Izaya was caught off guard but he recovered without batting an eyelash.
"Oh? Trying to get me to make a confession? I don't suppose there are bugs conveniently hidden?"
Shizuo opened the single small window outside of which was the corroded landing of the fire escape ladder.
"Roof's this way."
To Izaya's absolute dismay Shizuo proceed to strip the vest and shirt, carefully folding them away into a wall inbuilt closet.
"What are you doing?"
"Quieting your paranoia. No bugs as you can see."
Izaya chuckled dryly. For a split second a stab of panic overrode his reason. He tried not to stare too much at Shizuo's impressive physique. Impressively imposing. Bare-chested Shizuo was more of a tangible threat.
"Do lead the way, Heiwajima-san."
Shizuo stepped on the landing. His bulky frame blocked the fading light. Izaya was late on purpose, fashionably so in fact, going out of his usual professional conduct to make a point. So the sun was already rusting the sky with red tendrils. As he climbed he had the feeling of swimming upwards through breathable blood. Shizuo's broad back framed Izaya's horizon. He wondered what would happen if he did something crazy. Like jumping on Shizuo to go for a piggyback ride. Izaya giggled under his breath at the thought.
The city spread its net of agitated concrete, clearer with each step. It became a grid, a blue print for human interaction. No matter how many times he saw it the spectacle never failed to captivate him. Sundown trickled down unto the neon sprinkled depths. Streets were veins, individuals akin to mere cells carried on a relentless flow. And Orihara Izaya stood above it all. He almost lost himself in exhilarant contemplation but all too soon he arrived at the roof and had to acknowledge Shizuo.
"So, have you or not? Killed someone, that is."
Izaya made a full tour of the new premises. The wind was always stronger in high places and he enjoyed it immensely.
"Remember that girl that jumped off the Sunshine last week? I gave her a little push. Every now and then I get bored. Tokyo is so overcrowded that I am doing the city a service."
He waved his hand around as he spoke, carefree and without breaking eye contact, his smile as easy going as his entire attitude. Shizuo lighted a cigarette and smoked. A fraction of silence and smoke.
"You're lying."
Izaya held on to his by now fraying smile.
"Your psychic powers again? How irrational."
"Not half as much as pushing people off skyscrapers. Which you didn't do anyway."
Izaya stretched to unwind a growing tension and at the same time casting the image that he was entirely at ease. Nonchalance was the key.
"I could provide evidence to prove it but I see no need to do it. Since you know through magic. Can't argue with such a reliable epistemology."
"You're this snarky with all your employers or just on those who call you on your bullshit?"
A stunned gasp. It took Izaya half a second to close his mouth. He had heard many an insult but never so calmly delivered.
"Work-related."
"Got it. Why did you lie?"
Izaya's hands turned into fists. He shoved them in his pockets.
"I killed her. I have no idea what you're going on about."
Shizuo extended an arm, palm upwards.
"Punch my hand. Get it out of your system."
It was with an effort that Izaya smiled, thinly.
"Get what out my system, exactly?"
"I know anger when I see it and you're real mad."
Izaya chuckled. It sounded hollow even to his ears.
"Believe what you want, then. It's all the same to me."
"Why don't you try the truth."
"Or else what? You'll beat it out of me?"
Shizuo rubbed his chin, thoughtfully, and puffed some smoke. Izaya was reminded anew of how much he despised the cancerous stench of tobacco. Gusts of wind could not seem to wipe it away entirely.
"You pretty much admitted that you lied. Being angry sucks, huh?"
