Welcome to Exile Radio. What shall we call you?

Before Sugawara took action, television networks began covering the results of a recent court hearing. According to the news, one defendant was executed in court immediately after the verdict was announced. The second received a prison sentence and was sent to a prison facility. Some networks and newspapers provided photographs and names, allowing the information to be verified, and...it was all true?

However, the problem was the public's mixed reaction to Kira's willingness to compromise. Some interpreted his decision as the result of a large bribe from the government, while others began talking about a "Kira double," but the latter theory was still on par with the existence of aliens. After all, the disappearance of a famous figure from the media consistently provoked reactions along the lines of "he was killed/replaced/created by reptilians," so fans of this theory had already been ridiculed. On the other hand, Kira's fans also faced criticism. Some for ceasing to believe in him, others for starting to do so. Not that society was ready for anything. As before, it was a discontented lump, alternately losing and gaining momentum. But the phrase favored by liberals during every change of power—"the closer the empire's collapse, the crazier its laws"—would clearly soon be back in vogue.

Hm.

While Sugawara was skilled at manipulating the masses, he, like any politician, had no intention of doing so himself. He was already taking a huge risk, not so much by assembling a "team" against Kira, but by doing so online. One more small act of timidity and Kira-2, Kira-3, or, oh, no, Kira-1, would be knocking on his door.

Sugawara turned around as if the thought had any direct meaning.

He took a deep breath before opening the "Savior Kira" website. There, among the many discussions, was a new post by a user named Pixel:

"You know what this kind of behavior is called? It's the 'not me, not you' tactic. When someone agrees to do something, but, fearing public reaction, makes the decision 50/50. So one defendant is alive. To please those who want to see change. And one defendant is dead. To please those who like Kira's policies. BUT!!! This isn't like Kira. Have you ever seen Kira justify himself? Do you remember Kira agreeing to anything against his will?"

"I'll never believe Kira was forced," Sugawara wrote anonymously.

Pixel:

In my previous posts, I explain in detail who could benefit from this.

And Kira just took the money? Seriously? Sugawara paused. He occasionally glanced at the man's posts, but in a world where police are allowed to shoot to kill at the sight of masked citizens, expressing one's opinion on the events was problematic. So Pixel's comments were more like emotional news reports without any conclusion. What segment of the population was Sugawara planning to incite? He finished the message and sent it with his eyes closed. Could God do that?

Ugh. Ugh. Ugh. It was as if he'd patted a fly with his finger. But when Sugawara opened his eyes, Pixel's answer surprised him:

Never.

It's neutral enough, but... If they spread the rumors they want through Kira's fans, not his enemies, that would be wonderful.

Sugawara:

Then I don't understand.

Pixel:

Something definitely happened to Kira.

Sugawara:

Well, the criminal murders continue. I mean, the heart attacks are still there. So Kira's alive.

Pixel:

If this is still "our Kira."

Sugawara:

?

Pixel:

I don't believe what they said about his way of killing. I think it's some kind of hereditary power.

Sugawara:

"Hereditary"?

Pixel:

Ancient magic.

Oh.

Pixel:

Passed down from generation to generation. And what Kira's enemies are talking about is just a distraction.

Sugawara:

And?

Pixel:

"And" what?

Sugawara:

Are you saying Kira is now teaching his children to kill?

Pixel:

Why not?

"Why not"?! That's just nonsense.

Sugawara:

Kira wouldn't let his children make such mistakes.

Sugawara hated conspiracy theories.

Pixel:

You're right. If Kira isn't talking, then he's not here.

Sugawara:

So, Kira...?

Pixel:

Maybe. If so, then his son or daughter continued his work. Unsuccessfully. Because they weren't ready, I guess.

Sugawara:

Or because they killed him?

Pixel was silent for a long moment.

Pixel:

The current Kira killed...the previous Kira?

