When Mamori finally came back to her senses she only realized a voice screaming her name. It was a familiar voice yet the tone it was in had a hint of panicking, as if the person was worried for a moment. Yet for some reason she didn't want to hear the voice at the moment.
When she managed to open her eyes and her blurry view turned into a clear side she knew why-Joshua. He was facing her, staring right at her. The face seemed to have a hint of worry, young boy who had no idea what to do at the moment.
Even so, Mamori turned away from him in a flash. She didn't want to face him right now. She was disappointed. Even though he was a little douche at times this was too low, even for his standards. But apparently the Composer wasn't afraid of such things.
"Do you abuse people often?" she asked, making him pause whatever he said at the moment. She didn't pay attention to it however nor realized anyway. She just hear him saying something. Nothing more, nothing less.
"What?" he only brought out, a bit shocked- The usual unfazed attitude was at a sudden switch. Is that an act? Is he trying to convince her or something?
"If you abuse people often" she repeated, not trying to face him.
"N… No, I was never-"
"And a liar too although the Gamemaster already exposed the truth!?"
"Liar? But… I am not lying, I just…"
"Just what!? Let me do your work and then get rid of me!? Is that it!?" she became louder and louder. Her gaze did not meet his, she just couldn't at the moment. She was disappointed, angry… It was horrible to find out. So no matter how this ends… She will disappear anyway. That's all she knew.
"N… No, I was never-" Joshua kept shuttering, seeming to become more insecure with his words. She had no idea why nor did she care. He obviously didn't care about her. As long as he can save his own skin any method is fine.
"Maybe she should get rid of you" the female Player then spoke up as she decided to stand up. "Shove this promise up your ass. I'm leaving!" "W… What!? B… But-" her 'partner' wanted to stop her.
"But what!?"
"I never… I mean… I never wanted to-"
"You said you can do it yourself, right!? Then do it yourself and keep me out of your bullshit! I'm not working together with someone like you any longer!"
And after that she stormed off without a second thought nor turning around to meet his gaze one last time. His face was the last thing she wanted to see at the moment or for the rest of the day.
The seventh day approached. Mamori was standing within the Scramble Crossing. The events of yesterday weren't forgotten for her. She was still enraged. Mad. Sure, Joshua had his moments of a little inappropriate behavior and his remarks weren't the kindest nor always fitting yet he never made the impression of a very bad person. The opposite in fact. It was just a few days but he did seem to be at least a bit concerned.
Seem. That was all it was. He seemed to be like that. He only acted that way. In truth he was no better than the one who wanted to dethrone him. In fact, he was worse. He tricked her into this mess. She was nothing more than a tool.
Now Mamori did want to survive the game but did it even matter right now? If she was erased right her wouldn't that be the same as if she survived until the very end? After all, she broke a rule and will face erasure, no matter what. All thanks to the Composer.
She sighed. Maybe she should just face it and accept that her end has come. She will never return. Only erasure awaits her. Her right to exist was taken ever since the start of this week… Wasn't it?
"Ey! What are you doing here!?" a female voice suddenly screamed loudly. "Shouldn't you be somewhere else!?" Huh? Who could that be? All other Players besides her and the Composer were erased. So it couldn't be- Unless… It was a Reaper?
Mamori turned around to see who it was. The voice was a bit familiar yet she couldn't tell who it was… Until she saw the Reaper face to face-Kaguya.
Kaguya was staring at the Player, very upset. Maybe because she wasn't the one who the Composer decided to partner up with. The brown haired remembered that this female Reaper was very angry at the female Player indeed.
"What do you want?" Mamori asked, keeping her gaze at Kaguya. "You've come here to attack me and then erase me?"
"Normally… Yes" Kaguya only replied. "Yet since I might erase my beloved at the same time-"
"Then what are you waiting for? Just get it over with. I will fade away anyway."
"You serious?"
The Player nodded right at the Reaper. She was standing there after all, not activating her psych. She was just standing there, staring and waiting for the Reaper's move.
"Well, the offer is tempting" Kaguya said and rose a weapon-A giant axe. It was bigger than the average axe yet not bigger than the Reaper herself. She was able to carry it without any problems though.
She was about to open her mouth but before she was even able to say something a strange looking fox already ran over and bit Kaguya straight in the leg, making her squirm for a second and drop her axe right in front of her. "What the frick!?" she screamed painfully yet the fox kept chewing on her leg.
