The World Ends With You (DS)
Game Script
posted by tenshinoakuma
compiled by twewygamescript (on Livejournal)
Email: ihatespring@hotmail.com
Version 1.3
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Intro
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Hello~ This guide contains game script of The World Ends With You, and would not
have happened without the awesome work of twewygamescript (on Livejournal), who
compiled the vast majority of the script. The script has been posted here with
their permission, and I hope you all find this useful. Enjoy!
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Updates (DD/MM/YY)
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26/08/08 - Some corrections made to the script thanks to Harold Tessman III and
Larissa
03/06/08 - Added Week 3, Day 5
26/06/08 - First version of guide!
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Table of Contents
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Week 1 - Shiki Week
Day 1 [w1d1]
Day 2 [w1d2]
Day 3 [w1d3]
Day 4 [w1d4]
Day 5 [w1d5]
Day 6 [w1d6]
Day 7 [w1d7]
Week 2 - Joshua Week
Day 1 [w2d1]
Day 2 [w2d2]
Day 3 [w2d3]
Day 4 [w2d4]
Day 5 [w2d5]
Day 6 [w2d6]
Day 7 [w2d7]
Week 3 - Beat Week
Day 1 [w3d1]
Day 2 [w3d2]
Day 3 [w3d3]
Day 4 [w3d4]
Day 5 [w3d5]
Day 6 [w3d6]
Day 7 [w3d7]
Another Day [AD]
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Week 1, Day 1 [w1d1]
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Neku: Outta my face. You’re blocking my view. Shut up!!! Stop talking. Just go
the hell away! All the world needs is me...I got my values; so you can keep
yours, alright? I don’t get people. Never have, never will.
*wakes up in Scramble Crossing*
Neku: What the... I can hear voices in my head! What just happened? And where’d
this pin come from? Hmm... Wonder if there’s a connection.
*Neku scans the area*
Neku: Voices! Definitely voices! But why? Am I hearing people’s thoughts!? What
the hell IS this pin? *beep from cell phone* Huh? Whose phone? Mine? "Reach 104.
You have 60 minutes. Fail, and face erasure.--The Reapers." Oh, that’s cute. See
ya, spam. Deleted. *beep* Huh? Still there... It’s like junk mail from hell.
*Neku flinches* Oww! My hand...Huh? What? F...frog!? *flinch* Oww! What the...
They attacked me! What do they want with me? D-down froggie...
*Neku battles with frogs*
Neku: ...Ungh! What the hell is going on!? Somebody! Help! Hey... Everybody stop
ignoring me! What is this place... *flinch* Crap! I gotta run!
*The World Ends With You into movie/credits*
Kariya: Man, here we go again...
Uzuki: Stop whining. We haven’t had work in, like, forever.
Kariya: Exactly. It feels like the Monday after vacation.
Uzuki: You’d prefer a permanent vacation? Day 1 has the most Players. Now’s our
chance to rack up some points! How else you gonna make up for last month?
Kariya: Aight, aight...One week won’t kill me. Probably. Hey, while we’re at
it... How ‘bout we play a little game?
Uzuki: A gaaame?
Kariya: Yeah, so it doesn’t feel so much like work. C’mon, you love it.
Uzuki: Oh, yeah. You know me. All right. What’s the game?
Kariya: How ‘bout Reaper Sport 3, a Player hunt? Let’s see who bags the most
Players during today’s mission.
Uzuki: Are you joking? That’s no fun at all!
Kariya: You don’t like it?
Uzuki: But I’m gonna crush you! There’s no contest.
Kariya: Ohh, zing. Now I actually have to try. You know the drill. Loser buys
winner a hot bowl of ramen.
*back to Neku*
Neku: Huff, huff... Should be...safe...here... *hit by another frog* Rrgh...
Freakin’ frogs! Just leave me alone! I didn’t do anything to you!
*People emit screams as they’re erased*
Neku: Whoa! They vanished! Why are people disappearing!? What’s happening... Why
am I even here? What the hell! *hit by frogs* They’re gonna get me...
Shiki: Found one!
Neku: Huh?
Shiki: You! Forge a pact with me!
Neku: Uhh... I’ve kinda got my hands full...
Shiki: Listen! If we forge a pact, we can beat the Noise!
Neku: Who cares about a little noise?
Shiki: You wanna be erased? Hurry up! There’s no time! Make a pact with me!
Please!
Neku: A--all right! I accept.
*fusion sequence*
Neku: What’s with the lights show?
Shiki: Here! Use this pin!
Neku: But...the funny lights...
Shiki: I’ll explain later! Right now we have to stop the Noise!
Neku: Uhh...OK?
Shiki: Get ready!
*fight*
Neku: That fire...I did that!?
Shiki: Whoa! You can use the pin? You must be really good at psychs. Guess I
found the right partner, huh?
Neku: That’s what you call those flames? A psych?
Shiki: Yup! And now that we’ve made a pact, the Noise won’t come after us!
Neku: In other words, we’re safe.
Shiki: Right. See? All gone.
Neku: All gone. So...What are Noise?
Shiki: They’re the monsters we just fought. Duh.
Neku: (Monsters? Uh, sure... And psychs? Is that what this pin is for?)
Shiki: Anyway, where are my manners? My name’s Shiki Misaki. Call me Shiki.
Neku: (I call this wack.)
Shiki: We’ve got a long week ahead of us!
Neku: A week? A week of what?
Shiki: The Reapers’ Game is seven days long, right?
Neku: (Reapers? Excuse me? Who is this flake?)
Shiki: So what’s your name?
Neku: (Forget her... Where am I? How did I get here?)
Shiki: C’mon, tell me your name.
Neku: (The sign says "Shibuya Station"... Why am I in Shibuya?)
Shiki: Something wrong?
Neku: (Wait... The intersection. I need to retrace my steps.) *leaves*
Shiki: Hey, whoa... Wait for me!!!
*at Scramble Crossing*
Neku: Why are you following me!?
Shiki: Why are you making yourself so hard to follow?
Neku: Screw you. I go where I want.
Shiki: Go where? We’re trapped in here!
Neku: What? Don’t be stupid.
Shiki: You’re the one being stupid. We made a pact. We’re supposed to stick
together! You can’t beat Noise alone. You can’t survive!
Neku: Survive what?
Shiki: The Game! Don’t you wanna win?
Neku: Pfft. Play games on your own time.
Shiki: Hey! That’s not funny! They’ll erase us if we don’t win! You saw what
happened to those people! You wanna join them? Besides, we’re partners. Partners
work together.
Neku: No way! Don’t make me a part of this.
Shiki: You’re already a part of this. You’re a Player, just like me.
Neku: A what? I’m not playing anything.
Shiki: Oh yeah? Then why do you have a Player Pin? Don’t you have a timer on
your hand? I do...
Neku: *looks at hand* What. The. Hell.
Shiki: See, you’re part of the Reapers’ Game, too.
Neku: ......
Shiki: We don’t have time for this! The clock’s ticking! We’ve only got 20
minutes! Let’s hurry to Ten-Four!
Neku: "Ten-Four"? What’s that?
Shiki: Ten-Four! 104? You got the mail, right? "Reach 104 or face erasure."
Neku: (That junk mail...Please. What kind of nut would believe that? Then
again... This day has been pretty weird. And she’s gonna follow me anyway.
...... May as well go alone and try to figure this out.) All right, you win.
Lead the way.
Shiki: Good. Now, for the last time... Tell me your name.
Neku: ...... Neku. Neku Sakuraba.
Shiki: Neku, huh? Cute name.
Neku: (Shut up.)
Shiki: All right, Neku. Let’s go over to 104!
*runs into invisible wall*
Neku: Oww! It’s blocked! There’s no way past!
Shiki: We can’t get through!? But this is the way to Ten-Four!
Neku: ...... (Why do I feel like I’m being watched? That guy over there. What’s
he staring at?)
*off in the distance*
Reaper: Pact confirmed.
*back to Neku and Shiki*
Shiki: What are we gonna do about this wall? Huh? Neku! It’s open.
Neku: What’s up with that?
Shiki: No idea. A lucky break, I guess! C’mon, we gotta keep moving.
Neku: (Something about that guy in red... Huh? Where’d he go? Weird.)
*at 104*
Shiki: Made it!
Neku: The timer vanished!
Shiki: Whew! Mission complete.
Uzuki: *out of view* Pfft. Big Deal.
Neku: What!?
Uzuki: Only an idiot would screw up on Day 1.
Neku: Who’s there!?
Shiki: Oh, no... A Reaper?
Neku: Reaper...
Uzuki: You two are gonna get erased sooner or later. So come on. Help a girl out
and earn me a few extra points, ‘K?
Neku: Those monsters again...
Shiki: Neku, you know how to fight now, right? This time focus your thoughts on
me!
Neku: What? Fight your own battles!
Shiki: Please! To stop the Noise!
Neku: ...Fine. Come on!
*fight*
Shiki: Good! Now we can fight together! We can beat the Noise faster as a team!
Let’s do this!
*fight*
Neku: Is it over?
Shiki: Not yet, Neku! Over there!
Neku: (Whew... This one looks though. ...Like I’ve got a choice.) Hey! Stalker!
Shiki: I’m not a stalker!
Neku: Whatever. Just... Don’t mess this up!
Shiki: I...I won’t!
*fight*
Shiki: Whew... We did it... But you heard her... Day 1 is nothing. What if the
missions only get harder? We’ve got six more days... Are we gonna make it? I...
I don’t want to be erased.
Neku: (I can’t believe this... Why am I stuck here? What if I’m erased? What the
hell kind of game is this? This can’t be right. Gaaah! I’m really stuck here? In
Shibuya!?)
*end of Day 1, Week 1. Reaper's Game*
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Week 1, Day 2 [w1d2]
--------------------
Neku: Nngh...Where am I now?
Shiki: ...I hope this works out.
Neku: Hey!
Shiki: Aaack! Don’t scare me like that!
Neku: (Grow up. You’re obnoxious...)
Shiki: Umm...Is something wrong?
Neku: Where are we?
Shiki: Isn’t this the underpass by the station? I can hear the trains.
Neku: (That’s weird. How’d we get here?)
*beep*
Shiki: There’s the mission! "Set the cursed sculpture free. You have 60 minutes.
Fail, and face erasure.--The Reapers."
*both flinch*
Neku & Shiki: Oww!
Neku: Timer’s back. What’s it for?
Shiki: The mission. ...You really don’t know? If we don’t clear the mission
before the timer hits zero, we’ll both be erased!
Neku: (Sounds crazy to me. But...maybe not that crazy. I saw it happen to those
people by the station. And met a Reaper. ...I can’t believe I’m even
entertaining that thought. But I know what I heard. ...Wait.) Why’d the date
change on my phone?
Shiki: A day must have gone by.
Neku: What!?
Shiki: I think we fell asleep after the mission. But that’s OK. We need to focus
on today!
Neku: (Have you lost your MIND? It’s anything but OK! We were in the middle of a
street, in broad daylight! Why would we fall asleep!?)
Shiki: So...this "cursed sculpture"--it’s gotta be talking about the statue of
Hachiko.
Neku: (Maybe we passed out. And then...woke up here? Everything between is a
blank.)
Shiki: But then what’s the curse? ...Neku?
Neku: (Did somebody drag us here? Or--)
Shiki: C’mon, Neku, pay attention!
Neku: ......
Shiki: Hey! What, now you’re ignoring me? If we don’t work together, we’ll fail
the mission!
Neku: ......
Shiki: You don’t have to be like this. Sigh... What am I doing wrong? ...... All
right! No point in standing here. Let’s go find Hachiko.
*hits wall*
Neku: Oww!
Shiki: What? Another wall!?
Neku: (So now we’re trapped in here.)
Shiki: No... We’ll never finish the mission now.
Neku: (All she ever does is whine...) ...Why not?
Shiki: Because this is the way to Hachiko.
Neku: (Then we have to get through. We got past the wall yesterday. Is there
some kind of rule?)
Shiki: What should we do?
Neku: ......
Shiki: Don’t just stand there. Think of something!
Neku: (I AM thinking. Maybe if for just one minute you could stop your bi--Huh?)
Shiki: Neku, what is it?
Neku: (That guy in the red hoodie. I’ve seen him before.)
Shiki: Neku. What are you looking at? That guy... You know him?
Neku: (I remember... He was at the crossing yesterday, by the wall. Who is he?
I’m gonna try reading his mind.) *scans* Hmph.
Shiki: What is it?
Neku: I can’t read him.
Shiki: What!? You can’t scan him?
Neku: (I had no trouble scanning people yesterday. Maybe the rules changed? Or
maybe the pin is broken.)
Shiki: Can we finish the mission without being able to scan?
Neku: (Hmm... What if it’s just him? Maybe he’s special.)
Shiki: Neku!
Neku: (Ugh...) What now!?
Shiki: That guy is coming right towards us!
Reaper: You. Scan and erase all the Noise in this area.
Shiki: I don’t see any Noise!
Reaper: The world is more than just what you see.
Shiki: He left. What a creepy guy.
Neku: (I don’t know what his deal is... But he’s part of the Game, that’s for
sure. Which can only mean one thing. Interesting... His kind can’t be scanned?
...... "The world is more than just what you see." So to find the Noise...) Hey.
Let’s get rid of the noise.
Shiki: How? They’re not here!
Neku: Yes they are. We have to scan for them.
Shiki: You think? All right! Let’s try it. But first... I meant to ask you.
Shouldn’t you try some other pins? You’ve got more, right?
Neku: Pins?
Shiki: Yeah! They should have given you a whole bunch.
Neku: (You’re right... In my pocket.)
Shiki: Why not test them out?
Neku: How?
Shiki: Remember the flame pin yesterday?
Neku: This one?
Shiki: Well, I wasn’t able to use it. So maybe--
Neku: I get it. Only certain pins work for certain people. I’ve got to try them
all and see. (...Talk about a hassle. All right, let’s see what I can do.)
*fight*
Shiki: You were right. We have to scan to see the Noise.
Neku: (That takes care of them all.)
Reaper: Objective met.
Shiki: But what about the wall? It’s still-- Huh!? It’s gone! Why?
Neku: Because we took out the Noise.
Shiki: So that’s the trick to getting past the walls. But...that’s odd.
Neku: What’s odd?
Shiki: I heard you can only beat the Noise in pairs. But I fought them alone.
Neku: Umm, me too...
Shiki: I couldn’t see you while I was fighting.
Reaper: That’s because he was in the other zone.
Shiki: Huh?
Reaper: The Noise exist simultaneously in two zones. And the only way to defeat
them is by purging them from both.
Shiki: Wait, but-- What is with that guy?
Neku: (He knows too much... He must be one of them.)
Shiki: Well, any way...You did great.
Neku: What?
Shiki: You were able to use all the pins!
Neku: So?
Shiki: You’re like some sort of psych genius!
Neku: (Come on. Using a couple of pins doesn’t make anyone a genius. Don’t be
naïve. The bigger question...is where these came from.)
Shiki: Huh? Neku. You have two Player Pins.
Neku: So?
Shiki: So why two? You only need one.
Neku: (How should I know? Why do I have any of them? I need them for psychs, so
I can stop the Noise from killing me. But how’d I get ‘em?)
Shiki: Well, umm... Two is better than one! So, like, don’t feel bad!
Neku: (You’re the one who said I only need one...)
Shiki: Think how lucky I am! My partner’s a psych whiz. A genius! You’re a
genius, Neku! I’d never make it without you!
Neku: (If you’re going to flatter someone...you could try to sound a little
genuine.)
Shiki: Neku, you listening?
Neku: ......
Shiki: Stop that. I’m just trying to be nice.
Neku: I’m listening.
Shiki: Well, how am I supposed to tell when you just stand there? You should
take off those headphones. It’s rude.
Neku: Would you shut the hell up! I just met you. I don’t like you. And I don’t
give a rat’s ass if you think I’m rude!
Shiki: You don’t have to yell... What am I going to do? ......
Neku: (Now she’s playing with her phone? Forget this.) *leaves*
Shiki: Hey! Wait up!
*they exit underpass*
Shiki: Neku...Stop! Wait for me! Where are you going? I’m your partner!
Beat: ...Gotchu punks now.
Shiki: Wha-- Who’s there?
Beat: You got us good yesterday, but today I’ma crush you, yo!
Shiki: Um... What? You’ve got the wrong person. Neku, you know this guy?
Neku: Don’t insult me.
Beat: Need a hint? Go ask your friends.
Shiki: "Friends"? What are you talking about?
