Notes:
A Little Quiz
If Joshua's a cat, Shiki's another cat, Beat a dog and Rhyme's a squirrel. Neku would be?
Another cat
A Cute Dog
A Sly Fox
A Cool Wolf
"Screw that!"
Almost reach the main storyline, now…
(As if it's possible to tell the awesomeness of TWEWY storyline…grrrmbl…grrrmbl)
Disclaimer: If it's mine, they'll make a sequel…
…
Ch 14: Hello, You're Busted!
"Here you go!"
Kariya cringed at his 'uniform'. A hoodie. A big red hoodie like every other wall reapers wear. He put it on anyway, ready for his first 'job' in the UG. His dear candy was confiscated by the weird man in sunglasses, saying it's 'prohibited' to eat while doing his job. Kariya shrugged and went away to his post, the road to Dogenzaka from 104. His job was to watch, give away small missions, and tear down the wall when the players finished his missions. That is all. Maybe he could slip up and buy few lollipops. Tongue dries without those sweets
He remembered the man in light, mumbling something about 'taboo noise refinery sigil' to his phone, and the reply was an apology. That day, when he joined the reaper, the man escorted him to a weird room. It was dark, black and white, with the sunglasses man in the middle. He gave me the job, told to call him 'Conductor'. Fishy as a cord-liver oil candy they are
Oh, well…It'll be troublesome to stick your nose to where it doesn't belong.
…
Joshua 'kidnapped' Neku after school. Half-dragging, half laughing as Neku struggled from his grasp. Neku pouted, grumbling that he has to go home before 4 P.M or his mother would be angry. He puffed his cheeks when Joshua didn't even give his reason a thought. If he's late, he would be the one who get scolded, not Joshua. Refusing to walk further, Neku stood firmly, abruptly stopping Joshua from dragging him.
The teen looked down to his face, a mischievous smile on his lips. His hand released the boy's wrist from tight grip. Neku was relieved, but before he could run, he lost his footing and was carried over Joshua's shoulder.
"P…PUT ME DOWN!" he squealed an indignity yell. Paying no attention to his request, Joshua peered at his back where Neku, red like tomato as blood flowed and embarrassment crept endlessly chattering his denial for this side-trip.
"Here we are!" Joshua put Neku down, back to his feet. Or in reality, he dropped the boy so his butt met the ground first.
"…Ouch…" Neku yelped. He quickly stood up, an angry glare shot at Joshua who took no mind to it. "Come on in! Don't you want to eat? My treat!" Neku folded his arm, rolling his eyes toward whatever lies beside Joshua.
It was a stand, a ramen stand precisely. White split-curtains as its entrance to the noodles counter. Visible to his eyes, were lined up stools facing toward said counter.
"Not hungry…" replied Neku, avoiding Joshua's eyes. Joshua arched his eyebrow, unnaturally using his fingers to stroke his lips, waiting. Neku pushed his stomach automatically to hold it from screaming of being surprisingly empty.
Loud growls, flailing arms, and a forceful shove then Neku was already sat on the stool, facing a hot bowl of ramen. The smell of the broth tickled his hunger even more. He took the chopstick, slipping his fingers between both sticks; he scooped up a few strands of noodles, proceeding to blew on it. Closing his eyes as he munched and gobbled the whole bowl, enjoying its warmth down his throat.
"Phew!" he clasped his hand together, a satisfied look on his face. "Thanks for the meal!" he cheerfully said. Snatching his bag, he leapt out of the chair, bowing a thank you to Joshua and started to dash out the stand. Joshua grabbed the boy's collar, "Who said you could leave after this?" Neku scowled, legs shuffled back and forth. With Joshua's grip, they can't move forward to freedom.
"Let's walk around Shibuya for a bit, okay, Neku?"
…
"G…good afternoon…"
Beep…beep…beep
Tapping her fingers impatiently as her first greeting was useless
CLICK
"Hello?"
"Ah, Good afternoon! Is this Kazaki's?"
