little by little i feel a bit better

[soloremix]

[neku's always had a sneaking suspicion that joshua never exactly had a chance to grow up normally, what with the implications of becoming composer as a teenager and all. and as much as the two would hate to admit it, neku's run in the reapers' game had changed both of them—where joshua had bet everything on neku being completely incapable of opening his world, neku had exceeded expectations. his proxy did not deliver on the intended goal, but that just made things all the more interesting.

hanekoma hadn't been too happy about joshua's proposal to be given the chance to roam shibuya in the rg whenever he wasn't immediately needed as composer. he, too, had developed a bit of a soft spot for neku, though (being an accomplice in the attempt to kill them during the second week not withstanding)... he could see why joshua would want to learn more about him.

apparently, though, this condition had come with one stipulation—one a rather skeptical neku doesn't seem to be too pleased about.]

Let me get this straight—of all the people to ask, you choose me to be your tutor on "being a normal teenager?"

Comments

[soloremix]

Can we do this without you being a condescending prick.

[vipmix]

[:3]

My, my, so defensive. I'm genuinely curious.

[has he ever been genuinely anything]

[soloremix]

You don't exactly make it easy to tell the difference.

[mr h owes him a coffee that's actually on the house for this]

[vipmix]

[you know that's never gonna happen]

Hmm. Oh well. [doesn't even feel a little bad.] So, are you going to say it or not?

[soloremix]

Right... um...

(Way to put a guy on the spot, Mr. H...)

...first off, you probably need new clothes. Normal kids around Shibuya don't usually wear button ups.

[vipmix]

You're giving me fashion advice? That's the first step you decided on?

[HE'S DRAWING A LINE]

[soloremix]

It's not like I came prepared, give me a break!

[THIS ISN'T FAIR?]

[vipmix]

[just. ugh. josh looks away, mumbling to himself]

...Maybe this isn't going to work like this...

[josh he gave you one advice. one single advice. He looks back at Neku, frowning.]

Give me a second.

[—he fucked off???]

[soloremix]

[and so neku is left, waiting. where he used to be almost in awe when joshua used his composer powers, he is now just. used to it. so, he sarcastically calls out,]

Your second's up!

[vipmix]

[can you feel the imprint of someone flipping you off, neku. maybe it's just the air when josh comes back...

ah. he put on the bunny hoodie. DID HE JUST GO INTO THE UG TO CHANGE SHIRTS???? the pants are the same tho so ... he looks as casual as one can wearing a 200$ hoodie]

I'm making a show of good faith to your advice, and that's how you react? Rude, Neku.

[soloremix]

[oh my god. he didn't ask for this.]

...

Where did you even get that?

[vipmix]

Don't ask questions you don't want to know the answer to.

[:3]

[soloremix]

Moving on............

[he honestly has no game plan from here?]

Actually, stop doing that, for one. Normal people don't usually play freaking mind games with each other.

[vipmix]

I wouldn't be so sure of that.

[yikes. ..... but he sighs]

But I can... attempt... to lay off them with you.

[........ wow it's like he's willing to kind of make an effort. incredible.]

[soloremix]

[joshua, attempting to show... some sort of kindness? or whatever this is? neku is skeptical and also Concerned.]

Just "attempt"?

[vipmix]

You're very fun to mess with.

[is this the honesty you wanted, neku.]

[soloremix]

Look, do you want to learn how to "fit in" or not?

[his patience wears thin even though he knows josh and is acting normally]

[vipmix]

[technically, no, this was hanekoma's idea. but joshua already admitted he wanted to hang out with neku, which was apparently a mistake, since now he's here, having to answer questions like this.

ofc he doesn't say any of that and just leans his chin on his hand with a smirk]

Yes, yes, I'll be good. Go on.

[this isn't believable at all.]

[soloremix]

(Yeah, right. I'll believe it when I see it, and even then...)

[by all means he should be feeling honored that the almighty composer had chosen to spend time with him in the rg... and yet, here they are, frustrating the hell out of each other.]

Anyway... if I asked you what your hobbies are, what would you, a normal 15-year-old, say?

[vipmix]

[there's a pause that's a little too long to not seem like joshua is going through his entire catalog of what teens like. this is because that is exactly what he's doing.]

Playing games? [wait. shit.] Video games. Blogging. [okay. this is a bit too obvious that he has never had a normal hobby in his life so he just adds:] Asking asinine questions.

[soloremix]

[it doesn't take long for neku to realize that joshua is legitimately having a hard time coming up with plausible answers. he actually lets out a little bit of a laugh, like, really?]

Holy crap, Josh. Seriously?

[vipmix]

[>:/... pouts.]

It's about figuring out a hobby that's believable, isn't it? Excuse me for trying. [1: defensive much 2: joshua. oh my god. no 3: he plays a mean game of solitaire!!!!!! totally could've mentioned that!!!]

[soloremix]

[this is basically comedy gold to neku? how the turns have tabled. he's already stated that he'll never forgive joshua for the grief the other boy had put him through, but... this sure helps a little.]

The actual hobby is one thing, how you say it is another. Because you were not fooling anyone with that answer. [he crosses his arms as usual, though he can't help but let a subtle smirk accompany the familiar gesture.] I should've asked earlier—what kind of image are you going for, exactly?

[vipmix]

[Joshua resists the urge to deadpan "village crazy person" because it's not like neku would appreciate or get it. also he is still sulking a little because @ h: hey. he hates this.]

You believed I was a teen in the game, didn't you? I don't see what's wrong with that one.

[josh lit everyone called you a snob]

[soloremix]

I thought the keyword here was "normal."

[he's honestly tempting fate here, but he can't resist returning the favor joshua's done for him the whole time they've known each other.]