Sugawara had already started writing a message, but Pixel replied, "I'll think about it." When Sugawara hit "send," an error appeared. That's how he realized the post had been deleted. But it seemed like it would have an effect. Maybe...

bigwiggins

MopMaid2: Wildly of-topic: pro-Kira troll account wierdly interesting today ★Scintillation★: Not surprised. There is a lot to discuss MopMaid2: I said *wildly off-topic* MopMaid2: They're startnig to notice Kira isn't home..... and they're blaming Kira-2 for it. BUT MopMaid2: They say that's Kira's kid. He'd haev mentioned a kid, right MopMaid3: maybe not, maybe the kid is too eeeevil TorchOfColumbia: Isn't Kira 22?? Spiderkiller: Probably not common knowledge. But he's not old enough to have a child in a position of governance, for sure. Why would they go that route? MopMaid2: Because "Bloodline mgaic." Not watching NHN rots your brain kids!! MopMaid3: so newest kira apologia is "kira: teenage babydaddy of '70s antichrist" MopMaid2: GET MM1 ON THAT NOW Spiderkiller: The important thing is that Kira-2 is losing support ★Scintillation★: "Bloodline magic..." What if they find out he has a sister. KnightOfSwords: I don't think they'll learn that if we don't tell them Spiderkiller: More more importantly, Kira-2 is coming under accusation for a crime they didn't commit ★Scintillation★: And that's... good Spiderkiller: Near thinks so ★Scintillation★: ... ★Scintillation★: no comment TorchOfColumbia: Near's pretty well proven himself by this point. (The electors are remaining anonymous BTW!!) [★Scintillation★ has left the room.] > TorchOfColumbia: ...Tactless. I'm sorry, everyone > > Spiderkiller: Montag's cultural commentary on the Internet weirdness would have been priceless KnightOfSwords: ...yeah

Sugawara rubbed his face wearily. He hadn't planned on following the discussions, given how long the lull had been. Sharing information required evidence and reasoning. What could he say now? That he'd accidentally started the myth about Kira's child? "Good morning. If you've seen the movie The Omen, then you know what's going on online"?

He refreshed the site for an hour, but nothing happened. However, when Sugawara decided to check the discussions a couple of hours later, he was greeted by dozens of videos. He had to scroll for at least a minute to get to the text. It turned out it all started with the comments:

Pixel: If new Kira is a child, how can we find him?

Anonymous★: The criminals' time of death. But do you really think it's a child? I mean, you're talking about a CHILD who goes to kindergarten or school or… Pixel: Do you think I'm an idiot? Anonymous♡: You're an idiot. Pixel: That's debatable. I'm the most popular Kira theorist. Anonymous♡: LOL. Anonymous★: So, what about the kid? It could be a student, for example. Anonymous♡: Or a teacher. Students and teachers have the same schedule. Anonymous▽: So how old is the kid-Kira? Anonymous♡: What time is the kindergarten open until? Pixel: OH MY GOD. Anonymous♡: Why aren't we considering kindergarten teachers? Pixel: ARE YOU TROLLING ME?

__

Anonymous♡: Okay. Let's start with how old Kira is. Anonymous★: That's the wrong category. And the wrong question. Anonymous♡: What? Pixel: He's right. Kira is a god, he has no age. Anonymous▽: But you're talking about him having parents, and they're some kind of magical clan. Anonymous♡: And he also has children. Anonymous▽: Okay, so how old could he be? Anonymous: 30? Anonymous♡: 25? Pixel: 48? Anonymous♡: 48 years old? Pixel: He might look young. Anonymous♡: Fuck you.

___

Pixel: Did Kira transfer his powers to someone he knows/relatives? Anonymous□: If so, then definitely to a woman. Anonymous★: Why? Anonymous□: Women are stupid. I wouldn't be surprised if a woman screwed everything up for us. Anonymous@: Maybe his mother? Anonymous★: How old are his parents? Pixel: No, it's hardly his mother. Anonymous★: Why? Pixel: She transferred the power to him herself before. Anonymous★: Okay. Realistic. Pixel: So it's definitely his daughter or sister. If we're talking about blood magic. Anonymous◎: What if you can transfer it to someone you know? Anonymous★: You're right. "All the people I transferred the power to are now dead," or something like that. Kira wouldn't kill his own family. Anonymous♡: What if they're criminals? Anonymous□: Kira comes from a family of criminals? Lol. Anonymous□: Mafia? Pixel: 👎👎👎👎

___

Anonymous◎: let's drop the blood topic. The idea that all the Kiras are related is nonsense. Otherwise, L would have told us about it a long time ago. Anonymous □: So, Kira can transfer her power to anyone. Pixel: Through some kind of ritual? Anonymous □: Probably. Pixel: Through blood? Anonymous◎: Dude. Anonymous♡: If not through blood, then I'm ready to offer myself to Kira's doppelganger. Anonymous: Who needs you lol Anonymous♡: I'm serious. Anonymous: Can I become Kira? Anonymous✿: Can I become Kira??? Anonymous♡: I'll write him a letter. Anonymous▽:PHHHY where are you going to write him? Anonymous♡: Well, post my portfolio here. Like the new Kira.

