"Hey, Shizuo?"

"Yeah?"

"I received a love letter yesterday."

"…."

"They asked me to meet them tomorrow after school at this place. Funny, isn't it? Even though I already declared my relationship with you."

"…You're going to reject them?"

"Of course. I'm not interested in anyone but Shizu-chan."

"…What's with that girly nickname."

Shizuo muttered, his face turned away. But he didn't sound offended at all.

Izaya grinned and ran his hands through Shizuo's blond locks.

It had been about a month since the for once true rumour that the school's model student, Orihara Izaya, and the school's most infamous delinquent, Heiwajima Shizuo, were romantically attached.

In fact, Orihara Izaya had confirmed it himself with these exact words:

"Good afternoon, Raijin High. Orihara Izaya here. Apologies for disturbing your lunch break, but I have an important confirmation to make. I'm sure you've heard of the rumour that I and Heiwajima Shizuo are in the beginning of a romance. After having to answer the same question over and over again, I decided I might as well make an announcement to the whole school – that it is indeed true. So yes, I did come to his classroom, I did hug him in front of his class, and I did say I liked him."

"Thus, I officially declare that I, Orihara Izaya, am officially not single anymore so to the dear Student Council, I won't be running a kissing booth for the cultural festival ever. And to answer that question in your head…no I'm not gay and I doubt Shizuo is either. I just like him, and he likes me. I will still accept love letters and confessions but as I have a boyfriend now, please do proceed with that information. The only person I am interested in is Heiwajima Shizuo so if you are not him, you will be rejected by me. But in spite of that if you still want to declare your affections, whether you're male or female, I will accept them wholeheartedly but I will not return them. That's all. Good day to you, Raijin High."

The model student and idol of Raijin High had declared this through the school's PA system. No one knew how he had gotten there, or how he had used it, they were more interested in the contents.

And after that, in the shocked silence which engulfed the whole school including both students and teachers alike, he had quickly made his way to the rooftop where Shizuo was for once not there – for he was at home taking care of his brother who had caught the flu.

And once he was there, he closed the door and laughed, high on top, especially when he heard the chaos erupting throughout the whole school even from his place at the top.

Shizuo did not directly know this at first – and Izaya's grin widened as he remembered the blond's confused looks at everyone rushing to him when he came back to school.

But Shizuo was sharp and even before he had gotten the exact information his gaze had snapped to him, and Izaya had cheerfully waved at him through the crowd.

And lunchtime that day was the first time Shizuo tried to hit him and shouted to him that he would kill him.

Well, the second time – but it was the first time since they had entered a romantic relationship.

It seemed that Shizuo had no qualms trying to beat his boyfriend up when he was embarrassed.

Not that he had succeeded – for Izaya was like a flea which he had called him after, dodging his attacks –

And not that he could even succeed – not when Izaya had thrown his arms around his neck and kissed him.

Shizuo had stood in shock, and Izaya took the chance to say –

"Don't be so angry. I did say the whole school would know you're mine, didn't I?"

"…You…just gave me your first kiss…"

"Well who would I give my first kiss to if not my boyfriend?"

"…Are you sure?"

"When are you going to get it into your head, you protozoan brain? I like you. That was why I made that announcement. That's why I kissed you."

"…And it's not my first kiss, Nishimura took that one, but…it's my first willing kiss so –"

And this time, Shizuo had cut him off by leaning down and capturing Izaya's lips with his, sweeping the smaller boy up into his arms.

Despite the romantic position, it wasn't a passionate kiss, yet Izaya was the one rendered stunned at the sudden unpredictable action from Shizuo.

"That doesn't matter. That bastard won't bother you anymore…even though I want to kill him but to me…it's still your first kiss."

"That's why, I just gave you my first kiss, well my second since you took my first but you get what I mean."

Shizuo spoke while meeting Izaya's eyes. His face wasn't red, and his steady voice was unbalanced only by undercurrents of emotion.

Izaya blinked, before he smiled, raising his hands to Shizuo's shaggy blond hair and saying fondly –

"You really are unpredictable, aren't you."

"You're the unpredictable one." Shizuo countered but he was smiling.

Holding Izaya close to him, he spoke –

"Since you've declared yourself as mine…I have a responsibility to protect you now."

