Shizuo was still holding her hand not intending to let go anytime soon.
First she pisses him off and then she calms him down.
He had to wonder if she had a death wish or if she was just naturally an airhead.
"Are you still mad?" She asked him tentatively.
"No shit, I'm pissed as hell that you've been hiding that fact you've been sleeping outside." How the hell had she been living up until now? If she couldn't even find her home, where the hell would she sleep in this dangerous city.
"I don't have to tell you everything." She quickly stated "I told you already, I'm used to handling my own problems. It's just a way of life."
"That's still no reason to fucking lie about being fine!" Shizuo yelled
They had stopped in an alley to get some privacy leaving her back facing a brick wall.
"You do realize 99% of the population lies about the same thing!"
"Yes but only 1% of the population is made of you."
She laughed at the lame fact. "Same can be said to you. So we are at an impasse."
"Don't try dodging the question." Shizuo leaned closer to her leaving her back hitting the bricks. He placed a hand on either side of her head dropping the groceries to the ground.. "Now, why didn't you tell me about this sooner!?"
She blushed at the closeness between them. She could hear his breaths so close to her ear.
She bit the her bottom lip in hesitation; strangely the motion left him wanting to close the distance between them.
It would be so easy to close the small distance and yet he held back.
Not just because he was afraid of hurting her, but the fact she seemed to be having an internal battle with herself was also another factor.
He knew she was hiding something, but he decided not to say anything.
She was the greatest challenge to his patience.
"Fine, when you feel like saying anything let me know." Shizuo grumbled. He lowered a hand brushing her pale cheek to get her to look up.
He was rewarded with a heart warming smile as she leaned into his hand.
"Hai, you'll be the first to know." She said, "You're quite good with women; are you sure you're a beginner at this?"
The teasing light was back in her eyes.
"Shut up," He fingered his sunglasses.
"I wasn't lying back there." She truthfully confessed. What she had whispered to him earlier wasn't what you would call a confession, but it was close.
He sighed resting his forehead on the top of her head. "So troublesome."
"We should go to your apartment or I won't have enough time to prepare food." She commented.
Shizuo leaned back to grab the bag once more. She was way too defenseless for her own good; did she even realize her own words?
"What kind of foods do you prefer?" She asked him.
Shizuo cocked an eye brow at her late question. "Shouldn't you have asked me before I bought the ingredients?"
"Nope, takes the fun out of the ordeal if I do that." She confirmed "I much prefer desserts over real food, but I'm not too sure if that gives a good impression though."
Shizuo noted that Vorona and Hisoné had similar tastes in food as him.
"Okay let me change the question, what taste do you not like?"
"Bitter"
"Bitter," She repeated to herself. Quite strange for a twenty four year old man. "So... no alcohol for you then."
Shizuo was leading the way with Hisoné closely following along. They didn't speak the rest of the way until they reached his apartment.
"Do you invite people into your apartment?" She asked as he unlocked the door.
"What business would they have in my apartment?" Shizuo asked
The only people who would dare come here was Kasuka or Tom. She might've been the first woman in his home he realized.
"Good question, but I guess I can't really say anything. I change apartments like how women change shoes." She remembered "Of course, I have my own reasons for it so no remarks!"
Shizuo opened the door leading her into his apartment.
Hisoné paused taking a look at her surroundings. The room was fairly clean; quite unexpected from living with her father.
"I'm going to get started on the cooking, you can go wash up and watch TV if you'd like. But no porn, or the like." She reminded
"Like hell I'd do that." He muttered but complied heading off to take a shower.
This left her to do the cooking. The kitchen didn't seemed to be used often except for probably instant noodles which peeved her to no end.
She decided to make a simple dish of rice and curry.
But first off, she needed to...
She flitted around the kitchen doing one thing and then on to another.
She was however unknown that while she was focused at the task at hand Shizuo had already come out of his shower.
Shizuo was watching her work hard at preparing the food.
She made herself right at home; to him it seemed as if she belonged in this environment. She had a slight smile on her face as she worked around the kitchen.
"If love and hate are the same what is the in between of these two concepts?" She muttered to herself.
