I sat in my chair for the entrance ceremony with my red hair pinned up nicely while I wore a dark blue dress suit. I listened while the speaker called the freshman representative Light Yagami to the stage for the address. I scrutinized Yagami from where I sat. He was a handsome young man. Brown hair, gray suit, and he carried himself with grace and confidence. Then, to the surprise of everyone in the room, the speaker called for another representative. Hideki Ryuga. Whispering broke out among the students. Was this the sensational Hideki Ryuga? Could it really be him?

I smirked when I saw who walked onto the stage wearing battered old sneakers with loose laces, a white long sleeved shirt, and baggy jeans. He followed after Yagami with his hands in his pockets. I had no idea this would be happening. For a second, I mistook him for someone else, but when I blinked, I matched his identity to his face. Or at least, what I know about his identity. I never imagined that this would happen.

There was murmuring among the crowd. Classes hadn't even begun and people were already talking. This wasn't like him. He wouldn't be so visible. While Light Yagami went on with the generic speech about paths and our journey through life, I listened in on a conversation between two girls sitting next to me. The one in the aisle seat stated that she liked the man on the right more, and her friend rebuked her saying, "You're so weird, Kiyoko." Their attention was drawn back to the stage as the other representative started reading from the paper dangling while he held the two top corners with his thumb and index finger.

I could see the disheveled man crouching on his chair, and I saw his lips moving as he walked off stage. But I couldn't be sure if he was speaking to Light Yagami then or now. It's possible he had been talking to himself. Who could say? He's an odd one. Suddenly, his head turned to Yagami and I barely made out the way his lips moved from where I sat. It wasn't a good angle and there was a distance between our rows. Not to mention the many people in the way. Then I saw Yagami turn to him as well. They were conversing. Why? About what?

I heard people whispering to each other. I was reeled into a couple conversations with a few other people I had met at the exams and at the ceremony. The most popular topic was the representatives. After the ceremony I walked out and saw a familiar black car parked at the curb. Standing by it was another familiar face. An old man waited with his hands clasped behind him. I walked around the corner as I normally would.

Then I heard the sound of a car coming down the road, I wouldn't have minded except the car slowed to keep up with me and the back window rolled down. I smiled a little bit and kept my focus straight ahead until the car stopped. "Get in," the class representative instructed me. I opened the door and got into the seat closest to that door. He sat in a crouch with his feet on the upholstery.

"I heard you had come to Japan," I stated casually. "However, I wasn't aware you would be enrolling in college."

"I hadn't anticipated on seeing you here," he admitted to me. "You've done a good job of keeping hidden. I saw you at the café on the day of the exams, but I hadn't recognized you."

"I know," I replied with a small smile. "I would be concerned if you had. That would mean I've lost my touch."

"You've decided to maintain your skills," L stated. Now, I didn't say anything like that, but he figured that I had. Of course, he was right. I never really gave it up. That would be a waste of talent.

"I have," I admitted. He didn't need the verbal confirmation, but it was polite of him to wait for one anyway. Especially since courtesy is something the detective cares so little about.

"Good, so you've kept up with the Kira case," L, once again, jumped to the correct conclusion. I kept up with the Kira case. It was all everyone was talking about, and it was all that I could think about since the word about it spread. I may not have the resources I would like, but I manage well enough. I also knew where L was going with this one. So you wonder what it's like for two people who are always three steps ahead?

"No," I said firmly. No, I won't get involved with this investigation.

"There's enough room," L replied. Why not? You can decide your own hours, balance with school, keep up appearances, and put your skills to use. You're already holed away in some other apartment or hotel room. You have no excuse, so you might as well. I have access to information and there's room for you to move in.

"Ten percent." The great detective L can handle this. You don't really need me. There's a ten percent chance that I might actually be of some use in this investigation. This isn't even my business to begin with.

"Thirty seven," L stated. Your cooperation will increase our work speed by thirty seven percent. Probability of success will increase by eight.

"Forty five," I replied. The chances of losing everything I've built over the past few years are forty five. The chances of dying on this case are eighty.

"Eighty seven," he said monotonously. The chances of the world falling under the control of Kira, ruled by his sick sense of justice are almost ninety percent. The probability of those chances decreasing with your help is ten.

I looked him dead in his slightly vacant dark eyes and hissed, "Sixteen." The probability that you suspect me of being Kira is sixteen percent. The probability he thinks of me being Kira have to be almost or around ten at the most. That's how it goes. You get inside the other person's head, and they know it. You know what they're thinking, and they know what you're thinking. It actually gets very annoying.

