Well... It's just as L said. The whole police department came to fight Kira! We're one step ahead of victory. I feel it! he thought smiling as he saw all of the police officers standing like an army in front of the enemy. He approached them. He heard a voice through the armed crowd talking to him.
"Come, Suruga! We had agreed that you, will put the bracelets on Kira!" The agent could only feel deep relief and satisfaction that another difficult case had come to an end! He assumed his colleagues have felt the same way.
Entering the crowd, he noticed they had formed a huge circle in the middle of which was the taxi and the victim, meaning the driver. He waited for the enemy to get out of the debris. He could see his injured leg in the blood. It was shaking. He still had some strength to stand up. The agent took out the handcuffs ready to arrest him. The rest had taken up a defensive position as if they were on the military front, awaiting the enemy to appear. Indeed, the enemy appeared but with difficulty as he was burdened by the load of the vehicle. He tried to get up but it was impossible with his injured leg. He thought his left hand was probably injured too as it hurt terribly. What else would happen to him now? He refused to believe it, but his worst fear had come true at last...
The agent approached him with a triumphant look in his eyes. He passed the handcuffs over the other man's wrists. "You're finally under arrest, Kira!"
Half of an hour passed when Suruga called L on his cell phone. But instead of him, a voice answered that sounded like a seagull or a raven. That's how it sounded to Suruga. —Not that he knew much about birds.— He thought his mind was tricking him and wanted to confirm what he had just heard.
"Yes? Who is this?" A sharp sound was heard followed by a scrape. L picked the phone up.
"Hello?"
"This is Suruga, Ryuzaki. Who was on the phone before?"
"Nothing. One of my colleagues bought a crow and now is walking around my office."
"A crow? How would a crow be useful in the case?"
"I don't know either, but apparently Kenta answered the phone."
"You got him a name too?" he giggled.
"Anyway. How is the situation? Is the accused person arrested?" The detective brought the conversation back to normal.
"Yes, he is arrested. However, he is seriously injured and was transported to a hospital by the national emergency centre. The doctors were shocked to see him that way. They thought there was a civil war and didn't hear about it."
"What happened? Apart from the leg, where else does he have injuries?"
The agent explained to the listener on the other line how he was doing with the crazy chase. They both agreed that with such injuries it would be impossible for Kira to escape again. They could let him rest in the hospital for a week. After that time, they would arrange the litigation.
The detective hung up the phone and turned to Aizawa. "I want you to do me a favour."
The policeman looked at him. "What is it?"
"As you probably heard, Kira has been arrested. However, we have had no news of the second Kira since we released her. Anyway, I want you to go to her place and tell her she's going to be kept again for a few days."
"Why is that?"
"Isn't it obvious? They will be executed again for their crimes, as long as the first Kira is under strict supervision. The second will be kept here. Also, check for any notebooks. If you find some, bring them here."
The policeman looked at him in wonder. Maybe he was right. Maybe she had exchanged the notebooks with her abettor. But he couldn't be sure of anything yet.
*
In the end, Aizawa didn't find the girl at home. When he called her, she told him that today's shooting lasted three hours and that she would soon be in a business meeting with the director of her film. He didn't make to explain to her why he was looking for her, so he waited to call her the next day. But when she picked it up, it seemed to him her voice was trembling. As if she was crying. He didn't know the reason, but she did and wished it wasn't true. She had just learned that Light was cheating on her with Takada...
The girl assumed that the phone call had to do with the case and cleared her throat so that her crying wouldn't be noticed. Nevertheless, the policeman heard her soft sobbing.
"Misa, are you okay?"
"Yeah, just season allergies. Nothing to worry about. Well, what's the call for?"
"Kira was arrested and taken to hospital with serious injuries. Don't worry, he'll be fine."
"Even if he's not fine, I don't care."
"Excuse me?"
"No, I mean what do I have to do with this?"
"L told me to bring you to the headquarters, so you can be under supervision until the court gets involved with the case again."
"I suppose I'll be executed along with Light." She concluded.
"And unfortunately I cannot guarantee you'll be found innocent, or even be considered the victim. You're as guilty as Light."
At this point, she had nothing to lose. If she was to die, then she'd better do it. To escape the torment of pain when you find out the person of your life isn't who you thought he was.
In the meantime, L contacted the court and was told other cases had arisen that had to deal with immediately. He was wondered by their move. Which case is more important than that of Kira, the most ruthless murderer in modern history? Eventually, the trial was settled on December 28th 2004.
At least the year will end optimistically. As for the case, I mean... He thought while remembering his interest in Misa. These days where she would be locked in the secret base would be his last chance to talk to her, just before she was executed. He didn't want it to be true, but it was. He didn't want her to be killed, even if this "murder" was decided by law. He knew if Kira simply went to jail, the killings would probably continue even without the death note. Didn't know how, but he knew it by instinct. Even he, who has always been against the death penalty, could see that in Kira's case this punishment was the safest option, but... Misa...
