Chapter 3 - Part 4

[cleopuffer]

“Aren’t you the guy that chased all the girls on the streets last year!”
“…….”
“You are… you’re that guy people said was a scoundrel.”
The sound of his neck cracking was heard, Shizuo stepped forward.
“Ah, Shizuo……”
Tom seemed to want to say something, but after seeing Shizuo’s expression, shrugged his shoulders and kept quiet.
“I’m not here to ask for forgiveness, and I don’t want to argue.”
After saying these words, Kida calmly clenched his teeth.

• Ah, I’ll definitely die this way.

Although he felt his own fingertips shivering, Kida still made an effort to catch the fist.

• I thought it wouldn’t be a problem, but in the end it’s scary.

Whether he’s beaten till he hears his bones crack, or perhaps ripped to pieces, he had come to understand. In his mind, pictures of his life flashed through like a galloping horse.

• Sorry Saki, sorry, Anri-chan, Mikado.

But then -
In front of Kida, Shizuo simply stretched out his index finger and tapped his forehead, whispering with a stricken expression.
“I’m bigger than you, use polite speech towards me.”
“……Huh?”
Kida immediately turned his head, and looks at the other surprised.
“I heard it from Celty, you gave those garbage people suitable punishment.”
“Celty?”
Kida, who doesn’t know the headless knight’s real name, shook his head, but quickly got his composure back and calmly said to Shizuo.
“But I was responsible for your injury! I want to earnestly face your anger….”
In response to this, Shizuo suddenly stretched out his hand.
His thumb and index finger were touching, and he made the movement to lightly flick Kida’s head -
“I just said to use polite speech towards me.”
Then, he gently flicked his finger at Kida’s forehead.
“Owww.”
Along with a graon, Kida actually fell down to the ground.
It was only the flicking of the forefinger, this response seemed a bit excessive, but considering the one who did it was Shizuo, perhaps it feels no different than a normal hoodlum attacking with a metal bat.
Looking at Kida dazed on the ground, Shizuo held his two hands together and said:
“After all you also taught a lesson to that bastard, I don’t harbour any hatred toward the Yellow turbans….. so I don’t really have any animosity against you. The flick today can be considered your punishment.”
In front of Shizuo, who was saying these words, Tom squatted down and said with a low voice.
“……Though you’re not angry, I don’t even have to say this….”
Kida looked like he had a slight concussion with dizzy eyes, Tom reluctantly sighed.
“But your strike wasn’t very light.”



“Serious……. It had that much power….? Though it’s my strength, but it was only a flick….?
Shizuo lowered his head and flicked his own forehead several times. The pa pa sounds that resounded were similar to the sounds of a fist knocking sturdy wood.
But Shizuo only tilted his head in confusion.
“I have a question. Does the flicker have anything to do with martial arts? It’s never mentioned in any books I’ve seen, looking at the fingers, it’s just the snapping of fingers.”
“You don’t even know this……”
While they were talking like this, the red-haired man worriedly asked the recovering Kida:
“Alright?”
“Oh…… Sorry.”
“You should also stop worrying. That guy also has limits.… Speaking normally, you really should be beaten up for punishment… but you see, if you did get beaten up by that guy, wouldn’t you be dead?”
“…….Yeah.”
Kida answered with a grim smile, his heart inexplicably relaxed.

• Overall, is this alright?
• But Shizuo got shot… right…..?
• Is this outcome alright….. I…..

His mind weaved through various thoughts in confusion.
Seemingly sensing his mood, the red-haried man held out his hand to help Kida up and said:
“Don’t worry. It’s better if there’s no fighting, after all this, young man, you must be hungry?”
“Huh?”
“No matter what the situation is, the most important thing is always to satisfy the stomach. It’ll be on me, you should come.”

• That….. this guy….
• Is always with Shizuo….

Kida was dumbfounded and simply stared at the other man’s face, but the man rubbed his tummy and continued saying:
“I’m Shizuo’s boss, Tanaka. You can also call me Tom. Though you look like a gloomy kind of troublesome guy, but sometimes it’s better to get things off you chest, right? I also can’t sleep well if my family members are having problems. So let's eat good food, and cast the worries away.”
“But, I came to apologise…..”
“Of course, it’s not just a pure invite.”
“Huh?”
Watching Kida sluggishly stand up, Tom smirked and said:
“Aren’t you the leader of Yellow turbans? Excuse me, but I’m interested in knowing everything that’s happened….. please be open with details, is that alright?”

