"Isn't that Heiwajima Shizuo's?"

The male glanced at the female who spoke. And then he turned his attention back to the computer.

"What of it?"

"Well I'm surprised they're still in one piece. Are you going to return them?"

"Why do that when I can crush them under my feet in front of his eyes?"

Izaya said, typing without looking at Namie. His gaze was unusually focused, but a frown was on his lips.

"Yeah that sounds like you." Namie said blandly, and immersed herself in the rare peaceful silence.

Only the clacking of the keys filled the apartment as the man and woman kept to themselves and their respective jobs, especially for the male who seemed as if he was trying to make up for his lack of focus in the recent days.

If only he were like this all the time

The female thought distractedly, for it was such a rare though appealing sight to see the information broker who couldn't seem to keep his mouth shut, so silent and focused.

Even his voice had changed, it hadn't been the high pitched timbre he liked to produce, but the voice of a man who had his priorities set straight.

So did he and Shizuo make up or what?

Or were things so bad that man stormed out and left his sunglasses behind?

What a needlessly complicated relationship.

Izaya had sounded stoic and almost cold – and wasn't that her role? And he had practically ignored her, when she was the one who was supposed to ignore him.

Namie would have released a scoff at Izaya being in any way similar to her, if he had not spoken next –

"…Thanks."

"…What?"

She stared at him and his fingers stopped moving as he turned to look at her.

"What? Did I say something?"

Izaya said with a smooth smile, almost seeming as if he was back to his usual self.

Namie blinked, then scoffed, a smirk crossing her lips as she turned away with a shrug.

"Nothing at all."

Complicated indeed.


"Is that all?"

"Yes, Shiki-san."

"I see. Then, the money will be transferred over to your account as soon as possible."

"Thank you very much."

"…."

Shiki gave him a weird look, but said, "Make this the first and last time you're late."

"Of course. Apologies, I was knocked out by my secretary. It won't happen again."

"…"

Shiki was now looking at Izaya as if there was something more wrong with him than all the wrongs he had identified in the already corrupt man.

"Why?"

"Apparently she decided I wasn't in the right frame of mind to work."

"…I see. Did something happen?"

Izaya looked at Shiki as if noticing his unusual concern for the first time.

"What's with that, Shiki-san? Such a rare display of concern."

"You're not being like yourself. As you're our information broker I have the right to intrude." Shiki said as he handed the papers over to his subordinate, his sharp eyes on Izaya.

"Surprisingly, I'm not the only man who's not smiling here."

Izaya didn't react. Shiki paused, then said –

"What happened? With Heiwajima Shizuo."

"What's this? Have you been in contact with Namie-san?"

"I've known you long enough to know he's the most likely possibility for your current unusual state of mind."

"Well," Izaya said, and the smile he finally gave was sharp and almost cold.

"Regardless of whether your assumption is true, Heiwajima Shizuo is always the last subject I want to speak about, so I would appreciate it if you don't bring that monster up."

Izaya said and stood up. He turned and said, "My job here is done, so I'll be going now."

"Orihara." Shiki said with narrowed eyes as Izaya strode away.

"It's none of my business, but I suggest you don't let whatever happened affect your job. I've never seen you like this before. It's unusual."

"What a surprise, huh? Maybe I'm just human too." Izaya said, and when Shiki didn't respond, continued –

"Can I ask you something, Shiki-san?"

"What is it?"

"What would you do if you encountered someone who has never lied?"

"That's impossible. Every human has at least told one lie."

"Well, what if?"

"…I'd be surprised, but it's none of my business. That human will eventually lie anyway, especially when he gets into a relationship. People tend to hide things from their significant other, I thought you knew that. Whatever it is, it's impossible to go through your life without lying unless you're some hermit."

"Do you really think so? That he will lie when he gets into a relationship?"

"If he cares about the woman, he will lie. There's no doubt about that."

"I see. Well, thanks for your point of view, Shiki-san."

