Chapter 1 - Part 3

[cleopuffer]

Shinra’s Apartment


“Ah, then….. I’m sorry to disturb you so suddenly.”

A young girl wearing glasses sits at a dining table chair - Sonohara Anri again bowed her head in apology, but Celty carelessly shook her helmet and showed Anri her PDA.

“Don’t worry about it, it’s Shinra that made you come.”

"How can you say that, Celty, you’re going too far! You make me sound like a criminal! Like the quote 'Once shattered cannot return, the separation of husband and wife cannot be reunited'. Though I’m absolutely unwilling to pick your flower from the tree, I also cannot destroy your beautiful appearance.”

Once Shinra finished his speech that nobody understood, Celty let out a sigh.

After a simple conversation, Celty understood the situation clearly, Anri had something she wanted to tell Celty though she was troubled on how to say it, then she accidently bumped into Shinra and was brought here.

“That’s no good, Anri. How can you just follow such a suspicious guy?”

“Ah, here we go again. Though it’s strange, when I’m called suspicious by Celty I don’t get angry at all, in fact, it sounds quite porny, ahahahaha.”

“Don’t say such strange things in front of a high school girl!”

Celty, using her elbow, ruthlessly hit Shinra till he moaned painfully and threw him over to one side then turned back to Anri.

“So, what did you want to talk about?”

“Oh….. it’s concerning Mikado-kun…”

"Oh, is it an emotional problem? Then you have mistakenly come to Celty and me. Though we appear lovey-dovey, dealing with emotional problems is something we have no experience in.”

“N, no, it’s not that. Mikado-kun and me aren’t in that kind of relationship.”

Anri lowered her red face, when Celty saw this she quickly used her shadow to cover Shinra’s mouth shut.

• Although, I know Mikado’s feelings towards Anri.

But there appears to be more complicated circumstances involved, so for now it’s better not to provoke them.

While thinking this, Celty wrote on her PDA.

“So, are there any problems between you and Mikado?”

“Oh….. that’s…. I also don’t know how to say this right… recently, Mikado-kun has been acting strange.”

“Strange? Is he listless, or saying weird things?”

“No, on the contrary.… recently, he’s always showing an open, happy expression.”

Anri stopped for a moment, like she was hesitant to continue, but then set a firm resolve to say.

“It’s the same as when Kida-kun was still around.”

A half-day before

“Ah, Sonohara-san, what a tiring day.”

After the graduation ceremony ended and class members gathered, Mikado and Anri bumped into each other.

“You’re also tired.”

Mikado greets her brightly and Anri also responds politely.

“Sonohara-san, have you planned your summer vacation?”

“Eh? .....Ah, nothing special is arranged.”

“Really? If you have time, then come look for me.”

“Ah…. okay.”

Hearing such an invitation, usually Anri would feel very happy.

A year before, if Anri had heard such an invitation, she might have puzzled over how to reply. However, after she met Mikado, Kida as well as Celty, in this circle of friends she slowly started to change.

Because of this, in regards to Mikado’s invitation, she should comply happily with a smile.… but for some reason Anri is unable to feel like this.

Because right now, Mikado is giving her an indescribably strange feeling.

During golden week, they experienced a number of incidents. Although she herself had met with a mysterious female and fought off surprise attacks for 2 consecutive days - Anri worries that Mikado has been dragged into a bad situation.

When she helped Mikado at that time, she might have been seen using her ‘sword’.

Though, in the past when Kida was bound in the yellow turban conflict, the opposite party had also seen the katana in her hand.

But, she thought perhaps this time it was much clearer.

Right now, still hidden inside her body, the sword continued to summon its love and was crying out in a song.

She’s worried that Mikado might reject her and Celty’s otherworldly presence - however ever since that incident that seemed only to surprise him, he hasn’t voiced anything relating to it.

But, even with this, she can’t stop worrying.

After that incident, Mikado changed.

Or perhaps it was more accurate to say, he changed back.

Since Kida’s disappearance, Mikado had forced himself to show a bright personality, but now that forced look can’t be seen anymore.

The first few days, because Anri was worried about his injuries as well as anxious of how he would react to her abnormality, she didn’t notice his change.