Shizuo knew it was futile to get her to explain so he tried a different angle. "Smells good."
She turned her head to him, her violet eyes showing none of her emotions.
"This might be the first time I've ever seen you in casual clothing." She grinned "You know the saying 'Looks can be deceiving' it fits the people here quite well."
Shizuo chuckled "Look who's talking, if men found out how troublesome you were they'd be glad to run."
She pointed the ladle at him. "Point taken, but I find it much more energy saving to do the leaving myself."
Shizuo went to the couch knowing full well if he asked to help she would refuse. He turned on the TV to which an interview was being down on Kasuka at the moment.
"Isn't that Yuhei Hanejima?" She asked sitting next to him. She was looking at Yuhei and then Shizuo making sure she wasn't seeing things. There was that distinctive trait that made these two men quite alike she just couldn't place her finger on it.
"Your brother Shizuo, is he your polar opposite by any chance?" She hesitantly asked
"Yeah"
"Does he happen to be a well known actor?"
"Yeah"
She was already catching on and the internet was a big help in her search.
"..." She paused observing his indifference. She looked at the TV and then to Shizuo once more. "Do you have a brother complex?"
Was she really trying to piss him off in his own home? He took a deep breath before sighing at her spontaneous questions.
She was either really brave or very foolish.
But he knew she was simply curious about the things and people around her; there was no ill intention in her words.
She measured his glare with her own calm gaze. He probably wouldn't answer her question, but she knew Shizuo was definitely a good person.
"You don't have to answer, I can already imagine you as a loving big brother." She waved a hand reassuring him.
"Makes me wonder what I've done for my younger brother." She reflected at her own disappearance from her own little brother's life. "I'm sure he wasn't lonely at least."
There was that deceitful smile once more he noticed. Her eyes seemed shadowed as if she wasn't telling the whole truth; in other words she was trying to reassure him.
"I'm sure you would've been more of a hand full than him." He muttered leaning back into the couch.
He could see the surprise in her eyes at his change of angle and the smile tugging on her pink soft lips.
"Point taken, but my parents are really irresponsible by nature too." She admitted. "Although I must admit I've watched one of these interviews before and Yuhei mentioned an older brother who was unable to control his emotions, but he was a brother that he respected. Made me think of you."
Shizuo cleared his throat. He was getting embarrassed at her honest words.
She smiled before turning back to the TV.
"Real name is Kasuka Heiwajima."
"I see," She muttered "Are you warming up to me yet?" She nudged him lightly poking fun.
Personally she was elated that he didn't brush her off. It frightened her to reach a hand out to people not knowing what they truly thought of her.
Shizuo didn't say a word, only watching her expression change as she focused on the TV program.
They stayed this way in comfortable silence.
In this silence Hisoné felt that her heart was becoming more transparent the longer she stayed by his side. It beated much faster than usual as if Shizuo would be able to hear it.
She knew it was impossible, but she was beginning to understand why the protagonist always described love in such corny ways. She always thought love was nothing more than an illusion.
After all it was the same with her own parents; they also craved love, but she never knew how to give it to them.
Shizuo on the other hand felt that she was brooding over something.
He reached out a hand ruffling her hair unsure of how to comfort her.
She blinked looking at his eyes; a smile tugged on her lips as she lightly commented. "I'm glad that you weren't the one as the actor."
Shizuo blinked in return confused at her words. "?"
"I don't want to share you." She clarified "Oh! It's about time to get the curry."
"Idiot" He muttered. Who told her to be so unflinchingly honest? He did say he wanted to be connected to people, but her?
"The way I see it, me and your brother are quite alike." She began as she focused on preparing the meal.
"Yeah? In what way?"
She smiled knowingly. "Our demeanors are quite similar. He expresses his indifference very openly because it does not involve him in the slightest. Perhaps it is due to the fact he sees himself as a monster."
Shizuo was already popping a vein. "Watch what you're saying Hisoné."
"Monsters are freaks, abnormally strong or inhuman. I'd have to say humans are all monsters; it just depends on the trait that is emphasized in you more than others. For you it's your intense emotions you have trouble suppressing, for Kasuka it's his lack of emotions, for Izaya it's his love for humanity- I could list a bunch more but I'm sure you get the idea." She continued spilling out her thoughts.
