~Fairyride~
"They are playful beings that love creation."
"And destruction."
Shin Senjyo: I think that is a good idea. You should try it. I have to go now though. Bye!
Kumiko logged off the Dollars forum as soon as her message post was sent and pocketed her phone once she neared Raira Academy. An hour after receiving the password from the unknown ID, she had seen her handle name listed as a Dollars member at the website.
Mere hours after joining Dollars and logging into their site, she had learned many things about them- many facts that countered the rumors that flew around. She actually laughed out at the irony that the rumors she so feared was very false, and had been mainly started by fake-Dollars. Many of the members were quite nice and were quite, amazingly enough, normal people.
I wonder if there are any Dollars members at school…
That was a thought she had often lately. It would have been nice to know another personally, but it didn't seem to be something the Dollars members did.
There was still so much about them she could learn, and already so much that she had learned. They are a fascinating group.
Kumiko was able to express herself freely on the boards, and various people responded to her posts. She was able to chat and socialize with them! On the forums, she did not feel like such a stranger or outsider. If only she could just as easily communicate with people in reality as she did virtually.
She could only hope that with time, she would improve in that department, especially because she was now interacting with some of the most infamous people in Ikebukuro on a regular basis. Since the fritters incident, she had been talking to Shizuo often.
Whenever the opportunity came up, she would make some sort of confectionery for Shizuo in her home economics class. The class often altered between cooking, sewing and other such girly activities but there was usually at least one class dedicated to cooking per week. Of course, she didn't forget about Tom or the Orihara twins and always made sure their share was included. Her teacher had been suspicious at first as to why she was making such large quantities, but brushed it off overtime. After all, what kind of harm could a turtle like her do?
Kumiko also soon found out that Shizuo and Celty were pretty good friends with one another, and as a result, she had begun to…'talk' (funny)….with the famed headless rider herself. Celty wasn't as scary as rumors made her out to be either.
Rumors were something she really should stop listening to as what she heard of Shizuo, Celty and Dollars through them were all wrong.
Perhaps what they said of Orihara Izaya was the same? Maybe Izaya wasn't as dangerous as they say and he actually had a kind, fluffy heart? ...That was a food for thought.
Seeing her three freshmen friends approaching the school gates as well, Kumiko walked over to them and gave a small wave. "Good m-morning!"
Mikado and Anri both blinked at Kumiko, still unused to the sudden change in her demeanor. They had noticed a change in Kumiko, subtle as it was. But to them who conversed with her more than the other students, they took note of what the rest of the student body did not. Like how she actually takes the initiative to greet them now where before they were the ones who had to go up to her everyday and say hi.
She sure is more cheerful lately… Mikado thought with a smile. He didn't find it a bad thing at all. He quite liked his senpai being this way than when she was all quiet; it was a bit discomforting. There was already a quiet one in their little group in anyway. He casted a quick glance over to Anri only to have pink dust his cheeks.
"Kumiko-senpai~! I can tell today will be a good day today just by seeing how brilliant your smile is~"
Mikado sighed, wondering why his friend could not resist flirting with everything that was remotely female.
Kumiko smiled lightly before a yawn escaped her. She held her hand up to cover her mouth as she let out a long one, bits of water pricking at her eyes.
"Didn't you sleep well last night, senpai?" Mikado asked curiously. She seemed to have bags under her eyes too.
"I stayed up a b-bit late, that's all." That was something she's been doing a lot since joining Dollars. The forums were so addictive. One person she chatted with often and exchanged messages with was someone going by the handle Nakura.
She knew better than to trust people based on their internet persona, but Nakura seemed like a good fellow. She would love to meet and talk with him one day. There was also a person going by the name Master Gods- who knows how he came up with that- and he taught her a lot about the English language on the forums. Studying in America one day in the creative arts industry was something she dreamed of often, and Master Gods was a big help to this end; she couldn't go there whilst illiterate in English.
Waving goodbye to the freshmen trio, Kumiko headed to her class. She had home economics today, and she hoped that they were doing cooking once more. It gave her reason to see Shizuo….She did not think Shizuo would mind if she just approached him casually as a friend, but there was a part of her that felt insecure; going to him without a reason gave her this insecurity.
It was unlike anything she felt before. Usually she felt awkward and strange around people, but she never really bothered about it because that was how she was. But with Shizuo, it was different. It was this insecurity where she felt Shizuo thought her boring and did not want her there- that's why she always made sure to have a reason, and bringing him baked goods was a reason she easily clung onto.
