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"Did you hear about that broadcast in Kantou last night."
"Yeah. My cousin told me. Fucking scary man."
"I was down there. Saw the whole freaking thing. The dude just dies. Like 'ack'. Wasted."
"Squirming and everything. Shit."
"Just twisted."
"Here I got it on my phone, Kira is the shit man."
Hot topic of the day. Kira v L. In the short interval since the battle aired it had been replayed on every TV station, website and device thousands of times. The nation was captivated by it, Kira really had the power of a god, and there was L; challenging Kira right there, even going as far as finding his exact location.
Yet, he was still alive.
L, so far the only person to avoid Kira's wrath, and making a show of it. Rubbing it in Kira's face. He wasn't hiding his intentions either. Calling Kira right out and saying that he would catch this unknown murderer.
Using an already marked for death prisoner to impersonate himself and bait Kira into acting. L was out with guns blazing.
A wave of fear and anxiousness took over Japan after; everyone was eagerly awaiting the next battle and at the same time waiting for the next string of mysterious deaths.
All of this barely mattered to Kiyomi Takada.
She listened to her classmates drone on about Kira for the millionth time; that was all everyone ever talked about these days. Who is Kira? What's his power? Can he kill if you ask him?
All over the internet and the news. It was massive.
'Really.' This was all becoming tiresome for her, 'Can't they find something else to talk about?' Takada was fully aware of just how big of a deal this was.
Supernatural string of deaths worldwide? All criminals? Mastermind possibly hiding out in Japan?
She was not ignorant of any of this. It just didn't concern her as far as she cared.
Was she a criminal? No she was not; there was no reason to worry about all the Kira business going on.
Was she Kira? Takada wasn't that either. So she had no concern or care for L and whatever the Japanese police were up to. Kira was possibly some deranged lunatic or a monster; she was a grade-A student and possibly the best in Enoshima. The thought of her being Kira was laughable at best.
Neither was she involved in the investigation. She had no desire to catch him.
All of this was just meaningless gossip to Takada, just magnified to the extent that an entire country was whispering about it.
'Still.' She had to wonder about it once in a while. 'Just what is Kira?' Having seen it for herself, she did think that Kira had to be some sort of god. After all someone died on live television. You definitely don't see that every day.
When she first heard of Kira, Takada had thought it was just some marketing ploy. Seriously, companies could come up with devious stuff just to get your attention. Someone killing you without even touching you? No weapons either?
Like that could happen.
Then the reports of widespread criminal deaths came in.
In two days over twenty Japanese prisoners had died of mysterious circumstances; more suspected or never convicted of crimes had died due to accident or illness. Then it spread to the rest of Asia, to America and now the whole world was beginning to be baffled by the Kira anomaly.
It was interesting to say the least. A power like that could definitely be useful.
Looking around, she wondered if anyone in her class was Kira, she highly doubted that, but it was possible, Kira could be anybody.
The process behind his methods. Why? What was his goal? Take over Japan? Why not? He had the power to do it. Possible, the government was weak after all. But if that was his real goal, why not just kill the Prime Minister and the Royal family? Or anyone who could get in his way for that matter.
Maybe Kira was after something bigger? World domination? Again, why not just take out the big guns first?
Why waste time with petty criminals? She was grateful that there was less creeps and murderers around, and she agreed that some people truly deserved what they got, but really, it seems like a wasted effort.
Doing it to make a statement?
Perhaps.
Or... maybe Kira really was the harbinger of justice. Smiting anyone he felt that needed to taste the wrath of a god.
'I'm thinking too deeply into this.' But to Takada that didn't matter much, she didn't have that power. So she wasn't concerned too much.
'If I did…'
There wasn't a doubt in her mind that if she had power like that; she would use it to its full extent.
Was it selfish? Yes it was. Takada was human after all, humans love doing things for their sole benefit.
It was a tempting thought. What's the point in having power if you can't have fun with it?
And if Kira was indeed a human being; there was also no doubt in her mind that he or she was doing exactly that.
Kira might not have believed that, maybe thinking what they're doing is righteous in some way. That was silly.
"Okay, settle down." The homeroom teacher strode into class, quieting everyone. "Go to page 63 and let's get started."
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"Here are your results; as usual we're very proud of you Miss Takada."
"Thank you Principal Murakata."
Kiyomi had been summoned to pick up her practice exam results; there was no surprise in her scores. She did expect them to be perfect after all. Principal Murakata wasn't surprised either, but he needed to congratulate his best student.
"No really we are. Your consistency has brought about a lot of interest in this institution. You're number one in the district."
'I know that.' Kiyomi kept smiling as she talking to her principal. He was all smiles as well, but not because of their conversation.
Principle Murakata had an unsavoury reputation at the school, mostly among its female population. Mostly because he would molest most of them, he seemed to have a thing for fresh first year girls.
