"I'm not too sure about that. You were talking about Harima Mika back in the ally, weren't you? You tried to save her. That counts as something-"
"Didn't change a thing."
"-even if you couldn't. You can't say that it didn't change a thing because it must have meant something to her. And it shows me that you're capable of putting a stranger's life first. That's something I admire. It's also what my best friend would've done."
Kida's smile grew vague.
"And yet I couldn't reach out to someone I once viewed as a friend, huh."
"I think that if you do nothing to save a person then you are guilty of their ruin."
This hit Kida. More than Mikado at all expected. For the first time in this conversation he saw Kida falter. At length he seemed to have reached an emotional foothold of justification.
"That may very well be true. But only as far as us humans go. God can do as he pleases and he answers to absolutely no one. And God is Orihara Izaya."
It put an end to this exchange as far as Kida was concerned.
"Even if he is, if he has no respect for the life of those weaker than himself then he deserves no respect in return. In fact, it is doubly so if you believe him to be god."
For this Kida had no answer. He retreated into obstinate silence. Half regretting a few good deeds.

"Here's your money, Orihara-san."
Mikado carried no physical currency. Instead he showed him his laptop where a monetary transfer was confirmed. Izaya lifted an eyebrow.
"Oh? So it is. And ahead of time, too. If only all tenants were as dutiful as you are, Ryugamine-san."
Mikado made a point of going all the way to Izaya's apartment. Which was unnecessary in practical terms.
"I paid for the next two months' rent as well."
"Marvelous. I must say, the way you employed Dollars to pay was very clever."
Izaya had monitored Mikado's every move, tracking them online. Mikado had managed to rally each individual in his network to offer a minimal amount that combined formed the sum he needed. Without burdening anyone. Very much like the ants that alone could do nothing but that together built their nests. The logic was somewhat inverted. In this case the benefits were not for the collectivity's sake but for a single person. Mikado was not particularly bothered. He would contribute in the same way to help others if the chance presented itself.
"I don't care for your praise so you might as well drop it, Orihara-san."
Mikado stood, having politely but surely declined the offer to sit. His attitude was one of calm antagonism. Shoulders perhaps a bit too stiff. Izaya shrugged.
"Oh well, can't win them all as they say. But do tell me, where is Masaomi?"
"You're the one living with him. You should know better than I."
Izaya chuckled.
"He has been missing, it seems. I was just about to report him as a missing person."
"No you weren't."
Izaya calmly walked to the kitchen and fixed a cup of tea that he sipped from without hurrying.
"Ryugamine-san, I believe that you are in possession of Masaomi. Which counts as kidnapping. I would absolutely hate to turn this into a legal matter but I may be forced to."
He smiled over the rim of the cup.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you. If you involve the police, I will have you arrested on the charges on child abuse, neglect, and rape of a minor. Since Kida is one even if he gave his consent there is such a thing as 'statutory rape'. The fact that you are his legal guardian will undoubtedly make your sentence heavier."
Izaya crossed a leg over a knee, smoothly.
"You can join Mairu in becoming a lawyer. But you are forgetting that one is innocent until proved otherwise."
Mikado smiled.
"I'm sure the court of law will take that into consideration when it sees that video you shared with me. You were clever enough not to film yourself but Kida calls your name-"
"Such a faithful boy he is."
"-and there's voice recognition, not to mention the footage was clearly shot in your apartment."