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]

(That's what you have a problem with? After an entire week of me calling you every variation of "ass" I can think of?)

The people Mr. H seems to think you won't blend in with. [...even he's rolling his eyes a little at this point.] Honestly, if you really wanted to pass as a convincing teen, you should've asked Shiki instead of me.

[vipmix]

And you'd have let me?

[he sounds amused but. uh. yes that is him assuming neku would want to protect shiki from joshua]

That would have been an interesting first conversation, though.

[soloremix]

Hey, if it'll get both of you off my back for a while, sure. It's not like your babysitter or hers.

[except where hanekoma has basically made him joshua's caretaker in everything but name. despite his joking, though, he... actually wouldn't mind seeing the two of them meet. he's probably already given shiki the sparknotes on his complicated friendship with josh since their return to the rg, but it's a friendship nonetheless. maybe their shared interest in neku would lead to a bonding moment?

bottom line, either it'd be great or neku's worst nightmare.]

[vipmix]

[there's a definite pause, like he hadn't expected that, and to be fair-- joshua mostly remembers neku talking about shiki from his week with him. he'd been very protective then.

hm. he plays it off]

Well, that's good to know. She's a good presence for Shibuya.

[because talent and imagination and blah, but also because of the influence she had on neku, which joshua absolutely doesn't explain for either points, just. moves on.]

For now, let's try to go with your pointers, and then we can see what she'd object to.

[soloremix]

[i mean, shiki's life was literally in his hands, he kind of had to be overprotective of her back then.

he's about to wax sentimental when joshua compliments her, because 1) that's rare from josh, and 2) there's a reason she ended up as one of his entry fees. but as the other boy continues, he realizes it's not the time or place to do so... plus, joshua might use that as leverage against him, so. he changes his mind on that.]

I mean, the bunny hood might get you some points with her... [he shakes his head, sighing again because yeah, it actually might] Never mind. What kind of music are you into?

[vipmix]

[that's all very logical if you're a human person with feelings who cares about things like people's lives, but since this is joshua,

his smile is just this side of smug, because shiki has good fashion taste and it's good of neku to recognize that, but he decides to let him Be on that for once to get to the music bit.]

I like any music that comes from Shibuya. [he even sounds genuine about it for once, which ... is still annoying, because it's his city and of course he's a proud jackass about anything that comes from it, and also because that's not an actual answer. though he pauses before he adds:] I kind of miss Shibuya-kei, though.

[soloremix]

(Man, he really does love Shibuya...)

[again, neku can't help but chuckle at that. it's such an honest and candid answer that doesn't have a hint of joshua's usual snark. this is weird.]

I get why, but that's gonna make you sound like someone's dad. Unless we're really going with the whole homeschooled route—you didn't get out much and just had your parents' CDs to listen to.

[vipmix]

Hmmmm... Why not? At least part of that is true. [the "don't get out much" part, but he's not going to explicitly tell neku which it is solely to see what he tries to guess is the true part. because. he's an ass.] You sure are taking this whole backstory scenario seriously.

[there's a bit of genuine curiosity in that observation, since josh himself ... sure isn't, because the idea that he'd ever need to talk long enough to anyone who wasn't neku or neku's friends that they'd ask him personal questions is just ridiculous (*implying asking about hobbies is personal), but also because joshua had expected a lot more reluctant snark than he's getting.]

[soloremix]

[he can guess, but he knows better than to leave himself open to more taunting. also, did josh just get used to week 2 neku? the new neku is the new normal.]

Look, I'm just trying to cover all the bases. If the request came from Mr. H, I'm not gonna half-ass it.

[vipmix]

[wtf happened when he was in tin pin landia, josh will never know]

Hee hee... Still a fanboy, huh? [and josh could easily ruin that, but he doesn't even consider it.] Fair enough. So, what's next, "teach"?

["teach" is the fakest thing to have ever come out of joshua's mouth and that is saying something. he. cannot pull that off.]

[soloremix]

Never say that again.

[vipmix]

Does that mean you won't appreciate it if I start using "yo"?

[soloremix]

I was aiming for the Shiki side of normal teen, not the Beat one.

[... he's now just realizing that, yeah, those two really are his only references for "normal teen" because it's not like he really had any time to start expanding his world since the game ended.

he chooses not to verbally concede this fact.]

[vipmix]

So your point of reference for me was ... a teenage girl who spent a good chunk of your time with her pretending to be someone else? [... giggles] Hm, well, it is a remarkably close situation.

[he knows neku didn't mean it like that but also he's, y'know, ... a dick.]

[soloremix]

[joshuakiryu.jpg]

You know damn well that's not what I meant, you bastard.

[there's the neku he missed.]

[vipmix]

[yay]

But that's what we're doing, isn't it? Creating a more ... "acceptable" version of me as a teen. [he taps his chin in thought] Not that Shiki ever needed to do that, but what teenager isn't woefully misguided on what their true self is worth?

[soloremix]

I don't remember signing up for a philosophy lesson.

[vipmix]

More social studies, but if the need ever comes up, I could tutor you in... hmm, pretty much anything.

[like neku would ever ask josh for school help and did he even finish high school himself]

[soloremix]

Did you even go to high school?

...

Wait, don't answer that, forget I said anything. [u g h] I needed a partner in the game, I don't need one in real life.

[vipmix]

[it's too late he's laughing at the image of himself going back to school after becoming Composer]

I don't mind answering that one, but suit yourself. ... On both accounts.

[though honestly neku asking joshua for homework help would be amazing]

[soloremix]

Trust me, I'll survive the rest of my educational career without you breathing down my neck.

[he's awful]

[vipmix]

It's cute you think I'd care that much about your grades, Neku. I was simply offering my help. No strings attached.

[no one believes that.]

[soloremix]

"No strings attached," my ass.

[whatever happened to "trust your partner... and i do"??]

[vipmix]

Hee hee... Whatever happened to "trust your partner"?

[hey

thanks for that tag]

[soloremix]

[r u d e even though i'm the one who set up for it]

Can we not right now.