Light was running. There was no other term for it, and though he slowly walked away and left L standing barefoot in the snow, he was running for all he was worth…away from L, away from campus, away from everything. This was too much. There simply weren't better words to describe it. Too much happening, too much changing…and L was starting to treat him like everyone else…a commodity more than a person. Perhaps if they spent more time together, it wouldn't have seemed that way at all…but the way it was, Light felt like the detective was just taking advantage of him.

He wasn't sure where he going, but he was only mildly surprised to find a teller sliding him money across the counter. He texted his sister, letting her know where he was going and that he'd be late, but…even then, he wasn't sure. Passing the glass doors and talking to the woman selling tickets, he finally got an idea.

However, it wasn't until he was finally admitted, after flashing L's card, and hating him for it…not until he slid into his old seat, the old perspective from the right a welcome difference…not until he leaned back, a program in hand, staring at an empty stage did he know where he was.

He supposed he was a creature of habit, as people of his intellect often are. He supposed that he was being ridiculous in running here, because the show wouldn't start for another four hours. He supposed that the usher thought him insane, but as he stared out across the silent void, the warm glow of soft lights shining on wood highlighting the subtle details of the room, he didn't care. This…this was better than home. This was better than a park, an empty classroom, and a far sight better than L's company. Even in silence, there was power in this room, echoes of great voices being called to mind as he surveyed the empty stage. Beethoven on a grand piano…Violinists dancing on Bach's strings…the entire body moving as one to accommodate the drunkenly dramatic flair of Mozart…

Peace. Peace in a world that mocked time, which relished the old days and locked out the world beyond its doors. A world of changes that in reality, was just like his own, and yet so very different. A world that was powerful; one that existed only to remind him of those that came before, so that he could find peace in the simplicity of their genius. Music…it lay along his bones, in the darker corners of his mind it played continuously because he could not let it go.

It healed him. It took away his pain, rebuilt him when the world wore him thin. It cleansed him of all anger, of his sorrows and if he came with joy, he left with ecstasy. That was the power the old voices had, the timeless strength endowed to shaped wood and metal. It was an escape, simple and clean cut…but it never coddled him. It only lasted so long, perhaps two to three hours, and then it was done. Then he would leave, and learn to face his problems. He would walk down the stairs a renewed man, and he would be capable of fixing whatever had driven him here in the first place.

Could he fix L?

The answer was easy, frighteningly so. Yes, he could. He could simply walk out, hand him his pass, and buy his own. That would put an end to all of his new problems, in one nice easy decision. The detective would be gone, he'd wouldn't have to deal with him ever again…

Was it that simple? Would L respect his wishes? Likely not, but that was something easily dealt with.

Then again, it was that kind of thinking that landed him in his current situation, with a powerful friend that didn't respect him. The only simple thing about the detective was that nothing was ever simple with him. He consistently defied expectation, either by completely ignoring it, or going far beyond.

This wasn't about L, however, and he wasn't going to bring L into it. He glanced over at the two seats in the center that they shared now, and frowned. No, L was not in the theatre, and he should stay away for now. This was Light's escape again, and if he had to come here alone, buy tickets to a show he didn't even know the name of, just to get away, then he would. He simply would.

Something needed to change, and drastically. He needed to make a decision that was purely his, one that no one else had a say in. His choices at this point were limited. As L had once told him, everyone knew everything about him. He'd written so many acceptance speeches that any student at the university could recite what his 'hopes and aspirations for the future' were in the same boring monologue that he recited them in. He was almost a public figure.

He could move. The thought came to him with a startling clarity. He hadn't actually considered it before, because in reality, he had a good family. With the exception of his father, he wasn't overly close to the rest of them…but they all respected him and his space. The thought of moving out, of having a place of his own had never occurred to him, not with any serious consideration put behind it. He'd passed furniture in stores and thought to himself 'If I had a place of my own, I'd buy that…', and that was the extent of it.

Right now, it sounded incredible. A place under his name, Light Yagami's home. It would be almost as good as the theatre, and he was fairly sure that L wouldn't dare intrude there. L again, why L? L didn't matter, and had nothing to do with this. He stared out across the stadium and crossed his legs, considering the stage intently. There were several apartment complexes downtown that he could browse through…and some cheaper ones around the outskirts. The edge of the city tended to be dangerous territory, but he doubted he'd have to worry about it. Besides, if nothing else, it'd remind him why he was a detective.