Beat: Shut up, yo! You ain’t foolin’ me! I can’t scan you. You gotta be widdem!
You can’t outsmart me, yo.
Shiki: Wait! Just--
Rhyme: Beat! Stop it! They’re not Reapers! They’re Players, just like us.
Beat: What?
Reaper: See? They’ve got Player Pins. Players must not be able to scan each
other. Remember? You couldn’t scan me either.
Beat: ...... Oh. Yo, sorry I jumped to conclusions...
Shiki: No worries. You just gave us a start.
Beat: Yesterday this pink-haired chick cornered us before we could get to 104.
Then pinky sicked a buncha Noise on us... Messed us up bad, yo.
Shiki: So that’s why you were out for payback.
Beat: Yup. ...Hey, hold up. We should do introductions. The name’s Beat. And
this is my...my partner, Rhyme.
Rhyme: Hello!
Shiki: Hi! I’m Shiki. That over there’s Neku. He’s my partner.
Neku: ......
Beat: Wha’s with the phones? He still mad?
Shiki: No...he’s just Neku. Don’t feel bad.
Beat: ...Hey, I know! Lemme give you a tip to make up for jumpin’ yas. You
figure out how to use your phone yet?
Shiki: You mean our cell phones? Well...we don’t get any calls... Sending
messages doesn’t work either. All we do is check the mission mail. Why? Do they
do anything else?
Rhyme: We played around a bit and found some things--
Beat: Whoa, you mean you ain’t usin’ yours? You two gonna get owned down the
road, yo!
Shiki: Umm... I guess...
Beat: It’s cool! You two got questions, ask us. Gotta put our heads together,
you feel me?
*info about Cell Phone using*
Shiki: Thanks for all the info. ‘Specially about the phone! That’s gonna be a
huge help.
Rhyme: Heh heh. Good! Always happy to help.
Shiki: I feel ready to take on anything!
Beat: Yeah, well--you might not wanna say that. Rhyme’s thinkin’ things is gonna
get tough. Yo, we should all work together!
Rhyme: They say two heads are better than one. And four has to be better than
two!
Shiki: Great idea! I am so in! It’ll be more fun that way. Right, Neku?
Neku: ...Do what you want. I work alone.
Shiki: What!? Neku, you can’t mean that!
Neku: Forget it. I can’t take one more minute of your nagging. I don’t need a
bunch of strangers brining me down.
Shiki: Neku! How can you say that?
Neku: (Don’t ask me. Maybe I’m just angry.)
Shiki: We’re on your si--
Neku: I can’t scan you. You could be Players...or you could be Reapers. I have
no way of knowing.
Shiki: But the Player Pins!
Neku: That’s not enough.
Beat: Yo, Phones! What the hell’s your problem!? We just lookin’ out for you,
and you treat us like this?
Rhyme: Don’t get angry, Beat... I can see where Neku’s coming from. I shouldn’t
have opened my big mouth...
Beat: Aw, Rhyme... Rrgh... You piece a’DIRT! Screw you! We don’t want your help!
Le’s bounce, Rhyme.
Shiki: Wait, no! We’re sorry! ... They left. Nice going, Neku! We should all
stick together, and you know it!
Neku: Then why don’t you go with them?
Shiki: Listen to yourself... We’re partners, Neku. But I don’t understand you!
Let me in! Tell me what you’re thinking!
Neku: Let yourself in. You can scan me.
Shiki: You know that’s impossible! Besides, we’re right here. Let’s just talk to
each other--
Neku: And say what? I’m not opening up to anyone. Ever. Other people just hold
me back. I can do things my own way.
Shiki: N-Neku! Sigh... Tell me what I’m supposed to do...
*outside the station*
Reaper: ...
Neku: Another guy in read. We must be headed towards a--
*hits wall*
Shiki: Ouch! A wall.
Neku: (I knew it.)
Shiki: So... We have to defeat some Noise, right?
Neku: (She is so SLOW! Do I have to do everything?) *leaves*
Shiki: Neku! Where are you--
Neku: I know what you are.
Reaper: My terms: lift the statue’s curse.
Neku: You’re a Reaper.
Reaper: I don’t get paid to chitchat. Play the Game. *leaves*
Neku: (Hmph. That was a waste of time. Lift the statue’s curse, huh? That sounds
just like the mission. But Hachiko is PAST the wall... Wait--)
Shiki: Neku... Please, STOP walking off without me!
Neku: Hey.
Shiki: Arrgh! My name is Shiki. Can you say "Shiki"?
Neku: Hey, I see another statue.
Shiki: Oh yeah! The Moyai!
Neku: Like Easter Island? What’s a Moai doing here?
Shiki: "Moyai"! With a Y! Never thought about where it came from...
Neku: Think it’s cursed?
Shiki: I don’t know. It looks pretty normal to me.
Neku: Let’s find out.
*scan & battle*
Reaper: Objective met.
Shiki: So the Moyai was possessed by Noise...and we had to scan to find it.
Neku: (The guy in red... Yup. He’s gone. But we can probably get through now.)
Shiki: we freed the cursed sculpture... Does that mean we cleared the mission?
Neku: No, that was just to cross the wall. See? My clock’s still ticking.
Shiki: Yeah...mine too. Well, at least the wall’s gone.
Neku: Let’s go find this "Hachiko"... Our real target.
Shiki: Neku... You talk like you’ve never heard of it.
Neku: Nope. What’s Hachiko?
Shiki: WHAT!? How can you live in this country and not know Hachiko?
Neku: ......
Shiki: Remember where we met yesterday? There’s a statue of a dog in the plaza.
That’s Hachiko. Now, I have a question. How’d you figure out how to get past the
wall?
Neku:......
Shiki: Not again...
Neku:......
Shiki:...... All Right! Fine. Let’s just head for Hachiko.
*in an unknown area*
Higashizawa: ...... That young lady... She has just the ingredient I need.
*at Hachiko*
Shiki: We made it! And with plenty of time left!
Neku: (This is where we met yesterday... So the two places are connected.)
Shiki: OK! Let’s lift Hachiko’s curse!
Neku: And how do you propose we do that?
Shiki: Well...umm... Maybe we could erase the Noise around it, or...yeah.
Neku: (She’s clueless. This is why I can’t count on other please. ...They’re all
clueless.)
*scan*
Neku: No Noise around the statue...
Shiki: You tried scanning? Then Hachiko must not be cursed?
Neku: (Could we have the wrong statue?)
Shiki: Huh? Hey, look, Neku!
Neku: (Crap... We don’t have time to hunt for another statue...)
Shiki: EARTH TO NEKU!
Neku: What!
Shiki: Something’s wrong with Hachiko.
Neku: Like what?
Shiki: Hmm... I’m not sure. But it looks different from when I saw it at Hachi
Fest.
Neku: Then let’s take a closer look.
*examining Hachiko*
Shiki: Hmm... Something is definitely off. When I saw him at Hachi Fest, Hachiko
wasn’t like this at all.
Neku: What’s Hachi Fest?
Shiki: Oh, it’s a blast! It’s this festival where you touch Hachiko for good
luck! If you touch the right place in the right way, your wishes come true!
Neku: Wow. Charming.
Shiki: They hold it every year. And each time, the place you have to touch
changes. But if you get it wrong...
Neku: ...You explode?
Shiki: You get cursed!
Neku: Hmm... Sound pretty extreme.
*choosing ‘take a closer look’*
Neku: (I should get a closer look...)
Shiki: Hmm...Hachiko seems less...lovable?
*scan guy outside of station*
Guy: ...Hey. ...Hachiko seems down lately. ...Don’t you think?
Neku: (What is it with this guy and statues?)
Guy: ...He must be like you. ...Drifting in a sea of woes... ...If only I could
polish all his pain away... ...Then he’d feel better. ...His heart would shine
again!
Neku: Polish away Hachiko’s pain? That’s...idiotic.
Shiki: Hey... Neku, we should try that!
Neku: Try WHAT?
Shiki: Polishing! Hachiko did look a little dirty. And I saw this weird marking
on him. What if it was some kind of hex?
Neku: (Or what if someone just went crazy with a magic marker? Well, if that’s
the only lead we’ve got...) All right. Let’s try it.
Shiki: Yeah!
*back to Hachiko*
Shiki: What should we do, Neku?
*choose polish*
Shiki: OK, Neku! Let’s polish like we mean it!
Neku: Isn’t that gonna...you know...create a scene?
Shiki: Don’t worry! No one’s watching. And so what if they see us?
Neku: (See us petting a piece of ROCK?) All right. Whatever...
*polish Hachiko*
Hachiko: Grr...
Shiki: You say something, Neku?
Neku: Nope.
Shiki: You know... It seems the more we polish...the less this looks like
Hachiko...
Hachiko: GRRRRR....
Shiki: Stop growling and polish!
Neku: I’m not growling...
Shiki: Neku, something came out of the statue!
*battle*
Shiki: Neku, we did it! The timer’s gone! So there was Noise possessing both the
Moyai AND Hachiko.
Neku: And our mission was to get rid of both.
Shiki: Hey, Neku...
Neku: Yeah?
Shiki: You said before you don’t need any friends.
Neku: Yeah. Your point?
Shiki: Well, you couldn’t have solved Hachiko’s riddle without me.
Neku: What? Get real.
Shiki: If I hadn’t noticed the pattern, we might not have cleared the mission.
Neku: Listen, Stalker. I don’t need you to solved one stupid riddle.
Shiki: Riiight. Well, if you ask me--
Uzuki : Arrrgh! This is soooooo infuriating! What... You two again?
Shiki: Huh!?
Neku: That voice... You were at 104 yesterday!
Shiki: You’re that Reaper!
Uzuki: Well, excuuuse me for doing my job.
Shiki: Then it’s true?
Neku: (A Reaper... She gives out the missions?)
Uzuki: You know, you owe me a bowl of ramen. For not disappearing like you’re
s’posed to.
Neku: (This...girl is a Reaper?)
Uzuki: What’s wrong? Too spooked to answer? Well, this should bring you around!
*battle*
Shiki: Huff...huff...
Neku: (Nngh... These Noise are tougher than the others...)
Uzuki: Wow. You’re, like, stronger than I thought. But I’m not done playing yet.
This next Noise will be a killer.
Neku: (No... I can’t keep this up... I’ve got one chance.)
Uzuki: Hmm?
Neku: (I have to take her out!)
Uzuki: Please tell me you’re not planning on fighting me? Ha ha ha ha! How
stupid can you get? You’ll never win against a Reaper! But all right. I’m game.
I was getting bored anyway.
Neku: (What!? She erased her own Noise?)
Uzuki: You seem surprised.
Neku: Aren’t the Noise on your side?
Uzuki: Eww, gross! Don’t group us together. The Noise are nothing but tools.
Pawns. Just like you Players. Ha ha!
Neku: (Rrgh... I can’t let this brat win! But can I stop her? I have no idea how
strong she is... Doesn’t matter. I have to try!)
Shiki: Don’t, Neku! You don’t want to take her on! She can erase you in a
second! Ohh...
Neku: Hmph.
Uzuki: Aww, what? You’re giving up? Booo-ring. Don’t get my hopes up like that.
Killjoy. Now that I’m in the mood...maybe I should finish the job.
Neku: Huh!?
Uzuki: But... I can’t do that.
Neku: (Huh?)
Uzuki: Well, this is a pickle... Hmm... I know! Let’s try something fun! A
special bonus challenge for you! If you pull it off, I’ll let you out of the
Reapers’ Game!
Neku: You...you will?
Uzuki: You betcha! Sweet deal, huh? So, like, what do you say?
Neku: (A ticket out...)
Shiki: Neku, don’t! Don’t listen!
Uzuki: You back there. Shut up! Now, are you in, or are you out?
Neku: ...I’m in.
Shiki: Neku!
Uzuki: Whee! ‘Atta boy! Now, let’s get started. Oh, I forgot to mention. If you
fail... I erase you.
Neku: What!?
Uzuki: Thankfully the rules are veeery simple. You have one minute...to erase
that girl.
Neku: What? Erase her?
Uzuki: Yup. Poof! Kaput! Easy, right? Just pretend you’re erasing the Noise.
Whew, this one’s already in the bag. All right. Ready? Start!
Neku: W-wait! (Dammit... She’s asking me to kill someone. There’s no way I can
do that. But if I don’t...)
Shiki: Neku...
Uzuki: 30 seconds! Still on the fence? Then let me give you an incentive. That
girl? She’s been spying for the Reapers.
Shiki: What? She’s a spy?
Shiki: Hey! What are you saying!
Uzuki: Thanks for checking in so often. We couldn’t have done it without you.
Shiki: Shut up! Don’t lie! Neku...She’s making all of this--
Neku: Your phone. Why did you keep playing with your phone?
Shiki: Huh!? Oh... I was...just...
Uzuki: Just SPYING. She’s not very good at covering it up.
Shiki: I didn’t spy! I swear!
Uzuki: G’bye. And thanks for playing. 10 seconds... You’re the star, kiddo. Just
do things your way.
Neku: ......
Uzuki: What are you waiting for? Do what comes naturally. Save yourself. Screw
everybody else, right?
Shiki: Don’t, Neku. Don’t kill me...
Neku: I have to.
*cutscene*
Shiki: Please...don’t kill me.
*end of Week 1, Day 2. Don't Kill me.*
********************
Week 1, Day 3 [w1d3]
--------------------
Neku: Nngh... What is this place? It’s dark... Is it nighttime? No, I’m indoors.
Wait! The girl! ...... ...... She’s gone. (Because of me...)
*cutscene flashback*
Neku:...... I need to get out of here. Where’s the exit? If I use this pin for a
light... Huh? It doesn’t work. So I can’t use pins. (Oh, well. I’ll just have to
feel my way around.)
*runs to the other side of the building*
Neku: (Footsteps? Somebody’s coming this way...)
Shiki: Ooh... So dark... Where am I?
Neku: Show yourself!
Shiki: Ahhh!
Neku: You?
Shiki: Neku!? You scared the crap out of me! Don’t do that.
Neku: I scared YOU? Where the hell have you been?
Shiki: it was dark. I was looking for a way out! I must’ve tripped a half a
dozen times.
Neku: (Hmm, time to try this again.)
Shiki: Neku, pins only work when we fight Noise.
Neku: Really?
Shiki: Well...with a few exceptions.
Neku: (Like psychokinesis...) W-well... It’s dark. You should be more careful.
Shiki: You kidding? I already found the exit!
Neku: Then why didn’t you lea--
Shiki: I’m not going anywhere without you.
Neku: ......
Shiki: C’mon, I’m not that useless, am I?
Neku: ...... Don’t do anything dumb like wander off.
Shiki: Excuse me? Which one of us has been acting dumb?
Neku: .......
*flashback*
Uzuki: What are you waiting for? Do what comes naturally. Save yourself. Screw
everybody else, right?
Shiki: Don’t, Neku. Don’t kill me...
Neku: I have to.
Uzuki: Now let’s see some results!
Mr. Hanekoma: Hey! That’s enuffa that.
Uzuki: Who are you?
Mr. H: Ah-ah-ah, sister. You gotta play by the rules. Making "erase your
partner" the mission is a clear violation.
Neku: It is!?
Uzuki: I know that. I was just having a little postgame fun.
Neku: What!?
Mr. H: One mission per day. That’s the rule. And only the Game Master can pick
the missions.
Uzuki: I know that, too! But I’m not the Game Master. Which MEANS this wasn’t a
mission, which MEANS I didn’t break any rules!
Mr. H: Then start walkin’, sister. Your work’s done for the day.
Uzuki: ...Hmph. For a Player...you know a lot about our rules.
Neku: You...you tricked me! All that about letting me out of the Game--that was
all a lie!
Uzuki: Like, that is so rude! I do not lie. If I erased you, that’s still
letting you out of the Game! Ugh, you totally ruined all my fun. Time to call it
a day. We can play some more another time. *leaves*
Shiki: Thank you so much. We owe you our lives, Mister...um...
Mr. H: Hanekoma. Sanae Hanekoma. Think of me as a sort of...guardian. I watch
the Game, to make sure shady types don’t start bendin’ the rules.
Neku: That Reaper tricked us.
Mr. H: You mean she tricked YOU.
Neku: ......
Mr. H: You ignored the young lady, fell into a trap, and very nearly snuffed her
for good.
Neku: ......
Mr. H: If you think you can do everything yourself, you’re in for some hard
lessons. Now! Apologize to the young lady.
Neku: ‘Scuse me?
Mr. H: Hard feelings don’t make for good teamwork. You wanna survive or not? Go
on!
Shiki: ......
Neku: ...... ...Sorry.
