Here's Chapter 1!
Things are still moving a bit slowly for now...but HEY, there's finally some DN action going on (;
Enjoy~
The National Police Academy—its towering off-white exterior cast a surprisingly light shadow under the early evening sun. Late-April brings fair weather throughout Japan, but Tokyo's city air masked the true song of Spring. I stared at a sturdy column standing in front of the building's glass entrance. "National Police Agency and National Public Safety Commission" was inlaid on a large rectangular plaque hung centered on said column.
I brushed a loose lock of raven hair behind my ear and began a slow ascent up the wide-stepped stairs. Passing swiftly through the clear automatic doors, I continued my pace to the front desk where two suit-clad men sat facing opposite sides and typing away at their own respective computers. As my clacking shoes were brought to a stop, I glanced a couple times back and forth between the pair, recounted my plan, and heaved a long but inaudible sigh.
"Excuse me."
The two men looked up.
I gave a half-hearted smile and wave.
Both men stood up from their respective chairs and stepped up front to the reception desk. The man on the left, a middle-aged kindly looking fellow with blunt bangs covering the greater half of his forehead, flattened out his olive suit and spoke politely, "How can I help you, Miss?"
I blinked a couple times, looked at the two smiling receptionists, and answered with equally proper etiquette, "I was wondering if I might talk to someone from the Kira Task Force ." Both their faces grew understandably solemn.
"I have some potentially vital information," I reinforced my previous request.
After a momentary quiet, the man to my right (whom stood significantly taller than his counterpart) replied, "I'm very sorry ma'am, but there's no one from the task force here right now…" his voice was mannered and genuinely apologetic.
Mannered, genuinely apologetic and, I was sure, honest—I knew they weren't here. The Kira Investigation team was away working in an inconspicuous hotel room, just as they always did. Nonetheless, all I needed right now was a connection to the task force.
I pressed on, "Is there any way you could contact them for me?"
The two receptionists shared a quick look, both clearly unsure of what to do. But seconds later, the tall statured man reached a calloused hand over to the desk's phone and told me he'd "try to get a call through." He pressed a quick speed dial digit, held the phone against his ear, and stood waiting for a few moments before talking into the bottom microphone, "Hello? This is Hayami speaking, "he stuttered momentarily, "I, uh, have a girl claiming to possess knowledge on the Kira Case."
After what were presumably some brief instructions from the other end of the phone line, the now-identified Hayami handed the phone to me. Tossing him a subtle nod of thanks, I pressed the speaker against my ear.
"Hello?" I unconsciously flinched at the sound of a frivolous monotone chiming in my ear. The usual caller wouldn't think too much of it…but I knew the man behind the voice.
I took a quick breath, "Hello…you're a Kira investigator, yes?" I finished the sentence more confidently.
"Yes, I am," was the immediate reply, "and you are?"
"Jenny, "I replied, assuming he was asking for my name but careful enough to refrain from giving full identification.
"I see…and how may I help you, Jenny-san," he seemed to state rather than ask.
"Well," I began, "as I assume you already know, I have some information related to the Kira case that I'd like to talk to an investigator about—preferably L himself." It was a rather odd feeling—the specifying about L to L himself, that is.
"In person?" he questioned rhetorically.
"That would be ideal, but I'm quite sure L wouldn't care to reveal himself in front of a suspicious informant like myself, "I replied, unable to hide all the sarcasm in my voice.
"Naturally," the cool tone concurred. "The team will send an investigator over to speak with you," I listened as L pretended to…not…be L, "will that be satisfactory, Jenny-san?"
"Yes, thank you, "was my calm answer. This was after all, what I'd figured would happen.
"Very well then, the investigator will arrive shortly. Please sit on the metal bench right of and farthest from the entrance."
I raised an eyebrow at such detailed instructions, but wasn't too surprised at this characteristically "L" comment. "Sure thing."
"Then, it was nice talking to you, Jenny-san," the detective bid goodbye in the low, airy voice I knew so well.
"Likewise," I replied reflexively just before the call ended. Moving the phone away from the side of my face, I handed it over to the aforementioned Hayami, whom had noticed the call ending and swiftly came over to take the phone. I once again gave a quick thanks to the two receptionists then strolled over to the "metal bench right of and farthest from the entrance" and took a seat.
I waited patiently and began staring at a stout potted plant placed at the lobby room's right corner—a mere foot or so from where I sat—and leaned my head against the cool glass window-wall. It's been a whole month already…a solemn sigh escaped from my frowning lips as I began recalling the month's tumultuous—to say the least—occurrences.
