own deductions.

Tsukumoya Shinichi
Certainly. Movement, or lack thereof?

Orihara Izaya
The former. Or Shizu-chan would think I'm replacing him, which I'm not – not that there is anything to replace….yet.

Tsukumoya Shinichi
So it's not for masturbation purposes? How bold of you, Orihara. Don't worry, I will assist you in finding an adequate one – enough to make Heiwajima Shizuo envious.

Orihara Izaya, confirmed dead!

…

…

---

Two hours ago, on Otome Road

…

"Oooooh I see, I see!"

A woman with a cap on her head was speaking excitedly on the side road to a man in a fur trimmed jacket.

"In other words, you're the uke, and Shizuo is the seme. But somehow, Shizuo has become the uke and you've been forced into the role of the seme! It's awkward and unfitting for you as a natural uke, because you can't take it up the ass from the manly Shizu-chan!"

"Huh?"

Izaya said, Erika's terminology flying right over his head. He was dimly aware of what she was talking about by inference, but the unfamiliar terms were taking a while for him to compute.

He had thought if there was anyone who could be a good reference for his relationship with another male, it would be the otaku fangirl who saw fiction and reality as equally valuable.

"What a dilemma, Izayan!"

But seeing the shine in her eyes that probably had nothing to do with his concerns, he doubted that now.

"Sex toys!"

Erika had exclaimed out of nowhere as if in an 'Eureka!' moment, and it took Izaya a while to respond.

"…No isn't that a little too early? We've only been together for a month."

"Awww, that's so cute! But it's never too early to do ero things in a BL manga! Well this is reality but – I think it could help spice up your relationship."

Erika seemed to be returning to reality. Izaya gave it a moment of thought.

"…How?"

"If you really want Shizuo, then take it as an opportunity to make yourself desirable to him. If he refuses to touch you and to put it in bluntly – fuck you, then as the more open partner, why don't you take the initiative? If you know what I mean."

"…That's…..not a bad idea..."

Izaya admitted even as warmth heated up his cheeks at the thought and Erika squealed.

"Right! Right, if it's you, he'll definitely see! No man, especially Shizu-chan, will be able to resist you if you show them clearly how much you want their manly desire! If he does, I'll take my hat off to him – and hit him on the head with it! I don't know what's going through that head of his, but how could he refuse his beloved uke?! It's practically a crime!"

Erika seemed incensed for a reason Izaya didn't know, but he had to say –

"While I'm not quite knowledgeable on your jargon Karisawa-san, I must correct one thing. I'm not an 'uke' – well it's true that I want to be taken by Shizu-chan, but I've taken Shizu-chan already so being an 'uke' is impossible."

"That's true, but you're not a seme either! A seme wouldn't ask to be taken and be depressed about not being fucked!"

"Well yes that is also true. However, I don't believe in being on one end of the spectrum or the other – so I suppose I'm somewhere in the middle."

"….Ah I see! You must be a seke then! You're both an uke and seme – a seme because you've taken Shizu-chan, and an uke because in truth you want nothing more than to be taken by him! So you're a seke-uke! In other words, an uke that can also be a seme but prefers to be an uke!"

"And I suppose Shizu-chan is a 'seke-seme'?"

"Wow, you catch on fast, Izayan! Shizu-Shizu is most probably a seke-seme as you said, it seems like surprisingly he can be an uke but with that temperament of his, I'm sure he's a natural seme! I mean if he can dominate you even as an uke, imagine how much he'll dominate you as a seme."

"Oh don't worry, I imagine it all the time– that's all I can do really."

Izaya said with a wry smirk and Erika laughed and patted his shoulder.

"Haha, you're really charming Izayan! I can see why Shizu-chan fell for you."

The look in Erika's eyes had changed. Izaya absorbed the words for a moment, before he spoke.

"About that – how do you know Shizu-chan fell for me?"

"What are you talking about? You two are in a relationship right? If he hadn't fallen for you, he certainly wouldn't be together with you, much less have sex with you!"

"Even if the sex is one-sided most of the time?"

"I'm sure there's another reason." Erika told him gently, meeting his eyes.

"Shizuo is in love with you, Izaya. A man like him has never had a relationship before, yet he's already touching and having sex with you in just a month. It's his first relationship, and he's already given so much of himself to you in such a short time. It's downright illogical for him to not be in love with you."

…

…

---

Shinra had told him Shizuo was in love with him.

And unbeknownst to him, Namie had thought that Shizuo must be in love with him.

Celty had told him Shizuo was serious about him.

And now Erika was telling him the same thing Shinra had –

That Shizuo was in love with him.

It was then that Izaya realized he was lacking.

Being in a romantic relationship with the human he had considered a monster, he had lost an outsider's point of view on the situation –

It was like the mosquito curtains he had envisioned himself outside of had swept him in and made him face the reality that he was a human being.