Shiki: Neku... I, um... F-forget it. I’m over it. I mean, you didn’t... She made
you do it, right? And I should’ve stood up for myself better. So let’s just put
it behind us.
Mr. H: There! Problem solved. Now listen up, you two. There’s only one way to
stay alive in this Shibuya. Trust your partner! Especially you, Phones.
Neku: "Phones"?
Mr. H: You know what trust is, right? Partnership is essential to surviving the
Game. Alone, you face limitations. But partner up, and you can smash right
through them. Same goes for when you fight the Noise. You may think you’re
alone, but you’re not. Your partner is in the other zone, sharing your energy.
So you gotta sync up and send that energy back and forth.
Neku: ......
Mr. H: You won’t sync up unless you OPEN up. Talk to her! Tell her how you’re
feeling. Lay it on her! That’s the fastest way to get something across.
Shiki: He’s right, Neku! Look... I know I hold you back. I’m not that good at
psychs... But still! I want to win at this Game. And I want us to do it
together! So tell me what you’re thinking! I just want to understand you!
Neku: ......
Shiki: Neku?
Neku: I want to understand me, too... But I don’t.
Shiki: What...
Neku: I can’t remember anything but my name. I woke up in the intersection with
no clue how I got there, no clue why I’m part of this stupid Game. I don’t know
anything. Because I can’t remember...anything.
Shiki: But... That means...what? You have amnesia?
Neku: ......
Mr. H: Sorry to hear it, boss... That’s rough.
*back to present*
Shiki: I can’t believe you’ve lost your memory... You could’ve told me sooner.
Neku: I didn’t know.
Shiki: It did strike me as kind of strange that you knew nothing about Shibuya
or the Game.
Neku: What, like you do?
Shiki: Well, I don’t know EVERYTHING, but... Anyway. We got lucky. Thanks to Mr.
Hanekoma and his advice. I feel like you and I can finally talk. And he gave us
that awesome pin! *beep* Ahhh! That almost gave me a heart attack!
Neku: Hey, you dropped your phone--
Shiki: Ahh! Don’t touch it! I got it!!!
Neku: (Nice photo.)
Shiki: ...You looked?
Neku: The screen was face up...
Shiki: That’s my friend. She was in my class.
Neku: So all those times--
Shiki: Yeah. I was looking at this.
Neku: And you yell at me for keeping secrets! It’s just a photo. You don’t need
to--
Shiki: Look, Neku! The mission mail!
Neku: (...Huh? She’s covering? What else does she have to hide?)
Shiki: "Defeat the master of A-East. You have 360 minutes. Fail, and face
erasure.--The Reapers"
*both flinch*
Neku & Shiki: Oww!
Neku: The timer. Guess we’d better get started.
Shiki: OK! Today’s mission has something to do with A-East.
Neku: A-East?
Shiki: It’s the name of a concert space. I’ve been there a bunch of times.
Neku: You seem to know Shibuya pretty well.
Shiki: Of course! I hang out here all the time. Follow me! I’ll take you to A-
East. The exit’s right over there.
*exit the building*
Shiki: Wait a sec...
Neku: What now?
Shiki: Umm...We’re here, heh heh...
Neku: You mean we were inside A-East the whole time? You know--
Shiki: How was I supposed to tell? They had all the lights off!
Neku: ......
Shiki: We’re ahead of schedule, so no griping. Now let’s go defeat that master!
Umm...once we, um, find it.
Neku: It was too dark to see anything inside.
Shiki: Then we better take care of the lights. Otherwise we’re more likely to
trip over it than defeat it.
Neku: How do we restore power? (Somebody around here must know...)
*talk to blonde guy*
777: Tsk, the hell is he? We gotta rehearse.
Neku: (What’s that guy grumbling about? )
777: Hey, perfect! You two.
Neku: Huh?
Shiki: Can we help you?
Neku: H-h-hey! Wait a sec--
777: Think you could do a guy a favor?
Shiki: Sure, if we can be of any help.
Neku: Shh! What’re you--
Shiki: Let’s hear him out. Sometimes all people need is a good listener. We
might even be able to solve his problem. If not, don’t worry. I promise I’ll say
no.
Neku: (You sap...Look at the bigger picture!)
777: My band’s supposed to play here in a few hours, but the tech’s been gone
all day. Could you go look for him? I gotta stay here and hold down the fort.
Man, where the hell’d that slacker go?
Shiki: So this tech’s part of the concert crew?
777: That’s right. He’s in a black tee. Got a lanyard ‘round his neck. Without
him, we’re screwed.
Shiki: Why can’t you go find him?
777: ‘Cause I got a concert. I can’t go wondering off. The name’s 777 ("Triple
Seven").
Shiki: 777...777... No way! Like 777, "Def March" vocalist and rising superstar
777!?
777: Oh, you’ve heard of us? Rock on. We’re still totally indie. But one day,
we’re gonna start a rock revolution, just wait an-- Nngh... CAWFF! CAWFF!
Shiki: Whoa, are you all right?
777: Yeah, my throat’s just sore. I had to shout a lot during load-in. It’s hard
to get anything set up without the tech.
Shiki: Oh, you poor thing..
Neku: (No tech, no show, huh? So if we find the guy...) You can rehearse if we
find your man?
777: Of course! It’s that, or call off the show. So how ‘bout it? Will you see
if you can find him?
Shiki: We want to help, but... We don’t really have time...do we?
Neku: ...... Sure, we’ll do it.
Shiki: What? We will!?
Neku: Yup.
777: Thanks, man! You rock! If you see him, tell him to haul it back to A-East.
I’ll be here waiting.
Neku: OK.
Shiki: Hee hee!
Neku: Ugh, stop laughing.
Shiki: Sorry, I’ve just never seen you act so...nice.
Neku: (...She still doesn’t get it.) If the tech comes back, he can turn on the
lights.
Shiki: Oh... Duh! Neku, that’s brilliant!
Neku: Plus, that 777 guy? He’s a--
Shiki: Now we can help 777 AND finish the mission!
Neku: (Sigh...)
*Walk to Reaper*
Reaper: ...... Want past this wall? Then here. Defeat the Noise!
Shiki: Another wall.
Neku: No big deal. We know how to handle it now.
Shiki: Hey! Why don’t we try that pin?
Neku: Oh, the one Mr. Hanekoma gave us?
*flashback*
Mr. H: OK, Phones! In honor of your growth as a human being, and a friendship
saved from the rocks, I’m gonna give you a little advice, and a little gift.
Make sure you remember it all.
Neku: (OK, but... First, could YOU remember my name?) Um, Mr. Hanekoma. It’s
Neku. Not "Phones".
Mr. H: Oh, right! Sorry, Neku. My bad. I got it now.
Neku: (I wonder.)
Mr. H: So let’s start with some Q & A. You got questions? I got answers.
*Reapers’ Game*
Mr. H: To win the "Reapers’ Game"...you must complete seven missions, one each
day.
Shiki: So...is it true that if we don’t, we’ll be erased?
Mr. H: Well, only if you fail, to be precise.
Shiki: Huh?
Mr. H: You two aren’t the only Players. If any one Player completes the mission,
you all do.
Shiki: Then we don’t have to play.
Mr. H: Ah, but if you all think like that and ignore the missions--
Neku: Then we all wind up erased.
Mr. H: Furthermore, the Reapers grade the Players.
Neku: Grade us?
Mr. H: Naturally, you get points for finishing a mission.
Shiki: But...what are the grades for?
Mr. H: On the seventh day, you’ll know. Just clear the missions. You’ll be glad
you did.
*Reapers*
Neku: What are Reapers?
Mr. H: Their main job are running the Game, and testing the Players. So like
that sister who gave you trouble before, they’ll get in the Players’ way from
time to time.
Shiki: She was such a creep...
Neku: So they’re like some kind of group?
Mr. H: Yes! Very sharp, Phones. You’ve seen the guys in red, by the walls?
They’re Reapers, too.
Neku: (I knew it.)
Shiki: Whoa, really? But the guys by the walls never attacked us.
Mr. H: Not all Reapers are cut from the same cloth. Some are Harriers; others
are just Support. The wall Reapers are Support. They won’t attack you. All they
do is issue conditions to pass the walls.
Shiki: So they don’t fight.
Mr. H: The Harriers, on the other hand, hunt Players for a living. It’s not just
their job, either. If they don’t dispatch Noise, erase Players, and score
points... THEY get erased.
Neku: So we’re their lunch.
Mr. H: Everybody’s gotta eat, kiddo...
*Hanekoma*
Neku: Mr. Hanekoma... Who are you?
Mr. H: What, me? Pfft... ...... All right. I’ll tell you a little. The name’s
Sanae Hanekoma. Born March 3, blood type A. I’m a Pisces and one hip café
barista, mista.
Neku: I didn’t ask for your personal ad.
Mr. H: I’m a big gambler. My favorite word: "windfall". "Natto" gets my tummy
rumbling.
Neku: Like I said--
Mr. H: As for my physical dimensions,
Neku: Stop. Please.
Shiki: So you run a café? I thought you said you were a guardian.
Mr. H: The café’s like a hobby. Totally hip, right?
Shiki: Yeah! I think it’s cool.
Neku: (Uhh...what?)
Mr. H: Drop by my place if you get the chance. I’ll give you the best cuppa joe
you ever had--in exchange for cash money, of course.
Neku: (What kind of invite is that!?)
*Shibuya*
Shiki: This...IS Shibuya, right?
Mr. H: You bet. But not your Shibuya. It’s an alternate Shibuya we call the
"UG."
Shiki: "UG"?
Mr. H: As in "Underground." The UG is one big chessboard for the Reapers’ Game.
Neku: You expect us to believe that?
Mr. H: The Shibuya you came from is called the RG. The "Realground."
Shiki: So we’re in another world?
Mr. H: No... The RG and UG exist in the same space. What you see is the RG--the
real deal.
Neku: ......
Mr. H: The UG is run by the Composer.
Neku: Who’s that?
Mr. H: Shibuya’s supervisor.
Neku: Shibuya has a supervisor? Right.
Mr. H: I can’t say anything more on that subject. It’s classified, you dig?
*no more questions*
Mr. H: Now, for that gift I promised... In honor of you two making up!
Shiki: What is this pin? It’s blank. What it’s psych?
Mr. H: This one’s a little different. It takes two people to use. It only works
against the Noise, when you two are in complete sync. The more you get in sync,
the more you Fuse your energy, the stronger the psych this puppy will unleash.
You’ve got talent, Phones. You can use a much wider range of psychs than the
others. Learn to cooperate, and you might be able to use this one, too.
Shiki: Yeah! You’re great at psychs. Way better than me.
Neku: You think?
Mr. H: There, see? You take good care of that.
Shiki: Let’s try and get to work, Neku!
Neku: ...... (But...I can’t use it by myself. I’m supposed to sync up with HER?
Not happening. What good’s a powerful pin if I can’t use it?)
Mr. H: Just to be clear... You need more than talent to use that. It takes
somebody with style...if you catch my drift.
Neku: I’ll use it. And please... My name is Neku. Not "Phones."
Mr. H: Oh, right! Sorry ‘bout that. I got it now, Phones!
*back to present*
Shiki: He was quite a character, huh?
Neku: (And really bad with names.)
Shiki: What a nice guy, giving us that pin. And fun to talk to.
Neku: I’ll give you that. (Something about him just...pulls you in. Not sure
why, but... I kind of want to talk to him some more.)
Shiki: Neku! Let’s try the pin!
Neku: ...... (So I have to sync up with her? Pfft, right.)
Shiki: What’s wrong? Oh, I know. You forgot how it works, right? You’re
hopeless.
Neku: ......
Shiki: Let’s see... First, we have to fight in sync.
Neku: (And that’s where this all goes to hell.)
Shiki: Then, once we’ve got a groove going, this pin will activate, and you can
use it!
Neku: (Great explanation.)
Shiki: Ready to give it a shot?
*All set!*
Shiki: OK! Here goes nothing!
Neku: ...... Come on.
*battle*
Shiki: So, did you get the hang of it? Or do you want to practice some more?
*That’s enough*
Shiki: If we work together...we should get a ton of use out of this!
Neku: ......
Reaper: Objective met. Wall clear!
*enter Cosmic corner*
Neku: Talk about your sketchy stores...
SelleRhyme: Hey, kids? Um... Look around if you want, but... I ain’t sellin’.
Neku: Huh?
Shiki: The stuff in the case? It’s special to me. So, like, if you want it?
Tough. I ain’t sellin’.
Neku: ...... Then take it out of the damn case.
Shiki: Neku. Let’s just browse, OK?
*Fuse*
Shiki: That fuse? Sorry, ain’t sellin’. That baby’s custom-made. So,
like...fanatics totally dig it. If you had a good reason, I might consider
parting with it. But look at you. You totally don’t.
*Aurora cough drops*
Shiki: The cough drops? Sorry, ain’t sellin’. You can’t buy those in just any
store. They’re, like...totally rare, you dig? How dare you ask me to sell you
one? It’s your first visit, punks. Hey, like... if you had a good reason, I
might consider parting with it. But look at you. You totally don’t.
*Dandy hat*
Shiki: The dandy hat? Sorry, ain’t sellin’. I mean, look at you. Aren’t you
like, Generation...What are they up to, Z? You are so not baby-boom enough to
dig a treasure like this.
* "Love in a Heartbeat"*
Shiki: "Love in a Heartbeat"? Sorry, ain’t sellin’. And for the record: it’s
just a name. Wearing this skirt will not actually help you fall in love. So,
like...get that outta your heads. I wish folks would stop asking. You young
people, heh. But it looks like you two lovebirds are all set. What? You’re not
together? You young people, heh.
*leave the store*
Neku: You heard the man.
Shiki: I ain’t sellin’.
Neku: Let’s go.
*in Ramen Don*
Techie: Man, screw the concert. Can’t they hire another tech?
Shiki: Psst! Neku, did you hear that?
Neku: Yup. Looks like we found our man. Guess he’s on strike. (He picked the
right noodle bar to hide in. Empty in the middle of lunch hour?)
Techie: I’m tellin’ ya, I’ve got stage presence! I’m not the behind-the-scenes
type, OK?
DoNeku: Well, just remember, son. The future is a clean slate, and you’re the
chalk! *tech leaves* Now have a hot bowl of ramen and cheer... ...up? Hey,
where’d he go? Sigh...I can’t win. Young people just won’t eat old-fashioned
noodles...
Shiki: Neku! The tech just took off!
Neku: What? Dammit! I don’t care if I have to DRAG him back to A-East!
*outside Ramen shop*
Techie: Whew...I just can’t deal anymore. Wish I could curl up and forget all
this.
Shiki: Wow. Talk about your negative vibes. He’ll never come back with us now.
Neku: Yes, he will. He has to.
Shiki: He seems so down. I wonder what’s on his mind...
Neku: Hey! He’s surrounded by Noise!
Shiki: You’re right! It’s like he’s possessed!
Techie: Man, now I feel all out of whack. It just gets worse and worse.
Shiki: We should erase the Noise around him.
*scan & battle*
Techie: Huh? What am I doing here? Oh, crap! Look at the time! I gotta get back
to A-East!
Shiki: Good. Now he’ll head back.
Neku: And once he does, we’ll have power.
Shiki: Pretty weird, though, the way he snapped right out of it.
Neku: Yeah... You think the Noise are out to hijack people’s minds?
Shiki: But then what about last time? Remember? They erased the people they
attacked.
Neku: (Maybe they’re like the Reapers--not all cut from the same cloth. Or
maybe--)
Shiki: Well, either way, they’re not good for you! If we see anyone else
possessed, let’s get rid of the Noise for them.
Neku: (OK, Captain Sappy. Roger that.)
Shiki: C’mon, let’s drop by A-East. The tech should be back by now.
*back at A-East*
777: The hell you been? Go get us ready for rehearsal!
Techie: I’m sorry, 777... But...the stage lighting’s busted.
777: It’s what? How’re we gonna rehearse--no, how’re we gonna PLAY THE SHOW!?
Techie: I got a repairman working on it. That’s why I was out--to pick up the
part he needs.
777: Great! Then we’re ready to rock.
Techie: Huh?
777: You got the part, right?
Techie: Umm... Define "got"...
777: You nimrod! Go get the part. Move it.
Techie: Right away! *leaves*
Shiki: Uh-oh... More trouble?
777: Hey! Domo arigato for findin’ the tech!
Shiki: You’re welcome, but... Something wrong?
777: Yeah, sounds like our lightings on the fritz. The guy just went hunting for
a replacement part. Nngh... I’ve been shouting all day long. My throat’s killing
me.