Shizuo was so, so different from anyone she'd ever met; not including Orihara Izaya and the twins. They were another matter entirely. And she was sure now, more than ever, that she wanted to know this man better; it wasn't just a silly promise she made herself any longer. This weird attachment she felt towards him- she wanted to explore it, understand it.
She didn't have to babysit today, but dropped off some mini butter cakes at the Orihara household for the twins anyway. She actually added two extras for Izaya but did not mention anything about it as she passed the box over to Orihara-mama. He probably never visited his home anyway.
And why she added the extra two for him, she didn't know either. She just had this guilty sort of jab in her gut when she didn't.
Flipping her cell phone open, Kumiko hesitated several moments before mustering the courage to type up a message to Shizuo. She had done it several times before now, but the nervousness still creeps up. It was like having to do a performance- no matter how many times you performed, you still get this jittery and clammy feeling in your hands before it began.
To Shizuo:
'I made some mini butter cakes for you~ (^-^); where should I bring it?'
The girl bit her lips anxiously as she walked at a slow gait. It was a while before the response came; her phone rang with a Kagrra ringtone.
From Shizuo:
Marui department store-Ikebukuro station. Thanks.
Short and to the point. It was very much Shizuo.
Pocketing her phone, Kumiko began making her way to the station; she was familiar with that particular department store as she sometimes bought her clothes from there- mainly long stockings and tights to match her shorts. It was very trendy nowadays, and she quite liked the look. But it was pointless as she hardly ever went or hung out, so she had no need to dress fashionably…
"Ya, babysitter-chan~"
Kumiko choked on nothing from the sudden voice, head whipping to the side to see Izaya in all of his glory; he wore his usual clothes with one hand tucked in his hood pocket (she hoped he wasn't fingering that blade of his). In one hand he held a package of…something.
Izaya noticed her gaze and smiled/smirked-whatever-and lifted it up.
"It's fatty tuna~ want some?" he asked with a grin.
How old was this guy again? He seemed pretty young, and he's spending cash on fatty tuna? Luxury is but a mere impression to Kumiko. Regardless, before she could reply with a skeptical "Really?" Izaya busted her to it.
"Not that I would give any to you though~" And he laughed.
Kumiko's brows furrowed with a pout. Promptly she turned away from him and began walking again. She was hopeful there for a second; this really annoyed her as she got roped in so easily. She was too gullible for her own good sometimes. But man, fatty tuna….when was the last time she had some good sushi?
Shizuo wouldn't play a mean trick like that. He was honest and direct. From his recent display, Izaya obviously liked to pull jokes on people.
Resisting a sigh, Kumiko casted a curious glance at the man who had started following her with a hop to his steps. He was like a child sometimes.
….he reminded her of his sisters….
"Orihara-san, w-why are you following me?"
"Hmm?" His face alighted with an interest of some sort. "Did you fix your speaking problem? If so, that saves me a lot of trouble as it is very hard to listen to you when you speak like that."
…...
...
...
She knew she had speech problems but did he have to be so blunt about it AND say it all with a smile?
Fleetingly, she recalled the time Shizuo asked if she had speech problems as well, back when she took the twins out on a Hanejima shopping trip. Was…her speaking problem really that bad?
Red burned her cheeks and Kumiko bit down harder on her lower lip. She was too mortified and embarrassed to even look up at Izaya. "I-I can't h-help i-it!"
"Cheee…it hasn't healed even a bit." Izaya leaned back with something akin to a condescending smile.
Tucking her head further in, Kumiko walked faster with her head down. Izaya only continued skipping after her. Amber eyes trailed down to her hand by her schoolbag.
"More baked treats for Shizu-chan~?" There was derision hidden in his words.
She nodded mutely. Under her breath, she muttered out, "I left some for you with your sisters…"
Izaya laughed merrily and Kumiko could not decide whether she liked or hated his laugh. Where Shizuo's was booming and fully of vitality, Izaya's was….a plethora of contradictions. It was merry and light, with a hint of danger.
"They probably already ate all of it. I haven't stepped into that house for ages, to be honest." His chuckles tapered off with his words.
"You…haven't?" She looked up at him now. She always imagined that he never visited his home, but never thought that he actually never did. It was hard for her to imagine what it was like, to not be in contact with her parents. She was an only child, and her parents are the people dearest to her- she made sure to call them every alternative day, to save a bit on phone bills.
