"What the hell? !"

"Don't 'what the hell' me! I can't believe this! Of all the days to be retarded and fall asleep you had to do it today? ! Do you want to ruin my wedding? !"

"Who has a wedding this early in the morning? !"

"… It's 4 in the fucking afternoon!"

"Oh,yeah… Guess I was bored and just dozed off."

"Yeah, why actually start getting ready when you can sit around being bored! !"

"Well! Why didn't you call earlier? !"

"Because I'd never guess that this would happen! I only called now because it's getting kind of late and I was wondering if you were on your way already! Not in your bed!"

"It's actually the couch—"

"Ah, is that Shizuo?"

"Yeah, he's being an ass."

"Hey!"

"Give me the phone...Ah, Shizuo-san, fortunately you still have about twenty minutes until the wedding starts, but I'm afraid to inform you that if you don't make it I will snap you in two!"

"Crazy woman! If you want me to make it on time then stop distracting me by making me listen to yours and your husband's stupid ramblings! I'm trying to get ready now!"

"Wow, sorry for bitching at you for nothing! Kadota, I told you to get someone else as a witness."

"Wai-"

"Like Izaya." Oh hell no. "He's way more reliable."

"Ah, don't say something like that when he can hear..."

"Well, at least Izaya's here. I'll just go and tell him that Shizuo is asking him for the favor of-"

"Do it and you die! Fuck, I'll be there in five minutes if I have to!"

I heard a snicker before the line went dead.

Damn Reiko, she just knew what would piss me off!... Ah, I already knew her for almost four months. Kadota introduced her a little after... that incident. We've met several times since then and I was a bit surprised at how well we actually managed to get along. I guess because she was the type that was "I may be a woman, but I'll kick you ass just as hard" type... But because of her being like that we just have to constantly bicker cause...Well, I'm constantly bickering with everyone, so... I guess that just proves that we get along. Or something.

I barely found a spot in the damn parking lot. Just how many people had they invited? They said it wasn't going to be anything big.

I entered the hotel and immediately heard chattering coming from behind a huge door. Well, there it was. Giving one last annoyed sigh I cracked the door open and entered.

Man, for nothing big the room sure was packed. Looking up ahead I saw the young woman that was going to be the other witness, standing in front of the huge desk. She saw me and waved for me to go to the front with her.

"Ah, hello." She smiled at me as she bowed lightly. "Kadota-san will be here any moment and then we will begin."

I nodded in response. Well, so I wasn't that late. Awaiting the arrival I occupied myself with looking at the room's decorations. I tried to avoid looking at the crowd 'cause I just knew he'd be somewhere at the front.

Finally Kadota entered and took his place between us. He only gave me a stern look, which I answered back. Soon, it was announced that everything was ready and I watched as he turned around and winked happily at someone who was hiding behind the door. Hopping out from behind it with the widest grin, Reiko then proceeded to make her way to us, trying her best not to kill herself in that huge thing she was wearing.

"Ah, Shizuo, I see that you have made it. Then you shall live."

Well, I could've made some remark at that myself, but out of the goodness of my heart I was going to keep quiet, since it was a special occasion.

The ceremony proceeded as normal. They vowed, exchanged rings, while sobbing was heard from all around the crowd. Stupid sappy people. Finally we signed and they were officially announced as husband and wife. Man, that guy looked so happy, I couldn't remember having seen him like that in a long time. Well, they were both pretty nice people so I was sure they'd have a good life.

The beginning of the celebration was announced and soon everyone started heading for the hotel's restaurant, where it would be held. I decided to wait for most of them to flow over there before heading myself, not relly wanting to be a part of all the hassle.

"Shizuo." I turned to see Kadota and Reiko, who were still in the room as well.

"What?"

"Thanks." I stiffened the moment Kadota wrapped his arms around me. What the hell? That was a first. I guessed he really was happy.

"Yeah, yeah.", I sighed, patting his shoulder a few times until he finally decided to let go. "Congrats."

"He doesn't deserve thanks for almost ditching us."

"Shut up! I still came, right?... Don't pout at me!"

She took Kadota's hand and made a face at me, sticking out her tongue. I turned my head to the other side,pretending to ignore her, while she huffed annoyingly.

"Stop acting like kids, you two. Do I have to be a babysitter even today?"

"Of course!"

"Of course!"

"Why you-!"

Receiving a few pats on the back by his wife he sighed as he pulled her in his arms, the smile returning to his face.

"Come on, let's go. Everyone's already headed there."

The moment we entered the restaurant the two of them were completely surrounded by several guests who started congratulating them again. Leaving them I went ahead, intending to find a good place to sit. Passing by a desk I stopped when a book caught my attention. It had names and numbers. Yeah, of course it'd be like that.

It's not like I knew anybody so I didn't really care, but still I didn't want to end up next to some guy who decided I looked like a person he could chat with. Because I wasn't. The weds had a table all to themselves, although I was sure they'd probably spend most of their time goofing around. Searching through the page I saw my name, which was the first one assigned to table 3. I guessed I had nothing better to do, so I might as well go and have a drink or something. I looked around until I found it and... What the?

Actually first I wanted to congratulate my dear friend one more time. In the gut.

"Hey, Kadota."

"Yes?"

"Can you come with me for a second."

"What is it-Wah!" I grabbed his arm and dragged him over to the guest book. "What?"

"Here's my name. I'm on...?"

"...Table 3?"

"Okay. Now, could you please look at table 3?"

"Hmmmm... ...Ah...Ahah...Ahahaha! That! Well, you see-"

"Kadota! I can't believe you actually dared to do that." Was a fist that close to your face scaring you? Poor you.

