[Track 2]
Two days have passed since the incident, as I patiently waited for my parents to return. I grew anxious, I felt the urge to rush off to the hospital but I remembered my father's words. I must not leave the house. Thus, I obeyed him out of reluctance and continued to wait until the sun sets, and arise in a new beginning then all over again. The condition around the household seemed lonely than ever, and the once cheerful resonance has succumbed to a complete silence. My breath, being the only thing that I could hear.
We didn't have any maid, therefore no one took care of me that time. I had to look out for myself; I spent most of those days being locked away in my own room- silently weeping over the incident. The memory kept repeating in my head, I felt guilty. Even until now, I guess. Who wouldn't feel guilty if they were in my place? Perhaps I deserved it and the abrupt cold treatment. I should also be grateful at some point. At least, Psyche would not be shun by father.
Father's words came back to me again. It was scary. I never seen so much anger in those eyes, I wasn't used to those eyes. I was usually bathed in affection, the loving looks in which each and everyone had given me. This came to me as a first experience. Although, I was a child with eyes filled of curiosity, I perfectly understood why father got mad. The moment every time we took a step out of our quaint house, Psyche was under my responsibility.
But alas, I have placed him in great danger.
[Track has paused. Please press play to continue.]
.Chapter Two.
Through the halls, wavering steps were made in a frantic pace. The school bell shall start by any minute now; once it rings, it was time for the test to begin, and that meant Izaya wouldn't be able to participate in taking the test. In other words, he will fail if they started off without him. That was how the system in this academy went through, if you're late then my apologies, you won't be taking the test. Unless there were certain reasons for it, of course. But Izaya didn't have any valid reasons. So no- no. Izaya shall not fail. He will not take the risk in failing; he has to be perfect. In order to be perfect, he must get rid of his flaws. Which explains why the brunet is currently dashing for his class.
Although he may seem like he was one born with the natural talent to study, even without any revision; what people did not know was his efforts. Countless amount of time spent on his studies. There was a reason behind it, of course, because when it comes to Izaya, there would always be a reason. Even the impossibilities have their reasons.
Our existence held a reason. Yet the brunet does not know of his meaning here yet. Hopefully, it would eventually be revealed. Maybe not sometime in the near future but he wanted his existence to at least bring a meaningful moral.
Therefore, he has to be perfect. To be perfect, he needs to have those perfect marks.
If it weren't for those neanderthals that dared to toss his books away, he probably wouldn't have to worry about any of this. But they did anyway, and Izaya ended up in the bathroom, with a mobile in his scrutiny hands as he scrolled aimlessly through the screen. Muttering few words now and then, in hopes of having enough time.
Quite satisfied, he shoved his device back into his pocket, which he doesn't have to be concern about as well. Not even for his switchblade. After all, no one did bother to do a check on him because, well- Izaya was very well known in his school. The teacher's pet, the smart guy, and many, many more. Yes, he was that guy; the perfect grades, complexion of golden, and an alluring persona. Everyone thought he was perfect. Everyone, if you didn't include his family, enemies and Heiwajima Shizuo, that is.
'I'm almost there, I'm almost there, almost...'
'- there!'
The bell rang. At that very moment, Izaya had stumbled effortlessly into the class, capturing the undivided attention as all eyes were set on him. Of course, there were those usual glares, emitting a radiation of jealousy. His professor, however greeted him with a warm smile, his voice booming throughout the room.
"Izaya, right on time! As expected from the perfect student!"
Izaya almost blushed at those words. Almost. That wasn't really the first, but he liked it, whether they were being sarcastic or not; it boosted his self-confidence. Compliments given to him were rare, but that was what made them more precious, right? It doesn't matter if the truth was painful, he was thankful to be surrounded by honest people. Sheepishly, he rubbed at the back of his head, muttering an apology in his common 'everything is fine' tone, "My apologies, sir. I ran into trouble."
"Well, come on in, the test is about to begin and we couldn't afford to lose our time!"
At this, the brunet gave off his usual smirk and wandered off to his table, settling his books under the desk and promptly placed his pencil case onto the surface. All at the meantime, he was ready. Chair was pulled to the front so he could sit up properly, a determined expression worn on his face as the papers were given out before him. He was going to ace this test like he always did.
Not even a thug or the losses of his book could fail him.
[Second track has been resumed.]