※※※※※

Anri’s apartment
“Good kitty.”
Anri kept repeating this, while scratching Dokusonmaru under his throat.
Dokusonmaru takes the opportunity to roll over, four fingers start to scratch the exposed abdomen, Anri strokes its belly gently. It immediately cries out “meow~” happily when Anri plays.
After the cat went to the restroom and got ready for bed, there was nothing important for Anri to do, so she played with the cat for a while.
She thought about the cat she raised when she was young, Dokusonmaru reminder her fondly of the memory of her past pet.
When she was young, the tri-coloured cat was just like a friend.
It also reminded her of her family’s memory - the antique shop called ‘Sonohara Hall’.
Though there were no joyful memories, the fragments involving interactions with her mother and the tri-couloured cat still give her a relieved existence.
Even though, that cat - was kicked to death by Anri’s father.

• Even if it’s the famous Hijiribe Ruri that’s also having a hard time….

As for the ‘unusual feeling’ her body felt, Anri noticed.
And Celty from long before was an inhuman existence.
This was not a comparitive realization, also she doesn’t know if Hijiribe Ruri herself knew of her own abnormality.
Compared to this topic, for Anri, she doesn’t think much about the fact that Ruri is being stalked.

• Stalker.
• Is it like Mika?
• Someone like Niekawa…..

Anri thought about when she was attacked by Niekawa Haruna half a year ago, and felt a little sad.

• Why did she want to do that….
• I still don’t understand….

Thinking about this - she suddenly recalled the strange feeling she got from Ruri, and pondered.
My worry for Mikado - is it really normal?
After all, what intuition and worries does an abnormal person like her hold, maybe there’s no significance at all.
Though she knew long ago she was different from other people.
But are these kind of feelings normal - she never thought about it before.
Like when she was with Haruna Mika, when she spent time with Mikado and Kida, she treated them as normal.
But now the way Mikado’s acting is a bit weird.
Just like that time - Kida Masaomi changed and started acting weird, then we found out about the dispute with Yellow turbans.
But, there’s also some difference from that time.
That time, when Kida started changing, Mikado was still by her side.
However now there is no one.
Thinking that Mikado is weird, is it a correct assumption?
Of course not, to anyone else, isn’t the way Mikado acting very normal?
Though she asked this question, no one was there to answer.
“…..”
Anri reminisced about the times she spent together with these three people, and unconsciously stopped stroking the cat.
Looking at the cat indignantly calling out and rolling onto his belly, Anri broke into a serene smile.
Saika didn’t seem to have any interst in the cat, the ‘love words’ recited in her heart is no different than normal.
Listening to the words of love Saika had towards humanity, Anri lost herself in thought.
If me and Saika completely assimilated, what would happen to Mikado and Kida? Can everything be accepted?
The words from Orihara Izaya resurfaced in her mind.

• “If you really want everyday to be steady and comfortable, then it’d be better to simply cut all the people you care about.”
• Wrong…..
• “You only need to become the queen, and the world would be peaceful.”
• No….. Not like that…..!

Feeling depressed while also holding a strong malice, Anri silently gulped.
In the silent atmosphere, only Dokusonmaru rolled around on the floor.
Seeing the kitten’s simple-hearted appearance, Anri also let out a sound of laughter, the tension in her body alleviated.

• …….Aiya?
• Speaking of, this apartment….. should allow pets……

Restlessness once again reappearing, Anri again began stroking the cat’s belly.
“Good kitty.”
Niekawa Haruna, as well as the mysterious surprise attack from a masked person, Anri’s aprtment has encountered attacks from suspicious figures twice.
And her room is now already known by a third person -
Sonohara Anri is enjoying her tranquil time.
In a calm and steady atmosphere with the cat, and pondering about what’s happening with Mikado and Kida.

※※※※※

Ikebukuro, Sunshine main road
“Then… if we have to go, how about Russian sushi? I can pay.”
When Kida offered this, Shizuo and Tom convinced Vorona, and the group began walking towards Russian sushi.
“I also have to make an apology to Simon…..”
“What is it? You know Simon?”
Shizuo asked. But Tom beat Kida to answer:
“He’s the leader of Yellow turbans, of course his network of connection is broad.”
“………”
“…….I noticed it just then, what kind of bad memories do you have of Yellow turbans? Ah, I went too far, I won’t chase you for answers.”
Tom said casually while looking at the silent lowered head. But Vorona, who was completely oblivious to the surrounding atmosphere opened her mouth and said:
“I have a question. The existence of Yellow turbans traces over 100 years ago in the Christian era. I don’t think that leader still lives in the world presently. Or another possibility, this young boy is the spiritual existence of the headless rider?”
“……Miss, you’re use of words are kinda strange.”

• The headless rider.
• Now that I think about it, that headless rider also knows Mikado.
• Izaya that bastard, just said something like “It’s better if you ask Mikado yourself.”

Recalling the said bastards face, Kida couldn’t help but clench his teeth, but considered that there was a person next to him with the same impulse except with a much higher degree than his own, he could only let himself calm down a little and not utter that name.

