AN/disclaimer: the following features an experimental writing style attempting to keep the manga-esque dialogue of the original game but also use descriptive paragraphs of traditional writing. It's also not affiliated in any way with Square-Enix, and this is a fan interpretation of a potential continuation of the original story.

And obviously spoilers from the original material.

—

Joshua: Day 5

Joshua felt gross that morning. He had woken up piled on top of Rhyme. They were both still sweaty and grimy from the previous days venture, and prompt exhaustion.

It was midday, bright and colorful as ever. Their day began at No. 1.

Joshua stood up and observed as the streets were littered with the lunch crowd. Almost all of them in suits

Joshua: Well, If there's anything I can give Shinjuku is that they've got the "working stiff" schick down...

Rhyme shifted as she woke up.

Rhyme: Urg- What?

Joshua: It's not important. How are you this fine afternoon?

Rhyme, still trying to wake up, raises an eyebrow.

Rhyme: I'm- Ok. I think.

Joshua: Good, good. I think then it's time we-

Just then their phones interrupted. It was the mission.

Joshua: Oh. Right.

The two players both opened their phones to reveal the daily message: "Cleanse the tunes by the isles. 90 minutes; fail and face extinction."

They looked at each other, eye narrowed.

Rhyme: What a load of bull.

Joshua: I wouldn't put it that way, but sure. So what do you say we go with my plan instead?

Rhyme: Just what is that plan, exactly?

Joshua looked around to be sure they were alone.

Joshua: To meet with *her*. Of course.

Rhyme: Right, to meet about an escape plan or some-

Joshua clamped Rhymes mouth shut and put a finger to his lips.

Joshua: *Shut it*.

Rhyme threw his hand off.

Rhyme: Touch me again and I'll break that hand of yours.

Joshua: I don't need your petty threats.

As Joshua waved Rhyme away, she grabbed his forearm and menaced.

Rhyme: I don't make promises I can't keep.

Rhyme sneered, tightening her grip.

Rhyme: And that was a promise.

Beads of sweat rolled down Joshuas already oliy face.

She had done this sort of thing before, hadn't she?

Joshua: Ok, ok. You've made your point. You can let go.

Rhyme gripped the lower half of his forearm with the other hand and began to twist.

Rhyme: What- do- you- say-?

Desprately trying to keep a straight face as the burn began to set in, Joshua attempted to retort as calmly as possible. But still sounded obviously strained.

Joshua: P-please. Let me go.

Just like that, she released. Joshua recoiled and checked his arm. It was beat red.

Joshua glared at a very pleased Rhyme.

Joshua: Oh- you think you're funny don't you?

Rhyme: Yoshiya, I'm not funny. I'm *hilarious*.

They began their treck back to the alleyways. All the meanwhile, Joshua was deep in thought. Rhyme looks over quizzically.

Rhyme: What are you thinking about now?

Joshua: Nothing important, not if you keep interrupting me...

Rhyme: Look, my reactions yesterday while well warrented, maybe probably a little extreme given our circumstances. We're still partners, like it or not. So, I guess- I'm trying to apologize?

I think?

Joshua continued to glare at Rhyme. She was up to something. He felt it. Having already tried to trusting thing yesterday, Joshua wasn't too keen on the outcome. As such, he decided to play along, for now.

Joshua: Fine. Sure. Whatever. Just- no more threats, alright? From either of us. It's going to get us nowhere fast.

Rhyme shrugged, she was very worried about teaming with the person involved in murdering a friend of hers. Yeah, sure, he brought everyone back to life, but the trauma both mental and physical were clear as day. She wasn't sure uf she should be at all thankful or resentful. Probably a bit of both.

In an attempt to change the topic, Joshua was about to try and interject with a thought of his own, but something caught his eye before then.

A pair of figures ducked into the a nearby alleyway. Joshua stooped dead in his tracks.

Joshua: Wait.

Joshua gripped Rhymes shoulder, but quickly let go once the glares returned. Joshua pointed at the alley.