– For he couldn't see how someone could love a man like him.

Especially if it was the man who had hated him the most.

It was not that Izaya thought Shizuo was playing around with him, for it was not in the honest man's nature.

However, he was unable to extend his comprehension of their romantic relationship to the notion of love from his partner.

Orihara Izaya was not a man to be loved.

Especially not by Heiwajima Shizuo.

This was why, despite being open with his own desires, he had never once asked Shizuo whether he loved him –

He was content with his unrequited love for the strongest man of Ikebukuro, for he was no longer rejected by the only human whose rejection could hurt him.

He had no desire to know.

He simply wanted to see.

He wanted to see, and love from his human loving heart.

…

For the man would always remain eternally true to his own desires.

…

…

---

"Izaya."

Izaya almost jolted at a hand landing on his shoulder which wasn't Shizuo's. He whirled, and the man who was not his lover looked at him in surprise.

"Hey, chill out man. I'm not Shizuo, but I have no intention of hurting you – …wait, that sounds really weird now…"

"Ah, Dotachin…"

Izaya murmured with a smile as Kadota muttered to himself. The man with a beanie soon shook himself out of his thoughts and looked at Izaya.

"Anyway, don't worry too much about it. It's not like you."

"…Hey Dotachin, do you think Shizu-chan is in love with me?"

Izaya asked after taking in Kadota's words as he looked at the man he did not consider a pawn.

"Honestly? Yeah."

Kadota replied without hesitation like he didn't even need to think about it.

"It still disturbs me a bit that you and Shizuo are a couple, but it's got nothing to do with you. It's just Karisawa's fantasies….anyway yeah maybe you don't see it, but really, everyone who knows Shizuo knows that Shizuo is in love with you. The Black Bike, Simon, probably that man and woman in his debt collecting job as well. The look in his eyes when he talks about you – what can I say? He's never had that look in his eyes before, until he told us he was in a relationship with you."

"Is that so. But don't you think he might be in love with the ideal of peace instead? Since Shizu-chan has always wanted to live in peace, perhaps he isn't in love with me, but with his peace."

Izaya revealed his insecurities wholeheartedly to a man he knew wouldn't judge him.

"…Even if that were so, that would mean you're the one who gives him his peace. And he'd love you for that, than just the idea of peace itself. Maybe other people do but Shizuo just isn't that kind of guy. He'd love you for you. You should know, as his lover."

As his lover huh?

Izaya reflected upon Kadota's words –

…I already forgave you when I asked you to be my lover.

– Which brought Shizuo's words to mind.

Does that mean 'I decided to forgive you when I asked you to be my lover' or 'I've forgiven you, that's why I asked you to be my lover' or 'I forgave you so we could be lovers' or 'I forgave you some time ago, because I realized I wanted you as my lover?'

…With Shizu-chan's unpredictable sense of timing, I can't tell what he really meant.

"Izaya? Hey are you alright? You're spacing out."

"Ah…I was just lost in thought for a moment there."

Izaya brushed off and Kadota assessed him for a bit before speaking.

"Don't think too much about it. I'm not really experienced but….I don't think love is something you should think too much about. Normally, people just feel. They feel, and then they'll know."

Feel….

Like I feel love for my humans?

..Haha….if I let my feelings become passionate to that extent I'd be swept away in the tide.

Izaya, who had never returned any love shown towards him before Shizuo, kept his thoughts to himself as he gave Kadota and his female companion an appreciative smile.

"Thanks, Dotachin, Karisawa-san. I'll keep your words in mind. Then, I'll see you around."

Izaya excused himself from the scene, and walked away.

…

…

---

Current time, in a private meeting room

…

"–Orihara-san? Orihara-san!"

Izaya's eyes widened as he saw Shiki's displeased expression.

How careless of me.

First Dotachin, and now Shiki-san.

I need to anchor myself back to the present.

"My apologies, Shiki-san. It's just that it's been so long that the sight of Shiki-san's face made me feel nostalgic."

Shiki did not look impressed with him.

"Is that so? To me it feels like yesterday."

With that same expression, the Yakuza executive told him, "With that careless demeanor of yours, it seems you haven't learnt from your little incident."

Oh yeah, I was stabbed.

"I don't suppose you would know who did that to you?"

"Ah, you mean that incident which made it into the news? Thank god they didn't show any pictures of me. As for who, I'm in the process of finding out myself…anyway, I would readily confess that there are a lot of people who think ill of me when I only meant to be kind… But surely you didn't request my presence just to ask me that?"

"I'm satisfying my curiosity and doing my job. If someone tries to backstab an information broker under our patronage, it is only natural to suspect their intention may be to harm us."

Shiki's flat tone remained the whole time he was speaking to Izaya, who received the folder handed over to him.

"…I'm surprised. That the Awakusu-kai would hand me a job of this scale."

