It has been almost a week, since his conversation with Shōko and Light was still out of the loop. Aren't they going to question him or something? His father had come home five days ago and was more tight-lipped than usual; he had only asked about his mother and Light told him what Sachiko had said. Other than that dinner time was an unbearably silent affair. Light was glad that Sayu was having a sleep-over at a friend's house; she shouldn't have to be involved in this silent conflict between father and son.

Light knew that Soichiro was angry and he also knew that he was the source of it. Well, who else would he be angry with? thought Light, bitterly. I'm likely a Kira suspect now. My father needed me to be perfect and all I am is a disappointment.

Suddenly, Light let out a hiss of pain as he managed to prick himself with a needle. He was so lost in his thought he had momentarily forgotten his surroundings; he was working on sewing a top while attending his sister's stage rehearsal.

Currently, he was with Sayu in the classroom set aside for Drama Club. A year ago, when his little sister had first join him in high-school she had wanted to participate in an activity they could do together. Still it really wasn't all that different from previous years, though Light had now joined in a more official capacity; rather than simply being outside help, he was now considered a part of the group.

Sayu had always been a fan of the stage and Light had always encouraged it by assisting in the costuming department; Sayu had at least thirty originally designed outfits made by him. Actually, it was through Sayu and drama club that had caused Misa and him to end up together.

Flashback; Two Months Ago

"Isn't this great, brother?" yelled Sayu over the noise of the crowd. They had snuck out to the Misa-Misa concert during school hours.

"Yeah," yelled Light back towards his sister, smiling. "I still can't believe you managed to convince the principal this was an educational field trip."

"What I can I say, I've had plenty of time to perfect the sad puppy eyes trick," teased Sayu. "Especially with you."

Light gave her a look of mock mortification; he would normally never be so expressive in public, but for Sayu he'd make an exception.

The Misa Amane concert was going to an end with the song "I'm Ready." Sayu, Light and the rest of the Drama Club were trying to worm their way through the crowds with hopes of catching Misa's attention; she was known to occasionally invite a few members from the audience backstage. So the Drama Club had decided to come here as a group dressed in their stage clothes as gimmick to catch Misa-Misa's eye.

Light didn't want to inform Sayu that it was unlikely they'd be chosen; there were so many people here, they themselves were a fairly large group to accommodate, and they were still quite far away from the stage. Misa was looking out into the crowd when she locked eyes with Light. Light at first thought he imagined it, but then she had beckoned him and the group he was with to the stage. Some bodyguards came to escort them to her dressing room.

"OMG, can you believe this," squealed Sayu, in a pitch so high Light could swear his ears were bleeding. "We get to actually see Misa-Misa up close in person."

The other members of the club talked amongst themselves in the same manner as Sayu. Then Misa entered the room with an angry look in her eye and she was immediately followed by her manager, Yoshi, and several important people that were involved with the upcoming movie with Hideki Ryuuga. The Drama Club people went silent overwhelmed with excitement. When her eyes landed on the group her anger seemed to pique, and turning to one of the bodyguards she began to throw a mild tantrum.

"I only wanted the brunette boy-toy there," yelled Misa childishly, alarming everyone in the room with the exception of her manager and the director who was eying the group's clothing. "Why are all these people here?"

"This is director, Nishinaka, and his associates; they came to discuss your contact for the film 'Spring Eighteen'," explained Yoshi, while simultaneously one of bodyguards said, "Sorry, we misinterpreted your gesture towards pretty-boy as being bring in him plus group."

Light was feeling a tad uncomfortable being sexually objectified, but to some degree he was used to it, just not this blatantly. Sayu was the only one in the room still smiling, though it was beginning to look a little forced.

Misa and Yoshi continued to argue while Nishinaka looked like he was sporting a massive headache. The Drama Club mostly went unnoticed, except by one of Nishinaka's associates, who was still eying them. She walked up to them and it became more obvious she was inspecting their clothes.

"Where'd you get these?" asked the woman, curiously.

"My brother made them," said Sayu, proudly. "You're Madam Trevi, world famous designer."

"Yes, I am she," answered Trevi, with a polite smile as she ignored the commotion going on behind her. "You…" Trevi pointed towards Light. "Made these?"

"Yes ma'am," confirmed Light.

"What was your inspiration?" asked Trevi, figuring the jacket Light was wearing.

"We're putting on a musical at our high-school," answered Sayu, excitedly. "Sweeney Todd set in modern times. Light agreed to design the costumes and play several of the murder victims. I'm Johanna."

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Johanna," replied Trevi, purposely misunderstanding Sayu before calling the director over. "Nishinaka, what do you think of these outfits? As costuming manager, I believe that they'd work well in this film project."

