Day 5

Joshua is on the phone talking to Mr. H, while Francis is sleeping in his Bag

Joshua: Hello? Yeah, Mr. H? It's me. You gave me a bum tracker!

Neku and Dex-Starr is looking at them

Neku: They killed us… Why? What would they stand to gain? Fastest way is just to ask.

Dex-Starr: …Ugh, no. We still don't have enough proof. And besides… Three days… Three more days, and it's all over.

Neku: You're right, let's work together and find out about this.

Then Joshua is done talking on the phone

Joshu: There's no mission today either. Yeah, we can get there. Something else is bothering me, too.

Dex-Starr's Though: Three more days with him and the cst. They're a loose cannon. We need to watch our back.

Joshua: You better! OK, thanks. Later.

Neku's Though: This is for Shiki and Badger. We can last a few more days.

Francis: All set?

Dex-Starr: First, me and the boy have a question.

Joshua: Oh? What is it today?

Neku: What are you after?

Joshua: This again? I told you. Francis and I are jacked Shibuya.

Dex-Starr: But what does that mean? You're looking for some river. Then what? Tell me now, or you're on your own.

Francis: … (Sigh)… Fine. We'll keep this simple. Remember who's in charge of Shibuya?

Neku: The Composer.

Joshua: Very good. Right now HE'S got Shibuya jacked. Under his control. Me and Francis want to change that.

Dex-Starr: Change it? …Wait. You want to bust in on the Composer with guns blazing?

Joshua: Eventually. We have to find him first. He should be at the Shibuya River. Hence our search. Satisfied?

Neki: So it's the Composer… We've been running around Shibuya looking for him?

Francus: With a busted tracker, yes.

Neku: … Wait, so the Grim Heaper's been after…

Joshua: Me and Francis, most likely. I guess they're onto me and Francis.

Dex-Starr: Ugh, just what me and the boy need. We're in this to win! We can't afford any unnecessary risks!

Francis: Neither can me and Joshua.

Neku's Though: Then why are you… Ugh, this kid and the Cat he the devil!

Joshua: Ready to go to Mr. H's?

Dex-Starr: What for?

Joshua: To get him to fix this glitchy tracker.

Neku: You're still going after the Composer?

Francis: Of course. Now come on. You've asked your question.

They went off

Meanwhile

Uzuki: So, Kariya. What's this big mystery you mentioned yesterday?

Kariya: Oh, just Phones, Tiger Cat, Green Eyed Cat and the petit prince.

Uzuki: Those four? What about 'em?

Kariya: We're about to go find out.

Uzuki: Wait, find out how? It's hands off the Players. GM's orders, remember?

Kariya: So I'll use my head. Besides, we're just going to play a little game.

Uzuki: …And that's different how?

Kariya: Details.

Uzuki: Well, I'm stinkin' bored. Count me in!

Back to Neku and the other

Kariya: (Voice) Whoa there.

Neku: Huh?

They saw Kariya

Kariya: Hey, kids. How goes?

Dex-Starr: You're… What do you want?

Kariya: You up for a little game?

Neku: Excuse me?

Joshua: Look, we're busy here.

Kariya: Zing! Where's the love? Yo, Uzuki.

Uzuki: On it!

She created a Wall

Neku: Huh?

Uzuki: Wall's up! Sowwy.

Neku: Hey!

Kariya: Now then… Game on? I think so!

They left

Neku: Rrgh… Great.

They saw Tenho

Tenho: … Want past this wall? Then turn D+B into the hottest thing around. Make it number one in the area. Watch what pins and threads you wear into battle, yeah?

They completed the Request and went off and saw him again

Tenho: YAAAWN. …I'm so over this whole wall thing. Today was supposed to be my day off. So hungry… Hmm, what to do… Ooh, I know! You want past this wall? Bring me some ramen. I wanna taste the sea, aight?

They went to Dogenzaka

Dex-Starr: Dogenzaka… That guy's ramen shop was around here.

Joshua: Say, Neku… Do you know where Dogenzaka got its name?

Neki: Nope.

Francis: And you call yourself a local.

Neku look silent

Francis: There are two stories. One attributes the name to Owada Dogen, a bandit. He was descended from a Kamakura-period general.

Neku: You don't say.

