Izaya behaves himself, just as he's asked, for an entire week. He doesn't attempt to crack into the chatroom or send Tsukumoya any messages beyond that one reply. It's not entirely difficult, he does have other concerns. If anything, the week is a much needed break that prevents him from getting too fixated on something that was only intended to ever be a hobby. A momentary distraction.
Not that he stops from fixating entirely. He spends a few nights turning his last chat with Tsukumoya over in his mind. Reading and rereading the log, adding a few notes to his file (still filled with so many aggravating question marks), and doing a bit of research.
Not there is much to be found given what vague details he has. But it's somewhat of a starting point.
It's just after five in the evening, Izaya idly flipping through files and considering heading out for a bite to eat when his phone chimes at him. The slightest of smiles curving at his lips as he notices the sender and the single line of text that follows.
[You have your access back.]
Izaya's smile grows a little sharper and he quickly sends a response. [Is this an invitation?]
[Take it however you want.]
Izaya chuckles as he slips his phone back into his pocket. Tempted, more than tempted, to hop right back into the game. But patience is important and there's no sense in letting Tsukumoya know just how eager he is.
No. He'll wait. Pick up some dinner. Perhaps take care of a little more work. Reread the logs one more time. Then he'll pop in to the chatroom again. Everything is a matter of timing.
Orihara Izaya, reborn!
Orihara Izaya
So here we are again.
Orihara Izaya
I have to say, our conversation last time was quiet enlightening for me. It makes me wonder why you revealed that much of yourself. Unless you're simply making up nonsense to throw me off track, but I'm not so sure. You've always been honest, even if you're not entirely forthcoming.
Orihara Izaya
At the very least it gave me quite a bit to think about.
Tsukumoya Shinichi
I was feeling sorry for you, Orihara. Every so often I like to throw you a bone just so you'll stop with those tryingly clumsy questions.
Tsukumoya Shinichi
Chalk it up to my sense of fair play.
Orihara Izaya
Whatever excuses make you feel better. This doesn't change the fact that you felt the need to lock me out for over a week.
Tsukumoya Shinichi
I was getting sick of your logging in at whim for no particular reason.
Tsukumoya Shinichi
No matter how enjoyable of a distraction it might be, you *do* needed to be reminded who's in charge and I don't have time for aimless frivolities.
Orihara Izaya
Of course, of course.
Orihara Izaya
Lying to yourself. So sad.
Tsukumoya Shinichi
And you've learned nothing. You're still going to be a first class nuisance, aren't you?
Orihara Izaya
Hardly! I have questions.
Tsukumoya Shinichi
Ah, questions. Questions you know I won't answer and yet here we are.
Orihara Izaya
Relax. I'm not about to start trying to piece together just what you are while we sit here. That would be dull.
Orihara Izaya
No. I want to talk about the sex.
...
...
Tsukumoya Shinichi
You can picture me rolling my eyes if you'd like.
Orihara Izaya
I would, but I don't exactly have a point of reference to do so.
Orihara Izaya
I just wonder what you get out of it, if things are as you say.
Tsukumoya Shinichi
Has it occurred to you even remotely that I only play along to humour you?
Tsukumoya Shinichi
Since you're the one who seems so fixated on it, after all.
Orihara Izaya
It has, I'll admit. But I don't quite buy that.
Orihara Izaya
Why humour me at all?
Tsukumoya Shinichi
For the same reasons *you* do anything, perhaps? Entertainment value?
Orihara Izaya
Hmm...
Orihara Izaya
Nope. Not quite buying that one either.
Orihara Izaya
Try again~
Tsukumoya Shinichi
Insufferable.
Orihara Izaya
Now, now. Don't go losing your temper and kicking me out again.
Orihara Izaya
I don't think you want to just hand me another point so quickly. Do you?
Orihara Izaya
Or do you want me to win?
Orihara Izaya
As a sign of my victory we could talk about your lips wrapped around my cock for once.
Orihara Izaya
Do you even have lips? How does this work, anyway?
Tsukumoya Shinichi
I'm not getting into that with you.
Tsukumoya Shinichi
I hope it's ruined your fun, suddenly confusing your point of reference for you.
