A/N: In real life, many months have flown by. Meanwhile, our heroes are still living out April 27 in the year 2013.
As usual, thank you all so much for supporting Gameplay! :)
April 27, 2013
"—uo-kun? Shizuo-kun? Hey, can you hear us, Shizuo-kun?"
Blinking slowly, as though the motion itself were causing him pain, Shizuo pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes shut. His sight returned only moments after his hearing did, so when he next opened his eyes, he turned in Shinra's direction and gave a stiff nod while still rubbing the area between his eyes.
He had zoned out, and he didn't realise it.
Shizuo let a sigh rumble in his throat as he tried to recall whatever he could before he had lost the time to the silencing darkness. There was the yellow flea and his fancy horse, turning into butterfly men; the flea's Shadow becoming some kind of messed up...thing that puked smoke all over; the thing smirking and being all high and mighty about what it did; the thing becoming even more of a mashed mess of a thing after some dragon came flying...
And then there was a kiss. The blurry image and vague recollection of the fake Shadow's lips locking with his own started to resurface, along with the thing's voice whispering and echoing in his eardrums: "Have you told them about the present...?"
"Hey, Shizuo-kun, are you still lost to us? Do you need me to look you over?" Shinra asked with concern that sounded so insincere it was pretty much absent.
"I'm fine," Shizuo replied without thinking, stuffing both hands in his pockets. It was then that he realised that everyone else had been staring at him, some with what seemed to be worry mixed with curiosity. The others - just the yellow and the pink fleas, really - mostly just stared.
Shinra gave a huff of disbelief. "Sure, sure. You're the one who was, figuratively speaking, dead to the world just a while ago. If you still think nothing is wrong, then I'll just have to trust your judgement on this one, won't I?"
Shizuo frowned. The doctor was being exceptionally sarcastic and childish right now, even for someone who was a little screwed up in the head somewhere. "What's gotten into you? You make it sound like zoning out's some kind of a big deal."
"It is when you just stand there and do nothing but stare into space and chant 'Persona, Persona, come here' like a mantra."
"...The hell?" Shizuo muttered. Had he really done that while he was blacked out? Could people who were supposed to be dead to the world even do that, anyway? No wonder everyone was staring at him.
"Now do you see where I'm coming from?" Shinra joked with his usual smile, the kind that reflected a certain joy in his heart which Shizuo thought was both annoying and encouraging at the same time. Mostly annoying. "So. Care to tell us about what you were thinking so deeply about, and what did that Anonymous-san mean by telling us about this 'present'?"
A growl tugged at Shizuo's vocal chords. He knew Shinra wasn't exactly a psychologist – not even close to being a counselor – neither was he the most eloquent member of his profession, but sometimes – most of the time, more like; Shizuo couldn't be sure – Shinra could be so blunt and straight to the point all with a dopey smile on his face it made him look like an idiot just asking to be punched in the gut. Shizuo felt a little sorry for Celty who had to deal with the idiot doctor so often punching him became a reflex for her.
"Nothing you should know about," Shizuo answered. "Hell, even I don't know what all that was about. And I wasn't thinking, I was zoning out and I didn't even realise it till you snapped me out of it."
"So basically, nothing came to mind when Anonymous-san said that?"
"Only bits and pieces of him pissing me off when I met him last night."
"The kiss, you mean?"
If this had been Shinra's apartment, Shizuo would have tossed the dining table or something out of the window the moment Shinra mentioned the word "kiss".
"How the hell did you-"
"Promise you won't threaten to kill him," Shinra responded as he smiled merrily while pointing an innocent thumb towards Psyche, who had paled and was trying to hide behind Tsugaru's long sleeve. The others kept silent as they watched on with unsurprised expressions, though the Tatsumi kid did seem a little flustered for some reason.
Shizuo's shoulders sunk as he let out the breath he didn't realise he had been holding. Rather than feeling angry and upset, however, the fortissimo of Ikebukuro was...relieved, in a sense. The kind of feeling he usually had when he was confiding in Celty or Kasuka.
