Where Is The Fire

Odd

Chapter 9
Izaya

That was different...

Izaya strolled along the streets of Ikebukuro on his phone, enjoying the air. He had brushed off Shizuo's hesitation as another one of Vorona's influences bitterly as the situation baffled him, despite his poker face.

For some reason, after his vacation, Izaya couldn't remember what had happened the past few months. He remembered waking up in his own room with Shinra by his side explaining that he slipped on some rocks and fell while visiting Hokkaido. And while Izaya didn't necessarily believe that story, it was the only one he had.

But now Shizuo had come along and told him that he knew where he really was; what he had really done. The curiosity was tearing him apart but the informant would rather die than confide in that barbarian for help. He was probably too busy hanging out with Vorona to talk to him anyone.

Scowling, he kicked a tree.

Izaya returned home and found Namie Yagiri, his assistant, sitting at the computer in peace.

"Namie, you're here," Izaya said, genuinely surprised. "Shinra told me that you quit."

"I was just on hiatus," she said, rolling her eyes.

Izaya laughed.

"So you do want to work here, huh~?"

"Shut up."

Izaya remembered their silly conversations, usually ending with him amusingly shutting up. It didn't seem like it was that long ago and the fact that Izaya remembered nothing scared him. Informants, especially informants like Izaya, were supposed to know everything.

"Hey, Namie?"

"Hm?"

"Where was I for the past few months?"

Namie stopped typing. She didn't turn around.

"Hokkaido of course."

"I don't remember anything from Hokkaido though. No money is missing from my bank account and Shizu-chan told me that he knew where I really was. I can raise your paycheck if you tell me."

Namie stayed silent, which annoyed Izaya. He lay on the couch and closed his eyes. Thinking back to this evening, he remembered the pain in Shizu-chan's eyes as he swung. He remembered his hesitation when he had Izaya cornered.

"Ask Shizuo," Namie said.

"I can't, Namie, you should know that," Izaya muttered condescendingly, his eyes still closed.

"If you really want to know what happened to you, Shizuo seems to be the only one willing to tell you."

Izaya knew deep down that he was right. But Shizuo hated him- if Izaya was in his place, he'd keep the past to himself just to torture his enemy. Shizu-chan was worse than Izaya; a monster.

But is he? He looks like a human, like me. He didn't kill me when he had the chance...

No he has to be one. If he isn't, why do I have such interest in him that's so different than others?

Oh, Izaya, you know why.

Izaya was done with this one-sided conversation. He sat up and looked at Namie groggily. She gestured with her head towards the door, internally telling him to go. Rolling his eyes, Izaya grabbed his coat and stormed out the door like a child sent to do chores.

The air was getting warmer. It was no longer winter; the seasons had changed without him and grew into spring. This made Izaya a tad bit sad but he pressed on- this was a challenge far harder than any job he had taken on for a client.

Izaya made his way through the bustling streets and eventually found himself staring reluctantly at Shizuo Heiwajima's apartment building.

I can do this.