Dear L,
How's the piloting lessons going? I wish I could fly a heli, too.
-Meri
Meri,
You can figure it out through intuition. Just kidding, I'll take you on flights after my training is done.
-L
"Meri-chan, did you know? Watari has selected another boy as L's successor," said Kimiko.
Meredith glanced at the older teen sitting beside her, their hands busy peeling potato peels for the mashed potatoes that would be part of tonight's dinner. They were seated in the dining room, which was located adjacent to the kitchen. The menu for the evening included mashed potatoes, German pork knuckles with Sauerkraut, and bread.
"Another one?"
"Yes, didn't you know? I thought Watari would have told you since you're his favorite," smirked Kimiko.
Kujo Kimiko, who was also Japanese and two years older than Meredith, was already involved in Watari's assignments. She didn't care much about the true name and alias policy and eventually shared her true name with Meredith, stating, "I prefer my true name over the alias."
"Don't say that, Kimiko-san," replied Meredith, redirecting her focus back to the potatoes, while Kimiko teasingly said, "Fine, fine, Meri-chan."
Meredith didn't find it enjoyable to be referred to as Watari's favorite, and she didn't want to attract attention. While she knew that being close to Watari and L allowed her the opportunity to develop a close relationship with both of them, she didn't want to be perceived as taking advantage of or receiving special privileges from the man who ran the orphanage.
"Do you know why Watari chose another boy as L's successor?" Meredith asked. She was aware that there was already one successor in place, but she didn't have much information beyond the fact that it was also a boy. Most of her time was occupied by studies and music competitions, leaving her with little opportunity to interact with other children in the institution. It was only when researching in the library that she met Kimiko, who was reading scientific papers in Japanese, discovering their common Japanese heritage, which led to their friendship.
So why did Watari feel the need to select another successor? Was there a specific concern that prompted his decision?
"I've heard that the selected boy resembles L," Kimiko replied, tossing a peeled potato into the pot with the others. "But no one knows what L looks like, Watari just picked him without providing much reason."
Meredith peeled another potato, contemplating the situation. She knew she might be the only one familiar with L's appearance, so why did Watari choose a boy who resembled him? It puzzled her.
"I don't fully understand the whole successor policy that Watari announced," she said, her gaze shifting to the potato in her hands. Its surface bore angles and cuts from her peeling and flicking out the eyes. "Let geniuses be geniuses in their own talent and field. Everyone knows of L's success, but not everyone can be L."
"Watari made it clear that L needed a successor in case anything happened to him," Kimiko explained. "It's good that neither you nor I are in line for that position. From what I've heard, Watari wants to train a successor who can mimic L's gestures, solving style, quirks, and even his tone."
Meredith frowned, trying to grasp the reasoning behind it. "But is that really necessary?"
Kimiko shrugged. "If anything happens to L, the successor can seamlessly continue his work without any authorities noticing a difference between the original L and the new one."
Meredith didn't like this reasoning; it felt as though L could be replaced by anyone else, or that the person being groomed as the next L was having their individuality and uniqueness stripped away. However, for now, she could only assume that Watari was acting in L's best interest.
"In that case, does Watari show the successors what L looks like?" She had never heard L mention anything about the successors or being involved in a mentoring role.
"No, the successors do not know how L looked. It's part of the privacy that L wanted. Watari only provides instructions without revealing L's appearance," Kimiko explained.
Meredith mumbled her agreement, understanding that it was expected for Watari to prioritize L's privacy. As she thought about it, she realized she hadn't received any updates or photos of their current whereabouts or activities. In fact, she hadn't heard from them in a while. The last message she received was from Watari, mentioning their return on Friday. It had been two months since she last saw the two of them.
"Sorry, what did you say?" Kimiko asked.
"Oh, nothing," Meredith replied. "I was just thinking that it would be difficult for the boys to mimic L without any reference."
His tone, appearance, the dark shadows under his eyes, untidy hair, plain attire, quirky habits of slouching and playing with food, constant crouching... L was so eccentric that it would be challenging for any ordinary person to imitate him.
"Look, Meri," he said, forming a gun shape with his fingers and then twisting his hands to form an 'L.'
