Chapter 51
One Step Closer
Mikami came and got me for dinner. I smiled at him.
"You look beautiful this evening."
"Oh thank you."
He took me to a very nice restaurant and pulled out my chair.
"And some say chivalry is dead." I said.
He laughed a bit and made small talk over dinner.
"So regarding Kira, what would you do if you actually met them?"
I looked up at the ceiling with an inquisitive look.
"Hmmm…..I don't think I would ever be so lucky. I guess I would thank them for making the world safer."
"Wouldn't you also be afraid?"
"A little, but I have never committed a crime in my life. They has no reason to kill me. I suppose I would be scared of what they can do. I've never actually met someone with that kind of power."
"Interesting, so if Kira were to ask you to do something, would you do it?"
I smiled and leaned forward a bit.
"It would depend on what they asked me to do. No matter how grateful I am to Kira, I could never take someone's life. I just don't have it in me."
He smiled gently and touched my hand. I smiled shyly and looked down.
Don't touch me!
"You're a rare woman Lawliet-san. I'm fortunate to have met you."
"You flatter me Mikami-san. I do have one question, and it may seem foolish."
He chuckled.
"Do you always carry your work briefcase with you?"
He laughed and nodded.
"I'm a workaholic. Ever since I was a child I wanted to chase criminals and bring them to justice. Now that I have the power to do it, it's become my whole life. Which is why I'm glad I met you, you've given me a reason to take a break every now and then."
I laughed with him, even though I just wanted to hit him.
"Well it is getting late and I should get back to my son."
"Of course."
He paid the bill and escorted me back to the hotel.
"Will you go out with me again sometime?" he asked.
I smiled and nodded eagerly.
"Of course."
He smiled happily.
"Good, here's my card. My personal number is on the back, feel free to call me anytime."
"Thank you, and thank you for dinner."
"My pleasure. Have a good night Lawliet-san."
"And you as well Mikami-san."
He left with a smile and I walked into the hotel. I got back to the room and shuddered and shook my head.
"Everything alright?"
"Whose idea was it for me to try and get close to Mikami?"
"Yours." Lester and Near said.
I sighed.
"We have news." said Near.
I sat down and looked at him.
"Oh?"
"We now know for certain that Mikami is the X-Kira."
I sighed in relief and smiled.
"Does this mean I get to stop seeing Mikami?"
"Possibly. However we still need to get close enough to get the notebook. The problem is the Shinigami. It might warn him."
"Not if I ask it not to. All I need to do is find a way to give him an apple. It loves them and I heard Light once asking it to kill me. It wouldn't because it like me. Even if it's Geovanni passing the message, he'll know it's me."
"But aside from you, only those who have touched the notebook can see the Shinigami. It's difficult for us to avoid something that can't be seen." Lester said.
I nodded in agreement.
"Even if it's difficult, please do it. Nyamo if you can, get a message to the Shinigami. I'm counting on you."
I nodded again and determination grew within me.
The next day I went to where Mikami worked. I took a deep breath and they told me where I could find him. I found him eating lunch alone and I walked over to him.
"Oh, Lawliet-san!"
"I thought I would surprise you. Am I bothering you?"
"Not at all, please sit."
I sat down next to him with a smile.
"I'm surprised to see you sitting alone."
"Ah, I prefer it this way. Although you being here is a nice change."
I could feel the shadow's amusement and I smiled.
"We I'm glad. Working on any big cases lately?"
Near's POV
With Nyamo away, I was scared. I was scared of her getting hurt. I knew she could protect herself but if this Shinigami was different from the one she knew…
"Near….Mello is calling."
That was a surprise.
"Near! You let Nyamo go out on her own with him!?"
"It was her idea and so far it's worked to our advantage."
"She could get hurt!"
"I know that. You don't think I'm scared and worried for her? You're not the only one with feelings Mello."
"If something happens to her, L would never forgive us. I'd never forgive myself or you. Make sure she doesn't get hurt or else. I'll be keeping an eye on her."
"Good. That makes me feel better about the whole situation. I'll tell Nyamo you called when she gets back. She'll be happy to know you're safe."
He hung up and I sighed.
Mello, always letting your emotions get the better of you.
Nyamo's POV
Mikami wanted to walk me back to the hotel, but I didn't want to be with him a second longer. I told him I would be alright and he let me go. I didn't fail to notice he sent the shadow to follow me.
