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Shizuo loved music. It was his world.
It was the only thing that was there for him when no one else was.
The hormonal teenager first discovered the genre through Kadota, his fellow classmate and friend. A few random music recommendations from him became something big. And before long, His world revolved around music.
Music was really the only thing that the teen could think about. He would save up money from his local part time job at the grocery store to buy concert tickets to his favorite band, and make his own band shirts. It helped him when he always got sent to the office because he lost his temper.
That's why Shizuo thought it would be a good idea to start a band with his friends, Kadota with the bass, Himself as vocals and a guitar, Namie as drums and Shinra as the keyboard, he felt they were going to be an unstoppable force.
They would have frequent band sessions in Rajin Academy's band room. They didn't make songs, but they covered many songs from other bands and posted them online.
They didn't blow up or anything, but they had a decent following. They had 572 followers on niconico. Not too bad. Since they didn't have a name, they went by Shidonara. A combination of all of their names. It was stupid but it worked.
And one day, Shizuo dreamed they'd be on a stage performing a concert together for thousands of people to see.
Or so he thought.
Shizuo punched the wall, cornering Shinra. “What the hell Shinra?! You can't just quit our band! We don't have anyone else who knows how to play, and we saved for months for that dumb keyboard just for you to play it- and now you're just bailing on us out of nowhere?!”
Shinra hid his face. “Shizuo, you know I have-” he wanted to run away but he knew for a fact he was in for a beating if he acted on that thought.
“What could possibly be more important than the band that us four made together?!” Shizuo gripped Shinra by the collar
“You haven't even created a name for the band yet, Plus I have my reasons, Shizuo!”
As soon as Shinra realized he said that, he cowered in fear.
Shizuo looked pissed.
Shizuo tried his best to think logically, but without a keyboard player, it just wouldn't sound as good. Sure, keyboards were always optional when making a band, but it would feel different…It wouldn't feel complete. And Shizuo sure as hell didn't like change.
Shinra continued his sentence, trying to explain. “Shizuo..!” Shinra yelped in fear, “I just don't have time for extracurriculars like that! I’m sorry! I have other clubs, and I also need time to spend with Celty..!”
Shizuo felt even more infuriated.
“You know how important our band is- for you and for me! You're just quitting because you do your stupid Biology Club and wanna spend time with your dumb girlfriend? That's stupid, Shinra!”
Shinra barked back. “Biology isn't stupid! And Celty isn't eith-..!"
Kadota stepped out of the band room and interfered with the fight. “Shizuo, just let it go. If he doesn't want to be in the band, then it's obviously not worth fighting for. We could easily find another person to play our keyboard.”
Namie followed out, but she didn't say anything.
Shizuo was speechless. He wanted to scream and shout. But it's obvious that he could do nothing to change Shinra’s mind. Kadota didn't even get it,
Shinra was the one who supported his idea to start the band, so why was he leaving now?
Shizuo hesitantly let Shinra go.
Shinra looked down in guilt, “Sorry, Shizuo. I hope you guys find another keyboard player.” He gave Shizuo a polite smile and walked away quickly.
Shizuo gave him a stare before looking away.
“Stupid bastard. What was the point..?” Shizuo scrunched his face in disdain, watching Shinra walk away.
“I never really liked that creepy idiot anyway.” Namie said while curling her hair with her finger. “He always talked about whoever Celty was instead of actually playing and it was annoying. If anything, I'm glad he left.” she smirked.
“That's not the point, Namie! Now we don't have a keyboardist. Do any of you even care that Shinra left!?”
Shizuo looked around the room. Kadota silent, Namie trying to hold back a laugh.
Did his group actually dislike Shinra?
Disappointed, turned facing the band room door. “Jeez, I'm gonna head home. Bye, guys.” Shizuo headed back into the band room, clearly grumpy and put his guitar in his case and left.
