I flopped down onto my bed and pulled out my laptop. It was precisely 10:58 pm, which meant I was early to my lesson. I pulled up video chat and requested Wammy's House. My invitation was accepted by Mello.
"Hey, Hirakata." he greeted.
"Hello! Step back so I can greet the class." He stepped away so I could see a nearly full classroom. "Awesome! Some people do care about when they do field work! Okay, as you all know, this class studies the world's subcultures, in addition to pop culture. We will be spending a week or so on music, about the same on ethnic clothes, a week on food, then a few days on religion, then we'll move on to subcultures. Does that sound okay?"
"Isn't a week rather long time for music, food, and clothes?" Linda asked.
"No, not at all. In fact it might be two weeks on music, after you add those subcultures… Okay! Today we begin music. Does anyone listen to music?" Silence reined the classroom. "That includes soundtrack to video games, movies, TV shows, etc. etc."
Matt raised his hand.
"Video games." he stated.
"Can you name one of the composers?"
"No."
"Have you played The World Ends With You?"
"Yes."
"Then, Takeharu Ishimoto."
"Oh. How did you know that?"
"I'm magical. And I have access to the internet."
"Oh." The class laughed at my awesomeness. Either that or my joke.
"Okay, so you geniuses don't listen to music?" A chorus of no's answered my question. "My gosh… You poor children! Okay, Matthew, get over here and open up YouTube. Then, search um…" I shuffled through my notes for the continent I was starting with. "Oh yes, Resonance by TM Revolution."
"Okay." My little hacker quickly pulled up the page on the computer my face appeard to the students on. "Got it. Which video?"
"One with lyrics. Not live." The first Soul Eater theme began playing. I smiled and watched the student's reactions. A few students were giving me weird glances and others seemed to enjoy it. The rest just sat there listening, and probably gauging the likelihood of my being insane.
"Okay, that is an example of Japanese music. Now search Fantastic Baby by BIG BANG romanized. Okay, class, we won't be watching any of the real videos unless I deem them safe. Oh, and I apologize to anyone who speaks any of these languages, the songs may have some… interesting translations." Heh, interesting would be an understatement. The evil demon of Kuroshitsuji must have possessed me to put Monochrome Kiss on my curriculum.
"This one?" Matt pointed to one.
"I can't see it, but sure." The song played and I grinned as the people who spoke Korean took in the awesome that is BIG BANG.
"Ms. Hirakata, are you going to play any good music?" Linda asked.
"Oh, that hurts, Lind. But, our next song might be more to your liking, though I doubt it. Search What's Up People? By Maximum the Hormone." The head-banger metal screamo music started playing and Linda looked horrified.

"Now Monochrome Kiss by SID." The opening to one of my favorite animes played.
"Yup, Asia as many genres of music as we do. They also some times incorporate traditional elements into their music. Since we covered Asia quickly, let's go to North America! My home continent! Okay, search Hot Air Balloon by Owl City."
"'Kay." The elctro-pop music began playing, and it was clear Linda preferred this, all the boys, however, just looked disgusted.
"Believe it or not, I used to love Owl City. Now, to Canada! The Birthday Massacre's Looking Glass, Matty!" Now every child in the room was looking at me oddly.
"Ms. Hirakata, we're studying how to solve massacre cases." Sonia stated.
"How does that change anything? I've been listening to TBM since I was Near's age."
Sonia was about to reply when L shuffled in.
"Okay, excuse me, class, my boyfriend needs something."
"Hi Ms. Hirakata's boyfriend!" L stepped in view of the camera.
"Hello. Is this Hira-chan's pop culture class?"
"Yes, everyone, this is Ryuzaki. Linda, don't you dare say anything." Mello gave a two finger salute and everyone else waved, like normal people.
"The task force has left for the night. They'll be back early tomorrow." he whispered to me in Japanese.
"Okay. Don't kill yourself. There should be cupcakes in the fridge. I'll be done in an hour or so." I replied, and then kissed his cheek. A chorus of aw's came from the computer making me jump and blush.
"Well, I hope to see you again. Bye." L shuffled out.
"Ms. Hirakata, Mr. Roger told us that public-"
"Linda, sweetie, we both are adults that have graduated from Wammy's. Just shut up, and trust me, nothing's better than Ryu-kun. Now, a punk rock band from Mexico! They are called Allison." The lesson continued such, with disruptions from Mello and Matt, but finally, class was over.
"M and M, stay behind. The rest of you may go." The two boys approached my desk, or the desk the laptop was perched upon. "So, what have ya'll done now?"
"Why do you always assume we've done something?"
"Mells, it's not unjust. You do have a penchant for getting into trouble."
"And then Matt backs you up." I deadpanned.
"Fine. Maybe I do get into trouble. We haven't done anything."
"Yet. You know, to be safe." Matt added.
"Oh gosh, what shall I do you with you? Just don't do anything stupid, respect your elders, etc. etc."
"Okay." Matt agreed.
Mello however, said," Maybe. Probably not."
"Oh Melvin… So see ya'll later!" They nodded their good-byes and the connection was terminated.
"Finished?" L looked up at me.
"Yeah. The kids are just as annoying through video chat." I replied tiredly.
"You'll be fine. Sleep sound good?"
"Yes, most definitely. I'll be there in a few minutes." L stood up and took my hand as I ambled to our bedroom. Sometimes it was nice having a boyfriend. Forget sometimes, it was just nice.

THE LADY PHANTOMHIVE CAN EXPLAIN! She was at Disney World for a week, then sent this off to an editor who never returned it. She sent it to another editor who returned it today. She, as an apology, has posted a crack oneshot.