A/N: Hi! I'm Lumi. If we've never met before, it's good to finally meet you. It's going to be you and me every Tuesday for the foreseeable future. However, there won't be an update next week. Why? Because the following week, we'll have a new chapter every day from the 6th to the 10th of July in something that I've done for four years now that I like to call Bomb Week. If you've been with me before, you know all about this. But after the 10th, we won't have another one until August 4th. So, I hope you'll come back on the 6th and hang out with me. And more importantly, I hope you come back in August, too. But for now, I'm going to shut up and let you get into the first chapter, ok? Love you. x

Light hated nothing more than opening up his email these days. His schooling was coming down to his final two semesters and his scholarship was starting to dwindle. Even with Light's grades, To-Oh University didn't come cheap. Better schools always came with a higher tuition. Please don't be a payment notice. Please don't be a payment notice. Please don't be a payment notice. He took a deep breath before clicking on the email, his eyes squeezed shut and a knot in the pit of his stomach. Sure enough, when Light opened his email, it was an open palm for another eight hundred thousand yen.

Damn vultures…They'll get their money. Eventually…Whenever I can make the payment. However, these emails were different than the usual. These were the ones that started saying final notice. I can't get kicked out now. Not now. Not when I've come this far. Light threw himself face down on his bed. What am I going to do? It's not like I can go back to her for help and I shouldn't have to go back to Mom and Dad for money. It was bad enough that Light had moved back home. After his last messy breakup, she kicked him out and told him that he didn't deserve her help anymore. Not that it really broke his heart much. The love in their relationship was mostly one-sided. As dirty as it made Light feel, he knew what her love got him. But he couldn't take her anymore.

"Light?" His father gently knocked on the door, "Are you in here?"

"Yeah," Light sat up, pulling himself together for the sake of appearances, "What is it, Dad?"

"Are you alright?" Soichiro sat with him, "You hardly said a word at dinner. And you hardly ate anything."

"I'm fine," Light lied through his teeth, "Just…School stuff getting to me. I'll be ok."

"I see that." Light made the rookie mistake of leaving his email open for his father to see. Light…You should've said something. It's more than just school stuff.

"Looks like I might need to find a part time job," Light chuckled nervously. A poor attempt to ease the tension in the room.

"You know, Light," Soichiro suggested, "It's not much, but you could come intern for us. The pay is relatively decent and I'm sure you'll be able to make your next tuition payment. At least enough to get them to stop harassing you for money."

"Thanks, Dad," Light perked up a little more, "What would I be doing?"

"We just had someone join us," Soichiro explained, "A detective. And a damn good one. He said he was looking for an assistant."

"An assistant?" Light thought it over. Seriously? That's grunt work. I guess beggars can't be choosers right now.

"He specifically requested no one with an IQ below 130," Soichiro went on, "What was yours the last time you checked?"

"About 142…" Light smiled a bit.

"You're already half qualified," Soichiro tried his best to make Light feel better, "I'm sure he'd take you."

"Thanks, Dad," Light laid back down, "But as great as the experience would be in the long run, I need something that pays well."

"I'm sure this would," Soichiro continued, "Either way, it'd be worth a shot."

"What do you know about this detective?"

"He's brilliant," Soichiro bit the inside of his cheek, "His methods can be…a tad unorthodox. To say he's eccentric would be putting it gently. He acts a bit strange, but he's never had a case he couldn't solve. Should I give him your name?"

A mad genius type, huh? By the sounds of it, he doesn't tolerate stupidity either. God, I hope this pays off, "Sure. Give him my name. At this point, what do I have to lose?"

"That's the spirit," Soichiro put a hand on Light's shoulder, "At least it's detective work."

"You're right," Light nodded, "Maybe this could be a foot in the door someday."

"I have no doubt he'll see you," Soichiro started looking up. I knew you couldn't say no, "Well, you should get some sleep."

"I guess you're right," Light's eyes were already heavy. Along with his head and heart, "Good night, Dad."

"Good night, son," Soichiro left Light's room and Light crawled into bed. As long as this internship is paid and this mad genius isn't completely insufferable. Maybe things are going to start looking up for me. Light closed his email and slipped into sweet slumber.

The next morning, the Yagami household was full of its usual bustle. Sayu got ready for school. Soichiro got ready for work. Sachiko prepared breakfast for the family. Everyone but light was bright eyed and bushy tailed. Light didn't have class until noon, so he was no stranger to sleeping in. However, Soichiro stood at Light's bedroom, vigorously knocking on the door, "Light! It's time to get up!"

"Dad…" Light stumbled to his father, still half asleep, "What the hell? It's not even eight o'clock."

"I figured you would want to get to your interview on time," Soichiro shrugged, "Suit yourself. Find your own way there."

"Wait," Light took a moment to process, "What interview?"

"I made a phone call last night," Soichiro told him with a little smile on his face, "He said he'd see you this morning if you're available."

"Really?" That was enough for Light to wake up, "Thank you, Dad! This is fantastic! I'll be ready in a few minutes."

