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Oct. 3rd, 2013 11:47 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
noisecontrolThe Case of the Missing Microphone
Week 2, Day 4
Trivial Positive
A feather, which is somehow extremely appropriate for Neku's first memory of Joshua.
Neku: ......
Joshua: ......
Neku: Yesss! I win!
Joshua: This isn't fair, Neku. When did you suddenly become a Tin Pin expert?
Neku: And why should I answer that?
Joshua: How about because I'm asking you!? Have you been secretly training?
Neku: Maybe. Look, a win's a win. That means we wait another hour for the mission.
Joshua: Ugh, Neku... Cut me a little slack.
Neku: Not happening. I won. Therefore, we wait.
Joshua: Ugh, fine... But this is a huge waste of time. ...... Hello?
Neku: (This is getting to him. Keep it up, and he's bound to crack.)
[back to Neku and Joshua. Scramble Crossing]
Joshua: How can you be busy, Mr. H? Your café is always empty. ...Fine, fine. Sorry. ...Later. Ugh...
Neku: (Fifteen minutes and counting... Any minute now, he'll--)
Joshua: Say, Neku. Could you do me one teensy favor?
Neku: (Bingo. Now, to beat him to the punch.) If this is about the wait, I'm not listening.
Joshua: Fine. How about a trade?
Neku: (Right on cue!) OK... Answer my question, and I'll go with you.
Joshua: You've twisted my arm. Go on, shoot.
Neku: ...What are you after?
Joshua: You're curious?
Neku: If you don't feel like talking, we can wait.
Joshua: Hee hee... It's nothing major. I'm going to jack Shibuya.
Neku: ...Right. How 'bout a real answer?
Joshua: That was a real answer.
Neku: ...... What? How do you jack a town?
Joshua: That's why I'm looking for the Shibuya River.
Neku: What Shibuya River?
Joshua: My turn to ask a question. Do you really want a second chance?
Neku: Huh?
Joshua: What's waiting for you in the RG? You're as alone there as here. What's the difference?
Neku: ......
Joshua: Hee hee. You don't have to answer. I don't really care. Now let's get started. How's our signal today? Hmm... It's coming from out past Shibu-Q Heads. That puts it over near--
Neku: Udagawa!?
Joshua: Oh, right! You know the city well, Neku.
Neku: Shibuya born and raised.
Joshua: My, my!
Neku: It's coming from Udagawa, right? Let's go.
Joshua: ? Well, this is new... Someone's an eager beaver today.
Neku: (The Udagawa district... Same place I saw in your head. Along with me, lying dead on the ground. How'd I die? And who the hell are you? I might find my answers there.)
| Neku: Signal's coming from Udagawa?
|
| Joshua: Yup. Right up Center Street and past Tipsy Tose Hall.
|
| Neku: (Udagawa... What happened to me there?)
[Center St. Entrance]
Reaper: ...... Want past this wall? Then bring me one Sexy +. It's a pin. Noise No. 59's got 'em. I'd set my difficulty to Easy.
| Joshua: Another facile task.
|
| Neku: I wonder how they come up with them.
|
| Joshua: The conditions? Probably just on a whim. Anyway, let's find
| the Noise with that pin.
[When you have the pin]
| Joshua: We've got our pin. Let's get the wall cleared.
Reaper: Objective met. Wall clear!
[AMX]
Reaper: ...... Want past this wall? Then fight through a four-reduction chain battle. I don't care what area you fight in, but if you don't chain four rounds, it won't count.
| Neku: A four-round chain battle...
|
| Joshua: Nervous, Neku? You can always tone the difficulty down if
| it's too much for you.
|
| Neku: ...Did I ask for advice?
[after defeating the Noise]
| Joshua: Aww... see, Neku? That wasn't so hard. All you had to do is
| put your mind to it.
|
| Neku: ......
|
| Joshua: Hee hee. What, would you like a pat on the head?
|
| Neku: (Rrgh...) How 'bout we just get the wall cleared?
Reaper: ...... Objective met. Wall clear!
[Tipsy Tose Hall]
Joshua: ? Hmm? Reaper alert.
Tenho: Let's just report it to the police.
777: Um, hello? We're metal. And Reapers! No way. We'd lose all our cred!
BJ: Like you have any after boning this up.
Joshua: Sounds like an argument.
Neku: Sounds like trouble we don't need. Let's ignore them.
| Joshua: What could've happened to them?
|
| Neku: I don't even want to know. Let's slip on by.
| [anywhere other than the route to Udagawa]
|
| Joshua: Are you lost, Neku? Udagawa is up past Tipsy Tose Hall.
|
| Neku: I know where it is.
[try to go to Shibu-Q Heads]
777: Hey! Hold up, you two.
Neku: (Ugh... Busted.) ! Wait! You're that--
777: Hey, my man! I remember you. Perfect timing. You're not busy, right? Help a brother out?
> [if you talked to 777 instead] <777>
> 777: Hey, my man! I remember you!
>
> Neku: ! Wait! You're that--
>
> 777: Perfect timing! You're not busy, right? Help a brother out?
Want to know what's on 777's mind?
> Sure
777: You'll hear me out? Rock!
Joshua: Ahem. We're booked. Right, Neku? Sorry, but we have somewhere to be.
Neku: Right... Udagawa.
777: What? Yo, Tenho!
> [if you chose > Not now, we're busy.]
>
> Neku: Look, we just need to get through here, and we're kind of in
a
> hurry.
>
> 777: Oh yeah? Yo, Tenho!
Tenho: On it.
[A wall goes up]
Neku: !? What? A wall!? Hey!
777: You wanna get through here? Help us out.
Neku: ......
Joshua: Thrusting your person problems on Players? How very professional.
| Neku: Crap, they closed off the road to Udagawa.
|
| Joshua: Then I suppose we're stuck. May as well hear them out.
|
| Neku: Ugh, this is so not our problem...
<777>
Neku: So what's the deal?
777: Long story short? Our band's microphone has gone missing!
Neku: ......
777: Happened around 2:00 yesterday. We had a little gig at Molco, right? Even unveiled a new track. Shoulda been no problem. But! The show ends, wesplit for the day-- I let our stuff outta my sight for one minute, tops--I get back and the mic's gone!
BJ: Yeah, says you. You prob'ly just left it someplace.
777: I'm tellin' you, BJ, it was stolen! That thing is Def March's heart 'n' soul! I wouldn't just lose it. Somebody TOOK it!
BJ: Who the hell would want a mic with wings?
777: ......
BJ: Wh-what?! Hey, YOU lost it!
777: Ugh... Fine. Let's just split up and look for it, OK?
Neku: (Why are WE looking for YOUR junk!?)
BJ: Screw that, man. You lost it. You find it. I'm outta here. ! Oh, Tenho... This your phone, bro?
Tenho: Oh, snap...
BJ: I found it lyin' around.
Tenho: Thanks, man. I was wigging out trying to find it. Where was it?
BJ: !? In the... uhh, I mean... S-Spain Hill!
Tenho: ......
BJ: I'm headin' back to A-East. Later.
Tenho: I'll go look around Molco again...
777: Thanks!
Neku: I still don't see how this is our problem...
777: Aww, c'mon. Look, I'll pay ya. Help us out.
Neku: No way! We're--
777: Here, lemme pay you before I forget!
Neku: (Ugh! Punk beat me to the draw...)
| Joshua: Well then! Let's begin, hmm? We'll start by gathering
| testimony. Let's ask 777 for more info.
|
| Neku: (He's enjoying this. The little weirdo is enjoying this. Enjoy
| the moment... I guess?)
<777>
777: Hey, boys! Get crackin'.
Neku: Can you give us a little more to go on?
777: Sure! Whaddaya need to know?
Got any questions for 777?
> The mic
Neku: Describe the stolen microphone.
777: It's a stand mic with black wings.
Neku: Black wings?
777: Yeah, it's the band's symbol.
Neku: Who'd want a bat-mic?
777: I can think of one guy...
Neku: Really!? Who?
777: Freakin' BJ.
Neku: BJ?
777: Guy in the black hoodie? He was just here. He's been whining about wanting to do vocals. We had it out over that yesterday. Said he wanted his share of the glory. The mic went missing right after that.
Neku: Wait, he stole it because... he wanted to be a vocalist? That makes no sense.
> The theft
Neku: What happened when the mic was taken?
777: I actually didn't tell the other guys, but... just before it disappeared, I got a call.
Neku: A phone call?
777: Yeah. Thinking back now, it was pretty shady.
> The suspicious call
Neku: Why was the call shady?
777: They didn't give me their name... Just, "Meet me by Cadoi City." "We need to talk."
Neku: Any guesses?
777: Not really. Called ID said it was a public phone. Sounded like an affected voice, too.
Neku: So... did you go?
777: Yeah, but nobody was there. When I got back to Molco, the mic was gone.
Neku: That IS shady.
Joshua: So someone called to lure you away. And you think the Reaper in black you were fighting with-- BJ, was it? You suspect him?
777: As much as I hate to consider it...
> No more questions!
777: Well, good luck, guys. I'll be right here.
Neku: (Ugh... What a pain.) So? What now?
Joshua: Well, it's obvious, isn't it? We investigate the crime scene and question the people involved.
Neku: What, have you done this before?
Joshua: So we've got Molco and the two bandmates. Let's get started.
| Joshua: Next up, the bandmates. The one in black, BJ, went to A-East.
| The one in red, Tenho, is back by Molco.
|
| Neku: Fine. Let's go talk to them.
[Spain Hill]
Joshua: ! Hmm? Isn't that...
Tenho: ......
Neku: Let's see what he has to say.
| Joshua: We still have questioning to do. The one in black, BJ, is at
| A-East. The one in red, Tenho, is on Spain Hill. Let's start
| with Tenho.