Joshua: Over there, two of them.

Rhyme: Reapers?

Joshua: I dunno-

Or did he? Something terrifying occurred to him. It could be rogues. He shuttered at the thought. At least traditional reapers had restrictions put on them by the higher ups, but rogues? They were loose cannons. They could do whatever they wanted, however they wanted. If that meant gutting a player like a pig, torturing them for information, it didn't matter.

Joshua: We should avoid them.

Rhyme: But what if they're after Neku. Those files, remember?

A chill ran down Joshuas back. She was right.

Joshua: We can tail them, but we don't get seen. Ok? No heroics, period.

Rhyme hesitated, but ultimately nodded in acceptance.

The duo slinked into the alley, hiding behind a trash bin.

They saw a man and a woman. The woman was posing with a gun, seemingly playfully. While the man was rummaging through a nearby store.

(Girl): How much longer?

(Man): Not long.

The woman let out a sigh of frustration. She had muddy brown frilly hair, pulled up in a ponytail with large strands of hair falling down both sides of her face. Her face was sharp. She whore a brown plad untucked dress shirt, her long sleeves rolled up, and a black leather vest. As well as Short jeans.

She spun the gun around her finger, whistling.

(Girl): So? Anything?

The man grumbled audibly and stumbled out. He seemed like a grouch. His hair was of decent length for a man, and was a dark brown. He had rectangular glasses, and some scruffy facial hair. He was dressed in a dark grey buttoned up shirt. Joshua was tempted to remark on his appearence, but chose to refrain. More so for his own sake.

(Man): Jess. Shut the hell up.

Jess: Well maybe, you shouldn't keep me waiting Shourin.

Shourin: Do you want to rummage through an abandoned building?

Jess rolled her eyes and handed the gun back to the Shourin. Where he cocked it, put the safety on, and holstered it.

Shourin: Besides. I'm pretty confident that our mission goal is supposed to be somewhere around here.

Jess: "Tunes"? "Isles"? That makes you want to search the alleyway for an abandoned music store?

Shourin: I garuntee, one of them will be filled with noise. We just need to find the right one.

Jess scoffed.

Jess: I doubt that. We should have headed east. I'm almost certain.

Rhyme let out a sigh next to Joshua.

Rhyme: (They're only players...)

Joshua turned to Rhyme and put a finger to his lips again, slowly shaking his head.

Next thing they new, out of nowhere, Sunako was walking beside them towards the duo.

Sun: I've been looking for you guys.

Jess and Shourin turned to Sunako.

Jess: Oh. You again.

Shourin: You're too persistent for your own good.

Shourin raised his gun.

Sun: WHOA WHOA- I'm not a reaper! For the last time! Jeez...

Jess: And why should we believe that?

Sun: Because, if I was a reaper, you'd both be dead already.

Shourin: I beg to differ.

Sunako narrowed her eyes.

Sun: Listen. I'm not here to fight. Quite the contrary in fact, I'm here to give you both some advise.

Both pairs of players gave their partners concerned looks.

Jess: Just what does that mean?

Shourin tightened his grip on the gun. Also glancing back and forth, seemingly trying to find an escape route.

Sun: First. Don't just threaten everyone you meet... Ok? I've been hearing from other players. Second. In cases like today- Well... Let's just say you're on the right the wrong side of town.

Jess's eyes widened.

Jess: Your telling me that I was-

She looked at Shourin, glaring.

Jess: WELL LET'S GO THEN SMARTASS!

Jess shoved Shourin and the two of them began their sprint.

Joshua: I appreciate that.

Joshua and Rhyme stepped out from behind their hiding spot.

Sun: Hey, you made this easier for me. I'd been trying to talk to them since yesterday morning, but they kept running off... Since they were in such a rush, they didn't get any of the actually useful information.

Rhyme: Their loss.

Sun: Right? So. What did you want?