As she reminisced about L, a tingling feeling emerged, accompanied by warm sensations that compelled her to form a small smile. The memories of his playful gesture brought forth a soft chuckle, but she quickly composed herself, ensuring that Kimiko didn't notice her amusement.
"How did you come to know about all this?" Meredith inquired.
"F told me. He heard from people who are close to the successors, and he was also quite concerned. He wanted me to suggest an adjustment to the policy to Watari, as he himself is operating overseas," Kimiko answered. "But F didn't tell me exactly who they are. The successors receive private training sessions."
F, a notable graduate student from Wammy's House, was older than Meredith and had recently received an alphabet code name from Watari. Recognizing his exceptional talent, Watari had trained him in espionage during his earlier years. F had since become an integral part of Watari's team, actively carrying out assignments for the Wammy's Organization.
There were 26 alphabet letters assigned as code names for each generation of notable Wammy House graduates. L had chosen one, obviously L, and Watari had adopted W, while Roger used R. The identities behind the other letters remained a mystery to the undergraduates. Only when one became a notable graduate, entrusted with assignments from Watari and granted access to the Wammy Organization's system, would they discover which code names had been taken. Individuals behind those code names remained unknown unless they revealed to others, like F revealing his to Kimiko.
As Meredith continued peeling the potato in her hands, her thoughts lingered on the successor policy. Something about it didn't sit right with her. Her memories of being molded into someone's expectations weren't happy ones, and she couldn't understand the rationale behind Watari's decision. However, she didn't feel grounded enough to question it either.
Shifting the conversation, Meredith tried to redirect her focus. "Kimiko-san, what is your current assignment from Watari?"
Kimiko smiled, pleased that Meredith was showing interest. "I thought you weren't interested. We've detected a potential terrorist plot, and currently, we're monitoring closely for any developments and waiting for the right timing to take action. Once I complete it, I will officially receive a code name from Watari. Roger informed me that Watari will come back to Wammy's House to host the code name granting ceremony. By that, I'll be more grounded to ask Watari about the adjustment on the policy."
Every student at Wammy House understood that receiving a code name was a significant achievement. It signified affirmation by the institution as a notable graduate, as someone worthy of the trust placed upon them by the man who had taken them in.
"That's great, Kimiko-san," replied Meredith. She admired Kimiko's abilities and dedication, but couldn't help feeling inadequate in comparison. While she yearned to contribute to Watari's assignments, she knew her musical talent alone was insufficient. She needed to enhance her own skills, to become more valuable to Watari, to get closer to L. Unlike Kimiko, who excelled in science, or F, who possessed exceptional espionage and physical prowess, Meredith felt out of place under the current successor policy, or even her capability to carry out Watari's assignments and make a significant impact in the same way L could, with his unparalleled talent in every field that had the power to change the world.
Just then, the cook approached them, interrupting their conversation. "Girls, how's everything going? You've made excellent progress." He took a glimpse of the peeled potatoes in the pot, seemly satisfied.
"By the way, have you seen the strawberry jam I made back in June? I can only find one jar now, and it won't be enough to spread on the scones I prepared for the after-meal dessert."
He leaned back on his chair.
L was exhausted from the latest meeting, communicating with the British National Crime Agency (NCA). He had not anticipated encountering difficulties in collaboration with the British NCA, considering that many of his previous cases had originated in England. However, it was clear that the current team he was working with was unfamiliar with his style of deduction.
Drug trafficking. It wasn't a complicated case, but the effort he had to exert in explaining his deductions was the most challenging aspect when communicating with the current investigation body. He possessed all the evidence and reasons necessary to conclude that the suspect would engage in another deal at 4:00 a.m. on Monday. However, the police remained unconvinced and continued to present alternative evidence pointing to a different timing.
Although feeling annoyed and irritated, there was something else that he was more concerned about.
An unexpected intrusion disrupted his concentration.
"L, your deductions are on point, but ordinary people might not be able to keep up with your speed. You have to slow down for them and give them some time to understand."
As if transported from another realm into the realm of his thoughts.
He remembered Meredith smiling while making the remark. It was familiar, the same smile that he had seen over the passing years when they were in Wammy's House. He should have grown accustomed to it, and there should be nothing special about it popping up in this instance. But he was nonetheless surprised by the intrusion of her figure into his mind.
