Hola my readers! Regarding the question I asked at the end of the last chapter (though I know a couple of you may know) I won't say what story I'm doing next, but I will say that I plan to eventually do a story for each anime.
This chapter was... iffy to write. This one and the next one are more or less filler chapters for something I'm planning, but that doesn't mean they aren't important (because they totally are) ;)
Days Later…
The atmosphere was exceedingly tense between Light and I. We all sat around a long coffee table scattered with reports and notes. Aizawa and Matsuda were seated on the couch, and on their sides were L and Light. Mr. Yagami sat in separate chairs across from the couch.
The light from the windows shaded Light's face so I couldn't read it, but everyone could just feel the tension. By now, the men were aware that Light had caught me, and Light was aware that they knew I was faking being his girlfriend in the first place.
It was just awkward for everyone.
Clearing his throat, Aizawa read the report. "So we were there both days. In Aoyama on the 22nd, and in Shibuya on the 24th, and we observed nothing of significance on either of the occasion. That leaves us with only the dome on the 30th."
"And what if you don't find anything there?" Akari asked. I jumped, realizing that she was criss-cross on the floor beside me. Her and Beyond finally decided to join us for a meeting.
Aizawa tried not to sigh with disappointment. "Then we'll keep doing our job." But even he hoped that we'd get a break in the case.
Suddenly L's laptop beeped and a "W" appeared on the screen. Watari. "Ryuzaki, apparently Sakura TV has just received another message from the second Kira."
Akari let out a sigh of temporary relief. I'd almost forgot about that copy cat; we still had him to go off of. Everyone stood up to be closer to the screen. "It was postmarked on the 23rd," Watari added before switching over to the video.
That sickening name appeared on the screen, blatantly mocking us. "I'm proud to say that I have found Kira. To all of the people at the television station and police department, I'd like to thank you very much."
"We're screwed!" remarked Beyond, popping up from behind the couch.
What? Oh that's just great. "That means it had to have been in Aoyama," I stated aloud, mostly to myself.
A black mop of hair sprang up from behind L's chair. "I have a theory!" Beyond announced boldly. Because we couldn't care less, we looked at Beyond, but weren't preparing on taking him seriously. Jabbing a finger at the rookie he exclaimed, "Matsuda is the second Kira!"
Out of sheer shock, Matsuda yelped and fell off the couch. "B-But that's not true! I can assure you t-that I'm not the second Kira!" Akari and I gave him the Are you serious? look before shaking our heads.
L pinched the bridge of his nose. "Beyond, please settle down and stop making vacuous statements." The killer snickered, but obeyed his superior.
"This is a disaster if he found him," Aizawa said.
"Yeah," agreed the Chief. "It most likely means that the two Kiras are cooperating."
L picked up his teacup and stirred it methodically. "At this point, I don't think we should jump to any conclusions."
"Right," I agreed calmly, leaning against the armrest of my chair. "The second Kira is only saying that he's found him. They might not have even made contact." Let's just hope.
"Now that it's come to this," the detective went on after sipping his drink, "we have no choice but to communicate as the police directly with the second Kira."
"If we can send him a message," Akari picked up, "then we can try and get some information out of him. The police want to reach out to him and offer up some deal, and we want to see if he'll give us Kira's real name."
"Exactly," L replied, sipping his tea and staring over at my best friend. "I see you're learning quickly. Well done." All the redhead could do was beam with pride.
I chuckled, seeing her happy to be complemented by the famous detective. Stealing a glance at Light from the corner of my eye, I saw him narrow his eyes. What's going on inside that charming head of yours?
A Couple More Days Later (sorry for the time skips!)
Hair hanging loosely on my shoulders, eyes drooping, I trudged into the room and sunk into a chair. It was 2:30 in the morning and I had been woken up by Watari and sent here. Why? Maybe this is about the last video from the second Kira. Since he thinks they're working together, L might want my opinion. Or he's just trolling me.
L was perched in his usual position, staring aimlessly at the white screen in front of him. "Ah, good to see you're awake Yuki." I grunted in reply. "Would you like a cup of tea?"
"Why am I here L?" I inquired harshly, not bothering to use his alias. As you can tell, I didn't like to be woken up in the middle of the night. I had class tomorrow, too!
When the detective didn't answer, a cold chill ran up my spine. Shuddering, my lips curled into a frown as I waited for L's answer. Something about him, though, seemed very serious. "Have you ever thought about the future at this point?"
Furrowing my eyebrows, I didn't need to think twice. "Of course. Catch Kira. Finish college. Get a job, maybe even start a fam-"
"I don't mean that future," he interrupted, taking a sip of his tea. I swear the guy drinks twenty gallons a day.
"Then what do you mean?" He was starting to creep me out. Usually he isn't this serious. I mean, when we first started working together I thought he was a spineless genius. I still think he is, but we've opened up to each other a little more.
"If we don't catch Kira," he said bluntly, his voice as monotone as ever. "When I die."
If it was possible, my eyes would've popped out of their sockets. As my heartbeat quickened, I nearly tripped over myself trying to get to him. Circling around the chair, I put my hands on each arm rest and stared him straight in the eyes. "L Lawliet, I promise that you aren't going to die."
He didn't even wince when I used his real name. "Yuki, you can't assure my safety," he contradicted. "If it's true, if both Kiras are working together, then I simply do not stand a chance."
I scoffed, not moving from my place. "L, they don't even know your face, nevertheless your real name! As long as you aren't seen, you'll be-" Instantly I realized where this was going. "You're joking, right? You aren't really going out in public?"