Orihara Izaya
Not so much. Not when you clearly make it a habit to pretend to be human like most monsters do.
Tsukumoya Shinichi
I don't pretend. There's a difference between actively lying about what I am and choosing not to discuss it at all. I do the latter.
Orihara Izaya
Fine, fine. Dress it up however you please. In the long run it's unimportant. I have no problems continuing this little game of ours in its usual vein. You don't want to discuss what kind of a monster you are, so I'll simply continue to assume that you resemble a human. Just as you like to imply through omission.
Orihara Izaya
And you still haven't answered my question.
Orihara Izaya
What do you get out of it?
...
...
...
Orihara Izaya
We've both carved our way under each other's skin, Tsukumoya. No matter how much we each like to pretend otherwise.
Orihara Izaya
Didn't you accuse me once of trying to prove how quick and clever I am?
Orihara Izaya
I think you're trying to prove the same thing
Orihara Izaya
And I think we're too evenly matched for either of us to ever win.
Orihara Izaya
All we're going to do is slice each other to ribbons.
Tsukumoya Shinichi
The flaw in your logic is the simple fact that I have nothing to prove. To you or otherwise.
Orihara Izaya
And I believe I have nothing to prove to you. Yet here we are.
Orihara Izaya
Circling and hissing at each other like a pair of territorial cats.
Tsukumoya Shinichi
Wonderful bit of imagery there, Orihara. Although I'm not sure I appreciate being compared to an angry cat.
Orihara Izaya
It fits. Like it or not.
Tsukumoya Shinichi
In your opinion, perhaps. Not mine.
...
...
...
Orihara Izaya
It's strange.
Tsukumoya Shinichi
Orihara Izaya
This is probably the game with the lowest stakes that I've ever bothered to play.
Orihara Izaya
And yet you're likely the most worthy opponent I've ever had.
Orihara Izaya
Are you sure I can't tempt you to start getting involved with things?
Orihara Izaya
Maybe you could try to thwart me~
Tsukumoya Shinichi
As amusing as it could be to play the Holmes to your Moriarty. No. I don't think so.
Orihara Izaya
Spoilsport.
Tsukumoya Shinichi
It might be fun for a little while, Orihara, but in the end it wouldn't be right for either of us.
Tsukumoya Shinichi
We are what we are. Both observers on opposite ends of the spectrum.
Tsukumoya Shinichi
I couldn't get in neck-deep alongside you anymore than you could quietly sit on the sidelines with me. What we do here is about as deep as I choose to get.
Tsukumoya Shinichi
Besides, you couldn't function without someone to gloat to. Or someone to hassle for details when you come up on the informationally challenged side of things. We couldn't do that if we were at odds with one another.
Orihara Izaya
So the status quo remains.
Tsukumoya Shinichi
I see nothing wrong with it.
Orihara Izaya
And our little game?
Tsukumoya Shinichi
Ah, I'll leave you to decide that. You started it, after all.
Tsukumoya Shinichi
And in the end you'll do whatever you please.
Tsukumoya Shinichi
You'll waltz in here and make a nuisance of yourself and I won't stop you. Because I enjoy this just as much as you do, Orihara.
Tsukumoya Shinichi
Opposite ends of the spectrum or not, we're still two of a kind.
Orihara Izaya
I'm glad you're so accepting, because I'm not quite through with you anyway.
Orihara Izaya
I haven't finished figuring out what you are.
Tsukumoya Shinichi
I thought you weren't interested in "monsters".
Orihara Izaya
As a rule, no. But that doesn't mean I want to be ignorant about them. I'm still going to pull you apart and find out what you are.
Orihara Izaya
And you'll continue to dodge all my questions.
Orihara Izaya
The game can go on for *years*~
Tsukumoya Shinichi
And we'll cut each other to ribbons?
Orihara Izaya
It doesn't have to be a bad thing~
Tsukumoya Shinichi
Hmm.
Orihara Izaya
I think I'll go for now.
Orihara Izaya
We can start fresh another time. When we're both in the proper mindset.
Orihara Izaya
Be ready for me~
Orihara Izaya, confirmed dead!