Joshua: Any luck finding the mic?
Tenho: ......
Joshua: I'd like to ask you a few questions.
Tenho: ...Sure, whatever.
Got any questions for Tenho?
> The mic
Joshua: 777 said the mic was the band's soul. What makes it so special?
Tenho: It just is. Back when we were still busking on the streets, we all pooled our money to buy it. It's a symbol of our bond as a band. As friends. I stuck wings on it, to remind us of that. Got us through some rough times.
Joshua: I see...
Tenho: But lately 777 and BJ have been fighting over who gets to sing-- over who has rights to the mic. Talk about irony...
Joshua: You must be happy, then-- the object dividing them is out of the picture.
Tenho: Yeah... ...B-but not that happy! I just... Hmph. Never mind.
> Got an alibi?
Joshua: Where were you yesterday at 2: 00?
Tenho: ! ...R-right here?
Neku: (Are you asking us or telling us?)
Joshua: Ah, yes. BJ said he found your phone on Spain Hill.
Tenho: Yeah... Must've dropped it here. Well, I don't see our mic here. I'm going back to wait with 777.
Joshua: You've been very helpful.
| Joshua: That takes care of Tenho's testimony. Let's see what BJ has
| to say.
|
| Neku: ......
|
| Joshua: He should be back at A-East. Let's mosey on that way.
[Molco]
Neku: He said the mic went missing at Molco, right?
Joshua: Look. A phone booth.
Neku: Oh, right. 777 said the call came from a pay phone. Then let's--
Nao: Hey there! Aren't you, like, Players?
Joshua: And you two are... Ahh, yes! The winners of the slam-off.
Nao: You, like, remember us? Super yay!
Neku: You need something?
Nao: So, like, I'm always with the same guy, and I wanted to talk to somebody else for a change? And most folks can't, like, see us, so...
Sota: What're your names?
Joshua: I'm Joshua. This is Neku.
Sota: Nice meetin' ya, Neku, J-dawg. I'm Sota. The cute one's Nao.
Nao: Call me Nao-Nao for short, 'K?
Neku: Uhh... sure.
Sota: Hey, did you guys know? No missions yesterday or today, but Players are still gettin' wiped out.
Neku: Wiped out?
Nao: You should be careful, Nekky!
Neku: N-Nekky?
Nao: We saw some real scary Noise before? We ran like bunnies! You should, like, totally run if you see 'em!
Sota: Let's just all stay sharp and get through this together, huh?
Neku: Uh, yeah.
Joshua: Hmm? Didn't you know?
Neku: Hey, man, don't--
Joshua: Even if multiple Players survive... only so many get to come back to life.
Nao: What? Um, like, uncool?
Joshua: The other Players aren't your friends. They're your competition. That goes for partners, too.
Nao: No way... If, like, two people survive? And only one gets to go back? What happens to the other one?
Joshua: They play again, same as Nekky here.
Neku: ......
Nao: Whoa, like, this is your second time?
Neku: ...Yeah.
Nao: Then your partner made it back!
Neku: No... she didn't.
Nao: Huh? I don't get it.
Neku: She was taken as my entry fee.
Nao: No way! That's, like, super cruel!
Neku: I chose to play again, and she... It's my fault she didn't make it ba--
Sota: No worries, man.
Neku: Huh?
Sota: She was your entry fee, yeah? That means you really care about her. No reason to feel guilty for that.
Nao: Yeah! It's, like, totally not your fault! I'd gladly be Sota's entry fee if it gave him another chance.
Sota: And I'd play the Game a million times for Nao. Whatever it takes to get us back to the RG, dawg.
Neku: ...... You don't think I'm to blame?
Sota: Forget blame, man! Plus, I don't care if only one of us gets a second chance. I still ain't sniping other Players.
Nao: Yeah! Like, fighting so isn't the answer? We all want to be alive again. Nobody "deserves" it most, right? ...I want you to win, too, Nekky. So, like, this is for you?
Neku: A pin?
Nao: Yeah! We, like, won it at the slam-off? And now it's yours. Yay!
Neku: You sure?
Sota: We couldn't use it. Not that we're dumping our trash on you, but... Anyway, give it a try.
Neku: Thanks.
Sota: We should probably move on, yeah?
Nao: Be safe, Nekky! Bye, Josh-Josh! Like, see you later?
[Sota and Nao leave]
Joshua: They were charming.
Neku: Nobody deserves it most...
Joshua: Hmm?
Neku: (It's true... Everybody's got their own deal. Their own dreams. None of them outweighs the next...) Shibuya's full of all kinds of folks, huh?
Joshua: Hee hee... Talk about your non sequiturs.
Neku: Sorry... ...So how 'bout we check out that phone?
| Joshua: Something went down in that phone booth.
|
| Neku: Right. Let's have a look.
Week 2, Day 4
Trivial Positive
A feather, which is somehow extremely appropriate for Neku's first memory of Joshua.
Neku: ......
Joshua: ......
Neku: Yesss! I win!
Joshua: This isn't fair, Neku. When did you suddenly become a Tin Pin expert?
Neku: And why should I answer that?
Joshua: How about because I'm asking you!? Have you been secretly training?
Neku: Maybe. Look, a win's a win. That means we wait another hour for the mission.
Joshua: Ugh, Neku... Cut me a little slack.
Neku: Not happening. I won. Therefore, we wait.
Joshua: Ugh, fine... But this is a huge waste of time. ...... Hello?
Neku: (This is getting to him. Keep it up, and he's bound to crack.)
[back to Neku and Joshua. Scramble Crossing]
Joshua: How can you be busy, Mr. H? Your café is always empty. ...Fine, fine. Sorry. ...Later. Ugh...
Neku: (Fifteen minutes and counting... Any minute now, he'll--)
Joshua: Say, Neku. Could you do me one teensy favor?
Neku: (Bingo. Now, to beat him to the punch.) If this is about the wait, I'm not listening.
Joshua: Fine. How about a trade?
Neku: (Right on cue!) OK... Answer my question, and I'll go with you.
Joshua: You've twisted my arm. Go on, shoot.
Neku: ...What are you after?
Joshua: You're curious?
Neku: If you don't feel like talking, we can wait.
Joshua: Hee hee... It's nothing major. I'm going to jack Shibuya.
Neku: ...Right. How 'bout a real answer?
Joshua: That was a real answer.
Neku: ...... What? How do you jack a town?
Joshua: That's why I'm looking for the Shibuya River.
Neku: What Shibuya River?
Joshua: My turn to ask a question. Do you really want a second chance?
Neku: Huh?
Joshua: What's waiting for you in the RG? You're as alone there as here. What's the difference?
Neku: ......
Joshua: Hee hee. You don't have to answer. I don't really care. Now let's get started. How's our signal today? Hmm... It's coming from out past Shibu-Q Heads. That puts it over near--
Neku: Udagawa!?
Joshua: Oh, right! You know the city well, Neku.
Neku: Shibuya born and raised.
Joshua: My, my!
Neku: It's coming from Udagawa, right? Let's go.
Joshua: ? Well, this is new... Someone's an eager beaver today.
Neku: (The Udagawa district... Same place I saw in your head. Along with me, lying dead on the ground. How'd I die? And who the hell are you? I might find my answers there.)
| Neku: Signal's coming from Udagawa?
|
| Joshua: Yup. Right up Center Street and past Tipsy Tose Hall.
|
| Neku: (Udagawa... What happened to me there?)
[Center St. Entrance]
Reaper: ...... Want past this wall? Then bring me one Sexy +. It's a pin. Noise No. 59's got 'em. I'd set my difficulty to Easy.
| Joshua: Another facile task.
|
| Neku: I wonder how they come up with them.
|
| Joshua: The conditions? Probably just on a whim. Anyway, let's find
| the Noise with that pin.
[When you have the pin]
| Joshua: We've got our pin. Let's get the wall cleared.
Reaper: Objective met. Wall clear!
[AMX]
Reaper: ...... Want past this wall? Then fight through a four-reduction chain battle. I don't care what area you fight in, but if you don't chain four rounds, it won't count.
| Neku: A four-round chain battle...
|
| Joshua: Nervous, Neku? You can always tone the difficulty down if
| it's too much for you.
|
| Neku: ...Did I ask for advice?
[after defeating the Noise]
| Joshua: Aww... see, Neku? That wasn't so hard. All you had to do is
| put your mind to it.
|
| Neku: ......
|
| Joshua: Hee hee. What, would you like a pat on the head?
|
| Neku: (Rrgh...) How 'bout we just get the wall cleared?
Reaper: ...... Objective met. Wall clear!
[Tipsy Tose Hall]
Joshua: ? Hmm? Reaper alert.
Tenho: Let's just report it to the police.
777: Um, hello? We're metal. And Reapers! No way. We'd lose all our cred!
BJ: Like you have any after boning this up.
Joshua: Sounds like an argument.
Neku: Sounds like trouble we don't need. Let's ignore them.
| Joshua: What could've happened to them?
|
| Neku: I don't even want to know. Let's slip on by.
| [anywhere other than the route to Udagawa]
|
| Joshua: Are you lost, Neku? Udagawa is up past Tipsy Tose Hall.
|
| Neku: I know where it is.
[try to go to Shibu-Q Heads]
777: Hey! Hold up, you two.
Neku: (Ugh... Busted.) ! Wait! You're that--
777: Hey, my man! I remember you. Perfect timing. You're not busy, right? Help a brother out?
> [if you talked to 777 instead] <777>
> 777: Hey, my man! I remember you!
>
> Neku: ! Wait! You're that--
>
> 777: Perfect timing! You're not busy, right? Help a brother out?
Want to know what's on 777's mind?
> Sure
777: You'll hear me out? Rock!
