Okay, yaoi it is, then! I have lots of arena scenes in mind for Shizu-chan and Iza-kun. ;)
To compensate for the three-week wait, here's a long chapter all about the interviews. I had fun with this lol.
Chapter Three
The Interviews
Shinra Kishitani looked down at his interview attire. He was wearing a white suit coat over a black polo and black slacks and his hair was actually tied in a sophisticated ponytail. He adjusted his glasses and looked around him. Most of the tributes were minding their own business, probably going over what their mentors told them. Others seemed plain nervous.
"Hi there," a voice said from behind him.
Shinra turned. "Oh hello. Izaya, isn't it?"
"Yes," Izaya answered, his crimson eyes glinting mischievously in the light. He was wearing a black coat with fur and matching black pants, looking absolutely devious in his outfit. "It's amazing how we all look dazzling. I honestly can't wait until the interviews start. It would be great to get to know everyone. I'm an interpersonally skilled extrovert, you see."
"Ah. Well, that's good to know," he said offhandedly, looking for a certain redhead.
"I heard that you're a doctor," the black-haired man continued. "And I noticed that you like Celty."
Now he had his full attention. "H-how did you know? I never-"
"Yes, that's true; we never talked before. I just like finding out about people. It was nice talking!" He walked off.
Shinra frowned, watching Izaya move on to talk to other people. He decided that he was a strange man. How the hell did he know about him being a doctor and liking Celty? And why would he socialize with his opponents so blatantly and cheerfully just like that? Right before the interviews, even!
"Well that's a messed up strategy," a voice said beside him.
He turned to find Shizuo Heiwajima smoking a cigarette and wearing a black tuxedo, watching Izaya with a look that could only pass off as extreme loathing. "I managed to eavesdrop on his mentor warning him and his little sister to keep to themselves and act naturally during the interviews. I really don't call that keeping to yourself. He's insane! The only things I like about him are his sweet sister and the fact that I can kill him in the arena."
The doctor smiled. "I have a question to ask you, Shizuo. How did you get that super strength? You were tossing around weights like they were fucking pillows during training! I've never encountered such strength in all my life! Are there side effects to using too much, or…?"
"Super strength?" Shizuo repeated. He scoffed, "Last time I checked, you weren't the interviewer."
Shinra laughed. "No, I'm not the interviewer, but I am a doctor."
Before they could exchange a few more words, they were all being lined up to take the stage. The order was by district, with the female always preceding the male. When they were all in order and they all fixed themselves one last time, the show started.
Parading onstage itself took everyone's breath away. The City Circle was packed with people from all over the Capitol. Stylists, mentors, and district representatives sat in front. The Gamemakers and other important figures sat on elevated seats or on the balcony. The cameramen turned on their cameras as all the tributes took their seats in a big arc behind the two main couches in the middle of the stage.
Every citizen of Panem was tuning into the program.
Caesar Flickerman with his midnight blue suit and bright yellow-dyed hair appeared onstage. He started by making a few jokes. The audience went wild. Soon enough, he got down to business.
Shinra uneasily stared down at the crowd as the girl from District One, Vorona, walked over to take her seat in the middle next to Caesar Flickerman. The interviews had officially started.
The tributes were called, one by one, to spend their three minutes with Caesar. It was a pressuring time for them all, since those three minutes could determine whether they would get any sponsors or not. Everyone did their best to appeal to the crowd by working up their best sides, with the help of Caesar, who would do his best to make each and every tribute shine.
Izaya Orihara didn't really think much about his turn. He just wanted to focus on the others.
Both Vorona and Slon were passionate. They mostly talked about training together in their childhoods and dreaming of winning the Games. Izaya decided not to mind them since they were just Careers who would most likely keep to themselves. They didn't seem like the types who would go out of their way to kill.
Anri was quiet. True enough, she was quite pretty in her high-cut red dress, which brought out her voluptuous figure. However, the most surprising thing about her was that she was a Career.
"Where did that ten come from, Anri? To be honest, no one knew what to expect from you. You confidently came up the stage in the Reaping, and you acted indifferent during the Parade!" Caesar started.
She decided not to lie. "I just want to go into the arena already and show everyone what I can do. My score was just a product of my training. What people watch in the Games itself is the product of the tributes' panic and desperation. It's different." Izaya noticed that she had evaded the question regarding her score.
"You're actually quite friendly and softspoken, you know. That can serve as an advantage in the Games if used correctly," Caesar answered, noticing it as well, "But surely, you have to at least give us a clue about what you did in the assessment! That's the more important part."