Not answering only made me more frustrated. Running my hands over my silver hair, I bit my lip and attempted to talk him out of it. "Just stay here and let me do whatever you have to do! I'll go back to Aoyama, or stalk Light, or do whatever you need."
"It's not that simple," he responded, a hint of disappointment in his tone. Instead of looking at me, he lowered his gaze to the carpet. "I am the one who must be seen. It won't work if it's you."
The more he spoke, the more confused I got. "Why do you have to be seen? Where are you going anyway?"
I kneeled in front of his chair so he would finally look me in the eyes. "Tomorrow I plan to visit To-Oh and speak with Light. I have been forced to make a sneak attack."
Slumping my shoulders, I sighed. "I'm sorry for getting frustrated, but… I can still promise you that you won't die."
"No you can't," he replied sharply. Seeing my disheartened face, his eyes softened. "But I suppose I cannot stop you from hoping." Not letting his guard slip any longer, he shifted his gaze back at the screen. "But I do suggest that you consider your next move if I happen to be killed."
Sinking onto the floor, I crossed my arms. "If you die, which I'm sure you won't, then I'll still keep working the case. No matter what, I'm not giving up until we catch Kira."
"That is my point. If our current efforts in this case aren't efficient enough then we don't know how long this search will go on. I don't want you to waste your life trying to seek revenge on a mass murderer that may never be caught."
"But isn't that what you're doing?"
"This is my job," he replied like he'd repeated the phrase a million times. "You still have a whole life ahead of you. Just consider doing something more worthwhile."
I frowned in confusion. "Are you telling me to quit this?" The thought was almost impossible. My parents are gone so I wouldn't have them to lean onto anymore. God knows what's gonna happen to Beyond. Akari will most likely stick with the raven, or move on to college to be a detective, which is her dream. But me? Will I be all alone? What if L really does die? "Someone needs to catch Kira," I replied, determined to stay focused.
"People will always be trying to catch him," L affirmed. "But it will be the people whose job it is to catch criminals. You're only in college yet."
It seemed like my efforts to stay strong on this were failing. But I still had one more thing to say that I was sure about. Straightening my back, I smiled faintly. "L, as long as you're here, as long as you're working this case, then I'm not giving up. I'll balance this with college, and a part time job if I have to. But as long as you're alive, I'm going to help you catch Kira."
He let my words sink in, then he sighed. "I suppose I can't argue there." We faced each other and I smiled. Seeing my satisfied reaction, L gave a small smile, too.
"So that's all you wanted to tell me?" I asked, getting up.
He nodded and took a sip of his tea. "Yes, that will be all. You may go back to sleep now." Picking up a remote, he clicked on the screen and continued watching surveillance videos from Aoyama.
Being too tired to walk all the way back to my room, I plopped down on the couch on the other side of the room where L could see me. When he noticed, he blinked, but said nothing.
Closing my eyes, I sighed. So much to think about… L thinks he might die soon, and he's going out in public tomorrow. If he dies… he wants me to give up this case. What would I do without this? To be honest, I wasn't sure of anything anymore.
"What's the surprise?" wondered Akari for the hundredth time today. I really regret telling her anything now.
"I'll let you know when I see it," I repeated, a ticked off look on my face. Trekking across campus with a black satchel slung around my neck, my eyes twitched with annoyance.
Beside me, Akari pursed her lips and averted her gaze, humming quietly. Then, on cue, she whipped her head back at me. "Just tell me what the surprise is!"
Before I could snap at her, I saw him. My heart instantly jumped out of my chest at the sight. Not only because he was adorable, but because he was here, out in public.
"There he is," I breathed, gripping my strap tighter. Akari followed my gaze and her eyes widened.
"Why is he here?"
"It's for the case."
"Why isn't he in disguise?"
"He wanted to be seen."
"Why does he want to be seen?"
"It's a sneak attack on Light."
"Why doesn't he just-" Before she could finish another irritating question, I shoved her away. "Why are you so abusive?"
Ducking down, I crawled behind a cluster of bushes to get a closer look. Soon Akari joined me, but said nothing. We watched as Light approached L and they began talking. The brunette's back was facing us so I couldn't read his face, but I knew he was surprised.
As L slipped on his shoes, they shuffled away together, probably heading somewhere to talk. Briefly I made eye contact with L, but he just looked away. I'm glad he didn't draw too much attention to me.
"Come on," whispered Akari as they ambled away. "Maybe we should join them and-"
"Light! There you are!" A girl came running up the stone path toward the two boys. Blonde hair, neat makeup, a peppy smile. Although she seemed like the cheerleader type, her dark outfit reflected a different image.
We scooted closer to see her better, and I could hear her talking about some photoshoot and coming to see Light. Then she introduced herself as Light's girlfriend to L. Girlfriend? Wow, he's moved on quickly. What a player.
Finally she angled herself so I could see her full face. Above her head I saw her name… but nothing more. Misa Amane. Why couldn't I see her lifespan? Wait, this has happened before!
I flashed back to when I first came to Light's house for my babysitting job. Before, in high school, I could usually see his lifespan perfectly fine. But that day, it disappeared.
Now I can't see Misa's either. Is that supposed to mean something? I never did tell L about the lifespan thing. Is it connected to Kira somehow? But how would that work?
As I kept trying to make an explanation, I knew I couldn't be sure of any theory. The only thing I was sure of was that Misa was officially on my suspect list. Right under Light.