Joshua: Ahem. We're booked. Right, Neku? Sorry, but we have somewhere to be.
Neku: Right... Udagawa.
777: What? Yo, Tenho!
> [if you chose > Not now, we're busy.]
>
> Neku: Look, we just need to get through here, and we're kind of in
a
> hurry.
>
> 777: Oh yeah? Yo, Tenho!
Tenho: On it.
[A wall goes up]
Neku: !? What? A wall!? Hey!
777: You wanna get through here? Help us out.
Neku: ......
Joshua: Thrusting your person problems on Players? How very professional.
| Neku: Crap, they closed off the road to Udagawa.
|
| Joshua: Then I suppose we're stuck. May as well hear them out.
|
| Neku: Ugh, this is so not our problem...
<777>
Neku: So what's the deal?
777: Long story short? Our band's microphone has gone missing!
Neku: ......
777: Happened around 2:00 yesterday. We had a little gig at Molco, right? Even unveiled a new track. Shoulda been no problem. But! The show ends, wesplit for the day-- I let our stuff outta my sight for one minute, tops--I get back and the mic's gone!
BJ: Yeah, says you. You prob'ly just left it someplace.
777: I'm tellin' you, BJ, it was stolen! That thing is Def March's heart 'n' soul! I wouldn't just lose it. Somebody TOOK it!
BJ: Who the hell would want a mic with wings?
777: ......
BJ: Wh-what?! Hey, YOU lost it!
777: Ugh... Fine. Let's just split up and look for it, OK?
Neku: (Why are WE looking for YOUR junk!?)
BJ: Screw that, man. You lost it. You find it. I'm outta here. ! Oh, Tenho... This your phone, bro?
Tenho: Oh, snap...
BJ: I found it lyin' around.
Tenho: Thanks, man. I was wigging out trying to find it. Where was it?
BJ: !? In the... uhh, I mean... S-Spain Hill!
Tenho: ......
BJ: I'm headin' back to A-East. Later.
Tenho: I'll go look around Molco again...
777: Thanks!
Neku: I still don't see how this is our problem...
777: Aww, c'mon. Look, I'll pay ya. Help us out.
Neku: No way! We're--
777: Here, lemme pay you before I forget!
Neku: (Ugh! Punk beat me to the draw...)
| Joshua: Well then! Let's begin, hmm? We'll start by gathering
| testimony. Let's ask 777 for more info.
|
| Neku: (He's enjoying this. The little weirdo is enjoying this. Enjoy
| the moment... I guess?)
<777>
777: Hey, boys! Get crackin'.
Neku: Can you give us a little more to go on?
777: Sure! Whaddaya need to know?
Got any questions for 777?
> The mic
Neku: Describe the stolen microphone.
777: It's a stand mic with black wings.
Neku: Black wings?
777: Yeah, it's the band's symbol.
Neku: Who'd want a bat-mic?
777: I can think of one guy...
Neku: Really!? Who?
777: Freakin' BJ.
Neku: BJ?
777: Guy in the black hoodie? He was just here. He's been whining about wanting to do vocals. We had it out over that yesterday. Said he wanted his share of the glory. The mic went missing right after that.
Neku: Wait, he stole it because... he wanted to be a vocalist? That makes no sense.
> The theft
Neku: What happened when the mic was taken?
777: I actually didn't tell the other guys, but... just before it disappeared, I got a call.
Neku: A phone call?
777: Yeah. Thinking back now, it was pretty shady.
> The suspicious call
Neku: Why was the call shady?
777: They didn't give me their name... Just, "Meet me by Cadoi City." "We need to talk."
Neku: Any guesses?
777: Not really. Called ID said it was a public phone. Sounded like an affected voice, too.
Neku: So... did you go?
777: Yeah, but nobody was there. When I got back to Molco, the mic was gone.
Neku: That IS shady.
Joshua: So someone called to lure you away. And you think the Reaper in black you were fighting with-- BJ, was it? You suspect him?
777: As much as I hate to consider it...
> No more questions!
777: Well, good luck, guys. I'll be right here.
Neku: (Ugh... What a pain.) So? What now?
Joshua: Well, it's obvious, isn't it? We investigate the crime scene and question the people involved.
Neku: What, have you done this before?
Joshua: So we've got Molco and the two bandmates. Let's get started.
| Joshua: Next up, the bandmates. The one in black, BJ, went to A-East.
| The one in red, Tenho, is back by Molco.
|
| Neku: Fine. Let's go talk to them.
[Spain Hill]
Joshua: ! Hmm? Isn't that...
Tenho: ......
Neku: Let's see what he has to say.
| Joshua: We still have questioning to do. The one in black, BJ, is at
| A-East. The one in red, Tenho, is on Spain Hill. Let's start
| with Tenho.
Joshua: Any luck finding the mic?
Tenho: ......
Joshua: I'd like to ask you a few questions.
Tenho: ...Sure, whatever.
Got any questions for Tenho?
> The mic
Joshua: 777 said the mic was the band's soul. What makes it so special?
Tenho: It just is. Back when we were still busking on the streets, we all pooled our money to buy it. It's a symbol of our bond as a band. As friends. I stuck wings on it, to remind us of that. Got us through some rough times.
Joshua: I see...
Tenho: But lately 777 and BJ have been fighting over who gets to sing-- over who has rights to the mic. Talk about irony...
Joshua: You must be happy, then-- the object dividing them is out of the picture.
Tenho: Yeah... ...B-but not that happy! I just... Hmph. Never mind.
> Got an alibi?
Joshua: Where were you yesterday at 2: 00?
Tenho: ! ...R-right here?
Neku: (Are you asking us or telling us?)
Joshua: Ah, yes. BJ said he found your phone on Spain Hill.
Tenho: Yeah... Must've dropped it here. Well, I don't see our mic here. I'm going back to wait with 777.
Joshua: You've been very helpful.
| Joshua: That takes care of Tenho's testimony. Let's see what BJ has
| to say.
|
| Neku: ......
|
| Joshua: He should be back at A-East. Let's mosey on that way.
[Molco]
Neku: He said the mic went missing at Molco, right?
Joshua: Look. A phone booth.
Neku: Oh, right. 777 said the call came from a pay phone. Then let's--
Nao: Hey there! Aren't you, like, Players?
Joshua: And you two are... Ahh, yes! The winners of the slam-off.
Nao: You, like, remember us? Super yay!
Neku: You need something?
Nao: So, like, I'm always with the same guy, and I wanted to talk to somebody else for a change? And most folks can't, like, see us, so...
Sota: What're your names?
Joshua: I'm Joshua. This is Neku.
Sota: Nice meetin' ya, Neku, J-dawg. I'm Sota. The cute one's Nao.
Nao: Call me Nao-Nao for short, 'K?
Neku: Uhh... sure.
Sota: Hey, did you guys know? No missions yesterday or today, but Players are still gettin' wiped out.
Neku: Wiped out?
Nao: You should be careful, Nekky!
Neku: N-Nekky?
Nao: We saw some real scary Noise before? We ran like bunnies! You should, like, totally run if you see 'em!
Sota: Let's just all stay sharp and get through this together, huh?
Neku: Uh, yeah.
Joshua: Hmm? Didn't you know?
Neku: Hey, man, don't--
Joshua: Even if multiple Players survive... only so many get to come back to life.
Nao: What? Um, like, uncool?
Joshua: The other Players aren't your friends. They're your competition. That goes for partners, too.
Nao: No way... If, like, two people survive? And only one gets to go back? What happens to the other one?
Joshua: They play again, same as Nekky here.
Neku: ......
Nao: Whoa, like, this is your second time?
Neku: ...Yeah.
Nao: Then your partner made it back!
Neku: No... she didn't.
Nao: Huh? I don't get it.
Neku: She was taken as my entry fee.
Nao: No way! That's, like, super cruel!
Neku: I chose to play again, and she... It's my fault she didn't make it ba--
Sota: No worries, man.
Neku: Huh?
Sota: She was your entry fee, yeah? That means you really care about her. No reason to feel guilty for that.
Nao: Yeah! It's, like, totally not your fault! I'd gladly be Sota's entry fee if it gave him another chance.
Sota: And I'd play the Game a million times for Nao. Whatever it takes to get us back to the RG, dawg.
Neku: ...... You don't think I'm to blame?
Sota: Forget blame, man! Plus, I don't care if only one of us gets a second chance. I still ain't sniping other Players.
Nao: Yeah! Like, fighting so isn't the answer? We all want to be alive again. Nobody "deserves" it most, right? ...I want you to win, too, Nekky. So, like, this is for you?
Neku: A pin?
Nao: Yeah! We, like, won it at the slam-off? And now it's yours. Yay!
Neku: You sure?
Sota: We couldn't use it. Not that we're dumping our trash on you, but... Anyway, give it a try.
Neku: Thanks.
Sota: We should probably move on, yeah?
Nao: Be safe, Nekky! Bye, Josh-Josh! Like, see you later?
[Sota and Nao leave]
Joshua: They were charming.
Neku: Nobody deserves it most...
Joshua: Hmm?
Neku: (It's true... Everybody's got their own deal. Their own dreams. None of them outweighs the next...) Shibuya's full of all kinds of folks, huh?
Joshua: Hee hee... Talk about your non sequiturs.
Neku: Sorry... ...So how 'bout we check out that phone?
| Joshua: Something went down in that phone booth.
|
| Neku: Right. Let's have a look.
[Error: Irreparable invalid markup ('<phone [...] !!!>') in entry. Owner must fix manually. Raw contents below.]
<b>The Case of the Missing Microphone</b>
Week 2, Day 4
Trivial Positive
A feather, which is somehow extremely appropriate for Neku's first memory of Joshua.
<lj-cut text="script">Neku: ......