A little pause "And who might this be…"
"The mother of your son's friend…"
"Namely?"
"Neku Sakuraba…"
"What is it…"
"Is my son's perchance in your house?"
A faint calling "I think not…Why?"
Beepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeep
She stared blankly at the wall clock, a flabbergasted look on her face. That's not the answer she seeks.
5.30 P.M
Cold sweats started to roll on her cheeks. It's not like Neku to make an extra trip after school. He rarely ever does that, he never does that. Yesterday, yes, he was home rather late, but he had this I'm-happy-what-do-you-think look on his face. That's yesterday, and this is today. Twice! Twice, her son has broken the playtime-limit and she didn't like it. At all.
Neku nearly died twice. First, when he was 3 years old, then it was when the horrible storm combed the city with its wind. He survived both. But, what if, it's going to happen again. Not funny if the next thing coming was his son's corpse. She collected her thought, grasping for any clue her son might have said by accident.
"A stalker is following me...he's tall, eyes like mom's orchid and hair not like anyone"
That's years ago, a number of years ago. But what if, that's true…a…stalker. What if, that stalker kidnapped Neku?
"Trust your son…"
She crossed her fingers…she doesn't care which God, any can suffice, as long as her son's back home, safe as a cub on its mother's hug.
...
"We're not doing that again, Joshua…" pleaded Neku.
Few minutes ago, he was beside the lost-kid counter nearly broke into tears. After lunch in the ramen stand, Joshua took the poor child inside a crowded department store. He kept an eye to Neku, but when he fell and lost the boy's hand, the crowd pulled Neku away from him. Face palming himself as he ran to the customer service soon after he heard the info. Grinned sheepishly, stretching out his hand, handing with it a cone of soft ice cream apologetically. Neku once more, puffed his cheek and snatched the oh-so-delicious ice cream from the teen's grip proceeding to lick off the cold top of the sweets treat.
Any sweets accepted he thought even the giver is mean.
In a matter of seconds, he already nibbled on the biscuit cone happily, getting himself pulled by Joshua out of the crowds. Contented, full, and happy Neku in Joshua's tow trooping to Neku's house. Neku licked the last remaining crumble and creams from his fingers and lips, rolling his eyes toward Joshua. He was in phone, nearly shouting back at whomever unlucky enough to have poor ears receiving those high-piercing yell.
Joshua grunted, disconnecting the line of conversation and close the lid of his phone. A bright orange numbers popped up in the phone's lid. Neku's eyes widen, hands quickly moved to cover his mouth. It clearly said, "6.00 P.M" practically screaming, "6.00 P.M big boy! Home's soon or drops dead"
He tugged his hand out of Joshua's, staring at the teen in utter shock and fear. Split seconds, Neku was running, piercing his way to his home, as quick as his foot could take him.
…
Sanae said something bad to his tangled mind and was it anywhere as bad as breaking his phone? Absolutely, positively, yeeessss….with a hiss.
"J…this is the second alert, please, don't make me ground you again, geddit?" he swore he could see his producer bit his lips, "…the South head angel is onto ya head…sent some 'mouse' he did…"
"Just some little mice, Sanae…I handled them with an ease" he smacked his lips
"If it's only some wild mouse, J, ya could handle it…" a clucked tongue, "…but this is a one mouse that won't show his claws!"
"Spies, I presume…" Joshua snarled
Sanae nodded as if Joshua could see that, "They're after that boy o yours…" a gulp, "…Leave the boy be, J…"
"I…I can't…" his reply was a shaking head
"Look…I don't want ya to get hurt, boss…" Sanae responded, "…nor Shibuya. Betcha a thousand cups of coffee, she will get angry and start to give you bad notes"
"Sanae, anything involving this boy…I do it for her, too!"
"J…Please…"
"No…" Joshua snapped, "…mark my words, Sanae…I DO this for her sake. Her and her people"
"I know…but it's not like ya have to put yer life on the line!" the barista replied
"…You don't see it, you don't feel it!" Joshua yelled, "…That's because I WAS the one who felt it!" he huffed. "You won't see it coming!"