"Yes, well, you can hardly blame me," L reasoned. I finally managed to get out of all this craziness. Detective work requires hard work and dedication. Especially L's particular way of doing things. He's unorthodox; a wild card built off of statistics and observations.

"You have a point," I admitted. You could never be too careful. Especially not when you're one of the number one detectives in the world. Even when no one knows your name, you have enemies. I sighed, "Fine. I'm in. When do I start?"

"Now would be fine," L answered.

"Of course it would be," I grumbled.

Mr. Wammy stopped by my motel room so that I could pack my belongings. That didn't take too long. My school materials, a laptop, phone, chords, and clothes. There really wasn't much. It was also safer this way. The less personal my belongings are, the more difficult it is to trace anything back to me. The hotel L set up in is actually very high-rise and elegant. I certainly won't mind housing myself here. The room was actually more like a penthouse, or at least a rather large hotel room complete with three bedrooms, a living room, two bathrooms, and a kitchen. Mr. Wammy gave me the tour. I could already see that they've gotten this investigation off to a pretty good start. Different technological instruments were set up inside the hotel room along with boxes strewn on the floor.

Mr. Wammy stopped outside a closed door, "And this is your room. Feel free to make yourself at home. I hope everything is to your liking. I happen to remember a few preferences you had at the House. If you'd prefer something else, just let me know."

"Thank you, Mr. Wammy," I said gratefully. It's been so long since I've seen Mr. Wammy, and honestly, I've missed him. Wammy's House was the saving grace for so many orphans from all over the world. All of us alone, and all of us gifted. What would have happened to us if not for Watari? Unfortunately, the House was far from heaven.

"Not a problem at all, dear," Watari smiled and his mustache twitched. "It's good to have you back. Now go on, take a look." He waited for me to open the door and look around inside. I gaped. I didn't even bother to hide it. The room, obviously a hotel room with its furniture and bedding, was complete with an installation of five computer screens and a keyboard. Also, lined up under the television were various items, including a substantial amount of colorful bouncy balls, multicolored rubber bands, and other toys just begging to be taken apart.

"Watari, this is amazing!" I exclaimed.

"I'll leave you to get settled in then," Watari closed the door as he left. I set my laptop on the bed and my suitcase on the floor. How long has it been? Two or three years? I try not to think about it. Anyway, two or three years ago I was just another letter at Wammy's House. The only girl with enough skill and potential to be the next L, but most of the rumors said that I was better fit to be the next Watari. However, I didn't want that then, and I don't want it now. After the incident at Wammy's, I left. I did my part, and as soon as it was all over, I walked away. I started off in France, then Spain, then China, and finally, Japan.

I built a somewhat normal life for myself. Sometimes I found apartments, other times cheap hotel rooms. I made friends and went to school. But at the same time, I never stopped being the girl from Wammy's. I always used an alias. I never walked around with the same hairstyle once I moved. I never got involved in sports or clubs. Not afraid because of enemies, afraid because I never wanted to go back.

Now look at me.

I took off the red wig I wore out in public. My brown hair fell as soon as I took off the cap concealing it. It certainly grew out since I left Wammy's. I didn't want to take any chances. I put the wig on the bed.

There was a knock on the door, followed by Watari's voice, "We have some guests L would like you to meet, dear."

"Alright, Mr. Watari," I replied, "I'll be there in a moment." I haphazardly threw my hair up into a bun and walked out to meet L's company. I approached while the men were speaking among themselves. They were all fairly well-dressed in suits that were less formal in appearance.

"What do you think this new guy's like?" one of them asked. He was certainly the youngest of the group with the longer style haircut that's more popular among young people.

"Probably another hunchback with a sweet tooth," another, older looking man with a dark afro answered irritably. The man groaned, "The last thing we need is another L working this case."

"That's enough you two," a mustached man with glasses ordered. The two investigators stopped their discussion. "L is our best chance at capturing and unmasking Kira, if there's another one of him, this is someone we want on our side."

"I'm glad you feel that way," I remarked with a smile, leaning against the corner. "I wouldn't want to be unwelcome here."

"Oh, I see you've come out," L drawled casually, appearing with a large glass overflowing with a sundae. My eyes locked on the ice cream. Vanilla flavored ice cream with thick butterscotch and chocolate syrup. A chocolate wedge sticking out from a tower of whipped cream. Then my eyes narrowed on the strawberry on top. I hate strawberries. Unless, of course, they're dunked in chocolate.