Pixel: Better to do it via video.

Anonymous♡: A video profile? Pixel: Yeah.

Sugawara took a deep breath. Okay, this needs to be told to Near. He wrote after a while, @near-n:

Good afternoon. I can hardly explain what's happening online; it's better for you to see it for yourself.

He included a link to the website, but it didn't seem to be very effective, as the "post a video questionnaire to become Kira" trend has migrated to other social networks and was noticeable almost everywhere.

near-n

It's become apparent Lady Phantasme couldn't have chosen a less convenient time to die. Between sentences, Near was pounding a fresh egg of Silly Putty flat against a copy of the Observer, repeatedly, until such time as it turned perfectly gray. Desperate times called for desperate remedies. Or rather, Stone couldn't have chosen a less convenient time to act against my instructions. It seems that until you've crossed some invisible threshold and become "a somebody", everyone you direct is inclined to be a maverick.

I wonder how L managed to deal with that, in the early days.

Never mind. I can guess the answer: L out-mavericked them. But I can't say that's much use to me in dealings with Koki Tanakabara's fan club.

We'll keep an eye on the pattern. No change is the only purely good news available. A change must be viewed in light of the internal situation. Change coupled with news will at the least describe the nature of the beast. Change, coupled with no news

--He asked me to supply protection for him. That means he has none of his own.

I'm probably as powerless here as I was when Tanakabara consulted me. My preparations (if they're even necessary -- the unknowns are springing up like weeds--) are the only definite line of defense I have. But there is, at least, a further line of observation - and a higher vantage point always offers a better tactical map.

As a precaution against change and other variables, I request that you link your phone to my internal network. Should there be a more attentive replacement selected from the pool already close to Kira, and should they target you, I will be able to monitor and respond to the situation in real time.

NHN's Afternoon Chat

I mean, if it's all a crazed rumor, Kira's not going to put up with it for long. If Kira's throne has actually been usurped, the usurper isn't going to be looking through auditions on the Internet for a replacement. Lady Phantasme is no longer a threat to Kira's well-wishers--

--Kira's-- I'm sorry, are we forgetting that Lady Phantasme--

--it's Kira's well-wishers we're talking about right now, and the point here is that these "video questionnaire" idiots are still doing their level best to get themselves killed.

NHK Afternoon Bulletin

...strange activity, concentrated in PMs, on the Savior Kira forum may originally be the work of a hacker, but the ideas planted (including some bizarre theories about Kira's secret child) seem to have blossomed into a genuine mass hysteria. We urge all devout, honest citizens to remain unswayed...

The PuLsE on Sakura

Anyone with a speck of loyalty to Kira must be disturbed by these dark rumors about his fate. We believe that these allegations must be answered! We will not sleep soundly in our beds until they are.

Takada on Taiyo!

Fear is uncalled for at the moment. Remember, it only takes one word from Kira to set matters right.

However - she stares soulfully into the camera - if he remains silent in the face of rumors such as these, then I'm afraid we must assume someone is acting illicitly in his stead. And we must ask them to explain why they have kept silent as our God quietly disappeared.

#ehehe

I'm going through some serious real-life struggles right now and digital distraction isn't helping, so we can expect my roleplay time to be seriously reduced for the foreseeable. Happily, I've prewritten some of the foreseeable melodrama. But - yeah, bear with me.

This meme is more dated to the last clash with Lady than to the next one, but @certifiedapplelover deserves it

Bigwiggins and Light on the topic of hobbies, basically

#death note #death note rp #koki tanakabara saga

No time for actual roleplay till tomorrow, but the current situation is positively crying out for memes:

So, the whole thing had been a wet firecracker, and it was even conceivable that the trial really was tomorrow morning, as advertised. This new Kira - at this rate, Fredericksen could no longer doubt there was one - seemed as though he simply might not know how to hold the reins. Fredericksen waited for a reasonable hour to rejoin the pollution conference, and only hoped Sugawara would still be there. The NHN representative who accosted him at the concert had been... well, Fredericksen couldn't quite get a handle on what it meant, but it had, at the least, been interesting.

