Help me to change - A Joshua/Rhyme story

It was Valentine's Day on Shibuya.

People was having dates with their loved ones, buying gifts for those who they love, planning special and beautiful moments... This story took place on this special day. It was the story of the composer of the Reaper's Game, Joshua; whose heart changed by the presence of someone very special... Rhyme.

It all started at morning. Neku, who was before an antisocial teen, and now a person with friends, was with their friends; Shiki, who was turned back to her normal self after the games; Beat, the strong and brute guy that he learned of his mistakes; and Rhyme, Beat's sister who sacrificed herself to save Beat from a Noise, but she was recovered back after the games.

“So, what do you plan for Valentine's Day, yo?” Beat asked at Neku.

“Not sure.” Neku answered shrugging. “I'm not much of Valentine's Day.”

“What? You never felt in love with a girl, yo?”

“It's okay, Beat.” Shiki chuckled smiling. “Surely, Neku is shy.”

“Hey!” Neku snapped blushing.

Beat and Rhyme couldn't help but laugh of this.

“Some friends you are.” Neku said at them sarcastically.

“Don't take it hard, Neku.” Rhyme calmed down. “It's normal to be shy.”

“Well, to be honest... I don't know what to do.” Neku said.

“Would you like to take a walk with me?” Shiki suggested him.

“Huh? Where?” Neku asked at her.

“To see the Valentine's Day Fair that they installed. I would like to see it. Eri called me and told me that she would be there.” Shiki smiled.

“Okay... Oh! And did you... make peace with her?” Neku asked again at Shiki.

“Yeah. No problem, she said that she was the guilty of what happened, but I told her that it was fine and forgave her.” Shiki nodded explaining. She was happy that her problem with her friend was finally resolved.

“Fine, I'll go with you.” Neku nodded. “But do you always have to carry Piggy with you?” he pointed at Shiki's plush, Mr. Mew.

“It's a cat, Neku, for crying out loud!” Shiki glared.

“Whatever.” Neku joked. “I see him as a piggy, anyways.”

Shiki just sighed in defeat and the two walked away. Just then, Neku remembered something and smirked at Beat.

“Yo, Beat! Eri would like to see you there!” he chuckled.

“BWAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!” Beat yelled in surprise. “I'll get you for that, Phones!!” he glared.

“Try it!” Neku chuckled as he ran with Shiki.

“Come on, Rhyme! Let's get him!” Beat called at Rhyme as he ran after Neku and Shiki.

Rhyme just laughed, before she followed.

Meanwhile...

On the top of a building, two figures were standing the city of Shibuya, as they saw people talking, and getting ready for such event.

Joshua, the composer of Shibuya, who killed Neku to represent him on the Reaper's game. He didn't destroyed the world due to Neku's interference.

Hanekoma, the Reaper's game's producer, who tried to stop Joshua of destroy the world.

After the Reaper's game, everything changed to them. Hanekoma was still being a Fallen Angel, but he doesn't care, since he did what was right for saving Shibuya. Joshua, in the other hand, was looking all the people celebrating Valentine's Day. He knew that tradition, but he was not interested on it. However, he looked the people smiling, and hugging at their loved ones, etc. Joshua couldn't help but smile.

“Valentine's Day is a beautiful tradition, right?” Hanekoma asked at Joshua. “People share a good time with their loved ones.”

“Yeah.” Joshua sighed turning his smile on a sad face.

“What's wrong?” Hanekoma noticed his face.

“It's nothing.” Joshua lied.

Hanekoma knew this and sighed.

“Joshua... I know how do you feel.” he said to cheer his pal up. “You always been alone. This would be the reason you hated Shibuya all along.”

“Yeah, more or less...” Joshua nodded. “You're the one I can consider a friend. But... Since Neku sacrificed himself, letting me kill him... I'm still having doubts. I'm now who I'm supposed to be anymore. Is this... guilt?”

“Yeah... Neku probably doesn't forgive you for everything you have done but... if you keep looking on giving the chance that Shibuya deserves, maybe he does.”

“But how?”

“Making him look at that.” Hanekoma replied.

“Yeah, right. Like that worked.” Joshua shrugged sarcastically before he drew his wings and flew up. Hanekoma just sighed.

Neku's gang was coming closer to the Valentine's Day Fair after the race. Neku won as Beat was breathing hard.

“How can you be faster, Phones?” Beat demanded in defeat.

“And how can you think on that when Eri is here?” Shiki asked at Beat, “You should be happy to pass a time with her!”

“WHAT?!” Beat exclaimed shocked and blushed, which made Neku laughing.

“Hey guys!” A female voice called.

