Disclaimer: I do not own Durarara! in any way. Narita is the true mastermind behind the series.

Chapter Three - What's Love Got To Do With It?

"What do you think makes someone human?"

Masaomi paused with his chopsticks halfway to his mouth, staring at his best friend like he had grown an extra head within the past ten seconds. Since the other boy hadn't, he supposed he should answer rather than comment on how weird he found the question. Usually, Mikado wasn't the type to concern himself with such matters. His best friend was the kind of person who could be given an answer and wouldn't dig any further. So it was strange for him to be asking for confirmation of his own humanity. There had to be something else going on.

Outwardly, the blond smiled boastingly and waved his chopsticks, losing some rise to his carelessness in the process. "Well, that's easy," he pretended to tease, as if the answer should have been obvious to anyone. "Isn't it our ability to love?" He placed his free hand against his heart, proclaiming dramatically, "What good is a human that can't love?" If it sounded a bit condescending in his head, he shrugged it off as him being overly conscious. Mikado wouldn't call him on it, anyway, even if there wasn't something troubling the other boy to the point of asking his best friend for help.

"I see," Mikado told him in a distracted sort of way, his gaze elsewhere. No doubt thinking over whatever was giving him trouble in the first place. Masaomi was half-tempted to ask what the problem was, so he could go fix it himself; but he stopped the words from slipping out with a simple reminder that doing so in the past had only upset Mikado. He wasn't about to do anything that would push Mikado away right now. Mikado was his lifeline to normality and someone who wasn't about to give up on him (or tell him that he was no longer important; Mikado was the only person left who seemed to think he was worth something). Still, it would have been so easy, and then Mikado's attention would be where it should be - on him.

As if reading his thoughts, Mikado met his eyes and gave an unsure smile. "Thanks. I'm not sure if that's the best answer, but it's somewhere to start ..."

Reacting with a bit more seriousness this time, Masaomi asked, "So what brought this on?"

Mikado quickly looked away and began fidgeting with his lunch, probably debating whether or not he could finish it before the bell rung. He didn't reply for the longest time, and just when Masaomi was giving up on it, Mikado gave a short, "It's personal."

So either his best friend was having an existential crisis or someone else was, someone Mikado was willing to protect. Masaomi didn't like it one bit. "Okay, keep your secrets. I'll figure it out for myself," promised Masaomi, sulking a little. Then he thought of something else they could talk about and brightened, saying, " But you know what we should really be discussing? Anri-chan's ero -" Before he could finish, Mikado kicked him in the chest. He lost his balance and the rest of his lunch followed suit.

It actually wasn't the question or the method he would be using that troubled Mikado the most. No, the real problem was how to approach Shizuo without a) incurring the blond's innate wrath and b) attracting the attention of everyone in the universe. It would be kind of impossible to prove anything to Shizuo if all that ever happened was mounting rage and inevitable destruction. So first, they had to decide on a place to meet. Preferably outside of school, secluded (he wasn't too happy with idea, but it was necessary) and if at all possible, a place where Shizuo was comfortable.

His first thought was to ask Kasuka, maybe see if he could come over again, but he hadn't been able to find an opportunity. Either the popular model was surrounded by adoring girls who left no openings or Kasuka was studiously trying to finish classwork he was behind on. It didn't leave too many chances for them to talk. He could have always offered to help explain anything his classmate was unfamiliar with, but anytime he got even remotely close Kasuka, the rest of the class would stare at him, and their stares were almost accusing. It had been like that ever since the model had willingly talked to him, as if Mikado had crossed some invisible line and should have known better.

That was all the more reason to keep his association with Shizuo to a minimum where school was concerned, and the very reason he turned down the chance to walk home with Anri and Masaomi today. They offered to wait, much like the last time Mikado had stayed behind, but that wouldn't work this time. He waved goodbye with a forced smile and then left to find the blond who was the source all of this. It didn't take long; they had an unspoken agreement of sorts. If they had time, they would meet up in that abandoned classroom. Shizuo was always there before Mikado, which kind of made him wonder (not for the first time) if Shizuo was always there. Perhaps even the teachers didn't want to deal with him.

