I'm not exactly angry at Masaomi for telling Mikado... I'm actually very relieved. This way, Mikado didn't have to hear it from me directly and he also probably doesn't think I was going to keep any of this from him since it was just moments ago!

As I walk towards the bed I begin to lower what I have thought of myself. All I am is being a coward right now...

I see a laptop sitting on Mikado's bed as I tried turning my gaze outside the window.

"I'm sort of keeping track on what's going on in Ikebukeru." Mikado says behind me. "Nothing's really happening. I'm sure that's a good sign."

I sigh deeply and turn to look at him. "I wanted to be the one to tell you..." I say.

He leans on the wall close to a closet that looks identical to the one back in my own hotel. He tries to make me feel better by smiling at me. "It's okay, Rio... I was just focused on the idea on what you felt when you saw him for the first time in months. Must of been a big shock, huh?"

I stare unbelieved at him. Why isn't he angry at me for going with Izaya over our small gathering...? Why doesn't he want to ask me if I'm keeping things from him?

I sit myself down. I lay my folded clothes next to me and I begin to rub my hands.

"It felt great seeing him again..." I say.

He straightens himself and walks over to his bed and sits down next to me. "I wouldn't imagine..." He says.

I smile and I keep my eyes at my hands.

"There's so much that could of been said..." I say. I know he's looking at me. I look over at him too.

We don't say anything. It was a moment in which I was great full to have him as a friend. I'm trying to protect Mikado and Anri... I'm sure Mikado is returning the favor and keeping Anri safe as well. I don't know what I would do if I was alone dealing with this mess of a life.

I smile. "If there's ever a time you start hiding things from me, I'll lose it." I tell him with a smile.

"We have to look after each other one way or the other." He grins.

Yes... We do...

This means no secrets. None at all.

"Anything else going on in your mind?" He asks me.

I grab my clothes and lay them on my lap. "I ran into them today..." I say. He was confused, I can tell. I tried my hardest to try and go into depth. "The men from the plane were in the elevator..." I say.

He grabs my wrist lightly trying to control himself. "Wh-what? How- Are you okay?"

I nod. "Yes.. I'm okay! I just had a mini heart attack... But I'm okay now. Get this: they're totally clueless! They're leaving today." He makes a troubled face and I try my best to make him as confident as I am right now. "Mikado... Leave everything to Izaya.. He said he can fix this!"

I felt his grip become soft as he says, "you told him...?" Almost disappointed that I would tell Izaya.

"No... actually he sort of had something to do with-"

"Oh... That's just great..." He cuts me off. His voice came out as a whisper... And sort of upsetting sounding.

"No no no, listen Mikado-"

"Rio... They're probably going to Ikebukeru right now... After our trip ends, where can we go?"

I shake my head at him. "I'm telling you... Once our three days are up, Izaya would of taken care of everything by then." I then give him a light smile. "Trust me."

His face softens and then... It was clear as day that I was trying to convince even myself.

I exit his room and bow "sorry for intruding."

He smiles and tells me good night.

I walk over to my own door and watch as mikado's door is still open, making sure I'm fine even out here. I make my way inside and find myself back inside my room with the dish and the note still sitting where I left them... But another letter sits alongside the dish too.

I walk over there and pick it up. It's a plain white envelope. No descriptions of any kind written on it. How... Did it get in here? I walk deeper into the room and check if Anri is still sound asleep. I see her covered up and I back up to go into the restroom. In there, I dig my fingernail along the lining of the mail and open it up. I wonder how many times I've done this already..?

I carefully reach in for the letter. I immediately begin to read when I flip it open.

'White items tend to catch your eye now a days-'

Right off the bat I know it's from Izaya. Masaomi wears a white sweater.

' Alright, to the point. Turns out I have enough time. Meet me in the lobby."

I stand in the bathroom looking at the letter. A small 'oh' escaped from me. It took me a while to notice the sink has been dropping light water drops.

I read the letter over again. I then check the time. It's exactly 2:03 AM. Since I didn't see this letter here before, it's not a coincidence that he would want me to go with him so late... But why?

I grip on to the letter. It's best not to ask questions.

I exit out of the bathroom and I change like it's normal to go out so late. I walk to the the bathroom once I was done. I rip the letter into tiny pieces, crumble it up, and water it under the sink. I walk towards the toilet and flush it down. Best not to leave a trace if it's that easy to get in this apartment...

I exit out of the bathroom and look over at Anri. I mouth the words: 'I'll be right back' and walk out of the room. I stop to look at Mikado's door. It wasn't a promise that I thought for him like I did for Anri. It was a beg.

'Forgive me.'

I then place my phone in my small black bag and I go down the stairs.

I make it to the lobby and I look around for Izaya. He wasn't in sight but I figured he's probably trying not to get himself caught suspiciously being inside this hotel.