"No, no! You see, it's just neither me nor Reiko wanted to deal with this, since it's so annoying, so we just gave a categorized list of the guests and the seats were organized by the staff! Okay, so calm down? Haha."

"And how exactly am I in the same category as him? !"

"Well... You and Izaya are my best friends...Shizuo..."

"I'm sitting somewhere else."

"Eh? You can't. Everybody's already taken their places. It'd be rude to ask someone to move."

"I don't care."

"Geez, if you hate it that much it's not that hard to ignore someone. I'm sure he won't be extatic to try and have a conversation with you either."

"It's not a matter of talking. I don't want him anywhere near me!"

"Haa, stop being a kid already. Look, I have to go, we'll talk later. And don't you dare do something stupid."

"Wait-!"

Shit. No way! If we were at least a seat apart or something, but right next to him! But he probably saw my name already. If I didn't go, that'd mean he'd won. Like hell!

I tried my best to look at the other side of the room as I made my way to my place. I seated myself and it didn't seem like he was going to acknowledge my presence. That was good.

"Shizuo-san."

"Huh?" I turned to the guy on my other side. I couldn't remember having seen him before.

"Ah, sorry for just adressing you. We don't really know each other, but we've heard a lot about you from Kadota. We've been friends with him since university."

"Yeah. Man, you kinda scared us back then. We thought you wouldn't show up."

"Yeah, well... I was having some difficulties."

"And Kadota was so serious about you. We told him if you couldn't make it he had no choice but to get someone else. But he was like 'No! He'll come.' Haha."

"Yeah, in the end he could've just gotten Izaya-san to do it." Ugh. "Since you three have been best budds for so long it would still be fine, right?"

"Yeah, yeah. To be honest, we were a bit surprised he chose you, though it was probably a hard decision, since the other could've gotten mad... But Izaya-san doesn't really seem bothered. Isn't that right, izaya-san?" I. Will kill you.

"Hmm? Ah, of course not. How could I be mad when it's his choice to make? Besides, I'm not really that representative so it's better that he didn't choose me."

"Eeeh, that's not true. You would've been fine there. Actually, Shizuo-san was just towering over everyone, haha!"

"But it was still good."

"Yeah, yeah, it was."

That was why I just wanted to sit somewhere on my own!

"Well then, we'll go get ourselves something to drink, so we'll leave you two to chat on your own for now. See you later." Nooooo!

Damn it. I hated you but that didn't mean you had to leave me alone with him! Well, there were some other people at his end of the table, but I couldn't even see them clearly cause that'd mean looking his way!

Gah, for now I was just gonna turn on my other side. Yeah, I think showing him my back would be enough for him to not even try to say something to me. Even if he didn't look like he had any intention of doing so... We probably looked weird right now. And I was starting to get pissed off for some reason.

"Heyyy."

Hmm?

"Ah, hey, Rei-chan. What's up? Is everything going okay?"

"Yeah, it's all perfect! I was just looking around the guests and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves a lot, it makes me totally happy!"

"That's good."

"But looking at you two totally makes me want to throw up."

"Ah?"

"Geez, you're ruining the mood with all your sulking."

"Haha, no one's sulking. It's just you imagination."

"...HEY, Shizuo, you bastard. Even though the bride has come especially to check on you you act like you haven't noticed me at all."

"I have!" Grunting, I forced myself to turn around.

"Man, when exactly are you two going to sort things out? Kadota just needs this little to be completely happy."

"But I thought it was obvious that we already have."

No it wasn't, moron.

"Really. Then why are you still ignoring each other?"

"Hmm, that just turned out to be the best solution. But there's no reason to be talking about this. Today you should just be happy and enjoy yourself." What was with those disgusting smiles?

"Oh, but I am! I'm just waiting for Kadota so we can rock the dancefloor!"

"Waah, good luck! He's not really a good dancer."

"I know, that's why I'm looking forward to it."

"Haha, you're so evil, Rei-chan~"

"Ehh, but as my husband, I have the right to torture him now, right?"

"Hmm, I suppose."

"Ah, there he is! Well, then, see you later! Just hurry and make up properly, you two!"

"Yes, yes." He gave her one last grin as he waved at her while she ran to Kadota and then we fell into silence again. Soon everyone started laughing hysterically at Kadota's pathetic attempts at doing dance moves but as funny as it was I was still overcome by this annoying feeling poking at me whenever I caught a glimpse of any part of that bastard! Even something like his hand. That hand that four months ago…

I had to get away for a bit. I got up and fetched my car keys that I'd dropped on the tablle earlier.

"...Where are you going?" Did you just hear something? No? Yeah, me neither.

"What, are you leaving?"

"...And if I am?"

"You can't swallow your pride even for something as simple as to attend your best friend's wedding? Today is his day, stop being so self-centered."

"Tch, funny, coming from someone like you. And I was just going out for a smoke. I forgot my pack in the car."

"...Ah."

Fuck. What was he acting all high and mighty for? ! And he actually dared to talk to me in that mocking way!

I was so angry that you had to go quite a way through the cloud of cigarette smoke if you wanted to find me. Huffing out another addition I noticed someone running from down the street. He looked like a complete idiot, almost bumping in every person he passed by. I was surprised when he came to a halt right in front of the stairs I was currently at.

"Haaa... I'm so late!"

...That voice-

"Ah, Shi-zu-o-san~"

This was just going to keep getting worse, wasn't it?

"Long time no see!"

Oh wow, and he was going to keep talking.

"How long has it been? Four months?"

Maybe the fact that I turned to the other side should give you a hint? Yeah, that's right, just go right past me and-

"Shi-zu-o-san!"

