Durarara!! SH Vol 2 Epilogue

Durarara!!SHx2

Epilogue A
The Entrepreneur

Ikebukuro news site, IkeNEW! Version I・KEBU・KUR・O

Latest Article, ‘Birth of an Urban Legend’: The Headless Rider’s Lover Appears?!

‘The Headless Rider brings us a new urban legend’—Excerpt from Tokyo Warrior Digital Edition

“It was mid-April when the return of the famous Headless Rider was first witnessed.

A clip uploaded to a video sharing site shows what appears to be a late-night brawl between bosozoku gangs.

The silent motorcycle that transforms into a headless horse. And its decapitated rider, brandishing a pure black scythe. He, or she, has brought us—another anomalous figure.

Crushing waves of oncoming thugs with unbelievable skill.

What is the identity of this new urban legend?
Mr Tsukumoya Shinichi, a writer based in Ikebukuro, commented on his blog, ‘The Headless Rider, tired of being the source of legends, has brought us a successor. Perhaps the half-year disappearance was a journey to find this successor.'”

(Click here to read the full article)

IkeNEW! Administrator’s Comment

“The Headless Rider’s lover debuts-nari.

Black rider black warrior. Makes a nice couple-nari. The lovey-dovey type that tag along with each other everywhere, how sweet-nari.

So for convenience we’ll be using the nickname ‘SH’ or ‘Snake Hands’.
It’d be nice if it could stick and make its way into a dictionary someday.

Plus, apparently the green-head that disappeared was rescued safely with the help of these two-nari.

And they all lived happily ever after. Nari?”

Administrator Lila Tailtooth Zaiya

Shinra’s apartment.

“Happy ending my foot~!”

“How is this happy, there’s nothing happy here Celty. Celtyyyyyy.”

“Look at this website! It’s spreading horrible lies about you having another lover, ignoring my existence completely!”

Celty asked mischievously. Shinra’s face paled and he began to howl.

Shinra, who had already heard of what happened from Celty, uttered the name of the monster—’Yahiro’—as he brandished his fists.

“…We’ll compete with our knowledge of medical terminology!”

Celty scolded. But Shinra continued rolling about.

‘Wait a minute, did I just hear something I really shouldn’t ignore?!’

Afterwards, Celty managed to calm Shinra somehow, and began to contemplate Yahiro.

“Hm?”

‘Ah, you see, apparently Yahiro-kun came to Tokyo because a tourist back home told him there’s an even better monster in Ikebukuro when he saw him fighting.’

Shinra thought for a moment, and asked Celty,

‘Akita, he said.’
Then Shinra clapped his hands together, and said promptly,

“Oh, then that was me.”

‘…What?’

‘Oh… That secret spring.’

Oh, so that was what happened… The two laughed about it together along those lines, and after, Celty typed in a large font to Shinra.

“R, Really?”

“…Ahhhhhhhh! No way~!”

“Ahhh, did I call my rival forth to Ikebukuro myself?! Did I deliver suffering unto myself? They say to love your enemies, but I gave that kindness to a stranger and made him level up into a love rival, what folly… I’ll be a monster too, Celty! Split some of that shadow you’re wearing to me or we can occupy it togethermarobugyurubu”

As Celty shoved Shinra off, she felt that she had truly returned to her everyday life.

She was feeling grateful for her everyday life when just then, Shinra suddenly asked,

‘Right… They were hospitalised. Apparently that Shijima guy forced the drugs on them, and neither Shiki nor Kuon pressed charges , so it’s hard say what they did constitutes an actual crime.’

‘I guess they just have to settle it within their family from here on out.’

Raira General Hospital. Private ward.

Due to the effects of the drugs—Celty’s ‘worshippers’ only returned to their normal state of mind five days after the incident.

“I heard Ai can be discharged soon.”

“…In the end you were the only one who got it right, huh?”

Himeka said calmly. Aya smiled with a tinge of loneliness, and answered,

“You think too highly of me.”

“That’s not related. I can introduce the two of you next time.”

“I have no face to see her. What I did… I wouldn’t be surprised if the Headless Rider killed me for that.”

Himeka sighed. Aya suddenly felt curious, and asked,

While Aya knew it would be unfair to blame the urban legend for the despair she and her comrades went through, she could not help her being curious.

“She said she went to tour hot springs.”

“…”

After a while of silence. Aya spoke, her voice shaking.

“Yeah… from Akita to Kyushu… a full country tour…”

In the end, as if a dam had broken, she burst out laughing.

After laughing for nearly a minute, her smile began to turn teary.

Aya laughed and wept at how ridiculous she had been; Himeka merely watched on the whole time.

Aya apologised sadly, but Himeka shook her head, expressionless.

“What…?”

Taking Aya’s hand, Himeka spoke the words she never could before.

“Do you still—think of me as your family…?”

At this answer, Aya turned towards the window, and murmured.

“You’re a strong girl after all, Himeka.”

When Himeka exited the hospital, Yahiro was waiting outside.

“She’s mostly well now, I think.”

“That’s great. Now you can be with your family again, just like before.”

“How?”

Yahiro listened silently about her mother, and, blurted, abruptly,

“Huh?”

Yahiro, choosing his words carefully, began to talk about the behaviour of Himeka’s mother.

“Why do you say that?”

But the answer Yahiro uttered was unexpected.

“…You, too?”

“…”

“But wouldn’t that do the reverse?”