Joshua: ......
Neku: Yesss! I win!
Joshua: This isn't fair, Neku. When did you suddenly become a Tin Pin expert?
Neku: And why should I answer that?
Joshua: How about because I'm asking you!? Have you been secretly training?
Neku: Maybe. Look, a win's a win. That means we wait another hour for the mission.
Joshua: Ugh, Neku... Cut me a little slack.
Neku: Not happening. I won. Therefore, we wait.
Joshua: Ugh, fine... But this is a huge waste of time. ...... Hello?
Neku: (This is getting to him. Keep it up, and he's bound to crack.)
[back to Neku and Joshua. Scramble Crossing]
Joshua: How can you be busy, Mr. H? Your café is always empty. ...Fine, fine. Sorry. ...Later. Ugh...
Neku: (Fifteen minutes and counting... Any minute now, he'll--)
Joshua: Say, Neku. Could you do me one teensy favor?
Neku: (Bingo. Now, to beat him to the punch.) If this is about the wait, I'm not listening.
Joshua: Fine. How about a trade?
Neku: (Right on cue!) OK... Answer my question, and I'll go with you.
Joshua: You've twisted my arm. Go on, shoot.
Neku: ...What are you after?
Joshua: You're curious?
Neku: If you don't feel like talking, we can wait.
Joshua: Hee hee... It's nothing major. I'm going to jack Shibuya.
Neku: ...Right. How 'bout a real answer?
Joshua: That was a real answer.
Neku: ...... What? How do you jack a town?
Joshua: That's why I'm looking for the Shibuya River.
Neku: What Shibuya River?
Joshua: My turn to ask a question. Do you really want a second chance?
Neku: Huh?
Joshua: What's waiting for you in the RG? You're as alone there as here. What's the difference?
Neku: ......
Joshua: Hee hee. You don't have to answer. I don't really care. Now let's get started. How's our signal today? Hmm... It's coming from out past Shibu-Q Heads. That puts it over near--
Neku: Udagawa!?
Joshua: Oh, right! You know the city well, Neku.
Neku: Shibuya born and raised.
Joshua: My, my!
Neku: It's coming from Udagawa, right? Let's go.
Joshua: ? Well, this is new... Someone's an eager beaver today.
Neku: (The Udagawa district... Same place I saw in your head. Along with me, lying dead on the ground. How'd I die? And who the hell are you? I might find my answers there.)
| Neku: Signal's coming from Udagawa?
|
| Joshua: Yup. Right up Center Street and past Tipsy Tose Hall.
|
| Neku: (Udagawa... What happened to me there?)
[Center St. Entrance]
Reaper: ...... Want past this wall? Then bring me one Sexy +. It's a pin. Noise No. 59's got 'em. I'd set my difficulty to Easy.
| Joshua: Another facile task.
|
| Neku: I wonder how they come up with them.
|
| Joshua: The conditions? Probably just on a whim. Anyway, let's find
| the Noise with that pin.
[When you have the pin]
| Joshua: We've got our pin. Let's get the wall cleared.
Reaper: Objective met. Wall clear!
[AMX]
<reaper>
Reaper: ...... Want past this wall? Then fight through a four-reduction chain battle. I don't care what area you fight in, but if you don't chain four rounds, it won't count.
| Neku: A four-round chain battle...
|
| Joshua: Nervous, Neku? You can always tone the difficulty down if
| it's too much for you.
|
| Neku: ...Did I ask for advice?
[after defeating the Noise]
| Joshua: Aww... see, Neku? That wasn't so hard. All you had to do is
| put your mind to it.
|
| Neku: ......
|
| Joshua: Hee hee. What, would you like a pat on the head?
|
| Neku: (Rrgh...) How 'bout we just get the wall cleared?
Reaper: ...... Objective met. Wall clear!
[Tipsy Tose Hall]
Joshua: ? Hmm? Reaper alert.
Tenho: Let's just report it to the police.
777: Um, hello? We're metal. And Reapers! No way. We'd lose all our cred!
BJ: Like you have any after boning this up.
Joshua: Sounds like an argument.
Neku: Sounds like trouble we don't need. Let's ignore them.
| Joshua: What could've happened to them?
|
| Neku: I don't even want to know. Let's slip on by.
| [anywhere other than the route to Udagawa]
|
| Joshua: Are you lost, Neku? Udagawa is up past Tipsy Tose Hall.
|
| Neku: I know where it is.
[try to go to Shibu-Q Heads]
777: Hey! Hold up, you two.
Neku: (Ugh... Busted.) ! Wait! You're that--
777: Hey, my man! I remember you. Perfect timing. You're not busy, right? Help a brother out?
> [if you talked to 777 instead] <777>
> 777: Hey, my man! I remember you!
>
> Neku: ! Wait! You're that--
>
> 777: Perfect timing! You're not busy, right? Help a brother out?
Want to know what's on 777's mind?
> Sure
777: You'll hear me out? Rock!
Joshua: Ahem. We're booked. Right, Neku? Sorry, but we have somewhere to be.
Neku: Right... Udagawa.
777: What? Yo, Tenho!
> [if you chose > Not now, we're busy.]
>
> Neku: Look, we just need to get through here, and we're kind of in
a
> hurry.
>
> 777: Oh yeah? Yo, Tenho!
Tenho: On it.
[A wall goes up]
Neku: !? What? A wall!? Hey!
777: You wanna get through here? Help us out.
Neku: ......
Joshua: Thrusting your person problems on Players? How very professional.
| Neku: Crap, they closed off the road to Udagawa.
|
| Joshua: Then I suppose we're stuck. May as well hear them out.
|
| Neku: Ugh, this is so not our problem...
<777>
Neku: So what's the deal?
777: Long story short? Our band's microphone has gone missing!
Neku: ......
777: Happened around 2:00 yesterday. We had a little gig at Molco, right? Even unveiled a new track. Shoulda been no problem. But! The show ends, wesplit for the day-- I let our stuff outta my sight for one minute, tops--I get back and the mic's gone!
BJ: Yeah, says you. You prob'ly just left it someplace.
777: I'm tellin' you, BJ, it was stolen! That thing is Def March's heart 'n' soul! I wouldn't just lose it. Somebody TOOK it!
BJ: Who the hell would want a mic with wings?
777: ......
BJ: Wh-what?! Hey, YOU lost it!
777: Ugh... Fine. Let's just split up and look for it, OK?
Neku: (Why are WE looking for YOUR junk!?)
BJ: Screw that, man. You lost it. You find it. I'm outta here. ! Oh, Tenho... This your phone, bro?
Tenho: Oh, snap...
BJ: I found it lyin' around.
Tenho: Thanks, man. I was wigging out trying to find it. Where was it?
BJ: !? In the... uhh, I mean... S-Spain Hill!
Tenho: ......
BJ: I'm headin' back to A-East. Later.
Tenho: I'll go look around Molco again...
777: Thanks!
Neku: I still don't see how this is our problem...
777: Aww, c'mon. Look, I'll pay ya. Help us out.
Neku: No way! We're--
777: Here, lemme pay you before I forget!
Neku: (Ugh! Punk beat me to the draw...)
| Joshua: Well then! Let's begin, hmm? We'll start by gathering
| testimony. Let's ask 777 for more info.
|
| Neku: (He's enjoying this. The little weirdo is enjoying this. Enjoy
| the moment... I guess?)
<777>
777: Hey, boys! Get crackin'.
Neku: Can you give us a little more to go on?
777: Sure! Whaddaya need to know?
Got any questions for 777?
> The mic
Neku: Describe the stolen microphone.
777: It's a stand mic with black wings.
Neku: Black wings?
777: Yeah, it's the band's symbol.
Neku: Who'd want a bat-mic?
777: I can think of one guy...
Neku: Really!? Who?
777: Freakin' BJ.
Neku: BJ?
777: Guy in the black hoodie? He was just here. He's been whining about wanting to do vocals. We had it out over that yesterday. Said he wanted his share of the glory. The mic went missing right after that.
Neku: Wait, he stole it because... he wanted to be a vocalist? That makes no sense.
> The theft
Neku: What happened when the mic was taken?
777: I actually didn't tell the other guys, but... just before it disappeared, I got a call.
Neku: A phone call?
777: Yeah. Thinking back now, it was pretty shady.
> The suspicious call
Neku: Why was the call shady?
777: They didn't give me their name... Just, "Meet me by Cadoi City." "We need to talk."
Neku: Any guesses?
777: Not really. Called ID said it was a public phone. Sounded like an affected voice, too.
Neku: So... did you go?
777: Yeah, but nobody was there. When I got back to Molco, the mic was gone.
Neku: That IS shady.
Joshua: So someone called to lure you away. And you think the Reaper in black you were fighting with-- BJ, was it? You suspect him?
777: As much as I hate to consider it...
> No more questions!
777: Well, good luck, guys. I'll be right here.
Neku: (Ugh... What a pain.) So? What now?
Joshua: Well, it's obvious, isn't it? We investigate the crime scene and question the people involved.
Neku: What, have you done this before?
Joshua: So we've got Molco and the two bandmates. Let's get started.
| Joshua: Next up, the bandmates. The one in black, BJ, went to A-East.
| The one in red, Tenho, is back by Molco.
|
| Neku: Fine. Let's go talk to them.
[Spain Hill]
Joshua: ! Hmm? Isn't that...
Tenho: ......
Neku: Let's see what he has to say.
| Joshua: We still have questioning to do. The one in black, BJ, is at
| A-East. The one in red, Tenho, is on Spain Hill. Let's start
| with Tenho.
<tenho>
Joshua: Any luck finding the mic?
Tenho: ......
Joshua: I'd like to ask you a few questions.
Tenho: ...Sure, whatever.
