Characters: Ren Tsuruga, Yukihito Yashiro, Heiwajima Shizuo, Simon Brezhnev, Dennis the blond Russia Sushi chef

Chapter 9: In Which Tsuruga-san Wraps Up Loose Ends, But Loose Ends Fray Still

A car pulled smoothly into a parking garage. The two men in the front seats conferred, making no move to get out. After the events of the day, or really, the past few days, their supply of adrenaline has been spent, leaving them exhausted in their seats.

"Yashiro-san," Tsuraga said casually, "It's time to make good on my promise."

"Oh. Which one is that?" Yashiro yawned, checked his watch, and mentally reviewed Ren's schedule. Just to make sure that they didn't have to hurry somewhere. He got out his notebook. No, there was nothing left at all...

"I promised Kyoko I would investigate the LoveMe members, remember?"

"I don't remember you saying such a promise out loud."

"Hm. Maybe I didn't. But I clearly remember making it," Tsuruga said thoughtfully. "It's been bothering me. These last few weeks have been so busy, I've hardly had time to do anything but eat, drink, and think."

"So have you been thinking about it?"

Tsuruga shook his head. "Not successfully. The thought is always driven out by various work worries."

"The good news is, you have the rest of the day to think and decide, Ren." Yashiro leaned back in his seat, made himself comfortable, and played with his grip on the steering wheel. Although a busy schedule was a good thing in his opinion, chauffeuring Tsuruga everywhere was still a tiring part of his job. He couldn't think why he forgot to fill in such a huge block of time when he was planning for this part of the year a few months back. For once he was quite glad that they have some accidental free time now.

"Do you mind if I talk aloud?" Tsuruga asked Yashiro.

Yashiro shook his head and closes his eyes, so as not to listen too closely. "No. Go ahead."

"I understand who Shizuo Heiwajima is now, but Izaya Orihara is still a mystery to me. He was also the one Kyoko was most worried about, so I feel frustrated that I haven't gotten to him until now—I owe it to her to do better..."

Yashiro decided not to comment on that last. He wasn't supposed to be listening.

"I got to Shizuo using a connection at the agency. It was his brother, you remember, who decided to help me out. With Orihara, though—I know he's from Ikebukuro, but that's about all. I can talk to Shizuo about him, of course, but Shizuo's account will be biased, since he's Orihara's favorite victim."

Without opening his eyes, Yashiro said, "I would be careful with the term 'victim.' ...Perhaps Shizuo can point you in the right direction. Mention someone you could talk to without too much bias."

"That's an idea." Tsuruga looked at Yashiro. "You think he's still working at this hour?"

"Probably. Kyoko often worked late hours."

"Want to stay here?"

"Please. I'd die for a nap."

"I thought so. It's rare for you to be more exhausted than I am, isn't it?"

"Yes, I overworked myself...let me alone."

"Have a good sleep."

Yashiro didn't reply; he sagged against the driver's side door instead. He hadn't even taken off his seatbelt.

Tsuruga got out of the car, slammed his door shut, and strode into LME.

Tsuruga didn't even make it to the office—he found Shizuo inadvertently on the way. Apparently he had been called upon to organize papers in somebody's office. Shizuo was doing it silently, so Tsuruga almost overlooked him as he peeked through the many doorways, but Shizuo's height and blond hair were a dead giveaway just when he was about to pass him by.

Tsuruga grasped the office's brass handle and opened the door. "Heiwajima-san?"

"Hai." Shizuo turrned. "Tsuruga-san, isn't it?"

"Yes. Rare to see someone of such height around."

Shizuo grunted and nodded. "Is there something you want?" he asked, somewhat warily.

"I'd like to know more about Izaya Orihara, without alarming Kyoko," Tsuruga said casually. "Problem is, I'd like to hear another perspective from yours. You'd just get emotional about it."

Shizuo nodded curtly. "Probably. Let's see." He reflects while he shuffles the papers cleanly in his hands. "I would ask—oh, Simon, probably."

"Simon..."

"Simon Brezhnev. He works at Russia Sushi in the Ikebukuro district."

Tsuruga coughed. "Russia sushi?"

"You got it."

"Whose crazy idea was that?"