It certainly confused him.
Why?
Why? He recollected the earlier incident, his thoughts quickly returning to the case, unaffected by the brief interruption. However, upon further reflection, he couldn't ignore the unusual nature of her intrusion into his focused mind. It wasn't that he never thought of her during normal days - occasional thoughts naturally arose since he had been living elsewhere with Watari. Initially, he anticipated that the person entering his new room would be Watari and another familiar individual, but that anticipation had gradually diminished over time.
After all, it had been a whole year since they moved to their new location.
He felt nothing but puzzlement. Perhaps it was because of her, breaking the norm of departure by hugging him before they left Wammy's House last time. It seemed that her actions had affected his mind, making him feel out of character.
Yes, that must be it.
He certainly wanted Meredith to pay for distracting him in the midst of his cases. Next time, he should come up with a different way to tease her.
"I've got to make you pay for that, Meri," L mumbled to himself as he mechanically lifted his tea. With a nudge from his bare feet, his chair spun as he pondered what he should tease her about the next time he saw her.
The dimly lit room was broken by a ray of light as Watari entered, collecting the leftovers and dirty plates. "It seems that your meeting with the NCA ended earlier than scheduled," Watari remarked.
L's gaze shifted to Watari, his expression inscrutable. "The conclusion could have been reached more quickly if I hadn't needed to re-explain the rationale behind Monday instead of Tuesday," he responded curtly. Taking a sip of his tea, he refocused his attention on the papers scattered across his desk, lost in contemplation.
Watari nodded, checking his watch to confirm the time. It read 15:30. "We have a scheduled return to the House, L. Meri finishes school at 16:00, so if we leave now, you'll be able to pick her up just in time."
"Aren't you going to pick her up?" he asked, his focus shifting from the papers to Watari. Typically, it was Watari who would drive and retrieve Meri from her Japanese high school when they returned to Wammy. L would usually remain in his room, patiently waiting or indulging in dessert.
Watari smiled warmly in response to L's question. "It would be a nice opportunity for some fresh air and exercise, L," he suggested. "I could drop you off halfway along her school route. You're familiar with the location, and I'm sure she would be delighted to see you picking her up."
L grumbled inwardly. It wasn't that he didn't want to see Meredith; on the contrary, he cherished their time together. However, the thought of picking her up at school brought forth a wave of discomfort. The last time they both picked her up, Watari had assumed the role of chauffeur. Meredith would enter the car with L already seated, and they would return to Wammy's House together. It had been much easier for L, as he could avoid the crowds, commotion, and chatter of the students by simply sitting in the back of the car. He had always preferred observing from a distance rather than actively engaging in such chaotic situations, particularly in a school setting during post-school hours.
But time with her was already scarce, and he could use some fresh air.
"Fine," he answered, and followed Watari to the exit.
L hopped off from the car and watched as Watari drove off in the opposite direction, heading toward Wammy's House. The warm Friday air enveloped him, a gentle reminder of the changing seasons. Sometimes, amidst his work and investigations, he would momentarily forget the passage of time, only to be reminded of the current month and its corresponding season when he returned to Wammy's House.
Each passing year seemed to bring even hotter temperatures, although he still found comfort in his usual attire of a long-sleeved white shirt and baggy jeans. The heat was becoming increasingly intense with time.
"Global warming," he murmured, acknowledging the issue. Some of the projects Watari had assigned to other graduates dealt with such matters, but he doubted that it was an obstacle that could be easily overcome in the short term, particularly considering the authorities' attitude toward the issue.
L reached into his pocket and pulled out a chocolate bar, chipping off a piece and savoring the bittersweet taste, while he walked with a slight shuffle, his sneakers grazing the ground.
One high school girl in uniform.
Two high school boys in uniform.
Three high school students in uniform.
More and more students appeared, dressed in the distinctive school uniforms and carrying black shoulder bags, all attending the same Japanese high school as Meredith. L considered there were too many people around him, and he couldn't help but notice the contrast between his own detachment and limitations and Meredith's capability of being around with people.
