Checkerboard cookies. That's what she said they were.
Or so he thought.
Were they still within the definition of pastry?
He would prefer to simply call them "things."
The things on the plate seemed rather... different from what L normally recognized. He had expected dual-colored cookies, combining classic vanilla and chocolate sugar cookies.
But these looked nothing like checkerboard cookies; they resembled more like chocolate cookies, perhaps ones where the cook had dumped too much chocolate powder into the mixture. The color was a deep brown, bordering on black, and they could easily pass for charcoal briquettes, with the aroma of burnt butter lingering in the air.
L picked up one of the cookies with his fingers and examined it under the light. They were definitely burnt. To be more precise, they weren't just slightly burnt; they were completely charred, lacking any hint of golden brown.
He couldn't help but let out a small chuckle, finding the appearance of the cookies too hilarious to handle.
Looking at the girl holding the plate of things before him, he remarked dryly, "It's quite a talent you have to turn cookies into this color."
As L thought about the image she had in his mind – her endless creativity in music composition, her accuracy in playing instruments, her nice handwriting compared to his, her sharpness in math and science, and her ability to keep up with his deductions –
"I never knew there was something you weren't good at, and now I know," He added.
"I did follow the cook's instructions on the fridge, which said to slice the cookie dough and bake them for 12 minutes," Meredith narrowed her eyes and let out a sheepish smile.
Did she? Judging by the cookies themselves, it was hard to believe. Pre-made cookie dough had been left in the fridge by the Wammy's House cook, accompanied by a note instructing anyone who wanted freshly baked cookies to slice the dough into even portions.
There was no need to prepare the recipe; all they had to do was bake them.
L glanced at her while pointing at the burnt cookies, "And then... they turned out like this?"
"...they seemed uncooked when I checked the oven... so I added another 5 minutes, and they turned out like this," she avoided his glance, shifting.
"Just by looking at them, one might easily mistake them for chocolate cookies," L observed, his eyes scanning the cookies' cracked and charred exteriors.
He paused and considered whether his words had been too sarcastic or rude. After all, she was the one who had suggested the idea for a small trip to a spot she had discovered, and he had left her with the task of mainly planning for the picnic today. He felt that he should offer her more encouragement, or at least, to be more polite.
L decided to take a bite.
Upon seeing him raising the burnt cookie to his mouth, Meredith quickly intervened, saying, "You don't have to try it, you know."
Ignoring her warning, he took a small bite and mumbled, "Tastes like over-brewed coffee."
"Spit it out then."
"I'll try another bite." L looked at the nibbled cookie and sighed, "...forget it."
"Told you," Meredith said as she took the cookie from L and collected the rest into a plastic bag, preparing to throw them away, "I suppose our picnic will have to consist of fruit and black tea then."
They checked their bags, making sure they had everything they needed: a kite to assemble, snacks, fruit, pre-made iced tea, a hot water bottle with black tea, and a picnic blanket borrowed from the institution's storage.
"It will be sunny outside. Don't you want to wear a hat?" Meredith suggested, putting on a straw sun hat adorned with a white chiffon bow.
"No, I'd rather not have something on my head," L shrugged as he folded the picnic blanket into his backpack.
"At least wear sunglasses. We'll be riding bikes for about 30 minutes to reach the spot."
Before he knew it, he felt her hands slide a pair of glasses onto his face, and she swiftly pulled out a compact, revealing the new addition to his appearance. It was a pair of round black retro sunglasses, and he couldn't help but find himself looking somewhat ridiculous, much like the cookies she had previously messed up. However, he decided to let it slide, choosing not to make a fuss about it.
"I suppose this will do."
"Great, now let's head out for the bikes."
The bike shed, located at the edge of the institution, housed a diverse collection of ten personal bikes, each representing its owner's unique style and color preference. The bikes showcased a range of designs, including commuter bikes, cruiser bikes, and bikes equipped with front or rear baskets and saddle bags for additional storage.
L observed one bike frame covered in stickers, creating a visually chaotic display. "Some people certainly have unique tastes," he commented, intrigued by the owner's creative expression.
Meredith pulled out her own bike, a cream-colored cruiser with a front basket, and casually explained, "Owners have the freedom to decorate and maintain their bikes according to their preferences."
She pointed to the communal bikes nearby and suggested, "For you, you can use one of the communal bikes. I haven't borrowed an extra lock, but we can secure our bikes together using mine."
