For what was a hazy and generally uncomfortable summer evening, Shibuya's streets were unusually packed with people. A winding line stretched out of one flashy building in particular as shoppers, students, and even businessmen anxiously awaited the grand opening of the district's newest arcade, Rising Comet. The line was absolutely abuzz with daily gossip, most of it revolving around the huge gaming center. It covered twice the space of an ordinary building, its multiple floors reaching to an impressive height. You couldn't have missed the advertising campaign if you tried, either. What started as a small billboard a few months ago had exploded into a full-blown craze that had taken Shibuya by storm.
"C'mon Phones, we hafta check it out!" Beat dragged Neku just outside of the arcade, his features flush with excitement. Neku was reluctant, to put it mildly, grumbling all of the way.
"But what about the mission?" he insisted. Beat sighed, throwing up his hands dramatically in exasperation.
"We been over this, yo! We been circlin' Shibuya more times 'an I can count, and we ain't seen nooooo Reapers! I need a break!"
"Beat, you're lucky if you can count past two," Neku deadpanned.
Beat staggered and stumbled, and stuttered indignantly in response. "Dat ain't true! Quit messin 'round with me, Phones!"
"It was a joke." He couldn't help the fact Beat was so much fun to tease. Besides, he was kinda cute when he got flustered. "Anyway, are you sure about this? You know the rules. Nobody's going to see us in there, so people will start freaking out about ghost machines or something."
"Wrong again, Phones," Beat grinned, jabbing his thumb towards the sign hanging in front of the arcade. "Lookee there an' tell me whatchu see."
Neku squinted ahead. It was hard to tell from a distance, but the distinctive Player-friendly decal was definitely painted on the corner of the sign. "Well, damn. You're right, Beat. But I still think this is a bad idea. What if it's a trap and the Reapers are waiting insi… gah, don't make that face!"
"Pleeeease?" The puppy dog eyes got him every time. With a heavy sigh, Neku caved in, hiding his faint smile underneath his collar.
"I guess slacking off for awhile couldn't hurt. But only for a little while," Neku warned. Beat nodded up and down, bouncing in front of the line with Neku in tow.
"Awwwwright! You da best, Phones! And whaddya know, the doors are openin'! Race ya to the coin machines!"
Neku had to laugh at his enthusiasm – no matter how much he resisted, he always caught Beat's good mood. It was funny how happy and fearless and alive one person could make him feel, but maybe Beat was special like that. He was special to him, at least. From the very first day they met, Neku promised himself that he would hold onto that irresistible goofball no matter what happened. The Reapers could take away many things, but they couldn't take away what he felt in his heart. Not now, not ever.
"Yeah," Neku grinned, even though Beat was already long gone, lost somewhere in the crowd. "I know."