EBWY: Neku Day 0 AN/disclaimer: the following features an experimental writing style attempting to keep the manga-esque dialogue of the original game but also use descriptive paragraphs of traditional writing. It's also not affiliated in any way with Square-Enix, and is a fan interpretation of a potential continuation of the original story.

And obviously spoilers from the original material.

—

"The World Ends With You," these were the words of a man I once respected. Now, I feel more alone than I have before.

My name: Neku. Neku Sakuraba. I was a part of an incident here in Shibuya almost a year ago. Life since then has, changed, in a word.

After the game, I gained three friends, a girl named Shiki, a hipster who dubs himself "Beat," and his sister Rhyme. Together the three of us coped with the nigh traumatic experience that was the "Reapers Game," and hung out a fair bit.

I'd be lying if I said that said traumatic experience didn't help me in some way. I'd opened up a little since then, just enough for me to be socially applicable.

Regardless me and my friends lived in peace for almost a year.

But now, things have changed. Shiki and I are no longer on speaking terms, I haven't heard from Rhyme in almost a month and Beat refuses to acknowledge my concern towards the subject and doesn't want to talk about it.

The day things really went awry, I was wondering Shibuya, headphones on my ears to try and clear my head, if only for a moment.

I was wondering the Scramble Crossing at the time, pacing about. When suddenly I hear A voice. A voice that had been so distinct, so clear in my mind its scarring.

?: Why, hello, Neku.

I turned around slowly, and I meet the eyes of my killer. The one who deceived me a year ago. Composer of Shibuya, Joshua.

Neku: ...How... How the hell...

Joshua: Hee Hee, what an apt response. I expected nothing less from you, Neku.

Neku: Shut up! How the hell- no, WHY THE HELL ARE YOU HERE?!

Joshua: ... Why don't we discuss this over a bowl of ramen?

Neku: *?*

Neku: *What? Does he think this is some game?*

Neku: *Of course he does...*

Joshua: To put my being here in short: I've... been thinking, and honestly... Wanted to speak with you.

Neku: *And I should trust you why? After all, you KILLED me!*

Joshua: So Neku? What do you say?

Neku: In short: you an idiot. Why should I listen to anything you have to say?

Joshua: Again, apt response! Can we go for three? Neku: ...

Neku: *Freaking priss... Then again, I could, just, listen*

Neku: Alright... But on one condition.

Joshua: Oh? And what might that be?

Neku: We go to the Ramen Don.

Joshua: Well. That was my plan! Great minds think alike eh?

Neku: *Laying on the kiss-ass a bit much aren't we?*

With great hesitation. Both Joshua and I headed to the Ramen Don a ramen shop in Dogenzaka.

When we approached the shop we were greeted by the friendly shop owner/cook Ken Doi.

Joshua and I had a small history with the restaurant and its owner. So when we entered, he was surprised to see Joshua, having not seen him since the game. Meanwhile I was a frequent customer with Shiki and the others.

The doors closed behind us.

Doi: Irasshai! Welcome!

I wasn't even able to respond.

Suddenly someone crashed through the doors. Joshua turned and was suddenly stricken with terror.

I wasn't able to turn around. *Bang,* *Bang,* *Bang,*

It was too late...

...

...

...

I groaned as I arose in an unfamiliar place. My head throbbing in pain.

Neku: Wha- what?

I tried to shake off my pain and get a good look at my surroundings. I was by a subway station. People crowded the streets, people were pouring in and out. I could see a pair of tall buildings ominously towering in the distance.

One thing was for sure: I wasn't in Shibuya anymore.

Then my phone rang.

Neku: ...

Part of me knew what it was. But to be sure I opened my phone...

"Head to the towering square, 30 minutes, fail and face extinction."

Neku: ...How? Why? What- THE HELL!?

Day 0: Prologue; Peace interrupted