As I sat on my bed, the light from my laptop's screen flashed against my face; my room was completely dark otherwise. "Not yet," Orihara-san had said in reply to my question of who had won the supposed boardgame. Though I had exited his apartment two hours ago, I was still left wondering what he meant by that... but it escaped my mind in a sudden instant.

Curiosity had gotten to me, and I ended up checking the invitation sent to me via text message. I had to create a username and pick an avatar out of a certain selection to continue access. (Author's Note: I'm choosing your avatar to make my life less difficult. You get to make your username, though. I'm using the old chatroom style [Season 1] as reference because I like it more.) After rolling lazily on my bed for a moment, I wound up scrolling through the avatars. Each one consisted of a plain white figure with an accessory of some sort and a colored background. At the very bottom of the list, there was an avatar that was different from the rest; instead of a white figure, this one was black and wore a crown. The background was bold and plain, but the color was something like a purplish pink.

I clicked the avatar on impulse, remembering the boardgame I played against Orihara-san earlier this night and how my specific piece was a queen. Once I got in, I realized that this was a chatroom. Others in the chat gave some sort of exclamation or acknowledgement toward me. I was so easily welcomed that I felt awkward despite not being face-to-face with any if these people.

Kanra:《Hello, New-Person-chan~!!ヾ(^▽^)》

I cringed for a moment, but I didn't know why.

(-Username-): 〈Um... Hello, Kanra-san.〉

Tanaka Taro: 【It's somewhat shocking to see a new face】

Setton: [Were there really avatars that color?]

I took a glance at everyone else's avatars. As I thought, they were all different from mine--in the sense that the other characters were white.

(-Username-): 〈I guess so. It just happened to be there, so I took it.〉

Kanra: 《Anyways~ Have you guys heard about the new gang?》

Setton: [Eh?! Another one?!]

Tanaka Taro:【There's too many to keep track of...】

At the mention of gangs, I instinctively directed the attention away from what this Kanra person was talking about.

(-Username-): 〈Do you guys know anything about the Dollars?〉

Kanra: 《How mean, (-Username-)-chan! -.- You changed the subject! HMPH! '^'》

Setton: [Dollars again, huh?]

Tanaka Taro: 【What about the Dollars?】

(-Username-): 〈It's just something I'm curious about. I'm new to Ikebukuro and they just seem to be such a widespread topic that it's caught my interest.〉

Kanra: 《You're new? Is that so~? Ah, well~ The Dollars is a colorless gang in Ikebukuro! They're difficult to keep track of and they don't do very much group-work... Sometimes it's hard to tell whether they're good or bad! O.o》

Kanra: 《I heard that there were a bunch of members, too~! \(*o*)/》

(-Username-): 〈Amazing... I found their website, but I can't get to the password...〉

Tanaka Taro: 【Good luck with that. I heard that you have to get invited by a member, but the password gets spread around quickly!】

Setton: [You might want to be careful, (-Username-)-san; I hear they get involved in some pretty dangerous business!]

Tanaka Taro: 【Do they really?】

(-Username-): 〈Ahaha... You don't have to worry about that. I'd rather stay away from all that trouble.〉

...I lied.

(-Username-): 〈Well... I've got to go now. Thank you, guys, for the information!〉

(-Username-): 〈Bye!〉

---(-Username-) has left the chatroom---

I had logged off before anyone could reply. Thinking over all the messages, I fell asleep while trying to analyze the chatroom members' personalities. My last thought before ending the day was about the fact that I had cut off what Kanra was about to say. A new gang? That makes three that I've heard of.

I woke up too early unintentionally. After taking a shower and brushing my teeth and whatnot, I turned the T.V. on in hopes of hearing something about all these gangs. The matter intrigued me probably more than it should, but I have my own reasons. Another attack had arisen. The victims this time were members of the Yellow Scarves.

I was going to watch more, but I had work today at Swallowtail. Packing my uniform into my bag, I headed out a bit early. Since its a butler's cafe, I decided to clock in early so that not as many customers find out that there is actually a female in the staff; it kind of ruins the "magic" of it all.

"G-good morning, (-Last Name-)-san!" greeted a voice. I looked up to track the voice of my coworker as I inched into the back room.

"Good morning, Yamada-kun," I responded with a wave (Author's Note: I'm making up my own character here.). Yamada Kaito; he's a shy highschool boy, but as a waiter, he completely changes when he faces the customers--especially if they're women (and they're almost always women). He got this job the same day I did, so we decided to help each other out. I agreed simply because I'm older than him and I felt that I should gain a kouhai.

"I saw that one of our customers is an American. In case you have to wait on that customer, make sure you're taking yen and not dollars, okay?" I informed. Yamada hesitantly nodded. I smiled.