"Orihara," Shiki spoke, his eyebrows furrowed. "What was that about?"

"Just an experiment, Shiki-san." Izaya replied smoothly as he made his way past the guards at the door, who turned to look at him as he left his parting words –

"With a monster who has never lied."


He was in Ikebukuro again.

He hadn't wanted to come back to the city, but he had to meet Shiki and the Awakusu-kai.

The city was still the same –

What was unusual was that he hadn't had to run from a raging blond in a bartender suit and from flying public property.

Your move?

Is this it?

Ignoring me and not coming to seek me out?

Fine then.

As if I would lose to you of all people.

Izaya's eyes narrowed as he walked through the crowd with numbers only he could see in the air, shoving his hands into his pockets.

That's right.

I will humiliate him just as he humiliated me.

Let's continue our game, Shizu-chan.

And just as he thought that, a flash of blond caught his eye –

Leading Izaya to automatically shift his gaze to that detested single digit above the man's head –

1

Huh?

Izaya blinked twice.

1

1

W-Wha….

Izaya clenched his teeth, unable to believe his eyes.

"Shi…SHIIIZUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

The name shouted through Ikebukuro was different, and people turned to stare at the scene that met their eyes.

Orihara Izaya, who always had a smirk or smile on his face, was scowling as he stomped towards Heiwajima Shizuo, who blinked with a surprised look, then a smile.

"Hey. So have you decided –"

"Who?!"

"What?"

"Who made you lie?!"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't pretend! I know you lied! You…you lied!"

"I did?"

Not only were the actions and personality of the two most dangerous men of Ikebukuro seemed to have switched, the words they said seemed to have been exchanged too.

The people surrounding Shizuo and Izaya were perplexed at how Shizuo was not throwing anything at Izaya who was practically shouting at him like Shizuo would usually do.

"Yes you did."

"But I can't remember."

"Like hell. You who never lies finally lied, and you can't remember? No way. I won't believe it. Now tell me who."

"But I really don't know –oh."

"What?"

An expression of realization seemed to have crossed Shizuo's face. He blinked, then turned his face away.

"Ah I see…so it was that…"

"It was what?"

"None of your business."

Izaya twitched, as Shizuo said, "I can't say it. It's not like I can say it here."

He seemed to be blushing lightly. Izaya stared, then snapped to attention, realizing they were at the centre of attention of the residents of Ikebukuro.

If Izaya were the type to be embarrassed, he would have blushed then. But he wasn't, and so he flicked a hand and strode away.

"Tom-san. I'm borrowing him for a while."

"Uh…okay." Tom said unsurely, still disbelieving at the scene in front of him. He had the fleeting thought that Izaya looked intimidating with his emotionless expression belied only by the annoyance in his eyes. "Sure. Take him for as long as you want."

The information broker shot him a look as if he had said something wrong, but Tom didn't have time to contemplate on the matter as Izaya was suddenly on top of a signpost, then on the wall of a building.

"HEY!"

"…Shizuo? I think he's calling you."

"But I have work." Shizuo said, looking puzzled. "What did I do wrong now?"

"It's fine. Go with him. I have no idea why, but Izaya seems pretty pissed. It's actually quite scary."

"Ahhh…."

Shizuo scratched the back of his neck, then shrugged and took a running leap to the window on the second storey of the building, causing people's mouths to drop open.

With Shizuo joining him on the building, Izaya was already running up the wall, as Shizuo yelled to him –

"Hey flea! Why are you pissed?"

"Shut up."

"Hah? What did I do this time?!"

"You lied."

"What? That isn't a big deal –"

"It is a big deal! How can you lie before I make you lie?!"

"…What's with you? You're acting really weird."

"Whatever. Just shut up and follow me."

"Why?"

"Because I need to talk to you."

"Why can't we talk here?"

"Oh yes let's have a serious conversation as we run up this building. Very funny."

"Well we are already talking. And we always talk as we run up buildings anyway."

