C H A P T E R T W O
Encounter
The day of To-Oh entrance examination starts like many other.
Light Yagami woke up at exactly 5:00 a.m. and went on his usual morning jog around the neighbourhood, where he was able to cover about 5 kilometres before returning home.
He took a warm shower and thoroughly wash himself from any form of impurities, maintaining a good hygiene.
Once he had cleaned himself, Light then ensues on his usual morning routine, like ironing his clothes and making his bed, just so he could groom himself into becoming what is depicted as the 'perfect son'.
Nothing seemingly out of ordinary.
While Light prided himself as someone who's capable of maintaining even a hectic schedule, it didn't cover up the fact that he's also constantly at the edge of his seat. His mind raced a million thoughts, thinking of a new plan and strategies to gain back stalemate of their game. L has already checked him during the Lind L. Tailor broadcast, and Light isn't intending on letting L checkmates him oh so easily..
He just has to make a few compromises, and adapt to the situation, for each mistake he made is another second being taken away from his lifespan.
However, nothing could've prepared him for the things that beholds him on that day...
"I wish you only the best, Light".
"Make your momma proud!".
"Good luck, bro!".
Light managed to muster up a small yet a firm smile as he waves his family goodbye, noting that Ryuk is still flying (walking?) besides him, catching him up to his trail. Once he made sure that he's out of sight (and that there's no pedestrians close enough to look at him weird) Light pulls out an apple as well as a pair of earbuds, handing the fruit to Ryuk.
As he made his way towards To-Oh university, Light couldn't help but to reminisce on his experience with L thus so far; it has been enjoyable, and downright thrilling, despite the fact that he had only had an encounter with the guy for only 30 minutes (and it's not even face to face).
The adrenaline that's coursing through his body were unmistakeable— Light was happy. He was so goddamn happy when L himself has answered Light's call, that it beat other enjoyable experiences hands down.
Though, this is probably the part where Light has to play his cards right— with one single mistake, it could turn fatal and eventually be the cause of his downfall. He just has to counterpart L's movement just enough time until Light founds out who he is, and the game will only progress more from there..
Light shudders in sheer excitement.
He couldn't wait!
"Come on now!", screamed the guard that was in charge of the gate, "The exam starts in 10 minutes! Move your asses! You think the future is going to wait for you?!".
Light let out a loud but soft sigh; loud enough to make the guard hear, but soft enough so it wouldn't be deemed improper. "I was hoping I'd make it 3 minutes before it starts... I really don't want to wait longer than necessary".
Ryuk let out a hearty chuckle, "You're pretty full of yourself, aren't you, Light-o?". He turned around, eyeing the building where the examination takes place, sighing, "I'm not sure if this even going to be any interesting! But I'll comply".
'Don't worry, Ryuk...', thought Light as he marched towards the examination hall, 'I got a feeling that today will be just as interesting...'.
"Miss, have you pulled another all-nighter again?".
L was caught off guard when Watari sneaked up on her, almost losing her balance. In her hands were a few documents regarding od the 14 unfortunate FBI that has unfortunately met their demise while on duty, and L is yet to prepare her statements on what to say in regards of their family.
"Yes...", L slurred, fatigue begins to settle in. The few Task Force members who decided to stay overnight could only glance at her in pity as she struggles to keep herself awake, slumber threatening to dominate. However, she managed to pull it off and now is up and awake, ready to face yet another day.
"It is now 7:43 o'clock in the morning. I suggest you to get ready right now", said Watari as he gently took the documents from L's hand, setting it down elsewhere. L stared at Watari's face momentarily, before recalling of the event. As she gets up from her seat, she turned towards the Task Force, who's just as exhausted as she is, "Let's wrap it up, gentlemen. All of you can go home and rest. We'll meet later after lunch break"
Aizawa was the first one to protest, "B-but! We still have so much left?".
