Chapter Text
Death Goddess’s World
Every day is the same thing over and over again . . .
How boring.
The death Goddess's world was that of barrenness, emptiness, boredom, and dullness. Empty deserts with harsh winds which hollowed, ravaged them, and without a single vegetation. Skulls, bones, odd-shaped rocks, and rusting metal gear were all that such a world majorly was.
Two certain death Goddesses were passing their infinite time, playing an odd game which included dinosaur-like skulls, bones, and sticks as they sat down on the barren ground, while another one of them seemed to be watching over the Goddesses of death.
The two small, dinosaur-like bones in the small, off-white plate pointed sideways.
"Two sideways skulls! . . ."
"I won again!"
A skeletal death Goddess was also part of the game, with a strange, bandaged staff in her hand, she had been playing against another death Goddess who had brown horns, jewelry which adorned its neck, and torn, tattered clothing.
The horned death Goddess had lost once again and expressed her frustration.
"Dammit!”
Huge, yellow eyes with dark pupils which pertained to the death Goddess who seemingly watched over the bunch glazed in distracted thought.
15 days have already passed . . .
"Welp, looks like it's time I go check it out."
The death Goddess who was seemingly watching over them had suddenly announced, interrupting the two who were peacefully playing.
"Huh?”
“Check what out?”
"Where you goin', Ryuk?"
The skeletal-like death Goddess curiously inquired, bandanged staff still in her hand as she chuckled.
"The Death Goddess’ World is barren no matter where you go, that should be self-explanatory enough, shouldn't it?"
The horned death Goddess in tattered clothes chuckled, as though mocking Ryuk's idiocy.
“Still doesn't answer where ya off to, though . . .”
"Well . . ."
"I lost my deathnote."
The two death Goddesses burst into laughter at the latter's confession, wheezing like old cars in great need of repair.
" . . . How clumsy can you get, Ryuk?"
"Actually, didn't you deceive the death Goddesses’ Queen in order to get two of them?”
“Does that mean you lost them as they were given to you?"
The death Goddess in tattered clothing laughingly questioned, finding this whole ordeal amusing.
"So, do you even know where you lost it?"
"The human world."
"The . . . ?!"
"Ryuk, to think you would . . ."
“Is this another one of your jokes? . . .”
Ryuk left the two death Goddesses in what looked like astonished shock without answering their inquiries, nonchalantly descending down to what looked like rustic, unending stairs with rusted chains hanging, curling, dangling up, and downwards as she made her descent into the Living World.
Daikoku Private Academy
16/12/2003
Classroom
10:45 A.M.
Today was yet another radiant day.
The sun, so very bright, shines with its radiance upon this green-like region, it makes so many lifeless, dull, and depressing surroundings come to life, as though they were reborn themselves.
The wind acts as an ornament that moves with swiftness and flaccidity inside the classroom windows. As I looked outside, the professor's voice was like an audible buzz within the class.
The fluffed, white clouds and oceanic skies act as its stage, castle, and the home it comes back to. The sun and its beautifully magnificent stage; the one which masks and hides this horrid, and disgustingly rotten state of this god-haunted, man-handled, aggressively, yet passively violent world.
Its majestic stage camouflages every horror, like a disguised watch tower that guards a face within its walls, secured and safe.
Is today yet another day of disguised grief, wallowing in emptiness, and boredom?
Probably.
Though the blinding sun beams upon it with grace, calling this world rotten was an understatement of the real predicament and curse being born within it came with, dying with boredom would not be as worse, or deteriorating as rotting within oneself while everyone watches is; what they watch is something that passively lays upon the surface an illusionary, shield-like mask of my face, perhaps.
That is a good thing for sure, for these feelings are to be continuously hidden, internalized, and squashed. I certainly won't let these feelings linger much longer than necessary or is needed in my own mind for the sake of my sanity wellbeing.
"Yagami-san, could you come show us an example in solving these equations and problems for the class?"
I slowly stood up from my seat and walked nonchalantly towards the maroon-haired teacher, the sound of my steps slightly echoing within the sikent classroom. The sun dimly shone upon her maroon, curly hair, making it adorned with a honey-coloured lighting at its roots, she looked at me with glimmering, black eyes expectantly.
This teacher's abrupt question had really snapped me out of my daze and entranced thoughts while looking out the window. As usual, I could feel all my classmates' eyes staring in wonder behind me as I walked straight towards the teacher, some of them leered, gawked, and smirked (boys—distracted, inattentive fools), it was all accompanied with soft, audible whispers.
I gingerly took the white board chalk from her worn hand and began solving the equation written on the board step by step, with poise; indeed—normal, mundane, simple tasks like these needed to be done with slowness and a practiced grace accompanied with a kind, yet knowing smile.
I gave three additional, brief explanations, as well as what I thought were some easier steps that can be taken to solve the given equations and problems on the board.
"Thank you for lending me your time. I apologize for the untimely interruption of the lesson, but I felt that such explanations were necessary for this learning material to be understood more by those who still didn't get it."
The teacher admiringly smiled at me.
"No need to apologize, such an explanation summarizes, as well as has many
important points that could help other struggling students with this section, you did a wonderful job, Yagami-san.”
“It is you merely doing what a star and model student should be doing."
After the teacher's energetic reverence towards me and my brief explanations, the class started clapping—it was a bit of an exaggeration if I may say, but I guess there always had to have been a certain amount of students that did not understand the teacher's explanation in the previous lessons.