The day, that I never thought would come, finally came. Psyche was back. A smile plastered onto his face while he continued to cling onto mother's hand. I was about to welcome them, taking a deep breath before I could reveal myself from the shadows- until father step into the scene, and I was reminded of his words once again. So, I paused. No sound nor a single word came out. Instead, I listened to the merry chatters until it reaches the point when Psyche began to ask regarding my whereabouts.
'Mom, where's Iza-nii? I want to play with him!' I heard him exclaimed. I wanted mother to say 'Yes', and that, it was okay to let him meet me. However, mother didn't respond, which I found it odd. Eventually though, she did answer but it wasn't an answer that I was hoping for.
'Iza-nii is upstairs. But don't bother him. You shouldn't play with him anymore, Psyche. It's now too dangerous.' Of course, I was confused at the last part. I kept on pondering, even till now, what did mother meant by, it's now too dangerous?
'But why, mother?'
'Because... Psyche. He was the one who put you into the hospital.'
Ah, I should have known. Should have known that my mother was on my father's side the whole time. I waited as they walked off to the another part of the house, leaving me in silence and register over what happened. I began to chuckle to myself, I didn't know there were tears leaking from my eyes before I pulled myself away from the scene. At this point, I remained standing under the shadows, not bothering to move an inch. I just stood there, allowing the guilt to wash over me. Of course, it was me, it has to be me.
I was the one who hurt him. I had hurt him.
[End of second track.]
Sixth period arrived to an end, and the bell rang once again; signalling it was time for break. Izaya rose to his feet, an urge to get out of the classroom steadily increased and not due to boredom, but rather, the stares were what got to him. The adolescent knew that he should be familiar with it by now, but the attention given to him was quite disturbing. He loved attentions as much as anyone, but not the ones when you could literally feel a dangerous aura seeping out from. Not those kind of attention.
Then again, what do you expect from a boy whom is only seeking for affection? A reminder that he could be loved?
"Hello, Shinra! Dotachin!" The door was pushed open, and Izaya entered the rooftop section for a usual hangout.
Immediately, everyone who was present there turned to him, Shinra being the only one to greet him with a wide smile. "Ah, welcome, Orihara-kun!" That was odd. Probably about Celty again, Izaya mused to himself as he approached the group. Apparently, the ones who were present there was himself, Shinra, Kadota, Shishizaki and much to his dismay, Shizuo. Followed by Psyche. Izaya went to sit by Shishizaki, although his attention lingered on the pair not too far from him.
"- Then he literally screamed when I popped out!"
"Poor guy."
"I know! He probably even peed his pants!"
Psyche seemed to be telling Shizuo a joke, and the blond laughed. Strangely however, Izaya didn't focus not only on Shizuo this time, but instead, it was on Psyche. He certainly had grown, with those black locks swaying ever so calmly; and a complexion much more rivalled to his. His eyes, they weren't red but illuminated in magenta shades. Maybe, just maybe.
Maybe this is why Shizuo fell in love with his brother. But of course! Unlike the flea, Psyche was more understanding, and he displayed sincere affection to those in need. It was ironic however, how he doesn't seem to notice Izaya was there.
It was as if, he had been invisible all the time. Heck, Shizuo didn't even say anything since he came in. Wasn't that unusual?
Izaya smiled however, but a forcibly tugged one. One that was made out of sadness. He couldn't blame Psyche, he couldn't blame him for what he has done. If he wishes to treat Izaya like an open air, then let him be. He would do anything for his brother. Yet- there was a problem. A thought crept in, whilst Izaya continued to witness Shizuo and Psyche being on friendly terms. His fist clenched, brows slightly furrowed when a strange emotion crawled after his thought. He wasn't going to give Shizuo up. Not yet.
Little did the child of misfortune know however, there was a man who had been watching him intently.
A man who only noted his observations as he remained quiet.
Oh, Izaya.
You really do care about them, don't you?
Author's note: Yay, so here's the third chapter. The grammar sucks, I know, I was quite in a hurry. I immediately wrote this after school and I have school again tomorrow. Anyway, please enjoy! Oh, and thank you for the reviews! They really did motivate into writing more further. 3 Please do review.
Also:
Shishizaki was mentioned in the novel before, therefore he should be counted as a canon character. It was said that he had attended Raira Academy with Shizuo, Shinra and Izaya. Although, I'm not sure about Kadota. In this story, he is blond. And you all might want to remember him because he plays an important part.