Mamori looked down to spot the fox herself, looking confused at it. Was it a Noise? Well… It did look like one but-
"Okay Ki, that's enough" a male voice said as hand clapping was heard. "Come here!"
And just like that the fox noise stopped, perked its ears up and ran over to someone.
Ki? And the Fox Noise… Not to mention the
"The pirate Reaper!?" Mamori asked as she turned to where to fox ran… And her suspicion was confirmed the moment she saw the foxy Noise transform into a blond fox girl with fox ears, fox tail and reaper wings, straight going for hugging the Reaper with the pirate attire as this one petted the girl. It was them-Kaito and Denki.
"If that's what I became known for" he sighed while petting the other Reaper who purred now. "Either way Kaguya, you had to?"
"Had to what!?" the other female Reaper screamed loudly and slightly angered yet also still in pain. "I wasn't going to you know!"
"Then why your axe?"
"Because I thought it'd look cool!"
Kaito was staring suspiciously at Kaguya and so was Denki. This one gulped and turned slightly away from them. "Okay, maybe I wanted to give her a little scar" she then admitted yet then turned back to them. "But only because she hurt the Composer's feelings, this little bitch!"
"Seriously? Because of-" Kaito wanted to counter but Kaguya didn't let him by continuing to scream:"This bitch thinks she knows the Composer! She thinks he was in the wrong and she was in the right! She thinks Atsu was right! She didn't listen to what the Composer had to say! It's her fault that he is now on his own, facing this man hating whore on his own! And why!? Because she trusts the bitch more than her own partner! If you ask me she at least deserved a nice scar in her face!"
The male Reaper sighed at the enraged words of the female Reaper as Denki only let out a 'nyeh', matching with his sigh. "Well, cannot say that you are completely wrong this time" he seemed to agree as he turned to the Player watching this scenario.
This Player looked a bit confused at all three of them. But why was she surprised? Of course the Reapers would stand up for their Composer, especially these three… Or two. She did not understand a word of the foxy Reaper after all.
"But that's why we are here. To box some sense into her" Kaito continued. "Box sense into me?" Mamori asked yet then shook her head. "Let me guess… He sent you to convince me otherwise, is that-" but before she knew it she had to stop as the Reaper hugging the pirate Reaper had her ears perked up again and this time grumbled heavily at the player.
She couldn't say why but seeing Denki like this was scary. In fact, it didn't take someone understanding animal language to figure out that this foxy Reaper was mad at the moment and her expression alone said: "No!" on its own, better than words could express it.
This made the Player shut her mouth at once yet also a bit surprised. He did not send at least Kaito and Denki after her?
"Obviously not" the male Reaper then began. "In fact, as we speak the Composer is busy with exposing of Atsu all by himself and for our surprise he seems to have problems."
"Ah really? And he called the Gamemaster as 'no threat' at first."
"Limitations when having a contract you know."
"So what? You think I'd go there now and rush to help? Because then-"
"If you want to live you should!"
"If I want to live? Seems like he did not educate any of you Reapers about the rules he set up didn't he?"
Yet this made Denki's growl intensify even further while her face became angrier. Way more angrier. And it seems like she couldn't hold back any longer as she let go of Kaito, ran up to the Player and scratched her quickly in the face, making the Player scream loudly while the fox Reaper nyehed loudly in an angered voice and didn't seem to stop.
She scratched faster and faster, trying to tell Mamori something yet since this one couldn't understand her nyehing the female Player couldn't make any of it besides wondering what made her so upset.
However, the male Reaper seemed to grab his Reaper partner quickly and held her back, dragging her away from Mamori whose face was now full of scars caused by the scratching.
"That's enough Ki!" he then told the fox girl who was now making a pouty face and turned it away from Mamori.
Kaguya watched this as well of course and nodded. "Well done Denki, that's what she deserved after all" she only added to the situation, making the male shake his face yet decided not to comment on this any further.
"Sorry for Ki" he said while facing Mamori who could only stare at the moment. She did not understand exactly what Denki said but it sounded like she was mad yet also seemed to defend the Composer as good as she could. But… Why?
"Although… What Ki said… I agree with her" he then added. "Also with what Kaguya said. And I cannot believe I agree with her for one time in my life! Hopefully this is the only time I have to agree with her though." "What's that supposed to mean!?" the lovesick Reaper yelled from the sidelines yet only a glare from Kaito made her shut up instantly.
