EBWY: Neku Day 3

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.

—

Neku: Day 3

I arose in a drowsy state. Releasing a loud yawn. Rikka was beside me, still asleep. We were at No. 1.

I sat there. On the edge of the street. Wondering how I even managed to end up in Shinjuku. It seemed impossible. One moment, Joshua and I were in Dogenzaka. Eating at the Ramen Don. Suddenly with loud bangs that still rings in my ears. I awoke in Shinjuku.

Regardless, Joshua was involved. I was sure of it.

Rikka arose rubbing her eyes, moaning.

Rikka: Oh, what time is it?

Neku: Time to beat this game.

Rikka: R-right... Do we have the mission?

Neku: Erm-

*Beep* *Beep*

Neku: Yes?

Rikka: "Construct a vision by the station, 50 minutes, fail and face extinction."

Neku: The hell are we constructing?

Rikka: A v-vision? I think?

Neku: *Ok, and just how do we do that?*

Rikka: Where we go is clear enough at least.

Neku: *The station.*

Neku: *But aside from that I'm making no sense from this.*

Rikka: ...

Rikka: S-so. To the station then?

Neku: Huh? Oh- Right!

Both of us darted off towards that station. As we got closer, I noticed something that wasn't there before. A rather large grid of metal beams that towered over us.

It was half the height of No. 1, so while tall, it was on even ground with many of the other buildings around it.

Rikka and I approached the what looked to be construction site.

Rikka: H-holy... C-c-crap...

Neku: No kidding.

Rikka: Did this th-thing appear overnight?

Neku: Seems so.

The construction site was vacant. People seemed to occasionally glance at it, if even. But most just walked by, ignoring its existence.

Neku: We should try and climb up.

Rikka: Fu- WHAT?!

Neku: Uh- The tower- Us- Climb up?

Rikka: Y-yeah. U-uh. N-no! Hell no! I c-can't climb that!

Neku: Well suck it up. We're both screwed otherwise. Because, you know, the mission?

Rikka was becoming visibly pale, sweat beginning to form on her forehead. It seems she had a fear of heights. Understandable. But not something to worry about now. Especially now.

Neku: Well?

Rikka: I-I- uh-

Neku: Great. Lets go.

Rukka: Wha-?

I walked into the construction ring. Pulling Rikka along.

We began to climb a latter that ran up part way of the tower. Both of us became extremely uneasy as we climbed.

We reached our first flat wooden flooring. Taking notice, there were wooden floorings scattered all around the tower.

Thats when I saw him. Across from me far up, was Joshua. He seemed to be talking to someone above, across from him. He stepped back, ran and leapt to another board across the building.

Neku: That- that bastard!

Rikka: Whoa, w-what?

Neku: I saw him! Joshua is here!

Rikka: Oh, g-great? Either way w-we should-

Rikka made the mistake of looking down.

Rikka: Wha- wha- who? No. Nonono.

Rikka backed into the center of the wooden board, her eyes were fixed on the edge as she breathing began to increase in speed.

Neku: Hey! Just- er- breathe...

Rikka didn't seem to notice me. I sighed.

Neku: Right- we can sit down for a second.

I paced the platform as Rikka regained her bearings. Joshua was here. Though who knew what that meant.

As we ended up waiting for a few minutes, Rikka had a mild panic attack. I tried my best to calm her, but it was obvious that even once she calmed down a little, she was deathly afraid of heights.

Rikka: C-c-can't we j-just go back down?

I narrowed my eyes, looking up where we last saw Joshua.

Neku: If only.

Neku: Listen, that guy is bad news. But also has influence over this game. I don't know that means he also has influence over Shinjuku, but we can't miss the chance to confront him.

Rikka: What m-makes you so sure he'll c-cooperate?

My expression soured a little, recollecting past memories...

Neku: Let's just say, for the sake of keeping things simple, we have a history.

Rikka: L-like, what d-do you mean?

Rikka: Kinda l-like a c-c-co-

Neku: I'm gonna just stop you there.

Neku: That guy's been too much of a prick in the past for me to even consider him an acquaintance...

Neku: I mean, he has done a llt for me and my friend. But what he did, not only to me, but my friend? It's something I consider unforgivable.

Rikka: So, l-like an "I hate y-your guts" kind of history?

Neku: There you go.

After that quick chat, we climbed up the nearby latters. There we were faced with the jump Joshua had made. The next board was farther away, but thankfully it was below us by a little. On that board was a ladder that seemed to stretch up to the rest of the building.

The two of us starred at the large gap between us. Or at least I was. Rikka had begun starring at the wooden floor instead, stammering under her breath.

I grabbed Rikka's hand. And stepped back.

Neku: I'm going to jump.

Rikka: N-n-w-

Neku: Rikka- If we don't we can't catch up to that kid. We need to do this.

Neku: *If nothing else, I need to do this*

Rikka lowered her face, her short hair covering her eyes. Now streaming tears.

Rikka: I- I can't...

I had realized this fear was wrenched deep. But at we stil lhad no time for this.

I wrapped my arm around Rikka.

Neku: Trust me. Just this once.

Rikka paused for a second. Her head still lowered, she nodded.

Neku: Right. Hold on tight.

Rikka then held on for dear life. I wasn't even ready to run yet.

Neku: Ack-!

Stepping back to the edge of the plank. I was determined. I jogged up Rikka trotting along. We jumped, grabbing each other in midair in fear and despiration.

Time seemed to slow as we held our breaths, waiting for the result.

