Hello, dear reader. This story is basically a rewrite of Sweet Seduction. I've wanted to do this for a while so I've decided to plunge ahead and get started. Hopefully, it will be better than the original, expanded and more detailed with less inconsistencies and a slower, not so rushed story line. I ask for your patience because the desire to write far outstrips my will to do so as of late. I'm using this as opportunity to not only improve my writing skills but to also get myself back into the habit of writing.

Please enjoy the story and tell me what you think. The first three chapters will be quite short, an extended introduction told from three different perspectives: Light, Sachiko, and Ryuk. After that, we'll all see what unfolds. Buckle up, my friends, and I hope you enjoy the ride. I'll do my best!

In the beginning...

The grades for the first exam of the year had been posted this morning. At 7:58, Light Yagami stood in front of the bulletin board searching for his name. A smile, more of a smirk really, made the corners of his mouth twitch. As usual, being first on the list made his name easy to find. Top of the list. The cream of the crop. Always number one.

"Number two. Again. Dammit," a female behind him murmured aloud to herself.

He recognized the voice. His eyes moved to the name below his. Sachiko Sugiyama. A broad smile, full of pride and meanness, stretched his lips.

"I tried so hard," she sniffled.

Poor thing. She did indeed try hard. Throughout their second year, she stayed hot on his heels academically. One step behind, so close but yet so far. It appeared their third and last year would be more of the same. Doomed to be number two. Second best - always.

Although she chased after him in grades, she had never pursued him as a love interest like many other girls in the school. Her lack of interest in him romantically evoked a large amount of relief and a small modicum of respect from him. He would hate to break her heart in love too.

Sachiko Sugiyama possessed some extremely unsavory character flaws that appalled him. She often ran late and fell asleep in class. She never ironed her uniform. She was loud and spoke her mind. Sometimes with inappropriate words. Her mouse brown, naturally curly hair was frizzy and stuck out at all angles despite always being pulled back in a low ponytail. Light brown freckles dotted every visible inch of her light, almost sickly white, complexion. Her silvery gray eyes were her one redeeming physical feature.

Last year, a rumor had circulated around school that she had a 'thing' going on with the hot, young history teacher. After Christmas, that new teacher no longer worked at the school. Her grades in history took a nosedive after his sudden departure. Light could not have cared less if the gossip was the horrible truth or a pack of outrageous lies. He did not really think any more or any less of her because of it. He never thought of her at all.

To avoid having to interact with her or even look at her, Light eased off to the side as if making room for the next person to see their grade. Before he could make a full retreat, he felt a tug on the sleeve his jacket.

"Can I talk to you for a second?"

Damn. It. All.