Disclaimer: I do not own Durarara! I do own my OCs though and any unrecognizable characters in the story. And the changes in the plot. Contains few prompt sentences I found on Tumblr.

Listen, I know this one's a contradiction because of how happy it sounds

But the lyrics are so down

It's ok though, because it represents, wait better yet, it is

Who I feel I am right now

You are out of my mind, you aren't seeing my side

You waste all this time trying to get to me

But you are out of my mind

- Twenty One Pilots; Not Today

CHAPTER 4

Be Concerned

August 3rd, 2005

Momoko's eyes shot open, still heavy and tired from lack of sleep. A deep frown set itself on her face as she scrunched her nose and narrowed her eyes in response to the overly bright sun's rays on her face. She did not remember falling asleep last night. The only thing that seemed to be forever imprinted in her mind were three words that devoured her unease. She figured she's must've passed out from exhaustion in the early morning hours and what finally managed to wake her up was the clamorous sound that could be easily mistaken for an explosion. She muttered a few obscurities under her breath before shutting her eyes closed once again. This time a shriek - that sounded very much like her cousin - echoed through the small house. Ignoring it, she buried herself under another pillow as if the helpless cries were nothing but an inconvenience.

"Celty, please! It's not like that at all! I didn't know you were showering- ow!" A loud thud followed suit behind and Momoko could only groan in frustration. The brunette rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand as a small yawn escaped her lips. She really didn't want to get up today. As she lay there in complete and utter silence, brooding and forcing herself to get out of bed, her phone buzzed, signalizing the arrival of a new message.

Upon hearing it, her eyes almost immediately shot to the small device, lying on the ground beside her bed. For a moment, Momoko found herself hesitating. Should she read it? Who was it from? Was it from Orihara? The questions were quickly silenced by another message. This time, her hand quickly grabbed the cell phone, opening it with one swift move. Relieved to see Kyohei's name pop up on the screen, she also felt a twinge of anxiousness. Since when was Orihara letting her have the last word?

Despite her desire to use Orihara and find out the truth about her family's role in the underground, Momoko was still reluctant, wondering whether it was a good idea in the first place. Should she step off the board before it was too late? Would Izaya let her go if she did or was she completely and utterly doomed? He, of all people didn't seem like someone who'd give up a challenge that easily. Should she use someone else instead? Should she use anyone at all? Her eyes then snapped to the cocntact name on her phone. Kadota Kyohei. He seemed to know Izaya quite well, as if he was somehow involved with him. Was he just like her? Or maybe was he one of Izaya's pawns. But still he seemed like a good guy. He was one of her few 'only' friends. But did she feel attached to him? Would she consider him someone she could fully trust? Or was he just another faceless figure in the crowd?

While Kadota seemed to be the safest option in gathering the needed information, she could not help but see the benefit of entering a game with Izaya. From what she's seen and heard from her cousin Orihara believed himself above everyone else as if he were a god. A being much more resistant to emotional pain, a being whose feelings could not be hurt. Someone who seemed to be watching the world from behind the glass that made it impossible for the observer to get too attached to their environment and other people. But was it all true? Or was it a mere excuse for Momoko, to simply justify her selfish wishes and desires of holding onto the challenge and use his own game against him. Or to simply use someone who she knew was mercillesly neutral when it came to the outcome of his plans. She wanted to know what was his involvement in the underhround sheme of things. She needed the information, no matter what it took.

But he was still human. A very powerful and dangerous human at that. And thus she found herself hesitating once again. No, she could not do it. She wasn't like her family. It was a huge mistake to provoke the boy and she could not deny that the regret of pressing the 'send' button was eating her alive. Despite her desire to find out the truth, she knew that it was risky, not only becasue of Orihara himself but also becasue of her mother who she knew would go to great lenghts to ensure that her daughter never found out what's happened to her father. But the challenge has been accepted, the board has been set and to Momoko's poor luck it was too late to exit now. And so she needed to be careful. As much as she wanted to cut to the chase and ask him about it, she knew that that kind of strategy wouldn't work on someone as cunning and as experienced like Izaya. For she knew that Orihara expected more from someone who dared to challenge the master mannipulator himself. If she was going to succedd, she had to plan out every move and most importantly follow all of his own.