He vividly remembered her confident performances in front of large audiences during music competitions. Her talent shone brightly as she effortlessly surpassed her competitors, leaving both judges and spectators impressed. Time and time again, she emerged as the clear victor, securing a landslide victory in every competition she participated in. When it came to her musical talent, L could only describe her as fearless.
Her reserved and calm demeanor seemed unwavering when he returned to Wammy's House and met her, in contrast to the constant changes that surrounded L. He found it rather amusing, considering that his work required him to adapt and grasp even the slightest shifts in order to solve cases. It was these subtle changes that often held the key to cracking the mysteries he encountered. However, not many subtle changes were seen from Meredith, at least to L's knowledge.
Finally arriving at the Japanese high school, L observed the lively atmosphere around him. Students chatted animatedly in Japanese, their words filling the air. His knowledge in the language allowed him to comprehend their conversations effortlessly, but it also proved slightly irritating and overwhelming.
"Watari should have come and picked Meri up," he muttered while taking in too much information in his surroundings. Amidst the sea of conversations, his focus remained on finding Meredith. He scanned the crowd, searching for her familiar presence. As he made his way through the sea of students, he felt out of place among the hustle and bustle.
Eventually, he made the decision to stand right in the middle of the open school gates, his hands tucked into his jeans pockets, and his gaze fixed upon the front stairs of the building ahead.
Suppose she would see me here. In doing so, he became an obstruction to every student attempting to pass by. As students maneuvered around him, their curious eyes fell upon the teenager with jet-black disheveled hair, and his owl-like gaze remained unwavering, fixed ahead.
It wasn't long before L noticed the familiar person emerging from the school building, surrounded by her classmates.
Her hair was tied in a ponytail, which was a rare sight for L as she usually let her hair down in a more casual style at Wammy's House. Inside, he admitted to himself that he actually preferred it when she let her hair down. However, he understood that tying her hair up was practical while studying, as he had noticed her tucking it behind her ear even when it still fell loosely while they read together in his room. She also tended to wear plain clothes while at Wammy's House. It wasn't that L hadn't seen Meredith in her school uniform before, but when she stood beside the other girls in the school, it was a different sight altogether. Unlike the other girls, who radiated excitement for the upcoming weekend and eagerly anticipated the break, their emotions impossible to hide, Meredith seemed to have toned down her expressions. Her reserved and calm nature remained intact, even amidst the vibrant atmosphere of her peers.
The demeanor was still the same, but all together, it was different, making L compelled to retract his previous statement about her never changing.
As the radiant sunshine beamed directly onto her face, Meredith instinctively narrowed her eyes, her delicate features scrunching slightly in response. She raised her hands slightly, positioning them strategically to create a makeshift barrier against the sun's rays, casting a play of light and shadow on her face.
One of Meredith's classmates chimed in, also seeking respite from the intense rays. "Oh wow, it's so sunny today," the classmate remarked, her own hands trying to obscure the blinding light. "Hey, I saw my dad's car! See you, Meri-chan!"
Meredith offered a wave of goodbye, her attention divided between the departing classmate and her decision to wait for the crowd to disperse before entering the entrance. She contemplated whether it would be better to wait for a quieter moment, when the entrance would be less crowded and chaotic.
After a passing cloud obscured the sun, the blinding light subsided, and Meredith's vision cleared. As her eyes adjusted, she noticed someone standing in the middle of the gates. It was L, seemingly frozen in place like a statue, his gaze locked onto her.
He appeared doll-like.
The thought brought a chuckle to her lips, but his unmistakable presence made it evident that he was more than just a doll.
She was about to step forward and head toward L, but a sudden force pulled her back.
"Hey, Meri-chan, you haven't answered me yet."
L noticed it too. It was a guy who had been interjecting while Meredith was conversing with other girls, which L found quite annoying.
This guy embodied coolness, and even in his school uniform, one could observe the meticulousness of his appearance. His shirts were flawlessly clean and perfectly ironed, hinting that he may have entrusted his laundry to professionals. A silver necklace adorned his neck, complementing the sharpness of his features, while black earrings added to his stylish ensemble. While most students attending a Japanese high school in England came from well-off families with business ties to Europe, this guy went the extra mile to flaunt his family's wealth, evident in the superior quality of his uniforms and fine leather shoes. With a casual single-handed grab of his school bag, he effortlessly slung it behind his back, radiating an air of self-assuredness that made him undeniably stand out in the crowd.
