29. She ends up cancelling their first date. Not that it was anything particularly special, just a mutual agreement to grab something to eat at Russia Sushi, but she still feels pretty melancholy about it. Naru wants her to handle a case up in Sendai, which annoys her to no end, yet work is work. Leaning her head forlornly against the van window, she tries to study the Big Boss's notes, but her mind keeps going back to the conversation she had on the phone almost two hours ago. Shizuo said it was all right, but her intuitive nature heard his disappointment, and she privately curses Naru for his bad timing and his short notice. Next time she'll say no, she resolves.
"Soo…." Takigawa begins. He's driving her to the investigation, and will be helping her out, as well as needle her about a certain something he heard from Yasu, who heard it from Masako, whom Mai told in confidence. Mai groans. She's already had this discussion with Ayako, Yasu, and even Lin of all people. And she would've bet big money he would've stayed out of it.
"Yes, I'm seeing someone." She confirms, a little too depressed to tease him via dodging the question. "You've met him before. You know, the Christmas party at John's parish. The one who showed up late."
"The guy with the blond hair and the bartender get-up?" The Buddhist monk asks in surprise.
Mai looks at him, perturbed by this reaction. "Is that weird?"
"No, I just pictured you with someone….quieter, I guess?" Takigawa shrugs. "Though, knowing you're with….what's his name again?"
"Heiwajima. Heiwajima Shizuo."
"Right, I remember now." He glances at her from the corner of his eye. "I didn't talk to him very much at the party, but he seemed like an okay guy. And this comes as a bit of a relief, too. I was afraid you were gonna tell me you'd started dating that creepy roommate of yours."
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Author's Notes: And...Izaya startles Namie with a violent sneeze.
Ghost Hunt is owned by Fuyumi Ono and Shiho Inada.
Durarara! is owned by Ryohgo Narita, Suzuhito Yasuda, and Akiyo Satorigi.