The next morning, Shizuo was walking to school with Kasuka, texting Kadota on his flip phone. He was still down in the dumps, but at least he still had Kadota and Namie even though the two made him angry yesterday. I mean, maybe they could find someone even better than Shinra. The thought felt impossible but he had to try. Suddenly, he noticed someone unfamiliar in the corner of his eye.
An unfamiliar boy, pale skin with short black hair and dark brown eyes, wearing the improper uniform, a short black open gakuran. Under that, he wore a dark red shirt. As he walked, he was talking to himself and was also playing with a..folding knife?
Instantly, Shizuo got bad vibes and looked the other way. He assumed the boy was crazy and probably was. He took Kasuka's hand and dragged him to the left side of the road, and he stared down the boy until he got to the school.
Shizuo dropped off his guitar in the band room before heading to class. He saw a crowd crowding the new kid. He sat at his desk and looked out the window until the crazy boy from earlier opened the door.
“Everyone, today we have a new student joining our room. Please introduce yourself to the class,” The teacher stepped aside, fidgeting with her pen.
The spikey haired boy entered the classroom, and walked next to the teacher. The class was silent.
“I’m Izaya Orihara. I transferred from Kyoto.” Izaya smiled politely, waving his hand.
He continued, “I like reading..Observing things, Anthropology..” He paused. “I also play piano for fun.”
That caught guitarists attention. Maybe he could ask..But then he remembered when he was playing with a folding knife. He was definitely some sort of murderer. Anthropology? What even is that? Some sort of cult?
“I look forward to being acquainted with you all. It will be an interesting year.” He smiles creepily then looks at the teacher for further instruction.
“Alright, Orihara,” The teacher looks at her seating chart. “You can sit behind Heiwajima in the back. Heiwajima, Raise your hand.”
Oh hell no. He already had gotten a bad feeling about his guy, now he had to sit near him?
No way the teacher just had to pick the seat behind him. The guitarist hesitantly raised his hand, accepting defeat.
“Great, go sit back there, Then we can get started with the lesson after attendance.” She directed Izaya,
As Izaya came to his seat, he smiled weirdly at Shizuo which pissed him off. What a freak.
Shizuo was daydreaming in the middle of class before someone threw something at his head. He looked back to see Izaya smirking at him, why did his face just look so..punchable?
He was about to look away and mind his own business before Izaya opened his mouth.
“You're the famous Shizuo Heiwajima, right? I heard about you before,” Izaya smiled wider as he scooted up from his chair to whisper into Shizuo's ear. “About your tantrums and stuff. You always crash the place as soon as you step in there. I heard that from humans who live in your neighborhood.. Though, I saw a headline about you on the news too, Is it true you trashed up a bakery on purpose?”
Shizuo reddened before turning away, trying not to get mad. He's been trying to forget that day forever and Izaya just made it more prominent in his mind. He didn't mean to trash it, Also- how did he even know where he lived?
Izaya threw more paper balls. “You're not answering my question..” He kicked under Shizuo's seat. “Did you? You can tell me, I don't judge.”
That seat kick ticked Shizuo off.
Shizuo whipped his head around in pure fury. “Shut up! Can you stop talking?! You seriously want to make me punch you!”
Izaya stood down and backed away, smiling. “Thanks for answering my question.”
Before going for the punch, Shizuo realized he yelled that entire thing out. Uh oh.
“I-..I-..I mean-” Oh god, he can't afford to get another detention.
The teacher yelled, “Shizuo Heiwajima! Office, now!”
“B-But I didn't even do anything! It was his fault!” He pointed at Izaya. “He was provoking me!” The blonde interjected.
“Im surprised you even know what provoking means, you never pay attention! You and Orihara, office now!” She pointed to the door, multiple chuckles came out of students, and Shizuo couldn't help but feel embarrassed.
“Way to go, you protozoan,” Izaya whispered, as he lazily stood up. “Are you usually this stupid?”
“Shut up, you-” Shizuo sighed and followed Izaya out of the room, which contained multiple laughs, an obnoxious one from Namie, and a sigh from Shinra. Somehow, this new kid would become worse than Namie.