Shizuo shrugged. "Dunno. They always look like they're on the edge of bankruptcy, but they hung on for a good five years—they'll stay, if their customers do. Their sushi is good unless it's on sale on a Tuesday. Though sometimes it seems like there's a sale going on there all seven days a week."

"Huh."

"Of course, the real reason why people eat there isn't the food."

"Oh?"

"It's to keep in touch with Simon. He's a pacifist. A peacemaker, in a city of violent troublemaking fools like myself." Shizuo inserted some papers into a stapler and slammed down. Amazingly, it wasn't broken. "It's a place to get advice, to do business, have some fun. And unlike Izaya, Simon knows pretty much everything but his conscience keeps his mouth shut on the sensitive stuff." Shizuo ripped open the stapler to check and make sure its innards were un-mangled. They were fine. More gently, he snapped the pieces of the contraption back into place, and placed the stapler back on the desk, feeling somewhat ghoulishly lucky that it had survived the encounter with his brute strength. "The two keep close tabs on each other. Or, at least, they did, before Izaya got this job. But yeah, he'll tell you whatever unless he thinks it could harm someone else."

"Thanks for the tip. That sounds like a good idea."

"No problem." Shizuo looked up. It felt like there was something he forgot to tell Tsuruga, but he couldn't think what. Then he shrugged. Tsuruga would find out.

"How long has it been?" Yashiro checked his watch. "It feels like I just fell asleep. Fifteen minutes?"

"I got lucky. Sorry I startled you. Did you rest well? I need you to drive me somewhere."

"Plug it into the GPS." Yashiro yawned, then straightened his back and shoulders and settled into alert driving mode.

Tsuruga entered the information, and Yashiro started the car.

"What's the name of the place, again?"

"Russia Sushi. Ikebukuro."

"What's the world coming to?!" Yashiro complained, echoing Tsuruga's thoughts exactly. "You gonna eat there? You better. Who's paying? Geez, I haven't had a decent meal in ages... I hope this is worth it..."

Tsuruga chuckled. Yashiro wasn't using the right vocabulary, but in this instance, he can't help but think that Yashiro sounded very like a cranky teenage girl. Tsuruga good-naturedly let it slide. He could always tease him later.

Yashiro dropped Tsuruga out in front of Russia Sushi, then drove away to park the car somewhere. Tsuruga stepped out of the way of the pedestrians that had just crossed the scramble sidewalk, and waited for Yashiro. He looked around.

"Yasui yo! Oishii yo! ROSHIA-sushi wa ii yo!" It's cheap! It's delicious! Russian sushi is good!

Tsuruga blinked. On the corner was a massive black man in a blue-and-white old-school uniform, holding a sign and some coupons in his hand. The bouncer. He looked like the type who could drag people inside restaurants... Suddenly it dawned on him: this was the odd person who appeared in the middle of Kasuka's Ikebukuro newscast with handwritten advertisements. In fact, Kasuka had visited this restaurant during that newscast...

The pedestrians flooding the sidewalks had cleared away, so Tsuruga stuck his hands in his pockets and walked over to the black man. The man was just a tad shorter than him, but he was significantly wider: he was shaped like a stone rather than a stick. He looked like the type of guy who moved slowly, but would be impossible to shift off balance in a fight and had a lot of power in his muscles. But there the innocuous man stood, inanely chanting his simple advertisements.

Tsuruga faced him, took the proffered coupon, and said, "Do you know where Simon Brezhnev is? I think he works at Russia Sushi."

The black man's face cracked into a slow smile. "Ore da." That's me.

Tsuruga blinked. "You?"

"I Russian."

"But you're black."

Simon's deep-set grey eyes blinked slowly. "That I am. Why ask?"

Tsuruga figured this was a topic it was wiser not to get into just yet. Simon knew his own business. Tsuruga shook his head sharply. "Never mind...sorry...I assumed... Shizuo Heiwajima told me about you, he just didn't mention what you looked like, so you weren't exactly what I expected. Also, I have something I'd like to find out about."

Simon roared with laughter and clapped a hand on Tsuruga's back. "Why not say so?! Come in! In!"

"I have to wait for my manager, Yashiro, to get here first. He'll be here in a minute." Tsuruga crossed his arms.

"Ah. Manager? You actor type? You know" (Simon placed a thick hand to his forehead and screwed up his eyes) "Yuuhei Hanachida? No, that not right. Yuumei Haneshima? No. I never can remember these kids, these kids change names with no need. You know name?"

