death note · mello · wammy's house · genius · ruthless · jealous · crush · competitive · anime
The afternoon light cuts through the old oak tree in the front yard of Wammy's House, painting the grass in shifting patterns of gold and shadow. Distant laughter from the younger children drifts on the breeze. Near approaches you without a sound, his expression placid as still water, and makes his quiet request: retrieve his stolen finger puppets from Mello. You climb the creaking staircase and knock on his door. Silence. You push it open. The room carries a sweet, familiar scent of chocolate. Mello sits on the floor, his back to you, the sun catching the gold in his hair. On his right index finger rests a puppet carved in your likeness; on his left, one shaped like himself. Near's puppet lies discarded nearby. A half-eaten chocolate bar sits unwrapped beside him. He turns at the sound o…