That didn't mean he did not sample some of the seniors. Being relatively handsome and charming made that easier for him.
It was strange that none of his victims had the strength to confess to anything. The one time the police investigated a charge; it was dropped quickly after due to lack of evidence and was then ignored all together. Or maybe because he was the former head of the education board in this district and had close ties to the local police as well.
He could make life difficult for any parents if he wanted. The girls he violated weren't getting off lightly either, few of them stuck around school and transferred soon after the rumours and bullying started.
Whispers of being a disgusting whore; all the boys avoiding you like a plague, not even when one jumped off the roof of a warehouse did anyone try to stop it or question it.
Life kept on rolling for Murakata Murasaburou. If there was anyone for Kira to kill, it would be him; but it seems that even the bringer of justice let things slip through the cracks.
Kiyomi knew Murakata had his eyes on her, and that was apparent form the first time he called her to his office.
And every other time there would be that glint in his eyes; like a predator lying in wait for prey.
This time was a little different, there was something else. Impatience.
Kiyomi liked to think of herself as a good judge of character and reading body language. Murakata kept twiddling her fingers and gesturing as he went on, but his eyes never left Kiyomi.
She was of course absolutely disgusted, and normally she would have simply taken her papers and left quickly.
Well he was her principal.
"With your curriculum vitae, I'm certain there's not one university that would be foolish enough to reject you." Murakata brought Kiyomi from her thoughts. "You did choose Toudai as your first choice correct?"
Oh and he was a Toudai legacy with connection to the school now. She did have to do research on someone who might try and cop a feel after all.
"Of course." Kiyomi was very serious about that one thing and it was the only reason she endured staying in his office to chat when he called. So far nothing had happened yet.
'Just keep smiling Kiyomi.' She told herself. This was her last year of school after all, no need to screw things up for herself now.
Murakata stood to walk around his office, "After all your grades are impeccable and there's no reason that you couldn't pass the entrance exam with flying colours."
'Here it comes.'
"However.. I could help you If you wish."
"Help me?" Kiyomi kept smiling despite her urges to slam the nearest heavy object into his head. "How so?"
"Well Miss Takada," he stopped behind her and put a hand on her shoulder; that put Kiyomi more on edge. "As everyone knows I went to Toudai, it just so happens, that the current dean of admissions Tokikuni-san graduated in the same year as me. We keep in touch sometimes. "
'He's baiting me.' That was obvious.
"He has heard of you and came to me expressing his interest in you."
"That's wonderful."
"I could…" He squeezed her shoulder, "put in a good word for you. Your acceptance may as well be guaranteed."
'This bastard.' The principal's hand wandered lower to her collar bone. "I don't want to objectify you; but you're very valuable to this school's reputation."
"I'm well aware of that." Kiyomi smiled brightly, "I couldn't thank you enough."
Murakata let go and returned to his seat. "Oh no, don't worry about that. I'm just doing my job as an educator." He waved his right hand. "You should be getting to class; I don't want ot be the reason for you being late."
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"Troublesome."
Yagami Light was in a predicament, and he wasn't quite sure how to deal with it yet. Glancing to his side; the source of his anxiety was still there, never letting up their watch.
For nearly the last two weeks now there was this guy following him. All that told him so far was that L had begun investigating the police. While that didn't restrict his movements much, the longer this went on the more annoying it became.
Light knew that he wasn't the only one being watched like a hawk; but they couldn't keep watch on him forever, could they?
'Che.'
Ryuk was being useless like always. He wasn't going to tell him the mysterious stalkers name, even if it was of no effort on the Shinigami's part. Sure there was the deal Light was offered.
'Half my lifespan?' He scoffed, 'like hell I'm going to do that.' Really he didn't know how long he had left, but Ryuk did. It could be anywhere from 60 years to 60 seconds. Why would he risk cutting that in half?
Still he had to deal with his new friend quickly, and move on to finding out L's identity.
Light had reached home and surprisingly, he was alone today. A little bit of freedom; no mother and sister to annoy him.
There was another problem at hand. Suddenly reports of criminal activity had dropped like a rock. There was no doubt that L was behind it. He must have told the media not to report anything.
It was getting difficult to keep up his one death; one hour strategy. He was getting close to resorting to his reserve list of names.
Light couldn't try getting access to his father's computer or the police server. Those were most likely being monitored. Better safe than sorry, right?
"So Light, what're you gonna do?" Ryuk inhaled another apple soon after asking. They were becoming some sort of acute addiction for him. He couldn't go a few hours without begging Light to buy some.
"You're still not going to tell me that guy's name are you?" Asked Light as he looked out his window and at his stalker.
"Nah."
"Not even if I buy you thirty apples?"
Ryuk actually stopped to think about that for a minute. The idea was a tempting one, that was certainly enough to last him two days, but he was more thick-skinned than that. "No."