"You mean Yuuhei Hanejima formerly Kasuka Heiwajima?" Tsuruga asked gingerly.

"Ja, that right. I never remember, but— Oh hey, you know him!" Simon's eyes lit up. "You know, he an Ikebukuro kid?"

Tsuruga coughed. "Local celebrity?"

"Well ja. Sort of. The people that know, they know." Simon tapped his head with one finger and winked. "But he Japanese star now! Not just us Ikebukuro people like him!"

Tsuruga smiled faintly. "That's good to hear. He has been getting popular elsewhere, lately."

"Where you meet?"

"Kasuka, you mean? He works at my agency."

"No, where meet Shizuo-kun," Simon said intently.

"He's also working at my agency, though I knew his brother first. He's in...a different department." Tsuruga hesitated. "An actress I like works in that department."

Simon made a short, understanding grunt. "There come your manager."

Sure enough, there was Yashiro, struggling to cross the scramble sidewalk.

"How did you know that was him?"

Simon shrugged. "I know his monkey's uncle. Weird family. Show me picture of nephews one day. That guy was crybaby in pictures, very memorable." Simon grinned, displaying dentine-white, perfectly square teeth. "Monkey's uncle say he grew up to be manager. Different. Not like rest of family."

Tsuruga scratched his forehead. "I don't understand."

Simon shrugged. "I remember everyone, even if they not know me."

"Impressive," was all Tsuruga could say. "With so many people. How can you stand to live here?" he muttered in as low a voice as he could muster.

Simon smiled faintly, not offended. "I live here because only way many survive here, have to have my talent." Tsuruga had trouble deciphering Simon's cryptic answer, but Simon paid him no mind while he figured it out. Instead Simon stretched himself taller and started calling, "Oi! Yashiro-san! Tsuruga-san here, so you come inside! 20% off Thursday! Sushi cheap today! Russia Sushi good everyday!" Simon waved his sign.

Yashiro was completely flabbergasted. Tsuruga waved, too, more circumspectly, so Yashiro would feel better.

The blond chef at the bar took a good look at the party, said something in Russian to Simon, and Simon responded. The chef nodded once, and transferred his attention back to his kitchen and customers.

"Back room good for business," Simon said, briefly, and led them there. They ordered, and Simon came back with their order in a few minutes.

"Chef gave me permission to stay and talk if you have serious business. What brought you here?" Simon asked.

Tsuruga said, "We'd like to know about Izaya Orihara's background."

"Big question. Why you ask?"

"Shizuo Heiwajima and Izaya Orihara are working for my agency, LME, in a special section. The LoveMe section, where a girl I like works," Tsuruga replied. Yashiro's eyebrows went up. Did he just hear Tsuruga say Kyoko was the girl he liked? It was rare for Tsuruga to be so blunt, and it was obvious that Tsuruga didn't want to mention her name directly. "She was concerned, because they signed up together, but they seemed hostile."

Simon sat back and blinked several times as wrinkles appeared on his forehead. "Together?"

"Yes."

"No one told me." Simon went quiet. "Shizuo not been by lately." He looked up. "This could be... I will tell you, if you tell me what has happened to them there." Simon looked concerned, and also...slightly guilty? "That deal?"

"I don't know much, but I'll tell you what I can."

"OK. How did they get there?"

"According to, um—the girl I like—she said Izaya signed up first, and found a way to blackmail Shizuo into joining him at work there."

Simon sighed. "Izaya is playful, but even this not make sense. I think this could be my fault."

"What?"

"I told Izaya get lost, to get out of this part of the city. Izaya always make much trouble, this time he hurt too many people. We might have street war if he stayed, I thought. Shizuo tell him to get lost many times already, but Izaya never listen, of course. He rather fight Shizuo. But he had to listen to me." Simon sighed deeply. "I used violence."

"Shizuo said you were a pacifist," said Tsuruga, perplexed.

"Only when effective. Pacifism mostly effective," said Simon. "It works, I can get by with it. I am big, tall, intimidating. Little people must fight more because they have strength not respected. Truth in Russia, where one cannot be pacifist alone, I have long reputation. But if possible, better not fight. Less regret. Truth was, that time, I was angry." Simon looked a little ashamed.

