PSL; [YEAH WE'RE LOCKED UP IN IDEAS]

[godly]

[A seventeen year-old Light Yagami adjusts the school bag slung over his shoulder as he walks home. School’s been let out, and he has homework to do (he’s already done most of it in his head; he knows what essay he wants to write, it’ll be easy, just like everything else), but regardless, the young man has chosen to take the longer route today.

There’s nothing in particular to look forward to at home — his family, maybe, but even that was an everyday occurrence — and while he doesn’t lead an unhappy life, today feels more restless than normal. He doesn’t want to go home just yet, he just wants to walk. And walk he does, blocks and blocks away from home, until he comes across a small park.

It’s fine, if his parents wonder where he is, he’ll just call and tell them he’ll be home soon. They trust him enough; they always have.]

What a pain. [-he says to no one in particular, glancing around for something to keep his interest. Nearby, he sees an table with two empty chairs… and a go board, which appears to have been abandoned mid-game.

Light looks around only briefly before shrugging and taking a seat at one of the tables. He sets his bag down next to him, idly scooting it closer with his foot.]

Hm. [Someone passes by, and he can’t help himself but ask-] Excuse me, do you play?

Comments

[godly]

[He plays with a white stone in his hand, turning it over in his fingers rhythmically. ]

Me too.

[Dryly, with the smallest hint of humor.]

Still, you must be pretty talented to be able to keep up with all of those hobbies. Most people our age just go home and play video games, text on their phones, or watch TV all day. Is there a specific reason for it?

[deathline]

[Not hobbies, training; not that she'll make the correction. The conversation should remain on the surface as much as possible.

She lets out a low hum.]

My household's pretty traditional. Video games would be a strange sight at my place.

[The Ryougi's are a wealthy family and their high class shows in their classic Japanese estate which is an eerily serene and emanates grace.]

[godly]

[And yet Light is clever enough to draw his own conclusions.]

Old-fashioned? You must come from a very wealthy family, then. Those that struggle with income don't bother putting on airs like that.

[He realizes that might have come across as rude, and he makes an addendum.] That is, normal people often have other things to worry about. Tradition often becomes a novelty in the face of a growing society reliant on technology.

[Idly:] Wonder if I'd be any good at sword fighting, though. Can you imagine?

[deathline]

[Shiki lets out a low whistle and mutters under her breath.] Sharp...

But I suppose you could be someone who could take up the sword if you put your mind to it.

[Shiki's training under her father was grueling, mentally and physically. She had to learn, early on, to strike without fear. Even in a world where the sword was nearly obsolete, she and her father trained and fought each other with a near intent to kill. It was necessary in their line of work.]

You'd need a really good teacher though.

[godly]

[He doesn't even respond to the "sharp" comment. Yes, he knows. It needs no acknowledgment.]

A pupil's only as good as the teacher. [He laughs lightly, though, despite himself.] Well, that's not always true. Still, I don't think that kind of thing suits me. As much fun as it'd be to pretend bushido still exists, it's just a passing thought.

Are you close with your father? [He asks, a prelude to his real question, How good is your father with a blade?]

[deathline]

[That's like asking if Shiki is close with anyone. Even her own family, save maybe her brother who is the barest of exceptions, feel distant, no thanks to her self isolation.

SHIKI (織) is better at answering casually at least.]

I think some people say I take after him. [In terms of solemness anyways.]

He's tough, but nothing I can't handle. I get a lot of leeway from him, more than one would expect.

[The Ryougi patriarch had always been proud that he was able to produce a result that is Ryougi Shiki. She had the desired Ryougi trait without the seemingly disastrous side effect of madness. And she wasn't disobedient; she followed through and succeeded with her training, she endured learning the grueling sword and jujutsu arts, she did not protest against being the family head. She did not act out in any obvious fashion. Perhaps that's why, outside of Ryougi family matters of succession and grooming, her father, without having to say so, allowed her time to herself when she took her nightly walks.]

[godly]

He must be tough; working with blades requires an inordinate amount of focus and dedication, even more so teaching someone else.

[And so, his real question comes forth.] What does your family do? [Softened with an offer of information about himself; Light has learned over the years that offering personal tidbids often makes people more liable to answer questions they'd otherwise be hesitant to.]

My own father works for the police. [Chief of the NPA, really, but he'll not offer too many specifics.]

[deathline]

Manager and land owning.

[And she seems to leave it at that. She points at the board instead.]

