Day 5, Despair
I lifted my head up, feeling the intense pain there from yesterday's battle.
Right…yesterday…
I'm never talking to Neku again. What an unsocial brat…
"Hmm…I guess we better get cooking." I looked around for Rai, seeing him not to far away leaning against a store. Nooging him, I sat next to my brother with my knees propped up and my elbows across them.
"How are you feeling Aki-chan?" He tilted his head to look at me. I shrugged; the forlorn look in my eyes must have been enough to tell him not to ask further. I felt betrayed and stabbed in the back. Maybe this was because I wasn't his partner. The fact still stands that I'm not looking forward to meaning up with him anytime soon.
"We haven't got the mission yet…are you going to be alright?" Driz knelt down to my eye level.
"…" I didn't respond, just looked at him.
"Jeez, your spirit is seriously broken." He scratched the back of his neck nervously. "Well whatever, just don't back down in the fight, okay? Give it your 110%."
I nodded and crossed my arms.
I just want to get out of this game.
"Any sign of Asami…?" I peered over to him. He looked relieved when I finally spoke. Rai shook his head. I sighed deeply.
"Oh well…where are we?"
"Cadoi City." He nodded his head to the sign hanging on the store.
"Makes sense." I rolled my eyes. My brother laughed and poked me a bit in an attempt to get me to laugh. Luckily the vibrations of our cell phones stopped the plan.
Quickly I pulled out my cell phone, wanting nothing more then to chuck it away.
Free Spain Hill from the Noise.
You have 200 minutes.
Fail, and face erasure.
-The Reapers.
We both flinched and grunted with the pain that came with our countdown-to-erasure clocks. I looked down at the familiar red digits on my palm. With anger and frustration, I clenched my hand closed and grit my teeth. Opening my eyes, I looked up at my brother and nodded with the evilest look in my eyes.
"Let's go beat Phones."
"A-Alright." He hesitated. I'm guess he feels I don't mean it.
Big mistake.
We fought of Noise viciously to get to Molco and clear the Reaper's wish.
When we reached Molco, I heard the familiar name that almost made me fall over.
"Come on Asami, Spain Hill!" a voice said.
Driz and I jumped into action at the same time. When I spotted the dark brown hair of our pact member I almost cried my heart out. Driz tackled her from behind.
Her face was completely and utterly shocked, but she quickly returned the hug.
"Asami! You dope! Where have you been?" I glomped her. She took her fist and noogied me. I suppressed the urge to strangle her.
I had to get a new pact member, I woke up in the scramble crossing yesterday with the mission 'Form a legal pact, you have 60 minutes. Fail and face erasure.' So I was so confused.
Out of no where, I was tackled into a hug by the male we failed to notice standing with Asami. She rolled her eyes but smile softly. Rai raised an eyebrow HIGH, almost into his hair.
I squirmed and twisted in the person's grip, looking up to notice his blue hair and brown eyes. He let go of me with a smirk, before he noticed the confusion on my face. The smirked dropped into a deep frown.
"Akiko? Are you alright…why are you giving me that look…?"
"Who's the fruit cake?" Rai snorted. Asami whacked him in the back of the head, which he proceeded to rub after muttering a small 'Ow…'
"Y-You don't remember…?" His face fell, along with his arms. I felt guilty as I shook my head.
"I don't know who you are…sorry man."
The blue-haired guy held his shoulder and dipped his head down low. "Damn…I thought you of all people would remember…"
I'm really confused…
Who is this guy?
"Asami, who is this?"
His name is Jun Otero…he's known you since elementary school…or so he says. I don't really think he's the stalker type. He's a very excited guy…kinda annoying though I must admit.
"You know you love me Asami." He grinned once more, perking up. With her deep brown eyes she gave Jun an intense glare, which shrunk him into his shoes.
"Did you get today's mission?" I raised a hand to her. She nodded and showed me the similar text on her cell phone. I examined it carefully and nodded. "Well we should get going then!"
"Yeah, for Beat and Rhyme!" Driz gritted his teeth and approached the wall Reaper calmly. Asami gave me a curious look.
Beat and Rhyme…?
I felt the familiar heart pain coming back. My eyelids closed and my lips released a deep sigh.
"The Reapers…they…" I covered my arm and looked away. My former partner's eyes widened and she grasped me by the shoulders.
They didn't?
"They did."
Asami's arms went limp and fell to her sides. Her eyes were widened with the shock and the tears built very lightly at the corners.