Then he turned back to Mamori. "Look, I get it. Hearing that wasn't pretty and all but didn't you forget what kind of person Atsu was?"
"What kind of person?" Mamori repeated questioning.
"Basically… She's doing anything to get her goal basically. She's even ready to erase you if she must."
"So? Just says what kind of person she is but doesn't defend his cause in the-"
"You dumb or somethin'!? If the Composer wanted you gone he could've already gotten rid of you!"
"W… What?"
"You heard me damn right! If the really wanted you gone he could've done so already! But guess what!? He didn't! In fact, he's trusting you more than you think!"
Mamori only stared at the male Reaper. W… What was he saying? Was it even true? Could it really be that- "Y… You have no proof for that!" she suddenly said then, refusing to believe this.
"Talked to him myself. Surprised what he said about you but he seemed damn serious" the pirate Reaper added. "Plus, do we look like we are lying?"
The Player looked at them-Denki was still growling with a very angered expression right at Mamori, her ears and tail perked up, in a way that she would be close to attack again. The one holding her was also staring very seriously at Mamori, his eyes seeming to go through her and if gazes could cut her this gaze would've already done so within seconds.
"If he really planned something behind anyone's back we wouldn't be here right now and try to get you back to your senses. The one you should trust is him, not-"
But before he could finish he spotted something right behind the Player before she could. He quickly got out his scythe, pushed Denki gently to the side and pushed the Player out of the way, only to slice a bigger Noise which was close to attack this one.
"She's already at it!? Shit!" Kaito only let out as the Noise was disappearing. "Ey freak! Mind helping me out on this one!?" "Eh? Why me?" Kaguya only asked, a bit confused.
"You want the Composer to-"
But he didn't have to say anything further, the crazy Reaper already picked up her axe and was standing right next to Kaito. "Heck no!" she yelled. "Might not like this Player but Atsu ain't gonna erase the Composer so I guess we have to keep Noises off her now do we!?"
N… Noises? W… Were they-
Mamori only watched the two Reapers for a while. Slicing each Noise there was with their weapons while Denki seemed to cheer for them on the sidelines with her nyehing.
Mamori only looked at the two… They seemed determined to keep her safe from any harm. Yet they didn't do it because it was an order… They did it because it was something they felt like to do for not just his sake but also her sake.
W… Was that really true though? Kaito did make a valid point-If Joshua really wanted her gone he already could've gotten rid of her himself without penalties. Yet there she was, still standing on her two feet. So maybe…
Suddenly Mamori turned away, ready to run. But before that she asked quickly:"Where's Atsu right now!?"
"Statue of Hachiko!" Kaito replied while fending against the Noises alongside Kaguya. Statue of Hachiko… The place of the first encounter… Not too far from here.
"Thanks! Think you can handle them alone?"
"Sure we can! Just go already!"
She nodded, making her feet move instantly as fast as she could, leaving the fighting Reapers behind.
It only took three minutes until Mamori arrived at said place. She was a bit out of breath yet couldn't recover for long after she heard an explosion and a laughter right after it.
"And that is the power of the Composer!?" the female asked with a more sinister laugh. "Pitful. You didn't do much to me yet. Does a partner slow you down that much?"
Yet she received no reply. In fact, complete silence. Mamori turned to the sounds and there she saw them-Atsu was floating in the air, facing a Joshua who just had been slammed right into the ground yet decided to sit up, only staring up to Atsu with an angered expression. Yet it took no expert to see Joshua wasn't at his fullest. In fact, he didn't seem to focus at all, as if something troubled him. But he tried to shrug it off, as if it was nothing.
However, when he was close to get up a shot from the Gamemaster seemed to be close to hit him as she went for a direct attack. He tried to react in time and at the very least already had his hands ready yet realized he didn't have to do anything as someone was right in front of him, blocking Atsu's straight forward attack on an instant.
The Composer looked up… Only to be surprised by who it was… Mamori was right in front of him, with her psyche activated as well as blocking the Gamemaster's attack with her sword, managing to send her backwards and slam against a building's wall.
Then the Player turned around, right to the Composer and faced him. She saw his surprised expression yet didn't seem to mind it. "Still not learning the casual formalities?" she asked. "N… No, I thought you-" he was about to ask but she interrupted:"Yeah, I was pretty mad. Not saying I still am not but… Some Reapers helped me in some way to see some flaw in my logic."
"Some… Reapers? … You mean that Kaito and Denki-"
"Sorta, yeah. But I'm not entirely sold yet." She then faced him, with a more serious expression now as she took a deep breath.
