Death Note: X

Rebirth.

"Start driving."

"Understood, sir." 

I sat alone in the quiet car and looked at the view outside the window.

"What's it like to be outside for the first time?"

"Nothing."

It's not that I wasn't curious.

It's just that I don't feel anything, at least nothing that I can call an emotional response to.

"Nothing, huh?"

My father probably had thought so.

That I was looking out the window without emotions.

That I probably couldn't distinguish the difference between virtual world and reality now.

We arrived at a large, orthogonal residential structure.

"Get out of the car."

I opened the door and stepped outside, then followed him into the building.

"Welcome back, Ayanokoji-sensei."

A middle-aged man of average build, dressed in conservative attire, bowed deeply to my father. His gaze then shifted toward me.

"And you must be the young master. I will be at your service. You may call me Matsuo."

"..."

The silence lingered. Matsuo straightened and turned his attention back to my father.

Was I expected to respond?

"He'll be staying here."

"I understand."

"This will serve as your residence, for now."

With that, my father left.

2 months later:

I had just finished my second training session for the day.

The equipment available in the mansion was significantly less diverse than that of the White Room, and upon my arrival, my martial arts training had been suspended altogether.

Matsuo had proven to be an interesting variable in my daily routine. In contrast to the White Room instructors, he possessed no qualifications beyond his profession as a butler, a role he fulfilled competently.

Even so, I continued to learn more through simple observation. Today was no exception.

As I entered the common room, a faint sound drew my attention.