It was strange, because unlike those times, Shizuo hadn't been actively thinking about whatever was bothering at him at all. This time, he shoved it aside, as far as he could into some inaccessible corner of his mind because there were more important things that demanded his attention. And simply because he didn't want to think about it, like how he hated thinking about the flea. So all in all, he had mostly been ignoring the fact that the kiss ever happened until the Malevolent Entity reminded him of it.
The real question was, why would he feel relieved that Psyche had revealed a secret that Shizuo didn't actively regard as one? And more importantly, if it was something Shizuo wasn't actively bothered by, then why would the mere mention of it by that entity trigger a blackout in his mind?
'There has to be something.' That much Shizuo could tell. 'If that thing doesn't mean anything to me, then it all doesn't make sense. It has to mean something...but what?'
"Excuse me," Tsugaru spoke up gently, "I'm sorry to interrupt, but if it's not too much of an issue, I can apologise on Heiwajima-san's behalf first. Time is of the essence, so I'm afraid we can't stay here much longer."
"It's Tsukishima-san, right?" Kujikawa said before Shizuo could ask. "Yeah, I'm starting to sense him from here. We have to go, or else..."
Even though she didn't finish her sentence, her friends nodded in acknowledgement.
"...What's going on? What the heck did I miss?" Shizuo asked Shinra when the entire group started running in a direction led by Tsugaru and Psyche.
"Quite a big deal," Shinra replied with a chuckle. "Well, to simplify things, Shizuo-kun, this whole frosty labyrinth here? It didn't come from Izaya alone." He took pause to turn and meet Shizuo's eyes directly. "It came from you, too."
"Hah?" Shizuo's frown deepened. It sounded like an accusation, but one that didn't sound like an unfounded one, and that was what made him even more curious than he was irked.
"Tsukishima-kun, you see, is your Shadow. Unlike Tsugaru-kun, Delic-kun and Shitsuo-kun, who more or less represent your healthier traits, Tsukishima-kun is the one who fits the stricter definition of a Shadow more aptly." Shinra took a deep breath as he continued running. "And he... Well, I guess I can say, since you want people to understand you, but at the same time you're afraid of people getting closer to you, that internal conflict grew so strong it affected this place through Tsukishima-kun who could physically manifest due to your coming here."
"...In other words, he made us all get lost in the first place because he's lost himself?"
"It would be great if you're comfortable with admitting that he's you, but yes, that's the gist of it."
Except Shizuo had no problem admitting that Tsukishima was him, because for once ever since this fiasco started, something was finally beginning to make sense.
Shizuo has had to struggle with contradictions all his life: he hated violence, yet he was born with a body that was built for it; he desired peace, yet he created havoc with his very own hands; he wanted people to love him, yet he was afraid of people loving him. It was like his personality didn't fit with his body and vice versa, like one half of his brain often contested with the other. He wanted things to make sense, but he couldn't even make sense of himself.
Shizuo had tried explaining to Celty once, but he couldn't find the right words for it and eventually all that came out was a jumbled mess. Celty reacted like she understood completely, and when he thought about it, maybe she really did, but Shizuo didn't probe and told her to forget about it. After all, it'd be ridiculous to expect someone else to get something Shizuo didn't even understand himself.
But since Shadows were supposed to be representations of suppressed thoughts and emotions, then of course a Shadow that reflected the eternal war within himself would exist. He didn't deny it, but it wasn't like he openly admitted to it either, so it made perfect sense for this Tsukishima to manifest. Shizuo was only referring to him as a separate person because Tsukishima had a name of his own. He didn't know how it was like for the Investigation Team kids, but if this Shadow of his wanted to go by another name, then what was the problem with addressing and referring to Tsukishima as another individual?
"Ah, whatever," Shizuo said. Shinra raised a brow but didn't question whatever Shizuo had been thinking about. "So what is it with Tsukishima that we gotta go meet him now?"
"You haven't noticed?" a voice that sounded like Izaya's spoke, coming from his right. When Shizuo turned, he saw Sakuraya running effortlessly beside him, almost like he was gliding. The raven was frowning slightly, and hiding the lower half of his face behind his sleeve, but Shizuo could hear him clearly. "Tsukishima-san is close to going berserk."
What Shizuo thought had made sense was starting to fall apart again. "What? Why? I thought Shadows only do that when they're not being acknowledged."
