"Umm, I think I'll chase Kira on my own after all. I'll let you use headquarters and I'll continue to use them myself as well. Yagami-san and the rest of you can continue to pursue Kira as you wish using your own methods. I'll investigate using my own methods. Unless we do this, it'll just end in arguments. Let's just go our separate ways."
Your head snapped around at L's words, 'What is he doing? Where is this going to leave me? Do I go with the Yagami and the others…or do I stay with him?'
"I'm against the arrest of those seven, so if you're planning to do it, it's your responsibility. I'll pursue Kira by myself. We have a month. It'll depend on which of us is fastest," L finished, getting up from his chair and walking over to the stairs.
Light was dragged along, protesting. "Ryuuzaki! Where are you going?"
"To Amane's room. I'm sorry, Light-kun. I know you're on your father's side, but I'll need you to come with me as I can't remove the handcuffs," L said, disappearing up the stairs with Light in tow.
'He said…he'll do it alone. So, I guess…he doesn't need me on this anymore. Maybe I should just finish the computer and forget everything about Kira…No! Kira needs to be caught, the killings have to end.'
The footage from the Amane's room was shown on the screen, L was pacing around the room whilst Misa was standing close to Light. Watching with interest, you slowly got the gist of L's plan. 'He wants to put Misa in danger? And she's just going along with it…because of the way he phrased it, saying that to prove her love she should put herself at risk? I can't accept that!'
You eyes flickered back to the screen as you saw Misa peck L on the cheek, jumping around happily. L looked surprised and grasped his cheek, commenting, "I might fall for you…"
You pursued your lips at the screen, watching L silently. Making up your mind, you bolted up the stars and through the wooden door to Misa's apartment. The three occupants turned and stared at your panting figure. You straightened up and directed a glare in L's direction. His expression remained unchanged, but his eyes showed that your intense glower surprised him. "Yes, Ahiru-chan?" he queried, expecting a small request.
"What do you think you're doing?" you snapped, storming up to the slouched detective.
"What do you mean? Amane-san, Light-kun and I were just talking," he replied, his eyes growing hazy as his brain fumbled for an excuse for your behaviour.
"Why are you putting Misa in danger like that?! She's not just some piece in a chess game to be manipulated by you! The way you worded it, she doesn't have a choice but to accept! Be considerate to others, Ryuuzaki!"
Misa interjected, objecting heavily, "It's okay, Ahiru-chan, Misa wants to do this."
Your gaze directed itself to Misa's energetic form, taking in the conviction in her eyes.
"How can you be so willing to throw your life away for the selfish ideas of one man, Misa-chan…"
"Misa knows that since Light and Ryuuzaki are working on this together, there's no way Misa will get hurt," she smiled, hugging onto Light's arm once again.
You froze and stared at the beaming model. 'She has that much faith in them? I've known both of them for much longer and I still wouldn't trust them with something like this…am I just being too overcautious?'
"That's right, Amane-san, there's no way we would allow you to be hurt," L affirmed, nodding at the idol.
You felt torn, not wanting to give up your stance on the matter, but also not wanting to be the only one to overreact. "Misa trusts Light and Ryuuzaki with her life, but Misa also wants Ahiru-chan to work on the case with them…then there's no way Misa could get hurt!" she beamed, wanting you to work together with the others.
"Yes, I would want you to work on the case with us as well, Ahiru-chan," L confirmed, nodding his head.
You sighed, inwardly debating. 'I don't agree with this plan…but if I'm working with them, I'll be able to help Misa if she needs it…it's a much better position to be in than having no idea what's going on…'
Raising your head, you looked straight at L. "Fine, I'll work with you…but if Misa gets hurt, there's going to be hell to pay."
In the following days, you sat in the acting classes with Misa, the fake Erald Coil, and L, offering tips whenever you felt the need to be helpful. Secretly, you enjoyed spending the days with the overdramatic Misa and the directing L.
Finally, it reached the day of Misa's interview with Yotsuba. As Misa and her newly appointed manager, Mogi, exited the building, you grabbed her wrist. She turned back to you, eyebrows raised. "Make sure you take care of yourself Misa-chan, and don't be afraid of calling us for help. We'll get there as soon as we can if at any time you feel threatened or-"
"Please, Ahiru-chan, stop worrying, Misa can take care of herself," the model smiled, touched by your concern.
