Title: Recluse in War and Life
By: Sissy

Scene 26: The Hero reveals his heart to his ally's brother

Mikado did not hear anything. Nothing at all. He was sure everything was his imagination. Yet, the door still banged and Shizuo was in his field of vision. He couldn't believe it. He really did show up. Exactly how much did Shizuo listen to his brother?, he wondered.

"Open up before I break down this door!" Shizuo screamed and Mikado ran towards the door.

"Please don't break down the door! We've already had to call a repairman this week!" Mikado screamed with a flustered look on his face.

"Then you should have opened the door on the first knock!" Shizuo screamed at Mikado, who looked very pale.

"I-I'm sorry, Shizuo-san…" Mikado apologized with a sad look. "Um, would you like to step inside?"

"Yeah, Kasuka told me to listen to what you had to say. And also, that I shouldn't be surprised that you know me." Shizuo came in as Mikado closed the door.

"Ah, Yuuhei-san is much too kind to me sometimes… You can sit wherever you like. Coffee is no good, but is tea alright?" Mikado asked Shizuo from the kitchen as Shizuo sat down on the sofa.

"Yeah. How long have you and Kasuka known each other?" Shizuo asked and Mikado almost tripped.

"Ah, well… About…six months now, I guess. I'm sorry." Mikado apologized to Shizuo and brought the man tea and sweets. Once he left them on the coffee table, Mikado sat down on the floor next to the coffee table with an apologetic look.

"Why are you on the floor?" Shizuo asked him, taking one of the sweets into his mouth.

"Because Shizuo-san will get angry, so I'm preparing myself for that." Mikado explained and continued before Shizuo asked anything else. "When I was younger, and I won't say this to earn pity points, my parents died. I was taken some place and held there for about five years. I've already explained this to Yuuhei-san but since it relates to your injury, I need to explain the first part."

"I think you're skipping some things but I'll give you some leeway." Shizuo told the boy, who nodded in thanks.

"While I was there, I met a certain man and his existence made it possible for me to live there. He is different, so I thought it would be worth living if I could meet that man again. Later, after a long time, I escaped and the people there want to find me. So they hired that same man to find me. But he never reported me because he didn't know why they wanted me so much."

"Doesn't sound like a bad guy." Shizuo noted and Mikado frowned, but continued explaining.

"But then, because he knew that I was hiding, he decided to do something that would lead him to the reason why those people want me so much. That's why that misunderstanding happened between the Dollars and the Yellow Turbans. And because I sent you an apology gift, he seemed to get jealous, so you ended up getting injured. That's why everything has been my fault. Even this war he's trying to start." Mikado lowered his gaze and finally said, "I'm sorry for everything."

"Izaya got me injured." Shizuo stated and Mikado looked up to him before slowly nodding. "Are you saying, he got jealous because of that cake I got?" Once more, Mikado nodded. "And he's the guy you've wanted to meet again? The same guy I just said didn't sound like such a bad guy?"

With a deep blush on his face, Mikado slowly nodded and waited. And waited. And then he looked up to see Shizuo with a thoughtful face.

"Right. Definitely, that louse has to die." Shizuo stood up but Mikado called him before he decided to leave. "What?"

"…" Mikado wanted to ask something. Anything. But nothing came to mind.

"Right. You said I would get angry with you. You want a hit from me?" Shizuo asked with a smirk and Mikado flinched but waited for a hit. "I'm not going to hit you. Sheesh, you seem much more weak-willed than Kasuka said."

"Huh?" Mikado looked up to see Shizuo back on the sofa. "You're not angry with me? But…I've been keeping this a secret! I've purposely wanted for him to come to see me himself!"

"You have lousy taste." Shizuo stated and Mikado felt a pang in his heart. "Well, Kasuka asked me not to get angry with you since you two are mailing buddies and he says he wants to root for you, so I won't get angry with you. And you called me here to apologize, right?"

"Yeah, but it's my fault that the guy you hate the most is doing all this." Mikado apologized and felt a hand on top of his head. "Huh?" He saw Shizuo grin.

"Well? Did you get strength by talking to me? Kasuka said that you might. And besides, that louse would have done something out of boredom, so it evens out. Just don't hate me if I kill him." Shizuo gave Mikado a thumbs-up and the boy smiled.

"Thank you Shizuo-san. I was right. You ARE amazing." Mikado was glad to have talked to Shizuo.

"Good, now tell me? Who's the leader?" At this, Mikado began to blush while Masaomi and Anri came into the apartment, looking shocked at Shizuo's presence.

Scene 26 End