(Let me in.)
Neku tossed in his bed as he was slowly pulled out of his state of sleep. He rose from his bed and ruffled his already mangled hair as he looked out at the bright sunny day. (What time is it?) Neku looked towards his clock and went wide eyed at the nine o'clock time displayed. (Crap, I'm late!) Neku scrambled out of bed, quickly shedding his pajamas and slipping on his school uniform before rushing out of his room. Skidding into the kitchen Neku grabbed a piece of toast off the table and headed for the front door.
"Dear." His mother said making him stop in his tracks and turn to her. "What are you doing?"
"Sorry mom, I'm late for school." As he reached for the doorknob his mother grabbed his wrist.
"Sweetie, it's Sunday." (…Seriously?) She giggled as Neku stood there with a dumbfounded look, "Only a week and you're already in the school groove?"
"I wouldn't go that far…more just overwhelmed." (Although that might be an understatement given my week.) Neku shuddered as he thought back to the last few days at school.
Tuesday
Minamoto slammed down on his desk with a menacing grin plastered across his face. (Oh god, that can't be good.)
"Alright you zeta morons, time for me to shower you with my superior intelligence! Those who can't keep up will be left behind in my wake!" (Is he teaching us or showing off?) Minamoto made quick work as he passed out the test. Neku looked down at the first problem.
9+(4x8)12/3-6x9(60/4)
(…Of course. He's looking to torture us.)
Wednesday
As Neku stepped into the cafeteria, he noticed most of his friends standing to one side of a table that had a line of close to ten people. (What the?) Neku stepped over to Rhyme and Shiki and noticed Joshua sitting at the head of the table with a stack of photographs to his right and a box with some coins and bills to his left.
"What's happening here?" Neku asked the girls.
"Joshua started up a side business." Rhyme answered.
"How dangerous is it?"
"It seems innocent enough." Shiki said. (So do wild berries before you find out they're poisonous.) Neku stepped up next to Joshua and saw a simple picture of Prince Eji.
"What are you doing?" Neku asked as Joshua continued taking money and handing out pictures.
"Working at a small side business." Joshua answered, "Would you like to buy a picture?"
"Of Prince Eji? No, I want my pictures to be of someone that's not already on a teenage girls body pillow."
"Funny you say that Neku." Joshua leaned back to look at Shiki, "I have that order for you Shiki."
"What order?" Neku asked as Shiki's face went completely red.
"I-It's nothing!" Neku gave her a quizzical look as Shiki fidgeted in place, avoiding eye contact with him all the while. (I get the feeling asking anymore would get me in trouble.)
Thursday
Neku and the group enjoyed their lunch, with the usual lunchroom chatter around him from his friends. As he reached for a scoop of potato salad, Neku's spoon was suddenly sent flying by someone smacking it out of his hand. (Again?) Neku looked up to see Hokori looking at him.
"What now?" Neku asked with a hint of annoyance in his voice.
"You may have bested me last time but I know you shall not beat me again!" Neku groaned as he stood up and pulled out his pin set. He looked over at Eri who seemed absolutely enamored by the tension between Neku and Hokori.
"Isn't the white knight effect fascinating?" Joshua said. (I don't even want to know why he mentioned that.)
Friday
Neku and Beat made their way down the hallway, trying to kill time during their break. It was the sound of bickering coming from one of the classes that had them stop to look inside out of bored curiosity. Inside was Minamoto and Konishi at each other's throats; both figuratively and literally.
"I'm going to tear out your jugular you waste of space!"
"Try it harpy!" Neku and Beat rushed in and pulled apart the two ex-game masters. (I'm honestly surprised it took this long for them to get to this point.)
"What's with the freak out!?" Beat asked.
"Just a difference of opinion." Konishi answered keeping her toothy snarl as she tried to compose herself.
"As if your opinion meant a damn!" Minamoto said and Konishi glared at him. "All I need is your undying loyalty. I could only care to the tenth decimal about your opinion!"
"What is he spouting about?" Neku asked thoroughly confused.