"Thank you, miss."
I gave her a modest smile accompanied with a slight bow, went back to my seat, and sat myself down as I discreetly looked back out the window. Everything would go as usual today, it seemed, with a few deviations here and there.
"Now, let's continue from where we left off, we will be using Yagami-san's explanations as we proceed with the next steps, exercises, and revisions that will contain these section too—"
The lesson resumed its tedious and monotonous pace, the teacher's slightly robotic voice adding onto the repetitiveness and sameness to the school day before the bell rang.
Finally, it was time to go home.
I hurriedly packed my stuff within my bag and exited the classroom, unnoticed by the majority who was undoubtedly not paying attention to their surroundings and preoccupied, more than glad that my suffering had been put to an end.
School Grounds
8:10 P.M.
The sun had already been setting, leaving behind golden trails that mixed with the fading of the blue sky, as well as trails within the clouds and skies, a group of birds flew over while chirping aggressively, as though scared away by some otherworldly being.
I sauntered towards the school's exit as I vacantly looked at the hurrying birds within the skies . . . and—suddenly, a powerful gust of wind shortly hit over the area they were heading to, leaving behind (or bringing with it) dark-ish flower petals (what the hell is that?).
I went over to take a better look at what exactly was happening—there were, indeed, a variety of coal-coloured petals of soft, pastel black and purple scattered on the school's ground, some of them were of whitish colors.
Hasn't anyone noticed this?
I looked around once more before realising there were only a few people around, too far away and inattentive to have noticed.
It seems thwt due to being here much earlier than usual, I get to enjoy peaceful and silent school grounds for a short while.
As I looked back to the where the petals where, an oddly beautiful scene had slowly nfolded in front of me—perhaps these petals are from the gardening club? No, I highly doubt they would pull something like this at this time of the schools day or year.
This was more than a bit strange—I felt a light weight softly thumb against my head, (a prank at this time?) dropping down beside my legginged leg, turning upon the direction it had fallen in irritated intrigue, I slightly bent down to take a look.
A black notebook with white pages lay on the school ground's grassy floor, the mysterious, black notebook surrounded by the ominous, yet extravagantly gothic flower petals.
What the hell is this?
This is definitely something out of the beginning of a horror drama.
I looked up at the fading golden skies, searching for the one who could have dropped a notebook like this. I doubt they even exist as no one is allowed on the rooftop, it is too strictly restricted to pull something like this.
Not finding who it was that dropped the black notebook, I picked it up from the ground and resumed leaving the school grounds, something was written in English on its black cover in white.
“. . . Let's see—”
“Note . . . Death . . .”
“Death Note?”
So, it's a notebook of death, does one who touches it die?
But I'm still alive after touching it for a few moments, then—
'This is a death Goddess's Notebook, hence its name, death note’, it says.
I let out a mocking sound at the words I had just read in the notebook's first pages.
The fact it's all English is such a pain in the ass . . .
Oh, well . . .
'As this notebook's name indicates, the human whose name is written in this notebook shall die.'
This is sick, why people even do or like this really befuddles me, it's even worse than those chain letters.
In the end, today was just another hopeless day, though slightly abnormal events have occurred. Either way, I should probably hurry home as there is already a lot to do. Dad might also need help for tonight's dinner. There was no time for slacking off.
I headed towards the school's exit in a bit of a hurry, passing by some soft gasps from the highschool boys that were seated on the school's outdoor benches. Whispering, smirking, and blushing highschool boys (and girls??) looked away as I returned their intense gazes with a curious tilt of my head, quietly questioning them on what they were looking at.
I took out a small, hand-sized book from my school bag, and half-heartedly started reading it as I walked the streets that would lead to my home. The news of the death of a 19-year-old woman that had been decapitated, had her body parts stuffed within a bag in a closet at her own home by her boyfriend rang out at a nearby station time.
It was another predictable crime that could have been prevented and put a stop to had the police taken into account the man's shady tendencies, age (29), and behavior, as well as the woman's warning and indirect cries for help.
Most of them never listen or take the impending danger or death of their clients into account.
Majority of the time, they never even help or save anyone.
I'm sure that all they ever mostly do is take credit for things they've never done or accomplished in front of the gullible public.
They do half-assed work and pass it off as prime perfection to the ignorant fools who eat it up, to the brainwashed, thoughtless, and mindless sheep that is the public!
What they do know how to do, though, is strategically kill those who threaten their position or get in their way.
I stopped midway at a transitional station, so as to let a passing train go by, other people besides me were waiting, including the ones across the station.
This day was another tasteless busy day, progress was made for sure, but it was not enough.
Everything was and is still the same, nothing had changed—the world is horribly cruel and full of vomit-some filth.
Yes . . .
This world is not kind, it is unsafe, cruel, barbaric, deceptive, twisted, and rotten.
I can't do anything about it but watch it rot as I do so too. I, too, might've been a useless, dreaming, drooling fool . . .
Does it make me a disguised existence that possesses a futile goal . . . ?
. . .
Yagami Household
"I'm home."
I opened and closed the gate to my home as I let myself in the modestly luxurious house that was my own, going up to my room to examine, read through, and see for myself what this joke of a prank was all about.
I sat myself down on my desk chair, opening the ‘death note’.