"If you already know that much, then all the more you should know the cause behind his instability," Sakuraya rebuked.
"What the— I haven't even said anything to him! Hell, I haven't even met him!"
"But the fact that you are denying something still remains," Sakuraya continued with his accusatory tone. "Tsukishima-san would know best, out of all of us."
"We're getting closer!" Kujikawa called out, adding to the tension growing between Shizuo and an aspect of the flea's personality, who suddenly clicked his tongue.
Shizuo tried to shake it off, telling to himself inwardly that he was seeing things. Because for a moment, he thought he just saw Sakuraya's eyes flash gold. But the look on the pink flea's face as well as Shinra's convinced him otherwise.
"O-oi, you-"
"Please do not point out the obvious, Heiwajima-san. I am well aware of it." Sakuraya shifted his sleeve closer to his face as he directed his gaze away. "As I suspected... That person is nearby as well..."
"Who, pray tell, are you referring to?" Shinra asked, panting heavily.
Sakuraya's eyes – his normal, faint pink eyes – narrowed. "You'll find out soon enough," was all he muttered darkly.
The whole thing had been a huge mistake. One that he wasn't prepared for.
From the moment he decided that Tsukishima was a Shadow that was just like Psyche, Souji had become the sole individual responsible for the consequences of his misjudgement. Because he believed that Tsukishima fell under the category of Shadows that Psyche had described, Souji had viewed and treated Tsukishima as such, while blindly acting on his knowledge of past experiences with Shadows at the same time.
He didn't think he was wrong then, but now as a toxic, violet aura shrouded the allegedly special Shadow who was glaring at him with cold, golden eyes, Souji realised and understood the gravity of his mistake.
"Tsukishima-san..."
"I'm afraid that it is of no use, Seta-sama. In Tsukishima-sama's current state, he is blind and deaf to all that is around him."
Holding back a strained sigh as his grip on the hilt of his katana tightened, the leader of the Investigation Team looked to his right. There stood a man who was the splitting image of Heiwajima Shizuo and wearing a creaseless butler uniform, his arms crossed as he wielded knives between his fingers. Standing a few arms' length away was another clone, but with neon pink eyes and wearing a white suit over a dark pink blouse and maroon tie instead. He had one eye closed and his brows furrowed with a mild wince as he held his headphones.
From behind him, Teddie poked his large head out and looked up at Souji worriedly. "S-Sensei..."
"It'll be fine, Teddie. I'll do something about this." The former Shadow nodded, but it was clear that even Souji's words did little to reassure him. Souji couldn't blame him, Tsukishima's aura must be making him particularly uneasy. Teddie had always been more sensitive to the Shadows' presence like Rise was, after all.
Looking in the butler's direction, Souji asked, "How should we proceed, Shitsuo-san?"
Shitsuo kept his hazelnut brown eyes on Tsukishima as he answered, "For now, we can only wait until Tsugaru-sama arrives. Until then, if Tsukishima-sama makes any hostile move, we must fend it off. Especially..."
"Especially?"
Delic responded in place of Shitsuo, who did not seem willing to continue, "Especially when the attack is targeted at us. If we get hit... Well, you do not want that to happen, trust me on that."
"I'm sorry, I don't—"
"What Delic-sama is trying to say," Shitsuo clarified, "is that Tsukishima-sama is seeking us. You see, Seta-sama, Tsugaru-sama, Delic-sama, Tsukishima-sama as well as myself were originally one. Naturally, we wish to return to that state, in particular Tsukishima-sama who is the core of our existence. However..." He paused, frown deepening. "When that time comes, we will no longer be who you remember us to be."
"To cut the long story short, shit happens," Delic said flatly. He was about to say more when Shitsuo sent a look of disapproval in his way, effectively getting him to keep quiet instead.
"Th-then, what should we do?" Teddie asked.
"There is nothing that can be done to prevent that outcome, Teddie-sama. If I may be honest, we, too, wish for it to happen." As Shitsuo spoke, his eyes carried a tinge of gold as if on cue. "It is our natural state, and it is only by defeating us in that state that Heiwajima-sama's potential may be fully awakened. However, even taking that into consideration, it is not yet the time for Delic-sama and myself to rejoin Tsukishima-sama."