Shiki: Guess we’re gonna be in the dark a while longer.
Neku: Think the tech’s got it covered?
Shiki: ...Maybe we should check on him.
Reaper: Want past this wall? Then beat two of these--where I can see ya.
*battle*
Reaper: ...... Objective met. Wall clear!
*exit A-East*
Shiki: Hey, look! It’s Beat and Rhyme. Let’s go say hi!
Neku: ...... (Why? We’re not at a party. What a pain in the rrgh...)
*move to Rhyme & Beat*
Shiki: Beat! Rhyme!
Beat: Heh. Talk about crap for luck, yo. Here comes Phones.
Rhyme: Gathered any intel for the mission?
Shiki: No, not at all. But I know we’ll get through it! We just have to take out
the master of A-East, right?
Rhyme: But then what’s this meme for?
Shiki: "Meme"? What’s a "meme"?
Beat: ......
Rhyme: I think Shiki could use our help. We can tell her, right?
Beat: Well...aight. But only ‘cause it’s Shiki.
*Memes*
Shiki: So what’s a "meme"?
Rhyme: Memes are words or ideas related to the missions. Whenever we see or hear
one, it gets sent to our phones. My phone has the word blackout.
Shiki: Blackout? Huh? I just got mail... You’re right. It showed up on my phone.
But what do memes do?
Rhyme: They’re for imprinting.
*imprinting*
Shiki: So memes are for imprinting.
Neku: Meaning...what?
Rhyme: Oh. Imprinting’s one of the Player Pin’s powers. You can use it to send
words into other people’s heads.
Neku: (This pin can do that? )
*Today’s mission*
Shiki: What’s your take on today’s mission?
Rhyme: You mean, "defeat the master of A-East"?
Shiki: We were there. It’s pitch black. You can’t see a thing.
Rhyme: Pitch black? Hmm... That might explain the meme... Oh yeah! When you
imprint--
Beat: Yo, forget it, Rhyme. Don’t bother. Phones don’t trust us anyway.
Rhyme: Beat, don’t be like that. A problem shared is a problem halved, right? If
we don’t help each other out, we’ll all... We might...
Shiki: Ahh! No, no! There’s nothing to worry about.
Beat: C’mon, Rhyme. Le’s bounce. *they leave*
Shiki: Hmm... Beat’s still mad... I wish we could patch things up.
Neku: (Why? Just leave him alone. Quit worrying about everybody else.)
Shiki: Well, at least we know how to imprint memes now. That was nice of Rhyme
to tell us.
Neku: But what’s the point?
Shiki: Well, umm...
Business Man: Ahh... What should I do? Considering the circumstances...
But...no...that won’t do.
Neku: What’s tearing that guy up?
Shiki: It looks like he can’t make up his mind. Hey! Neku, why don’t we try
imprinting on him? Then we’ll know what it does.
Neku: OK... Why not? Let’s give it a shot.
Business Man: Ahh...What should I do? Considering the circumstances...
But...no...that won’t do.
*imprint Blackout*
Business Man: ...Blackout? A blackout... That’s right! First... I need to,
uh...power down. I think. Yeah. First... I gotta...power down...and then, uh...
What next? Aww, hell.
Neku: Is that guy gonna be OK?
Shiki: Well, we know how it works now. We’ll work on finesse next time.
Neku: (Is this really gonna help?)
Techie: Man...What do I do? What was that part I need a replacement for? I can’t
go back and ask now...
Shiki: Hey, isn’t that the tech?
Neku: Yup. Full of fail, as usual.
Shiki: Neku!
Neku: I know. I’ll try imprinting.
Techie: Man... This sucks. What was that part I need a replacement for? I can’t
go back and ask now...
*imprint Blackout*
Techie: (Blackout...?) Oh yeah! I gotta fix the lighting. And to do that... I
need something... And I was heading to Dogenzaka to pick it up. Hmm...
Something... WHAT something? Sigh... The guy would know. Maybe I should head
back. But... 777 stands between me and him. If I go back without the part, I’m
dead. Dammit. I wish someone could ask for me.
Neku: The guy? Was there somebody by the stage?
*run back to A-East & scan guy in concert arena*
Neku: ...A fuse? Is that what the tech’s after?
*go back to tech & imprint fuse*
Techie: (...Fuse?) The fuse! I have to fix the lights. And I need a new fuse to
do it! Whew, what a relief. ......Crap! I gotta book it! I have to hurry!
Neku: And away he goes.
Shiki: Maybe he’ll buy the part now. Or maybe he won’t... We’d better follow
him.
*head to Dogenzaka*
Shiki: Look! He just went inside.
Neku: Let’s move.
*enter cosmic corner*
Techie: Thank you! You saved my life! I’ll never forget this! *leaves*
Shiki: Whew! He finally bought what he needs.
Neku: Now maybe we can get some light.
Shiki: We should head back, too. *leaves*
*head back to A-East*
777: Quit playing around!
Techie: Wait, wait-- I got the part!
777: Damn right you do! Now fix the lights!
Techie: Eep!
Shiki: That should do it!
Neku: Finally we can see inside.
Shiki: Yeah. C’mon!
*enter arena*
Techie: What’s the story?
Other Tech: This should about do it...
Techie: All fixed?
Other Techie: Yup! Try flipping the breaker.
Techie: OK! Here goes!
Other Techie: Hmm? No good...The power blew again.
Techie: What!? Why? I thought you fixed it!
Neku: What’s wrong now?
Shiki: I dunno... Maybe the fuse wasn’t the problem.
Neku: Wait! Something’s in here!
Shiki: Huh!?
Neku: It’s coming! Get ready!
*battle*
Shiki: Geez! Talk about a heart attack! But...that was the master, right?
Neku: Nope! Clock’s still ticking!
Shiki: You’re kidding! Then...where’s the master!?
Neku: No! We’re out of time!
Beat: Don’t drop the ball now, yo! Here’s your "master"!
*cutscene*
Shiki: Beat! Rhyme!
Beat: Yo, looks like we made it.
Rhyme: Yup! The timer’s gone now. Mission complete.
Shiki: But...I’m so confused...
Other Techie: Huh? It’s fixed!
Techie: You sure?
Other Techie: Uh-huh. The lights should work now.
T: OK, I’m gonna go tell the others!
Neku: Looks like they’re in business.
Rhyme: This place is gonna fill right up. We should step outside for now.
Shiki: Oh, so taking out the giant bat wasn’t enough! Whoops. Good thing you two
came along. We owe you!
Beat: Man... You two shoulda gathered more info, yo. I’m talkin’ to you, Phones!
Rhyme: Hee hee...
Beat: What, Rhyme?
Rhyme: Stop trying to act tough, Beat. We didn’t have all the info, either! You
wouldn’t have found the little golden bat if it wasn’t for them. Know why?
Neku: Let me guess. We had to beat the big golden bat first.
Beat: Bwaaah! Yeah... You act like you got the answers now, but you was freakin’
out before!
Rhyme: So were you, Beat.
Beat: Bwaaah! Whose side you on, yo?
Shiki: Ha ha ha!
Rhyme: Hee hee.
Beat: Least I got the job done, aight?
Neku: ...Heh.
Beat: Hey, I heard that, yo! Who said YOU could laugh at me?
Shiki: Look. The concert’s starting. Wait...
Beat: ‘Sup now?
Shiki: How come we were able to talk to him? You know, 777.
Neku: ‘Cause he’s a Reaper.
Shiki: WHAT!?
Neku: Mr. Hanekoma explained all this. Did you forget?
*flashback*
Mr. H: Now listen up. This Shibuya ain’t your Shibuya. It’s the Composer’s
Shibuya, which the Reapers use to run the Game. No matter what happens, people
won’t see you, won’t hear you--and they definitely won’t help you. Your
partner’s the only one who can keep you alive. So we’re basically invisible?
Mr. H: Only those involved in the Game can see you.
Shiki: So...the Players, the Reapers, and...you?
Mr. H: Right.
Neku: Why am I even in this stupid game?
Mr. H: All Players come from the RG to the UG for a common reason. And each must
forfeit the one thing they value most as an entry fee.
Neku: What we value most?
Shiki: Do we get it back?
Mr. H: If you win.
Neku: ...And if we don’t?
Mr. H: You lose your entry fee forever. And--well, your right to exist.
*back to present*
Shiki: That’s right... He mentioned only Reapers and other Players can see us.
So we’re on our own.
Neku: ......
Rhyme: You think... You think we’ll make it?
Neku: We’ll make it. No matter what!
Beat: Heh. Think you can deliver, Phones?
Shiki: Hey, you know...we really do make a good team. Starting tomorrow, what do
you say we work together? We only survived today because of teamwork.
Rhyme: I agree! And what doesn’t kill us only makes us stronger.
Beat: If Rhyme’s down it, then so am I.
Shiki: No objections, Neku?
Neku: (How can I object? I still don’t know anything about the UG... Or about
myself...or the Reapers... All I do know is that these guys aren’t my enemies.)
Shiki: Hey, Neku. Remember what Mr. Hanekoma said.
Neku: ("Trust your partner." I remember. And now I see why. What else can I
trust? Especially in a backwards Shibuya like this.) Just don’t drag me down.
Shiki: Yay! That settles it. Here’s to teamwork!
*in Reaper hangout*
Konishi: Today six Players were erased, sir.
Megumi: Six? My, my...
Konishi: That puts us at the 50% erased mark, one full day earlier than
expected.
Megumi: Higashizawa’s doing nicely, then.
Konishi: Yes, sir. That concludes today’s report. We have our regular meeting
tomorrow. Same time as always, sir.
Megumi: Right. Good work. Heh...
Konishi: Is something amiss, sir?
Megumi: No, no... It’s just-- I have a feeling that tomorrow’s Game will be very
entertaining.
*end of Week 1, Day 3. Who 2 Trust*
********************
Week 1, Day 4 [w1d4]
--------------------
Konishi: Tick, tock, Minamoto. You’re 9 minutes and 42 seconds late.
Minamimoto: Tick, tock, yourself, Konishi. Why are we even here? I can think of
a decillion better ways to spend our time...than by having MEETINGS. Right,
Megs?
Konishi: You will address him as "Mr. Kitaniji."
Megumi: It’s fine. Are we all here?
Minamimoto: Hey, Megs-- Who’s the bulldozer?
Megumi: Meet Higashizawa--this session’s Game Master. He’ll be handling my
affairs in my stead.
Higashizawa: You do me a great honor, sir. Watch! I will turn this week’s fracas
into a fricassee!
Minamimoto: You planning to erase them, or EAT them?
Megumi: Yes, crack your jokes. But his skill is proven.
Konishi: That’s right. Higashizawa excels--in tactics, intel, willpower,
decisiveness, performance, his Player erasure rate... He surpasses our
expectations on every count. A man of sound judgment like Mr. Kitaniji would not
choose him otherwise. And he knows how to cooperate unlike some--
Minamimoto: Cooperation is garbage. Anyway, I’m out. This is subtracting from my
arts and crafts time. *leaves*
Konishi: Wait just a-- Mr. Kitaniji hasn’t spoken yet!
Megumi: Let him do what he wants.
Konishi: Yes, sir...
Megumi: Now, then...Higashizawa. You’re doing very well.
Higashizawa: Thank you, sir! Over half the Players have been erased. The plates
have been licked... Dessert is imminent.
Megumi: Excellent. I look forward to it. I spoke to the Composer about your
promotion. We are in agreement.
Higashizawa: Thank you very much, sir.
Megumi: I feel you are ready...but, I have one condition.
Higashizawa: What, sir? Name it.
Megumi: I expect you, as my proxy in the Game, to leave no Player unerased.
Higashizawa: Fear not, sir. The proof is in the pudding. The pudding...of their
doom.
*back to Shiki and Neku*
Neku: Yawwwn... Where am I now?
Shiki: Hey, you awake?
Neku: What are you doing?
Shiki: Just people-watching. I mean, look at them all... Shibuya’s so diverse.
And everybody’s got their own story.
Neku: (Shibuya sucks. Who needs a town with this many people? All they do is get
in the way and screech at each other. They’re the REAL Noise. Wish I had a giant
Mute button.)
Beat: But yo, you ever try scanning ‘em all? It’s like havin’ the radio on every
channel at once.
Rhyme: Yeah... Like everybody’s values are all trying to come in the loudest. No
other town compares.
Shiki: Shibuya’s a battlefield.
Neku: (Yeah...It is kinda like that. A clash of creeds.)
Beat: But man... All these people, and they can’t even see us, yo.
Rhyme: Yeah... Makes you sad, huh?
Neku: (Sad!? I’m thankful. Nobody sees me. Nobody bothers me. And nobody expects
anything of me. This is like a dream. Once I survive the seven days, does the
dream end? ......)
Beat: Mission time, yo!
Shiki: Nothing the four of us can’t handle!
Rhyme: Yeah!
Beat: "Reach Towa Records. No time limit. Fail, and face erasure.--The Reapers"
Shiki: Huh? No time limit? But...that’s waaay simple!
Rhyme: Towa Records is a ten-minute walk. Why wouldn’t they set a time limit?
Beat: So we’re just walkin’ a couple blocks? Man. I was pumped for a brawl, yo!
Neku: Guess we don’t need to team up.
Rhyme: ......
Neku: (But this is too weird. Hundred yen says they’ve got something else up
their sleeves. )
Beat: Yo, hold up! I jus’ got a great idea!
*focus switches to Kariya & Uzuki*
U: Like, what gives, Kariya!? Who made today’s mission for ages 3 and up!?
Kariya: Aight, easy, girl. Deep breaths. Stress is bad for your complexion.
U: Well, excuse me! Easy missions make me furious! Ugh. I need to go destroy
some Players--
Kariya: Whoa, let’s think about this. Put yourself in the Players’ shoes. You’ve
made it to Day 4, the mission’s a breeze... What are you going to think?
U: Hmph... Point taken. Guess the boss thought it through.
Kariya: ‘Sides... Days off are like love letters from the higher-ups. We can’t
go full blast all week. We’d never make it.
U: Please. Since when does your dial even GO to full blast?
Kariya: Details. Anyway, we’ve got our own orders straight from the boss.
U: All right... You win. Let’s see how this plays out.
*back to Neku & co*
Shiki: So what’s your great idea?
Beat: How ‘bout you two race us two, and we see who gets to Towa Records first?
Neku: Whaaat?
Beat: C’mon, Rhyme, le’s book it!
Rhyme: Wha...huh!? Wait, Beat!
Shiki: Heh heh... Beat’s got a lot of energy, huh?
Rhyme: Yeah. He keeps me on the ball. Sometimes he can get a little crazy,
though. Beat’s the one who asked me to be his partner.
Shiki: Wow, so you-- Omigosh. Rhyme, is that what I think it is?
Rhyme: Huh? What?
Shiki: That pendant! Where did you find one?
Rhyme: Oh, this? Yeah, I heard they sold out quick. How’d you know about it?
Shiki: I saw it in a magazine. I looove following the latest clothes and
accessories. Lucky...I wanted one sooo bad.
Rhyme: I’m sorry I can’t give you mine. But it was a present from my brother.
Shiki: You’ve got a brother?
Rhyme: Yeah. Older. He’s really nice. Hope he’s OK...
Shiki: Oh, I’m sure he’s doing great. And you’ll see him soon!
Rhyme: Yeah... I hope so. So you’re into fashion?
Shiki: Totally! I want to be a designer. I love making clothes. But right now
it’s just a hobby.
Rhyme: I still think it’s pretty cool. It must be nice to have a dream-- to be
head over heels about something. I don’t know what it’s like. Not really.
Shiki: Why not? You don’t have any dreams?
Rhyme: No... But when I look at Beat I think: keep moving forward. Because
someday my dream will find me.
Shiki: Yeah.
Rhyme: Beat’s really good at skateboarding. He says his dream is to be the
world’s greatest skater. If he can do it, then so can I. Right, Shik--
Beat: YO, RHYME! Whatchu doin’? Move it! We don’t want Phones to win!
Rhyme: Just a minute, Beat! Patience is a virtue! Well, I’d better go. See you
at Towa Records!
Shiki: Whoa! Beat’s just a speck now. Rhyme must have a rough time keeping up.
Neku: (I’ll say.)
Shiki: So, um, shouldn’t we hurry?
Neku: I never agreed to race. If he wants to run, good for him.
Shiki: Then we can slow down for a bit?
Neku: Sure, why not? There’s no time limit, and those two have got a head start.
Shiki: So...we can take a little side trip?
