Chapter Twenty-Eight: Friendless

Aizawa had been just about to panic, when he saw Matsuda and Sayu approaching from the other end of the hallway.

"There you are," he said, breathing a sigh of relief, "I was starting to get worried."

"Sorry," Matsuda said, "We got a little sidetracked."

"It's all right," Aizawa said, "But you'd better hurry up. The others are waiting."

The three investigators turned and headed toward the office. They entered just in time to hear Gevanni saying:

"There are too many people in this office! Seriously, I bet this thing was designed for…"

He broke off as he noticed Aizawa.

"Go on," Aizawa said, "Finish whatever you were saying."

"Like, two or three people at the least," Gevanni mumbled, "Definitely not for ten people."

"Nine, Gevanni," Amity said.

"Nine," Gevanni amended, "But…what're we gonna do with him anyway?"

Aizawa could guess who the 'him' in question was, and he wasn't at all happy that the subject of Naoki had been brought up at all. He didn't want anyone-namely Matsuda and Amity-starting a fight in his office.

"I do not plan to do anything with him until after he is released from the hospital," Amity said, "If he isn't taken out before then."

"Wait, you think…" Matsuda interjected.

"Yes, Matsuda," Amity said, "I have thought it ever since last night. Naoki likely has information we need, and Shinta will want him dead before he can tell us anything."

"Well, apparently, you don't care about that information, since you're just sitting here, leaving Naoki completely defenseless in a hospital!" Matsuda said angrily, stepping angrily toward the girl.

"Sit down, Matsuda," Aizawa said quietly.

The young man glared at him, but he reluctantly sat down on the floor.

Aizawa sighed.

"I'll have to make it up to him later, but he can't pick a fight with that girl. Much as I'd like Amity to go back where she came from, she's smart, and we need her."

"All right," he said, deciding that it would be best to change the subject until Matsuda calmed down.

"As Gevanni has mentioned, this is not the most desirable headquarters. Does anyone have any suggestions for a new one?"

After a pause, Amity spoke up.

"We have a fairly large building at our disposal," she said, "There is more than enough room for all of you to work there."

"You could move in if you wanted to," Gevanni added.

Aizawa felt slightly skeptical, but he nodded. However, there was one thing he wanted to be quite sure of.

"Just one thing," he said, "Tell me it doesn't have a hypersensitive security system."

"I do not believe so," Amity said, "However, I would like to know why this concerns you."

Aizawa felt somewhat embarrassed for a moment, but then the feeling passed. No one in the room needed to know, nor would they.

"That's…none of your concern," he said, then glared in the direction of Matsuda, who looked as if he was about to burst out laughing.

"Apparently it is humorous to Matsuda," Amity said, "Which means that is probably not something I want to know about."

"I want to know about it!" Gevanni said.

"Every team must have its Matsuda…" Aizawa muttered.

"Hey!" Gevanni protested, "Are you calling me stupid?"

"It sounds to me like you're calling Matsuda stupid," Sayu said.

"All right," Aizawa said, "We're not at leisure to argue about whom in this room is an idiot and who is not. As far as I can tell, we need to track down Shinta, and make sure Naoki-and everyone else-aren't killed. Is that it?"

Amity nodded.

"I believe so. Is there a way to find out where Shinta lives?"

"You really think he would go home?" Aizawa asked incredulously.

"I do not," Amity said, "But it is a start."

"And we should probably have someone at headquarters-which is being moved to the SPK's building-at all times," Rester said, "In case someone got into trouble and needed backup, such as Gevanni here."

"Hey, I'm capable!" Gevanni protested, "Did I need help tailing Mikami? Did I need help replicating his Death Note? No and no."

"Gevanni," Amity said, "I believe he was teasing you."

"Oh…"

"Well, in that case, should we divide up?" Aizawa asked. "No one should be alone. It's dangerous."


Everyone expected Amity to take charge of investigating Shinta, but, instead of immediately delegating jobs to everyone, the girl turned to Aizawa.

"Mr. Aizawa," she said, "How many people will we need at headquarters?"

"Well," Aizawa said, "I'd say at least two, maybe more. Under the circumstances, I'd feel best if there were three or four going to investigate Shinta's house."