Joshua: The other story claims the name comes from a temple. Dogenzaka also comes up a lot in Japanese literature. Ever read Edogawa Rampo's "The Fiend with Twenty Faces"?

Dex-Starr: Can't say that 23 have.

Joshua: You should. I mean, just think! You're walking through the pages of literature and history.

Neku: I feel so epic.

Dex-Starr: Me too.

Joshua: … (Sigh)… Neku, Dex-Starr, is any of this sinking in?

Neku: Oh, yeah.

Joshua: You sure? … All right. Pop quiz. Name the bandit who gave Dogenzaka its name.

He chose Owada Dogen

Joshua: Very good! What an excellent listener.

Neku: Yup. That's me…

They got the ramen and give it to Tenho

Tenho: Ooh, you brought it! …Ugh. Where'd you get it? It looks foul. Keep it man, way to kill my appetite. Wall clear!

They went to Cadoi and saw him again

Tenho: … Miss me? Like a bolt from the blue, it's time for the Reaper Review. And away we go! Ready to use your noodle? Today we'll be talking ramen. Specifically Dogenzaka's own Ramen Don! Question 1! What's the name of Ramen Don's plucky owner? *Ken Doi* If you say so… Question 2! What's the secret menu item he only serves to friends? *Insta-noodles* I know, right? Question 3! How much will a bowl of shio ramen run you there? *580* Aha! I see what you did there. OK… The results are in! Reaper Review, Lesson 4! Survey says… You pass! So pass on through. But! Though you may forget the Review-rest assured, it remembers you. We'll see you again. Bye-bye for now!

They went to Towa Record

Uzuki: Ugh… And here I got my hopes up! THIS was your game? Booo-ring! So, spit it out. What's so interesting about that kid and the cat on their second round?

Kariya: Wrong kid and cat.

U: What, you're eyeing the snobby one and blue one? What about them?

K: Oh, you'll see…

Back to Neku and the other

They're almost their to Wildcat and saw Tenho again

Tenho: … Want past this wall? Heh heh heh. …You. Orangeylocks and Super powered Feline.

Neku: Us?

Tenho: Yeah, you! Come back wearing all Mus Rattus threads and a Sailor Outfit. Do that, and I'll let you pass.

They change their outfits

Dex-Starr: Happy now?

Tenho: Pfft! Aha ha… What a chintzy outfit, man! It suits you.

Dex-Starr: What!?

Neku: …Excuse me!?

Tenho: Objective met. Wall clear!

He cleared the Wall

Joshua: Hee hee… He said it suits you, Neku and Dex-Starr.

Neku: We heard him!

They went off and saw him

Tenho: … Want past this wall? Play me at Tin Pin! You ready? Here we go!

After that, Neku won

Tenho: …Crap. Is there NOBODY in this world I can actually beat!? (Sigh)… Look, just go. I…want to be alone.

They went off and saw him yet again

Tenho: … Want past this wall? Then here. Defeat these Noise! …BUT. I pick your pins! Take a deep breath before diving into this one. Ready for a scream? Then here we go!

They defeated all the Noise

Tenho: Objective met. Wall clear!

He cleared the wall and saw Kariya again

Kariya: And you're done. Thanks for playin'.

Neku and Dex-Starr look silent

Kariya: Later!

He left

Neku: … What was that about?

Joshua: Who knows. What a waste of time.

Meanwhild

Uzuki: …Well? Figure anything out?

Kariya: Maybe.

Uzuki: Can you be a little more specific?

Then her phone is ringing and she pick it up

Uzuki: Ugh, sorry… Yashiro here. … Taboo Noise? …All right. Understood. I'll take care of it.

Kariya: Hmm?

Uzuki: Another Taboo Noise sighting.

Kariya: Lovely. Where at?

Uzuki: HQ lost sight of 'em on Dogenzaka. Well? Let's go!

Kariya: Go where?

Uzuki: What do you mean, where? After them!

Kariya: You said HQ lost sight of 'em. Are we supposed to wander around all day?

Uzuki: Got a better plan?

Kariya: Let those kids be the bait. Then we just tag along until the Taboo Noise bite. Might even learn a thing or two about the bait.

Back to Neku and the others

Mr. H: Oh, hey guys. Let's see that phone and watch.

Joshua: Thanks. It's been responding to most of Shibuya.

Mr. H: I'll have it fixed in a jiffy. Sit tight.

