Chapter 1: The Beginning of the End

November 28, 2003

"And so, to obtain the value of 'X' you simply multiply 'Y' by the variable and…"

God, is there no end do his droning? We've gone over this 15 times already! Enough! I thought. This life had gone on too long for me. It was becoming tedious and boring, as this world was. I knew everything this man had to teach, and more. I turned my head to stare out the window. I'd have to fix that job application later. Good pay for that waitress job, since I quit the last one because of the boss's pervy son. I sighed quietly. Men were all the same. I wouldn't know much though, I couldn't fall in love. Too much hassle, too much pain.

Later…

"Listen for the voice of God then follow it, and know that in time you will find your salvation." Reading. At least this was more interesting. I stared out the window once more from my position in the back of the classroom. He doesn't even know that these kids are completely ignoring him! The idiot.

"Yagami, are you still with us?" A change in speech. I looked back to the room to see the teacher staring at a kid in front of me. Sure, call on the kid who was actually probably paying attention to you. Although, he is the smartest kid in class after me, so he probably wasn't listening either way. I looked back out the window as he continued. "Will you please translate the following sentence into English?" I heard him sigh as he stood and recited the sentence, once more ignoring them as he was complemented.

The day continues as the day before that and the day before that. How tedious. This world is boring to me; it holds no more surprises as Father's realm. That world is rotting, and I have no friends there or here. Oh, Ryuk. At times such as this I wish Mother hadn't ordered you away.

I was tired, and as I looked out the window, something fell. Something shaped oddly like a notebook. My eyes widened as the object landed on the ground. No, it couldn't be! The day couldn't have dragged on any longer.

"Night, may I speak with you?" Damn it!

"Yes, what is it? I really need to get home to do some important work." I knew it was disrespectful to speak to a teacher that way, but I had to get that notebook!

"The Board is still extending that offer for a scholarship to To-Oh University, if you'll accept it. You'd be the youngest to enter the school."

"If I pass the university exams." I smiled, turning on the charm. These people were much too hopeful, and I needed to get outside ASAP.

"I'm sure you will."

"May I go now? I'll think about it and tell you within the week." I walked out before he could answer. Once I hit the hall, I ran. When I reached outside, I ran to the exact spot I saw the notebook land. It wasn't there. Damn it! Damn it all to hell!!! I looked around frantically. Light Yagami was walking away from me; I followed him since he seemed like the most likely candidate.

I kept following him, getting closer with every step until I could see what he was holding. He had a bag, but there was something sticking out. A book, definitely. D-E-A was all I could see of the cover, along with partials of another letter. D-E-A, as in Death? Death Note? It had to be, from the way his face looked. He didn't yet know what it could do, I had to get it. I followed him until we reached a neighborhood and he turned into a house. No! I couldn't lose this chance!

I stood outside his house until he came out for cram school. I sighed as I finally walked home. I automatically checked the traps I set every time I left. None were tripped; no one had been here save me. I turned on the television immediately; no doubt he'd want to test it out. At about 6:30 p.m., he did. Kuro Otoharada, a man holding a school group hostage, died of a heart attack. No doubt about it, Light Yagami had picked himself up a Death Note. Now it was only a matter of time before a shinigami began following him around. The only question in my mind was who. Who would have dropped their Death Note in the human realm like a fool? I could only pray it was the one I wanted. I'd give it a few days, and then check it out again when he or she showed up. Then I'd confront him.

Light Yagami, what are you going to do? What will you become with this power? Only time would tell when I would regret not going to his house and pulling that cursed book from his hands.