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 2
Joshua arose slowly. His head spinning. He was by the station.
He recalled his outburst from the previous day.
Joshua muttered to himself in frustration.
Joshua: Well that was- Problematic...
He scratched his head with his hand in pocket, deep in thought.
He wondered how he could explain this to Rhyme, his partner, who happened to be waking up next to him.
They were both quiet. Yesterday having flustered them both.
Rhyme's beanie had fallen off while she stood up. Revealing not only her short, smooth, blonde hair. But a scar on the side of her head that caught Joshua's attention.
Rhyme took notice of Joshua's intrigue, scrambled for her beanie, and put it back on.
Joshua: So. Rhyme. You know Neku, right?
Rhyme: Y-yes, why?
Joshua: Well, by any chance. Has he mentioned me while you all were together?
Rhyme: Erm. Well. Not really.
Rhyme appeared to be pondering the question. She came to a realization.
Rhyme: Oh! I actually think he did.
Joshua: Go on...
Rhyme: Well, Beat, my brother. Asked about a snobby kid who was with Neku during his time in the game.
Joshua: *Snobby?*
Rhyme: I think Neku did mention your name. But nothing else.
Joshua: You sure?
Rhyme scratched her head, nodding.
Rhyme: Yeah...
Joshua knew better. Neku would likely tell his friends most everything. Or at least, those whom he trusted. She was hiding something back.
Joshua: So-
Rhyme: Please. Answer my question first: Just who the hell are you exactly?
Joshua: Pardon?
Rhyme: Don't screw with me. Yesterday? The hell?
Joshua: Ah, Neku IS rubbing off on you!
Rhyme: Yoshiya! Please. Just, tell me.
Joshua: ...
Joshua took a deep breath.
Joshua: I am who I am. And who I am is not clear, even to myself. So, in turn, who I am, needs no explanation, as I couldn't properly answer.
Rhyme: Huh? That-
Save by the bell, their cell phones went off.
"Reach the park's haven, 25 minutes. Fail and face extinction." Joshua pondered the instructions for a minute, as did Rhyme.
Joshua: *"Parks haven..."*
Rhyme: Perhaps "Parks haven" means the central point of a of a park? Kinda like yesterday..
Joshua: Perhaps.
Just then, Joshua got a crazy idea.
Joshua: Say, Rhyme.
Rhyme: Yes- Yoshiya?
Joshua: ...
Joshua: Let's ignore the mission.
Rhyme paused for a moment.
Rhyme: Are-are you freaking mad?
Joshua: Well, perhaps in some sense, but that's a discussion for another time.
Rhyme: Why would we just ignore our only chance for survival?
Joshua: Please. At this point Neku is our only chance.
Rhyme: ...
Joshua: So. We ignore the mission, and find out more about this place. What makes Shinjuku "tick"?
Joshua placed his chin in his hand.
Joshua: And maybe, we can find out more about those in control...
Rhyme: Well... What do I get in return? I'm sure there is some stupid penalty for not finishing a mission.
Joshua: Well... We find Neku.
Rhyme: I'm pretty sure if we just follow the mission we would easily find him...
Joshua: Hehe. Indeed.
Rhyme shifted a little. She was clearly uncomfortable with the idea of the situation. Joshua was also was relieved she was ignorant of the existence of points in the reapers game, seeing as she never made it that far. She wouldn't have been nearly as willing
Rhyme: Alright. What do we do then?
Joshua: First off: Why are you calling me by my real name?
Rhyme: Oh... Because, I thought it would be more-
Joshua: Well stop it.
Rhyme: What? But-
Joshua: You heard me. Cut that crap out.
Joshua: Please?
Rhyme stiffened. Her expression became frustrated.
Rhyme: Yoshiya. Listen to me. I don't like being screwed with. And if yesterday is any sore indication: you're not *just* screwing with me. It's something almost manipulative. Calling you by your "real name," gives me some sense of authority. Because clearly, you seem to have a god complex.
Joshua paused, ignoring that last part.
Joshua: Oh- *I'm* screwing with *you*?
Rhyme merely smirked in response.
Rhyme: "Indeed."
Joshua: ...
Rhyme: So. Are we going to do- whatever- Or are you going to change our plans again?
Joshua was impressed with Rhymes resilience towards his antics. He couldn't just aggressively push her along similarly to how he did with Neku. He needed to be more methodical.
Joshua shook his head.
Joshua: No. Nothing changes. Let's scope the city then?
Rhyme: Right. Just don't get lost.
A grin forms on Joshua's still mildly perplexed face.
Joshua: Hmhm. Alrighty then.
The two continued towards the large tower.
Upon reaching the tall building. Joshua's attention was driven towards a pair of individuals. A couple.
The guy was a bit scrawny. His hair was thick, but clean. He was wearing a sweatshirt and jeans. He also wore thin rectangular glasses.
Guy: So, what do you want to do?
The girl was short. Her neck length hair fluttered in the wind. She was in shorts and a tank-top.
Girl: I guess we could wait here for a while.
Guy: Yeah. That sounds nice. Just take in the fresh air.
