C H A P T E R T H I R T E E N
Aftermath
The drama revolving of Light's attempt in murdering L has, eventually, subdued on its own.
It did, however, took a complete 2 weeks for the whole Task Force to move on.
The issue remains an unspoken problem. Despite the fact that their trust on Light has begun to crumble bits by bits (sparring for some people who are truly faithful like Matsuda and Soichirou) Light has been appointed as their substitute leader all in while Ryuzaki is out of commission. They are aware that making Light takes L's place as the head detective is practically back-stabbing the detective herself; after all, Light is the reason why she's unable to work in the first place. They're not sure how she's going to digest the whole thing, but at times like these, it's crucial for them to have someone taking the wheel.
Still, it doesn't mean the whole thing was magically okay.
And Light is painfully aware of that.
Aizawa has become extremely wary of Light. He didn't linger around the teen longer than necessary, and was almost constantly out of sight whenever it was their lunch break. It was no secret that Aizawa has begun to see Light as a threat, and had deemed him as a plausible suspect of Kira as well. Even if he really hates to admit it, all of L's suspicion has begun to makes sense, and he can't help it but to be suspicion of Light.
Matsuda, of course, tried to explain that the whole courtesy is still unbelievable for the man to accept when the situation has become a bit too awkward for him to deal. Light was their (temporary) boss, after all, and he really doesn't favour the feud that has been dragging weeks long. He, however, understands that it's almost Aizawa's principle to be suspicion of someone who did something (legally) wrong.
It was, after all, what makes Aizawa hates Ryuzaki's guts in the first place.
"He was a bit shocked, is all", claimed Matsuda sheepishly, as they watched Aizawa stormed out of the room as soon as the clock hits curfew right after bidding his goodbye, not bother to spare Light as little as a glance, "Aizawa might be all cold and angry, but trust me he means well! He might say that he hates Ryuzaki, but he really doesn't. Aizawa is really protective of his co-workers when it really comes down to it".
It wasn't quite a satisfying justification as of why the man has been giving him cold-shoulders, but it'll do for now.
As a matter of fact, Light can see that, really.
Out of all the members of the Task Force, Aizawa is that one person who's unable to deal with guilt well, even worse than Matsuda himself. His innocent subconscious is the reason why he's such a hot-head, not to mention his cold demeanour that's almost as ignorant as of a child. Most of the time where Aizawa would be screaming and yelling to stop a certain activity, it's because he doesn't know how to deal with the aftermath, thus preventing him from considering the benefit in the long run.
He's sort of the protector in the group. Kinda...
He hates feeling guilty for something that's even out of his reach— or in this case, he's feeling guilty that he wasn't able to prevent Light from attacking L, even if he hates her at some point. He hates the feeling of being utterly powerless, or more specifically, he hates the knowledge of knowing that he could've prevented something bad from happening, but didn't due to some circumstance.
It's a good personality to have for a soldier, but Aizawa just so happens to be too soft for that kind of work. His anger will eventually be his own downfall. That's certainly won't do if he were to be kept alive in Light's fledging utopia. His sins are too heavy for his simple self— Light needed to tweak him a little if he wishes to be kept alive.
Though, it's not the man that goes by the name Aizawa Shuichi that became the issues.
It's how Watari was acting that bothers him so much.
While both he and Watari rarely ever cross way, it wasn't hard to deduce that the man doesn't takes up much of a liking towards Light, much to Souichirou's displeasure. He's convinced that his son doesn't deserve to be treated with this injustice. Despite the fact that the man was more than grateful that Watari (or more precisely, L) decided to go against the decision to press legal charges, he's still couldn't help but to feel offended with how Light is being mistreated, despite minority, like an inmate.
To him, it's not fair on Light's part, and could only prayed that they'll soon realise it all the same.
It was hard to pick up the sign, considering that Watari didn't exactly treat Light with any peculiar treatment, or the lack of thereof. The man remained oddly the same even after the incident, which makes it hard for the teen to really decide if Watari find him distasteful or the other way around. He'd greet and serve Light (to some extent) all the same as before, just as the same as others. There are even no differences when it comes to his routine.