It was... pathetic. The longer this plan dragged on, the more he wanted to take off his mask. Not because Kira was killing him, but because his face was rapidly turning red with shame. He'd had enough power to set up an ambush, he'd had enough sense to turn the event into a trap, but no one had fallen for it. A disappointment unlike fishing or an unsuccessful hunt. It was a blow to his reputation that only Fredericksen and a few other politicians could appreciate, but they were also his only allies, and Sugawara felt the moment when their collaboration would end was all too close.

Before Fredericksen opened the door, a dull, powerful thud echoed through the office, as if something heavy had crashed onto the table and then immediately risen. When their eyes met, a thin crack was visible in Sugawara's mask. As a child, he'd had a bad habit of slapping his forehead with the palm of his hand. It only ended in his teens, when he broke his phone screen in a similar fashion. But now it had returned, and it was incredibly inopportune, and frankly, it felt like a coffin lid.

He took a deep breath. At least they were alive. That was good. Unless it was Kira... No, he absolutely didn't understand how Kira acted. Fuck. What was he supposed to do next?

Sorry.

He spoke calmly, like a newscaster, trying to hide behind seriousness.

I have no idea why this happened.

To be fair, events are in flux...

...no, this is more or less a typical display of politics. Have you ever kept a tally of widely announced, flashy public conferences that never come to fruition? It's maddeningly frequent.

Not typical for Kira, of course. But a fledgling Kira who hasn't got the full range of his wings...

Fredericksen shook his head. He had dearly hoped they would carry the day, but that required a day worth carrying.

No fear. I didn't come all this way to dissect a non-entity. After the Bach concerto, I was approached by the NHN representative. But the message, apparently, is intended for you.

From the front of his briefcase, he produces an unmarked security envelope, taped to a plain bar of Cadbury chocolate.

Sugawara lifted his head wearily. Until that moment, his whole body was rushing down, as if he was going to dive into the table. Highly publicized conferences that never...uh.

No, he had experience in politics. But it so happened that he got into his place from a slightly different sphere, "by acquaintance." It is difficult to imagine that such positions can be filled without experience and influence. And he had experience, yes, but a little...mm... If Sugawara had explained himself out loud, he would have said that he had missed almost all the steps of the career ladder. Such people do not understand how to conduct events. Usually they just issue decrees so that someone is knocked to the floor and someone is praised. One of the reasons why Kira could hate him, if he knew something.

Kira knows everything.

Out of habit, Sugawara reached out to wipe his forehead, but his wrist hit the mask. Then he noticed the envelope, and it made him relax a little: a wave ran through his body, and you could see how smoothly his shoulders sagged and his arms assumed a more lively position. He took the envelope back and squeezed it carefully, as if trying to check if it was a dream. But everything is in the order of the queue. First, the topic of... Kira. Directly. Kira.

If the New Kira continues to behave like this, we can say with confidence that he will be overthrown. Maybe not us, but fans of the previous Kira. It's just a matter of time.

He opened the envelope, frowning, and muttered rather to himself:

Yes. Only if he...continues to behave like this...

near-n

Of course, having no way to ascertain the identity of the accused, there was little you could have done. However, thanks to E's timely intervention, you've been spared a front-row seat to my execution.

I wanted your opinion: to what extent can this continue to be regarded as a "case"?

There is no greeting, signature, or means of contact listed.

P.S.: It would be best to coach the bearer on basic cybersecurity.

Eh?..

He fiddled with the envelope, searching for contact information. Despite the fact that he'd taken the message for mockery—or at least a point of error—Sugawara felt better. Firstly, the likelihood that Kira was dead had skyrocketed. Secondly, judging by this message, lives had been saved. "Witness the execution"...

He raised his head thoughtfully.

"Case"...mhm...I wonder if Kira had planned for us to witness it. How much did he know about our plan...

Sugawara reached for his mask again, but this time he couldn't resist and simply pulled it down so his mouth was visible. Then he bit the nail on his pinky. It also happened to be the shortest nail on his hand.

