Disclaimer: I don't own The World Ends With You.

Anyway, if you haven't noticed already, this story progresses with each chapter switching narrators. Hopefully it's all right, hahaha.


Chapter One: Shiki

"Presenting… the amazing Shiki Misaki!"

I shuffle behind Eri as my knees suddenly fail me. We're standing on the porch—Neku's porch—and the door has just opened.

"C'mon," whispers Eri as she gives me a push. Clearing her throat, she announces again, "Shiki Misaki!"

… embarrassing. I can't look him in the eye! but what does he think does he like it does he like me— I shake my head and attempt to clear away my rampant thoughts. "I made it myself," I say, a little too quickly. My gaze goes to the ground. What an interesting crack in the sidewalk.

"Whoa…" comes his voice. No longer laced with apathy or disgust, it comes softly for once. "Shiki, that's… you're…"

I brush the dust off of my new miniskirt. "Do you like it?"

Then I look up and see Neku's smile. He does.

Eri playfully slaps me on the back. "See? I told you it was great!" I give her a grin in return. "Now let's go, guys," she adds. "I'm getting hungry."

"Co-ming," I chime in, and beckon for Neku to follow. He shrugs (but not unkindly) and we head off into the streets.

It's impossible for me to take days like these for granted any more. Sometimes I still check the walls for Noise before I realize that the Game's been over for weeks. I guess it really isn't something I can just… forget.

Neku's changed, though. His elusive smile appears more often than ever before. When we first met, I didn't think he had it in him… but he's really been able to expand his own world. Now he continues to surprise me by trying new things every day. Of course, he's still just as brash and rude, but I know that it's only a charade.

"Headphones off, 'Phones,'" I elbow him. "Listen to people, remember?"

He flicks Mr. Mew, who rests in my arms. "I'll take 'em off when you leave Piggy at home." He laughs and adds, "It's actually kinda weird now that he can't walk anymore."

"Lay off Mr. Mew," I protest. Eri giggles beside us, and I suddenly become self-conscious.

"You guys have the weirdest conversations," she says. "You should just be a couple already."

"Her and me?" Neku speaks up. "No way."

"Y-yeah. That's never gonna happen," I add, but my mind is already reeling. No way? what did he mean by no way he doesn't think I'm good enough or maybe he's just being rude but—

Eri simply shrugs. "Suit yourselves."

We continue on in silence. It's exactly six o'clock.