Hey, hey. We're nearly finishing up here, but you definitely got some fight in you left right?

[godly]

[He quirks a brow, because Light isn't convinced that answers lines up. Managing and land owning, with a penchant for swordfighting? It'd be written off as a hobby and nothing more, if not for the fact that Shiki says that she doesn't really have time for anything else.

Should he chalk it up to an eccentrically wealthy family? He wonders.]

Of course. [He motions at the board, which appears to be evenly matched, but Light has been counting territories in his head. He's pretty confident of where he stands.] A few more rounds and this should be over, and we can start counting.

[They will continue, then, Light being expedient where he places his next few pieces.]

[deathline]

[It's gotten tougher at this point in the game, even Shiki has to admit that. A few more defenses and she may have been on equal footing, but now... A few minutes, she's wrinkling her nose.]

Guh. I set myself up for this.

[She's struggling to find a turnaround move and it may be too late now.]

[godly]

[Sorry, Shiki, but as much as Light doesn't mind helping others out... he hates losing even more. It's not so much that he's playing with her, but rather he's pushing through his final moves to the end, making sure there are no holes in his play.

He shrugs, though he's grinning. At least he's not making an "I told you so" remark, regarding how he hardly ever loses.]

You're still pretty good, though.

[deathline]

My professional go career will never take off at this point.

[One hand dips into her pocket. She said she usually doesn't carry around cash, but every now and then there might be some loose change, maybe even enough to total 1000 yen.]

Looks like you'll be 1000 yen richer Yagami.

[godly]

More money than I know what to do with.

[He eyes the loose change, though it's not really motivation to do better. He's playing to distract himself, not to gamble.]

Hope it doesn't go to my head.

[deathline]

Yeah. Don't wanna puff up and ruin that face of yours after all!

[godly]

I'll accept that backhanded compliment, thank you.

[deathline]

[She sets down two 500 yen coins and slides it over to Light. ]

There ya go. You gonna sit here for the rest of the day?

[godly]

[He takes the coins and slips them into his pocket, the followed by his original 1000 yen note.]

No. My parents will definitely wonder where I am if I do that. I have an essay to write anyway.

You?

[deathline]

I'll be wandering around for a bit longer.

[The girl stands up, hands in her pockets and her geta sandles clack against the ground.]

Gonna ignore my essay assignment for as long as possible.

[godly]

[For some reason, the self-satisfaction of winning drains away the moment he sees Shiki stand. It's frustrating, how transient such a thing is, these days.

Light's almost disappointed.

Not enough to stop her, though.]

I see. As a fellow student, I'm obligated to tell you that's not a good idea.

[He doesn't look at her as he begins to clear the board, putting the stones back in their proper containers.]

[deathline]

Alright, alright. I'll try to take the model student's words to heart.

[She puts her hands in the air as if in surrender. After she puts them down she looks at Light thoughtfully. She glances to the side and murmurs:]

... It's a little strange...

[godly]

[When he cleans everything up, Light scoots out of his seat, bending down to pick up his bag. He slings it over his shoulder again, giving Shiki a look.]

What is? [He heard that.]

[deathline]

It's strange because this is probably the last time you'll be seeing me.

[There's almost a sense of melancholy, but the tone is feathery light like air, a sentiment that disappears into the void.]

You sure get got off easy.

[godly]

[Talk of disappearing again? Light frowns, crossing his arms.]

Or maybe we'll play another game someday.

[He turns, waving at her a little.]

You weren't that much of a handful, Ryougi-san.

[deathline]

[She walks towards Light and as she passes by him, she gives a friendly pat on his shoulder. She's a girl, but her manner and the way she carried herself was very much like a boy's the entire time. She then walks turning backwards to call out to him. ]

That wasn't a bad game. I think if I was different I might have liked ya well enough to want another round.

[But it will never be. SHIKI can't stay. He can't last.]

Yagami, you're normal. Don't take that as a bad thing, OK?

[godly]

[He can't help but stiffen, just barely noticeably, when she pats at his shoulder. He isn't used to that kind of direct physical contact, not when unasked for. Regardless, he doesn't say anything in return, not until she's walked off properly.]

Different...?

[The question is muttered, lost to the wind.

He wonders what she means about the normal comment. It's difficult to say. He's normal, and yet he isn't -- but maybe she was being opaque on purpose.]

If you say so.

[It isn't a real reply, only because he says it as he starts walking. He should be getting back home.]