"Whaddya mean, boss?"
"It's falling apart…It's crying, begging for help…" again, he shouted
"Who?" though already know the answer, Sanae voiced his lump of thought
"…Her…She was the one who cried for help…" he finally said, "…It's this city…"
He hung up the phone with a grunt.
The boy pulled his hand, looking at him in the eye. Shocked, frightened, afraid. And he was gone, running and lost in the crowds of faces. The composer froze in shock. That wasn't good...IF he followed the boy to the housing district; he'd probably be spotted so easy like a red fire between heaps of grasses. IF he followed him with high-frequency, he will disturb the boy's vibe again.
He shook his head, no..no...no...no ifs. He might just need to follow, that's the point!
The feet stirred toward the crowds, gone between the forests of people
…
"Hanekoma Sanae"
Imagine, you are stationed in this super awesome city with gifted people and outstanding composer. As an angel, you must be really proud to be working with them. You could watch their awesomeness shine, brighter than any light you could find. You could hear the most beautiful harmony, clashes its way toward perfection as their music. And you are one of them. One of a few.
Sanae put down his pen. Slightly smirked to the odd group of words he has managed to write. These words sounded just wrong. It's not like he hates Shibuya. He loves it. Probably too much that it's become a blindfold to his sight. The angel summoned him. They've called his name to come, and finally, explain his reason. A nice reason of what the heck has happened to the composer? Why's he interfered with the living? Why didn't you know anything?
He wanted to shout, "Shut up! I don't know, key? Boss gets his own secret slice of life!"
'Sides, he bet no angels would believe him if he said the composer has gone insane and announced that he'll be dead. The whole affair with human is actually a preparation for his funeral and thus making the little boy his successor or something around that…
And the angels will only frown, and say that his reason is not acceptable. Or worse, strip him of his wings, guilty of 'not doing his job properly'.
"Boy, oh boy...tough job ahead..." he rubbed his chin.
…
If Neku could choose, between this situation or that situation, he'll prefer to not in any situation.
His gaze was on the floor, has been there since he reached home. He fiddled with his fingers like any nervous child facing the rage of their parents. He can't just look up and say, "Hi, mom, sorry I'm late! I have to run off to the other side of the city because I was chased off by some dogs and some random man said it was his and decided that he wanted to apologize so I stayed in his house for foods?"
That's just not a good enough lie. Lying was not good, end of the line.
"Where have you been?"
Came the cold question, dead and sharp. Hearing that coming from his mother was troubling. The usual warm and loving mom turned into a deadly interrogator, the thought about that…
"I was playing with Shu…Sorry…"
His mother massaged her forehead, exhausted eyes shot at him.
"I know that's a lie…and both of us know lie is cruel…" she snapped, "…Neku, tell the truth…"
Neku gulped, sometimes truth is like a thorn in your flesh. Like, you want to pull it out and throw it at someone's face, but at the same time, you want it to stay there cause you're afraid of facing the pain after-stab.
"I…I…I went with someone else…" he stuttered, "…he said it's an apology treat…"
"Who!"
A statement not a question, meaning he has to answer it, like it or not.
"J…Joshua…" he muttered, "…a teen…with ash-blonde locks, purple eyes just like mum's favorite flowers…"
"More lies, Neku?" his mother's lips quivered. The words clawed its way, deep to Neku. He's being totally honest with his word. Yes, lies are cruel, but someone saying they don't believe you, and when that someone is your mother is crueler than being back-stabbed.
"It's the truth, mom…" Neku tapped his finger
"Lies are…"
"Cruel!" cut Neku, flustered right now, he literally shouting, "…I didn't lie!"
"Ne-"
"You won't believe me…mom! You won't, right?" he slammed the glass table, "…That's just crueler!" without thinking twice, he rushed out the door, not stopping upon hearing his mother's voice calling his name. She was worried, Neku truly understood that, but to said that he's lying when obviously he don't, just hurt, too painful to accept, even with a cool head.
