C H A P T E R T H R E E
Truth
Light is one to expect the unexpected, and he prides himself in that. He's not one to be caught off guard, or to be surprised. That's how he gets the trend of 'surprise birthday party' to stop in his accord; by the time they were inches away from pulling the final grand step, Light already has it all figured out, and those who attends the party didn't get the reaction they were anticipated for.
If there's ever external forces recorded in history to ever gain a reaction out of him, it would be a magic book that could cause causalities dropped by some silly grim reaper and L.
And a perfect example would be today.
"I'm surprised that you invited me for a friendly match tennis, Ryuga", claimed Light out of the blue. It was true. Of all moves he expect L to pull from her sleeves, a tennis match hadn't been among one of them. "I'll have you warned though— I am a former National champion in tennis, three years in a row. Although it's been a while since I last played, I assure you that none of my motor has been rusty".
"That's fine", she claims, "I am also a British champion".
Well, that just ruins it.
"Are you from British, Ryuga?", he asked. He had calculated the risk of being suspicion if he asked L where is she from— none of that information would be relevant, because then Light has to go through every single file of the UK citizens, and it's not like he had one oh so conveniently waiting in his PC as of now— but he guessed it'd worth the shot.
"I stayed in England for about 5 years. My whole life consists of travelling every so often", she explained as she went into the ready position, "I assured you that none of this information would lead you into finding out my true identity. So, unless that is not your actual intention, I suggest you to drop it".
"Come on now, I just wanted to know— ".
SMASH!!
"—you...".
Light hastily turned, and see the tennis ball that, just a second ago is being bounced back and forth, and is now plastered by the gate. Ryuk, the Shinigami who claims that no forces could do harm to them, even jumped and shrieked, as if thinking that such a small material would do as much as a scratch.
"We're being seriously already?", Light asked, turning back to face his opponent.
"They who strikes first, wins".
"Out! The winner goes to Light Yagami!".
The match was, to say the least, has been like balancing a pin. Light was a point from being tied with L, two points from losing the match. It was the first time he had the need to go all out— it was the battle of wits. He had to push his physical to the fullest as well as calculate the next moves, as both Light Yagami and Kira, the God of the New World.
For the first time, he felt fulfilled.
He felt utterly satisfied.
Light walked towards the net, shaking L's hand in truce.
"That was a good game", he said, panting. The stream of sweat is now fulfilling its purpose by starting to cool down his body. "We should do this some other time. It was fun. You certainly live up to your name as a British champion".
"Thanks. Same goes to you", L replied shortly. Her hand felt small in his hand that, if not careful enough, Light felt like he could break her in ease. He wonders how malleable she can get. Would her skin turns blue? How pretty must've been then.
"Do you want to grab a coffee with me?", Light asked as they both walked out of the court, walking through a crowd of people whilst ignoring their proposes and questions, "There's a cafe down the road if you like. I've been there once or twice, and I got to say it's over the top".
"Yes. Let's do that", L respond, ever so shortly. There was a brief silence between the both of them before L spoke, "Just so you know, Yagami-kun... I'm going to interrogate you there".
Paused.
"Interrogate me?", Light chuckled, not losing his composure although he was very much aware of where this is going, of what's going to happen next, "What for?".
"I suspect you as Kira, the criminal I'm currently profiling...".
Light's breathe hitched, his heart begins to race from the plausible anticipation.
Well, isn't this going to be fun?
"I booked a table at the corner, so that no one could hear our conversation, nor are they going to give you a hard time about how you sit".
"Thank you. Yagami-kun is very thoughtful".
So here they are, Kira and L.
For the record, L is about only 34.2% sure that Light Yagami is Kira, and for each of lies he seems to spit, the percentage only gradually increases. L knows that Light is sincere when he said that he wants no one to hear them (L doesn't want to either), but the part where he said that he doesn't want people to give L a hard time sounds... fake. As if Light is trying to depict himself as a friend, convincing her that he is not whatever wicked entity she perceives him to be.
Unfortunately for him, L is one stubborn woman.
"I have told you minutes prior that I am going to interrogate you", she claimed, as she rustled around in her jeans' pocket in order to retrieve a few items needed, "Rest assured that you are being interrogated as a co-worker, and not Kira. In fact, you don't need to be afraid if you're Kira. I want you to work with me since your excellent deduction abilities could be proven beneficial for our team".
