CH 8
"I only got a few wrong." Hikaru huffed. "Stupid hypothetical questions..."
"It's alright, you still managed to get the highest in the engineering grade." Light comforted.
"Yagami-kun." Hikaru jumped and looked over, he saw the one and only L walking past.
"Hello!" Hikaru waved happily.
"Oh hello, and Yagami kun- thanks for the day." he said, glancing over at the smaller Yagami.
"No thank you." Light nodded.
"Well, I'll see you both around campus." He went into the old fashioned luxury brand car.
"Ah... nice meeting you." Light waved with his little brother.
'I think he wants to mess with me.' -light messaged.
'It would have worked if you were kira.'- hikaru
'Too bad for him, I'm not kira'- light
'I wonder if he has an actual suspect, besides you and maybe me.'- hikaru
'I don't think he'd suspect you.'- light
'Those plans involve a lot of skills you don't have, but I do.'- light
'I know that, but he might think we work together. You know we've never been separated.'- Hikaru
'That is also a valid assessment.'- light
...
"He invited you to tennis?" Hikaru laughed. "Don't get your ass beat."
"Who say's I'll lose?" Light looked mildly offended as he walked to the school's tennis field. "Oh, there he is. Behave."
"No promises." Hikaru waved to L, and in turn received one as well.
"Just a friendly match right, Ryuuga? I should warn you that I have some tennis experience." Light walked side by side with L, keeping his little brother a person away from the hunched man.
"No worries, Yagami. I placed first in England's junior tennis championships." L said, before Light could speak Hikaru jumped up.
"Did you live in England? Do you have a British accent when you speak English? Can I hear it?" Hikaru asked, excitedly.
<Hikaru activated video recording>
"I don't see why not." L spoke in a perfect British accent, that sounded absolutely heavenly in his ears. "Is this alright?"
<Clip saved>
'Are you serious?' Light messaged
'Shut up!' Hikaru
"Perfect!" Hikaru happily walked forward. "So did you live in England?"
"For about 5 years." He looked to the younger Yagami. "Don't worry, this bit of information is useless as far as the identity of "L" is concerned. Ratio- Kun, should we play to 6?"
"Sure." Light walked to the other side of the court, Leaving Hikaru to pout by himself.
L threw the ball in the air.
Bang!
"Whoa!" Light jumped.
"Fifteen love." L bounced a new ball.
"Oi oi! Isn't it a bit early to bear your fangs?" Light laughed.
"haha! Just catching you unaware that's all." L laughed as he got back into position.
"Is that so..." Hikaru saw his brothers look and slowly retreated...
...
"Go! Ryuuga Go!" Hikaru cheered.
Light couldn't even fight or ask why his little brother cheered for the opposing team. He was forced to focuse completely on the game. L himself seemed confused as to why the younger Yagami twin cheered for him as he missed the ball.
"Four Four." The lines men sitting on the chair said.
The match soon started once again, Hikaru kept cheering for his brother's opponent much to the confusion of the crowd.
"6-4! Yagami wins!" The man yelled with astonishment.
"... good match Yagami. I lose." L took a deep breath and walked over.
"I haven't played like that in a long time." Light happily shook his hand, proud he managed to win. "My throat's parched. I say we treat ourselves to some refreshments. I also have something I wish to speak with you about."
"Seeing as how I lost the match. I'll let you lead me around a bit." L shrugged. "I have some questions for you as well. If you know what I mean. Oh, a word before we go."
"What is it?" Light asked, just as Hikaru made it over.
"My suspicions are growing stronger." L said. "To tell you the truth, I think your one of the least suspicious of the kira suspects. Don't slow down on my account though. I do want to have a little chat... get my drift?"
"pft!" Hikaru almost burst out laughing. "Hey, Kira, can you get rid of Mr. Raiken? He's a total ass."
"Please don't murder the teachers Light- kun" L also joked as he gave Hikaru a look.
"Sadly, I'm not Kira, So I can't get rid of your teacher." Light sighed. "Also, me? Kira?"
"I'm only slightly suspicious, 1% sure at best." He explained. "Though I would rather hope you aren't kira so you might aid us on the investigation with your excellent incentive abilities, along with Hikaru-kun's excellent mechanical ingenuity."
Hikaru practically preened at the compliment.
"There are too many people here. Let's talk somewhere else." L suggested.
"Yea, I didn't think that a simple game of tennis would attract so many people." Light glanced at the crowd.
...
"I like the coffee here." Light leaned back in the booth with his brother sitting beside him happily eating a cherry pie with extra whip cream. "If we talk in the corner we won't have to worry about eavesdroppers."
"Thanks for choosing such a nice place." L complimented.
"Also, if we sit here you don't have to worry about how you sit...You too Aru-chan." he looked over. Hikaru immediately went in a similar but more relaxed position then L. "Whose twin are you again?"
"Ah." L looked to Hikaru curiously. "I sit like this because if I sat like a normal person my investigative abilities will be only half as effective. What about You Hikaru- kun?"
"My creative ingenuity is dramatically decreased when I don't sit like this." He (Lied)reasoned. "I made most of my best inventions like this."
"Hm." L Nodded. "So Light- kun. What do you want to tell me?"
"Oh, That... You go first." Light waved.
"...Okay." L focused. "May I test your investigative abilities, Yagami-kun."
"Sure. That sounds rather interesting." Light leaned forward.