Got any questions for Tenho?
> The mic
Joshua: 777 said the mic was the band's soul. What makes it so special?
Tenho: It just is. Back when we were still busking on the streets, we all pooled our money to buy it. It's a symbol of our bond as a band. As friends. I stuck wings on it, to remind us of that. Got us through some rough times.
Joshua: I see...
Tenho: But lately 777 and BJ have been fighting over who gets to sing-- over who has rights to the mic. Talk about irony...
Joshua: You must be happy, then-- the object dividing them is out of the picture.
Tenho: Yeah... ...B-but not that happy! I just... Hmph. Never mind.
> Got an alibi?
Joshua: Where were you yesterday at 2: 00?
Tenho: ! ...R-right here?
Neku: (Are you asking us or telling us?)
Joshua: Ah, yes. BJ said he found your phone on Spain Hill.
Tenho: Yeah... Must've dropped it here. Well, I don't see our mic here. I'm going back to wait with 777.
Joshua: You've been very helpful.
| Joshua: That takes care of Tenho's testimony. Let's see what BJ has
| to say.
|
| Neku: ......
|
| Joshua: He should be back at A-East. Let's mosey on that way.
[Molco]
Neku: He said the mic went missing at Molco, right?
Joshua: Look. A phone booth.
Neku: Oh, right. 777 said the call came from a pay phone. Then let's--
Nao: Hey there! Aren't you, like, Players?
Joshua: And you two are... Ahh, yes! The winners of the slam-off.
Nao: You, like, remember us? Super yay!
Neku: You need something?
Nao: So, like, I'm always with the same guy, and I wanted to talk to somebody else for a change? And most folks can't, like, see us, so...
Sota: What're your names?
Joshua: I'm Joshua. This is Neku.
Sota: Nice meetin' ya, Neku, J-dawg. I'm Sota. The cute one's Nao.
Nao: Call me Nao-Nao for short, 'K?
Neku: Uhh... sure.
Sota: Hey, did you guys know? No missions yesterday or today, but Players are still gettin' wiped out.
Neku: Wiped out?
Nao: You should be careful, Nekky!
Neku: N-Nekky?
Nao: We saw some real scary Noise before? We ran like bunnies! You should, like, totally run if you see 'em!
Sota: Let's just all stay sharp and get through this together, huh?
Neku: Uh, yeah.
Joshua: Hmm? Didn't you know?
Neku: Hey, man, don't--
Joshua: Even if multiple Players survive... only so many get to come back to life.
Nao: What? Um, like, uncool?
Joshua: The other Players aren't your friends. They're your competition. That goes for partners, too.
Nao: No way... If, like, two people survive? And only one gets to go back? What happens to the other one?
Joshua: They play again, same as Nekky here.
Neku: ......
Nao: Whoa, like, this is your second time?
Neku: ...Yeah.
Nao: Then your partner made it back!
Neku: No... she didn't.
Nao: Huh? I don't get it.
Neku: She was taken as my entry fee.
Nao: No way! That's, like, super cruel!
Neku: I chose to play again, and she... It's my fault she didn't make it ba--
Sota: No worries, man.
Neku: Huh?
Sota: She was your entry fee, yeah? That means you really care about her. No reason to feel guilty for that.
Nao: Yeah! It's, like, totally not your fault! I'd gladly be Sota's entry fee if it gave him another chance.
Sota: And I'd play the Game a million times for Nao. Whatever it takes to get us back to the RG, dawg.
Neku: ...... You don't think I'm to blame?
Sota: Forget blame, man! Plus, I don't care if only one of us gets a second chance. I still ain't sniping other Players.
Nao: Yeah! Like, fighting so isn't the answer? We all want to be alive again. Nobody "deserves" it most, right? ...I want you to win, too, Nekky. So, like, this is for you?
Neku: A pin?
Nao: Yeah! We, like, won it at the slam-off? And now it's yours. Yay!
Neku: You sure?
Sota: We couldn't use it. Not that we're dumping our trash on you, but... Anyway, give it a try.
Neku: Thanks.
Sota: We should probably move on, yeah?
Nao: Be safe, Nekky! Bye, Josh-Josh! Like, see you later?
[Sota and Nao leave]
Joshua: They were charming.
Neku: Nobody deserves it most...
Joshua: Hmm?
Neku: (It's true... Everybody's got their own deal. Their own dreams. None of them outweighs the next...) Shibuya's full of all kinds of folks, huh?
Joshua: Hee hee... Talk about your non sequiturs.
Neku: Sorry... ...So how 'bout we check out that phone?
| Joshua: Something went down in that phone booth.
|
| Neku: Right. Let's have a look.
<phone booth.="Booth." !!!="!!!">
Joshua: Hmm, no microphones here...
Neku: Thank you, Captain Obvious. 777 said the call came from a pay phone. Is this the one?
Joshua: This looks like a job for my phone!
Neku: ...Huh? What, the tracker?
Joshua: No, the other new feature.
Neku: What other new feature?
Joshua: The camera.
Neku: Don't most phones already have a camera?
Joshua: Hee hee... Watch and learn. I simply set the time to yesterday, and...
[Joshua takes a photo of the booth at 1:45 PM]
Neku: What and learn what? It's a photo.
Joshua: Hmm... Let's try a different time.
[Joshua takes a photo of the booth at 1:55 PM]
Neku: ! Ahh! The mic!
Joshua: So it was right here at this time yesterday.
Neku: What the heck? How did your phone--
Joshua: Weren't you listening to Mr. H? He added a couple of new features. One's the tracker. The other one's this camera. It takes photos of the past.
Neku: Holy... (That's Mr. H's work? Who the hell IS he?) So, could you shift the time later to see who took it?
Joshua: Let's try.
[Joshua takes a photo of the booth at 2:02 PM]
Neku: That's... BJ, right? ! And the mic's gone!
Joshua: Hmm, very suspicious.
Neku: Let's take one more, just to be--
Joshua: Can't.
Neku: Huh?
Joshua: There's a three-shot-per-day limit.
Neku: What? Why!?
Joshua: How should I know!? Ask Mr. H!
Neku: (Suddenly, it's a lot less impressive...) Then we'll use mine. ? ...Huh?
Joshua: Something wrong?
Neku: My phone has no camera.
Joshua: Hmm... He must have forgotten to do yours.
Neku: ......
[Scramble Crossing]
Joshua: !
Neku: Hmm?
Joshua: Isn't that...
BJ: Sigh... I thought for sure it'd work.
Neku: Let's see what he has to say.
| Joshua: We still have questioning to do. We've already talked to
| Tenho. That leaves BJ at the scramble crossing. Let's hear
| what he has to say.
BJ: Sigh...
Joshua: AHEM.
BJ: !! Gah! Wh-what!?
Joshua: Weren't you headed back to A-East?
BJ: ...... ...I wanted to lose myself in the crowd for a bit. Y'know?
Neku: (Can't say that I do, actually.)
Joshua: We just had a few questions for you.
BJ: Look, what do you want?
Got any questions for BJ?
> The mic
Joshua: About the stolen mic--
BJ: Stolen? Please. 777's full of it. I'm sure he just left it someplace. Either way, he should've been watching our stuff.
Joshua: I hear that you wanted that mic for yourself.
BJ: So what if I did? Doesn't matter now. I don't need it anyway.
> Got an alibi?
Joshua: Where were you yesterday at 2:00?
BJ: ! Oh, uh... I was... You know, uhh ...Dogenzaka! Yeah! In line for the new ramen place! Why would I go to the phone booth by Molco? I don't even know it's there!
Joshua: Mm-hmm...
BJ: Wh-what? Just gimme some space, would ya? I want to spend some time alone.
Joshua: Of course. But first... take a look at this photo.
BJ: Wha-- How did--
Joshua: That's the phone booth near Molco. Aka the phone booth of love. ...Right?
BJ: Gah!
Joshua: Isn't there some kind of urban legend? They say if you use this phone
to confess your love, the other person will love you back.
BJ: Oh, um... really!?
Joshua: I don't know who you called. But you were there yesterday. That much is fact.
BJ: But I--
Joshua: You weren't in Dogenzaka. You were chatting up some tramp near Molco.
BJ: She's NOT a tramp!
Neku: (Damn, Josh.... Remind me not to tick you off.)
BJ: You can't tell ANYONE about this! OK, so I was there yesterday! I made a call Are you happy now!?
Joshua: Quite. You've been very helpful, thanks.
BJ: Ugh... I'm headin' back to see 777. Hopefully he's found the stupid mic by now. Seriously, if you tell a soul, you're dead.
[BJ leaves]
Joshua: I don't think we're getting anything else out of him. Let's move on.
| Neku: Well, we've heard from everybody.
|
| Joshua: Yes, it would seem our profile is complete.
|
| Neku: Uhh...what?
|
| Joshua: Hee hee. You'll see. Let's head back to Tipsy Tose Hall.
[Tipsy Tose Hall]
777: Well, if we haven't found it by now... it's probably not turning up. I'll go report it to the po'.
Joshua: Not so fast...
777: Huh?
Joshua: I think I've identified your thief.
777: You serious!?
Neku: Wait, what?
Joshua: Hee hee. Let's recap, hmm? The theft occurred yesterday at 2:00. 777 received a strange phone call.
BJ: What phone call?
Joshua: "Meet me by Cadoi City. We need to talk." The microphone was stolen while he was away.
Tenho: ......
Joshua: According to 777's caller ID, the call originated at a public phone. Care to know who placed it? We have conclusive proof.
BJ: ! What!? Y-you guys aren't gonna--
Joshua: This photo shows... Neku?
Neku: What, I'M telling them!? Uhh, this photo tells it all...
Which of these is the conclusive photo?
> 2:02 p.m.
777: Wait... BJ!?
