Disclaimer: check chap 1
Matt sat on one of the chairs that were usually used by Rester. He asked Near amiably, "How are you doing, buddy?"
"Considering Matt has been successful come here uninvited, I'm pretty sure Matt has hacked this place as well. Hence, Matt knows how I am doing," Near turned his attention back to his toys as he placed the robot on the floor to pick up the airplane and play with it.
"Oops, sorry 'bout that," Matt grinned. "I can't be here for a long chat because Mello doesn't know that I'm here. He is stalking Amane Misa right now. So, I will be straight to the point then."
Near halted his hands and turned his head to Matt again. He saw the rare seriousness on the redhead's face. Matt didn't open his game as well. It must be pretty serious. Near acknowledged, "I'm listening."
"A few days ago, when you just arrived in Japan, you told your team about your plan to catch Kira," Matt said, "Mello was on his way to come here to meet you so I was the one who listens to your plan. It's pretty risky, Near. Why didn't you tell Mello?"
"Mello is not a member of SPK," Near told Matt.
Matt sighed, "Yeah, but you care about him, don't you?"
Near stayed silent, didn't confirm or deny. Matt continued, "You care enough about him that you are willing to say yes to his deal even though I know you think otherwise." Near was impressed at how Matt identified that. He was not close to Matt since Mello's hostility was indescribable during their Wammy's day but the redhead was on point.
"Mello is a dick but he cares about you too, Near," he added, "And I care about you two. Plus, I want to be an uncle! I can't wait to see your kid!"
Near blinked at Matt's enthusiasm with something not related to games or technology. That was odd.
"Look, L is dead when he was facing Kira. L, Near. You know how all of us admire him. This Kira is super wicked. We are going to need all help we have. Mello needs you and you need him too. We can catch Kira together!" Matt convinced him. "You can't defeat the last boss by going solo."
Near was in thoughtful silence before he asked, "Did Matt talk to Mello about this?"
Matt sighed, "He is still sticking to his ego so I'm talking to you behind his back. You don't have to change your plan. If you two want to go with your ways, it's fine but I think it will be beneficial for you two too, at least, to exchange information or discuss your plans. Two heads are better than one."
Near closed his eyes and opened them after a minute has passed. He admitted, "Matt has a point. However, considering Mello's nature, I think I need Matt to do a favor for me."
—000—
"Alright, let's go, Commander Rester," Near said.
Regardless, neither of them move because Near's phone was ringing. Near took out his phone and saw an unidentified number was there. He picked it up due to curiosity, "Hello?"
"Where do you think you are going?!" A shout from the other line.
Near sighed secretly, "Mello, is it hard to not yell?" He didn't give his phone number to Mello but considering Matt was hacking their headquarters, such a piece of information was easy to obtain.
"Don't give me that shit! I saw you are planning to go out of your headquarters from Matt's laptop," Mello snarled. "I'm going there, don't leave!"
Near looked down at his phone after Mello hanged up. He didn't understand why Mello was so furious. He just wanted to go out and Rester will be with him. Why would it annoy Mello?
"Sir?" Rester asked.
"Mello's coming," he said and sat on the unoccupied chair as he played with his hair. He was trying to decipher the reason Mello come here in hurry. Well, Mello always comes and goes as he wishes. But, despite he was not understanding the reason, Near was delighted to see Mello.
After a few minutes, they saw Mello's bike on their camera. He came with Matt. Near gave them access to walk in his building. Another minute passed then they reached the observation room where Near and Rester waiting.
"Mello, Matt," Near greeted them flatly.
"Yo," Matt said without taking his eyes off the game in his hands. He sat on the nearest chair while Mello stormed his way to Near.
"What were you thinking?!" Mello scowled at Near.
"I'm thinking to go out today," Near replied.
"This country is where Kira lives, what if he sees you and writes your name?!" Mello retorted.
"I highly doubt that Second L will be patrolling in Akibahara searching for L's successor," he said.
Had Mello taken back, "Akibahara? What's that?"
"Wow! Do you want to go to Akibahara?! I knew you will want to go there someday." Matt beamed but his eyes were still on his game. "Can I come?"
Mello looked at Matt in disbelief, "What are you two talking about?"
"Just googling it, dude, it's awesome," Matt flashed a grin at his best friend. "I want to check what kind of game they have in Akibahara. Can you buy me the newest game, Near?"
"Game?" Mello raised an eyebrow, "You want to go outside to buy a game?"
Near elaborated, "It's not an only game there, Mello. t's a shopping hub. Venues specializing in manga, anime, and video games include Tokyo Anime Center, for exhibits and souvenirs, and Radio Kaikan with 10 floors of toys, trading cards, and collectibles."
Mello stared at Near, "I take it you want to buy toys there?"
"It's action figures, actually. Not toy."
"Why can't you just buy it online?" Mello insisted.
"It's a limited edition for Christmas. It will be an offline sale. You have to buy it in person."
"Why don't ask him to go there and buy it for you?" Mello glanced at Rester.
"He doesn't know what I want. I have to see in myself," Near started to get annoyed.
"If Matt knows what Akibahara is, why don't you ask him to buy it for you?" Mello suggested.
