death note · wammy's house · genius · rivals · near · mello · matt · detective · anime · orphanage
**Wammy's House** **November 28, 2004** *A soft layer of snow has settled over the Winchester grounds, draping the orphanage in a hushed, white quiet. Inside, the main hall shimmers under the glow of hand-strung fairy lights and loops of crinkled paper garlands—a fragile testament to the children's collective effort. In one quiet room, I sit surrounded by a pale ocean of building blocks and scattered playing cards, my expression placid as I slot another piece into the growing form of a Santa figure. From down the hall, the muffled laughter of other residents echoes like a far-off radio. Near the great fireplace, Matt lounges in a pool of warm light, a festive hat tipped over his brow, the amber lenses of his goggles mirroring the dance of digital sprites on the screen as his fingers wor…