January 20, 2004
"You need to rest." I watched Chief Yagami work and stress over the case.
"You say that, but you never rest for more than three hours at a time!" He snapped.
Aizawa, Ukita, Mogi, and Matsuda looked up from their files helplessly.
"It does no good to stress over a case. At this rate, you already have one foot in the grave." I popped march panda in my mouth.
"And should I rest, we'll be that much farther from stopping Kira!" I watched his face turn red.
"But without rest, your body is more likely to give out on you. Do you want to have a heart attack?" I was growing impatient.
I heard the others gasp. I knew it sounded like a threat. I tried to reason with him. "You need to take care of yourself so you aren't laid up in a hospital. That just hinders this investigation more than a few hours rest will."
"Why would I listen to a woman suspected of being Kira herself! I-" I watched him fall almost in slow motion. I rushed to his side and tried to figure out if I needed to do anything.
"Don't just stand there! Call an ambulance!" I yelled at the others as they stood in shocked silence. I watched them break into action, Aizawa calling an ambulance, Mogi getting water, Matsuda and Ukita flailing about, shouting that Kira had struck the chief. "Sir, you need to calm down. The more worked up you get, the worse the effects are on your body. The ambulance is on its way, okay?" I tried to speak in soothing tones. Watari was right there, watching, ready to use "the paddles of doom" as I called them, should they be needed. I kept a firm grip on his wrist to keep mindful of his pulse. It felt like hours before the ambulance arrived. The paramedics were luckily able to get him stable quickly, and had already got him on the gurney, and left the room. I moved to follow the others, when Aizawa rounded on me.
"Where the hell do you think you're going?!"
"I'm checking to make sure he's okay." I could feel myself stiffen in defense as I looked into his angry, hate filled eyes.
"You aren't going anywhere. I'm letting Ryuzaki know that Kira just showed herself." The others had filed out before him. He slammed the door, stomping down the hall. I winced.
I turned to Watari, hoping he didn't believe that I had just killed someone. His gaze was on me as he took out his phone and dialed Ryuzaki. "Ryuzaki, the chief of the Kira investigation is heading to the hospital. He has just suffered a heart attack. ... Yes, I'll bring her along... She can explain everything when she gets there." He hung up. His stare was almost devoid of emotion. "Are you ready to go?"
I slumped slightly and nodded.
I walked into the room, seeing Soichiro, Light, and Ryuzaki looking at the door.
"Midori?" Light sounded surprised.
"Reiko." I corrected.
"Go ahead and say it." Soichiro grunted.
"Hm?" I looked to him, confused.
"You were right. The doctors said it was stress. I'll make a quick recovery." He looked down, ashamed.
"I'm glad to hear it." I smiled in relief.
"Mi- ... Reiko. What are you doing here?" Light butted in.
"Reiko, while being under investigation herself, is helping investigate the Kira case." Ryuzaki informed him. I watched Light's eyes flash oddly.
"Oh?"
"Yes. I was. But I think after the events of tonight, it would be best if I just remained there to be under watchful eyes until I am cleared of all charges of being Kira." I kept my rigid posture, pulling up my defenses. I could see Ryuzaki's eyes cataloging everything I did.
"Did something happen?" He asked.
"Nothing unexpected. I tried to calm the chief down and get him to rest for a while, and the idea that he may stress himself into a heart attack came up, not long after, he had collapsed. I think it is obvious what the others believe." My voice and expression remained stoic.
"That's insane! They wouldn't think that! You are a part of the team!" Soichiro raised his voice.
"Calm down. And I say it because they've voiced their opinions to me already." I looked at the other occupants of the room. I hid my eyes behind my bangs. "Now that I've come to be sure you're alright, I think I should head back to headquarters." I quickly turned around to leave. Before I could walk far, a hand grabbed my wrist. I turned enough to see that it wasn't Ryuzaki's pale hand. It was Light's. He spun me around and embraced me in front of both his father, and Ryuzaki.
"Reiko... I'm here for you. You know that right?" Discomfort won out over courtesy, and I immediately pushed him away.
"Sorry, Light, but there isn't much a college student can do for me. Now, If you'll excuse me." I made haste in running out of the hospital, dodging patients, nurses and doctors as I rushed to the exit. Watari was waiting by the car, cellphone in hand.
"Yes. I'll keep her here... We'll wait here for you... take your time." Watari's eyes landed on me, pity shining clearly in them.
I opened the back door to the car, and slid in. I clicked the door shut, and scooted over, away from the hospital. It wasn't long before Ryuzaki slid in next to me. I put on my seat belt, and kept my eyes forward, curling into fetal position.