"Ow! Don't yell in my ear!"

"Well, you seemed to be carried away, since you weren't answering me." That was definitely the reason.

"...What the hell are you doing here?"

"Ah, well, sadly I missed the ceremony but I still wanted to congratulate Kyohei-san, since he took the trouble to invite me. I hope I'm not too late here, too."

"...You're not, they just started a short while ago."

"Oh, that's good!"

"..."

"Hmm, could it be you're still mad at me?"

Given that some things could've been avoided if it weren't for your stupidity, I'd say yeah, a little.

"Just go inside already."

"But, it was your fault too. Actually falling for it, I was kind of surprised."

"I told you to get lost. I don't know what weird game you were playing, but congratulations on fucking things up beyond the imaginable."

"But I just wanted to help."

"How the hell did any of the stuff you did help anyone? !"

"Well, since it was obvious that you were a stubborn person, I thought you needed a little push…"

"A push?"

"Why do you think I said all that?"

"…How should I know."

"Haha, I see. Then not much progress has been made, I guess... You really are a stubborn person."

Having already finished my cigarette I put it out and tossed it in the near trash can as I headed back inside myself, the clown actually daring to walk next to me.

"Waa, so many people...Where do I sit?"

"Just check in the damn book."

"Hmmm...Ah, here's Izaya'san!...Ooh, you're on the same table?"

I just frowned at that.

"So I'm not going to sit with him. That's not fair!"

"You can switch seats with me."

"Eh, I-"

"No."

"Kadota."

"Ah, Kyohei-san! Congratulations! I wish only the best for you from now on!"

"Thanks a lot, Shintarou. Ah, I'm sorry but I'm pretty sure your seat is over there." He pointed at a table a little bit further and following his gaze I saw that guy's idiotic smile fade just a little bit.

"...I see."

"Ah, maybe we should have seen to this a bit as well..."

"You think?" He glared at me but didn't have the time to say anything as the clown spoke again.

"No, no, it's fine. It is appropriate, after all." He didn't look like he agreed with what he was saying.

"I told you we could switch places."

"Ah..."

"As if I'm gonna let you anywhere near my colleagues! Haven't you already embarrassed me enough?"

"What? ! When the hell have I ever embarrassed you?"

"...Really?"

"Well... Shut up! Fine, geez!" Idiot! What, it's not like I was gonna show naked baby pictures of him or something! Grunting, I headed back for my table.

"Ah, wait, Shizuo-san! I'll just come by and say hello to Izaya-san." Huh? No funny pronounciation of my name?

"That doesn't mean we have to walk together!"

"But waait~"

We reached the table only to find that he wasn't there. I just took my seat while he started looking around.

"Hmm, did he go to the bathroom...? Ah, there he is!"

Glancing over to where he was pointing I saw him on the dancefloor, dancing with some woman.

"Who is that?...Oh."

Glancing over again, due to the slightly weird face that guy was making I felt getting just this little frustrated at the way he was smiling at her.

"Ahh, that looks so nice. I haven't done it in a while... Will you dance with me?"

...What.

"Huh?" Turning to him I almost jumped when I saw he had actually extended his hand at me.

"P-Put your hand down, idiot! The hell is wrong with you? There're tons of women here, just ask one of them!" I don't think I was the most embarrasing person at this wedding.

"Eeh, but I can't just go and ask someone I don't know."

"And what makes you think it's okay to ask a man? !"

"And what's so wrong? Come on~"

"Wow, no! Just wait for the bastard to finish and ask him, then!"

"So boring~" He sighed as he plopped himself on Izaya's seat and rested his head on the table.

"But he probably won't agree, too. He's still a bit mad at me..."

I looked over to him. Well, even if it was all a set up I still kinda wondered. I don't know why I did it aloud, though.

"...So you don't really like him?"

"Hmm?" He turned his head to me, though I wasn't really look at him anymore. He stared at me for a few moments until he suddenly laughed and sat back. "Haha, of course I do. Quite a lot. Well, only not in the same way you think I do."

"Well, it's you who forced me to think that way! !...So, why?"

"Why? ... Oh. Well, I didn't lie when I said that he helped me. He did so more than he can imagine."

"And what exactly did he do?"

"...I'm not going to tell that to someone who doesn't even want to dance with me. Hmph!"

"..."

"Shintarou-kun?"

"Izaya-san! Did you finish already?"

"Ah? Yeah, for now."

"Well, I was just warming your seat.", he laughed as he got up and gestured for Izaya to sit down. "I wanted to say hi so I waited here and had a little chat with Shi-zu-o-san." Don't mention my name in a conversation with him!

"Where are you sitting?"

"...There." He pointed at the table without even looking at it.

"Oh? So you'll be with those guys. That's lucky." Yeah, my thoughts exactly-Wait! Why the hell was he acting like he didn't want to sit next to me just as much? ! I was the one who hated it way more! "Say, mind if I go there for a bit?"

"Well, Kyohei-san seemed really mad when Shizuo-san asked to change places..."

"Hmm, it's not permanent. I'll come back... here, so just for a while. I'm sure he won't mind it."

"Ah...It's not like I want to go there..."

"Huh?"

"Well, I guess it's fine for now."

"Okay, then. Sorry for the...inconveniece." He threw a glance at me and before I understood what exactly he meant he was already over there.

"I'll give you an inconveniece, you walking piece of-"

"No, no! I'm sure he didn't mean it that way, Shizuo-san! Don't yell... Well," he started as he sat back in the chair. " but it seems Izaya-san has turned a bit cold to you as well. Though the last time you saw each other you had an argument, right? So I guess it's normal. I was really surprised when I heard you had gone to his place! But he didn't tell me any details... Say, why did you go, Shizuo-san? Was it because of that? Because you were angry that he 'was with me'?"

