There was once a time when Mello didn’t look upon him with the utmost hatred. He would smile at him and inquire about his actions. Sometimes he would assist Near in his blank puzzles or put model robots together. They, Mello, Near, and Matt, would laze about in Mello’s room just watching the other children play while thinking years ahead of their time. That seemed so very long ago. After L entered their lives, their friendship was ruined. Near had lost his best friend simply because he was more intelligent. That was why Near hated L.

He missed Mello’s smiles.