"Minamoto seems to think I would ally with him in a hostile takeover of the UG after his last attempt at such a plan." Minamoto just chuckled as he cracked his knuckles.
"Last time I tried to play with just a king. I was missing my queen piece when I finally went up against the composer." Konishi snarled.
"While your chess analogy is flattering, I seem to recall you ending up with the same punishment I received."
"Yeah, you had a garbage sculpture dropped on you when we showed up." Beat added.
"I'd prefer not to end up in even deeper water because of your cement shoes." Konishi said making both boys shiver slightly at the comment. (I could feel the ice in her voice from that insult.)
"Fine!" Minamoto shouted. "Who needs a second-rate assistant backing up my genius anyway. Your mind could never comprehend my genius anyway unworthy hag!" Neku couldn't stop Konishi as she leapt forward and curled her hands around Minamoto's throat with the force of bolt cutters.
"You arrogant washed up waste of male DNA! I'll destroy you before you can conceive another generation of self-absorbed degenerates!" Neku pulled Konishi back as Beat pried her fingers off Minamoto's throat. She continued to try and grab at Minamoto, swiping her claw-like nails, as Neku held her back and Minamoto rushed out of the room. "I'm going to kill that man." (Note to self. Invest in restraining orders for these two.)
Saturday
Neku and Shiki stretched out as they prepped for the hundred-meter dash. Neku held Shiki's legs as she stretched out.
"It's been a while since I actually ran a hundred-meter dash." Shiki commented as she attempted to touch her toes.
"I think the last time was middle school." Neku said. "Think you'll do okay?"
"I hope so. Since we've been going all over Shibuya this summer, I'm feeling confident." Neku shot her a smirk and she looked away bashfully.
When Shiki finished up stretching, Joshua looked over at the Kariya and Uzuki who were chatting with Joshua. (What's he up to now?)
"Alright class!" Uzuki yelled. "We're ready for the first round. Our first victims are Sakuraba, Yama and Miazaki."
"Oh, I guess we're up first." Shiki said in slight shock.
"Should we be concerned she called us victims?" Neku asked before Uzuki blew her whistle.
"Line up! Let's see who's fastest!" (Yeah right, I'm not wasting my energy for one of your stupid bets.) Neku stepped up to the line as Shiki and Hokori did the same. As Neku took a glance over at Hokori he noticed a piercing glare and just grunted. (Not worth my time.)
"Oh!" Joshua spoke up. "I've got an added bonus for the winner." (Oh god, what now?) Joshua reached behind his back and pulled out a photo. Neku squinted to get a better look at the photo and felt his danger sensor shoot up to eleven, "Through a few alternate means, I have this picture of Neku in a sporting towel as he exits the gym shower."
"I knew that flash was you!"
"Manners Neku. Now, the first one to finish the dash gets the picture." (Damn it! Alright, calm down. I just have to beat Yama. He doesn't need blackmail material. At least if Shiki wins I'll be fine.) Neku looked over at Shiki and noticed her gaze was locked on the finish line. (…Those are the eyes of a predator.) Neku gave out a long groan as he readied himself. When Uzuki blew the whistle Neku, Shiki and Hokori leapt forward into a full dash towards Joshua. All three of the students stayed at equal pace as Joshua stood at the end of the line, calmly waiting for one of the to approach, waving the prize all the while. Hokori slowly began to pull ahead near the end. (Not happening!) But before Neku could dive forward, Shiki jumped and slid into the finish line with enough speed to kick up dust and debris that blinded Neku and Hokori. (Jesus Shiki!) "Congratulations, here's your prize." Shiki swiped the photo out of Joshua's hand and gave a cheerful giggle as she held it tightly.
"Good job Shiki." Neku said stepping up to his friend who now looked slightly guilty.
"Oh, Neku…I…uh-"
"Thanks for getting that picture back for me." She looked down at the photo and up at Neku with a conflicted face before whimpering and handing Neku the photo. (Now to burn this thing to ashes.) "You're a lifesaver Shiki." Shiki just sighed as she sulked.
"Happy to help." (You don't have to be so disappointed.)