L simply waves her hand, dismissing him, "I'll take care of that. For now, please just go home and take a few hours rest. We'll meet again after this and all of you can continue where you left of".
Aizawa wanted to protest again, but he couldn't find his voice to; while he'd love to stay and continue the work, he also misses his wife and daughter who's at home, asking where he's been and of his well-being. Sighing, Aizawa begins to pack his belongings, dismissing himself.
"I'll meet you later, Ryuzaki, Watari", claimed Matsuda as he quickly rushes over to Aizawa. Mogi is high on his tail, barely saying anything, though he did bows down by means of respecting gesture.
Once the door was shut, L turned towards Watari, "I believe everything I asked the other day has all been prepared?".
"Yes, ma'am", replied Watari, "I have prepared everything for your registration and of every important document for you to partake in the entrance examination. May I also suggest a few outfits for the occasion?".
L shook her head, "It's fine, Watari. Prepare the car, I'll be there in no time".
"Certainly".
"Student no. 162, please remain seated properly!"
Light couldn't help but to steal a peek when the examiner walked past him, going to assist whoever that was sitting behind. Light was sure that he was going to get in trouble, being accused of not taking the exam seriously enough given the fact that he was still playing with his pen even when the timer has started— but to his surprise, it wasn't him.
He glances back momentarily, trying to see just who is bold enough to cause any disturbance.
To his surprise, he was met in an eye contact with a woman. Light isn't so sure if she was one, with how grouchy she looked, but his suspicion was confirmed when his eyes landed on her chest, even so for a short moment. She was small comparing to the other contestants around her, and she didn't bother to make herself at all presentable— just who does she thinks she is? Is she confident enough that she'd make it into To-oh with that presentation?
Even so, Light couldn't help but to be at awe.
"There! Student no. 153! Please keep your eyes on the paper! I must say, but plagiarism is one of the heinous crimes could be ever committed during exams!".
"Yes. I'm sorry, sir".
And with that, Light turned back to his paper, now about to write down his name.
Days has gone by, and Light Yagami was called back again as the student's representative to make a speech during the To-Oh Entrance Ceremony. The real shocker was (Light really should stop being surprised by anything at this point. It's unhealthy) that he was positioned tied with someone else, making it two student's representatives.
He arrived, dressed nicely in suits his father has gifted him once it was announced he's attending To-Oh. Although it wasn't given directly by him, it was the thought that counts, and Light isn't considerably wealthy enough to waste away such good attire.
"Now, I present you the freshmen student' representative, Light Yagami".
"Yes...", Light slurred out as he stood up, Ryuk's cackle not missing from his ears, "Woah~ Student representative, eh Light-o?".
"And Hideki Ryuga".
Light froze.
"What? Hideki Ryuga? You meant the pop idol Hideki Ryuga?", asked a student amongst the crowd, looking over at his peer that's sitting besides him. "It can't be the Hideki Ryuga! I'm sure he doesn't even have the brains to get to To-Oh!".
They both looked at who stands on the stage, now sighing in relief.
"You're right!", the student laughed, "That doesn't look anything like Hideki Ryuga!".
A series of loud 'whoas' and 'whats' was heard from the crowd of students, obviously astonished by who stepped up onto the stage along with notorious Light Yagami.
"Is that a woman?".
"Why would anyone has dressed like that while going to the To-Oh entrance ceremony?".
"She... looked like Sadako".
"Wait, she does! At least, on the cuter side... a bit creepy, but also cute".
"She's really adorable".
"Kyoko, what the fuck".
'Shut up, all of you', grumbled Light as he makes it to the stage, a white sheet of paper containing the script of his speech at hand. He glances over his shoulder, noting that it was the girl from the entrance exam, looking as if she hadn't aged a day. Her hair is still sticking out in the wildest way possible; she's still slouching and dressed up either as a mad genius or has no intentions to be here in the first place.
His heart is still beating all the same when he saw her, for whatever reason.