A grin crept across Joshua's face as he reminded himself of his idea. In an attempt to keep his composure, he guestured to the store.

Joshua: After you all.

...

The store smelled. Like, really bad. It caught Joshua off guard at first. It wasn't anything like yesterday, just a general moldy sort of odor that would attract the pests. Beyond the narrow entrance, the shop opened up into a decent sized place that had definitely seen better days. The most of the shelves in the back were knocked over, presumably from that burly man Shourin rummaging through the place.

It took Joshua fully entering the room before he recognized what being stored in here, with a grand piano being stationed off in the left corner of the room. As well as guitars, basses, horns of all kinds of varieties. Not to mention all of the equipment to use and maybe even produce music with these instruments.

Joshua seated himself at the piano, cracked his knuckles, and began to bash the piano. Initially, he sounded horrible. Because he had no idea what he was doing. But as he played, something clicked. Next thing he knew, he was playing a peice by Mozart.

Joshua stopped dead after a second. He was caught off guard by the fact he didn't recall ever playing the piano. He stopped, stood up, and continued observing the rest of the room.

Rhyme and Sunako shared a surprised look.

Rhyme: Um- Yoshiya-?

Joshua: Just- don't ask.

Rhyme: Are you sure?

Joshua looked back at Rhyme as if recalling a memory.

Joshua: I- yes. Just leave it.

As the two stood in confusion, Joshua walked into the back office.

Sun: You play any instruments?

Rhyme: Oh- um. No. Not really no.

Sun: Shame. I pestered my parents during childhood to learn the bass...

An awkward silence crept the room as Joshua rummaged the office.

Sun: Do- you like music?

Rhyme shrugged.

Rhyme: I dunno. I guess. It's all just noise I think. It's a good distraction.

With a smirk, Sunako raised an eyebrow.

Sun: Was that a pun?

Rhyme suddenly grew wide eyes, realizing what she had done.

Rhyme: Oh god- I didn't realize.

Sunako began to chuckle to herself.

Sun: It's fine. I think we could use a good laugh.

It suddenly occurred to Rhyme: when was the last time she laughed? Like, properly let her mind hang in numbness, embracing ignorance, and laughed? She recalled where she was, what she was doing, and who she was with. The reality of the situation donned on her yet again, recalling those who were responsible for her frustration in the first place.

Yeah. Definitely worth laughing about.

Rhyme: Right... Laugh...

Almost as if on que, Joshua stumbled out of the office with a black board on wheels. He rolled in front of his partners in crime, grabbed a peice of chalk, and began to sketch something. It was vaugly the shape of Shinjuku.

Joshua: Right. Here's my idea.

Joshua touched the side of his nose and drew down the area next to Shinjuku station.

Joshua: i suspect this is the primary way in and out of Shinjuku. But- we shouldn't expect to just be able to leave. They're going to have some trick ls up their sleeve.

Sunako pulled up two chairs and offered one to Rhyme, who gladly collapsed in the seat. Sunako, meanwhile, simply leaned on hers.

Sun: So... About what we expected then?

Joshua thought to himself briefly, then nodded.

Joshua: I seems so, yes.

With another pause, Joshua drew circles around various spots on the map.

Joshua: These are locations that I'm personally going to try and overtake. I believe they're reaper hideouts.

The room went silent. Rhyme simply blinked. Sunako grew pale.

Sun: You're- you're kidding right? You have to be... Right?

Joshua: I'm going to burn this place to the ground Sun. Keep in mind I didn't want to. But this game is going to be rigged. After this week, no matter how amazing Neku plays, he's going to play again. I won't explain why I think this yet. But whoever brought us here, let the higher ups know of our presence. Now, whether it's a higher up that brought us here, or someone else, I can't say. But I have to fight back. Sooner rather than later.

Rhyme was lost in thought over the idea. She knew the risks involved, especially in working with Joshua. But she also felt obligated for some reason. Was it her brother? Her friends? She wasn't sure. Add to all of this it seems she wasn't even expected or recognized by any of the reapers. Was she there purely by chance?

