A/N: Tadaa. We've reached the last day of everyday updates. From now on I'll be updating when inspiration hits me. But for now, enjoy this collection's first vignette.
07 - Vignette- First Week, Day 7
The 7th Day
"I'll be waiting for you - every day in front of Hachiko…till you come back."
"I'll see you there soon. That's a promise."
The Conductor's voice rang out. "Finished your goodbyes, then?"
Light flashed into their vision, suddenly, making Shiki gasp. "Neku!"
She still had one more thing she needed to ask him. "Once you see the real me, will we still be friends?"
"Count on it. You'll always be Shiki." His eyes gazed softly into hers.
She turned away, overcome with emotion, fist clenched above her heart. She couldn't do it. She couldn't look at Neku, knowing that he was about to play the Reaper's Game – to endure another week of not knowing whether he'd live again. Lights surrounded her, and Shiki started to feel lighter and lighter. Neku would be fine without me, right?
But she felt his gaze on her. She turned to look at him, just as her body started lifting off the ground.
Neku. She reached for him. She wished so much that he could come back with her.
His hand extended towards her, and she smiled. Neku's own smile told her not to worry; he'd definitely meet her back in the Real-Ground. His hand grew closer to hers – almost close enough to touch – but with a final sparkle of light, Shiki felt herself fade into nothingness.
xxxxxxx
"Now then. As for your new entry fee – "
"You're taking my memory again!?" Now? When he just got them back?
"A Player's entry fee is that which they hold most dear." The Conductor was smiling. "That is a rule." He brushed his forehead with his left hand. "I've already taken the liberty of collecting yours."
"What!?" No, he hasn't. My memory is still-
"This time, you're playing for…" the Conductor put his hands back in his pockets, "Shiki Misaki." Neku's heart, which he shouldn't even have been able to feel beating, nearly stopped.
"WHAT!?" He couldn't believe it. He wouldn't believe it.
"That's not…" It wasn't possible. His entry fee was supposed to be what was most important to him. Shiki's not…he thought of her smile…what I hold…he thought of how he wanted – no – needed to reach for her…most dear. He thought of everything they'd been through. Shiki, who initially hid between a bubbly façade, just wanted to change herself. Who had, after over only seven days changed him.
It was a crushing taste of reality when he realised - yes, he cared for Shiki, even more than his values, even more than CAT – and that it was his fault that she wouldn't make it back to the Real-Ground any time soon.
Shiki.
SHIKI.
"NOOOOO!"
A/N: Yep, 7 is the lucky number today! This is one of my head-canons of what they thought during this time in the scenes. The dialogue taken directly from the game.
Thanks to everyone who has read, followed, reviewed, and/or favourited so far!
- 23/9/2012