Izaya didn't look happy at that statement and gave him a glare before increasing his speed. Shizuo stared after him for a while, then scoffed and followed, jumping several storeys up.

Shizuo and Izaya soon reached the top of the building. They left the residents of Ikebukuro staring after their fading figures as they crossed buildings with their parkour skills, as Shizuo continued to bellow at Izaya, who shouted back at him through the wind.

"HEY FLEA! WHERE ARE WE GOING?!"

"SOMEWHERE!"

"WHERE IS SOMEWHERE?"

"DOES IT MATTER? JUST SOMEWHERE NICE AND QUIET."

"OH GOOD! I LIKE QUIET PLACES!"

"YEAH JUST SHOUT THAT OUT TO THE WHOLE OF IKEBUKURO WILL YOU!"

"HAHAHAHA! WHAT'S NEW? OH THIS IS NEW, FOR ONCE IZAYA-KUN IS THE ONE PISSED! I LIKE IT!"

"SHUT UP. I REALLY HATE YOU!"

"HAHA. HAHAHAHAHA! HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAH –"

Shizuo's laughter echoed through the air like that of a madman as the people who could only raise their gazes to watch the two humans who seemed to be in a different world stared at the expanse of space Shizuo and Izaya had been crossing as easily as walking.

"W-Waaaah! Rendezvous! Shizuo and Izaya are going on a rendezvous as lov-mpppph!"

"No they aren't! There must be a reason!"

"A-And the reason is love- gugugu!"

Tom wasn't the only one who stared at the girl with a cap near the van, who seemed as if she wanted to magically gain the ability to do parkour so she could chase after Shizuo and Izaya.

There are all kinds of women huh.

"Izaya looked pissed…that was unusual. And what was that about lying? I totally have no idea what's going on here." A man with a black beanie leaned out of the van window, grimacing. "Right that's enough, Karisawa! Yumasaki get her back into the van, she's attracting attention."

"Yeah! Come on Karisawa-san, let's go!"

"But Shizu- mph! Shiza-"

Slam.

The van reversed out of the kerb, then drove off with a cloud of dust.

"…I still have no idea what's going on."

Tom decided to voice the thought in everyone's confused minds.


"So? What is it?"

Shizuo said nonchalantly as he and Izaya stood in an isolated area. Izaya had shoved his sunglasses into his face wordlessly once they were alone and he now wore them again.

Izaya inhaled to control his frustration, then spoke.

"Who made you lie…Shizu-chan?"

"I still don't get it. What makes you think I lied?"

"I am 100% sure you lied. So just take it. Now who did you lie to?"

I'm going to hunt that human down for taking my place.

"….."

Shizuo tilted his head as if he was thinking. Then he said, "So it's impossible for me to not have lied?"

"Yeah, that's right. You definitely lied."

1

How dare someone do what I couldn't?

It really pisses me off.

"Then I can't tell you."

Izaya whirled. "What?"

"I said I can't tell you." Shizuo said simply. "If you're 100% sure that I lied…then I think I know what it is. And I can't tell you."

"And why?"

How dare he withhold information from me, information broker Orihara Izaya?

Shizuo adjusted his sunglasses, and shifted his gaze away from Izaya. "I just can't."

Those honest words sharpened Izaya's senses.

He can't?

Then it's something he absolutely can't reveal?

What…is it really that embarrassing?

A smirk crossed Izaya's lips at that thought. Amusement replaced his previous annoyance and he said, "Heh…is it really that bad?" He taunted, "Shizu-chan is so embarrassed by his lie that he can't even speak about it?"

"It's not that I'm embarrassed by my lie. It's that telling you about that lie is embarrassing."

"Is that so? Well, at least tell me who you lied to."

"…I can't do that either."

"Then what can you tell me?"

"Nothing." Shizuo said bluntly, looking to Izaya. "Why should I tell you? I don't owe you any information."

