Thoughts were spinning around inside the detective's brain, while his fingers build this tower made of sugar cubes. He tried to get into Light's mind once again and see how he'll use his actions towards the task force team and the death note as well. In the court, one of the thoughts that crossed his mind is that the case ended too fast. He was sure such a case as Kira's would last for years, especially if Kira killed him. If he kills him in the end, his successors from the Wammy's house in England would take his place. But that wasn't the case at all. Perhaps he let him alive because he wanted someone to antagonize. But he had no time to think about that. He was nineteen ninety-nine percent sure the case is being continued.

The present issue he had to think was numbered sequentially as he usually did when things get difficult.

1) The execution of both Kiras was scheduled for November 16th. Two days ago. The day when he entered the hospital due to his injury. The case had officially started in October of 2003. A year ago. He eventually made the task force team confirm his suspicions of Light, with a plan he had made to catch him and Misa. However, it didn't have the best results, since people don't want to see the truth face to face, which is why Light's father committed suicide. They covered his suicide as one of Kira's killings to his family.

2) The death note itself is a notebook with special powers. He already knew it contained over 100 rules. Rules that an extremely intelligent person like Light is, would use as a perfect tool to confuse the police, in order not to find him. Obviously, he couldn't remember all these rules, so he had someone to ask. Preferably a shinigami. When he sees all of them one by one, he'll be able to make a fake death note in order to fool him somehow. But... Will be that easy? Apparently, it wasn't that simple. He had to find the perfect method.

3) What's that method? That was the third question he had to answer as soon as possible. To solve this endless puzzle.

He looked at the calendar at the edge of the huge screens. November 18th 2004. The year was almost over. He wondered if luck was on his side, and what the new year is about to bring him. If it was with Kira's side then he would officially lose. And he hated losing, especially when it comes to the difficult cases. Biting his lip, he eventually knocked down the sugar cube. He took two cubes to taste his tongue. Probably sugar would help him focus his mind.

He suddenly felt a hand slightly hitting him on his back.

"Hey, Ryuzaki! I'm talking to you!"

It was Matsuda. But why he seemed so urgent? He turned his chair to look at him.

"What's the matter?"

"I spoke to you. I greeted you actually to say good morning, but you didn't listen. I did this three times. This is the fourth"

L felt like he had lost his connection with time.

"How long have you been here, Matsuda?"

"For about five minutes. In a few words, I just came"

"You said you just came. What are the five minutes about?"

"It seemed strange when I talk to you. It seemed like you ignored me on purpose. Are you are that immersed in your thoughts?"

"I'm sorry, Matsuda. Indeed, I didn't do this on purpose"

"It's okay, it's not so important. I brought you something that I think it could help. I don't know how it seems to you, but would like not to be your coffee bringer for some days"

L looked at him confused.

"What did you bring, and why would you like not to be my coffee bringer? Would you want to get involved in the case?"

"Yes!"

"You're already involved"

"Since when?"

"Since you brought the last cappuccino I drank"

Matsuda was ready to insult him for his audacity, but he preferred not to. He would give him another reason to be the outsider of the team.

"Um... Yeah. May I now show you what I brought?"

"Show me"

He placed on the desk under the screens a huge birdcage. Inside of it, there was a crow. Maybe it was a raven since these two birds are similar. L looked even more confused.

"What's this, Matsuda?"

"A crow"

The bird crowed making its characteristic sounds.

"I can see it's a crow, but why you brought that here? Most importantly, where did you find it? Do you know birds must live in their natural environment?"

"There's a pet shop in my neighborhood, but the first reason why I got there, was to get a dog for my sister's birthday since she loves animals. But when I got there, I saw this elegant bird standing up outside its cage. It seemed so impressive when I looked at it, so when I asked the pet shop owner about it, he told me this crow is specially trained to help with difficult tasks, such as the hunters, the police, and even the fire department.

He also told me that his shop works with a bird training group, and sells the trained birds he's got, only to police officers and firefighters. I told him I'm a policeman when I showed him my police identity, and he sold me the crow for 20.000* yen"

"Twenty thousand? Where did you get all that money?" L commented

"I usually don't keep my money in my bank account, so that's why"

"Matsuda, money isn't all about Monopoly"

"Monopoly?"

"The board game"

They stayed silent for a few minutes looking at each other and the bird too. The bird made his specific sounds once again.

"What are we supposed to do with the crow?" L wondered.

"Catch Kira I guess"

"The case itself is difficult even for us. Is the bird able to manage such a hard job?"

