"Innocence"
Epilogue


The café was quiet as it was on a slow day. There were a few people there, customers, who wanted the good coffee he brewed. The only real noise he heard was from the outside. The sounds of car horns and footsteps of people hurrying here and there. It could be a little irritating. There was no denying it. But comforting in an odd way. This was after all, good. Nothing but the calm surroundings and the un-denying proof that everything around him lived and breathed. Everything was just alive.

The scent of coffee surrounded him. And he smiled because it was just so… nice. Peaceful. And he didn't quite know why it was. Still there was that strange sort of anticipation in the air. The sounds that the city itself was making. Consciously he tried to ignore it.

At the back of his mind though he knew that something was going to happen today.

Something big.

Something interesting.

The shop door bell rang again, a soft tinkling sound. He raised his head.

"Welcome to the Wild Cat Café!" he greeted, with an easy smile on his lips.

"Yo, Phones!"

"Hi, Neku!"

Beat and Rhyme entered the café, smiling. Rhyme had grown to a very pretty young lady. Pretty enough that Beat once joked that he's going to start to carry a bat everywhere just to fend those ferocious suitors away from her. Rhyme blushed and punched him playfully on the shoulder ("Ouch! She hits hard!" Beat exclaimed.) and joked back with her brother. Happy and cheerful. Just as Neku remembered they always were.

Beat bounced in his usual way, unruly blond hair messy as always. He doesn't wear a beanie anymore but still wore that silver chain around his neck. And was still as over protective of Rhyme as ever. Not that she minded though.

"Ya lookin' good, Phones!" Beat remarked, jumping onto a seat in the counter. "Ya not too busy today?"

Neku smiled and shook his head. He knew what Beat meant of course. His being Composer wasn't really all that difficult. Maybe just a little distracting at times because at the back of his mind, he could still hear Shibuya whispering unintelligible murmurs. Unintelligible but pleased murmurs. Ultimately, everything was going well.

"Nope. Everything's good."

Beat reached out and poked his arm, making Neku look at him funny but allowing his friend until Beat was satisfied. It had only been a week and still Beat kept doing that whenever they saw each other, which was almost everyday. The siblings took a two-week vacation from their busy schedule to make sure he was alright. After that scare with the Dissonance and Neku's memories returning, they were worried enough that they fussed about him like a mother hen.

Well, it was mostly Beat and Shiki, Rhyme fussed in her own way and laughed at her brother's embarrassing, rough way of fussing.

As if nothing had changed.

Nothing had changed.

Familiar faces popped up, one after another, in that little shop. Soon enough, as the hours grew late, so too did the crowd thin until all that was left were his friends, Beat, Shiki and Rhyme. They sat around the counter, watching Neku and laughing about their latest antics and whatnot. Neku listened to their voices with a half-ear, laughing in the appropriate times and offering a new cup of coffee every few times. It was a very peaceful late afternoon.

The skies were coloured orange and the sun about to set. Neku turned wistfully at the empty chair by the counter where Joshua would've sat had he lived. They were just memories now. Memories of the being together that may or may not have happened.

But then, did it matter?

It would keep him company when everyone had left.

Like a ghost in the back of his head.

He opened his mouth to say something about whatever it was that Beat said. But stopped when he thought he saw, Shibuya, the lady, in front of the shop for a moment.

The buzzing was back. But it wasn't unpleasant, just distracting and it didn't feel wrong. And she was smiling before suddenly disappearing. And the city hummed in anticipation.

Something was coming. He tried to reach out and ask the city but he only felt its secretive smile.

You'll know soon.

Neku sighed, annoyed but relented. It would do no good to question Her after all. She will tell when the time comes. Although he hoped that the next time she says anything it wouldn't be so cryptic like the last time. But then that was Shibuya's charm in a way.

Shiki's and Rhyme's laughter cut through his thoughts and he turned to see Mr. Hanekoma approaching. The bell on the door chimed as he entered/

"Hey, Phones!" He greeted.

"Hello, Mr. H." He greeted, gesturing to the seat next to Shiki. "Come in and have a cup. My treat."

Hanekoma grinned. "Thanks, Phones." And he plopped down on the chair the he paused as Neku placed a cup of black coffee that Hanekoma sniffed and sighed, happily at. "Heavenly…" He remarked.

Neku smirked. "Of course! You'll be paying the next one though. You can't weasel your way into another one!" he joked. The coffee would still be in the house though.

Hanekoma smiled, embarrassed. "'Course! Still, it's very good. Just the way I like it!"

Neku laughed, pleased. "I'm glad then." He replied. "So what brings you here?"

Hanekoma looked at him mock-pitifully. "Can't I see my favorite Composer anytime I want?" He placed a hand on his heart and shook his head dramatically. Rhyme giggled at the sight. "I'm hurt! Very hurt, Phones…"

Shiki laughed outright then at how ridiculous he was acting. Hanekoma stood up and bowed to the ladies who clapped enthusiastically at his little performance. Then he turned to Neku once again with a knowing smile on his lips.

"Actually, I'm here on official business." He said.

Neku straightened up. Maybe this was what Shibuya was whispering about. He thought. Worried, he frowned at the angel. He half expected the Dissonance to suddenly appear again but he didn't feel anything at all out of place. He turned to his friends with a half-nervous smile. Shiki, Beat and Rhyme only grinned at him though and he knew they knew something.

"Something happened?" Neku asked, seriously.

Hanekoma merely shrugged, unconcerned.

"Something like that…" He replied.

Neku gritted his teeth. But before he could ask what it was, Hanekoma turned to the door.

"Oi!" he called out. "How long are you going to be standing there?"

Neku's eyes went wide in surprise when he saw the person who know entered the café with that familiar smirk on his lips. Mr. Hanekoma turned away with a grin on his lips, nursing his drink. The others in the café didn't need to see who it was. It was impossible not to know after all. After all, it was just normal in its bizarre kind of way.

"Bastard." Neku said, beaming at the figure standing in the doorway against the light.

It was understood.

End

Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed my fic and for being very patient with me. I'm sorry it took so long. I kept revising it. Hopefully this is enough. :) Thanks again!