Izaya stared for a while, as Shizuo continued –

"I have no idea why you're so obsessed with my apparent lie, but I'm not going to tell you. Just yesterday you rejected me and today you're demanding me to give you information? Tch, make up your mind flea."

Izaya had to reluctantly admit that Shizuo had a point. He was acting out of character in his desire to find out just who the hell had Heiwajima Shizuo told his first lie to.

But I can't exactly tell him I can see lies and that he had 0 lies.

"…What do you want?"

"Huh?"

"What is it that you want?" Izaya said to Shizuo who blinked at him, "Money? I have plenty, so I suppose I can donate to you in return for your information."

"…You really want to know?"

Izaya nodded. Shizuo met his gaze for a while, then he turned and made his way to the bench nearby.

He sat down on it, then gestured for Izaya to come over. Curious, Izaya walked to the bench, staring down at Shizuo questioningly.

"Sit down."

Shizuo said calmly. Izaya stared at him, then moved his gaze to the empty place on the bench beside Shizuo warily.

"I'm not going to do anything," Shizuo clicked his tongue in annoyance. "So just sit down." He placed his hand on the seat.

"Here. Sit down next to me."

He removed his hand and stared at Izaya expectantly. Feeling as if he had stepped into the twilight zone, a twilight zone where Heiwajima Shizuos invited Orihara Izayas to sit down next to them on the bench perfectly on the ground, Izaya turned and placed himself on the bench next to Shizuo, who spread his arm across the back of the bench.

"If it were evening," Shizuo said distractedly, "We'd be able to see a really beautiful sunset. The view from here is really good."

"Right." Izaya said unsurely.

He glanced at Shizuo, who was smiling as he stared into the sky. Izaya didn't get what was so interesting about the sky. It looked normal to him.

"It's so peaceful." Shizuo said contentedly. Izaya didn't quite know how to reply.

...What the hell am I doing?

"So," said Izaya, uncertain on how to handle Shizuo when he wasn't being a monster, "Why did you ask me to sit down?"

"Why not?"

"…Because I'm Orihara Izaya?" Izaya said, wondering if Shizuo had suddenly gained amnesia and forgotten who exactly was sitting next to him.

"So?"

"So," Izaya said slowly, "I shouldn't be sitting down next to you, Heiwajima Shizuo. Since I'm Orihara Izaya."

He emphasized the sound of his name, hoping it would bring Shizuo back to his senses and realize Orihara Izaya was right next to him because he had invited him to sit down.

"So?" Shizuo said again as if he was the one with a problem in his brain.

"You're Orihara Izaya, and I wanted Orihara Izaya next to me. And so I asked you to sit down. Is that a problem?"

Izaya would have thought he was dreaming, had he not been sure his mind would have never come up with such a dream which put him in situations where he felt utterly lost.

But his mouth couldn't seem to work – there were so many problems with what Shizuo had said that Izaya wasn't sure where to start. So he shut his mouth and looked away, wondering how he had gotten in such a situation in the first place.

Which in hindsight, was probably a good thing, as had he been in the midst of saying something, he would have choked on his words when Shizuo's hand wrapped around his head and pulled him to his shoulder.

"W-Wha-" Izaya spluttered, his eyes wide in incredulity at Shizuo, "What are you doing?!"

"Holding you." Shizuo said as if it was obvious. He tightened his grip slightly when Izaya struggled. "Don't move or I might accidentally crush your head."

Izaya stilled reluctantly at that. His head contained his very intelligent brain and he didn't want the protozoic brain to do anything to jeopardize his pride.

The information broker fumed under his breath as Shizuo stroked his hair with a casual hand.

"Your hair is really soft."

"Of course. I'm not a beast with coarse hair."

Izaya said scathingly, for he had to say something for some sense of normalcy. But Shizuo just chuckled and shook his own wild blond locks, and continued running his fingers through Izaya's hair.

