Disclaimer: I don't own Death Note or Persona 4.
"The specific scope of the condition for death is not known to the gods of death, either. So, you must examine and find out."
Chapter 10: Doubt
Deputy Director Kitamura sat at his desk at the NPA headquarters. Across from him was Soichiro, and neither one of them seemed happy. "So you're telling me that you can't divulge any information on the case at this time because L told you not you?," Kitamura said, "This case has been public knowledge for the past four months, and we've barely made any progress. The people are starting to call the NPA incompetent." Soichiro frowned. "With all due respect sir, do you have any idea how many detectives are still left on this case? Dozens of investigators have already quit on us, so how can anyone call those that remain incompetent. If anything, you should be covering up the fact that there are those at the NPA who would rather let a serial murderer run free than risk their lives. Even L himself has brought himself into the public for this, risking it all even as we speak."
Light and Yosuke were observing as L and Kisuke walked onto the tennis courts at To-Oh university. "From what I understand," Yosuke said, "Ryuga used to a be British tennis champion. I'm surprised you're not playing Light. You said you were a tennis champ in junior high." Light shrugged. "That was some time ago. Anyway, I'm not sure how Ryuga can profile someone based on a tennis match." L had decided on the game as a means to get closer to Kisuke and befriend him, all for the purpose of trying to determine if Kisuke was Kira. L took his place on the far end and started readying the ball. "Since this is our first game, what say we do a single set. Perhaps, best of six?" "Sure," Kisuke said.
L tossed the ball in the air and gave a mighty serve. Kisuke was so surprised at the power behind it he was too stunned to try and return it, and it went so fast Ryuk dodged it out of sheer reflex. 'Okay,' Kisuke thought, 'I didn't see that coming. Guess I should take him seriously. Friendly game or not, I plan on giving it everything I have.' In high school, Kisuke had been a member of the tennis club, and was the top player while there. Despite all the times he had resigned himself to being second to Light, he hated losing in whatever he did. That's why being in Light's shadow never bothered him, because he still felt like he had succeeded in accomplishing his goal. 'I'd imagine L has come to conclusion that Kira is the sort of person who hates to lose. However, it's human nature to want to win, so even if I go for the win he shouldn't suspect me providing I play the good sport should he take the game.'
The two continued to go back and forth, and soon enough they were tied with two games apiece. The action was really starting to draw a crowd, much to Ryuk's amusement. 'Things are really picking up. We even have an umpire and a linesman now.' Light could see the wheels turning in both L's and Kisuke's heads. 'If Kisuke is Kira, his plan would first and foremost be to determine if he's dealing with the real L, which means he'll need a third party. And an NPA detective from the task force would be the ideal source. On the other hand, L is hoping that by playing a "friendly" game with Kisuke, he can get in a position where he can analyze Kisuke's behavior and determine whether or not Kisuke really is Kira. And the way things are going, Kisuke may wind up slipping and revealing something incriminating.'
The two players continued their fierce game, focusing as much on trying to read each other as the game in front of them. Finally, with a final return, Kisuke was able to win the game. Out of breath, he smiled. 'That had to have been the closest game I've ever played. He may not look it, but Ryuga is quite the tennis player.' He decided now would be a good time to try worming his way into the investigation. As the two of them walked down the campus grounds, L turned to Kisuke. "By the way, don't take this the wrong way here, but you should know that right now you're a suspect in the Kira investigation. Of course, right now the odds of you being Kira is only one percent, but still..." Kisuke stopped in his tracks. 'Great, he went and made a preemptive strike.'
Remaining calm, Kisuke said, "I'm a little surprised to hear you say that. I mean, do you even have any reason to suspect me?" L looked up and started chewing his thumb. "Well, not much. Just a few things that have popped up during the course of my investigation. Naturally I'd expect you to want to clear your name, so I hope you won't mind joining me and Light for a bit. The whole you being a suspect thing aside, I would like to get a good grasp of your deductive reasoning skills. From what Light has told me, you've helped him once or twice when he was stuck on a particularly difficult case. And anyone who can help a detective of Light's caliber peaks my interest." Kisuke nodded, wondering what L had in store for him.
The coffee shop that Light had picked out was very peaceful and relaxing. Most of the tables were isolated, and L had chosen one of these to speak with Kisuke. As Kisuke sipped his drink, he took a look at L's posture. "Is there some reason you sit like that Ryuga?" "Well yes," " L said, "If I sat normally my deductive reasoning skills would instantly drop by about forty percent." He took out a few photos. "Now then, I wish to test your own deductive reasoning with these photos. They are pictures of notes written by criminals who had died shortly after they finished writing them. I'd like to know your take on this."
Kisuke certainly remembered the notes L had handed him. After all, he had made those inmates write them. 'Naturally I know the hidden message in these letters, and looking at the back it seems these photos were deliberately taken out of order based on the code numbers. I can't immediately say that I know the message, or I could wind up looking suspicious.' He took a few seconds to look them over, then placed on the table. "Well, from what I can see, it appears there is some sort of message hidden in the top row of kanji. Although based on the sorting numbers of the photos, the message appears scrambled. Rearranging them in the right order gives the phrase, 'L do you know gods of death love apples.'" "Incorrect," L said flatly, "You see what I didn't tell you is that there is actually a fourth letter."