Izaya would have denied the statement, but Shizuo's voice was serious in a way he had never heard it before, as if he was not speaking mainly to Izaya, but himself and to his own heart.

So he just kept silent for once and let Shizuo bury his face in his shoulder, and hold him, simply just like that.

Izaya smiled wryly at the memory, and Shizuo looked up at him from where he was laying on the black haired boy's lap.

"What are you smiling at?"

He said carelessly, but the look in his sharp eyes was one of curiosity. Recounting the memory, Izaya continued running his fingers through the blond delinquent's wild hair.

"Nothing you need to worry about, Shizu-chan."

Shizuo looked at him, then scoffed but with a smirk as he shifted his gaze then closed his eyes as he basked in the sun on Izaya's lap.

"Whatever, you flea."

- Honestly…

- Is this the same guy who said those romantic words with that heartfelt honesty?

- He's so contradictory

- …But that's what makes him interesting.

"How mean, calling your own boyfriend a flea."

"You jump around like a flea. Anyway you call me a 'protozoan' and that horrible nickname 'Shizu-chan' so we're even."

"Really. I prefer this side of you though."

"Huh?"

"You know, when we were first years you were so shy around me, and you would always blush…"

"W-Wha – I did not blush!"

"Yes you did, you were always so nervous around me, the perfect model student! It was so cute."

"D-Die!"

Shizuo shouted as he got up from Izaya's lap, to which the other boy responded by laughing and pulling him back down.

He listened in amusement as Shizuo grumbled but didn't resist the slender fingers running through his hair.

"It's because you were so polite and…graceful. I didn't even feel worthy to be in your presence."

"But now, you're more relaxed and that's good. Although I still hate that nickname by the way…but I did tell you that you could relax around me, didn't I?"

Shizuo said not looking at Izaya but his words were sincere. Izaya blinked in surprise but soon found himself smiling at the memory as he leaned down to drop a kiss on the blond hair as wild but soft as its owner –

"Thanks…Shizuo."


"You really don't have to follow me you know."

"I have to."

Shizuo said, and the tone of his voice spoke for itself – that he wouldn't listen to anyone, not even Izaya.

"Why? Don't you trust me? Or is it because it's a guy?"

Like the last time?

The words were left unsaid but Shizuo seemed to hear them anyway, yet he remained silent with that intense gaze.

"…."

"I can protect myself, you don't have to worry."

"…Can't help it."

Izaya sighed, but it was not one of exasperation. Waving his hand as they ascended the stairs, he said –

"Let's make a deal then. I'll let you stay and watch – but just that. No matter what happens, you can't move okay?"

"Hah? But what if –"

"Shizuo."

"…Fine. You have a compromise. But if I judge that you're in danger, I won't be able to control myself."

"Alright."

Izaya said agreeably. He opened the roof door then said to Shizuo:

"Wait here, and don't move okay? Remember, you can't be seen."

Shizuo shoved his own back against the wall and gave a nod, his narrowed gaze following Izaya as he walked forward.

He dug his hand into his pocket and pulled out the crushed piece of paper, unfurling it –

Orihara-kun

I don't know if you remember me…but we knew each other in middle school. I know you're with Heiwajima Shizuo now, but you did say you would accept affections still so please give me a chance to confess my feelings. Please meet me at the rooftop tomorrow after school alone.

- Nakura

- Knew each other in middle school?

- What kind of relationship?

- But he said I was his first kiss…

- …And I don't think he was lying.

- And he said he wanted to confess his feelings so they couldn't have been together or anything

- But what kind of guy is it?

Wondering silently, Shizuo tilted his head and peered beyond the door.

"Nakura-kun."

Izaya greeted as he walked towards the writer of the letter.

The boy who turned had moles under the corners of his eyes. He was not particularly slender, but he was not particularly muscular either like Nishimura had been.

Overall, he seemed like an ordinary boy, definitely not the type to confess to the idol of Raijin High.

"...Izaya."

Yet the addressing by his first name to said idol implied they didn't exactly have a relationship of hello-goodbye friends.

Though it was no confirmation of any closeness the relationship could have had either.

"I must say I'm surprised. I didn't think you would be one of my secret admirers."