Even sounding it's name out in my mind just makes me feel like one of those occultists, even then, this is certainly going to be interesting.
'This notebook will not take effect unless the writer has the person's face in mind when writing their name.
Therefore, people who share the same name will not be affected.
When the cause of death is written within 40 seconds of writing the person's name, it will happen.'
'If the cause of death is left unspecified, the person's name who's written in the notebook simply dies of a heart attack.
After writing the cause of death, details of the death should be written in the next 6 minutes and 40 seconds or the person will die of a heart attack.'
I see . . .
So, you can decide to make a person die in serenity and comfort, or slowly make them agonize and beg for death. The person who put effort into this prank should probably try being a writer of some sort, this is splendid effort for sure, even for a prank such as this.
I got up from my chair as I lay on my bed, using my hands as a cushion for the back of my head as I loudly yawned.
What was it again? . . .
Causing the death of a person after the writing of their name in a single notebook? . . .
Truly idiotical.
I slowly got up from my bed, heading to where the notebook was neatly placed upon my studying desk, taking out a pen from an area where numerous pens and pencils were stacked.
This notebook—
As I was about to write whatever name came to my mind in the notebook, a sudden realization overcame me.
If I write the person's name here—
And they actually do die, aren't I a murderer bad person?
Aren't I no different from the ones who do reprehensible bad deeds?
Should I calm down and think about this a little more? . . .
Well . . .
Is there any need to get this thoughtful over a slightly well thought-out prank?
So, the person whose name should be written in this notebook has to be someone that isn't connected to me in any way—and whose name actually deserves to be in this notebook.
I'm sure there's plenty of people out here who should fit this profile.
Let me see if I am able to find one of them.
I switched the TV on my right side on, as if on cue, filth which society would do well and even better without showed up on the screen.
"The killer and accomplice who indiscriminately had 18 people killed by her and her 'partners in crimes' yesterday in Shinjuku Hanka's district—”
“Is still locked in the preschool with the teacher as she holds 21 children hostage, she supposedly threatens that there is a fatal liquid-gas which she possesses at the moment . . .”
“And that if the police do not bring the sum of money she had required a few days ago, she will leak the hazardous liquid-gas—which will most likely kill everyone and herself in the classroom."
"The police suspect Onaharaka Kurou, 42, and employed at Sakuya Elementary School, though this suspicion may sound improbable and false . . . it is mostly warranted and without bias—according to the police."
The female reporter's voice was anxious and cautious at the horrifying scene.
"Last night, Onaharaka was—"
This was the perfect opportunity to test it out, filth such as the likes of her, who target the innocent and vulnerable beings needed severe punishment.
Onaharaka Kurou: killed by a bullet to her heart and gut as she slowly bleeds out.
This should all happen in 40 seconds, right?
Like this, she would die a painful death.
Trash like her is all it deserves.
. . . . . . . . .
I waited for the required time, only for nothing to happen.
What I had expected anyways?
"Oh! The hostages are coming out!”
“What? . . .”
“Seems like everyone's fine, and now the police are storming the school! Have they made the arrest?! They are coming back out, but why do they wear such grim expressions on their faces?"
"Huh?!—we just got word that, apparently, one of the police's members was able to shoot the suspect, having come in before her team to destabilize the suspect, but—alas, she accidentally aimed for vital parts of Onaharaka's body, rendering the suspect dead before the whole team came in to make an arrest!"
"Dead?! . . .”
“So, this notebook really does work . . . !"
. . . . . .
"Light-chan, it's already 6:25 P.M., it's time for your cram school!"
I pathetically fumbled, startled at my father calling me from downstairs as I haphazardly responded back to him.
"I'm still packing my stuff—”
“I will be done in a second."
One more time isn't enough . . .
It could be a coincidence,
The notebook needs more testing,
I'm sure there is some other filth which needs to be eradicated . . .
I will find them.
Light quietly strolled to cram school, extremely aware and self-conscious of her surroundings and environment, but also in deep thought as she thought out her next move, the consequences and impacts of killing another criminal. The streets were littered with people walking in all directions, if she were to be inattentive even for a short while, the situation may, unfortunately, turn very ugly.
Carefully observant so as not to miss anything, Light continued walking to cram school as thoughts of her next move rang out in her mind.
If I were to kill another criminal who happened to be famous, the news will certainly keep it hidden for a while.
However, it wouldn't be the case if I were to have another criminal take their life (and were to frame it as an accident of anger and frustration from their inmates, if they are a prisoner, or their victim if they are still roaming around due to insufficient proof) the news may still keep it a secret, but for only a short while, and may chalk it up to an unfortunate accident.
Using direct means to kill criminals is beyond an unwise choice which may present with many adverse consequences and impacts, people will certainly start being suspicious, wary, and begin wondering who could be committing these crimes, they might come to the conclusion that it's a God of some sort, that is too much exposure (when the notebook's abilities are still hidden and untested).
Indeed, if I were to use direct methods, like heart attacks on criminals, it may only work for those who have a history of illness, sickly diseases, and conditions—but will prove useless and futile against those who are physically and mentally sound. Certain ‘higher-ups’ that I do hot want the attention as of now may be alerted.
Light decided to keep a low profile to familiarize herself with the notebook's powers, learn, and get used to its abilities which she still hadn't seen or known of yet due to her getting it just a few hours ago.