"They only erased Rhyme, though…Beat's being taken care of by Mr. H…"
There was a little resolution in her battling pupils, but her face stood forlorn.
They'll pay for this! Her downcast eyes sparkled furiously.
I smiled. That's the Asami I know and love.
Let's get Phones and Shiki so we can rape this mission!
"No." I stated bluntly. She gave me another confused glance.
What ELSE did I miss if you want to give up a chance next to Emo Boy?
A small blush dusted my nose, but I glanced away. "I'm never talking to that jerk again."
Alright, something's messed up here! She shook her fists and looked at Driz for a further explanation.
"'Take care of this Noise' he says." Jun looked at me, his eyes empty of emotion due to Driz's explanation of what happened.
"Whatever." I muttered, raising my fists into combat position and entering the battle with the Noise. Jun was my zone buddy.
"So you don't remember me at all, Aki?" He peered back at me, the metal pole in his hands smashed on the skull of a frog Noise. I grunted a response and continued to deal blows with my fists, my Justice Served pyrotechnic psych pinned to my sleeve. Jun bit his tongue in thought and ran to my side, helping with the large bear Noise.
"We were best friends…I missed you when you were gone…" He lowered his eyes. I looked at his figure, trying to scan him for anything that would make me remember any of his claims. But I came up short of any answers and frowned sadly at him.
"Sorry."
"It's alright I guess…" He sighed. I watched his face twist when he swung his metal pole into the bear's flank. The Noise let out a roar and slashed his claws at Jun, whom merely dodge it and moved in close for an attack.
I followed suite, igniting my palms with my soot and feeling the soothing warmth from the preventative substance on my hands, blocking the pain and releasing the warmth instead. I tried out a new pin I found yesterday in battle, and found myself flung forward with sudden speed.
I discovered a velocity pin…and hell, I loved it.
My fiery fists came down upon the creature's head, and it hissed at me. Jun stabbed at it, and Driz's lightning shook the zone. Asami dealt one last fiery blow, and the Noise disappeared.
"Wall opened."
I landed gently on my feet, and sent my friends a heavy, unemotional look over my shoulder.
"Let's go."
We reached the familiar dark street of Spain Hill. The nearby Mexican Hot Dog shop was calling to me. I loved that restaurant, Driz and I used to eat there all the time. Quickly we came together and formed a plan.
"Alright, you two take that corner, and Asami and I will take this side." Jun nodded determined.
We nodded. "Right!"
Driz and I ran off further into the district.
"Ugh! Damn it!"
?
We looked over to the source of the voice, and caught sight of Shiki and Neku. Driz's eyes lit up and he looked to me, with a sort of pleading stare. I shook my head and frowned. His eyes sparkled and he grabbed my sleeve, giving it a light tug. Driz's pout was rare…but it was unbearable!
"Alright, alright, we'll help, just this once though." I clipped my velocity pin to my sleeve with my Justice Served and ignited my palms. Driz smirked at me, slowly disappearing into the other zone. I charged at the large Shark Noise approaching Neku, flames erupting around my arms.
"Nyah!" My shoulder slammed hard into the beast, which let out a loud cry and snapped at me. I flew backwards and skid on my feet to a stop, lifting my head to glare at the beast. It gave me an angry red eye and merged into the ground. Something 'pinged!' inside my head and I made sure to keep my eyes out for the Noise on the ground beneath me.
Neku's eyes found mine, but I quickly looked away, not wanting to fall into my emotions again. I changed my attention to a wolf Noise and kicked it with my running shoe.
Neku didn't speak, and stayed on his side of the zone.
While I was battling smaller Noise, the symbol glowed at my feet.
…I didn't notice until I heard the swirling of portal.
My ears perked and I jumped upwards, the jaw of the Shark grasping my shoe lace.
"Nya…damn it!" I kicked at its head and tried to freeze its top half. I did so, and smashed down on its nose. A couple penetrating bullets passed into its back. Neku slid over and burned it a bit, with my assistance.
The Shark let out a growl and disappeared again. Neku stopped hovering, landing on his feet. He tried to get through to my eyes again. I looked at him. I was definitely sure he saw the anger and frustration in my eyes when I finally looked away to the Shark again. It snapped at Neku's heels and I blast a bunch of vanishing powder into the air, blinding the Noise.
Neku finished the beast with a shockwave psych, and Shiki and Rai reappeared.
"T-Thanks you guys! It's always great to have some help against those Shark Noise…"
"I know right? They're really a pain." I smiled at her. She smiled at me, and then to Driz.
