I'm really updating really fast… -.-"

Disclaimer: Do you think, a mere human like me, could possibly own the one and only Death Note??

"What happened, Mello?"

Matt was sitting next to Mello in the common room while eating breakfast. Mello looked up, inclining his head to the side slightly to show his confusion. Matt sighed exasperatedly and proceeded to point his index finger at Kiri, who was sitting a few feet away. She was eating bread with no filling, and now was sniffing at her cup, with a faraway look in her eyes. The usual blush was in her face, but she wasn't acting normally.

"Kiri-chan isn't sitting with you today," Matt continued. "Something must be up. Is it because I told you guys about the L visit? I can tell her it was a lie, even though I really heard Roger talking to Watari about it. I mean, heck. You're 14 too, but you don't take it as seriously as her."

Mello shuffled in his seat. "I know, Matt. It's just that…" Mello sighed. "Being L's successor is a really big thing to us. I know it's a big thing to practically everyone at Wammy's House, but she really is taking this very seriously."

"At least you guys get the chance…" Matt muttered, but was apparently unheard by Mello. "Whatever, Mello. Just… sort things out with her, okay? She really likes you, Mello, so it'll be hard for her not to talk to you. Look," he gestured at Kiri again. "She's drinking the dark sauce now."

Mello looked at her. Usually, Mello would have found this very amusing. But this time…

Why does this thing have to happen on my birthday, of all times, thought Mello. L sure has a good way of ruining things.

"Kao-chan."

It was nighttime again and both of them were back in their room. While Kiri was trying to avoid Mello, it didn't help that their beds were right next to each other.

"Good evening, Mello-sama," she turned to face him properly, though reluctantly. "Am I blocking your way?"

"No," and Kiri blushed even more furiously at the directness of his answer. "In fact, you're in the perfect place. I need to talk to you."

"Oh… Um… It's getting late, so I'll go to sleep now… Can we talk tomorrow instead? I feel really-" She began to blabber, but was cut off.

"No. We need to talk now." Mello took out a chocolate bar. "Sit down."

Feeling helpless, Kiri sat on the edge of her bed, soon joined by Mello.

"Kaoku…" Kiri became turned to a deeper red when she heard her real name. "Do you really want to be L's successor that bad?" Mello knew he was asking a question with a pretty obvious answer, but he still waited for an answer.

"Um…" Kiri played with her hair, avoiding Mello's gaze, even though the latter was staring right at her. "I assume so… Being L's successor is important, isn't it? We're only here for that purpose. Doesn't Mello-sama want to be his successor too?"

"Is it more important than our friendship, Kaoku?" Her name made her jump, and she knew Mello was doing it on purpose.

Silence.

Mello frowned. Then, all of a sudden, he pinned her down onto her bed by her arms.

He was on top of her, and their faces were so close that Mello could feel her breath on his face. To him, it smelled like marshmallows. She squirmed, but he would not release her. Her eyes were filled with worry, but not fear, and Mello took that as a good sign.

"Kaoku…" He whispered in her ear and she stopped struggling. Mello could feel her heat radiating from her. "I want to be L's successor…" He paused.

"But I want you more…"

Then, their lips met.

It was as quick as he had pinned her down. He released her.

"Goodnight, Kao-chan."

But Kiri was still speechless.