In any case, he was twenty-two, twenty three next month, and as far as he was concerned, a college graduate. There was no reason for him to stay, either. He was fairly sure his parents would take the news well…It was a mature decision on his part.

He stayed a little longer, basking in complete silence and musing about how he had been wrong. This…this place…this was the only thing that never asked anything of him. This was the only place where everything made sense, and there was a clarity here that he wouldn't trade for the world. He made a note to search for apartments in the surrounding area.

XXXX

Light was sitting at his desk, leafing through apartment listings when his door opened and closed again. He turned to find L leaning on it, and turned back to his magazine, his face and tone devoid of emotion.

"I thought I told you two months."

"Did it not occur to you that your lessons would begin before those two months were up?"

No, it hadn't, but he'd been angry at the time. He still was, but he figured being distant would anger the detective more than another yelling session. "What are you doing here?"

"You are my only student. I see no reason to waste time in a classroom when everything I plan on doing takes place outside of one."

"Is there a reason you waited until eight at night to come by?" Light pointed at his clock without turning around. He heard L sigh behind him.

"I'm not interrupting."

"That's what happens when you randomly show up at people's houses. You interrupt them."

"You're not busy. All you're doing is searching for an apartment, and I already know that you've narrowed the possibilities down to three. I also have a good idea which of them you've seriously considered."

Light turned to stare at him, his hands pausing over the paper. L deadpanned, almost rolling his eyes. "I'm the single greatest detective in the world, Light. I'm quite tired of that being an understated fact with you. I told you I could find out anything I wanted to know…considering your mood, it wasn't hard to follow the logic."

"So because I hit you a few times, you thought I'd move out? I'm tired of you talking about how I'm your equal and then treating me like my father. You're not the only genius in the room."

"I'm quite aware of that." L paused for a second, reaching behind himself to lock the door. Light returned his gaze arms crossed, still refusing to show an expression of any kind. L seemed to be considering his words. "…Quite frankly, I knew because it's what I would have done."

Light's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly…being compared to the detective is not something he was willing to listen to right now. "How charming. Get out."

"To be frank with you, Light-kun, I'm quite sick of you thinking of me as a problem, and not a person." Light didn't move, and L continued quietly. "I thought we were past this."

"I've told you how this would work."

"Can you really look me in the eye and tell me that I was never your friend?"

Light said nothing, and L moved to sit on his bed without invitation, putting him much closer to Light and annoying him to no end. He was sitting on Light's bed, for Christ's sake…

"I know that you have likely worked yourself into believing that this is merely another ploy to use you, as people tend to do. I must say that it was not my intention, and the thought never crossed my mind."

"…I do know better." Light sighed, leaning back in his chair. He laced his hands behind his head and regarded the detective quietly. "It's the fact that you outright lied to me. I think I would have been mature enough to at least seriously consider the proposal before deciding on an answer. It should have been my choice."

"It was."

"But you lied to me. It kind of ruins the novelty of having you as a professor. I could have been working all that time…."

"The things that you learned will prove valuable to you in the field. I promise that I did not waste your time."

"Why didn't you just…tell me?" Light turned to his desk and began putting his things away, trying to keep his temper. L sighed behind him.

"Light-kun, I wish you would look at me when we talk. I do not care if it makes your temper flare…it's a matter of respect."

"You've no right to call me on respect after the stunt you pulled."

"Yes…Yes I know. I'm…." L stopped suddenly, burying his mouth behind his knees. Light turned to look at him, and this time L looked away.

"What is it?"

"In the entirety of my life, I have never felt the need to apologize for anything that I've done. Nothing at all, whether I was wrong or not." L stared out his window now, glaring sullenly into the dark. "I barely know you. Over the course of almost four years, I have come to achieve some kind of anonymous friendship with you. In the last three months, I have apologized to you…four times."

The detective glanced back at him. "And I just opened my mouth to do it again. I do not know why your opinion is seemingly more important than those of others, but it bothers me greatly. So when I apologize for something, do not ever take it lightly. It is not in my nature to regret my actions, especially those that are in reality a help to other people…no matter how stubborn they insist on being. I put a lot of time and effort into finding those professors, and I tested them myself before presenting them to you. I wanted to be sure they were enough of a challenge to be of benefit. I realize that the lengths I went to in order to hide this from you were quite extreme, but I do not regret it. So no, I will not apologize again."

