themainframe | 「 ☆ 」texts → Shiki, Sora, Neku, Hibiki.

[Neku.]

Well, that was exciting. Give me a call or a text to let me know you're not dead. Again. 笑
I hope you took care of Shiki, by the way.

[Sora.]

I guess that's one way to welcome you to this little world. It's not exactly quiet. Or peaceful.

[Hibiki.]

Hopefully all of this didn't fly over your head. The place is pretty beat up, so I'm coming back. Anyway, I'll probably see you at the apartment, if it's not burned down.

[Shiki.]

Are you okay? It got pretty rough, but it looks like it's ending.

[And there's one more message! A video, and not from Joshua. Gotsumon, are you there? Yeah. It might not quite be Renamon, instead a rather wet, and charred looking Sorcermon.]

Gotsumon... This pestiferous pile of poltroons has persisted in posing problem upon problem. Yet we did not submit to their sickening schemes! Our all-surpassing strength saw us smite, smash, and summarily subdue the savage digimon and send the survivors scampering!

...and how is your committed company of compatriots doing? I hope fully that by some freak misfortune, you have not fallen to our foes.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He growls in frustration on his side of the screen, and while of course Joshua can't see or hear it, it's probably still obvious]

Look, I'm still processing this whole thing with her, okay?

Like I said, she's the same girl. She just hasn't died. Or is dying and participating in the Game a prerequisite for being your friend? It kind of answers the question the other her asked you at the end of the first Game.

Anyway, If she gets killed while you're processing, it's not like I'm in any position to do anything about it. Who knows? She might really be gone.

[Oh ouch. It takes a good few minutes for him to respond, and he's never been more grateful for texting over voices and faces]

That's not what I meant. I'm just not sure how to talk to her now.

And don't even joke like that.

[And his response, as ever - is fast. Almost as soon as Neku's sent his message.]

Question. If this world hasn't sucked you in, would you really have spent all that time at Hachiko with the others talking about the Game? Of course you wouldn't. It hardly needs spelling out, but it's not like you didn't listen at all to the other her's dreams. Start with those.

But what if she's NOT the same?

[He can't take that, it'd be like losing her again if this Shiki is completely different. He doesn't want to resent her for something she can't control]

[He still sounds afraid of letting people in, in case they hurt him.

...If that's the real reason, to say he's disappointed would be an understatement.]

Neku. That's not the case - but let's consider it was. The people you've let in on this world don't seem like any of the people you made cosy with in Shibuya. What's different? Her appearance?

I don't want to hold it against her for NOT being Shiki, I guess. Not because I don't wanna know anyone new, I just ~~miss her~~.

[he deletes that last bit before sending]

I don't know.

what do you think a parallel world is?

Experiences change people.

And you really think everything she is, is thanks to the Game? That's way too much praise, Neku. You're making me blush. 笑

Before the Game, Misaki Shiki was a girl which struggled with her (largely) perceived shortcomings. In the Game, she was fitted with another body, which caused her to put on a personality which emulated her friends, as she still felt that she was a problem, and that being herself would somehow still be a problem. Of course, this personality was fake and irritating. Anyway. Friendship and all that wonderful stuff later, and she "won", even though "winning" was simply Megumi playing his next hand. Not like that matters. Her last words to you, before Megumi played said hand were something about worrying that if you saw the real her, if you'd still be friends. Meaning her insecurities weren't quite gone. Like they would be, but anyway.

That girl needed a friend before the Game as much as after. Do you get where I'm going with this?

[Double ouch. He feels awful. He was supposed to be past this, right?]

...

You're right.

[Admitting that hurts]

It's not like you can't make this right.

... Unless something awful's happened to her. You'd best hope that's not the case.

Anyway, you're welcome.

[Stupid Joshua. Though he does trust him after all, even if he's a dick]

Thanks. Don't get used to it

I take it you're going to see her?

Yeah.

Just so you know, if anything has happened to her, it's your fault.

Later, Neku.

「 ☆ 」texts → Shiki, Sora, Neku, Hibiki.

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