As soon as Neku was back to meeting with everyone at Hachiko, the first person to ask about his patient was Rhyme. She had actually been in contact with the orange teen ever since Joshua had been found sick and broken in the middle of a puddle, but had been unable to visit partly thanks to her overprotective brother, and partly because she was working at the local animal shelter.

The youngest Bito made her way to Neku's apartment with a large bowl of shio ramen; her very first offering to the Composer when she'd taken the chance to get to know him. It had become one of her traditions to bring her special gift at least once a month, or when she hadn't been to see him for a while.

"He's feeling better, but he's still weak, so don't be surprised if he's a little cranky." Neku cautioned.

Rhyme smiled and held up her burden "That's ok. I brought a little something to help sooth his irritation."

Neku snorted a laugh "That'll do it."

When Rhyme actually saw Neku's houseguest, her heart broke. The once-proud ruler of Shibuya was so weak, he couldn't even sit up without a prop pillow. His left arm was in a sheet sling, his hair limp with cold sweat, and it looked like he'd been in a mental tug-of-war with Orochi himself.

"Oh, Joshua..."

The purple eyes flicked to her, and an amused, surprised twinkle entered their gaze. The gentle smile her reserved only for her spread across his face.

"Raimu...I thought I heard your merry tune. It's good to see you again."

She blushed and presented her gift, which he accepted as he always did, in following their little tradition.

"You have done well, Raimu." Joshua declared in a teasingly threatening voice, "Your offering has appeased my wrath...for now!"

Rhyme giggled, but Neku frowned and was about to chastise the ailing Composer, but the girl put her finger over his lips.

"It's part of our tradition." She explained softly, as Joshua smelled, then began eating his gift. "See, when I first began visiting him, I was terrified of ticking him off, since, you know...he's the Composer. So on my second visit, I brought him shio ramen, to sooth his irritation.."

"That first time, did he know why you brought him his favorite food?"

"I think he had a pretty good idea, but on the third time, I outright told him." Rhyme smiled at the memory.

"He told me that the instant he hears my Music in his throneroom, his wrath had already been appeased. That's when the declarations began, as an inside joke between us."

Neku nodded, but then remembered his conversation with Mister H, and frowned,

"Hey, Rhyme..." he began gently "About Josh...just...don't be expecting anything more than frie-"

Rhyme grabbed his wrist and led him to the kitchen.

"I know. Mister H. told me."

"Then you know there's no way he can l-"

"Yes there Is! Neku, I can help him!"

"But it was literally ripped out of him!"

"So were my dreams!"

Neku started. The girl looked at the 'teen' on the couch and repeated softly,

"So were my dreams. But I made new ones, and I'm whole again. Why can't he repair what he's lost...with something new, too?"

"Because I don't think it works that way." Neku said carefully.

"Well, I do. I just can't accept that Joshua will never experience the most powerful bond in existence. He deserves to be repaired. No one should go through life missing out on something so wonderful, especially not someone who basically lives forever. How awful...if he never even gets a taste."

Neku was silent, then he sighed,

"Alright. I still think it's pointless, but I'll leave it to you."