She sets down the three pictures of the latest criminal's 'suicide note', who she's sure is just another set of guinea pig used by Kira to expand his killings method. She presented them in front of Light, his percentage being based of his expressions. "There are all confidential items from the crime scene of where three criminals decided to commit suicide. None of them are broadcasted and therefore, is at complete secrecy".
"Fascinating...", Light whistled, as he picked the photographs up, "Is it really okay if I see them?".
"Yes. That is the point I bring them here in the first place".
L waited as Light went through each of them, his expressions going back and forth from being either stoic or amused. She noted that Light is not at all freaked out, or intrigued by it— rather, he seems expecting. Aware. By the time he was done analysing those notes, his percentage has climbed exponentially up to 39.4%, making him likely to be Kira.
"What do you think?", L was the first to ask, to which Light hums, "I think Kira is messing with you".
"You really think so?".
"Yes", Light replied, now growing confident, "In first glance, it could be seen that these are all normal suicide notes...", he begins to rearrange them next to each other, forming a new complete sentence, "But if you put them this way, it would seem like Kira is trying to tell you something...".
L, did you know? The God of Death loves apples?
"L, did you know? God of Death loves apples?".
L watched intently as Light rearrange the photographs yet again, "But, if you rearrange them this way, then it'd say, 'L, did you know? Apples loves God of Death". Letting out a small chuckle, Light then claimed, "Of course, I'd go with the first deduction, because this one doesn't sound at all makes sense!".
L noted how Light was able to came up with another set of meaning of the notes, thus completely falling to her trap— by no means, she was correct when she thought that Light is trying to make himself seems less suspicion. Normal people who aren't guilty wouldn't go for the message intended at the first go, nor alone.
"No, you'd be incorrect", she claims, "Actually, there's one more photograph, making it four in total".
She puts the impersonated ones on top of the table, just below the last one, "If you add this one, it'll then say. 'L, did you know? The God of Death who loves apples has red hands...".
L didn't miss how Light's breathe hitched, and for ever so temporarily, seems shocked. He then looks at L with accusing eyes, clearly angry, "But seeing as I only had 3 photographs to work with, my deduction is perfect!".
My. What happens to not wanting others to hear?
"No. You know that the sentence formed is incomplete, and just went and say that there's only 3 photographs. You didn't even think of the possibility that there might be the fourth. Had you at least consider that there might he more photographs, then your deductions would've been complete...".
L watched as Light let out a sigh, before laughing, "Well, you got me there".
L hums, not wanting to glorify it any longer. Both her and Light then continue of their conversation, dragging out in means of trying to figure each other out.
That wasn't until both of their cell phones ring...
"Yagami-kun, your father—!!!".
"Ryuga, my dad—!!!".
L decided to companied Light to the hospital, visiting Soichirou who, just this morning, collapsed under the influence of a sudden heart attack. Both of them were, least to say, frantic about the situation— thinking that Kira had someone gotten to the older Yagami man. However, they later sighed in relief when that wasn't the case, and that Soichirou had simply experienced extreme fatigue from working overnight.
"I'm sorry you had to go all these ways, Ryuzaki...", Soichirou sighed, shame being displayed rather clearly on his face. Not only he felt guilty for being such a, in his own standard, a burden and a nuisance to the case by being vulnerable; he felt shameful for making L, a woman whose time is undoubtedly weighted as much as diamonds and gold, had to drive all the way here with Light to visit.
"It's completely fine, Yagami-san".
Light watched the interaction of the two with curious eyes, his heart thumping. He glances at Soichirou once it was over, "Dad... is this who... she really is...?".
Soichirou coughed, "Yes, Light. This is, in fact, the great L. But we don't call her that. She goes by Ryuzaki while out in public", he explained before turning towards L, "I believed you have met my son Light?".
L nodded, "Yes. In fact, I was testing him when we were called...", humming, "You son's deduction abilities are very amazing. I am amazed".
There was a slight pause before she continues, "However, I regret to inform that Light-kun is now under the suspicion of being Kira...".
