Reviewing this story now. Apologies in advance in case I do get some things wrong or messed up since I am familiar with the game, but I have not played it since I don't own a DS, nor do I have plans to.

First things first, I do want to say that it's rare (from my perspective) that I get to read any fics that have friendship moments between two or more characters. So hats off to you for that.

The banter between Neku and Josh the moment the story starts is one thing I get to enjoy, which gets to the point that they have a vitrolic friendship in their banter without having any serious repercussions if they were just ordinary persons who just to pass by each other one day.

Despite the banter, it's nice to see Neku and Josh ask sensible questions and open their relationship in such a way that they're open to seek each other's advice. Like true friends are.

Though in this context, I don't know if it's safe for me that we can say that the two are friends at all. XD

For all I know, I never engaged in that kind of banter unless it's someone I really despise. And even then, I just become a snarker.

Otherwise, it's a good story.

omg, what? Just what?!
i think it was a bajillion question game, not twenty?xD well, but it was great, so i guess the bajillions of edits and stuff paid off? if my review years after this fic was posted will do anything?:)
i don't really know with what to start, this being such a long story:V people are following, because they're left with so many questions they want a continuation, and, who knows, maybe you'll decide to write it?:D i guess the start was a bit slow, building up all the tension and Neku's irritation at Joshua:D
and while i would love to say that the characters are spot on, i can't say that o.O i mean (i'm not familiar with the original game yet, so my words might not be true, i apologize for that) i think they are, or at least Joshua is a bit too much of a jerk, or maybe it's just Neku's reactions to his words that i perceive it that way, hm... o.O You know? i was watching only the let's play of it, and the commentator was really hard on Joshua, which i couldn't quite understand, i didn't really see him as that kind of jerk either he or Neku saw him as... maybe that was my crush on him or whatever, but it seems to me that the game made Josh unnecessarily jerkish and insufferable, more than he actually was (that the characters say he was while he really wasn't the amount they saw him to be...(does that make sense?)) and at the same time it wasn't explained (or i haven't gotten to that part, but i believe that if it was then it would be in your story as well:P) why he acts like that. (well, all your reasonings and headcanons are already my headcanons, because it seems you know more behind the game's main story than the creators:D) so, well, i'm not really sure what to say about that... but at the same time i do love his brilliance!:D yet, how come he's still surprised or curious about some things? shouldn't he know everything?:P jk, his mind twisters are awesome and i had to read them a couple of times to get what he meant xD i'm surprised Neku managed to too, since he couldn't even see the text on paper and comprehend it, plus the high vibes of Joshua making his own senses go crazy, it was a wonder he kept up with him xD (i think i lost my track here a bit...)
Anyway, though! Thank you! That definition of loyalty is something i absolutely needed to pinpoint my loyalty/devotion driven character:D (now i have a reason why he prefers to mourn the rest of his life, rather than move on...:D hee hee :D) so yeah, it was an awesome story, and Joshua constantly making metaphors like that, and sometimes... the stuff he said... i was quite surprised 'you' managed to come up with it (as in, human- unless you're secretly a Composer?:D), because it was so... well, out of ordinary, so uncommon, one wouldn't think it could be thought up by a human xD don't mind me though... and the next metaphore was priceless xD was Joshua trying to convert Neku onto the only right path of veganism?xD though to think that Neku was the chick and Joshua was going to feast on him? i don't remember that?:P but yeah, i can see the point of trying not to make Neku attached to Josh, but it seems Neku still had, since he was a social species... even if a species is maltreated or abused, they can still get attached to their abuser, so that's what happened here, right?:) which means Josh miscalculated, and didn't take that option in consideration, because otherwise their relationship would at least be better:) also! what was that about other mes-Joshuas? i want(need) to know about that!? (and you wonder why peoples follow this oneshot xD so many unanswered questions!:D)
also, is it wrong that i enjoy when Neku wants to hit Joshua? i would really love to see more of the violence between them xD because the way Josh talks to Neku, he really deserves it, and maybe Neku would calm down after letting out all that pent up anger:3 in that ramen shop, when Joshua was being super secretive about his super confidential secret, that was quite the masterwork x) or when he had the look as if he was again holding a gun at Neku's friends... your descriptions are rather incredible actually:)
ah, such a long review again, i don't remember anything else i might've wanted to write about, but i always, like now, think there's still something there, which i'll remember when i hit the Post Review- happens. every. time. xD and i'm sorry, i realize my review(s) might seem like a madman wrote them, but i'm rather excitable in my writing... that's because i'm too afraid to talk naturally, so all the built up emotions show in my writing, you could say;) i wouldn't help it even if i tried, and i really wanted to write a review here, even if the story is from ages past:))
but alas then, i'll spare you the rest of my incomprehensible words (which are like an ugly chick compared to your superior writing o.o) just... loved this chapter, i do really hope it'll be someday continued, but i will not hold anything against you, if you don't decide to, just focus on the newer fic, i don't want more:) that was an amazing, enjoyable and quite difficult too, but also crazy read! (if only you had more of WEWY fanfics q.q) thanks for deciding to publish it, i will keep a lookout for this story:D may the vibes of Inspiration (or was it Imagination?) be with you! Take care!:)

PS: how'd you like my twenty qeustions?:P

Down with Critics United!