Joshua: Ah! Neku's phone, too. The camera.

Mr. H: Right. Got it.

He went off to fix it

They are waiting for him

Dex-Starr tapped Neku's Shoulder for a Talk, so they began to whisper about Joshua and Francis

Neku: (Whisper) … Why did they do it? Why would they want us dead? They're trying to jack Shibuya… Do we play into that?

Dex-Starr: (Whisper) … That's crazy.

Neku: (Whisper) What could we do, Cat? We don't know how to jack a town! Then again… They made the pact with us.

Dex-Starr: Did they kill us just so we could partner up? … If I want to ask, now's the time…

Neku: Fine.

They began to Joshua and Francis

Dex-Starr: Hey. Why'd you make a pact with me and the boy?

Joshua: Hmm? What's this, now?

Neki: When we first met, you said you'd been watching us. What does that mean?

Francis: … Ahh. So that's what this is all about.

Dex-Starr's Though: Rrgh…

Joshu: We've always been able to see the UG.

Neku's Though: This is the freaky ability Hanekoma mentioned?

Dex-Starr: Even when you twomwere alive?

Joshua: That's right. Lucky us, right? We saw things others couldn't. We knew about the Game here in Shibuya. Ee saw the Players, their companions. Reapers, Noise… The whole works.

Neku: So you were watching me and the cat from the RG.

Joshua: The Game intrigued me and Francis. We were following it on our own when we met Mr. H.

Neku: When was that?

Francis: Oh, years ago. So wewe beca a regular at his shop, listening to his stories. The more he told us about the UG, the more we came to see its charm.

Dex-Starr: What charm?

Joshua: People racing across the city in a life-or-death struggle? Find us another rush like that in Shibuya. Life for me and Francis was one giant bore. Just the same thing, day after day… Now THAT felt like death.

Neku: So you…came here?

Joshua: Yeah. We decided we belonged in the UG.

Neku: … And you thought we did, too?

Francis: …Hmm?

Dex-Starr: You want to be here? Fine. But not me and the boy. You ki-

Then Mr H came

Mr. H: All done!

Joshua: Really? Let's have a look.

That make Dex-Starr and Neku miss their chance to tell them

Neku & Dex-Starr: Dammit!

Mr. H: That do it before I head out?

He give them the phones and watches

Joshua: Oh? Where are you going?

Mr. H: Just a little errand. Shop's closed for today. Later, boys. 2-3, 2-3...

He left

Joshua: … Well, the tracker's fixed. Shall we? Oh, before we do… Neku, Dex-Starr?

Neku: What?

Joshua: Me and Francia turn. We suffered through your questions, didn't we? Now we have one for you.

Dex-Starr: …What?

Joshua: How'd you two die?

Dex-Starr: What? You tell us, ass-

Dex-Starr's Though: No. …Two more days. They wants me and him to play it that way? Fine.

Neku: …we don't know.

Joshua: Don't know? Is that even possible?

Dex-Starr: Our memory was the entry fee last Game. Most of it's back, but…there are still a few holes. What about you? How did you die?

Francis: Hee hee… Not telling

Neku: What?

Neku's Though: Ugh, nice.

Joshua: We're here because we want to be. End of story. Ready to go?

Dex-Starr's Though: The questions bounce right off them. We can't afford to get into a fight, though…

Joshua: …Are you listening, Dex-Starr? The signal's coming from the scramble crossing.

They all went off and then

Beat: (Voice) Yo Phones. Tiger Pussy Cat!

They saw Beat and Streaky

Neku: Beat…

Dex-Starr: Streaky...

Beat: You man up any yet? 'Cause I don't believe in hittin' women an' children.

Neku: What are you doing this?

Streaky: You stupid? We are Reaper.

Joshua: Don't be silly. Reaper's aren't allowed to-

Beat: "Reapers ain't allowed at, Mommy! Wah wah wah!" Shut it! This Reaper's here to erase ya! Now bring it, yo!

Uzuki: Are you daft!?

They saw Uzuki and Kariya again

Dex-Starr: It's them!

Kariya: Hey, no touchy, Freshmeat and Thunderhead. Rules are rules. Reapers can't attack Players until Day 7-and only the Game Master.