"I'm not a secret admirer, we know each other so it's not secret. …Heiwajima Shizuo isn't with you right?"

"No he isn't."

"I see. Izaya, I-I like you, so…"

The boy practically spat out those words from his lips. One could only assume it was from nervousness in the situation.

"Well you've definitely improved from back in middle school, but I would still have to reject you. Still, you were more confident in your letter."

"W-What does that monster have that I don't?!"

Nakura suddenly shouted, and Izaya blinked, before his eyes narrowed.

"I don't appreciate that insult to my boyfriend, Nakura-kun."

Izaya said even as Nakura's lips trembled as if he feared his own words which had left his mouth.

"Hey…Heiwajima Shizuo really isn't with you right?"

"Do you see him anywhere nearby? Anyway if he was, do you think he would have let you off for that comment?"

Nakura was silent, and Izaya spoke, a malevolent undertone in his words –

"Anyway, you were one who lacked money in middle school so even if I was single, that would be my first assumption, wouldn't it? That you were after me for my money."

"Unlike you, Shizuo isn't like that at all. He likes me for me, which is quite a surprise even to me –"

Izaya was cut off as Nakura had suddenly lunged at him. He sidestepped it easily, but Nakura seemed to have anticipated it, grabbing his shoulder and slamming him down on the ground.

Izaya bit his lip to prevent a cry, a smile cracking across his lips –

"You know, I never thought you were the type to resort to physical violence, despite your family status. Should this be interpreted as a socio-economic conflict, or an attempt at my desired person? I would rather it be the former, Nakura-kun…for your own sake."

"It's the latter." Nakura spat and threw himself upon Izaya.

This was the scene Shizuo was barely watching with his own eyes –

Barely, because the red haze of anger had overtaken his vision –

WHAT THE FUCK IS WITH GUYS AND ASSAULTING IZAYA THAT BASTARD HOW DARE HE TOUCH WHAT'S MINE

SORRY IZAYA BUT I AM GOING TO KILL HIM

If it had been Shizuo back then, he would have not even been thinking but beating the guy up immediately.

It was a testament to the peace of mind Izaya gave him that he was able to control himself even if for only a few seconds.

But those few seconds were all that was needed for his anger to temporarily disappear.

For in those few seconds Izaya had turned the tables – overturning Nakura in fact, in a movement so fast that when Shizuo blinked, Izaya was on his feet and Nakura was the one on the ground, groaning, curling up in pain.

"That's why I said for your own sake."

Izaya spoke brusquely to Nakura who was curled up on the ground. He made to walk away, but a hand grabbed his ankle.

"W-Wait…"

"You still can move?"

Izaya said blandly. He turned back around, and watched as Nakura shakily stood, having let go of Izaya's ankle –

To hold a knife in his hand.

"If you can't give me yourself….at least give me your MONEY!"

"…You really should stay back."

Izaya said in a low tone, but Nakura didn't seem to heed his warning.

He could practically feel the vibes of rage emanating from just behind the roof door.

"Don't move."

Izaya said, his voice sounded distant, but his eyes were on Nakura.

"…Argggghhhhh!"

Fortunately, the yell did not come from the blond from beyond the door, but from the male charging towards the black haired boy of said blond's affections –

But Izaya didn't even look nervous. Calmly, he dodged the attack and swung his leg at Nakura in a kick curved like a semicircle –

Right to the side of Nakura's head.

Nakura let out a cry of pain and the knife fell from his hand as he fell onto the ground, as Izaya lowered his leg, moving forward.

With a smoothly executed kick, the knife flew up into the air, caught by the black haired boy's hand.

Nakura cowered as Izaya was suddenly upon him, the shadow of the evening sun casting darkness over his smile.

And then slowly, he stooped and held Nakura's knife to his neck –

The blade nicking at the skin and drawing blood.

"G-Gah…!"

"I said don't move, didn't I?"

The hand which held the knife to Nakura's neck was stable, unlike Nakura's own trembling hand earlier.

"You really are such a fool. If you wanted me even if just for my money, you'll have to fight Heiwajima Shizuo…and how can you do that if you can't even beat me?"

"I…!"

"Do you know what he did to the last guy who tried to assault me?"

Nakura's eyes showed horror. Izaya smiled.

