Chapter 1: Yugahama High
It was in the month of November, Meisho Year 23, when the rise of Kira started.
During December of this year, Kyoko was in the last months of Yugahama high school, the time of entrance exams and graduation. One afternoon, she had her friend Shizuka over in her room.
Shizuka had said, "Kyoko-chan, there's something I've been keeping secret but want to tell you."
Kyoko was taken back by the sudden seriousness in her friend's tone. But somehow, Kyoko already had ideas on what it could be.
"Yes?" she responded.
"I am seeing someone now."
This news about Shizuka finding a boyfriend did not come to a surprise to Kyoko at all, in fact, she had already suspected. And this is exactly what Kyoko thought she was going to say. These past two months Shizuka's behavior had been changing. Shizuka was spending less time with her, Tomiko Wakaba, and Hatsue Takamura. She noticed Shizuka becoming more conscious about her appearances, like putting on makeup and dressing more feminine.
Kyoko was happy for her friend and wanted to encourage her. She wanted Shizuka to be in the best possible place, that was the most important thing.
Kyoko looked Shizuka in the eyes, and said, "That's great news. Can you tell me about him?" She knew talking about her boyfriend would make Shizuka's day.
Shizuka went on to the story of how she met this special guy and how she's going to try to apply for the same colleges with him. Kyoko listened attentively and tried her best to understand, but this was a situation that was difficult to relate to, as she herself never had a boyfriend. They went on to discuss potential places for dates, such as gardens, the movies, beaches, etc. About an hour later, Shizuka says her parents will be expecting her soon and Kyoko walked Shizuka to her house, located a few blocks away. And Kyoko went back home.
Kyoko joined her mother in the kitchen to make dinner together. She has dinner with her parents as they talk about their business and how her elder brother, Haruki, must be doing with his marriage to Sasha Yurnayev—now Sasha Yamazaki, that happened about a month ago. Her parents and Kyoko had taken a liking to her, and knew Haruki must be happy. However, they could not help but miss him, especially Kyoko. Haruki still lived with them while working as a surgeon until he got married, and Kyoko still cannot get used to his absence. Haruki and Sasha had promised to come by for New Year's and for Kyoko's graduation next March.
The conversation then took a turn to the direction of a trip to Tokyo that will inevitably happen in about a month, because the To-Oh University entrance exams were going to be held there.
"I've been looking into hotels we could stay around that area, what do you think of Teito hotel?" Kyoko's father Yuuma asked her mother Asami.
"From what I remember, it was nice. It's been so long since we last went to Tokyo! Kyoko, do you remember the last time you were there? You don't, do you? You were still in third grade and we visited the Kishikatsura Art Museum," said Asami.
"Yes, only vaguely," Kyoko answered. She then continued, "If it's possible, like maybe after I finished exams, can we go to that museum again, please?"
"Sure, dear." Asami answered.
After dinner was over, the family cleaned off the table and dishes and went back to their business.
Kyoko went back to her room, she concentrated on studying for an hour and a half, during break time she checked her favorite search engine Gentle Japan on her pear phone. She found something that immediately sparked her interest.
It was news of the televised Kira vs L that occurred earlier that day. However, other regions of Japan including hers, Hokkaido, were not immediately informed of this televised broadcast because it was at first only broadcasted in Kanto, however, the internet spread news fast enough that within an hour later, the entire nation had seen Kira vs L. Kyoko, pressed on the link that took her to the website where she could watch it.
The news started with stating it was an announcement to the world, a man named Lind L. Tailor appeared on screen. He addresses this message to Kira directly, states he is going to catch Kira whatever it takes, and declares Kira as evil. Within seconds, he had a heart attack and died in front of the camera.
This freaked Kyoko out. It was murder right on live tv. She had never seen a real-life person just die neither in-person—nor on a screen. Up until now, this was only something in the movies. Afterwards, the screen turned all white and a capital letter "L" written in mysterious font appeared. A computer-generated voice spoke.
"I had to test just in case...but I never thought this would actually happen. Kira, it seems you can kill without being there in-person. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't just witnessed it."
