"Everyone has their own experience. That's why we are here, to go through our experience, to learn, to go down those paths and eventually you may have gone down so many paths and learned so much that you don't have to come back again."

~Prince

Issei knocked on the door of the Higashikata household. In the air, floating out from the window above, he could hear a familiar pop song play out. He released a deep sigh, his eyes drifting downward as he listened to the lyrics play in the air. He wasn't quite as into western style music as Josuke was, but he did quite enjoy a few of the songs that his best friend played for him now and again. The melody playing was familiar to the brunette, making him smile a bit nostalgically.

Don't worry, I won't hurt U~

I only want U 2 have some fun~

I was dreamin' when I wrote this~

Forgive me if it goes astray~

But when I woke up this mornin'~

Coulda sworn it was judgment day~

Issei was pulled away from the song as the door opened, the music becoming a bit louder as Tomoko welcomed him in. She rubbed her ears, giving a small smile as she saw the teen. "Ah, Issei. You here to see the mourning child?" She asked, knowing the problem going on with her son. "The news hit him pretty hard."

"Yeah, I figured. The club was wondering where he was at." Issei nodded knowingly, glancing up the stairs as the music continued to play.

The sky was all purple,

There were people runnin' everywhere

Tryin' 2 run from the destruction,

U know I didn't even care

'Cuz they say two thousand zero zero party over,

Oops out of time

So tonight I'm gonna party like it's 1999

Tomoko sighed and shook her head. "He's been going on like that since he heard. Just blasting the music and not coming out of his room. I even tried to bring him food but he wouldn't take any. Mind trying to pry him out of there?" She asked hopefully, knowing that if anyone could it would be Issei. The brunette gave a small smile and nodded.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure he's doing alright." He told her before heading inside and taking off his shoes. He climbed the stairs slowly, the music growing louder with each step.

I was dreamin' when I wrote this

So sue me if I go 2 fast

But life is just a party, and parties weren't meant 2 last

War is all around us, my mind says prepare 2 fight

So if I gotta die I'm gonna listen 2 my body tonight

Issei reached the room after a moment and knocked. It was hard to hear anything from the other side considering the volume of the music being played, but persisted on knocking. After several moments, Issei groaned and twisted the knob, a bit surprised that it wasn't locked as he did so. He slowly pushed it open, flinching slightly at the increasing volume. Inside was Josuke, lying in bed with his hands crossed behind his head, his features rather stony as he stared up at the ceiling, apparently listening to the music without problem. Issei considered calling out, but decided an alternate solution. He moved to the speakers connected to Josuke's phone, quickly turning them off so that the song finally died down. Josuke's eyes widened at that, quickly looking up and glaring at Issei.

"Hey, I was listenin' to that!" He growled in annoyance, though making no move to get up.

"Yeah, well it was too loud. You could've turned it down a little or at least put in some headphones." Issei retorted, crossing his arms. Josuke only glared a bit longer before turning on his side, his back to Issei. The brunette sighed and grabbed the phone, holding it out to Josuke. "Come on, man. You can't just mope in bed all day listening to his music."

"Says you." Josuke bit back, snatching his phone away from Issei and searching through it for a new song. "I can keep this up forever." Issei could only sigh, taking a seat in Josuke's computer chair by the window.

"Come on, man. Everyone wants to see you. Especially after what happened with Angelo." The brunette told him, making the tall teen pause in his search. "I know he was your favorite musician, but-"

"It's just bullshit." Josuke muttered, keeping his back to Issei as he spoke. The brunette stopped, raising a brow in question. "First I lose gramps and then right when things seem to be lookin' up again… this shit happens. It's just… bullshit." He grumbled, biting his bottom lip. Issei frowned in sympathy, seeing that the loss was heavier than he thought for Josuke. He stood up and walked over to his friend, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Josuke. Sorry for acting like a jerk. And I'm bummed out he passed, too." Issei apologized. Josuke was silent for a long moment before glancing over his shoulder at Issei, forcing a nod.

"It's cool. I know you just wanna help." He muttered before rolling to the other side slowly, sitting up in his bed. "I guess seein' everyone will take my mind off it. We can go."

"Great. And who knows, maybe you can introduce Prince to everyone else now, too." Issei suggested with a hopeful smile, causing the tall teen to force a chuckle out.

