Chapter 23

Eri was kind enough to explain exactly who Celty was to Minako, since Shinra's description of her was obscure. She was a dullahan just like he had said and she had been in Ikebukuro for a few years now. She was famously known as the Black Rider, who rode down the streets on her bike at night with no headlights on. People wondered how she would be able to drive well without headlights. No one knew what face was underneath that helmet. No one knew that there was no face... or even a head.

"Shinra's mentioned her a couple times before to me. Apparently, she came to Ikebukuro in search of her head; she's scared about what will happen to it. Pretty weird huh? A headless rider."

"It's kinda surprising." Minako said in a flat tone. Eri gave her a playful punch in the shoulder.

"You're so hard to impress. Don't worry; I'll be the first one to impress you no matter what!" Eri declared.

The classroom's door was kicked open. A bunch of delinquent students came through. The bystanders fell deathly quiet.

"Hey, we're here for Shizuo Heiwajima." said the person who was supposedly the leader.

"Eh, for Shizuo? Poor bastards; neh Maso-chan, why don't we take care of them-"

Eri didn't need to ask. Before she could even finish her sentence Minako sprung out of her seat and sucker punched one of them straight to the jaw.

Eri's eyes went wide in surprise. Minako wasn't the type to start fights. But now, she had thrown the first punch. She snapped out of her daze and joined her friend.

"Alright Maso-chan! I knew you had it in you!" she praised loudly as she stood back to back with her. The duo quickly began fighting; not caring if they're area of fighting was small. Eri no longer acted as Minako's shield whenever she was about to get hit. She took every punch and kick she received with bravado and kept fighting on. She was dribbling blood but it didn't bother her. Eri could only smile at such bluster and then she began to laugh, that fighting demon fully awaken again.

"Ha ha ha ha! I'll kill you all!"

Just like many fights before, it was quick and ended with them winning.

#

The two of them along with the boys who started it were forced to stay after school later. After getting the wounds treated, Minako absconded to the rooftop expecting Shizuo to be there. He was there, but he didn't look relieved to see her as he usually was. He quickly approached her and snatched her by the shirt front.

"Just what were you trying to prove by fighting those guys for me?" he questioned in a growl. She made no reply as his brown eyes glared at her furiously.

"Mind your own fucking business! Don't start fights that have my name in the matter. I don't want any more trouble for me. You of all people should know that!"

Minako gently wrapped her hand around Shizuo's tightened fist which gripped her. With her dull gaze she replied peacefully.

"I'm not your enemy, Shizuo."

She stared at him for a brief second and bowed slightly.

"I'm sorry."

With a huff he roughly let her go. She stood there, unfazed by his violent action. He then laid a heavy hand on her head and shot a look that held both contempt and a hint of kindness.

"Just don't go doing something stupid like that again, stupid. I'll kill you if you do that again, even if it's someone like you."

It was a few more minutes until lunch break was over. Uneasiness swelled inside Minako's chest. She had never been furious, or anything close to that, but her encounter with Shizuo that day made her anxious. It was the first time he had ever acted so hostile towards her.

"Trouble in paradise?" she heard a familiar voice from the shadows say. She turned around and saw Izaya leaning against the wall, the shadows sheathing him from the sunlight that beamed through the hallway windows.

She turned around and stared as Izaya approached her. He cupped her chin.

"What's the matter? You and Shizuo had a lovers spat?" he teased. She shook her head away from his grasp.

"It's not like that." she denied. He shoved his hands in his pockets nonchalantly, his trademark sly smile still on his face as he slowly walked around her in a circle, just like a predator would do to its prey.

"My, my, it's quite a bind you've landed in."

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"Your little love triangle; between Eri-san and Shizu-chan."

"Love triangle?"

Izaya continued.

"You claim to love your precious Eri-san right? But you care so much for Shizu-chan and how he feels to the point it makes me nauseous. Well, what would you do if Eri finally decides to try and fight him? If you don't want him to get in trouble you can always stop her. But if you don't go and support Eri-san you'll lose her love. You poor girl, such a predicament indeed."

"I can think about it when that day comes." Minako replied simply. Izaya's quivering lips curled into a smirk and he bursted into a boisterous laugh.

"You're so cute Maso-chan! That dummy air-head act, you pull it off nicely! But deep in that empty head of yours, I know that this is really troubling you. Hey, I have an idea..." he paused and then slinked an arm around her shoulders.

"How about I help you. You're such a pitiful thing; I'll help you out with Shizu-chan and Eri-san." he offered with malicious intent.

"I don't need it." she refused, swatting his hand away. She walked away and he let her go.

Minako thought back to Eri's promise; that she'd love her no matter what. If that was true, then maybe she wouldn't mind if she didn't support her in her fight with Shizuo.