Disclaimer: I do not own DRRR! or any of the alternatives.

"You sure you'll be alright getting home Tsuki?" Shizuo asked after walking the younger blonde to his campus. Tsuki was all set for his first day at this school. He had already had finished a year and a semester in the spring back at home, but he thought he needed a change in scenery in a place where he doesn't know anyone, aside from Shizuo and Kasuka.

"Yeah, I'll be fine." Tsuki smiled and gave the most confident face he can create. The bodyguard smiled back and fixed his blue shades.

"Alright, just stay out of trouble, don't do anything stupid, and try not to get lost going home. If you do, just go somewhere safe and call me. Now, I might get home a little late otherwise so go ahead and eat first."

"All right, take care Shizuo-san." After waving the other off, the two went in their own directions. Tsuki was nervous despite his decision.

I'm far away from everything I know. But at least it's like a clean slate. I've met a lot of nice people too. Celty-chan isn't as scary as she looks, Kishitani-san is somewhat funny. And well, there's Roppi-san too. In a way he reminds me of him. I really do wish I could see him again.

His classes were going well. It did take a little bit to adjust to the bigger classrooms, but the school offered him a laptop for his so he could work from home if he desired. The campus was small, but it is to be expected in a densely packed cities like Tokyo.

So far, things are going well. I don't feel left behind from the topic or my core classes. But so far, no classmates to call friends yet. The day was done and classes have ended. It was about 4:30pm and the sun had started setting. Tsuki pulled his scarf up to his nose for comfort as he crossed the campus. He had always kept this scarf close to him, it was a gift from a close friend back home; Michio Jikoshin. They've been friends since primary school. But lots of things happened and cause and effect.

Hey Tsuki, Happy Birthday!

Hey thanks Michi! It's a nice scarf. Hey it looks like the one you wear.

Yeah that way we match. We'll be best buds forever that way.

I'm pretty sure it doesn't work that way, but okay!

Say Tsuki…

Hmm?

We're friends right?

Always! Why would you question it?

I may be in a new place, but I'll always have my memories.

Wait. Where am I?

Tsuki only just then realized that he is not in a familiar area. Oh no, don't tell me I'm lost already. Okay, calm down, just turn around and backtrack to the school. But to no avail unfortunately. Nothing looks familiar to the path Shizuo showed. Oh no, this is not good. It really is bad being directionally challenged, but I can't help it. I don't want to call Shizuo already. He said he might be home late, so he's busy with work. Oh what to do now...

"Did you see that guy?" some girl near him asked near her friend.

"Yeah black coat with red fur, he looked really scary," the other girl commented.

Black and red coat, could it be Roppi-san?

"Is he the one everyone is talking about nowaday?"

"Yep, bright red eyes. It's definitely him."

"The Slasher!"

"Yep, and he looks mad, better stay away or we'll be his next victims."

"Um… e-excuse me," Tsuki asked the girls. "I-I-I c-c-couldn't help but o-overhear you two, b-but I'm l-looking for that man you were t-t-talking about. H-He's a fr-friend of mine."

"Oh really?" the first girl asked in shock, "I'm sorry about all of that, um he went that way towards that restaurant over there, Russia Sushi right?"

"Yeah that was him," the other replied. "Hey kid, you really should stay away from him, he's dangerous."

"Y-You'd be s-suprised. D-D-Don't listen t-t-to that rumor, he w-wouldn't hurt a-anyone, I p-pr-promise," Tsuki reassured. "Th-Thanks."

"No problem." And with the new information, he ran in the direction the girls told him.

Celty has told me about the Slasher, they're a bunch of people who were cut by a mythical sword. She didn't tell me anything else other than that everyone affected by it have bright red eyes and that they will cut someone out of love. Now I see what could be making Roppi-san unhappy. But I know he isn't that type of person. Those cuts on his arm, the way he acts and thinks about the people around him, he is definitely not one of those Slasher people. I know, because when you cut yourself, you don't love anyone or anything, you hate.

Tsuki slowed down when he approached a tall grey building with a golden structure above the door, almost looking like the top part of the Saint Basil's Cathedral. The sign below the ornament said Russia Sushi. Out front was a tall dark skinned man handing out fliers and waving people in.

"Come to Russia Sushi! Sushi's good! Sushi make you happy!"

"Umm... e-excuse me," Tsuki started.

"Oh, Shizuo? You puny. You eat more sushi. You grow big again," the man jested with a smile.

Do I really look that much like Shizuo-san?

"Oh uh, I-I-I'm actually Sh-Shizuo-san's cousin."

"Oh really. You should eat more sushi too. Sushi make you big. Sushi make you happy," the man informed while giving him a flier and a thumbs up.

This guy sure is passionate, but I guess there's nothing wrong with it. Sushi is good, but I don't think that makes you bigger.

"Uh… I'm looking f-f-for a f-fr-friend. Um, black c-c-c-coat with red f-f-fur and b-bl-black hair and-"

"Oh Orihara-kun! He inside. Come in come in!"