"I'm sure it can! The pet shop owner told me it has dealt with the most difficult police cases for about three years! The bird itself is 6 years old and it's pretty intelligent. Kenta is an intelligent bird!"

"Kenta?"

"I got him a name!" Matsuda replied happily and smiled like a little child.

"Can we keep him, L? Can we, can we?"

His eyes had now the expression of a little child expecting his mother to buy him a toy. He almost got his 26 years of his life, but his little soul was a child's soul, and that's probably why everyone in the task force team called him an idiot.

"Well, I've heard people saying crows are the most intelligent birds. Your idea is quite interesting, Matsuda, but are you sure this pet shop owner sold you the bird just to take your money? How are we sure this crow did actually what he said?" L asked suspiciously.

"We don't know, we will see now"

Matsuda looked at the bird and put his hand on the small gate of the cage.

"Nice to meet you, Kenta! I'm Touta, your new owner. I didn't introduce myself before, but it doesn't matter. My team and I will need your help to catch a really bad person. I know you're smart! Show us how smart you are! Don't hesitate. We are friends, not enemies"

Kenta looked at him suspiciously. He replied with his crowing sound. This time was louder.

"Perhaps he's hungry. What do the crows eat? Did the pet shop owner gave you?"

"Why wouldn't he give me food for crows? It's right here. Kenta will need lots of energy to train his intelligence!"

The young policeman opened up with his hands the huge poke contained with food for crows. He saw the small bowl L had to place his biscuits. An idea crossed his mind.

"Excuse me, Ryuzaki"

He pushed the bowl down along with the biscuits, so it can have enough space for Kenta's food. L had now a full of questioned face.

"Why did you throw my biscuits?"

"You said you're immature and you hate to lose. You're always winning at telling me an idiot. Here's a «revenge» from me" Matsuda smiled evilly.

"C'mon, Kenta. Here's your food" He opened the cage and placed the bird food in front of him. Kenta seemed satisfied being fed.

"Being immature and childish are two completely different things! How can't you tell the difference?" L replied annoyed.

They heard the buzzer sound of the building.

"They must be Aizawa and Mogi"

"Open them. I will be feeding my bird. And tell them I will keep him no matter what!"

**

"What's that thing, Matsuda?!" Aizawa asked shouting at him.

"It's my new friend, Kenta! He'll be helpful in the case, and I won't let you kick him out! He's the smartest crow I've ever seen!" Matsuda tried to protect him from any kind of «attacking»

"You went to a random guy who told you the bird is smart to take your money! I wonder how you even decided to involved with that case... Being a police officer it's not all about finding the bad guy as it is in the movies, you idiot!"

"No bad words here! There are children watching! And if you don't believe me, then I'll show you how trained he is! That guy wasn't just «random»! He knew to whom he was talking! I told him am a policeman and I need the help of a trained animal. See for yourself!"

He held the gate of his cage to get the bird out of it. Kenta made his usual characteristic sounds and started flying all over the room, so he can get used to it. Making his crowing sounds, he slightly grabbed the spoon L was eating his strawberry shortcake along with his sugar cubes.

"I think crows do not use cutlery, right Kenta?" L asked the bird.

"Huh... Ryuzaki, don't expect him to get used to the human language for the first time. It will be hard for him but he will manage it" Matsuda added.

Holding the spoon, Kenta flew over the other policeman's heads and let the spoon fall on Mogi's head. He then went straight to Aizawa's forehead hitting it with his beak three times. Feeling excited, Matsuda was ready to confirm his words, when the bird stood over his head and let... His own stigma.

"See? I told you he's an intelligent bird! He knows you've been annoying for the last five minutes! I just need to learn him how to use the bathroom"

"Matsuda, I have four words for you.He. Is. A. Bird!" Aizawa pointed out his words.

"He's right, Matsuda. He's an animal. And no matter how trained he might be, he still can't do so many things" Mogi added.

But the younger policeman wasn't discouraged by their words. He felt like Kenta was his little brother. And he had to protect him! But also show his worth as a living being.

"Don't be so pessimistic! I already have many expectations from this bird. He will become our leader for the last stage of the case! I believe in him! Trust me!" He sounded like a little child telling his parents the grades he got.

*20.000 yen is about 150 euros. I don't know how it is on the dollar. Am just saying.

Jenuary was a kinda busy month due to online classes. For right now, I'll try to focus on my school tests. In case I don't update during March don't worry. Am not dead :'') I just didn't found time. Let's just hope my country won't get quarantined once again.. The online lessons will restart.