Izaya almost forgot how dreadful this whole thing was. Shizuo shuffled.
"What's so great about New York, it's just a big city. We already live in a big city, how come we have to see more big cities, it's all the same. People, people, tall buildings, cars, pollution, yakuza, more people, subway stations, pachinko, taller buildings, even more people. It's all the same."
Izaya rolled his eyes and put on a disgusted expression.
"It goes to show how uncouth you are. New York is one of the most interesting cities in the world and for the record I very much doubt you will find yakuza there except in Japanese influenced areas or in hotels. And I very much doubt there'll be pachinko."
"It's all the same, too many people. Don't wanna go."
"Tell you what, Shizu-chan! Do you know where you won't find people? The South pole. So what are you waiting for, move there. You can feed off penguins and hunt for seals in the sea like the beastly creature you are."
"You think you're funny! You're not! Bloody flea-"
Dr. Phil chuckled in the background.
"I leave y'all alone now, m'kay? We arrive at New York in a couple of hours."
"Yay for New York!"
"Stupid cities, it's all the same."
Shizuo was tempted to repeat himself as they were dropped off at Chinatown. Izaya had been in a rapture as soon the tops of skyscrapers began to block out the sky and jumped up and down as they crossed the bridge. It was enough to get Shizuo in a bad mood. And Shizuo focused on being morose because there were times when Izaya's bubbly happiness seemed almost cute and he would have none of that.
Presently, Izaya was rather dejected.
"Eh...why Chinatown? We're not Chinese, we're Japanese. Can't Egghead tell the difference?"
"See, I told you it's all the same. People, people, people, more people, no end to them."
Dr. Phil popped out in front of him, the real man in the flesh. There was something creepy in having such a man simply appear like that without a warning.
"Now, I know you guys aren't Chinese. That's why you're in Chinatown, it's foreign to you."
"We have a Chinatown in Tokyo. What's the point is coming to New York for the Chinatown? I want to go to Fifth Avenue."
"Later, m'kay. For now it is time for Chinatown."
And just like he had appeared Dr. Phil disappeared. Izaya did not remain depressed for long. In no time he was skipping down the street, chatting with random people, stuffing himself with pork buns.
"Delicious food! Finally, all that dreadful American food was absolutely killing me."
Shizuo eyed the food suspiciously.
"Is that any good?"
"Try one."
Shizuo took a small bite and then gobbled up an entire bun. Izaya wrinkled his nose.
"Hey, real tasty."
"The way you eat is absolutely disgraceful."
They made their way through packed streets and thronged avenues.
"It's like I said, it's all the same."
"Where are the pachinko, Shizu-chan? And the yakuza?"
"Dunno. In basements?"
"You're not even trying, are you."
"Wanna take the boat? The river seemed kinda cool."
Izaya would rather ditch Shizuo altogether and have a blast on Fifth Avenue and Times Square but unfortunately their agreement entailed that they stuck together. So it might be for the best that Izaya indulged Shizuo for the time being to get him more receptive to his plans.
Shizuo had a blast, much to Izaya's amazement, watching the water sprays that the boat left on its wake. As for Izaya, he found a group of Japanese tourists and immediately latched unto them to catch up on things. As a result Shizuo and Izaya were happier than they had been since this trip had begun and more relaxed around each other. Izaya did not even mind Shizuo's suggestion to visit Central Park and promptly flung himself on the grass, having carefully placed a towel on the ground so as not to dirty his clothes.
"Ah, I'm beat. I didn't know that staying locked up in that house was this bad for my legs."
"You wouldn't be tired if you didn't jump around all crazy."
"Whatever. Go buy me an ice cream now."
"Who do you think I am, your butler?"
"Buy one for yourself too."
"Bloody hell."
Shizuo returned shortly with a vanilla cone that was already dripping.
"Thanks a bunch, Shizu-chan."
Izaya licked the swirly top. Shizuo blushed and flailed.
"That one wasn't for you!"