Turning in my sleep, a quick memory of what happened yesterday evening flashed through my mind.
My eyes shot open and I quickly sat up from..my bed?
I looked around my room, then got up and went to go look in my living room and kitchen for the teenage delinquent...
But he was nowhere to be found.
'He must've went home...'
Seeing laptop and my purse on the living room table, I realized that when I was knocked out by my other self, I had dropped my purse.
'Masaomi must've found it that same night. How sweet of him to bring it back for me. Most guys in Ikebukuro wouldn't do such a thing,' I said, going around the couch and sitting down.
I looked in my purse to see my wallet, cellphone-the time read 11:18 AM, and Swiss Army knife.
'Oh, yeah..I left my swords at Celty and Shinra's apartment. I'll stop by before going on my date with Shizuo.'
My hear beat increased when I said "date with Shizuo" and I felt the heat in my cheeks rising.
"Distract yourself until then, Sonali..." I said to myself as I opened my laptop and logged into it.
Going to the Dollars website, I entered one particular chat room...
[Li has logged into the chat room.]
Li: Strange...No one's here...?
[Taro Tanaka has logged into the chat room.]
Taro: Hello there, Li.
Li: Hey, long time, no see.
Taro: Yeah, how are you?
Li: Well..I'm fine for the most part.
[Setton has logged into the chat room.]
[Bakura has logged into the chat room.]
Bakura: Mornin', Ikebukorians! :D
Taro: *Sigh* I said that one time and you're using it against me now. Anyway, good morning, Bakura.
Setton: Morning.
Li: Good morning~.
Bakura: Oh? Is this the sarcastic and odd Li I hear so much about~?
Li: Odd?...*Smirk* Who called me 'odd'?
Setton: —_—
Li: Well, thank you, Setton. I take that as a compliment.
Taro: That's..probably not the first time I heard that.
[Kanra has logged into the chat room.]
Kanra: Hello~!
Li: Damn it...
Taro: Hm? What's wrong, Li?
Li: Ummm, nothing! Nothing at all! I just accidentally bit my tongue.
Bakura: Mhm...
[Saika has logged into the chat room.]
Saika: G-good morning..
Setton: Morning, Saika.
Kanra: My, my~. Everyone's so lively this morning~. Hey, this is just a rumour, but I heard that the 'Strongest Woman of Ikebukuro' is getting more closer with the Information Broker.
I frowned and leaned away from my laptop.
Bakura: Really...
Taro: Is that a good or bad thing?
Setton: Bad. Very bad.
Saika: Why's that?
Setton: I personally know the 'Strongest Woman of Ikebukuro', and she tends to not listen to my warnings.
Bakura: I know her, too. She is a bit stubborn, she claims she can handle herself.
Taro: I believe she can. After all, she may be as strong as Heiwajima.
Kanra: May? I think she is~. If the Info Broker ever convinced her, she could be on his side and protect him from Shizuo Heiwajima. It can be like a two against one battle~!
I gritted my teeth, 'So...was this your intention? To earn my trust..and love, so you could use me...to protect you and fight Shizuo out of a lie?'
Leaning forward, I began to type, "Damn you, Izaya.."
Setton: Wait, Li hasn't responded.
Taro: You think she's hiding somewhere in the chat room?
Saika: Possibly. L-Li-san is a bit of a shady person..
Kanra: Ohhh, Li-chaaan~!
Li: Personally, I think the Info Broker is using her for his own benefit. He doesn't seem the type to care for someone so easily. I guess..to get something, you have to give up something.
Setton: You couldn't have said that any better.
Kanra: You make a valid point, Li-chan~.
Li: Just telling it like I see it. —_—
Bakura: *Sigh* I was worried there for a moment when you didn't reply.
Li: I'm okay..I gotta go. I have to meet with someone. See ya!
[Li has logged off the chat room.]
Logging out the website before closing my laptop, I got up and went to go take a shower, then get ready for my date.
~Tiny Time Skip~
Today will be warm with a slight chill since it's the end of March.
I dressed myself in a rose gold, knee-length strapless dress that Rupali gave me as a gift for graduating from Raira, a nude khaki belt going around my stomach, and nude khaki pumps that are outlined with gold.
Then, I curled my hair at the ends inward. Next, I applied dainty matte pink lipstick, mascara, and black eyeliner in an Egyptian style.
I looked at myself in the bathroom mirror, 'I look so...girly. I'm not used to seeing myself like this.'
Shaking my head, I left out my bathroom to get my trapezoid shaped, rose gold wallet in my purse.
I put my phone and Swiss Army knife in the wallet, and took out my keys.
My cellphone vibrated, so I took it out my wallet to answer.
"Hello?"
I went to my door to unlock it and step out, then turned back to lock it.