Somehow, I think the event went exactly as Kira planned. But I can't prove it, and even more so... I don't understand why he would do it. Why would he need this now... I think about the new Kira the same way I did about the old one. And, uh, I know it's a mistake. But they must be similar in some way...

That isn't much, but Rome wasn't built in a day.

At any rate, owing to my own precautions, I'll be at hand until the thirtieth. (Thogh the forms of social event available for the twenty-eighth were lamentably one-note, and now Fredericksen had leisure to think of that.) If another avenue presents itself, I am at your service.

Er -- I don't find it my place to pry into another man's personal correspondence per se, but do I take it by the mention of a "case" that a person at NHN has become aware of our interest in the trial? I should say that wants addressing.

Sugawara nodded slowly. He'd been thinking about it too, but from a slightly different angle. The question wasn't how NHN had figured it out. It was how many people and organizations had considered it obvious. What happened could have been the result of that obviousness: Kira simply realized he would be interfered with. And NHN...well, they realized someone would interfere with Kira.

The trial is the only thing happening right now. It would be strange to be interested in anything else.

At the same time, a thought occurred to him: what was Kira doing besides this case? He hadn't heard of any decisions. Maybe the trial was supposed to be the trigger. And it even would be. But the real hearing had happened earlier. Let's say it were broadcast on television today or tomorrow. And the day after that, something would happen? What? A small trial isn't enough for a civil war. He'd mentioned that outcome, but he still doubted it.

I'll try contacting HNH. I'll find a way. It's not exactly what I had planned, but we have no other options. I'll also find out where they got this information from. It doesn't bother me too much, frankly. But I have no other options.

He adjusted his mask.

I'm sorry my plan didn't work. Perhaps I overestimated myself. You said everything was fine, but I'd understand if you added that you've decided to end our collaboration. If not today, then later. But if I were you, I'd also wait for more news. I don't see any contacts here, but NHN members are still active online, right?..

They were accepting emails the day before yesterday, at least, and I can't imagine that's changed.

As I say, by necessity, I'm open through the next month. Perhaps if NHN has something to go on... not impossible. Their situation is a very unusual one. But until I learn that, you may assume I am standing by.

(and one of them is Mello)

So, the whole thing had been a wet firecracker, and it was even conceivable that the trial really was tomorrow morning, as advertised. This new Kira - at this rate, Fredericksen could no longer doubt there was one - seemed as though he simply might not know how to hold the reins. Fredericksen waited for a reasonable hour to rejoin the pollution conference, and only hoped Sugawara would still be there. The NHN representative who accosted him at the concert had been... well, Fredericksen couldn't quite get a handle on what it meant, but it had, at the least, been interesting.

It was... pathetic. The longer this plan dragged on, the more he wanted to take off his mask. Not because Kira was killing him, but because his face was rapidly turning red with shame. He'd had enough power to set up an ambush, he'd had enough sense to turn the event into a trap, but no one had fallen for it. A disappointment unlike fishing or an unsuccessful hunt. It was a blow to his reputation that only Fredericksen and a few other politicians could appreciate, but they were also his only allies, and Sugawara felt the moment when their collaboration would end was all too close.

Before Fredericksen opened the door, a dull, powerful thud echoed through the office, as if something heavy had crashed onto the table and then immediately risen. When their eyes met, a thin crack was visible in Sugawara's mask. As a child, he'd had a bad habit of slapping his forehead with the palm of his hand. It only ended in his teens, when he broke his phone screen in a similar fashion. But now it had returned, and it was incredibly inopportune, and frankly, it felt like a coffin lid.

He took a deep breath. At least they were alive. That was good. Unless it was Kira... No, he absolutely didn't understand how Kira acted. Fuck. What was he supposed to do next?

Sorry.

He spoke calmly, like a newscaster, trying to hide behind seriousness.

I have no idea why this happened.

To be fair, events are in flux...

...no, this is more or less a typical display of politics. Have you ever kept a tally of widely announced, flashy public conferences that never come to fruition? It's maddeningly frequent.

Not typical for Kira, of course. But a fledgling Kira who hasn't got the full range of his wings...

Fredericksen shook his head. He had dearly hoped they would carry the day, but that required a day worth carrying.