"I'm so glad you guys showed up! I thought Neku scared you guys off…"
"He did." I stated flatly. "I'm here to help you, Shiki." Bluntly, I turned my back on the other pact and looked at Asami and Jun…their battle much more interesting at that given moment. Neku had flinched in his shirt collar.
"O-Oh…" She fiddled with her cell phone, but perked up quickly. "I see you found Asami again!"
"Yeah, she had to make a real pact." Driz nodded, his eyes penetrating the concrete.
"Huh?" Shiki looked at us with confusion.
"Never mind." I laughed. She giggled behind her hand and linked arms with Driz. A light blush dusted his nose, but didn't mind.
"Let's go, 150 minutes still." I turned my body away and thumbed my Player pin, scanning the area for Noise.
After taking out countless hordes of Noise, Neku leaned up against a wall and panted heavily. Driz wasn't too far behind him. I had my hands on my knees and breathed quietly. Shiki panted on the spot as well.
"Huff…huff… This isn't working…" Shiki panted.
Neku stopped his panting and stood up straight. "We're not even making a dent. Why do more Noise keep showing up?"
"…because they're being drawn here." I concluded.
"Huh?" Shiki glanced at me curiously. Driz and Neku looked in my direction. Asami and Jun ran over.
"Guys—we're not even progressing the littlest…"
"They're being drawn here, Jun."
"H-Huh?" His jaw dropped a little bit. Shiki giggled at his expression.
Share your wisdom, O' wise one.
I glared at Asami, who gave me a smirk.
"Remember when we had to get that part for A-East?" I started, they nodded at me. "Those Noise were drawn to the techie's negative feelings. So what if they're doing the same thing now?" I brushed back my hair and nodded proudly at my hypothesis.
"Wow. That's pretty convincing. You sure are smart Aki-chan." Shiki gave me a closed eyed smile. I smirked, and shook my head. "Thanks Shiki, but that's merely a guess…it could be different I dunno…"
"C'mon, Ai. What's wrong?"
!
The six of us looked over at the source of the voice.
"Look! Those two girls that just left the restaurant…" Shiki muttered, curiously tilting her head at them. Driz and I approached them carefully. The rest of the Player followed suite.
"Ai, are you mad at me?" one of the girls asked the other. I felt a familiar pair of eyes on me, but didn't look back at him.
"Don't be ridiculous." 'Ai' furrowed her eyebrows, the tone of sarcasm dripping in her tone.
Mina looked at her friend with curious eyes. "You…you sure?"
"Yes!" Ai snapped back at her, "OK?"
A bunch of red and orange Noise surrounded the girls, shocking the rest of us.
"Talk about your negative vibes…" Driz furrowed his blonde eyebrows.
"Whoa! Look at all the Noise!" Neku paused and crossed his arms in thought, "What's up with those two?"
It sounds like they're having an argument…
Asami looked at me and softened her eyes.
Like someone I know?
Shut up.
Hey, calm down! Jeezus…
I don't care, I'm angry at him, he can go to hell.
That's what you say now…she sighed.
I ignored her.
"That must be drawing the Noise-" Shiki slammed her fist on her opened palm.
"And that's our source…" Neku nodded.
"Then let's take down the Noise around them." Jun cheered, pulling out his weapon and motioning for Asami. She grinned and pulled out her cards. Let's kick some ass!
I pulled a 360 and came face to face with a vicious wolf Noise. I yelped and ducked when it pounced for me. I had my arms over my head and glared back at it. I shook my fist. "Rotten mammal!" and dive towards it with fist exposed. Face to face I bashed it, getting thrown around and kicked multiple times. I froze it and it became a block of ice.
That was my chance, so I kicked and punch the block until it shattered, taking the Noise with it. I 'whooped!', but unfortunately a bunch of frog noise leaped on my back. I hissed and swiped one away easily with my foot. The other disappeared under the wrath of a penetrating bullet from Neku's palm.
I brushed passed his shoulder without a glance or a look at him. I could swear I heard him sigh deeply. Jun and I took at a bear Noise. He leaped high up into the air and slammed down on the beast with a Shockwave. I sped forward with velocity and slammed down some vanishing powder, turning my surroundings black.
Agile, I fought against the bear in the dark ash. What I DIDN'T expect was the lucky shot it had when it slammed me back into my favourite lamppost.
