"What do you think about that, Izaya? Becoming the hero in a story? It sounds pretty neat, actually."
"It sounds wonderful, Shizuo-sama."
Izaya granted them a brief smile that did not quite touch his eyes.
"I am thinking wardrobe, what would he wear?"
"Hmm…I've never seen Izaya wearing anything other than the school uniform and that crazy red dress."
"How about…something like this? Cool, isn't it?"
Erika sketched rapidly, pencil flying across the page and almost sending sparks. She showed them a picture of Izaya in a sleek jacket with fur fringed cuffs and hood.
"Fur, huh…I think Izaya would look great in this."
Erika made a funny face and hid her smirking mouth behind the sketchbook.
"Oh? Could it be that Shizuo-kun is developing lovely dovey feelings for our Rose Bride?"
"Don't be silly. We're both guys."
Shizuo was annoyed at himself for blushing to the roots of his blonde hair.
"I don't think that matters much. And besides, you are engaged after all."
"Erika, you said you wouldn't go on about that again."
"Sorry, sorry. My bad. But dueling or not, you are living together. Right?"
"We're roommates. That's all."
"I see. I got to hurry back to the dorm and build up my story! I am full of ideas."
Shizuo waved goodbye. Erika was skipping away but then suddenly halted and turned around.
"I almost forgot, you're in the story as well."
"Me? Really?"
Shizuo could not help being curious.
"You, Heiwajima Shizuo. You're Izaya's archrival and throw vending machines at him all the time as well as chase him around with murderous intent."
"I'd never do that…."
"That's why it is fiction! But worry not, Izaya dodges them. Usually, at least."
"I'm not sure I'm cool with that kind of story…"
Erika's smile dropped. She noticed spidery rose branches entwined overhead in an arch.
"How about this, then? 'Heiwajima Shizuo is a brave prince. One day, he meets a beautiful and helpless princess that is preyed by evil doers. He vows not only to save her from her cage but to show her how life is on the outside.'"
Shizuo nodded.
"I like that a lot better."
"But Shizuo, I hope you realize…both versions are just as fictional. Bye bee."
"Erika, wait. What do you think is inside that castle?"
She was silent for a while. Wondering what rose frame fit the moment.
"Something powerful. Or maybe, it's power in itself. And I'll be adding colored pages! How about a nude? What do you say, Izaya! I'd make it tasteful!"
"He's not doing any of that."
"As Shizuo-sama says."
Erika giggled.
"Oh, you two."
Shizuo watched her skip away.
"What was that all about?"
"Who knows."
"Mi-ka-do! I have it all planned, Saturday that is!"
Kida tackled him and they nearly went tumbling down the grassy slope.
"Masaomi! I told you to stop doing that."
"Nonsense, what are best friends for? So, as I was saying, it'll be perfect! Just you, me and Anri. There she is! Anri-chan!"
And with this Kida bolted and left Mikado standing on his own. Under the faultless and endless sky. So much of it. Enough to isolate him and to cover Kida and Anri chattering amicably. Only Kida's voice reached him in a glitter of laughter that merged the words into pretty sounds. Better this way. Mikado did not want to hear them. He gripped his favorite ballpoint pen inside a pocket. The weight was reassuring, a definite element in the world.
"A shame she had to go already. But she's free on Saturday! Isn't that great, Mikado? Mikado…? Hello?"
"Sorry, I was just a bit distracted."
"So many pretty girls around, I totally understand!"
For once, Mikado acted without a plan. He found himself holding the yellow rose.
"Is that for, Mikado, whatever shall I do! This is all so sudden, my heart isn't ready!"
Before panic could set in Kida was laughing merrily.
"It's yellow, yellow roses mean friendship. So they can be given to everyone."
"Let me have it, then! If I run I can still catch Anri. I can use it as an ice breaker. Wish me luck! Or don't, I guess."
And with this Kida snatched the flower and rushed out of sight. It occurred to Mikado that it should start raining right about now. Yet the sun insisted on shine as if his sorrow was irrelevant to the world, as if Ryuugamine Mikado was infinitely small in the grander scheme of things.