Izaya merely looked away with a smirk, not bothering to answer her. As he turned his head to the right, his left arm reached out as well and steered Kumiko away from her path with a firm clasp on her shoulder.
"W-what a-re you-?"
Kumiko stumbled along after him, and she wondered just why the fuck she hadn't blown up at this man yet and his…his…callous ways! Damn, she couldn't come up with a good adjective for him; proof of his complexity.
From stalking her to putting a knife at her throat, Kumiko had all rights to sue and completely detest the man; she should. Vainly, she pondered over how other people would have already and she questioned her sanity- as she hadn't, did that mean there was something wrong with her? She had social problems, sure…but she was totally sane by psychology standards!
Right now, she should scream for help and run away from wherever Izaya was leading her. But like a sheep following after its herder, she quietly walked after him without shrugging off the grip on her shoulder.
She was neither angry nor hateful of him. Yet she wasn't happy or grateful towards him for anything either- unlike Shizuo who gave her enough reason to shower the road he walked with sprinkles.
Izaya found it odd and mildly fascinating, the way the girl worked. She displayed obvious fear around him and also excitement. Most of all, he had expected her to have reported him to the police by now or do something against him. She did none of the things people normally would have done.
A suspicious and wary glance was casted at him, but that was it. She accepted the control he placed over her as if he was just asking her about the weather.
It was apathetic, almost.
Almost because Izaya knew she was far from apathy- he knew emotions whirled within her right now; mainly confusion. He could see it in her eyes. They glimmered with a hidden war known only to herself. Yet like stoic sentinels they stared ahead, blank and dull to the environment.
Behind that socially awkward schoolgirl façade, she was a doll that had the wills of the heavens but lacked the strength of the earth to act upon those wills.
He turned and hid a malicious grin.
It was almost like having Shizu-chan in his grip right now. That annoying unpredictability permeated her.
The only difference was that she lacked power and strength.
If Shizu-chan was action, then she was the mere flutter of words that left no impression.
And it had been a long time since Izaya came across someone of her caliber- someone that did not bore him with their predictability and yet remained docile enough for him to control, unlike the barbaric rage that ran rampant.
"O-Orihara-san….I was going see s-someone." Izaya knew who that person is. It was easy to guess.
Vainly she tried maneuver out of his hold, but she hardly placed any effort into it.
Izaya knew she was curious- she wanted to follow him. But she also wanted to leave and see the protozoa.
Izaya laughed and turned her down another street.
She may be contradictory and thus unpredictable, but she was not immune to his influence.
"It won't take long. Shizu-chan can wait." Surprise flashed through her eyes at him knowing that she was to rendezvous with Shizuo.
"I just wanted to talk to you a bit. Here, I'll even treat you to some fatty tuna, for real this time~"
The soils were tilled.
'Won't take long my stinking foot!'
Kumiko cursed as she weaved through the crowded station to the other side, making a break for the department store. It had been two hours since the time she was to meet with Shizuo.
Izaya had in all honesty treated her to fatty tuna and more. She initially thought he was lying until he took her to a sushi restaurant.
Why, she didn't really know. But she wouldn't turn down the offer of good sushi, considering how expensive they were nowadays.
But shit, he had kept her there with his talk- it was strangely addicting to listen to him. He had a powerful way with words and he talked about many things with her. One particular topic was the main root of why she forgot the time with him: Dollars.
He had so much to tell about them. In fact, he had so much to tell and give about everything- he was an information broker for hell's sake.
Never once did she question of the validity of his words; they sounded solid and real, and she accepted them all as truth.
But fuck again, she was late. Epically late.
As she slowed her run to a serene gait, Kumiko gnawed the inside of her mouth in anxiety and worry.
However, the worry and anxiety fled when she spotted a head of bright gold and they were instead replaced with guilt.
She had believed that Shizuo would have left already. Yet there he was.
Kumiko could easily see the impatience, the annoyance, and the anger roiling in his eyes. It was no surprise; he waited for two fucking hours.
Shizuo was sorely tempted to leave, but something kept him there for the two whole hours.
Excuses were made on their own accord in his head as to why she was late for two god forsaken hours.
He could not help the rise in his temper, and consequently a broken lamp post that lay broken beside him. He still waited.
For two goddamn hours.
Just what was it that kept that girl? Better yet, why the hell did he wait anyway?
The red storm passed to a mild thunder, tapering off into nothing as he caught her from the corner of his eyes. The guilt was sorely imprinted all over her figure; from her eyes to her mouth and to her cocooned arms.
