Standard Disclaimer: I do not and will not make a profit from anything found on this page.

The Beginning

The usually meticulous desk was littered with scraps of food and paper. The occupant of said desk looked a little worse for wear. Disheveled hair and red eyes faced a glaring computer screen.

He decided to glare back.

Hours of research had resulted in little if nothing on his chosen topic. He had hoped to finish his preliminary research by the end of the night; instead he had a compiled list of a few dozen questionable points of reference in which to begin.

He glanced at his phone.

The innocuous device sat about three and a half feet away from him, just out of reach. He knew he should just move his chair an inch or two closer, but the willingness to do so was simply not present.

He turned back to the screen.

Perhaps a few more minutes of research would yield some real results. The wishful thought swam through his head even as he clicked open various windows. Skimming through most of the superfluous information, he began to resign himself to the fact that this method of research was getting him nowhere.

He glanced at his phone again.

It would be so simple to reach out; the temptation was there. All he had to do was dial a number and this pointless search would be over. Except, this was becoming a matter of pride. He hadn't thought this subject would be so obscure, especially on the Internet.

He spun his chair.

The chair stopped. He let his head fall back to stare up at the ceiling. The plainness of the ceiling soothed his frazzled nerves. He was trying to avoid any illegal methods of obtaining information, but maybe he would have to utilize his skills or connections. But before that….

He pushed his chair closer to the phone.

The device was now in reach. He thought again about the consequence of using it. Looking at the time, he saw that it was an hour until midnight. His contact would still be awake, lively even.

He called.

"Hello?"

"Hi!"

"Who is this?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, Yagami, I thought you would recognize me. It's Shindou."

"Ah. I'm sorry, Shindou-kun. You sound different on the phone. Is there something I can help you with?"

Shindou forced out a small laugh. There was something about Yagami Raito that made him feel as if he were being indulged, as if they were on different levels. Placing that thought aside he asked, "I was actually wondering if you knew anything that could help me with my paper…"

There was a pause on the other end. "That's fine. What is your topic?"

"It's about the effect that recycling has on the community."

Shindou heard a rustling noise; there was a slightly guilty thought that maybe Yagami had been sleeping before he called. The boy in question simply sighed. "Could you be more specific? Perhaps what aspects of the community, such as community life, interaction, benefits, detriments?"

Shindou gave an embarrassed laugh. "I...uh…hadn't actually thought about any of that. I was just skimming through…" He trailed off as he realized how unprepared he seemed.

"In that case, I think you should first choose a topic or two that you would like to focus on and then go out and find statistical data, either on a government based site or at a bookstore. There should be many books on recycling in general. As Japan is one of the strongest adherents to recycling, you should be able to find multiple references, even if they are not Japanese publications. From there, you may think about using your own community or neighborhood as an example to expand from, perhaps by comparing it to others. If you think it necessary, you should also speak with the one in charge of the recycling in the neighborhood. If you do not know them personally, I'm sure your parents must. Ah, you could also make a comparison of the city's method of recycling and the rural method; it would be interesting."

"Ah, thanks. Yeah, thank you for the advice Yagami, I'll be sure to use it!"

Yagami gave a rather noncommittal noise of affirmation, and then tacked on, "Good luck," right before he shut his phone.

Shindou glanced at his phone with a measure of relief. Talking to Yagami was often trying, but the results were always worth the effort. Now he wouldn't have to call Chiri to come up with a better topic. He whistled as he scooted closer to his computer. A couple of minutes typing down the suggestions would produce a basic outline that he could use to speak with his teacher.

University professors talked to students distractedly, more concerned with bigger concerns. However, the existence of an outline would show his professor his diligence.

Raito Yagami stared at his phone with a miffed expression. It was nearly midnight. He had been dozing up until the point Shindou called. To be blunt, he was confused. Other than standard greetings with the boy, he rarely if ever interacted with him. Then again, he was asking for help with schoolwork. As soon as he thought that, it occurred to him that the last time he saw Shindou was the previous year, and that he was older than him.

Shaking his head, Raito thought of returning to his attempt at sleep. It would be nice relax into the blissful abyss. Instead, he was left with his recent insomnia.

Every time he closed his eyes, the image of a falling book appeared. There was something infinitely significant about the book. Something that tore at his mind with a ferocity that he could not stifle.

He knew; he knew that the book would change everything. Never one to rely purely on instinct, the illogical feelings of desire and repulsion warred within him.

What sort of hold did the book have on him?

Why couldn't he stop thinking about it?

What was it?

Where does it land?

Would it land?

Raito was not one who believed in destiny. He believed that hard work and dedication would yield the results he desired.

But, wouldn't it be nice if things were decided for him?

In another world, a shinigami told his companions that he lost his Death Note.