A/N. As I work out the plot fabric, my apologies for any inconsistencies. And a big, whopping THANKSABUNCH to Jestry for being my beta-reader for the last few chapters.

I think I've used this as a chapter title before. I'm so sorry if I did.

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Chapter Two

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Adjustments

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Guilt was not something Joshua usually felt. It was a fairly new experience for him, and somehow always followed a rather pleasant interaction with the little Bito girl. Somehow, he felt all... kinked up on the inside. Guilty for kissing her. Guilty for liking her.

Now that he though about it... his 'dealings' with Rhyme and the little square of four ex-players in general had brought a good deal of stress and unfamiliar sensations down on his dyed dark-tinged blonde head. Affection, defense of those beneath him, awkward loneliness, generosity... and fear.

He shifted his weight in his seat at the small beachside cafe, sipping on his black coffee as he sensed Noise in his vicinity. Couldn't they just leave him alone? Not only was it exhausting to lower his vibe and keep it low for so long- this was why he had to bother with coffee- but he had to put up with hearing their muted hissing and purring noises as they fed of the negativity of a being who had just stepped inside.

Absently, Joshua analyzed the sound of the person's approach. There was the two-beat clicking of high heels and the irregular steps of uncertainty. As the door shut behind her, he picked up a scent like cherry blossoms and sugar, mingling with the faint traces of alcohol. The air swirled with the fox Noise that fed off tension, the crow Noise that fed off deceit, and the wolf Noise that craved fear.

Her thoughts are unusually busy and numerous this early in the morning, he noted. Hm... I think she's a little tipsy from whatever she did last night, which would mean the tension comes from the fact that she feels like she cheated on her boyfriend-- Wait a second... That sounds like Rhyme!

His gaze ripped itself from the paper, though he kept his head from jerking obviously around. Out the corner of his eye, he noted her denim shorts, slight heeled blue sandals, and pink tee. Layered shoulder-length shimmering blonde hair was held out of her face with a dark fuchsia headband with decorative fabric hibiscus. Sharp hearing snagged pieces of her conversation with the chocolate-skinned woman behind the counter.

"I... uh, I'll take a small coffee and a blueberry muffin. "

As she paid for her food, Joshua found himself fighting back a blush and smile. Stop that, he chided himself. You're acting like a little school-boy with a crush.

"Over here, Rhyme. " He waved his hand easily as she turned around, food and drink in hand and searching for a seat. She blushed satisfactorily, and sat down across from him. He coughed lightly, sending a burst of deadly UG energy into the Noise tightly bunched around Rhyme, dispelling them. "How are you this morning? "

"Ok, I guess... " She tried to smile, but wasn't fooling anyone, much less the person she was trying to fake happiness to. He raised one eyebrow fractionally, not bothering with an actual reply.

"Fine. You win. I've been thinking about… last night... and... "

Joshua's face stayed perfectly still and set in his mocking look as his heart jumped and quickened, like a horse suddenly kicked in the sides.

"I don't want to lead you on or anything, so... I already have a boyfriend. I don't... need another one. " She fidgeted with the wrapper of her muffin, ears practically burning. Rhyme never did like 'rocking the boat', if you would. She was a people pleaser at heart; her conscience would throw fits if she dared to make someone so much as uncomfortable. "But... I do need a friend... "

He smiled slightly. "Of course you don't need another boyfriend. " He closed his eyes and took a sip of his coffee to buy himself time to cover up just how much that kiss had meant to him. "I'm more than willing to be your friend, Rhyme. But… I'll need your help with it. I've got a lot of adjusting to do. "

There was a brief silence, both of them aware of the clean slate before them that marked the beginning of their new relationship as 'friends' and neither one of them ready to make the first mark for fear of ruining it. In the end, it was Rhyme who spoke first.

"Not to pry or anything, but... shouldn't you be in Shibuya right now? "

He didn't answer. She fidgeted, thinking she'd hit a nerve. Which she had.

"Are you on vacation? "

His gaze lingered deliberately on the table, mouth set slightly as he ignored her question.

"Is something the matter? Did you get-"

"You're prying, " he cut in, stirring his drink, eyes hardening subtly. Rhyme sighed, emotions taking a plummet and drawing in a fresh batch of guilt-loving porcupine Noise.

"I'm sorry. "

"Don't be. It's in your nature to be curious- you can't help it. Just know that I'm here of my own accord. " He flicked his wavy bangs out of his face, once more blasting the Noise away unbeknownst to the people around him.

"...ok. " Of course, it obviously wasn't really ok with the 18-year old; it was a very unsatisfactory answer, but she knew well enough to pretend it was. Society rather demanded one to lie in cases like this.

Joshua glanced over his shoulder. The cafe was starting to fill up, and he felt uncomfortable in a sober crowd. There was always a chance for discovery while prancing about in the UG; he had to keep those chances as low as he could. "Well, I shall be seeing you around, Rhyme. " Draining the last of his coffee, he left Rhyme sitting at the table to give him a slight wave as he went out the door.

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