The gang turned to see Eri running towards them.

“Hey!” Neku greeted her.

As soon as she was close to the team she smiled.

“How are you guys? Long time no see!” she said before turning to an exhaust Beat. “Oh, hi there, Beat!”

“Hey.” Beat greeted her, recovering his air.

“Are you okay?” Eri asked at him confused.

“Yeah, just a little race with Phones.” Beat blushed.

“And why didn't you use your skate to win?” Eri joked.

“BWAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!” Beat screamed in surprise blushing even more.

His friends and sister laughed at that.

“It's not funny, yo!” Beat glared.

“Come on, now!” Shiki suggested. “Let's see what they got.”

“Yeah!” Eri agreed. “I would like to see those cute necklaces!”

“And you, Neku? What would you like to look?” Shiki turned to Neku.

“Nah, I'm not much of this Valentine's Day stuff.” Neku shrugged.

“Oh, come on! It will be fun!” Shiki smiled as she grabbed Neku's hand and took him with her.

“Wha-?! Hey, Shiki! W-Wait!!” Neku exclaimed in surprise.

Eri smiled at them, and soon enough, gasped.

“What's up, Eri?” Rhyme asked at Eri.

“Oh, no! I forgot my money on my house! I need it to buy something!” Eri exclaimed.

“Can I go with ya, yo?” Beat asked willingly.

“Sure, Beat! Thank you.” Eri smiled before kissing Beat on his cheek.

“BWAAAAAAAHHHH!” Beat yelled in surprise.

Eri just laughed at this. She knew that Beat was a bit shy with her, even since the first day he met her. Beat, soon enough, recovered himself of his blush and turned to Rhyme.

“Yo, Rhyme. Eri and I are going to her house to get her money to buy something here. Be a good girl and wait us here, okay?” he instructed her.

Rhyme nodded smiling.

“We won't take too long, promise!” Beat assured at her.

He and Eri ran as fast as they could as Rhyme, sat on a bank next to the fountain. What she didn't expect, however, was that she looked up to see someone alone next to a wall... Joshua. Neku told her about him after the games. She knew that everything the composer did was wrong, but due to her nature, she couldn't help but look at him. After a while, Joshua noticed her looking at him, and she gasped turning her head to another side. Joshua did his casual smile and walked next to her.

“Hi, little Raimu.” he greeted her raising his hand.

“Hi.” Rhyme greeted, not looking at him.

“What are you doing here alone?” he asked at him smirking.

“Eri has forgot to get her money to buy something on Valentine's Day Fair and Beat went with her to get it. They won't take long, don't worry.” Rhyme explained.

“Ah...” Joshua said interested. “And why do you look to other way? Are you shy?”

“N-No!” Rhyme snapped, blushing a bit.

Joshua just smirked, but, on a different way.

“Don't you worry, Little Raimu dear.” he smiled.

“I'm not Raimu. My name is Rhyme.” Rhyme glared at him.

“I know, but Raimu is a beautiful name too.” Joshua chuckled putting his hand on the back pocket of his pants.

“But I'm Rhyme, not Raimu.” Rhyme corrected him before changing of subject. “And... you're Joshua, right?”

“Yeah. And how do you know it?” Joshua asked on curiosity.

“My brother Beat and Neku talked me about you.” Rhyme said, in a calmed face. “They said that you did wrong things.”

Joshua, at the first time of his life, felt a sense of guilty of his deeds. Rhyme was right, and he was listening at her quietly.

“Yeah. Probably, Neku won't forgive me. Still I would thank him to make a part of me change.” he said.

“Huh?” Rhyme asked confused.

“I'm not lying you, Rhyme dear. At the first time of my existence, I feel myself... guilty.” he sighed.

Rhyme just smiled at him, much to his confusion.

“If you truly are guilty, you must try to show your regret and ask for his forgiveness.” she said to him.

“I wish it could be easy.” Joshua crossed his arms.

“Maybe I can help you.” Rhyme got up of the bank.

“Can you help?” Joshua turned to Rhyme.

Rhyme nodded. Soon, they both stared at each other... like friends. They just met already, but they were getting close to their friendship.

“RHYME!” A voice called at Rhyme.

Rhyme gasped and turned to see Beat, running at full speed towards her. He stopped and breathed heavily.

“Are you okay, sis? Sorry being late! Don't ya worry, I'm here!” he exclaimed trying to calm Rhyme down.

“Hey, Beat. Long time no see.” Joshua greeted him smugly.

Beat recognized that voice and looked up to see Joshua.

“YOU! PRISSY BOY!” he snapped. “What were ya doin' with her?!”