"No! Why would I confront him about who he's with? !" ...Although I did.

"Then why? I've been really curious, you know~"

"That..." I went because...because...

"Shizuo-san? Are you okay, you're starting to turn red... Waah, tell me!"

"Shut up! Like I'd tell you!" Fuck. Asking me that, after I unsucsessfully tried to forget it all this time… But those fucking images still popped up un my mind whenever the hell they wanted to. I mean, who the hell would want to remember getting pinned to the floor by a man...And that touching...

"Ah, Shizuo-san, let go of the table. It's cracking!"

"Huh?" Ah, right. Fuck, I had to calm down. Just a little longer and then there'd really be no reason to see that bastard ever again. After all... that's what I wanted. That way I could just forget all this.

"Geez, you really are a weird one... I guess people must truly love you to be able to put with this behaviour constantly. For like, say...eight years?"

"Cut it out! The hell? So Kadota's in love with me as well, then? ! Don't say stupid crap."

"... I guess I should really give it up." He sighed as he scratched the back of his head.

"You shouldn't have even involved yourself in this."

"Maybe, I guess it was pointless after all..."

"Wow, am I hallucinating or are you two actually sitting next to each other and having a normal conversation?"

"Kyohei-san."

"Normal's far from it."

"Where's Izaya?

"We swapped for a while."

"Ah, I see...Well, at least you're in a better company."

"There isn't even a place for comparison! Shizuo-san and I are enjoying ourselves very much! Isn't that right?"

"What? ! You just said I was impossible to bear with!"

"Eh? I didn't really say it like that. I just meant that it was probably hard to stay by your side for that long. Not that it was unpleasant or anything."

"...You were talking about stuff like this? That's quite the progress, Shintarou."

"Really? Hehe, thanks."

"Don't talk like I'm some kind of experiment! He just said things on his own!"

"Yeah, yeah... Man, that girl is as persistent as ever, huh?"

"What?" I was a bit baffled at the sudden change of topic.

"Well, I guess she's just using the occasion. Although Izaya-san seems to be giving in lately."

"Somehow I don't really like that."

"Ah, because of that rumour?"

"What are you two talking about?"

"That woman that's been all over Izaya."

"I don't care then."

"Of course."

"...What rumour?" What? I was just curious.

"Well, nothing special, really. But it has been going around that she's kind of... You know, an easy woman. And like a 2+2 easy."

"Yeah, but she's been circling around him for some time now. You think she'd go that far just for that?"

"Even if she was after him, that doesn't mean she couldn't have been after someone else, as well...Hmmm, but who knows, you could be right. Maybe it is just a rumour, spread around since she's pretty."

"...So they're together or something?" Well, fucking bastard was pretty quick to forget, huh? For a "pathetic lovesick idiot" he was doing quite well! And here I was avoiding any physical contact with a woman for the past few months, cause there was this one time when I tried and just as I suspected that scene was the first thing that appeared before my eyes. And the scary shit was that I managed to get it up despite that… Yeah,despite! Not bec-….

"No, aren't you listening? She's just making the moves... Although by the looks of it they might be some time soon."

"Has he heard that rumour?"

"Hmmm... I think so."

"Then why doesn't he just do her and see if it's true?"

"Because he's not like that?"

"Not like what? He can't have one-time sex with someone? What, is he a woman or something? Cause as far as I know- I know nothing! What could I possibly know? !" Blah, that was close...Or was it?

"Huh?... Wait a minute-"

"No, there's-"

"Dotachin."

"Ah, Izaya."

"What's wrong? Why aren't you with your bride?"

"Gah, those crazy girfriends of her suddenly got all over her with their insane girly ramblings and I had to get away for a while... Where are you going?"

"Hmm, I was just heading to the restroom."

"Oh, okay. Hurry up, though, I think my old man's gonna make a toast soon and that's something you wouldn't wanna miss."

"Of course. I'll be right back."

I was actually thankful he diverted the attention from me, but now that he was gone two pairs of very suspicious eyes turned back to me.

"So, what was that babbling all about?"

"Nothing! Ah, I'll go out for another smoke!"

"Shizuo!" Too late. I was already out of the room.

I hated it when I acted like an idiot. Letting my mouth slip like that... Just stupid. Calming down a little, I looked over to the toilets... No, what was I thinking? Wasn't I trying to be as far away from him as possible? Whatever he did was no longer any of my business. Despite that there was still this irrational annoying need to just go and yell at him. And maybe even hurt him a little.

Cracking the door open just in time with the water flushing, I watched as he got out of the stall a few moments later. He completely ignored me as he washed his hands and then proceeded to come towards the exit.

Seeing that I was blocking his way and had no intention of changing that he rolled his eyes.

"...Aren't you going to get in?"

"I heard just now you got yourself a woman. Should've told me earlier, since it's quite the achievemnt for you, after all.", I mocked and he looked a bit confused at first.

"Woman?"

"The one that's clinging to you all the time."

"…Aikawa-san? Well, it's not like she's my woman... Not yet, anyway. But I believe this is none of your business, right?" I knew that, dammit.

Gritting my teeth, I shoved him back in as I shut the door behind me.

"Is that so? Well, you're quite bold, aren't you? Getting close to a woman, even though there are such rumours about her."

He looked surprised for a moment but soon enough there was a laugh as he ran a hand through his hair.

"Geez, Dotachin and his big mouth... Well, it's not like they're just rumours."