Just as Izaya was about to bring up the reason why he agreed to sit down, Shizuo spoke, "Hey Izaya."

"What?" Izaya said with a scowl, "And stop touching my hair. I don't have enough shampoo to get rid of your monster germs."

Shizuo's features scrunched up in an amused way, and a smile crossed his lips as he muttered under his breath. "Adorable."

"Could you repeat that again, Shizu-chan?"

"Hm? I said you're adorable."

1

Before Izaya could stab Shizuo, the man in a bartender suit said casually –

"I want you to go on a date with me."

"?!"

Izaya dropped the knife mid-lunge in his surprise and almost tumbled into Shizuo's lap. He put out his hands to right his balance, and ended up straddled awkwardly across Shizuo's legs.

Shizuo seemed to have noticed the flea over his lap. "What are you doing?" He said in bemusement, shifting his feet.

Craaaaack

"I didn't know you liked me that much." Shizuo continued, seeming to not even notice he had broken Izaya's knife under his foot, as he ruffled Izaya's hair.

"Maybe a date is too slow for you? If that's the case –"

Izaya slapped Shizuo's hand away and suddenly Shizuo had a knife at his neck and blood red eyes glaring at him in anger.

"Don't mock me."

"I don't know what you're trying to pull but don't make fun of me," Izaya hissed as he held the knife threateningly to Shizuo's neck. "My knife may only be able to stab five millimetres into your skin but I can always aim for your eyes instead."

He moved the sharp blade to the skin under Shizuo's eyes covered by his sunglasses.

"…."

Shizuo was silent for a while, before he reached his hand to push down his sunglasses, revealing his eyes.

"Sorry." He said, staring into Izaya's eyes. "I wasn't trying to mock you. I was being serious. I want you to go on a date with me."

Izaya didn't respond, and he continued, "If you want to stab my eyes go ahead. Oh but is one eye enough to curb your anger? Because I don't want to completely lose my vision. Or I won't be able to see you."

Izaya moved the tip of the knife to Shizuo's eyelid. Shizuo didn't even blink.

"…Why aren't you resisting?"

"What?"

"Why aren't you pushing me away?" Izaya said in frustration, "Why aren't you taking my knife and breaking it as usual? Why…"

"Didn't you want to stab me?" Shizuo's eyebrows furrowed as he looked at the frustrated flea on his lap.

"I made you angry. So angry you wanted to stab me. So I'm just letting you do what you want. What's wrong with that?"

Izaya stared, and he went on, "It's like I throw things at you when I'm angry. Things that could kill you. I put you in danger when I'm angry. And now you're angry, so it's no surprise that I should be in danger. Isn't it the same thing?"

"It's not the same thing! That's different!"

Izaya yelled, unable to believe the words that were coming out from Shizuo's mouth, which his eyes showed he firmly believed in.

"It's not as if I actually get hurt. You're never able to hit me and I can run away. But you…" his grip tightened on the knife.

"You're just sitting here, prepared to let me stab your eyes? You're not fighting not to get hurt, you're just accepting it? I…I really don't understand you!"

How?

How can he be so calm?!

If I move my knife he won't have any time to react and he's going to get stabbed.

He can break the knife with his teeth. He can flick it away with a finger. He can crush it with his hand.

He can even just grab my hand and his strength will be enough to keep me from moving an inch.

He can do so many things to not get stabbed.

So…why doesn't he…?

"I don't really understand myself either." Shizuo said simply. Then he blinked for the first time since Izaya had threatened to stab his eyes.

"Ah but if you want to understand me all the more reason for you to go on a date with me." He smiled at Izaya.

"So how about it? Go on a date with me, Izaya."

"And why do you want to go on a date with me? Dates are only for couples." Izaya spat the word out, "And we're not. Just what protozoic logic are you using now, Shizu-chan?"

"Simple logic, really. I want to get to know you better, so I want to go on a date with you." Shizuo said. "And yeah, I know nothing is free, so if you go on a date with me, I'll give you the information you want."