Huh. Tsuruga had no trouble believing that Simon has personal experience with this principle.

Simon got back to the topic. "Izaya does not listen reason, though he speak Russian so well." Simon looked somewhat regretful. "It is not good, but I miss his wild talk."

"What was he trying to do in the city?" Tsuruga asked, fascinated.

"That I not know either. However, he is information broker, right. He talk to yakuza, he talk to gangs, he pull strings. He know not-human people also. He almost cause a street war. Two, three gangs." Simon held up three fingers. "One called Yellow Scarves. One invisible, call themselves Dollars on the internet, although rumor say they are not up to traditional gang activity. Three is hive-mind people touched by a long knife, name Saika's Children."

"Hive-mind?" Tsuruga found it hard to believe this.

"Yes. These three groups led by three schoolchildren. These children all friends but not know friends so powerful. Each group kept secret from others. Then groups start fighting because Izaya stir up misunderstandings. That was recently. Before that, Izaya try similar stunt between the Yellow Scarves and the Blue Squares. Blue Squares disbanded. This Yellow Scarves kid had a person he liked mixed up in it. She hospitalized. She Izaya's pawn but he did not protect her. Yellow Scarves kid feel very guilty, but not his fault." Simon gestured. "So I become angry. Good thing is now they all know who they are."

"Anything else?"

"Ay. Izaya mixed up with Yagiri Pharmaceuticals. People disappearing all the time. Yagiri Pharmaceuticals fell to company, name of Nebula." Simon rubbed his forehead. "I don't know more about that. But gut tell me that drama is not over. It did not end cleanly."

Tsuruga and Yashiro exchanged glances. "Okay, what does this have to do with LME?"

"That I not know either."

Tsuruga sighed and shook his head. "I really don't understand this person. How did he get to be this way?"

"Oh, he very simple really. When he bored he likes watching people struggle. Likes havoc, makes him feel superior. He very smart but not interested in being good or following rules. Odd thing, he not much interested in profit, either, but he very good at making money. He just—curious. And then, very hard to predict. I never seen him submit to authority."

"Anything else you can tell us? Say about Shizuo and Izaya? Show we be concerned about them at work? And how does Izaya interact with other people?"

"Tell me what you seeing now."

"Well...they avoid each other mostly," Tsuruga said sheepishly.

Simon blinked. "Really? Sound like good news."

Tsuruga frowned. "What, running away from each other? That's hardly positive interaction."

"But they used to fight whenever meet. They not looking for each other anymore, though? Not spoiling," Simon reiterated, looking for confirmation.

"Spoiling for a fight? No, I haven't seen that. That I'd notice, though."

"If they were, you see. Everyone always see." Simon seems somewhat cheered by the news of them. "Tell me, what is the LoveMe section's philosophy?"

"Yashiro-san? Why don't you explain? You haven't said anything for a while." Tsuruga got caught up in his eating.

A little surprised, Yashiro stuttered a bit, but he managed to communicate Lory's goal for the section and make it sound appealing. Tsuruga could do the first part, but he didn't think he could manage the second. Tsuruga was not good with sappy stuff when he wasn't acting.

"It is good for them both, to be part of an effort like that," Simon reflected, looking satisfied. "I think they will learn from it, if they not kill each other first." He sighed. "I hope Shizuo remembers what I taught him."

Tsuruga looked up. "Still with the killing talk?"

"They just haven't done yet. Both are very strong." Simon's expression was pessimistic. "If they do not stop being enemies, it only matter of time. That is what everyone feels, inside." His voice dropped with sincerity. "I am sorry I cannot help you more."

"Is it likely that people could get hurt if, say, Izaya tried to pull something on Shizuo?" Tsuruga asked.

"Very likely. But there no reason to think he would choose to pick on woman you love, unless she drew his attention. He drawn to interesting people."

Hmmm. Was Kyoko interesting? Tsuruga thought she was. She was certainly different. But he didn't know if her way of being different was something Izaya thought highly of. She could be gullible, in some ways.

"So it would probably be wise to tell her to stay out of his way, if possible."

"Probably. Have a care." Simon flashed a grin. "Women hearts very sensitive. Sometimes jump to conclusions. Result not good."