"Well I don't know either, but he himself said it wasn't a pretty sight."

Saying such, he stood up, to Nakura's relief, tossing the knife away carelessly as he made his way back to the roof door, where Shizuo emerged from behind from.

"H-Heiwajima -!"

Nakura spluttered, backing away rapidly. Shizuo growled and Izaya smiled as he stood next to him, speaking airily.

"See? I lied…but consider yourself lucky today, Nakura-kun. Perhaps Lady Luck is finally smiling down upon you."

"Bastard…."

"Come on, let's go, Shizu-chan. He's not worth your fist."

"…Tch!"

Shizuo scoffed. He turned to look straight at Nakura –

"I don't know who the fuck you are but if you ever touch Izaya again I will kill you."

"…!"

Nakura cried out in fear, garbled words leaving his mouth which Shizuo didn't bother to make sense of, as he turned and followed Izaya down the stairs, slamming the roof door behind him so hard it rattled.

"…Izaya."

"Yeah?"

Izaya turned, only to be met by Shizuo's lips. He blinked, but kissed back, as Shizuo's hand cupped his cheek.

"You're amazing."

Izaya blinked. That was the last thing he had expected Shizuo to say.

"What?"

"I said you're amazing. Where did you learn to fight like that?"

"Well after that incident which you don't remember but I do, I thought I'd gain some self defense skills."

"That's really amazing."

"…What's with you?" Izaya was amused. "It's not amazing, you're the amazing one. Raijin High's most infamous delinquent."

"Ahh yeah but I'm a delinquent so it's nothing amazing and I was born strong, while you, you're this school's model student and top student you're already so perfect and now you know how to fight too –"

"You must have trained really hard, I have no idea where you found the time, that's why I think you're really amazing, Izaya."

Shizuo said, he was speaking quickly, almost jumbling up his words, but smiling as he met Izaya's surprised eyes.

"…Honestly."

Izaya smiled back. Brushing his hair back, he looked up at Shizuo.

"Don't you feel embarrassed saying that at all?"

"What?"

"Nothing. Well anyway do you believe your boyfriend can protect himself now…Shizuo?"

Shizuo looked at Izaya and the seriousness in his eyes which contrasted with his smile. Inhaling, he pulled Izaya to him, holding him against his chest as he spoke.

"Yeah…I'll always be worried about you but you've…proved your point."

Shizuo admitted, he felt strange saying the words somehow as if there was something he was missing, but he brushed it off as his paranoid mind making things up.

After all who wouldn't be paranoid if they had the school's idol as their boyfriend?

Especially with who he himself was.

"So, I'll believe in you, just as you believe in me."

"…Seriously, where do you get those words from?" Izaya said but wrapped his arms around Shizuo.

"Well…I suppose I can settle with that."

"…Not fair."

"What?"

Shizuo's face was warm. Shoving Izaya's face into his chest, he muttered –

"…You're making me like you even more."

Izaya blinked again, then chuckled, placing his hands on Shizuo's chest as he had when they had met for the second time and said –

"You're not the only one."


"Hey, sorry to keep you waiting."

"Ah, it's fine."

Shizuo said as he turned and smiled at Izaya who walked to stand by his side.

"The meeting went alright?"

"Yeah it was fine."

Izaya replied, returning Shizuo's smile. He had told Shizuo the chess club had suddenly called him for a meeting which he had to regrettably attend, and that fortunately it would be a short one for they would just be confirming details about the next competition.

They walked along, uncaring of the eyes and murmurs around them from those still on the school grounds.

Shizuo looked down at Izaya. The evening sun illuminated his beautiful glossy black locks, giving them a sheen and shone on his russet eyes which seemed more crimson.

He still couldn't believe Izaya – Orihara Izaya was his boyfriend.

But Izaya had done so many things to prove so – he had made that announcement over the PA system to the whole school on that day he had to stay at home to take care of Kasuka, he had allowed himself to relax and be himself around Shizuo, and now he had shown Shizuo he indeed could protect himself.

Something tugged at him. But he was enraptured by the beautiful boy beside him, in a way he had never been by anyone before.

- …He's really mine.

It was not as if Shizuo hadn't known – he wasn't that stupid and dense, to not know Izaya was his boyfriend when they were clearly in a romantic relationship.

