When Shizuo had to take the stand he took a deep breath. Izaya was staring vacantly at nothing in particular but his folded arms hinted at some inner tension.
"First of all, I want to say that I'm sorry. If Izaya, I mean if Orihara-san, wants me to pay the rent then I'll do that, somehow. It'll take me my whole life probably but I guess that's that. But I want to say how sorry I am that I hurt you and that I'd like you to please tell your sisters that I apologize to them as well."
Shizuo switched to directly address Izaya. He was told to face the judge but Shizuo just ignored it for this was his very last chance.
"I didn't mean any of the awful things I said. That's the worst thing about getting too angry, you end up saying things you don't mean and doing things you don't really mean to do. You probably won't believe me but I'm not saying this just so you'll left me off the hook. I'll land in jail anyway so I won't even be able to look you in the eye and tell you that I am very sorry. If you could try not to hate me then at least it'd be something."
Shinra looked intently at Izaya. Through the palisade of lawyer he could see Izaya squirm uncomfortably.
"I'm glad that your hand is alright and I hope you'll be happy-"
"What is this nonsense you're babbling? Happy? What is that supposed to mean?"
"Orihara-san, please refrain from interrupting."
"You think you can just be all 'so sorry' and it'll go back to normal? Like hell it will!"
"Orihara-san, I must warn you again-"
Izaya breezily ignored the judge and jabbed a finger at Shizuo.
"This is all your fault! You started this!"
"I actually didn't but it doesn't matter-"
"Screw you!"
"Orihara-san, I will have you escorted out of the courthouse if you persist in this disruptive behavior."
Izaya slumped back on the seat and glared viciously. He expected Shizuo to flounder and beg for mercy so he was taken aback. Izaya tapped his foot on the floor and avoided looking at Shizuo. Intuition told him that something was off and an informant had to trust his gut. The judge was about to spew some considerations when suddenly Izaya jumped to his feet and to the horror of his lawyers he interrupted:
"Just forget this entire trial. I want to settle."
The lawyers whispered nervously into his ear, too many people contending to explain just how preposterous Izaya was acting. Shizuo had yet to sit and so he stood with mouth wide opened in surprise.
"Orihara-san, as I am sure you have been informed you will have to pay a fine to the court if you withdraw at this point."
"Doesn't matter, it's a civil libel so it is my right to do so. This should be enough."
Izaya produced a thick pack of bills and handed them to the lawyers.
"Orihara-san, are you sure of this?"
"I am. And please, stop 'Orihara-san'-ing me all the time, I am getting tired of it. Just give me the papers to sign and let us get this over with. And you lot can stop panicking and acting like headless chicken, you'll get your paycheck."
Shinra adjusted his glasses and cracked a smile.

"Izaya! Thanks. For bailing me out back there."
Shizuo had to chase after Izaya lest he disappeared from the courtroom. Izaya did not turn around but he gestured his minion lawyers to leave.
"Don't get the wrong idea here. It's not like I forgive you."
"I know. But I really didn't mean it. It was a very cheap shot. I knew how much it would hurt you if I said such a thing and I felt like I was losing the argument so I went and ruined it all."
"I didn't mean most of what I said either."
Finally Izaya turned around.
"I'm sorry for getting so carried away that I destroyed our relationship."
Shizuo felt close to tears. He knew that Izaya would find it lame to the utmost.
"One week."
"What…?"
"I'm still not convinced. So you've got a week to prove to me that you're serious."
"Are you giving me a second chance?"
"I'm giving you one week and that's it. If I'm not satisfied after a week has elapsed I will dispose of all your things in Tokyo Bay. I mean it."
"But you'll give another chance?"
"I don't feel like talking to you any further. Your week starts tomorrow at midnight."