Anri nodded, smiling gently at the crowd. "Well, I can handle swords pretty well. I've trained mostly with swords since I was a child and I'm determined to win with those as my main weapons in the arena."
"What will you do if you win, then?"
"I don't really know. I'll gain fame and glory, plus the prize for my district and a place in the Victors' Village, but I really don't know," she replied softly, shrugging. "I'll have a quiet lifestyle and relax for a bit."
Caesar grinned. "Ah. You know, Anri, most victors either spend their time relaxing alone or settling down with someone they love. Isn't there such a person?"
"Oh, I'm not very sociable. You really have to talk to me to get to know me and I keep to myself. There's no one like that in my life, really," she said, a slight blush creeping up her cheeks. She even looked cute.
The buzzer sounded and everyone clapped. Anri was a promising tribute.
Next came Shinra, who was very outgoing. Caesar didn't have a hard time talking to him at all.
"Tell us, Shinra, about your strengths. What can possibly help you in the arena?"
He smiled, leaning back comfortably in his seat. "Well, since I'm a doctor, I've already mastered determining edible plants and curing wounds, cuts, and infections. I will most likely survive with my skills, unless someone kills me."
Caesar nodded. "True. Your profession is an obvious advantage. Speaking of which, what was life like in District Two? It's rare, you see, that we get a tribute from there that isn't a Career. How different is it from the Capitol?"
"It's a lot busier there," Shinra said, adjusting his glasses, "There's the work of masonry and then, of course, the military training for Peacekeepers, since they all come from District Two. Actually, most of my patients back home are those who get injured training or working under duty. Here in the Capitol, everything seems easy and really fancy."
"That is a huge difference, huh," Caesar commented, "Now, is there anyone back home whom you miss?"
Shinra shook his head. "No, not much. My mother died when I was born and my father's mostly busy with his experimental work, too. Well, there are the occasional neighbors and patients."
"How about love interests? Surely, a smart and good-looking man like you…"
He laughed. "Well, I'm actually eyeing someone right now." The audience seemed to be all ears. "She's a tribute and I admire her for her kindness and ferocity. I really do hope we can become allies in the arena."
Caesar eagerly leaned closer. "Who is it? Can't you tell us?"
"No, I'd rather not. She wouldn't take kindly to that. Watch out, though; we'll most probably be together in the arena during the Games," he answered, smiling mysteriously. Izaya discreetly turned to look at Celty, who seemed slightly flustered but managed to remain emotionless enough.
The buzzer rang out and it was time to move on to the next tribute. Shinra didn't do too badly.
It was Kururi's turn. She glanced at Izaya nervously before sitting next to Caesar. Izaya sat up straight, realizing that Kururi's interview could actually get him an angle as well. He nodded to her encouragingly. She stepped up and wowed the audience with her small smile as she walked and sat down gracefully in her simple pink dress. A brief image of her and the much more outgoing Mairu wearing the same outfits and sticking together all the time flashed in Izaya's mind.
Caesar smiled kindly. "You received a score of seven! That wasn't so bad. How did you do it?"
Kururi glanced back at her brother. "Um… It was all thanks to Iza-nii. He helped me train."
The cameras focused on Izaya, who merely grinned and acted as if it was just nothing. Caesar jumped on this immediately. "Yes, we can see that he's a good brother. This brings us to your twin sister-"
"Mairu," she said shyly.
"Yes. It was her name that was originally reaped and you bravely volunteered for her! Then, it was quite clear on the cameras, that your brother wanted you to call on him so he could protect you in the arena. Is that right?"
"I love my sister. We're twins and we're always together. I would never have let her come here and risk her life, so I volunteered," she answered softly, "I'm glad that Iza-nii is here too or else I wouldn't be able to cope. Everything is just so confusing right now; I can't believe I'm even here…"
Caesar nods. "We all sympathize with you, Kururi. It must be very hard to get separated with a twin. What did she say to you before you left District Three?"
"She told me… that she'd miss me. And that she wished her name was never reaped so that the three of us could just be living normally at home. I'm sure she's crying right now," she replied tremulously. Then, she looked right at the cameras as if talking to Mairu herself. "I want her to know that I love her, and I'm sure Iza-nii does too."
The crowd instantly fell for this, their hearts won over by the pure honesty and pain that was expressed. Caesar patted Kururi on the shoulder comfortingly. "I'm sure you do, and I'm sure she's hoping to see you again in person. Now, if you had a chance at winning the Games, what skills or qualities do you think can save you?"