The car ride to the hotel was promising to be a silent one. "Prove it." I turned to see Ryuzaki hiding his eyes with his hair. "Prove to me that you aren't Kira. Then no-one will have doubts. I want you on this case."
"Telling you would be like sentencing myself to the psych ward." I grumbled.
"Is it far fetched?"
"More than you could guess."
"..." I watched him stare me down, deciding whether or not to at least hear me out. "Tell me."
"I-" I tried to protest.
"There is a killer out there with the power to kill using heart attacks. Just by having someone's name and face at their disposal. Whatever you have to say cannot be much crazier than our reality."
"Okay. I'm not from this world." I watched his reaction.
"Go on." He wanted all the information.
"Where I'm from, this is a manga series, that later turned into an anime. When I woke up on November, twenty eighth, I woke up in a different body, as someone else entirely. My name is Sa-"
"You don't need to give me that name. For all intents and purposes, I think that you is long gone. What I am more interested in is, do you have proof?"
"...Yes. Well, sorta. More like, I have something that might upset you."
"And that is...?" He was watching me.
"I know your real name." I watched his expression for any indications on his thoughts.
"Prove it." He was watching me with clinical eyes.
I leaned forward, and whispered in his ear.
His eyes widened, and I watched him warily as I pulled away. "I would say that's decent proof that you are not Kira."
"Yes." I nodded woodenly. We stared ahead, trying to figure out what to say. We had a silent car ride after that.
"I am sorry."
I felt very uncomfortable. Aizawa was prostrate on the ground in apology, and I didn't know what to do.
"There's nothing to apologize over." I tried to reason.
"I flat out called you a psychotic serial killer, and you don't think I need to apologize?" He didn't even lift his head. I looked pleadingly to the others, only to find that the other police officers were just as lost as I. Ryuzaki was no help, as he was watching to see how I reacted. Light was equally helpful, with his false innocent facade.
"...If you don't get up, I'm going to join you on the floor, and we will stay here until you decide to get up." I listened as the others chuckled. "Your chief is on the mend, and I've been cleared as suspect. I'm not angry. So please. Get. Up." The last sentence was a strained plea.
He got up, and I failed to meet anyone's eyes.
"This is great! We should celebrate your no longer being a suspect!" Light grabbed my hand. "Why don't we go to dinner? I know a great place. It serves traditional foods, and it's on the semi-formal side."
"I don't thi-"
"What a great idea. Reiko, you can go find a dress, and we can treat you to dinner." Ryuzaki chimed in, while grabbing my other hand. This caused the two to stare intensely at each other, tightening their grips on my hands.
I looked between the two, and stared at the others. Help? The others were also watching them stare each other down.
"I suppose I can whip something up." I sighed. "But that means I'll have to be let go."
The two looked at each other before letting go. I quickly moved away from the two, and started to get ready to leave.
"Watari, do you mind taking her around?" Ryuzaki asked.
"I am happy to help." Watari bowed. I moved as fast as I could out of the door without leaving Watari behind.
"My face feels like plastic." I grumbled as I sat next to Watari as we waited for the other two to come down from the room.
"You look beautiful." Watari complimented.
"I feel like I'm in a theater production."
"Well, you do look vastly different than usual." He reasoned.
Just then, Light came out of the hotel. A familiar figure followed him out, with messy black hair. They both entered the car. I tried to avoid looking behind me until we got to the restaurant.
As we arrived at the restaurant, I was surprised to be helped out of the car by the familiar man with messy black hair. Upon closer inspection, I realized that it was Ryuzaki. But he stood straight, and wore a button up white shirt instead of his usual plain shirt. Is jeans looked the same, but the scuffed shoes he wore when outside were replaced by a newer pair. Even through my contacts, I could discern the differences, however slight.
As handsome as he looked, he just seemed alien. It looks like I'm not the only one playing an act tonight. I smiled. "I won't be the only uncomfortable one. Thank you." I whispered before Light made his way around the car. He nodded, his face set in a stoic facade.
"Let's go in, shall we?" Light offered for my other arm.
L
It was an uncomfortable sensation; to look into artificially blue eyes, and know that it was the woman he held some form of feelings for. Her hair had been curled, and twisted in an updo, and she was clothed in a green, flowy , halter top dress with a sheer outer layer. He felt awkward, in the unfamiliar clothes, but he knew that she would be even more uncomfortable doing this alone with Light. They were brought into a private room to eat. The food was mostly savory, so he decided on a simple tempura dish. He watched her choose an extremely spicy curry dish with shrimp, as well as a pot of jasmine tea for the two to share, while Light chose a fish soup, coupled with rice, and a glass of water. Ryuzaki watched as Midori suddenly stiffened after the first bite.