Izaya blinked in surprise. He removed the knife from the skin under Shizuo's eye so he could stare into Shizuo's eyes directly.

"You'll tell me about that lie?"

Shizuo nodded. "I'll tell you who I lied to." He said. "If you go on a date with me."

Who. Izaya's mind was already working out the possibilities of what he would do when he got the identity of the person whom had managed to make Heiwajima Shizuo lie.

But what did he lie about?

Never mind, it's not as if I can't find out the information when I know exactly who he lied to.

After all, if I know both who he lied to and what he lied about, that's no fun at all. It won't be a challenge.

Maybe it's Celty. Maybe it's Shinra. Or maybe it's Kasuka-kun.

Izaya grinned gleefully. Feeling in a much better mood, he kept his knife and got off Shizuo's lap, not noticing Shizuo's hands slipping away from his waist.

"Fine. I'll go on a date with you, Shizu-chan."

Shizuo smiled brightly as if in accomplishment, and Izaya had to look away.

"I'm not free now though. I have to meet someone later in Ikebukuro."

"That's fine." Shizuo said, and he already had his phone in his hand. Izaya blinked as it was held out to him.

"Here. Key your number in. I just realized I don't have it."

Izaya took the phone. He was tempted to smash it under his foot, but he was a man who didn't go back on his word, and so he reluctantly gave Shizuo one of his many numbers.

Shizuo looked at his phone when Izaya held it out to him. "Is that your personal number?"

"Huh?"

"I know you have many phones. I don't want your business number. I want your personal number, like the one you gave to Shinra."

"What's the difference? I already keyed in my number, so…"

"No." Shizuo said stubbornly.

"I don't want your business number. I'm not your client. I want the number you use for personal messages, the kind of phone you always keep with you."

Izaya twitched. "And why should I give you that number?"

"Because you're my date." Shizuo said logically. He looked at Izaya, "You don't give a date your business number do you? That's just rude."

Izaya couldn't find a counter to Shizuo's logic. So he scoffed and took back the phone, deleted the number and keyed in the number of his most important phone of his ten phones, as Shizuo's gaze was on him.

He thrust the phone into Shizuo's face when he was done, the expression on his face not a happy one –

In contrast to Shizuo, who smiled as he took the phone. "This is your personal number?"

"Yeah."

"I see. Right, thanks. I'll contact you with the details when I've decided on them."

"No." Izaya said, "I'm a very busy man. I'll check my schedule then contact you with the details."

"Alright then. But I meant, the details of the date, I invited you so I should be the one planning it."

"Do as you want."

Izaya said languidly, the hand in the air slipping into his pockets to join the other as he walked away.

When Izaya was gone, Shizuo stared at his phone. He stared at the number in his phone –

Which blacked out.

Shizuo's eyes widened. "W-Wha -!" He shouted, his grip tightening dangerously -

"What the hell?! Don't black out on me now! Isn't there still battery?! I charged it yesterday, damn it!"

He pressed a button and to his relief, the screen lighted up again. And the number was still there.

Shizuo let out a sigh of relief. And then he continued what he was doing before – staring at the number in his phone.

And then he smiled. The smile soon turned into a grin. The grin soon turned into laughter.

"Ahaha…hahahaha…HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

A stray cat that had been passing by jolted and fled from the laughing man in a bartender suit. A human who had been strolling into the isolated area shrieked and ran back the way he had come.

"Yes! YEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSS!" Shizuo laughed and clenched his fist, a victorious grin on his face.

"I got his number! I got his fucking personal number!"

He laughed again, releasing his joy into the air. Had Izaya been anywhere nearby, he would have wondered if the monster of Ikebukuro had finally gone crazy.

Shizuo grinned widely. His phone screen was blank again but this time he calmly pressed the button and it lighted up, showing him Izaya's number, which made him grin even wider.

"Ahh…I better save it before I lose it somehow."