Girl: Especially considering the weather has been murder recently.
Guy: Ahh. Refreshing...
Joshua grinned.
Joshua: Ah, to be young and in love.
Rhyme: Right- I doubt you can relate.
Joshua: I'm sure you'd be surprised.
Joshua: In more ways than one.
Joshua had noticed something odd about Rhyme. She was much less, friendly, than he'd remembered.
Joshua: Say, Rhyme?
Rhyme: Yeah?
Joshua: I never asked my question.
Rhyme: That being?
Joshua: How did you die?
Rhyme: ...
Rhyme simply starred at the building. She appeared to be holding back painful memories.
Joshua: So?
Rhyme: Well. Were do I begin?
Joshua: The beginning, would be nice.
Rhyme shot a glare at Joshua, and muttered.
Rhyme: Shut it.
Rhyme stood for another minute. Joshua let out a sigh.
Joshua: Hold that thought. (You reluctant broad.)
Rhyme: Huh?
Joshua followed the couple, who had begun to walk away.
Joshua: I almost forgot the point in listening in on their conversation.
Rhyme: That being?
Joshua: We might learn more of this place. And why we're here.
Rhyme: But why them?
Joshua: Well, why not them?
Joshua caught up with them and began walking beside them.
Guy: No. 1 has been crowded recently.
Girl: Yeah. Odd considering it's a government building.
Joshua: "Government building"?
Rhyme: "No. 1"?
...
Rhyme: It seems there's quite a bit we don't understand.
Joshua: You're just now figuring that out?
Guy: I've also been hearing rumors.
Girl: Like?
Guy: Well. There has been a bit of ruckus by the station.
Girl: Go on...
Guy: Ruckus like murder...
Girl: Wow. How horrible...
Guy: Some abductions too. It's crazy.
Joshua: *Whistles* This place is screwed up.
Rhyme: No kidding.
Joshua: Wonder why it's by the station though...
Rhyme: Point of interest maybe?
Joshua: What? To the game?
Rhyme shrugged.
Rhyme: Maybe.
Guy: Then there's these strange cards...
The boy pulled out the cards he was referring to. He and Rhyme looked at each other. They were the cards that they both found on their persons yesterday.
Girl: Tariff cards?
Guy: Not sure. I think it's just another fad. It'll pass like everything else.
The two walked off. Joshua stayed behind to think. Rhyme merely observed him, arms crossed.
Rhyme: What are you thinking?
Joshua: That I should have kept those damned cards.
Rhyme: But what about them specifically?
Joshua: As I said. I should have kept them. I can't make any hypothesis based on a seconds worth of observation from yesterday.
Rhyme sighed and reached into her pocket, and handed her cards to Joshua.
Rhyme: Here. Observe. But give them back. I need them to live.
Joshua paused for a moment.
Joshua: Sure thing.
Joshua observed the cards. The first thing that came to mind. Pins and psychs. But with cards.
They were thick. Each card featured a symbol. Much like a pin. But they felt different than a plain card. They felt powerful just holding them.
Joshua returned the cards to Rhyme.
Rhyme: So?
Joshua: I think... I'm still not certain. But you use these to fight, right?
Rhyme: Yeah. Don't you?
Joshua grinned and shook his head, and pulled out his phone, swing it in circles by the strap which was wrapped around his index finger.
Joshua: No. I use this.
Rhyme: I... Don't want to understand.
Joshua: It's much akin to a psych. But it's a phone.
Rhyme: That- reminds me. You never answered me.
Joshua: Answered what?
Rhyme: "My" question...
Joshua: Ah. Yes. Well.
Rhyme: Spit it out.
Joshua: Well you could start with an attitude adjustment.
Rhyme furrowed her brow and narrowed her eyes.
Joshua pinched a strand of his hair, and grinned.
Joshua: Well. I'm... Only human.
Rhyme: Yesterday begs to differ...
...
"Only human."
...
The thought made Joshua chuckle. He turned to the buildings in the distance and a thought came to him.
Joshua: The tall building.
Rhyme: Yeah? What about it?
Joshua: It's called No. 1. Right?
Rhyme: That was said by someone, yes.
Joshua: Does that mean there are more?
Rhyme: What ? Government buildings?
Joshua: Precisely. Next question: Are they connected?
Rhyme: I'd assume in some capacity, given that their, oh I don't know, government buildings-
Joshua: No no no. To the game.
Rhyme: Oh. Oh! No. 1 is considered the focal point for Shinjuku! So that means...
Joshua: It means that the reapers and the composer might be connected to them...
Rhyme: I think I'm catching on.
The two turned back to No. 1. Joshua observed the floors of the building. All of them were tinted black.
Joshua: If only we could have a look inside...
Rhyme: Can't we just walk in?
Joshua cocked his head and stepped forward, squinting his eyes.
Joshua realized. There was no decal on the building. They could walk through with ease.
Joshua: Let's go-
Joshua froze in his tracks. Everything was becoming hazy. He tried to continue speaking and walking. But he and Rhyme fell over unconscious.
Slowly, the two lost consciousness.
Day 2- Only Human