The two of us stumbled into the plank across and broke into a roll, gasping for breath. Rikka wiped her eyes of the tears that blurred her vision.

Rikka: T-t-thanks.

Neku: Sure thing.

Neku: Just, next time: don't hold on so tight.

Rikka: T-there had b-better not be a next t-time!

Neku: *Only in a perfect world...*

The two of us stood up and continued climbing the ladders.

Finally after much struggle. The two of us climbed to the top of the tower. Which revealed the open sky with an extremely bright sun to boot.

The top was one large sturdy wooden platform, thankfully.

However, at one of the ends was Joshua, some other person, and noise surrounding them.

At the moment, I didn't care about the noise, I just starred at Joshua. Wielding his phone in his usual attire. I didn't give it any throught before, but he hadn't aged a day.

A clenched my hands. Baring my teeth in pure rage.

Neku: *That bastard brought me here again. I should just kill him now. The noise are nothing*

Rikka stepped forward.

Rikka: Hey, um, s-shouldn't we help them?

Then Joshua's partner turned around. Revealing a familiar face. One I hadn't seen in months. Rhyme was standing next to Joshua. She wore an orange sweatshirt, and a black undershirt, she also wore her usual black beanie hiding part of her short blonde hair. The necklace give to her by her Brother, Beat, still hung around her neck.

Wielding two cards in hand. She was waiting. Starring.

Our eyes locked. Both of us starred in awe at the circumstance of the situation.

Regardless. I ran towards the noise, Rikka following. Swipe after swipe I knocked the noise out of my way. I noticed some were coated in static by simply existing.

But I wasn't in the sleuthing mood.

I yelled in anger as the gang of noise grew thicker. I pulled out my lightning card, throwing with such force, it surged through he crowd with ease.

Once I reached the heart of the beast, with Joshua, and Rhyme. I skid to a halt.

Neku: What- *pant* The- *pant* Hell-

Joshua: Honestly Neku, we need to stop meeting like this.

Joshua's tone wasn't sarcastic. I realized he was actually threatened by the situation.

It struck me. Where was Rikka?

Upon immediate inspection. She was lost in the crowd of noise. Then we heard a voice.

?: Ahem.

All went silent, even the noise. I turned to find a tall hooded figure, grabbing Rikka by the mouth with a single hand, hanging her over the edge of the building.

?: Hmph. Well now.

Neku: Hey. What are you doing?!

Her grin melted, but the sarcasm was prevalent.

She shrugged, cocking her head in amusement.

?: Ensuring your attention.

Her voice was deep and feminine. She pulled back her hood to reveal her long silky red hair, and her penetrating copper colored eyes.

Neku: Copperhead...

?: Well, you've heard of me. Tch. Just call me Mitaka.

Joshua: Very well. "Mitaka" mind telling us why you have one of our own captive?

Neku: "our" own?

Joshua scowled out of the corner of each others eyes.

I couldn't stand to look at Rikka's eyes. The presence of absolute fear plagued her.

I grit my teeth, unsure of what to do. Normally by this point a glimmer of hope presented itself.

Mitaka let out a sigh.

Mitaka: I see then. You value this one yes?

Mitaka: As I said I. I require your attention.

Joshua: Well. A GM should be able to gain the attention of every player without taking hostages. Why do you need to go through such an effort anyway? Shinjuku sure is sloppy by comparison...

Mitaka: ...

Mitaka: "Yoshiya Kiryu" correct?

Joshuas face darkened, the smug grin from his previous remarks had faded.

Mitaka: Yes. You have quite the reputation on you.

Rhyme stepped forward. But I noticed something off about her. Something in her eyes. It had been a year since our last experience in the Reapers Game. She bad died, lost her entry fee, whatever it was, and been brought back to life by Joshua... She couldn't have been any older than 12 at the time. But just by wear and tear alone, she looked like she aged a decade.

Rhyme raised a card at the GM.

Rhyme: Safely place her down, and leave us alone.

Rhyme: Please.

Mitaka: Is that a threat?

Rhyme: Do you want it to become one?

Mitaka scowled. She looked at Rikka tilted her head and smirked. She then turned her gaze back to us.

Mitaka: This one has a desperate fear of heights. Possibly due to her death? And The blonde girl over there, you have secret kept deep. And the queer boy...

If it wasn't for the tension in the air, Joshua might've been flattered.

Joshua: I assume you're referring to me?

Mitaka: But of course.

Joshua: Fair enough.

Joshua had a strange look of accomplishment on his face. I raise my eyebrow. Starring at him. He shrugs.

Mitaka: Either way. I need to make an example of what I'm capable of. So the others will take me seriously.

All was quiet. The three of us braced for any move she might make.

Mitaka looked at Rikka once more.

Mitaka: You said want me to put her down?

Neku: Of course-!

Joshua: Shut it Neku!

Mitaka bellowed in laughter. She brought Rikka back over solid ground.

I could hear Rikka sigh through the GM's tight grip.

But Mitaka curled her arm around, and threw Rikka over the edge.

Rikka was immediately screaming in horror.

Neku: No!

Joshua and I ran to the edge. While I leapt off; Joshua faced Mitaka, phone in hand.

Joshua: Neku-!

I dove for Rikka. Who was waling in midair. I quickly caught up and grabbed Rikka, pulling her to my chest. Hoping she wouldn't have to see the rushing ground approach. And awaited our demise.

But as the ground grew closer. I felt myself lose consciousness midair.

Everything went black, meters before we hit he ground.

Day 3: Secrets