Carefully avoiding the button that would bring him back to the home screen, he moved his fingers to save the number in his contacts, his eyes focused solely on the phone screen.

He out a breath when he was done, as if saving a phone number was more taxing than running across buildings. His fingers relaxed then, and he moved to his contacts.

Tom-san

Kasuka

Izaya or Flea

"…Hmmm…something isn't quite right."

His fingers moved, and stopped only when a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

My Flea (Izaya)

"Right. Perfect."

Izaya would kill him if he ever discovered his name was in brackets in Shizuo's contacts, or if he found out Shizuo had put such a possessive word before the name he usually called him.

But Shizuo didn't care. What Izaya didn't know wouldn't hurt him anyway.

Izaya was his flea.

Though just in case, Shizuo reminded himself to memorize every single digit of that extremely difficult to get personal number of Orihara Izaya when he got home. Even if memorizing wasn't his strong point. He would do it, even if it would take him an hour for each digit.

Right now, he was being occupied by something else, as he typed away on his phone to his best friend with an excited grin on his face.


Celty!

The subject of the message immediately caught Celty's attention.

Shizuo had used an exclamation mark. In text.

She fumbled with the device, almost dropping it from her hands before she could compose herself enough to access the message.

[He gave me his phone number! His personal phone number!

And he agreed to go on a date with me! I don't know how or why, but he did. I can't believe it.]

Celty laughed. She couldn't help it. Such words coming from Shizuo in exclamation marks – it was just so damn funny.

- I know…I know Orihara Izaya's personal number is really hard to obtain…and for him to go on a date with you…

- But still…!

- Shizuo! You sound like a girl…!

"What are you laughing at?"

Celty looked up from the screen, to see the he who had given her best friend his personal phone number.

And she laughed again, her body shaking in uncontrollable giggles.

"Oh forget it," said Izaya, clearly annoyed, "You monsters are all incomprehensible today." He muttered.

[Anyway I can't screw this up. Celty, you have got to help me pick out what to wear.]

Celty giggled, her fingers already typing a reply to Shizuo.

[Oh Shizuo, if this was all it took for you to finally agree to shopping, you should have gone on a date with Izaya sooner! We are going to get you into so many clothes. You are definitely going to make an impression!

P.S. I'm standing in front of him now and he's totally oblivious and I just can't stop laughing! LOL. He thinks I'm crazy.]

"Anyway if you would just stop laughing and give me the materials I requested, I would appreciate it."

[Sure…here.]

Celty handed the materials she had been called to deliver in a black suitcase using her shadows. Izaya took it, and stared at Celty strangely.

"…Why do I have this feeling you're laughing at me?"

(。^‿^。)

Celty formed a smiley face in the air with her smoke, and relished in Izaya's incredulous expression.

"You know," Izaya said.

"I'm starting to think there's a disease for monsters going around. Next I'll find Sonohara Anri being a bubbly girl and going around making friends with everyone. Including me. In fact, she'd probably try to make me her best friend. Since I seem to be the target of all monsters today."

He said dryly.

"Wouldn't that be a sight."

Celty just grinned at him with her smoke.

[I'm counting on you, Celty. And I wish I was there. His face must be scrunched up in that cute look like he's not sure if he should scowl or frown. He looked at me like that too.

Haha. Hahaha. HAHAHAHAHAHA! AH SHIT, NOW I'M LAUGHING TOO! DAMN IT CELTY I CAN'T STOP]

Celty couldn't take it anymore. She collapsed against Shooter, her body trembling in helpless laughter as she banged her fist on the motorbike, and laughed even harder when Shooter neighed as if he was laughing too.

"….."

Izaya shot her a deadpan look which clearly questioned her sanity and left without another word.


Well, hopefully this long chapter makes up for the wait! As promised, the second arc has longer chapters!