"...Huh?"

"Well, we've talked about it and she didn't deny it. Apparently she did have her share of fun in that aspect. Well, it's not like she's slept with every guy she's met, but let's just say she's had a bit more than a few in her record. But then again, she's never really looked for anything serious up until now. She was still careful in picking, though. It's just that most of them she's never really seen twice, it was a mutual agreement. Oh, but apparently ever since she got herself this job she decided to get serious and stop fooling around like a stupid kid. Well, ever since then she says she hasn't and won't really do it again, she realizes how silly it was."

"She can say whatever she wants, there's no way for you to know if she's actually doing it or not."

"Hmm, I don't think she'd really lie to me."

"And you're fine with someone like that?"

"What do you mean? As long as she's realized the nature of her behaviour and made steps to change it it's all fine, isn't it?"

"It could still turn out to be a lie in the end."

"I highly doubt it, but even so it will be my problem to deal with, right?" Don't smile at me when you knew how much it was going to piss me off.

"Ah… what are you staring like that for? Could it be you don't believe me?... Haha, could you possibly be thinking I'm with 'that kind of person' because I'm still depressed or something?"

"Well, you-"

"Didn't I tell you to stop being self-centered? Come on, Shizu-chan, people get dumped every day, it's just a normal thing, isn't it? Yeah, it was hard in the beginning, but I got over it a long time ago. Now, please get out of the way."

"Well, I guess this is why you two're getting along so well. After all, last time you basically did the same, right? You got what you wanted and that was the end of it."

"Oh, really? Well, even if it was like that you'd guess I didn't exactly get what I would've wanted, no? After all, you're the only one who felt good~"

"Sh-Shut up! Who the hell felt good? ! It was so fucking terrible I almost puked!"

"Yes, yes. It was so horrible that you could do nothing but run off like an innocent maiden after being jerked off by another man."

Anger instantly rising inside me I grabbed his suit as I spun him around and slammed him against the door.

"Ugh! What exactly is your problem? ! I'm just trying to do something with my life after wasting a few years in vain! So what if she made some mistakes? Who hasn't? !"

He fell silent for a bit, probably waiting for me to let go. I was too enraged to think of that, though.

"We're no more than strangers now, so there's no need for you to concern yourself with me. In fact, I'm asking you not to."

"Shut up! I'll do whatever I want!"

"Wow, you're just being irrational now... Come on, even though this event unfortunately brought us in the same place it doesn't mean we have to acknowledge each others' presence in any way. Even though I did that kind of thing, thinking I'd push you away for good you still come butting in my life...What, do I have to rape you?"

Hearing that I couldn't even control my body as I pulled him close to me, only to smash him back with a huge force. He coughed and gasped for breath but I didn't let go of him even for a second. If my hands weren't holding his clothes they'd probably go for his throat.

"Aahh, that hurt... Can I go now?...Hey, Shizu-chan...Ah, geez, your face is burning." He reached out and his hand felt like ice considering the heat my face was radiating… Wait, was he actually touching me? "Today's your day for blushing,huh. Earlier, too…"

"...What? Were you watching me? !"

"Ah, you just attracted attention without even realizing it. You should stop yelling... And you almost gave yourself away just now." Gah, so he heard? But does that mean he saved me, then? Did he butt in on purpose?

I was quickly thrown out of my thoughts when he spoke again.

"...Man, just how long are we going to stay like this? If anything, shouldn't I be the one pinning you?" Okaay, this was going way over the edge!

My right fist retracted in preparation for a painful hit but it froze half way when I received a hard kick in the knee.

"Ah ah, I gave you the chance for that when the moment was right, didn't I? You can't hit me now, I don't feel like going around with a black eye all day."

Fuck, that actually hurt! Especially since I wasn't expecting it...

I slumped for a moment, waiting for the damn pain to subside. I was startled when suddenly I heard the door handle twist, soon followed by a knock.

"Hello, is anybody inside?"

Getting snapped back into reality I let go of him and he immediately pushed me away, opening the door.

"Wah, I'm very sorry. We were just talking and didn't even realize we were blocking the way."

"Ah, no, it's fine."

Well, wasn't he a good actor. Everything was apparently showing on my face though, as the man became quite concerned when he spotted me and quickly headed for one of the stalls.

Without another word, the bastard went out the door.

I stayed there a few more minutes, waiting to calm down and compose myself.

Soon I went back and nearing my table a pair of curious eyes focused on me again. I ignored it as I sat back.

"Enjoyed your smoke?~"

"Yeah..."

"Too bad you forgot your cigarettes." I flinched when he dropped the pack in front of me. Uhh...

"So, what are you trying to hide-"

"Just drop it already! Geez, it's nothing and even if it was you have no right to ask! !"

"Hmph, fine then!" The hell was he pouting for? He got up from the table but soon stopped amd turned back to me.

"Ah, I'm getting myself something to drink. You want something?" Now he was being nice?

"...Are you going to spit in it?"

"What? ! Shizuo-san, you-"

"Fine, fine... I don't really want anything in particular. Just get me the same as yours."

"You sure about that?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, okay."

Sighing, I found I had nothing better to do than look around. Even though I didn't want to, and I cursed myself with a thousand curses, I couldn't help my gaze lingering every time I looked at that table. He was just happily chatting with his friends like he didn't have a care in the world. But maybe he no longer had one. He said so himself, right? And that woman was taking just as much of a part in the conversation, laughing and constantly running her hand up and down his right arm and shoulder. I noticed a few of the guys giving her funny looks when she did it, but Izaya the Goddamn Bastard didn't seem to mind it at all.

The clown soon came back, carrying two glasses of...