BJ: I told you not to say anything!
777: So it WAS you who called me!
Joshua: Whoa there. When did you get that call? Precisely, that is.
777: Uhh, lemme check... 1:40.
Joshua: Take a closer look at the photo. See? It was taken at 2:02. BJ used the phone. That much is fact. But he wasn't calling you.
BJ: ......
Joshua: No, he was calling a lady friend, hmm? To whisper sweet nothings in her--
BJ: AHHHHH! ...... OK! OK! I admit-- I told a chick I like her! And she
completely blew me off! Happy now!? Go ahead! Laugh!
Joshua: ...... Deep breath, Beej. That isn't the point of the photo. Look what's in BJ's left hand.
777: Hmm? Is that a cell phone?
Joshua: Certainly looks like it. But not BJ's.
777: I don't get it...
Joshua: Look at this photo. Would you do the honors, Neku?
Neku: ......
> [> 1:45 p.m. or > 2:02 p.m]
> Joshua: Neku, Neku, Neku... The OTHER photo.
>
> Neku: ......
> 1:55
777: The one of the mic? What about it?
Joshua: Ignore the microphone. Look on top of the telephone.
777: It's that cell phone!
Joshua: Correct. It was there when BJ arrived. He saw it, and took it. Now, why would he do that?
BJ: Cause it belonged to... ! Waaait a minute!
Joshua: You knew the owner. So you picked it up and returned it.
777: Tenho!? But...but... BJ said he found the cell on Spain... ! Ohhhhhh.
Joshua: BJ didn't want anyone finding out he got blown off. So he lied about where he found it. ...Well? I'd say this makes for an airtight case. Tenho left his cell in the phone booth. The question is...why.
Tenho: ...... I'm sorry, guys. It was all me.
777: What? Why, man!?
Tenho: I thought it'd stop you two fighting. I don't want us to break up...
So... I just...
777: ...... Sorry, bro. We put you through a lot, huh?
BJ: Yeah, my bad, Tenho. I was outta line about wantin' to do vocals...
777: ...... But that's all over now, right!? We good again?
BJ: Heh, I'm cool.
777: Good. Now let's have that mic, Tenho...
Tenho: It, uhh... It kinda got stolen.
777: WHAT!?
777: Gone?
Tenho: Yeah. This was in there in its place...
777: A megaphone?
Tenho: With some freaky stuff recorded in it...
Minamimoto [in megaphone]: SINE! COSINE! TANGENT!
Tenho: ......
777: ......
BJ: ......
Tenho: I'm sorry, guys! I just wanted us to stay together! Now, because of me...
Neku: (That megaphone could only belong to one person.)
Joshua: Hee hee... Fascinating. It seems this mystery runs deeper! Care to enlighten them, Neku? Tell them who really took their mic.
Neku: No brainer. The guy who took the mic is...
Who is the culprit?
> None of these guys.
Neku: None of these guys.
777: Great story. Now where's our mic?
Joshua: Hmm... Knowing him? In that junk heap over there.
777: What!?
BJ: Our baby is in that pile of trash!?
777: Start digging, boys!
[777 and BJ leave]
Tenho: ...... Sorry to drag you guys into this. I cleared the wall. Go on.
We'll manage from here.
Joshua: Best of luck.
[Tenho leaves]</lj-cut>
<lj-cut text="important things from memory!">- Neku will know his name. His stubbornness and unwillingness to take a name paid off. (Or so he'll tell himself.) His last name isn't in the memory, but "Neku" is enough. Not being called Neku will bother him (see: Nekky), so he'll feel justified.
- He'll also know that he knows Joshua. Whether he tells Joshua that ...
- Neku will know he had to play the Game twice because the first time failed and only Shiki was able to go on. After that, she became his entry fee and he got (most) of his memories back. He's going to know that Shiki is really important to him now, important enough to be his entry fee.
- This is also one of the first moments in which Neku opens up and realizes that everyone's going through their own crap. No one person's problems is bigger than anyone else's. It's one of those important moments where he crosses from "other people have their problems but they're not mine" to "everyone has their problems and everyone is important."
- He'll also know he died and that it's a Game to come back to life.
- In Aather, he's been stubborn in insisting that Aather is the same thing ... and there are similarities, but he'll have to admit he got it wrong. Shiki shouldn't be there, but now he's going to worry that he ended up in Aather before he could play the Game to get her back. He'll be kind of ruefully aware that he was wondering where Shiki was without knowing how important she became to him. This won't jump his development ahead of anything, but he'll be a lot more aware of things. People are going to be less of nuisances, but he's not quite there yet. That said, it doesn't take Neku much to change, so he'll work on it. (He's also the type to change without making it open to others.)
- So the biggest thing here aside from world knowledge/his situation knowledge is that, yes, he will accept that Aather has nothing to do with Shibuya whatsoever. The Game was Shibuya specific.
Week 2, Day 4
Trivial Positive
A feather, which is somehow extremely appropriate for Neku's first memory of Joshua.
<lj-cut text="script">Neku: ......
Joshua: ......
Neku: Yesss! I win!
Joshua: This isn't fair, Neku. When did you suddenly become a Tin Pin expert?
Neku: And why should I answer that?
Joshua: How about because I'm asking you!? Have you been secretly training?
Neku: Maybe. Look, a win's a win. That means we wait another hour for the mission.
Joshua: Ugh, Neku... Cut me a little slack.
Neku: Not happening. I won. Therefore, we wait.
Joshua: Ugh, fine... But this is a huge waste of time. ...... Hello?
Neku: (This is getting to him. Keep it up, and he's bound to crack.)
[back to Neku and Joshua. Scramble Crossing]
Joshua: How can you be busy, Mr. H? Your café is always empty. ...Fine, fine. Sorry. ...Later. Ugh...
Neku: (Fifteen minutes and counting... Any minute now, he'll--)
Joshua: Say, Neku. Could you do me one teensy favor?
Neku: (Bingo. Now, to beat him to the punch.) If this is about the wait, I'm not listening.
Joshua: Fine. How about a trade?
Neku: (Right on cue!) OK... Answer my question, and I'll go with you.
Joshua: You've twisted my arm. Go on, shoot.
Neku: ...What are you after?
Joshua: You're curious?
Neku: If you don't feel like talking, we can wait.
Joshua: Hee hee... It's nothing major. I'm going to jack Shibuya.
Neku: ...Right. How 'bout a real answer?
Joshua: That was a real answer.
Neku: ...... What? How do you jack a town?
Joshua: That's why I'm looking for the Shibuya River.
Neku: What Shibuya River?
Joshua: My turn to ask a question. Do you really want a second chance?
Neku: Huh?
Joshua: What's waiting for you in the RG? You're as alone there as here. What's the difference?
Neku: ......
Joshua: Hee hee. You don't have to answer. I don't really care. Now let's get started. How's our signal today? Hmm... It's coming from out past Shibu-Q Heads. That puts it over near--
Neku: Udagawa!?
Joshua: Oh, right! You know the city well, Neku.
Neku: Shibuya born and raised.
Joshua: My, my!
Neku: It's coming from Udagawa, right? Let's go.
Joshua: ? Well, this is new... Someone's an eager beaver today.
Neku: (The Udagawa district... Same place I saw in your head. Along with me, lying dead on the ground. How'd I die? And who the hell are you? I might find my answers there.)
| Neku: Signal's coming from Udagawa?
|
| Joshua: Yup. Right up Center Street and past Tipsy Tose Hall.
|
| Neku: (Udagawa... What happened to me there?)
[Center St. Entrance]
Reaper: ...... Want past this wall? Then bring me one Sexy +. It's a pin. Noise No. 59's got 'em. I'd set my difficulty to Easy.
| Joshua: Another facile task.
|
| Neku: I wonder how they come up with them.
|
| Joshua: The conditions? Probably just on a whim. Anyway, let's find
| the Noise with that pin.
[When you have the pin]
| Joshua: We've got our pin. Let's get the wall cleared.
Reaper: Objective met. Wall clear!
[AMX]
<reaper>
Reaper: ...... Want past this wall? Then fight through a four-reduction chain battle. I don't care what area you fight in, but if you don't chain four rounds, it won't count.
| Neku: A four-round chain battle...
|
| Joshua: Nervous, Neku? You can always tone the difficulty down if
| it's too much for you.
|
| Neku: ...Did I ask for advice?
[after defeating the Noise]
| Joshua: Aww... see, Neku? That wasn't so hard. All you had to do is
| put your mind to it.
|
| Neku: ......
|
| Joshua: Hee hee. What, would you like a pat on the head?
|
| Neku: (Rrgh...) How 'bout we just get the wall cleared?
Reaper: ...... Objective met. Wall clear!
[Tipsy Tose Hall]
Joshua: ? Hmm? Reaper alert.
Tenho: Let's just report it to the police.
777: Um, hello? We're metal. And Reapers! No way. We'd lose all our cred!
BJ: Like you have any after boning this up.
Joshua: Sounds like an argument.
Neku: Sounds like trouble we don't need. Let's ignore them.
| Joshua: What could've happened to them?
|
| Neku: I don't even want to know. Let's slip on by.
| [anywhere other than the route to Udagawa]
|
| Joshua: Are you lost, Neku? Udagawa is up past Tipsy Tose Hall.
|
| Neku: I know where it is.
[try to go to Shibu-Q Heads]
777: Hey! Hold up, you two.
Neku: (Ugh... Busted.) ! Wait! You're that--
777: Hey, my man! I remember you. Perfect timing. You're not busy, right? Help a brother out?
> [if you talked to 777 instead] <777>
> 777: Hey, my man! I remember you!
>
> Neku: ! Wait! You're that--
>
> 777: Perfect timing! You're not busy, right? Help a brother out?