The unknown voice continued, "Listen to me, Kira. If you did indeed kill, Lind L. Tailor, the man you saw who just died on television. I should tell you he was an inmate whose execution was scheduled for today. That was not me."
"The police arrested him in absolute secrecy so you wouldn't have heard of him on tv or the internet. It appears not even you have access to information about these types of criminals. But I assure you, L is real. I do exist."
L then challenged, "Now, try to kill me! What's wrong, come on, right now! Can't you do it? Well, Kira, it seems that you can't kill me after all. So, there are people you can't kill, you've given me a useful hint."
"Let me return the favor. Let me tell you something I think you will find interesting. Although this was announced as a world-wide broadcast, the truth is, we are only broadcasting in the Kanto region of Japan. I had planned to broadcast this message around the world until we found you, but I think that won't be necessary. I now know where you are.
The police treated your first killing as an unrelated incident but in actuality the first of your victims was a suspect in Shinjuku. Of all the criminals who recently died of heart attacks, this one's crime was by far the least serious. Furthermore, his crime was only ever reported inside Japan. I used that information to deduce this much.
You are in Japan and your first victim was little more than an experiment which means you haven't been killing for very long. We decided to broadcast in Kanto first because of its large population. Luckily, we found you. To be completely honest with you, I never expected things would go this well but it won't be too long now before I will be able to sentence you to death. Naturally, I am very interested to know how you are able to commit these murders without being present. But I don't mind waiting a little bit longer, you can answer all of my questions when I catch you. Let's meet again soon, Kira."
And the screen went into a buzz.
This was all a shock; Kyoko had never seen anything like it. A person died live on television. Then someone called L appeared and declared Kira will be caught and sentenced to die.
To think only a few hours earlier, Kyoko was doing girl talk with her friend, discussing things like ideal places for dates. Kyoko was now lost in thoughts about the darker, more serious matters such as life and death. L was sure Kira definitely existed, had limitations to their power, and is another human being. She was aware there are people who saw Kira as a god because Kira does the unthinkable, kill people telepathically.
She couldn't help but wonder though, Is Kira really a person? Can a human being truly possess that kind of power? From the time Kyoko heard about Kira on the news, she could not help but think Kira seemed more like a force of nature than a person. Yet, Kyoko had other ideas, like perhaps Kira was created using AI technology.
Kyoko looked towards the direction of her book shelf. It held a collection of mathematics, finance, and economics books for non-fiction, science fiction, horror, and suspense for the fiction novels she reads. She was a big fan of horror stories. She remembers the time when her closest friend Tomiko, had asked her why she liked scary stories so much.
To this, Kyoko tried to answer Tomiko's question by explaining what fascinated her about horror novels was not necessarily the scary parts of it, although the scary parts were indeed interesting, it was the characters in those novels that captured her attention and interest. Kyoko liked to imagine what the lives of those characters were like and who they were before facing death. Her favorite part was to try to imagine a different world where those characters had survived, where those characters got their happy endings.
Kyoko believed people in general deserved happy endings, she felt it was proper and fair. Upon this, Tomiko suggested if Kyoko was so invested in the lives of characters themselves, why didn't she try human drama or other genres that involved learning about a person's emotions, life, and character.
But somehow, horror and suspense were the two genres that had held the most impact for Kyoko. Maybe it had something to do with wanting to confront her own fears and overcome. Her own fears...whatever they may be. She had lived a normal—well at least what she believed to be a normal life, her family, her paternal side specifically, was one of the five elites of the country having gained their fortune and reputation through making achievements in medical science and through the creation of the medical supplies company, Hyosho. And her maternal grandfather, Dainosuke Yostuba, was the president of Yotsuba, a large corporation. She knew there were things she must fear, but she had been lucky enough that she isn't in a situation she would need to think about this often.
She understood by this alone, what she perceived as normal and takes for granted could be advantages other people are born without. Perhaps a better word would be peaceful, she did not feel she had any serious struggle these past 18 years of life. She liked to imagine those characters in those novels living through those scary experiences, she wanted to believe in different possibilities for them, beyond what those pages provided.