There was people down here even at this hour. A woman sits on the lobby's most comfy looking chair. There's two women talking and looking up at the sky through the window. They're probably all waiting for someone... Like I am.

I walk over to sit on the chairs they had here just to be sure. I look around. Is this safe...? Have I been too comfortable..? Too prideful?

The thoughts run and yet I sit back and cross my leg over the other as I wait. He has nothing to lose if he doesn't come. I'm not sure why I'm waiting. This is like my way on telling myself that whatever happens will be like those other times that I faintly have forgotten.

I focus my eyes towards the women at the window. They begin to point out the window and wave. They found what they've been looking for.

They begin to exit the lobby and I look at my phone for the time. 2:30 AM. Scary.

I put my phone away and look over at the other woman. She sits looking down at a magazine.

I wish I had something to do...

I see a figure through the window and I become uneasy.

The doors to the entrance open and in comes a man with a floral designed scarf and sunglasses.

I stare up at him as he meets my eyes and I make a face.

What does he think he's wearing?!

He makes a hand motion almost too well played off and walks towards the elevator area.

I relax and check my phone making it look like someone texted me. I get up and walk towards the elevator he went in. The doors close and he presses certain buttons. I look at him with a confused expression and he pulls down his scarf away from his mouth. "It's to not stop at any other floors." He explains. His voice... is soothing to me.

I give him a quick smile and he takes his sunglasses off. "You're late, by the way." I playfully say.

"Couldn't just walk in without this."

I laugh and reach for his sunglasses. "And what exactly is this? It's pretty obvious it's you, Izaya." A man with a cute scarf wearing a long black coat in hot weather like this with sunglasses inside a building is like putting a red marble in a basket full of transparent marbles.

He takes the glasses back and pulls out his phone. "Well, no one really looked at me weird. I guess I've outdone myself this time."

Now that's hard to believe. I sigh playfully and lay myself on the elevator wall. He continues to look through his phone and I wait. As he puts it away he glances at me. No words are exchanged. I hope he can tell by my eyes that even though I've seen him earlier, I still missed him.

He looks away to focus his eyes at the floor number. I took that as a sign that he was waiting for me to ask a lot of questions or even scold at him for making me come out this late. That's what the immature Rio would of done. I'm not her at the moment.

The floor stops and he grabs my hand. He surprised me when he did that. It's been more than nine hours since I last saw him and it still feels like this is the first. He leads me out the elevator and into the hallway. I look around my surroundings. Everyone on this floor must be asleep. I noticed this floor is three floors over mine.

I look at the back of his head as he walks me towards the unknown. I'm not scared. I feel empty somehow... But I'm also really really happy...

I grip his hand tighter and we turn a corner.

There was a lot of silence between us... But I guess it's because he wants to talk privately. I wonder if he booked a room here too... But why exactly here? And why was he not at the lobby those few minutes...?

He finally stops in front of a room and opens it in a flash. He lets me go in first and I enter without a second thought.

I walk into a room so much different than mine. It's a lot larger and... Somehow darker.

"You're free to talk, Namie is out running an errand for me which is why I was sort of late, and I barely booked this place this night.." I look at him. "Welcome." He says.

My face becomes red of the thought that Namie wasn't here...

"Since you came here knowing that this is the hotel you bought for me, Anri, and Mikado, I guess you also know that they went back to Ikebukeru." I say. The men that are looking for me are probably gone by now...

He takes his jacket off and walks to a small lamp, "Smart as ever I see. Don't get carried away thought, this is a slow process on to finally getting rid if them." He then hesitates for a second and looks up at me. "How do you know they're going back?"

I take my purse off and I turn my back to him trying to reach his bed to finally sit myself down. "They were at the elevator that I was taking. They were talking amongst each other about how I wasn't here.."

"I guess they still had no idea who you were, I presume."

I nod and sit down. "I've felt much more safer ever since you came back..." I say. "Thank you... For letting me talk to you for a while longer..."

He was playing with his sunglasses and trying to avoid my eyes. "It's a pleasure."

The air is now clearing. "That's all you wanted to tell me?" I ask.

He waits a moment, a second, and then he goes over to his scarf and picks that up.

"And you're going to leave this beach when..?" I ask.

He turns to look at me and he stops himself from smiling from the thought that I knew that that was even on the plate. "Today." He comes over to p robably put those items on the small table he has next to the bed. He does and he sits down on the floor, his back on the bed, staring at the wall in front of me...

I nod and press my lips together. I then lift my legs up to embrace them. "When will this be normal again...?" I ask as I look down at the top of his head.

He catches on that 'this' is how it used to be much more easier to talk to him through phone and how much easier it was to see him. Now it's like a mine field ready to explode if we both come together.

He shrugs and lays his arms on his knees. He's too honest right now...

