Heyy. 8D Just got back from the KH wikia. Ven looks EXACTLY LIKE ROXAS. I ain't gonna run after Roxy anymore! WOOT. Go Ven! :"

...Okay, totally random rant right there. xD Anyway, let's get on with it, shall we?

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C2 - It's The Game All Over Again

"So, Rhyme," Yoshiya began. "May I ask why you're headed to WildKat?"

"I... Well, I... wanted to drink some coffee," she replied, casting desperately in her mind for answers to this boy's question.

He raised his brow. "Aren't you a little too young for coffee?"

Do I look that young? was Rhyme's first immediate thought, succeeded by: Do I even know my real age?

Out loud, to the enigmatic stranger beside her, she said, "Maybe, I'm... sixteen. Besides, I don't think anyone would mind."

He smirked. "I see."

-Joshua's POV-

She seems reluctant about all her answers. I keep wondering if this is really Rhyme...

But she went missing a week ago, and I haven't felt her Soul at all. Until I saw this girl. Is this really Rhyme?

"Hey, um, Yoshiya..." she said hesitantly.

I felt my mouth twist up into a small smile. "Please, Rhyme. Call me Joshua."

She seemed a bit surprised and her expression told me that she recognized my name. But the words she said contradicted. "Oh, okay... Well, we're here at the cafe already."

I looked up. Oh, right. Sanae was even there out front. I'd told him I'd come by later, but it wasn't later yet. I wondered why he was outside.

"Hey, boss!" he said when we approached.

"What is it, Mr. H?" I asked. No use being "impolite" (though technically that wouldn't be because Sanae worked for me) in front of Rhyme.

He stopped short when he saw my companion. I gave him a warning look, telling him to shut it. He raised an eyebrow behind his shades, but nonetheless complied. He really knew when I was thinking.

"Phones and the gang are in there," he told me, thumb pointing to somewhere behind him, meaning the cafe.

"Hm. I see," I replied lightly. Then I looked at Rhyme as if I had suddenly remembered something. "Oh, yes. Rhyme, this is Sanae Hanekoma, the owner of WildKat. Though I imagine you knew that." I giggled. "Mr. H, this is Rhyme. I met her at the Statue of Hachiko." I raised my eyebrows at the Producer silently.

He looked politely interested. "Did you now?" Perfect.

"I was pretty lost," Rhyme replied cheerily. "It was a good thing Yoshi--Joshua talked to me."

I could see Sanae trying to stifle a laugh because of Rhyme calling me by my whole name. I glared at him briefly, then turned to smile at Rhyme. The cafe owner coughed behind my back.

"Well, I'm guessing you went here for some grub..." Sanae stated. "You guys buying or what?"

"We'll join Neku and the others, thank you." I lead Rhyme inside the small cafe, and headed over to the only occupied table.

"Yo, prissy boy!" Rhyme's brother called out to me--Beat. Really. He would have to stop calling me that.

I giggled. "Nice to see you all here." I stopped, and Rhyme came to stand beside me.

The look on their faces. Priceless. I tried to hide another giggle, but it escaped.

Neku turned to me. "What the hell are you trying to pull, Josh?!" he asked angrily. "Are you trying to screw with us?!"

"No, no, Nekky," I told him. I felt Rhyme clutch my arm. "You're scaring the poor girl."

"Yo, get away from him, Rhyme!" Beat shouted.

"Joshua...?" she said in a small voice.

"Daisukenojo, I suggest you quiet down before Rhyme is more than scared of you," I suggested to him.

"Shut up, Rainbow Boy--and don't call me that, yo! You crampin' up my style!" Oh, so it was Rainbow Boy now?

The brunette--Shiki--intervened. "Guys, maybe we should quiet down..." At last, someone who understands.

She and her redheaded best friend managed to pull Neku and Beat down to sitting positions again for me to explain. And I did. I told Rhyme to start up a conversation with Mr. H while I "discussed some things with my friends". She happily obliged.

"So it's like the game all over again, ain't it?" Beat stated, looking crestfallen.

I nodded.

So far, that was all we had.

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Yay! Second Chapter! Whee! \:D/

Next chapter will be worked on by me during this week, because I'm only allowed on the Internet during weekends. xD Wish me luck! Oh, and press that little Review button again, will, you, dears? xDDD