"T... This is it... Right?" she asked after finding herself again in a more... Lighted area. In fact, it was so bright Mamori only realized a sort of white smoke with grey buildings in the background. However, despite this she did look around, scanning the area for a bit while looking around.
"Joshua?" she brought out after a bit. "Joshua!? Where are you!? Joshua!? JOSHUA!?" Could it be... The attack Atsu landed... Was indeed... Something gravious? Or-
"If you look for the Composer, he already left" a male voice said from behind. Mamori's ears perked up and she turned around... And there she spotted him, the Conductor, also refered as Megumi Kitaniji.
This is not the first time the woman encounters this Reaper. She already had talked to him nine times in total. After all, he carries out the Composer's- No, Joshua's judgement towards the players. In the end the Composer had a say in who will live on and who won't, Megumi only delivers who will get a second chance. It was one of his job as Conductor after all.
"And thus, we meet again" he continued, only recieving a nod as a response yet also a slight worry of her face. "Don't worry. The Composer is fine. Atsu hasn't done much damage to him. Nothing serious. It takes more than that to take him down."
She sighed reliefed. "I'm glad to hear that."
"I'm surprised you didn't come to that conclusion."
"You never know. Atsu took the chance when she got it after all. It could've ended badly for him."
"You seem to worry about him."
"A bit. After all... He was my partner for a week wasn't he?"
Megumi chuckled slightly yet nodded in agreement. "You do make a point."
"Anyway... You have come here to tell me I will have to participate again, right?" Mamori said straight out loud. "After all, I-"
"No, that's not it. The Composer has other plans for you" he interrupted her, making her face freeze in disbelief for a moment.
"Other... Plans?"
"Yes. You are free to choose your path."
She jumped up, looking surprised at the right hand of the Composer. "Wait what!? Say that again!? He must be joking!"
"No, these are straight orders from the Composer. He said it word by word. You are free to choose."
"Where is that coming from out of the blue!? First letting me go through it for nine weeks because of your bet and now-"
"He told you? I'm not surprised" Megumi laughed slightly before getting back to his more serious demanour. "But yes, he wants you to choose which way you want to go. It is his gift to you.
"A... Gift? Why would he-"
"For your performance throughout the week. At least that's how he put it."
Mamori couldn't believe it. Joshua... He really said that? He gave her, a mere player, the freedom to choose her path? Which means she can wish for any option, couldn't she? Live on, Reaper or Erasure. She was free to choose. This is perfect! She could come back to live again! She could go back to her family, to everyone dear to her and live on! Just like- Wait, hold up. Was that REALLY the right path to choose? Come back to live, keep living with so many people? Did she really earn this?
After all... This game was unusual. Joshua told her a few days ago that him entering the game made it not count, even though it was for personal reasons this time. And letting Mamori choose... It was a gift, yeah, but... It did not feel right at all.
Besides... Who assured that HE will be happy? Who assured that he won't be all alone again? After all, it is unlikely she would see him back in the RG, after finding out about him and his true position.
Hold up, would she worry that he wouldn't be lonely? Or wasn't she being egoistical right now. Who said that SHE wouldn't miss HIM as well!?
It was odd to think about it, missing Joshua out of all people she could miss... But something... There was something about him which made Mamori actually worry about him.
Despite him being a douche. Despite him being idotic at times. Despite him putting his former partner up her toes. She just couldn't help it but to think about how much SHE will miss HIM in truth if she thought about this closer. She would miss his presence, miss his sly remarks. Miss his teasing words and smile. She... Would just miss him. She couldn't say why but... It was a thought crossing her mind. Did she grow that close to him during their week together already? Was that even possible to happen!?

"Mamori? Are you still with me?" Megumi woke her up with those words. She realized she had stared into an empty space and now turns back to the Conductor.
"Yes, I am" she answered, a bit more quitely however. "I... Was just thinking on where I am needed. No, better said where I actually want to be."
"Where you want to be? I thought you were dead set to return to the RG, were you not?"
She nodded slightly. "At first yes but..."
"But? Why hesitating then? Your wish will be granted. Composer's or-"

"No. That's defiantly not what I want. At least not anymore."
The Conductor looked at the woman, slightly confused. "Not anymore?"
"Yes. It is... Odd to explain. I mean, despite just giving myself a second chance doesn't feel right to me if I'm honest."
"So you say you want to participate again? If that is wha-"
"Hooold up! I wasn't finished! I don't want to take part in this game again either! At least... Not as Player."
The male looked at her, seemed to observe her face closely yet then nodded.
"Please, go on."
"Thank you." Mamori took a deep breath before she continued:"I want to become a Reaper."
"A Reaper you say? And... For what reason?"
She looked at him, not knowing what to say. If she said that she would just want this because to stay nearby Joshua it'd become problematic. Why? Because she knew no Reapers outside of Kaito and Denki who-
"Let me guess" Kitaniji suddenly spoke up. "You want to be a Reaper who keeps the Composer company and swear him your loyalty. Is that it?"
The female gulped yet nodded. How did he find that out in the first place!?
"You are an open book to read at times. I've noticed." He then turned away, apparently to think, yet then turned back to the woman. "It's an unusual choice and reasoning to become a Reaper, but if that is the path you want to take then there is speaking nothing against it."

"Huh!? Really!? I can become a Reaper!?"
"Yes. After all, it is what YOU wish to do. And if you want to become a Reaper to stay with the Composer... Then it shall happen."
"Just like that? But wait, who gurantees that-"
"You yourself. After all, your exact wish is to be a Reaper solely for him. Is that it?"
"Y... Yes, it is but-"
"Then let me return your entry fee and welcome you to the Reapers! From now on, you will work with us as well as having a special place!"
"Special place!? But shouldn't I start at-"
"Nah-ah. Wish is wish Mamori. No take-backs" a third voice suddenly echoed from behind.

The brown haired jumped up once more and turned where the voice came from... And was quite surprised to see who was standing there. Right in front of her. It was... Joshua!?
When did he- Oh right, he wouldn't have much of a problem to appear anywhere as long as it's the UG, correct?
"You made your decision. And if that's what you want to do no one is stopping you" he continued. "Besides, I don't mind this myself."
"You... Don't mind?" she asked him, less shocked than her sudden gasp when spotting the Composer right around the corner.
"No. Not really. Why should I? You want it, you get it."
A moment of silence filled the place. No one said a word. None of the three. The only thing happening that moment was that a small, genuine smile escaped Joshua's lips. It wasn't the usual smile, his teasing, sly and tiny sinister smile. It was... A natural smile. A... Rather happy smile. As if he was at least feeling a bit of joy at the moment. And apparently so much that even this Composer couldn't hide it any longer.
"I'm already looking forward to our time together Mamori."