I remember holding onto his arm on the balcony. It's been forever since I've held someone like that before. Looking at him now it makes me want to be held. It's such a needy process and I'm not liking my ways of thinking right now...!

I get up and plop myself next to him on the floor. I avert my eyes away from him and look at my legs.

"You told mikado and Anri where you are?"

I shake my head. He startled me just now... "They were asleep... I want to tell them in the morning or..." I felt his finger tips touch my side. I blush and try looking even more away. "Or maybe when they're m-much more awake but..." What's wrong with me...? A long time without him around and I become so flustered... We kissed like normal back at the party... Why is now any different?

I hear him ask if I am okay. I finally look at him and nod slowly. He smirks at me and I try relaxing a bit more. We're closer now...

"You've really changed." He says under his breath. I stare into his eyes trying to not take that comment negatively.

"Wh-what makes you say that..?" I ask.

He gives me a smug smile and lets my side go. "Sorry. It's just something that slipped out."

I still feel the heat from his touch. Is he trying to torture me in the inside...?

I hesitate at first but I then part my mouth and ask quietly, "does Namie sleep in here with you...?"

When I walked in I noticed the other bed across from this one. It was making me feel uneasy... Maybe that's why I'm acting weird..?

He stares at me and doesn't say anything. I was ready to run out... But then he chuckled and says, "no. She sleeps in another room that I've also ordered."

"Two rooms...?"

"Three."

I relax my body. "Why three...?"

His hand comes back on my side. My hands shake just a little but I wait for his answer patiently.

"It's to confuse the woman from the desk to not know which room I stayed in."

I smile. "First the elevator trick and now this. You're like a walking life hack." I say jokingly.

I can feel his heartbeat on my shoulder. It's very light. I can't make out the rhythm, but it's there.

He suddenly brings his left arm to touch my right arm. I was still sitting with my legs being embraced. Without thinking, I turn my body towards him and I feel him pull me in more.

We tightly hold each other. I feel like time is passing slowly. I am okay with this.

I grip on his jet black shirt and felt myself tear up. He's real.

He holds me tighter, knowing I was tearing up. He's real.

"Is it okay.." I managed to whisper. "If I kiss you...?"

He doesn't say anything but he did move his leg for a moment. He begins to slowly let me go and only parts away inches from my face. He looks straight into my eyes and waits for me to carry out my request.

I begin to blush knowing he's looking at me. I was starting to think maybe I should just play it off as if I was just joking or that it was just at the heat of the moment and that I didn't mean it... But... That wouldn't be true...

I let air escape my mouth as I tried calming myself down but I just became even more nervous.

I hear him laugh very quietly and moves a little farther away from me to look at my face better.

"What's taking so long, Rio."

My hands start trembling again and I close my eyes. It was more of a 'you do it' gesture. I suddenly felt his soft lips on mine. So quick and effortless... How does he do it? He begins to move his head away and I follow him trying not to break the kiss. I touch his neck lightlywith my finger tips and I inch myself closer. We continue the passionate kiss for a few more minutes.

I feel his hand touch the bottom of my back to make me move in... But we're already so close...

He moves his head to the left very lightly to try and pick up on his breathing and my mouth meets the side of his lips. I then get to his jaw making my way to his neck. He moves his head back but I was already focused on kissing him to where I am. I bury my hand in his hair as I try to keep myself from losing it.

My stomach flutters with a million of butterflies and I felt him grab my shoulders and pull me off.

I stare at him and I saw a hint of red as he tries to look away from me. My arms were still holding on to his arms. My clothes were probably wrinkled.

I try saying something when he looks to his left trying to avoid my eyes still and I saw it...

"Hic..." My voice trails off and I touch the redness on his neck with my finger. He turns to look at me again and he lets my shoulders go.

He tries smiling and then says, "I guess I need to wear that floral scarf some more now..."

My mouth parts and I try studying his face more. I've never seen him react that way.

"Again..." I say.

His smile stays but his eyes change "what again?"

I don't say anything. I move in closer and touch my lips on his skin once again. My face flushes as I felt his hand trail to my thigh. He props me up to his lap and I felt his arms around me in a long embrace and he says ,"you should go back to them..."

My hands shiver just a little bit and I try looking at his face. His expression was playful and meaningful...

I nod and stand up. He doesn't let my hand go even as I try walking towards the door. He stands up too and kisses me again... Very quickly...

I couldn't help but smile just a little because when we were both sort of new to this, I honestly never thought that kissing would ever feel this natural.

I knew he couldn't come with me... So I hold his hand a little longer and grip onto the strap of my black purse. Sooner or later I had to let go...

His fingers lightly lift away and I follow on his pattern. He sits down on the bed and looks at the floor.

I slowly begin to walk to the door and but I stop halfway and see he is watching me.

I turn my body towards him as well and I whisper as I say, "I love you..."

He gives me a half smile and says, "I know."