DURARARA!! Vol.5 CHAPTER 1, PART II
(CONTINUED FROM PART I)
“……So you just put him to sleep as usual?”
Tom sipped at his coffee and said. Shizuo sucked up his vanilla milk shake as he said:
“Yeah, that’s right. Afterwards I took him to a doctor I knew.”
“It’s rare that you would take someone to the doctor, Shizuo.”
“I’d be in trouble if he died. And I don’t hate that type of guy. Had it been that flea Izaya I would have given him the final blow right then and there.”
“I think a first blow from you kind of works as a last as well, though.”
Tom laughed hollowly. Shizuo, however, gave a surprising reply.
“Four.”
“Huh?”
“It took four punches from me for him to fall.”
“……You kidding?”
Tom’s eyes popped to the size of saucers as the sugar pack he had been twirling between his fingers fell.
“Yeah. When I was about to punch him a fifth time he said ‘Ah, and I have girls willing to tend to me when I’m in the hospital bed. Are you jealous now?’……Something like that. His tooth broke so I wasn’t able to hear very well. After that he just fell to the ground with a thud.”
“……I heard he was pretty tough, but I never thought……”
“There are actually quite a few guys out there who are like that. That foreigner* I got into a fight with a while ago took me quite some time as well.”
* Probably Baccano’s Nile.
“Well, I guess the world is a big place and has all sorts of people to offer……but still, he’s something for being able to walk on his feet like that when he’s only just been beaten up by you last night. I was wondering how his face got injured, but I guess I see why now……”
“But to be quite frank, I am jealous of him for having women who would take care of him.”
“Yeah…speaking of which, you are lacking a girlfriend. I know we’re at work and all, but aren’t you tired of eating with a guy day after day? You could probably use an oasis of the heart as well, ever thought about that?”
Tom had raised a pretty sharp question. Anyone who knew Shizuo enough to be smart would have avoided asking such questions out of fear, but Tom, who had known him for a relatively long time, knew that it actually fell within the safe zone, if only barely.
He was right. Shizuo did not look displeased; instead, he nodded with an “Mmm,” and began to say things that sounded like a complaint.
“Not that I haven’t heard people say ‘I love you’ to me…but I don’t even know if they counted as women or not.”
“Hmm? Have you been going to gay bars or transsexual clubs?”
“No, that’s not what I meant…I mean, they hardly counted as humans to begin with……more like sharp objects……”
“Sorry, but I really have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Tom looked puzzled while Shizuo simply continued with the story of his adolescence.
“Actually, no women have ever been willing to get close to me. I know that’s partly my personality’s fault, but there’s no one close to me save that fucking flea and the weird guy in glasses. The flea was always sweet-talking some woman into following him somewhere, and the glasses guy creeped women out as well since he had that twisted personality.”
“Are you talking about Izaya and……um, the doctor you mentioned?”
“Yeah. The doctor’s an irritating fly that just can't stop talking nonsense into your ear, and I still get mad at him at times. But he's kind of a bad acquaintance that stuck. I don't even wanna mention that fucking flea. He can't die in a fire soon enough for me. Anyway that's why I've never had a girlfriend."
"Don't mind that too much. You'll find a cute girlfriend sooner or later. You've got a face like your top idol brother's after all."
Tom tried to cheer Shizuo up with a smile on his face. Shizuo, on the other hand, tilted his head in a "Do I really?" sort of way.
It was a day like any other for them - for Shizuo especially.
The Rokujou Chikage incident was nothing more than a speck of spice in their otherwise uneventful lives.
- Or at least should have been.
It was only rarely that people like Chikage would come looking for Shizuo.
That was why Shizuo was unable to realize that his life was changing quietly and in places he couldn't see.
"So lunch was at Lotteria…how about supper at McDonald's for the sake of balance……Hmm?"
Tom stopped mid-sentence and raised his voice in a strange way. Shizuo raised his head with question marks written all over his face and asked:
"What's up?"
"Turn around and look."
"Hmm?"
Shizuo was sitting with his back to 60-Story Street. The restaurant had transparent glass walls, so Tom was able to see clearly everything that was going on outside.
Right now Tom's gaze was fixed on something on the street behind Shizuo's shoulder.
"What's going on……?"
Shizuo trailed off instantly the moment he turned to look.
Sucked to the glass.
That was probably the best way to describe it.
A little girl stood outside Lotteria's glass wall.
The tiny girl, with her hands and forehead practically sucked to the glass, was staring at Shizuo.
"………"
For a moment he thought it was a girl he knew, maybe Kururi or Mairu.