"It was worth a try I guess."
"But really," the death god asked again, "what're you going to do about it? He can't keep following you forever."
"He probably can."
"That sucks. He creeps me out."
"Me too." Light added. "For now we wait it out, I'll come up with a plan. Like I said; I won't bore you Ryuk."
"Hehe. You haven't disappointed yet."
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For Kiyomi, another day of mindless, diligent study was over. School was easy. The teachers were easy to please as long as you say 'yes' and get good grades. Hang out with a few classmates and remain relatively popular as well. These were easy. Things just are not any fun when they are easy. Where was the challenge?
Speaking of classmates.
"Ah. Kiyomi-chan, do you want to head out later?" One of the girls in her class, Okoshi Kioye approached her. Kiyoe was a fun, polite and friendly person, her father was also a high ranking attorney, exactly what Kiyomi needed to maintain the status quo. If she wanted to get anywhere in life she needed connections, good grades and good looks were never enough.
"Sorry, I can't today. Prep school, you know."
"Oh right. Silly me I keep forgetting." Kioye was a little dejected by that, "still you're amazing Kiyomi-chan. You must study so much for you to be number on all the time. You make it look so easy."
"Oh it's not easy." Kiyomi replied in kind, but what she thought was, 'Of course it is. But why are you complaining, your father pulls strings for you anytime he pleases.' That however really did piss her off.
Besides, she didn't have prep school today. Kiyomi just wanted to get home and enjoy her solitude; she had enough socializing for today.
"Well I'll see you tomorrow."
Kiyomi wondered what he had to be jealous of as she went on her way. Her father was killed in a hit and run years ago, she got over that, and her mother was working in Australia. So she lived alone very comfortably.
But living alone meant that she had to do most things herself, and not have someone beat a path for her.
"Misa Misa knows that manager. Misa know she has to be at the 99 building later. Waaaiii- you're so pushy."
Kiyomi observed the noisy girl coming her way. Ditzy, dyed blonde hair, apparently airheaded and speaking in third person.
"Waaaiii- I knooow that manager! Misa won't be late!" The Misa girl clapped her pone shut and hurried past Kiyomi in a huff.
"Rude as well." It wouldn't be entirely surprising that Kiyomi had a low opinion of people like that. "It's getting late." The late afternoon sky had already begun to darken in the early evening.
She needed to hurry.
"Excuse me miss."
Kiyomi turned as the voice addressed her, as soon as she did a cloth smothered her mouth.
'What the hell-'Kiyomi's thoughts suddenly became clouded and confused; the strong chemical smell was overwhelming her.
'This- Cloro-'
As cliché as it was, chloroform was a standard when doing this sort of thing. It worked.
"Just relax fighting won't-" Kiyomi slammed her head into her assailant's; she didn't feel like being knocked out and raped right now.
"Bitch…"
Kiyomi found her self in a choke hold, "Just-" The grip on her neck tightened, "Relax. I don't wanna damage my delivery you know."
'Delivery' What, she's a playtoy for some perverted freak now?
"Fuck- Ugh-" With each passing second it got harder to breath, the hold on her throat made sure of that. Kiyomi's vision got darker and her body weakened.
"Say goodnight now."
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"What the fuck did I tell you Okoshi?!"
'My head…'
"What? I brought the girl like you said."
'Fuck-'
"I said unfucking damaged. As in no scratches, no cuts and especially no goddamn bruises on her neck. Is that too hard to fucking understand?"
"Maybe if the little bitch hadn't broken my fucking nose it might not have happened." Okoshi screamed back, "Be glad I'm not charging extra for that."
Kiyomi slowly stirred, her whole body felt like it was hit by a truck. Her senses weren't completely back up to working order yet, and her head was a clouded mess. ''-the fuck happened?" There was cold concrete beneath her and her hands were bound behind her back.
She looked around the dark room to see to men arguing. It wasn't clear enough to make out their faces, but she heard them clearly enough.
"You should be glad you got the opportunity for some work. How many times you did you get arrested for kidnapping again?"
'That- that voice is familiar.'
"Fuck off you shitty teach-"
"I knew there was a reason I kicked you out of school, Kurada Okoshi."
"Murakata-" Kiyomi's voice was weak, but the two stopped their argument once she spoke.
Murakata gave her a bright smile, "Goodnight Miss Takada. Okoshi, untie her please, it looks very uncomfortable."
Okoshi cut the ropes binding Kiyomi's wrists with a switchblade. "Where am I?"
"Hmmm?" Murakata tapped his chin and shrugged, "I don't really know, Tokyo bay, Kamakura shoreline. Take a guess. Could be anywhere."
From what Kiyomi could see, she was in a warehouse, nothing more then that.
"What am I doing here?"
"We're here to talk Miss Takada." Her Principal gestured to his partner; Okoshi swiftly hoisted Kiyomi by her shoulders.