The players looked at Sunako causiously. Joshua knew this was the make it or break it point. Where Sunako either joins them, or turns on them.

Sunako let out a trembled breath.

Sun: You're both crazy...

Joshua flicked his hair, attempting to diffuse the tension.

Joshua: I try.

Sun: I'll help. But, I'm going to need as much information as possible if I'm going to put my- no. Likely all of Shinjukus future in your hands.

Rhyme: That's a bit much, isn't it?

Sunako: It- it really isn't...

Joshua gave himself a second to think. At worst, she would rat them out as a double agent. At best, she could be an incredible asset. Obtaining inside knowledge on both reapers and players. The risk is was worth it. Besides, if worse came to worse, Joshua could take on a reaper. At least, he thought so.

Joshua: All right, I'll give you a brief run down, but not all of it. Not yet. I need to know I can trust you for certain.

Joshua proceeded to explain some of the brief details to Sunako. The circumstances in how he and Neku came to Shinjuku, as well as some of Joshua's knowledge of the reapers.

Once they were finished, Sunako stood up from her seat and stretched.

Sun: Well, that was certainly a story. But...

Sunako looks at her wrist at an oddly shaped watch. She frowned.

Sun: I think our time is almost up. I suggest you both leave before anyone comes looking for you two.

Joshua nodded.

Joshua: Remember our first target. Joshua pointed at No. 3.

Sun: Just so you know, I'll be busy keeping an eye on other players tomorrow. I can't keep up with everything you do. But next time we meet, I'll maybe try and fill you in on some of the weird things I've been hearing and seeing recently.

Rhyme: Thats would be great!

Joshua narrowed his eyes slightly.

Joshua: Remember, don't let anything slip. Because if you do.

Joshua stepped towards Sunako.

Joshua: I will find you.

Joshua takes another step forward.

Joshua: And if that puts any one of us at risk...

Another step.

Joshua: Including Neku.

Joshua stood face to face with Sunako. Who was sweating bullets at this point.

Joshua: I will kill you.

Sunako was very unsure of what this kid was capable of. Especially if he had no issue threatening a reaper.

Sun: Ok hot stuff, I hear you.

With a look of disgust, Joshua steps back and gestures Rhyme to follow as he exits the building.

As Rhyme passess, Sunako grabs her shoulder.

Sunako: Don't let him push you around too much. Ok?

Rhyme looked at Suns hand. She grips it and nods.

With that, the trio parted.

...

As Rhyme and Joshua exited the alleyways, they pondered their next move.

Joshua: After today, we only have two more days to make any sort of move...

Rhyme: Aren't you planning on playing the long game though?

Joshua nodded. Just then, a sound caught Joshua's ear. It was hard to make out. But as it grew louder, it became obvious. He quickly turned to his side.

Joshua: Noise-!?

Rhyme turned with him. Just then, a massive wave of noise debri began to fill the streets. It was like a sandstorm but particles of noise that were barely coherent.

Rhyme: What the hell?!

Rhyme was barely audible as static filled their ears, their vision became hazy, and their heads began to throb.

Joshua began to dash towards to source of the noise. But Rhyme noticed something, in the debri that was flying by, actual noise began to form. Almost as if the renains were molding into another being. Before Rhyme could say anything, Joshua was met with a face full of frog, sending him stumbling backwards.

Joshua: Son of a-!

With a loud thud he landed on his back. Joshua threw the frog towards a wall directly next to him, and tried to summon a pillar of light. But instead a trashcan flew by, nicking him in the head and thrashing the noise. He slowly tried to regain his balance. The two began their treck to the source.

The noise was growing thicker as they move along. The occasional noise flew their way. But they were occurring more often, much to Joshua's concern. He hadn't seen noise like this before. They were almost immortal. Then again, they were able to fight them in a single plane. Nothing about any of this was normal.