Realising that she already knew the danger she was placing herself in, you grasped her in a warm hug. "Ahiru-chan…. thank you."
She slipped out of your arms and into the waiting car, giving you a small wave. As the car drove away, you raised your own arm and returned the gesture, watching as the black vehicle disappeared around a corner.
"Wait, you didn't even get her to wear a wire?" you asked, leaning against L's desk.
"No, if Yotsuba found such a thing on her persons…she would definitely be at high risk of exposure," L murmured, talking through the various unnamable sweets in his mouth.
"True…but aren't we relying a lot on Misa's acting skills?" you pointed out, stealing a sweet from L's grasp.
The detective frowned up at you, "Amane-san is not in any danger, Ahiru-chan. Please just relax."
Scowling slightly, you stood up and for the next few hours, worked impatiently on your computer. 'Hey, it's nearly done. Just a few more finishing touches and it'll be perfect!'
The door to the main room opened and in walked Mogi, his face expressionless. You inhaled sharply, fearing the worst. "Heya!" greeted a familiar bubbly voice, and Misa came into view behind the tall investigator.
The tired model then made her way over to Light and sat comfortably on his lap. Mogi revealed that Yotsuba had in fact decided to hire Misa for their multi-platform advertising campaign, and Misa jumped in eagerly that she had been secretly contacted by some of the Yotsuba members for private meetings. "Now I just need to accept their offers and begin investigating them, right?" Misa asked L, leaning forward, "Everything is going to plan!"
"No," Light interrupted, "That plan has been cancelled."
You all looked at Light in surprise. "Why?! It's all gone so well!" Misa objected, turning her head to face Light.
"This method places you in too much danger. I won't tell you to not do the commercial, but from now on, you'll deny that you were the second Kira and were restrained by L."
Light glanced at you and you realised why he had suddenly decided to speak his mind. You nodded to him in thanks, understanding what he was giving up for Misa's safety and your peace of mind. 'Thank you, Light-kun. I can't believe I ever thought you were Kira.'
Misa removed herself from Light's lap and stood to face him. "If Light-kun says so, I'll do it. Well, Misa's tired and she needs to be on location early tomorrow, so she's off to bed."
Misa raised her arm and waved a goodbye before walking from the room. Leaning on the doorframe, she called out, "Light? You want to sleep with me?"
"What are you talking about, Misa?" Light replied, straightening up to stare at the blonde.
Misa smiled back, "I know! We can do that after Kira's caught, right? No need to get so embarrassed, Light!"
You coughed softly, trying to disguise laughter. "You don't have to be embarrassed, Light-kun," L commented, holding a steaming cup in his hand.
The brown-haired student glared down at the genius, "I'm not embarrassed."
"Why are you taking it so seriously, Light-kun?" L asked, facing his younger companion.
Light only glared before seating himself back down in his usual chair. You held a hand over your mouth to cover a smile, finding Light's failed concealment amusing. 'Oh, Light-kun, you can be so naïve…'
After Misa had cleverly tricked Higuchi into revealing his secret, and had replayed it on her phone to the shock of the investigation, a plan was quickly devised centering on the manipulation of Higuchi's actions. It reached the hour of initiation and you felt both apprehensive and excited about the final capture of Kira. 'It's really going to be over after this…I wonder if L will still let me live here…'
You watched in silence as Higuchi raced to his car, a dark bag in his clammy grasp. His started his bright red car and sped around the corner. Nearly a quarter of an hour passed before Higuchi stopped the car and practically leapt out of the vehicle. You watched with impatience, wondering where he had gone to at such a time. Something was pushed to you and you pulled the phone from L's grasp, looking apologetic. "Sorry, Ryu-kun. I wasn't expecting anyone to ring."
Leaving your chair, you
walked to the back of the main room, trying to make as little noise
as possible. Recognising the call I.D., you exhaled and flipped open
the phone. In the background, Wedy's voice was played over the
speaker, "Ryuuzaki-san, you won't believe this…but the place
he's gone…"
"Grandma? I'm kind of busy-"
"Ryuuzaki-san…he's gone to Ahiru-chan's grandmother's house…"
Wedy's words registered just as your grandmother's voice interrupted you, her voice detached and cold. "Listen carefully to me, Ahiru-chan. Follow my instructions and you won't be killed."