The years after that went by quickly, as L's reputation as the world's greatest detective spread throughout many countries. He kept his condition, much like his name and most of his other identifying characteristics, a carefully guarded secret.
Of course, that did not eliminate its existence.
The combination alpha and beta blocker prescribed for his heart brought with it the stubborn side effect of sleeplessness. At its best, it allowed L to work endlessly on several cases at once. At its worst, it was an excuse to avoid strapping himself into the brace he was supposed to be wearing every night. Both results annoyed Roger endlessly, which was, of course, another plus.
Watari stayed close by, becoming L's assistant in almost all of his daily routines. He did his best to cater to L's needs, limiting the detective's vigorous physical activity in favor of preventing a sudden aortic rupture.
In fact, Watari's very presence could easily be the difference between life and death. Should the symptoms of an aortic dissection appear, Watari would be able to make sure L would be treated quickly and appropriately. It was essential that they remain in constant contact.
Roger, meanwhile, remained at the orphanage. Knowing that L could die left him with the important job of finding a possible successor – one who could be trained to take over in L's place. And already, a few candidates were coming to mind.
As the years passed, some symptoms improved. Others only worsened. But even in the midst of the Kira investigation, the taskforce still suspected nothing.
They never thought to reason that his odd manner of sitting was actually relieving the intense pain he felt in his back. Or that he was in pain at all, for that matter. He was as good at disguising that as he was his own identity. And while they noticed the constant spoonfuls of sugar, they never once saw the medicine go down.
But as the case drew on, L found it necessary to take his chances, whether it was overexerting himself through a tennis match or confronting the suspected Kira directly. He knew he was putting his life on the line the minute he confronted Light in the To-Oh University exams. The task force never even realized he was putting it on the line in far more ways than one.
That, of course, was probably for the best. To display such a grave weakness would have been to give Kira an advantage. And that was an advantage L couldn't afford to allow Kira to have.
Whether his condition killed him or Kira killed him, so L reasoned, it didn't matter. There was a 95.2 chance that the result would be the same either way. As long as justice could be served, he could rest in peace.