"Yeah... That would provide our boss with a few problems, wouldn't it?" he agreed before turning to leave.

"Oh, wait! Ya-Ma-Da-kun!" I called, trying to distinctively separate each syllable of his name in a cute manner. He gave me a horrified look.

"Y-yes? (-L-Last Name-)-san?"

I set my laptop on the break table and went straight to a certain website. "Can you log in here for me?" I asked nonchalantly. Yamada-kun looked at the site and jerked away from the table suddenly.

"(-L-L-L-Last Name-)-san!! This... This is--!"

"Oh?" I took a seat in front of the laptop, gazing over the webpage, and placed my chin in the palm of my hand. "So you know the Dollars, Yamada-kun? Wooow... Well, a lot of people do, I'm sure." His face turned blue--almost like he could barely breathe. "I know you're one of them. If you give me the password, I won't tell a soul, 'kay?" He gladly obliged.

I guess Tanaka Taro-san and Kanra-san were right; there's a lot of members, each with the easy-to-acquire password. Now able to log on easily, I scanned through the posts in fascination while Yamada-kun taught me a few things. I had forced him into all this, but I clearly stated that I would pay him back.

In a job where I'm surrounded by attractive males, I'm almost shocked that I'm able to speak properly throughout the work day. My fourteen-year-old self would be driven mad (in a good way). I guess in a crazy city with crazy people doing crazy things all around, my job is almost a safety zone where no one could find me. Or so I thought.

"(-First Name-)-chan? You work here?" I darted my eyes up from the food I was making.

"E-Erika-san?!"

Walker walked up beside her as their mouths formed twin smirks; the little devils.

"We let ourselves into the back to compliment the chef--" Walker partially explained.

"And I was hoping to meet Shinomiya-kun secretly working at a butler cafe, searching for new inspiration!" she exclaimed in a heartfelt cry. "Or. Wait. A butler cafe! That means I should be looking for Sebastian! Kya! (-First Name-)-chan, tell me right now if he works here!"

"No good, Erika-san!" Walker intervened. "Sebastian is faithful to Ciel!"

I tried to speak, "Are you guys allowed to be here...?"

"Awh! How could I be so ignorant! No good, no good!" Her eyes lit up in a flash. "Two boys--a butler and his master--fated to be together forever!? KYAAAA~!! BL! It's BL!"

Walker grunted disgustedly.

"Guys--" I tried to cut in.

"My, my, Walker-san! You're just jealous!"

"Uh. No."

"Um, Erika? Walker?"

"Don't worry, I've got you covered! I know exactly who to pair you up with!"

"Please don't."

"You guys--"

"Walker, you shall be paired up with--"

"Guys!!" I finally interrupted. "I'm working! Please carry on about this some other time."

They grinned at one another. "No, we'll steal you away right now!" they said in synchronization.

"It's okay," Erika shrugged as she pulled me away with one arm, Walker occupying my other arm. "Mr. Boss Man here likes us. It'll be okay. I'm a regular anyways. To Animate we go!!"

Thus, I was dragged along by my two comrades and companions to Animate, a go-to stop for otakus. With me in my chef's outfit, I looked like I was trying to cosplay as someone. Needless to say, I fit in easily; Erika and Walker even more so. I reluctantly strolled around for a while, unsure of whether or not I should go back to work.

"Ah! Ryuugamine-kun, Sonohara-san!" Walker exclaimed as Erika waved wildly. I looked up to see who they were addressing; a boy and a girl who seemed to be younger than us. They walked over and the boy handed me a bag--my bag.

"You're (-Last Name-)-san, right?" the boy asked timidly. "Yamada-kun had us deliver this to you when we came to visit him at his job. He said that you'd be dressed in your uniform." The girl nodded along.

I smiled at them and took my bag. At least it's my bag instead of a notice that tells me I'm fired. But still, a shy boy like Yamada-kun has a shy male friend and an even more shy female friend? How do they survive in this city? They need to be extra cautious; after all, there are gangs prowling the streets. The two kids left to carry on with their date, I'm assuming, while Erika and Walker pulled me to a less crowded area.

"Hey, (-First Name-)-chan..." Erika called rather seriously. "Don't take this the wrong way, but why did you come back? Why are you back at Ikebukuro...?" she asked with a not-so-energized smile as compared to earlier. Ah... So this is why they kidnapped me. Whenever Erika and Walker lowered their voices or did something similar to completely change the mood, it honestly terrified me. I could handle angry strangers or manipulative maniacs, but when my friends suddenly abandon their cheerful auras, I nearly lose my mind.