"Yeah, maybe." Josuke sighed, rubbing the back of his head. As Issei turned to exit the room, Josuke called out and stopped him. "Wait a sec… let me hear one more song. Just before we go." He told him, causing the brunette to glance back and give a sad smile.

"Sure, I'm up for that." he agreed. Josuke smiled back before lifting his phone up and connecting the bluetooth speakers once again. He quickly found the desired song, starting it up before slowly lying back down in his bed. Issei took a seat once again, the melody playing once again making him nostalgic. He remembered the first time Josuke introduced him to the western musician.

"I'm not really interested in western music, Josuke." Issei quickly dismissed as the tall teen searched through his phone for a certain song.

"Naw, come on! I'm tellin' you, it's great! This guy's a friggin' genius! His music is amazing!" Josuke pushed further, starting the song without waiting for Issei's approval.

"Hey, I said I didn't wanna hear!" Issei complained with a pout, but was promptly ignored as the music played.

"Sorry, can't hear you! Music's too loud!" The tall teen laughed as he sat back and let the magic happen.

I never meant to cause you any sorrow~

I never meant to cause you any pain~

I only wanted to one time to see you laughing~

I only wanted to see you~

Laughing in the purple rain~

Purple rain, purple rain~

Purple rain, purple rain~

Purple rain, purple rain~

I only wanted to see you~

Bathing in the purple rain~

Issei watched Josuke closely as the song continued on. His expression wasn't like it was before, stony and hard. This time it was more sullen, but graced with a small grin.

I never wanted to be your weekend lover~

I only wanted to be some kind of friend~

Baby, I could never steal you from another~

It's such a shame our friendship had to end~

Purple rain, purple rain~

Purple rain, purple rain~

Purple rain, purple rain~

I only wanted to see you~

Underneath the purple rain~

A small tear streamed down Josuke's cheek. The song brought back every time he heard the famous musician's music. It especially brought back one moment to mind, one long ago with his own grandfather when he was barely ten.

"Hey, Josuke! You should try and listen to some of the western music I keep hearing. They've got some pretty talented artists there." Ryohei told a young Josuke, sitting the boy next to him as he fiddled with an old radio.

"Come on, grandpa. It's hard to understand that music." Josuke complained, grumbling as he crossed his arms.

"You don't have to understand the music, Josuke. It'll speak to you as it plays. Even if you don't quite understand, you'll go along with rhythm and fall in love." The elder Higashikata laughed as he pressed play. There wasn't a moment that went by after that day that Josuke wasn't thankful for the strange, foreign music that his grandfather played for him. Because he truly had fallen in love.

Honey, I know, I know~

I know times are changing~

It's time we all reach out~

For something new, that means you too~

You say you want a leader~

But you can't seem to make up your mind~

I think you better close it~

And let me guide you to the purple rain~

"Let's go see everyone." Josuke spoke up over the music, sitting up from his seat and smiling goofily at Issei, who blinked in confusion.

"You don't wanna finish the song?" He asked curiously, standing up slowly from his seat, receiving a head shake from the taller teen.

"Nah, I always have the song with me. I can listen to it again whenever I want." Josuke declared, standing as well and stuffing his hands in his pockets. The music continued to play, but Josuke started to leave. "Besides, we still gotta teach Rias and everyone what real music is."

Issei raised a brow in wonder, but only smiled as he saw the spirit return to his best friend. That was all he could ask for. He quickly jogged after him, crossing his arms behind his head. "Okay, but we should start off with something easy. Maybe Kiss?"

"Oh~, that's a good one. Or maybe Diamond and Pearls?" Josuke suggested back, all of his carefree attitude back in his expression. The two continued to shoot idea's back and forth, the music fading into the background but carrying along with them even as they left the home.

Purple rain, purple rain~

Purple rain, purple rain~

If you know what I'm singing about up here~

C'mon, raise your hand~

Purple rain, purple rain~

I only want to see you~

Only want to see you~

In the purple rain~

Goodbye, Prince.

RIP

I figured since I have an OVA section now, this dedication chapter would fit there well enough. Sorry if you were expecting more, I just know a few people wanted to see this short on FFN again.