Rhyme noticed two figures off to their side. Her vision was stull obscured so she couldn't see who they were exactly. But she had guessed it was more players. Suddenly, one of the figures, began to shift their form. Arching their back and convulsing. Next thing she knew, it was heading straight towards them. The other not far behind.

Rhyme knew what she was about to do was stupid. Literally every other time she did this, it ended very badly for her. But still, she knew better. She knew it had to be done. She lept in front of the offensive player, and swung a card from her pocket. It almost felt like it was growing as she swung. Next thing she knew, she had cut the player in half as an attack was launched against her, long, black talon-like protrusions struck Rhyme as the figure evaporated. Sending her flying in front of Joshua.

Joshua: The hell-?

Joshua turned too late to notice the other figure that had lept towards him. Joshua was met with a sound punch to the face, sending him after Rhyme.

His vision was still obscured, but the figure stood out amongst the noise. It was almost like a massive void of nothing that stretched over them as it approached.

Joshua was met with the what he thought was the maw of the figure, because as it approached, all noise disappeared. No sound, all light began to fade. Joshua wasn't even sure if he was trying to make any sort of sound due to the massive resistance of the noise storm and the lack of sound.

He tried to summon a pillar, nothing. Not even a blink of light.

But as Joshua was certain he had met his end, the maw slowly enveloping him, suddenly, a resounding, reverberating *crack* was heard as the figure was split in two with a blaze of fire.

Suddenly Joshua could see. He was met with a face full of Shourin and the barrel of his gun pointed at his face. Jess was running behind.

Jess: JACKASS-!

A can was thrown on the back of Shourin's head.

Shourin: Ow- god-

Jess: WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT ABOUT?!

Shourin: Didn't you see it?

Jess: See what?!

Shourin: Those other players. They-

Shourin was interrupted, not by Jess, but shockingly, something even louder. The deafening sound of static intensified greatly as everyones vision was entirely obscured.

Joshua found himself gasping for air, as the noise overtook everything.

After what felt like the longest minute of Joshua's life, the air cleared entirely. What was revealed in front of them was some building. A resturant to be exact.

Joshua recalled that Rhyme was still probably on the the ground. He turned and- yep. She was out. Those- things hit them hard. It took until about then for him to realize the immense pain from his face. He recoiled.

Joshua: Arg- Dammit!

Jess elbowed Shourin.

Jess: Come on, I've got a pretty good idea as to whose behind this.

Shourin hesitated as he observed Joshua intently. He holstered his gun and walked after Jess. He saluted to them as he walked away.

Shourin: You're welcome.

Joshua shook Rhyme, trying to wake her up.

Joshua: Hey, Bito, come on. We shouldn't stick around in case they're more of those- things...

Rhyme groaned as she sat up. She gripped her chest as a sharp pain erupted.

Rhyme: Gah-!

Joshua: You idiot! What were you thinking?!

Rhyme could only let out a low voice.

Rhyme: Saving your scrawny ass.

Joshua huffed in frustration, stood and tried snapping his fingers. He wanted to see if any of his tricks still worked.

Thankfully, this one did. Well- mostly. Joshua's once very brused face, suddenly healed in a flash. Thankfully, there wasn't any bloodshed. Otherwise, he wasn't sure if he could manage that.

Rhyme's eyes widened briefly before rolling and gripping her head.

Rhyme: That's right...

Joshua: That's right indeed. Don't be an idiot and put yourself in harms way in a situation like this.

Rhyme: Whats that Yoshiya? Getting soft?

Joshua narrowed his eyes. It clearly wasn't clicking.

Joshua: I don't think you get what I've been trying to tell you. I don't have control. Not really. My- "abilities" are extremely limited. So if you get seriously hurt *like this,* I can't help you. Do you have any healing psychs?

Rhyme: No. I haven't found any-

Everything began to blur yet again. Signaling the end of the day. Joshua stomped his foot in frustration.

Joshua: Oh of c-

*THUD*

Day 5: Players Plan