Shizuo couldn't think of any other little girl in Ikebukuro who would press herself to the glass staring at him.
But the little girl had a face he didn't know.
Moreover, she was way younger than Mairu or Kururi to begin with.
The little girl was dressed like an elementary school kid. One would guess that she was barely even ten.
"…………?"
The girl kept staring at Shizuo - and then, after casting a glance at a piece of paper she had in her hand, raised her eyes to look into Shizuo's once again -
All of a sudden, her face broke into a bright smile like a blossoming flower.
It was not a smile meant to reassure or conceal embarrassment. Rather, it was an innocent smile seen on kids' faces only when they got their hands on a longed-for toy.
After that, the little girl began to run in a circle with loud footsteps like some sort of wound-up toy, her eyes never leaving Shizuo.
"……Um, is she a relative of yours, Shizuo?"
"……No, I don't think I know her."
"But it doesn't look like she's staring at you because she finds your clothes funny."
"Nope. It's strange indeed. I'll go out and have a look."
Shizuo felt puzzled and got up to make for the door and ask the mysterious little girl what she was after.
"Oi oi, you really think it's a good idea? What if she goes 'Dad!' or 'Sweetheart!'? What will you do?"
"That's impossible. We're not living inside Yumasaki's head."
Shizuo gathered the tray quickly and walked outside.
The little girl stared at him, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Parents often fondly compared their kids to dolls; but in the case of this little girl, there was no other way to better describe her loveliness.
Her shoulder-length raven hair swayed gently in the wind, and her cute long bangs took turns concealing her left or right eye from view.
The weather in May was already fairly warm, but the girl had two layers firmly on. Her clothes looked like something European kids would wear, and the golden buttons on them were quite eye-catching. They looked like they were meticulously tailored to accentuate the girl's tiny frame.
However, the way her eyes were concealed behind her bangs made her smile look somewhat gloomy.
The girl kept her gaze on Shizuo as she began to run towards him without hesitating.
Ran.
Ran.
Ran, and ran.
Ran and ran and ran.
Tak tak tak tak tak tak
Tak tak ------------------
- Shizuo had a sudden uncanny feeling.
An unspeakable chill went down his spine -
He couldn't help but notice the way this kid was smiling.
- It was innocent alright.
- But there was also something that reminded one of a kid stomping on ants for fun……
Shizuo's premonition was proven true when the little girl opened her mouth to say her first word.
"Die!"
And then, the little girl -
- without hesitation, pressed the stun gun she had been holding in her hand against Shizuo's abdomen.
The next second, intense currents sent loud explosive sparks flying into the air -
And Heiwajima Shizuo's laid-back routine was officially put to an end.
Night of the previous day (May 2nd), CHATROOM
Setton-san has just joined the chat.
Setton
Good evening!
Setton
Hmm, looks like nobody's online
Setton
I'll just wait
Setton
Ah, my partner's calling, brb
Tanaka Taro-san has just joined the chat.
Tanaka Taro
Good evening
Tanaka Taro
Looks like only Setton-san’s online?
Tanaka Taro
Hmm, no response
Tanaka Taro
Maybe Setton-san's busy. Sorry about that
Tanaka Taro
I'll just wait here.
Kyo-san has just joined the chat.
Mai-san has just joined the chat.
Kyo
We are awfully sorry to disturb you in your silent quest of waiting for others to appear, Taro-san who just said you would be waiting after you acknowledged the other party's presence, and Setton-san, who does not seem to notice that the ones you've been waiting for have arrived because you are away. Is this a prelude to some sort of romance? Though I have no idea what gender you are. Taro-san uses a masculine handle, but I cannot rule out the possibility that you're really a woman. As for Setton-san's handle
Mai
?
Kyo
Sorry. I just hit the word limit. As for Setton-san's handle, it's even less indicative of the gender of the person behind it. Speaking of which, Setton is a weird handle to use to begin with indeed. What's the story behind that name? I googled it, but all I got was some kind of Korean fashion. Is that where you got the idea of that name? Or did you get it from the movie producer Maxwell Setton?
Mai
It's a mystery.
Setton
Back. Good evening
Setton
The weird ones are here.
Setton
Ah, actually no. My handle is just a twist of my real name
Kyo
Now that is surprising. I can't believe the story behind it is so simple! Please pardon me if that "simple" sounds offending to you. I apologize with all my heart, but it is really up to you whether to forgive me or not. But again, this might turn out to be an ideal chance to get to know the real Setton-san! What kind of twist is it? Seto Sanpei......Setouchi Anna......what could the real name be? Wow, Setton-san just got even enigmatic if that's possible.