However, I also need the results immediately—
How annoying . . .
Arriving at cram school, Light silently took her seat.
The usual, short, dark-haired girl was being bullied by her three 'friends', they treated her more like an errand girl than how one would treat someone they would consider a friend, but disguised it as friendly 'teasing'.
“Hey, Ryo-chan!"
“How you doin’?”
The girl startled at her two friends who towered over her.
"S-Sukou-san?!"
"What are you so surprised for?”
“Did you miss us?”
The two girls blocked any exit the short girl could use to escape as they continued what they planned on doing with her.
"Aren't we always together?"
"You shouldn’t be so formal, we are friends, after all, right?"
"You are such a scaredy cat, what would you do without us around, hmm?"
"Anyways, could you lend us 6,000 yens?”
“Please?"
“A-again . . . !?"
"Of course, why else would we be asking you, our very reliable and generous Ryo-Nekoa.”
“Plus, you don't have to worry, you are coming along with us again."
“Exactly, we will never leave you behind.”
“We will always stay together.”
The girl begrudgingly handed over her money to her 'friends'.
"Yay~!”
“Let's all go to karaoke and then to the arcade after!"
Sukou-san, huh?
Should I, along with her other friend, use her as my test subject?
No, despite using passive means to have her dead, the name that is to be written in the notebook should still not be someone this close to me. Even if I think I shouldn't worry because a lot of people won't think anything if a few gals like them were to perish, I should still keep it low-key—
As much as I can, atleast.
This is still the testing and experimenting process.
I cannot mess it up.
A flying white charkle was what Light saw in her peripheral vision, until it hit her head, slightly stinging.
"Ouch!"
The teacher had thrown it at her as soon as she had seen that the star student was spacing out.
"Nationally top-ranked Yagami-san, I don't want you spacing out or slacking off!”
“So, pay attention!”
“We are counting on you to give us the perfect image."
"Yes, I understand."
A few students muttered and commented on the scene as they giggled and chuckled at Light's empty-headed display.
"What could she have been daydreaming about?"
"It might've been about a boyfriend or something."
"How cute."
Light's eyes slowly glowered, angrily looking down at the trembling hold she had on her pencil.
"Hey, Maki, want to go for a drink with 15 college students tomorrow at 1 A.M. with me?"
"Sure."
"I want to go as well!"
Light unhurriedly walked back from cram school, half-heartedly listening to the conversation and chatter around her, indifferently passing by a university student who kicked an empty can in frustration as she tightly held onto her flip phone.
“Where the hell is my dad?! . . .”
Jeez, looking at all these people, even if I did say that I would kill criminals to test the notebook's abilities, as well as rid this world of filth and sin using passive and secretive methods . . .
I'm starting to think that they are part of the ones who are also rotting this world and should be part of my experimentation and 'plan'.
The world would be so much better without all of them.
I’m sure of it.
Four men in motorcycles suddenly encircled a lone woman as she gasped out in shock at the scene unfurling before her eyes.
"Hey, lady!"
"Um—"
"Want to come have some fun with us?"
One of the men who seemed like the leader of the four confidently propositioned.
"Woah!”
“Taku-san is going after a hottie!"
"Shibuimaru Takuo, they call me Shibutaku.”
Shibuimaru chuckled.
“Go out with me, lady."
"He is literally using the same line as always, that Taku."
"Well, it is his real name, after all."
Shibuimaru's followers commented on his boldness, unimpressed.
"I'm feeling generous today, miss, so I won't use force if you come with us for some fun."
"Umm . . .”
“Sorry—”
“But, I already have a boyfriend—"
Shibuimaru's followers laughed at her words, it was as though it was the funniest joke they'd ever heard.
Light sneaked herself inside the convenience store, making sure the four men were oblivious to her presence, she took a book to disguise the notebook which would either solve or provide no change to the woman's situation.
In the end, her idiocy and lack of self-awareness got her into this.
If I hadn't been aware, attentive, and crossed the streets with her by my side, I would have been entangled with those men with her.
This is what happens when you aren't cautious and stupidly decide to spend the evening on your own without any awareness of your surroundings and environment.
This whole thing is entirely her own fault.
However, even if it's her fault for being this careless, I guess it doesn't mean that she should suffer such a fate at the hands of filth such as those men.
This should teach her a lesson about being unaware of her surroundings.
After a few misspellings of Shibuimaru Takuo and his gang's names, the names of the gangsters were finally in the notebook.
Now, let us see what happens.
"Already rejected, huh . . . ?”
“What a shame."
"She is obviously lying, a good man wouldn't let her out at this time, dressed like that."
It seems that force would be what would follow after the men's disappointment at the woman's rejection.
"Well, lady, you could've done this the easy way, but you chose the hard one."
"Well, you should know that women always choose the hard way because that's secretly what they want."
"Besides, it's more interesting when they struggle anyways."
"Let's take her with us!"
As Shibuimaru grabbed her shoulders, he grew rigid, as though a metallic rod had passed through his body, she paled and froze in fear before he harshly let go of her, making the woman stumble down on the ground on her back, her head harshly hitting one of the member's motorcycles as she cried out, distressed.
"You guys were making fun of me!"
Shibuimaru's angry snarl set deep-seated fear in his followers, he was going to go on a rampage at which they were the main target of.