'Hey, are you still up for the picnic?' She reread the message, for a moment not being able to register anything. Widening her eyes, she shot up from her bed in a matter of seconds. How could she forget? Without having the time to reply she ventured into the bathroom, ready to take a quick shower, before putting on some clothes.

"I'm going out!" She yelled, before exiting the house. Celty didn't have time to say anything before the girl was already out of the door. 'Sighing' to herself, the headless woman turned to the knocked-out Shinra who lay sprawled across the kitchen floor. This was going to be a hard day.

As soon as the door behind her closed, Momoko was met with a lukewarm, summer breeze that caressed her pink cheeks with a soft manner. The second her eyes adjusted to the bright sunlight, she strolled down to the small wooden gate, grasping the handle with her right hand. Walking through the gate, she failed to notice a smirking boy, who seemed to be leaning himself against the ivy-covered fence. Upon seeing the girl, his eyes sparkled with amusement. Straightening his form, he wondered whether she was ignoring him or if she really didn't notice him. Either way, he trailed after her, his steps quickly adapting to the same pace as they silently hit the pavement.

Mesmerized and slightly irked by the lack of any reaction from the girl in front of him, he let out an amused snicker. "Your little act is getting boring, Momo-chan" His overly cheerful and yet whiny voice reached her ears and just like that her whole body quivered, freezing in place before once again straightening her posture as she quickly turned around to meet his gaze. Her mouth opened as if to say something, before quickly shutting it once again. How could she not notice him, before? She cursed herself for not being more aware of her surroundings.

Izaya walked up to her, a smug grin still plastered all over his face as if it was as much a part of him like his insanity. He eyed her with the same excitement a mad man would feel, as he waited for her next words. But to his further amusement, she didn't say anything. Without a word, Momoko turned around and simply walked away. Izaya raised one of his eyebrows, laughing to himself as he once again followed her, this time walking beside her. "Oh, c'mon! Don't ignore me like that!" He mused. He eyed her once again but his patronizing gaze only earned him a mere side glance and a raised eyebrow.

Momoko fought the urge to run, faking the stoicism as she walked alongside him. What has she gotten herself into? She pondered to herself as a small frown formed itself on her forehead. She eyed Izaya from the corner of her eye, his eyes flashing challengingly down at her as if trying to draw out a reaction from the much shorter girl. She let out a shaky breath that unfortunately didn't go unnoticed under his penetrating gaze. She wondered whether it was due to her annoyment or the anxiety she felt around the boy. Maybe it was both.

"Listen, Orihara-san-" She finally snapped stopping in front of him, her eyes never leaving his calculating ones. Her voice was steady, much steadier than she'd expected. 'Carful' she repeated the words in her head like a mantra.

"No need to be so formal, Momo-chan" He waved her off, cutting her before she had a chance to say anything. "Call me Izaya-kun!"

"Orihara-san" She continued as if he hadn't just interrupted her - this time putting an even bigger emphasis on his last name. Izaya's grin wavered for a second. She wasn't sure whether it was caused by displeasure or entertainment. As soon as it appeared he quickly hid his irritation behind a mask. This was going to be much harder than he'd originally expected. Despite everything, Izaya could not help but feel the excitement swell inside him as she once again pinned him with a hard stare. Maybe her being difficult wasn't going to be so bad. What was the fun in getting everything so easily? "I really don't have time for this." She said, sounding rather exasperated in his opinion. But the lingering threat and stern expression didn't slide unnoticed under his analyzing stare.

"Oh, don't tell me you have plans" A small smirk emerged on his amused and yet somehow intrigued face. "A date perhaps?" Upon hearing his snicker, she fought the urge to groan. "And here I was, really thinking that you didn't have any friends! Let alone a secret lover~" He hummed, sounding more as if he were talking to himself rather than to her. Not wanting to waste any more time, she turned on her heel and once again walked away. Izaya's laughter followed suit behind. He was clearly making fun of her and yet she chose not to say anything.

