Yagami Soichiro was hard at work at the station. Doing anything and everything he can to get the job done on time. He even left early so that he could have a head start.
But the work continues to pile up. Crime rates were unusually high that day and people were coming in and out every minute.
Soichio was being run ragged, and his fellow coworkers can see it.
"What's got you in a hurry today Yagami? I've never seen you work this hard before." Asked Fujimori Tsutomu, a coworker of Soichiro's, during a brief coffee break.
Fujimori Tsutomu has been working many years now with Soichiro at the NPA, mostly doing desk work and sorting out files. He had the opportunity to go out on a few cases with Soichiro and deeply admired his conviction and his sensenof Justice.
But today it felt different seeing Soichiro work today, as though he wanted to be anywhere but at the station.
Soichiro let out a big sigh, tension leaving his body as his shoulders fall as though he's carrying a heavy weight on them and he couldn't hold it up any longer. He ran a hand over his face, his glasses briefly pushed up to his forehead before falling back down onto his nose.
"Light, my son, has started writing a manga and he finished the first chapter yesterday." Soichiro confessed.
Tsutomu perked up in interest, or maybe it was the caffeine but still he responded. "Oh? That's interesting, I thought he wanted to be a detective like you. Didn't he?"
Soichiro smiled a bit. "He still does but he wanted write a story about a detective as he waits. Saying he wanted to get other kids interested in detectives as well."
Tsutomu smiled. "That's cool of him, but what does it have to do with you overworking yourself?"
Soichiro let out another sigh. "The thing is, it's good. Genuinely good. I'm not one for manga but the first chapter alone was well made and thought out. It had me invested in a murder mystery that seems improbable turned probable. It was easy to understand and solvable if you paid attention to the smallest of details."
Soichiro them looked up at the light fixed in the ceiling.
"Once I finished it, I found myself wanting to read more and to share it as well. I wanted to help my son publish it. Just think of the impact it could have. By the time Light is old enough to join the NPA, kids who were influenced by his manga could follow along with him."
Then Soichiro looks down, eyes dejected as he smiles solemnly, looking at his hands that continue to grow old with every passing year. Wrinkles already formulating on his face frim years of hard work.
"Or maybe it is just wishful thinking. I was hoping to have the chance later today to pitch Light's manga to Shonen Jump. Or any publishing company that would promote his work."
Tsutomu stood in silence, in utter surprise and awe by the words Soichiro said.
He then turned his gaze through the station, as much as he could see from the break room.
Every officer swamped with work, running all over the place, talking to multiple people on different phones or just desks left empty when coworkers left or retired.
In all honesty, the NPA was understaffed. Even when fully staffed, during times when crime rates are high we struggle greatly to keep up with the demand.
And failing to stay on top of everything means failing lives, people we are supposed to protect.
A thought popped up in Tsutomu's head.
"Hey Yagami."
Soichiro looked back at Tsutomu.
"I think I know someone who could help you."
----------
For a Karaoke class hang out, it was quite tame.
Well, it was wild with classmates having fun and doing the silliest of things. But at least no one was screaming or crying.
After dropping Sayu off at home, I walked to the Karaoke we would be hanging out at. Everyone else was already there having a blast.
A few adults, parents of some my classmates, were supervising and helped provide for the large Karaoke booth that had enough room for everyone.
I didn't even know Karaoke booths could be this big, but it was quite a fancy one with multiple forms of entertainment.
I sat in a seat in the back with a soft drink in my hand. Enjoying watching everyone have fun and enjoy themselves.
A guy, a classmate, slid onto the seat next to me. I could tell he tried to make it seem natural but it only felt forced and awkward.
He was drumming his fingers along the side of his own cup. His head turned around all over, trying to casually look around.
As a fellow socially awkward human being, I could tell he was trying to start a conversation.
I better help him out.
I turned towards and gave him a friendly smile. "Hi, you enjoying yourself?"
The guy jumps out of his thoughts.
