I updated fairly quickly. It's a miracle! Even though I didn't receive any reviews (and I was really looking forward to people asking about what happened to 777…), I got a decent amount of hits and alerts. Plus, to an extent, I'm liking this story, so I want to continue it. Thanks to everyone who read!

Disclaimer: I don't own The World Ends with You, or the song the story is named after.

Normalcy was in the eye of the beholder. True, the Tech knew that the saying didn't actually go like that, but that was his version of it. That's how it should go, in his opinion. Six months ago, everything was going fine. He had just turned twenty, worked with his boyfriend part-time, and his relationship was still going strong.

At the same time, he was oblivious to the pain 777 was going through.

But the more he thought about it, he was not sure if he was guilty of being innocent. Looking back on it, the signs were there, clear as day, had he actually taken the time to look at them. Instead he chose to ignore them, to cast them aside. He was directly responsible. In fact all of them were, 777 included.

No… no, I can't blame him.

That had been his internal struggle for the last couple of months. He had talked to his lover three times after it, each conversation containing levels of angsty, anxiety, and melodrama. Tears, yelling, and pleading. Promises and empty words. Questions after questions after questions, and yet neither of them were able to produce apt answers to them, leaving a hollow yearning with the Tech.

And the singer was actually coming back tomorrow?

He hadn't heard from 777 for a few weeks, not after the troubled singer had called him to explain his conversation with BJ. He had been so distraught over it that he had created such a panicked noise which resulted in him losing his phone. It was a miracle he had managed to keep it for so long.

He heard from 777's doctor two days ago.

The conversation was short and dispassionate, with the undertones of Listen fast, I have more important things to do and I would love to explain it to you in more detail, but I really don't have the time.

He was aware that those two undertones were basically the same thing, but he perceived them differently. There was a kindness in the doctor's crisp tone as she droned out facts too fast for the Tech to wrap his head around, but none of that really mattered to him at the time. The words, "I believe he's fit to be discharged in two days," were the only words he was able to absorb. Those words held a gift of hope, wrapped up with a ribbon of trepidation.

The Tech really just wanted to see 777. He wanted to hug him, kiss him, touch him, look at him, admire him, treasure him. He wanted to hold him and never let him go, because he felt so lost without him. He wanted to lay in bed with him, just lay there in silence, and watch him; watch him and observe him and take in what he failed to notice before. He wanted to know that what happened two months ago wasn't the end for them. He wanted to know that breakdown didn't mean breakup.

Those thoughts sent a chill down the twenty year old's back, contradicting the warm temperature around him. What if 777 didn't want to be with him anymore? What if his breakdown was the last straw in their relationship?

No… he couldn't let himself think like that. He had to cling to that last thread of optimism, or else he would fall apart right there in the middle of the street, with Tenho and the merciless sun as his witnesses. And he wouldn't be able to accept that. Not after all he had been through, not after 777 grabbed his hand and dragged him through their own personal hell, and especially not after they both had to make the journey out without each other.

The Tech had made to the other side. Now he was just waiting for his lover. And he would find out tomorrow if he made it.

"We're here," announced Tenho sullenly, bringing the Tech back to the present.

The pair stood in front of the apartment building, seemingly frozen in place, eyeing the building uneasily. Neither took another step forward, as though they would be condemning themselves to a cruel fate if they stepped inside.

"Well, he can't still be angry," the Tech reasoned. Tenho scoffed. "Well… he can't be angry at us anyway. I mean… it's not like we did anything to him."

"He's probably too stoned to care," Tenho spat out, almost as if the words were poison.

The Tech winced. He wasn't used to Tenho hurling around accusations—out of him, 777, and BJ, he seemed like a pacifist—but he realized how opposed the red jacketed man was to his friend's questionable choices.

"You never know," the Tech interjected. "It's only… what, noon? Why would he be getting high this early?"

"More like why would he want to get high at all?"

The Tech shook his head. He really could not understand how the three of them had been friends since they were kids. All they seemed to do was argue and antagonize each other, and yet they stuck together and were inseparable. It was just a concept he could not wrap his head around, possibly because he never had any significant friendships.

"How 'bout we figure that out another time. Wanna go in?"

Tenho merely shrugged and strode in, leading the way. The Tech trailed behind him as they climbed the stairs and stopped in front of the door. Tenho then sighed and knocked on his friend's apartment door, shuffling from foot to foot as he waited for a response. He didn't receive one.

"Hey man, it's me and Futoshi. Can you open the door?" Nothing. "I know you're in there, your car's here." Continuous silence. "Hey, I have a key! Don't make me use it."

A few seconds later, the door opened, and they were welcomed by the sight of a disgruntled BJ. "Tenho, stop yelling. It's too early for it."

"Hey, it's noon. Not that early."

BJ turned to the Tech, regarding him warily. "What're you doin' here?"

"We need to talk to you."

BJ seemed to mentally debate his decision, but eventually moved back inside, giving the two silent permission to enter. The apartment was cramped and it reeked of alcohol. The Tech realized that this was why it was the first time he had ever been inside; why would he want to spend his free time here?