Neku just sighed as he sat down at his table for breakfast. His mother set down a small plate of waffles as she took the seat across from him.
"Your friends sound interesting." She commented.
"That's one way to put it." Neku replied as he took a bite out of his breakfast. (Feels like I'm working a nine to five job.)
"You know, your father was quite the social stud when he was in high school as well."
"Was it by choice or circumstance?"
"Not sure…I don't think I ever saw him as panicked as you were though." (Lucky him.) Neku heard a yawn and turned around to see his father walk up to his mother and give her a peck on the cheek. His orange hair was a mess that was only matched by his scruffy beard that tickled Neku's mother's cheek. (Gross.)
"It's rare to see you before you go to work honey."
"Try once in a blue moon." Neku said bitterly.
"I have the day off. I thought we could spend it as a family." (…) Neku made quick work of his waffle before getting up from the table and heading to his room to change into his street clothes.
As Neku slipped on his headphones he thought about what to do with his free Sunday. (I could probably wander around Shibuya. Odds are the gang is probably doing the same.) Neku reached for his phone on the bed and was surprised when it started ringing. (It says it's Eri. Why is she calling me?) Neku flipped the phone open.
"What's up?"
"Hey Neku! It's Eri." (Yeah, I have caller ID.) "I was just wondering what you were doing today."
"Didn't have anything planned. Why?"
"Well…I was hoping we could maybe get together today. What do you say?" (Sounds better than time with dad.)
"Sure. I can hang out." Neku was slightly confused by the high-pitched giggling on the other end.
"I'll see you at Hachiko statue at ten!" Eri hung up before Neku could reply. (Weird girl.) Before he could even put his phone in his pocket, Neku's phone started ringing again. (Beat?)
"Hey Beat."
"Yo man!" Beat replied. "Me, Shooter, and Yammer are slamming. You up for being fourth?"
"I just made plans to hang out with Eri."
"Really? Glad to see you grew some balls."
"What are you talking about?"
"Nothing man. Later!" A dial tone was all that followed. (I have no idea what he meant by that but I still feel insulted.)
After a quick morning shower Neku made his way to Hachiko Statue and waited for Eri as he watched the crowds of people pass by. Some were simple wanderers passing through to their next destination, some were hurriedly speed walking by clearly in a rush to be somewhere, and others looked around Shibuya with a wide-eyed look that clearly labeled them as tourists. Neku just gave a long sigh before he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see Eri standing there and was taken aback at her outfit. Her hair was put into a loose ponytail that flowed down her right shoulder onto her light green tank top with a pair of tan shorts and white sneakers. It had a casual feel to it but Neku couldn't help but admit to himself that it made her stand out from anyone else who would wear it. Eri took notice of Neku's gaze and giggled before giving a quick twirl.
"Like it?" Neku came out of his daze and cleared his throat quickly, trying to hide his pink cheeks.
"Yeah." He replied in his most casual tone. "I'm guessing you made it yourself?" Eri smiled proudly.
"Yep! An Eri original!" (That's no surprise to me but I'm amazed at her detail. She'd give most fashion designers a heart attack with how skilled she is at fifteen.) "You ready?" Neku nodded.
"What did you want to do today?" Eri thought for a moment before gasping.
"I know, we can go see a movie! I hear there's this really scary movie about some virus that spreads to everything in the world making them crazy! I think it's a sequel to another movie." (Sounds more annoying than scary.) Neku just shrugged his shoulders.
"Sure, sounds weird enough to be interesting."
"Awesome! Let's go!" Eri grabbed Neku by his arm and dragged him off towards one of the nearby movie theaters.
As Eri and Neku made their way to the movies, a rustling in the nearby bushes could be seen as Shiki, Beat, Joshua, and Rhyme all revealed themselves. Shiki whined quietly as she watched Eri and Neku walk away.
"Bold girl." Joshua commented with his usual smirk. "Men appreciate confidence like that."
"It's not easy to be that forward." Shiki retorted.
"But I told you!" Beat interrupted. "Phones is on a date!"
"…Are you sure?" Rhyme asked looking over Neku's casual attire. "Neku seems underdressed for a date."