“Maybe. But in reality I’ve never actually killed anyone… No, but I’ve gone over the top too many times, so maybe that doesn’t actually mean much…”

“I don’t know what’s right or wrong. I’ll try to remember that from now on.”

“That’s why, I’ll be the hands for all of you. If you get in trouble, Tatsugami-san, or Kuon and his sister, any of you, I’ll use these fists to protect you.”

“Should I be? Am I weird after all?”

Himeka answered frankly, and her expression morphed to accommodate the emotion within her.

“But I think that’s wonderful.”

Yahiro saw the soft smile spreading on Himeka’s face, and smiled, shyly, in return.

As he watched them leave from afar, Kotonami Kuon spoke into his phone.

‘It was useless to try with that hair and face. I told you.’

‘But that boy, Yahiro, he really is interesting, as far as nice guys go. Even knowing your true nature he was worried about you still.’

Kuon said. Nozomi replied, brightly,

“There you go again, running off your mouth.”

“?”

And then, Nozomi said.

“It… doesn’t matter?”

“…”

After some thought, Kuon asked, doubtfully,

‘I dunno? It’s up to you to judge, hm? You know I specialise in lies and gossip, right?’

Kuon sensed this intuitively, and sighed long and deep; and with a cold voice he said, quietly,

‘Oh my, poor Yahiro-kun.’

Kuon rolled his shoulders, and scoffed.

“This is why I hate humans.”

Kotonami residence.

Checking that the line was cut, Nozomi smiled slyly as she murmured.

Cheerily, bemusedly, her true intent concealed behind that smile:

“Because, unlike Izaya-san… you’re just that little bit too soft-hearted!”

Shinra’s apartment.

‘But Yahiro-kun really is a funny guy.’

‘Don’t force yourself.’

In the end, she had passed off the whole ensemble, mask and clothes, to the boy.

—’I don’t know how long it’ll last since I’ve never tried, but well, if it evaporates or anything just contact me. I’ve made helmets before without any issue, so it should be gentle on the hair and skin… I think.’

—”This can be washed, right?”

“Ahh! Ah, just now Celty thought of Yahiro-kun and laughed…?!”

“Wait… Something funny… Have to think of something funny… D, do you like stand-up comedy Celty!”

‘You’re too desperate. …Eh, I have some time off anyway. Let’s hear this comedy of yours.’

‘Shiki-san said to lie low for a while. And there are people who still suspect me, apparently. Anyway, well, I’ll look for other part-time jobs, so you don’t have to worry.’

Shinra suggested, eyes sparkling. Celty slumped tiredly, and showed him her smartphone.
‘No thanks. I’d rather not have such a mundane life.’

Neither had noticed.

A small banner that would only show up if one scrolled to the complete bottom of the page; containing only the letters ‘SH’.
Those who were sharp enough to notice were directed to the following site upon clicking it:

‘Conflict resolution for Ikebukuro.

Ikebukuro Communal Aid Group—Snake Hands’

This odd advert would later embroil Celty in a life far from mundane –
But as of right now, she had no way to know this.

****CHAPTER END****

 

 

Durarara!!SH×2

Epilogue B
Or: The Next Prologue The Avenger

 

“Have you tracked Shijima down?”

But the answer remained unsatisfying as the one a few days before.

It was clear that Shijima was the one to found the Headless Rider cult.

“It’s unlikely.. that he only packed up and fled when he saw us coming, either.”

Some of Shijima’s old acquaintances had been employed as bodyguards via means of money and drugs. In fact, the guard that Shiki had beaten up was one of them.

It was true that Shijima had founded the group, but apparently the cultists had upscaled on their own. He had not discouraged this, but all he had done was provide funds and Heaven Slave.

A man that should have been reduced to dust. Just what was he planning?

“Honestly… I thought things would go a little smoother after that informant disappeared.”

“But the moment we solve one problem another one pops up. What an unrewarding job…”

Somewhere in the city. A rented office.

A small office in a certain building.

In this empty room there was a chair, and on the chair was a man.

A woman’s delicate hand curled around the man’s neck.

“Orihara Izaya… didn’t interfere with this case, hm.”

“I wonder what’s up with him. Is he really dead, you think?”

At that, the woman tilted her head in surprise.

“What about you, Earthworm?”

“I don’t know. I guess I’d be glad to kill him if I could, since he was a jerk.”

She leant her cheek against Shijima’s head, and asked, bemusedly,

Shijima’s answer was toneless.

There was a quiet madness in his eyes; if any who knew him before were to see him now, they would probably ask:

The man stared into space with a silent, hollow gaze – and visualising the scenery beyond that emptiness, simply uttered, gravely:

“Grand ambitions… So, what do you have in mind precisely?”

Still expresionless, Shijima, without a glance at Earthworm’s beautiful figure, continued.
“There are plenty of seeds for tragedy strewn through the city if you look. It’s merely that most never get to sprout.”

“I’m just… adding a tiny bit of water and fertilizer.”

Would these seeds sprout forth fortune or tragedy?
At this time, no one knew.

Including even the madness of this twisted avenger –
The city begins to weave a new tale.

So long as people continue to exist within it.

****VOLUME END****

CAST

Mizuchi Yahiro

Tatsugami Himeka

Kuronuma Aoba

Orihara Kururi
Orihara Mairu

Awakusu Akane

Kotonami Nozomi

Tatsugami Aya
Tatsugami Ai

Ei Li-pei

Shiki

Heiwajima Shizuo

Celty Sturluson
Shinra Kishitani

Chapter end