Sure enough, L brought out a fourth photo, which Kisuke knew immediately was fake. "Add this to the others," L said, "And the complete phrase reads, 'L do you know gods of death love apples and have red hands.'" 'That's got to the most absurd thing I've ever heard,' Kisuke said, 'Though it's obvious that L did this deliberately to try to get a reaction from me.' "I see, though given that I only about three of the letters I'd say my reasoning was perfect." L shook his head. "Actually if you wanted to be perfect, you would have realized that the message incomplete and there had to be at least one more card." "Well," Kisuke said, "I guess you have me there." 'Man, when L punches back, he punches hard.'
He leaned back in his chair. "Though while we're on the subject of Kira, I've actually had a thought. You say you suspect me of being Kira, but what proof can you give me that you aren't Kira yourself? And even if you're not, I still have no reason to believe your even L." L sipped his coffee. "Naturally I understand what you're getting at. In order for you to believe I am L, you would naturally need some sort of confirmation from a third party. For example, a detective of the Kira task force." Kisuke nodded. He didn't know whether this made him seem suspicious or not, but he hoped it would at least get his foot in the door.
"Let me be frank," L said, "Right now I'm a position where having you assist the task force is in my best interest, regardless of whether or not you are Kira. If you're not, then your insight could prove useful in moving the case along. If you are, it means that I can more closely monitor you and perhaps find the proof I need." Kisuke smiled. "So either way you stand to gain. Though if we're being honest here, as much as I would like to join the task force, I can't. I heard about the deaths of those FBI agents, and I simply have too much to live for right now." As L started chewing his thumb again, his cell phone rang. At the same instant, across the coffee shop, Light's phone rang as well. Running over to where L and Kisuke were, Light said, "Ryuga..." L nodded. "I know Light. You're father's just had a heart attack..."
Soichiro had indeed suffered a heart attack, but fortunately it was a natural one. He was still alive, though confined to a hospital bed. L and Light had rushed over to see him, with Kisuke following out of genuine concern. "You gonna be okay Dad?," Light asked. Soichiro nodded weakly. "The doctors say it was merely stress caused by work. To be honest, at first I thought it might have been Kira." "Well," Kisuke said, "With so many heart attack victims, people forget that you can get one naturally. Just one more reason to be rid of him, I suppose." Suddenly he realized something. "Mr. Yagami, the man before us here. I'd like to know if he is the real L." He knew he wouldn't be seen as suspicious if he asked that, even to L himself.
Soichiro nodded. "He is indeed, though we've been calling him Ryuzaki." Kisuke closed his eyes. 'There's no way Soichiro Yagami would lie like that. So that settles it, Ryuga is indeed L. Now I have his face. All I need is his name and my biggest obstacle is gone. I just need to be patient.' Soichiro turned to his son. "Light, this recent occurrence has made me think. I don't think Kira is evil per se. But the power he wields, the power to kill people, that is true evil. If anyone were to have this power, they would surely be cursed." Light nodded. "I agree Dad. Kira may believe he is doing good, and in a small way his actions have helped society. But this is no way to rid the world of evil-doers." Kisuke put a hand to his chin. 'I see Light has changed much since he arrived in Inaba. He still understands Kira's motives, but now condemns his methods.'
He followed Light and L outside after visiting hours. "Listen you guys, would there be any way I could possibly help clear my name. If necessary I would even agree to having myself confined with no access to TV or internet." L looked at him. "I understand your frustration, but if you're not Kira then just be patient and let things run their course." And with that, he and Light left in separate cars. "You know Ryuk," Kisuke said, "I've been thinking about what was discussed in the hospital. And I gotta say, I've never felt cursed since I picked up the Death Note." "Well that's interesting," Ryuk said, "Most humans who come in contact with a shinigami suffer nothing but misfortune. Though from what I've seen, you may be the first to break that cycle."
Meanwhile at Sakura TV, a local gossip show, Hitoshi Demegawa was arguing with his co-workers. A rather heavy-set man in his late thirties with short black hair and beady black eyes behind a pair of yellowed sunglasses and a bushy mustache. He was wearing casual jeans and shirt with a red letterman jacket with a big "H" on the left side. "Come on people, just saying Kira's name isn't going to bring in the ratings, we need something huge here. I don't care if the police are tight-lipped about the investigation, we'll make something up if we have to." Just then a secretary came in and handed Demegawa a paper bag containing four tapes and a written note. Upon reading it, Demegawa begin to laugh. "Well now, a letter from Kira himself, huh? This is perfect, it's just what we needed! Oh man, this makes me so happy I may have a heart attack myself!"
Next chapter: Assault
"One page taken from the Death Note, or even a fragment of the page, contains the full effects of the note."
Kira sending a message to a TV station? Is this for real? You'll have to read to find out, and leave a review while you're at it.