At this, Kururi smiled. "I have good aim. I'm small, so I'm fast. I also have Iza-nii."
Izaya knew at once that his little sister unknowingly made the audience support him. She didn't speak much back at home, since Mairu usually did all the talking, but it seemed as if she had decided to talk more before possibly dying in the arena.
The buzzer sounded and her interview ended, causing Caesar to call Izaya at once to pick up where she left off. He stood up, watching himself on the screens.
To be honest, he thought the long black coat with fur made him look absolutely dashing.
"Izaya Orihara! You're a mystery to everyone. You acted like the ideal brother to your sisters in the Reaping and then coldly presented yourself in the Parade!" Caesar said, "What can you tell us?"
"Honestly, my little sisters were just nuisances to me back at home and I didn't give a care about them. It's always been like that ever since our parents died," Izaya started, looking down at his feet as an act of embarrassment, "But then after the Reaping, I realized that it was a true blessing that I even had sisters like them at all."
"That's a huge and heart-warming change of opinion!"
He suddenly remembered a flashback from the Reaping. "I had this scary vision of Kururi screaming insanities in a white room and maybe Mairu sitting in a corner for the rest of her life. One twin can't live without the other. This whole Quell thing just ruins it and… well…"
He looked at Kururi with pretend sorrow, who gazed back at him with a teary look still in her eyes. He smiled at her affectionately for effect. The crowd, right then and there, gave their hearts to the Orihara siblings. Izaya tried not to do an evil laugh of success. Acting was so easy.
"Of course," came the sympathetic answer, "That sounds terrible. Now, with your dashing looks and winning personality, there has to be a girl at home or something!" The audience howled. Romance was always a popular factor in the Hunger Games, ever since Katniss and Peeta.
"A girl? No way. But girls… Well, I'm guilty." This was followed by a cocky grin. The crowd went wild.
"Ah, I can see that we have a playboy here! With each and every citizen of Panem tuning in to your every word, what can you say about your brilliant score of twelve?"
He simply laughed, smiling confidently. "Oh, that. I just impressed the Gamemakers with my clever use of knives. They weren't expecting it either, but what can I say? I'm agile, violent, and extremely smart."
"Wow! Any more details?" The audience was hanging on to every single word.
"No, I can't," Izaya said, smirking, "It's completely confidential. I told you what I could."
Caesar shook his head. "I really can't imagine how amazing you'll be in the arena! Kururi is lucky to have you with her. What do you think should the other tributes watch out for?"
Izaya glanced at the other twenty-two. Most of them looked back at him coldly. "Well, they should never underestimate me. I love learning about people and their, hmm… perks. If they let their guard down, I'll take the opportunity, use what I know about them, and they might just find a knife in their throat. No one ever knows what I'm planning next. It's going to take real brains to outsmart me, so I might just win the Games."
The buzzer went off and the crowd clearly wanted to hear more. Izaya flashed a smile at the audience. Everyone was completely manipulated by his actions and words. "Now, that is really a tribute you guys should be looking out for in the arena." Caesar shook hands with him and clapped. "Izaya Orihara, everyone!" He bowed with a flourish and calmly sat back down beside his sister. The crowd couldn't calm down.
Kururi glared at him. "So much sugar-coating," she muttered, rolling her eyes. He simply frowned and turned away from her. She had no idea how important the sugar-coating was to their survival in the arena.
Rio Kamichika came next. She obviously wasn't much, but her fellow District Four tribute, Ran Izumii, was the typical Career- brutal and bloodthirsty. He expressed his one-hundred percent certainty of winning the games and talked about his talent with the mace. Izaya scowled.
It was then District Five's turn. Haruna Niekawa was mostly quiet. Izaya had a feeling that she was going to be one of the tributes who would die on the first day. After her was Walker Yumasaki, who was, hands down, the most humorous tribute, easily bantering with Caesar Flickerman during his turn. He seemed smart enough to last a few days in the arena.
Emilia Davis was a cheerful girl who was optimistic about lasting in the Games. Kyohei Kadota was the silent strong type and he was slightly secretive about his skills. Izaya was willing to bet that Kyohei knew and was capable of more than he was letting on.
Then, it was time for the tributes from District Seven to be interviewed. Mikage Sharaku was sly and seductive, possibly someone who could last long in the arena, but Izaya was looking forward to someone else.