Midori
There was no doubt about it. Ryuzaki was sitting right next to me, so it wasn't him. But there was a socked foot trying to stimulate my core.
"Too hot for you?" Light asked, with a lecherous undertone.
"Just a surprise." I answered, keeping my tone flat.
"Oh? A pleasant surprise?" Light smirked, a lustful glint in his eye.
"The food is pleasant." I pretended as if nothing was happening. The foot was removed when he realized that I wasn't even remotely affected.
"You have a bit of rice on your face." I looked over at Ryuzaki, only to feel cool fingers touch my face. He pulled the grain of rice from my cheek, and brought it to my mouth. I couldn't help but give his finger a discreet lick. I noted Light narrow his eyes.
"Thanks. I never would have noticed." I smiled. I noticed he had barely touched his tempura, and frowned. "If you don't want to eat it, you don't have to. We can have our food wrapped to go, and get desserts, if you like."
"I suppose, If it's no trouble." He spoke into his teacup.
"Not at all." I smiled. It just meant we could leave this uncomfortable situation sooner.
"I guess I'm outvoted on this one." Light spoke up.
"Sorry, Light-san. I guess I'm just not comfortable in such places as these." I tried to be friendly.
"Oh, I never realized." Light genuinely looked surprised.
"To be honest, I have to avoid constant sensory overload with colored contacts or glasses with the wrong prescription. It prevents me from taking in too much detail, like the fact that this room was once a smoking room."
"How do you know?" Light looked confused.
"The discoloration in the walls are caused by nicotine. I've seen this happen in some shabbier homes that don't do very strict upkeep." I saw a waitress walk by, and flagged her down. "Yes, can we get our meals packed up? We'd like to order our desserts."
"Uh, yes, of course." She blushed as she looked between the three of us. I had an idea as to what she thought was thinking.
"Ryuzaki, would you like to share this with me?" I pointed to a food item on the menu. He looked over, and nodded. "We'd like the mochi sampler for two." I smiled up at the waitress.
"O-oh... And um... you, sir?" She turned to Light.
"I guess I'll have this." He pointed to an item. I noticed that it was a bland wagashi.
We had arrived back at the hotel, sans Light. He had been dropped off at his home, after a quick peck on my cheek. I could feel my eye twitch.
As we walked through the door, I couldn't hold back a grumble. "That boy doesn't listen, I swear." I pulled a wipe from my pouch and wiped my face, taking off the makeup.
"He does seem persistent." He answered.
"I'll be back in just a moment. I need to get out of this dress." I moved quickly toward my room. I had been lucky to have been able to take out my contacts on the ride back to the hotel, so most of my aggravations were dealt with.
"Just a moment. I need to speak to you alone." Ryuzaki stated as he followed me into my darkened room. The door shut and locked behind him, causing the only light in the room to be from the city lights, and the moon. Before I could process this, I found myself falling into the bed on my back, my hands grasped above my head, and insistent lips upon my own. I blushed as I realized that I was being kissed by L. My mind couldn't focus on any details. "What did he do while we were there?" His voice reverberated through my entire being. It was almost a growl. It caused a delicious shiver to run down my spine.
"Nothing important. Just trying to change my mind I think." I murmured. I stared into those endless black pools, feeling my face warm considerably.
"Earlier today... When I got the call from Aizawa, I may have felt some degree of worry for Mr. Yagami, but it paled in comparison to the panic the thought of you being Kira induced. Not because you had been so close, but because I couldn't help myself from begging whatever higher power exists for you to not be Kira." I couldn't see his eyes anymore since they were hidden by his hair, but I heard the raw emotion in his voice. While not completely familiar, it wasn't an unpleasant sound.
"And for the past few hours, I've been seriously considering beating Light to a pulp." There was a considerable amount of anger in those words.
"Ryuzaki..."
"What I have now is far more potent than a mere interest. After this case, I will pursue you."
"What-"
"Whether I am worthy or not, I will do everything in my power to make you have eyes only for me." Any kind of response I might have had was drowned out by an all consuming kiss. I could still taste the strawberry mochi ice cream on his lips. He began to coax my mouth open, and I yielded to his demand. Our tongues engaged in a passionate battle of wills. He had let go of my wrists, to encircle me in his arms while my hands snaked their way through his inky black locks. His hair was so soft. As we parted for breath, I felt the fog clearing from my mind. I felt my face erupt into a cherry red, eyes wide. He straightened into his usual slouching posture. "I'll see you in a bit." He was already walking toward the door, and flicked on the light for me. I couldn't even find it in myself to make a retort. He closed the door behind him, almost noiselessly.
What the HELL did I get myself into, here?!