No fear. I didn't come all this way to dissect a non-entity. After the Bach concerto, I was approached by the NHN representative. But the message, apparently, is intended for you.

From the front of his briefcase, he produces an unmarked security envelope, taped to a plain bar of Cadbury chocolate.

Sugawara lifted his head wearily. Until that moment, his whole body was rushing down, as if he was going to dive into the table. Highly publicized conferences that never...uh.

No, he had experience in politics. But it so happened that he got into his place from a slightly different sphere, "by acquaintance." It is difficult to imagine that such positions can be filled without experience and influence. And he had experience, yes, but a little...mm... If Sugawara had explained himself out loud, he would have said that he had missed almost all the steps of the career ladder. Such people do not understand how to conduct events. Usually they just issue decrees so that someone is knocked to the floor and someone is praised. One of the reasons why Kira could hate him, if he knew something.

Kira knows everything.

Out of habit, Sugawara reached out to wipe his forehead, but his wrist hit the mask. Then he noticed the envelope, and it made him relax a little: a wave ran through his body, and you could see how smoothly his shoulders sagged and his arms assumed a more lively position. He took the envelope back and squeezed it carefully, as if trying to check if it was a dream. But everything is in the order of the queue. First, the topic of... Kira. Directly. Kira.

If the New Kira continues to behave like this, we can say with confidence that he will be overthrown. Maybe not us, but fans of the previous Kira. It's just a matter of time.

He opened the envelope, frowning, and muttered rather to himself:

Yes. Only if he...continues to behave like this...

near-n

Of course, having no way to ascertain the identity of the accused, there was little you could have done. However, thanks to E's timely intervention, you've been spared a front-row seat to my execution.

I wanted your opinion: to what extent can this continue to be regarded as a "case"?

There is no greeting, signature, or means of contact listed.

P.S.: It would be best to coach the bearer on basic cybersecurity.

Eh?..

He fiddled with the envelope, searching for contact information. Despite the fact that he'd taken the message for mockery—or at least a point of error—Sugawara felt better. Firstly, the likelihood that Kira was dead had skyrocketed. Secondly, judging by this message, lives had been saved. "Witness the execution"...

He raised his head thoughtfully.

"Case"...mhm...I wonder if Kira had planned for us to witness it. How much did he know about our plan...

Sugawara reached for his mask again, but this time he couldn't resist and simply pulled it down so his mouth was visible. Then he bit the nail on his pinky. It also happened to be the shortest nail on his hand.

Somehow, I think the event went exactly as Kira planned. But I can't prove it, and even more so... I don't understand why he would do it. Why would he need this now... I think about the new Kira the same way I did about the old one. And, uh, I know it's a mistake. But they must be similar in some way...

That isn't much, but Rome wasn't built in a day.

At any rate, owing to my own precautions, I'll be at hand until the thirtieth. (Thogh the forms of social event available for the twenty-eighth were lamentably one-note, and now Fredericksen had leisure to think of that.) If another avenue presents itself, I am at your service.

Er -- I don't find it my place to pry into another man's personal correspondence per se, but do I take it by the mention of a "case" that a person at NHN has become aware of our interest in the trial? I should say that wants addressing.

So, the whole thing had been a wet firecracker, and it was even conceivable that the trial really was tomorrow morning, as advertised. This new Kira - at this rate, Fredericksen could no longer doubt there was one - seemed as though he simply might not know how to hold the reins. Fredericksen waited for a reasonable hour to rejoin the pollution conference, and only hoped Sugawara would still be there. The NHN representative who accosted him at the concert had been... well, Fredericksen couldn't quite get a handle on what it meant, but it had, at the least, been interesting.

It was... pathetic. The longer this plan dragged on, the more he wanted to take off his mask. Not because Kira was killing him, but because his face was rapidly turning red with shame. He'd had enough power to set up an ambush, he'd had enough sense to turn the event into a trap, but no one had fallen for it. A disappointment unlike fishing or an unsuccessful hunt. It was a blow to his reputation that only Fredericksen and a few other politicians could appreciate, but they were also his only allies, and Sugawara felt the moment when their collaboration would end was all too close.