"I never asked for your apology, L." Light returned the gaze steadily, but in spite of himself, he was tired of being angry.

"No, but you have not forgiven me, either. The fact that it troubles me is quite bothersome."

"I know the feeling." Light glanced at his watch, and rubbed his eyes tiredly. He caught himself at it, and stopped, forcing his hands to his knees. "When is the next concert?"

"The January showing is in three weeks."

"Compo-"

"Mozart."

"…Okay." Light stood and crossed to his closet, loosening his tie. He could feel dark eyes on his back, but at this point, he was far too fed up with being irritated to let it bother him. He needed to relax, and with the next showing so close, and yet so far, he needed to find a different outlet. Listening to music would only make the concert seem farther away, so that was out.

He slipped his tie off and hung on the doorknob. "It's only eight-thirty…Feel like walking?"

L's expression lifted considerably, and he stood too. "That sounds…good."

"Do you have shoes?" Light glanced at his bare feet before unbuttoning the top of his shirt slightly, intending to leave comfortable. "I can lend you some."

"Is it wet?"

"The snow's stopped for now, but it's going to be damn cold."

"I would appreciate some shoes then. I cannot stand it when the hem of my jeans becomes wet."

Light merely nodded and toed an old pair of his sneakers out while he dug for a jacket. He pulled out his faded black leather coat, and without even bothering to ask, handed L one of his bigger jackets. The detective seemed to like his clothing a little looser.

"You may drive us into town, if you wish." A jingle of keys, and Light turned to him, surprised.

"I was only planning on going around the block or something."

"…I want ice cream."

Light stared for a second and had to remember that he was angry with the man. He didn't catch the amused smirk in time, however, and just shook his head as he took the keys. Apparently, he'd forgiven L, whether he wanted to or not. Light knew he was capable of holding a grudge like a woman, but there didn't seem to be much point to it anymore. He was used to people bowing and scraping at his feet when they upset him, so L's refusal to apologize twice robbed his attitude of its usual fire. The irony of it made it that much harder to stay angry.

XXXX

They didn't speak, and that was fine. Light was steadily calming down as they walked through the downtown area. They'd gotten out of the house without much trouble, and Light had found a grin on his face when he exited to find a sleek black car parked behind his father's in the driveway.

Light liked cars…he didn't know why. Granted, he'd never collected car magazines as a boy, nor had he asked for miniatures or posters. He didn't know the difference between a Ferrari and a golf cart, but they'd always fascinated him. He'd always stopped to notice a fine car parked on the street outside a store, and loud engines tended to make him grin. Regardless, the keys were in his hands, and he was going to enjoy this, L be damned.

L had almost climbed in the back seat, and Light knew immediately that this was Watari's vehicle. When he slid into the driver's side, the mirrors were all wrong, and the seat itself was a little too far back and upright.

If Light had been angry when he left the house, it was all replaced by an irrepressible glee when L clutched at the door in shock as he roared down the street. The detective fumbled the seatbelt into place, but Light glanced over to find him grinning too. They'd gunned it all the way to the downtown, and Light only let up after a few close calls in city traffic. Still, when he'd finally parked, and both climbed out, they'd been laughing.

"If Watari knew I let you abuse his Bentley in this fashion, he would have both our licenses revoked."

"I wouldn't blame him actually." And that had been that.

Now they strolled down the street in an almost comfortable silence, walking without destination. The night crowd was just now out and the streets were full of young people. They reached the ice cream parlor and decided not to stay because of the noise and attention. It seemed that every college student in To-Oh was in the city, and they all insisted on greeting Light by name. L stood by and idly downed his strawberry cup while Light talked them out of joining students for movies, dinners, game arcades…it was quite tiresome.

Bad timing and popularity aside, the walk itself was serving its purpose. Being fairly quiet in a crowd granted a certain anonymity that suited them both. Once they passed the usual college hangouts, they went undisturbed, merely two more faces in the rush of Tokyo's nightlife. Light eventually began to relax, the mindless task of walking easing his mind. There was another concert coming soon, and this would have to hold him over until then…it wouldn't be hard to do. He glanced over at L to find that the detective seemed to be sharing his thoughts on the matter. They didn't talk, there was nothing to be said, and while they were out here together, they weren't walking together. L had just given him a ride.

It began snowing around nine, and Light merely sighed and turned his collar up. He hated the snow, and the memory of his rare bout of flu a month ago in December still haunted him. Light rarely ever succumbed to sickness, but when he did, it was terrible. Even thinking about it made him feel weak.

