Hi! Ok, this is a The World Ends With You JoshuaxNeku story set in the 'Another Day' part. That mean's it's not technically AU, but canon for that part of the game. It's not canon with the main storyline- Joshua is not the conductor, the game in the UG didn't take place, they're just two teens who met through the events of 'Another Day' chapter. I've suspended work on it for the moment as I'm a bit stuck, so read at your peril, as it may not be completed for several months. This has a bit more substance to it than SakurabaxKiyru, in my opinion. Other than that, enjoy! Oh, and all the chapters are rather short…

The silver-haired boy leant back against the railings of the school gate. The mad rush of teens leaving the gates had ended, and only a few stragglers remained. Had he already missed the teen he was waiting for? He sighed and crossed his arms and wrapped his long cream-coloured coat across his body, vowing to only wait a few more minutes, then to try visiting Neku's home. If his friend wasn't back yet, Mrs. Sakuraba would make him welcome.

Finally, the boy emerged, orange hair and the purple scarf vibrant against the tall, grey buildings. Looking at the boy in his uniform and casually slung-on leather jacket, so beautiful against the school's drab buildings, Joshua's heart fluttered. A thin blanket of snow was on the ground and Neku shivered as he trod through it. Though the initial blizzard had died down, a few flakes sprinkled his hair, his payment for his refusal to wear a hat.

Although it had only been about three weeks since the two had seen each other, both having been weighed down with exams, Neku's appearance was a little different. His hair was still spiked, but noticeably a little shorter, suggesting that after the months of emo jokes, he had finally succumbed to Sota's scissors, and Joshua was sure he had grown half an inch. Joshua himself, however, had also shot up since the first time they had met about four months ago, so despite Neku's recent growth spurt he was still about an inch taller, though thinner-framed.

The boy registered Joshua at the gates, and gave him an uncomfortable smile to register that he had seen him. Joshua had originally had problems getting Neku to connect with him; though quite a friendly person, Neku seemed to have the vague idea that Joshua was… well, a little insane. On that note, perhaps he was right. They had only really seen each other when the former spirits met up for coffee and tin pin games at Wildkat, or went back to Neku's place (his house being the biggest of all the friends'). Joshua was a few months older than Neku, both of them now 16, and the months in which their birthdays fell led Joshua to be a school year above Neku, and he also went to a different high school, so the pair hadn't met for a while.

As the boy neared, the face was calm and a little stubborn, and Joshua let a thin smile stretch across his lips.

"Ok, Neku?"

Neku shrugged, zipping up his jacket as the chill began to get to him.

"We were given an extra twenty minutes for the exam… I was one of the only ones to take it… I think everyone else just wanted to get out of there… their fault if they don't pass"

Joshua giggled at Neku's mixture of determination to be the best, and apparent jealousy that he had not finished sooner.

"Eh, they're idiots" smiled Joshua, more comfortable with insulting Neku's adversaries than with directly complimenting him. "How've you been?"

"Not bad." sighed Neku, his closed tone indicating that he'd rather be alone right now.

As usual, Joshua ignored that tone and spoke nonchalantly.

"I decided we'd hang out today… since I have nothing better to do" smirked Joshua, tossing his slipping scarf over his shoulder.

"You can't just DECIDE that" Neku said, his hands moving animatedly. "Where do you think we're going to hang out then?"

"Your house, obviously."

Neku scowled.

"Oh, Neku, you look so sweet when you're angry" he giggled.

"I am NOT sweet" hissed the reply

Joshua waved a hand arrogantly "Not the kind of thing oneself can judge, dear" he remained smirking.

Neku still looked angry, but seemed to concede that if Joshua was going to follow him home, he better not give him any more reason to be annoying than his personality already seemed to entail.

"Ok… you can come round… but only cause you've irritated me to do it"

Joshua giggled "Face it, I'm actually your friend"

"Face it… I actually think you're an ass"

With that, the redhead crossed his arms and continued towards his house, Joshua behind him, smirking and giggling all the way.