-15 minutes Earlier-

"I think you are aware why we have made this appointment?" Shiki gruffly stated, crossing his legs and folding his hands in his lap. His aged eyes stared knowingly at Izaya, who reclined in his chair, arms folded behind his head. The informant tapped his foot and shrugged, a sly smile on his face.

"It's always best to clarify with the customer."

"Mmm. Yes. Very good, Orihara-san." Shiki sat up straight, reaching out a hand for a file of papers that one of his body guards carried. "So let's begin, shall we?"

"Of course."

The elder Yakuza opened the file and spread them out in front of Izaya. Photographs and papers scattered across the tabletop. Izaya reached forward and examined the paper. Although he didn't need to. He knew the information on the sheet.

"It's been nearly two months since we first asked for you help. So far, the medication is still spreading faster, and it's starting to get a reputation." Shiki growled as he leaned forward to rest his hands on the table. "You said you would have the information -"

"Five weeks ago. I'm aware of what I said. I don't have a terrible memory, unlike some other people we know?" Izaya smirked, teeth flashing as his blood red eyes turned toward a guard who was currently staring out the window.

Shiki's stiff sneer turned upward, a smile barely cracking through his stony expression. "True. But I'm sure even someone as brainless as him can see the problem we face."

"Yes, yes. I'm fully aware of the problem. No one should keep Shiki-san waiting from the information he desperately needs."

"So why am I still sitting here waiting for you?" Shiki asked firmly, obviously annoyed. Izaya took a deep breath to soothe his nerves and sat straighter in his chair, grinning teasingly.

"Because I'm special?~"

"Try again."

The information broker's grin fell into a thin line, and he dropped his eyes in submission. "I've had…issues come up in my personal life that have kept me away from focusing on work." he explained passively, aware of his place on the food chain when Shiki was involved.

At that moment, persistent banging on the door was heard. Izaya jumped in his seat and flushed red. The yakuza guards instantly turned toward the sound, ready to protect Shiki if there was an attack. Izaya stood up quickly and waved his hands, "Ahh, no need to worry! Just my next appointment running a bit early! I'll just send a text and tell him to wait outside."

Shiki held up his hand in a silent gesture, ordering his guards to remain calm and not overreact. Izaya took this moment to quickly send a text to Shizuo, who was standing outside the door. He slid his phone back into his pocket, making sure to put it on silent if the protozoan thought it would be smart to reply.

"Ahh, where were we?"

"Shizuo Heiwajima?"

The informant coughed and blinked slowly, trying to remain composed. "I don't think he was a part of our agreement."

"Yes, but he is the reason why you are unable to get the work done. You are his…how to say…" Shiki chuckled a bit and leaned back in his chair, "…his nanny?"

"Nanny is such a degrading term~" Izaya hummed, brow ticking slightly at Shiki's ridicule, "I would much rather say…his mentor on battling his personal demons."

Shiki laughed under his breath, loosening the tension that was building in the air, "Acting as a therapist? What a strange role for you to play. Either way, he is the reason, yes?"

"Shiki-san, have you been installing cameras in my home? How sneaky!~" Izaya teased, trying to pull the conversation away from the brute.

The man in white smiled, dominance flashing in that grin, "No. You're not the only brat we call."

"Ahh, I'm wounded! Calling me such a thing! I would much rather prefer something like 'brilliant informant' or 'handsome info broker'!" Izaya moaned, a playful smirk on his face, "And to think I thought I was special! But I'm just an annoying tool to Shiki-san, aren't I?"

"I'm losing my patience, Orihara-san." Shiki grumbled under his breath, "This is a serious matter. Despite whatever relations you have with Mr. Heiwajima, you still have a business to uphold."

"Aye, aye. Of course!" Izaya tittered under his breath a bit. He cleared his throat and flipped through some photographs to get a clear image of the faces in his mind. "Ahh, yes. I can find information on the men in these pictures by tomorrow night. That shouldn't be hard. From the colors they are wearing, I can find their gangs and get information from the inside. However, finding their relations to each other and this new miracle drug will take more time. I would say a week at most."

"Now, when you say that, will it end up being another two months?" The tone in Shiki's voice made the Izaya's skin crawl. He shook his head.

"No. I can get a better grip on my personal life and put that on hold until this job is done."

"Good." Shiki stood up, snapping his fingers once. The young bodyguard on his left scooped up the papers and slid them back into the folder. He handed it over to Izaya, who slipped it into the bottom drawer to hide away from prying eyes.

"I expect to have my information by the end of next week. No later than that."

"Ahh, let me guess. Any time sooner would be greatly appreciated?"

"Of course." Shiki stopped at the front door, glancing over his shoulder at his young informant, "In fact, I might pay a bonus if you manage to get a hold of anything."

"That's quite generous of you." Izaya smirked, hands folded behind his back as he followed Shiki to the door. He made sure he kept a few foot falls behind the elder man. Any closer, and the guards would start to invade his personal space. After working for years with the Yakuza, he knew how to act. Especially around Shiki.

A guard opened the door for Shiki, and watched carefully as he stepped out. Izaya took a step, but froze when Shiki stopped I the hall. Izaya remembered that Shizuo was outside, and had probably stayed right by the door.

"Idiot…" Izaya hissed under his breath.