Title: Stolen Recollection
Genre: Friendship
Summary: "I've been watching you, silly…". For Neku, that was just one of annoying quotes from Joshua, but to the composer, it's more than what ears could hear. Maybe he needs to keep it all to himself…
Just reminded myself…how many chapters are you planning to write, me?
I dunno, me…go with the flow…
Ha…haiii!
Disclaimer: TWEWY's characters are awesome and they aren't mine
…
Ch 12: Broke
Shu looks up to Neku in many ways.
His friends got a lot of things which he didn't have. Patience, brains, ideas, and more good things than his finger could count. Example, doodles from Neku's exercise book, compared to his serious finishitupinawholeweek picture. Rip his picture, burn it to ashes.
If there was a test going, Shu will push himself to study all night, but Neku will read it in one glance and everything stuck to his head like a chewy gum. Test came out with Shu had an average score and Neku with the great score like gods.
Neku only lacks on social department. He's not much of a…people said social butterfly, let alone greet, he won't talk when someone didn't bait him. Shu was the only connector for Neku to outer world, in other word, classmates.
But, it didn't shake the fact that he's a bit jealous of Neku…
And he just didn't know that Neku felt the same way…
…
The usual and normal composer of a city stays on their throne, sitting mightily as the game run right in front of their eyes. Just watch. And of course, from the very same throne they do all their jobs. Fixing notes, creating each of their city's own harmony. They were tied, chained down to that place. Never in their mind came a desire to change that.
Most certainly, the composer of Shibuya is the polar opposite of all those traits. He NEVER even tries to sit in silent and watch the game. He literally bumped it all to the conductor which oddly doesn't mind it at all.
Fortunately, that trait was his charm to some angels including the head angels. Composer rarely go up against the angels or in other words, break rules. That's why he seldom got punished.
He's different.
…
On his perspective, Shu is someone he could rely on. He always laugh so hard it cause him to giggle. He talks and talks like he has no off-buttons and Neku will listen to his countless babble. Shu has lots of things to talk about; he can't run out of ammo to start up a chat.
Neku both respect and like the brunette, and jealous, of course. He could never have the same confidence Shu has. It's only a wish, but he wanted to be just like Shu.
…
He protested.
How can the producer ordered him to do so?
"You can't leave the throne until the Game's over!" with arm crossed, Sanae said, "…that's the only order of the week," he continued. Explaining the reason will lead to further annoying uncalled business. He left the composer to muse it to himself.
"I know…It's because I ate your portion of coffee cookies on the table yesterday, right?" Joshua snapped.
"'Course not, wait, that was YOU?"
"No…"
Joshua put up an innocent look, whistling somewhat a whimsical tune
Sanae rubbed his neck, "Anyway, you're grounded!" he pointed out his finger
"But-"
Ignoring any useless argument Joshua was going to spit, Sanae walked out in silent.
…
Something…so weird happened in school as Neku went inside. Everyone glared at him with accusation glare. Did he do something wrong? Or did they know that he forgot to brush his teeth this morning? That's impossible…
"Neku!"
He heard the voice alright, that's Shu's. What he had noticed was a somewhat nervous tune in the voice. Shu came up between the crowds with murmurs surrounding the whole class. It sounded so serious that Neku fiddled with his backpack rope to hide his rapidly rising nerve.
Shu stopped a few steps away from Neku, taking a good look of his friend and bit his lips. How should he put this…he's not too good with the problem in hand that his classmates have trusted him to tell it to Neku. And he's not known for fancy words! For good-ness sake! Neku was waaay better than him for this but…no!
Bracing himself after several mental arguments, Shu held his breath and said, "…Neku…do you know what is this?" whispers rose in the air as soon as he pulled up a white broach to Neku's vision range.
The orangette focused his eyes on the broach. It looks pretty, like a crystal, but a long creak was formed in the middle, making it look…some sort of broken crystal, perhaps. That Neku knew as the broach that Shu owned. His pride and joy, said it was a birthday gift from his parents. Boys don't like broach, but a broach worth yens like that…?
"…Errr…your broach?" Neku guessed. A shocked low yelp was heard between his classmates, followed by a girl's voice "Then…it's true?". The suspense broke and all he could hear was "…True" or "…he…did…"
Shu decided to broke off the buzz, "Neku…have you touched this yesterday?"
"Well…" Neku once again found that fiddling with his backpack rope was…calming, "…I think, yes…" more shout was heard and the students were nodding their head.
"…Stole it?"
Neku froze when his ears caught the word. He's ready to say "No", but he felt something pressuring him to say "Uuuhh…hahaha…yes?" he glanced over to his classmates for help, but none even give him a pity glare.
He was…trapped…
"…How…could you, Neku?"
Neku gulped. If it's only a joke, a sick joke…he couldn't take it…if it's for real…he would swore that he didn't do anything but touched the broach. How could he explain that?
He hoped someone barge in and save his day before it was too late
…
In his desperation for clue, the little angel has come up with something. A cell phone, he picked up somewhere he rather not to talk about and hoped that whoever has this phones forget about the mobile and leave it to that.
Now…let's see for the proof his leader longed for…
…
Shu pocketed his broach and said something incredible for Neku
"It's not you…right?"
Everyone gasped when he said that, disagreement flew through. Neku quickly raised his head, facing toward Shu in an unexplainable expression. Shu was staring back at him with honest eyes, searching for the same honesty in Neku's.