Shizuo calmed down for a second realizing this was a rare moment when she ever talked seriously with him.
"So?" Shizuo asked "Do you see yourself as a monster?"
She paused for a moment to recollect her thoughts. A straightforward man was definitely strange, but it was nice to have someone ask.
"Yes, for me it's my lacking sense of connection to people." She responded with a weak chuckle. It was hard to admit herself for what she truly was.
Shizuo narrowed his eyes at her answer. The way he saw it, she was way too much of a busy body to have a lack of connection. Her back was facing him, but she didn't seem like a monster.
In his eyes he could see a girl who only understood one half of the world.
She had finished preparing dinner and now was bringing the bowls to the low table to eat in front of the TV.
When she placed the food on the table she went to sit across from Shizuo.
"Also Shizuo feel free to throw the bowl if you hate it." She reminded him animatedly.
They clapped their hands once. "Thanks for the food"
Shizuo took one bite of the curry unsure of her cooking skills.
"How is it? You have the urge to flip a table?" She asked nervous for the first time tonight.
She stared at him with wide eyes awaiting his reaction.
Shizuo took another bite just to lengthen the suspense.
She gazed at the man ready to flip the table herself if he didn't say anything. Shizuo could see the impatience in her eyes and chuckled.
"It's good."
She exhaled in relief. "This is the first time in years since I've made something for anyone."
"Why would that be?"
She remarked "You ask a lot of questions for a low key guy, but that my good man is a good thing. Unless you ask I will not volunteer answers."
Shizuo was slowly learning the language she spoke; she was the type to never brag, but at the same time never speak of her own problems. That would be a problem in the near future.
"I never considered my parents a part of my life. They were... much more like immature teenagers than responsible parents. I don't believe in the carrying the burden together idea and so I will warn you right now; I won't tell you anything if you're only half hearted about it." She warned hating herself for always distancing herself from him.
"You've lived by yourself for most of your life and yet you still get lost trying to go home." That just seemed unbelievably impossible and yet here she was living proof of that handicap.
She blushed embarrassed at being found out. "Shut up, you're the only one allowed to know this information."
She had looked down at her bowl so she couldn't see the warm smile he had at her words.
"Fine by me."
The next day came and Shizuo was late for work. Tom had a feeling that the reason for the occurrence was namely Hisoné. He had come to Shizuo's apartment with the landlord to open the door.
Of course Shizuo forgot to turn on his phone. Tom sighed walking into the apartment. "Shizuo we have work t-" He stopped himself when he noticed the scene before him.
Hisoné was wearing a large white t-shirt... Tom realized that she was wearing Shizuo's shirt. He turned around blushing at the scene he had just seen. Shizuo was sleeping soundly with Hisoné next to him unaware that he was still holding her hand.
Tom always knew she was brave, but this was a whole new level. He would have left quietly if he hadn't felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Good morning Tom." A female voice whispered.
Tom turned his head slowly laughing nervously. "Morning"
Her hair was in wavy loose tangles, but it made her seem more adorable than anything else.
Hisoné blinked still drowsy while smiling "I'm guessing Shizuo didn't come to work on time. Sorry about that it seems he couldn't get any sleep because of me."
Tom could sympathize with Shizuo on the matter; any man would be nervous around her.
"The feeling of being close to someone is nice well at least while it lasts." She muttered to herself. She looked to Tom.
"Please wait a few minutes while I change." She was still wearing Shizuo's shirt and sweats and she was pretty sure people would get the wrong idea if she went out in his clothes.
Tom sat at the couch awaiting her return. He really wondered why Shizuo was taking so long to realize his feeling for this girl. It was so obvious that anyone could be able to guess, unless of course you just happened to be these two.
Then again, she could've been a slut knowing how to seduce men…
Tom shook his head banishing the thought. He didn't want to think that she was only playing with Shizuo.
"Achoo!" A sneeze could be heard coming out of the bathroom. "Tom would you like some coffee?"
"No need," Tom declined "Do you mind waking him up though?" Needless to say to say why he was reluctant to wake Shizuo up.
