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

[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.

[vipmix]

Hmmm... Alright, I'll bring it back up later. [when neku least expects it] We are getting off subject, anyway. So, clothes [pointedly gestures at his hoodie with a deadpan look because his button-up is fine, asshole, but sure], hobbies, interests, even some sort of a backstory... What else have you got for me?

[soloremix]

[why does he suffer all the time]

... Honestly, I'm just stalling at this point.

[vipmix]

[does he giggle. yea of course he does]

By going straight into conversations you don't want to have? Not very smart, Neku. [he hums dramatically in mock-thinking] Well, I'm pretty sure Mr. H's not actually going to test me on this, so your stamp of approval and some kind of effort is probably all we need.

[soloremix]

I put in all the effort coming up with all this crap, didn't I? Better than you trying to come up with it all yourself.

[vipmix]

Oh, I probably wouldn't have bothered. [just. shrugging.] Mr. H isn't the boss of me, quite the opposite, but if he thinks doing this with you might make things less... difficult, I figured it was worth a shot. That's about as much as he can expect of me.

[soloremix]

[he pauses as he considers joshua's words... actually, yeah, bringing up hanekoma at all makes him wonder.]

Why the sudden interest in the RG, anyway? Did you get tired of being God of Shibuya?

[vipmix]

[...and isn't that the million dollar question. there's a deliberate pause there, but it was bad enough letting hanekoma know he was right, admitting he does want to be neku's friend feels more dangerous than putting a gun in his hands. so he just smiles and giggles and deflects:]

Hm? I thought you wanted me around, Neku. Are you taking that back?

[soloremix]

[and neku knows—or at least has a good idea of—why joshua avoids the question. what is it... pride, weakness, or something else entirely that prevents him from acknowledging their friendship? it annoys neku a little, given the lessons he's learned over the course of the past few weeks.]

I asked you, not the other way around, smartass.

[vipmix]

[he kinda misses when neku had easier buttons to push, but joshua perfected the art of not sharing before he ever became composer, so he just pushes his hair back with a hum]

Just checking~ [again with the very careful sleeve pulling of the hoodie, like he's not affected] What was it... "bored of being God", right? Kind of a gross misunderstanding of what I am, but I'll let it go for now. I'm not stepping down as Composer. That's not even an option... unless you plan on dying again, then I'll gladly give you the gun so you can give it a shot. [him trying to annoy neku into switching subjects is a bit obvious, so he goes on before neku can call him out] Either I get Erased or I ... well, get promoted, so to speak.

[he's hoping giving neku unrelated info is enough of a distraction tbh]

[soloremix]

[PLEASE STOP TALKING ABOUT GUNS]

You still haven't answered the question. If you're still going to be Composer, then why spend your time in the RG? Doesn't that make you more vulnerable for any assassination attempts, like what happened when I got stuck in your crossfire with Pi-face?

[he can't help but let a little bit of bitterness seep into his tone.]

1/2

[vipmix]

Even like this, I'm more powerful than any Reaper who'd attempt it. Besides, they...

[... he loses a bit of momentum there, looking away with a sigh]

Sho was a fluke. No one outside of Mr. H knows my RG identity, which is why I assume he accepted this. [as some kind of atonement, maybe, but Josh doesn't actually want to linger on that-- Neku doesn't need to know that part. joshua himself kind of wishes he didn't know that part.] But, yes, in a sense, you're right. Technically, as Composer, I'm not meant to linger in the RG.

[...well, if josh can't get away from telling neku the truth--]