The next morning Matsuda was up bright and early waiting for Mello to arrive at the building to begin his lessons. He waited for nearly two hours before Mello decided to show up. And by that time the sun had risen high in the sky and the heat was sweltering.

When Mello finally climbed out of the taxi to stand on the curb the soles of Matsuda's shoes were already melting on the sidewalk. Mello took one look at Matsuda and thought, I'm in for a long session, aren't I? Walking over to his 'pupil' he asked, "Why are you standing out in the heat? It's 90 degrees out."

Matsuda swiped the sweat off his face and tugged on his collar. "Oh, I got up early while it was still cool and waited for you to come. I thought you'd be here early...turns out I was wrong." He said testily, his attitude plummeting from standing in the heat for two hours.

"I did show up early. I usually don't get up until around 1 o'clock in the afternoon. You should be greatful that I'm showing this type of consideration. Besides, no one told you to stand outside in the heat with a black suit on, dumbass." Mello said removing a bag from out of the taxi. "Here, take this inside."

"Fine." Matsuda said taking the bag and turning to go back in. Then he heard Mello whistle from behind him. He turned around just in time to get a sharp, light jab on the face from Mello. "Why. Did. You. DO THAT? It hurt!"

"You just failed your first test. You were supposed to say 'no', idiot. Keep this up and I'll have to get a thesaurus to look up more words for 'stupid'." Mello said as he walked inside with Matsuda trailing behind rubbing his cheek.


When they finally got situated in one of the rooms in the skyscraper Mello began his first lesson. "Okay the first thing I need to teach you is how to walk and intimidate people. Let me see how you walk." He said, sitting on the sofa and opening a bar of chocolate.

"Alright, just need to stretch." Matsuda said beginning some yoga exercises.

"Just walk dammit!" Mello ordered impatiently from the sofa.

"Okay, okay. No need for profanity." Then Matsuda began to walk back and forth across the room. He kept doing this until he was sure it was enough then decided to stop. "So? How was it? Intimidating right?" He asked Mello hopefully from across the room.

"Just like I suspected. You walk like a pussy." He said harshly standing up from the sofa. Matsuda stood there, frozen to the spot for several minutes. "Don't just stand there, do it again! And this time put some terror into it." Mello instructed.

"Terror, okay got it." Matsuda said giving himself a firm nod and began walking again. This time he actually felt like he was doing something right. Boy, I bet I look tough now. Light and L won't know what hit 'em. I'll be tough guy on campus. He thought cheerily and let a small smile appear on his face as he walked.

That's when Mello called out to him. "Stop, stop, STOP! Really!? Now you look like you have something shoved up your ass. Or like an animal that's not used to having legs. Sit down, let me show you how it's done." This time Mello demonstrated his intimidation walk. To Matsuda it looked like Mello had a bone to pick with anyone and anything. From the sofa Matsuda raised his hand timidly.

"Uh, Mello? Am I supposed to look constipated when I walk? I don't think that'll make L and Light respect me. Constipation is no joke really. I remember this one time after eating a bunch of gummy bears that happened to me. My stomach ached for hours."

Mello scowled and stopped walking. Calmly he said, "Matsuda come here."

"Uh, why?"

"I didn't ask you why. Just come here."

"I don't think it'll be good for my health if I do."

"It won't be good for your health if you don't."

"But-"

"MATSUDA GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE!"

Matsuda reluctantly got up and went over to Mello. "Yes?"

*SMACK*

"YOU FAILED!"

"Why do I fail!?"

"Because you came over here."

*SMACK*

"But you told me to!"

"You were supposed to say 'NO'! RETARD!"

*SMACK*

"Is this about calling you 'constipated'!?"

"On second thought, YES IT IS!"

*SMACK*

"Please stop hitting me!"

After Matsuda's 'failing' both he and Mello agreed to meet up for the next lesson the day after tomorrow. Matsuda would need time to recover from his bruises.