He needs to calm himself, shook his mind from this thing. His mother didn't mean it, yes, but still cause damage all the same. He rubbed his eyes, yeah, some times to be alone might be good, he said to himself as he strode across the constantly darkened road.
His mother rested her head on her chin. Screaming to her mind is "Trust your son…", "Trust your son…", "Trust you son…". She admitted, that the voice somehow rang true in her case
…
"I didn't know anything! That's still can't get through your thick head?"
Sanae backed down, preventing himself from punching the man's face. Chuckling and sneering, the man folded his arm. Completely un-affected by the tone in Sanae's voice.
"Sanae…Sanae…" he hissed as if the name was something venom. "You are an angel, trusted to watch over that darned city…" Sanae's face drained color.
"Yet, here you are, saying you know nothing" the man clapped his hand, "…what a great job you've done…"
Sanae looked away, he has no explanation to that, meeting the gaze was suicide. This man got J's dirt. Messing with the living is a 'crime' in angel's book, and this man…angel, specifically is the most angel that mustn't know about it.
By the way…since when did angels use cell phones?
…
Neku met Joshua in the middle of the street. The teen looked exhausted, at the same time worried. Noticing Neku, he ran toward him, scooping up the boy, turning Neku to face him. Joshua let out a relief sigh as if a heavy burden was released from him.
A shadow passed his face, as he perked up, causing Neku to cringe. Joshua's head was tilted upward so Neku did. His blue eyes trained to a shadow of a winged-person. Slowly became bigger as the shadow hovered down, closer to them.
An angel. She has blonde hair complete with messy golden locks. Her wings curled into her back, a smile played on her lips. When Neku squinted, he could guess that it's a nervous smile. She bowed down at both of them, her eyes flashed in a shimmering green light.
"Composer of Shibuya?" her hands twitched, "…and this must be…" she turned her gaze to Neku. Joshua pulled Neku behind his back, "There rarely an angel visitor here, in Shibuya…" he answered calmly, "…Please, do tell what is it that you seek?"
The angel smirked, another twitch from her hands as she fiddled with the locks on her forehead. She huffed, "…Your presence is required in the South Throne…along with the…'human' there…" she pointed to Neku.
"I'll go, but this kid stay…" Joshua replied, hand placed onto Neku's shoulder, tensed, as if it's ready to throw Neku to anywhere but here. The angel shook her head, golden locks move along with her movement.
"You're not in the situation to negotiate, composer…" she cawed, flicking her fingers.
Joshua rolled his eyes, left hand slid into his pocket, reaching for his orange phone. Neku hugged his right arm, making it unusable. A soft sound of fluttered wings was heard, causing him to quickly turn around and jabbed with a packed punch right to his cheek. His phone flew, sliding on the street before slipping inside the grates. Neku lost balance and was easily hurled into the ground with a loud yelp.
A strong grip found its way to Joshua's collar, jerking him up to meet with the face of his attacker, mere centimeters of his, making it's a little hard to focus on. His cheek throbbed in pain, his sight blurred, but he heard the words the guy spat
"Hello…" a sinister chuckle, "…you're busted"
…
I think I just ruined the whole thing with the cell phone that the angel stole. Since they got both Joshua and Neku, what's the point of the cell phone! Sheesh…stupid Altrus! And I guess Neku came across as an emotional-guy in here. Oh, boy…
Erh…something I kept thinking…
As a 'noise', Joshua should be the awesome one, cat's with two tails or three? Or even a mighty dragon with thunderous roaaaaaar. Shiki should be a cute one. A cute feline with sharp claws to fend off her foe. Beat, the loyal, but dumb dog. Brawls first, brain later. Rhyme, obviously the squirrel.
Neku?
Extra: Terrible mistake, chapter 11 says, Nesda IS the East head angel, he's South H.A...
I...I'm so sorry...