“Nothing.” Joshua shrugged. “We were just talking. That's all.”

Beat, however, didn't believe him. He was now overprotective on his sister, and he did his best to protect her.

“Rhyme, what did he do to you? You can trust on me. Ignore any threats he gave you.” he said to Rhyme.

“Beat, please! It's fine! He didn't nothing bad.” Rhyme assured at her brother.

Beat was confused, “Are you sure?”

Rhyme nodded. She always was nice and she never would lie to anyone, even his brother. Just then, Eri came and saw the three on the conversation.

“Beat! Rhyme! There you are!” she called at her friends.

Just as she came, she turned to Beat, who was glaring at Joshua, and Rhyme, who had a worried expression.

“What's happening?” she asked.

“This is Joshua, aka Prissy Boy.” Beat replied.

Eri looked at Joshua with curiosity.

“You must be Eri, right? Beat's lovely girlfriend, I assume.” he greeted at Eri.

“Yeah, I'm Eri. Are you Joshua, right? Nice to meet you. You look a good person.” Eri smiled at him.

Beat just crossed his arms sarcastically, “I could tell you stories about him, Eri.” he said.

“BEAT! Enough!” Rhyme was now angry.

“BWAAAAAAAAHHHHH! R-RHYME!” Beat yelped in surprise. His sister never was angry like this before. She was always happy and positive, but this time she had enough. Joshua may have done wrong things to her brother, Neku and the others but... she thought he could change.

“Listen up, Beat. I know Joshua did our lives worst, but... this time is not planning nothing. I'm sure!” she exclaimed.

“Come on, Beat. Give him a chance!” Eri agreed.

Beat just sighed in defeat and said, “Okay... fine.”

“Great! Now let's see that Valentine's Day Fair together.” Eri nodded as she grabbed Beat's hand.

Beat, on other hand, just blushed as he saw her. His blush, however, was gone when he glared at Joshua.

“I'll be watching, Prissy Boy.” he warned on his mind. “If you dare to hurt my sis or Eri... YOU'RE SO DEAD!”

On the fair, people was having a fun time, as Beat, Rhyme, Joshua and Eri were watching the stands. Beat watched a stand where a woman was selling flowers and had an idea.

“Yo, Eri!” Beat called at his girlfriend.

“Yeah, Beat?” she asked.

“For ya!” Beat offered her the flower.

Eri gasped and blushed as Joshua saw this in inspiration.

“Oh, Beat! It's so pretty!” Eri exclaimed as she grabbed it. “Thank ya!” she kissed him on the cheek.

“Whoa. Your brother is not bad as I though.” Joshua smirked to Rhyme.

“When he met Eri, he was shy, but he loves her.” Rhyme told him.

Then, they heard Neku and Shiki laughing and they turned to them, as they walked next to them, talking at each other.

“Hi, Neku!” Joshua greeted at Neku, with his casual smile.

Neku was shocked about seeing him again. Soon his shocked expression turned into a stern one.

“What do you want?” he asked, glaring at Joshua.

“Nothing much, just to be here a while before going back to work.” Joshua shrugged.

“Hmph.” Neku just ignored and turned away.

Rhyme saw the conversation and she knew that she had to do something. She promised at Joshua that she would help him before.

“Joshua, I think it's time you tell him what you want to tell him.” she remembered at the composer.

“Huh?” Neku turned back confused.

Joshua realized it and he was now ready.

“Look, Neku... I would like to say... that I'm sorry.” he said on a calm way, this time without his arrogant and usual smile. “I had my reasons to destroy Shibuya, although you don't know them. I would like to apologize about all that I've done to you, your friends and Shibuya.”

“Even when you killed me?” Neku asked.

“Yeah. I would like to ask forgiveness for that. I'm not asking you to forgive me, if I don't deserve it. I just want you to accept my apologies.” Joshua finished. At the first time on his life, he apologized to someone, even he couldn't believe it. Even Neku was surprised that the composer of Shibuya realized his wrong deeds and asked for forgiveness at the first time. Shiki and Beat saw and heard everything too but they couldn't believe it neither.

“Well, I don't know what to say.” Neku said surprised. “Maybe if you can do something to prove it...”

“I have more money than you guys so I invite to everything you want to ride.” Joshua smiled offering some of his money on his pocket.

“Really? I was about to spend my one on some ramen for all...” Neku shrugged before he smirked at Joshua giving a thumb up. “Okay then.”

“What? Are you serious, Prissy Boy?” Beat asked shocked.

“STOP CALLING HIM THAT, DAISUKENOJO!!” Eri snapped at him.

“BWAAAAAHHHH! E-ERI!” Beat yelled in surprise.