"And there have gotta be at least two people guarding Naoki," Matsuda chirped.

"Yes, Matsuda," Amity said dismissively. "So, that will leave a minimum of three at headquarters."


In the end, Amity and Aizawa ended up taking Gevanni and Halle with them-because, as Amity put it, they were trained for dangerous situations. She tried to conceal the fact that she was purposefully leaving Matsuda out by telling him that he and Rester were co-guardians of headquarters, along with Sayu…but Matsuda didn't believe her.

"Why doesn't she just say it?" he thought. "She's afraid I'm going to mess stuff up. Heck, she even took Gevanni with her."

"It's nothing personal," Rester said as they drove to wherever headquarters was now. "You're a wild card, as far as she's concerned."

"Huh?" Matsuda asked.

"She can't predict you," Rester said. "She's been working with Lidner, Gevanni, and I for over a year, but she doesn't know you. And, without being too specific, you are known for your unpredictability in tight situations."

"Yeah, I either freeze or go trigger happy," Matsuda mumbled.

He glanced quickly at Sayu, but, to his relief, the girl did not appear to be listening.

"So…if she wants me somewhere I won't be in a tight situation, why you and Sayu? You guys are, like, capable. And why did Aizawa agree?"

"I don't know that for sure," Rester said, "But I think she views it as backup. We're the backup. As long as she can keep you out of the way at headquarters, then she'll be happy."

"What does she think?" Matsuda asked, "Does she really think I would kill someone?"

Rester did not answer, merely stared at him for a moment. It wasn't the most specific thing in the world, but Matsuda got the message.

"I don't know," he said, "But I'm sure Amity thinks what she's doing is best. As for Aizawa, he's been looking out for you since the end of the Kira Case, hasn't he?"

Matsuda nodded.

"Yeah."

"He'll agree with Amity, as long as he thinks it's protecting you and the rest of his people," Rester said, "I think he's determined to go to any lengths necessary to make sure none of you are killed."

"He was really upset…when Ide…" Matsuda mumbled, "They had a fight…because of me. I don't get why he would still want to protect me. I caused a fight between him and his best friend, and they never got the chance to apologize."

Rester nodded.

"You and the others-but especially you, because you're younger and he's already protective of you-are all he has left."


Callie was not at all pleased that she and Mogi had been detailed for guard duty, and she had made that very clear.

"Callie," Mogi said as they pulled up to the hospital, "You can't sit in the car for six hours by yourself. You need to come in, but you don't even have to talk to Naoki if you don't want to."

"I don't even want to see him," Callie mumbled, "He…Mogi…you don't…"

"I know how you feel," Mogi said, "But Callie…he did save Matsuda."

Callie nodded unenthusiastically.

"Come on," Mogi said, "Please."

Callie sighed, but she followed Mogi into the hospital. Luckily for them, Mogi's police badge made getting into Naoki's room quite easy, especially when the situation was explained to a sympathetic doctor-the part about Naoki's treachery being carefully omitted.

When they entered the room, Naoki was awake, and looked rather surprised to see them.

"Hey, guys," he said uncertainly.

"Hello, Naoki," Mogi said.

Callie decided to pretend that Naoki did not exist. She sat down in a chair and pulled out her phone, completely ignoring the young police officer.


Naoki was starting to get desperate. Callie wouldn't even look at him, let alone speak to him. Of all the people on the Task Force that he did not want angry with him, Matsuda was first, and Callie was a close second.

When Mogi left the room for a moment, presumably to find something to eat, Naoki had his chance. The young man stared nervously at Callie for a moment before speaking.

"Callie?"

There was no response from the red-haired girl. Naoki sighed.

"Look…Callie…you know I just did what I had to…I'm sorry, okay?"

To Naoki's great astonishment, Callie's response was one of fury. The girl stomped over to his bed and slapped him in the face.

"That's for making me think you were my friend!" she cried, before running from the room.

Naoki listened until the sound of her footsteps faded away. The young man sighed.

"Next time, guys, just wait another ten seconds to try and save my life, okay?"


Just so you know, I probably won't be able to update until the 29th. I'm going to my aunt's and will be unable to bring my laptop, so...