'Who's acting like a dog now' She thought to herself as he once again caught up to her in one swift move. She had to act oblivious to the intentions behind his words. But then again it was a little too like for that now, now wasn't it? Despite her infuriation she didn't voice her thoughts, choosing to ignore him as he quickly resumed marching next to her. She really shouldn't have provoked him with that message. Maybe pretending that she wasn't aware of their little game would be a better idea, after all. Still, a part of her was wondering what he was thinking. Did he even read it? Why was he acting as if nothing had happened? Was he waiting for a better opportunity to mention it and taunt her? The questions left her with a bitter taste in her mouth as they walked in silence, each of them wondering what the other one was thinking about.

Spring 1999

"You need to focus, Momoko!" The nine-year-old winced, her hands on her knees, looking at her feet "Keep going!" Momoko looked up, trying to even out her rapid breathing for she knew that she could not disappoint her family, let alone her mother.

Nakamura Hitomi was a woman that many would call a worthy opponent and business partner to some of the most powerful people in Japan. Her hard-working and strict, yet rewarding nature - of course, if everything was going according to her plans - was something that her daughter feared and admired at the same time and therefore the nine-year-old wanted nothing more but to make her mother proud. She was also one of the best known prosecutors in Tokyo, if not in all of Japan and thus she was someone who didn't partcularly like to admit to her mistakes, even if the it was far from the truth. What mattered were the results and the success that came with it.

Truly, the last thing Momoko wanted to do was disappoint her further than she already did. For she knew that this time, her mother wouldn't be nearly as forgiving as the last time. And while Hitomi was aware of her daughter's young age and brittle and fragile body she was a woman who always presented herself and those under her wings as mighty and strong-willed individuals who were not afraid to do anything in their power to win.

But despite her desire to raise to her mother's expectations, Momoko could not deny that the exercises were getting harder with each lesson and as much and as hard as she tried, she couldn't follow them all.

"Momoko!" She snapped back to reality, the voice reaching her ears. She closed her eyes, not wanting to face his, what she thought must have been a disappointed face.

"I can't do it, Noboru" She avoided his eyes, focusing on the ground underneath her shaking feet. "I'm not good enough, I'm not smart enough...that's why mother hates me" The last part was a mere whisper but Noboru heard her loud and clear, as he was suddenly down beside her, grasping her shoulders as if he was afraid to let her go. The girl didn't want to meet his gaze, even when he yanked her forward and forced her to look at him.

"Don't ever think like that!" He shout-whispered and for a moment he sounded more concerned than angry. "Your mother loves you and your brother more than anything else in this world. And all those lessons?" Momoko finally dared to meet the older man's kind eyes. "They're supposed to make sure that one day you'll be as smart and as experienced like your mother" He smiled half-heartedly and at that moment she wanted nothing more than to believe him. But then again, how could she?

"Ichirou is different," She said in a small voice that soon turned into an angry snarl "He's better at everything and he doesn't even have to try!" She felt Noboru's hands cup her face as he met her angry yet confused face. From this up close she didn't fail to notice the dark circles under the young man's eyes. For a moment it was her turn to look concerned but as soon as his voice reached her ears, she turned her attention back to the conversation.

"Your brother-"

"Step brother," She cut him off, earning herself yet another half-hearted smile.

"He's also older than you, Momo-chan" The nickname rolled off of his tongue in an attempt at trying to melt the frown on her face. "He's been studying since he was eight, for god's sake! Of course, he'd be better than you by now!" She seemed to consider what the older man said before muttering a quick 'yeah' as a small smile tugged at his lips.

"Because lemme tell ya, kiddo, if he hadn't been a pro by now, I would really think there was something wrong with him" She laughed at that and although the maelstrom in her head didn't seem to calm down, she nodded her head. Nonetheless, she looked him in the eye as if making sure he was telling the truth and saw nothing but sincerity. Seeing her nod Noboru let out a sigh of relief, running a hand through his dark hair.

"Alright, kid" He tousled her hair, grinning down at her with the same crooked smile she's learned to grow fond of over the years. His dark eyes sparkled with amusement at the pout on her face. Oh, how she hated when he messed up her hair like that. "Take a break, we'll resume the lessons tomorrow" She nodded once again, a feeling of emptiness spreading itself inside of her at the sight of him standing up and walking away.

He was leaving her alone once again. For once, she wished he had truly been a part of her family. As if sensing her sadness he turned around sending a playful stern look in her direction. "And don't be late, missy"

She couldn't help but feel a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth, for she knew that he would come back tomorrow.