Neku nodded, "…Ye…yeah!"
Shu took a deep breath and composed himself before said to the crowds, "See? He didn't do it!"
"He DID it…Shuzo Kazaki" a boy with short dark hair went toward both, shoving his glasses back to his nose bridge. Crossing his arm and a smug look on his face, he continued, "…he just didn't want to confess it to you…"
"….." Neku knew his cheeks reddened in fear and embarrassment. He didn't do it, but he can't bring himself to say it. Again he reached for calm, but this time Shu's hand slipped into his before it could make it way back to the rope.
"No, Neku didn't do it!" insisted Shu, a mark of persistence hinted in his words, "…right, Neku?" he glanced at the boy. Neku said no word; instead, he clung to Shu's arm, pursing his mouth completely. He was shaking, gasping for breath; fingers clawed a bit too painful for Shu. Wincing in pain, Shu plead in silent for Neku to answer a 'no', one straight 'no'
In the end, none said a word.
…
Joshua is bored. Extremely bored. Greatly bored to death.
Like the noise of all boredomness has taken a hold of the composer's self by each passing hours. He practically biting his nails off, waiting for any report his conductor will take him. Sanae has told him that the last time Joshua bailed out from the throne, Megumi was freaking out, running around in circle like a motherless chick. While it's hilarious in Sanae's side Megumi didn't laugh at all, even a frown didn't appear in his face.
Of course Sanae didn't witness all of that with Megumi's death glare focused on him, he simply tuned up his frequency to that of angel's and enjoyed the show first class.
The composer knew that last time was when he said that he'd be gone for two days because of a light flu, but he appeared in day three with a high fever running. And he even grinned to his concerned conductor
A week until he could meet with Neku again…he counted, what a waste of time…
…
"Why didn't you say anything, Neku!"
Neku flinched; hugging his rucksack tightly as Shu face palmed himself in frustration. It has been an hour since Shu started to rant about Neku silent act. Anytime soon, Shu might explode in rage, which Neku feared. No, he's more scared to say anything. He's scared to blurt out anything that will offended Shu and make him feel guiltier.
Shu shook his head for the hundredth time and finally took his bag rudely and stormed outside without glancing to Neku. It's enough…if Neku didn't want to talk, he'll find it himself.
Neku, otherwise felt horrible, like he has made his friend mad at him and at the same time worried about him. Another burden slammed onto his shoulder as he watched Shu's gone from sight.
He wished he could talk…talk about everything. That he can't say any words because he's afraid no one will believe him, or that he didn't want to upset Shu. Realized that it was pointless, now, Neku clutched his knee, burying his face in it.
Now, he wished Joshua was there…
…
"You look…desperate, Sir!"
That's the first sentence coming out from Megumi after he walked inside to give his report. Joshua groaned loudly as a 'nice' answer. Better than no reaction, Sir…Megumi fixed his sunglasses. There's nothing unusual, just a few noise decided to pop out at random places and made fun of all the players. Joshua replied of course, he still had the responsible as the composer.
Megumi took his leave immediately after Joshua started to rant again about his 'grounded' punishment. After all, he's the one who reported Joshua's disappearance few days ago.
…
Three days since he last saw Joshua…
That's sooo awesome…
When Neku needed him the most usually was the cue for Joshua to appear at odd places, saying "Hi!" or just twirled his locks and smiled at him. He always carries the right answer to all Neku's problems.
Now, he's gone, Poof, just like a ghost. Poof, gone from the world. Poof, gone from Neku's life.
…
Being a good boy is hard
Imagine, you have a friend. He was being accused of something you know exactly he would never done. You tried to come up with a rescue to save him. But you get one uncooperative zipped mouth from him that leave you with no clue at all. Now, the whole class sees you as an accomplice.
What did you do then?
Shu stopped thinking about the big puzzles reside inside his mind. The answer was staring at him, he knew, but he's the one who can't stare at it back.
…
Five days and counting…
Where's Joshua?
A sprout of doubt began to grow inside Neku. Maybe, Joshua really has gone…or it's just the right time for him to grow up and face the trouble himself without anyone's help. No, he can't do this…he can't!
Where's Joshua? He asked again.
…
The final day of the Game, Joshua has been tapping his fingers impatiently since this day started. When he saw Megumi walked in to bring the last report, he nearly leapt in joy. His jaw drooped when Megumi said the last report
"Something happen and we need your help, Composer, Sir!"
Oh, come on! Joshua screamed (of course in his mind) didn't you know wasting another time would be a sin?
He shut his thought after he heard what the conductor said after that
"There are taboo noises lured to a human…"
…
It's already night, yes. It's dark, scary…and quiet.
He was alone. How can? No idea, he just winded up here. To mentally broke down and screamed his burden. All the burden he kept bottled down pushed the cork out and it slipped out. As tears, as a scream of pain, anger, sorrow, as feeling of doubt. As everything one could think of about negativity.
Then, he didn't feel alone again. Something was there. Not one, many…a lot. They have him surrounded. Scream, he tried, but the only sound that did leave his throat was a small hopeless yelp.
The wind watched as the sound dies down…
…
I read it again…and yelled at the computer…GREAT, you just made me poorly describe something important…I hope I didn't confuse anyone…yet…Reviews will be gladly treasured!