(A/N) Okay, so I was putting together this really little bookshelf thing, and it was so easy and self-explanatory that I didn't need the instructions, right? So I started thinking about L. And then I started thinking about L putting together a bookshelf. And then those thoughts kind of blurred even further and I started thinking: 'Could L be confused by simple things? Would he over-think them?'
And thus, this one-shot was born.
New writing style, too. It's slightly more choppy, so if you've read any of my other stuff, tell me what you think, kay?
I do not own Death Note or L or Watari. Just another three bookshelves I have to put together.
L stared at the box.
And he kept staring at it.
Watari came up behind him, and peered over L's shoulder.
"L, what are you-"
"Sh!" L was quick to quiet the older man. "I am in the middle of dealing with a puzzle of monumental proportions."
Watari simply cocked his head.
L continued to stare, in a way so intense that it would have frightened a small child, had there been any children present.
"…"
"…"
"L…" Watari finally spoke. "That is a cake box."
L turned and gave Watari a look that one might give to a kindergartener, one who was having trouble printing a lower-case letter A.
"Yes, Watari, I am fully aware of what it is."
L resumed his staring.
Watari coughed. "And… what exactly is this 'puzzle of monumental proportions?'"
"How this box becomes cake."
Watari choked on air.
L turned, and looked quizzically at the English-man. "Watari, I should ask you to stop that."
Watari, still coughing, walked over and snatched up the box of cake mix. L was quite bewildered by his caregiver's actions.
"Watari, why did you take my soon-to-be cake?"
"L, do you even know what cake mix is?" Watari asked.
"… It is obviously something that, with the right preparation, becomes cake."
"Yes, and do you know how to make a cake?"
"… It says that the instructions are on the box, Watari. Have you forgotten the most basic skill of reading?"
Watari, now fully annoyed, flipped the box over, displaying the baking instructions on the back. "I think it is you who have forgotten how to read."
L looked up at him blankly. "Watari, there is no way that that procedure will produce cake."
"L, these are the instructions."
"No, no, Watari. That is much too simple. By labeling those steps as 'instructions,' the cake manufacturer means to confuse us. But they provide us a clue by saying that the instructions are on the box. This must mean that the steps are hidden on the box, within pictures and words, and one must piece together the proper cooking method through deductions and planning. Do you see now, Watari, the error in your ways?"
Watari burst out laughing.
L, stunned by the fact that his mentor was laughing at his carefully thought out and fact-supported reasoning, just sat there, rather stunned.
Watari shook his head. "L, come with me."
L cocked his head. "Where are we going?"
Watari smiled. "To the kitchen, L. Believe it or not, some things are just that simple. Now, come on. I'll show you how to bake a cake."
(A/N) I know it was pointless, but I couldn't resist. xD
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