August 3rd, 2005

"You're really quiet for someone who looks like they're going to explode from anger." Izaya mused, eyeing the shorter girl beside him. "Don't tell me you're anything like that monster" His voice was friendly but as she eyed him from the corner of her eye it seemed like the small smile on his face didn't quite reach his eyes. Once again she chose not to reply.

"I know, I know, you're ignoring me" He sighed, the amusement and slight irritation almost undepictable in his even-sounding voice. "But it's so mean to ignore someone who saved your life! two times at that!" No response, another agonizing sigh from Izaya, and she could already feel her eyes rolling into the back of her head.

"I've heard that people had been asking you about me while I was gone" It was obvious he was trying to draw a reaction out of her. "Isn't that incredible how quickly a rumor can be spread? Humans are so interesting, always wanting to know and invest themselves in other people's lives, it's kinda pathetic really" Her eye twitched at that. Because he was the one to talk. What a hypocrite. What was he trying to say, anyway? "I didn't think they'd come up with the idea that we're dating, but oh well-"

"WHAT?!" She screeched, the sound of laughter reaching her ears not long after that.

"I knew you were listening! You're not very good at ignoring people, aren't you Momo-chan" She stopped in her tracks, glaring at him. "Don't worry, I was joking but wouldn't it be great to see their reactions?" He grinned down at her. "Yours was-"

"Shut the hell up" She muttered under her breath, meeting his vibrant gaze almost immediately "And stop following me!" His unruly eyes watched her with great interest before a small smile set itself on his lips.

"Oh but weren't you the one who said that if you feed the stray, it'll keep coming back?" He asked, his smile never faltering. Momoko's eyes narrowed in suspicion and mild annoyance.

"I was joking" She lied through gritted teeth. It didn't sound convincing even to her so she didn't bother trying to sound nonchalant.

"That's a lie" He stated, coming closer as a grin spread itself on his handsome face. "Why so defensive all of a sudden, Momo-chan?" His grin grew wider with every word and every step he took. "Did I hit a nerve?"

"I'm not-"

"Lies, lies, lies" He cut her off. "I did hit a nerve, didn't I?" Momoko opened her mouth as if to say something or protest further but before she had a chance his voice rang in her ears. "Did you change your mind?" He taunted, taking another step in her direction as she refused to back down, no matter what. "Are you perhaps, ah, what's the word..." He wondered aloud but she knew it was all a mere act. "Ah right , that's the one I was looking for...embarrassed" He finished, his eyes never leaving hers. She could feel his stare getting more excited with each second.

The next thing she felt was his breath hitting her face and she was once again reminded of two bodies pressed into each other in a dark alley. His scent engulfed her like a cloud of bad luck and Momoko found herself holding her breath as their eyes met for the thousandth time this day. "Oh, look! You're getting red already" He laughed mockingly. "Or are you blushing Momo-chan? Am I making you nervous?" He was definitely too close for her liking. She pinned him down with a hard stare but Izaya didn't seem to mind in the latest. If anything, he seemed to find it enthralling.

"Are you not used to boys being this close to you?" Momoko narrowed her eyes, trying to sustain her visible irritation. "I'd say it's cute or even adorable... but then again you could get the wrong idea, now wouldn't you? Because you see, Momoko-" The sound of her full name made her freeze as a cold shiver ran down her spine. She could see it in his eyes, he was serious. "I love all humans, I don't play favorites."

The next thing she did was something neither she nor Izaya saw coming. So when she found her hands pinning him to the ground as she tackled him, Momoko didn't waste any time on wondering whether it was a good idea in the first place. Izaya's eyes widened for a second, clearly not expecting the sudden attack.

"You're sick" She breathed out, her voice void of any emotion besides traces of pity. He frowned at that. Orihara Izaya didn't need anyone's pity and so he decided to focus his gaze on the crease in between her eyebrows and the short dark hair that cupped her face instead of her stormy eyes.

"I hope you're not this violent on a regular basis, Momo-chan" He teased, amusement dancing on his face as his whole demeanor seemed to shift in mere seconds. "Be careful or I might start comparing you to that dog Shizu-chan" The lingering threat in his voice never ceased to send bolts of anxiety and excitement through her body as an unpleasant shiver ran down her spine. For she knew exactly how the boy dealt with Heiwajima-san.