Light grits his teeth. He launched himself at L before grabbing her by the base of her collar, hauling her up. "What's wrong with you?! Are you trying to make my father feel better, or trying to finish him off?!".
"Light! Please put her down!", a cough, "Right now, just focus on getting yourself off suspicion... Ryuzaki doesn't have any concrete evidence as of now, and I'm positive that you're innocent. So, there's no reason for anyone to convict you as such".
Light huffs, letting L go, "Yes... and you should focus more on getting better, too".
"I'm an old man, Light. I'm sure that this might as well be my last case".
"Don't talk like that, dad!", yelled Light, "Kira... if Kira gets you, or the cause of your death in one way or another, I will avenge you! Kira will not get away from his crimes! I will do everything in my power to catch him and throw him behind bars!", he paused for a moment, "No, I will get Kira executed!".
L narrowed her eyes at Light's sudden outburst, bother intrigued and mortified— was that an act? If it was, then that was too corny.
A little bit too corny...
Soichirou simply smiled at his son's enthusiasm and sheer determination, "I don't know why Ryuzaki is suspecting you... but, I trust you, and sure that you are indeed innocent".
"Actually, the percentage of Light Yagami being Kira is only 5%", that was a lie. It was over 56% already, but they don't need to know all the details, "So rest assured that unless there are any concrete evidence, Light-kun will not be thrown into the cell anytime soon", as long as he plays his cards right.
Soichirou seemed to convinced, and therefore, relax at the admission— he's a somewhat valuable asset to the team, so L doesn't want to worsen his condition either.
"You two, visiting hour has ended", claimed a nurse as soon as she walks in. The two nodded before promptly getting up. "I'll see you around, dad. Take care of yourself".
"Thank you. You too, Light. Take care of both yourself and your sister".
Light nodded before he escorted L out, seemingly still shaken. Noticing this, L just went ahead and goes, "I'm sure Light-kun's father will recover soon and will be back on his feet healthier than ever. He's stronger than both of us credited him for. No need to worry, Light-kun".
"Yeah...".
Unbeknown to L, that wasn't Light's intention— he didn't worry much about Souichirou's condition (at least, not much than the necessary amount a son would), but it was his position as the chief of NPA that he concerns about. Without that promising factor, Light wouldn't be able to taunt the Task Force, as his only source of information is as good as dead. Without him, Light could never create the perfect image of unwavering son.
He could, however, create a facade of being a son who's filled with determination and sheer hatred for Kira, and wantind his head served on a silver plater— but without his father's direct connection to the police, Light doubt the Task Force would even try to get him involved.
Yes, Light Yagami, the son Soichirou Yagami would be hell bend in making Kira pays for his crime. However, Light Yagami as Kira, won't.
It was a compromising circumstance.
"I also wanted to apologise for grabbing you earlier...", Light admitted sheepishly, "It was... inconsiderate of me. You seem to hate sudden physical touch more than anything, and for me to just intrude your comfort zone is very unbecoming. Please accept my sincere apology and forgive me".
L, however, shook her head, "It's fine. I was also insensitive. Any son would take that as a threat. Please forgive me too, Light-kun...", a pause, "Though, it's worth mentioning that your percentage of being Kira has risen by 4%...".
Light's eyes narrowed a dangerous slit, he gritted his teeth, "What the hell, Ryuzaki?! Would you stop that?! How would you feel if you were being suspected for a string of heinous crimes you didn't commit?!".
"...that would be horrible...".
Light huffed. He watched as the expensive limo he seen the other day pulls by, picking L up. Before it could drive away, Light bows down, meeting eyes with L, "Is there any way to prove my innocence?".
"Rest assured, Light-kun", L bit her thumb, "If he is truly innocent, then Light-kun won't have to convince me anything...".
The window was strolled up again as Light steps back. He watched as the expensive car drove away into the night, out of sight. Once he was sure that he was the only one left, he murmurred to himself, loud emough for the Shinigami that has been hovering above him to hear.
"Just so you know, Ryuk... Not once has I ever thought that I'm unfortunate since meeting the Death Note...".
Several days later, there was a knock on his door.
"My name is Misa Amane... please make me your girlfriend!".
...Light was beginning to consider himself unfortunate...