Ryuza turned around in his desk and began to study. Studying was easy and came naturally. Xyler didn’t return until late that night. And he was drunk. He walked in laughing with a bunch of older boys saying things that made no sense to Ryuza whatsoever.
“We’re going to get some money, some girls, and some fun!” they sang arm in arm. Ryuza recognized one of the boys. He was a weasel like boy called Ralf. The others were a complete mystery to him. When had Xyler made friends with these guys? Ryuza wondered. They’re all idiots.
“Alright!” Ryuza said, “All of you, out! Xyler, bed!”
“But we were just celebrating Kira!” Xyler said falling half over. Ryuza grabbed his shoulder and steadied him.
“Out all of you!” Ryuza ordered. It was as if he was ordering around children.
They all sighed and walked sadly out of the room.
“Ryuza, you’re too hard on ‘em,” Xyler laughed drunkenly.
“Finals are coming up and all you can think to do is drink?” Ryuza asked.
“Heck I don’t care! I’m gonna be out of here soooooon!” Xyler smiled falling into Ryuza’s bed.
“You need to go to bed,” Ryuza sighed sitting back down at his desk.
“Are you going to miss me?” Xyler asked.
“Xyler, you were my first friend. Of course I’m going to miss you,” Ryuza answered.
“That’s a good Ryuza,” Xyler smiled, “Miss me and as soon as you get out of here, come look me up. I’m going to find Kira and join him!”
“Xyler, Kira is evil,” Ryuza sighed again.
“No he’s perfect,” Xyler laughed falling asleep in Ryuza’s bed.
“Xyler,” Ryuza frowned, “What is becoming of you?”
The next day Xyler woke up remembering nothing of the conversation between him and Ryuza. He acted normal, but Ryuza couldn’t help but wonder why he was so Kira obsessed. Ryuza mustered enough courage to ask on the last day they were together as children. They were outside the school looking at it in the mid day sun.
“Xyler, why do you obsess over Kira so much,” Ryuza hadn’t meant to be so blunt, but it had simply come out. Xyler turned and looked straight at Ryuza.
“Well I’ll answer that, but you have to answer one question for me. Do you love me?”
“What do you mean?” Ryuza was drawn back by the image of yaoi that had suddenly appeared in his mind. Reading his face, Xyler laughed.
“No not like that. I meant if it was between me and Soji, who would you chose?”
“I can’t answer that,” Ryuza said trying not to sound too astounded. Where had this come from?
“I kept you safe these semesters; I put you up to things that helped you grow. Answer.”
“Fine…I guess so bro,” Ryuza said half-heartedly.
“Would you do things if I asked?”
“What would those things be?”
“Answer.”
“I…..fine if they are within my abilities, but where is this going?”
“Ryuza would you even tell me Soji’s real name?”
“I don’t know it….No one knows each other’s real names…especially with Kira right now…”
“But if you did…”
“Xyler stop.”
“I’m sorry Ryuza. I didn’t mean to go off on you like that it’s just that I never had anyone, and you were my first friend. I wanted….I don’t know….I just wanted you to promise me something that I now know I could never ask.”
“What is that?”
“You don’t have to answer because I know the answer. But I wanted to ask if you would join me in eliminating Near, Mello, Matt, and maybe Soji so that Kira wouldn’t have to deal with them…but I was being childish…”
“They are the successors of L! And they are people! Human lives!” Ryuza answered trying to keep his feelings for Soji from overtaking him.
“They will someday join L to go against Kira.”
“Why Kira? Why do you press him like a God! Why Xyler? Why would you kill them? Why?”
“Remember how a long time ago you asked where I was from and I answered I had no real home and that my parents were killed before I could remember. Well Kira killed the man that killed my parents. He killed the murderer who did not get sentenced because lack of evidence. He saw through the man and gave me revenge. And he is my god for it. You could never understand. Your mother died of an illness you didn’t have to watch as a baby as she was slashed to death for trying to protect her child. Kira gave me hope that people like that will no longer exist in this world. Do you understand Ryuza?”
Ryuza was stunned into silence. So that was why Xyler….. It was an answer that had come painfully, and Xyler turned away to face the school again.
“I’m sorry I hurt you Ryuza. I never meant to put you up to this. See you around. Keep Soji safe k? I know how much she means to you. Keep her safe and away from the Kira investigation. For if she interviews, I will not regret watching Kira kill her. Good-bye Ryuza.”
“Xyler….” Ryuza called to him as he left, “Xyler don’t walk away! Xyler!”
But Xyler did not look back even once. He walked straight on away from Ryuza and towards Kira.
That year, Xyler graduated and left the House disappearing from the eyes of the world. In the months to come, and L was killed. Near became L’s successor, and Mello left the House taking Matt with him. Soji left as well. In the days before she left, Ryuza tried everything to keep her from leaving.
“Soji! What do you plan to do? L is dead! Let Near take care of it! Or Mello, or Matt!” Ryuza said hysterically as Soji packed her things.
“Ryuza, I have to take care of things in the U.S. The government over there has all but fallen to Kira. I’m going to stand it up again,” Soji smiled.
“Soji! Please don’t do this! You could be killed!"
"It's a risk I am willing to take."
"I can't let you go on your own."
"Then come with me."
"But Kira..." Ryuza said remembering Xyler's last warning.
"Ha he doesn't know I esist yet. I'm fine. I'm willing to take the risk.
"I'm not willing to though!" Ryuza said grabbing Soji's arm. Soji stopped and looked at him straight in the eyes. He had never noticed before, but she had green eyes. These green pools stared deeply at him now.
“Ryuza, I have to go. I’m not like you. I can’t sit still and watch on the sidelines. You know that about me. Ryuza…” Soji stood and looked at Ryuza.
“Good-bye Ryuza,” Soji said hugging him. She broke away and packed the rest of her things as Ryuza stood stunned. As she left her room, Soji didn't even look back once.
That was the second good-bye.