I didn't think he would see me so soon. He must really be desperate. Given my intelligence and the glowing recommendation from Dad, I should be a shoe in. Light quickly made himself presentable and followed his father out the front door. I wonder what this guy's going to be like. All I know about him is his reputation. Although, I must admit. Not leaving any case unsolved is impressive. His track record is amazing. And if he has Dad's seal of approval, he has to be something special.

"Good luck at your interview, Light!" Sayu waved behind him.

"Thanks, Sayu," Light always had a soft spot in his heart for his younger sister. And no one would be able to blame him. Sayu had Light's ridiculously huge footsteps to follow in. Because of that, he pitied her, but at the same time, he'd never hesitate to help her when she needed it. The feeling was mutual. Sayu would always be her brother's number one fan.

Right now, he needed that kind of support. For the entire ride there, Light could hardly contain himself. Thoughts and what if scenarios of his future boss flooded his head. I can do this. Everything up to this point has been a piece of cake for me. With the exception of my emails, but that's not what we're thinking about today. I have this interview in the bag. Although, when Soichiro continued going straight instead of taking the right turn toward the station, Light couldn't help but be a bit confused. What the hell?

"Hey, Dad?" Light wondered, "I thought you said we were going to my interview."

"We are going to your interview," Soichiro continued forward.

"But…" Light looked over his shoulder, "Isn't the station back that way?"

"Who said anything about going to the station?" Soichiro clarified, "Your interview is at a hotel downtown."

"Why?"

"He's not exactly local," Soichiro went on, "His office has been a hotel room for the last few days. If any of us need to get in contact with him, that's where we go. I wouldn't say he's exactly on the record. It's just the way he does things and we cooperate any way we can."

"And the police are ok with that?" Light looked at him strange.

"I told you he was eccentric," Soichiro nodded, "If we don't cooperate, we don't have his help. It's as simple as that."

"You make it sound like he has the NPA hostage," Light joked, his thought turning dark quickly, "He…doesn't…does he?"

"No," Soichiro assured him, pulling up to the front door, "Room 1304. Good luck, Light."

"Thanks, Dad," Light got out of the car and walked inside.

Damn…This is a nice place. Almost too nice to be someone's office. Light could hardly comprehend how much one night would cost in a place like this. Tokyo didn't have a shortage of luxury hotels. And this guy has already been here for a few days? The thought made Light's stomach turn when he put it in terms of his tuition. However, the thought was fleeting as he got into the elevator. How eccentric can he really be? I'm sure he's just like everybody else at the NPA. Just with a bigger ego. Then, Light felt a buzzing on his thigh.

When he checked his phone, the real nauseam hit. Especially with the little red one next to the envelope on the screen. Come on. Not now. I told you that I'd get your money soon. I just need a little more time. Light shook the thought out of his head and shoved his phone back in his pocket. I can do this. A walk in the park. I know who I am. I know my strengths and weaknesses. I understand what this guy is about and what he's looking for. I can do this. My emails don't even exist at this point. Light stood outside room 1304 and knocked on the door.

An older man answered. Not exactly what Light was expecting this detective would look like, but he wasn't complaining, "Mr. Yagami?"

"Yes," Light nodded, "I'm…"

Snap!

"Thank you," the man put a camera back into his pocket.

"Excuse me?" Light wondered, "Why did you…?"

"For office uses," the man explained.

"I'm here for the interview." What the hell did I get myself into? Dad wasn't lying. Eccentric was the right word for him.

"Yes, Mr. Yagami," the man nodded, "If you could turn around, please."

"Sure," Light turned around as he was asked, "What kind of office uses could this be for?"

"That's classified information," the man brushed him off, taking another picture, "This is merely a prerequisite. Right this way, please."

"Ok," Light followed him into the overly lavish suite, "So, will you be who I'm working with?"

"Me?" the man chuckled to himself, "No. My name is Watari. I am the liaison between him and the NPA. He takes his anonymity very seriously. I hope you can understand."

"Of course," Light let it go, "And will you be the one conducting my interview?"

"No," Watari shook his head, "Wait here."

"Yes," Light sat down on the crushed velvet couch. This is more comfortable than my own bed. Who the hell is this guy? More importantly, who the hell does he think he is? "Excuse me…Watari?"

"Yes, Mr. Yagami?"

"Please," Light insisted, "Call me Light."

"Light, then," Watari agreed, "Is there something I can help you with?"

"How long is this going to be?" Light asked, "I have a civics class at noon."

"He'll come get you when he's ready." Watari left Light in the living room and started making pancakes in the kitchen.

"Ok." This may be the weirdest job interview I've ever been on. Regardless, Light sat on his phone, playing some simple game to pass the time. All while getting more and more emails asking about when his next tuition payment would be along with the outstanding balance. I get it. It's overdue. I know how much it is. Yes, I realize you're charging me late fees and interest.

An hour had gone by before Light had heard anything. If he didn't know any better, he'd think his future boss was dead. Whatever happened to being professional? If someone's going to take the time out of their day for this interview, shouldn't you have the common decency to keep the time? Again, who the hell does this guy think he is? The fancy hotel room, making me wait here for the last hour, the way he treats the NPA. It's like he's a giant child!

"Mr. Yagami," Watari came back, "He's ready for you."

It's about damn time.