"Action figures are different than the game. I doubt he knows which one is Ultraman," Near said bluntly. Mello and Near looked at Matt who shrugged. Near stared at Mello again. He added, "Besides, I believe I don't need Mello's permission to go out."
Mello glared at Near without concealing any feelings. Near glared (in his own way) back with a hint of annoyance as he twirled his hair aggressively. Normally, Near had his feelings under control and he was used to Mello's outbursts. But, it was a different matter with his hobby as a collector. He can be angry despite his face barely showing any emotion. His difficulty to express his feelings or understand them was genetic. The side effect of the experiment.
The moment Near defended his case, Matt and Rester know that Near didn't understand Mello's intentions. Near's capability of human interaction was almost zero. Matt and Rester experienced it first hand. He may not intend to be cruel because what he said is true, nevertheless, it hurt people's feelings. Especially, someone impulsivity like Mello.
Matt has a feeling, Near wasn't aware of what he had with Mello. Oh, Matt knew Near like Mello. It was pretty obvious. He was pregnant with Mello's kid. They had consensual sex, from what Matt gathered after Mello told him what happened. But, he was sure Near didn't know how to behave in a relationship. Or understand what was being in a relationship. He didn't have friends. Near was genius but there was a difference between experience and textbook. Matt sighed. He suggested to them, "Then, how about you go with Near, Mels?"
They snapped their head at Matt. Mello scowled, "What?"
"You are so worried about Near being outside, why don't you just go with him to make sure he is okay," Matt continued.
"Kira—"
"But, you won't be going like that," Matt grinned mischievously. "You need a little touch."
Near and Mello blinked.
—000—
"And you are done," Matt announced.
Mello stared at his reflection in the mirror. His blond hair was tied under the strawberry blond colored wig. He wore a grey baseball cap and grey winter coat on top of maroon hoodies. Black pants and shoes. On his burn marks, they put concealer on it so they won't be noticeable. He put on dark-colored contacts lenses to hide his blue eyes. He was looked like a different guy.
"What do you think?" Matt stood behind Mello and looked at his friend in the mirror. "You will wear a medical mask as the last touch so your face won't be seen. I don't think Kira or the Task Force will recognize you."
Mello agreed silently. But, outwardly, he complained, "How the hell there is a make-up room full of costumes in this building?"
"To disguise during our duty, of course," Rester said from the chair beside Mello. The other two young men turned their heads to their left where Rester put makeup on Near.
Mello's eyebrow twitched every time Rester's hand touched Near's face. He scowled, "Why do you know how to put makeup on?"
Register replied as he put lipstick on Near's lips, "We have to be prepared for every situation and I learn everything about disguise in my academy. Lidner and Gevanni are also capable of doing this. You're done, Near."
Matt whistled at Rester's work, "You're good, Big Guy."
Near rose to his feet from the chair and looked at the mirror. Mello's eyes widened at the transformation. Near wore a long raven hair wig. He put on a pink-colored duffle coat with a cute long bunny ear on the hoodie. The white skirt was almost covered by the coat. White socks and ankle boots. He didn't need to wear eye contact but Rester put mascara and soft pink tone eyeshadow on the lids. His cheeks and lips are on the same pink tone as the eye. All in all Near looked like a cute girl with a stoic face.
"Is it enough?" Near asked.
Matt grinned, "You look ravishing! I bet you will get hit on later!"
Near stated, "Then, this disguise is useless." They decided Near to do crossdressing because his body was suitable to wear a girl's outfit and it will mislead anyone. Including, hopefully, Kiras.
"No, no, no, that's what Mello is for," Matt winked. "You two will be a couple wondering in Akibahara. You can see your action figure to your heart content because Mello will be your bodyguard while being your 'boyfriend'."
"Why me? It's supposed to be his job to be bodyguard," Mello pointed his thumb at Rester.
"The age gap is too big. If Near wearing a girl outfit and Rester beside him, people may suspect him of being a pedophile and call the police. Not to mention their faces are too different to disguise themselves as father and daughter. It will look bad for Rester. But, you two," Matt snickered, "looks great as a couple. People won't suspect. Isn't Near look cute, Mels?"
Near stared at Mello and the blond was trying hard to not have blood rushing to his face. Mello didn't blush. Mello didn't blush. He repeated that in his mind. Yet, the big eyes Near looked like he was waiting for his answer and it was so fucking cute! Mello controlled himself so he just muttered (trying to be) casually, "Not bad."
"Mello looks different," Near said.
"That's the point of this disguise. The Japan Task Force has seen my face."
Rester reminded them when they were outside as he helped Near to sit on Mello's bike and put the helm on, "There are tracking devices in your clothes and if you guys need help in an emergency, press the button on the side part of the watch I just give you earlier. Matt and I will be there as soon as possible."
"Have fun," Matt grinned playfully.
"Shut up, Matt," Mello said, he told Near, "Hang on tight."
Near hugged Mello's waist on their way to Akibahara.
Thanks for reading! I will not update this story in April so I will see you guys in May! Hope you like it!
Zack: Ooh thank you! I'm glad to know that! no, it will be different from anime/manga. Ah yes, it will be interesting to see them having a girl. I like that! I hope to see you review the second chapter too!