EBWY: Neku Day 0
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 is a fan interpretation of a potential continuation of the original story.
And obviously spoilers from the original material.
—

"The World Ends With You."

These were the words of a man I once respected. But now? Not sure how much good they are…

My name is Neku Sakuraba. I was a part of an incident in Shibuya almost a year ago. Life since the has…

Changed. For lack of a better word.

During my time in what is known as "The Reaper's Game," I gained a few friends. A girl named Shiki, a skater brain who dubs himself "Beat," and his sister Rhyme. Together the three of us coped with the nigh traumatic experience that was the "Reapers Game," and hung out a fair bit after the fact.

I'd be lying if said traumatic experience didn't help me in some way. Since then I've opened up a little. Just enough for me to be deemed as socially applicable, anyway.

Regardless, me and my friends lived largely in peace for the remainder of that year.

But after? Things went south real quick. Shiki and I are no longer on speaking terms, I haven't heard from Rhyme in almost a month and Beat basically shut down because of it.

The day things really went wrong, was one like any other at the time. I was wondering Shibuya. Some late summer weekend with my headphones over my ears as I tried to clear my head, if only for a moment.

I was wondering the Scramble Crossing at the time, pacing about.

When I suddenly heard A voice. A voice that was so distinct, so clear in my mind it was scarring.

?: Why, hello, Neku.

I turned around slowly to meet the eyes of my killer. The one who deceived me a year ago. Composer of Shibuya, Joshua.

He did have another name. But I didn't care to remember it, nor did I think he wanted me to.

Neku: What-? How the hell…

Joshua chuckled to himself. Stepping forward to stand right in front of me.

Joshua: What a quaint little response! I expected nothing less from you.

Flustered, I step back.

Neku: Shut up! How the hell- no, Why the hell are you here!?

Joshua rubbed his chin. His smirk had faded.

Joshua: … Why don't we discuss this over a bowl of ramen?

What? Does he think this is some game?

What am I saying, of course he does…

Joshua: I guess you're impatient then… Alright.

Joshua: In short: I've… been thinking about our last encounter recently and honestly… I wanted to speak with you.

Joshua: So Neku? What do you say?

I crossed my arms.

Neku: In short: you an idiot. Why should I listen to anything you have to say?

Joshua: Again, apt response! Can we go for three?

Neku: …

Freaking priss…

Then again…

Maybe I could listen.

Just listen…

Neku: Alright… But on one condition.

Joshua: Oh? And what might that be?

Neku: We go to the Ramen Don.

Joshua: Well- That was my plan! Great minds think alike eh?

Laying on the kiss-ass a bit much aren't we?

With great hesitation. Both Joshua and I headed to the Ramen Don, a ramen shop in Dogenzaka. The walk was awkwardly quiet as I avoided acknowledging the composers presence.

When we approached the shop we were greeted by the friendly shop owner as well as cook, Ken Doi.

Joshua and I had a small history with the restaurant and its owner. So when we entered, he was surprised to see Joshua. I'd been a regular since for the past year. The doors closed behind us.

Doi: Welcome! Oh- it you two!

I prepared to greet the chief, but I didn't even have time to respond.

Suddenly someone crashed through the doors behind us. Joshua began turning around. I, however, barely registered what was going on.

Bang
Bang
Bang

In an instant my vision went white.

…

…

I groaned as I arose in an unfamiliar place. My head was throbbing in pain.

Neku: Wha- what?

I tried to shake it off and get a good look at my surroundings. I was by a subway station.
People crowded the streets, pouring in and out. I could see tall buildings ominously towering in the distance.

One thing was for sure: I wasn't in Shibuya anymore.

Then my phone rang.

Neku: …

Part of me knew what it was. But to be sure I opened my phone… "Head to the towering square, 30 minutes, fail and face extinction."

Neku: …No…

I clutched my head in disbelief.

Neku: No. No no no!

Somehow, not only was I killed in the span of less than a second, but I ended up in a completely unfamiliar place.

Neku: What- WHAT THE HELL!?

As it turned out, I was in for an interesting week.

Day 0: Prologue; Peace interrupted