They are the cancer to our society.

The root of heresy needs to be burnt to crisp

with over thousand innocent souls without remorse or guilt thereafter.

No sacrifice is too great and no treachery too small.

Remember, we all are walking under the immortal shadow of Him.

His light shines so brightly, it will guide us to our foreseen destiny that is in our grasp.

A great moment we all should not pass.

Praise Be The Emperor of Mankind!

If you are on the same page, cp this message.

And Bella119 is dumb.

Hybrid of Fate is nothing. She needs mental help.

cathrl, do u want to be my daddy? I won't promise to be a good girl :D

CrystalRei should quit.

Now onto the actual review:
Joshua sighed. "I'm not answering three questions in a row, Neku, especially not when it's something you can see for yourself. Just pay a visit to his café sometime. I'm sure he'd be positively delighted to see you."

Just make sure that credit is given: "from The Herbs, by Leon Thomas, published by Herbal Life. :)

Down with Critics United!

They are the cancer to our society.

The root of heresy needs to be burnt to crisp

with over thousand innocent souls without remorse or guilt thereafter.

No sacrifice is too great and no treachery too small.

Remember, we all are walking under the immortal shadow of Him.

His light shines so brightly, it will guide us to our foreseen destiny that is in our grasp.

A great moment we all should not pass.

Praise Be The Emperor of Mankind!

If you are on the same page, cp this message.

And Bella119 is dumb.

Hybrid of Fate is nothing. She needs mental help.

cathrl, do u want to be my daddy? I won't promise to be a good girl :D

CrystalRei should quit.

Now onto the actual review:
"No," said Neku.

Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?. :(

Down with Critics United!

They are the cancer to our society.

The root of heresy needs to be burnt to crisp

with over thousand innocent souls without remorse or guilt thereafter.

No sacrifice is too great and no treachery too small.

Remember, we all are walking under the immortal shadow of Him.

His light shines so brightly, it will guide us to our foreseen destiny that is in our grasp.

A great moment we all should not pass.

Praise Be The Emperor of Mankind!

If you are on the same page, cp this message.

And Bella119 is dumb.

Hybrid of Fate is nothing. She needs mental help.

cathrl, do u want to be my daddy? I won't promise to be a good girl :D

CrystalRei should quit.

Now onto the actual review:
Joshua grabbed his arm and yanked him out of the way, just as the car that had been barreling towards him slammed on the breaks and halted about a foot onto the crossing. More honking, more screeching of tires, and angry shouts about stupid kids getting themselves killed rang in Neku's ears as Joshua pulled him towards the other side of the road. When they reached the sidewalk on the other side, Joshua stopped running suddenly, which caused Neku to tumble over onto the concrete, his MP3 player flying out in front of him. Neku barely noticed it; barely noticed the stinging scrapes on his legs and wrists. He was shaking.

Wherever Mary goes, the sheep follows her. O.o

Down with Critics United!

They are the cancer to our society.

The root of heresy needs to be burnt to crisp

with over thousand innocent souls without remorse or guilt thereafter.

No sacrifice is too great and no treachery too small.

Remember, we all are walking under the immortal shadow of Him.

His light shines so brightly, it will guide us to our foreseen destiny that is in our grasp.

A great moment we all should not pass.

Praise Be The Emperor of Mankind!

If you are on the same page, cp this message.

And Bella119 is dumb.

Hybrid of Fate is nothing. She needs mental help.

cathrl, do u want to be my daddy? I won't promise to be a good girl :D

CrystalRei should quit.

Now onto the actual review:
"Wait – you're counting those questions? That wasn't for the game; we were just talking!"

They're Christians. T-T

Down with Critics United!

They are the cancer to our society.

The root of heresy needs to be burnt to crisp

with over thousand innocent souls without remorse or guilt thereafter.

No sacrifice is too great and no treachery too small.

Remember, we all are walking under the immortal shadow of Him.

His light shines so brightly, it will guide us to our foreseen destiny that is in our grasp.

A great moment we all should not pass.

Praise Be The Emperor of Mankind!

If you are on the same page, cp this message.

And Bella119 is dumb.

Now onto the actual review:
"I could lend you a gun, if you asked nicely."

Nothing to read... :P

Down with Critics United!

They are the cancer to our society.

The root of heresy needs to be burnt to crisp

with over thousand innocent souls without remorse or guilt thereafter.

No sacrifice is too great and no treachery too small.

Remember, we all are walking under the immortal shadow of Him.

His light shines so brightly, it will guide us to our foreseen destiny that is in our grasp.

A great moment we all should not pass.

Praise Be The Emperor of Mankind!

If you are on the same page, cp this message.