Mai
Serada Jirou Saburou Tonpei?
Setton
Just what kind of name is Tonpei......?
Mai
- Content filtered for containing inappropriate words or phrases -
Mai
What?
Setton
Hmm, I've never noticed we had that kind of filter.
Setton
......And what were you trying to suggest as my real name?
Mai
- Content filtered for containing inappropriate words or phrases -
Mai
Ah, I see, so you can't type that word here...
Mai
That hurts!
Setton
?
Mai
I was pinched.
Kyo
I am so sorry. Presently we are sitting at computers right next to each other's and both taking part in this chat. But as I just saw Mai typing something way obscene into the dialogue box I punished her in reality in order to stop her from polluting the chatroom. Please rest assured.
Setton
I see you two really hit it off.
Bakyura-san has just joined the chat.
Bakyura
Cheers
Kyo
Look, it's Mr. Playboy who likes his whistle blown.
Mai
Good evening.
Bakyura
What, why is my whistle still being talked about!?
Setton
Evening!
Saika-san has just joined the chat.
Bakyura
Oh, just one minute after me
Setton
It's synchronicity.
Saika
Good evening.
Bakyura
Did Taro-san go to bed already
Bakyura
It's like 10 p.m.
Bakyura
Just how healthy a lifestyle does he feel like he must stick to
Tanaka Taro
Wow, people got online when I was answering calls and going to the bathroom...
Tanaka Taro
Good evening, everyone.
Bakyura
Ah here you are
Setton
Synchronicity again.
Bakyura
Sin-Clone-y-City sounds like some kind of final revelation scene in a game.
Tanaka Taro
I really can't say I'm interested in replying to that.
[Private mode] Bakyura
Mikado
[Private mode] Bakyura
I need to talk to you
[Private mode] Tanaka Taro
Eh?
Setton
The Clone-y-City part is just...
Saika
What does that mean?
[Private mode] Tanaka Taro
You're Masaomi, right?
[Private mode] Bakyura
...I don't think who I am even matters right now
[Private mode] Tanaka Taro
But these two months you've been pretending you don't even know me in this chatroom......
Kyo
I really have no idea what kind of thinking pattern made Bakyura-san say what he just said......humans really have inscrutable hearts. Maybe that is because so many shades of insanity are synchronized in our hearts. I only hope that mix of insanity is not a potential threat to this world and our fellow humans.
[Private mode] Tanaka Taro
Sorry, I said I wasn't interested in replying to you because that seemed like what everyone else would say...
[Private mode] Tanaka Taro
Ahhh, I really don't know what to say. I never expected to talk to you with the clear knowledge that you're Masaomi in a place like this......but are you really so annoyed that I said that? I thought Masaomi wouldn't mind being told that...but actually, Sin-Clone-y-City was pretty funny.
[Private mode] Bakyura
No, that's not what I need to talk to you about
[Private mode] Bakyura
Ahh, hang on a moment
Mai
Scary.
Setton
You were a little too mean, Kyo-san.
Setton
See? Looks like Bakyura-san doesn't want to talk anymore.
Bakyura
Ah, sorry
Bakyura
I was just eating
Bakyura
I'll still be around but I probably won't reply to anything
Setton
Bon appetite!
[Private mode] Bakyura
Good, now I can concentrate
[Private mode] Tanaka Taro
Thanks for getting all serious. By the way, I'm glad you're no longer hitting enter after every punctuation mark...
[Private mode] Bakyura
Anyway. There's a reason that I'm not talking to Tanaka Taro today, but directly to you, Mikado. In fact, I was waiting for you to come online.
[Private mode] Tanaka Taro
You could have just called me. I haven't changed my number.
[Private mode] Bakyura
Can't. Hearing your voice would probably have swung my heart the unwanted way.
Kyo
So is everybody going somewhere for the break starting tomorrow? We two are more indoorsy types than we might look so we're probably just going to cultivate our love at home.
Setton
Your love? Are Kyo-san and Mai-san a couple?
Mai
It's a secret.
Saika
I will stay at home.
[Private mode] Bakyura
I was talking to Kyo-san and others
[Private mode] Bakyura
Are you going somewhere for Golden Week?
Setton
My partner and I are probably going to play video games together.
Kyo
Wow, Setton-san has a way of cultivating love too.
Mai
Together.
Setton
Ah, nah, if you have to call it love......well, I guess there's really no other way to refer to it. lol
Saika
Love?
[Private mode] Tanaka Taro
Ah, I'm not going anywhere! So if you want to meet we can definitely meet!