L shifted his attention to the accommodated communal bikes. These bikes, available for general use, served the purpose of daily activities, recreational outings, or downtown trips for all the children. Unlike the personal bikes, the communal bikes did not require locking, making them a convenient option for those without their own bikes or those in need of an extra bike, especially for school commutes.
"I believe the handyman checked the bikes this morning, so you can choose any of them. They should all be in good condition," Meredith assured L while inspecting her own tire.
The two hopped on their bikes, with L following Meredith as she led the way to their destination. The breeze gently brushed against their faces, and he observed the person leading in front, her long hair danced in harmony with the wind, swaying gracefully behind her along with the ribbon on her hat.
It had been a while since L had gone out for leisure activities with Meredith. Most of the time, he was busy in an undisclosed location, unknown even to Meredith. He spent his days locked in his room, completely engrossed in investigating and solving cases, as that was what truly piqued his interest. It was only on the days when he returned to Wammy's House that he had the opportunity to engage in activities other than solving cases, thanks to Meredith's initiative in coming up with various activities to do together.
Life at Wammy's was different from his past experiences. It consisted of peaceful days like today, free from the constant presence of violence or threats that could disrupt his sleep or instill fear of being caught. There was no need for him to set up traps for enemies, constantly be on the run, worry about making money, or struggle to find food.
It wasn't bad, just vastly different. In contrast to the thrilling experiences he had in the past, life at the orphanage was safe, but often accompanied by moments of boredom. Especially after solving all the puzzles and finding the games provided in the orphanage too easy to entertain him, he faced bouts of monotony. Regarding books, he lacked interest in academic subjects, but to alleviate boredom, he would read whatever Watari handed him or any books that Meredith suggested.
Moments like these helped alleviate the boredom he felt, whether it was through engaging in shared activities such as reading together, studying, savoring desserts, learning Japanese, or simply observing her practice her musical instruments. The appeal of these moments lay not in their level of excitement or thrill, but rather in the tranquility and stillness they provided.
"You keeping up?" she called from the front.
"Yeah, keep your focus ahead, Meri."
Perhaps she was one of the few people he tried to understand without a specific purpose in mind, unlike when he had to figure out the motives of culprits or suspects in cases. The other would be Watari.
Just simply knowing someone who was close to him.
"We'll be taking a right turn on the next crossroad."
The surroundings transformed from suburban areas to picturesque meadows and fields as they pedaled swiftly under the clear blue skies. Together, they struggled to pedal up a small slope, feeling the burn in their legs, and then they enjoyed the exhilarating speed as they glided downhill.
Finally, they arrived at a grove beside a meadow, where vibrant colors of delicate wildflowers and lavender ranging from white, pale pink to deep purple were nestled amidst the emerald blades, dancing in harmony with the swaying grass. Beside the flower field, a creek meandered through the picturesque landscape, its clear waters reflecting the shimmering sunlight.
They parked their bikes and kicked off their shoes, finding a cozy spot on the creek bank under a shady tree. The dappled sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating a warm and gentle glow.
"How did you even find this spot?" L scanned the surroundings, squinting his eyes as sunlight created round spots and cast shadows on his face.
Meredith knelt down and motioned L for the picnic blanket, "I was strolling around and stumbled upon here."
As they set up the picnic together, spreading out the array of snacks and fruits on the checkered blanket, a delightful assortment greeted their eyes. Cranberry olive cheese skewers, cherries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, peaches, and sliced apples, carefully shaped like playful bunnies, all awaited their indulgence. The selection was complemented by the presence of almonds and walnuts, as well as small sandwiches thoughtfully prepared by the cook.
Meanwhile, L assembled the kite they had brought. The breeze near the creek was perfect for flying a kite—not too strong, but just enough to keep it soaring effortlessly in the boundless blue sky.
Eventually, they settled down on the picnic blanket, and she poured a cup of iced tea for him and another for herself.
"Thanks," said L while savoring the sweetness of two cherries simultaneously. Inhaling deeply, he detected a subtle herbal fragrance that tickled his senses. "I believe I smell something herbal."
"It's the scent of lavender from the nearby fields," she explained, "Lavender is known for its calming and sleep-inducing properties."
L nodded and then pulled out a cherry stem that he had expertly tied into a knot with his tongue.
"Look," he said, holding it up for her to see.
"Let me try, too." She reached for two cherries still connected by a stem and focused on knotting them. L observed her unwavering determination, her eyes fixed on the task at hand, her cheeks gently moving as her tongue skillfully maneuvered.
"It's too hard," she admitted with a touch of playful frustration, relinquishing the seed and stem.
L chuckled softly, his amusement evident. "It's a skill that takes practice."