He tried to figure out what was the thing he found attractive to her. She was cute, he knew it. And had quite feminine mannerisms. Every man would want such a woman next to him. Feminine and simpering. But maybe it was also... Pity. Maybe he felt sorry for her, because of the murder of her parents. Not only that admires Kira as a hero. Her reaction was justified though, but... But... He couldn't find another reason, more logical to his own mind.
There was an unwritten law that said the job of a detective doesn't emotion, and so all cases must be treated with coldness. Not just the job of a detective. The field of police, law and crime in general, doesn't allow love to enter the game, because it's simply not beneficial. Especially now that he was in a difficult dilemma. He had no space for thinking. Either he would choose his heart, or he would choose justice. He couldn't have both.
He could understand her reasoning. She feels hatred towards the killer of her family, and the one who judged him was Light. It could be simple admiration and not love. Or it may not be love. Maybe she thinks she's in love to fill the void inside of her. But if she's really in love with Light and thinks of him as a serious relationship, then... There is nothing he can do. You can't force someone to fall in love with you! He already knew he had no place in her heart. But if he talked to her, or even held her hand, it would be enough. He just wanted to let her know.
His thoughts got interrupted when he heard the photoelectric cell door open. He saw his colleague holding the actress in handcuffs. Next to them was Matsuda holding a shopping bag. He told Aizawa instead of the cell to take her to one of the upstairs rooms. Besides, she only needed monitoring.
The bird apparently sensed the presence of his master and flew over to welcome him. Matsuda gently stroked the bird's head.
"Hello, little guy! Look what daddy got you!" he told him playfully and took a pack of bird seeds off the shopping bag. The cage was in the kitchen, so he went to put the seeds in there. The other man turned on the security camera to watch the girl.
About twenty-five minutes passed after she was locked in the room, and he noticed nothing. Instead, she was quiet and lying on the couch. Occasionally, she murmured to herself, but the detective couldn't clearly hear what she was saying. He didn't matter her behaviour. He assumed she must have been tired from work.
This behaviour continued for some time longer, with the only exception going to the small WC of the room. L didn't recognize her. In such a case, she would complain and say in her shrill voice: "Let me go! I have a reputation as an actress, and I'll be considered innocent in the court!", or "you are a pervert!" Anything even nonsense. He had never heard her say anything clever anyway.
In the end, he couldn't stand the curiosity. He turned on the microphone while observing her sitting on the couch.
"Are you okay, Misa?"
She turned and looked at the security camera. "Why would I be? Am going to be killed!"
"It's not actual killing. It's called "execution". Technically it is killing, but decided by the law."
"Who cares? It's the same."
"At least you'll see Light in a few days. To spend the last moments together." He said with a slight tone of jealousy in his voice.
"Light and I broke up."
He stopped playing with the sugar cubes on his desk. He didn't hear that right. It was some illusion caused by his bitterness.
"How come?"
"It's a long story... It'll take half an hour to tell you all about it."
"No need to tell me. This is personal data." L didn't want to admit it even to himself, but he was glad they broke up. On the other hand, he wanted to know the reason why their relationship came to an end. What did he do to hurt her like that?
"Know that these relationships don't last long. We rarely know in our twenty or twenty-five years who we'll marry."
"Unfortunately, no... If Light wanted marriage, we obviously wouldn't break up."
"It's uncommon for a murderer to get married. Even worse when they have children and are given the wrong messages."
"Are you implying that Light wouldn't be a good father?" The girl said slightly annoyed.
"Am implying nothing."
The girl didn't speak and looked at the wall clock. It was half past three and usually at that time she rested after lunch. She had no problem sleeping on the sofa. Besides, she had so much work on the filming, that sometimes she didn't have time to rest, even for an hour. The room had enough heating for such a cold day, so no blankets were needed.
L continued to play with the sugar cubes until he started eating them. He continued staring at the actress, although he saw nothing suspicious about the room or her behaviour. He just liked doing it.
At one point he saw her lying face down on the sofa, not seeing any movement. He assumed the girl must have fallen asleep. Makes sense, especially when you're an actress and a model at the same time.
Not that he needed to know the reason she broke up with Light, but he mostly wanted to know who decided it in the first place. If Misa decided it, she finally made up her mind to break up with a serial killer. Good for her. But if Light decided it then things change. Either he had enough of her, or he found another woman. He chose the second option. It is possible for him to have one woman after another, just for fun. That's how someone acts in order to hide his identity as a murderer.
He remembered there was a package of chocolates in Misa's room. How come he put it there? Not even he couldn't remember. He didn't really want to eat anything in chocolate. It was the occasion that was appropriate. Perhaps eating this particular snack made him think about the progress of the trial, or even make him forget that he won't see Misa again. He knew the consumption of eating sweets during intense feelings was unhealthy, but it was the only way to make him feel better, even for a little.
He quietly unlocked the door of the room so that the girl wouldn't wake up. He closed it as creaked when left open. His gaze fell straight to the locker with the snack. As if something within him knew exactly what he wanted. He didn't need to tiptoe as there was a carpet.
He was about to open it when an infinitesimal noise caught his attention. A murmur. A murmur uttering a name that even L didn't want to pronounce.
