Invisible String (Lawlight)

Chapter One

Light's POV

The rain hasn't let up, tapping persistently against the window like it's trying to get in. I've always liked the rain—it drowns out the noise of the world and leaves me alone with my thoughts. But tonight, the quiet isn't comforting. It's suffocating. I need to clear my head.

I step away from my desk, shoving the chair back with more force than I intend. The Death Note lies open, the pen resting on the page where I left it, but my mind is elsewhere. I can't stop thinking about him—L, the faceless detective who's slowly becoming more than just a name to me. It's like he's a shadow, constantly lurking just out of sight.

I pick up the pen and twirl it between my fingers, trying to focus. I could write another name, take another life, and feel that rush of power, but it wouldn't change anything. The tension in my chest wouldn't disappear. If anything, it would make it worse. The more I write, the closer I feel to him. I can't explain it, but every time I use the Death Note, it's like he's there, watching, judging.

The door to my room creaks open, and I quickly close the notebook, hiding it beneath a stack of papers. My sister Sayu peeks in, her eyes wide with curiosity.

"Light, are you coming down for dinner? Mom's been calling you."

I force a smile, trying to shake off the unease. "Yeah, I'll be down in a minute. Just finishing up some studying."

Sayu gives me a skeptical look but doesn't push it. She's used to me being absorbed in my studies, though she has no idea how far my dedication really goes. "Okay, but don't take too long. Dad's actually home tonight, and you know how rare that is."

"Right. I'll be there soon."

She lingers for a moment, as if she's about to say something else, but then just nods and closes the door. As soon as she's gone, I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. I'm usually better at keeping my emotions in check, but tonight I feel...off. It's like my skin doesn't fit right, like there's something crawling underneath.

I need to get a grip.

With a final glance at the Death Note, I head downstairs. The house smells of home-cooked food—something savory and warm that contrasts sharply with the chill outside. But instead of feeling comforted, I feel restless. My father is sitting at the head of the table, still in his suit, looking tired but content to be home for once. Mom and Sayu are setting the table, and I force myself to relax, to play the role of the perfect son.

As I take my seat, Sayu shoots me a teasing look. "You're not going to believe this, Light, but I actually got a higher grade than you on something."

I raise an eyebrow, playing along. "Oh? I didn't realize you were aiming to dethrone me."

"Only on one test," she laughs, taking her place across from me. "But don't worry, it won't happen again. I'm just enjoying my moment of victory."

Dad chuckles, and even Mom smiles as she brings the last dish to the table. It's normal, familiar, and yet I feel like an outsider looking in. My mind keeps drifting back to L, to that strange pull I've been feeling. It's like he's sitting here with us, invisible but present, and I can't shake the feeling that he's already in my life, somehow influencing everything I do.

As the conversation flows around me, I find myself answering on autopilot, my thoughts elsewhere. This isn't normal. I shouldn't be this distracted. But no matter how hard I try to push him out of my mind, he's still there, like a phantom haunting my every thought.

Halfway through dinner, my father brings up the Kira case, and suddenly, I'm paying attention again.

"We're making progress," he says, though he doesn't sound entirely convinced. "But it's slow. L is as mysterious as ever, but the Task Force is confident we'll catch Kira eventually."