"Watari informed me that we have guests," I replied, tearing my eyes from the dessert to the detective.

"Alright," L settled himself on a chair at the head of a coffee table. He held the tip of the long spoon between his thumb and index finger and used it to point at each of the men, "Soichiro Yagami, Shuichi Aizawa, Kanzo Mogi, Touta Matsuda, Hideki Ide, and Hirokazu Ukita."

"Hey! Wait, I thought we weren't supposed to be using our real names!" the youngest man, Matsuda, exclaimed.

"Hmm? Oh, right. Glad you remembered that. Well, you don't have to worry too much. The chances of her being Kira are only six percent," he scooped a healthy spoonful of the sundae into his mouth.

I rolled my eyes, "You have nothing to worry about. L's just being cautious. However, I would suggest that you follow L's advice and use an alias."

"Gentlemen, I'd like you to meet an old acquaintance of mine," L said with a mouthful of icecream.

I smiled charmingly at them, "It's a pleasure to meet you. I am E."

"You want to do what?" I demanded of L. It was still early in the morning and I had yet to change out of my pajamas and prepare for school.

"I am going to invite Light Yagami to a tennis match," L repeated around a mouthful of sugary cereal with strawberry slices. He wore the same white long sleeve and jeans, and I'm sixty four percent certain that he slept in those, if he slept at all.

"It seems like a waste of time," I told him. "You'd still believe he's Kira no matter what the outcome." L and the task force briefed me on the progress of the Kira case. I had spent all of the last two days getting caught up to the case and memorizing every piece of evidence they had collected. As far as L's concerned, we've got nothing solid to go on. Despite this, he has his suspicions that Light Yagami, the son of Mr. Soichiro Yagami, is, in fact, Kira.

"Are you going to finish that?" L asked, pointing to the crepes that Mr. Wammy prepared for me. I had topped them with an extra helping of whipped cream, and I could see L eyeing them.

"Yes," I hissed, drawing the plate closer to me. "So you want to tell him that this is just a friendly game of tennis and maybe get close to him?"

He made a face close to a pout when I pulled my food to me, but he went back to that somewhat vacant stare when I asked the question. "Oh, and I would like you to get close to him as well, Everest," L stated. "He has no reason to distrust you."

"Alright," I agreed. It made sense. L had already gone and revealed himself to Light, and I have nothing to connect me to L or the case. As far as Light's aware, I'm just a classmate. "And what will I do when, and I do mean when, Light Yagami joins the Task Force?" It was clear that Yagami would end up joining us on the Kira case, regardless of his true intentions. I believe the chance of that happening to be sixty eight percent.

"In that case," L briefly lifted his eyes to mine from my plate, "I suggest you get as close to Light Yagami before that happens."

"Great advice, I'll keep that in mind while I make friends with a potential psychopath," I glowered. I finished my crepes and then prepared myself for the day. I took a shower and changed into capris and a white tank top with a pastel orange shrug. Lastly, I dried my hair and put on the wig. Once I decided that I looked presentable, I grabbed my purse and announced that I would get a ride to school from a taxi or something. I did manage to find a ride, and I also stopped at this nice little coffee shop on the way. I ended up just dumping packet after packet of sugar into the drink.

So I rushed with my books and the overly sweetened coffee in order to get to class early. I might be working with L on this, but I also have to keep up with my classes. Unlike him, I actually do care about making it through college.

"Hey! Reika!" an excited voice called out. I turned around and saw a black haired young woman running towards me. She had blunt cut bangs and brown eyes. I met her when I enrolled for my last semester of high school in Japan. Her name was Haruka Kanai.

"Haruka," I greeted cheerfully, "hey. How are you doing?"

"Pretty well, surprisingly," Haruka laughed. She was a good student, certainly not fantastic, but good. "You?"

I sighed, "Way too busy. What'd you think of the entrance ceremony?" I figure that now's as good a time as any to carry out L's request. If there's anything I know, it's that information has a way of being leaked. The good thing about Light Yagami is that he's already pretty popular among the students, which is more than I can say about L. So, if I expressed an interest in the representative, then it's no cause for suspicion.

"It was interesting," Haruka answered. "I actually got really excited when I heard Hideki Ryuga would be here, but then I saw him, and well, you know."

I laughed at her statement, because it was expected and L even managed to get to me with that alias of his. "But…what'd you think of the other guy?" I asked sheepishly.

"Who? Light Yagami?" Haruka asked thoughtfully. "He seems really nice, and he's very handsome."