Shizuo Heiwajima, in his uncharacteristically neat tuxedo, seemed to be taking a casual approach as he sat down lazily on his chair. His blond hair was kept messy for a bold effect and his golden eyes were focused on Caesar, who could tell that Shizuo was one of the popular tributes that could easily please the crowd.
"You got a twelve, Shizuo. Tell us more about it."
The tall man shifted uneasily in his seat. "Well, I guess the Gamemakers liked my temper and my strength. It's nothing, really. I'm surprised I got a perfect score- not that I'm saying Orihara really deserved his and I didn't, because I was expecting something lower from him."
The audience felt the atmosphere turn into tense rivalry as the cameras shifted to Izaya's face to show his reaction. He simply smirked, daring Shizuo to lose his temper in front of everyone.
Caesar seemed to sense the danger and stepped it down by a notch. "You both have a rivalry?"
Shizuo scowled. "Tch. He's a snarky and conceited know-it-all. We had a little argument during training once and I can tell he won't last if ever he comes face to face with me in the arena."
Izaya's smirk widened. The two glared at each other before Caesar took the reins again. "I'm sure that everyone will be looking forward to this promising showdown between two of our top-scoring tributes, right?"
The crowd cheered. Izaya knew at once that this banter with Shizuo gave more depth to his angle- he was willing to fight and kill to prove his intelligence. So be it. He turned back to the interview.
"Now give us more details about yourself. What do you mean by your strength?" Caesar asked innocently.
"I've always been physically strong ever since I was a kid and I didn't talk to anyone much except for when they pissed me off," Shizuo replied coolly, "Usually, I'd use my strength back home to defend my brother."
Caesar immediately pounced on this. "Your brother? There wasn't a brother in the Reaping!"
"Well, we're not exactly close. His name's Kasuka and he's younger than me," he answered, "I saw him in the crowd back then at the Reaping and after. There was a look in his eyes that told me I could win. And I will win."
The audience went wild. This tall, serious man with the messy blond hair and strong determination appealed to them. He could actually win the Quell. Izaya frowned. This opponent was going to be hard to beat.
"It's refreshing to see such determination! Now tell us why you're going to win the Quarter Quell."
Shizuo looked genuinely serious. "I'm going to win because I hate violence. I'll be a living reminder to everyone that the Hunger Games isn't just a game. If you want to watch it or be part of it, at least be serious about it. It puts lives at stake and it's violent. That's all I'm going to say."
Izaya felt his jaw drop and quickly closed it. Was this guy insane? Saying things like that could be counted as an act of treason against the Capitol! But then again, he kept it at a minimum and used the concept of violence to subtly warn people about the Games. Perhaps the brute had more depth than he was letting on.
"That's quite expressive of you, Shizuo," said Caesar cautiously. "We'll keep in mind that whatever the Capitol has in store for Panem, such as the Hunger Games, will be taken seriously. We truly appreciate it."
Shizuo nodded, realizing that Caesar had rephrased his bold statement into something less expressive. He added, realizing that his time was almost up, "My score of twelve wasn't for nothing and I'm not afraid to hurt or kill those who are willing to do the same to me." He gave an extra glance towards Izaya's direction.
The buzzer went off. The audience cheered and clapped, wanting more of the physical and emotional strength that this bold and noble blond had just showed them. It took a while for them to calm down before the interviews could proceed normally again. Izaya made it a point to glare at Shizuo, hating the pure passion he had expressed in the interview. Shizuo glared back as he took his seat.
It was time for District Eight. The female tribute, Mika Harima, was just one of those useless tributes who would most probably die on the first day. However, Simon Breshnev seemed to be interesting, to say the least. He was extremely tall and extremely strong like Shizuo. The similarities stopped there. Simon had dark skin and was completely down-to-earth and friendly. Still, Izaya could tell at once that they were both a match when it came to physical strength if they were ever going to fight in the arena.
The next tributes from District Nine were siblings, just like Izaya and Kururi. This time, it was an older sister and a younger brother- Namie and Seiji Yagiri. Unlike Izaya, Namie deeply expressed her will to protect her little brother even to the last breath. It was creepy, even bordering on obsessive. Seiji was quiet and acted indifferent to his sister's feelings. Perhaps they would last in the Games if they only stuck together.
District Ten was a bit pitiful. The female tribute, Akane Awakusu, was the youngest among all of them at the age of twelve years old. Her fellow tribute was a guy in dreadlocks and glasses named Tom Tanaka and he looked like he absolutely did not want to be in the Games. Izaya wasn't going to expect any worthy opponents from there.