"The hell's this?"

"Peach juice."

"...Peach juice?"

"Peach juice. Is there a problem?"

"Yeah. How old are you, five?"

"Eeh? Why do you have to be so mean? I don't really like alcohol and my throat's kinda sore, so I didn't want to drink a soda or something like that. So, juice for me."

"You don't like alcohol yet that time you took us to a bar?"

"Well, where else could I have taken you? Besides, I didn't drink any. But apparently you were to busy to notice!~ …If you hate it that much then just go get something your-"

"Fine! It's ok, so just give me the damn juice!" The things I had to worry about with a guy like this! Why wouldn't he just scram already? Oh, that's right, because the knee-kicking rapist was over there. I glanced over once more and was caught off guard when the woman turned to me almost immediately and gave me a weird look. Shit, did she notice me staring that way earlier? I immediately looked away and tried to distract myself by downing my glass.

"Shizuo-san, that was a lot of juice for one take."

"Oh wow, yeah, I hope I don't get completely wasted!" Glare at me all you want. You asked for it.

After a while his phone rang and he left me while he went outside to talk. Of course, the first thing my stupid brain decided was for me to turn to look again, even though I knew I shouldn't, now that that leech was on guard. Surprisingly I noticed that she wasn't there.

The last thing I'd expect was for her to appear right next to me.

"Hello."

She was looking down at me and had this smile on her face that I didn't really know what to think of.

"You were staring a lot, weren't you." Oopsie.

"Well, that was-"

"Hehe, could you have been looking at me?" Her laugh was unbelievably innocent for someone with a history like that... Wait, her? She thought I was looking at her?... Well, duh. Who would think I'd be looking at a flea, of all things. That table was full of mostly men and it would be normal for her to think that way since she was the only one I could've looked at in that particular area... Well, I didn't really feel like correcting her so I just shifted my gaze away.

"Aww, geez. And you would've been such a big catch too." She laughed again as she ruffled my hair. What was I, a faithful mutt? "Well, too bad I'm already taken."

"Not from what I've heard.", I grunted as I pushed her hand away... Huh, the fuck did I have to say that for. She looked at me suspisciously.

"And just what have you heard? And from whom?"

I think in the past few months I'd managed to uncover my true essence. That of stupidity. Man, whatever. There wasn't a point in hiding shit, I just didn't care.

"That thing you've been latching onto for the past few hours." I only pointed in his direction with my thumb.

"Eh, you know Izaya?" Well, weren't they close. "...Oh, right! He was sitting here earlier, wasn't he? So you're his friend..."

"Can't really say that anymore."

"Hmm, anymore? Did something happen?"

"We had... a conflict of interests."

"Oh... Hey, what exactly did he tell you?" It wasn't him that told me the most important part, though.

"That you're not really together yet or something like that..."

"Hehe, 'yet'? Maybe I'll finally get him soon." A wider smile spread on her face and she looked at the table absentmindedly, her mind seemingly having gone in the clouds or some shit.

"Why'd you like him?" Why was I asking that question? ! She pondered for a moment before answering.

"Well, cause he's a likable guy? Though I really developed a liking for him after I told him a secret of mine." Yeah, sorry to inform you, that ain't really a secret. "...Aah, talking like this with a man whose name I don't even know." Yeah, that was kinda... "I'm Minami Aikawa." Oh great. I didn't want to know you.

"...Heiwajima Shizuo."

"That's a pretty name." Oh, thank you. I feel so flattered. "...Say, were you actually any close to Izaya?" Well... After all this I wasn't really sure if I had been.

"I guess I was..."

"Then, can I ask you something?"

"...What?"

She walked around and took the seat next to me, before resuming.

"Well, the truth is, maybe something could've happened long ago, but we're still like this because I decided not to pressure him. He said he would try to be with me, but he needed some time since he had recently ended this unrequited love of his. He didn't really give any details, but obviously it was quite painful for him. Do you know something about that?"

Fuck, this is gotta be some sick joke. Was this wedding my ultimate hell? That woman just had to pick the worst possible person to ask this about!

"Um, that is, I don't want a lot of details or anything. He obviously doesn't want people to know about it and I acknowledge that, but... I'm just curious. I mean, what kind of woman would be stupid enough to refuse him?" The kind of woman that can fling your ass to the other side of Japan! ! ... Wait what. "And even though I've nagged him about it, he's too stubborn to even tell me just the smallest bit about her, like at least what she looked like. I don't see how telling that would be harmful in any way, right?" You had no idea. "The only thing that slipped him once, and I think he didn't even realise it, was that he called her...Ahh, what was it? Shin-no… Shizu-chan? Yeah, that was it...Kinda weird."

"Look, I don't-" ...What? ! Noo! No no no no no! I was so fucked…!

"Hey, are you okay? You got a really strange expression all of a sudden..." Fuck no, I'm not okay! Shit! Though, it didn't look like her brain was clicking yet...Maybe...

"Shizuo-saan~ Who have you replaced me with alrea-" He reached the table and seeing her, his face became all serious. "Oh... Hello, Aikawa-san."

She didn't seem phased at all, though, as she answered with a huge grin. "Heey, Shintarou-kun, sorry for just inviting myself... Well then, I'll leave now. Nice talking to you, Heiwajima Shizuo-san." She made to get up and I felt so damn relieved for a moment, but was almost petrified when she fell back into the chair. She was looking at me with wide eyes and her mouth opened.

"Wait… Shizuo... Shizu..." I clasped my hands in front of my mouth as an audible gasp threatened to escape me, shaking my head. "Shizu...chan?"

"No no no! It's not like that at all! !"

