Loneliness widened within him like cold emptiness, numbing as it burnt. Until now it had never been painful but merely annoying.
Shizuo was walking over to class the next day when he passed the greenhouse. He wanted to hurry past it when he noticed a sign on the door and some police tape barring the way.
"'Warning: this facility has been deemed redundant and will be demolished. Plan approved by the Student Council'. What…?"
"That's right. I'm expanding the laboratory."
Shizuo spun around to find Namie holding a clipboard and making notes.
"There's plenty of room, you can expand anywhere you want. Why are you tearing it down?"
"Because there's no need for a greenhouse. It's not as if the rose motif is lacking as it is. These facilities serve no purpose so I am terminating them."
"But Izaya likes tending the roses. He has fun doing it. You can't just take that away from him!"
Namie blinked.
"I can and I will. Besides, what do you mean he likes it? I told him about it and he just stood there saying 'Yes, Yagiri-sama'. Feel free to ask him yourself."
Izaya appeared from a nearby building. Shizuo walked over to him.
"Tell her that you like the roses, that you love this place. I know you do so just tell her."
"Good morning, Shizuo-san. It is alright. It is Yagiri-sama's decision."
"So what! She's not god or something, I don't care if she's the president of the Student Council or not. It's just not fair."
Shizuo was not just talking about the greenhouse.
"Orihara, do you mind it?"
"I'm the Rose Bride, I abide by the Engaged's will."
"There you have it. By the way I run some tests, simple blood tests so you can stop glaring at me that way, and Orihara here is a normal human being as far as genetic composition and physiology goes."
"What have you been doing to him?"
"Nothing at all intrusive. I'm not a sadist. As for roses, we have plenty of those at my place and he can play with them all he wants. Also, I'm getting him some therapy."
"Therapy?"
"He clearly can't be sane to be this apathetic. Mikage is a recognized psychologist. Now if you'll excuse me, I have classes to attend to."
"It was nice meeting you, Shizuo-san."
Shizuo paid precious little attention to school the entire day. As he tried to process it all it occurred to him that Izaya was perhaps better off this way. He adopted this stance as best he could and tried to simply go with it. Shizuo threw himself into sports with almost fanatical zeal. It earned himself a fanbase. Shizuo greatly disliked this.
It was going back home to an empty room that never failed to get to him. Shizuo made up his mind to throw away the jacket but had a change of heart. He was in this uncertain limbo of trying not to think about Izaya and failing altogether when Erika banged at his door.
"Shizuo, Shizuo, there's a duel going on! Quick, hurry!"
He wanted to turn down the offer completely but he could not bring himself to do it. Erika led him by the hand.
"Hurry! This will be good. I got you a pair of binnacles, we can both watch."

Mikado stepped unto the arena, his confidence unshaken. Namie tied up her hair.
"I challenge you to a duel."
"I'd figured as much. Orihara."
Namie extracted the sword. Mikado had it all planned. He did a few feints and then an actual attack that Namie dodged. Mikado knitted his brows and tried again. Namie slid out of his reach. He darkened.
"What are you doing?"
"Dueling. You should know how it goes, Ryuugamine. Shouldn't you?"
Mikado gripped his sword tightly and aimed squarely at Namie's rose but Namie twirled away easily. At this point Mikado realized that something was wrong.
"This is not what we had agreed on!"
Namie smirked.
"Is that so? Guess what, Ryuugamine. I am not your puppet. I never was and never will be. If you want Orihara there so badly you will have to fight me."
Mikado's eyes hardened.
"Suit yourself. But I'll remember this."
"I know you will."
Mikado changed gears as if a switch had been activated. His sword swiveled rapidly in tangents and when he saw an opening Mikado took the opportunity. As the shredded white petals came fluttering from Namie's chest a feeling of elation swept him over.
"I win!"