L fixated his gaze on the three screens before him, displaying a myriad of charts and data analysis. He felt M approached him from behind and enveloped him with her arms. They both shifted their attention towards the screens.

"Are you busy?" M lightly planted a kiss on L's cheek. "What are you looking at?"

"I have confirmed that Kira is a student." L paused, bringing his thumb to his lips before continuing, "I'm just trying to gather more clues."

M peered at the screens and flashed a smile. "Looks like the schedule of a third-year high school student."

L inquired, "How so?"

"If it were a first or second-year student, they would have club activities after school," M gestured towards the time on the screen, "but third-year students are busy preparing for university entrance exams and are not required to participate in clubs. Unless Kira didn't participate in any clubs, which is uncommon for Japanese students, it must be a senior student."

Her name was Nanami Miru 七海咲来（みる）Miru is the first name, last name Nanami, in case anyone who is not familiar with Japanese names.

Watari led the small black-haired girl out of the courtroom, her hand tightly clasped in his. They weaved through the bustling corridors, the sound of footsteps and murmurs filling the air as barristers rushed past them. The oppressive atmosphere of the courtroom seemed to impede their movements like a thick fluid, until they finally stepped outside into the open air. A sleek black car awaited them, its engine humming quietly in the background. As they made their way towards the car, the girl's small and warm hand remained tightly grasped in Watari's, the clamor of the courthouse fading behind them.

As they settled into the car, the engine's low hum filled the space around them. Watari glanced at the girl beside him and reached out to gently caress her head. She flinched slightly, and he paused.

"Miru," Watari said in a gentle tone, "You will be spending some time with me at Wammy House from now on, my dear. I hope that arrangement is to your liking.'"

"You may not be familiar with Wammy House, Miru," Watari continued, "but it is a place for gifted children who may have nowhere else to go. It's a safe haven for those who possess exceptional talents."

The girl looked up at Watari and nodded. She had dark, dark brown eyes, almost black in their intensity. They were large and expressive, yet held a sense of guardedness that made it difficult to read her true thoughts and feelings. The car lapsed into silence once more, as Miru gazed at the passing scenery outside the car window. The noise of the city slowly faded away, replaced by the sounds of birds chirping and leaves rustling in the breeze.

As the car approached Wammy's House, the gates slowly opened, allowing them to pass through. The mansion was situated in a remote area, surrounded by lush greenery. The exterior was made of dark gray stones, giving it a gothic appearance that was both imposing and impressive. Watari stepped out of the car and extended his hand to the girl. She hesitated for a moment before taking it, and they walked into the house together.

They navigated the labyrinthine corridors, Watari introduced the impressive common areas and rooms, one after the other. Miru observed her surroundings with detachment, not easily impressed by opulence despite her wealthy upbringing. Nevertheless, she couldn't help but appreciate the attention to detail in the design of each space, the meticulous organization of the rooms, and the state-of-the-art equipment.

Children ran past them, laughing and playing games outside on the lush green lawn, while others were quietly engrossed in books or puzzles. Miru observed the lively and carefree atmosphere around her with guarded curiosity, unsure of what to make of it.

Each new space they entered offered a new experience for Miru, from the spacious gymnasium to the cozy study nooks tucked away in secluded corners. Each room had its own charm and purpose, and she could see herself spending hours exploring and learning new things at Wammy House. Despite her initial skepticism, Miru couldn't deny that there was something special about this place.

"Perhaps you might find this room interesting," said Watari, leading Miru to the end of a corridor where another door stood. Upon entering, Miru was immediately struck by the scent of polished wood and the gentle hum of the air conditioning. The room was tastefully decorated, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere despite its relatively small size. In one corner, a grand piano gleamed under the soft glow of the overhead lamp, inviting Miru to sit down and play. A bed could easily fit in the remaining space. On the opposite wall, a desk faced the window, offering a picturesque view of the lush greenery outside. In the corner by the door, a music stand and a few violins awaited, tempting Miru to try her hand at a new instrument. The window provided subtle natural light, casting a gentle glow over everything in the room.

As Miru approached the piano, she ran her fingers over the smooth keys, feeling the exceptional acoustics of the room. Lost in the music, she imagined spending hours in this space, her fingers dancing across the keys.

Watari cleared his throat politely, noticing the shift in Miru's demeanor as she explored the room. "If you wish, you could make this your bedroom," he continued. "I'll make sure to soundproof it for you, so you won't have to worry about disturbing anyone else in the house when you're practicing."

Upon making the offer, Watari noticed a change in Miru's demeanor. Her face brightened up with a smile that lit up the entire room. Her eyes sparkled with joy, and her black hair cascaded around her shoulders, framing her delicate features perfectly. Watari couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and happiness fill him as he saw her response.

It was a beautiful moment, one that he knew he would never forget.

He named her Meredith.