"Some of them need more work," criticized Nishinaka, eying them from a distance. "Especially, the outfit the bishōnen is wearing. The only ones that are truly ready as is are Johanna's and the handsome lad's there."

Nishinaka gestured towards Yamamoto, who was playing the role of Benjamin Barker. Yamamoto smirked in Light's direction; he was likely going to hear jabs at being called bishōnen rather than handsome. Frankly, Light didn't really care about that as long as he wasn't called gay. He couldn't be anything less than perfect; he owed that to his family. He was honour bound to be exactly what his mother and father needed him to be.

"There is no need to be so harsh, Nishinaka," chided Trevi; if only she could hear Light's thoughts than she would be chiding him for that very reason. "There's some polishing needed, but otherwise these designs are pretty good."

"I'm not saying wouldn't be a good asset," defended Nishinaka. "But you're the head of the costuming department, so if you want to hire him then hire him; though remember he is your responsibility."

Yoshi had then sauntered over with something resembling a smile. Light had to admit that Yoshi was a rather scary woman who always looked to be one bad comment away from gouging your eyes out. So when she was smiling you better pray to God its good news and not a psychotic break.

"We've come to agreement, Nishinaka," said Yoshi, tapping the man on the shoulder. "Misa Amane will be involved in your film project, but there are certain details we'd like to go over with you now. So if you don't mind…"

Yoshi had then proceeded to drag Nishinaka back to the other side of the room.

"So, Light, will you consider working for me?" asked Trevi, smiling sweetly in way that emphasized her prim and grandmotherly appearance. Light was almost sure he was being manipulated as he looked into a set of intelligent, blue eyes; she may be just a fashion designer, but she good one based on her own clothes and her status, and she knew how to run the business angle. "Or are you planning on turning down the opportunity to work alongside Misa-Misa?"

"OMG! Are you serious?" squealed Sayu, bouncing in her seat, barely containing her excitement. "Of course, he's in. Right, big brother?"

"Of course," replied Light as he looked at Trevi with a knowing look. She had successfully played him by using his sister; at least it wasn't done too maliciously.

She just smirked in return. Light had to admit he had respect for this manipulative bitch of a woman.

End Flashback

The last two months had Light precariously balancing school and school activities with his part-time job. It was only a week filming when Misa had asked him out; he had turned her down, but she just refused to acknowledge it. It was only a few days later when he was working on the hem of her skirt that she had broken down crying about how she had no one, since her parents' murder. She then went on about how she felt safe around him and that he was what she wanted.

Light had an overwhelming sense of pity as listened to her; it was her raw emotion and heavy unappealing sobs that really got to him. Misa's parents died when she was very young and the trauma left her mentally scarred; this actually might explain her child-like mannerisms.

So in the end Light agreed to date Misa under the condition that she'd look into acquiring a good therapist. After entering the relationship Light found that this was also the perfect move for him too; he no longer had to fear bullying when he turned down sexual offers nor would he have to worry about people guessing his sexual orientation and as a bonus Sayu got to spend time with her favourite pop idol.

Suddenly his phone alarm went off breaking his concentration on the modifications he was making to what was going to be Hideki Ryuuga's outfit in the movie. Unfortunately, Light's alarm had also broken the concentration of the Drama Clubs acting.

"Hey, man," yelled Yamamoto, carelessly gesturing with his straight razor. "I was just about to stab Turpin in the throat."

"What's happening?" asked Sayu from within an old chest they had acquired for a stage prop. "Can I come out of the box yet?"

"I'm leaving," said Light, as he packed his work into a clothing bag. "I need to drop these by Madam Trevi's. And Sayu, can you tell Mom that I'll be out later than usual?"

Light had scheduled a date with Misa for tonight. Truthfully, he was a little scared. She said she wanted to try something new.

These troubled thoughts and their variations bombarded his mind as he walked to Trevi's place. She was staying in a small apartment just north of the city. She wasn't staying permanently; she had told him that she was leaving after filming wrapped up. Honestly, Light thinks he may genuinely miss her.

"Evening, Light," greeted Trevi, smiling. "Would you like to come in? I was just about to help myself to a spot of tea."

"Thank you, Ms. Trevi," replied Light, as handed her the clothing bags and entered the brightly lit apartment.

Trevi led him into the kitchen where a kettle was whistling on the stove. The table was covered paper sketches; Light guessed she was struggling like he was on designing outfits for a sci-fi, romance, drama film that didn't look ridiculous. Light took the seat that was opposite of the one she was likely occupying previously.

"How do you take your tea?" asked Trevi, as she poured the hot water into two cups. "It's Oolong."