It was like he was realizing the significance of life again. Mikado’s smiling face and words were so full of life, wishes and goals.

Generally speaking, this would be a good thing.

But, to Anri, she doesn’t believe Mikado would completely forget about the situation with Kida.

Therefore, she concluded that Mikado was meeting up with Kida somewhere, and especially asked him “Have you met with something good?”

“Yes, if I can be with Sonohara-san and chat, then that’s good.”

Mikado doesn’t usually unexpectedly crack jokes, this causes Anri to find it all the more strange.

• So there is something about the incident.
• But, humans are always changing…..
• Perhaps I made a mistake.

With these thoughts, the Anri who’s always close to Mikado couldn’t confidently say that ‘recently, he’s strange’, she could only repress her feelings and continue her tranquil high school life.

A young girl that always stands on the edge observing.

Maybe because she’s in this unique position, she can detect such matters.

Anri kept carrying these feelings till they gradually entered summer vacation, finally just when she and Mikado were parting ways with a few last words, she explicitly felt a stong sense of that ‘strange feeling’ coming from Mikado.

After school marking the beginning of summer vacation, on a crossroad where two people always parted ways, Mikado spoke to Anri with an earnest expression.

“I said, Sonohara-san.”

“Huh? Oh, yes.”

It was two people having an ordinary conversation, Anri was startled by Mikado’s sudden earnest expression but what truly frightened her was the content of what Mikado just said.

“For me, no matter what kind of secret Sonohara-san is hiding, it doesn’t matter.”

“…..Eh?”

• What?

“Though I’m no help to you at all..…”

• Right now Mikado-kun….. what is he saying?

Ryuugamine Mikado

Kida Masaomi

And, Sonohara Anri

These 3 youths, each hold a valuable secret.

“Dollars” founder, Mikado.

“The Yellow Turbans” initiator and a key participant, Masaomi.

“Saika” weilder, specially hidden within her body, Anri.

Right now, Mikado knows of Anri’s secret, among these three people are three very close relationships.

Anri has realized Mikado’s status, but she doesn’t have the courage to confirm it.

The time when their secrets will mutually be told is when Kida Masaomi returns.

Regarding this point, Mikado and Anri’s hearts are clear.

Though she now has a circle of friends, but just as before her innermost feelings are kept in an abyss.

“But, no matter what Sonohara-san’s secret is. I’ll definitely create a place where you can live peacefully.”

“………”

Anri wanted to say something, but didn’t know what to say.

As if realizing Anri’s restless feelings through her silent response, Mikado smiled wider and added even more firmness to his voice.

“I - there’s still Masaomi, although he’s still not back, but I’ll definitely create a space where everyone can live a blessed life…… Sonohara-san, please just relax and wait.”

• Wrong.

The confused feelings within Anri shook their head.

She suddenly recalled Mikado’s words from a few months’ ago.

• “He’ll come back.”
• “Oh….”
• “I’m right, I’ve known Masaomi for a long time so I know, he’ll definitely come back.”

“That…..”

Anri awkwardly tried to say something, but at that moment Mikado, as if he suddenly realized something, hastily said.

“Ah, sorry, sorry. I said some weird things.…. then, if there’s any problems give me a call.”

And like there was an enemy nearby, he concealed his awkward expression, finished talking and hurried away.

Anri showed a completely bewildered expression, but in the end didn’t keep Mikado from leaving.

• Is there a place……. that doesn’t suit.

Anri’s mind ponders why she can’t shake off these strange feelings, while slowly pacing along the bustling streets of Ikebukuro.

There were many times she wanted to talk to Celty, but whenever she took out her phone, she started to think “I can’t let her worry about my problems” and put it back.

Just when she decided to go home, she suddenly heard a sound that caused her to stop.

It also gave her firm resolve to discuss her problems with Celty.

“Ah, isn’t it Anri? How’s Saika been lately?”

This was, of course, Shinra.

※※※※※

Then, the present situation

“He, compared to anybody, believes that Kida-kun will come back. But Mikado-kun said he’d create a space himself in order for Kida-kun to come back..… I find it strange.”

Anri didn’t know what expression was good.

She simply described all of the strange emotions she felt during the day’s meeting like an open diary.

“So that’s it, sounds like you think your own feelings are inferior compared to believing your friend.”