The tributes from District Eleven were interesting. Erika Karisawa was creative and clever, and she openly told everyone that she already knew who she wanted to be allies with. Izaya was willing to bet that it was Walker from District Five. The male tribute, however, was a complicated character.
"Masaomi Kida!" Caesar said cheerfully, "What can you tell us about the nine you received for your training?"
Masaomi grinned. "I was pretty vicious. The poor target dummy I killed was screaming to be spared, you know. I told him that I couldn't do that and that he was my next target. The Gamemakers liked the dummy too, I guess, which is why they didn't give me something higher."
The audience laughed. Izaya liked this kid, but he had a feeling that there was hidden depth within him. Caesar continued. "Do you think you stand a chance in the arena with all the excellent tributes we have this year?"
"Of course I do," he answered confidently, flashing a playboy smile at the crowd, "I may look a little skinny but I can handle weapons well, possibly kill well too if I get the chance. Besides," he darkened considerably, "I have to stand a chance because I really need to get back home to District Eleven.
Caesar understood right away what he meant. "Your girlfriend, Saki. Tell us more about her."
He nodded eagerly, as if he was completely willing to get all the feelings off his chest. "I love her to death. When her name was called, it was like a bomb dropped and everything around me was exploding. It was like the end of the world for me. I knew right away what to do. I volunteered."
The audience was hanging on to every single word. "She told me that she couldn't survive without me but I told her that she could handle it. I'm not going to go out without a fight, anyway. If possible, I'll even come home."
"Of course you will. Now while you're here, tell us what you like about the Capitol."
Masaomi smiled. Izaya could tell there was something mischievous about that smile. "The Capitol is a really fancy place. It's so different from the fields and plains I see at home. What I like most about it, though, is how you guys change your appearances so easily. You alter your skin, your body, your hair, and it's crazy. I've never seen anything like it back at home. Like you, Caesar- your hair is a lovely color of yellow."
Izaya tried not to laugh out loud. He could sense the other tributes beside him try not to laugh as well. Only someone not from the Capitol would understand that Masaomi was making fun of the people from the Capitol, not complementing them. The audience was charmed by his mock sweetness.
Caesar Flickerman was completely unaware. "Why, thanks. I was choosing between green and yellow this year and I flipped a coin. It's a good thing I landed on tails, or else I wouldn't have received your compliment."
The buzzer went off. Masaomi was a hit with the crowd, despite the little stunt he pulled.
Finally, it was District Twelve's turn. By now, everyone was getting a bit bored and tired, but Izaya had a feeling that Celty and Mikado were both going to appeal to the audience.
Celty had to be interviewed with her tab, which was her token from her district. She could type in her replies to show Caesar. The tab was directly connected to the Capitol system. Her typed answer would be shown on the screen by the stage for the audience to see and also on the television screens of the citizens of Panem. Her interview was also extended to five minutes instead of three.
She looked dazzling in her black body suit with sequins that gently glittered and her auburn hair was up in a ponytail. She must have made it a point that she did not want to wear a dress.
Caesar seemed ecstatic to interview Celty. "You're the second female ever to receive a perfect training score of twelve, right after Katniss Everdeen! How do you feel about that?"
[I'm not surprised, actually. I have to admit that I do possess skills that are, well, out of this world.] She typed quickly, a bit nervous that her lack of voice would bore the audience. The opposite happened, however, since the crowd eagerly read every single word on the screens.
"Out of this world? What are those skills, exactly?" he replied.
Her fingers hesitated before she typed out her answer. [Aside from handling weapons very easily and being faster and more flexible than any woman my age, I have very advanced senses. I was born mute, but my eyesight, sense of smell, and hearing are quite developed. I can see in the dark, smell things that are far away, and hear up to several miles. That's the reason why I refused to have an operation on my throat for this interview. I'm afraid that if I gain my voice, I might lose the advancement of my other senses.]
Izaya felt himself perk up, intrigued by the hidden talent that was so unheard of.
"That's amazing! It must be a rare occurrence for a person to have that, and an even rarer occurrence for such a person to become a tribute in the Hunger Games," Caesar said, grinning interestedly, "You have such a huge advantage!"
Celty nodded. [Yes, I do. It seems easier to talk, though.]
He answered, "It is. Well, since we now know about your developed senses and easy use of weapons, we're dying to know how you scored the twelve in the assessment."