• Ah ah.
• I really didn’t think of this. Not only did I just relate to Heiwajima Shizuo, my own thoughts are wavering.
• ………..
• No, if Shizuo met with Anri and Mikado before, what should I say.

While he was pondering this, at the exact time he is preparing to talk and took a deep breathe -
“Warning. Please continue your forward walking and listen to my report.”
Vorona suddenly spoke quietly with a sharp voice. Startled, Kida immediately stopped the breath he took.
“?” “………?” “What is it?”
The other three all wore confused faces, but Vorona continued with a serious voice:
“Please face the front.”
Vorona’s consistently strange Japanese pronounciation, along with her earnest serious expression created a strange tense feeling that caused Kida to shiver a little.
“There is someone following. Distance is gradually decreasing. Hostility unclear. Please be alert.”
“……..Based on speculation. Stalkers are often more than one person.”

※※※※※

Shinra’s apartment
“In brief, go to Kasuka’s apartment to have a look first, then go to Ruri’s apartment. I think the stalker ambushing Ruri’s home is the highest possibility.”
Celty put on the safety helmet, and gripped the front door.
“……This way all 3 people are okay, but I’m a bit worried.”
“What?”
Looking at Celty’s tilted helmet, Shinra had a hard time saying in a low voice:
“If you just linger around the apartment….. then… the police officers might think you’re the stalker…?”
With a similar conclusion made in the past, Celty paused for a moment then walked out the door.
The entrance doorbell sounded, Shinra looked in the gate’s direction in surprise.
Ordinarily, he would think Celty forgot something and had just come back for it - but today she remembered to bring the keys. Because of the Aoba incident, the gate remained lock even with Shinra inside, but Celty could use a shadow key to open it.
Due to the recent stalker incidents, Shinra approaches the gate cautiously.
The peephole showed a man that’s likely an express deliveryman.
Though Shinra lives in a high-class apartment, it was constructed early, and had not set the identification authentication system.
“Express.”
Hearing that from the other side of the door, Shinra opened the gate relieved.
Just to be on the safe side, he still left the catena while opening the door.
As long as he signs the receipt and lets the man place the item at the door, it will be fine. Shinra thought.
“Ok, I’ll take the seal..…”
In the instant that Shinra put his hand in his white lab coat pocket -
Suddenly, an iron slab appeared from the gate slit.
A black sawblade.
Shinra detected it too late.
With a “chaka” sound, the gate catena was cut, and the man took the moments advantage to raise it.
“……”
The gate slowly opened, the man wearing the express uniform smiled.
“You’re….. not express delivery?”
Looking at Shinra’s shrinking shoulders  -
The man comes forward menacingly and grabs Shinra’s head.
Immediately, Shinra feels his brain bulge, a blood vessel was likely closed off.

• Ah, this isn’t good…
• Just like…. when Shizuo’s around….
• I’m fainting…….--------
• Ah, what is this guy holding…
• Won’t…. also…. come again..…?
• …Oh? I’ll….. like this… die?

In front of Shinra, who was quickly losing consiousness -
The man in the express uniform kicks him again.

• --------------------------------------------------------Cel………ty.
• Then, Kasuka’s apartment…..

So that she wasn’t noticed by the white motorcycle, Celty drove as far away as possible along alleyways to Kasuka’s apartment.
When she arrived at a row of similar buildings, and prepared to confirm the address, she took out her phone.
Starting the guidance system, she began to investigate Kasuka’s address, but at this moment -
The picture suddenly vanished, and an electronic bell rang from her phone.
Seeing the telephone number that appeared before the map, Clety tilted her head in doubt before answering the phone.

• Huh? Isn’t this Mikado’s number?
• Why would he call now?

Did he realize Anri is worried about his situation? But it wouldn’t be Celty that Mikado would talk to, what would he want from Celty?
Thinking like this, she hesitated about answering -

• Huh…?
• But he’s not texting me, he’s calling…..?

Calling Celty, who couldn’t speak, it must be an emergency.
Thinking of this, Celty pressed the answer button, and put her phone next to her helmet.
“Hey Hey! Is this Celty!”
Mikado’s voice reached Celty’s auditory system clearly.
“If you can hear me, then tap on the telephone receiver.”
Celty tapped on the receiver according to his instruction, immediately, the other side let out a half-anxious half-relieved sound.
“Great! If you can hear me then we can exchange words! Celty, right now are you in your apartment?!”

• What is it?
• Do you want to come to where I am?

But Celty dropped this idea immediately.
Because Mikado’s tense sound doesn’t appear to be about that.
“If you’re outside, go back immediately!”
“?”
“Celty, you might not have a problem….. but Shinra’s in danger!”