They didn't talk about much on the rare occasion that Mikado did show up, because Mikado had yet to decide on how to prove anything. But that was going to change today, because he finally had a starting point. "Good afternoon, senpai," he greeted as soon as the door was shut behind him. Shizuo eyed him oddly, since that was new, but he turned his attention away soon enough. That was good. Mikado wasn't sure he could say what he was about to say with the intensity of that stare to contend with. A predator truly did lurk behind those dark eyes, but he was supposed to show Shizuo that wasn't the only thing he was capable of; that violence didn't have to be his safety blanket. "I've figured it out," Mikado settled on saying. "I think I know how I can show you that you're as human as anyone else, senpai."

Shizuo looked skeptical, but that was to be expected. It had been ingrained in him, somehow, that he was a monster living in a person's skin. It was going to be a struggle to disprove that.

"Hear me out before you assume I'm crazy." Mikado was testing his luck with that, seeing how far he could go before Shizuo snapped, but the only response was a snort and a short exchange of glances. "See, I think the problem is: you've never been in love with someone who has loved you back." He held up a hand when Shizuo opened his mouth to say something and was surprised when the blond held his tongue, face reddening with anger but strangely quiet. "I am not saying," Mikado stressed, "that you have never loved. I know you love your brother a lot. I know he loves you just as much. What I am saying is you have never been 'in love', which is very different from loving someone, senpai." Or that was what Masaomi was always preaching. "Being in love isn't like brotherly love, where you're expected to love him, something as natural and simple as breathing. No, being 'in love' is a lot more ... Chaotic, I guess?" He thought about how he felt for Anri and yeah, that sounded about right. It had just happened as soon as he had seen her and thought 'she seems different from everyone else', and now his thoughts were constantly spiraling around her and what would impress her or make her happy.

"For a brat, you're speaking an awful lot of shit," Shizuo cut into the lecture before it could continue. "Don't tell me you're trying to speak from experience or something as ridiculous as that? I mean, what does a twerp know about love."

"I'm not going to argue with you," sighed Mikado, "because I wasn't trying to start an argument. I'll get to the point instead. You're going to fall in love with someone and we're going to make sure that someone falls in love with you too. Sound good?"

Since there wasn't much to object to (it wasn't like Mikado could force Shizuo to fall in love if he truly didn't want to), Shizuo did nothing more than glare as he said, "Do what you want."

Now, to make one last suggestion: "So how do you feel about picking up girls in the park?" A chair was promptly thrown at his head and he barely moved out of the way in time. Mikado stared at the broken pieces of metal and wood in askance. "You could have just said no thanks ..."

While they didn't go to the park, Mikado had managed to talk Shizuo into meeting up with him outside of school from now on. They had debated for a while where to do - actually debated, not arguing to the point their voices could be heard three halls down (like that first time they had disagreed on something) - and finally they had settled on the arcade. It wasn't exactly secluded, like a booth at a restaurant would be, but it had been something they had in common, an affinity for video games, so it would have to work.

To make sure it would, Mikado suggested they meet there later this evening. He had to drop off his books at home and change first, maybe start on some homework so he wouldn't be up until one o'clock in the morning trying to finish, but Shizuo surprised him by saying, "Why wait," and proceeded to lead the way with a firm grip on Mikado's arm that made escape impossible. He did manage to splutter some protests, about his uniform and his heavy schoolbag and how he did not want to spend his night doing homework, but the words did nothing more than earn him an amused, "So next time bring less books." It probably should have been encouraging to hear that Shizuo wanted to spend time with him again, but Mikado was more focused on what bringing less books would mean for his grades and already stressing on how to make this work.

He was up the proverbial creek without a paddle.

The arcade they were headed towards was the one in the middle of Sunshine Street, which Mikado knew was a dating hotspot but also perfect for finding that special someone too. There were always so many people there, whether on dates or grouped together for a trip to the movies; it would be a golden opportunity for Shizuo to meet someone who didn't know him by reputation alone. Even if that person had to be someone older and more experienced. At least it would give Shizuo a fighting chance to discover love.