Rather, it was more of a sudden epiphany – that Izaya was his boyfriend, that he had someone he cared about yet hadn't hurt so far, and that someone was not afraid of him and was willing to be known as his.

- I don't deserve him.

- But…

- I need to do something…or I won't even be worthy of being his boyfriend.

"…Izaya."

"Hm?"

Shizuo cleared his throat. Not knowing what else to do, he said the first thing that came to mind –

"Can we…hold hands…?"

"…."

"I-It's fine if you don't want to, but I kind of thought since we're a couple now…"

"Shizuo."

"…What?"

Shizuo asked almost cautiously, as if afraid Izaya would reject him.

But Izaya was smiling, smiling that beautiful smile as he said –

"Does that mean you finally accept me as your boyfriend? And perhaps…lover?"

"…Yeah. Sorry, I know I haven't exactly been contributing much to our relationship but –"

Izaya had leaned up on his tiptoes, to place a kiss on Shizuo's cheek.

"…?!"

"Thanks. I'm happy."

"…!"

"Of course we can hold hands."

Izaya said in a tone that sounded as if he hadn't said the statement which had shocked Shizuo even more than the kiss did.

And in a movement as casual as his tone, he reached out and clasped Shizuo's hand, and looked at Shizuo as if expecting something.

And because Izaya was looking at him, Shizuo understood. Swallowing, he slowly intertwined their fingers together, so that their hands were connected in a clearly romantic manner.

All his nervousness was gone as Izaya smiled genuinely at him. Not the polite smile he gave to the whole school with the exception of him, but a real smile that lit up his handsome features and beautiful eyes, making Shizuo's heart beat faster in his chest.

And, feeling as if he had the right, he leaned down and pressed a kiss upon Izaya's lips, with courage he previously lacked.

"What, is the mood making you romantic?"

Izaya said in his teasing voice, but his cheeks were pink. Shizuo just smiled at him and cradled his cheek with his free hand.

"Izaya."

"Yeah?"

I think I love you.

The thought floated through his head, but it was not what he said.

Yet what he said was almost as significant, or even a synonym of his thought –

"I trust you."

"Eh?"

"Next time, I'll let you see my strength."

"Your strength?"

"Yeah."

Because I feel…as if I can trust myself with you.

"What…is it really that amazing?"

"I wouldn't call it amazing. But it'd let you see why everyone calls me a monster."

"Really? You'll never be a monster to me though, Shizuo."

Izaya said almost innocently, and Shizuo chuckled and said.

"Well, let's hope you'll think that after…anyway it's what I didn't want you to know before…"

He trailed off, and Izaya blinked.

"I'm not sure why Shizu-chan thinks his strength is so scary. I'm quite a dangerous person myself, you know?"

"…Ahhh I know. But there's a reason everyone fears me…and so I'll let you see that reason."

And then to his surprise, the black haired boy's eyes lit up with a childishly eager glint –

"Sure, Shizu-chan. I look forward to it."

-As he laughed and clasped Shizuo's hand tighter, happiness lighting up his handsome features.

Which made Shizuo smile too as he laid another kiss on Izaya – on his forehead this time after he brushed those glossy black locks up.

Izaya looked surprised, but shifted his amused gaze.

"Well the mood is really making you romantic. I propose we hold hands more from now on, at least thrice a week. Caspice, Shizu-chan?"

"Shut up flea."

Shizuo said fondly, ruffling Izaya's hair and smiling as the smaller boy giggled and walked forward with him into their unknown future.

- If you really aren't afraid of me after that…

- …If you can accept me…

-The happiness I'd feel…would be something I wouldn't be able to describe.

- …For the peace you'll be giving me…

- That I never thought I could have.

Shizuo thought to himself, which Izaya was unaware of –

Just as he was unaware of Izaya's.

(To be continued in Part II)


My computer will be taken away to change the keyboard soon, so have an early update. Although I've gotten somewhat used to typing 'O' without the key which fell off, the keyboard is quite old so Peter the computer man suggested to change the whole thing. In the meantime I won't be able to reply messages since I won't have my laptop but I assure you I've read them all, thank you. For people to spend time on communicating with me...I'm very grateful. I'll reply when my laptop is returned to me.