"No milk, no sugar," replied Light, as he looked over her written notes. There was something about alternate realities, shinigamis, witches, and kitsunes. "What's this about? Does this have anything to do with the film?"

"In a way, maybe," answered Trevi, vaguely before changing the subject. "I hear you and Misa are going out tonight."

"Yeah, I'm not sure what Misa's plans are," replied Light, fiddling with the string of the tea bag. "I think we're meeting at a night club or something. She likes partying."

"You don't seem happy," observed Trevi, pausing briefly before giving him a bit of advice. "And you won't be unless you stop lying to others and yourself."

"Why do you think I'm a liar?" asked Light, defensively.

"Because you are," replied Trevi, calmly. "And I'm not saying that you are doing it to be malicious or self-serving. Actually, quite the contrary; I think you're lying to protect your loved ones' feelings."

"Well, how much do you know about me?" asked Light, in challenging sort of voice; truthfully he was feeling worried.

"I'm a very perceptive person," explained Trevi, leaning forwards and cupping Light's fidgeting hands in her own. "You're uncertain of what you want to do with your future, you hide your feelings of being overwhelmed and you been lying about your sexual preferences; is that really being fair to anyone?" Trevi paused as she noticed Light's down-casted eyes that were on the verge of tears; he was feeling ashamed and very, very scared. "Don't worry; I'm not going to tell anyone. I'm just letting you know that I believe that some horrible events will happen to you and keeping secrets will just complicate the problem."

"Though if I was completely honest than that would complicate things as well," replied Light, glaring; he really didn't appreciate Trevi's unsolicited advice. "And why do you think something bad is going to happen? Are you an arikura-no-baba or something?"

"A what?" asked Trevi, giggling.

"Arikura-no-baba," repeated Light, pausing to take a sip of tea before continuing. "It's an ol-… it's a woman with magical powers."

"Is that so?" said Trevi, with knowing quirk to her lips; Light knew she had caught his verbal fuck up. "Well, my intuition is usually right, so you may want to heed my advice."

"I'll take it under consideration," promised Light, not really meaning it. Looking at the clock, he noticed that he had twenty minutes before he was supposed to meet Misa. "Thank you for the tea, madam. It was a pleasure speaking with you, but I need to go meet Misa soon."

"Wait up. I got something for you," said Trevi, pushing him back down into his chair.

Trevi then left to retrieve something from another room. She came back with a rectangular shaped box, which she set down in his lap. Light looked at Trevi questionably, quirking an eyebrow, before lifting the lid off the box. It contained a rather neat looking outfit that would suit the nightclub's setting better than what he was currently wearing.

"The clothes are truly beautiful, but I don't think I can wear them," admitted Light, feeling like the outfit looked to be somewhere between bad boy and S&M. He had to maintain his prim and proper, groomed for success appearance. "There are going be paparazzi following Misa around, sneaking pictures. I don't want my father seeing me where I'm looking anything less than perfect."

"Honestly, you need to lay-back a little; you're way too tense for a person your age," teased Trevi, pulling Light to his feet. "And considering where Misa is taking you tonight this will help you stand out in a good way rather than the awkward way your current get-up will induce. You can change behind here."

Trevi shoved him behind a dressing screen. Light decided to just go with it; it's not like it would hurt. Now that he thought of it neither Soichiro nor Sachiko really looked into magazines or social media, so they'd likely never know. And even if they did it wouldn't indicate anything truly negative; just that he occasionally did the same activities that a majority of other teenagers do. In other words, his parents would only see, at most, a touch of tarnish to his otherwise perfect surface rather than the horrible mess that was inside.

It only took a few minutes for Light to change out of his school uniform and into the clothes Trevi provided. He was fastening the metal collar around his neck as he walked out from behind the screen.

"It looks great; I knew it would," complimented Trevi, mostly towards herself. "If you're interested have a few other casual clothes you can have. I'd hate to think of you doing this yourself; you may just pick out a cartoon t-shirt. That's big no-no in fashion."

Light could help the laugh that escaped his lips. She may be a little strange, but being around Trevi was sort of freeing. She wasn't afraid to call him out on his bullshit, but she wasn't judgmental about it either.

"Do you want me to help you with your face?" asked Trevi, as she brought out her make-up kit.

Light agreed and sat down on a nearby stool. Trevi noticed he already had a light application foundation on his face, likely to get rid of shine. So she just added some eye-liner and eye-shadow; the boy had very beautiful eyes that always seemed to be changing colours, going from light brown to amber to blood red. It was both strange and oddly alluring.

"Alright, we're done," announced Trevi, as she escorted Light out of the apartment. "You better get going now; you don't want to be late. You can pick up your things on the way back."

Luckily, Light didn't have far to go, since he only had four minutes left to make it on time.