“You promised me you’d stay calm,” Joshua reminded them with a pout. He didn’t actually care that much, but the screaming would probably scare Rhyme away if they were nearby.
He rose an eyebrow as he watched Neku pull their phone out. He’d only told him about this to keep him from getting mad when Beat inevitably tattled on him, but it wasn’t like Neku could do much to help in this situation.
“Like I said, there’s no need to worry. The Players are on it, and if they don’t bring Rhyme safely back to Uzuki by the end of the day they’ll be erased. This week’s Players are a promising batch, I’m sure they won’t let us down. Hee hee.”
Of course, he had his Reapers on the lookout as well. How hard could it be to find one squirrel Noise in Shibuya?
Neku was calm enough now but there was still a critical expression on their face. There was nothing they could do but rely on those in the UG to find the little flying squirrel. It couldn’t be that hard if everyone was on the case. Then again... Rhyme did know some places that might be hard for others to find.
“Fine... I trust you. And you better keep me updated when you do find her, okay? Or else I’ll track you down. If I don’t track you down, I’ll track Uzuki or Kariya down and have them hound you.” Neku exhaled and was finally released of some tension.
“How were you gonna prank Beat anyway? Just bring a Noise into the RG? I guess if anyone could do it then it’s you.”
“I know it’s not what you asked for,” Hanekoma said as he placed the mug down in front of Neku, “but I think this would serve ya better. You gotta learn how to take it easy, Phones. Keep this up an’ you’re gonna make yourself sick.”
The aroma was strong, a subtle chamomile tea with a lavender scent coming through. Just the smell was enough to lull one closer into the arms of sleep. And that was just what Hanekoma was trying to help him do. It wasn’t so strong that they wouldn’t be able to make it home, not at all. But hopefully they would be able to at least have an easier time relaxing and drifting off at the proper time. Hanekoma was starting to get worried about his habits, so this was the best he could do. Hopefully he wouldn’t put up a fight.
Neku knew as soon as Hanekoma started walking over that the drink in his hand that it wasn’t coffee. It didn’t have the same fragrance that they were used to. They were confused at first, but the explanation earned the other a nod and an, “Ah.”
The lavender was nice, and Neku raised it to their lips and took a tentative sip. It tasted good (as everything Hanekoma made was) but it wasn’t coffee. They gave a sigh that doubled as one of disappointment and relief. “I guess you’re right. My sleep schedule has been all kindsa messed up. I thought staying up might get me to stay on a regular schedule but I still sleep for like- twelve hours. It’s weird. I swear I’m not- I’m not trying to make myself sick.”
Neku said he was calm, but their body language suggested otherwise. Oh well, close enough. At least they were prepared for something bad now.
“…I lost Rhyme.” There, the bandaid was ripped, and Joshua quickly rose both hands defensively as he went on to explain, “I thought it would be fun to play a little prank on Beat by turning his sister back into a Noise, but she flew off somewhere while he was yelling at me. There’s no need to worry, it’s actually made quite an interesting mission for the Reaper’s Game today, but I thought you should hear it from me before Beat, because he’s not very happy about it.”
“You lost RHYME?!” Their voice quickly went from an indoor one to nearly screaming in just three little words.
Neku had so many questions running through their head and was stuck in an endless loop for a while as they thought of what to ask first. Rhyme had control over their Noise form... right? That’s what their impression was before, anyway.
“Okay. Okay...” Neku closed their eyes and took a few deep breaths to calm down like Joshua had wanted them to be. Of course they were gonna freak out like this and he knew that. Too late to take that back now.
“If... I were Rhyme, where would I fly? A high place to find Beat I guess. I don’t really know what their favorite places are around Shibuya. Squirrels are attracted to trees though so maybe Miyashita? We’ve gotta-” Wait. Rhyme was a Noise and Neku didn’t have second sight. He was basically useless here.
Neku shot Joshua a look of conviction, then pulled out their phone to text Beat. “You better bring her back safe and sound.”
“now, before i say anything, promise me you’ll stay calm.” - from Joshua!
Neku’s instinct was to say something, like “no, he’s not gonna stay calm when you start off with that”. But as they opened their mouth, nothing came out. They stuffed their hands in their pockets and cracked their knuckles within. Maybe he was working them up for nothing. Seemed pretty on-brand.
you radiate creativity. sensitive and wistful, and everything you do is a work of art. you’re often prayed to before performance or before a new work is created, asking for the creative vision to remain strong and the emotion to flow into whatever they produce. your worshippers are blessed with creative talents beyond desire.
Stolen from: @bravewielder
Steal it from me, do it
Hanekoma blinked in the sunlight as he tried to move from one alleyway to another. He didn’t like hanging around in the open when he could help it, not caring for the stares he got from the crowds around him. Hatred, pity, disgust. It was almost enough to make him go feral. What he wouldn’t give to deck one of these schmucks square on the jaw and just send them flying.
But staying tucked between the buildings all day wasn’t good, either. He needed to move out in the open at some point. He needed to find some food. And so he pushed past the barrier of shadow that cut between him and the open street and forced himself out, reaching over to grip his arm and hide a sizable bruise.
He tucked himself against the wall, as close as he could, but even that wasn’t enough to keep him from colliding with another individual. In his haste, Hanekoma shoulder checked the guy hard enough to send them both spinning, and his immediate reaction was one of rage. Rage, even though it was entirely his own fault.
