Yoshiya Kiryu.

Joshua sat up, a smirk on his lips "Ah, so you dane to converse with lowly me. What can I do for you, Grand Councilman Seraph?"

I will ignore your glibness for now. You are impressing Us with the way you are handling your privileges. It seems this mission you're on is a good catalyst.

The Composer put a hand on his chin, his eyes flashing "I'm not an idiot, Seraph. I know that you and the Council have been wanting me to fail this little test, watching my every move, scrutinizing every action I take. It's true that I'm being extra cautious. I came close to breaking my facade at least ten times. But something was stolen from me. You know what it is, and I'm beginning to have my theories. I refuse to be dragged anywhere until I get it back."

Seraph chuckled Yes, we do know. We also do not believe it's necessary to reveal it to you, as you are intelligent enough to figure things out on your own. Yoshiya, it is not your quest, nor your interest in the Noise Spawn I came to discuss.

"Her name is Rhyme to you." Joshua snapped fiercely, not liking the girl to be labeled as something as distasteful as spawn. He flinched, the indignation in his gut suprising him with how brutal it struck. It was almost a painful feeling.

The High Councilman observed the Composer's reaction and let him recover before continuing calmly.

I have already discussed this with Sanae Hanekoma, as I'm sure you have heard. You have a decision ahead of you, Yoshiya. Whether you succeed or fail in your personal quest, you will be given the opportunity to remain as you are now.

"How enticing. Seeing as how it took an awful lot of work for me to be as I am now, I was actually going to ask later if I could remain so indefinitely. After all, I do still compose in this state, as I'm sure you are well aware. Shibuya herself seems to want me to stay, as she's been quite a dear this entire time, almost as if she missed having me be on this plane of existence."

Your arrogance and ego are two things We don't approve of in the slightest, nor is it appealing. The head councilman seemed to be rubbing his temples, his voice heavy and slightly annoyed.

Joshua shrugged one-handed and giggled, flipping his hair "Well, truth is truth after all. I can hardly help being raised to correctly believe I'm exceptional in every way. It's in my very nature to have an ego bigger than my district, especially when said district can't seem to get enough of me."

You wonder why the other composers screamed for your head after the Long Game...Yoshiya, you are positively infuriating. I actually hope you continue to show restraint, because having you ascend would, I believe, tear the fabric of the Higher Plane to shreds.

"Wouldn't that be something." The cocky Composer mused, putting a finger to his chin and leaning against his headboard.

After a moment of thoughtful and tense silence, the purple eyes dropped slightly, and a more serious note entered the conversation as Joshua got a bit serious and earnest.

"Seraph...what you said earlier...are you really betting against me too?"

The High Councilman was silent for a moment.

I said no such thing. You know how I feel about you, Yoshiya. I was not in favor of how brutal your last punishment was, as I still have...affection for you. You are the youngest Composer, but you also are the most in-tune with the Music, UG, and even the HP. I do not root against you, Yoshiya, but I cannot allow you to run amuck. The conditions stand, and I will enforce them, despite the fact that I take no joy in doing so.

"That is your puragative. You're the High Councilman." Joshua said, folding his arms "If you were to show favoritism, the Council would dethrone you, and Sanae would be the one to succeed you. I'm not opposed to him holding your position, but I'd rather he not for a good long time. As for me 'running amuck', you can rest assured that I will take extra care not to act out too much. I'm going to see this through, and I have no intentions of letting you lot interfere."

He stood up, stretching and groaning for a minute before waving his school uniform into existence.

"After all, anything I go through while posing as my RG persona is hardly new territory for me. My fellow Composers have more bite than anyone on this plane. I would not waste my efforts nor my energy punishing such trifle even if erasure or ascension were not being held over my head."

Oh truly? Is that why you nearly lost all control when the subject of your fascination was kidnapped and suffered a small wound? Seraph's voice was amused.

Joshua's was not.

"My tolerance for others bringing Rhyme Bito suffering or stress is obviously going to be less than that of crimes against myself. You can hardly blame me for wanting to protect and avenge my only chance of getting what was mine back again! I expect some leniency regarding my actions in those situations." the Composer snapped.

I cannot be certain such leniency will be given. It depends on how you wish to proceed with such vengeance. I can grant you a trifle more leniency if the girl is heavily injured, than if her feelings or body were simply bruised. The choice, Yoshiya, is as it's always been. In your hands.

Joshua smirked "I will see to it that these hands are the right ones to place such trust, Seraph. Now, if you would excuse me...my Conductor is waiting outside with my limo. Mundane as it is, I do actually enjoy this refresher in education. I have a perfect record, and I'd rather not have to imprint it staying so."

Go then, Yoshiya Kiryu. Seraph chuckled lightly Be assured that I am rooting for your success, but also remember that I cannot save you should you screw this chance.

"I would expect nothing less." The Composer smirked as he teleported outside with a flip of his ashen locks.