"I understand," Izaya said to the client on the other end. "But it's something I can't fix... Do you want me to raise the price?... Didn't think so... Fine, I'll see what I can do." After hanging up, Izaya tossed his phone onto the couch and rubbed his fingers between his eyebrows.

'I think I'm beginning to feel how Shizu-chan does when someone doesn't want to pay,' he thought as he grabbed the water bottle off the coffee table. It was the sixth time this month that a client had requested he meet them without Shizuo. Ever since he started meeting his clients again, many of them didn't want to talk unless Izaya's aid was nowhere near him.

Feeling far too agitated, Izaya found his phone and just flopped down onto the couch. A few moments later he heard the door open.

"I'm home, Izaya," Shizuo called to him. Izaya responded with an agitated groan, muffled by the pillow he was laying on.

"Another request to meet without me?" Izaya groaned a muffled 'yes.' Shizuo sighed. "I can understand why they wouldn't want me around. They're not used to you needing assistance."

"I get that," Izaya sat up. "But they should at least allow me to have you within shouting distance." He felt Shizuo sit down next to him. "This last one wants me to walk there by myself. He doesn't care if I need you to guide me or not."

"What?" Izaya could hear Shizuo getting mad about this too. "Is he insane?"

"He must be if he thinks I can walk to the meeting all by myself," Izaya stood up and started pacing the other side of the table. "Right now, I only know how to get to the park from my apartment. Everywhere else, I need you to guide me. Besides, I don't want to accidently run into Kuro again. I wouldn't even know he was in front of me until I bumped into him."

"Calm down, Izaya," Shizuo tried to soothe him. "I'm sure we can-"

"I can't calm down, Shizuo," Izaya interrupted. "This is the sixth time someone has asked me to meet without you near me. They're acting like it's something I can fix." He stopped pacing and turned so he was facing the coffee table. "Well, it's NOT something I can fix! I never asked to be blind in the first place! Why can't they all see that!?"

Izaya dropped down onto his knees and slammed his fist against the table, hitting the remote, which caused the TV to turn on. He heard the familiar sounds of Ruri's concert playing. Just as he was about to turn it off, he heard Ruri start singing. (AN: Play the video)

You're alone, you're on your own, so what?
Have you gone blind?
Have you forgotten what you have and what is yours?
Glass half empty, glass half full
Well either way you won't be going thirsty
Count your blessings not your flaws

You've got it all
You lost your mind in the sound
There's so much more
You can reclaim your crown
You're in control
Rid of the monsters inside your head
Put all your faults to bed
You can be king again

You don't get what all this is about
You're too wrapped up in your self doubt
You've got that young blood, set it free

You've got it all
You lost your mind in the sound
There's so much more
You can reclaim your crown
You're in control
Rid of the monsters inside your head
Put all your faults to bed
You can be king

There's method in my madness
There's no logic in your sadness
You don't gain a single thing from misery
Take it from me

You've got it all
You lost your mind in the sound
There's so much more
You can reclaim your crown
You're in control
Rid of the monsters inside your head
Put all your faults to bed
You can be king

You've got it all
You lost your mind in the sound
There's so much more
You can reclaim your crown
You're in control
Rid of the monsters inside your head
Put all your faults to bed
You can be king again

As soon as the song ended, Izaya realized that tears had been streaming down his cheeks. He muted the TV and turned away from it. He heard Shizuo get up and kneel next to him.

"I'm so sorry, Shizuo," Izaya said as he rested his hand against Shizuo's arm. "I-I didn't mean to snap at you, I'm just... I'm just..." He rested his head against the blonde's chest as he cried out his frustration. He felt Shizuo pull him in for a hug, which caused him to cry even more.

The two of them sat there until all that was left was a sniffling Izaya. He raised his head up and felt Shizuo brush away a few stray tears.

"Why don't we worry about your client tomorrow, okay?" Izaya sniffed once more before nodding. "How about we go out to eat tonight. How does Russia Sushi sound?" Izaya immediately perked up.

"Fatty tuna?" the raven asked, clearly excited. Shizuo chuckled.

"Yes, you can get fatty tuna," Izaya nearly jumped right up at the response, but waited for his guide to get up first. He was all smiles as he held onto Shizuo's arm the entire way.