"You're gonna let that guy run his mouth about you?", the winged death god asks as he munches on an apple.
"That guy" in question is a man featured on the special live TV broadcast.
Lind L. Tailor, who introduced himself as L, the worldwide-famous detective and head of the international police task force, and denounced the acts committed by Kira as atrocious, vowing to bring Kira to justice. The man is all but challenging Kira to kill him right there and then, what's with his haphazard lack of secrecy and willingness to reveal his identity on live TV.
Yagami Light hums noncommittally, as he examines the man that stares at him from the TV screen, then simply shrugs as he switches the TV channel and turns his attention back to the Death Note. He is already behind the schedule for his daily Death Note executions as it is, and he wants it done in the next hour.
"A hunter hardly cares what the prey thinks about him", Light drawls in a bored tone, absentmindedly scribbling away the criminals' names into the Death Note. "That is not to say that I think of myself as a predator."
"Really?", Ryuk notes, his expression amused. "And what would you describe yourself as?"
The young man pauses his writing for a moment, pondering upon the question posed.
"It's quite curious, Ryuk. Some would describe me as a villain, while others would describe me as a hero, but all of them would claim that I'm some sort of extraordinary individual, as if I was some sort of prophet, or worse - god", Light says, his expression thoughtful. "But me? I'm a nobody. I'm not special. Just another person melding into the background. I simply was at the right time in the right place, and it just so happened that on that day I've picked up the Death Note and received its power. Anyone could've done that and abused its powers for personal reasons."
"But not you", the death god states.
"Well, it was always my personal belief that with great power comes great responsibility."
"And so you took it upon yourself to right the wrongs and give the criminals justice they deserve."
"Well, someone has to take out the trash", Light says, flexing his tired hand, before continuing. "That's all I really am - a janitor. Somebody has to do it. It just so happens that I'm the only one with ability to take out the trash of human variety."
"And here I thought you'd be the one to entertain me, Light!", Ryuk quips in a teasing tone.
"I'm a boring man, Ryuk. I'm hardly fit for the role of a jester - I lack the flair for the dramatic. What I'm doing isn't out of some misplaced ambition or desire for recognition. It is simply my duty to the world."
The death god apparently satisfied with the answer, the silence settles between the two, only interrupted by the sounds of a mechanical pencil scribbling upon the Death Note's pages, and in about half an hour, the writing sounds stop too.
Light checks the contents of the Death Note for the last time, feeling satisfied.
His job is done for today. But there is always another tomorrow.