[It's sad to say that I can't answer completely. The Gamemakers wouldn't like that.] She typed out her reply hesitantly. [My favorite weapon is actually a scythe, because we use that to dig down deeper in the coal mines back in District Twelve, so I chose a weapon close to that. I chose a spear. Then, I used my senses to aid me while showing them what I could do. It's hard to explain without revealing much.]
Caesar shifted in his seat. "I see. Speaking of District Twelve, how about a love interest? An elegant and passionate woman like you must have several suitors willing to court you!" Caesar replied. Izaya immediately looked at Shinra from the corner of his eye. The doctor was looking away.
Celty instantly typed into her tab. [There's no such person. Yes, it's true that I've met many guys who like me but I haven't yet thought about liking someone back.]
"What kind of guy would you want to like back, then?"
[I want him to be kind… smart… and willing to understand a headstrong person like me.]
Caesar nodded. "Of course. I'm sure many young men out there are dying to have you notice them! Let's say you stand a chance in the arena and win the Games. How? What will it take for you?"
She frowned before typing her reply. [Well, I haven't really killed a person and I honestly wouldn't hurt anyone until I actually need to. The Hunger Games requires the tribute to hurt and kill. I'll do whatever I can to help others and then, of course, kill them when the time comes. Besides, with a couple of good weapons and my advanced senses, I'm sure I stand a chance.]
The buzzer rang out, breaking the silence that the crowd surrendered to after Celty's reply. Her passion and compassion had moved them and she was more promising than expected. Izaya decided that she would make a good ally and possibly a good pawn to manipulate. Caesar gratefully shook her hand. "Female tribute of District Twelve, everyone- Celty Sturluson!" The audience cheered.
The final one to be interviewed was Mikado Ryuugamine. He actually managed to stand out in his casual, halfway-buttoned up jacket with matching dark pants. It was obvious that he was nervous. Izaya, however, thought differently of him. He knew that the boy had the capability to win, having seen his dark side while eavesdropping on his conversation with Masaomi during training.
Caesar, at last, found reason to be softer in interviewing. "Hello, Mikado. You got a ten in your assessment. To be honest, it shocked me and everyone else. What did you do that made the Gamemakers give you that score?"
"I can see it in all your faces. I guess I didn't seem like much in the Reaping and the Parade, huh?" he said softly, smiling to himself. "I d-didn't do much, really. I'm not that strong and I came here not knowing how to use any weapon, but I trained with one. I used it during the assessment and I guess they thought I didn't do too badly."
"That's good for you, then. What else are you good at, though?"
Mikado grinned. "W-well, I'm excellent at keeping to myself and giving a cold shoulder when I feel like it." The audience gave a few laughs. "I'm mostly fast and good at hiding, too. It wouldn't be wise to count me out in the Games. One of the tributes whom I already made friends with said that I do stand a chance."
"We really have to watch out for that, don't we?" Caesar said kindly. "How do you think you'll win, then?"
"I'm more clever and smart than I look. I'll make an alliance and then defend myself as much as I can. It wouldn't hurt to run and hide at times, but I think I already know what to do," he replied, the aura around him darkening. "I may be a coward if it comes to that, but everyone has a little bit of darkness in them. I'll do anything to survive for as long as I could."
Caesar nodded, looking at him carefully. "Well said, Mikado. What will you do after you win? Surely, there must be some people waiting back in District Twelve."
He shook his head. "I'm sure they'll be expecting Celty instead. I'm not even sure if I can win. I just said that I'd try to survive for as long as I could, right? Don't even bother asking me about a love interest, Caesar. I'm the type of person who'd like someone, not be liked."
"Is that so? Tell us who you like, then!"
Mikado scowled, his eyes once more showing that rare darkness. "I don't think she'll like me back even though I tell. She's a tribute too and I've tried talking to her. It didn't turn out too well. She's really nice and pretty. Besides, it would be unwise to try in the Hunger Games, right? It usually leads to tragedy."
"I see. Your time's almost up, now. Anything else you want to say?" Caesar asked. Mikado looked right into the cameras, not a trace of his previous shy shaking shrimpy demeanor showing. He then smirked sardonically, surprising everyone with the shocking change of personality. His hidden self was unshakeable in contrast with his outer shell. Izaya relished the unmistakable chill up his spine.
"The Hunger Games are twisted. And have fun watching the odds being never in our favor."
The buzzer sounded.
OMG ARE THEY ALL IN CHARACTER?
I'm so concerned about their characterizations so please review and tell me what you think!