A week had passed since Watari took Miru in. Although she was mostly quiet and didn't interact much with the other children in Wammy's House, those who sat beside her at the dining table found her to be well-mannered and patient, listening intently to the other children chatting about their day. However, the enchanting tunes and melodies that emanated from the end of the third-floor corridor captivated everyone. Some of the children couldn't help but feel a hint of envy towards the girl for having her own private room instead of sharing a room with bunk beds.

When Watari made the decision to enroll the young girl in classes alongside her peers, he recognized the need to provide her with an alias to safeguard her identity, a practice commonplace amongst the children at Wammy's House. Seated in his office, Watari held his fountain pen in hand, its tip hovering over a blank sheet of paper. To his left, lay the file containing Miru's profile, which he perused with great attention, seeking a suitable pseudonym. Despite his efforts, his eyes kept returning to the girl's given name.

Miru Nanami (七海咲来)

It meant "seven seas" from the Kanji character.

His thoughts fell back to the day he decided to take her in.

Summer, 1989.

It was a surreal moment, as everything around him seemed to slow down - the chaos of children running around, screaming, crying, and huddling in corners with social workers trying to comfort them. Yet, his attention was solely focused on the girl who sat quietly at a small desk, writing away. Despite knowing what she had endured, he couldn't sense any emotions or pain from her. She seemed to exude an air of composure that was almost otherworldly. As he approached her, the only sound he could hear was his own footsteps.

Watari watched in awe as she composed a piece from scratch. She carefully drew each line and note in black cat figures and koi fishes, each bringing the music to life in its own unique way. Some of the cats were depicted playfully running through the music, while the koi fish appeared to be swimming on the sheet of paper. It was then that Watari realized that this composition was meant for a piano duet.

Johnson, the caretaker who contacted Watari chimed in, "She's quite talented, isn't she? We've had several people express interest in fostering her, but I'm not sure anyone could provide the kind of support she needs."

She was unlike any other gifted child Watari had encountered before. While most children with exceptional abilities tended to isolate themselves from others, this girl expressed herself with utmost poise and manners, concealing any trace of her true emotions.

Watari paused for a moment, lost in thought. Finally, he spoke up. "I understand what you mean. Perhaps, I could take her in myself."

Suddenly, an idea struck him - the perfect alias for Miru. The fountain pen slipped from his fingers, forgotten for a moment, as Watari's mind raced with possibilities. And just as suddenly, the ideal name came to him.

With a firm grip on the pen, Watari began to write, his hand moving with fluid grace as he transcribed the name onto the paper. He paused for a moment, re-reading the name and contemplating it.

Yes, it was perfect.

He then invited Miru to his office and offered her a seat in the armchair while he sat on the footstool.

He spoke to her in a gentle tone, "Miru, I want to discuss your name with you. It's a beautiful and unique name, but it's also a part of your true identity that needs to be protected. That's why, here at Wammy's House, we offer our children the opportunity to choose an alias for their safety."

Miru looked at Watari with a hint of confusion and asked politely, "May I know why, sir?"

Watari nodded understandingly and explained, "It might be difficult to understand, but it's important to keep your identity hidden for your safety. That's why we give our children the option to choose an alias."

After a moment of contemplation, Miru responded in a reserved tone. "Okay. What name do you suggest?"

Watari smiled warmly at her. He then pulled out the sheet of paper for her to read. "I have a name in mind that I think suits you very well."

Meredith

"It means 'guardian of the sea', which is fitting because of your given name, Nanami, which means 'seven seas'."

Miru gazed at the paper, taking a moment to read the name. She looked back up at Watari, her expression thoughtful. "Meredith," she repeated softly, as if trying it on for size. "It's a nice name."

Watari nodded, pleased with her reaction. "I'm glad you like it, Miru. It's important to have a name that you feel comfortable with. And if you ever decide to reclaim your given name in the future, you have that choice. But for now, let's introduce you to the world as Meredith, Meri for short."

Author's note:

The significance of names in Japanese literature and animation culture is truly fascinating.

In "Death Note", names are emphasized and linked to people's lives. Similarly, in the anime "Natsume's Book of Friends," by obtaining the names of yokai, humans can control them and make them follow their desires. In the Miyazaki Hayao animation "Spirited Away," Chihiro Ogino gave her name to Yubaba to form a working contract, and Yubaba renamed her as Sen. Haku explained that Yubaba controlled people by taking their names, and if Chihiro completely forgot hers, like he once did, she would never be able to leave the spirit world. In the movie "Your Name," the main characters, Taki and Mitsuha, switch bodies and live each other's lives. However, they struggle to remember each other's names, and their efforts to find each other are driven by their desire to reconnect and remember each other's names.

Although names are not as significant in Taiwan, where I was born, parents still choose names with good meanings for their children. Many even consult fortune-tellers for advice on naming their children, hoping to bless them with a happy life. Names are filled with the love and blessings of parents and those who cherish the newborn.

I hope that my character also carries my blessings with her. When Watari gives her a new alias, it signifies the beginning of her new life.