The Game (Neku x Reader)

Chapter 4

"You've beaten the Game. Congratulations."

My voice was monotone and dull as I wanted nothing more than to leave the victorious Players where they were and move on with my own life. However, I was aware that a guilty conscious would bring me back to them and do what I was supposed to.

"Who are you? We should've been brought back to life! We beat the Game Master and didn't ask to see you!" one of the two Players shouted, raising his fist in the air, seemingly ready to punch me. I sighed and felt the pin Joshua had given me in my pocket. Desperately, I hoped other Players wouldn't act like him, otherwise I might have to talk with Joshua about 'accidentally' punching someone or worse.

"I'm (Y/n) (L/n), Conductor of the Reapers' Game. I work directly under the Composer and make sure that all of his rules are followed through thoroughly. Now then, I believe that I have something of yours." I held out my hand, holding the pin firmly in my hand as a warm light enveloped it. I took a deep breath as I concentrated on the two Players in the room, focusing solely on what belongs to them. Almost instantly, their Entry Fees that were collected by Joshua seven days ago popped into my head. The boy groaned and knelt down, holding a hand on his forehead as memories of the girl next to him filled his mind and the girl next to him received a golden heart locket that was attached to a golden chain. In the locket was a picture of her and the guy next to her. If my memory serves me correct from what Joshua told me, the girl's name was Naomi Ayako while the boy next to her was Katsumi Ayako. Both were married and performed quite well in the Game over the week, having completed every single mission on their own and on top of that, both received the same amount of points.

"Composer? He's the one running this, isn't he?" The girl asked after wiping away a stray tear from receiving the heart locket, possibly recalling past memories. I nodded.

"You are correct. The Composer runs the Reapers' Game and is feeling generous this time, allowing both of you to be returned back to life. Naomi and Katsumi Ayako." Before they could question any further, both were caught in a bright white light that carried them upwards before disappearing completely from my sight as they returned to the RG, alive and breathing.

A sigh escaped from my lips as I swiped my finger over the pin in my hand, focusing my imagination (my power) into the pin as I closed my eyes and thought about Dead God's Pad and being there physically. I felt my body shift as everything around me seemed to close in on itself, nearly suffocating me as it seemed like my body was being drug through Shibuya at the speed of light as I warily opened my eyes, seeing the familiar white couches. There was a pounding feeling in my skull as I almost toppled over from the dizziness, having to regain my balance as I held a hand on my forehead, taking in deep breaths.

Once the dizziness had subsided, I thought about the Reapers' Game that had just happened. I didn't really do anything, now that I think about it. The Game Master, Mitsuru Akiyama, had given detailed reports to me, explaining how the day had gone and upcoming events and statistics for the Game, which was appreciated. Other than that, I had to give a mass text out to all of the Reapers about the upcoming Game and then had to give Uzuki and Koki a mission in the middle of it from Joshua about seeing why some of the routes in Shibuya were sealed off and to take care of the Reaper who caused it. For a minute, I thought Uzuki was going to die of a heart attack from the way she responded, seeing me as the new Conductor. Koki seemed suspicious about why I accepted the offer, as he knew I didn't want a promotion, but didn't press on the matter. Both had moved on with their mission, Uzuki moving at a quicker pace than Koki, wanting a promotion badly, going as far as to even ask me to put in a good word with the Composer.

"You're going to have to get used to that, you know," Joshua said as he walked towards me, hands in his pockets. I rolled my eyes as I narrowed my eyes towards him.