[Private mode] Tanaka Taro
Your parents don't really care what you do, so I'm guessing they don't mind your dropping out of school either. But everyone at school is worried about you. Satou-sensei was asking about you too.
[Private mode] Tanaka Taro
And Anri really wants to see you again.
[Private mode] Bakyura
......That's not really what I want to talk about. Sorry.
Kyo
Anyway. If we do go out we'll just be wandering around Ikebukuro. Mai and I will probably go shopping at P Parco and see a movie at Sunshine Street and that'll be it.
Mai
I wanna see a movie.
[Private mode] Bakyura
Mikado, are you going anywhere for the break?
[Private mode] Tanaka Taro
Eh? Not really, I have class representative stuff so I'll be at school tomorrow.
[Private mode] Bakyura
I see......Mikado. This is my best advice for you.
[Private mode] Bakyura
Don't go roaming around alone at night, at least not during the break.
[Private mode] Bakyura
Even if you have to, try not to hang out with anyone else in Dollars.
[Private mode] Tanaka Taro
Eh?
Setton
Ahh. But sometimes I would think it would be nice to walk in the woods in my hometown with my partner.
Kyo
Really! Why not visit your hometown then? You don't get breaks every other day.
Setton
No...my hometown's kind of too far away for that.
[Private mode] Bakyura
It's best if you just try to be a high school student with nothing to do with Dollars for a while.
[Private mode] Tanaka Taro
What exactly is happening?
Setton
Is Taro-san going somewhere?
[Private mode] Bakyura
I don't have the clearest idea either, so I'm probably not the best person to brief you
[Private mode] Bakyura
It's just...a hunch, yeah, something close to a hunch
[Private mode] Bakyura
Something just smells dangerous
[Private mode] Bakyura
Dollars is in danger. I have this feeling that Dollars is in danger.
[Private mode] Tanaka Taro
Dollars is?
[Private mode] Tanaka Taro
Not really sure why, but I see what you're trying to say. I'll be careful
[Private mode] Tanaka Taro
I trust Masaomi's hunches for this kind of thing since they've never been wrong.
Setton
Hmm, no response. Might be away.
Setton
Ah, excuse me. Looks like there's a guest in my place so I'll leave early today.
Kyo
Alas, we're already saying goodbye for this evening. That makes me melancholic, but I'll just savor the delicious sorrow while blaming everything on fate. I'm probably the only one who does enjoy things like that. Goodbye Setton-san, have a nice break.
Mai
Setton-san, Bye-bee.
Bakyura
Rest well!
Saika
Thank you.
Setton
Saika-san, it's not like there's anything you should thank me for. lol
Setton
Anyway. Rest well, everyone.
Setton
Good night -
Setton-san has just left the chat.
[Private mode] Bakyura
Thank you, Mikado.
[Private mode] Bakyura
Take care of yourself.
[Private mode] Tanaka Taro
Thanks. You too, Masaomi. I really mean it. Thank you for everything.
[Private mode] Bakyura
Don't talk like that, it makes us feel like strangers.
Bakyura
Ah, I actually have something to attend to as well so I'll be logging off for the day.
Bakyura
(>_<) ノシ
Bakyura-san has just left the chat.
Kyo
Good night. Hope you have sweet dreams of Sinful Clone-y Cities.
Tanaka Taro
Good night.
Tanaka Taro
Ehh? Setton-san left, too?
Tanaka Taro
Argh, I didn't know I was ignoring Setton-san......
Tanaka Taro
I'm really sorry.
Saika
I don't think Setton-san would mind.
Kyo
Aww, you seem to be missing out on each other a lot. At the beginning of this chat Tanaka Taro-san was ignored by Setton-san who happened to be away. Now Taro-san ignored Setton-san back......this online phenomena of missing out on each other is definitely trying to teach us something!
Mai
I think it's love!
Kyo
You need to stop responding with just your spinal reflexes.
Saika
Love...?
Tanaka Taro
......Um, I'm sorry?
Tanaka Taro
Speaking of which, Kanra-san hasn't been here today.
Kyo
That one is a smart bastard and always busy. Though I wouldn't mind at all if that one wasted more time in places like this chatroom and didn't wreak as much havoc.
Mai
That one's rotten to the bone.
Saika
Kanra-san doesn't seem like a bad person.
Tanaka Taro
Has Saika-san ever met Kanra-san in reality?
Saika
No, only in this chatroom. I'm sorry.
Tanaka Taro
Well, I won't call that one a bad person, but it's true that Kanra-san is a little strange...
Kyo
Alas, alas. Yet another human being taken in by Kanra-san's sweet words......
.
.
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END OF CHAPTER I