Breaking the eye contact, she hoisted herself up only to be yanked back down to her previous, if not even closer position. "But then again..." Izaya continued. His grip on her arm was becoming painful but once again she refused to give him the satisfaction of being able to hurt her so easily. "You're more of a stray kitten" Momoko fought the urge to gag as the same wicked grin that she was slowly getting used to made itself visible on his demonic face.

"I thought you were only interested in humans" She smiled, using his own words against him before deciding to go along and try to make him taste his own medicine only for her smile to falter when his reply reached her ears.

"Oh, but I always wanted to have a pet" Izaya eyed her, smirking inwardly at the sight in front of him. She was fuming with anger and yet somehow managed to stay surprisingly composed, stoic even.

"You really are insane" Her reply was short and exactly what he expected her to say after that harmless joke he'd made. But then again, seeing her visible irritation he wasn't sure himself whether it was a mere joke anymore. On the other hand, Momoko eyed him with disgust for the last time before removing his cold hand from her arm. She then stood up, free of his grip, before walking away without as much as a second glance back.

"See you tomorrow, then, Momo-chan" She heard him yell after her before his voice faded into a silent echo in her head.

'Pathetic' She thought to herself, before dialing Kyohei's number as she disappeared around the next corner. Even after that, she could still feel his lingering eyes on the back of her head.

October 2003

It's that bastard isn't it?!" The young girl pressed herself up against the door, listening. No sound from the hall. And no light but the thin line that crept under the crack of the door. She could hear her mother's associate angry voice. "I'm telling you Hitomi! That girl, she and her poor excuse of a father are too much alike! Don't you see that?!"

"Calm down, Gorou-" Her mother's voice was calm and composed, compared to the flaring man in front of her. "She hadn't been in contact with Minoru since she was five"

"Oh please, it doesn't matter if she doesn't remember him! I'm telling you it's his genes, her heritage, her legacy, whatever it is that's keeping her from obeying!" Momoko narrowed her eyes at that, clenching her hands into tight fists. How dare he blame this on her father. Truth be told Momoko didn't know much about Miyazawa Minoru to begin with but from what she's remembered, he was a good man. A good father.

"Third time this month she did that! Third! And tell you what, Noboru didn't even say anything!"

"I'll talk to Noboru and he will take care of it" Came her mother's yet another stoic sounding reply. Momoko's eyes widened at that, her hands began to shake slightly in what seemed to be suppressed anger, knowing that despite everything she did to earn her mother's attention she was met with not even as much as a scolding. Instead of talking to her daughter herself, Hitomi once again had more important thing to take care of. It was as if she felt nothing for her youngest child. Still, her mother's calm voice didn't fool her even for a second. She knew that Hitomi wasn't mad, no, her mother was disappointed in her and that was even worse than having to deal with the woman's anger. Or anything, at that point.

With a blank expression, Momoko slowly backed off, turning around as she walked through the dark house and straight into her room.

August 3rd 2005

Coming to the picnic, Kyohei didn't expect his day would get ruined after one of the bums from a local gang decided it would be a fantastic idea to try and rob them out of their food. Which of course led to a fight and that led to him walking down the street, on his way home. Togusa already left with the rest, after one of his classmates - Shouta, he believed was his name - got punched in the face. Of course, Saburo tried to offer Kyohei a lift home but the other boy declined, saying it would be best if they took care of Shouta first.

He was deep in thought wondering whether the other kid was alright when suddenly his cell phone went off. Looking at the caller's ID, he managed a small smile. "Hey, what's up?" He answered. For a moment the person on the other line was silent as if hesitating.

"Where are you?" The voice one the other line asked. He was taken aback by her tone but quickly recovered, his voice getting lower.

"I'm going home, the picnic got ruined by some slackers trying to be cool," He said evenly, his voice void of any irritation. One would think he would be more annoyed about what happened, but once again Kadota managed to stay composed throughout the whole experience. "Were you just going there?" He then asked, realizing that maybe that's why she called him.