But it was the change of demeanour when it comes to L that gives him away.
It was like a drop of ice. The atmosphere became tight as soon as that topic was involved, and it's usually when Matsuda asked things like, 'Can we visit Ryuzaki?', or, 'When will Ryuzaki come back?'; though it was mostly when Light was around. Watari's whole personality would change— and Light is aware it takes the man so much to not glare at his direction even if the Task Force sees.
In fact, Light is almost convinced Watari almost doesn't care.
To hell what the others thought of him. Watari really couldn't care less.
Now, it wouldn't exactly be a problem, not to Light at least. Watari held no certain position in Light's eyes that makes him feel compelled to earn the man's respect, or to held a certain image of himself to earn the man's trust. While Light could argue that gaining Watari as an ally would prove beneficial, given of his net worth, there really is no difference even if he's an enemy that is yet to be terminated.
It's the fact that Watari is the one factor preventing him from seeing L that proves to be the issue.
A week after the incident, Watari begun to allow visitors, namely only among the Task Force members who wished to see L. Although Watari has pretty much forbad L from working on the case while she's bedridden, he doesn't interfere when the Task Force decided to update on L regarding of the progress of the case (which hasn't been much, if Light were to admit).
Light thought that it'd be the perfect opportunity to make up with L, even if apologising isn't really his strongest suite and nothing really charms L herself— but he'd thought to take up the chance so he could strengthen the bond between him and L. That said, Light has also expected for Watari to reinforce some rule when it comes to him visiting the detective; maybe having them monitored or put him in restraints or something.
What he didn't expect was for him to be forbidden from seeing L as a whole.
It was completely outrageous, Light genuinely felt like he was going insane. He had spent over the course of a week without seeing his L, his beloved, and you're supposed to tell him the time of his sentence has extended? And all because some old man who happens to be of higher authority than all of them combined doesn't either trust or liked him?
Light has never felt the sudden urge of bloodlust at such an intense rate before.
Towards a human, nevertheless.
But of course, Light couldn't exactly do anything, not when Watari is still an important figure, and especially not when whatever happens to the man will be tied to him. People bound to be suspicious of him when Watari, who was tasked in monitoring Light, miraculously got injured or disappeared. Even if the Task Force is equivalent of a moron, they'll bound to connect the two dots together— even Matsuda should realise the connection.
Doesn't matter how Light plans to carry out Watari's execution. As long as the public still possessed critical thinking, it's also an immediate death sentence for him.
Light silently grimace at the thought, now only realising that he's slowly losing his touch. If he doesn't recover soon, he might as well be a pawn of his own game himself.
"I'm surprised you already looked so well, Ryuzaki".
L simply hums, agreeing with Matsuda's (although obvious) statement. It was a miracle, really. Most of the bruises that decorated her body are healed, with only some scars to bare. The hand prints that used to be so prominent around her neck once upon a time ago are also gone, too, leaving her with only a sore throat to deal with. She has been taking up coughing syrup as well as some aspirin to help with her sore throat and coughing. L believed that recovery soon will be achieved in no time.
For physical wound, at least.
Not sure about the emotional ones...
"Right, Ryuzaki, I...", Soichirou spoke, sounding apologetic, "I'm really sorry on my son's behalf— ".
Before Soichirou managed to finish, L held a hand up, immediately stopping him from continuing.
"It's fine", she claimed, voice still hoarse and croaky, "Let bygones be bygones, Yagami-san. I don't hold grudges. I am aware of Light-kun's tendencies when it comes to his temper. I could only hope he learn to control it", she explained, purposely censoring herself from using the word 'violent'. L knew that, even if Soichirou was apologising, nothing will stop the man from throwing hands if he suspected someone was bad-mouthing his supposed 'honourable son'.
It's a fatherly instinct, L could only guess. Maybe even a sense of sentiment.
Good thing she never had emotional attachment to that extent.
"I— will you do anything to him?", asked Soichirou, sounding small and overall pitiful. Realising this, L couldn't help but to narrow her eyes, looking at the chief questionably.