Everything else went on in a blurry, violent haze for the woman who watched everything happen above her—head throbbing in pain, she felt something warm trickle down her cheek and forehead.
Shibuimaru Takuo attacked his own members as a violent animal which had been cornered would, something in him had snapped for some unknown reason, blood dripped and spilled down. Harsh, bone-breaking, splintering punches, kicks, and deep screams were all that could be heard outside of the convenience store.
Shibuimaru's members dropped down, before he shortly did the same as well , collapsing from his injuries and wounds, limp and with no movements whatsoever—he had killed them himself, and had died along with them.
Before the woman had known it, their blood was pooling over their limp bodies.
I have to get up, she thought and tried to reason with her frozen and unresponsive body.
. . . Or the money that I bought these clothes with would go to waste.
People rushed to the scene from the blood-curdling screams and noises the four dead men had caused.
I have to move!—
"Miss!”
“Are you okay?!"
"What's going on?!"
"Why were they fighting?!"
"Call the police!”
“This is no time for asking questions!"
"It's too late for that!”
“They are all dead!"
"Call the ambulance for the woman, she is passing out!"
"The ambulance has already been contacted!”
“They are on their way!"
An ambulance was called after the incident as Light stood rigid, watching the scene in realization from a secluded, safe space from the preoccupied crowd which had gathered around the fearful woman, horror making itself present upon her face and mind.
The death note is real, and it actually works . . .
If that's the case, then it means that—
I have killed five people . . .
I have become a murderer.
This . . .
That can't be right.
No, it can't be right.
I . . .
I have actually killed five people—
What should I do . . . ?
(The answer is obvious.)
A terrifying notebook like this . . .
(There was no need to ask questions.)
Light almost barfed.
No, this was the right thing to do.
Who cares if they all died?
Each and every single one of them were all set out to hurt and harm the vulnerable in varying degrees and ways.
It's their fault for being so inherently broken, danger to themselves, and those around them.
I was doing the right thing!
I just rid the world of harmful pests!
Yes, that was exactly it!
The inherently rotten who harms and scars the vulnerable should die!
With this single notebook which possesses the ability of a deity—
(To purge this world of its defects)
I can . . .
Achieve it!
Sometime later . . .
“Light, aren't you coming down to eat?”
The voice of her father slightly steered Light out of the dark parts of her mind, she had to answer before he started worrying and wanting to see her.
“I'm still studying, so I won't be coming down anytime soon . . .”
Light slightly cleared her throat to make her voice sound normal.
“But, you can still put the food by my door.”
“I will get it soon after it's time for me to take a break.”
“Is that so? . . .”
“Yes.”
“I see, then . . .”
“Study well.”
Worry was slightly laced in her father's voice as his steps retreated into the living room.
The dark room only lit by small, light rays which pierced through the curtains, the white sheets Light covered her whole body with as her past actions tormented her, replaying in her mind, were a huge contrast to what anyone who supposedly knew her thought her physical and mental state to be like.
Light darkly thought that perhaps her father was right to be worried, she is, after all, in the process of becoming something much more sinister than she thought she was capable of becoming.
It had to be done.
Eventually, someone had to do it.
Someone needed to do it.
“To purge this world of its defects . . .”
This was exactly how it was supposed to go . . .
Yet . . .
My mind!
It's the only problem in all of this—
This is a simple choice.
It has one answer.
There is no need to even choose.
One only needs to have an unbreakable backbone.
But even if I say this . . .
Those were still lives, weren't they? . . .
(Ones which needed to go)
When I'm already like this with five people gone . . .
It obviously can't be easy.
Do I have the guts for it?
Should I quit . . . ?
. . .
Obviously not.
I cannot give up this easily.
Someone had to do it!
Someone had to sacrifice themselves for the greater cause.
Even if it costs them their life, body, and mind.
Things can and should never remain as they are right now.
Something had to change.
There is no one I can trust this notebook's burden and curse with, that would be irresponsible and cowardly of me.
There is no such person that can carry the burden of saving this world.
Yes, that was always how it had been!
Only I can do it!
I will use the deathnote to save this crumbling world!
15 days later . . .
I walked home with my two friends as they talked about some mystery and detective book they enjoyed (they were recommending it to me, I guess), the latest romantic movie, Hachikuji's 'Girl in Wonder Fair', and another anime which had apparently come out, as well as a project which we had completed together last year; we would soon part ways
"Misaka-san is an electromagnetic master and the protagonist of the index series spin-off, while Shirai-san is a teleporter and her co-protagonist, and best friend."
"You really are into this show, aren't you?"
". . . It's not something that can be helped, my siblings keeps talking about it all the time, so . . ."
"Sure . . . "
"Why would I even li—"
"Anyways—”
“We should continue this conversation some other time."
“It's already getting late.”
"Well, see you later, everyone."
"Bye!"
"See you soon!"
I made my way inside my house after wishing my friends goodbye.
I could see a glimpse of my father standing there as he eagerly awaited for me to come home, he always comes much earlier than mom from his work.
"Dad, I'm home."
"Welcome back!”
I gave him a small smile as I marched towards him.
“How was your day, Light-chan?"
His smile was tight and controlled as he clasped his hands together, excitedly greeting me.
Everything in the house was perfectly arranged, as it needs and should be, what obviously remains should be coming from me.
Nonchalantly, I dug through my bag for a certain sheet, giving it to my father with a graceful smile.
