CHAPTER 41:
"A Long Way Towards Realism"
WEEKS LATER…
"Due to unfortunate circumstances, Mr. Aizawa is no longer an active member of the Kira Task Force," L stated. "This makes us shorthanded and I have been forced to reply on outside help to babysit Misa Amane when she goes out to her job everyday. I trust everyone here, but I am very weary about extending that trust to others especially those associated with the NPA, even though some do share our cause."
"My friend is totally reliable," Matsuda retorted. "He works for the NPA, but moonlights as a bouncer at nightclub. No one will mess with him."
"To be honest, Ryuzaki," Soichiro Yagami said. "We all know the reason why Aizawa left. You lied to him about setting up a Trust Fund for each of us in case we lost our jobs at the NPA."
"Nevertheless, and we've had this discussion before when we were aiding Light against Ken Kuzushi, I don't plan on having it again now," L said. He was crouching on the two-seater couch in the lounge area just off the epicentre. "Truthfully, I really enjoyed working with him. But I wanted to know if everyone was serious about working on the Kira Case with me. Losing your jobs with the NPA was a strong possibility. Kira is now threatening all law enforcement agencies to cease associations with us and I wanted to keep you all here. I think we make a good team."
"I chose to stay because I have my principles, and I'm single," Matsuda said, "but I can see where Aizawa had a problem. He didn't want to be a charity case and he has a family. These last few weeks have been brutal. Apart from the Kira Case, we've had to deal with some difficult cases involving Jasper Yuta and his gang, Ken Kuzushi, and Light and Misa had to tangle with Cameron Cross and his people. It's been hectic to say the least. Aizawa had family things to take care of when Jasper Yuta attacked us, but left just before the Ken Kuzushi affair. He says he still wants be of help, and he could be our inside contact within the NPA, but you told us not to discuss the Kira Case with anyone outside our team."
"Yes, that is correct," L said.
"I think everything just came to a head when he exploded on you, Ryuzaki," Light said. "He was pretty mad and he said some nasty things, but I think he was just frustrated like we all are. Maybe if we give him some time to think about thing he would be willing to—"
L shook his head. "Look, I don't have time to cater to people's personal problems! We're out to catch a killer, Kira, and figure out why the Savant Society may want to recruit him? Who knows, the Third Kira may have already done so during these past few weeks? Watari has been extremely helpful in gathering information for us, but we still need more to go on before we can even considering making a move at this point."
"Maybe you're right, Ryuzaki. I hate to wait, but sometimes patience is a virtue," Light said.
"And it avoids terrible mistakes," L added.
Light nodded.
Light sat with one leg over the other in an easy chair holding a computer tablet. He flicked a finger and scrolled through some media reports on Kira. The Third Kira had been busy killing criminals as of late. His other hand was handcuffed to Ryuzaki connected to a chain. He hated the way it felt, but he dealt with it. He then left news outlets and entered the Kira's Underground website going to a bookmarked thread. "No responses from my posts on Kira's Underground in response to Demmy's cryptic messages. Either he won't answer us or he's unable."
"Perhaps it was meant to be one-way?" said his father. "Perhaps it was just to pass on information knowing a response wasn't expected?"
"I think you're right, Mr. Yagami," L said. "Light, take down your messages. Obviously, your friend isn't going to answer. I think he took a chance just posting the original messages."
"Yeah, I agree," Light said.
Just then, the surveillance camera at the building's front entrance exterior popped up on Light's tablet screen. The CCTV security system was programmed to alert the epicentre of anyone at the doors and his tablet was connected to it.
Misa's face was plastered across it. "LIIIGGGGHHHHTTTT! I'm back!"
He jumped, nearly dropping the tablet, not aware that the sound was turned high when she let out her banshee-like voice.
"Matsuda's friend dropped me off at the front entrance," she said. "He had to leave, called into work or something. You can let me in anytime! My knighting in shining armour, Light!"
"Better let her in," L said. "We wouldn't want a crowd to start forming outside the building like it did at your university when she was recognized. The last thing we need is something saying, 'Hey! What kind of building is this? Misa Amane works in this building? Can we see her?'"
"Yeah, you're right."
Somewhere in a secondary control centre, Watari let her in remotely when informed.
A few minutes later, Misa emerged from the elevator, and even before the doors fully opened, she burst out, and ran towards Light like she hadn't see him in years, as he stood near to greet her. It was only polite to welcome her back home after working all day. That was just how he was raised by his own mother. And of course due to them being chained together, L was there, too.
Oof! Light sounded when she wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging him.
"Oh, Light, I'm so excited!" Misa said, squeezing him. She then pulled back. "I just auctioned for a part for another movie based on a popular manga and the highly successful animation and I got the main role! I was a huge fan of it when I was younger."
"Thanks great, Misa," Light said, less than enthusiastically. Misa had been in a lot of movies, some were successful, but he wasn't too keen on love stories. Although he did enjoy one manga that had a romanic theme to it when he was younger. "So, what manga is it from?"
"Mayu Mayu," she said.
Light's eyes lit up, his mouth dropped. "Really? That was a favourite of mine. The only RomCom manga I enjoyed when I was younger. I never got to see the anime, I was studying all the time. That's fantastic!"
He suddenly felt embarrassed. He couldn't believe had just got excited like some sort of fanboy.
"RomCom?" his father inquired.
"Romantic Comedy," Matsuda chimed in. "I've heard of that manga. I've read it. The story takes place in Medieval Japan, and the premise is two lovers who have been separated by war. The protagonist and heroine are madly in love with each other, and they try to get to back to the other, but situations keep getting between them. However, they send letters describing their love, and at the end of the series they, well…"
Soichiro Yagami put up a hand. "I get the picture," he said.
"Yes, I seem to recall a few of those titles collected from Light's room when we went through his stuff," L remarked.
"So, what have you reading behind my back, young man?"
"He's not a child anymore, Mr. Yagami," L said. "We did catch him looking at some dirty magazines in his room, remember? All teenagers do it. And I think it's healthy, among other things. These sorts of stories were created to help alleviate tension and they help produce endorphins that relax the reader by taking them into a surreal fantasy world. I'm sure you had your vices to relieve stress when you were younger."
Soichiro cleared his throat, but said nothing.
"So, Misa, would you like help practising lines?" L said, smiling.
"Well, yes, but more so…" she said. "There's a scene the Director wants to shoot first, but he wants me to practise on someone" — she looked to Light — "Having a real person involved will go a long way towards realism." She smiled nervously. "I was hoping Light could help fill the role of the main male lead? They want to film the last scene first because there's a lot less wardrobe. If you know what I mean?"
Light's eyes widened. "Excuse me? You're not suggesting what I think you are, are you Misa? Absolutely not!"
"Oh my…" Matsuda elbowed Light, giving him a wink. "You lucky dog! I'm so jealous, Light."
Soichiro Yagami frowned. "What exactly are you referring to, Misa?"
"She's referring to eroticism, Mr. Yagami," L said, "and plain old sexual activity."
To be continued...