"I-yeah I was-" She hesitated for a moment. "Well then, I should probably go home too-"

"Miyaz- Uh Momoko" He corrected himself, remembering her telling him that it was okay to call her that. Still, it was the first time he actually decided to call her by her first name and therefore he could not help but feel a little bit awkward. Her heart skipped a beat at that. Her name sounded so foreign on his tongue. So different, compared to Orihara saying it earlier. For there was no malice in Kyohei's voice and Momoko could not help but be glad as his next question reached her ears. "Are you okay? You sound a little bit" He trailed "...Was it Izaya?" She didn't say anything and he took her silence as a 'yes'.

"Let's not talk about him" Kyohei frowned at that. The reply was short and seemed almost angry. He wasn't sure how he knew it, for her voice didn't betray any emotion. "I gotta go-" She said after a long minute of silence. "I'll call Cel- uh a friend to pick me up, I..thank you Kado-" She gulped, quickly correcting herself. "-Kyohei" Despite his concern Kyohei felt a warm feeling spread inside him as she also decided to call him by his first name. It meant they were friends, now.

"Alright," He said, exchanging quick goodbyes before hanging up. He wanted to help her, since he knew how challenging it was to keep up with Izaya's mind games, but there was nothing that he could do to prevent the inevitable. Yes, he could try and stir the course a little bit but there was nothing he could do in the long run.

Kadota Kyohei was the type of a friend everyone internally longed for. It didn't matter whether the person surrounded themselves with ignorance and rainbows or the thrilling danger and delinquents such as Orihara Izaya - Kadota was one of those people who resembled guardian angels, always ready to pull you out if the matters became too big for one to handle. But even he could not defy everyone, especially when they all seemed to be against a couple of his own. And everyone knew that despite the trouble Izaya often brought with him - as well as being a rookie, mainly introduced by Kine - he was still useful in the eyes of the Undergrounders and the Awakusu-kai.

And so Kyohei knew from the beginning it would be hard to play the role of a guardian angel, this time - But still, he chose to call two people who might of as well be described as mentally unstable. Of course, when it came to fighting and talking about things he did not understand, that is.

August 4th, 2005

See you tomorrow - Those were the words that seemed to be forever imprinted into her memory like a lost case you could not possibly win. It was slowly succumbing into an obsession and thus it had to be an absurd to replay them over and over again in one's head - in this case, in Miyazawa Momoko's still young and yet not so naive mind. It truly was something. He truly was something. For once, she fought the urge to close her eyes, for she knew that the moment she did, her mind would once again be engulfed in the images of him - just like her ears would hear his voice becoming louder and louder, replaying those three words till the moment she saw him again.

How could one person be so unnerving, so capable of plagiarising her mind with words as simple as those. Maybe it was because she knew what they meant, that he would come back today and then repeat the same warning, that could easily be mistaken for a promise between two friends who were used to seeing each other every day. And in some ways, it was a promise. Not the most innocent one, out there, but a promise nevertheless.

But she had yet to learn that Orihara did not lie as much a people wanted him to. And while he most certainly was cunning, apathetic and what one would simply put it 'unreliable' in many - if not all aspects - while knowing how to deceive successfully with a kind smile on his angel-like face - he took an interest in humans. And thus he was going to stay true to his word and irk her all the while enjoying the show. But then again, maybe she was overthinking it. He could have said that to make her think he'd come.

That was probably the worst characteristic about him. And to say that she hated it, would be a sore understatement. Because not until he let you through that wall of his, one could never know how he'd react and how he'd play the game. Or the worst of them all, no one knew for sure what he was really feeling. What she could tell was that despite everything he'd do, it would always play in his favor at the end. That it would and will always put him on a god-like pedestal. And while it might crumble along the way, it would never fall apart from underneath his feet, making sure he'd be the one left standing. And he would stand and watch what's in his hold. For Izaya would go through no ends to set the world on fire and watch it burn like his name was The Joker.

But despite, how god-like he believed himself to be, he was as much - if not more of a human as she was. And while no wanting to compare two different - and yet so similar people - there was no denying that while the boy tried so hard to get rid of his emotions - putting on a mask of self-preservation - she on the other could abandon them with little to no effort like a switch button that she depended on. And in some ways, it was her way of self-preservation too - a nasty habit that the two of them feared to let go of and yet wished they didn't have to deal with. But then again, that particular difference between them had yet to be discovered. And while neither of them was yet aware of what that one particular habit could lead to, the game had already started. And as everyone had already predicted, there was no going back.