"You think so?" I wondered, "It'd be really cool to meet him, right? He seems like a superstar! Like, he's too good to be real!" Another thing about Wammy's kids, we're good actors.

Haruka's eyes widened, and she burst out into giggles, "Reika, you're interested in Light Yagami! That's adorable." Well, interested is one way to put it.

"Haruka," I hissed fervently, "be quiet. Someone's going to hear you."

"Okay, okay," she whispered. "Alright, well, I can tell you where Light Yagami is right now." She got up on her toes to whisper in my ear. Let it never be said that Haruka isn't useful. I smiled at her gratefully.

"I…have to go be somewhere. I'll catch up with you later," I grinned and waved. Running off in search of Light Yagami. I caught sight of a porcupine haired student walking the halls and briefly met his eyes. We both knew what everyone else saw. A red haired young woman running through the campus after her ditzy best friend practically announced to the world that she was interested in Light Yagami. What L saw, however, was E running after Kira in order to gather information by gaining his trust.

I made it to the quad and started to walk around aimlessly. I figured that I would spot Light Yagami sooner or later. I did my work as I walked, and then I decided to sit down on a bench and do my work. Then out of the corner of my eye, I saw the brown haired young man strolling towards me. When I looked at him, I understood how nobody would ever suspect him of being Kira. Yagami was an attractive, successful young man from a middle class family. The only way you would ever really be able to suspect him at all is by putting together the little pieces.

I reached for my coffee cup, and it fell from the edge of the bench onto the ground. I yelped and jumped up. The warm, milky brown drink was spreading out on the walkway. Hurriedly, I attempted to gather my books before they could get soaked. I noticed that another person was picking up a couple of my books, and when I stood up, I came face to face with Light Yagami. He had a kind smile on his face as he handed the books to me, "Here. Wouldn't want these to get wet."

I smiled back at him and took the books, "Thank you." I looked back and sighed at the mess, picking up the now empty cup and its lid, "I was really looking forward to finishing that. I'm Reika Endo, by the way."

"It's nice to meet you, I'm Light Yagami," he introduced himself politely. Just like any normal, polite young man would. In fact, if everyone wasn't guilty until proven innocent, I might actually like Light Yagami.

"I know. I saw you at the ceremony. Congratulations. That's quite the achievement."

"Thank you," Light replied, "but you make it sound so much grander than it actually is."

I laughed lightly, "Well, not everyone can be the highest ranking. I have to get to class, I hope I'll get to see you around, Yagami. Thanks again." Then I ran back towards my classroom.

I started chewing on the tips of the twisted wig, right under the hair tie. There was a ten percent chance that Light Yagami wasn't fooled by my performance, but either way, it was a start. I've made contact with Yagami in a brief and casual way. Not very memorable, but if we kept on running into each other, slowly, I'd be able to get to him. I spent the rest of my day of classes thinking about Light Yagami, but the only thing that really kept coming up was that it was a waste of coffee.

After my final class of the day, Haruka found me exiting the building and grabbed my arm. The shorter girl pulled me after her saying something about Light Yagami and epic tennis. I figured that L was doing his part. There was a large crowd already gathered around the fence. I was right. L and Yagami were in the middle of the most intense tennis match in the history of To-Oh. There were even coaches and professors watching the two.

"Hey, Reika, look who it is," Haruka poked me in the arm and pointed to Light Yagami who had powerfully returned the fluorescent ball across the net. I watched L and Yagami go at it. They were fairly matched. Impressive on Yagami's part. I've seen L play tennis before. He's an all-around force to be reckoned with. "Hey, that Ryuga guy's doing pretty good. Do you think he's a professional? But he looks so skinny, how is he doing that good?" I didn't bother answering her questions. My attention was on their game. I could practically see L's thoughts with each swing of their rackets. Attempting to decide whether this could be a deciding factor for Yagami, questioning what he would do next, wondering if he would win or lose.

Then a student came panting down the stairs. I think he was in my Journalism class, but I could be wrong. "You won't believe this! I thought I heard the name Light Yagami somewhere before so I checked.. He was the 02-03 junior high tennis champion. Apparently during the third year award ceremony, he announced he was hanging up his racket. And I guess he hasn't played competitively since."

"Hey, Hey," the girl from the awards ceremony, Kiyoko, who also happened to be in one or two of my classes, said, "What about my Ryuga? Don't tell me you haven't noticed him holding his own against this former junior high champ." I smirked at the girl's statement. L was the champion of the England Junior Cup. If the whole detective thing hadn't worked out for him, L could have fallen back on an athletic career.