"Yoshiya Kiryu, I heard some things from those Reapers and I am ready to believe them. But only if you answer me honestly and directly. If not… I can also go."
He only looked at her, even more surprised. Seeing this face was unusual from someone like Joshua yet this time he didn't seem like he was hiding something. He didn't hide that this wasn't something he expected, especially not now. So this was a big surprise.
Yet then he shook his head and tried to have a usual expression. The emphasize is on tried because apparently it seems like even he had his moments of obvious surprise yet also relief.
"What is it?" he asked. "I promise I won't beat around the bush, if that's what it ta-"
"What is my fate?" she asks him directly. "When this is over… What are you planning to do with me?"
A moment of silence. This was a bit unexpected. Yet… Even so…
"You really want to know the details don't you? Well… I cannot say it yet but it's far from erasure. Besides, if I wanted to… You would be gone by now. History. Poof. Bye bye."
"So… You really have no intend to erase me when this is over? Although your rules obviously say-"
"Can you really still call this a casual Reaper's Game? Besides, I don't gain any benefit from erasing you so why should I even bother. This is a Reaper's Exposition, not a Reaper's Game."
"Then what are you-"
"Let's make a deal-You help me getting rid of Atsu and I will let you know Scar Lady" Joshua remarked, finally in his usual sly tone. Wait… Scar Lady? "Did you really have to say that now?" Mamori sighed, not really taking it as a compliment but what else what was she supposed to do? He was not wrong, her face was full of scars, only because of the foxy Reaper also known as Denki.
"Sorry, to tempting to resist. Denki did some fine work though."
"Har har. Very funny Joshua."
"Heh, sorry, not sorry. Do we have a deal though?"
The Player sighed. What else did she have to lose besides possible patience? Besides, it's good to see he got his old attitude back to some extend.
Mamori put out her hand and placed it right in front of Joshua as she grinned slightly at him. "Deal" she said. "Now get up or we will lose more time."
He let out a quick chuckle. "As you say Boss" he let out as he took her hand and let her help him up.
"What the hell!?" the Gamemaster's voice suddenly screamed angrily as both were just about to turn around to her. "You're just believing him like that!?"
Mamori sighed as she heard that. "Got more reason to believe him than to believe him. Besides, wouldn't like to get on the Composer's bad side necessarily now do I?" she only countered with a slight grin. "Unlike you here."
"Seems like you're getting the hang of things working here" he only added to it as he then turned to Atsu himself. "Enough chit chat though. We've got someone to expose of now don't we?"
"You couldn't be further from the truth. Let's get this over with."
Atsu growled at them. She wasn't pleased with this. Not at all. "But this Pig is a dirty liar!" she yelled growling, almost barked. "I don't know about that but you seem to play just as dirty don't you?" the Player asked. "Besides, only wanting to erase Joshua because he is a man? It's not making you any better I'd say."
"You don't see it do you? This pig will doom us all! Including you! He will backstab you sooner or-"
"If I really wanted to I would have already done it" Joshua then threw in. "I'm not that stupid. In fact, I wouldn't say that I'm stupid at all. Unlike you over here. You basically ran right into my little trap Gamemaster."
"Oh don't act like you already won!" the man hater yelled furiously, raising her arm and preparing it already for an attack. But before she could even move it the Composer rose her arm right at her, making her feel a certain pain throughout her entire body and making her only tremble. She is trying to move yet he didn't let her. It's as if he had grabbed her and is holding her tight in his grip.
She shuttered slightly. "W… What the- How!?" Atsu was only able to yell. "This… This isn't playing fair swine!" "Oh it is" Joshua commented in a sly tone. "I'm just doing the same thing you did yesterday. Don't worry about it. I'm sure Mamori will make it long and painful as she has the honors."
"W… What!? No way a wo-" Yet Atsu paused when she saw Mamori right in front of her, with the sword right at hand, pointing it right towards the paralyzed Gamemaster. "You cannot be serious!"
"Oh but I am" Mamori only said when looking at Atsu. "Sorry, but I promised him. Please don't take this personal."
These were the last words the Gamemaster was able to hear when the female Player went directly for a few strikes.
The last thing Mamori can recall from this day that a strong, glowing light filled the place quickly, making her unable to see her surroundings. Soon enough she didn't even see her surroundings anymore and when the light disappeared she found herself in an entirely different place.