He scanned the food before him, noticing the lack of sweets, and decided to reach for the skewer.
"I thought you wouldn't go for those," she observed, watching him bite off the cranberry, cheese, and olive, and remove the toothpick.
"I do prefer sweets, but it doesn't mean I don't eat other things," he replied, his voice muffled by the food in his mouth.
Savory dishes.
When was the last time he willingly ate anything that wasn't sweet?
Apart from occasions when Watari insisted, another time was when she asked if he was willing to give it a try. Cheese was one of the foods he had tried upon her suggestion, and he would oblige by sharing his thoughts on the taste. Olives were another option, along with Japanese coated peanut crackers she had purchased from an imported Japanese food store.
During their childhood, they would dine together with other children at the Wammy's House restaurant, a result of Watari's insistence. He would reluctantly try the meals prepared by the cook, even though he didn't have a strong desire for them. On days when Meredith couldn't join him for meals due to music competitions or other activities, he would often choose to skip the meal altogether.
Reflecting on this, he found it rather unusual that most of his memories related to savory dishes were linked to the girl sitting before him, as he observed her nibbling on a piece of apple.
L's thoughts were interrupted when Meredith asked, "What's on your mind?"
"Oh, nothing," replied L, his attention returning to the skewers. "The skewers—they taste good."
"That's great," she said, taking one for herself. "I made them."
"I see. It's quite apparent that as long as it doesn't involve baking, you might actually manage to succeed in the realm of cooking," he smirked, teasingly.
A playful annoyance evident in Meredith's eyes, but she didn't deny his remark, "There're plenty of other food that need not to bake, I'll survive without the skill of baking."
They lay down on the blanket, their eyes focused on the kite soaring in the sky. Above them, clouds drifted lazily, resembling puffs of cotton, while the vibrant red of the kite stood out against the blue expanse. With care, they had securely fastened its reels to the ground using a rock they had found, ensuring the kite's flight remained steady and unwavering. Its tail danced gracefully in the wind, further enhancing the already picturesque scene.
Current time, Saturday afternoon. L and Watari will leave tomorrow morning.
The time they had spent together felt insufficient for her, especially when compared to the days they used to spend together every day. Reflecting on the weekend, she recalled the activities they had engaged in. On Friday evening, she had watched movies with L and played chess together. She had also taken the opportunity to chat with Watari, updating him on her progress in school and university courses before going to bed.
Saying goodbye always seemed to come too soon. In truth, as she stood beside Roger, watching L and Watari depart, a sense of disappointment washed over her each time. She had to fight the urge to chase after the car as it drove away from Wammy's, the desire to keep them close just a little longer. Naturally, she never revealed these emotions outwardly, opting to let them simmer quietly within her.
Her gaze fixated at the red kite flying in the clear sky, "We're like kites," she mused.
Curious, L turned to her and asked, "How so?"
Meredith's gaze remained fixed on the kite soaring through the sky. "If the kite were without the string that anchors it, it would lose its steady flight. It might ascend higher, carried away by the whims of the wind, but ultimately, it would drift aimlessly until gravity pulls it back to the ground, causing it to crash."
L observed the kite above them, a hint of amusement in his voice as he remarked, "I never knew you had such a poetic soul."
She met his gaze with earnestness. "Hey, I'm sharing my genuine feelings with you."
"Alright, alright."
With the sounds of the nearby creek and the gentle babbling of the water, he closed his eyes and took a moment to ponder her words.
"But a kite can't fly well if the wind is too strong, even when anchored," he remarked, opening his eyes.
"As long as the kite is attached to the string that anchors it, there is a possibility to start again and fly like before. Without the string, it will never have a chance to fly again."
It was undeniably reasonable. Without the stability and structure that Wammy's House provided, along with the profound bond they shared, he too would have been lost, adrift on the unforgiving streets, much like his life before. While he could imagine the possibility of becoming an entirely different person, it was a realm of thought he deemed unnecessary to explore.
He thought that this moment might provide an opportunity for her to reveal more about herself. Shifting his focus back to Meredith, L asked, "So, if you were a kite without the string that anchors you, drifting freely in the open air, what form would you take?"
She took a moment to think about her answer, "I think I would become a person that you will be going after in a case."
"Is it truly that dire?" he chuckled, finding the notion both amusing and endearing. The idea of Meredith, with her gentle smile and reserved nature, embodying the role of a cunning criminal seemed unfathomable.
"Yeah."
Oh. So she is serious.
"Well, in that case, I suppose I would join you in the same pursuit."