["Hey, Sonali. I'm five mintues away from your place. You almost ready?"]
"Actually, I am ready. I'll stand in front of the complex, so you can see me."
["Alright, see ya."]
"S-see you," I said nervously.
Doing as I said, my mind began to do last minute checks, 'Shower, check! Brushed teeth, check! Cute outfit, check! Make-up and good hairdo, check! Okay, I'll try to remember what Rupali said to me to do on dates long ago when I attended Raira. Be nice, ladylike, look cute, keep up in conversation, try not to seem disinterested/bored/annoyed, and most of all-make sure he keeps his attention on you!'
"Wow...you look pretty, Sonali."
Looking to my left, I saw Shizuo wearing a gray, button-up shirt, a black vest, black slacks, dark brown dress shoes, and his hair was parted to the right-creating a fringe.
Pink spread across my cheeks, "Th-thank you, You look really nice yourself," I responded.
"Thanks. You're ready to go?"
"Yes," I said and walked side by side with him. "So...where are we going?"
"Wherever you want...it just can't be too expensive."
I tilted my head in confusion, "Why would I choose a place that's too expensive?"
He quickly glanced at me, "Don't take this as offense, but..you seem the classy type. To be honest, I took you to be that type of person in high school..that's why I didn't try to linger around you for too long since I was rambunctious. Sorry if I made it look like I was avoiding you."
A sweat drop appeared on the back of my head, 'You're still rambunctious, Shizuo, but I don't mind. That's a trait I found interesting about you..'
My eyes widened and I waved my hands dismissively, "Oh, no, it's okay, Shizuo. I understand. I may have looked like a classy person, I just didn't want to be bothered with nonsense...*Blush* but I wouldn't have minded you bothering me.."
Shizuo looked down at me with a confused look, "What do you mean?"
"Um..I guess..what I'm trying to say is..." I glanced around for a scapegoat and I spotted the noticeable Russian nearby, "U-uh, nevermind! W-we should go to Russia Sushi!"
Grabbing his hand into mine, I almost nearly dragged the strong man towards Simon as he tried to convince pedestrians to eat in the restaurant.
Simon noticed us approaching and smiled, "Oh! Welcome again, Sonali!..And Shizuo, too?"
"Hi, Simon. We came to eat for lunch," I told him, clearing away my anxiety.
He seemed stunned before looking at our hands, "I see. On date!"
I blushed, "Uhh..w-well, um.."
"We are," Shizuo answered simply.
"Oh, due enjoy!" he said and Shizuo led me inside the restaurant.
We chose a seat at the bar, where we could see Denis cooking the sushi.
"Ah, Miss Sonali, you're here again. And you've brought Shizuo with you. What would you two like today?"
"The Russian Special," said Shizuo.
"Coming right up!" he said and went to go make the sushi.
"So...what did you want to talk about, Shizuo?" I asked him as I turned to him.
"It's about your relationship...with the flea," he said with gritted teeth, trying to stop himself from getting angry.
I tensed up, "...It's because of what my counterpart said, isn't it?" I asked with narrowed eyes.
He nodded.
"Honestly..I don't know. I don't like Izaya, but at the same time, I don't hate him. He is a confusing person..and I try to distance myself from him, but it's like he always tries to break my walls.."
"...Is he bothering you?"
"Yes, but it's emotionally. Don't worry, you don't need to get involved. I can handle him and I seemed to have earned the title of 'Strongest Woman in Ikebukuro'."
"Here's your order. Speaking of 'Strongest Woman in Ikebukuro' Miss Sonali, I heard that you may have a rival for that title," Denis informed me.
"Hm? Who may that be?"
".. Don't tell anyone this, but her name is Vorona, she's fierce. I heard that she faced the Black Rider a few nights ago. You should watch out for her. Anyway, I gotta serve another customer."
'Celty..why didn't you tell me this? I would ask Izaya if he knew of this, but..I'm already paying him off by going on a date with him who knows when. This woman is looking for me. If Denis knows her, he must've not told her who I am...Hm, I see, Denis and Simon are watching my back. What is this Vorona's purpose?'
"Sonali, are you okay?" I heard Shizuo ask me with a concerned look.
"Oh, I'm fine. I was just thinking. Let's enjoy our sushi," I said, then began to eat mine.
'I should stay in Ikebukuro where there are many eyes and witnesses if something happens. Then again..I don't want that much attention. I stopped taking offers of help the day before my counterpart attacked me. I should find a job and stay in the light..'
"Shizuo, has anything interesting happened to you lately?"
He swallowed his sushi, "Actually, yeah. I was targeted a few days ago by this little girl. She tried to electrocute me with a stun gun."