"Thank you." Tsuki walked in and observed the restaurant looking for the raven. And there he was in the booth farthest from the door, eating what looks like otoro.

Should I approach him though. He honestly never gave it much thought, but when he heard that Roppi would be near him, he wanted to see him again. He might still be mad at me. But it is good to see him okay. I'll leave him in peace then. He started to head out but was yanked back by the scarf making him halt and turn around.

"Hey you." a familiar voice caught his attention by its closeness and his attention focused on red eyes. "Are you following me or something?"

"R-R-Roppi-san, ah- I'm s-s-sorry. I-I guess I g-got lost and c-came in here." Hachimeroppi stared at him but sighed.

"So what now? You gonna call Shizuo to pick you up?"

"W-Well I was, b-but then I s-saw you." Tsuki glanced at the booth Roppi was sitting at, noticing there was no one else. "Um… are you h-here a-alone Roppi-san?" The raven arched an eyebrow.

"So what if I am?"

"W-W-Well, i-if you allow me, c-c-can I s-s-sit with you?" Roppi was taken aback by the comment. "I-I-It's okay if not. I-I-It's just that…I-I thought you m-might wants some c-c-company." Tsuki became nervous, he was worried that he would break whatever companionship with the raven for being like this, asking to spend time with him even when he came in here alone. I am such an idiot!

"Sure… why not," he said and walked back to his section.

That was a surprise. Tsuki thought as he followed him and sat opposite from the raven.

"Did you really get lost again Tsukishima?"

"Um… yes. I-I guess I was j-j-just lost in th-thought and l-l-let my f-f-f-feet carry me."

"That's dangerous you know, especially in the city. There are a lot of dangerous people who will attack or kidnap you, especially when at a first glance, you look like Shizuo."

"I-I-I'm sorry."

"Will you quit apologizing already."

"Eh-he, sorry. B-But I guess I sh-should have known." He looked around and saw a lot of people coming in and eating. Some were businessmen, a few were young adults. There was even a group of slightly familiar adults that had a blonde haired high schooler with a white hoodies. "Is th-this place any good?"

"They're decent. Just don't get the special plate. It's filled with stuff that really shouldn't be with sushi."

"I see." Even though Tsuki is happy to have another conversation with Hachimenroppi, he can't help but shake the feeling of it only being out of pity and that the raven prefered to be alone. "Roppi-san, i-if you really d-don't want me here, I will leave you a-alone." Roppi looked from his tray at him. He almost gave a smile and crossed his arms on the table.

"You're fine. Luckily, I can tolerate your presence better than most others. You're not as annoying as most people I know. Oh...and uh, sorry for snapping at you the other day; I didn't know what came over me then." Roppi awkwardly scratch the back of his head and there was a hint of red on his cheeks.

Awww… He looks cute being flustered like this.

"I-It's fine Roppi-san. I-I sh-should have known that you were st-st-stressed. I-I shouldn't have brought it up."

"Right… anyway… did I leave something behind?"

Oh right, his sketchbook! I didn't bring it with me though.

"You m-might have. Y-Y-You can c-c-come over and ch-check," Tsuki replied.

If I told him I found it, he might think I looked through it. I was curious, but I know what it's like having art you've worked on viewed by others when you don't think it's ready to be seen. I couldn't do that to Roppi-san. I haven't even told Shizuo-san that it exists. He'd probably would give it back to him, but he might look through it.

Hachimenroppi sat there thinking about it before nodding.

"Yeah, it's kinda important to me so… I'd prefer having it back."

"W-We can g-go after you f-f-finish. I-I don't want to r-rush you."

"Little Shizuo. You eat sushi too?" The man outside had decided to come back into the restaurant to help out. He is currently looming over the duo with a notepad and a menu in his hands.

"Oh, hey Simon," the raven greeted.

Roppi-san knows this guy? Wow he seems so comfortable near him.

"Oh uh… I-I-I'm all s-s-set," Tsuki answered shyly. Simon smiled and handed him the menu anyway.

"You should eat sushi, Sushi cheap today."

"Ah- I'll t-t-t-take a look. Th-Th-Thank you." After that, they were left alone to converse some more.

"You don't have to be scared of him," Roppi explained, "Simon's not a bad guy, just very passionate about his job and making people happy. But if needed to, he can calm a fist fight, even one of Shizuo's rampages. And he does tell one lie, the sushi here is cheap everyday."

"I s-see."

"And you don't really have to order anything."

"I know, b-but I kinda feel b-b-bad if I d-didn't. I-I just come into the r-r-restaurant and not order a-anything; i-it doesn't s-s-seem polite."

"Hmm, well they do offer take out if you want that."

"Oh o-okay. Um, w-what do you r-recommend Roppi-san?" Roppi arched an eyebrow at him. Shoot… maybe I shouldn't have said that…He must be thinking "get whatever you want, I don't care." Good job Tsukishima, good job. "Uhh, a-a-actually, n-n-never mind." I really should have planned this better…

But to his relief, Roppi gave a quiet chuckle as he watched to blonde pick something out. Once they were all set at Russia Sushi about five minutes later, they left back towards Shizuo's apartment.