"All the while Eri went the extra mile for her outfit." Joshua added.
"Wait…that's the design she had me sew up Friday." Shiki realized. "She wanted it for this!?"
"Truly a devious little girl." Joshua commented, his smile widening. "I like her." Shiki just pouted in response. Rhyme tapped Shiki's shoulder to grab her attention.
"I'm not sure that Neku knows this is a date. I think he's assuming they're just hanging out."
"Well, we did get this information from Beat." Joshua brought up. "So it's entirely possible Neku is clueless."
"What chu mean by that pretty boy!?" Beat yelled.
"A compliment of course." Joshua said.
"Oh…aight then."
"So Neku is completely oblivious?" Rhyme asked.
"For such an imaginative boy he can be dim at some moments." Joshua replied. Shiki kept her eyes glued on her two best friends.
"…We should follow them." Joshua chuckled.
"Really? I figured that's what we were going to be doing when I got the call from Beat."
Neku sat with Eri in the movie theater, looking up at the movie and finding it very formulaic. (If you didn't want to die then you should have run from the insane guy.) All the while, Eri kept a vice-like grip on Neku's left arm as she shivered. (You just passed a metal pipe, throw it!) The woman on screen gave a wail making Eri yelp and bury herself into Neku's side.
"I didn't expect it to be this scary." (I honestly expected more.)
"For as scary as the virus is, I think I'd be more terrified of zombies. There's nothing to this virus but blind killing. There's not even any smart murder."
"Isn't that terrifying?"
"I'll admit that it encourages a body count in the double digits." Suddenly a flash of blood and a collapsing body made Neku jump in his seat as Eri shrieked. (Okay, I'll give it points for that scene…almost pissed myself.)
Shiki and the group sat in the back row above Neku and Eri. Shiki had her eyes on Eri currently clinging to Neku.
"Why does every scary movie end this way?"
"I know, there's nothing left if they all go crazy." Joshua commented, absorbed into the movie. "Seems like erasure would have been the simpler solution."
"Not that. THAT." Shiki pointed to Neku and Eri.
"Oh, that. What else is a scary movie for?"
"Man, that girl didn't know what hit her!" Beat said.
"Never kiss an infected girl. Symptom free or not." Hearing a soft whimpering, Shiki turned to see Rhyme curled up in her seat with her hands covering her eyes.
"Are you okay Rhyme?" Shiki asked and Rhyme rapidly nodded.
"Y-Yeah…I just can't handle scary movies."
"I can understand that." Shiki took a glance at the screen in time to catch a glimpse of the mass murder and cowered in her seat. Joshua scoffed.
"This is what happens when you let the emotional run a shelter."
Neku and Eri walked out of the theater after the movie, Eri still clinging tightly to Neku as they walked. Neku noticed the snickering and eyes on them and felt his cheeks heating up.
"Um…Eri?" She looked up at Neku and then down at the arm she was gripping. She quickly dislodged herself and giggled as she pushed her hair behind her ear.
"Sorry. I didn't realize I was still holding your arm."
"It's fine." Neku replied. "I can understand being frightened."
"Really? I never got that from you. You always seem so calm."
"I've…had my moments." (More than a few in my case.)
"…Wanna grab a bite?" Eri asked. Neku thought before feeling his stomach tighten from hunger. (Should've gotten a popcorn.)
"Sure. What did you want?"
"I heard that there are some crepes that are to die for. How about we go find some?" (Not a fan of sweets…but it's better than nothing.)
"Sounds fine." Eri smiled brightly before grabbing Neku's arm and dragging him off.
After making it to Mexican Dog, Neku made an order with Hideki Kikuchi. After a few minutes Hideki came back with two crepes.
"Thanks Hideki." Neku said.
"No problem amigo. Enjoy!" Neku gave him a quick nod before sitting with Eri. Eri picked up her crepe and took a big bite. As she held it in her mouth she squealed in delight.
"Delicious!" Neku took a quick bite. (Not bad.) "You know, it's weird." Eri started. "I don't think I know anything about you…how long have we been going to the same highschool?"