Shizuo's eyes twitched with the remnants of his annoyance as she came to a stop several feet away from him, the bag of what he supposed is the butter cakes in her hand.
Why did he wait that long?
The question passed through both of their minds simultaneously, unknowingly.
Shizuo was damn sure it was not because of her confectionery; he tasted better from established bakery stores.
So what was it?
Is it because if he left and she- if she- arrived to find him nowhere in sight, he felt that her brown eyes would darken with sadness? Maybe he didn't want to lose a friend so quickly? Was he even that close of a friend to her to warrant such long hours from him? Perhaps in some quiet part of his mind, he unconsciously suffers from loneliness and wanted more people to reach out to, beyond Kasuka, Tom, Shinra and Celty.
Or maybe it was just because of her confectioneries after all?
Shizuo did not really know.
He couldn't think long into these things as they were so hard to foreshadow. Which was why he didn't really think onto why he stayed there; he just did it.
"Sorry."
Kumiko mumbled, forlornly looking down and drawing circles with her right foot. She held up the bag for him to take.
"It's fine. Thanks."
He took it.
Kumiko could not find the courage in herself to admit that she had enjoyed a good time with Izaya and actually forgot about Shizuo till the last moment; when Izaya sipped at a cup of tea and said offhandedly she was missing an appointment.
"Did you…r-really wait all this t-time?" She squeaked, forcing herself to look up at him.
Shizuo glanced down at her and nodded. Her head dropped back down like a bag of bricks.
"S-sorry."
She was extremely guilty. But she could not deny that conversing with Izaya civilly was interesting. Which is why she could not look Shizuo in the eyes properly, because she knew of the extreme hate between them.
"What kept you?" He asked.
Kumiko faltered. It took her a split second to make up a lie; she did not even contemplate telling the truth.
"S-something came up w-with a friend. S-she asked for h-help and I f-forgot the time. Forgive me!" She bowed low.
Shizuo was taken aback a bit at this, as people passing by shot them weird looks.
"It's fine…" He waved a hand in front of her, indicating for her to straighten back up. Shizuo believed her because he did not think that this girl could lie- he never thought that she was capable of lying since she had always been so honest with him.
Kumiko focused her gaze on the area below and between his eyes. She could not look straight into them.
Somehow, she felt that she betrayed her friendship with Shizuo. Another part of her reasoned that she had no obligation towards him or Izaya, other than having made him wait. No, she was only at fault for forgetting the time and Shizuo. She had no obligation to tell him of her meeting with Izaya, his arch enemy.
None at all.
Edit: My beta came back! =D this chapter and chapter 9 has been replaced with the beta'd versions now~ now you wont have to deal with my horrid grammar if you go through the chappies again ahahaha Shout out to MiAquaN for being my beta! She really saves my writing from being a stinking peach XD
Thanks a lot for the faves and alerts guys~ I am quite surprised at how fast this story garnered so many followers xD the faves/alerts number is nearly on par with my lame-ass-stuck-in-a-rut Fine Line story which was my most popular story yet (for reasons I cannot fathom; my writing skills are worst then than now). Now lets see if I can get the reviews rate and numbers up as well ahahaha –shot-
So like…I know the way Kumiko works and how others perceive her is confusing at times…and that is the point xD I created Kumiko with the notion in mind that humans are NEVER constant- they are always changing with the tiniest shifts in their environment.
Kumiko is built with many contradictory ideals that ranges from existentialist to the plain old girl-next-door concept. She is not meant to be that OC whom you know will always fight for herself or go try and save the poor kid being bullied even if she can't fight. Admit it, at times, even if we think we can do something, when it really comes down to it, we can't act either. And I feel that though we try not to sometimes, we cannot help but lie; for good or for bad.
It's hard for me to explain Kumiko a bit since the whole point of her is to be unexplainable despite her obvious simplicity xD I just hope I can try to get her character out to you guys over the course of the story. So…sorry! I know some readers were a bit miffed at Kumiko's characterization as it was confusing and did not follow a steady ground x.x But I don't want her to turn out predictable; like you know Gokudera would lose his temper easily at things or Kurama is a sweet man till the end lul (I have horrible comparisons, I know).
Feel free to ask questions about her if you have any~
PS: I have not answered reviews on here for a couple chapters. I was wondering if I should just respond to reviews privately or keep them here for others to see- opinions?