"Kida-kun…?"
Mikado could still recognize him but he was unreasonably wary.
"Good morning."
They headed toward school on a bright sunny morning.
"Your hair, it's black."
Kida had dyed it so. Not because Izaya had dropped any hint but because he wanted a visible change to mark the many inner revolutions he had been undergoing. And perhaps because Heiwajima Shizuo just so happened to have platinum blonde hair and drop by Izaya's house in the middle of the night for reasons unknown. Kida wanted to set himself apart in his claims to Izaya, as tenuous as these may be.
"It's my original color anyway."
Mikado was stunned. The last time he had seen Kida as a brunette they were still kids running through the green fields so the contrast to this calm seriousness was all the more blatant.
"But I thought you liked being blonde."
"I grew out of it."
"But…"
Mikado had planned to ask the many questions that haunted him and to return the strap but Kida seemed almost indifferent. Even to the small crowd of students that whispered about his new hairdo. Mikado expected Kida to beam in this attention but he kept on walking without giving heed.
"Everyone's talking about it."
Kida shrugged.
"Let them talk, then. It's not my fault they get all hyped over a dye job."
Throughout the day Kida remained silent and dismissed the many curious queries. This laconism attracted more attention than the change in hairdo itself. Mikado tagged along in befuddlement. He felt shut out.
"Kida-kun, have you known Orihara-san for long?"
"Since I moved into Tokyo."
"I thought that it was best to stay away from him."
Mikado was tentative now. They reached the school gate.
"It would probably be wiser."
"Then…"
"I got to go now."
"Are you going home directly…?"
Almost afraid of asking.
"Library."
"Do you have a test coming up?"
It was a deviation from the routine but at least Mikado did not sense any threat in it.
"No, just want to check out some things."
"I'll join you, then."
"If you want."
Never in a million years had Mikado even dreamt that he'd ever be sitting in a vast and intimidating library with none other than Kida. Conversation was cancelled out by the universal hush that the faint sound of turning pages served more to enhance than to break. Mikado kept stealing glances at the piles of books, through which Kida leafed. Introduction to Information Systems, Preliminary Notes into the Global Village, A Guide to Living in the Cybernetic Age. All beginner's works, and Mikado found this reassuring somehow, but he could feel the alien presence that guided Kida. And it scared him more than he was willing to admit.
The following week was 'Bring a Grownup to School' day. Students invited relatives or older friends that delivered a testimony for educational purposes. The school was abuzz with excitement. Kida coolly assessed it from a distance. His class joined the others at the auditorium and he sat in the first row. Kida waited as uninteresting people talked about their hollow lives and petty occupations. And then there was a flutter of shadow, a bit of fur on its wake. Izaya stood on the stage with a brilliant smile that dimmed all things. A timid teacher introduced him and a whisper immediately swept through the agitated crowd. Kida remained silent.
"I'm Orihara Izaya, a friend of Masaomi's- that would be 'Kida-kun' to you all. I work as an informant mostly around the Ikebukuro area but a bit all over Tokyo. Basically, I trade info for a fee."
Kida watched him closely. Not losing a single inflection as Izaya extended his allure to the now captivated audience, knowing that his status regarding him was completely different from the empty fascination of Izaya's fans. Pride buoyed up Kida. The floor was open to questions.
"Does anyone have anything they'd like to ask Orihara-san? You in the back…Ryugamine Mikado-kun?"
Mikado got up. At a disadvantage all around.