Souji hazarded a guess. "Is it because Tsugaru-san isn't present?"
"Yes, we—"
"Well we're in deep enough shit as we currently are," Delic interrupted. His eyes, too, were beginning to display hints of gold. "That jerkass' presence alone is the cause of time and space going all whack, which is why we're here, but we're not exactly stable, as you can see. The moment we get close to Tsuki, we'll gravitate towards him. But, yeah, Shitsuo and I are trying our damnest to stop ourselves, 'cuz, you seriously don't want that happening right now. It'd be, what, three-folds the instability until Tsugaru can make it? Not such a great idea, if you ask me."
Shitsuo gave Delic yet another look of disapproval, but milder than the one before. "Though Delic-sama was rude to have interrupted our conversation, every word he said is genuine."
"I see..." Souji murmured, turning back to face Tsukishima with apprehension and more questions that he didn't feel like voicing.
If there existed a core, and Tsugaru, Delic and Shitsuo were like the layers surrounding that core, could the same be said of Psyche and his "friends"? In the first place, how much of what Psyche said was truth, and how much of it a lie? What exactly were these Shadows, then, that possess the will to refute their instincts and even rationalise such a decision while at the same time being true to their nature?
And for this "that jerkass" that Delic had mentioned, were they the mastermind behind this elaborate scheme? The scheme of twisting the very fabric of time and space just for this scenario to bear fruit? But then, what did they hope to gain from this? Berserk Shadows, Orihara's death...or just plain entertainment?
When such thoughts ran through Souji's mind, his katana started shaking in his grasp. Igor had warned him once, more than a week ago the day after he and Yosuke were ambushed by Saika's children. He reminded Souji of the fragility of time and space, of their susceptibility to distortions however great or small, and of how this would change everything Souji thought he had known about. The Velvet Room's new appearance was an example. Souji hadn't understood, then, and while he was starting to now, it was but a mere hazy idea forming in his head.
"Sensei!"
Souji jolted back to reality when he heard Teddie calling him. There was an abrupt shift in Tsukishima's aura, causing Zio lightning bolts to rain upon this particular area in the snowcapped forest. Right before he could block it when one was about to strike him in his earlier distraction, Souji felt somebody shove him aside and he stumbled to the ground. He heard the familiar crackling of electricity and the pained, surprised cry belonging to the bear whom he regarded as one of his closest friends.
"Teddie!"
Leaping to his feet and ignoring the snow clinging onto his clothes, Souji dashed forward and caught hold of a slightly charred Teddie before he met the ground. The former Shadow was slightly disorientated, but otherwise still seemed to be in good shape.
"Sensei... Are you alright?" asked the bear, who was beginning to sway back and forth.
"Yes, and it's all thanks to you, Teddie, but... Promise me you won't do that again. Alright?" Souji paused for the briefest of moments before a small smile, speaking of untold terrors that only Souji knew, tugged at his lips. "But, I suppose that is useless. You and the others have broken enough of those promises."
"Ehehe~" Teddie hummed as he flashed his usual goofy grin and scratched the back of his head. Once his nose twitched, however, the smile was wiped clean from his face. "Sensei, the Shadow—!"
"...He's close to going berserk," Souji observed as he held out an open palm. The Persona card he mentally summoned was about to lower into his hand, however, when Shitsuo took even swifter action and stood in front of him and Teddie, looking like he was trying to shield them from the impending attack. "Wait, Shitsuo-san?"
Before Souji could protest any further, a similar blue glow that the card was emanating had engulfed Shitsuo's body, which was beginning to depart from the ground and hover in the air. When the light faded away, a tall and lean figure dressed in white heavenly robes and wearing a plate of chest armour took Shitsuo's place. Long black hair that was commonplace centuries ago was tied up in two bundles by the sides of his face. His eyes were large but sharp, and his ears were flat and round. His nose was raised with obvious wrinkles running across the bridge, and his rough, dry lips parted to reveal two rows of uneven teeth in a scowl directed at the Shadow before him.