"Light..."
It was Misa talking in her sleep. There was no doubt about the person she was dreaming of. A person who unfortunately Misa felt close to, even if he stopped existing in her life. At least that's what L wanted to believe according to the girl's words.
He turned to look at her since the sofa was in front of the locker. She was lying face down with her whole body stretching the entire furniture as it matched her height. She turned around from the outside letting out a small breath with a humming sound.
"Light..."
He continued observing her. How beautiful she seemed to him while sleeping... Like the Sleeping Beauty that the prince fell in love with at first sight. Of course, this was just a fairy tale. Love only exists in fairy tales. But who knows... Maybe it was a true story. L was already living a fairy tale with gods and magic notebooks. Now all that was left was the beautiful princess.
He approached the couch, leaving his right hand on one of the girl's pigtails. He caressed her gently as if examining the colour and length. Not that he knew much about hairdressing, but he really liked Misa having her hair in pigtails. It made her cuter and child-like. Though he didn't see a child on her face, but a young woman reaching her twenty years. A young woman at the end of her tender years, who had already been through a lot with the death of her family, her relationship with Kira, and her feelings. Sure, she had killed criminals for Kira's own sake, but for some strange reason, he couldn't help but like her.
He gently stroked her pigtail and let it fall over her shoulder as if he was playing with it. His hand sought for the top of her head until he groped it. He let it warm to her hair, caressing that soft surface. He continued stroking her hair, being careful not to wake her up, until she slightly began to sway. He smiled.
Automatically his hand continued its way to her cheek. The back of his hand sought the touch of her body, even if he didn't realize it himself. How soft her cheek was... Like a baby's cheek. Had Light ever kissed it? He certainly had. And not just the cheek... He couldn't imagine kissing her himself. Its touch was enough. He couldn't remember ever feeling this way in his life, but it was definitely a balm to his soul.
For a moment he imagined her calling him by his real name. Not that she didn't have the knowledge of it. She obviously knew it, since she possessed the shinigami eyes. But he wanted to hear it come out of her lips. To hear it from her voice. Not calling him either Ryuzaki or Ryuga. None of his alias. Just L Lawliet. Two simple words. How wished it would happen...
He slowly approached the couch. Should he sit? He would wake her up. And also, it could only fit one person at Misa's height. He was tall around 1.78 and she was around 1.52.
He slowly lifted her head always careful not to wake her up. He tried to make room for him to fit in, but he wasn't sure if the image he had in mind would work. His only concern was not to wake the girl. Not only would he be interrupting her sleep, but he would also need to explain his movements to her. He certainly wouldn't want to embarrass himself in front of her.
Although unusual for him, he didn't sit in his regular posture. Instead, stretched his legs placing the girl's head on his thighs. He thought he probably wouldn't fit if he sat with the knees on his chest as usual. He observed himself doing whatever he saw. He was probably dreaming. He didn't believe the picture appearing in front of him. He looked at her body up and down, as if examining it. Although she didn't have a particularly athletic body, he admired it. A feminine and well-shaped body! Occasionally, he looked at the chest, the legs, the thighs. He had never seen it so close. But now that he had, he didn't know how to feel. All he knew was there was a goddess in front of him! And this goddess had to be treated with respect, even if she wouldn't repay it herself.
"Light..." he heard the girl's whispering voice. Perhaps she was dreaming and her mind had sensed that someone was in the room.
Her arms were wrapped around his waist. He was surprised by her move. He knew she was asleep, but he didn't know how to accept the caress of a girl who never even turned to notice him.
He had never experienced anything like this before. There was intense confusion as he continued to stare at her. Will she kiss me? He thought. Many people make movements in their sleep without realizing it. He had read in a book that such episodes during sleep were common, especially during times of intense stress. Misa's mind was probably still trying to process her breakup with Light.
He didn't notice any movement indicating she was going to kiss him, but he already started feeling uncomfortable. Should he open his lips or keep them closed? He didn't know. He had never kissed a girl before, and if this was going to be his first experience, then he would like it. Or maybe he wouldn't.
What do I do now? he kept thinking.
She didn't kiss him in the end. His thoughts however continued to run nonstop. Did she... Understood who he was? How would she? She was dreaming of Light. On the other hand, if he lets her be aware of how he really feels about her even during sleeping, she would still continue to dream about Light. So, any touch she feels will think it's her ex.
He gently lifted her cheeks with both hands and slowly brought them to his side. Her left ear rested against his chest. She nestled against his arms as if seeking safety and protection. He brought her closer.
For the first time in his life felt so cosy. Like two little birds wanting to warm up from the winter frost. Her body resting against his gave him a sense of nirvana. As if her presence warmed his heart up... He even wondered if he could listen to it. Its beats grew stronger with each passing minute. If she could listen to it awake, would she understand how much he loves and cares about her?
He didn't care about anything she would comment about his feelings anymore. He just wanted to enjoy the moment... To rejoice it completely. To feel in his mind and heart that he had some experience, even insignificant, with the girl he has been in love with for so long...