"Eeeh? You're allowed to call him that? And he was so angry when I said it~" Damn you to hell, you fucking clown! I hope you fell asleep and never woke up! ! Actually, I'd be glad to help with that!

"You...You have five seconds to get as far away from me as possible." I turned to him and he only furrowed his brows in confusion.

"Huh? Why, what'd I-"

"One..."

"I..."

"Two."

"But..."

"Three! ! !"

"I'm going, then!"

…Shit, what now...

"...So that was your conflict of interests?"

"...Yeah."

"…Then, the one you were looking at all along was possibly… not me?" Aww, this sounded so wrong!

"I wasn't looking at him! He... was just pissing me off!"

She rubbed her neck nervously a few times before saying quietly enough, so only I can hear.

"So, Izaya's gay...?"

"Dunno..."

"Huh?"

"I don't know who or what he's been with all these years, so..."

"Yeah, but if you're attracted to someone of the same sex you're gay, right? !"

"Or bi?" Come on, you, of all people, should know about sexuality and stuff, from what I've heard.

"But something like that...A love with another man would be way more binding, wouldn't it?"

For some reason she looked genuinely scared. He showed an interest in her, right? For a woman like her that'd be enough. Guess she wasn't that confident in her progress, after all.

We didn't say anything for a while. Soon our silence was broken by the most innapropriate for the situation person.

"Aikawa-san? What on earth are you sitting here for?"

It took her a few moments to actually look up at him, putting up a faint uncertain smile.

"Oh, Izaya. I... I just heard this person was your friend so I came to have a chat with him..."

He gave out a small, somehow bitter, laugh at that.

"Who told you that? Cause he's one big fat liar."

"He's not?...Then what is he to you?" I could only guess how he'd freak out if he knew the true meaning behind that question.

"Nothing much. Just this person I met some time ago. Though we both wish we'd never really met." You had no right to wish for anything, bastard! Still playing the victim after everything...!

"Is that so…"

"Yeah. Our acquaintance was probably the most unpleasant one in my life, but—"

"…How can you talk like that?"

"...Eh?"

"You loved this person so much and now you're saying you wish you never met him?"

His eyes widened at that, though he didn't have the time to say anything as she continued.

"Even if the other, for whatever reason, didn't answer your feelings, you'd still love them just the same, wouldn't you? Just because he rejected you, you start thinking like this?"

"... That's not it at all."

"Then how is it? You never even said anything about the person you loved! It's understandable if you didn't want to tell it was a man, but why didn't you say anything at all? !"

"Because I wanted to forget..!"

"... You know, I've made so many mistakes I have no right to judge anybody... Even if it's a bit late I was finally ready to actually try and see if this 'love' everybody's so hyped up about is something for me. And I chose you, Izaya! Because you listened to me and accepted me. Because you'd had such a mishap so I thought you'd be able to help! But-"

"Nothing has changed, Aikawa-san. You're just phased right now, because you learned some shocking news. I think it's best we continue this conversation when you've calmed down."

He put a hand on her shoulder and she let out a shaky sigh, trying to calm herself.

I listened to this woman's words, I saw her reaction and in that moment I felt like I was supposed to feel some kind of sympathy for her. Why was it that the main thing I could think about was that damn hand on her shoulder? !

"Heh... So is this your plan now?" I snapped my head up to look at him, since his leering tone only meant he could be talking to me.

"The hell are you talking about?"

"You're trying to ruin whatever you can-"

"He didn't do anything! It was completely by accident that I figured it out..." He looked down at her again and gave her a reassuring smile.

"Relax, Aikawa-san. Why don't you go and freshen up a bit?" She just stared uncertainly at him. "Don't worry, it's all fine." She hesitated a moment longer, before getting up and slowly exiting the restaurant.

He looked after her for a while when he suddenly leaned closer as a glare was shot right through me.

"Listen! You have no right to do this."

"I didn't fucking do anything, you idiot!"

"How can someone accidentally find out about something like this? !"

"If anything, it's your damn fault! !"

"Huh?"

"You're the one who told her 'the person you loved was called Shizu-chan'! So blame yourself!"

"...But why were you talking with her in the first place? !"

"Th-that… She was the one that came to me! Didn't you hear what she said? !"

"She wouldn't come without a reason!... Haah, whatever. I don't even want to listen to you."

Without so much as another glance at me he turned away.

"...Where the hell are you going?"

"To see if she's okay, of course. I don't want something so stupid to affect our relationship."

Jumping up I grabbed him by the shoulder and turned him around, my face suddenly twisted with anger.

"You fucking bastard! You said you loved me that much yet you never once considered seeing what shit I was going through because of you. And now you're talking like you're all that... You're the one who's been the most self-centered all this time! Your pathetic ass doesn't deserve the love of any human!" …Uh, where did that come from…

Realizing I'd attracted some attention with this I quickly shoved him away with a violent push. He just stared at me, looking as if he was in a complete shock and I only glared back, daring him to just scram already. A few seconds later he did so, almost running out.

I stomped my way back to my seat and was startled when I felt someone suddenly get behind me. Spinning around I was kind of relieved to see it was only the clown.

"Shizuo-san..."

"What?"

"Th-that...Gh..."

"What the-? Are you fucking crying? !"

I froze when he threw himself at me, though I felt I quickly had to recover and push the idiot away, since there were a lot of weird glances our way.

"Agh, get off me!"

"Uwaa, but that was so sad! ! Wh-who knew you were actually... suffering that much!"

"Who was suffering? Don't talk nonsense!... The fuck are you looking at? !" That and a murderous look was enough for the bastards to start minding their own business again.