Light read off his speech, going as smooth as he did during his one-time rehearsal he did, going without a hitch. When he was done, he bows down in means of appreciation and gratitude, now stepping aside for this supposed 'Hideki Ryuga' to give her turn in speech.
What she did was she opened a clear white sheet of paper, and rehearsed a speech that she came up right there and then, on top of her head. She tucked away the paper, and acted as if she didn't do anything while the crowd is giving her a round of applause.
'That girl's weird...', mumbled Ryuk rather sulkily. Light ignores him as the two made their way down the stairs, walking towards their seats on the front row. He noticed how she moved eerily close, but far enough to not consider creepy, as if she was about to say nothing exclusively for him to hear. And sure enough, she did
"You're Light Yagami, son of the chief NPA, Soichirou Yagami", she stated, her tone not missing a beat. "You scored the first on To-Oh entrance examination, and is dubbed as Japan's smartest student".
Light glanced over, but his pupil made it to the corner of his eyes where he could only see the glimpse of the woman, and not even her figure.
'Who the hell is this woman exactly?', he miraculously thought. He felt his heart raced, for once feeling nervous, as they both make their way towards their seats, as the person behind him continuously spitting information about Light.
"You have helped the police in solving numerous of cases before", state the woman, as she sits in the same exact position that got her into trouble the other day during the exam, her worn Nikes ditched on the floor. "I suppose you have heard of the Kira case, haven't you? It only makes sense, since you're the son of one of the officers who works on it. What if I say that I have a certain secret, and it is happen to be confidential?".
'What does she have to offer?', thought Light, before claiming, "I'm good at keeping secrets. So please don't worry about it getting leaked. I won't open my mouth to anyone else".
There was a pregnant pause between them, even for a short while, before she turned over to him.
"I am L".
Light's breathe hitched— right now, he's at his utmost willpower to not turn at a moment's notice, just so that he could see the detective more clearly.
'Breathe in...', he thought, 'There's no way my dear L would just admit that out of nowhere... Even so, I can't be 100% sure that it's true. She could be one of L's replacement. Don't lose your composure! She'll find it suspicious!'.
"Really?", Light breathed out, mustering a warm but charming smile, "Then you have nothing but my respect. Me and my father has always been a fan of your work, and now that to see you in person, I couldn't help but to feel like it's an honor".
"Well, yes...", she claimed, as she turned back to the front, "Your father and I has been working on the Kira case, I'm sure you have heard of it from him yourself?".
"Yes...". Why is she telling me this?
"I'm planning to recruit you as a fellow co-worker, seeing as you had a noble history of helping the police force with a few tough and challenging cases before. I reckoned you're familiar with the procedures, as your father claims that you're fond with the idea of being a police officer yourself once you grew up".
'A God', Light mentally corrected, 'I want to be a God when I grow up. No... I'm already in the process of being a God. I won't waste any more of my precious seconds in being anything lower than that, such as a mere police officer'.
"If that's the case, then I'd be more than happy to assist you".
L nods, as if content in hearing Light's answer. She went back and listen to the rest of the lecture, not bothering that she had missed a large portion of it as none of those seems to concern her.
All in while, Light continues stealing glances, going intervals in considering the risk; if she is who she claims to be, then it'll be proven at his disadvantage.
Light turned.
He'll have to think this thoroughly and come up with a new plan, STAT.
"How was the encounter, ma'am?", Watari asked, his eyes not missing from the road, "Is it any beneficial? Did you found what you were looking for?".
L murmurs something underneath her breath— her eyes narrow a slit, as she recalls of the rest of her encounter with Light Yagami, her number one suspect of the case.
As of now, none of the Japanese Task Force is away of whom she's currently profiling herself, and that's okay. L like a challenge, but she doesn't like unnecessary hustle. Telling them might provoke hostility, and she really doesn't need that right now.
L smirked; "Yes. I think we found ourselves the target".
"Light Yagami... just you wait...".