When the sign of red and white, spelling out Adores, came into view, Mikado could feel his nerves peak, his thoughts consumed with: Is this really a good idea? There are a lot of people, and by extension, doesn't that mean more chances for Shizuo to lose his temper? Maybe he should have fought a bit harder to have them start at the park. Oh well, it was too late now. Shizuo had let go of his arm now that they were here, where he had promised to meet the stubborn blond later if he had been patient, and he hastily took a few steps to separate them further. Preferably out of Shizuo's reach zone. If things went wrong, he did not want to be the first thing in line to be thrown. Once was more than enough.

"What are you doing?" demanded Shizuo, his eyebrows furrowed in the middle to show off a strange mix of exasperation and confusion. "If you don't keep up, I'm leaving you behind."

"Ah, right. Sorry." He corrected his mistake by hurrying to the blond's side, even while his instincts told him to run away. He was here for a reason, first and foremost, and he was going to see this through until the end. It was different, outside of his routine, and the challenge was more alluring than the threat of danger, so he would have to keep moving forward. He would prove Shizuo was not a monster. If that equaled to a few flying lessons here and there - well, so be it. He swallowed down his nervousness and stepped inside the arcade with Shizuo.

It had been a long time since Shizuo had been inside an arcade. The last time had been two years ago, when a friend had invited him along. A friend that had since graduated and moved on with his life. Shizuo didn't have many friends after that. Not because he was incapable, but because it hurt too much to make a friend and then watch them leave. He was kind of surprised that he was even making another attempt. Not that it was much so far; he couldn't even recall the kid's name. Ryuuzaki or something? It kind of riled him that he would have to ask again, because the twerp had given his name when Shizuo wasn't prepared for it.

He had a habit of dismissing people and their names so as not to make a connection with them. The less he knew about someone, the less he cared. And the less he cared, the better for everyone. It meant he didn't feel anything except a sinking apathy for most people, which was good. It meant he wasn't going to explode into an angry rampage that he couldn't control or understand (simply because it felt normal to him). It was similar to how a normal person, someone that wasn't him, would get a bit mad if someone stepped on their foot. They would probably end up cursing or hopping on one foot, cradling the injured one, because it was the most natural thing in the world to want to express oneself. Shizuo just tended to take that a step further than most.

"Hey, brat."

Mikado looked up at him, a twist of annoyance around his mouth. He wasn't happy about the nickname, but he still attempted a weak smile. "Yes, senpai?"

It should have been irritating, all of it. The fake pleasantry, the fact he never said 'Shizuo' or even 'Heiwajima' before senpai when they talked, but Shizuo found it tolerable for some reason. It could have been anything that started that tolerance. Maybe it was the effortless way Mikado could proclaim things like 'you're human too' or gave a compliment without even thinking about it (the kind of way that ensures it's genuine). It didn't matter. What did matter was: "What's your name?" He was going to remember someone's name for a change; which went a long way to saying, "I want you to be my friend," even if those words would never leave his mouth.

"Oh." They had been climbing the stairs to the third floor when Shizuo had decided it was now or never, but they had stopped for the time being, a pregnant pause in the air. It was nice that there weren't any other people around; it gave the moment an electrified feeling, charged with something that Shizuo couldn't describe but made him anxious. He was glad when Mikado spoke though, meeting his gaze with a sharpness to him that Shizuo had not recognized in him before. Was the kid angry? Upset? Planning revenge? He couldn't tell and that would usually aggravate him, like it always did with Kasuka, but Mikado's words were like a balm to a stinging burn, telling him, "I figured you didn't remember, but still. I didn't expect you to ask. Okay then. I'll give it to you again. Don't forget it." He swept into a prim little bow, an almost coy smile playing at his smile. Shizuo couldn't help but stare. "My name is Mikado Ryuugamine. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Shizuo Heiwajima," he instinctively replied, his voice gruff in comparison but hardly caring. "Call me Shizuo."

"Sure," agreed Mikado, starting their trip up to the third floor anew. Over his shoulder, he added, "And you can call me Mikado, Shizuo-senpai. I'd prefer that. 'Brat' is a little mean, don't you think?"

Shizuo still thought he was a brat, even if he said, "Okay, Mikado it is then. Now get moving. I'm going to kick your ass at the first game we see."

"I don't know about that," Mikado replied, and was he teasing him? Shizuo was going to do much more than kick his ass at that game, he was going to utterly destroy him.