Tsuruga grinned back. "Do I ever know."

Simon stood up, about to walk back into the restaurant, but then he stopped and said something, surprised, in Russian. He turned back around. "I think I know why Izaya wanted Shizuo with him. Care to hear?" Simon smiled slightly, a dangerous, slightly fierce smile.

Tsuruga raised his eyebrows. "Go ahead."

"On African plains, the gazelle and lion very close. They watch each other. Lion is predator, gazelle is prey. When I told Izaya to leave Ikebukuro, he realized he could not keep eye on Shizuo. Partly, because Shizuo is most dangerous person he knows: he needs know what Shizuo does. But also because Izaya is fascinated with Shizuo. Izaya's blackmail probably flimsy but Shizuo content to stay where Izaya wants him because there he also watch Izaya."

Tsuruga blinked. "So who's predator and who is prey?"

Simon shrugged. "Only they know but my guess is Izaya. I will be back. I want to talk to Yashiro-san."

Yashiro blinked.

"Simon said you had a monkey's uncle in the area," Tsuruga whispered to him. "Sounded intriguing."

Yashiro groaned and slapped a hand over his eyes. "Oh. That would be Uncle Rinkei. I forgot he lives here."

"What's he do?"

"Gambles and invests and... he's always taking out loans. Usually he pays them back. He's a scoundrel."

"You sound fond of him."

"Yes, well, whatever his financial situation he was a very fun uncle. Teased me to death but he had a soft spot for me, I think, because he was used to be the black sheep, too. In his case, he was impatient, hyperactive, and too clever by half, while his brothers were all stoics."

"Whereas..."

"I was the crybaby and my brothers were all stoics," Yashiro said, a little irritated, and rolled his eyes. "Surprised?"

"Not really. It's just hard to square with how you present yourself now, so it amuses me. Sorry. You might have been behind on the manliness scale, but if you ask me, you turned out better. You're a great manager."

Yashiro smiled slightly. "Yeah. I think so, too."

Tsuruga punched Yashiro lightly on the arm. "It's a very manly field."

Yashiro just shook his head in despair.

Simon came through the doors, with more food. "This on the house, for the information. Chef likes you. We can use more celebrity."

Yashiro snorted. Tsuruga coughed, and muttered through his fingers, "Do I have to pose for a picture?"

"Great idea!" Simon said enthusiastically. "Very good idea!"

Grinning broadly, Yashiro scooted into a corner, trying to hide his desire to whoop with laughter. Tsuruga glared daggers at him. "Yashiro-san, is this allowed?"

"Simon, do not post this picture on the internet," Yashiro ordered him sternly. And then rolled his eyes.

Tsuruga ignored them both and went back to eating.

"Of course. No internet." Simon turned around, got a camera, and took a picture. It is not particularly flattering: it's a badly lit photo of Tsuruga sitting at the table with sushi lifted halfway to his mouth, looking aback at the camera with a decidedly grumpy expression.

Surely that wasn't good enough. "You can take two pictures if the first didn't turn out well," Tsuruga suggested. On second thought, he had that 'ladykiller' reputation to uphold...

"No, one picture is fine," Simon said, and flourished the camera. "Picture not important, you see. Advertising is." He smiled.

Yashiro snorted again.

Simon put the camera away and came back. "So, Yashiro-san."

"What?"

"Your uncle, Rinkei Yashiro-san. He work at Nebula now. Contract work."

"Oh. That doesn't mean anything to me."

"They experiment on humans and non-humans. They try to discover source of magic."

Yashiro hummed. "This has what to do with me?"

"This uncle Rinkei want to test your magic ability. He thinks it may be reason you break electronic devices all time. He said maybe there something in your psychic field that could be adjusted with Nebula technology."

"How did you find out? I'll give him a call later," said Yashiro.

"That man was spitting drunk." Tsuruga blinked. Simon continued, "He spilled information every which way. Like he want to get off his chest, out of head. Something wrong. Word on Nebula is it is a shady company. It might be good to question him close."

"Why would I do that?"

Simon's face was sober. "Never know when loved one is being used. Usually never say. Always hide truth if it hurts too much. Needs to be asked."

"Huh—?" Yashiro stood up. "What are you saying? He's been duped?"

"Be kind. Check him. If want psychic field problem fixed, make sure it safe. He's a good guy," said Simon, dropping his voice, "but gullible."