These days reality was more like a suspense story since the appearance of Kira. But she knew that while some people may find Kira to be creepy, there was no denying violent crime rates were decreasing, especially in Japan.
Kyoko had not fully made up her mind if she believed Kira was true justice or evil. The grey areas in the nature of this situation made it difficult for Kyoko to have an opinion. She understood if she had grown up with less advantages, if she lived in constant struggle and danger, she could very well see herself feeling relieved that Kira appeared. People are becoming more discouraged to commit crimes that harm others and put their lives in danger. And she hoped that things would keep going in the right direction and not suddenly turn out as bad as those horror novels she tended to read many times over.
Next day, in the school cafeteria, conversation about the televised Kira vs L flooded the room. Kyoko sat with Tomiko, Shizuka, and Hatsue on a table on the east side of the cafeteria, a few tables away from the window. Naturally, the four girls were lost in discussion about Kira and L, like everyone else.
"I am curious if Kira actually couldn't kill L, or if he chose not to because L isn't a criminal." Shizuka said.
Hatsue then added, "Yeah, it really makes you wonder."
Kyoko then couldn't help herself but ask the others, "Do you think...Kira is indeed a human?"
The three other girls eyed Kyoko.
"Umm, maybe? Why, do you think he's not?" Tomiko asked.
"I... I've considered a few theories about that..." Kyoko said shyly, and continued, "I have wondered if Kira is an AI programmed with computer algorithms to kill criminals whose names and faces have been identified...L's encounter with Kira yesterday made me further consider this, especially when L emphasized "Kira needs a face and name to kill," but I do also think, maybe, just maybe, Kira spared L because he isn't a criminal. But that factor still doesn't negate the AI theory. If Kira is an AI programmed to hunt criminals specifically, then Kira not killing the true L would make sense." She finished.
"I think you read too many sci-fi novels, Kyoko-chan." Tomiko said.
"That doesn't sound so far-fetched," Hatsue added. The girls looked in Hatsue's direction this time.
Hatsue continued, "I mean, we're talking about a person or an entity that can kill telepathically, can we really rule out anything otherwise without concrete evidence? I have also considered possibilities myself...I don't want to believe this to be true, and highly doubt this, but I have wondered if Kira and L have both been invented by the police, to get rid of criminals."
"That would be creepy..." Shizuka said.
Before the girls can continue to talk about more theories, the bell rang and it was time to go back to class.
It was now January 17th, Meisho Year 24, day one of the standard university entrance exams.
Because the To-Oh entrance exams were held in Tokyo, Kyoko's parents had traveled with Kyoko and booked Teito hotel close to the university where the exams were being held. Kyoko was nervous the night before the exam. She had not slept well, because of anxiousness in regards to the test the next day and that fact she never slept well in motels or hotels, places outside of her home. She woke up before the alarm on her pear phone rang. Asami and Yuuma were already dressed, seated, and chatting lively about how nostalgic it was to be in Tokyo again, making plans of where to go after Kyoko finished her exams. Tokyo was where they were married and spent their honey moon.
Kyoko tried to share her parents' enthusiasm but was too nervous about the exams to really set her mind on anything else. Before Kyoko went through the gate with the sign marked "To-Oh Univ. Testing Center," her parents cheered her on and encouraged her everything will be fine, all of the effort she put into her middle school and high school years was going to pay off today. Kyoko smiled tentatively and walked through the gate.
The exam was 9:30 to 10:50, Kyoko quickly looked through all the questions on the papers and answered all the least difficult ones first. She tried her best to never lose focus, even when she got stuck on certain questions, even when the exam proctor called out, "You there...Number 162. Sit properly," and even when she had intrusive thoughts such as why didn't I spend more time studying this specific topic?
Whatever happens, happens. Kyoko assured herself as she put her pencil down and looked up back at the clock that indicated the time was now 10:50.
1 month has passed after the exams, it was now February, in the 24th year of Meisho.
One day after school, Kyoko, being the class president of Year 3 Class C, attends a meeting with class treasurer Munenori Utsunomiya, class secretary Hoshika Anayama, and their teacher Yukimura-sensei. They discuss and plan out the last day of class party a month ahead.