※※※※※

Some night, in Ikebukuro
“Ah, one glimpse and it’s obvious who’s behind this.”
After listening to the report from the person on the phone, a youth wearing a black coat hung up his phone, smiled bitterly and thought to himself.
“Not only is it the underworld, this time it entangled a small bludger, Shinra has really bad luck.”
With a ‘cacha’ sound, the man sitting in his chair stood up, and turns to gaze at the windows’ scenery.
From a high-rise apartment at some Ikebukuro station. Looking at the core street scenery, the man quirked his lips, and like a child who had just found some candy - thought aloud.
“In the end, it’s just not right without me.”

※※※※※

Chatroom

Gaki [There’s also only a few people on today.]
Sharo [How come it seems like it’s only the new people.]
Chrome [It couldn’t be because we kept saying the senior characters are very difficult?]
Sharo [You’re thinking too much.]
Sharo [Today, Bakyura also hasn’t come?]
Saki [Yeah. Seems very busy.]
Gaki [I see, actually I also use my phone for this network.]
Sharo [Huh, no way?]
Sharo [Typing on the phone can be that quick, that’s really admirable]
Saki [How amazing.]
Gaki [I’m going to be over-confident now.]
Sharo [Speaking of which, isn’t there any interesting topics? Everyday I stand there gloomily working for the whole day, my younger sister also acts like a house fly in May incessantly telling me to work more earnestly, so it seems flat chests causes narrow heart defects.]
Saki [I don’t think that has any relation to the size of breasts.]
Gaki [Is this sexual harassment?]
Chrome [Interesting topic.]
Sharo [Wait, aiya, maybe saying it like that was hard to understand, but seriously if you guys met my sister I’m afraid your head will be ripped apart.]
Gaki [What topic?]
Sharo [Yes? Oh, did you find out something, Chrome?]
Chrome [It’s still regarding the topic of Hijiribe Ruri’s stalker, it seems the criminal is in Dollars. I just heard this at my friends’ house, the accuracy of this can’t be garanteed.]
Chrome [Ah, that’s right, this can only be said here, you absolutely cannot report this in any of Hijiribe Ruri fanclub sites.]
Gaki [Understood.]
Saki [I know without you having to tell me.]
Sharo [But what happens if other people seach out this chatroom?]
Private message: Chrome [How’s this?]
Private message: Sharo [Oh.]
Private message: Sharo [This could also be done.]
Private message: Gaki [Oh, what is this!]
Private message: Saki [It’s private message, Bakyura and me always use this.]
Private message: Chrome [The people in the chatroom can now also be said to be appointed as members of this secret channel.]
Private message: Chrome [Like this, it can’t be searched for, and it won’t be left in the record.]
Private message: Sharo [That’s true.]
Private message: Saki [Because this is an important matter.]
Private message: Gaki [Then, what did you guys hear about the stalker.]
Private message: Chrome [Right….. does Hijiribe Ruri’s stalker really exist?]
Private message: Chrome [I feel like this must be a black-listed person from the company.]
Private message: Gaki [Yeah, however in the weekly magazine it said all them had alibis……]
Private message: Chrome [It’s because of that, this fact is very important.]
Private message: Chrome [These Hijiribe Ruri black-listed people.]
Private message: Chrome [They’re a group!]
Private message: Sharo [Huh? What does that mean?]
Private message: Chrome [I’m saying the stalker isn’t just one person.]
Private message: Chrome [Deliberately displaying this so-called one person, when in fact it’s different people with distinctive actions.]
Private message: Gaki [Haha, this way there would be no proof of the scene.]
Private message: Gaki [As long as they have an alibi in one incident, it’s possible to get rid of suspicion, so that’s how it is.]
Private message: Chrome [Exactly.]
Private message: Chrome [But it’s really interesting.]
Private message: Chrome [This rumour appeared on the Dollars website.]
Private message: Chrome [It seems there’s additional inside information, this Dollars organization is really interesting.]
Private message: Gaki [Maybe it’s only to take the blame off themselves.]
-------- Kanra has entered the chatroom --------
Private message: Chrome [Aiya.]
Kanra [Hello everyone! Everyone’s idol Kanra-chan returns in triumph!]
Kanra [Aiya aiya aiya aiya? How come everyone’s conversation before stopped?]
Kanra [It couldn’t be you all went into a secret channel for something incestuous, right?!]
Kanra [Yaaa~~~~~! Sexual Harrassment! Oh, sexual harassment everywhere!]
Kanra [Ah ya ya, how come everyone has an ID I don’t recognize.
Private message: Chrome […………Who is this? This super excitable person….]
Private message: Gaki [I heard about him from the person that invited me here.]
Private message: Gaki [It seems it’s an old member of this chatroom.]
Private message: Saki [Also the control person?]
Private message: Sharo [Attack!]
Private message: Chrome [Really? Ah, I think it’s likely a transvestite…….]

※※※※※

Previous | Next