Want to know what's on 777's mind?
> Sure
777: You'll hear me out? Rock!
Joshua: Ahem. We're booked. Right, Neku? Sorry, but we have somewhere to be.
Neku: Right... Udagawa.
777: What? Yo, Tenho!
> [if you chose > Not now, we're busy.]
>
> Neku: Look, we just need to get through here, and we're kind of in
a
> hurry.
>
> 777: Oh yeah? Yo, Tenho!
Tenho: On it.
[A wall goes up]
Neku: !? What? A wall!? Hey!
777: You wanna get through here? Help us out.
Neku: ......
Joshua: Thrusting your person problems on Players? How very professional.
| Neku: Crap, they closed off the road to Udagawa.
|
| Joshua: Then I suppose we're stuck. May as well hear them out.
|
| Neku: Ugh, this is so not our problem...
<777>
Neku: So what's the deal?
777: Long story short? Our band's microphone has gone missing!
Neku: ......
777: Happened around 2:00 yesterday. We had a little gig at Molco, right? Even unveiled a new track. Shoulda been no problem. But! The show ends, wesplit for the day-- I let our stuff outta my sight for one minute, tops--I get back and the mic's gone!
BJ: Yeah, says you. You prob'ly just left it someplace.
777: I'm tellin' you, BJ, it was stolen! That thing is Def March's heart 'n' soul! I wouldn't just lose it. Somebody TOOK it!
BJ: Who the hell would want a mic with wings?
777: ......
BJ: Wh-what?! Hey, YOU lost it!
777: Ugh... Fine. Let's just split up and look for it, OK?
Neku: (Why are WE looking for YOUR junk!?)
BJ: Screw that, man. You lost it. You find it. I'm outta here. ! Oh, Tenho... This your phone, bro?
Tenho: Oh, snap...
BJ: I found it lyin' around.
Tenho: Thanks, man. I was wigging out trying to find it. Where was it?
BJ: !? In the... uhh, I mean... S-Spain Hill!
Tenho: ......
BJ: I'm headin' back to A-East. Later.
Tenho: I'll go look around Molco again...
777: Thanks!
Neku: I still don't see how this is our problem...
777: Aww, c'mon. Look, I'll pay ya. Help us out.
Neku: No way! We're--
777: Here, lemme pay you before I forget!
Neku: (Ugh! Punk beat me to the draw...)
| Joshua: Well then! Let's begin, hmm? We'll start by gathering
| testimony. Let's ask 777 for more info.
|
| Neku: (He's enjoying this. The little weirdo is enjoying this. Enjoy
| the moment... I guess?)
<777>
777: Hey, boys! Get crackin'.
Neku: Can you give us a little more to go on?
777: Sure! Whaddaya need to know?
Got any questions for 777?
> The mic
Neku: Describe the stolen microphone.
777: It's a stand mic with black wings.
Neku: Black wings?
777: Yeah, it's the band's symbol.
Neku: Who'd want a bat-mic?
777: I can think of one guy...
Neku: Really!? Who?
777: Freakin' BJ.
Neku: BJ?
777: Guy in the black hoodie? He was just here. He's been whining about wanting to do vocals. We had it out over that yesterday. Said he wanted his share of the glory. The mic went missing right after that.
Neku: Wait, he stole it because... he wanted to be a vocalist? That makes no sense.
> The theft
Neku: What happened when the mic was taken?
777: I actually didn't tell the other guys, but... just before it disappeared, I got a call.
Neku: A phone call?
777: Yeah. Thinking back now, it was pretty shady.
> The suspicious call
Neku: Why was the call shady?
777: They didn't give me their name... Just, "Meet me by Cadoi City." "We need to talk."
Neku: Any guesses?
777: Not really. Called ID said it was a public phone. Sounded like an affected voice, too.
Neku: So... did you go?
777: Yeah, but nobody was there. When I got back to Molco, the mic was gone.
Neku: That IS shady.
Joshua: So someone called to lure you away. And you think the Reaper in black you were fighting with-- BJ, was it? You suspect him?
777: As much as I hate to consider it...
> No more questions!
777: Well, good luck, guys. I'll be right here.
Neku: (Ugh... What a pain.) So? What now?
Joshua: Well, it's obvious, isn't it? We investigate the crime scene and question the people involved.
Neku: What, have you done this before?
Joshua: So we've got Molco and the two bandmates. Let's get started.
| Joshua: Next up, the bandmates. The one in black, BJ, went to A-East.
| The one in red, Tenho, is back by Molco.
|
| Neku: Fine. Let's go talk to them.
[Spain Hill]
Joshua: ! Hmm? Isn't that...
Tenho: ......
Neku: Let's see what he has to say.
| Joshua: We still have questioning to do. The one in black, BJ, is at
| A-East. The one in red, Tenho, is on Spain Hill. Let's start
| with Tenho.
<tenho>
Joshua: Any luck finding the mic?
Tenho: ......
Joshua: I'd like to ask you a few questions.
Tenho: ...Sure, whatever.
Got any questions for Tenho?
> The mic
Joshua: 777 said the mic was the band's soul. What makes it so special?
Tenho: It just is. Back when we were still busking on the streets, we all pooled our money to buy it. It's a symbol of our bond as a band. As friends. I stuck wings on it, to remind us of that. Got us through some rough times.
Joshua: I see...
Tenho: But lately 777 and BJ have been fighting over who gets to sing-- over who has rights to the mic. Talk about irony...
Joshua: You must be happy, then-- the object dividing them is out of the picture.
Tenho: Yeah... ...B-but not that happy! I just... Hmph. Never mind.
> Got an alibi?
Joshua: Where were you yesterday at 2: 00?
Tenho: ! ...R-right here?
Neku: (Are you asking us or telling us?)
Joshua: Ah, yes. BJ said he found your phone on Spain Hill.
Tenho: Yeah... Must've dropped it here. Well, I don't see our mic here. I'm going back to wait with 777.
Joshua: You've been very helpful.
| Joshua: That takes care of Tenho's testimony. Let's see what BJ has
| to say.
|
| Neku: ......
|
| Joshua: He should be back at A-East. Let's mosey on that way.
[Molco]
Neku: He said the mic went missing at Molco, right?
Joshua: Look. A phone booth.
Neku: Oh, right. 777 said the call came from a pay phone. Then let's--
Nao: Hey there! Aren't you, like, Players?
Joshua: And you two are... Ahh, yes! The winners of the slam-off.
Nao: You, like, remember us? Super yay!
Neku: You need something?
Nao: So, like, I'm always with the same guy, and I wanted to talk to somebody else for a change? And most folks can't, like, see us, so...
Sota: What're your names?
Joshua: I'm Joshua. This is Neku.
Sota: Nice meetin' ya, Neku, J-dawg. I'm Sota. The cute one's Nao.
Nao: Call me Nao-Nao for short, 'K?
Neku: Uhh... sure.
Sota: Hey, did you guys know? No missions yesterday or today, but Players are still gettin' wiped out.
Neku: Wiped out?
Nao: You should be careful, Nekky!
Neku: N-Nekky?
Nao: We saw some real scary Noise before? We ran like bunnies! You should, like, totally run if you see 'em!
Sota: Let's just all stay sharp and get through this together, huh?
Neku: Uh, yeah.
Joshua: Hmm? Didn't you know?
Neku: Hey, man, don't--
Joshua: Even if multiple Players survive... only so many get to come back to life.
Nao: What? Um, like, uncool?
Joshua: The other Players aren't your friends. They're your competition. That goes for partners, too.
Nao: No way... If, like, two people survive? And only one gets to go back? What happens to the other one?
Joshua: They play again, same as Nekky here.
Neku: ......
Nao: Whoa, like, this is your second time?
Neku: ...Yeah.
Nao: Then your partner made it back!
Neku: No... she didn't.
Nao: Huh? I don't get it.
Neku: She was taken as my entry fee.
Nao: No way! That's, like, super cruel!
Neku: I chose to play again, and she... It's my fault she didn't make it ba--
Sota: No worries, man.
Neku: Huh?
Sota: She was your entry fee, yeah? That means you really care about her. No reason to feel guilty for that.
Nao: Yeah! It's, like, totally not your fault! I'd gladly be Sota's entry fee if it gave him another chance.
Sota: And I'd play the Game a million times for Nao. Whatever it takes to get us back to the RG, dawg.
Neku: ...... You don't think I'm to blame?
Sota: Forget blame, man! Plus, I don't care if only one of us gets a second chance. I still ain't sniping other Players.
Nao: Yeah! Like, fighting so isn't the answer? We all want to be alive again. Nobody "deserves" it most, right? ...I want you to win, too, Nekky. So, like, this is for you?
Neku: A pin?
Nao: Yeah! We, like, won it at the slam-off? And now it's yours. Yay!
Neku: You sure?
Sota: We couldn't use it. Not that we're dumping our trash on you, but... Anyway, give it a try.
Neku: Thanks.
Sota: We should probably move on, yeah?
Nao: Be safe, Nekky! Bye, Josh-Josh! Like, see you later?
[Sota and Nao leave]
Joshua: They were charming.
Neku: Nobody deserves it most...
Joshua: Hmm?
Neku: (It's true... Everybody's got their own deal. Their own dreams. None of them outweighs the next...) Shibuya's full of all kinds of folks, huh?
Joshua: Hee hee... Talk about your non sequiturs.
Neku: Sorry... ...So how 'bout we check out that phone?
| Joshua: Something went down in that phone booth.
|
| Neku: Right. Let's have a look.
<phone booth.="Booth." !!!="!!!">
Joshua: Hmm, no microphones here...
Neku: Thank you, Captain Obvious. 777 said the call came from a pay phone. Is this the one?
Joshua: This looks like a job for my phone!