Readying his daggers, Sarutahiko-no-Okami stood firm against his opponent. A portion of the shadowy aura swiftly took the shape of a tendril with a tip as sharp as an arrowhead and darted towards him. With a toss of a handful of knives, the assault was deflected, but the clash resulted in a flurry of blue and violet sparks that rained upon the area, Sarutahiko-no-Okami included. The touch of purple against the divine being's skin triggered a reaction that Souji only saw when one of his teammates was afflicted with a Shadow's poison or struck by a ball of flames, and he wasted no time in rushing forward with Norn already hovering above him when Sarutahiko-no-Okami collapsed to the ground with a hiss, his body littered with blocks of disconcerting static.
Souji let out a deep breath when the static still remained even when Sarutahiko-no-Okami shifted back to the form of the blond butler. "Hang on, Shitsuo-san, I'll—"
"Shit," Souji heard Delic curse beside him. The other blond had managed to escape the earlier shower of sparks quickly, and with the same speed and anxiety he managed to return to Shitsuo's side. "You idiot, what the hell happened to the 'it's not yet time to rejoin Tsukishima-sama' thing? You trying to tell me that you can't help it when I'm the one who's supposed to the first to crack and not you?!"
Souji would have said something if not for the fact that Delic's eyes were more gold than pink now, and so he fell silent along with a concerned Teddie.
With a quiet, strained groan, Shitsuo looked up at Delic. "One who has known restraint all his life is the one who is most susceptible to the temptation of freedom, Delic-sama," he ended with a small but evidently wry smile. Aside from that, Souji could see no sign of emotion in the butler's facial expression, just like it had mostly been all this while, and it made Souji wonder if it was because it was in Shitsuo's nature to remain as detached from the notion of emotions as possible in conforming to the image of a family caretaker who prided himself on maintaining order.
The words Shitsuo had just spoken reflected all of that. He had been holding himself back for the sake of other people, and imposed discipline on them not only because that was the basis of his existence but also because he believed it was the right thing to do – to make sure that he gave what he believed other people needed. In a sense, it was an ironic turnaround, and that realisation dug a deeper hole than Tsukishima had already carved in Souji's heart.
"And so that gave you the bright idea of jumping into an attack that Souji can deflect on his own? Dammit, Shitsuo," Delic breathed, not bothering to hide the edge of panic creeping into his voice.
To Souji's mild surprise, Shitsuo gave a dry chuckle. "But Delic-sama would have done it as well."
Delic was about to retort when his eyes flashed gold and he had to wince and stop to rub them. "No I wouldn't, and you know it."
"Are you asking me to trust a young master who can't keep his hands to himself?"
"Hey, I resent that. At least I know when to keep 'em. I just don't want to with Hibime-chan," Delic teased with a playful and smug smirk, his previous apprehension no longer reflected on his expression. The golden hue in his eyes flickered, but it didn't fade away entirely.
Shitsuo simply kept smiling in a way that was both satisfied and melancholic at the same time, a quality that Souji thought was similar to Heiwajima-san. There were words that were obviously at the tip of Shitsuo's tongue in response to what Delic had said, but those words never left Shitsuo's lips.
But, for some reason, Souji had a feeling he knew what those words were.
It was the same with the times in Inaba where he had formed close, sincere bonds with the people in the town, and the times when his friends confided in him and sought his advice. He knew what to say, because as he listened to them sharing about whatever was troubling them, he felt like he had stepped into their shoes while maintaining his own perspective at the same time. If he had to describe it, it was like he was in the overlapping region in a Venn diagram; his world mingling or colliding with another in a manner that wasn't too intrusive and wasn't too detached simultaneously.
In a similar vein, Souji knew by instinct what Shitsuo's concerns were, and what he had wanted to say to Delic but had no resolve or courage to voice his opinion.
"So the one who has known freedom all his life would be the one who understands restraints the best... Is that right?"
Teddie blinked, both amazed and confused at the shift in the dialogue that Souji had brought about. Shitsuo's professional smile didn't falter, whilst his eyes softened slightly. Delic, on the other hand, turned swiftly to face Souji wide-eyed.
Before anyone could add further, Teddie sniffed deeply twice. "Hmm? This smell..." As he trailed off, he craned his head towards the east, looking into that area of the forest. "I know this smell! It's Tsugaru!"
