Shibuya Snapshots

Lost

A melancholy yet bittersweet one today.

-xXx-

Day of the Dead isn't a time for grief over those who have died. It's a celebration to reconnect with the souls who have been lost to time or otherwise.

The lights in the room are off, the only light coming from the candles on the altar. There's a singular picture frame on the altar, a simple skull design that holds more meaning to those standing before it. Marigolds dress the altar with more petals scattered across the ground in front of it, making a path up to it.

There are ten people standing before the altar, all with at least one photograph in hand.

"Are we all ready?" Neku asks, briefly glancing at the three photos in hand before looking back up at his friends. His three partners and Rhyme give small smiles to everyone in the room for encouragement.

"'Twould appear so," Nagi states, surveying the people standing in the room with her. "Shall I give a short speech?"

"Yeah! Go for it, Naggirl!" Fret cheers from Rindo's side.

"Was that. A name pun?"

"Ugh, just do it already," Shoka complains.

Nagi clears her throat. "Today, err tonight, as it were, is not one for grief. Tonight, we celebrate the lives of those who were lost and all of their endeavors to support us. We shan't disrespect their lives and humbly ask them to join us from the realm of lost spirits if they are so able. To those who've protected us and been by our side through thick and thin, through trial and abandonment, we raise our glasses to you."

"A beautifully put together speech," Joshua gives a rare smile, gripping the photo in his hand tightly.

"Okay... who wants to start?" Rindo asks, fiddling with his mask.

"I can." Eri steps up to the altar. "My grandmother. She died a few years ago before I met most of you. She always listened to me ramble about my designs and even helped me with a few of them. Grandma, if you can hear me right now, I want you to know that I love you. I miss you, too. And I want you to know that we achieved our dream, just like you said we would." She sneaks a glance at Shiki and places the photo down before stepping away.

"I'll go next, yo," Beat steps forward and places a photo of a man with a blonde spiky mohawk down. "Yo, Triple Sev', if you can hear me I want ya to know dat we won. We saved the city 'cuz a your help, man. If it weren't for dat keypin, yo? All our asses woulda been grass. So thanks for helpin' a brotha out. And sorry we couldn't'a saved you and the band. 'Nother band stepped up in your place. Call 'emselves Death March. I think it's cuz they missed you. All of yous. I hope y'all are still makin' some sick tunes wherev'a ya ended up."

Beat takes a step back and gives the photo a firm nod before rejoining the others. There's a brief silence as they all try and figure out who goes next. Nagi steps up and places a picture of an older man with brown hair and glasses down.

"While we did not know you long, Lord Fuya," Nagi begins. "It bears to be said that you still deserve peace in death. It was because of you at the end of our first Game that we truly understood the stakes. Your sacrifice is noted, and we hope you join us, even past Erasure." Nagi carefully puts the photo down and steps back.

Shiki gives a small frown at the picture in her hand before wordlessly stepping up. This time, a big man with dark brown dreadlocks. "While we barely talked to you at all, Mr. Higashizawa, you were the one who forced me to confront myself, even though I was too scared to do it. I know you were just trying to be mean and get under my skin, I was only able to come to terms with everything because of you. I was able to find the motivation to fight to come back to Eri, so... thank you, and I'm sorry that we Erased you on the seventh day." She puts it down and bows before stepping back to stand with Eri.