Uzuki: Yeah, and we're all on standby. GM's orders. Leave the Players alone. You may be new, Freshmeat and Thunderhead, but you can't just-

Beat: We're special! We'e runnin' a special op for the Conductor, yo.

Uzuki: Special op!?

Kariya: My, my! A rising star, are we?

Streaky: That's right, Lolly. Twinkle twinkle.

Uzuki: Ugh! Why'd he pick you? I have seniority!

Streaky: Beats me. Now you senior citizens can hobble off, alright?

Uzuki: Aaargh! Cocky little pussy!

Kariya: C'mon, girl, take it with dignity. Let's leave the kids in peace. Have fun, Freshmeat and Thunderhead.

Beat: Pfft, whatever. Aight, Phones and Blue Cat, le's dance!

They are fighting and they look exhausted

Beat: Urg… Now that's more like it.

Neku: Beat, Streaky, stop! You dropped-

Beat: I'ma drop YOU, hard!

Dex-Starr: Will you STOP!? This pendant and the collar is yours.

He and Neku show them

Streaky: That's… Hey! Low blow, man!

Neku: You dropped it the other day, you two.

Beat: Yeah, sure. Now gimme it back! If you think you can use that to bargain, think again, yo! I'll pry it outta your cold, dead hands!

Dex-Starr: No bargains! Here. It's yours.

They gave it to them

Beat: … …Why'd you gimme it? We enemies, yo.

Neku: It's important to you, isn't it?

Dex-Starr: Can you please leave us alone?

Beat: … Hmph. Dontchu be expectin' any thanks.

Streaky: Bye, Losers.

They left

Neku: …Bye, Beat and Streaky.

Joshua: Is the delinquent Reaper gone? Hmm… A special op…

Neku: What about it?

Joshua: Oh, nothing. Let's go.

They went to Towa Record

Neku: This is CAT's latest…

Joshua: Shibuya's full of his stuff, hmm? It must take a ton of time. I'm surprised he keeps that silly café open.

Dex-Starr: Huh? CAT opened a café? Where? In Shibuya?

Francis: You feeling alright, Dex-Starr? How many times have you been there now?

Neku: What!? Where the heck is it?

Joshua: Cat street, silly.

Neku: Cat… No way!

Francis: Yes, way. CAT is Mr. H.

Neku: NO WAY! Mr. Hanekoma!? Is CAT!? Whoa…whoa!

Dex-Starr: Kid, just calm down.

Joshua: Hee hee. I'll try.

Dex-Starr: Mr. H? Seriously? I don't believe it!

Francis: How did you not know this? I thought you were CAT's biggest fan.

Neku: He never does interviews in person. He's never released any photos, either. I never even knew he was a "he"! Man… Mr. Hanekoma… I can see it, though. From the first time I saw him, I knew he was special. Damn, I've talked to CAT! That is freaking RAD!

Dex-Starr: Yeah, me too!

Joshua: Hee hee. I'm happy you're happy. Just don't tell him where you heard, hmm?

Dex-Starr: We won't.

Neku's Though: So, if Hanekoma is CAT… That means he's… CAT's NOT the Composer! Joshua and Francis's looking for the Composer. Hanekoma's helping him. The Composer wouldn't be that dumb. Besides, Josh and Fran is too sharp not to notice. Guess the cat and I over thinking things. CAT can't be the Composer.

Joshua: I still don't get why he's so popular. It's just street art.

Dex-Starr: CAT's work all follow a single, consistent aesthetic. And he keeps the quality up. Most important, his work speaks to people.

Joshua: I see.

Neku: That's tougher than it sounds.

Joshua: Is it? I bet you'd have little trouble.

Neku: Huh?

Joshua: Use your Player Pin.

Dex-Starr: What's this got to do with-

Joshua: If you know what people are thinking, it's easy to grab them.

Neki: It…it would be an advantage.

Francis: Right. Why bother with talk? With sifting through the lies we all tell? You could talk till you're blue in the face and not hear the truth. And we all see things differently anyway.

Dex-Starr: It's true. We're not mean to see eye to eye.

Dex-Starr's Though: But… I dunno, maybe it's better that way. Sure, people don't think alike. We don't know what's going through the other guy and cat's head. But we can TRY to find out, right? Expand our worlds through each other. Maybe that's a better way to go-the real way to enjoy each moment.

Joshua: You OK, Neku and Dex-Starr?

