Shinoska glances over at Light, her eyes tracing the familiar lines of his tennis uniform. Nostalgia washes over her, a faint smile on her lips.
"I know it hasn't been that long since I last saw you play, but seeing you like this is making me feel kind of sentimental," the woman says just as they turn a corner, the sight of a familiar face coming into view.
Wild black hair, deep-seated eye bags, hunched posture, unfitted jeans, and a simple white shirt. He stands to the side of the tennis court the couple is walking toward, his expression unreadable as he stares off into the distance.
"Though, I never expected that this is what would get you back in the court," Shinoska says as she looks over at Light.
"Well, I can't exactly say I expected it either, but I'm all for it. Someone asking to "get to know me" through tennis is one of the more interesting ways I've been approached," Light responds with a noncommittal shrug, his expression then shifting into a slightly teasing smile, "Maybe you'll be next."
Shinoska's eyebrow raises for a moment before she lets out a small laugh, the idea of L challenging her to a race somewhat amusing.
"I doubt it. I liked track and field and did well, but I wasn't quite as renowned as you are," Shinoska says, reminiscing on the accolades she received in the sport before ultimately deciding to focus on her student council position and her studies, "And… I don't have any proof, but part of me feels like he's challenging you because you're so accomplished in tennis," Shinoska says.
Light raises his eyebrow, genuinely surprised by her conclusion.
"Really? I figured that he might not even know," Light replies.
"Could be. I just have a hunch," Shinoska says.
The two finally arrive at the tennis court, stepping inside the competitive space and making their way over to L.
"Hello," L greets them with a small wave.
"Good morning," Shinoska says with a polite smile.
"Hey," Light waves back, then sets his bag down on a nearby bench, "We were both pretty surprised about your offer, Ryuga. Getting to know each other through tennis is an offer I don't think I've ever gotten before."
"Is it a problem for you?" L asks with his usual flat tone.
"Not at all. But, when you first invited me to play, did you know how good I was?" Light asks, curious to see if Shinoska's hunch was correct.
"Yes," L answers simply, "I'll be fine though. It's been a while, but at one time I was the British junior champion."
"That's quite the accomplishment," Shinoska remarks, impressed.
"I suppose," L says, his words coming off humble, but also as if he actually isn't all that impressed with his own achievement.
"So…Ryuga. Were you raised in the UK?" Light asks as the three of them begin to walk around the matches occupying some of the tennis courts.
"I lived there for about 5 years when I was younger, but save your breath. Nothing about that story would reveal anything about my true identity, I promise you," L responds.
Shinoska resists the almost reflexive response of her eyes widening, the woman electing to mask her unsettled feelings.
'So, that's what Light is trying to do? It's not as if I'm not curious about L's identity either, but I'd hate to pry. Or is Light simply still suspicious if this man is really who he says he is?'
She saves her questions for another time, knowing she won't get any answers now. As Light and L step into their places on the court, Shinoska finds her place on the sidelines outside the gates.
'For right now, I'll just enjoy the match.'
"Well, since this is our first match, let's just play a single set. First one to six wins?" L proposes.
"That's fine by me," Light responds.
L begins to bounce the tennis ball on the dark green concrete.
Light gets into a defensive stance, his expression tightening as he focuses on the movements of the ball.
L seems to suck in a small breath before throwing the ball into the air, his arm swinging down with well-oiled precision as his racket slams into the tennis ball. The ball soars across the court in record time, slamming into the metal gate behind Light before he even has time to react.
'That was fast,' Shinoska internally remarks, rather impressed, but not bothered.
'But I know Light can be too.'
"Wow, Ryuga, you really don't mess around," Light remarks with a competitive, yet friendly expression.
"The first one to strike wins," L says before getting into a defensive stance.
The match continues to ramp up in intensity as they match each other beat for beat, their refined skills coming to light as they engage in a battle of wit and athleticism.
Eventually, the rest of the tennis court clears out, and a crowd of people forms around the gates as they watch with bated breath.
"Are these guys really newbies?"
"I don't think so."
"Aren't they those two guys who scored perfectly on the entrance exam?"
"Wait, really? Some people really do have it all, huh…"
Shinoska is already tuning out the world around her as she focuses on the match in front of her. The rhythm of their plays quickens until eventually, the match hits its peak.
Light rushes forward, slamming his racket into the tennis ball. It flies across the court, and despite L's attempt to lunge and redirect the ball, he's too late.
The ball strikes against the concrete, signaling the end of their match.
"Game and set! Won by Light Yagami, 6 games to 4!" The match official declares, the crowd around the court erupting into cheers.
Shinoska claps enthusiastically, the sound of her applause blending with the cheers of the onlookers.
Yet, when Light looks over at her, sweat dripping down his brow and a satisfied smile on his face, she feels as if they're the only ones on the court.
"Just as I suspected. You beat me," L says.
Light, Shinoska, and L stroll along the campus walkways, cherry blossoms drifting down from the trees as they move.
"It's been a while since I've played so seriously, Ryuga," Light says, glancing over at L with an impressed stare.
"Honestly, I think that's the most intense match I've ever seen you play," Shinoska remarks, recalling the several games she's witnessed from the sidelines, the sight of Light's intensely focused playstyle now a precious new memory, "It was a great watch, you two."