They were passing the movie theatre when their accursed timing paid off in full. Light and the detective walked by without stopping, Light idly kicking snow and L looking for a garbage can to throw his empty ice cream cup away in. A movie let out, and the almost empty sidewalk was suddenly swamped with people. L, rather than fight his way back across the rush to Light, he rolled his eyes and leaned on the pillar next to the garbage can. Light chuckled, stuffing his hands in his pockets. Suddenly, a much unwanted voice hailed him from the crowd.

"Light-Kun!" It was not L, feminine and high pitched and an assault on his ears. He turned to find one of his few ex-girlfriends, Yuri, exiting the theatre with a few of her friends. He hadn't spoken to her since…he actually couldn't remember. She was a year behind him. It didn't bode well for the coming conversation. He glanced back at L once to find an amused look on his face, and sighed.

The girl fought her way through the crowd as politely as possible, half a box of popcorn in one hand and a large fountain drink in the other. She was smiling, so he supposed it wasn't going to start badly at least.

"Light, I haven't seen you in ages! How are you?"

"I'm…fine. Working."

"Oh, you're always so busy…Is that really what happened? I mean, we haven't gone out since…well, almost exams." She frowned slightly. Light took it as a sign that there was no way to sugar coat this for the undergrad. His stomach turned as he made a connection with his little sister Sayu…they were wearing similar jackets.

"Well…I'm not at the university anymore."

"…What's that supposed to mean? Why haven't you returned my calls?" Her mood was plummeting quickly, and worse, her friends were edging their way across the mob of people to back her up.

"…I told you, I've been busy."

"So, because you've graduated, you don't have time for me anymore, is that it?"

"…Yuri, listen."

"It is isn't it?" Her expression tensed, and he felt a sinking feeling as the first tears appeared in her eyes. "You…You're not in school, so I'm not convenient anymore."

He was fighting a losing battle. "Yuri, I never…"

"So what…we're not dating anymore?" There was a collective gasp from her arriving friends, and if looks could kill, Light would have been a dead man. He chose instead to wipe his face of expression and let her carry this through, because she obviously didn't need his help figuring it out.

"…Okay, Yagami. Fine." She took a deep breath, and then rather calmly threw the rest of her drink into Light's face.

Light stood absolutely still, eyes closed as what smelled like orange soda rolled down his face. Never in his life had he desired to backhand a woman this much, and the violent tremors made his fist tighten in his pockets. He made no move to wipe the drink away, though against his will, his features twisted into something like a snarl. Light didn't mind being dirty…he could handle dirty, as long as it was a result of work of some kind, and there was a shower easily accessible. However, he was not just dirty…he was sticky. It absolutely turned his stomach, and he usually liked orange soda. He doubted he'd ever drink it again.

God, he wanted to hit her…so badly his fingers tingled. She seemed to realize that, even though she herself was angry, she'd crossed a line, and turned to leave. He listened to her go without opening his eyes, standing there in something close to an arrested state of rage. There were people everywhere, staring at him, and he didn't have to open his eyes to know that even L was amused by this little spectacle. It was fucking humiliating.

"Let's get you home to change." He could hear the smirk in the detective's voice, but that at least meant that the crowd had died down enough that he could cross. Light forced a hand to unwrap its fist and reached to wipe his eyes clear. He opened them just in time to see his ex-girlfriend disappear around the corner at the end of the block.

"Light-kun?"

"Shut up…I'm thinking."

The detective sounded mildly surprised. "Do you regret ending the relationship? You can still catch her."

"No." Light took a deep breath. A moment of silence, and orange soda dripped down his throat and slipped beneath the warm confines of his coat. He twitched. "I'm trying to find a way to say that I deserved that without actually confessing guilt."

"How about… 'That was quite rude.'?"

Light considered it. "It works. That was quite rude."

XXXX

"I'm not seeing the alias, I'm seeing Light Yagami." L corrected him again, and Light sighed. This 'course' consisted of L taking him to various public places and functions and asking him to develop a completely different persona. It was essentially a class on how to maintain an alias, but the work was as diverse and eccentric as the man teaching him.

