Chapter Text
One year ago.
Neku,
I apologize for not showing up.
P.S. Do not litter your headphones around Shibuya
(it holds your deepest thoughts)
2 August 20XX
Joshua,
I have been writing to you for almost a year now. You haven’t replied for almost a year now. I tried asking Mr. H about it, but even he couldn’t comprehend your reasons. And by reasons, he meant random escapes whenever he tried to open up the topic.
Don’t you remember that I should be the one mad at you, not the other way around? You shot me. Twice. You killed me. Twice.
You toyed with me.
But I’ve been writing letters to you since you sent one first.
Damn it, Josh.
I guess making you feel guilty won’t work, huh.
I can’t believe I’m wasting paper to write this. And to think I’m all for saving nature and hugging trees now.
--
4 August 20XX
I asked Mr. H if I could see you instead of writing these damn unread letters. He told me he would end up facing your wrath. He made it sound like a joke, but I personally felt guilty for bugging him.
He did say you were reading the letters. At least I know his job as a one-sided messenger didn’t go to waste.
I asked him if being the Composer made you look like some different being. He said you had a different form.
So, Josh. Since you actually read my letters, tell me. Can your form write? Or do you have to turn back into a human to write? Is it tiring to change forms? Do you want me to ask more stupid questions about this?
You took the time and effort to change back into a human to give my mom my headphones and your first letter. Why didn’t you just join us in our reunion in front of Hachiko?
Then again, I did say I couldn’t forgive you.
That was a year ago, Josh.
--
5 August 20XX
Beat is giving me more skateboarding lessons before he and Rhyme leave to buy our Def Märch concert tickets. They are tight with Futoshi, so that won't be a problem. Still can’t believe you resisted answering to praises we gave you for bringing back Rhyme and reviving 777. I’d try mimicking your sass, but that might provoke you to never reply to any of these letters.
Beat says hi. He’s actually reading what I’m writing down.
Now he isn’t. So I guess I can tell you about Beat’s academic progress. He started learning harder vocabulary words without showing confused expressions That’s some progress, considering how he almost punched the living daylights out of me when we took out a dictionary last year. And since Rhyme asked me to help her make Beat a better listener and leader, we had to lecture him a lot about it. Don’t know if anything about being a leader is sinking in yet.
Eri joined this fashion designing contest for an internship at D+B (or was it Natural Puppy?). Shiki’s sewing the clothes as we speak (just received a text from her saying so). She invited us to the orientation program, but Rhyme’s the only one free that day. I have a Tin Pin game against some of my classmates while Beat’s going to compete in a skateboarding competition. Since Uzuki found it funny to pop out of nowhere, she joined that contest too. Shiki's not happy about it. She heard rumors about the contest giving contestants a chance to have one date with Eiji Oji. Funny how that works, considering how Eri's the contestant. I'm guessing she promised to give the date to Shiki if she won.
I’ll drop by WildKat later. You should too.
--
6 August 20XX
Mr. H hired me.
Well, I couldn’t say no. I’m saving up for the new sneaks JoTM is selling. Not that I’m mindful of the trends. JoTM is just my style. You know that. You even said that when I bought the blue dharma before we first visited WildKat together.
He said working here might help bring more customers since, apparently, people visit WildKat… during the times Mr. H closed down the café whenever he felt like it.
Since it’s still summer break, having a part-time job isn’t so bad. Beat won’t beat me up (I’m so hilarious now, you have to acknowledge that) with skateboarding lessons and Shiki won’t tell me off for wasting my time playing Tin Pin Slammer. But since my first day starts tomorrow, I still have time to practice. Wouldn’t want to lose my rep as the best Tin Pin player in class.
You wanted a rematch, right? I’m game. Just show up.
--
7 August 20XX
You know what makes me have emo urges?
Writing to someone who doesn’t write back.
What are you, a diary? I’m not even a girl.
You must find this so damn fucking hilarious.
I don’t even understand why I’m writing letters when I can just TEXT you.
Oh, right. You didn't want me texting you.
Mr. H said you changed your number again. Give the guy a break, Josh. Mr. H will have a hard time looking for you if you decide to teleport around Shibuya.
Unless you want emo monologues to end up in your letters, you should answer these letters.
DAMN IT, JOSH. WHY WOULD YOU EVEN WRITE TO ME IN THE FIRST PLACE IF YOU WON’T REPLY BACK?
Do you want to read more of those? You and your damn fetishes.
8 August 20XX
Hello, Joshua.
This is Rhyme. Neku’s in a bad mood right now. But he’s serving coffee to customers with a smile on his face. Forced smile, I mean.
Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks again for what you did for me. I know I shouldn’t ask favors from you, especially because I’m the one who owes you, but I was just wondering about Neku.
He keeps mumbling about how you haven’t replied to him for one year whenever he turns away from the customers.
Will you reply to him?
He helps me out a lot, and I want to help him out too. Beat isn’t the type to write letters, and Shiki’s too busy to even talk to Neku about his problems.
He writes letters to you everyday. He tells you everything, you know. He skips some days when he’s too mad to even think (like today), but it’s hard for me to see him like this.
I hope you answer. Neku won’t know about this letter, don’t worry. I’ll give it to Mr. H.
Sincerely,
Raimu Bito ^_^
--
8 August 20XX
Hello, Rhyme.
Neku has relayed the thanks you and your brother have expressed to me. It’s nothing, dear. It’s the least I could do for a kind spirit.
About Neku. Well. (I’m amazed he can force a smile now)
It’s not yet the right time for me to respond.
Thank you for keeping this exchange a secret.
All my best.
8 Aug 20XX
6:42 PM
From: Unknown
Mr. H. Here’s my number. Don’t even think of giving it to Neku.
--
8 Aug 20XX
6:44 PM
From: Mr. H
Fine, fine. You sure are enjoying making him desperate. I’m on his side, by the way.
--
8 Aug 20XX
6:45 PM
From: J
I know. I’m on his side too.
--
8 Aug 20XX
6:49 PM
From: Mr. H
I’m amazed with his persistence. Keep this up and you might end up losing Phones. Don’t bottle up everything, J. C’mon. You’re as desperate as he is. Go on and bump into each other.
--
8 Aug 20XX
6:50 PM
From: J
That’s it. I’m changing my number.
--
8 Aug 20XX
6:52 PM
From: Mr. H
You have to admit you were flattered with Rhyme writing to you though.
SENDING MESSAGE
...
...
...
SORRY, NUMBER DOES NOT EXIST
“Geez, he could have just returned the sim card instead of wiping the number out of existence.”
“What was that, Mr. H?”
“Nothin’ that would interest ya, Phones. Great job today!”