In many ways, he already embodied that pursuit, navigating the shadows, employing deception, stealth, and even violence when necessary in his past and applied similar tactics when he was unraveling cases that constituted most of his current life. For now, he wished to shield her from that side of himself, but couldn't ignore its undeniable presence.
Meredith's voice took on a somber tone as she shared another possibility. "There's another outcome if I were to have no strings at all."
He turned and lay on his side, his gaze fixating on her, "What is it?"
The rustling of leaves and the gentle breeze, carrying the scent of nearby lavender, made her mumble almost inaudibly. However, L managed to hear her words, "Like a kite without its string attached and the wind to guide it, I would likely perish at a young age, crashing to the ground."
Silence enveloped them—a moment of stillness amidst the tranquil surroundings—only the gentle rustling of leaves carried by the wind remained.
These moments of vulnerability were like little hints and clues that emerged once in a while, though quite few throughout their days. Some were too subtle for L to notice in the moment, only recognized in hindsight, and they resonated with a gravity he hadn't anticipated. The atmosphere between them reminded him of the day she collapsed, and like that day, he remained unsure of its true nature. She had never spoken of it, and he lacked the grounds to inquire directly.
He was aware that both of them were individuals granted a second chance at life, taken in by Watari due to their exceptional talent and intelligence. It felt as if they were meant to blaze their flames brightly, to live intensely in this existence, and to contribute to the society and world that Watari envisioned, even if it meant a shorter lifespan. However, he chose not to delve too deeply into that idea, as he was more inclined to focus on the present.
Nevertheless, L struggled to find the right response, searching for words that could convey his emotions and provide comfort.
After a pause, he managed to say, "It's good to have you around."
A tender smile graced Meredith's lips, "That's nice of you to say, L."
She glanced at the time and remarked, "We should start heading back." She patted her pocket to ensure the bike lock key was still there.
"Looking for this?" L chimed in, waving the key with a mischievous smirk.
"When did you...?"
She made an attempt to grab the key, but L held them high, just out of her reach.
"It's still early," L teased, a playful smile on his face as he observed her jumping in a futile attempt to snatch the key. "Let's stay a little longer."
Giving him a mock frown, Meredith reluctantly relented. L returned the key to her, and she sighed, "Alright, but only for another 30 minutes. Watari is expecting us to return before supper."
Wammy's House, Sunday, AM 5:00.
They stood at the entrance of Wammy's House, with Watari standing beside a sleek black car, his hands holding the box that had once contained the cellphone L had just taken out.
"Take this," L gently placed the cellphone in Meredith's hands, and she looked at L in astonishment, her mind racing with questions about the purpose of this unexpected gesture.
"I won't be coming back that often anymore," he stated, "Watari has already inserted our contact information into the phone. We will use it to notify you when we plan to return. I promise to keep you updated."
"Is - is this appropriate?" Meredith's glance shifted to Watari, seeking confirmation. Having a personal cellphone that allowed her to directly contact L and Watari seemed to violate the confidentiality policy of the orphanage, posing a risk not only to the three of them but potentially to all the members of Wammy's House.
Watari nodded reassuringly and added, "Text messages will be our preferred means of communication, my dear. I have informed Roger that you will have access to us."
She slowly nodded, and turned her attention back to L, "When do you think you'll be able to come back? Do you have any idea?"
L's eyes flickered, "Honestly, I don't have a definitive answer," he admitted. "Most of our current cases are international, requiring us to travel to the crime scene to access the necessary domain and internet infrastructure. These tasks cannot be managed remotely from England. We will be traveling frequently, which makes it difficult to determine when we'll return. However, I promise to keep you informed of our whereabouts and plans."
It wasn't a concrete promise, but it was better than nothing.
Meredith tightly held the cellphone in her hands and nodded.
"Take the box, Meri. The manual is inside, and I'm sure you will be able to fully understand how to use the device," Watari handed her the box. She embraced the man, and Watari gently patted her back.
When she pulled away, she fixed her gaze upon L for a brief moment.
Taking a step forward, breaking the norm of their departure, she also hugged L, causing him to freeze in place due to her sudden action.
He caught a whiff of lavender as he noticed the fragrance emanating from her hair.
"Wishing you both a safe journey," she whispered softly.
Author's Note:
My OC is bad at baking.
Currently, when I re-read my first three chapters I see so much needs to be revised, lol. Perhaps I'll do that after I complete the fic.
As always, any comments are welcome. I am considering stopping posting on FFN, as the feedback hasn't been quite promising here. For now, I'll keep on posting, I hope.