I grunted, and blinked away tears of pain. My hands went straight to the back of my head and rubbed at the flesh softly. Man, I was definitely going to have a concussion. Jun helped me up and I gave him a curt nod before dashing outwards against.
The Noise disappeared with a roar and I saw a fallen Jun. I walked over to him and outstretched a (non-ignited) hand to help him up. He took it slowly and I used my bodyweight to help him up. I didn't notice the same blush dusted on his nose.
"That takes care of the Noise-Hold up!" Driz stood in combat position.
"Crap, this'll never work!" Neku did the same, raising his arms up.
"I wonder…" Shiki looked over to the pair of girls. "What's their story…?"
Mina put her cell phone back into her purse, "Hey, Ai, are you free around this time next week?"
Ai's quiet exterior was nerve-wracking. "…Probably. Why?"
Mina was taken aback a little. "N-nothing. Forget it."
"She's hiding something." I crossed my arms and focused on Mina. "Isn't that the girl we saw with that one guy yesterday?"
"Hey, yeah!" Shiki nodded to me with a grin.
"Maybe if we help them patch things up…" Neku spoke up quietly from his spot.
"The Noise will stop coming…" I finished. We shared eye contact and I just nodded plainly at him.
"Brilliant!" Shiki cheered, jumping up and down and getting into a battle stance.
"Let's do it then!" Driz agreed.
Alright! Smarties.
Hush you.
Make me.
Rrr…
"First we have to figure out what's wrong…" Neku crossed his arms.
Our party disbanded, Driz and I went with Shiki and Neku to Tipsy Tose Hall, while Jun and Asami went to examine Molco.
Driz walked alongside Shiki, flirting no doubt. This left me close by with Neku. It was awkwardly quiet as I did my best to ignore him.
"…Akiko."
"Mm?" I glanced at him from the corner of my eye.
He took in a deep breath. "Are you angry with me?"
I swear there was a vein on my head.
"Oh, definitely not!" I said, the anger in my voice escaping a little bit. The orange-haired teenager scratched the back of his neck, his eyebrows furrowed.
"God you're so difficult."
"Oh, I'M difficult? Excuse me for wanting to make friends, Neku. Excuse me." I retorted, my voice slowly becoming weaker. "You know, I just thought you were quiet by choice but you're a totally anti-social monster. You're worse than me."
Neku groaned and shook his head.
"Whatever, I see you're not going to let up on this soon."
"I'm not going to let up on this ever, Neku."
He examined my face with his blue eyes, and thought. The boy thought hard for a few minutes.
"Aren't you the monster here?"
"What?" I growled at him. "Wanna say that again punk?"
"…" He paused, and looked up from his collar.
"You're accusing me of being a 'monster' because of who I am." Neku lifted his head, his bangs bouncing a lit. "But you're judging me because of how I want to be, alone."
"If I want to be alone, if I don't want the pain of caring about people, what are you to care? Who are you to judge me because of whom I am?"
I blinked, and looked down. The anger raged through my veins. "I cared, thought you were my friend. Rhyme was our friend! You treat us like nothing; you didn't care about her, why wouldn't I be angry?"
"Well why would you?" He glared. "Who wants to be friends with the anti-social monster?"
I straighten my back and took in air, glaring at him.
"Me."
"Guys! Check this out!" Driz called from afar. I nudged Neku's shoulder with mine when I passed by. He stood, frozen on the spot, and let out an angry grunt before approaching Driz and Shiki.
There was a business man standing in front of them. Driz had his hand stroking his chin thoughtfully.
"Hmm… What should I do? I know! I'll ask "Reaper Creeper"!" The man suddenly exclaimed.
"What's up with that guy?-" Neku examined the man with his eyebrows raised. The business man had set up a piece of paper and set a coin down, chanting 'Reaper…Creeper…'. "Is he having a stroke?" Neku flicked a strand of his long bangs out of his face with annoyance.
Shiki snapped her fingers. "It looks like some kind of divination! See how he put that ten-yen coin on the paper? He's going to make a decision based on where it moves."
"When HE moves it, you mean."
"It won't move by its self yo." Driz shrugged.
"Unless we move it." I felt the smirk on my face slowly grow larger. Evil thoughts were taking place in my mind. Shiki smirked evilly to me as well.
"Hey Neku, think you could use your psychs to give the coin a little push?" She turned to the orange haired boy.
He pondered before nodding slowly.
Neku took out a pin and slowly grasped the coin on the page. The man's eyes widened and his lips made a complete 'o' as the coin slowly moved to white.