Yashiro sighed. "Yeah, I can see that. Thanks for letting me know."

"I on lookout for kin since he came in restaurant." Simon shrugged and turned to leave.

Tsuruga blurted, "I've been wanting to ask, but how come you're black and Russian?"

Simon nodded. "Everybody thinks but none ask. It is easy. My mother was American black, my father was Russian. The streets of Russia weren't kind. The result—me, name Semyon Brezhnev."

"You mean Simon?"

"Yes, Simon." Simon flashed gleaming ultra-white teeth. "Come again, please."

"Tsuruga-san, do you want to pursue this further?" Yashiro asked.

Tsuruga nodded. "Just in case."

"Then where to next?"

"Izaya himself."

"Ah?"

"Do me a favor and find out where he lives and drive me there."

"That's a bit off the charts," Yashiro said, with a tone of mild objection.

"Oh, please. It's for a good cause, and I know you can do it."

"Well, so I can," said Yashiro, trying not to sound pleased and a bit flattered.

[...]

A young woman with long hair and a peculiar green knitted sweater opened the door to Izaya's apartment. She stared at them suspiciously.

"Good evening. We're looking for Izaya Orihara."

The woman nodded and drew back from the door, letting it slide shut. They heard her yell, "Izaaaaaya! Visitors!" and Izaya reply.

Barely a moment later, Izaya poked his face out the door, wearing his usual self-confident sneer. His hard expression melted into blank surprise, however, when he registered that the visitors were Tsuruga and Yashiro.

"How—may I help you?" he said politely.

"We'd just—we'd like to talk," said Tsuruga, lamely. Yashiro coughed. This was hardly Tsuruga's smoothest line. Although it could have been worse...

Izaya blinked. "We can do that..." He sounded surprised. "Come in." They did. "Sit down. Tell me what you're here for." By this time, Izaya's expression had returned to guarded calculation.

Tsuruga sat down on the couch, and tried to make himself comfortable, though the couch was too low and too shallow for his legs. Tsuruga glanced anxiously over his shoulder before answering. Yashiro hovered behind him until Namie motioned Yashiro into the kitchen, and she brewed them all tea and coffee and did her best to make some harmless chitchat to put him at ease. It seemed to work. When she absolutely couldn't take a single minute more of that, she walked him to Izaya's library, where she told him to take out a book while he waited, and Namie got back to cooking dinner in solitude as she liked it.

"It's ... it's on behalf of my kohai, Kyoko Mogami. She's not certain she can trust you," said Tsuruga.

"Hardly news," Izaya said. "But I don't work with her very much. Probably because Moko thinks she can handle me better." He smirked. "Which she can."

Namie shot Izaya a sharp glance over the kitchen sink and slid back to her conversation with Yashiro with barely a hitch. It still did not go unnoticed by Izaya, who had been watching for it.

"But can you be? Trusted?" asked Tsuruga.

"Tsuruga-san, if I was untrustworthy, I would lie and say I was. But of what? Of what do you wish to qualify me as 'trustworthy'?"

"I see... What are your intentions towards Mogami-san?"

Izaya actually laughed, lifting himself up a little in his chair and slapping the armrest. "None whatsoever."

"No plans?"

"As I said. None."

"But she's afraid of you."

"Well, that might have something to do with when I trapped one of her blue spirits," said Izaya. "I needed to see the President."

"The President?!"

"Yes."

"You could have just asked!"

"Perhaps," said Izaya. "But I made sure of it. And it caught her attention."

"Don't you dare do that again," Tsuruga snarled.

"That goes without saying. That blue spirit gave me a rather nasty ice burn," said Izaya, flippantly. "Down my back." He pointed.

Tsuruga glared. Think about the consequences of your actions a little more!

"So, on to your next question. 'Why shouldn't I have you fired on the spot?'" Izaya's quirked his lips. "The answer to that is, I well and truly mean her no harm."

"Why do I doubt you?" Tsuruga threw his hands into the air, sarcastic.