Before Fredericksen opened the door, a dull, powerful thud echoed through the office, as if something heavy had crashed onto the table and then immediately risen. When their eyes met, a thin crack was visible in Sugawara's mask. As a child, he'd had a bad habit of slapping his forehead with the palm of his hand. It only ended in his teens, when he broke his phone screen in a similar fashion. But now it had returned, and it was incredibly inopportune, and frankly, it felt like a coffin lid.

He took a deep breath. At least they were alive. That was good. Unless it was Kira... No, he absolutely didn't understand how Kira acted. Fuck. What was he supposed to do next?

Sorry.

He spoke calmly, like a newscaster, trying to hide behind seriousness.

I have no idea why this happened.

#death note #death note rp #koki tanakabara saga

To be fair, events are in flux...

...no, this is more or less a typical display of politics. Have you ever kept a tally of widely announced, flashy public conferences that never come to fruition? It's maddeningly frequent.

Not typical for Kira, of course. But a fledgling Kira who hasn't got the full range of his wings...

Fredericksen shook his head. He had dearly hoped they would carry the day, but that required a day worth carrying.

No fear. I didn't come all this way to dissect a non-entity. After the Bach concerto, I was approached by the NHN representative. But the message, apparently, is intended for you.

From the front of his briefcase, he produces an unmarked security envelope, taped to a plain bar of Cadbury chocolate.

With Light's identity under siege, I felt it time to recap

things @god-ofthenewworld will always believe, whether he's Kira or not:

His actions are justified

Kira is unstoppable

Near is the very devil

True happiness is well nigh impossible

The world is black and white

L is the yardstick for all smart people going against Kira, forever

and, of course

Leggo my ego

From here on, memes are just coming as the muse takes me

#death note rp #death note #koki tanakabara saga

[PM to Sugawara89: I've done as you asked. Judge Yamata is presiding, and he is "not to challenge Kira's decisions," though he implies he is under duress. Tomorrow's court hearing is indeed over, as you predicted, but I'm still waiting word on whether the courtroom will actually be empty at the appointed time.

A platoon from Okinawa will be ready to deploy if so.]

Excellent. Do we know how that court hearing ended? We need to know Kira's mood. Just in case. If the judge sentenced to death, we should prepare for the worst.

That would be a damnably naive thing to ask, don't you think? The stated purpose is to show that Kira is infallible, and the system is rigged to ensure it. I suppose this death of Kira might change matters, but if an ally of Kira's is sufficiently cold-blooded to kill him and effect a facade that nothing has changed, odds are overwhelming that he'll be of a piece.

The very existence of this court hearing means that Kira's system is flawed. And the new Kira now has to justify himself to the public. Moreover, if the new Kira intends to kill everyone who turns up among the suspects, he will lose credibility. Therefore, I think it's important for us to know about the verdict: technically, this is his first action, determining future policy.

But regardless of the decision, there will always be dissatisfied people. And if the court is concerned about security (and they are, since they accept our proposals), then they face the question: who will attack us: Kira's supporters or his opponents? And this also depends on the verdict.

Very close-mouthed about that. But there is one fresh piece of information that sheds light on the matter.

According to Judge Yamata, the first trial, of two arsonists, took place at six AM on November first, Tokyo time. In other words, the trial is the work of the original Kira.

"Original Kira". That's a problem...

Sugawara leaned back in his chair. This wasn't the only thing he was doing. Maybe if the rest of politics had stopped and waited for him to finish with Kira and his trial, he might have managed to catch a few thoughts. But no, Sugawara just stared at the ceiling.

Yes. I think so too. On the other hand, what the hell are arsonists? Why did he suddenly decide to put them on trial? This is the first trial in all this time. And Kira chooses two...? His social rating will drop to one. From which part of the population does Kira plan to receive support?..

Damned if he wasn't on to something there. If such a half-measure was nothing new to Fredericksen, it was because he lived in a world where compromises that nodded to everyone while satisfying no one were the normal expectation. Kira... Kira dead was an idea he still needed to shake himself to get used to, but he could imagine Kira killed with infinitely more ease than he could imagine Kira making such a public and tepid step backward.

Even as a trap for the likes of him and Sugawara, it could have been baited substantially better.

I fear Yamata must be lying to us - perhaps because I failed to return his distress signal. But I won't stake my life or Mick's on that assumption, not without a second opinion.

(There is irony in that. Twenty years ago, I would regularly talk a good game about East Bloc dissidents. But it's one thing to laud them, and quite another thing to be one.)

