After days of failed attempts at the the art of flirting, Near sat alone in his room, listening to the constant click, click, click of puzzle pieces being snapped into place.

"Of course it wouldn't work," he muttered softly. He sadly looked up at the door, which Roger had fixed earlier in the day. For some reason, it made him feel empty inside, and eager to see what new prank Mello would play on him.

Near knew that Mello hated him because he was best. That means that Near would always have to be best, or lose Mello's attention forever. What would happen then? He would probably fall out of love with Mello, which would be, logically, the best thing for him.

However, love was never logical. His eyes strayed to a magazine next to him. Some magazine called 'Cosmo Girl' that Near had seen some girls giggling around during lunch. He had asked about it, insisting firmly that it was "simply out of curiosity". The owner had let him keep it for the day, saying that he could return it whenever.

When he walked away with it, the rest of the girls had giggled, congratulating her for not flubbing up her words.

She must like me, Near thought. The thought came out flatly, without care or smugness.

Then he had an idea.

He left his room and went to find Mello, who was sitting in a large living room area on a large suede couch with Matt on the floor by Mello's legs. The ten year old took in a deep, brave breath and made his way over to Mello, who looked up at the sound of footsteps.

"What the hell do you want?" Mello began angrily. He jumped up off the couch and stood against the back, his taller form intimidating and compelling.

Near didn't speak for a few moments. He stared at Mello, hoping his plan would work. Annoyed, Mello crossed his arms impatiently and tapped his foot. Matt crawled onto the couch. He peeked over the back of it and watched the scene.

"I've come to..." Near swallowed his pride and finished the sentence. "I've come to ask you for help."

Mello's arms dropped, along with his jaw. "W-what?" he asked, genuinely confused. He hadn't expected Near, of all people, to ask him for help.

"I need advice," Near continued, playing with a lock of his hair.

"With what?" Mello asked, still shocked.

Near almost said "girls" but realized that would be a lie. Instead, he went with a more general statement. "Getting the object of one's desire to notice one."

"You mean, getting a girl?" Mello asked, a grin brightening his malicious face.

"Something like that," Near answered, looking away for fear that his eyes would sell him out. "I hear that you're good with that. That you get all the girls." This, however, was a lie. Many girls liked Mello, although none of them ever dated him.

Mello knew this, as well. "You screwin' with me?" he yelled.

Near's eyes widened for only a moment, but his head was still turned so Mello didn't notice. Or at least Near hoped he didn't notice. "No. I'm serious."

Mello leaned on his shoulder against the side of the couch. "Well," he began, his voice as cocky as ever, "I suppose I could, ehh, teach you a thing or two." Mello examined his fingernails casually then looked up at Near, his eyes evil but stunning. "For a price."

--

"First, I want to know who you're trying to woo," Mello said as they walked through the house towards the kitchen where the chocolate bars were kept.

"Linda," Near answered casually. He had expected this question, and had decided on Linda. Far fetched, but possible.

Mello, however, wasn't swayed. "Liar. You'd never like Linda. Why'd you lie, eh? Like a guy or something?"

He had hit the nail on the head, but Near would never admit such a thing. Not yet. "Don't be an idiot, Mello."

"Psh. Denial isn't just a river in Egypt," Mello retorted with a smile.

"That was lame," Near struck back. "Anyway, what else do I have to pay for your help? Chocolate bars?

"Precisely. I want an all-you-can-eat load of chocolate bars. For a month. And I want them from you not Wammy's."

Mello smiled as he walked. He stood straight up and looked into the eyes of everyone who happened to walk by. Near, on the other hand, was slouched and usually looked at the ground. Now, however, he watched Mello, who was much more interesting than the ground.

Behind him, Matt snickered. The third in line had put two-and-two together long ago. Matt knew Near was acting strangely, and Near asking Mello for advice simply confirmed his suspicions. Matt also knew that Mello didn't notice because he was too wrapped up in himself and his life and his chocolate and his looks and his, his, his... Matt was the third eye to the shenanigans that would befall the top two, and he would just sit back, relax, and watch the show.

Near broke Matt's thoughts. "Don't be stupid, Mello. I don't have that kind of money. We live in an orphanage."

The older boy looked down at the younger and said simply, "no shirt, no shoes, no service."

Near thought it over as his finger tangled into his hair. He desperately needed Mello's advice to obtain his heart. But where would Near get the money to buy endless candy bars? It's not as if Near was rich enough to buy anything. He didn't have a job, but what ten year old did? Everything he wanted was bought via Wammy's money. Sure, Near could probably find 30-odd cents in the couches, but that didn't even buy a single chocolate bar.

If Mello knew I liked him, his cocky meter would raise so high, even Mr. Wammy wouldn't be able to stand him, Near thought with a frustrated frown. If I tell him now, I'll never live it down. Near pictured what Mello's reaction would be. A terrified yelp and a disgusted look? Even inexperienced Near knew that wasn't the reaction that love-struck people want.

Near shook his head and looked at the ground, his eyes tracing the patterns on the marble floor. "Mello, who do you like?" His voice was far away and thoughtful.

Mello blinked and turned around to face Near, who stood behind him. "W-what?" Mello laughed nervously. "Why-why-why would you want to know that?"

Matt bit his bottom lip to keep a grin from appearing on his face. He tried his best to look surprised, although he didn't know if that was the right emotion to portray.

Near played with a lock of hair as the two older boys awaited his next words.