For KingMickeyMeowwow, who's stuck with me through this crazy train. Also a shoutout goes to Chronic Guardian, who humbled me with an awesome, encouraging review that made my milinium! You are a fanfic genius and I love your works, thanks for taking the time to review this novice's attempt.

Joshua found the strays of Shibuya interesting.

Even as a child, the young Kiryu had always wanted a dog, but since dogs were unsanitary, lowly creatures, he was denied every time he asked. He didn't understand the logic. Other rich families had at least one purebred, pompous, poofy creature running around their mansion, even the Sarahara household had a white poodle with a diamond-studded collar that they treated like royalty.

Even as Composer, he was denied a furry companion, due to the fact that most if not all of Shibuya's strays were not in tune to the UG enough to really see him, let alone interact with him. Although it came as no surprise that they could sense those souls that wandered the UG streets. He had another option, but Sanae had been correct when he'd warned against it, stating very clearly that "The Noise make horrible pets."

So Joshua was forced to settle for Megumi.

But the raven Noise version of his old Conductor was hardly the equivalent of a fourlegged companion, though for some reason, Kitanji had kept the undying loyalty to him after being reformed into a Noise.

But he was no Fido.

"Kariya, while I'm at the Shelter, if I were to...acquire—"

"Bad idea, Boss." His conductor cautioned, "Your stay here is temporary, remember? As soon as your task here is complete, you go back to the UG. Your furry friend would be unable to interact with you."

"I would give it to Raimu. It would not suffer without me." The Composer's eyes narrowed "Not unlike the UG, wich would also not suffer if I choose to remain in this farce indefinitely. I am perfectly capable of being Composer like this, you know."

The Conducter frowned slightly "You aint serious, Boss."

"Perhaps, perhaps not. I will talk to my Producer and see if such a thing is possible before I take any action. For now, get the Bentley out and we shall pick up Raimu. I told her I would not embarrass her by using the limo, hense why I came home first."

Kariya sighed and unwrapped a new lollipop, putting it in his mouth with a small smirk.

"Whatever you say, Boss."

TWEWYTWEWYTWEWYTWEWY

The school day had been mundane and a haze for Rhyme. She couldn't focus on her studies, and she shook nervously as she replayed what Joshua had said yesterday in her head. I look forward to seeing your passion in action.

There was no fooling herself. The 'boy' she was hanging out with, and was currently dating...was the Composer of Shibuya. As the Composer, it was literally his job to observe the passions of his citizens, to make sure they were enough to make his city thrive. Knowing this made the girl extremely nervous. What if he deemed her not passionate enough? Would he be angry? Would he regret bringing her back to life when, by the rules, she was supposed to have remained erased?

A part of her was afraid, but another part was flattered. Joshua didn't have to join her today. He could have declined and waited to pick her up at the clinic instead of watching her work, yet he chose to come with her, to support what she was doing as well as acknowledge that she was starting a new dream. A small, seemingly insignificant dream, surely, but he decided it was important enough to observe personally.

As the girl waited for her ride, she suddenly giggled humbly. Joshua had entered his limo suavely, kissing her hand and insisting that the vehical was 'unsuitable for such an occasion' and that she 'deserved to be put at ease' and the intimidating car was not helping.

She nearly jumped as she felt a hand on her shoulder. Neku jerked back, a bit embarrassed by her reaction.

"Sorry." The once-emo said from behind his huge collar, "I just wanted to talk."

Rhyme smiled "It's alright. So, what's on your mind?"

"Joshua." The orangette said simply "Rhyme-"

Rhyme sighed "Neku, I know ok? He's dangerous, he's...he's a murdering psychopath who put us through hell and wouldn't hesitate to do it again on a whim. But he's also the one who brought us back, and spared Shibuya when, by all rights, he could have destroyed it. So please...let me give him a chance."

Neku frowned, turning away "I was just...gonna tell you to be careful. Josh manipulates things. I don't want you hurt. At least wear your Player Pin when you're alone with him."

":He's the Composer. I think he'd know." The girl said softly "But thanks, Neku."

Her friend smiled small, and went to catch up with Shiki. Rhyme frowned slightly, knowing as sound as the older boy's advice was, she couldn't bring herself to follow it. Relationships were built on trust, after all. If she shut him out on purpose, he'd think she didn't trust him, abnd that wasn't the case at all.

Her thoughts were interrupted as a horn sounded nearby, and a silver Bentley pulled up at the curb. Joshua got out and opened the door for her, a genuine smile on his face.

"Apologies, Raimu." He said as he helped her in, "We were delayed. I hope you are not penalized for being tardy to your job."

She waved off his concern nervously as he climbed in beside her,

"No big deal. It's not a time-oriented job anyway. I just come in whenever I can."

"How incredibly convenient. I too enjoy a job that lets me have free reign over my schedual." His phone rang. "Unfortunately being Composer is not that job."

He sighed and texted furiously, before sighing in exasperation and muttering to himself. He then giggled teasingly and told his Conductor,

"Uzuki is completely helpless without you. I suggest paying her a visit while I observe Raimu. Perhaps offer her a place on staff at the Estate, with her reward for filling a position being promotion to Game Master next week. I'm sure she would enjoy such a reward, as she filed for promotion about twenty times after you got the job of being Conductor. Temperary or not, she was quite jealous."

"You really are sadistic sometimes, boss" Kariya groaned "I don't envy the Players next game."

Joshua smirked, however Rhyme detected a dangerous, disapproving vibe in the otherwise mocking gesture, and decided to help out the Reaper by changing subjects before Joshua was mean to him.

"I usually come in the back way. Don't mind Chuck, he looks big and menacing, but he's a sweetheart. Um...he doesn't like redheads though, so Mister Kariya should just drop us off."

Joshua's mood lightened noticibly, and the foreboding aura he was expelling disappeared.

"You heard the lady, Kariya. Drop us off in the rear enterance if you would."

"Sure thing Boss."

As they were dropped off, Rhyme felt her stomach lurch again. The Composer was here to observe her passion. She only hoped it was enough to placate him, or at the very least, not make him regret bringing her back...