"Long time no see my old friend. I'll give you an apple once we're alone." I whispered.
I felt it's excitement and turned a corner into an alley. I pulled the apple from my bag and tossed it to the shadow.
"Shinigami-san, please listen. I want revenge for what Yagami Light did to my husband and friends. We're going to get that notebook that you're attached to from Mikami. If you disappear he'll think you were going to 'Kira'. If you want apples feel free to come to me for them. If the others can see you, I won't have to sneak them to you and you can eat them freely. I know there's a chance you won't do this, but I'm asking anyway. Don't get in the way of us getting the notebook."
I pulled another apple from my bag and tossed it to him.
"I'll see you again soon."
I walked away and went to the hotel. I could feel Near's relief when I walked inside.
"You may want to call Mello."
"Mello?"
"He called and he was….very upset and stressed that you were out there on your own. He must have his own suspicions about Mikami."
I sighed and walked into the bedroom. I called Mello and waited for the explosion. He picked up the phone but didn't say anything.
"Mello just listen to me, I can explain."
"It better be a really damn good explanation." he growled.
"I don't want to be around that guy anymore than you and Near want me to. Trust me, being in his presence makes me sick. But I'm doing this to help catch Kira. I can't be killed by the notebook remember? I'm a martial artist and I'm not stupid. This was my idea and I know what I'm doing."
"….Alright that was a pretty good explanation, but I still don't like it. What about the Shinigami attached to the notebook?"
"I know that Shinigami and it won't hurt me. When I first encountered it with L, I gave it apples. It likes me and I heard Light ask it to kill me. It wouldn't because it likes me. Light doesn't even know I'm back. And I look completely different from when he last saw me. I'll be alright Mello, I promise."
"Fine, but Matt and I are still going to be watching you to make sure. I don't care if you don't like it."
I smiled and shook my head.
"Very well, tell Matt I said to be careful."
He hung up and I went back to Near.
"Nyamo, Mikami hasn't seen the Shinigami since he got the notebook."
"What? That's impossible it was there a few hours ago."
"We believe you, we just don't understand."
I sighed and rubbed my temples.
"This is all so confusing." I said.
"Nyamo get some rest. You've been working too hard."
I nodded and laid down on the sofa. It took me a while to fall asleep and when I did all I dreamed of was L. He died in my arms all over again and I sat straight up.
"Are you alright?" Near asked.
I nodded and rubbed my eyes.
"It was just a dream." I said.
"You're friend Aizawa is on his way. He has some news for us."
I nodded and went to the bathroom. I splashed my face with water and shook my head. I heard the door open and walked back out. Aizawa was blindfolded.
"Mr. Aizawa, it's been a while."
"He doesn't need that blindfold. You can trust him." I said.
They nodded and I took his blindfold off. I smiled at him.
"It's good to see you again Aizawa."
"Nyamo."
I hugged him and then pat him on the back.
"You've changed. I wouldn't have recognized you if I didn't hear your voice or see your eyes."
I smiled and laughed.
"I'm liking the haircut."
He rubbed the back of his neck and I chuckled. I stepped aside and stood next to Near.
"Near, I believe in you completely now. L…"
"Don't call him that!" I snarled.
Aizawa looked surprised but I could feel his understanding.
"Light and Takada meet every night." he said.
"I know that."
"What about this then? They have been communicating with notes. There's no doubt of it."
I slowly looked at Near, I knew what was coming.
"Mr. Aizawa, please don't do needless things on your own."
I sighed and smacked my hand to my face.
"Needless things?"
"Yes. We're at the point now where we don't need proof of Kira's identity. To stop Kira, it's up to me to expose him and let him suffer a total defeat. Mr. Aizawa, I'll be honest with you, you people are already out of the picture."
My eyes widened.
"Near!" I said.
"But…" I stopped. "If you still want to capture Kira despite knowing that…Then please continue to keep watch on him as you are now."
"Just keep watch?" Aizawa asked.
"Yes. However there is reason to keep watch on Yagami Light, and that has been written into my scenario. I hope you can help me this way, in order to defeat Kira. And after all that please witness….the end of Kira."
I smiled and Aizawa looked at me.
"If you don't trust him then trust me. You know me."
He nodded. As he turned to go he looked over his shoulder.
"Nyamo, it was good to see you again."
I smiled and nodded.