"Do you want me to do anything?", asked L, stressing on the word 'want'. "As Watari has probably mentioned before, I honestly do not like it when an unnecessary case comes along interfering with another I'm working on, just as I despise it whenever any of your cell phone went off during a meeting. I will not press charges nor will I take him to court. I will, however, enforce a much higher security to ensure of my safety. That's all".
"Just that?", asked Aizawa, his brows furrowed with one another. "You don't want to press anything? Maybe even a restraining order?".
"I will ask Light-kun to take up meditating", she said almost immediately, "Despite of Light-kun's past actions, he's still considered to be one of the most valuable assets to the team. I will pardon him from his crimes for the time being— but make no mistake", slicing off her pudding, she took a bite, "If he repeated his mistakes, there shall be no more mercy".
Aizawa could only huffed at L's course of actions, maybe even disappointed. But why would he, honestly? Of course, the detective before him would pardon someone from their crimes just because they're proven useful to her. Aizawa is not even sure why he would expect for L to press charges in the first place. Even a restraining order would do.
On the other hand, L is surprised at Aizawa's reaction to her judgement. She thought the man liked Light—?
Did she, perhaps, mis-read his character?
"Has there been any progress on the case?", she asked, wanting to change the amplitude of the atmosphere, which seems to have gone ridiculously high. It worked, thankfully, when Mogi decided to speak.
Though it was another disappointment.
"No... nothing", he said, sounding apologetic. "All of Kira's killing so far has been pretty spontaneous. We weren't able to create a link yet between the victims".
L furrowed her brows at this, "Not even their criminal records?".
"The vast majority of them are clean, Ryuzaki", claimed Ide, "We even went through their relatives and kins to make sure that we're not missing anything. Almost all of the victims have no connections to crimes, like at all. There's no reason for Kira to kill them— ".
"Then we're dealing with the third Kira", L said, quickly cutting Ide off. She hums in delight when the taste of her sweet pudding hits her tounge, stimulating her taste bud, while the Task Force simultaneously gasped.
"Seriously?", groaned Matsuda, "Another one?".
"How could it be?!", roared Aizawa, obviously frustrated.
"The recent killings MO is obviously differing from the first and second Kira", claimed L, as she bites down onto her spoon, "The first Kira is hell-bent in 'purifying' the world off evil, by means of killing criminals or even people who had dirtied the society in some way or another. The second Kira, however, kills whoever detested the original Kira and could kill with only the victims face on display".
"This Kira kills— and while I'm not sure the reasoning, it's obvious this Kira is on another league. This Kira doesn't particularly agree with the first Kira... maybe that's because he's a criminal himself...".
"So, the third Kira is someone who has criminal records?", asked Mogi for confirmation, to which L shrugged.
"Past criminal records, Mogi-san", she corrected, "the third Kira is someone who has past criminal records that could possibly land him on the first Kira's hit list if found, but the crime itself isn't severe enough that he hasn't been found...", she paused, "We're looking for someone who has a high authority, probably from a well-known organisation or a certain business...".
Realising the connections, she looked back at them, "Please do one more background check on the recent batch of victims and see if they're linked to any corporations. I'm suspecting a foul-play".
When Ryuk was first introduced with the idea the immortality is amongst one of human's greatest desire, he couldn't help but to wheeze.
It was a hilarious thought. Too adorable to the point it hurts. If he dares to say, humans do not possess even the capability to comprehend the aftermath of immortality. It might sound like a good deal from the get-go. Being able to do anything your heart desires, whatever and whenever you wish to, as you are practically boundless to the human's law— but they'll soon realise how much of a pain it really is to bear such curse that guise as a blessing.
Immortality does not solve anything. Being immortal is equivalent of being a powerless God— you are vulnerable to the world of hurt, yet you are omnipotent enough to not die from it. People don't realise that being immortal does not necessarily guarantee any regenerations. Someone could be completely paralyzed from head to toe, yet is forced to face with day-to-day challenged as he or she is not allowed to die, as death itself rejected them.
Ryuk hated to spend an eternity stuck with his own thought.