Rhyme just smiled at Joshua, as the composer smiled her back.

“Thank you, little Raimu dear.” he thanked Rhyme on his mind. “You helped me to change.”

Rhyme, suddenly just blushed and turned away, and Joshua chuckled lowly without saying nothing. He was respecting her.

The group soon was enjoying together as the day passed slowly. Neku and Shiki took a picture on a stand with a background, then it was Beat and Eri's turn, and finally, Rhyme and Joshua's one. The pictures looked cute but Beat yelled like crazy at Joshua about the picture of him with Rhyme. To calm him down, Eri suggested him to take another one with his sister and Joshua. Despite his protesting, Beat accepted. He was hugging Rhyme to make sure Joshua didn't touch her. Joshua could understand it, since Beat didn't accept him yet.

Next, the group went to a prize stand, where there was a lot of prizes. Beat, seeing the stronger he was, he tested his luck and threw the ball to the clown's mouth. This made him win a huge plush to give it to Eri, who loved it.

As the group walked, Joshua stopped on a flower stand. He was looking for a beautiful flower to give it to someone, but who?

It was night now, and the group reunited out of the fair laughing together. They had a really good time, and Joshua was now part of the gang.

“Whoa! I always thought Valentine's Day would be just love-related, yo!” Beat smiled.

“Yeah, I think it's not bad.” Neku agreed.

Joshua and Rhyme were walking next to Neku, Shiki, Eri and Beat, who stopped as they laughed. Just as Rhyme was walking close to her brother, a voice called at her.

“Rhyme dear?” Joshua called at her.

“Huh? What do you want, Joshua?” Rhyme turned at him.

“I want to give you something, to thank you for helping me.” the composer got out the flower he bought. He wanted to thank Rhyme with it, a beautiful white flower. Rhyme gasped and blushed as she saw the beautiful gift.

“Oh, Joshua! It's... it's...” she was now speechless.

“It's yours.” Joshua said with a gentle and soft smile.

“Beautiful!” Rhyme said smiling as she grabbed it.

Joshua smiled softly as he knew that Rhyme liked it. He felt inside of himself a warm feeling and he didn't mind. He knew that feeling would do good on him.

“Glad you like it, Rhyme dear. I mean, love it.” he chuckled.

“Thanks, Joshua. It was a pleasure to help you too.” Rhyme said blushing. “I would like to give something too.”

“And what is it?” the composer asked.

Rhyme came close to him, tiptoed and kissed him on his cheek. Then, she hugged him. Joshua was blushing much more than her and he was amazed. At the first time on his life as Composer, he was being loved by someone.

“Rhyme... I...” he was now speechless.

But soon, he smiled again, and hugged her back.

“Thank you.” he said.

When they stopped hugging, Joshua took advantage and kissed her on the forehead.

“J-Joshua...!” Rhyme said amazed and blushing.

“WHAT THE HECK??!!” Beat's voice was heard.

They turned to see a jawdropped Beat, unable to believe what he saw.

“My own sister in love with a Prissy Boy?!!” he yelled. “I'LL KILL YOU, PRISSY BOY!!”

Joshua just chuckled, “It's not what you think, Beat.”

“OH, IT IS! YOU'RE SO DEAD!!!” Beat snapped at the composer.

“Joshua, run! I'll try to calm him down!” Rhyme said to Joshua as she planned to get some time for Joshua to escape.

Joshua smiled softly at her, and spread his wings to fly and avoid an enraged and yelling Beat who was being blocked by Rhyme.

“YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS, YO!!! EVEN IT'S THE LAST THING I'LL EVER DO!!!” Beat yelled angrily threating at Joshua as the composer flew to safety, just chuckling.

As he flew, he didn't noticed Neku staring at him.

“Joshua, you really changed.” Neku chuckled.

Shiki, holding Mr. Mew came next to him.

“Neku, are you okay?” she asked at him.

“Huh?” Neku turned to her. “Yeah. I just think Joshua is being a good person.” he smiled. “Come on, I'll take you and Kitty home.” he offered his hand at her.

“Thank you, Neku.” Shiki blushed.

“Well, he told me before that helping you to go back home is something good. So, why not?” Neku smiled at her.

The two walked away holding hands.

At the full moon night, Joshua was on the top of a building, thinking on Rhyme, and the time he had with her. He was smiling again, on a proud but gentle way too. He never felt so good like this. And he liked it.

“Little Rhyme dear. Thank you. Neku told me to be on the same place, as usual. Thanks to you.” he said on his mind.

Soon enough, he drew his wings and flew towards the place where Hanekoma was, to tell him the beautiful story.