"Bastard." Growling she kicked Okoshi's knees as hard as she could. "Let me fucking go." To no avail his grip didn't falter.
"I'm afraid I can't let you go right now Miss Takada, but we'll being a lot of that- other thing you said."
"Stop fucking with me."
"I haven't even started yet." Murakata had gotten close to her; his breath tickling her neck had her hairs on end. He slowly caressed her cheek; Kiyomi of course wouldn't have that and kindly spat in his face.
"Haha. I knew I chose you for a reason." Murakata grinned, "So feisty. You're really different from the others."
"If you think you're getting away with this you're dead wrong."
"You and I both know that I have and I will. I suspected it from the way you act in my office." The principal, strode around her, "You're observant. You're sharp. You don't let things slip by. Out of all the students in that building you really are the most remarkable."
"Alas I'm afraid that isn't going to help you now."
"Do you honestly think I would let you get away with rape?"
"How is it rape if it's consented by the two individuals?"
"What makes you think I would?"
Murakata stopped before her. "But you would Miss Takada. Your future depends on it." She stopped. "I see that got your attention. It's no surprise that I know people, and I'm sure you've known that for a quite a while."
Kiyomi didn't reply. "The fact of the matter is, I can make your acceptance into Toudai guaranteed. I don't back out on promises. Some of my past students are living quite comfortably with government jobs, or with corporations and a well heeled husband. Everything you're aspiring to is it not? You go along with my little game and I can make that happen," his smile brightened, "no you're too good for that. Someone with your brilliance could even be Prime Minister. I could introduce you to the right people at Toudai to start you off."
The smile slackened. "On the off chance you refuse; well I'm sorry but those things might as well be dust in the wind. As comfortable as I could make your life, I could also make it a living hell. And of course, since you don't want to have me then I won't complain, but I'm sure Okoshi here would be more than glad to take my stead."
"That's generous of you Murakata." Okoshi drove his hand into Kiyomi's blouse and fondled her breasts, "Heh, these are nice."
'So, it's down to this.' This was the very situation she wanted to avoid, but now it got ten times worse.
It was either have sex with her principal and have a bright future guaranteed, or be assaulted by the thug holding her back.
"It's a simple yes or no question, Miss Takada. People swallow their pride everyday in this glorious country of ours, and they get what they want because of it. Why struggle needlessly Kiyomi? If you want to get anywhere in the world; you need power and connections. So let me give them to you?"
It was no wonder he could get away with everything if he was that smooth of a talker.
"Fine."
"I knew you would come around Miss Takada."
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"You have no problem if I drop you off down the block, right?"
"No."
Murakata smiled cheerily from the driver seat of his Cima; really everything went as he expected it to. Kiyomi had remained quiet for most of the ride home. Everything she had done a few hours ago was in the past now. She just had to move one from now.
"After all, it would look bad for us if someone saw us together at this time of night. No?"
"Thank you for the ride." Kiyomi said once more before exiting the car and giving her goodbyes.
"I'll see you at school tomorrow bright and early then, Miss Takada." Murakata gave a friendly wave as he drove past. Nothing was out of the norm for him.
Kiyomi simply walked to her apartment and stood outside the door, before camly punching it as hard as she could.
"WHY?!"
Her scream had probably woken a few people up but she didn't care. 'That bastard-' She wanted to deny it but it was her fault just as much, she agreed to everything. Really, what choice did she have. Her options were clearly given. She simply took the lesser evil.
It still didn't make her feel any less like absolute shit.
"Give me power? Really Murakata? Why do I feel so helpless then?"
She knew from now on it might only happen more. As much as she knew it occurred; Kiyomi ignored it. Always believing she was above being manipulated into giving sexual favour. Well now it happened.
There was truly no justice in the world.
"Justice." She whispered. "Where is justice?"
Wasn't Kira justice?
Wasn't this the very thing he was supposed to be fighting?
Why were Murakata and Okoshi still among the living? Shouldn't they have been wiped out?
"So where are you Kira?" Kiyomi said again. "Come on, you're supposed to help the weak and downtrodden right? Kill them. Kill them. I want their heads on a plate. Huh? Kira? Why can't you do that?"
Maybe Kira wasn't as powerful as she had heard or seen? Maybe there were limits to his so called power?
"Hahahahaha…" Kiyomi let out a small chuckle, "Haha.. that's right isn't it? Almighty Kira can't do shit after all. Just filling his ego because of his so called power. Has he really helped anyone? Does he just want people to fear him?"
"Maybe this is what Murakata meant, hmmm? You can't get anywhere without power. Kira has the ultimate power. Who wouldn't fear him? Hahahaa.."
'BANG'
Kiyomi heard something hit the trash cans below her. She looked over the railings and noticed something lying on the ground.
A black book.
'What the hell?'
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