"H-huh? Oh, right, we're supposed to be waiting for him," Delic replied, recovering from the earlier surprise. "Now that you mention it, I'm picking up his and Shizuo's signals, too."
"I see... So Heiwajima-sama and Tsugaru-sama are together." Shitsuo sat up, breathing out a sigh in relief.
However, that was dispelled the moment Teddie pulled a worried frown. "It's not just them, though... My nose might not be in tip-top shape, but I can definitely smell a lot more other people. And one of them smells like Tsukishima..."
"That must be another 'core', someone similar to Tsukishima-san," Souji hurriedly concluded.
Teddie's ears perked up as he took another whiff. "And they're all heading this way!"
Delic flinched. "Well damn, talk about bad timing. If Hibime-chan, Psyche and Sakuraya are there, they're not gonna last long either. Tsugaru's gonna be dragged into that mess too."
Souji placed a fist against his chin. "There is something..."
"Oh? What do you propose we do, Seta-sama?" Shitsuo asked, appearing indifferent – or calm, the way Souji saw it – as he turned to face the leader of the Investigation Team.
"If everyone is coming in this direction, that must mean that the person they're most worried about right now is Tsukishima-san. The fact that the 'core' of Orihara-san's Shadow is nearby also implies that he's being drawn in by the aura. In other words, we need to stabilise Heiwajima-san's Shadow first, otherwise Orihara-san's Shadow will go out of control, too," Souji speculated without hurrying with his words.
"So... What, we go and make a way for Tsugaru to hurry here? Not sure if Tsuki's gonna like it if any of us leaves. But then again I can't tell if he's even aware of us right now," Delic muttered.
Shitsuo, however, looked thoughtful. He sighed, a sign that more trouble than he would've liked was about to brew. "I see. So that is your intention."
Delic blinked. "Huh?"
Teddie tugged Souji's sleeve. "Sensei, are you sure...?"
"I can't think of any alternative," Souji admitted with a tinge of regret.
"Hold that thought, what's going on? Why are all three of you making it sound like it's a bad idea?" Delic questioned, folding his arms and tilting his head to one side.
"I believe you will understand soon enough, Delic-sama," Shitsuo replied vaguely. He continued before Delic could respond, "Shall we wait here then, Seta-sama?"
"Right," Souji said, nodding. "Teddie, I'm counting on you."
"Aye aye, cap'n! You can rest easy with Teddie and his nose at your service!" the bear declared, making a salute to add to the effect. It was a sharp contrast to his earlier picture of worry and uncertainty, almost like Souji's words and mysterious plan were enough to recharge him and rekindle his motivation.
Looking lost, Delic scratched the back of his head. "Whaa? But I thought we're supposed to be—" He stopped, his eyes widening slightly and flashing in realisation. He swiftly turned to face the leader of the Investigation Team. "Wait, don't tell me...!"
"Hmm... That's strange."
"...Mm? What is?" a blond high school student asked, opening an eye and directing his gaze towards his companion.
Ryuugamine Mikado's own, however, was fixated on the screen of his cell phone. His brows creased and his lips pursed as he tapped the buttons, a quiet beep accompanying every tap.
"I hope it's nothing," Mikado answered with a concerned sigh, clamming his phone shut as he leaned back and resumed lying on the rooftop of Raira Academy together with his best friend. With one hand supporting the back of his head and the other on his chest, Mikado stared blankly at the sky, watching the clouds slug by. "Someone just sent me a weird text message."
"Like what?" As soon as the words left his lips, Masaomi yawned. Mikado couldn't help but smile a little at that.
"Ah, well," the raven paused to clear his throat, "the sender wanted to know if my name is Mikado."
Masaomi raised an eyebrow, with both eyes opened but half-lidded. "Guy in your contacts list?"
"Uh, yeah—"
"Then ignore it. They're just trollin' you. I get shit like that all the time." Waving it off and letting out another yawn, Masaomi turned to his side away from Mikado slightly.
"But... I don't think they're joking," Mikado murmured, directing his gaze to his shoes instead.