"It would be best for your current state of mind. Payment will be transferred over to your account."

Izaya held back his chagrin, the smile never fading away from his face.

"I won't deny that. Well if that's all, I'll be taking my leave."

"I'll see you out."

"….That's unusual. Is this sympathy at my stabbing incident, Shiki-san?"

"It's caution."

Shiki spoke bluntly, as they made their way out of the room, past the stationed bodyguards and out of the art gallery.

"I heard you're in a relationship with Heiwajima Shizuo."

Izaya had expected it, but it still took him a while to turn.

"Frankly, it's none of our business where your tastes lie. However with quite a few unusual events surrounding you, we have cause to show some…concern."

"…"

Seeing Izaya silent for once, Shiki told him directly with a touch of bemusement.

"Don't look so worried, Orihara-san. Heiwajima Shizuo has done some good for us by saving our Head's granddaughter, we have no plans to do anything to him. Speaking of which, you wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you? About 'Nakura'."

Shiki's voice had grown cold like icicles pricking his skin in the cool evening air. Izaya was silent for a second longer, before his smile returned with his usual demeanor.

"Nakura-san? Is that a first name? There was someone whose given name sounded like that in my middle school."

"That Nakura told our Head's granddaughter to do some weird things…"

"Your Miss? Isn't she still in elementary school? Goodness, even if Ikebukuro is one of the safer areas around this place you should never have let bad guys have a chance to approach her. It's a good thing Heiwajima Shizuo came to her rescue, isn't it?"

"Your…lover hasn't introduced our little Miss to you, has he?"

"Not yet, it seems. Why?"

Izaya asked with an innocuous smile. Shiki narrowed his eyes at the man of suspect.

"It's nothing. Anyway, take this as a warning Orihara."

Shiki had dropped the honorific. Izaya looked undisturbed as he continued his polite speech.

"Rest assured Shiki-san, I have no intention of getting on the Awakusu-kai's bad side."

"With your mercurial personality Orihara-san, let's hope it stays that way."

Shiki said. He swept his sharp gaze across for any suspicious looking people, then turned and made his way back inside.

The Yakuza executive had his phone to his ear when he was some distance away.

"So, how did it go, Shiki-san?"

"Orihara didn't know who stabbed him. And it seems he has a new connection with Heiwajima."

"Is that so? I've finished interrogating Heiwajima as well. Actually, it was more like a friendly chat, since he's the guy who saved Akane-chan after all. Ah, he's a really good guy, that Heiwajima lad."

"Get to the point, Akabayashi."

"Haha, sorry. Anyway, he said it's real, not a ploy on the informant's part. So there shouldn't be anything to be overly concerned about. Unless Orihara gets on our bad side, then we might have to take the little Miss's benefactor aside. It'll be troublesome, that one."

"Orihara was rather ambiguous. If it wasn't for his body language and his state of distraction along with our information, I wouldn't have been able to confirm my suspicions."

"It doesn't look like that to me though. I know love when I see it."

Akabayashi said, for he had looked in the mirror many times after falling in unrequited love with the married woman Sayaka.

He had only had one eye left, but that one eye had reflected the emotion of his whole countenance he never thought he could have had.

The moment of silence Shiki gave almost seemed as if he was giving Akabayashi time to reminisce.

"It wouldn't be good to give him that job now. Well, he's still just a kid after all. An adult would know not to let their emotions get in the way of their job."

Shiki spoke coldly, unaware the 'kid' was the one behind the group of drug dealers and the organization which had encroached on their territory.

…

"Even so, kids grow up fast nowadays. It would be best to keep an eye on him."

…

…

…

---

From the look on Shiki-san's face, it would seem he found out about Amphisbaena

…Still, to think that I've been that distracted.

Well, it'll all work out in my favor in the end.

Izaya thought, and it was enough to make a happy smile appear on his face again despite being clearly belittled by Shiki.

But the smile retreated slightly as his mind recalled that incident.

Yodogiri Jinnai.

If he could ambush me, he could ambush Shizu-chan

That protozoic brain hardly pays any attention to his surroundings unless I'm in the near vicinity…

Shizu-chan wouldn't be injured by a knife stab, but you never know what humans have up their sleeves.

Especially if it's someone with a grudge against me.

Izaya thought wryly with a bemused smile as he remembered the girl who had attacked him in the hospital.

Izaya would rest easy in the future once he found out that the man who had stabbed him was part of an organization with people of the same name, an organization he could easily crush, but right now he was genuinely concerned over his lover's safety.

"…Ah, look at me…."

…

Izaya stopped short as a sudden epiphany hit him like vending machines no longer did.

His conversations and meetings with his humans throughout the day had given him a realization he hadn't entirely wanted to acknowledge.

There was a bittersweet smile on the young man's face as he raised his gaze and walked away into the sunset.

…

…

"…I've become like a human."