Winds of change

Truth behind the lies part 2

Izaya had received a reply, telling him to meet Aoki outside the Shinjuku train station.

So here he was, dressed in a long black coat wearing dark glasses and black shoes. Izaya needed to keep a low profile and remain unrecognizable and couldn't afford to draw attention to himself this early. Izaya stood beside the platform and watched Aoki walk across the railway from the crossing line. Aoki stopped beside one of the columns, presenting Izaya with the perfect opportunity to approach. Izaya moved through the bustling people and leaned on the opposite side. "I'm sure you were surprised to hear from me," Izaya spoke quietly.

Aoki inclined his head toward him. "It certainly wasn't expected. I assumed you'd have me killed, given what I did to you."

Izaya smirked, imagining just what Shizuo had done to him that day. "I think you got what you deserved."

Aoki huffed. "Your friend was pretty pissed off."

Izaya frowned. Shizu-chan was more than a friend, and I screwed it up. Izaya shook his head; he needed to stay focused. "You need not worry about him. He won't be bothering us anymore."

Aoki laughed. "You always did have a problem with keeping friends, Izzy."

Izaya clenched his fists in his jacket pockets, biting on the words he wanted to say. "You can never trust anyone for too long."

"By the way, I know it was you who bailed me out so you could hand me to the Ueno gang."

Izaya blinked in surprise. Shiki had bailed him out, but he could use that to his advantage if Aoki thought it was him. "What makes you think that?"

"Only you could pull off something like that."

Izaya half-smiled. "I told you, you need me on your side."

"Is that why you didn't turn me over to the Awakusu instead?"

"I thought you were more likely to survive if the Ueno gang got a hold of you, looks like it was the right move. I bet you think you're doing pretty well for yourself now."

Aoki chuckled. "I almost didn't expect to be accepted back, but things turned out fairly well."

"Does that mean you're the leader?"

Aoki scoffed. "They don't trust me that much but being the second lieutenant isn't bad either."

Izaya was surprised. It didn't take him long to worm his way into their mitts.

Aoki turned his head and said, "I thought you were a better asset when you worked alone."

"Things change."

"Indeed, they have."

You might be up on your high horse now, but you're still an ignorant moron. Took the bait, hook, line, and sinker.

Aoki pushed off the column and stood in front of him and, leaning forward, pressed his lips to Izaya's ear and whispered, "Let me show you my new world, Izzy."

Izaya scrunched his nose, and all he wanted to do was crush Aoki's fucking balls with his knee, but instead, he chuckled. "Lead the way."

Aoki and Izaya walked down the streets, and Izaya noticed Aoki had all his fingers and could have sworn his left pinkie was missing. Izaya grabbed the man's wrist and lifted his hand. "Did you get surgery?"

Izaya let him go when Aoki laughed and took off the 'fake finger' to reveal what Izaya had seen in the apartment. "I did cut off my pinkie six years ago before I first became a spy for the Ueno gang, but I couldn't have them knowing I had been, or still was part of another group, could I?"