On the Thursday of that week, Kyoko went straight home to change out of her uniform and headed for the train station as she was accustomed to do so every Thursday, to go to Yojuku Volunteer Organization, located a few stations away in Natari. Knowing this will be the last, at least for a long time, made her feel a bit sad since she will be going away to college by this April.
Kyoko watched the buildings with a sense of bittersweetness, as the train took her to Natari.
Today was also the last day for the organization for this semester, the volunteers and workers have agreed to throw a party for the middle school students. They served cake, cookies, and juice.
On her way home, the sadness of not seeing those same students again and not being able to return to Yojuku for a long period of time, hit Kyoko harder now than on her way there.
The last day of class party brought these same feelings for her, like it must have for Yukimura-sensei and the rest of her graduating class. However, graduation day in the beginning of March as the cherry blossoms bloomed, gave the students the feelings of hope and a fresh start.
About a week after graduation, Kyoko, Hatsue, Tomiko, and Shizuka had agreed to meet at a restaurant for the last time before they had to travel away from home to go to their universities or trade schools.
They had agreed to keep which college they all got into a secret until this day. Shizuka had her wish of attending the same college as her boyfriend had come true as she announced they will be going to Kiyose University.
Hatsue revealed she would be attending Honjo University which she applied because of their reputation for having the best skaters represent the country. This came as no surprise, given Hatsue's passion as a figure skater and her dream to participate in the Olympics someday.
Tomiko, who had a dream in the future to start her own fashion brand got into Agasa School of Fashion and Design.
When it became Kyoko's turn to reveal which college she got into, she felt reluctant and blushed, but said sheepishly, "To-Oh University."
The other three looked at her in surprise, and congratulated her right away.
"That's amazing! But I am not surprised at all, you deserve to go there." Hatsue said cheerfully.
"That's kind of you...I worked very hard and I just got lucky." Kyoko mumbled shyly.
"You don't have to be modest all the time, be proud and congratulate yourself! You'll do great at To-Oh." Tomiko said encouragingly, nudging Kyoko's arm.
The rest of the evening passed with the teenagers excited about starting the next stage of life, as they promised to keep contact with each other, no matter the distance.
Later that night, when Kyoko was beginning to pack her bags to bring to the To-Oh dorm, she let herself think the thoughts she didn't allow herself to when she was around other people.
Kyoko was truly ecstatic and eternally grateful she got into the university she wanted, and she knew she was going to have a great time there. But she knew she couldn't stop herself from feeling a little bit of loneliness...She knew she was going to miss her parents; she had never been away from home all by herself before with the only exceptions being sleepovers and school field trips. She didn't want to sound dramatic even in her own mind, this wasn't goodbye forever to her parents, her brother, or the rest of her family, or her friends, but she knew she was going to miss them a lot.
Tomiko, Hatsue, Shizuka...she thought to herself as she stared at her Yugahama high school uniform hung on the wall, she had been hesitant to put away.
She wished things didn't have to change when life was perfect as it was.
Author's Note: To clear up any confusion about "Meisho Year 23, 24, etc." I should explain I understand Death Note took place in a specific time period in our world. However, I am one of those fans who prefer stories in undefined time periods, so I invented fictional emperor reign periods. In Japan, both the Gregorian calendar and the Japanese calendar, (which is mostly used for official documents). The Japanese Calendar is based on the reign period of emperors, I will list the eras and the corresponding Gregorian calendar years, real life examples are Taisho (1912 to 1926), Showa (1926 to 1989), Heisei (1989 to 2019) and finally the current era, Reiwa (2019 to present).
I need to ignore the Gregorian calendar in order to keep the fictional timeline ambiguous. I made up "Meisho" 「明昭」 and "Taisei" 「大成」eras. Meisho takes place after Taisei, and I have declared that Light picks up the death note in the November of Meisho Year 23 for this story. I don't have confidence I explain things well so please feel free to ask if there is any confusion about this. If interested, please add me on tumblr, sakuranomai and/or twitter, sakuramaitweets.