"What else did they say?" Masaomi asked, craning his neck to spare Mikado a sleepy glance.
"Something about the Dollars' gathering and some Yellow Scarves and Slasher."
Masaomi looked away, then.
Mikado maanged to pick this up. "Eh? Masaomi, do you know something about it?"
"The Slasher bit, yeah. Everyone in 'Bukuro knows about it. And isn't the Dollars your thing? You should know if there was a gathering much better than I do."
"Th-that's true, but technically the Dollars are free to do what they want without my knowledge or permission, so..."
"But the way that person mentioned it makes it sound like it was a big-scale event, which you would know about at least," Masaomi pointed out.
Mikado considered this. "I don't know... I may have been a founder, but I don't involve myself in the Dollars' affairs." A pause. "Anyway, what about the Yellow Scarves? Do you know anything about them?"
Masaomi sat up, rolling his shoulders in a shrug. "Nothing much, just that they're one of the colour gangs. I heard they got involved in this huuuge all-out fight with the Blue Squares a few years ago and completely annihilated them."
"A-annihilated?" Mikado bolted upright, gulping.
"Whoa, chill there, buddy. I meant that the Yellow Scarves kicked the Blue Squares' asses, is all," Masaomi clarified, patting Mikado on the shoulder. "And, well, the colour gangs have been pretty quiet since then, so you've got nothing to worry about."
"I-if you say so," Mikado heaved a sigh of relief. "Haha... I guess I'm really not suited for this kind of thing, huh?"
"See, this is why I told you to wash your hands of the Dollars back then..." Masaomi mumbled. "Well? Is there anything else you wanna ask?"
"Mm... Ah." Mikado's eyes brightened as the vague memory rose to the surface of his mind. "A name. They asked me if I remember a name. I think it was...Orihara Izaya?"
Masaomi hummed thoughtfully as he folded his arms and closed his eyes. When he opened them, he shook his head. "Nah, doesn't ring a bell."
A quiet gasp coming from behind them brushed past their ears. When they turned towards it, they saw a dark brown-haired girl about their age standing by the doorway. She was wearing the female student uniform of Raira Academy, which looked one size too small for her, especially her upper torso where one of her hands, curled in a fist, rested. Her large, deep auburn eyes shone behind a round, frameless pair of spectacles as she stared at them.
"Holy— Who's that hot chick?" Masaomi exclaimed, jaw dropping and eyes widening.
"M-Masaomi, don't be rude," said Mikado before he faced the girl. "I-I'm sorry about that, Sonohara-san. Did...did you need anything?"
"O-oh, no, it's nothing..." Anri replied, looking away. "Um... Sorry, Mi—I mean, Ryuugamine-kun, I-I have to get back to class..."
"S-sure..." Before Mikado could even mention about seeing her in class later, Anri had already slipped away and disappeared down the stairs. Mikado frowned. "I hope Sonohara-san is alright..."
"Mikado," Masaomi said firmly, moving Mikado by the shoulders until they faced each other. "Who am I to you?"
"E-ehhh? What are you saying all of a sudden?"
"Don't think so hard, and answer me truthfully."
"Hm, well, Masaomi is my best friend, of course..."
"Alright, you said it yourself." Masaomi's nostrils flared as he took a deep breath. "Since you consider me your bestie, then why didn't you tell me you knew a hottie like that?!"
"Wh-whaaaa—"
"No, wait, more importantly how come you never introduced her to me? Or me to her? What kind of bestie holds out on the goods on his pal?" Masaomi made a dramatic pause, where he raised both of hands to cover his gaping mouth. "Don't tell me... You planned on having her all for yourself?!"
"M-M-Masaomi, mou! What are you saying?" Mikado yelled, his cheeks turning redder by the second.
"That! That right there!" Masaomi said, pointing at Mikado's face. "You clearly have the hots for her, dude. Wow, you sure have grown up if you're getting crushes and stuff now. Aw man, Mikado, I don't know if I should be proud or jealous of you."
"Sq-square root three! This is definitely square root three material, Masaomi!" Mikado squeaked, all his earlier worries wiped clean from his mind.
Masaomi, too, having forgotten, simply laughed and swung an arm across his best friend's shoulder.