Izaya cradled Sakura-chan.
"I sure am."
"Of course she is intelligent, Yagiri genes are exceptional in that regard. I'm already teaching her the periodic table."
"The periodic table! My, how amazing! But tell us, how is it raising a child in Tokyo?"
"Very good. Japan is the country with the lowest infant mortality rate in the world."
Once again Namie veered into rather dark themes that the audience was bound to dislike. Fortunately Kasuka was a pro and right away changed topic.
"Namie-san, you're a true modern woman. Combining a demanding job with motherhood, it's admirable! You are a perfect role model to young women. Namie-san, what are your thoughts on breastfeeding?"
Izaya jumped up and down some more, his enthusiasm overflowing. Kasuka appreciated it, such a genuine attitude was rare to come across.
"Studies indicate that breastfeeding is healthy for both mother and child."
"Is that so? You heard it here! How about breastfeeding in public?"
Namie shrugged.
"I see no great objection."
And Izaya jumped to the opportunity just as one expected.
"Namie! I am so glad you agree with me on this, Sakura-chan is hungry!"
"No, she's not."
"I think she is!"
With that said Izaya did not even bother looking at Sakura.
"She's not."
Izaya was going to protest but Kasuka came to the rescue.
"Mothers know best, Izaya-san."
Izaya was forced to concede to the point. Namie saw that Celty had joined the crowd before Izaya did, probably because Izaya was too busy sighing away and being overall goofy. Celty approached Mikado, Kida and the otaku duo. Surprise was very visible in her body language.
Namie thought very fast. She took Sakura-chan from Izaya. Mikado and the rest were on the front row so all she had to do to get within touching distance was take a few steps. When she was standing next to Celty Namie suddenly shrieked.
"Help! The headless rider is trying to kidnap my baby!"
The reaction was immediate. Celty gesticulated wildly and nearly dropped the PDA. No amount of denying would avail now and already the dreary police could be heard, motorcycles revving to hunt her down. There was only one thing Celty could do: run away.
Kasuka grasped the opportunity right away.
"Everyone, a dramatic development has just taken place! The famous, or dare I say infamous headless rider, has just tried to kidnap Sakura-chan! What could be behind this!"
Izaya was so impressed he did not know what to say for a second. Not only had Namie managed to get revenge on Celty as she removed from the scene someone who knew for a fact that Sakura-chan could not possibly be a living baby.
Meanwhile Namie was cooing at Sakura-chan while Kasuka acted all concerned.
"Such a dreadful thing to happen! You must have been terrified!"
"I just protected my child."
Izaya knew now was the time to go for a family hug and as he did so everyone clapped, virtually drowning out Mikado's protests. Kasuka was delighted, after this riveting scene he had the police chase to follow from a helicopter. Best ratings ever.
The therapist shook his head.
**
A week later Mikado paid Izaya a visit at his plush apartment. Mikado decided not to pry into Namie's reason for lying so shamefully (poor Celty had been chased by the police a bit all over town and even after ditching her escort she could not shake the fame of being a kid kidnapper) because he was just too curious and could not afford to antagonize Izaya.
What he wanted to see is how Izaya behaved at home as a family man. It was so off character that Mikado simply had to see it.
Izaya welcomed him at the door and sat on a comfy black sofa, merrily typing away at his laptop.
"What brings you here, Mikado?"
Mikado looked around. No signs of Sakura sign or of baby things. None at all.
"I was hoping to see Sakura-chan."
"Sakura-chan is no longer with us."
"She died...?"
"Of course not. Don't be silly."
Mikado imagined Izaya 'accidentally' dropping the poor baby from a skyscraper top.
"Then, what happened?"
"Sakura-chan is studying abroad."
"But she's a baby...what can she possibly study...? And why abroad...?"