A Portrait of Misa Amane as a Clever, Ingenious and Infallible Strategist

Death Note © Tsugumi Ohba & Takeshi Obata

"Well!" Misa grinned after gulping her cocktail down in a somewhat unsophisticated – no, downright barbarian manner. "How's Teru-chan?"

Kiyomi sighed. "Mikami-san is doing fine," she replied with a slight frown: honestly, Teru Mikami was too mature and refined to be referred to in such a childish style, and Misa obviously wasn't on his list of close friends and acquaintances. "Why, are you curious about him, Amane-san?"

"Sure," Misa nodded vigorously. "He's a sweetie. Maybe not as wondeful as my Light," – she placed an unmistakable emphasis on the possessive pronoun – "but still quite nice. And, well, nobody's as wonderful as Light."

Kiyomi stared at her icily. Their dinner was slowly turning into a farce, though it was hardly a surprise, since Misa Amane had an undeniable talent for ruining everything. They were originally planning to discuss some professional matters and upcoming TV projects, but of course Misa simply had to bring up private themes and ask Kiyomi about her relationship with Teru – in a demanding kindergarten tone. Unfortunately, Kiyomi was too polite to cuss in return.

"Anyway, I'm glad that you two are on good terms," Misa said patronizingly. "I don't know much about Teru-chan," – naturally you don't, I can only hope that it stays that way, Kiyomi thought in frustration – "I just totally have this feeling that you suit each other."

Technically, Misa was not entirely wrong on that: Kiyomi liked talking to Teru and valued their quiet mutual understanding – and frankly speaking, there was something oddly charming about Teru's restrained, uptight attitude: Kiyomi couldn't help but find it almost… cute, in a sense, as improper as that word sounded. However, Misa's insinuations were indecent to say the least. "I definitely respect Mikami-san a lot," Kiyomi responded dryly. "He is a highly –"

Misa shook her head. "Look, you went out with him thrice. That's pretty big for our picky Kiyomi-chan."

Kiyomi felt a powerful urge to stab Misa with a fork, preferably in the eye.

"See, I'm not tactless or anything," – oh, trust me, Amane-san, you certainly are, Kiyomi cursed mentally – "I mean – I love it when people meet their true soulmates and get together and all," Misa added with a dreamy smile. "Like me and Light. So – yeah, don't be shy and don't hesitate to ask me if you need help and –"

"Let us call it a day, Amane-san," Kiyomi suggested in the most amiable voice and gave Misa a look of a hungry boa constrictor. "Thank you for your interesting ideas. I'll see you later in the studio."

"Okay!" Misa beamed. "Hug Teru-chan for me when you go to Kyoto again! I'm from Kyoto, too, so – ah, bye, Kiyomi-chan."

As Kiyomi walked out of the restaurant after dealing with the bill, Misa crossed her thin arms on her chest and smirked proudly. This was clearly going to be fantastic. Kiyomi Takada didn't really deserve that adorable prosecutor – and judging by his photos, he was adorable indeed – but Misa had always viewed keeping Kiyomi away from Light as one of her top matrimonial duties. Their happiness required sacrifices and Misa was more than willing to make them.

That, and much like Ryuk, she wanted some free entertainment.