"White! An answer, clear as day! Nothing beats Reaper Creeper when you need answers. All right, White means… Umm… What did I ask again? … Reaper… Creeper… What was my last question?"
"…" Neku face palmed. "Let's move on."
"Let's." Shiki agreed.
The four of us moved back to Spain Hill. I made sure to stay next to Driz at all times.
When we got back to the girls, Asami and Jun greeted us casually.
"Find anything?"
"Yeah, we have a meme." Shiki smiled.
Oh! Do share! Asami smiled, eagerly awaiting the meme with her phone in her grasps.
"Reaper Creeper." I laughed at her posture, but shrugged it off.
Her cell phone and Jun's vibrated.
"Mina…" Ai glared at her friend evilly. I feel another fight coming on…
"You really didn't go to Shibu yesterday?"
Mina's eye twitched, "I…I didn't. I swear! Quit asking, Ai."
Ai turned away, "Sure, whatever."
Driz turned to Neku. "Go for it, Phones."
He nodded and scanned the girl quietly. His face twisted into different emotions as the thoughts went through his head. First his eyebrows were furrowed, then they calmed and returned to their places on his face. The teen's eyes opened and his sapphire orbs glanced at us before he gave a curt nod.
"Say…Mina..." Ai's face was completely evil, plotting even.
"Hmm? What's up?" Mina turned to face her friends innocently.
"Ever heard of "Reaper Creeper"?"
"Reaper Creeper… Oh, yeah! That magic game people were talking about at school, right? The one that answers your questions!"
"Wanna try it?" Ai smirked.
"Sure! Sounds like fun!" Mina smiled sweetly. Oh dear…
"Are we gonna fake it guys?" Jun frowned, the sad look in his eyes.
"We're gonna have to…go on Neku." I sighed.
He obeyed quietly, raising his hand with the pin locked between his fingers.
"So…if we're going to clear this up…"
"Ai needs to know the truth." Neku muttered. We look at him, half of us agreeing, the other not…
"But…that's really risky. Ai suspects Mina. She thinks Mina is after the boy she likes. If she finds out Mina has been lying, their friendship is sunk!" Shiki quietly folds her hands together.
"Exactly. That Mina girl is lying. And Ai is gonna find out eventually whether we cover it up or not. Better we clear things up now." Neku furrowed his eyebrows at her. She cowered a little bit.
"Well… I don't know…"
"Lying isn't right."
I downcast my eyes. Yeah…he's right.
"Go for it Neku." I nodded with a weak smile. I glanced at me from the corner of his eyes and nodded with a small hum.
Ai explained the rules of Reaper Creeper to Mina, and they both came to the conclusion that Mina would summon the Reaper…meaning our little Orangeylocks.
"Reaper…Creeper… Before we get in much deeper… If you're here all right, go to White!"
Softly, his moved his hand to the right. The coin slid to the white target.
The girls blinked, eyes widened with shock.
"White! Cool… The coin really moved! So, like… We said "if you're here, go to White." And it went to White." Mina jumped up and down, extremely excited. I giggled a little bit. Someone was sure excited of Neku's presence. Asami laughed in my mind. "Whoa… That means… … The Reaper's here! Creepy! Can you believe it? Reapers really exist!"
"That's right. And they can see right through a lie." Ai said viciously.
"Scary!"
"Hmm… Why don't I ask about you?"
"W-what?" Mina's eyes widened again, not because of her excited find this time.
"Jeez, this girl IS evil…" I muttered, Driz nodded in agreement.
She's kinda scary…
I agree, Asami.
"Reaper…Creeper…If Mina has a boy she likes, go to White!"
Shiki bit her lower lip. Neku sighed, and slowly slid the coin to white again.
"Aha! White!"
"Um, Ai-" But Ai interrupted her before she could continue.
"Next question!"
"Ai… This isn't like you." Mina backed away a little.
I didn't like this, not one bit. Damn it…friendships are so difficult…Maybe Neku's right…no! I'm not going to agree with him…
"REAPER. CREEPER. If Mina has secrets that should be brought to light…go to White!"
Neku's eyes widened at the intense thoughts Ai was thinking, and he nervously moved the coin to white. Ai growled low in her through and gave Mina a hard glare. Shiki linked her arm with Driz, whom stroked her arm softly.
"I knew you were hiding something Mina! One last question!"
"This is insane! She's nuts!" I gasped.
"Definitely." Neku nodded.