"It was alright, you can have this."
. . .
"Light-chan!—”
“You ranked first in the nation for the National Scholastic Practice Exam!"
"You said an older sibling of the Yagami household should not only do what is expected of them, but always exceed the expectations placed on them as well, dad."
"You really did exceed them . . ."
My father dreamily smiled at the sheet of paper I handed him as I made my way upstairs to my room.
“Oh, wait, Light—”
I stopped walking up the stairs and turned to face my father.
“Is there anything you want?”
I already have it.
“Just say something and I will get it for you."
I doubt I would ever let the innocent soul of a man such as dad carry out such a burdening task . . .
However, saying that I didn't need anything would certainly prove a bit 'odd' and unfitting of my usual behavior, so the answer to the question would be to ask him what I might need in the foreseeable future.
"Some pocket money, the latest of the usual magazines I usually buy, and my favorite dinner would be great."
After I had told him what I wanted, dad sighed and seemed . . . disappointed?
What exactly did I do wrong to make him feel this way?
"You shouldn’t ask such simple, boring, tedious things . . .”
“Light-chan, you need to try things which are more invaluable.”
“Girls should not be so simple-minded, you know."
Oh, it's just that then.
Well, I guess he (rightfully) just doesn't understand that I'm still choosing something invaluable.
Light let out an awkward chuckle as she answered her dad's worries.
". . . I see.”
“Well, in any case, I'm going to study, please tell no one to bother me."
"Okay, study hard!"
Light finally reached her room, her safe haven, letting a small breath out as her form relaxed. Light only needed to shield 'her weapon' from outsiders, her mind had already known what defenses needed to be put in order to start crafting her world.
I put my bag on my bed as I strolled to my desk's chair, switching on the TV for the news as I took out the notebook. My cursed blessing, this is where it all resumes. These past few days, I have made a lot of tests and experiments with the notebook's abilities, I tested each limit it had.
Of course, I did use the seemingly infinite filth which humanity doesn't need.
I used 45 criminals (whom I had thoroughly checked) from different countries as a sample, 15 of whom were sexual offenders, 15 that were murderers, and the other 15 were domestic abusers.
I have discovered that the notebook can allow you to control the person's actions before they die, as long as the actions which you write on the notebook's are in the boundaries of what a human is physically capable of, otherwise, they simply die of heart attacks if it's out of bounds of what they are capable of doing, physically.
10 out of 45 criminals died of heart attacks, 8 of 10 had been known for having genetic conditions and illnesses, so dying 'like that' was “expected” and “unsurprising”. The other two were known for picking fights and ‘provocative towards majority of their inmates, so dying was 'convenient' and 'made sense' due to their past behaviors.
I had each of the 10 inmates in Florence I had chosen, kill one of their fellow criminals by making them instigate fights, poison their targets, and pick fights with them. I also had 4 other criminals in Florida 'accidentally' die. I had other 15 criminals who had a history of health issues and recurring illnesses in Alabama poison other 10-17 violent criminals before having them die by having their illnesses' symptoms worsen.
There was also another 19 criminals in Kentucky who were known for being 'emotional', 'uncontrolled ', 'unstable', and 'irrational' die at the hands of 10 corrupt officers who burned in an incendiary incident—they were being released, but were put back in jail after they had committed other violent crimes.
I had 16 corrupt policemen kill 44 criminals in America, before each of them died in different ways, on different days, and unmatched times in 'believable' ways.
I, of course, took a day to purge and erase my search histories.
Everything was going according to plan . . .
My perfect world . . .
I was gingerly crafting it to the ideal one, saving it . . .
A criminal's death at a time helps us all . . .
Each and everyone I had killed deserved it in each and every way.
Light felt ecstasy bubble within her as she began to chuckle, as her laughter slowly ensued.
"Are you enjoying yourself?"
A playfully husky voice had abruptly questioned, out of nowhere.
Who is that?!
Light swiftly turned her head to face a creature which looked to be an extra 4 feet or so taller than her, with long spiky hair which didn't seem to know of the laws of gravity, dressed in coal-black, tight clothes, two heart-shaped earings. The creature's, sharp, yellow teeth showed as it creepily smiled Light, its black pupils in yellow whites attentively watching her, like cursed, rotten eggs.
Fear quickly formed at the pits of her stomach, mounting from her there to her heart, hurling itself out of her as screech-like, terrified scream as she fell down on her behind, adrenaline pumping in her blood to her heart as she looked up at the creature in terror.
"What exactly are you surprised about?”
“I'm Ryuk, a Goddess of death and owner of that death note, looks like you've realized it ain't no normal notebook."
"What? . . .”
“D-Death! . . .”
“A Goddess of death!?"
Light's eyes widened in horror at the creature towering over her, closing only a few moments for a while, eyebrows furrowed in thoughts, pursing her lips as she bit their insides; her eyes suddenly opening in what looked like realization, as though she had found the solution to her (possibly fatal) current predicament.
"A Goddess of death, huh? . . ."
Ryuk made a confused noise.
Standing up from her uncomfortable position below, using her chair as a crutch, she faced the creature who claimed to be a Goddess of death in front of her.
"I'm not surprised at all, Ryuk."
The death Goddess’ eyes bored into Light's as she waited for Light to continue.
". . . . . .”
“I wasn't surprised at all—”
“I've actually been waiting for your arrival, Ryuk."