“It’s really not like Mikado-kun at all.”

Celty crossed her arms to think.

• Though since he’s willing to work hard, that’s good.
• But why is there such a strong uneasy feeling.
• After golden week there was also this feeling… this feeling of uneasiness.
• So….. it’s the relationship with that Aoba boy?

Celty felt she should go back to that location during golden week.

※※※※※

5th of May

“Today…. I especially came over to become friends with the black rider.”

At night, when Celty just got home, a boy named Kunamura Aoba appeared.

“How did you find this place?”

At Celty’s question, Aoba giggled and answered.

“It was half-accidental. But don’t worry, I won’t tell any police officers.”

Upon the word officers, Celty thought of one person and couldn’t help but shiver.

“Though I don’t know what’s going on, but let me ask.”

Shinra blocked Celty and indifferently said this to the youngster.

“Though you said you wanted to make friends, in order to do that you went straight to a strangers house to pay a visit, isn’t that too impolite? You might have gone through a lot of trouble to find this place, but that doesn’t matter to us.”

Facing Shinra’s interrogation, Aoba shrugged his shoulders.

“I also think this is impolite, but if I don’t do it this way, I’m afraid it’ll be difficult to talk to the headless rider.”

“We have no interest in getting involved in gangs like Toromaru, do you want me to use a method in order to keep your mouth shut?”

“Ah, you’ve heard my conversation with Mikado-sempai?”

Aoba standing on the roadside smiled bitterly then turned to Celty.

“It doesn’t matter if you try to keep my mouth shut. My partners also know of this place. If I go missing, this place will quickly be filled to the brim with officers and news media. Ah, and perhaps before that, there might be a little fire.”

“You’re threatening us?”

“No, sorry. I’m not threatening you. I don’t want to be like Mikado-sempai, I only want to maintain a good relationship with the headless rider and her friend, these are my honest words.”

• Liar.
• This person’s eyes don’t show the sincerity of making friends.

Celty, through her years of experience, came to this conclusion, and started to think of how to deal with this boy.

But, while she was thinking, Shinra pushed up his glasses and went up to him -

Watching the young boy, Aoba, for a while, Shinra said with a cool smile.

“You’re a lot like Orihara Izaya.”

“…….Comparing me with that guy is quite unexpected.”

On hearing Orihara Izaya’s name, Aoba’s relaxed expression was gone, instead his face showed clear loathing.

Shinra found this reaction satisfying, and still wearing his cold smile he said.

“Yeah, I thought you would hate hearing Izaya’s name so I especially said it. But not as I expected, you know of Izaya’s business. Could it be, you’ve suffered from his actions before?”

“……Why would you think that?”

“Because the way you talk is exactly alike. It might be accidently similar, I believe that you once dealt with him. Your essences are the same so consequently you’re similar.”

“……This is a bit much. Not only the black rider, you also live with her and you know that guy?”

Aoba didn’t answer Shinra’s earlier question, he simply kept asking his own questions with sharp eyes.

“Ah, because it’s the same type of hate. You and Izaya are the same, the type that likes to play with the world. So if a guy exactly the same comes out, that’d be no fun. For people like you guys, you absolutely wouldn’t share the world that you consider your own. For me, as long as my hand can hold onto Celty’s, it’s enough.”

“?.......”

During the time in which Aoba was trying to figure out what Shinra meant and continue his questioning -

He suddenly felt pain at his neck and finally understood Shinra’s intention.

He didn’t know when he took it out, Shinra’s hand held a sharp scalpel, and the peak of the scalpel pressed against Aoba’s neck. If Shinra used a little more force, the scalpel would easily pierce through Aoba’s neck and puncture an artery.

“I’ll give you a warning.”

Shinra’s expression didn’t change.

Still wearing a disrespectful smile, like he wasn’t about to take someone’s life.

“I don’t care whatever you and Izaya plan. But, if any of your actions destroy the content life that me and Celty have, then at that time we’ll become irreconcilable enemies.”

Though his life always had occasions where he was in danger - Aoba has long ago not shown any fear, he simply gazed neutrally at Shinra’s smiling face. However, it’s wasn’t that he didn’t feel any fear; this could be seen as sweat coming from his forehead and hands.