"What?! Why would a little girl try to do that?" I asked him out of shock.
"She wouldn't give me an answer. I left her at Shinra and Celty's place. After our date, I plan on going there to see if Shinra's got any info out of her."
"Does Celty know?"
"I'm unsure."
My eyebrows furrowed in curiosity, "I wonder why a little girl would do such a thing..and to you of all people..."
After that conversation ended, we ate more of our sushi.
'I've been in and out of situations so much lately that I'm not keeping up to date with events in Ikebukuro. A little girl attempting to electrocute Shizuo Heiwajima..she would have a reason for doing that. She has to know who he is, she must've been told something for her to do that...but what and by who...'
My eyes narrowed at the one man who pull a stunt like that.
The underground Information Broker of Shinjuku: Izaya Orihara.
Before I could move on to my next thought, I felt a hand caress my left cheek and turn my head.
"We're on a date...yet you seem to have problems on your mind. Are you sure you're okay?" Shizuo asked me.
I smiled, "Of course I a-"
He got closer to my face, "Don't lie," he whispered.
Pink spread across my cheeks at how close he is and because we're in public.
I glanced away from him, "Okay, maybe not. I'm just worried.."
"Then..let me clear your thoughts..." he whispered and leaned closer.
He lightly leaned his forehead on mine as his lips brushed against mine, and he stared into my eyes the whole time.
My blush turned red and we both leaned in to close the small gap-
"SONALI!" I heard someone shout.
Pulling away from Shizuo, I looked at the entrance to see my twin sister running towards me.
"Rupali, what is it? What are you doing here? You're supposed to be-"
"Never mind that! This is important! I found the younger brother of the leader of the Blue Squares!"
My pupils dilated after hearing that.
"He attends Masaomi's school, Raira!"
Grabbing her right arm, I ran out of Russia Sushi with her as she tried to keep up with me, ignoring Shizuo's yells to come back.
'The leader of the Blue Squares...'
The memory of my parents being murdered before my eyes appeared by Blue Squares members.
'I finally got a lead...'
(Oh...fun fact, reader-chan/kun, when author came to type more on this chapter, I read the sentence above as 'I finally got laid...' So, yeah, carry on.)
Realizing something, I glanced back at my sister with shock, 'How did she..even know about the Blue Squares? What did she do..after finding me again? Why didn't she choose a singing career, like she wanted to do after her cancer was cured, but a model career instead?...? You are not what you appear to be, Rupali..damn it, this city's affected her, too. In Ikebukuro, everyone and everything is not what they or it seems to be...I'll question her later, what's important is meeting this younger brother.'
Arriving at Raira's gate, which were closed since school was still in session, I jumped the gate.
"Sonali! That's invading property, you can't do that!" Rupali warned me.
"The hell we can't. This is our only opportunity, Rupali. We'll just sneak around and act like new staff if we're caught. Come on," I told her.
For a few minutes, she hesitated before groaning and easily jumping over the gate.
"You are so going to cook me basmati rice and curry at your place," she said while pouting.
"Yes, yes," I spoke carelessly.
~Tiny Time Skip~
Luckily, we found some clothes in the the Theatre Club room to make it look like we're teachers.
Rupali changed out of her yellow, thigh length sheath dress into a short sleeves, button-up white shirt with a knee length, pencil black skirt and wore her own shoes, black wedges.
I changed out of my strapless dress into a long sleeves, button-up black shirt with feminine black slacks, then tied my hair into a high ponytail.
By the time we were done changing and stepped outside the room, the bell had rung, signaling that classes have ended.
"Do you know which classroom Masaomi is in, Rupali?" I whispered to her.
She shook her head, "No. I told you we should've waited until school was out. Now, we don't know where he is or where to go to fi-"
"M-Miss Sonali?"
We both turned around to see Mikado leaning his body out of one of the classrooms.
I remained calm and gave a nice—with slight seduction—smile, "Ryuugamine, we're at school. Be sure to call me "Miss Tommii" when we're here. It is impolite for a student to say a teacher's first name, even if you placed a honorific behind it."
His body tensed up and bowed at a 90 degree angle, "I-I'm sorry, ma'am! It won't happen again!"
Rupali approached him and lifted him back in his original stance, "No need to do that with me..um, Mikado, was it?"
Mikado lifted his head up with curiosity in his eyes, "Um.."was it?" Have we met before, Miss...?"
"No need for honorifics. Just call me Ru if you want, I'm not an actual teacher, just posing as one. Sonali is the one who's going overboard with it. And no, we haven't met, but Masaomi has told me so much about you."
"R-Rupali!"
She turned her head towards me and pouted, "What? You know how straightforward I can be."
"Hey, Mikado, what's going-"
Before Masaomi could say anything more, Rupali grabbed him by his left hand with her right, then ran off with him upstairs.