"Ooh?"
"So, even a Goddess of death has come . . . ?”
“That's nice.”
“I've already accepted the notebook as real and not just a well thought-out bluff . . .”
“However, seeing things for myself gives me much more confidence in my actions."
As if on cue, Light grabbed the notebook, looking about to show Ryuk its contents.
"In addition to what I said, there are also things I would like to ask you."
With fiery determination in her eyes, Light showed the Goddess of death the many names she had neatly written in the book with her pen.
"Wow! . . .”
"That is amazing!”
“Now, I'm the one surprised.”
The death Goddess chuckled as she commented upon Light writing so many names.
“I've heard of many stories that talked of the death note falling in the living world, but . . . "
"You're the first to do this much in only 15 days, who hurt you?”
“All these people's names? What are you, even? Some type of celebrity or something? "
Light gave the unserious death Goddess a look.
"Ryuk, it's quite simple.”
“They hurt the vulnerable, they were pollutants to this world, and they deserved it all."
"I see, an ordinary person would be too freaked out to get this far."
A short silence between the two ensued, wariness and fear radiating the human girl, while amusement and interest beamed upon the Goddess of death.
"I'm prepared, Ryuk—”
Light's voice slightly shook as she spoke cautiously.
“I used a Death Goddess’ notebook . . . and now, she has appeared before my very eyes."
"What will happen to me?”
“Will you devour my soul or body?”
“No, will you take both?"
The Goddess of death smilingly looked at Light, its sharp teeth visible as it laughingly talked.
"What are you even saying?”
“You humans are very imaginative."
"I will not do anything to you, once the death note reaches the Living World, it belongs to that world, it's all yours now."
Light wondrously looked at the Goddess of Death, looking down at the notebook with a focused expression.
"Mine? . . . "
"If you don't want it, then you can give it to some other person. However, if you were to do that, I would have to erase your memories concerning the notebook."
The death Goddess stepped on the balcony as it flew out the girl's window, spreading its bat-like, tattered wings out.
". . . ?!"
Light gawked at the scene, internal, alarm bells ringing in her mind.
What is she doing?!
She will be seen . . . !
"Ry!—"
The Goddess of Death settled herself as she perched on one of the electric polls facing Light's room.
. . .
"So, then . . .”
“Ryouma dumped hid in the storage room because he didn't want to be caught jacking it at midnight by his roommates!"
"How more idiotic can your acquaintance be?"
Two highschool boys talking together as they walked, a father with groceries strolling by as he talked to his wife on his phone, and two elementary school girls walking home together in silence was all the chatter that could be heard outside of Light's room, each and all of them passing by where Ryuk had perched herself on and, weirdly, not taking notice of her presence.
“Because you are the only one who has used my death note, only you are able to see and hear me."
"The death note . . ."
" . . . It is the bond which ties human Light and Goddess of death, Ryuk, together."
". . . Bond?"
Obsidian pupils looked to Light's as a soft, cold breeze of the evening blew her brown locks.
“Yes.”
Light shortly looked away in thought.
I see, so . . .
The two of us are . . .
Forever united for the rest of my life . . .
Because of this notebook . . .?
For some reason, when she puts this ‘bond’ in such a way, it's as though the death note itself is the darkest form a marriage ring could ever made to be.
Ryuk went back to Light's room, using her bedroom's window to let herself in, her claw-like fingers holding onto the window's frame.
"Are you sure there's really no price for using the death note?"
"Well, one could say that it's—the stress and fear which is only experienced by the human using the notebook . . . "
Light intently looked at and listened to Ryuk, her attention on the death Goddess’ words.
"And . . . when a user of the death note dies, I will be be the one to write their names in my notebook.”
The death Goddess’ inhumanly black eyes pierced into Light's.
“A human who uses the death note gets to heaven or hell . . .”
“ . . . Well, that's it."
. . .
An unusual silence settled between the two as they looked into each other's eyes, relief and shock slightly coloring the younger girl's feature as a small chuckle from her resounded within the room.
“I . . .”
“I see! . . .”
"Not really something to look forward to when you die, is it?"
So, that was it . . . ?
Just not going to heaven or hell?
Wait—
"Then . . .”
“One more thing! . . . "
"Ryuk, did you choose me?"
The death Goddess let out her weird, signature chuckle as it answered the apprehensive, human girl.
"How self-centered can you be?”
“I only dropped the notebook, do you really think you were chosen?”
“In the end, it just happened to fall where I dropped it and you happened to find it."
"That's why I put the explanation in the most popular language here on Earth, English. "
"Then, why drop it at all?!”
“ . . . Including an explanation such as that . . .”
“It obviously can't be an accident."
The Goddess of death smiled at Light's question.
"Why, you ask?”
“. . . Well, the answer is quite obvious, I was bored.”
“This may sound strange, coming from a Goddess of death such as I, but I just didn't feel as though I was living at all."
"Being a Goddess of death these days is very tedious, we're either sleeping or gambling, when you write a few humans' names in the death note, they ridicule you as they ask why you are working so hard."
"Killing people in the death Goddess world's isn't any fun at all, additionally, writing a death Goddess' name in the notebook does less than nothing could ever do."
Light and the death Goddess looked at each other, new information and knowledge about the Goddess of death and the world in which she came from had been discovered.
"I figured it would be more entertaining to be down here, with you . . ."