"Ai…please stop…" Mina pleaded, her eyes watering. Ai looked like she had much bigger plans on her mind. She pointed at the coin, a true fierce look on her face.
"REAPER. CREEPER. Yesterday Mina met with Makoto." Mina's eyes went wide and she clutched her arm nervously, "And she LIED to me about it. If I'm right…GO TO WHITE!"
Neku's eyes softened. He was about to move the coin, but Mina spoke up for herself.
"What? Ai, you knew about that? Aww…You saw us?"
"Yes! I know all about you. You and Makoto and your little-"
Mina pulled out an envelope from her purse and thrust it into Ai hands, her eyes looking away from her friend. "Here."
"W-What…two tickets to the Tin-Pin Slam-off? How could you Mina…" Ai's hopes fell from her eyes, the sadness seeping into her. "You knew I liked Makoto…"
"I'm sorry. That's why I tried to help."
"Help?" I said curiously. How did she…help…?
"Ohhhh!" Shiki perked up.
The tickets were for Ai and Makoto.
"Makoto wants to go to the Molco slam-off. But he couldn't get a ticket. He told me yesterday. So I started mailing my friends. I figured, you know, maybe if I scored two tickets…"
"Oh, Mina. You didn't…" Ai raised a hand to her face, covering her lips.
Mina smiled softly, and folded her hands together. "You and Makoto go have a great time."
"You got them for me?" She gasped.
"Yup! Now you can put the moves on him!" Mina giggled, rubbing the back of her neck. I smiled. What a smart girl. If my friends did that for me…
…Okay I'd kill them for putting me on the spot like that…but hell I'd be so grateful.
"Mina…" Ai bowed her head, the shame written all over her face, "I'm so sorry… I totally got the wrong idea…"
"It's fine…I shouldn't have lied about it…but I didn't want you to find out." Mina shrugged. "We're friends anyway. What's a little argument?"
I lifted my head and looked at Neku, who was looking at the girls. Yet his eyes shifted in my direction and met mine. Nervously, I smiled. He blinked, but lifted the corners of his lips slightly.
"…Yeah." Ai nodded a genuine smile on her face.
The Noise are thinning out, guys! Asami interrupted the moment.
Way to kill the moment, psy-chick!
Just get the mission done, lazy!
Rawr.
"C'mon Aki!" Rai waved me over. I followed him, sprinting to battle at his side.
There were three Shark Noise in the zone.
"Damn it! Neku, Jun, watch our backs, alright?" I hissed at them.
"Right." Neku ran passed me and made sure to stand behind me. I had a feeling that the silent battle between us was over. Jun's eyes narrowed at the sight, but he continued to battle the bear Noise. The shark Noise formed at Neku's shoes and I panicked, slamming his back with mine to push us both out of the way.
He fell to his knees, shook his head roughly, and got back up. I did the same, gearing towards the animal and burning it. It roared and disappeared, leaving one left.
"I'll take care of this one." Neku pulled out a shockwave pin before nodding to me and running ahead. I made sure to keep close to the combat in case he fell. Every time he fell back, I would jump in and deal damage until there was nothing left to destroy.
"Timer's gone yo, but the giraffes aren't." Driz sighed, scratching his neck. We laughed at him.
We did it, mission complete! Asami glomped Jun, who laughed and patted her head.
"Looks like Ai and Mina made up too." Shiki smiled at the two girls.
"Hey, let me take you out to eat. It's the least I can do." Ai patted Mina on the back. They walked up to a restaurant not far up the street.
"Aww, see how nice it is to have friends, Neku?" Shiki cooed.
Neku brushed his bangs out of his face with an annoyed look.
"Sure, you may butt heads now and then, but life is more fun that way."
Asami, Driz, and Jun started up a conversation about ice cream, leaving me with Shiki and Neku.
"I don't see the point of a relationship built on lies." Neku huffed, crossing his arms.
"…You don't lie to make friends Neku," I sighed, sweat dropping a little.
"I agree, that wouldn't be right." Shiki placed her hands over her stomach. "But sometimes, you need to tell a fib because you ARE friends."
"Not all secrets are bad secrets." I pointed out.
"Exactly!" Shiki smiled, patting my shoulder. Her smile faded as she reach for her cell phone and stared fixedly on the picture in the background.
She quietly got rid of it, though. "Hey, Neku? Yesterday you said we were better off without friends…You really think so?"
I flinched, hiding my face and making sure to look at something else. Not this again…
"…" Neku didn't respond right away.
So Shiki continued to ramble.