Sighing, in the end I only facepalmed while I patted the moron's head a few times.

"The hell is wrong with you?"

"Guh...Guess I got drunk on that juice..."

"Idiot."

Soon those two came back and they quickly passed by me, with her giving me a somewhat concerned look, though I pretended to ignore her, and the piece of shit just whooshing by me.

At one point Kadota stopped by, having heard that I'd had some kind of fight. I had to fucking assure him a thousand times that it was all fine.

Some more time passed and by now it was time for the wedding to come to an end. The guests started slowly filing out, stopping by the newlyweds' table one last time, before leaving. Soon their table decided to call it a day. All of them left at the same time so they were probably planning on continuing the party on their own. I turned to the other side until I was sure they'd left.

After about half an hour later most of the people were already gone, including Shintarou, who said he had some work to do, so I decided my time had come as well.

I congratulated those two one last time and barely waited to set foot outside of the hotel before lighting a cigarette. I lazily blew out the smoke in a thin stream, feeling the nicotine take it's usual effect on my body...

That was finally the end, right? Now I'd probably really never see him again... That was good, cause all this frustration was seriously fucking up my nerves. But why the hell was that thought making me just as angry?

Trying to push it out of my mind I made my way down the stairs, but came to a halt when someone suddenly stood in my way. What the...

"Shizu-chan..." I ignored him as I tried to walk around. "Shizu-chan! Just wait a minute!"

"What? !"

"I stayed back just so I could say something to you, so at least listen!"

"No one asked you to do that! Does your girlfriend know? !"

"She even insisted...Listen, we've both been acting like idiots all this time… You got pissed off because of this and even though I didn't want to, I was angry too, because you did just what I expected you to do!... And your words kind of shocked me earlier. Of course I'd expect you to feel anger and hate and since that was already too much. I honestly don't think I'd ever consider that you'd actually felt pain or something like that..."

"Who-"

"I know the way I've been acting is disgusting, but you can't blame me! There's already no other way for us. I've tried hard to move on and Aikawa-san's a part of my life now..."

"...And you love her?"

"Well… I will, eventually... She's really a good woman that's just gone down the wrong path."

"So you really don't l-lo, fuck… love me anymore, do you?" Those words came out way easier earlier.

"Eh?"

"…Well?"

"What... Don't ask silly questions. It doesn't matter at all at this point... I've already started buiding up my life… Ah, and lastly, since this should be our last meeting I just thought that we should finally part like normal civilized adults. What I did last time is really unforgivable and I won't even make excuses for myself, but at least now we have the chance to do it properly, right?"

I already knew that, fuck, how annoying! Last time, last time!...Yeah, it really was the last time I was seeing this idiot, wasn't it? Eight years of him being all up in my face, of being together almost all the fucking time, of constant jokes about my stupidity, then a few agonizing months of anger and hurt, just so it could come to a pathetic end like this.

My uncontrollable temper stirring up again, my fist only flew past his extended hand as it slammed against the concrete stairs. A loud crack was heard, though I was pretty sure it wasn't from my hand.

He stepped back, obviously not expecting this kind of reaction. I wasn't either.

"Huh? What's the matter?"

"This is fucking pissing me off! ! What the hell is wrong with me? ! Ever since that happened there've been fucking numerous times when I could've just never seen your stupid face again! I never even gave a fuck then, I hoped for that! So why the fuck am I so agitated now? !"

"Eh..." Damn, did I really just say that out loud? "Haha, well! We've had our good moments, so it's normal to feel that way even for someone like me. I'm sure it'll pass quickly enough."

"What the hell are you laughing for? ! That's fucking stupid! Who'd wanna feel anything, huh?" I tried to land a few punches on him with my now slightly swollen hand, but he quickly dodged them, jumping back. After the last one, however, he tripped on the small rail on the sidewalk. Multiple gasps were heard as he tried to keep his balance but failed. I managed to grab his arm just before he fell in front of a car that didn't even attempt to slow down. Fucker was lucky It was already dark, so I couldn't see his plate. Although I wouldn't have really thought about that in that moment...

Fuck, I could've killed this guy just now… He could've died, but for a moment I felt like I fucking had! It was like my damn heart stopped, though now it was beating so hard it was almost painful. This son of a bitch was just...

"Wa-Waah...That was close." He waved at the people that had stopped out of concern and seeing that he was fine they threw one last glance before continuing on their way.

…Shit, why did it have to be this stupid thing? After all the things that happened, including stuff like that, why did I feel like this now? Why was I feeling so damn scared? !

"Izaya, I-"

"Hah, I guess a normal goodbye is impossible after all... I have to go."

He escaped my grasp quicker than I could react as he went on his way.

"Izaya!"

He didn't stop or turn back. Pretty soon he was already out of sight. I wasn't going to chase him, because at that time I somehow felt the final realization I was left with, of the reason for my idiotically stupid actions till now, was incomparably worse than almost being hit by a car.

Bleh, well this chapter kinda turned into a messy clusterfl0ck. Yeah, I think it kinda did. And it's the longest so far! But it was somewhat half-written and then at one point I was like "…What the hell is supposed to happen now?" And I changed things a few times until I finally encountered a block. Then, I decided to be kinda ADD and started doing other stuffs and totally forgot about it. Until a few days ago, that is, when I actually remembered that I had an e-mail I can check from time to time and was reminded by some ff alerts.

But why am I even rambling, nobody gives a fudge. xD Anyway, the next chapter's gonna be the last one, cause, well, I like long stories, but I think this one's already long enough. I mean, I don't want it to be too drawn out or anything. Plus, school already started and yeah. xD