Neku: Where are you going with this?
Shiki: Mind if we stop at Ten-Four?
Shiki: ...I guess not.
Shiki: Really? Thanks!
*enter 104*
Neku: Ugh... It’s a zoo in here. Are they having a sale or what?
Shiki: No, silly. Ten-Four’s always like this. Ah! Omigosh! That outfit!
Neku: Is that the line--
Shiki: You don’t know how badly me and Eri--...... Sorry...Me and my friend used
to come here.
Neku: (...Friend? The girl on her phone?)
Random fan girls: IT’S HEEEEEEM!
Neku: Noise!?
Shiki: Hey...Over there!
Girl 1: The prince looks sooo hot! I gotta snap a photo with my phone!
Neku: Oh. Not Noise...Just noisy. Who is that guy?
Shiki: Eiji Oji. The Prince of Ennui? He’s the latest superstar. People love his
don’t-give-damn attitude. His blog "F everything," gets 100,000 hits a day!
Neku: "F Everything"? What kind of blog is that?
Prince: Hmm? You, young man!
Shiki: Huh?
P: What are you doing in Ten-Four if you can’t even coordinate an outfit? Have
you no sense of Shibuya’s trends?
Neku: (Who the... Sigh.) Trends?
Shiki: Yeah, you know. Like what brands are hot?
P: Ah, the blessed voice of wisdom. At least one of you knows how to dress.
Shiki: I have to! Shibuya is every girl’s war zone.
Neku: Good thing I’m not a girl...
P: You should know a trendy outfit can turn a pigsty into the loveliest of
gardens. But you, in that outfit? It’s like wrapping the rose of youth into a
spicy tuna roll. *leaves*
Neku: (Arrogant snob. I am not...a...a spicy tuna roll!)
Shiki: He’s right, Neku. As long as we’re here--
Neku: Oh, no. Count me out. I don’t care about trends. I wear what I want to
wear.
Shiki: Ugh, no, you can’t do that! They call it a fashion statement for a
reason! How you dress sends a clear message.
Neku: (Then I wish I had more zippers...so I could tell you to ZIP IT.)
Shiki: Look, you’ve got potential. You could be sooo much cooler. And I KNOW
fashion. C’mon, it’s so easy to be trendy.
Neku:......
Shiki: Well, I’m not going to force you. But your clothes... They’re, um...
......Not, like, bad, but... ......
Neku: WHAT?
Shiki: Ahh! Nothing, nothing! Just forget I brought it up. ......
Neku: (Suddenly, I feel naked.)
*trends*
Neku: So what’s so great about trends?
Shiki: Oh! Changed your mind?
Neku: ‘Course not. I’m just asking.
Shiki: Well, Shibuya’s kind of unique. Trends here change really quickly. And
they change YOU, and the people around you. So it’s better for you if you can
stay in control of them.
Neku: Better how?
*I’m already cool*
Neku: I don’t need help being cool.
Shiki: I know what I’m doing, Neku. I’ve been studying fashion bit by bit, so I
can be a designer one day.
Neku: No kidding.
Shiki: I’ve always liked to sew. I started with little things like stuffed
animals.
Neku: So the one you’re always carting around--you made that?
Shiki: Yup. The clothes I’ve got on, too.
Neku: Seriously!? Wow. They look like what you’d buy in a store.
Shiki: Heh, thanks. But the clothes, I just sewed them. Eri did the design.
She’s the amazing one.
Neku: (Eri? Oh. The girl from her phone.)
Shiki: I still have a lot to learn. But one day...
*stuffed animal*
Neku: So that stuffed animal is your creation.
Shiki: I...I made him a long time ago, so he’s not very good.
Neku: Why do you still have it? Stuffed animals are for kids.
Shiki: Shut up! This is my psych! How else am I gonna fight off the Noise?
Neku: That...is your psych? You mean...you use that piggy as a weapon?
Shiki: He’s not a pig! He’s a cat! Mr. Mew the cat!
Neku: "Mr. Mew"? (How is she? Three?)
Shiki: Look, I only know how to use tele...whatever.
Neku: Telekinesis? OK, but why a stuffed animal? Couldn’t you pick something
more powerful? Like a knife or a...a lead pipe or something?
Shiki: I tried. But Mr. Mew was the only thing that worked. Besides, I’m not
really moving him. He just sort of does his own thing.
Neku: Umm... That’s not telekinesis.
Shiki: Hmm... I guess not.
Neku: (The pig moves on its own? What if it’s possessed--waiting to pork-chop us
in the back of the head?)
Shiki: I know he turned out awful, but...without him, I never would’ve started
sewing for real.
*future ambitions*
Neku: So, a fashion designer, huh?
Shiki: Yup! I want to make clothes for a living. Nice clothes make people happy.
And that makes me happy, too.
Neku: (Hmph. She’s got her whole future planned out. Never woulda thought.) So
that’s why you’re so picky about clothes.
Shiki: Heh heh, I try. But I still have a ways to go. There’s so much to learn.
Neku: Cool. (I didn’t give her enough credit. She’s got a dream. That’s more
than I can say.)
*do some shopping*
Shiki: Pay attention to the trends from now on, Neku.
Neku: ......
Shiki: OK, let’s head to Towa Records. Beat and Rhyme are probably waiting.
*back to scramble crossing, complete Reaper’s request*
Shiki: Ahh, enough! Just looking at you makes me cringe!
Neku: What did I do!? (What’s gotten into her?)
Shiki: It’s coming loose.
Neku: Umm... (What, your grip on reality?)
Shiki: Neku... That button on your shorts.
Neku: Oh, yeah. What does it matt--
Shiki: It matters! I can’t stand things like that!
Neku: Who care’s? It’s just a button.
Shiki: Off.
Neku: What?
Shiki: Your shorts. Take them off! I’ll fix the button.
Neku: Are you high!? I’m not taking my pants off in front of you--in the middle
of the street!
Shiki: Oh, grow up. What, are you going commando? You’re invisible! No one’s
watching.
Neku: YOU’RE watching!
Shiki: Now! Pants! Off!
Neku: Doooooon’t!!!
*flash*
Shiki: There. All done! Whew, I feel much better. Loose buttons drive me nuts.
Neku: That was...fast... You always carry around a needle and thread?
Shiki: Of course. They come in handy. Plus I enjoy sewing. If you need anything
else mended, just say the word!
Neku: ...... (Will I have to strip again? ...... I’d better take care of my
clothes...)
*talk to Makoto & Mina*
Mina: How’s work going, Makoto?
Makoto: Bad. The boss wants me to promote some new pins. But how? I don’t know
anything about pins.
Mina: Sounds rough.
Makoto: Yeah. I’ve been trying to study up. Like, people use pins to play Tin
Pin Slammer, right? So I’m thinking of hitting the slam-off at Molco next week.
To pick up the lingo, you know? But tickets are completely sold out.
Mina: The Tin Pin slam-off, huh... If you had a ticket, you’d go?
Makoto: Uh-huh.
Mina: Hmm...
Ai: Huh? Isn’t that... ......*leaves*
*clear Reaper’s demands*
Shiki: Oh, hey! There’s Beat and Rhyme.
Beat: The hell you been, yo? This is a race! Ain’t you even tryin’?
Neku: Nope. You’re on your own there.
Beat: Ain’t you angry you lost? Don’t you wanna WIN?
Neku: Don’t YOU? Why did you wait for us?
Beat: We... We was just...
Rhyme: Hee hee... Beat said we should let you catch up.
Beat: Bwaaah! Yo, Rhyme, can it!
Shiki: Aww, Beat’s a big softy underneath!
Beat: Shh...Shiki! Not you, too! I...I just wanted to see Phones squirm, tha’s
all. Now le’s get this mission over with. We got here first, so we win. Eat
that, slowpokes.
Neku: Uh-huh. Consider it eaten.
Beat: Heh heh! C’mon, Rhyme. Le’s bounce!
Rhyme: W-wait, Beat! You’re going to trip if you don’t slow down!
Shiki: She’s so lucky to have her best friend as a partner.
Neku: Guess you should’ve teamed up with that friend in your picture. (Would’ve
saved me a lot of grief.)
Shiki: But... I couldn’t... We’re... ...... Come on. We should go.
*cutscene*
Shiki: Wh-wh-what just happened!?
Koki: Awww! There’s goes my erase streak. He was suppose to be number 16.
Neku: Reapers?
Kariya: Bingo! I’m Koki Kariya. And this is Uzuki Yashiro. There. Now that we’re
all friends---
Beat: Hey! What did you do with Rhyme?
Uzuki: Um...hello? You just saw. She’s gone. Erased. Noise food. Game over.
Kariya: Her soul’s just another speck of Shibuya space dust.
Shiki: No...Rhymes gone...for good?
Beat: You... You did this!?
Uzuki: Yeah. But, like, so what? That’s our JOB. Boss said set a trap, so we
did.
Beat: Your job? Screw your job! Murderers! You... You erased Rhyme! Give her
back, yo, or you’ll pay!
Kariya: Ooh, scary. Go on, Skulls. Be the star of your little soap opera. But
Skulls, Jr. isn’t gone because of us. She’s gone because of you. You failed to
protect your partner. So face reality. We hunt Players down. You KNEW that.
Beat: I-I didn’t--
Kariya: Well, Skulls, Jr. knew. That’s why she protected you. Gave her life for
you.
Beat: Rhyme is gone...because of me?
Uzuki: Awww... Boo hoo. But don’t worry. You won’t suffer for long, hee hee!
Beat: Noise!? You punks can make Noise?
Kariya: Bingo! All you need is some Soul and a pin to bind it to.
Uzuki: We’d looove to take you on ourselves, but attacking Players directly is
against the rules. So we make Noise instead.
Kariya: So! Our work here is done... Time to call it a day.
Uzuki: Buh-bye. Nice knowing you. *leaves*
Kariya: Oh, yeah. One last thing, Skulls. You want payback? Then man up, huh?
*leaves*
Beat: HEY!!! Get back here you son of a... Dontchu run from me! Dontchu run,
yo... Don’t...
Neku: Hey, we gotta get rid of this Noise.
Shiki: Yeah. Otherwise...
Neku: Start with the smaller Noise!
*battle*
Neku: There. That just leaves the big one.
Shiki: Right!
Beat: Dontchu touch it, yo.
Shiki: Huh?
Beat: This one’s mine. This bastard took Rhyme from me. Get in my way and I’ll
knock you right outta here!
Mr. H: Don’t be stupid!
Neku: Who-who’s there?
Mr. H: You’re down a partner. How you think you’re gonna take on the Noise?
Beat: Like I care! Butt out, yo! I gotta avenge Rhyme!
Mr. H: You mean waste her sacrifice! You’re powerless. Accept it! Rhyme left you
a precious gift. Your life! A Player can only live for seven minutes after their
partner is erased. Which leaves you with less than three. Thank about why she
saved you.
Beat: Rrgh... My life’s over anyway. You jus’ said so.
Mr. H: There’s a way to keep you alive. But you have to come with me. Now!
Beat: Why should I live when she can’t, yo?
Shiki: Beat, go with him. Rhyme would want it that way.
Beat: But--
Neku: We’ll handle this.
Shiki: She was our friend, too.
Beat: Ahhhhhh....
Mr. H: Listen. You may be alone. But there’s still a role that only you can
play. I’ll tell you what that is, but you have to live!
Beat: Grrraaaaaah!!! ...Fine. But you better kill that bastard dead. Avenge
Rhyme!
*battle*
Shiki: Well...We’re alone again. Think Beat’ll be OK?
Neku: Mr. Hanekoma’s with him. He’s fine.
Shiki: But...he only had three minutes to live.
Neku: So what were we supposed to do?
Shiki: I don’t know... Why couldn’t we save Rhyme?
Neku: Because we couldn’t. That’s how it was meant to be.
Shiki: How can you just write her off like that!? Don’t you care? Aren’t you
SAD!? We could have done something!
Neku: Yeah? Like what? (Dammit...I feel like crap. This is just like that
time... That time? What time? ...... I can’t remember.) ...You see? See why
teaming up is a dumb idea?
Shiki: How dare you! You think NOT teaming up would have saved her? How can you
be so COLD? Beat and Rhyme were our friends! What happened to her... We’re all
responsible! It was our fault, too...
Neku: Then who needs ‘em.
Shiki: Huh?
Neku: Who needs friends! They laugh and talk like idiots and pretend to agree
with you--so you end up caring about them...exposing yourself...getting HURT...
Screw it! We’re better off without them! You want people in your way? Dragging
you down? I don’t! And I never said we were friends. You did!
Shiki: Neku! I am your friend. So is Rhyme--
Neku: Back off! No one’s my friend. Least of all you. I just stay with you to
survive.
Shiki: Neku...How c-could you... You didn’t feel anything when Rhyme was erased?
Not even a little sad? That’s inhuman... You’re inhuman, Neku. No better than
those Reapers!
*end of Week 1, Day 4. Erased*
********************
Week 1, Day 5 [w1d5]
--------------------
Neku: Unnh...Where am I?
Shiki: Hey. You awake? ...... The mission’s not here yet. ...... Looks like we
start at Tipsy Tose Hall today. So, um...sorry about yesterday. I crossed the
line with what I said.
Neku: (That I was no better than a Reaper... Rhyme... ...... Well. Right now...)
we need to focus on the mission.
Shiki: Yeah. You’re right. For Beat. *beep* It’s here! The mission! "Free Spain
Hill from the Noise. You have 200 minutes. Fail, and face erasure.--The Reapers"
*flinch*
Shiki: Oww!
Neku: The timer. Free it? Then we have to erase some Noise.
Shiki: Spain Hill’s right over there.
Neku: Then let’s get going.
*complete Reaper‘s demands*
Shiki: So we just have to clear the Noise out of here, right?
Neku: Let’s get started.
*battle noise*
Shiki: Huff...huff... This isn’t working...
Neku: We’re not even making a dent. Why do more Noise keep showing up?
Shiki: You think something is drawing them here?
Neku: If so, we’ll have to strike at the source. (...Wherever that is.)
Mina: C’mon, Ai. What’s wrong?
Shiki: Neku. Look! Those two girls that just left the restaurant...
Mina: Ai, are you mad at me?
Ai: Don’t be ridiculous.
Mina: You...you sure?
Ai: Yes! OK?
Neku: Whoa! Look at all the Noise! What’s up with those two?
Shiki: Looks like they’re having an argument--and that’s drawing all the Noise.
Neku: I think we found our source.
Shiki: OK. Let’s try getting rid of the Noise around them!
*fight*
Neku: That takes care of those Noise.
Shiki: No... Look! Here come some more!
Neku: Crap. This will never work.
Shiki: Those two keep drawing more in. What’s their story, I wonder?
Mina: Hey, Ai, are you free around this time next week?
Ai: ......Probably. Why?
Mina: N-nothing. Forget it.
Ai: ......
Shiki: Whoa, feel all that negativity?
Neku: What if that’s attracting the Noise?
Shiki: Huh?
Neku: Remember last time? The Noise hijacked the tech because he was jealous.
Shiki: Hey, you’re right... But these two don’t look possessed. They’re
just...calling out to the Noise. Wait... Of course!
Neku: If we help them patch things up--
Shiki: The Noise will stop coming! Brilliant! Let’s try it!
Neku: First we have to figure out what’s wrong...
*go to Tipsy Tose Hall & talk to business man*
Business man: Where is all this merchandise coming from? First "Reaper Creeper,"
and now these "Red Skull" pins. I’m not one to turn business away, but something
about this mystery supplier... It smells risky... Hmm... What should I do? I
know! I’ll ask "Reaper Creeper"!
Neku: What’s up with that guy?
Business man: Reaper... Creeper...
Neku: Is he having a stroke?
Shiki: Hmm...It looks like some kind of divination. See how he put that ten-yen
coin on the paper? He’s going to make a decision based on where it moves.
Neku: You mean where HE moves it. It’s not gonna move on its own.
Shiki: Unless we play a little trick. Think you could use your psychs to give
the coin a little push?
*play Reaper Creeper*
Business man: White! An answer, clear as day! Nothing beats Reaper Creeper when
you need answers. All right, White means... Umm... What did I ask again? ......
Reaper... Creeper... What was my last question?
Neku: ...Let’s move on.
Shiki: Let’s.
*back to Spain Hill*
Ai: Mina... You really didn’t go to Shibu yesterday?
Mina: I...I didn’t. I swear! Quit asking, Ai.
Ai: Sure, whatever.
*imprint*
Ai: (She is so lying... ...Reaper Creeper? Of course! Why didn’t I think of that
sooner!) Say... Mina...