"Eri used to do everything for me. There was nothing she COULDN'T do." Shiki's eyes casted a shadow, "She had a ton of friends. Everybody at school loved her, because she was so outgoing. And the outfits she designed were so cute."
"Sounds like a girl that I know." I added quickly. Shiki smiled at me sweetly, which I returned.
"Eri was the one who got me started making clothes!"
"I thought that pig of yours was the reason." Neku snorted.
I started to laugh…a lot.
"P-Pig!"
Shiki huffed hotly. "He's a CAT! Ugh."
I continued to snicker under my breath.
"Anyway… She saw me making Mr. Mew. And then she said: "Wow, you're really good with a needle."" We listened to her and nodded softly.
"So we got talking, and she let me help her make clothes. I owe her everything. She gave me purpose."
"It sounds like she's an idol to you." I smiled. Shiki frowned, but nodded to me. "Yeah…pretty much. She made me want to be something more."
"…you know…Rhyme said she never knew what dreams were like…and now she'll never know…" Shiki sobbed quietly.
"…I know…it's not fair." I muttered softly.
"I know… I…I'm sad, too…" I glanced at Neku, completely surprised. "We'll just have to live a little extra. For her sake."
"You mean it Neky!"
"Neky!" He blurted, looking at me with a soft blush over his nose. Shiki laughed at his expression and my sudden happiness.
"Well, we should…if we get a second chance…" Shiki sighed, coming out of her giggled fit.
"Yeah…" I nodded solemnly.
Neku stayed quiet, pondering.
"I wish I knew…" He started, but was quickly interrupted.
"Hello, young lady."
We wiped our head around to come face-to-face with a wall of a man. His hair is dreadfully curly and burly. He has a ram belt around his waist and his eyes watch us menacingly. He smirked at us.
"A Reaper!" Neku exclaimed, raising his fists. I did the same at his side.
RAM CROTCH REAPER! He's so creepy! Asami flailed.
Ram crotch…nice nickname there Asami.
Hell yeah!
"Correct. But not just any Reaper. I am Yodai Higashizawa… Game Master by proxy." The man smirked again, eyeing Shiki.
"Game Master… So you're in charge?" Neku hissed.
"Correct again."
"T-Then Rhyme is gone because of you, bastard!" Driz raised his arm into the air and pointed at the man with a look of vengeance on his face.
"I detest leftovers."—who is this creep?—"No Players were meant to escape yesterday's chowder of destruction. Do you know why you alone survived?"
We looked at each other…and came up with nothing.
"Because you are strong."
Why thank you, mister Reaper.
I chuckled softly.
"It's a dog-eat-dog world." He strutted around us. We made sure to keep all eyes on him incase he tried to do something funny. "A logical hierarchy much like the food chain. The strong reach the top and win the Game, while the weak are left behind, the heels of the proverbial loaf."
"H-How dare you!" Jun shook his fist.
"Rhyme sacrificed herself for Beat! You call that weak you worm!" I cried.
"I admire you children and your intense strength that is as strong as a holiday fruit cake"—I looked at Driz, whom shrugged back at me—"This calls for a taste test! Let us see how you fare as fare for the Noise!"
A bunch of new, stronger noise appeared. Silver bears and orange sharks, a couple of purple frogs and red and blue birds. We all glared at the Reaper, the determination in our eyes.
"Get ready for some ass-kicking!" I growled, using my velocity pin to smash my body into the silver bear. Neku took out some of the bird with the power of lightning. Jun was focusing more on the frogs and birds. Neku narrowly dodged a shark, which I dive in and smashed its skull to bits.
Driz whistled for me in my mind, and I glanced up at my forehead.
"What is it, Driz?"
"I think we should fuse now."
I nodded, and crossed paths with him.
"Game over fools!"
"Not quite!"
The field exploded in a burst of flames and bolts. The heat intensified dramatically and the two of us slid over the ground covered by our respected element. I fired a bunch of fire balls into the air, and Driz did the same with his lightning.
The limit was over and I quickly rushed to help my zone partners in their battles. Jun was focusing on his shark buddies. I leaned forward and froze the beast to the best of my ability before saluting and rushing to help Neku. He jumped upwards and landed next to me before turning his head and firing a bunch of penetrating bullets to the silver bear Noise behind him.
"How's it hanging?" I smirked. He scoffed, smirking back.
"Just get to work."
"Sure sure." I ignited my hands with a smirk and rushed forward with a burst of speed. Shiki dealt the final blow with Mr. Mew and Asami's water beams.