"Nothing. Nothing, really. I'm just visiting again..." I gave them a mild grin. "Again. Just like before."

"No, you're not. At least not this time. (-First Name-)-chan, you even got a job," Walker pointed out. "You're going to be staying here for a while aren't you? Listen, (-First Name-)-chan, if anything is bothering you, you can come and tell us." He thought over his choice of words before correcting himself, "If anyone is bothering you, we can kill them."

I giggled. "Thanks, but really... I'm fine."

A shrill cry broke the mood like a bullet shattering glass. The sound of tires screeching against the road in a turn ripped through the air so suddenly, it could almost act as a jumpscare. At first, I thought that there was a car chase or something, but then I saw the car. Dark black and dirty, it drove in a zig-zag onto and off of the sidewalk back and forth, breaking apart groups of pedestrians. It was seeming to get closer and closer and closer. Erika and Walker took me by my arms and yanked me back toward the check out counter of the store we were in. Sure enough, the car crashed straight into the glass window--no--the entire front wall of the shop. Crammed in the rubble, the car stopped moving except for one of its front wheels which continued to rotate in its spot from the momentum of the ride.

Erika let out a relieved exclamation from behind me. In front of me was Walker who merely sat criss-cross in awe. I unexpectedly laughed. I know why I did, but to everyone else at this store, it didn't make sense. I would've just looked like a maniac. As I laughed, I just kept thinking to myself, 'You missed!'

It took a few seconds for a phone call to snap me out of my own laugh. Unknown number. I answered the call reluctantly, but the tiny giggles made my voice seem more delighted than I had hoped. "Ha--Hello?"

"Aww," came the voice at the other end. Even if I wanted to find out who they were by their voice, I wouldn't be able to; they were speaking through a voice changer which made it deeper than it should be. "I see you're still alive. Our guy must have missed..."

"Targeting me in such an open area..." I grinned. "Are you trying to get caught?"

"Oh, don't be so full of yourself. Sure, we didn't get you, but at the very least we've acquired a good share of helpless screams from... someone else..."

"What are you...? Hey--!" The phone clicked and the voice was gone. In place of it were sirens wailing in the distance. After awhile Erika, Walker, and I were able to sneak away (mainly to avoid questioning--especially after I had that random laughing fit.). Caution tape was quickly wrapped around several areas; including one completely separated and secluded from where the car "accident" had been. Erika, Walker, and I decided to check it out due to curiosity.

My two comrades looked a bit uneasy; maybe because I answered a suspicious phone call in a way which shows that I'm obviously not here just for a visit. Still, they didn't question me. I guess that made me happy. As I stole a glance at them, I bumped into an officer. Thank goodness he wasn't angry at me for it, but he did tell me to step away. I continued trying to shove past him until I was shoved right back and ended up tumbling into Erika and Walker.

The two of them maintained silence for so long that I nearly yelped when Walker whispered into my ear with a strict tone. "Stay back here. We could see from here." And he was right. When the officer moved to the side, I was able to see the scene.

Blood was splattered across the sidewalk and a body lay motionless--dead--on the concrete. The eyes were rolled back and tear trails stained the female corpse's cheeks. Her mouth gaped open, and it was clear that the tongue was gone. One hand, the right, was also missing, but with my eyes, I was able to locate it about ten feet away from the body. The pale fingers wrapped tightly around a used spray can. How could I tell it was used? Its paint was sprayed right there on the wall. In plain white letters, it read "DOLLAR$".

...

Kanra: 《The new gang is completely mysterious!! O_o I'm almost paranoid! So scary~ T^T》

Kanra: 《I hear they just caused a huge ruckus so that they could set up a crime scene without calling attention! "~.~》

Kanra: 《From what I've heard, they don't even have a name yet! Still, I hear people calling them something very vague, but I forgot what it was...! .-.》

Kanra: 《Ah~ °O° !! That's right!! I remember! ^^》

Kanra: 《"Taggers"》

=Author's Note=

FINALLY this chapter is finished! Sorry for the wait! I have... *shivers* ...school.

I made up a lot of things just in this chapter! First was the avatar (I drew that thing with an app [I used my finger, so sorry that it's not up to par with the avatars]), next was the coworker (Yamada Kaito), and finally a gang (Taggers).

Tell me what you think so far! Also, tell me if anything is fishy! I stuck in a clue or two, that I hope you guys (won't) catch.

So, please vote, comment, and follow, and I'll see you I'm the next one! Bye!

        -!n@

P.S. Also, I'm sorry for the lack of Izaya. I know that's what you're here for. Don't worry, he'll be back in person.

He's a weed; I couldn't keep him away if I wanted to.

A good weed, though~ ^-^