"You flatter me, considering I'm the one who lost," L remarks flatly.
Shinoska finally cracks a genuine smile in his presence, beginning to see the increasingly less mysterious figure as someone she doesn't have to be so wary of. Feeling generous, she decides to make an offer.
"How about we grab a coffee? My treat. I think we all deserve a break after that match."
"That's very kind of you, Shinoska, but I can cover it. Besides, I had something I wanted to ask L, so getting a drink sounds perfect," Light says. The two of them then look over at L with polite, yet expectant expressions.
"That sounds fine. Since you won the match, I'll tell you whatever it is you need to know," L answers, "Though there's something I want to tell you both first."
"What is it?" Light asks as Shinoska peers over to look L in the eyes, listening intently.
"Yagami, I suspect that you're Kira."
'He…what?'
Shinoska freezes in place, her eyes widening as the weight of his unexpected accusation settles upon her. Light halted in his tracks as well, a befuddled expression crossing his face as he let out a light laugh.
"You think I'm Kira?"
L's gaze then shifts over to Shinoska, the woman still stunned into silence.
"You were previously under suspicion of being Kira as well, but… that is no longer the case," L adds on.
Such words should serve as some kind of relief, but they only manage to send a chill down Shinoska's spine. She opens her mouth briefly, but quickly shuts it.
'I was about to say something about how there's no way or how I'd never do something so cruel, but I suppose that's what any person would say. Even a guilty one,' she thinks to herself. As someone who values the law and justice so heavily, the very idea that she's ever been considered a suspect is a painful one to hear. The idea that Light is still under suspicion hurts even more.
It's clear from her expression that she's a bit hurt, despite her best attempts to remain neutral.
"If you still want to ask me the question you have in mind, then go ahead. I just wanted to let you know this before you did," L says before his mind shifts back to the topic of Kira, "And, well, even though I suspect you, it's only a one-percent possibility."
'One percent? If the chance is so low, then why even mention it? No, the fact that there's a chance at all isn't acceptable,' The woman thinks to herself, her expression tense.
"L, while I appreciate and can even understand your dedication to solving this case, accusing someone without concrete evidence is…" Shinoska trails off, her implication clear.
"You're correct that jumping to conclusions without proper evidence can be detrimental, which is exactly why I'm here to investigate thoroughly," L responds, "Besides, once I'm sure Light isn't Kira, then I want to seek out his and your help with this investigation."
While Shinoska had already planned to assist Light with the investigation in any way she could, the way things have played out still leaves her mind reeling.
While Light internally curses the fact that L has beat him to the punch, the detective casting enough doubt on him to make Light's request to see a member of the Task Force too risky, he decides to diffuse the tense atmosphere with a diplomatic smile and carefully chosen words.
"I'm confident that once you clear up any doubts you may have toward me, we'll be able to work together well for this investigation," Light says, gently resting his hand on Shinoska's back in an effort to soothe her.
She briefly glances at him, her tense expression easing a bit, though it doesn't completely vanish.
"Let's get going. I've got a coffee shop in mind I'd like to go to," Light suggests.
The group continues their walk to the cafe, yet the soothing nature of the cherry blossom-laden walkway feels disrupted, replaced by masked tension.
A cafe familiar to Shinoska comes into view.
'He's taken me here many times before, but today is much different from all those other visits.'
As Light opens the door, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafts from inside, beckoning them forth. The quaint little shop has few patrons, all of whom are absorbed in their own lives and conversations.
They take their seat at a booth off to the side, Light the first to break the silence caught between comfortable and uneasy.
"This is a favorite cafe of ours," Light says to L, his eyes briefly flickering over to Shinoska, "We usually sit here since there are fewer people, but it's also the perfect spot to sit if we don't want anyone to overhear us."
Light's eyes then glance over L as he says, "We also don't have to worry about how we sit either."
Shinoska's attention finally focuses on the man in front of her. While she's externally kept a cool head, her mind's been rather preoccupied with L's accusations the last few moments.
'So…I guess he always sits like that then,' she internally notes, recalling him getting in trouble during entrance exams for squatting in his chair, his feet firmly planted on the flat surface.
"I have to sit like this," L says, lightly gnawing on the nail of his thumb all the while, "If I sit in any other way, my reasoning skills drop by 40 percent."
'Well…that's quite the drop,' Shinoska thinks to herself before recalling a psychology class she took in high school, 'But I'm certain I've read articles covering topics like that before. Depriving oneself of certain comforts or habits can decrease a person's cognitive abilities.'
"But, what is it that you wanted to ask me?" L asks, his eyes unblinking.
"That can wait until after you're certain I'm not Kira," Light says before taking a sip of his coffee.
"In that case, do you mind if I test your deductive abilities? The both of you."
Despite the hectic nature of the situation, Shinoska is not one to back away from a test of her skills, especially when it comes to those related to her craft.
'No matter what he's really after with this test, I don't want to make any mistakes. As it stands, he's still suspicious of Light, but…I'll do whatever I can to change that. To clear Light's name.'
Shinoska's eyes fill with resolve as a silent oath rings true within her:
She will protect Light.