There was a mischievous look in her eye.
"Sure, how would you like your bodyguard woken up?" She asked him.
Tom was bewildered at the question; he could've sworn it sounded as if she was asking how he liked his eggs cooked. She seemed ready to do something weird once again.
"Pissed," She counted off her fingers.
"Groggy"
"Enraged"
She kept listing off until Tom's sudden question threw her off.
"What is Shizuo to you?"
She stopped trying to compute an answer. She looked to Shizuo's sleeping form with a smile even now Shizuo seemed like an anchor she couldn't reach. She was hesitant, but she knew she could never tell this to Shizuo himself. The gap between his world and hers was vastly different; she could see that the one thing Shizuo wanted was a sort of connection to people, but she couldn't give him that.
"In the last nineteen years of my life, I have never properly experienced 'fear' or 'love' not from my family nor friends. You probably think I'm fearless against Shizuo, but... I'm terrified."
Tom never knew she felt this way.
She continued "Don't get me wrong,I'm not afraid of his strength." She sat on the end of the couch hugging one knee. "I'm afraid of the hold he has on my heart and mind. It makes me uneasy, but you can probably guess what that means." She smiled seeing that Tom was understanding her words very well.
"Don't tell Shizuo though."
Tom understood her slight blush against the pale skin.
"I've decided how he should be woken up." Snapping her fingers once she figured it out. She excitedly moved to the bed she ran her fingers through his blond hair turning his head to face hers. It was rather forward of her, but she had no idea herself of the fact.
"Shizu-chan, you need to wake up bef-" She stopped when she noticed Shizuo's eyes flip open meeting her own surprised irises. He had grabbed a hold her wrists.
"What are you doing?"
"Waking you up silly. I was going to try a different approach, but I decided to go for something less... explosive?"
Shizuo still had no idea what was going on but he knew that if he hadn't woken up now she would have done something even more creative.
She had thin wrists he noticed, but unlike her hands her wrists were flowing with blood warm and soothing. She smiled "Tom's here because you're late for work. I need to get going too so could you let go of my wrists?"
Shizuo muttered still drowsy from sleep. "Sorry, I'm getting up."
He let go and she leaned forward kissing his cheek good bye. "Bye bye" She waved good bye to the two leaving Tom and Shizuo in the apartment.
"Shizuo, I think she's gotten herself in deep shit this time. I'll explain a little more later, but hurry up and get changed."
Shizuo already could tell he wouldn't like the news he was about to give.
"Starting off, the Matsudas are involved with the yakuza and her father just happens to be one of the dangerous and careless individuals in the group. Second of all, her parents divorced because her father loved another woman."
Shizuo was taking all of this in stride but it still bothered him. "What does this have to do with her?"
Tom handed him a photograph.
Shizuo took it glancing at it, but his eyes widened at the girl in the photo. "Isn't this Hisoné?"
Tom shook his head gravely. "That is her father's infatuation. This was taken nineteen years ago."
Shizuo narrowed his eyes. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying her father might not see her as a daughter."
Shizuo was clenching his fists in fury. "She's going to confront them isn't she?" He was ready to throw something, but he needed to stay calm.
"Shizuo calm down, this is just my guess work so I'm not entirely sure." Tom reassured
No need to tell him that he got this info from a certain Intel broker...
They had arrived at another clients house with Tom knocking on the door.
"Hai, hai" A female monotone voice could be heard from the other side. A click and then the door knob turned revealing a girl.
She looked dazed but at the same time very sharp of her surroundings. She was about 164 in height with long light brown hair; strangely enough she didn't seem frightened at their visit like their other clients. Her eyes were mismatched one sapphire blue, the other silver gray and they were quietly analyzing the two men before her.
"Bartender suit, blue sunglasses, blond hair... Shizuo Heiwajima" She muttered emotionless before turning to Tom. "Dreadlocks, suit, with Shizuo Heiwajima... Tom Tanaka."
"Yes, miss and we're here to collect the money borrowed." Tom started
She stared at Shizuo at little while longer before responding "Hisoné chose a strange man..."
She turned away sighing at the situation.
"Do you know Hisoné?" Shizuo muttered curious.
