Chapter 21

The day after their big fight, had caused more fights to occur. What had just started off as a random dispute from delinquent girls, created a long chain of many fights from organized gangs. But no matter who the challenger was, whether they were small fry or big bosses, the result was the same; the duo won every fight.

At lunch, she politely asked Eri if she could go to the library to return and book and she allowed her to. But unknown to Eri, Minako was hoping to find the peculiar gakuran wearing boy, Izaya Orihara. His lectures served as idle talk for her. She came in and found him in the same spot as usual. She pulled a book from the shelf near her and pretended to read as she sat across from him. He formed a smile.

"Ah Maso-chan, so how was your fight the other day?" he asked. She didn't respond.

"You've been getting picked on more than usual now." he commented. "Neh, does it bother you?"

"No, i don't mind it." she replied frankly. He chuckled.

"Just exactly what I would expect from a true masochist." he joked and then continued to prattle on. "So tell me, what does it feel like to get stabbed?"

A sudden shiver speedily crawled down her spine. How did he know about her stabbing incident at Sakutera years ago? She didn't want to ask him about it. He went on, a mocking and haughty tone in his voice.

"Or, maybe I should rephrase that question. What is it like to find out that the person, who stabbed you and left to die, later turned out to be your friend in high school?"

"You ask too many questions." she retorted.

"Sorry, it must be a pain for you to answer all these, especially since you seem to be an airhead." he said. "You don't seem to think much."

They then heard a loud crash from down below, following curses and cries and screams. The two saw that Shizuo was ambushed by a group of foolish thugs. Izaya started cackling happily.

"Heh looks like that stupid Shizu-chan is at it again."

She pulled away from her book and gawked at him.

"Shizu-chan?" she muttered. What was with the pet name? she wondered. He turned to her, his broad smirk and devious red brown eyes lit up with life, and asked another question.

"Maso-chan, do you know why people fight?" he asked. She shook her head no in reply.

"People fight because their born that way, that's all. Humans are naturally inclined to tear at each other's throats; but a little thing called love is what keeps the world partially sane. There's no reason to fight, people just do it because they like it."

For a moment, she glanced down at the window and saw Shizuo throw down the sign he had ripped out with a huff. Her heart had filled with some sort of medley of pity and something else. She put the book down.

"I think you're wrong." she muttered softly. His sly smile never wavered.

"What was that?"

"I don't think people fight because they want to. There has to be a reason why they have to fight." she argued. He walked over and patted her head like one would to a child.

"Smart girl!" he praised. "I guess you proved me wrong, you're not so much of an airhead after all." he said, disheveling her head of full black curls.

#

There was still some time during lunch so she absconded to the roof and away from the talkative and mysterious boy. There she found Shizuo sitting there, stressfully squeezing his backpack. He heard her footsteps and took notice of her.

"Oh, there you are. I was wondering where you were." he grumbled out, still annoyed from the boys who picked a fight with him. She took a seat by him on the bench and opened up the book she had just checked out.

"God dammit what the hell was with those fucking bastards!" he growled. Minako then gave him a sweet snack she had in her backpack; chocolate cream wafers. He made a meager grin and munched on one.

"Thanks." he acknowledged. "Sorry for bothering you with nonsense." he apologized, calmly stroking her hair.

"It's okay." she said. Nonchalantly, he rested his head on her lap without permission.

"Neh, what about you? You seem to be having the same problem as me." he asked.

"It doesn't really bother me." she replied. He chuckled.

"You're an airhead." he taunted, poking her on the cheek where there was a bandage. She flinched and then he winced back, scared.

"Sorry." he apologized again. He was a really gentle person when he was calm, she thought again. Minako gently ran her fingers through his blonde hair.

"It's okay." she soothed. The bell then chimed, signaling the end of the lunch period. Shizuo got up from her lap.

"Well, I'll see you later I guess." he said, patting her head.

#

After school Eri had detention so Minako walked home with no one. She pondered. There are always reasons for everything. Shizuo obviously didn't want to fight; he was dragged into it, just like her. She loved Eri; she never asked for the impossible, but she never liked to fight, she had no incentive. Eri fought because she was inspired by Shizuo to fight and she had a goal in mind. There was always a reason for everything.