Now onto the actual review:
"Why the hell does that matter?" Neku demanded. Because here he was going on about all that Imagination stuff again, and he had no idea why that was relevant to anything – and suddenly he realized what Joshua had really been saying earlier, about Beat. Not only was he saying Beat wouldn't have been brought back to life in other circumstances; he was saying he would've erased him. But Beat was a good person; he'd been a way better person than Neku had been, before the Game. Neku had been the kind of person to treat everyone around him like crap for no reason; Beat had been the kind of person to throw himself in front of a car to save his sister. And Joshua would've erased him, if he hadn't won the Game. "You think that means they deserve to exist more than us?"

I have read many modern authors. ;P;

Down with Critics United!

They are the cancer to our society.

The root of heresy needs to be burnt to crisp

with over thousand innocent souls without remorse or guilt thereafter.

No sacrifice is too great and no treachery too small.

Remember, we all are walking under the immortal shadow of Him.

His light shines so brightly, it will guide us to our foreseen destiny that is in our grasp.

A great moment we all should not pass.

Praise Be The Emperor of Mankind!

If you are on the same page, cp this message.

Now onto the actual review:
"I… I don't know? Give it food, I guess? What else would I do to baby-sit it?"

I'll soon tell you whether 23 is a magic number. T_T

Down with Critics United!

They are the cancer to our society.

The root of heresy needs to be burnt to crisp

with over thousand innocent souls without remorse or guilt thereafter.

No sacrifice is too great and no treachery too small.

Remember, we all are walking under the immortal shadow of Him.

His light shines so brightly, it will guide us to our foreseen destiny that is in our grasp.

A great moment we all should not pass.

Praise Be The Emperor of Mankind!

If you are on the same page, cp this message.

Now onto the actual review:
"Seven between the two of us," Joshua said. "It's my turn now."

Tom broke up with his girlfriend. ;P;

Down with Critics United!

They are the cancer to our society.

The root of heresy needs to be burnt to crisp

with over thousand innocent souls without remorse or guilt thereafter.

No sacrifice is too great and no treachery too small.

Remember, we all are walking under the immortal shadow of Him.

His light shines so brightly, it will guide us to our foreseen destiny that is in our grasp.

A great moment we all should not pass.

Praise Be The Emperor of Mankind!

If you are on the same page, cp this message.

Now onto the actual review:
Suddenly something Joshua had mentioned before came back to him: "I have erased quite a few people over the years, but that's my job." Neku nearly choked on his food. Neku had thought Joshua was referring to the people who challenged him for the Composer's seat – but…

. :)

Down with Critics United!

They are the cancer to our society.

The root of heresy needs to be burnt to crisp

with over thousand innocent souls without remorse or guilt thereafter.

No sacrifice is too great and no treachery too small.

Remember, we all are walking under the immortal shadow of Him.

His light shines so brightly, it will guide us to our foreseen destiny that is in our grasp.

A great moment we all should not pass.

Praise Be The Emperor of Mankind!

If you are on the same page, cp this message.

Now onto the actual review:
Neku took a deep breath. Reminded himself that it didn't matter; this was supposed to be a friendly game of twenty questions for crying out loud. "Fine," said Neku. "Ask your question."

Mary was definitely the prettiest girl at the party. O_O

Down with Critics United!

They are the cancer to our society.

The root of heresy needs to be burnt to crisp

with over thousand innocent souls without remorse or guilt thereafter.

No sacrifice is too great and no treachery too small.

Remember, we all are walking under the immortal shadow of Him.

His light shines so brightly, it will guide us to our foreseen destiny that is in our grasp.

A great moment we all should not pass.

If you are on the same page, cp this message.

Now onto the actual review:
Joshua giggled his stupid giggle again. "I don't think I can answer that for you, Neku. You already asked your question."

Being an amateur translator, Tom often makes the mistake of writing translationese

Down with Critics United!

They are the cancer to our society.

The root of heresy needs to be burnt to crisp

with over thousand innocent souls without remorse or guilt thereafter.

No sacrifice is too great and no treachery too small.

Remember, we all are walking under the immortal shadow of Him.

His light shines so brightly, it will guide us to our foreseen destiny that is in our grasp.

A great moment we all should not pass.

If you are on the same page, cp this message.

Now onto the actual review:
How many questions were left, anyway? Neku hadn't been counting, but he figured they had to be nearing the end of the game by now. He'd have to make these last few questions really count. "Go ahead," he said, not bothering to hide his exasperation.

Get off ffn!

Down with Critics United!

They are the cancer to our society.

The root of heresy needs to be burnt to crisp

with over thousand innocent souls without remorse or guilt thereafter.

No sacrifice is too great and no treachery too small.

Remember, we all are walking under the immortal shadow of Him.

His light shines so brightly, it will guide us to our foreseen destiny that is in our grasp.

A great moment we all should not pass.

If you are on the same page, cp this message.

Now onto the actual review:
Joshua shrugged. "There was a slight possibility that you could have, but I could have easily brought you back, or perhaps even stopped the cars before they hit you. Besides, I had been mentally calculating the amount of time it would take for us to run to the other side, and timed my departure so that we would reach the sidewalk seconds before any cars would get close. I didn't realize it would take you so long to come after me; it's not my fault you threw off my timing. Not that I would have said anything, if you hadn't complained."

this is gold...