Mina: Hmm? What’s up?
Ai: Ever heard of "Reaper Creeper"?
Mina: Reaper Creeper... Oh, yeah! That magic game people were talking about at
school, right? The one that answers your questions!
Ai: Wanna try it?
Mina: Sure! Sounds like fun!
Shiki: They’re going to use Reaper Creeper... Neku. Should we fake it?
*sounds like fun*
Shiki: OK, let’s move the coin and rig the answers. If we want them to patch
things up--
Neku: Ai needs to know the truth.
Shiki: What!? But...that’s really risky. Ai suspects Mina. She thinks Mina is
after the boy she likes. If she finds out Mina has been lying, their friendship
is sunk!
Neku: Exactly. That Mina girl is lying. And Ai is gonna find out eventually
whether we cover it up or not. Better we clear things up now.
Shiki: Well... I don’t know...
Neku: Lying isn’t right.
Shiki: ......
Ai: OK, Reaper Creeper has a few rules.
Mina: Like what?
Ai: First, someone has to summon the Reaper.
Mina: Ooh, let me do it!
Ai: ...All right.
Mina: Reaper...Creeper... Before we get in much deeper... If you’re here all
right, go to White!
*Reaper Creeper*
Mina: White! Cool... The coin really moved! So, like... We said "if you’re here,
go to White." And it went to White. Whoa... That means... ...... The Reaper’s
here! Creepy! Can you believe it? Reapers really exist!
Ai: That’s right. And they can see right through a lie.
Mina: Scary!
Ai: All right, Mina. Next question.
Mina: What are you gonna ask?
Ai: Hmm... Why don’t I ask about you?
Mina: About m-me? Why?
Ai: (Because I’m onto you, you tramp. You and Makoto.) Reaper...Creeper...If
Mina has a boy she likes, go to White!
*Reaper creeper*
Ai: Aha! White!
Mina: Um, Ai--
Ai: (White means YES. She’s got a crush. And I saw her with him yesterday. Her
and Makoto...together!) Next question!
Mina: Ai... This isn’t like you.
Ai: REAPER. CREEPER. If Mina has secrets that should be brought to light...go to
White!
*Reaper creeper*
Ai: Aha! See! White!
Mina: Please...Ai!
Ai: I knew you were hiding something!
Mina: ...What?
Ai: This is it, Mina! Last question!
Mina: Ai, please stop...
Ai: REAPER. CREEPER. Yesterday Mina met with Makoto. And she LIED to me about
it. If I’m right...GO TO WHITE!
Mina: What? Ai, you knew about that? Aww...You saw us?
Ai: Yes! I know all about you. You and Makoto and your little--
Mina: Here.
Ai: What... Two tickets? How could you, Mina... You knew I liked Makoto.
Mina: I’m sorry. I just wanted to help.
Ai: ...What?
Mina: Makoto wants to go to the Molco slam-off. But he couldn’t get a ticket. He
told me yesterday. So I started mailing my friends. I figured, you know, maybe
if I scored two tickets...
Ai: Oh, Mina. You didn’t...
Mina: You and Makoto go have a great time.
Ai: You got them for me?
Mina: Yup! Now you can put the moves on him, hee hee.
Ai: Mina... I’m so sorry... I totally got the wrong idea...
Mina: No worries. It’s partly my fault for fibbing to you. We’re friends. What’s
one little argument?
Ai: ...Yeah.
Shiki: Neku! The Noise are thinning out.
Neku: Good! Let’s finish the job.
*battle*
Neku: Timer’s gone.
Shiki: Whew! Mission complete. Looks like Ai and Mina made up, too.
Ai: Hey, let me take you out to eat. It’s the least I can do.
Mina: Really? Awesome! How about sundaes?
Ai: Sure! Let’s hit that family restaurant up the street.
Mina: OK!
Shiki: Aww... See how nice it is to have friends?
Neku: (No.)
Shiki: Sure, you may butt heads now and then, but life is more fun that way.
Neku: (Fun? Right. Every time you argue, you end up meeting halfway and getting
nowhere. What’s fun about letting other people hold you back?) I don’t see the
point of a relationship built on lies.
Shiki: ...... Neku...You don’t lie to MAKE friends. I agree, that wouldn’t be
right. But sometimes, you need to tell a fib because you ARE friends. Not all
secrets are bad secrets.
Neku: ..... (Her and that photo...)
Shiki: Hey, Neku? Yesterday you said we were better off without friends. You
really think so?
Neku: ......
Shiki: Eri used to do everything for me. There was nothing she COULDN’T do. She
had a ton of friends. Everybody at school loved her, because she was so
outgoing. And the outfits she designed were so cute. Eri was the one who got me
started making clothes.
Neku: I thought that pig of yours was the reason.
Shiki: He’s a CAT! Ugh. Anyway... She saw me making Mr. Mew. And then she said:
"Wow, you’re really good with a needle." So we got talking, and she let me help
her make clothes. I owe her everything. She gave me purpose.
Neku: ......
Shiki: Meeting her, talking to her, getting to know her... Admiring her... It
made me want to be something more.
Neku: ......
Shiki: Rhyme said she didn’t know what dreams are like. And now she never
will... Neku, it’s not fair.
Neku: I know... I...I’m sad, too. We’ll just have to live a little extra. For
her sake.
Shiki: Yeah. If we get a second chance.
Neku: Second chance?
Higashizawa: Hello, young lady.
Shiki: Who’s there?
Neku: A Reaper!
Higashizawa: Correct. But not just any Reaper. I am Yodai Higashizawa... Game
Master by proxy.
Neku: Game Master... So you’re in charge?
Higashizawa: Correct again.
Shiki: Then Rhyme is gone because of you!
Higashizawa: I detest leftovers. No Players were meant to escape yesterday’s
chowder of destruction. Do you know why you alone survived?
Shiki: ......
Higashizawa: Because you are strong. It’s a dog-eat-dog world. A logical
hierarchy much like the food chain. The strong reach the top and win the Game,
while the weak are left behind, the heels of the proverbial loaf.
Shiki: How dare you! Rhyme protected Beat! You call that weak? Take it back!
Higashizawa: I admire your courage and loyalty, young lady. Delectable. This
calls for a taste test! Let us see how you fare as fare for the Noise!
*battle*
Higashizawa: Heh heh... I see I’ve sunk my teeth into something good.
Shiki: We’ll never lose to you! You’ll pay for what you did the Rhyme!
Higashizawa: Sadly, I’ve had my fill for the day. I only came here to meet you,
young lady.
Shiki: Me? ...Why?
Higashizawa: To get a closer look, of course. At the charcoal-black envy beneath
the barbecue of your heart.
Shiki: I...I don’t understand.
Higashizawa: Oh, don’t you, though? You can’t fool me. You know the feelings are
there, so you bury them. Your talk of loyalty, of dreams and friendship...
They’re no more than a lid on your stir-fry of jealousy. Oh, how deeply you must
hate yourself. You have EXACTLY what you always wanted...but it’s not enough, is
it?
Shiki: ......
Higashizawa: No one loves you. You can’t love yourself. And so the jealousy
consumes you.
Shiki: Stop it!
Higashizawa: That friend sugar coating can’t sweeten the selfishness inside you.
You think you’re more important than anyone else. And THAT’S where jealousy
begins...
Shiki: No...I’m not--
Higashizawa: You are. And you know it. Why else would your entry fee be--
Shiki: Stop! Don’t say it!
Higashizawa: Heh heh... That complex of yours is a bruise on the tomato of your
soul.
Shiki: No, I... I’m just...
Higashizawa: Nothing will change if you are restored to life. You’ll just go on
hating yourself and being jealous of everybody else.
Shiki: No... Please don’t... *leaves*
Neku: Restored to life? What the hell are you talking about!?
Higashizawa: You’re dead. Didn’t you know?
Neku: I’m...I’m dead?
Higashizawa: All the Players are. The Reapers’ Game is an examination, to see
who is worthy of a second chance at life.
Neku: ......
Higashizawa: Now, if I may be excused... See you on Day 7. Keep it fresh. Take
care, young lady. *leaves*
Neku: I’m...I’m d-d-dead? How? What did I... I’m DEAD!?
*end of Week 1, Day 5. Empty Urban Legends*
********************
Week 1, Day 6 [w1d6]
--------------------
Neku: Where...? Back at the scramble... What’s this? A new pin? (Where’d it come
from? It looks kind of like the Player Pin. ...... It doesn’t work for
scanning...) Hmph. Weird pin. (...Where’s Stalker?) ...... (Guess she’s not
awake yet. Hmm... Was the big guy serious? Am I really...dead? I don’t remember
dying. But then again, except for my name, I can’t recall anything before waking
up here on Day 1. ...What did Mr. Hanekoma say again? )
*flashback*
Mr. H: Now listen up. This Shibuya ain’t your Shibuya. It’s the Composer’s
Shibuya, which the Reapers use to run the Game. No matter what happens, people
won’t see you, won’t hear you--and they definitely won’t help you. Your
partner’s the only one who can keep you alive.
Neku: So we’re basically invisible?
Mr. H: Only those involved in the Game can see you.
Shiki: So...the Players, The Reapers, and...you?
Mr. H: Right.
Neku: Why am I even in this stupid game?
Mr. H: All Players come from the RG to the UG for a common reason. And each must
forfeit the thing they value most as an entry fee.
Neku: What we value most?
Shiki: Do we get it back?
Mr. H: If you win.
Neku: ...And if we don’t?
Mr. H: You lose your entry fee forever. And--well, your right to exist.
*back to present*
Neku: (A special Shibuya used to run the Game...And all the Players come here
for a common reason. Death? So...I’m dead. Stalker’s dead. And we’re all part of
some contest to come back to life? ...How did I die? What was my entry fee?
...... Dammit, I can’t remember any of it. The mission! "Dominate the scramble
crossing view at 3: 00. You have 180 minutes. Fail, and face erasure.--The
Reapers" *flinch* Nggh! Right on cue... (Hmm... Strange mission. I’m standing in
the scramble now--but what’s the "view"? ...Dammit. I don’t know Shibuya well
enough to make sense of this. When is she gonna wake up?) Hey! Rise and shine!
The mission’s here.
Shiki: ......
Neku: What do you make of this?
Shiki: "Dominate the view"?... No idea.
Neku: (Wow. Thanks for giving it all that thought. What’s gotten into her?)
Well, wait... Look again. Maybe there’s a hidden clue.
Shiki: The scramble crossing at three o’clock?
Neku: Is something scheduled to happen? Or do we make it happen? Let’s start by
figuring out what this mission means.
Makoto: Sigh... I’m done for.
Neku: (What’s that guy mumbling about? I can feel time slipping through my
fingers. Three more hours... Then I’m gonna get the ax. So long, Makoto. Heh...
Neku: Three more hours? (It’s noon now...so in three hours...it’ll be 3: 00!)
Hey! I think this guy might be the key!
Shiki: ......
Neku: (T-talk, dammit! Why is she so quiet today?)
Shiki: ......
Neku: So, um, yeah... Let’s scan him. OK?
*scan*
Neku: (Catch the eye...That’s it!) Hey! This must be our mission!
Shiki: ...... Really?
Neku: ....... Think about it. The time matches up--3:00. And catching the eye...
Eye? View? Same thing.
Shiki: ......
Neku: But what’s "Q Floor"?
Shiki: ...... Neku. Up there...The big screen--that’s Q Floor.
Neku: The one playing commercials? This is all starting to make sense!
Shiki: So dominating the scramble crossing view means getting the crowd here to
watch that guy’s ad?
Neku: It sure seems that way.
Shiki: ...... That’ll never happen. People look straight ahead when they cross.
Or at their feet.
Neku: Then our mission is to get them to look UP. They have to see that ad.
Shiki: What do you think the ad’s for?
Neku: (Like I know. ...Maybe he can answer that.)
Makoto: It’s all over. I’m doomed...Trapped in the flaming wreckage of my own
life...
Neku: Great. The Noise have a hold on him. You know what that means.
Shiki: ......
*battle*
Makoto: Chip up, Makoto! Snap out of it! True, these pins show no sign of
becoming the next big thing. But it’s my job to MAKE them the next big thing!
Neku: That pin... It looks just like this one. This is what he’s advertising?
(So maybe this is for the mission?)
Shiki: It’s just a regular old pin. No one’s gonna watch an ad for it.
Neku: That’s for sure. But the guy’s a pro, right? I’m sure he’s at least got a
plan.
Makoto: ...... OK! First, I’m going to hand free pins out and fill Shibuya with
walking billboards! Hmm...and to get people’s attention, I need some "hip" one-
liners like that book suggested. Let’s see...How about, "Totally gnarly!" "Come
and get some hot stuff!" "Unreal, bro!" Perfect! The slang of the moment! If I
get everyone talking about the pins in time, they’re sure to watch the
commercial!
Neku: Uhh...no? They’re going to think you’re nuts.
Shiki: "Come get some hot stuff"? That sounds like a pickup line... And pins
aren’t exactly a hot topic to begin with. No one’s going to take them.
Neku: We’d better intervene.
Shiki: ......
*tap Makoto & Nao*
Makoto: Um...excuse me.
Nao: Hmm?
Makoto: I, umm...you, uhh...
Nao: Sota? Like, this guy. He’s, like, talking to me?
Makoto: Wha--
Sota: ‘Scuse me?
Makoto: Uh-oh...
Sota: Whadda you want, dawg? Got somethin' to say to my Nao?
Nao: Like, he said he thinks I’m cute... Right?
Makoto: Wr-wrong! I don’t think that at all!
Nao: What? You don’t?
Sota: ‘Scuse me?
Makoto: Ahhh! No no no no, she’s cute! But not...you know...ahhh!
*imprint*
Makoto: Totally gnarly!
Sota: ’Scuse me?
Makoto: I mean...umm...My...my grandpa! It’s my grandpa. He’s...he’s all gnarly!
Sota: Gnarly?
Makoto: F-from his arthritis! The poor man beats himself up because no one wears
these pins. When I see his gnarly hands tremble with guilt, I... I just...Ohh,
Grandpa! ......So, um... Would you do me a favor, and wear one of these pins for
him?
Sota: ...Hells yeah.
Makoto: Whoa! Really?
Sota: What’s your name?
Makoto: It’s...Makoto Miki. Friends call me Mick.
Sota: Mick... You’re a good man.
Nao: Yeah! Like, that was totally moving?
Sota: Handing out pins for your grandpa in the scramble... That’s aces, dawg.
Nao: Like, I think I’m in love?
Sota: We’ll wear your pins. It’d be an honor.
Makoto: Th-thanks!
Sota: Hang in there, Mick. We’ll be rootin’ for you.
Nao: Hope your granddaddy, like, cheers up?
Makoto: Who? Oh! M-me too... Wow, I’m on fire today! OK! Time to hand these out
someplace else!
Neku: Looks like it worked.
Shiki: You really think a pin like this could take off?
Neku: It better. That’s our mission.
Shiki: ...Yeah.
*Clear Reapers Demands to enter center street*
Makoto: OK! This seems like a good spot.
Neku: Here we go again...
Shiki: ......
Makoto: Ooh! That kid’s sure to take one. Hey, there, slugger.
Shooter: WHOAAA!
Makoto: Huh?
Shooter: Lemme guess, bro. You want me to make you one of my Slammurai... Right?
Makoto: Uh...I didn’t--
Shooter: Don’t be shy! It’s cool! SLAM ON!!!
Makoto: No. I’m not here to--
Shooter: What’s your favorite whammy?
Makoto: Buh--
Shooter: What are you ranked?
Makoto: I...I...I don’t know!
*imprint*
Makoto: Unreal, bro!
Shooter: WHOAAA!!!
Makoto: Huh?
Shooter: What’s that pin?
Makoto: Oh, this?
Shooter: Yeah! Tell me where you got it!
Makoto: Well--
Shooter: What’s it’s Attack?
Makoto: Uhh...unreal, bro?
Shooter: Seriously? How about it’s Defense?
Makoto: Unreal, bro!
Shooter: Whoa! BRO!!! You and me gotta battle. I want that pin!
Makoto: Huh?
Shooter: Ready? Slaaam...ON! *flash* Woo...hoooooo! I won, bro! Better practice
up. Rely on pins alone...and you’ll never be a true Slammurai! I’ll be taking
that pin. YOINK!
Makoto: Huh? But... OK... It worked!
*Clear Reaper demand, go to Spain Hill*
Makoto: OK! This seems like a good spot.
Neku: Here we go again...
Shiki: ......