"You probably have lots of reasons. Still—believe that what I say is true. Know this: I keep my lives separate. The work I do... What is the phrase again? Kitanai, kiken, kitsui. It is demanding, and dangerous. It is most certainly dirty, make no mistake, although I would like to ask you, who doesn't like to play in the dirt at some point in their lives?" Izaya stared piercingly at Tsuruga, just long enough for Tsuruga to feel the breath catch in his throat. Izaya knew something about him. Izaya knew something about everyone, probably, but... How had he figured it out? Tsuruga's head reeled and he felt queasy. Kuon... He hoped that nothing showed on his face, but he couldn't be completely confident.

Point made, Izaya moved on. "That said, my father always told me that all play and no work makes Tarou-kun a dull boy. Is it any wonder that I might want to break from my livelihood, now and again? Recover my senses? Revisit the world of the rest of humanity?" Izaya crossed his arms. "It wouldn't do to be out of touch. As I was forcibly reminded by an old friend of mine. Following his...insistent advice...I took this job. And I don't want to give it up. Which means: I do no more, and no less, than the work expected of me for that job. I will associate no more, and no less, than I am expected to with my coworkers. Do I make myself clear?"

"Perfectly, although I fail to understand what this has to do with your trustworthiness."

"I should hope so," Izaya said. "It would be unfortunate if you came to the wrong conclusion."

"Of course," Tsuruga managed. "So what you are saying is that Mogami-san is no one special to you, and you have no reason to help or harm her in any way insofar as she doesn't get in the way of your goals. However, since she is throughly irrelevant to whatever causes you are fond of patronizing, she is just—irrelevant."

"I am glad you understand."

"So what of Kotonami Kanae?"

"Her friend? You mean Moko-san? I like her. We're good partners. We think alike. We leave each other alone."

"I see," said Tsuruga. He took a deep breath. "I need you to make me a promise."

"If you insist." Izaya sounded bored. He leaned forward and waited.

"You must promise me never to harm Mogami-san. If there is a problem and she comes in between you and your goals, you must come to me first."

Izaya's eyebrows lifted. "Unlikely, but reasonable. I promise. Let's shake on it." He offered his hand.

Tsuruga took it, crushed Izaya's hand briefly, and let go as soon as he could.

Contract concluded, Izaya shook and flexed his long slender fingers ruefully. That was a warning not to get on Tsuruga's bad side. Now he'd better live up to his promise. He smiled a little. It was a good price for Tsuruga's trust: and now he knew intuitively there was something spotty in Tsuruga's past, perhaps he could dig around a little as a new hobby. For future guarantees and curiosity's sake. Then again, he might be able to get some business by playing the other side...

"If you would like any information at all, you know where to come," he said lazily.

"I'll keep it in mind," said Tsuruga, "but just now—just no, thanks."

Izaya shrugged. It was only a matter of time. Celebrities were some of his better clients, both for the trashing of their fellows' careers and attempts to forestall their own scandals. If he judged right, Tsuruga was definitely one of the latter. If he found something on Tsuruga first, then it would be easier to prevent the same information from entering the public eye. At a price, of course.

There was nothing more to discuss. Tsuruga collected Yashiro, who reluctantly parted with his book only after staring at the title for a few seconds (probably trying to memorize it) and then they left.

Back in the car.

"Yashiro-san."

"Yes, what?"

"Are you going to call your uncle?"

Yashiro sighed. "Yes."

"Be careful, okay?"

"I will. Uncle Rinkei has always been lucky—he slips out of bad situations like oil rises from water—but even people like him can get out of their depth very quickly. Especially in that district."

"If I can help, tell me. I can act like anything, if you need it. I don't mind taking some risks for you."

"You've got Kyoko-chan to take care of. Besides, I'm the one taking care of you, aren't I?"

"It is always better when the relationship is reciprocal."

"I know that. I'll tell you when I need it." Yashiro pats Tsuruga on the back. "We've never been strictly professional. Let's go home, shall we."

"Good."

They drive off.

Author's Note: Simon's accent feels a certain way to me in Japanese; I had a hard time translating the same feeling to his English. He talks very slowly and simply but deliberately. So the result was, I made his use of verbs, negatives, and articles erratic. I know this is irritating, so try to roll with it. I'm not trying to make him sound stupid, just the opposite—Simon is smart, but it's impossible to see from a glimpse of him in passing, and that's the idea I want to preserve about his character.

A section has been added to this chapter due to the helpful comments of a reviewer. Thanks for your feedback!

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