We panted loudly, but quickly regained composure and glared at Higashizawa.
"Heh heh… I see I've sunk my teeth into something good."
"We weren't about to lose to the likes of you!" I yelped.
"Now you're gonna pay for what you did to Rhyme, jerk!" Shiki said.
"Sadly, I've had my fill for the day. I only came here to meet you, young lady."
Driz pushed passed me. "Her? Why!"
"To get a closer look, of course. At the charcoal-black envy beneath the barbecue of her heart." Higashizawa smirked and turned on his heel.
Shiki crossed her arms, pouting. "I…I don't understand."
"Oh, but don't you?" He smirked. "You can't fool me. You know the feelings are there, so you bury them. Your talk of loyalty, of dreams and friendship… They're no more than a lid on your stir-fry of jealousy."
What's with this guy and food?
"Oh, how deeply you must hate yourself. You have EXACTLY what you always wanted…but it's not enough, is it?"
Shiki looked down, shadowing her eyes.
"No one loves you. You can't love yourself. And so the jealousy consumes you."
"S-Stop it!" She cried.
"Shut up! You liar!" Driz shouted at him. Jun and I gave mumbled protests at the fat man.
"That friend sugar coating can't sweeten the selfishness inside you. You think you're more important than anyone else. And THAT'S where jealousy begins…"
"No…no I'm not-"
"You are. And you know it. Why else would your entry fee be-"
"Don't! Don't say it! Stop!" She covered her ears and fell to her knees. Driz came to her aid, glaring daggers at Higashizawa.
The man threw back his head and laughed. "That complex of yours is a bruise on the tomato of your soul."
"No, I… I'm just…" She ran out of words to say. I stood there, breathless. As did Jun, and Asami, who was screaming in my head like always. Driz didn't speak a word, and Neku was just as shocked as me.
"Nothing will change if you are restored to life." He spat at us. "You'll just go on hating yourself and being jealous of everybody else."
"No… Please don't…" Shiki suddenly got up and ran off, tears streaming down her face.
"S-Shiki!" Driz ran after her.
I watched her run off, Asami followed quickly after my brother.
I turned to the man. "You're pathetic, g-get out of here…" I hissed, my shoulders shaking with rage.
Higashizawa smirked and bowed to us three. "… See you on Day 7. Keep it fresh. Take care, fools."
He disappeared. I growled, but held a hand to my head and sighed.
"All this 'Game' stuff is killing me…excuse the pun."
Jun chuckled, but nodded sadly.
Neku was deep in thought. He looked up at me and spoke again. "We should go after them. Make sure she's okay."
"Aww, Neky…" I gushed, walking towards the other district. "You do care."
He rolled his eyes and followed after me. "Shut up Aki."
When we found the other three, they had calmed Shiki down quite a bit.
"Are you okay, Shiki?"
She didn't speak, but she gave a nod of the head and held her hands behind her back. "Sorry I over-reacted…"
"It's fine; just don't run off again, you'll erase Neku or something." Jun smiled. She giggled.
"You know what'll cheer you up? A sundae!" I gave a thumb up. They all looked at me like I was insane. If you're gonna do that, stare at Driz…
"What? Those other girls did it, and they're friends and all…c'mon I'll pay for all of us.
"Free ice cream? Hell, let's go guys. Aki's buying!" Jun cheered, running off in the opposite direction.
We chuckled softly and followed after him.
When we were in the shop, I noticed just how little of us must be left…what if we lost one of our friends? Does that mean they're gone forever…?
"Akiko, your ice cream's melting." Neku woke me from my thoughts. My spoon was hovering over my bowl, the contents dripping back into the bowl. Driz laughed at me, comforting Shiki by holding her hand. Her face was bright red. I giggled, and ate what was on the spoon.
Neku reached for his MP3 player in his left pocket. As he did so, his finger brushed passed the back of my hand. His shoulders flinched and his hand stopped its movement for a few seconds. I felt a shock go through my arm and into my body. His nose was dusted a light red, as was mine, but I tried looking down into my bowl instead of drawing attention to myself.
He continued to reach for his MP3 player.
I felt my lips curve into a smile, and continued to eat my ice cream.
"What's up with you two?" Jun tilted his head.
"Nothing." We both responded.
Sureee…ow!
I kicked Asami's knee across from me.
Maybe being friends with Neku wasn't so bad…
"Here's your check, ma'am."
"…AHH!"