"Rupali, come back here!" I yelled as I ran after her with Mikado following behind me.
~Tiny Time Skip~
Making it to the rooftop, Rupali stopped and let go of Masaomi's hand, resulting in me stopping and Mikado not too far behind me.
"What's up, Rupali?"
She turned around with a expression and posture I thought I'd never see, seriousness and stern.
"Is there a guy by the name of Aoba in your class?" she asked as she crossed her arms.
"Yeah, there is. Why?" he responded, then asked her.
"Both of you, stay away from that boy. He's dangerous, the little brother of the leader of the Blue Squares—especially, you, Masaomi, I know you have a bone to pick with the leader."
His eyes widened, "W..what? How do you know that?..I didn't tell anyone that, not ev-.." he stopped midway, then looked at me.
My pupils dilated due to stress, "No..I didn't tell her anything. I can't say I didn't know anything about it because..because Izaya..told me..."
Rupali looked to me, and her expression softened into sorrow, "...Sonali, forgive me. I was filled with so much revenge, I had to..."
"What...did you do?"
"You weren't willing to sacrifice anything or much to receive information. For a lot of it, I had to sacrifice something..no, someone dear to me, and that someone...was you."
I looked down as my expression turned into..whatever "broken" looks like. "...You...I...No matter how much I'd reassure myself..and deny, I..was still a marionette being controlled...by him and my own sister..behind the shadows..."
"Sonali, I'm so sorry; please, don't be mistaken! I know you've been vengeful for a long time, and I just wanted to help! I didn't mean any harm!"
I slumped to my knees, "I thought..it was impossible..for me to...I..I'm...I'm in..love..."
"Oh? Well, what a dramatic turn. I wasn't expecting to hear that from you, Sonali-chan," I heard a voice behind me.
"Izaya! What the hell are you doing here?!" I heard Masaomi yell.
Seeing black dress shoes stop in front of me, I slowly looked up to see..a solemn faced Izaya.
"..Is this what you wanted? To break me by making me fall in love with you..?"
"...Even when you weren't around, I didn't say that."
"...Orihara..." I mumbled, standing on my feet, "I. Hate. You. Rupali," I spoke, then glanced to her, she flinched. "...You're my sister. How could you betray me?"
"I...had to do what I had to do...Your greedy vengeance would've never been quenched if I didn't do anything, and I was tired of not being able to do anything! I was tired of being the incapable little sister! I was tired seeing you dedicate yourself 24/7 to finding the instigator of our parents' murders, tired of you not being able to be happy, tired of not seeing you just be-"
"Just be what, Rupali?!"
"A carefree girl! I was just lucky to catch you looking delighted on a date with Shizuo! Do you know how happy that makes me?!"
"A date?" Izaya questioned, looking away from Rupali to me.
I shadowed my face by looking down, "..."
"...Sonali...how much do you know..for how long..and why did you keep it a secret?" Masaomi asked with a wavering tone.
My breathing became ragged, "..."
"Miss Sonali...you told Masaomi and I to face each other and call a truce, it's only fair you tell us what you know."
I began to shake violently, "..."
"Sister?" Rupali called, carefully approaching me.
"...I'm sorry."
Running to my left, I jumped on top of the fence, then jumped off, landing on my feet without a scratch.
Seeing Anri, I approached her.
"Miss Sonali? What are you do-"
I bowed to her, "I'm sorry!"
Taking off without an explanation-which confused her, I jumped the entrace/exit gate of Raira, then ran off to Russian Sushi.
Seeing familiar blond hair, I approached him. Looking up with tears in my eyes, I startled him, then bowed.
"I'm sorry. Heiwajima!" I said quickly, then took off again.
"Hey! I thought I told you not to call me that again! And come back here!"
Hearing a horse-like engine neigh not far away, i turned down a couple alleys and found Celty speeding down the street.
"I'm sorry!" I yelled to her, which she heard and stopped Shooter on a sidewalk.
Before she could comprehend where the yell came from, I was long gone.
'What am I doing? I look like an idiot, nearly running aimlessly. I don't know what's wrong with me. Something feels off, I'm not myself. Is this a side effect of being broken? Is this how others feel when they've been manipulated by Izaya? Is this his fault? Of course not..I fell in hands long before I realized it, keeping all these secrets from others ...Oh, that's what I'm doing...'
"Running away."
(Whoo! It's been a long time since I last updated! I'm sorry, reader-chan/kun, school has been a pain! I'll be surprised if anyone still reads this. Is it nearing the end? Well, yes and no. I'm not going to go with the original plan since it'll take me longer on this story. I'm putting in a twist, and reader-chan/kun should know I love twists~.)