Don't Call Me Dotachin

“First of all, this website’s broken. I never got your notification. Sorry ‘bout the delay.”

Shizuo looked at his screen but saw no reply from Celty yet. Might be driving. Celty followed the law and didn’t text and drive, even though Shooter could steer himself. “Dunno. Depends on when Celty can join me.” Early mornings were fine for Shizuo work-wise. Tom didn’t need to chance after dead-beats at six a.m. 

“Guess if Celty isn’t free the two of us can do it.” Was looking forward to matching his speed against Shooter. Oh well. “Whenever works for you is fine with me.”

“I’ll be headed down this route for probably the next week or so, about six-thirty. The job’s back there.” Kadota jerked a thumb over his shoulder. The metro station had receded in the distance, but they both knew where he meant.

Shizuo gave Kadota a confused look. The hell kind of manga was that?! Ugh, this was why he hung out with those two less. He couldn’t keep up with them and their excitement crossed into annoying. Last thing he wanted was to blow a fuse on them and hurt either of them.

He down the rest of his milk.

“Yeah, some would be nice.” If it did rain he’d need him umbrella. Did he leave it at work last time? Hopefully he could find it before any rain came. 

Oh right, he was going to text Celty. He pulled his phone out and started composing the text message. “If I does rain, I doubt I could go running.” He didn’t want to slip or get sick.

Kadota sure as heck didn’t know what kind of manga it was either, nor did he want to. Those two’s tastes ran way more ... eclectic ... than his.

Shizuo pulled the carton from his mouth. “You said it.” Good, Kadota wasn’t pushing him to talk. He was a good man. Stuff like this was why he hung out with the guy. “Think it’ll cool down soon?” How much was train fare to the beach? Oh, but the beach wasn’t fun alone. Kasuka was too busy with a movie to go with him. Maybe Celty? Wait, then he’d have to invite Shinra too, or he’d get upset. Maybe a pool instead? Didn’t they have a water park somewhere with fountains or whatever in the ground? He could walk through in his clothes and stay cool all day.

This again? What did a guy have to do for a normal peaceful life? Was it too much to ask to go into a store and not have someone freak out and think he was going to murder them?!

No. Breathe. You can stop. Now take the lighter.

He plucked the blue one he wanted from the rest and set it next to his milk. How much did he owe? With the milk his total was… he pulled the correct amount of change from his wallet and handed it to the man. “Thanks. Don’t need the receipt.” He took his stuff and left, leaving Kadota to pay alone. He wanted out of there. The cigarette he had out was pushed into his pocket with the lighter and the carton of milk was popped open. He didn’t like having milk after smoking, it didn’t taste right.

The cashier muffled a breath of relief behind one hand after he dropped Shizuo’s money into the till. Kadota shot him a look. 

“Shizuo’s human, just like everyone else. You should treat him like any other customer.” He handed over his own money, the cashier momentarily staring at Kadota as if he’d grown a second head. The reminder seemed to process about the time the cashier was halfway through counting out his change. He bobbed an apology, although it would have been better if it had gone directly to Shizuo. Kadota collected his milk and followed his friend out the door.