Makoto: Pardon me. Hello? Excuse me! ...... Can’t he hear me? What now?
*imprint* Come and get some hot stuff! No good? Hot stuff! Come get some! Huh? I
think I got a reaction that time. One more time! Come get some hot stuff! Oh!
Hot stuff! Ooh! Hot! Yeah, hot stuff! Come get some!
Techie: ...I’ll take one.
Makoto: Oh. Thank you! Finally! All done. Now these pins are sure to take off! I
should go see what people are saying back by Q Floor.
Neku: So far so good. Let’s follow him back to the scramble.
Shiki: ......
*back at scramble*
Makoto: Now, to witness a phenomenon in the making! I bet I’ll have to BEAT back
all the fans. Let me walk around and observe.
Neku: Oh, come on. Handing out a few pins isn’t going to ignite Shibuya. We
better go after him.
Shiki: ...... Just...give it up.
Neku: Huh?
Shiki: Even if we do clear the mission... I’ll still... I’ll never be...
*leaves*
Neku: Hey! What’s gotten into you? Hey, what gives?
Shiki: ......
Neku: You’ve been acting really weird today.
Shiki: ......
Neku: It’s almost 3. We need to get moving, or we’ll fail the mission.
Shiki: ...So what?
Neku: Huh?
Shiki: There’s no point. You heard what that Reaper said. ...... Even if I
finish the mission...win the Game... Even if I come back to life... I’ll still
just be me. What do I do...
Neku: What kind of question is that?
Shiki: ...... I thought I’d changed. But I’ll never change. I’ll just go on
hurting.
Neku: Says who?
Shiki: ...... I was never pretty...or smart... There was nothing special about
me at all. I hated myself. I wanted to change, to be somebody else. ...... To be
Eri.
Neku: ......
Shiki: But it didn’t work.
Neku: I don’t-- WHOA! Over there! Is that...you?
Shiki: Ahh!
Eri: The other day, I found just the cutest outfit at Ten-Four!
Mina: Seriously? Hey, why don’t we head over there? You’ve still go some time,
right, Eri?
Neku: Eri? What the...
Shiki: ...... *leaves*
Neku: Hey! Wait!
Shiki: So now you know.
Neku: Know what?
Shiki: ...... What my entry fee was.
Neku: Huh?
Shiki: My appearance. I gave up the way I really look.
Neku: Your appearance? Then--
Shiki: This is Eri’s body. I don’t really look like this.
Neku: Oh. Wow...
Shiki: When I got to the UG and I saw myself... I freaked.
Neku: Yeah. I would, too.
Shiki: But it was a happy kind of freaked.
Neku: Happy? Why?
Shiki: Because this is what I always dreamed of--a new me. I hated who I was.
All I wanted was to like myself. To be cute, and smart, and perfect...like Eri.
Neku: ...... Then why would the Reapers take your appearance? Your entry fee is
supposed to be what you value most. But you just said you hate yourself.
Shiki: At first... I didn’t get it either. I was so excited to be Eri that I
even acted like her--all bubbly and cute. But it was just an act. Inside,
nothing changed. I’m still the same person I’ve always been. Then I realized.
I’ll never be Eri. Deep down, I never wanted to be. I was just jealous. The
Reaper was right. What I value most is ME!
Neku: ......
Shiki: Eri has all the things I don’t. Looks, brains, design sense. Lots of
friends...I envied her. And now that I’m inside her body, it just hurts even
more.
Neku: ...... (All this time...she’s been as confused as me.)
Shiki: The truth is, I’m scared! I keep trying to sound brave, saying we need to
win the Game, but... I’m scared of getting a second chance! What if it’s like
the Reaper said? I don’t want to come back to life it means being jealous of Eri
all the time. ......I don’t want to be that person.
Neku: Well...I like you the way you are.
Shiki: Huh?
Makoto: Noooooo!
Neku: What the--
Makoto: No one’s wearing the pins! Why not!?
Neku: Looks like we can’t relax yet. Listen. We’re going to finish this mission.
So promise you’ll focus on that for now. OK?
Shiki: ...... All right.
Makoto: Why isn’t anyone talking about the pins? I worked so hard...
The Prince: Hey, Mick.
Makoto: Huh? Oh! Mr. Oji. Prince...
Prince: I saw you standing here. Why so glum?
Makoto: It’s work. I’m going to lose my job. I was supposed to make these pins a
sensation. I gave away a whole bunch for free. But they just won’t take off.
Prince: Aw, Mick, you can’t be serious.
Makoto: What?
Prince: All right, listen. You’ve done good business for me, so I’ll give it to
you straight. Your pins wont’ take off, because you’re ignoring the trends.
Handing out samples doesn’t make something popular.
Makoto: Hmm. True... So then how do I change the trends?
Prince: Lots of ways. I mean, if you were a Prince like me, just walking the
streets could start a revolution.
Makoto: If people saw you wearing the pin... Right...
Prince: OK. I’ve gotta run. Press date. Take care, Mick. You can do it.
Makoto: Thanks! I’ll try! Hmm... Trends, eh? OK! If the Prince can do it, so can
I! Time to put this pin on and start a revolution!
Neku: This guy is certifiable...
Shiki: ...But think about it. Neku, if you put the pin on and we fought some
battles, we might be able to change the trends.
Neku: How do you figure?
Shiki: Rhyme and I got to talking. We noticed wearing pins in combat makes those
brands more popular.
Neku: Even though the RG people can’t see us?
Shiki: Yeah. Weird, huh?
Neku: All right... Let’s give it a try.
*battles*
Random Person1: Hey! Isn’t that pin the coolest?
Random Person2: Huh? Where?
Random Person1: There. The one that guy’s got on.
Random Person2: Oh yeah! Very nice. Wonder where they sell ‘em.
Makoto: Whoa... People keep looking at me and smiling. Am I... I couldn’t
be...trendy!? Wow. The Prince was right!
Neku: It worked.
Shiki: So the pins we wear in combat do change what’s popular in the RG.
Neku: Uh-huh. But that guy seems to have his own theory.
Makoto: Get ready, 104! Your trend-god cometh!
Neku: ...... He’s kind of a tool, huh?
*104*
Makoto: OK! Time to look trendy!
Neku: Yeah, with a little help.
*battles*
RP1: Hey, check out that hot pin!
RP2: Yeah. The one on that guy? People were wearing it back at the scramble
crossing.
RP1: Seriously? It’s gonna be huge, just wait and see.
RP2: Wish I had one...
Makoto: Whoa... I get it. I really get it! The trends are mine to command! Now
that the word is out, I just need to wait for the ad to run. Back to the
crossing!
Neku: Well, we did it.
Shiki: Did we?
Neku: Hey, we gave it our best shot. Let’s just cross our fingers.
Shiki: ...... Neku... Umm... I’m sorry. If we fail, and it turns out to be my
fault for slowing us down...
Neku: ...... No big deal. We all, umm...
Shiki: Hmm?
Neku: We all have our bad days.
Shiki: Neku... Thanks.
Neku: Hey, it’s her.
Shiki: Ahh!
Mina: So, Eri. How come you haven’t designed anything lately?
Eri: ...... Actually... I’m thinking about giving it up.
Mina: What! Why? You’re so talented!
Shiki: She’s giving it up? Eri, why... ......
Neku: If you want to know, scan her.
Shiki: What? I can’t do that! She’s my friend. I can’t eavesdrop on her
thoughts!
Neku: Why not? You’ve scanned tons of people.
Shiki: ......
Mina: Eri, why would you give design up?
Shiki: ......
Eri: Well, there was this girl, Shiki--
Shiki: Neku... I have to go! *leaves*
Neku: Hey! Just...wait!
Shiki: I’m...I’m sorry. I didn’t want to hear Eri talk about me. I was afraid.
Neku: ......
Shiki: Eri told me something before I died. "You’re not meant to be a designer,"
she said. I never had her talent... I guess she finally got fed up and--
Neku: Oh, would you cut the crap? Who ARE you?
Shiki: Huh?
Neku: You’re you. You’re not Eri. You’ll never be Eri. You’ll only ever be you.
Shiki: But she’s so much better--
Neku: Forget her! You need to live your own life. If she can do it, so can you.
All that matters is you try.
Shiki: ......Neku--
Neku: You’re luck you’re jealous. It gives you something to shoot for.
So...shoot.
Shiki: ......You’re right. Thanks, Neku.
Neku: It’s time. The commercial’s about to air.
Makoto: Sooo nervous... Will people watch?
Shiki: Neku...
Neku: Don’t worry. They’ll watch.
Random Person 1: Hey! Up there!
Random Person 2: That pin. Who designed it? It looks like--
Random Person 3: Hey, cool graphic.
Random Person 4: I never wear pins. But this one...
Random Person 5: Where can I buy it?
Shooter: Hey, man, look what I got.
Yammer: You HAVE one? Aw, lucky...
Eri: Oh, I know that pin!
Mina: Ha ha. You would, Eri. Wish I had one...
Shiki: Eri... ...... Neku, can I have a minute? I want to go stand by her.
Neku: Hey, you’re off the clock.
Shiki: ...Thanks!
Mina: Eri, you shouldn’t give up design.
Eri: I told you. This girl, Shiki--I’m nothing without her.
Shiki: Huh?
Mina: Yeah, you said that. What, did you two have a fight?
Eri: A fight? I wish. Shiki died. In an accident the other day.
Mina: Oh...I’m so sorry.
Eri: No one else could ever make my outfits. Shiki gave them life. Made them
real.
Mina: You must have trusted her a lot.
Eri: I did! She was an amazing person. She cared about people--and always
noticed the little things. If I missed something in my design, Shiki always
picked up the slack. And her stuffed animals! I wouldn’t know where to begin.
She had a sharp eye, skilled hands. Motivation. All the things I don’t have.
Mina: The way you talk about her, she must have been something.
Eri: ...... The day before her accident... I said something I’ll always regret.
Mina: What?
Eri: She was upset ‘cause she couldn’t come up with a good design. I wanted to
cheer her up...so I told her "You’re not meant to be a designer." I mean, she
had such a great future as a seamstress. But I think I really hurt her feelings.
I planned to apologize the next day...but I never saw her again. ...... She’s
still my best friend. Even now. I want her back, so I can tell her I’m
sorry...and so we can be a team again.
Shiki: ......I had no idea. I never knew she felt that way about me.
Neku: Guess you two both need each other.
Shiki: Neku...You think I’m OK the way I am?
Neku: Hey, Shibuya’s got room for all types. Who else is gonna make stuffed
piggies?
Shiki: He’s a cat! Heh heh... Neku... I want to see Eri again. So we can be a
team. I’m ready for a second chance!
Neku: All right. Then whatever it takes... Let’s win... Let’s live. Just one
more day!
*in Reaper hangout*
Megumi: We’re on schedule.
Higashizawa: Yes, sir! Three Players remain. Tomorrow I shall ice them
personally.
Megumi: I look forward to it. See this week’s Game through to its conclusion,
and your promotion to Game Master is assured.
Higashizawa: As your proxy, sir, I promise you I will not fail.
Megumi: You know, enough with this "proxy" business. Too formal. I hereby grant
you full GM privileges. You’ve proven you can handle it.
Higashizawa: Sir! You are far too kind! I will check in again after tomorrow’s
repast.
*in WildKat*
Beat: Why? Why can’t I use you? Yo, there’s gotta be a way. ......THEY know.
They gotta know! Yo, I am done sittin’ here collectin’ dust!
*in the Scramble*
Mr. H: Well, time to get cracking. I just hope they can pull it off. ......Back
to the café, I guess. Beat must be starving by now.
*end of Week 1, Day 6. Superiority/Inferiority*
Shiki: This is it...Day 7.
Neku: Yup. Today we win this. *beep* There it is!
Shiki: The last mission.
Neku: "The Game Master awaits you on the freeway. Defeat him. You have 600
minutes. Fail, and face erasure.--The Reapers" *flinch*
Shiki: Oww! The Game Master is that big Reaper, right?
Neku: We need to pay him back for Rhyme.
Shiki: Yeah...C’mon. We’ve got a Game to win. For Beat...and for us!
Neku: Who could be calling us now?
Shiki: Think it’s the Reapers?
Neku: Hello? Dead kid speaking.
Mr. H: Phones! That you?
Neku: Mr. Hanekoma?
Mr. H: Listen! Beat, he...he’s gone!
Neku: Gone!? You don’t mean...
Mr. H: No, no...Not erased. ...Not yet.
Neku: What’s that supposed to mean?
Mr. H: Look, he musta left the café while I was out.
Neku: He left? Why!?
Mr. H: I dunno why. Look, enough questions. You gotta hurry! That kid ain’t got
a partner to fight with. He’s Reaper-chow the second they spot him.
‘Sides...Today’s Day 7. The GM can attack Players directly now! And he will.
Believe me.
Neku: Son of a--
Mr. H: Hey, hey, have a little faith. You’re almost there! Just put an end to
the Game! You do that and Skater-Brain might just survive this.
Neku: Right, got it.
Shiki: Neku, what’s going on? Is Beat in trouble?
Neku: Yeah... But we can save him if we end the Game in time.
Shiki: Then let’s move it!
Neku: (That meathead! Has he lost his mind!? Why couldn’t he just stay with Mr.
Hanekoma?)
Shiki: Neku! Let’s got over to the freeway! It’s not far from the station
underpass!
*clear Reaper demand*
Neku: Clear!
Shiki: Go, go, go!
*talk to Black Reaper*
Reaper: Six days you’re still kickin’. I’m impressed.
Neku: A Reaper...
Shiki: Hey, clear the road! We’re in a hurry!
Reaper: Oh, I’ll clear the road--of YOU, that is.
*fight*
Neku: Dammit...That cost us time.
Shiki: I hope Beat’s OK.
Neku: Worrying won’t save him. C’mon. We’re still in this.
Shiki: Right! Let’s shut their Game down!
*to the Reapers*
Uzuki: Bleh. Day 7 is such a yawn. Not enough Players left, you know?
Kariya: See? This is why I pace myself. Work too hard and you run out of work.
Uzuki: Yeah... We did rack up a ton of points this week.
Kariya: And on the seventh day...we rest. The first day of many days off, I
hope.
Beat: Yo...
Uzuki: Who’s there? ...You!?
Beat: ......
Uzuki: We toasted your partner--you should be smoke by now!
Kariya: Make another pact?
Beat: ......
Uzuki: So, like, what? You thirsty for revenge?
Beat: No!
Uzuki: ...Huh? Then what do you want?
Beat: ......Answers. Tell me what I need to know!
Uzuki: You do realize...you’re in no position to make demands?
Beat: ......
Uzuki: I could erase you with my little finger.
Beat: ......
Kariya: Aight, Skulls... You ask. Maybe we’ll answer.
Uzuki: Hey...Kariya!!!
Beat: What does it take? How do you Reapers do it!?
*back to Neku & Shiki*
*in underpass*
Neku: Game Master’s just ahead...
Shiki: Finally...the end is in sight. It’s been crazy, huh? Our time in the UG.
But I learned something about myself--how lucky I was. I took each day for
granted. Woke up, went to school, talked to Eri. Came home, ate, watched TV.
Then conked right out. It was so...NORMAL, I never thought of it as living. But
this week woke me up, made me feel more alive...than I ever did when I really
was.
Neku: ......The best is still ahead. Once we win, and come back to life.
Shiki: Yeah! Neku...Thanks for these last seven days. You’re pretty good at this
partner thing.
Neku: Pfft...Save it for when we win, OK? ...Ready for the big boss?
Shiki: You know it. Hey, if we make it through this...let’s meet up in the RG.
You, me, and Beat. You might not recognize me, so...I know! I’ll bring Mr. Mew
with me. We can be a team again!
Neku: I’ll...think it over.
Shiki: Heh heh. OK. Let’s finish this!
Higashizawa: You’re late. A shame I had to set the table before cooking the main
dish.
Shiki: We’re not on the menu. You are!
Higashizawa: Ah, hello there, young lady. I’ve been waiting for this day. What’s
this? The jealousy in your heart--my secret spice! ...... It’s...gone.
Shiki: Lost your appetite?
Higashizawa: But...you were green with envy! Begrudging to a light golden brown!
So deliciously jealous...
Shiki: That’s right. I was jealous. That’s how lucky I am! It takes an amazing
friend to make you jealous. So you can just get ready to lose!
Neku: You tell him!
Shiki: I swear I’m getting my life back! Eri’s waiting in the RG, and you...are
NOT gonna get in my way!
