𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄

十七 | 𝐃𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐄

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𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍
𝐃𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐄

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「 2 DAYS AGO 」

Father...

Why is he home so early?

At Wayne's calls, (Y/N) crept down the stairs with Edu in tow, already dreading the conversation specifically because of the one she had to be conversing with.

"Yes, father?" She spoke, stopping at the bottom of the stairs where he was waiting for her.

"Why have I been given reports from your school that you are now ranked only third in succession?"

She blinked.

I dropped a figure?

That's certainly... unexpected.

"I apo—"

A sudden smack filled the air as her apology was ripped from her lips when Wayne had slapped her across the face, her cheek stinging whilst her fingers came up trembling to touch the tender skin. He sighed as he ran the same hand that had hurt her through his dark hair, disappointment as usual brimming within the dark hues of his eyes.

"Honestly, I expected this from your brother, but not you," he sighed. "I'm disappointed, (Y/N)."

She flinched at the mention of her sibling, her lips trembling as she tried to contain the anger that threatened to spill if she even opened her mouth.

"Now, I suggest you do something about your poor performance," he stated before loosening his tie and setting his briefcase down on the table, collapsing onto the couch. "Go up and study, or something. Go be useful instead of just standing there."

His words were distorted, almost, to her, her breathing having gone ragged as her mind blurred with different images.

A smiling face.

Cherry blossoms.

A car screeching to a halt.

The dull thud.

The harsh scraping against concrete.

So much red.

Glancing up at the pictures that decorated the hallway, her eyes pinned on the man that was taller than her younger self, the one that held so much warmth and affection in one single smile. Trudging up the stairs, she heeded Wayne's words no matter how much she despised doing so.

「 PRESENT 」

(Y/N) felt her lips curl downward just thinking of her father. Edu, who was watching her intently, grinned at the action, knowing that the question he had asked her about her relationship with her parents was definitely a triggering point that would attain a reaction from her. He just never expected the result.

"Actually, I revise my answer," she claimed, making a small hum reverberate from the Shinigami's throat. "My mother is naive and careless while my father is a narcissistic, controlling asshole. Does that sum it up for you?"

"How passionate your hate is," he chuckled, sitting down on her bed and making the mattress groan softly. "Just don't let that get to you."

She smirked as she settled into her chair, looking him dead in the eyes before saying, "I mean, you already know that the moment I retrieved this book, I thought of using it on my father."

"What I don't know is why didn't you?"

"It isn't his time yet."

"Hm?"

"Edu, the one thing you need to know about me is that I believe what goes around comes around," she stated, crossing one leg over the other as she did the same with her arms over her chest. "Karma: every good deed is rewarded, and every bad deed is delivered a punishment. My father will get what's coming to him, and if it isn't me that delivers said punishment, it'll be someone else who has the exact same ideas as me."

"Oh? And what's that?"

"That he deserves to be given what he deserves, which is nothing."

"I have to say, I'm thoroughly surprised from how venomous your words are, as most children love their parents," Edu pointed out as he popped a grape into his mouth, now lying sprawled out onto his bed.

"Actually, that isn't really the case."

"Hm?"

"True, parents are given the front that they are to be caring, nurturing, loving... but not all are, and you just have to accept that sometimes," she sighed, propping her head up with her hand, her knuckles resting against her forehead as her elbow was supported by the desk. "You're a Shinigami, so you don't understand, but sometimes... one of them or both of your parents just don't care about you as much as you hope they do."

"Now I'd say this is starting to get more personal than just everyone."

"Well, no shit."

"Keep talking to me like that and I just might write your name in my Death Note."

"Your Death Note?"

"You'd think I'd just hand mine over to any human that comes along?" He cackled, making her narrow her eyes upon his insinuations. "No, I just happened upon an extra one, that's all."

Happened upon a Death Note?

Unlikely.

But I can't just say he's lying, no... I want to know why he is.

"But this isn't where I wanted this conversation to be going," he continued, making her eyes narrow even further.

"And where exactly did you want this conversation to lead then?"

"On why exactly you despise your parents, I mean, honestly, your mother seems so sweet, giving you fruit everyday and whatnot," Edu shrugged. "I mean, have you seen how hard she works? The woman practically cleans the house everyday and doesn't receive so much as a thank you from you."

"Enough," (Y/N) spat through gritted teeth, her fingers curling into fists.

"No, seriously, the woman is such a kind saint, and your father?" The God laughed, his sharp, bony teeth catching in the barely lit room. "Don't get me started on your father. Sure he's shrewd and all, but he brings the money, and let me tell you this... when your mother—"

"I said enough!" She practically screamed as she shot up from her chair towards the Shinigami, something that surprised even him.

"Then why, huh?" He pressed. "Why hate your parents? Why merely keep your thoughts to yourself? Why? Why? Why?"

"Because they killed my brother!"

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To be continued...