That being said, Ryuk could say safely that he's one of the lucky few that possessed the power of a literal God, and still possessed the will to live. His reasons to continue occupying the space of time is his one true solace as of why he's not dusted yet. Many Shinigamis tend to give in once they hit their 10th humans mark, unable to cope with such unbearable boredom to the point death itself sounded tempting. Ryuk himself almost give in to the temptation after aeons of just sitting around lousily—
But that simply changed when he met Light Yagami.
Contradicting to popular beliefs, Light has got to be one of the easiest humans he has figured out. Ryuk knows someone who simply avoids death on daily basis when he saw one, and Light has met all the category of someone who is trying to occupy himself to bid his time, hoping that the unbearable sense of emptiness. It wasn't hard to find out that Light is willing to do whatever means necessary, just so he could finally feel even an ounce of happiness or even excitement, and get lost in it.
Light is like him, Ryuk realised. Almost exactly like him.
Both of the strives on boredom— both of them are willing to do anything in order to preserve their entertainment.
Ryuk by continuously dropping his Death Note to the mortal realm.
Light by executing criminals.
However, Ryuk is aware that what was provided for Light is simply not enough. From him, at least. The challenge of taking over the world, cleansing it off evil and continue his reign as a figure that reinforced supreme form of justice is simply not enough to held his interest, as Ryuk realised that Light has grown bored again. At one point, Light confessed that writing names felt like a chore. He confessed that he himself has starting to get bored— even wishing that someone out there would be intelligent enough to be at par with him.
Enter L Lawliet, the greatest detective of the century.
The first person who has ever opposed Kira publicly.
L is a walking enigma— no one has ever piqued Light's interest as fast as that woman had, and no one has ever lasted so long as she has. It was a miracle that Light was so engrossed in someone so much, but Ryuk could empathise with him.
Because, as far as he concerns, the real reason the Kira case even existed in the first place is because of L herself.
Kira exists only as a force of Karma before— at least, that was what was perceive by the general publicity. Ryuk wasn't lying when he outwardly admitted to Light that he doubted the teenager would even last long, given the fact that there were so many people before him who had tried to do the same, and wasn't remotely surprised when Light himself has begun to lose his touch. Ryuk decided that he'll give Light Yagami 5 years at most before writing his name; it was a bit entertaining at first, but it's slowly starting to get boring.
It's like watching Light living the same day that repeated into a loop; the only difference being how he planned to expand his ranks and somehow make it to the national. Ryuk is a patient Shinigami, but even he couldn't fathom how someone could relive their lives like yesterday, over and over again, without going insane.
But L changed that.
The moment the death of Lind. L Tailor was broadcasted— Ryuk knew that he got to preserve L in some sort of way if he wishes to preserve the game itself.
L is one of the most vital components to the game they're playing, almost essential to everything. She's everything that Light is not; being the opposite gender was the starters. In no world nor dimension would've Ryuk thought the person to actually rival the invincible Light Yagami would be a woman, but the law of the world works in a funny way. It was a refreshing sight to see— and he could only guess that Light feels the same too.
If Light is a solver, then L is the riddler. If Light is the one who gives answers, then L is the person who provides the question.
And what is a game without an opponent?
It wasn't long until Ryuk noticed the newfound obsession of Light— and realised the same obsession L has in Kira hasn't quite run at the same direction.
While L's obsession with the case has been strictly professional, as she was literally putting everything she has to catch Kira, Light's obsession for the detective runs in another direction, at a really obscure road.
Light wanted L because he loves her— he was obsessed because L is the only person, by far, to only occupy the emptiness that swells inside of him. Light loves the woman so much that he wanted to dissect her, yet the very thought of inflicting pain upon that beautiful face was so disgusting, Light genuinely could not stomach it.
And at that point, Ryuk knew.
Ryuk could only laugh at the realisation, laughing in sheer disbelief. It seems like Light has caught himself in a tangle he thought he was saved from— and it looks like Ryuk got to definitely look out for L on here on out if he wishes to preserve the two main components of the game.
This is because Light Yagami only lives for one person.
And that being L Lawliet herself.