Things are not always what they seem to be. This statement applies to people and situations alike. People make assumptions based on their on own prejudices and life experiences. Just as the eye can be tricked so can the mind. Life in general and people specifically should not be viewed in stark black and white. There is a whole spectrum of gray in the human experience to consider.
Then there are those who do not care about the nuances of being human. Light Yagami judged harshly and quickly. He chose to see only the definites, what he believed to be the cold, hard facts in plain view, before drawing a conclusion about people. Being stubborn prevented him from backing down on his opinions. Being a narcissist would not allow him to admit, even to himself, when he was wrong.
Ryuk cackled happily to himself. He believed he had finally found a human interesting enough to be worthy of his Death Note.
The mischievous shinigami had been bored and looking to stir up something in the human realm. One could never predict how these humans would act. With such a wide range of emotions, they could be endlessly entertaining in their unpredictability.
Ryuk had been observing two particular humans for a little while. The boy and the girl both were equally ambitious, driven, and unafraid to do what it takes to get what they want. However, they greatly differed on their methods of accomplishing their goals.
The boy, self-serving and competitive, naturally brilliant and handsome, kept to himself and accomplished everything all on his own. There was truth to the girl's words. Everything did come easy to Light Yagami. He was also loathe to show weakness or ask for assistance should anyone have the opportunity to be given a shred of credit for his success besides himself.
The girl, however, was his complete opposite. She asked for help when she needed it. Tutors and extra credit work enabled her to keep her grades up. She spent hours in the library, reading and researching. Humbling herself to ask Light for his help had not been easy for her, but she had done it in her desire to become better.
The gossip mill had been totally wrong about her involvement with the history teacher. He was a student teacher who tutored her. He also became her savior when he assisted her with getting a part time job and a place to live to escape her guardian, the uncle who had sexually abused her for years. When the rumors could not be quashed and revealing the truth would be even worse for the both of them, the teacher had resigned willingly to spare them.
The girl worked hard at school and her job. She took her books to work with her to study between batches of bread dough rising or cookies baking. Sometimes it was nearly impossible to focus her eyes and form a thought at four in the morning when she had not gotten to sleep until midnight.
However, Sachiko was too soft-hearted, too kind. She formed opinions about people slowly and was willing to change them upon getting to know a person. She cared. And that was what made her weak. She was the wrong choice for his little experiment in human behavior.
Ryuk greatly enjoyed observing her interactions with Yagami so he continued to keep her in his sights.
The boy, however, showed exceptional promise. The seeds of a god complex had already started to sprout and grow in Light's heart. Believing oneself to be a god on earth is so very important to being a holder of a Death Note. After all, only gods of death were supposed to possess the notebook. Light held the potential of being a spectacular human Shinigami; calculating and indiscriminate, suffering no guilt from doling out death sentences.
Ryuk leaned forward, teetering on the edge of the rocky outcropping where he sat in the bleak Shinigami Realm. His bulging red irises followed the white square of paper that the boy slid onto the girl's desk.
The sweet girl with the wild brown curls pulled back into a ponytail sniffed as she unfolded the note. She had been proud enough to go to the bathroom and cry, then rinse away the tears before entering the classroom like nothing had happened. The shinigami admired her just a little for that show of poise. Humans could be so intriguing.
Ryuk silently read the note along with her.
If you really want me to tutor you, come to the library tonight at 8.
"Well, well, Light," he snickered in amusement. "Aren't you a nice guy?"
No. Not really. Ryuk knew there was not an altruistic bone in Light Yagami's body. He had no idea what the boy was thinking, what his angle could be. What could Light possibly hope to gain from the girl? His reasons were his reasons alone, but Ryuk meant to find out his hidden intentions. He would observe a little longer before dropping the notebook, but he had already decided who would receive the Death Note.
"Humans can be so very interesting. Isn't that right, Light?"