I watched the continuation of the match with interest. L was getting to him. I know because if I were in Yagami's position, he would get to me too. So this is what it's like to watch two people who were always three steps ahead from the outside. Nobody could tell what was really happening, unless they could read minds or something, and even then, they probably wouldn't be able to keep up. Then Light's pattern changed, and he went for the ball. L reached out for it, but the ball went right under his arm. In the end, Light had won the match. I smirked and walked away, maybe it wasn't a waste of coffee after all.

I went back to the coffee shop after the game. I ordered a cup of coffee and a thick slice of banana bread. I took my order and began to look for a nice, isolated spot from the rest of the shop. Guess who I saw as I looked for a place to sit. Light Yagami sitting across from L, who crouched on the chair. I don't think it would be too weird if I gave them a friendly hello. I mean, the chances of anyone from To-Oh showing here is around forty percent, and the chances of someone running into them is around twenty considering how far away they are from the rest of the shop. I noticed that Light was holding some papers in his hands. L must be going through with the rest of the plan he mentioned earlier. I walked past them and took a seat at a table that was far enough away that I couldn't hear them.

I worked on my assignments and dumped two more packets of sugar into my drink every time I finished one. I completed everything without any problem, ensuring that my score wouldn't be too far above the average. I drank the sweetened coffee along with the banana bread. Too bad there wasn't anything cherry flavored here.

I wondered how L was doing with Light. Then their cellphones went off. I noticed the absolutely shocked and somewhat scared expression on Yagami's face. They rushed out of the shop immediately after. I didn't follow them. That would just be crossing a line.

So I went back to the hotel and reviewed the information that L and the Task Force already managed to put together. I started from the beginning and worked my way toward the end. Wire taps, FBI, and Ray Penber. The message from Kira to L. The slaughter of these inmates. It was amazing how much managed to happen since this case was opened. It was very late at night by the time I heard the door open and close. L materialized at my open door, "What were you doing at the coffee shop today?"

"Enjoying a cup of coffee," I replied. "What happened in there?"

"Well, I've discovered that Light Yagami's deductive skills are very impressive. Still…we have nothing," L reported. "Oh, and 's in the hospital recovering from a stress induced heart attack. You'll have to fill in for him here."

"And Light?" I prompted.

"He's either very concerned about his father, or a very good actor. You were able to meet him?"

"I was. He's very charming. Popular with the students."

A very slight touch of annoyance entered L's tone, "Don't let him convince you that he's innocent, E. Not until we have proof."

"I'm not stupid," I snapped. "Everyone is guilty until proven innocent. I know. Just tell me everything that happened between the two of you." So he told me everything word for word as if it had all been recorded in his mind. I followed along and committed every word of his to memory. At the end of his retelling, I just sat back and shook my head. "We have our work cut out for us. It's almost as if…" I trailed off with a smirk, tossing a bright red bouncy ball up into the air.

"As if what?" L asked.

I grinned at him, "As if the world's best detective has met his match."

"I wouldn't say that," L disagreed.

I spun around in my chair and motioned to the newly organized files from the case, "This case has been open for around five months now. I'd say this is the longest you've ever taken on a case."

"Well, it hasn't exactly been easy," L pointed out.

I spun the chair again, "Of course not. Whatever Kira's doing, it's something even we wouldn't be able to come up with. At least…not on our own."

L caused my chair to come to a rough halt, "You believe Kira has an accomplice?"

"Is it so impossible?" I countered. "The idea has crossed your mind. It isn't unlikely. Mass murder without any trace, no poison, no common link? It is possible that Kira is not working on his own, assuming Kira is a he." I wasn't so quick to rule out a woman from causing all this.

"I have assumed that Kira works on his own," L stated, "the evidence has indicated that this is a single person acting on his own. However…I will keep the possibility in mind. It is unlikely that there is a second party involved…but it is possible that the means of murder is not Kira's idea directly."

"So Kira might not be the source of this ability to kill by name," I mused, spinning slowly in my chair now that L's grip had loosened, "and if your suspicions are correct, as they usually are, of course, then Light Yagami knows someone who developed this theoretical weapon." We stared each other down for a moment. Theories, tactics, expectations, and suspicions flying wildly, invading our thoughts and somehow communicating themselves through our minds. By the time L left the room, I wasn't quite sure which ideas were mine and which ones were his. Which of my theories had I planted in his mind and which he had planted in mine?