I'm enclosing the transcript. Pray do me the honor to let me know where you believe the slip was.

(P.S.: Don't get the wrong idea about Mick. Regarding that visit to the mansion, you should see the remarks he made to me concerning Lady Takada's "riders".)

No, there's no mistake here.

Sugawara swayed in his chair. For a moment, when the Balance was lost, he thought he'd fall, or worse, that Kira was killing him right now, and it would be the equivalent of a heart attack. Either way, he remained silent, and this little situation led him nowhere. Quiet.

Quiet.

Even though the facts are clashing, the result looks as if Kira is dead. The original Kira would never have allowed such a ridiculous event as a simple trial. Moreover, with the power he wields now, he could force politicians to plunge countries into total dictatorship. "Always agree with Kira." This is a document that could not have been created under any other ruler. But why does Kira force the world to behave...correctly? It's like a militant atheist friend entering a church and starting to pray. Or a terrorist will start distributing porridge to the starving.

We might think it's a trap. But I think that's too simplistic. After all, Kira couldn't... This is all so stupid. We don't understand something. Considering he doesn't know we exist, he hardly started all this just to kill us. He has other enemies he's trying to eliminate this way. And, you know, if we're talking about social standings... We've already discussed how the trial will be in danger either way. But the issue might not just be about the trial. This hearing could be Kira's plan to start a civil war. I don't know why he needs it, but there are fanatics on all sides, and... They'll be unhappy. When the world finds out how the trial ends, it could trigger a frenzied reaction. I might be paranoid. But if Kira is destabilizing the system, he'll continue to do so, forcing people to adore and hate him simultaneously.

#death note rp #koki tanakabara saga #ooc

In other words, our job is to throw a wet blanket on the flames. If we do make a coup of that order, I imagine Kira will have to pretend to like it.

Should Lady Phantasme turn up, the job is relatively straightforward. If things get a little more complex, I suppose we'll need to play it by ear. I'll defer to you.

PSA: I will be inactive through Holy Week

That includes accounts @koki-tanakabara, @bigwiggins, @lady-phantasme, and, yes, the new one I just rolled out for the cliffhanger. Odds are, we're all taking a bit of a breather for this.

See you Easter Monday!

[PM to Sugawara89: I've done as you asked. Judge Yamata is presiding, and he is "not to challenge Kira's decisions," though he implies he is under duress. Tomorrow's court hearing is indeed over, as you predicted, but I'm still waiting word on whether the courtroom will actually be empty at the appointed time.

A platoon from Okinawa will be ready to deploy if so.]

Excellent. Do we know how that court hearing ended? We need to know Kira's mood. Just in case. If the judge sentenced to death, we should prepare for the worst.

That would be a damnably naive thing to ask, don't you think? The stated purpose is to show that Kira is infallible, and the system is rigged to ensure it. I suppose this death of Kira might change matters, but if an ally of Kira's is sufficiently cold-blooded to kill him and effect a facade that nothing has changed, odds are overwhelming that he'll be of a piece.

The very existence of this court hearing means that Kira's system is flawed. And the new Kira now has to justify himself to the public. Moreover, if the new Kira intends to kill everyone who turns up among the suspects, he will lose credibility. Therefore, I think it's important for us to know about the verdict: technically, this is his first action, determining future policy.

But regardless of the decision, there will always be dissatisfied people. And if the court is concerned about security (and they are, since they accept our proposals), then they face the question: who will attack us: Kira's supporters or his opponents? And this also depends on the verdict.

Very close-mouthed about that. But there is one fresh piece of information that sheds light on the matter.

According to Judge Yamata, the first trial, of two arsonists, took place at six AM on November first, Tokyo time. In other words, the trial is the work of the original Kira.

"Original Kira". That's a problem...

Sugawara leaned back in his chair. This wasn't the only thing he was doing. Maybe if the rest of politics had stopped and waited for him to finish with Kira and his trial, he might have managed to catch a few thoughts. But no, Sugawara just stared at the ceiling.

Yes. I think so too. On the other hand, what the hell are arsonists? Why did he suddenly decide to put them on trial? This is the first trial in all this time. And Kira chooses two...? His social rating will drop to one. From which part of the population does Kira plan to receive support?..