It occurred to Shiki that Izaya as he used to be were to be proven he was not destined to be some godly entity, he would not escape unscathed and might collapse entirely. An overinflated ego could not withstand a crisis. Scaled down, Izaya's ego became flexible enough to overcome serious challenges.
"So even a grand destiny is bad?"
"It might be the worst kind... it is easier to accept such a destiny, I think and by that token not to change it. So 'destiny' becomes self-fulfilling prophecy."
"On the other hand, if you have a shoddy destiny you'll fight it."
"Yes, that's my point."
As interesting as this philosophical talk was, Shiki wanted to steer the conversation back to the situation at hand.
"About Heiwajima, are you considering him as a suspect?"
Izaya jumped at the name but gathered himself almost immediately.
"No, of course not. Since he saved me- ah, I see. There is that possibility. I see two options, Shizuo stabbed me and then under the impression I was already dead brought me to the hospital so as to absolve himself completely; or Shizuo did not mean to kill me then but staged it so as to seem someone was out to get me and that he was committed to my welfare, next time he does plan to kill me and no one will suspect him... when I think like that..."
It became too painful so Izaya trailed out into anxious silence.
"It starts making sense?"
"Well, in a way- if I was killed he'd of course be suspect number one. So he could have conceived a subterfuge of sorts... but I cannot imagine it. He's a straight forward person for all his faults. Such grand scheming is too off character – the psychology doesn't fit."
"Are you entirely sure about that?"
Izaya's eyes narrowed. Already the mental cogs were turning.
"Not entirely. Not as sure as I am with Kida-kun. It is true that Shizuo was on the site. There is no alibi. And while it's undeniable that he does come across as less than bright at first, I do know that that is not the case."
"Indeed."
Izaya bit his lower lip, deep in concentration.
"They never retrieved the weapon... and he did ask me if I had seen the attacker."
"Just something for you to consider."
"Another thing that I have to consider..."
The mood was becoming grave. Shiki lightened it.
"By the way, your fans at the club have been asking about you."
"What did you tell them?"
"That you were took a break and are currently on holidays."
"It's best not to tell them the truth, definitely..."
"They wouldn't be allowed to visit you anyway. Since contact outside the club is strictly forbidden."
Izaya smiled.
"I know. I was more thinking about not worrying them. Ah, but what a shame! To think I could exploit this for extra sympathy points, I'd be the most popular host ever."
"You already are. At our club, at least. The number two isn't too happy either. Seems now the women talk about you even more than they used to when you were around."
"I hope you're not losing too much money because of this..."
"I can afford the losses but as you know you are the most profitable host."
Izaya had to make an effort not to let the compliment go to his head.
"That's because it's a popularity thing. Shiki-san, you'd make a cool host yourself."
"Strange idea."
"No, I can totally see it. The cool, stylish, with a dangerous aura type. The girls would go wild."
"I have no patience for that."
"I guess it takes some patience to put up with it... oh do you know what would be amusing? Matsumoto-san as a host. Try picturing it."
Izaya was the type to laugh at his own jokes and he did so now. Even Shiki cracked a smile at the mental picture.
"That wouldn't go too well."
"That's the whole point."
Shiki had been sitting on a chair, he now got up. Izaya wanted to straighten Shiki's tie even though there was no need.
"Don't get too attached to those guys. It's not rare of the average yakuza foot soldier to drop dead."
"Shiki-san, before you leave – am I being kept here because it's an easier place to guard or because you don't trust me enough to be out on the streets?"
Shiki found Izaya's wording a bit odd.
"It's a bit of both."