Light sat quietly reading a book that had recently and curiously found its way into his possession. He lifted his coffee cup to his lips and went to take a sip. As he started to take a drink a large amount of yelling and screaming was heard from around the corner. Light arched an eyebrow in interest, placing the book in his school bag and following the commotion.

He older woman chased a young man with her spoon, yelling, "Thief!"

Light's eyes fell on the boney young man and stopped him with ease by grabbing his shoulder. He glanced over to the man to see his face, his face paled and the malnourished man with shining red eyes. His breath hitched when he squeezed his shoulder to hold him there, 'It's like he's nothing but skin and bones…'

The woman caught up to them, "Oh, Raito, thank you for catching this thief! I'll call the police immediately!"

Light looked down at the items in his hands, a bottle of cough medicine, a couple protein bars and a bottle of water. "No. No need, I'll pay for them." Light casted a sympathetic glance to the ghostly boy. His skin was so pale it almost seemed translucent. Light handed her more than enough money to pay for items. He turned to look at the boy once again but he seemingly vanished.

Light sighed, "I guess my good deed for the day…" He started back for the coffeehouse and rounded the corner. His eyes landed on the man again hugging his knees devouring the protein bar as if he hadn't eaten in months… Light considered the fact, that, it's possible he hasn't eaten well in years. His thin, frail frame shook violently as Light approached him. Light squatted on front of him and held his hand out. "I'm Raito, what's your name?"

The skeletal boy held his arms up in a futile attempt of defending himself. Light sighed, "I promise. I won't hurt you. I want to help you."

"I have heard these words. They are lies." His voice was weak and shallow. His figure seemed to still itself. Light could feel the hair on the back of his neck stand at this sudden calmness.

Light crinkled his forehead in worry. "Well, I don't want to hurt you. And, I don't want to bother you." Light stood up to leave and glanced back down at the figure in sympathy.

"…B… Thanks, this… Raito." Light whirled around and smiled, the sudden movement startled the boy back against the building even further. He kept his face shielded from the light and the surroundings.

"B? Is that your nickname or something?"

The figure sat silently for a moment, "B is B's name."

Light smiled softly, "Can I call you that?"

"It is my name… I see no logical reason not to." His voice was cold but deepening. "But, Raito does not need to help B."

Light startled at the sudden change of his speech pattern. He stood up and offered his hand out, "Well. I can't just leave you here on the streets." A small gap was made from between the figures arms and he sat perfectly still for a moment. "Please, B? Let me help you."

B reached out and touched Light's hand and coiled it back just as quickly, "B is not the one that needs help, Raito is. Raito is cursed." Light analyzed his hand for a moment in pure curiosity. The man stood gaining several inches on Light when he stood upright, "B will help, Raito. In return, for helping B."

Light's eyes fell directly into eye contact with the mysterious young man. "Red…" Light's thoughts couldn't be contained. "Your eyes."

"Are red. Red like blood. Blood like B." His stare was intense, terrifying, yet captivating.

Light shook his head, "Well… I still can't leave you on the streets. Hmm." Light paced for a moment with the critical stare on him. "I may need some time to think about where you could keep staying in the meantime."

"Raito will not live long, if he considers taking in stray humans." Light glanced at him but the cold statement and facial expressions seemed the be a mismatch. His words seemed lethal, but his face spelled concern. His back slouched down to be at eye level with Light. Though his eyes were a fearsome sight, the were wide with curiosity and concern.

Light smiled at him, "Would you like to meet my family? You look like you could use a warm meal." The corners of B's mouth tugged into a small smile. Light couldn't help but speculate that it seemed more like a snarl being forced into a grin. What had this stranger been through to wreak such havoc on a psyche.

x-BB-x

What I didn't know that day, the day I bought two protein bars, a bottle of water and a bottle of cough medicine… Was the day, I met the notorious Beyond Birthday. Nefarious in description. No… In hindsight, that's how I would describe him completely, nefariously manipulative. A genius behind the broken screen of lucidity. A snarl at the edges of the smile. A predatory guardian. I didn't understand the gravity of his offer of "help." On that day. I bought one of the most dangerous minds to grace the world for about nine hundred yen.

The most toxic, yet freeing interpersonal relationship I had ever experienced, was only the beginning.

"I wish I could watch the world die."