Fish's Eye had been watching Josuke and wondered if this one was really all there. After struggling with his map, he'd stared off into space for some time and it was only the growing rush hour foot traffic that finally made him move into the ice cream parlor.

Well, it's a little unrealistic to expect him to be pretty and smart I suppose. Fish's Eye watched as the man re-emerged from Bob Floy and set about eating his ice cream.

He checked his reflection in a store window one last time. He'd changed into his human form and was quite proud of his look today. A fashionista deserves a fashionista, right? The shoes were the most boring part; a pair of small purple kitten heels. The skirt was long but cut dangerously high up his leg, patterned with fish skeletons in light blue against violet. The crop top, black and emblazoned with the Amazon Trio's logo, showed off just a sliver of his smooth stomach. His nails and lipstick matched the aquamarine of his long hair, pulled into a ponytail as usual but with some locks lightly curled to frame his face. Finally, and this was his favorite part, there was the bright blue leather cropped jacket with fish skeletons in rhinestones down both sleeves.

"Wow," breathed Fish's Eye, "I've really outdone myself this time. I could get used to dressing like this."

Now, the approach. Different prey called for different tactics. Most men he might have played up a damsel in distress angle, trying to get them to pursue him, goad them into an aggressive role. But a man like this; by all accounts good-natured and more than a bit of a goofball... that allowed for something a bit more fun.

"Josuke!" he called out, waving his arms. "Josuke, over here!"

Josuke glanced over, his confused expression only adding to his charm.

Careful with this one, Fish's Eye...

Fish's Eye walked directly to the table while Josuke was still looking around to see if there was some other Josuke nearby. It wasn't until Fish's Eye stopped at his table that Josuke was sure he was indeed the Josuke in question.

"Uh, hi! I'm sorry but do we know each other?" He laughed nervously.

Got him.

Fish's Eye feigned indignation. "Don't tell me you don't remember me! It's me, Finn. We met just this morning but I suppose I must not have been very memorable..."

Josuke's hand shot to the back of his neck like a rocket and the friction generated from the furious rubbing there threatened to make a blaze to rival a Burning Mandala.

He blushed deeply and stammered, "I, I, I am so sorry I didn't recognize you! Please forgive me! Here, have a seat," he gestured to the other chair at the small table.

Hook line and sinker. Now that he's on the back foot, it'll be almost too easy.

"Oh I guess I have some time. It is pretty hot out today..." Fish's Eye said as he sat down, never breaking eye contact with his prey.

A silence settled in between them, though Josuke didn't seem to mind. He continued licking his ice cream cone and took in the press of people heading home. Fish's Eye had to stop himself from staring at his mouth.

Unflappable, I guess. That or very lacking in game.

"So are you from Tokyo?" he asked, fluttering his eyelashes.

Josuke was mid-lick and answered with his mouth full. "No, I just moved here from Morioh. You know it?"

Fish's Eye shook his head, his ponytail swinging left and right with the motion. "I can't say I've had the pleasure." he said.

Another silence as Josuke continued to work on his ice cream.

Alright, what is with this guy? Boring or totally lacking in social graces or...

He finished off his ice cream cone and finally spoke again. "What about you? Are you from around here?" he asked.

Fish's Eye tossed his hair and replied, "Oh yes, Juban district born and raised." A lie, but surely an unimportant one.

This, however, seemed to pique Josuke's interest at last.

"Really? That's great! I'm really lost; do you think you could show me the way to get home from here?" He pulled out his map and started to spread it out on the table.

When he indicated where his apartment was, unfamiliar though he was with Juban, Fish's Eye was almost embarrassed for Josuke that it was a mere 3 blocks away from their current position. But he was in no rush to tell him that.

He made a big show of looking at the map, even walking around the table so he could press his body lightly against Josuke's but to his surprise, Josuke pulled away at his touch.

"A-ha!" exclaimed Fish's Eye. "I know how to get you there." He grabbed Josuke's hand and started to pull him back to the sidewalk. He was met with some resistance, however.

"Oh. Uh, can't you just tell me the way back?" Josuke asked. His body language conveyed a profound reticence. "I wouldn't want to take up any more of your time..."

Odd.

Fish's Eye laughed. "It's no trouble. I'm headed that way anyway. Unless you have some reason not to be seen walking with a pretty girl? Wouldn't want someone to get the wrong idea?" He held Josuke fast in his gaze. "A girlfriend, maybe?"

For a moment, Josuke was a statue until he relaxed almost with a sense of resignation. "Um. Okay, I guess. Where to?"

Very odd.

Fish's Eye led Josuke through the throngs of people into a quiet alley just a block from Josuke's dorm. At last they were alone.

"Oh, I know where we are now." said Josuke, noticing the Fruit Parlor Crown at the end of the alley. "I live right next door to that place."

He disentangled himself from Fish's Eye and started to walk on. "Thanks for helping me get home! See you in class tomorrow!"

"Josuke..." Fish's Eye murmured.

"Hm?" Josuke turned.

"One!"

Suddenly a red velvet-lined section of wall sprung up behind Josuke.

"Two!"

Wrist restraints came out of the wall, holding Josuke firmly in place.

"What the hell is this?!" he demanded, pulling at his shackles.

"Three!"

Josuke let out a pained cry as a dream mirror materialized in front of his heart.

Fish's Eye slowly walked over to the man. Josuke looked like he was barely holding onto consciousness.

"You're an oddball, Josuke." Fish's Eye said. "It would have been more fun to seduce you to get to this point but you're not much good at playing your part. All that really matters are your dreams, though..."

"What the hell are you ta-" Josuke began to say before slumping completely into unconsciousness.

All right. Let's see what kind of dreams you have, Josuke Higashikata.

Fish's Eye took hold of the dream mirror with both hands and pushed his head through the surface.