"I'll be honest, I never had the sake* there before. I was curious, but I've always just stuck with otoro," Roppi commented when they exited the restaurant.

"I-I'll let you know i-if it's g-g-good Roppi-san."

"Hm, I keep telling you that you don't need to tell me anything, we hardly know each other."

"T-True, b-but I'd like t-t-to know you b-better."

"Right…" There was a pause for a moment before he spoke again. "Tsukishima, why do you want to befriend me? It can't possibly be because I'm one of the first you met."

Actually, that's kinda true. But there's more to it.

"Oh, uh. W-W-Well, th-th-that's kinda t-t-true… B-B-B-But it's j-j-just that I-I-I…" Tsuki paused for a bit to properly form his answer. "Your cuts. I-I know it's p-p-prying i-i-into your p-p-personal life… b-but I w-want to help you." It was the honest truth. Tsuki has been thinking about why the raven cuts and if he could help. It hurts to see them, even if we had just met. I just feel guilty. Almost...

The two were silent as they entered the residential areas. The entire way, Tsuki was really hoping he didn't anger the raven. The expression on his face was first shocked when the words left his mouth, but it then darkened and turned more serious. With the streets now empty, Roppi finally spoke.

"So you really wanted to know about them." Tsuki nodded. "I'll tell you if I want to. But I will give you a chance to be acquainted with me. Besides, I was told to be more open now, so I'm allowing you. You're not like most humans I've met before so it may be easier..."

Told to be more open? By who? And that word "human" again. I don't wanna be quick to judge, but I think he's a misanthrope. He acts the part too. Hmm… Oh well, he'll tell me when he's ready. I should just be glad that we're along the lines of friends now.

"Th-Th-Thank you Roppi-san."

Once they reach the apartment, they took off their shoes and Roppi headed towards the living room.

"W-W-Would you like s-something to drink Roppi-san?" Tsuki asked and he took out a piece of paper and pencil from his bag. If Shizuo did come home while they are here, he didn't want the same thing to happen, so he left a note near Roppi's shoes saying it's him and not his cousin.

"No, I'm fine," the raven replied while he searched the room.

"Umm… w-w-what is it y-you are l-looking for?" I know what it is but I want to talk with him more. Maybe I'll learn more of him.

"It's an ordinary sketchbook, but it has something special to me."

"I see." As much as I don't want him to leave, it is his and I cannot force him here. "I th-think I've s-seen it one night. O-One m-moment."

Tsukishima walked into his room, dropped his messenger bag and sushi on the desk, and looked for the book he put under his bed. It should be here somewhere. I didn't push it in very deep either.

"So you had it all along." Roppi unfortunately startled the poor blonde and he hits his head on the bottom of the bed.?

"Oww… yeah I found it." He pushed the book behind him and got out from under the bed to face the raven and rub the bump on his head. Roppi was leaning on the doorframe and was now heading toward the book. "I-I found it th-the night you w-were over." The raven grabbed the book and kept it close to his chest. There was a slight tint of pink on his face. Ah he's embarrassed, as I thought. He really does look cute though. "I-I-I promise Roppi-san, I d-d-didn't look through it." Now the raven's face contorted into confusion

"You had this for a few days and you didn't even once look inside?" Tsuki nodded.

"I-I was c-c-curious, b-b-but I didn't." Neither of them moved. Is he still mad that kept ot from him? Or does he not believe me?

"Is Shizuo gonna be here soon?" Huh, I'm confused now… He shook his head no. Roppi walked to the door to shut and locks it. "May I sit down?"

"Oh uh, s-sure." This isn't what I expected. He fixed himself and sat on the bed, patting the spot to his left. Roppi took a seat, sets the book on his lap, and started breathing a little heavier. I get it, he plans on showing me what's inside. But it looks like he doesn't really want to… "Roppi-san. I-If you don't w-want to sh-show me, i-it's fine. I d-d-don't want you d-doing anything y-you don't w-w-want."

"You were curious right? And you want to be my friend? Well you should at least get an idea of what you are going to get into." And with that, he flipped to page one.

Oh my god...

Hello everyone! This took a little bit, and some thinking but it seems to have worked for me. How does everyone else feel? Sorry there's a whole lot of moving around but I didn't want small chapters that weren't very eventful so I combined them together. What will we see inside Roppi's book (well obviously blood as we saw all the way back in chapter 1, but specifically)? And how will Tsukishima react to this? And who is Michio Jikoshin? I didn't want OCs to be in this story, but I assure you all of the OCs that I have here will be very important and major to what happens. Will we see them later on, who knows.

*Also just a note, Sake is a type of sushi. It's a salmon nigiri, like otoro but with salmon instead of tuna. This isn't the rice wine. Tsuki is 19, and is not old enough to drink legally in Japan.

Thank you all for taking the time to read this fanfic and stick with it. It's more than half a year since I published chapter 1 and I am glad to hear so many reviews and comments, as well as just seeing how many people even looked at this. I really do hope everyone has a wonderful day and I'll get started on chapter 8. See you all again until then.