"Seems like you do, although she should have left the country by now; It's a strange phenomenon for her to stay so long." It looked to the two men that the corners of her lips twitched. There was a moment where the girl's eyes became gentle before they hardened over.
"She stayed because of you," She concluded "I'm surprised it was Shizuo Heiwajima who could endure her whims, but at the same time I can see the two of you together."
The girl was harmless enough, small frame, pretty face, and all... except for the ax she had pulled out.
"I'm sorry to ask, but what are you going to do with that?"
"I don't owe you money, but the moron next door does." She smirked unexpectedly "Besides I'm sure he doesn't like violence so I'll deal with it. Come on, I'll even open the door."
She walked to the next door and unexpectedly kicked open the door. "Waah!" A male voice could be heard yelling. "What the hell?"
"That should be my line." Her voice had gone monotone once more.
"L-l-landlady I-I'm so sorry, so so so so so so so sorry p-p-please s-s-s-s-spare m-my l-life." The guy was now bowing down to the girl leaving the two men dumbstruck at her performance.
"You little shit, you should be going to school." She muttered robotically "Now get your ass out of this apartment and find a job to pay your debt. Understand?"
The older man bowed fast and nervous for his life. "Y-y-yes ma'm, t-th- this won't happen a-a-again."
The girl turned her head to Tom and Shizuo handing them an envelope.
"It better not, or you won't be the only headless rider in this city." She threatened indicating to the ax in her hand.
She yawned waking out of the apartment leaving the man, Tom and Shizuo.
"Who is she?"
"The landlady of this place, she's really low key, but piss her off and you're a dead man." The guy muttered in disbelief. "She took out an ax; thank god it wasn't the chainsaw..."
"Anyone else renting a place here?" Tom asked. Hearing about the young girl was getting more unbelievable. She could probably give Shizuo a run for his money.
"A bunch, but a hot chick did come by black hair and violet eyes talking to the landlady normally. They seemed like old friends."
Shizuo was already out the door ready to get more info out of the girl.
He turned to see her waiting for him sitting on the railing. "She's running, but you know the saying 'you can run, but you can't hide.' She's going to lose the battle one day and I think the time is now."
She lifted her hand covering her silver eye. "Do you mind doing something no person has ever accomplished?"
Shizuo asked suspicious. "What would that be?"
She looked helpless as she said these three words.
"Please catch her."
On the other hand Izaya was expecting a visit from a certain girl. It seemed that she was almost caught yesterday, but she evaded those guys for five hours straight.
This girl would make an excellent bomb to start a war.
He heard the door unlock and a girl with violet eyes and black hair arrived plainly distracted at the interior of his apartment.
"My god... I can't believe I actually got here." She sighed "Although you have great decor so worth the trip."
"To what do I owe the pleasure Hisoné-chan?" Izaya slyly smiled from his chair.
She smiled knowingly as she noticed a glass container behind the books.
"I think it's time to create another hoax on my resume." She noted
"Oh?" Izaya noted "And what's in it for me?"
"You'll get to watch your lovely humans suffer this virus called life." She walked towards the bookshelf pulling out a couple of books to reveal the head of a certain Headless Rider. "And I'll keep quiet about the whereabouts of her head."
"Threatening the Intel broker" He tsked "What a gutsy move for a ghost."
She had the same wicked glint as he did. She held a chess piece indicating the chess, Othello and shogi pieces on the Chinese Go board. "Even a ghost can redirect your schemes, so are you in?"
It seemed to him that he wasn't the only manipulator in this city and what else could he do, but agree.
Izaya chuckled wickedly at her actions. He wouldn't mind being used by this girl if only to see the change she could bring up in this ever changing city.
"You've got yourself a partner in crime."
Yay! I've finally finished this; I was almost ready to give up on continuing the story...
But now I'm interested in how the mysterious landlord is going to make her appearance so follow or favourite if you can!
It will probably take longer to update because of exams, but they will be uploaded.
Review or comment if you can; I'd really appreciate it:)
Disclaimer: Don't own Durarara, only own OCs.
Thank you to anyone who has read, reviewed, favourited or followed my story so far; I'm deeply grateful.