They never worked in a classroom, and instead traveled the whole of Japan, riding trains and working wherever L found most interesting on their trips out. Sometimes, it was merely a cup of coffee to test his observation skills in a little café, and others it was the library for an intensive bout of research on a historical case. They even spent an entire day just riding the trains and studying the people that boarded and left. It was interesting, though the complete randomness of it grated on Light's order-bound personality. They worked whenever L felt like working, and because Light was still undergoing training at the Police Academy, that was most often whenever Light had free time. In short, his life was once again consumed by forensics and logic, and it was something that eased his mind greatly. L knew just how to make him think, how to challenge him, and by their fifth time out, Light had completely forgiven him for the slight. At least he made it worth Light's while.

It was nearing the middle of April, and Light had finally settled into a new apartment. It was strange to be out of his home, but it gave him the gratification he'd been looking for, and he'd moved forward with his feet firmly planted. He'd joined the Academy just to annoy L, and while they worked around his training, it was tiring. It was a good kind of tired, however…the kind that left him feeling like he was accomplishing his goals and moving in the right direction. L had respected his apartment so far, and though Light still hadn't invited him up, the arrangement suited them both.

L put a hand on his shoulder and stopped him entirely. Today, Light was learning to be kind, and open. It was difficult for him, because even acknowledged that he was an arrogant, proud individual…he bordered narcissism when dressed nicely. L had started him off easily, by asking him to assume an already developed persona. Daneuve, apparently, was one of L's many aliases…which said something, because the entire world thought them to be two different people. Light didn't know much about the other, and L insisted that he 'redevelop' the character because he wanted to see how close Light could get without guidance.

Not close at all. The fourth time L put a hand on him to stop him, Light lost his patience.

"I don't get it. How can walking help me understand a persona?"

"It's not walking to understand the persona, it's understanding the persona that determines the walk."

"It's…inconsequential. There's no point."

"Light, when your life depends on an alias, you have to become an entirely different person. Speech patterns, gestures, thought processes…it all matters."

"If I were working in the field, I'd likely understand it better."

"I whole-heartedly agree, but it's something that you need at least basic knowledge of before you fall headlong into dangerous territory. I work freelance, and there are dozens of countries who openly resent that fact."

"How many aliases do you have?"

"Fourteen….six of which work for the other eight."

"Work for them?"

"In reality, Watari is my only assistant, but because I am more than one detective, we needed more than one assistant role."

Light sighed, staring out across the square. "I just don't see how big a difference it can make…I'm sorry."

"Look…I'll show you." L pulled his hands out of his pockets and pointed to the fountain they'd been circling for the last two hours. "I'm going to walk to that fountain as L, and back as Daneuve. Pay attention to everything."

Light sat on the bench behind them and gestured him off sarcastically. L glanced around almost self-consciously and set out across the pavement. His head was down, but his eyes were up, challenging despite the rest of his body language. His shoulders remained withdrawn, and his steps were light and brisk. It was the L that Light was familiar with, and when his head shifted slightly to the side, Light knew enough to deduce that of the three girls the detective had just passed, the he'd considered one of them attractive. It made him smirk a bit, and despite himself, he leaned forward as the detective neared the fountain. No one in the square glanced at him, or paused as he went by. L stood there a minute, staring into the water, and Light peered across the open space.

The change was sudden, and unmistakable. L stood straight, his shoulders broad, and Light realized with a shock that they were actually very close in build…L was severely underweight. He withdrew his hands from his pockets and shifted his weight to one side, regarding the fountain with crossed arms. Light could not fathom the expression on his face right now, and found that wholly remarkable. L glanced up, tilting his head back to look at the sky as though thinking about something vaguely important, and then he turned around.

Light's eyes were wide, he knew, but there was no covering his surprise. L looked around the square openly and started back. One hand slipped, not stuffed, its way into his jeans pocket and the other came to push his hair behind his ear. A vendor hailed him, and L paused with a broad grin on his face, side-tracking to check the man's wares. He browsed with animated curiosity before selecting something small that Light couldn't make out from this side of the pavement. Money exchanged hands with a smile and a small laugh at a joke…Light wasn't sure who told it. L waved a farewell, and strolled, not shuffled, across the square towards Light's bench. His smile was…infectious.

Light found himself grinning back, an eyebrow raised in amusement as something clicked into place. The detective tossed his package into the air as he walked, juggling it one handed as though satisfied with the world in general. He came to stand before the bench and winked once before tossing a small, brown leather folio into Light's lap.

Light picked it up, and glanced back up. The persona dropped, and the easy smile shifted into that challenging smirk that was L again. Light nodded to himself, thumbing the pages of the small notebook as L slipped onto the bench next him.