Neku: Yeah, I could try to be CAT with this pin. But why? Where's the enjoyment in that? I'd rather broaden my world my own way.

Joshua: … Neku… Hee hee. Your face is priceless.

Neku: Huh?

Neku's Though: Who asked you!?

Joshua: Anyway, we really should make for the scramble. We may not be getting missions, but we still only have so much time.

Dex-Starr's Though: Him, his cat and his Composer hunt… They're really serious? Kid and his cat's crazy. They're on their own.)

They made it to the scramble crossing

Joshua: Hold it. I'm getting a signal. It's coming from-

Neki: Wait a minute. You want to take on the Composer.

Francis: Haven't we been over this?

Dex-Starr: Look, We're done with it. We have to win this Game. We're not taking on any more risks.

Joshua: … Fine. We won't ask you to get involved. At least let me and Francis pinpoint the River.

Neku: … OK, but that's it.

Joshua: Hee hee. You're so generous. The signal's coming from the station underpass.

They went to the Station Underpass

Neku: …Here?

Francis: Looks like the tracker's working now. Welcome to the Shibuya River.

Dex-Starr: Since when is there a river here? That's news to me and the boy.

Joshua: The Composer's just ahead.

They are going but they stop

Neku: …What?

Joshua: We're blocked out.

They saw a Taboo Noise chain up at the Shibuya River, meaning they can't go there

Neku: This is the end of the line?

Joshua: Unless we get rid of that wall. Let's head back and gather more info.

Neku's Though: Gather it where? Who the hell'd know about this?

They are going to leave

Dex-Starr: We found your river. Satisfied?

Joshua: For now.

Neku: What the…

They saw Black Noise

Joshua: Noise? The same kind as before!

Dex-Starr: Get ready!

They are fighting it

Neku: Did we kill it!?

But it still alive

Francis: Apparently not… Looks like we're outmatched.

Dex-Starr: Rrgh! We can't give up now…

Joshua: … Oh, all right… I was hoping to avoid this.

Francis: Me too.

They leap toward the Taboo Noise, Francis throw a Tarot Cards at it and burn the noise, Joshua call forth a beam of light and it erased the noise

Dex-Starr: Holy… Since when can you do THAT!?

Francis: I'm very good in Tarot Carss.

Joshua: I told you, I hate working up a sweat.

Kariya: (Voice) Braaa-vo!

Neku: Who's there!?

They saw Kariya

Kariya: Afternoon, kids. …Hey, pretty boy. You're ALIVE, ain't ya?

Neku: What!?

Kariya: That was one helluva blast. No way a Player and a companion could do that. You don't see juice like that in the UG. You know, living folks and animals aren't allowed in the Game. That makes you a rule-breaker. I could erase you right now.

Neku & Dex-Starr: No!

Kariya: But…I won't.

Neku: Huh?

Kariya: Too much work. 'Sides, that Noise was givin' us hell, too. So let's just say I blinked. Not next time, though. You'll be erased before you know it. …By Uzuki. Later!

He left

Joshua: …Whew. Lucky us, huh, Neku?

Neku: Joshua, Francis… Was that true? You're alive?

Francis: … Cat's out of the bag. Yes, Neku. I'm playing the Game alive.

Dex-Starr: You're… But how can…

Joshua: There's a loophole to everything. Sneaking in means we don't have a Player Pin and Collar, but such is life.

Neku: So you just-

Joshua: Please, it's not a big deal. We formed a valid pact. We're just like any other pair, Neku and Dex-Starr.

Dex-Starr: …No.

Francis: Hmm? We didn't catch that.

Dex-Starr and Neku are look frustrating

Neku: No, we're not, you punk! How can you say you're the same as us? You're alive! You're here 'cause you want to be! Not us! We don't want to be here! I'm not playing the Game for kicks, dammit!

Dex-Starr: Me too! You little freaks! You got me and the boy killed and be part of this stupid Game!

Joshua: No, you're playing because you want to live again. You still get something out of this.

Dex-Starr: You little bastards… Only what you TOOK from me! YOU killed me!

Francis: Aww, Dex-Starr. You said you didn't remember! You sneaky little thing. So what if we did?

Neku & Dex-Starr: What!?

Joshua: What if I am the one who killed you? You're going to do something about it?

Day End

Turf