“I see, so the housemate and black rider have that kind of relationship.”

In the middle of this tense atmosphere, a shadow appeared between the 2 people and forcefully separated them.

“Stop, Shinra. It’d be stupid to become a murderer over such a small matter.”

“But, Celty.”

“Just giving this matter over to the police is enough, don’t bring me into it. Also, I don’t want you to become a criminal because of me.”

"…….Celty.”

Although being an underground doctor was already a crime, this fact seemed to have temporarily slipped Celty’s mind, Shinra looked like a little kid staring excitedly at Celty.

Aoba, who couldn’t see the PDA, regarded the fuzzy conversation with confusion, though since Shinra seemed to have lost his anger, he breathed a sigh of relief.

“Though I don’t know what your saying, but please don’t do anything more suspicious. If my behavior hasn’t made you happy, I apologize…. actually I came because I wanted your telephone number. If you’re willing to tell me, I’ll leave immediately.”

“Oh. And….. this situation, please keep it a secret from Mikado-sempai.”

※※※※※

After that, though they gave him their number, they haven’t received any contact from him since then.

If he had any plans, over here we could also make a corresponding judgment, but as they haven’t made any contact, instead we can’t relax.

• Does this have any relation?
• Also, after golden week, I haven’t met with Mikado.

Celty immersed herself in her recollection, while on the other side Shinra started to analyze the problem with Anri.

“Saying that he wants to create a space, this way of talking is really old-fashioned, but it’s really not the kind of words that bad people would say. Anri, are you sure you didn’t say anything to him, suddenly saying such words himself is like believing in a religious chant.”

“And you have the right to say women are fussy!”

Celty hit Shinra’s stomach heavily, then turned to Anri.

“I understand what your saying, and I also know the reason.”

“Really?”

On seeing Anri’s excited response, Celty considers what to write on her PDA.

“This conversation we’re having must stay private. At school, does Mikado have any friends?”

“Eh?”

“Recently, are there any special friends related to Mikado that have appeared?”

“…..Then, ah….. the committee has a boy named Kunamura-kun that is recently always with him… all his other friends are from before, I think….. he hasn’t communicated with anyone strange.”

“Really?”

• The one called Kunamura is the strange one!
• At school he must act very honest…. should I tell Anri?
• But, if this circumstance has no relation to Mikado, then it will have the opposite effect.

Looking at Celty’s awkward appearance, Shinra, still in pain, got up from the floor and began to lie.

“Yes, though I don’t know who this Kunamura person is. But perhaps he’s involved in Mikado’s change.”

“Oh….. but Aoba-kun doesn’t seem like a bad guy…..”

“No no, we can’t be sure because we haven’t met him, but still be more careful. Moreover, human’s can change their expressions, you should know that, Anri.”

“……That’s true…”

Seeing Anri lower her head with a complex expression, Celty couldn’t help her approval of Shinra given the situation.

• You did great, Shinra! This way, Anri will be more alert towards Aoba.

Seeing Celty nod in approval, Anri considered for a while then restlessly lifted her head again and said.

“But, if Mikado-kun really has changed, what will I do then?”

“Ah, how should you manage, rather it’s best if you don’t do anything.”

“How can you say such irresponsible things, even if it’s not your own problem, at least help to think things through.”

Shinra read Celty’s words of blame on the PDA, then smiled gently and said.

“That’s just how boys are. You might say it’s like a love performance..… always thinking that oneself is the most special, that one’s idea is the best, that their actions are full of achievement, they’re immersed in their own world.”

"Is this what is commonly seen on the Internet, known as the "eighth-grade” syndrome?”

“Yes, this is a common trait anyone can fall victim to. Though usually kids get cured by the time they graduate middle school, but there are types that might carry the sickness for life. Mikado probably caught the sickness late during his second year of high school by looking at Celty’s religious form, he only has to ignore it and it will heal.”

Shinra cracked a joke as if he didn’t care at all -

But he and Celty didn’t realize.

Right now, Mikado hasn’t moved onto a strange path.

Regarding the boy named Ryuugamine Mikado, Dollars -

Building his ideal Dollars has already become equal to his life’s ambition, right now it’s his entire existence.

However, Dollars itself is quietly changing.

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