A Looking Glass, Darkly
Summary : AU. What if it really was Raito's subconscious that was killing people and Raito himself doesn't know it?
Disclaimer : Death Note belongs to Tsugumi Ohba.
Chapter Seven
Perhaps fate decided to throw a winch into Kira's plan, because there was broadcasting that day at Aoyama. It wasn't surprising since the second Kira did mention the location Aoyama in the diary that was broadcasted. But what was surprising was that Raito was caught in the news - in photography competition that was launched a short while later.
One of the world's leading photographers had been at Aoyama on that day, and by mistake, he took a shot of Raito. Upon developing the film, he had been shocked but that certainly did not stop him from using the accidental shot as his competition entry. In the competition, it was the most applauded photograph, and without a doubt, won the best photograph award of the competition.
Naturally, photographs of the competition and the winning photograph ended up on the newspaper tabloid. It was a shock for Kira to wake up and read the news - and see Raito in the news, which had the reporters twittering at the possible new upshot model. A masterpiece photograph with an unknown model, yet able to win the competition with only one entry when every other photographer submitted a minimum of half a dozen?
Kira was in a killing rage. Especially since the front door of his house was swarmed with reporters. Somehow, they found out about Raito's name and address. Neither was L very happy with the twist of event. Despite wanting to protect his friend, Raito's photograph and name end up in the newspaper.
The photograph captured was good, which ended up as the main problem. It was too good. Raito has the looks to pull modeling off and successfully to boot. With long, sweeping lashes, a visage that managed to look innocently seductive, completely oblivious to the camera that snapped the shot, hands delicately holding a cup of coffee, he looked like he stepped out of a dream picture.
Ironically, the photographer had taken the photograph in Note Blue. It had Raito being nervous, Kira angry and L being upset. Fate was laughing very hard, and so was Ryuk. It was a completely unexpected twist of event. Being alone at Aoyama had ended up attracting attention instead of being inconspicuous.
None of Raito's tails noticed that there was a photographer in that area, and he managed to capture a photo of Raito, however accidentally. L chewed them out pretty nastily too, in language that wasn't fit to be reproduced, but to sum it all, L was upset that photographers apparently did a better job in sneaking/stalking someone than his police tails did. Talk about a blow to the pride.
Let's just say with Raito's photograph splashed on the tabloids, the phone never stopped ringing. Modeling agency practically begged for Yagami Raito to work with them, offering everything Raito wanted or needed and everything else he didn't. Various well know companies sent over representatives for modeling contracts, and so did photographers who wanted an exclusive model.
It just wasn't a fun day for Raito, as he took one look at the reporters, fled to his room and barricade himself in. There was no way he was stepping out now, not with the swarm of reporters at his doorstep, and the modeling agencies, and photographers. If he had gone to college, he would probably still be followed, so hiding in his room, armed with a notebook and a well-inked pen was his best defense.
Or rather, it was Kira's best defense. Since things has degenerate to such a stage, Kira might as well make use of his free time and do something useful, like killing criminals in boatloads, by the hundreds. Both Ryuuga and his father called, but Raito had assured them he was fine, just hiding in his room for time being and no, he did not need to be placed under protective custody. That was plainly over-reacting.
Just because Raito was at Aoyama, and both his face and name is now revealed to public, it didn't mean that Kira would target him. The media would drop the news in a few days. Sadly for Raito, the news did not blow over after a few days. Instead, some reporters found his more of his old photographs and information.
They painted a new story. The firstborn son of the police chief investigations, ranked first in the nation, good looks and single. The scouts changed their tune too. Instead of begging Raito to work for them, they begged him to model for a charity show. He would need to model just once, for the sake of the orphans. All proceeds would go to various orphanages.
It wasn't a deal anyone could turn down, least of all, a student of Raito's caliber. To turn it down was to commit political and social suicide. They rationalize that after Raito modeled once, he would agree to do it again. They would have a better chance of signing a contract with him. It would be instant fame for Raito, and only a fool would turn it down.
The sudden turn had Kira amused and upset. He was not planning a career in modeling, but even he knew that Raito had to attend this charity modeling show. With Japan waiting with baited breath, turning it down was impossible. At least it was just once. That, and he could no longer stand his sister, Sayu's begging and wheedling for him to model.
It was just once. Both Kira and Raito would endure it. It was a one night show, with various companies offered their best apparel product to be auctioned off. Each model was assigned a partner for the charity show. For Raito, it was an experienced female model. When Kira saw her, he simply wanted to curse out the heavens and gods.
His partner was Amane Misa.
A/N : Why was Japan suddenly so interested with Yagami Raito? Simple. The shot which became a masterpiece was taken accidentally, and it was a one of a kind photograph. The photographer did not even know until he develops his film. Then he enters it for the competition. And it won. A single photograph entry managed to win a competition when everyone else submitted 6 or more? Not to mention, the model was unknown and not choosen by the photographer.