A person that was totally different from L. Despite this, Meredith continued to respond to him politely.
"Takashi-kun, let me think about it. I'll give you a reply the next time I go to school."
"But you're hardly ever at school. Come on, it'll be so much fun. If you agree to come with us, I can give you free tickets. I need a definite answer now."
"Takashi-kun, I need to ask first – "
"What's the matter? Are your parents strict? I can make a call for you, you know."
"No, I don't think it's necessary – " She wanted to get close to L, "Takashi-kun, I have to go."
She couldn't care less about Takashi, and hurriedly made her way toward L, with Takashi following behind. L felt relieved that he didn't have to navigate through the crowd to reach her. He remained silent as he continued to observe the situation.
"Have you come to pick me up?" She asked, beaming at L.
"Yes, Father is busy today," L replied, pretending that Watari was their father.
Takashi caught up to Meredith and asked, "So, Meri-chan, what's your response? Are you going with me?"
He then noticed L and gave him a once-over. "And who might you be? Her brother?"
L remained silent; his gaze fixed on Takashi with a neutral expression.
Before Meredith could answer, L took her hand. "Meri, we're late. Let's get going," he said firmly, pulling her away from Takashi.
"See you then, Takashi-kun. I'll tell you my answer next week," she called out while being dragged away by L.
He didn't appreciate the way Takashi was speaking to her. It was evidently impolite, and although he acknowledged that he himself could be rude at times, he believed that given her hesitance in responding, Takashi's demeanor was not fitting. There was no need to prolong the conversation any further. L tightened his grip on her wrist and increased their pace, pulling her along in a brisk walk that bordered on a run.
"What was that all about?" Meredith asked once they had put a safe distance between themselves and the others, still struggling to keep up with L's rapid pace.
"He appeared quite self-absorbed and preoccupied with his own appearance. He frequently interrupted you and seemed more intent on talking about his offer than actively listening to your words," L replied coolly, his eyes forward, but gradually slowing down his pace for her.
"Moreover, his impeccable grooming and fashionable attire suggest that he puts a considerable amount of effort into presenting a particular image of himself."
"Takashi-kun is just a guy that doesn't know the limits," Meredith shrugged.
"I can confidently conclude that he is a narcissist."
Meredith halted, "Takashi-kun asked me out. He asked whether I wanted to go to the amusement park with him and other classmates."
L looked back at her and asked in his monotone, "You're going on a date with him?"
"It's not a date, I'm just being polite. We're planning to go to the amusement park next weekend. I don't want to stand out from my classmates," explained Meredith, considering her already unique situation of taking courses outside of high school.
It never occurred to him that she would go out with someone other than him. Wait, why wouldn't there be a possibility of her going out with other people? Of course, it was perfectly normal for her to spend time with others. But now that he thought about it, he realized that most of her outdoor activities involved Watari... and him, or so he assumed. Often, it was she who initiated their involvement in these activities.
Perhaps this time, L pondered, he should actively participate in her activities more.
L was silent for a moment before staring in her eyes, suggesting, "If you wanted to go on a date with him, why don't we all go to the amusement park together?"
"It's not a date, L!" she exclaimed swiftly, swinging her school bag at him, but he deftly dodged it, grinning mischievously, and they playfully chased each other as they headed back to Wammy's House.
Author's Note:
I watched a clip about a pilot analyzing whether L could learn to fly a heli without training. He concluded it is impossible, so I think, L actually did receive some training, but lied to Light Yagami in canon : D
I tend to read other fics and try to learn from how others write, but it also resulted in self-doubt, as I kept comparing my fic with others. Whenever I see other people's fics, I think everyone is doing such a great job, the monologue and dialogue and everything are all in great balance, while mine is just gibberish. This chapter started with me considering it as garbage... It's a good thing that gradually, as my condition is getting stable, with numerous changes and revisions, it has now turned into something that I think is suitable to post. I was really afraid of shifting their relationship too fast; building up tension is so hard.
Argh! I have to remind myself to have faith in myself! To trust the plot! To write what I want to write!
Any comments are welcomed.