Higashizawa: ...... You’re gone stale, young lady. But no matter. A true chef
can whip up a toothsome meal even from the basest of ingredients! Mr. Kitaniji
has given me a recipe...and I intend to cook it. Now...prepare to be spicy tuna
rolled!
*battle*
Higashizawa: ...... In...indigestible! I lost? Well done...young lady...
Neku: Game over.
Shiki: That’s it?
Neku: We did it! We won!
Shiki: Woo-hoo! Now we’ll come back to life! *white flash* Wh-what’s going on?
Neku: Shiki?
Shiki: Huh? I don’t think this light is bad.
Neku: Yeah...Feels almost like a...pat on the back.
Shiki: A warm welcome back to the world of living! And you said "Shiki"!
Neku...That’s the first time you used my name.
Neku: Oh, really?
Shiki: Neku? See you on the other side. You know the meeting place. Hachiko!
Neku: Heh. It’s a date.
*cutscene*
Neku: Why... Why, why, why...*beep* ...... WHYYYYYY!
*end of Week 1, Day 7. Wakeless Dream*
********************
Week 2, Day 1 [w2d1]
--------------------
Neku: The scramble crossing... He expects me to just start over? (What the hell
were the last seven days for, then?) ...... (Fine. What’s the mission? I’m not
losing. Not now. Not a chance.) "Game I: x=30+74 t=60 min. Incompletes will be
destroyed." *flinch* Nngh! There’s the timer... The mission format’s different.
X=30+74... They’re giving out Algebra homework now? (Hmm, we did take down the
GM last week. Maybe this is the big guy’s replacement. Better not count on the
same tricks, then... I’ve got to stay focused--and stay alive. Too much is on
the line. First, I need a partner--the toughest Player I can find!
Hmm...Hachiko! I’m bound to find somebody useful there.)
*to the Reapers*
Kariya: Ugh. It’s like a sick joke. They expect us to work this week, too?
Uzuki: Oh, suck it up! Don’t you want the extra points? Though it is a little
weird to go two weeks in a row... Guess there’s a first time for everything.
Kariya: Not quite a first. Been a while, though. You prob’ly weren’t here,
spring chicken that you are.
Uzuki: Spring chicken? Been here two years, and I’m a spring chicken? Just how
long have you been doing this?
Kariya: Meh. Details!
Uzuki: Uh-huh. Anyway. What do you suppose the GM is-- *ring* Yashiro here.
...... What!? You want us to WHAT!? *hangs up* Graaah!
Kariya: Easy, girl! What’s the deal?
Uzuki: Standby! We’re just supposed to sit here! This is an insult!
Kariya: Take it down a notch before you pop a blood vessel. I don’t see a
problem. This is our week off, after all.
Uzuki: Ugh! This is why I hate the way he runs things!
Kariya: Really? I kinda like it.
Uzuki: What’s to like!? It’s one big, cryptic mess! It pisses me off!
Kariya: He can’t help it. I’m sure he’s worked out some crazy plan--something
way beyond the ken of mundane folks like you ‘n’ me. I mean, c’mon--he’s the
type of genius head case that makes stuff like THIS.
*back to Neku*
Neku: (Come on...There has to be someone! I need this... I have to win! ...For
her sake, and mine. Now come on! I gotta find me a powerhouse!) Grr, Noise!?
(Dammit! I can’t do much on my own! Isn’t there anybody--)*flash* Huh? What was
that!?
*cutscene*
Neku: A pact? With who!?
*battle*
Joshua: Howdy.
Neku: (Who the--)
Joshua: The name’s Yoshiya Kiryuu. But Mother and Father call me Joshua.
Neku: (Please don’t tell me...)
Joshua: I guess you can call me Joshua, too--seeing as how you’re my dear, dear
partner. Hee hee...
Neku: Your what!? (This pipsqueak is my new partner!?)
Joshua: You seem like such a pro at this, I just...helped myself.
Neku: A pro? How could you know that?
Joshua: I’ve been watching you, silly. Very impressive by the way.
Neku: (Huh? Was he a Player last time, too? But wait...No, there was nobody like
him at the end. Who the hell IS this kid?)
Joshua: Today’s the first day and all... Let’s just take it easy, hmm? Why don’t
you start by giving the area a scan, partner?
Neku: F-fine. (Something about him just...grates.)
*Scan Joshua*
*cutscene*
Neku: (Nngh! ...What? What did I just see? That place looked like...the Udagawa
district?)
Joshua: Something wrong? Are we not feeling well?
Neku: (Wait, did I...did I just scan him? )
Joshua: Is this going to be a problem? I need you to pull it together. Unlike
some people, I’m new at all this. I’m expecting a bang-up job from you, Mr.
Escort.
Neku: ...I’ll be fine.
Joshua: Will you? Wonderful. Then can we go?
Neku: (Something’s weird here... How was I able to scan him? He’s a Player.)
Joshua: Hmm? What’s the holdup, Neku?
Neku: It’s nothing.
Joshua: Don’t tell me you’re still stuck on the mission mail. Please. It’s
painfully obvious.
Neku: ......
Joshua: x marks the spot. 30+74, Neku. We’re headed to 104. If you ever find
yourself stumped, I’d be happy to help you along. Just say the word. I promise
you my advice is spot-on. Lucky you, having me as your partner.
Neku: (I’m going to choke this kid.)
Joshua: Oh! I can’t say I’m particularly interested, but... I’ll go ahead and
ask, for the sake of convenience. Do you have a name?
Neku: ...... Neku.
Joshua: Neku, hmm? Hee hee...Charming.
Neku: (Gaaah!)
Joshua: Well then, Neku. Shall we?
*back in Scramble*
Reaper: Want to clear this wall? Then take down these Noise!
Neku: Another wall...
Joshua: So we need to clear out a few Noise to get by. All right. What better
time to go over my combat skills? Don’t worry--I think even you should be able
to follow along.
Neku: (He has to be doing this on purpose...)
Joshua: Put simply, I play things high or low.
Neku: High or low?
Joshua: You should be able to pick it up on the fly. Ready for a little warm-up?
*All set*
Joshua: Then let’s begin, hmm?
*battle*
Joshua: Well? Get the basic gist of it? Care to give it another go?
*That’s enough*
Joshua: We’re in this together from now on. You watch my behind, I’ll watch
yours. Sound good, partner? Hee hee...
Neku: ......
Reaper: Objective met. Wall clear!
*104*
Neku: Timer’s gone... We’re safe. That’s one day down...
Joshua: Neku... What do you suppose that is?
Neku: What the hell? That junk heap wasn’t here before!
Minamimoto: You’re zetta slow!
Neku: What!? Who said that?
Joshua: Don’t look at me. Look at your junk heap there.
Neku: There’s somebody up there?
Minamimoto: I said, you’re zetta slow! How long does it take to crack a Z-class
code, you factoring hectopascals!
Neku: Hecto-what? *flash* Nngh! My...head!
Minamimoto: Sho Minamimoto. Remember the name. I’m the new Game Master.
Neku: Then you’re a Reaper.
Minamimoto: Wait. You... You’re a Player this time around?
Neku: Nngh, who...me?
Minamimoto: Hmph. Now that’s a happy miscalculation. This brings me one
iteration closer to my desired solution!
Neku: Solution? ...Nngh! What are you talking about?
Joshua: Hee hee. Day 1, and the GM’s already putting in an appearance? Not one
for tradition, are you?
Minamimoto: Tradition? Tradition is garbage! CRUNCH! I’ll add it to the heap!
This is my Game. And I only allow two things. Flawless calculations...and
beauty!
Joshua: I’d hear you were quite the eccentric...
Minamimoto: Some Old Horses Can Always Hear Their Owner Approach. Now, time for
a little quiz. How much weight will I let you Players carry in the UG?
Joshua: Pray tell.
Minamimoto: One yoctogram!
Neku: Yoctogram?
Joshua: Nice. That puts us on the atomic level?
Minamimoto: Precisely! You 000s have no value here. So! Now that I have you
rounded up... Attention, all yoctograms! (It’s X 2) DIE!
*battle*
Joshua: Whew... Well, so much for Day 1.
Neku: (That Reaper knew me... How?)
Joshua: Rather fascinating, wasn’t he?
Neku: Uhh...
Joshua: At least we won’t be too bored this week, hmm?
Neku: (This kid, too... There’s something seriously not right about him.)
Joshua: I wonder what the little math fetishist will think up for tomorrow.
Exciting times, huh, Neku?
Neku: (Hmph. He’s shady... Still, "trust your partner," right? I need him if I’m
gonna survive the UG--if I’m gonna WIN. Better get use to it.)
Joshua: Well, the two of us should be able to cruise right through this week--
between your psychs, my inspired brilliance, and our excellent teamwork. Hee
hee...
Neku: (Ugh, I’ll never get used to this! But I’ll deal with the devil if that’s
what it takes. ...This time’s for keeps. Hang in there, Shiki.)
*End of Week 2, Day 2. Rulez*
********************
Week 2, Day 2 [w2d2]
--------------------
Reaper: Nope. No luck. This one’s not opening either.
Kariya: Well, thanks anyway. You’re dismissed. He’s sealed off Route 1...Hoo,
boy.
Uzuki: Hey, Kariya!
Kariya: Any luck?
Uzuki: Routes 2, 5, and 6 are all sealed.
Kariya: Gotta hand it to him, the guy works fast.
Uzuki: He could have told us what areas are open. What the hell is he thinking?
Are we, like, completely insignificant? Rrgh! That man seriously frosts my
cookies.
Kariya: Naw, it’s nice to see the boss do the legwork. I say we kick back and
enjoy the show.
Uzuki: Well I say this is a work week. It would be nice to actually work! The
Players are right there! But nooo, he says hands off. I’ll tell you what I’d
like to put my hands around!
Kariya: I sure hope it’s your mouth.
Uzuki: Hmm... Maybe I should just hop over to the RG. Use this baby to recruit a
few new Players...
Kariya: Whoa there, cowgirl. Reapers whackin’ folks in the RG is a no-no.
Uzuki: Don’t be stupid. I’m joking! ...Mostly. I’m just saying we may be forced
to...if we want any points.
Kariya: You keep talking about work, work, work. It’s--...... Impossible!
Uzuki: Exactly! We can’t go on like this. I’m THIS close to a promotion, but
nooo... Honestly, I don’t even know why I try some--
Kariya: Uzuki! Look out!!!
*back to scramble crossing*
Neku: Nngh... Where...? (Back at the scramble crossing...Where’s that other
kid?)
Joshua: Are we still on track with the goods? What? You already got them in!?
Neku: (Oh, he’s on the phone. Wait a minute... How did he place a call!? And
who’s he talking to?)
Joshua: The scramble... Which areas? ...Sealed? In that case... ...and the time
limit at... And? Anything else?
Neku: (Wait, is he reporting in to the Reapers? Definitely shady... I can’t tell
what he’s thinking. ...... Or can I? Maybe another scan will turn something up.
*scan & cutscene*
Neku: Huff...huff... That was...me? Why was I passed out in Udagawa? And...why
was that in HIS head!? (Udagawa... I can’t remember... Wait! Was I dead? Did
I...did I die in Udagawa? That would mean... He saw me die. He was there! Or...
Maybe he did more than just watch. ) ...... (One way to find out. But no... I
can’t just ask him. If that sparks some huge fight, I’m screwed. We need to work
together to clear these missions. I can’t afford to risk it. Still...he knows
something.) *beep* The mission!
Joshua: Hmm? Was that the mission, Neku?
Neku: What? Oh... Yeah. (For now, I can only watch and wait.) The mission says
to--
Joshua: Say, Neku. I have a little proposal.
Neku: ...What?
Joshua: Let’s play hooky today. Forget about the mission.
Neku: What!? Are you crazy? If we don’t do this, we get erased!
Joshua: But there’s someplace I reeeally want to go. Let the other Players take
care of the mission. It’s not as if we have to do everything.
Neku: Yes, we do! I can’t afford to screw around on this! I’m not letting
anything jeopardize this Game.
Joshua: Oh, don’t get so wound up, Neku. It’s only Day 2! Enjoy it while it’s
still easy.
Neku: I’m not just playing this for me anymore! Her life is on the line, too.
*flash back*
Neku: ...Where are we?
Shiki: It’s too bright... I can’t see a thing.
Beat: Yo...
Shiki: Beat! You’re safe!
Beat: Yeah. You too, huh?
Neku: ......
Shiki: Why’d you run off on your own like that? You had us all so worried!
Beat: I...I jus’ had to... Look, yo...my bad. I jus’ had to take off.
Neku: ......
Shiki: So... Are we...alive again?
Meg: I’m afraid not. Not yet, anyway.
Beat: Who’s there!?
Minamimoto: Hello, and congratulations. You all are victors. How did you find
our Game? Enjoyable?
Beat: You’re...
Megumi: Megumi Kitaniji. Conductor of the Game, and loyal servant to the
Composer.
Neku: (Conductor of... Then he’s the head Reaper?)
Megumi: Now then, regarding your fates... As per the Composer’s mandate, the
number of Players to be given new life this round is... One.
Shiki: Huh!?
Neku: What did you say?
Shiki: But that’s...that’s cruel! I thought everyone got to come back!
Megumi: Any and all specifics are decided by the Composer. That is His exclusive
and incontrovertible right.
Shiki: Why do you think we came this far!? To live again! Every last one of us
wanted to--
Beat: Hold up! Not exactly...
Shiki: Not exactly what?
Beat: Not everybody... I... ......I ain’t goin’ back.
Shiki: What!?
Beat: I...I wanna be a Reaper! So how ‘bout it, yo? Make me part a’ your crew!
Shiki: Wha...Beat!?
Megumi: ...... Very well. Your wish is within my authority to grant. The Reapers
welcome you.
Beat: ......
Neku: Beat! Why!?
Beat: ......
Shiki: Hey, wait! BEAT! *he leaves* Why would Beat want to join the Reapers?
Neku: ......
Megumi: The hour of reckoning draws near. Your points have been tallied, and the
Player to be reborn decided. Congratulations... Shiki Misaki.
Shiki: M-me!? But... I can’t... I’m not going back alone--I can’t! It’s unfair!
And why me!?
Megumi: We grade Players according to their performance during the missions. You
scored the highest.
Shiki: But that can’t be right! Neku is way better with psychs than me! And the
riddles--he solved most of those, too. He should be the one to go back!
Neku: ...... If only one of us gets a second chance...what happens to the one
left behind?
Megumi: If you still cling to life, you may reenter the Game. If you lean toward
destruction, you may join your friend as a Reaper. Otherwise, should you welcome
oblivion, erasure is also an option.
Neku: ...... Shiki...You go on ahead.
Shiki: No way!
Neku: Just go! Trust me.
Shiki: I’m not leaving without you, Neku! I’ll enter the Game again. Let Neku--
Megumi: Out of the question. As I mentioned a moment ago. This was decided by
the Composer Himself. Your wishes don’t mean a damn.
Shiki: No way...
Neku: Shiki... Don’t worry about me.
Shiki: But Neku--
Neku: Didn’t you swear you’d go back and see Eri again?
Shiki: ......
Neku: I still don’t even know how I died. I don’t know if I have anything to go
back to. You do, Shiki.
Shiki: Neku...
Neku: You’re not gonna start slipping back now, are you?
Shiki: Huh?
Neku: Back to the old Shiki.
Shiki: N-no... ...... I’m so sorry, Neku. Thank you. I’ll go back--back to the
real me.
Neku: There you go.
Shiki: I’ll be waiting for you--every day, in front of Hachiko...till you come
back.
Neku: I’ll see you there soon. That’s a promise.
Megumi: Finished your goodbyes, then?
Shiki: Neku! Once you see the real me, will we still be friends?
Neku: Count on it. You’ll always be Shiki.
*cutscene*
Neku: Shiki...
Megumi: And now it’s your turn. You seem to have your mind made up.
Neku: Damn straight. I’ll play your game again.
Megumi: Excellent. No doubt you’ll make it an exciting one. Then before the next
Game begins...allow me to return your previous entry fee. *flash*
Neku: Nnnnnngh!!! Huff...huff... What... What the hell did you just do to me!?
Megumi: I simply returned to you what is yours. Fair is fair.
Neku: Nngh, I get it now... This explains a lot. My memory...was gone...because
you took it!
Megumi: Indeed. Memories are the single greatest determinant of a person’s
identity. A worthy entry fee, wouldn’t you say?
Neku: Hey... Wait just a... Where’s the rest!?
Megumi: Beg pardon?
Neku: It’s missing! How did I die!? I still can’t remember anything about my own
death! I was looking up at the tag mural in Udagawa... Then the ne