Neku: ...Huh? What, the tracker?
Joshua: No, the other new feature.
Neku: What other new feature?
Joshua: The camera.
Neku: Don't most phones already have a camera?
Joshua: Hee hee... Watch and learn. I simply set the time to yesterday, and...
[Joshua takes a photo of the booth at 1:45 PM]
Neku: What and learn what? It's a photo.
Joshua: Hmm... Let's try a different time.
[Joshua takes a photo of the booth at 1:55 PM]
Neku: ! Ahh! The mic!
Joshua: So it was right here at this time yesterday.
Neku: What the heck? How did your phone--
Joshua: Weren't you listening to Mr. H? He added a couple of new features. One's the tracker. The other one's this camera. It takes photos of the past.
Neku: Holy... (That's Mr. H's work? Who the hell IS he?) So, could you shift the time later to see who took it?
Joshua: Let's try.
[Joshua takes a photo of the booth at 2:02 PM]
Neku: That's... BJ, right? ! And the mic's gone!
Joshua: Hmm, very suspicious.
Neku: Let's take one more, just to be--
Joshua: Can't.
Neku: Huh?
Joshua: There's a three-shot-per-day limit.
Neku: What? Why!?
Joshua: How should I know!? Ask Mr. H!
Neku: (Suddenly, it's a lot less impressive...) Then we'll use mine. ? ...Huh?
Joshua: Something wrong?
Neku: My phone has no camera.
Joshua: Hmm... He must have forgotten to do yours.
Neku: ......
[Scramble Crossing]
Joshua: !
Neku: Hmm?
Joshua: Isn't that...
BJ: Sigh... I thought for sure it'd work.
Neku: Let's see what he has to say.
| Joshua: We still have questioning to do. We've already talked to
| Tenho. That leaves BJ at the scramble crossing. Let's hear
| what he has to say.
BJ: Sigh...
Joshua: AHEM.
BJ: !! Gah! Wh-what!?
Joshua: Weren't you headed back to A-East?
BJ: ...... ...I wanted to lose myself in the crowd for a bit. Y'know?
Neku: (Can't say that I do, actually.)
Joshua: We just had a few questions for you.
BJ: Look, what do you want?
Got any questions for BJ?
> The mic
Joshua: About the stolen mic--
BJ: Stolen? Please. 777's full of it. I'm sure he just left it someplace. Either way, he should've been watching our stuff.
Joshua: I hear that you wanted that mic for yourself.
BJ: So what if I did? Doesn't matter now. I don't need it anyway.
> Got an alibi?
Joshua: Where were you yesterday at 2:00?
BJ: ! Oh, uh... I was... You know, uhh ...Dogenzaka! Yeah! In line for the new ramen place! Why would I go to the phone booth by Molco? I don't even know it's there!
Joshua: Mm-hmm...
BJ: Wh-what? Just gimme some space, would ya? I want to spend some time alone.
Joshua: Of course. But first... take a look at this photo.
BJ: Wha-- How did--
Joshua: That's the phone booth near Molco. Aka the phone booth of love. ...Right?
BJ: Gah!
Joshua: Isn't there some kind of urban legend? They say if you use this phone
to confess your love, the other person will love you back.
BJ: Oh, um... really!?
Joshua: I don't know who you called. But you were there yesterday. That much is fact.
BJ: But I--
Joshua: You weren't in Dogenzaka. You were chatting up some tramp near Molco.
BJ: She's NOT a tramp!
Neku: (Damn, Josh.... Remind me not to tick you off.)
BJ: You can't tell ANYONE about this! OK, so I was there yesterday! I made a call Are you happy now!?
Joshua: Quite. You've been very helpful, thanks.
BJ: Ugh... I'm headin' back to see 777. Hopefully he's found the stupid mic by now. Seriously, if you tell a soul, you're dead.
[BJ leaves]
Joshua: I don't think we're getting anything else out of him. Let's move on.
| Neku: Well, we've heard from everybody.
|
| Joshua: Yes, it would seem our profile is complete.
|
| Neku: Uhh...what?
|
| Joshua: Hee hee. You'll see. Let's head back to Tipsy Tose Hall.
[Tipsy Tose Hall]
777: Well, if we haven't found it by now... it's probably not turning up. I'll go report it to the po'.
Joshua: Not so fast...
777: Huh?
Joshua: I think I've identified your thief.
777: You serious!?
Neku: Wait, what?
Joshua: Hee hee. Let's recap, hmm? The theft occurred yesterday at 2:00. 777 received a strange phone call.
BJ: What phone call?
Joshua: "Meet me by Cadoi City. We need to talk." The microphone was stolen while he was away.
Tenho: ......
Joshua: According to 777's caller ID, the call originated at a public phone. Care to know who placed it? We have conclusive proof.
BJ: ! What!? Y-you guys aren't gonna--
Joshua: This photo shows... Neku?
Neku: What, I'M telling them!? Uhh, this photo tells it all...
Which of these is the conclusive photo?
> 2:02 p.m.
777: Wait... BJ!?
BJ: I told you not to say anything!
777: So it WAS you who called me!
Joshua: Whoa there. When did you get that call? Precisely, that is.
777: Uhh, lemme check... 1:40.
Joshua: Take a closer look at the photo. See? It was taken at 2:02. BJ used the phone. That much is fact. But he wasn't calling you.
BJ: ......
Joshua: No, he was calling a lady friend, hmm? To whisper sweet nothings in her--
BJ: AHHHHH! ...... OK! OK! I admit-- I told a chick I like her! And she
completely blew me off! Happy now!? Go ahead! Laugh!
Joshua: ...... Deep breath, Beej. That isn't the point of the photo. Look what's in BJ's left hand.
777: Hmm? Is that a cell phone?
Joshua: Certainly looks like it. But not BJ's.
777: I don't get it...
Joshua: Look at this photo. Would you do the honors, Neku?
Neku: ......
> [> 1:45 p.m. or > 2:02 p.m]
> Joshua: Neku, Neku, Neku... The OTHER photo.
>
> Neku: ......
> 1:55
777: The one of the mic? What about it?
Joshua: Ignore the microphone. Look on top of the telephone.
777: It's that cell phone!
Joshua: Correct. It was there when BJ arrived. He saw it, and took it. Now, why would he do that?
BJ: Cause it belonged to... ! Waaait a minute!
Joshua: You knew the owner. So you picked it up and returned it.
777: Tenho!? But...but... BJ said he found the cell on Spain... ! Ohhhhhh.
Joshua: BJ didn't want anyone finding out he got blown off. So he lied about where he found it. ...Well? I'd say this makes for an airtight case. Tenho left his cell in the phone booth. The question is...why.
Tenho: ...... I'm sorry, guys. It was all me.
777: What? Why, man!?
Tenho: I thought it'd stop you two fighting. I don't want us to break up...
So... I just...
777: ...... Sorry, bro. We put you through a lot, huh?
BJ: Yeah, my bad, Tenho. I was outta line about wantin' to do vocals...
777: ...... But that's all over now, right!? We good again?
BJ: Heh, I'm cool.
777: Good. Now let's have that mic, Tenho...
Tenho: It, uhh... It kinda got stolen.
777: WHAT!?
777: Gone?
Tenho: Yeah. This was in there in its place...
777: A megaphone?
Tenho: With some freaky stuff recorded in it...
Minamimoto [in megaphone]: SINE! COSINE! TANGENT!
Tenho: ......
777: ......
BJ: ......
Tenho: I'm sorry, guys! I just wanted us to stay together! Now, because of me...
Neku: (That megaphone could only belong to one person.)
Joshua: Hee hee... Fascinating. It seems this mystery runs deeper! Care to enlighten them, Neku? Tell them who really took their mic.
Neku: No brainer. The guy who took the mic is...
Who is the culprit?
> None of these guys.
Neku: None of these guys.
777: Great story. Now where's our mic?
Joshua: Hmm... Knowing him? In that junk heap over there.
777: What!?
BJ: Our baby is in that pile of trash!?
777: Start digging, boys!
[777 and BJ leave]
Tenho: ...... Sorry to drag you guys into this. I cleared the wall. Go on.
We'll manage from here.
Joshua: Best of luck.
[Tenho leaves]</lj-cut>
<lj-cut text="important things from memory!">- Neku will know his name. His stubbornness and unwillingness to take a name paid off. (Or so he'll tell himself.) His last name isn't in the memory, but "Neku" is enough. Not being called Neku will bother him (see: Nekky), so he'll feel justified.
- He'll also know that he knows Joshua. Whether he tells Joshua that ...
- Neku will know he had to play the Game twice because the first time failed and only Shiki was able to go on. After that, she became his entry fee and he got (most) of his memories back. He's going to know that Shiki is really important to him now, important enough to be his entry fee.
- This is also one of the first moments in which Neku opens up and realizes that everyone's going through their own crap. No one person's problems is bigger than anyone else's. It's one of those important moments where he crosses from "other people have their problems but they're not mine" to "everyone has their problems and everyone is important."
- He'll also know he died and that it's a Game to come back to life.
- In Aather, he's been stubborn in insisting that Aather is the same thing ... and there are similarities, but he'll have to admit he got it wrong. Shiki shouldn't be there, but now he's going to worry that he ended up in Aather before he could play the Game to get her back. He'll be kind of ruefully aware that he was wondering where Shiki was without knowing how important she became to him. This won't jump his development ahead of anything, but he'll be a lot more aware of things. People are going to be less of nuisances, but he's not quite there yet. That said, it doesn't take Neku much to change, so he'll work on it. (He's also the type to change without making it open to others.)
- So the biggest thing here aside from world knowledge/his situation knowledge is that, yes, he will accept that Aather has nothing to do with Shibuya whatsoever. The Game was Shibuya specific.