To the anon reviewer, I think that's fine, my focus this time isn't really IC and I'd be surprised if you found them completely IC. Like you said I need to take liberties with this plot which is why I don't really write this kind of story often 'cause I lack creativity lol. Novel Izaya is more human than season 1 anime Izaya I would say. He's more malevolent and yet he's more like a child (there are various allusions to his childishness) Well I don't know how to describe it but you should be able to see the difference in Izaya of Season 1 and Izaya of the current season. Well to me anime Izaya just means there are more liberties that can be taken because his character wasn't explored as deeply as in the novel. While if it's novel Izaya well you wouldn't get chapters so fast and the update rate will be like It Just Happened 'cause I need time to write his novel self lol. While here is my own interpretation of how he'd generally be like in such a situation. Though one thing that remains the same is his annoyance with Shizuo, he thinks about Shizuo a lot in the novel and gets annoyed maybe even emotional at the mere mention of him. It's not only Izaya who pisses Shizuo off, Shizuo pisses Izaya off too. Same with novel Shizuo and anime Shizuo, Shizuo in the original source material is actually very calm unless Izaya is involved and he seems as if he's always lost in his own head with his distracted tone, season 2 portrays that quite well. Like in the latest episode even when confronted by the Awakusu-kai he speaks very calmly to them, because he knows he was framed but they won't believe him, he's definitely smarter than in season 1. Even Izaya notices (and he's not even there). But then he notices everything about Shizu-chan that stalker...anyway I'm not sure if I answered your question but if you read the novels you should be able to see the difference though there'll be season 2 spoilers. Though if you want to know more maybe you could create an account so I can reply your directly through PM? 'Cause as you can see my reply would be long. If not, messaging me through my tumblr on my profile is also ok :)

And it's quite random but I was just reading through and why is everyone saying Shizuo is a sadist lol! I don't think he is, he didn't gain any pleasure from Izaya's pain, he was just angry. Malicious maybe 'cause he wanted to hurt Izaya for hurting him but I didn't see any schadenfreude involved...but I guess everyone has their own interpretation! I could be biased for all I know lol~

Anyway I'm done with this horrible week in which I almost died mentally and so I feel a little more relaxed. Thank you for all the support and well wishes :) I have like another month to go before my jaw can be manipulated (dentist insists there's still a chance for me to naturally recover) so well, that's that. At least there's an option now I guess.

I still love the new season but Mikado is frustrating with his indecisiveness. Like dude, Aoba is obviously trying to force you into taking the leader role why do you even bother to explain to the bad guys? Omg Celty thank you for your quick thinking yes you're right he will never clear up the misunderstanding. Celty is so cool (and cute omg her reaction when Shinra called her is too cute! And how she tried to act cool afterwards, "I'm just an urban legend passing by." LOL Shizuo looks like you're not the only 'dork'!) this season, I like her even more now! Vorona and her emotionless excitement (lol) is adorable. And Shizuo's parkour is awesome (it's like he was swinging on invisible vines!), enough said but I wish there was more! Tch, most of the episode was taken up by Mikado and his indecisiveness (which has been there since season 1) His transformation later on better be worth it! Why do they focus on him of all people (while cutting out/shortening several scenes)...hell, I'd rather see more of Izaya than him. *not happy because wanting to see more of Shizuo's parkour after waiting for and surviving a week, a horribly busy week*

For the story itself I can't say much 'cause it'll be spoiler but as usual, things should make sense later on~hey at least there's finally some humor right? :)

(I actually pity Izaya here he has no idea at all the 'monsters' are 'conspiring' with each other and once again his plan is ruined and he's even more annoyed hahahahaha! You're searching for the wrong information, information broker~didn't Shizuo said to throw away those cards in your hands 'cause he's changing the rules? And that he's gonna make the first move? Yet your stubborn Taurus self insists on sticking to his own initial plan, well it's actually quite cute. Hm why did you turn out this way? Eh I don't know. Well I finally get to write a Shizaya date wow something actually resembling romance so I have no complaints~)