Before I could get too deep into thought, I heard the swift swish of the doors I'd entered from a while ago. I raised my head up, straightened my back, and looked towards the door alertly, anxious to see whom L had sent.
Aizawa entered with his signature afro hair. His matte leather loafers clacked against the tiled flooring as he glanced around the room. Finally, his eyes settled to his right where I sat and he made the short walk to me.
"Are you Jenny-san?" His voice was serious and stern, but not hostile.
Standing up from my seat, I offered a handshake and replied, "The Task Force member, I presume?
Aizawa calmly accepted my handshake while his free hand reached into the inner right pocket of his beige suit. Seconds later, he pulled out a police I.D. badge, flipped the black cover open, and held it out in the open for me to see.
"Fujiwara Keiji-san, eh?" I read off the laminated description. Obviously, it was a fake name. I could've figured that out even without knowing his true identity. For one, no Kira investigator in his right mind would go around flashing their genuine identification. Well, no Kira investigator who's under L's instruction, at least. Regardless, I kept my suspicions hidden (for obvious reasons) and continued, "Nice to meet you."
"Likewise," "Fujiwara" answered. He then motioned to the door and explained, "L has asked me to escort you to a more private speaking area."
"No problem." I followed Aizawa as he led me outside, down the steps, and towards a small, average-looking silver car. He opened the front passenger seat door and looked towards me, silently asking that I enter. After I complied, Aizawa pushed the door closed, walked speedily to the driver's side, got in, and started the car.
The drive was—albeit quick—exceedingly silent. The only words exchanged came as the car eased into the curved entrance of a tall hotel building.
"We're here," he said.
The air quieted again when the car's engine slowed to a stop as Aizawa parked it by a row of neatly trimmed bushes against the hotel's wall. We got out of the car, passed through wide, glass automatic doors, and walked across the lobby's marble tiles before the task force member stopped in front of two cushioned chairs and a short coffee table discreetly positioned in the far left corner of the lobby—public, yet still private.
"Have a seat here," "Fujiwara-san" said as he too sat down. He pulled out his cellphone and hit a few buttons before setting it down on the circular table in between us.
"Is that for L?" I half questioned, half stated.
"Yes," he confirmed mere moments before the line connected and said L spoke.
"Hello." The voice was electronic sounding and oddly pitched—his alias voice. Which has the same monotonous tone as his real voice…
"It's Fujiwara. We've entered the lobby."
"I see. Let us begin then, Jenny-san."
"Alright." Here goes nothing.
Aizawa cleared his throat to catch my attention. So L was just going to listen then. "Well then, will you please state your full name?"
"Jenny."
His black eyes stared at me, waiting for me to continue speaking.
I held back a frown, "This is Kira we're talking about…I'm not exactly eager to give out a full name…"
Aizawa's head jerked slightly in realization, "Oh!" he said a bit too loudly before trailing off, "Of course…my apologies…"
"It's fine, "I chuckled awkwardly.
Attempting to continue on, the investigator then asked seriously, "Exactly what sort of information do you have on Kira then?"
I glanced quickly at him then leant my head to the left and stared aimlessly at the floor. I was weighing my options one last time. After silently reinforcing my resolve, I made stern eye contact and a string of game-changing words came out,
"Actually…that was a bit of a lie…"
It took a few seconds for the confusion on Aizawa's face to pass.
When it did, agitation followed immediately. "What do you mean it was a lie?" he distraughtly demanded an answer.
Before I could speak up, the famous detective hiding behind the phone cut in. "Please calm down, Fujiwara-san." After hearing a faint "sorry," he turned his attention to me. "Jenny-san, you said it was a bit of a lie—would you care to explain?" Even with the electric monotone, you could hear L's emphasis on "a bit."
I held back a smirk. "As expected of you—L, the world's greatest detective—to catch every little thing."
"Was not it an important 'little thing'?"
Feeling the smirk peek out again, I mused, "Indeed…it was." I crossed one leg over the other, clasped my hands together on top of my knees, and leaned in a bit closer to the phone. "I do have information on the case—that much is true—however I believe my intentions have been misinterpreted."
"How so?"
Seriousness glinted in my eyes and the severity of my tone deepened.
"I'm not here to be an informant. I'm to be an investigator."
L makes his first appearance! (kind of, at least...) I hope you guys were okay with me featuring Aizawa so much. Before, I had Light appear to question Jenny instead, but I figured someone like Aizawa coming would make more sense. (Especially since at this point, Light would've JUST joined the Task Force.)
Anyways, thanks for reading!