Light looked at the Goddess of death in apprehension.
What?
What is this all supposed to mean? . . .
It's getting weirdly sentimental all of a sudden . . .
"You really did write a lot of names down, huh—"
As she pursed her lips, Light tightened her fists, her bangs shielding her eyes.
"Ryuk, me too . . . "
"Huh?"
"I, too, was bored to death, to the point of rotting within myself . . . “
“That notebook has a power that attracts one to it, even If I didn't believe it at first."
Light explained what had happened these past few days to the Goddess of death in great detail.
"I see."
"Even if I've had trouble sleeping at night and have lost 12 kilograms in these 15 days, as long as it is to cleanse the Earth of evil, I will still continue writing names of evildoers and those who get in the way of my."
"And as you will soon see, Ryuk, this era is very useful. With a TV that runs the news of the world 24 hours a day, along with the Internet where you can learn anything, I almost already have everything I need for this plan to work."
"Quite impressive, I guess . . .”
“You really did write a lot of causes of death, poisoning, fights, stabbing, and being shot by some other forms of firearms, maybe you really should be the next 'Jeff the Killer'."
Very funny, Ryuk.
"Why do you rarely use heart attacks, though?”
“They are the easiest ones, all you have to do is have a name written in the notebook."
"If you don't write the cause of death, then it's always a heart attack—”
“Undoubtedly, one rightfully comes to the conclusion that a feature like that is the best thing about the death note—”
“I, myself, do not disagree with that prospect."
"However, using that feature so early in the agenda and making of the new world is a waste, the equivalent of using a queen at the very beginning of a chess game, you make her lose her sharp teeth.”
"Besides that, certain individuals would easily figure you out if you were to use such direct methods to get rid of criminals, you have to build up your defense and attack bases first if you want to make an impactful impression on those you want eradicated, along with those you want support and admiration from."
"If I were to write down all the released names of criminals which would lower the mount of evil in the world, each and all of them dying from a heart attack, it wouldn't take a genius to realize that evil people are being killed, it may also catch the attention of those I want to steer clear of for the moment—it's still too early for a bold move such as that.”
“Such a means of killing off evils should be used at the last moment, where all your enemies have crumbled down to pieces and fragments, as well as when people have already accepted, revered, and worshiped you all over."
"That's when the feature should come in handy—so, the best step for now, as much as I don't want to adhere to it, is keep a low profile while killing criminals, the rest should come to me if I successfully execute my future plans."
"A step like that needs much more Impact, pressure, consequences, and 'padding'."
"Before all that ‘padding’ and ‘preparation’ is done, I'm first going to make the world focus all their attention on the criminals, corrupt police officers, and rotten people as I make them slaughter each other and slightly 'scar' other vulnerable people.”
“As soon as the investigators, agents, detectives, and the NPA have all their sights on the criminal and political world, I will start instilling and instigating fights within them to destabilize their power as I continue to kill criminals and expose their disgusting wrongs."
"Then, soon, after all of that . . .”
“Everyone will know that a Goddess has been passing on judgment!"
"One day, people will realize that being evil and rotten will get them killed, I will be building a world of only the kind-hearted."
"Then you would be the only bitch left, huh?"
Light was silenced by Ryuk's words, slight irritation rising within her.
"Ryuk, what are you saying?”
“That's pretty mean and inaccurate coming from a creature such as yourself."
"Truth is a complicated and intricately layered mistress for a reason, you see . . ."
Ryuk sighed her words out as Light refuted them.
"Well, the fact that I'm Japan's number one honor student majorly trumps the validity of your statements, anyways."
"Ryuk, I will be . . . "
"The Goddess and savior of this new world!"
Ryuk grinned wildly.
Humans are quite a lot of fun . . .
1 month and 15 days later . . .
In Another Country
Interpol Emergency Council
The serious and grim expressions of the people at the emergency council reflected the tension that had build up at the recent news and announcements, a lot more than 500 criminals, corrupt police officers, judges, politicians, and abusers included had been killed these past 15-30 days by police officers, in-fighting, poison, gun shots, and stabbings, some of them going as far as killing themselves after they've killed other criminals.
This violent uproar of killings was happening in the majority of the world in some differing ways, criminals were slaughtering and murdering each other at a higher rate than they were creating victims. The criminal, political, and judicial world was gradually descending into an uproarious chaos which left all those targeted in it dead.
"That's another 100 criminals dead, including 90 other corrupt officers we know of!”
“And it's just from this week!"
"All of them were either killed by corrupt police officers, stabbings, infighting, and corrupt police officers with illegal access to firearms and guns!"
"However, the ones who were killed by police officers using firearms don't make sense, they're in a country which forbids or has banned them."
"They obviously had illegal means to access them."
"Half of the corrupt police officers who murdered criminals also later died by the same means which their victims had died of."
"With the situation deteriorating this far in many parts of the world, we should assume that more than hundreds, or even thousands other criminals have died at their own hands without our confirmation."
"If that's the case, wouldn't it mean that at least 150—"
. . .
A mysterious figure comfortably sat in front of a computer on wooden ground of a gloomy area, only slightly lit by the screen of the computer in front of the darkened figure.
"So, Interpol has finally decided to act, huh?"
"Well, it took them long enough, with how the situation has already come to this, desperate measures may need to be used, there is no steering clear of assisting the police on a case such as this."