Dear Mello...

[thepinkrabbit]

i don't know if this discussion has been up a million times, or if i have just missed something in canon, but...

the Dear Mello on the back of Mello's photo? who wrote it, and why? and why does Mello narrow his eyes when he reads it?

( you know, in my head, it's Near who's been trying to declare his long, and undying love for Mello, but never got

Comments

[kurosaki_akane]

It was Near who wrote it. I think that Tsugumi pushed Mello to act too calmly there, because all he thought was "oh, Near knew that this photo would ever be returned to me." DUH, MELLO.
Seriously, if my rival gave me anything with such a text written, my last concern would be whether or not my rival had been planning to return it to me.
Perhaps Tsugumi wanted to censor the gay, but Mello's thoughts felt forced to me.

[kleine_aster]

That idea is adorable. XD Near: "Dear Mello ..." *trails off, stares into space, nibbles on pen for 1 1/2 hours, then wanders off to build a lego fort instead*

In all seriousness, though: I've also always assumed it was Near who wrote it. I don't think the writing and Mello's reaction to it would be in any way important if it was just something Roger wrote on it, because the primary conflict in that scene is between Mello and Near.

I just took it as a variation of their old theme: Mello can't stand Near, but Near never had anything against Mello or might even like him. Near had wanted to work with Mello from the start, and that never really changes. So I always interpreted that as "See, I have no qualms with you, I see you as someome important."

In other words, I always thought Near is challenging Mello's idea that they're enemies or rivals by writing "Dear Mello", to show him that the animosity is one-sided. It also is a way to mess with Mello, because Near knows he hates it when it's suggested they're on the same side.

[kleine_aster]

... or he might just be totally gay for Mello. Yeah, let's go with that. 8D

[kurosaki_akane]

(This is something I was planning to discuss in my journal, actually). Gay or friend, it's weird how Mello doesn't give that fact much of a thought, or at least his thoughts on the matter are completely censored to instead focus on the fact that Near was planning to return the photo to him, as if that was the most important detail his brain can fathom after reading such a thing.

It's obvious that "dear Mello" sounds emotional, and that Near is either giving it a serious meaning (like the one you propose) or mocking Mello; it can go both ways, and none of them should leave Mello indifferent.
But the thing is that Mello considers neither, which is SUSPICIOUS AS HELL. I was surprised to see such a thing written, but I was even more surprised at the fact that Mello wasn't.
I wonder if I'm the only one who found his reaction forced, perhaps to hide any sort of emotional implication between them.

[kleine_aster]

That's an interesting thought! Though I have to disagree with you a little. I didn't find his reaction forced. I think it's similar to the scene where Halle calls Mello and Near "like-minded", and Mello just frowns and says nothing. Because deep down, he KNOWS it's true. It's just impossible to admit for him. The photo with the writing is another sign that his rivalry with Near is something that's one-sided, and he hates that. That's how I always saw it.

But that's not saying your theory is wrong. It's pretty interesting. Especially to wonder if Mello and Near probably have some kind of emotional bond that's never really explored.

[ladyxelloss]

I agree with Akane and kleine_aster ^^

[aru_keehl]

That´s one of the many mysteries of Death Note.But everyone here have a point or two

[ext_5006478]

The dear Mello was Near attempting to express his affinity, lacking in a way to render the sincerity/strength of the sentiment he settles on dear mello, the ambiguity leaves room for Mello to grasp at the meaning. It also displays nears exactness an approximateness from his detached analytical approach, in stark contrast to mellos emotion led standpoint. Nears emotional unavailability and the fact that he felt compelled to indicate any sort of attachment to mello likely left Mello confused, or for lack of experience in witnessing the unusually composed Near display any emotion for anyone left him lost for words.