"So…Daneuve is a woman."

"Yes."

"And yet, in public, you merely come across as slightly effeminate, so the mistake could be played off if you were ever located."

"Precisely."

"I get it now."

"Understanding and being able to do it are two completely different things. You are becoming an entirely new person."

"You could have told me it was a woman…that might have simplified things."

L chuckled and gazed out at the fountain again. "No, I think it would have made you slip into a stereotype, and that's not my goal."

"Stereotype."

"Light-kun, you do not have a very high opinion of women."

"True, but that's not their fault."

"Yet, by holding standards such as yours, you limit your ability to adopt a feminine persona, and in some ways, any persona at all."

"What makes you think that?"

"I mean that everyone has both feminine and masculine traits. However, we regard these traits as belonging to other people."

"And by belonging to other people, they can never belong to us…making it harder to assume a second identity-"

"By reason of exclusion." L finished, grinning. He stood and stretched, and Light sat there for another minute, reviewing the scene in his mind. The change had been definite, but now that he'd seen it in action, the concept made much more sense to him. "So…ready to try again?"

"Sure. Do I still have to be Daneuve?"

"No, but I want you to be someone other than yourself."

For some reason, Watari was the first person that popped into his head, and once there, the English gentleman wouldn't leave. Light considered what he knew of the man and his mannerisms before standing. He stood slowly, allowing for rheumatism in the knees, and forced himself to relax his expression into something less harsh…something he hoped was kind. L smiled and nodded, then waved him forward.

Light was too young to have arthritis of any kind, and too physically fit for it, so he shifted it to an old injury in his left knee.

"That's a crutch."

"Hmm?"

"You're still developing, so I'll let it slide, but having some kind of injury this early on in your training is a crutch. It's something defining, easy to duplicate. I don't think you'd continue to use it if it became an everyday practice."

"Oh really?"

"Yes, don't stop and I'll explain." L nodded and fell into step behind him. Light maintained his slight limp and the detective continued. "The limp isn't defined in terms of the actual injury…If I had basic knowledge of the human anatomy, I'd be able to tell it was false. Now, part of it is the fact that it's your first shot at the illusion. Here, stop for a minute."

Light held up and L came to his side and knelt. "Let's go ahead and work on this…Let's say that you've damaged the kneecap and split the shin. How would that affect your gait?"

"It would make it stiffer…likely put pressure on the nerves and damaged the underlying cartilage, meaning that the actual movement of the joint would be slightly impaired." Light replied smoothly. "And I wouldn't want to keep it because I'd have to take into consideration the type of injury every time I moved…even just crossing my legs while sitting."

L grinned at him again, and Light was proud of himself. "Yes, exactly. More often, it's not worth the effort of standing out."

"However, there may be cases when I'm relying on an alias to draw a person out. My mannerisms could sufficiently limit my work with suspects, or it could shift attention away from the investigation itself."

"Right. So, try again, and let's see a defined injury."

Light thought about it for a moment, idly tensing each muscle in his leg to get an idea of his task. When he set off again, his steps were harsher, trusting the ball of his left foot take the weight instead of the heel to minimize the pressure in his knee.

"Excellent. Much better. Now, as far as the rest of it goes, you're doing fine. I want to see a little less distrust, and a little more dignity. You're doing well considering you don't know the man very well at all. Watari would be flattered."

Light shook his head and stopped entirely. "No…I couldn't maintain that one if I had to."

"Why not?" L's thumb came to his lips, and Light found himself wondering if this was just another persona too. He shrugged.

"It's too old…You can't fake wisdom, at least not long enough to define a person for several years." Light paused, and L chuckled at him. "Something funny?"

"Not funny per say…just noticing another little detail I didn't see until now."

"What?"

"You lick the edge of your teeth when you think about something. I usually can't see it because your mouth is closed, but you paused mid-sentence this time."

Light stared at him, surprised. He did it once on impulse, and the natural feel of the motion surprised him. "Hm...I guess I do, don't I?"

"Yes…you hover on the canines. What were you thinking about?"

Light shrugged and continued walking, leaving the square to take them towards a café in the area. "Just musing to myself about how it'd be easier to build a persona out pieces of yourself...supplement the new variations with smaller antics to make a new whole."

"On that note, I'm buying you a drink."

"…Why?"

"Because you just got the entire point of the lesson three weeks before it was actually over."