"Huh-! Whu-? Oh! Yeah! It's cool!" He replied, his words tumbling out in quick succession.
He coughed, blushing a bit in embarrassment. "How about you?"
I turned my gaze towards a trio of girls, friends, singing together into one microphone. Big bright smiles on their faces and the laugh and sing.
"It's nice, seeing everyone having fun makes me happy." I answered. Which was true, everyone looked like they were having so much fun that I didn't want to disturb them.
The guy looks at me quizzically. "But are you having fun?"
I was stunned for a moment.
Ah, right. I forgot about that. I should have fun too.
I gave him a mischievous smile. "Are you willing to hear me sing like a banshee? My sister says I make her ears bleed."
He smiles back. "Maybe. You going to go up?"
I stand up. "If you'll join me." A wide grin on my face.
"Deal." He stood up with surprising bravado. A stark contrast to how he initially tried to engage in social interaction.
As we picked out a song we both know and can sing together with, I asked what his name was.
He places a hand on his chest. "The Yagami Light, our great class leader, the model student with the unbeatable streak of having the highest grade in our year, does not know my name. Oh the horror, the humanity. I lost the right to live!" He was being so overly dramatic that I couldn't help but laugh.
"Shut up, but seriously. I generally suck at remembering names." I gave him a light punch on his arm to cut his drama.
He smiled cheekily. "The name's Kido Tamotsu, and don't you forget it."
"Nice to meet you Kido." I smiled back.
---------
While hanging out with Kido I learned that the reason he approached me was because he's going to go to the same Junior Highschool as me. None of his friends were going and he wanted to at least know someone when he enters the school.
Like myself he doesn't hang out much but he does when he can. Other times, he studies, gets tutored and go to cram school often, and in return his family lets him buy manga.
"So you like manga?" I asked, winding down as the Karaoke hang out comes to an end.
He nods. "Not as much as I used to, mostly because there isn't anything interesting these days. I just want something new, y'know."
I pondered for a moment.
"Do you want to read my manga?"
Kido looks at me in shock and surprise. "Excuse me? 'Your' manga?! You? The Yagami Light, wrote a manga???"
I whack him on the arm again. "Enough with the 'The Yagami Light' already. And yes, my manga. I finished writing the first chapter yesterday."
"You serious?" His eyes wide. "Dude that is so cool! What is it called? What is it about? Can I read it now? Are you-"
I covered his mouth with my hand, looking around to see if anyone heard him.
I looked back at him. "It's called Detective Conan. It's about a Highschool Detective that got shrunk into a kid's body. Not now and yes I plan to have it published."
Kido's eyes start to sparkle, pulling my hand off his mouth but not letting go. "Dude, that is so freaking cool."
I blush slightly, pulling hand out of his grasp. "Thanks. Maybe you can come over some time to read it."
He shook his head. "No no no, if you are going to publish it I should read it officially and support you. I shouldn't spoil myself."
I smile appreciatively. "Thanks."
He smiles back wide. "Tell me when it is out and I'll halp spread the word."
-------
Once I got home, I was greated by dad. Which was rare.
"Welcome home Light." Dad said with a smile.
"I'm home." I smile back.
Dad ushered me to the living room to sit down on the couch.
"I got some good news," Dad started with a smile, "I told a coworker of mine about your manga and they got me in touch with someone in Shonen Jump and they are willing to meet up to discuss about publishing your manga."
My eyes widen as a excited smile grew on my face. "Really?!"
He nods. "They agreed to potentially meet you and I next Sunday. Are you up to it?"
"Yes! Definitely." I said in excitement, then reality hit. "Wait, is it ok to reveal that I'm only 13?"
Dad rubbed his chin. "We should at least let them know so they can accommodate for you and if they agree despite it then we can just keep your identity a secret to everyone else. How about that?"
I nod. "That sounds good." I gave hima big hug. "Thanks dad."
"Anything for you Light." Dad says as he strokes my hair.