"Freshman year." Neku replied. "I mostly kept to myself last year."
"But it's weird…it feels like there was more to it than just that." This statement had Neku confused. "Wasn't there another person you used to hang out with?" Neku felt the hair on his neck stand on edge.
"…I don't know." Neku replied flatly.
"I did hear about a boy last year…" (Damnit, I didn't want to think about this today!)
"Eri, just drop it." His harsh tone had Eri slightly surprised.
"Oh…sorry." (Why did that have to come up?) Neku looked down at his crepe and felt his appetite die. (…I can't do this.) Neku put his crepe down and stood up. "I…think I'm going to head out."
"Neku…did I do something wrong?" Eri asked looking hurt. Neku avoided looking her in the eye as he stood up and walked out of the restaurant. (…I think I should head to Udagawa for a bit.)
As Neku walked out of the restaurant, Eri sat there with an unsure expression. She watched Neku leave and felt a pang of guilt hit her heart. All the while Shiki and the group looked upon her with sad expressions.
"What happened there?" Shiki asked.
"Guess she hit a sore spot with that question." Joshua said.
"Man, must have been something big." Beat added. Shiki just watched her friend sit there. As much as she would have wanted to comfort her, she knew she couldn't without looking like a stalker.
"…Maybe we should go home." Shiki said. "We shouldn't have been here in the first place."
"What a long trip for such a short drink of water." Joshua noted as he stood up and walked out of Mexican Dog.
"Will she be okay?" Rhyme asked and Shiki nodded.
"I'm sure she'll bounce back."
"Proly." Beat added. "Come on Rhyme." With that, Beat and Rhyme made their exit. Shiki left after them, taking one more look at her friends' sad expression before heading home.
"Sorry Eri."
(…) Neku stood in front of Cat's mural in Udugawa. He ran his hand over the cat face, taking note of the fading paint and felt his anger boil up. (I couldn't be any stupider, could I?) He turned his head to catch a glimpse of the road just down the stairs. At the cars zipping by as the streetlights began to turn on. (No matter how much I want to get past it, I can't even handle hearing about you. After everything I did to open up, just the fact that other people mention you has me spiraling backwards.) Neku looked at the mural and sighed as the sky darkened and the streets began to become quiet. (They didn't know you like I did. But after you died, all they said was that it was expected. As though they had any idea about who you were! It's not their place to talk about you like that! But…I don't think Eri is like that…damn it, I screwed up.)
"I should probably apologize to her." Neku stuck his hand into his pocket and shuffled around for his phone.
"Back off creeps!" Neku made a quick one eighty at the sound of Eri's voice. What he saw was Eri standing in between two men in hoodies and jeans.
"Just come quietly girl. We just want you to play a game." One of them said.
"A very fun game." The other added as he grabbed Eri's arm. Neku moved without thinking, crashing into the guy holding Eri and sending him stumbling back as Neku moved in between him and Eri.
"Neku!" Eri said in relief as he pushed her to step back from the two men.
"Back off. The lady doesn't want to go with you." Neku said and the two men chuckled.
"We could always use more players." They both pulled pistols out from their pockets and pointed them at Neku and Eri. (What!? Why are these guys packing?) Neku felt Eri grip his arm tightly and felt his mind begin to race. (I could try to take the first shots while Eri runs. Odds are we're not getting out of this without a bullet wound or two…damn it! I don't want to be shot!) Suddenly, the sound of two gun shots filled the air as Neku and Eri shut their eyes tightly to brace themselves…only for nothing to hit them.
"Don't cower like that Neku. Aren't you my star player?" Neku had never been happier to hear the condescending tone of Joshua. He opened his eyes to watch the two bullets clatter to the ground as Joshua stood behind the thugs with his usual confident grin.
"Joshua!"
"Hello Neku. In a bit of trouble?" (What does it look like?)
"Joshua?" Eri said in shock before Joshua snapped his fingers and she started to collapse into slumber.
"I think it's better if she didn't see this."
"Who the hell is this kid!?" One of the thugs said.
