Joshua was not prepared to send his Proxy to face Uzuki so soon. However, through intense training with Hanekoma, the orangette had proven himself more than capable of taking on the hot-headed Reaper. It was as if Neku's Soul just resounded with the UG in a way similer to the Composer himself.

"Yoshi, you're smirking." Haineko tilted her head "Care to enlighten me?"

"Neku is ready." Joshua said, eyes narrowing "A day early in fact."

The hungry, almost feral tone of the Composer caused his former partner to snicker. He joined her with a giggle, lifting a hand and sticking his nose in the air in a prideful salute.

"Of course, I had no doubt that he would meet the deadline. I chose him, after all."

Haineko snorted "That makes a difference. Of course, his ridiculous amount of Soul had nothing to do with it."

"Haineko, Haineko...I already knew about his hiugh Soul. Why do you think I chose him in the first place?"

"Because according to you, carrot-top embodied the worst of Shibuya." The Angel pointed out glibly.

"Well, yes dear that was part of it, but I probably would have moved on if his Soul hadn't met my standards." Joshua muttered, folding his arms. He lightened up suddenly as Sanae walked down the stairs.

"He really is your Proxy, boss." The Producer said cheerily "You were ready a day early for your mental battle, and Phones is ready a day early to face his physical one."

"Good. Then perhaps it's time to get this over and done with before my sensitive hearing gets damaged from Uzuki's screeching. Her Music is also making my head ache. This will not stand. Sanae, get me a viewing bowl if you would, and then send my dear, dear Proxy to the Room of Reckoning."

"Right, boss!" Hanekoma said cheerily, also confident in Neku's abilities. The kid learned remarkably fast, despite his complaining. The barista had every confidence in the kid, more than Neku had in himself in fact. Uzuki wouldn't stand a chance.

TWEWYTWEWYTWEWYTWEWY

The Room of Reckoning.

Blue eyes closed tightly, memories of what took place in this very chamber flashing through his mind as he continued to scope out what was to be the battle ground.

"It's spacious as far as rooms go, but kind of small for a battle to the death, Mister H." Neku observed as the Producer appeared behind him. Sanae's role in the contest was to observe and make sure rules were followed, as well as to mentally document the event. He would not be able to interfere once the fight began unless rules were broken.

"Battles have been taking place here since your triple great grandma was in diapers." Kariya said from another part of the room. As acting Conductor, the orange-blond had the right to watch as well, and would physically document the results of the battle for the record books. He also would be unable to step in once the fight began.

Neku took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as he readied the pins he'd prepaired. He even had some of the Composer's own favorites, including Holy Light, which he was hesitant to try out, as Josh had told him that because he wasn't actually Composer, using a Composer-level pin would sap his very soul nearly dry. Therefore the prissy blonde had cautioned his Proxy to only use it if he really had no other choice.

"Prepare all you want, Spicy Tuna Roll. It makes no difference. That throne is mine!"

The former emo snorted "Pinky." He greeted dismissively.

The Reaper hissed and let out an agitated shriek "Don't you DARE dismiss me! I'm about to paint this room with your blood and carpet it with your static!"

"Uh huh. Look, could you hold on a second, trying to ready myself here." Neku murmured, turning up his headphones. Uzuki rushed him, but was stopped by Kariya.

"Easy there, girl! Don't blow your chances before the fight even starts! Attacking before the official beginning of the Challenge means a forfeit, you know."

"I want him gone!"

"I know, but wait a bit longer. Spikey, you have five minutes."

Neku grunted, then stood up.

"Nah, I think I'm good. I can kick her ass right now.:"

Uzuki swore and snarled at him. "Cheeky little rat!"

"All right, that's enough prefight banter" Sanae chuckled. "Take your positions!"

As Neku readied himself, the barista patted him on the back encouragingly.

"Live in the moment, Phones. You got this, no sweat."

As the Proxy looked into the feral, enraged eyes of his opponent, saw her raw desire to beat his brains in, he began to sweat. If he failed, this unstable, power-hungry Reaper would run his home. He wouldn't let that happen. He'd take Josh over Uzuki any day.

"Yeah."

Mister H. raised his hand, "Ready!"

Uzuki crouched. Neku got in his battle stance, eyes narrowed and determination on his face.

"Begin!"

The hand dropped, and the combatants rushed each other, fire in both their eyes as pins clashed.