"So why are you here?" BJ repeated as he sat down, this time directing the question to both of them.

The Tech decided to get straight to the point. "777's coming home tomorrow."

BJ remained quiet for a minute, before saying, "Really?"

"Yeah, I got the call a couple days ago."

"This soon?" He tried questioning with a casual disinterest.

"Think I could… maybe use your car? To pick him up, I mean?"

BJ didn't reply, causing Tenho to try and persuade him further. "Come on, man, we know you're mad at him, but maybe you two could just talk when he gets back…"

"Is he still pissed at me?" BJ asked, forcing his voice to sound nonchalant.

"I don't know," the Tech answered. "I haven't talked to him for awhile. But I think he was more upset than mad. Seriously, BJ, he almost started crying a few times. Why'd you say all that to him?"

BJ glared at the younger man. "He was saying shit to me too, y'know. I just reacted, just like any other person would've."

"But BJ," Tenho countered, "you could've just ignored it. I mean, he was probably just lashing out. Look at what's happened to him, he didn't need you to just add to all the stress."

"Someone should've warned me that the saints were coming," BJ growled sarcastically. "Well, sorry I can't be perfect. Sorry I'm pissed at my best friend for what happened to him. Maybe he shouldn't have called then. He knows I can't control my anger… but I know I probably over-reacted, okay? I know I did, and I don't like that I know it."

That speech left the Tech and Tenho wordless. For the Tech, that was the most genuine and remorseful he had ever seen the other man act, and he had no idea what to say back. But that was okay, for BJ continued, "I just wanna apologize to him, okay? Because I do know that I'm wrong, and I hope he can forgive me. So, um… do you think I could, maybe, go pick him up?"

Now that was something that could instigate him into talking. "BJ, you really think that would be a good idea?"

"Yeah, what if you're too high to drive tomorrow?" Tenho wondered cynically, rolling his eyes.

"Do I look high now? I actually haven't been for a few days."

Tenho mock-gasped. "A few days? What an accomplishment."

"Look, I get it, you're pissed too."

"Well, yeah, of course I am. Are you really that surprised, man?"

"No, Tenho, I'm not. And I get why you are, okay?"

The Tech raised an eyebrow in confusion as he watched Tenho flinch. This was another example of how he was an outsider in this long-lasting friendship, for he knew nothing of the other band member's past, and why he was so against drugs.

"So… what, are you saying you're gonna quit?" Tenho asked tentatively, as if voicing the idea wouldn't mean it was false.

"Yeah… I'm gonna try. Talking to 777 helped, even though I hate saying that. I don't know, I can't really help him if I'm out of it. And I think he's gonna need all of us."

That admonition struck the Tech forcefully. BJ was right; while these two months without the singer had been so challenging, the next few months to come would most likely prove to be even tougher, and it was going to be a difficult battle.

"I don't know if 777 would want you to pick him up," the Tech voiced, trying to get the conversation back on topic.

"Well, if he doesn't, I'll just drive back and get you. That or I'll drag him into the car. Not like he'd be able to put up much of a fight now."

As much as he'd hate to admit it, BJ did have an excellent point there.

"I could go with him," Tenho replied, hopefulness seeping into his voice. "You know, if you don't trust those two alone."

"Tenho, if you go, then the three of us might as well just go together. Who knows, maybe that would be best."

"I like Futoshi's idea. That would probably work," BJ replied.

The conversation drifted in circles, and the Tech quickly began to lose focus. He began to wonder if 777 thought he was ready to come home or not. He would probably secret revel in the fact that his closest friends were planning the easiest and stress-free way to welcome him back home, but was he ready for that sentiment to be put into action?

"Hey, Futoshi?"

"Huh?"

"Um…" BJ looked unsure how to proceed. "I'm sorry for how I treated 777. I mean, I know that you and me don't really talk that much, but I thought you should know that he is my best friend, and since you're going out with him… well, I just thought you should know."

The Tech nodded, understanding BJ's gesture, and deeply appreciating it. He had always had the feeling that BJ didn't care much for him, or his presence. He didn't welcome him with open arms like Tenho had, instead choosing to ignore him most of the time. But BJ had just admitted that he accepted the Tech's presence, and that he hoped they could get along someday. "Thanks, BJ."

Not long after that, the three men decided that they couldn't just lounge around, so they left the apartment and wandered aimlessly around the city, quickly realizing that the temperature had increased even more than what it was. Eventually, they took refuge inside Ken Doi's ramen shop and ordered lunch, and stayed there for over an hour.

The day served as a reprieve for the Tech. It helped him to see that he was not the only one condemned to the fate of confusion and guilt after 777's breakdown. It showed that he was not the only one who had to wait for this day to arrive, that he was not the only one that had been suffering.

It helped him feel less lonely, and less cut off from the world. And he needed that, he needed to feel like that before walking into the uncertainty of tomorrow.

…Please review? Feedback would definitely be appreciated.