"I don't know! Just take them both out!" Joshua tossed something to Neku as the thugs bickered. Neku caught it and was surprised to find a player pin in his hand. With another snap of his fingers, Joshua shifted the two thugs with Neku and himself into a grey plane. As they shifted, the two thugs sprouted a pair of reaper wings. (Reapers!?)
"Did we just plane shift!?"
"Who is this kid!?" Suddenly Neku moved in and made a swift strike at one of the thugs sending him flying.
"They can use psyches!?"
"Very perceptive." Joshua said with a slow clap. "But that won't matter for much longer. I'm sure you two are aware that it is against the rules to recruit players from the RG. And I'm sure you know what happens to rule breakers." The thugs looked completely terrified as Neku held his hand out towards them, a small ball of energy charging up in his palm. The reapers moved in to retaliate with a strike as Joshua made a quick click on his phone and Neku released his energy.
The reapers were erased on the spot as Neku and Joshua shifted back to Udagawa where Eri was currently slumped against the mural unconscious.
"I do hate rule breakers." Joshua commented as he dusted himself off.
"What was with those two?" Neku asked and Joshua shrugged.
"Your guess is as good as mine Neku. Although I do intend to find out for myself."
"Think you'll let me know?"
"If I need to." (Of course.) "But for now, I think you have a much more important matter to attend to." He pointed at Eri who began to rouse from her sleep. When Neku turned back to Joshua he was surprised to find he was already gone. (When could he teleport?) Neku shook that thought form his mind as Eri began to stand. Neku helped her to her feet as she slowly got her senses back.
"You okay?" Neku asked.
"Yeah, just a little woozy. What happened?"
"You must have passed out from the stress. Luckily some policemen were nearby to hear me scream and came to arrest those thugs." Neku said thinking on the fly. "I'm curious why you were here though."
"I…followed you." Eri said her cheeks turning pink. "You just left me so worried with how you walked out! I couldn't leave you alone like that!" Neku was surprised at her worry and gave a small chuckle. (Good to see where Shiki got that hardheaded attitude from.)
"Thanks for being worried…and sorry about leaving so abruptly."
"Oh no! I'm sorry I brought up whatever made you so mad." (I wouldn't say mad…but close.)
"…That boy you mentioned." Eri nodded. "He used to be my best friend. Well, my only friend. He was the only one who really got me, the only person I could talk openly with."
"What happened to him." (…You can tell her Neku.)
"One day, I asked him to meet me here in Udagawa. On his way here…he was hit by a car and died." Eri gasped, "It's my fault he died that day. My fault he even came out. If I hadn't asked him to come here, he might have still been alive today. It was after that I stayed away from everyone. I didn't want people to get close and die like he did." Eri stayed silent, intent on listening, "But then…something happened over the summer to change my mind. People who showed me that the world was more than just me…and that I can try and keep others out but they'll keep trying to come in. It's how I become friends with Shiki, Beat, Rhyme, even Joshua. They helped me expand my world…I owe them so much. But I can never shake him from my mind. Just hearing about him brings up those feelings of guilt…and it hurts." Neku took a deep breath, "I'm sorry I took it out on you." Suddenly, Eri rushed in and hugged him tightly.
"It's okay. I may not fully understand everything…but I don't want to see you beat yourself up. Friends are there to take the burden off the world. And if you'd like…I can take some of that too." Neku felt himself shake slightly as she pulled away. "After all, aren't we friends?"
"…Yeah. Thanks Eri." She gave him a bright smile and Neku chuckled. "We should probably get home. It's getting dark."
"Alright. Let's go."
Neku insisted on walking her home, stopping at the stairs to her home. They stood there awkwardly before Eri moved in and gave Neku a small peck on the cheek. Neku stood there dumfounded as she swayed in place, her cheeks turning red.
"Thank you for spending time with me today…maybe we could do it again sometime." Before he could reply, she suddenly skipped up her steps and opened her door. She gave him a small wave before crossing the threshold and closing the door behind her. Neku touched the spot on his cheek where she had kissed him and smiled. (I should be the one thanking you Eri.)