“Watch where you’re going, bastard!” He growled, gripping his arm tighter and jumping a bit at the sting. “Stay the hell outta my way.”
Neku was taking a regular stroll after school. Usually he’d be going out with Kazuki at this time but the other caught up in some business with his dad and that left Neku alone. They didn’t feel like staying in their cramped apartment so that meant a stroll around Shibuya. To them, it was just a normal day. They wandered and flowed with the crowd to see where it would take him.
They were focused down at their shoes when someone oncoming made them look up. The other was only feet from him and didn’t leave the kid enough time to react. Neku was knocked on his ass with a groan. It didn’t hurt all that much, but what the hell was this guy doing going the wrong way in a one way?!
But the other’s harsh words caught him off guard. What was his problem? “Jesus, take a chill pill.” The other was older but obviously had no respect. Why should he show the same? Ugh. “You’re on the wrong side of the sidewalk. Just watch where you’re going.”
Already they disturbed the flow of the foot traffic and they were going around them. Neku was about ready to turn heel and continue on their way, but watched the other hold their arm in pain. Was he... yakuza? “Are you alright?”
For a guy who overthinks to the point of sleep deprivation, it was surprising how often he demanded simple solutions out of others. Regardless, Neku procured the desired outcome in this situation – making a blushing mess out of a keyblade master, and coming out of it with kisses.
Which Riku decided he would be stealing another one. A quick peck. Neku was racking up those wins.
❝ Hey… all that mushy stuff you said earlier? ❞ A pause. ❝ It means a lot. ❞
“I’ll remember that for next time,” he threatened. Neku was usually one to be direct but when it came to matters of the heart... he always tried to skirt around and try to get the other to act first. And thank god that Riku was receptive to him. Or else he would’ve exploded and done it himself.
Another peck came and left so quickly that they hardly had any time to react. This was the affection they’d longed for. The color returned to their cheeks again and Neku tucked their hair behind their ear nervously.
“Yeah? Well, good. ‘Cause I meant all of it. I love how your smile brightens you up. And your eyes...” they paused to look at them. There was no color they could think of to describe them except Riku. “They’re nothing like I’ve ever seen before.”
After accepting payment, they will give Neku a chunk of magnesite.
[ “Thank you for your patronage! (⌒ω⌒)” ]
The magnesite had a soft yet perfect crackle running through it, and they could feel a warmth as they held it. A feeling of serenity and calm put them at ease the longer they held it.
“I’ll probably come bother you for more another time.”
“Good. It’s not healthy to keep that bottled up.” Melli confided his deepest secrets to his Pokémon. Though who they liked and disliked tended to be a bit more well known. It wasn’t exactly a secret that while Melli had great faith and skill, even they struggled with the teachings of almighty Sinnoh. Offering only friendship was hard. Especially when they felt threatened.
“So,” Melli started while he lifted more noodles to cool a bit as he talked, “is it anything in particular, or just in general? I can’t change how great I am.” But maybe they could tone something down a little. For Adaman’s sake, as well as the sake of their ears.
The topic of conversation wasn’t about to change Neku’s appetite, and by now they were done with their first bowl and were on to the next. Yet their focus was entirely on the other as they continued to down their piping hot noodles.
“It’s your attitude,” Neku didn’t mind being blunt. They put their bowl down to explain but were careful not to point their chopsticks. “You’re a great trainer- I get that. I can see that. You take your job seriously and maybe you’re really the only one that can be a Warden for Electrode. But you really just spelled it out for yourself. ‘I can’t change how great I am.’ Ever heard of being humble or modest?”
“You also have a strong attachment to Shibuya,” Shiba pointed out. He’s just being contentious at this point. Shiba’s already decided what he was going to do about Neku’s offer. But, still, he has to speak. “If my memory serves me right, you were barely able to do it with a city you care about. You don’t have that kind of attachment to Shinjuku.”
He sighs and steeples his fingers across the top of the table. “But… if you’re going to offer, then I see no reason to decline. We’re not exactly in a position to deny help from anyone, never mind a Legendary Player.”
It seems that Shiba was still stuck on that. Or, maybe he just found it amusing.
“I don’t expect Shinjuku’s reparations to be quick, and you shouldn’t either. This is something that we’re going to be working on for a long time.”
“That’s true.” Neku wouldn’t deny having an attachment to Shibuya. The city he lived in and saved, and had a somewhat known rapport with the Composer- it’s no wonder he’d be able to complete such a feat here. Though Neku believed that in his time of learning and understanding Shinjuku, he could do the same there if needed. It wouldn’t be easy.
They couldn’t help but roll their eyes at the mention of the title. It was one that they secretly cherish but openly disliked. It was a title well earned from their sheer willpower, but it disregards the fact Neku didn’t do any of it out of willingness. It was necessity.
“I understand that.” Neku nodded solemnly before offering a smile once again, trying to make light of the situation. “It’s gonna take years to undo everything that happened. In the end it’s probably not gonna be perfect. But nothing is. Even Shibuya has flaws, but it’ll be in one piece at least. I’ll do everything I can to see the light of Shinjuku again. Knowing everything that happened, I can’t just sit by and do nothing. Not after what I’ve seen.”