Title: Logical Requiem
Characters: Reincarnated!Sho/Reincarnated!Neku (Father/Son relationship—not pairings!)
Rating: M-Mild Violence
Warnings: Spoilers for end of the game. Takes place 300 years after the official game.
Summary: Sho tries his life anew as a math teacher aged 22, after completing his course in Uni. With the present and past holding a missing link, it is soon evident that his life so far, had been hurdles that even he can't recall. One day, he finds Pi-Face's cap beyond the Shibuya River, only then does his life as an unwilling trouble magnet begins, the first signs being that a familiar student with headphones and a sketchy past enters his first session...
Notes: Co-written with Houkai-Amplifier. (DeviantART)
Known Characters involved in this Chapter: Neku, Sho.

Another night. Nothing special. Nothing ever is. Life was slow for Neku. He would occasionally run into school acquaintances and such. The search for a job had proved to be unfortunately unsuccessful in his area too. However, his meetings with Sho and some familiar faces have somewhat changed his outlook on the situation, for the better. No longer does he mope around at home, but he will wander the streets. Progress, as little as it is, is progress.
His situation bothered him though. He kept a keen eye for job opportunities, but his chances were looking bleak. As unwilling as he was, gaining some credit for his schooling seems like the only solution.

Sho looked through the newspaper that Saturday morning, and again was chewing his pen. It had been a bad habit for him lately. But it's so zetta addictive, for poor leading examples...
What he needed to know from Neku was his strength, weaknesses, and goals. That was a definite foundation to finding an easy job, or perhaps a few weeks in work experiences. He was looking forward in seeing Neku again if he visited. All he needed was to pass Yr 12, and then it was easy cash from there. Perhaps throw him in a few lessons on interviews and practice?
If you can't get their attention using bytes, try for the moreover social approach.

It was settled. If Neku wanted to go anywhere or do anything with his life, he had to finish school. A few years of work were the sacrifice that he was willing to take.
Maybe Joshua would leave him alone too, being a grade higher than him. Unlikely, but at least he'll leave earlier than Neku.
A week went by, and Neku knocked on Sho's apartment door again, waiting to inquire about the best way to do this.

Sho was quick to answer, and to the teen's surprise, he was wearing all the gear he had been collecting. Why? Because somehow it helped him relax. And it was better than wearing whatever he did wear at school. Mingling with the staff was one thing, blending was a different factor to deal with.
He happily opened the door. "Hey Phones. Come on in." he said cheerfully, and stepped aside, quite oblivious to the other's reaction to his appearance.

Sho's outfit took Neku off guard.
Why... have I seen him like that before?
More obscure memories and questions filled Neku's thoughts. He hesitated before entering consequently. Putting those thoughts aside, he walks in and sits down in the usual place. "You busy?" he asked.

"If you call relaxing busy, then you most certainly have the two equations mixed up. But yes, I have. I just need to know a few things before starting up a few things," the math-teacher-who-looked-more-like-the-Grim-Heaper said casually, "If you're willing 2 cooperate, then I'll ask away."
Sho took a seat not far from Neku, still having a glint of hope in his golden eyes. "What is it in life that you're looking forward to? And can you name your strengths and weaknesses? And just out of the topic... what would you like for the New Year?"

"Hm..?"
His gut reaction was to respond with a 'Whatever,' but he kept that to himself. He crossed his arms.
My strengths... and weaknesses? Hrm...
After a moment of thought, he answered with a tone of confidence. "I want to be independent more than anything else. I don't care where life takes me, just as long as I can stand and walk for myself." He paused and looked around. "...But as for my strengths and weaknesses... Hrm."
Neku took another moment to think. "Well I don't care what people think, take that as a strength or a weakness." He subconsciously disregarded the New Year's question. He didn't want or expect anything at the time. That's just how things were for him.

To be independent? Oh, that's a simple goal, needs working on...
Sho watched Neku carefully, and also noticed that after a while, he was growing healthier. "Oh, ok. The other day when Composer bothered me, he said he was able to secure you a job. I assumed that you don't need him to do it for you? You want to try it yourself? And so... that's why I've pieced together a well prepared interview. You know, if you don't use the byte, you can slip in a resume and wait.
"Anyway, the best way to search for a job is with the newspaper." Sho smiled, as he went to get it from the table, quickly returning, "When entering an interview, just remember this; you're trying to get the job, and so you must sell yourself. Give them a good reason why they must hire you."

Sell yourself, huh?
Neku didn't like the sounds of all this. But, as part of obtaining a job, he must accept it.
"Newspaper... Got it. But interviews..." he scratched his neck and trailed off. "I can't stand them."
In the past Neku has had few interviews, but for bad situations. Called to the school headmaster, facing up to his actions and such. He was always looked down upon, his character being constantly judged.

Zetta harsh, Phones... Sho was quick to pick up the hidden emotions of doubt, So zetta harsh. It's understandable that you've been through a lot, I know. But you're too hard on yourself. Keep that mindset up, and you will eventually fail. Looks like this is where my experiences come in. Dealing with a bunch of brainless radians, yoctograms, zeros, and hectopascals, it's not easy, I know. Been there, done that, and left a trail of forgotten beauty in the process. The day you say 'you've always thought highly of me' is the day I say 'you've always been too hard on yourself'. Whatever it is you need, I'm there! Otherwise, I'll see you in the Inverse Matrix.
He sighed, rubbing his temples. This was going to take a while, and thus subtract time from New Year's cleaning and correcting more work.

--

And so the race to recovery was on. Sho disliked mobile phones and computers (seeing that by owning one, you were treating privacy with grave disrespect) but kept hold of them. Never before in a time prior to now had they use machines. But that was how the world spins nowadays, and eventually, unlike the old Sho, he had grown to accept the fact. Don't crunch it and add it to a useless heap, just keep up with the world or be left behind. Pointless. Plain zetta pointless.
About two or three times during Neku's visit for the day, the two practiced a simulated job interview. All three were planned by reading the paper. All three attempts failed. But Sho wasn't angry. He gave the feedback and hinted on a few pointers that needed work on. Dressing up was out of the question, because he wouldn't change at all, and Neku didn't have a change of clothes on him, so arriving well groomed had been ignored. But it was something to remember.
Every attempt took the teen a step closer to earning a job. Three attempts were enough for the day, as Sho was running out of ideas, and Neku was obviously spent on practicing. Four in the noon, and the sun began to set over the cold cityscape horizon. The two sat on the couch, enjoying each other's presence for what felt like the first time. Subconsciously, Sho involuntary began messing the teen's hair gently. "We did well, Phones. I'm proud of what's been archived today... actually, I've never had such fun in a long time. Just a bit more practice and you'll nail those radians in a speed of light without realizing it."
Realizing? ...Opps! Almost as if Neku's hair was acid, Sho quickly drew his hand away.

Neku was feeling pretty good. Progress has been made to increase his chances of passing a job interview. It was a small step closer to his independence in reality, but it was the first leap that gave him a sense of accomplishment. He disregarded Sho's actions with a half awkward smile. "I guess so."