"What can you conclude about me claiming to be L?" L asked
"Hm..." Light thought for a moment. "For starters... you are very hopeful that me and Hikaru will be of help to you...And L must have thought that going to kira claiming to be L would free the investigator from the risk of being killed. if the investigator dies, L will know that the suspect is Kira. Using this. one can go even further by considering that news report that says "kira needs to know the victim's face..." the truth should be that Kira needs more...Something more than a face... like a name. Why else would you use the name of a famous idol if it weren't to ensure that kira would not be able to use the name to kill you?"
"Correct." He put his thumb to his lip.
"You're telling me it's correct so easily?" Light looked at him mildly surprised.
"Should I be hiding it from you?" L asked.
"...Also, that chance that you are L is extremely low." Light said.
'he's got to be L!' Hikaru messaged
'...I worry about you sometimes.' -light
"How so?" L asked.
"If I were L, I would never go in person to someone who might be Kira. I would tell a subordinate to go claiming to be L instead." He reasoned. "The real L will always work behind the scenes and never on the front lines. he uses the police as his weapons as he controls them from safety."
"That makes sense. True... using the tactic of claiming to be L up front is still risky and if L goes in person, it will defeat purpose." L's eyes widened. "It's hard to imagine that the real L will ever come out of the shadow."
"Though personally... I believe you really are L." He confessed.
"How's that?" The detective asked.
"When people think of L, they think of a middle-aged detective...but you're so young and different from the public opinion. that is a bad choice for an impersonator." Light reasoned.
"Maybe he predicted you would think like that, so he chose someone young on purpose?" He countered.
"Yes, L may have thought that far ahead." Light sighed. "But this sort of reasoning goes round and round."
"Fine, since I asked you both to join the investigation, it would be rude to leave you empty handed." L reached into his pocket. "Here is some information that I never publicly released. Please tell me what you think. Here is the order that the 12 FBI agents died and the order they received a certain file. Secondly, these 3 are the letters that some victims wrote on the prisons walls before they died."
Light picked up the paper and looked closely.
"What can you conclude after looking at the list of agents?" L asked.
"Ryuuga... What was in the file the agents received? How can I do anything with the list if you don't tell me?" Light asked.
"Ah, sorry." L scratched his head. "The agents sent each other their names and pictures then they all died after they received the file."
"I see... so kira really dose need a name and face to kill. A file that contained the name and photo of all the agents... then they all died. It is very likely kira used a copy of this file to kill them... wait did the investigators manage to talk to the woman I mentioned. She gave me an allies, but she had dark hair. and was a former FBI agent." Light suddenly asked.
"We didn't manage to get in touch with her." L said.
"So, you didn't... You didn't get the information she had?" Hikaru jumped. "Light..."
"That's a problem." Light sighed. "A big one."
"What are you both talking about?" L asked.
"She... one of the 12 FBI agents talked to her about the investigation. Her friend's identity was compromised during a bus jacking." Light leaned forward. "She came to the task force to tell you that... I don't know her name, but the friend was supposed to be her bride's maid. "
"..." L's eyes widened.
"Kira got to one of the FBI agents and controlled all of them... making them all ask for the files..." Light said slowly. "I'll give you a more detailed report later."
"You've provided us with a great lead... if it's all true of course." L said. "Continue with the next pictures."
"We have already accomplished Kira can control their victims before they die, however he made encrypted message to taunt you... Maybe... maybe he can't make the victims do what they don't know and/or can't do?" Light suggested. "As for the message 'L, do you know reapers only eat apples?' The sentence itself is strange. I wonder what he's trying to do here, other than to taunt you."
"Stop." Light looked up in question. "The truth is there are 4 photos. If you add this message it becomes 'L, do you know the reaper that only eats apples has red hands?'"
"Huh... there was a 4th one." He grabbed the last message. "It seems I failed this round."
"Don't beat yourself over it," Hikaru comforted. "It's not like you knew of the 4th one."
"Yes, Light- kun, you were so sure that there were only 3 photos. so, it's inevitable that you didn't consider the possibility of a 4th." L subtly mocked.
"Hm." Light leaned back. "Ah, that's frustrating."
"Next question. If Light- kun were l, how would you go about finding if a suspect were kira?" L asked.
"I would trick him into telling me information that only kira would know..." Light smiled. "Like what you are doing right now."
"Amazing." L praised, Hikaru could only pout in the background. "I once asked the same question to the investigators, and it took them a long time to come up with an answer. And things they came up with were so simplistic, such as showing the suspect the name and face of criminals that nobody else knew about. Yet it only took seconds to put yourself above the investigators and find the best answer. Your skills are amazing."
"When do I get a test?" Hikaru chirped in.
"None is needed for you." L waved. "Light-kun, your susceptibility is now 2%. However, now I want you on the team even more. The truth is you were correct earlier, Yagami Kun. I am not the only person who went to a suspect claiming to be L."
"?"
"Personally, I would still want you to join us even if I were positive you were kira. Do you know why?" L asked.
"If I were innocent you would gain a great asset (Hey)- Ehem 2 great assets. If I were kira you would be able to keep an eye on me for any clues. Having a suspect help you investigate, while the suspect I being investigated... that's a fine idea." Light took a sip of tea. "You are missing something Ryuuga...Neither of us are kira and I sure as hell don't want my little brother killed. Rather than working with an untrustworthy stranger. I'd rather work alone with my brother. So, do you have any proof that you're not kira? If you don't then you're in the same situation. Isn't it unfair that I'm the only one being questioned?"
"I want someone We can trust, for example someone from the team who can guarantee to me that Ryuuga is L or at least on the team. You don't need to tell to tell either of us your real name if that's what you're worried about." Light looked at the detective strait on. Hikaru watched the sudden intense debate with concentration, recording it to deduce later with his brother.
"You know... I don't recall saying that I won't let you meet the other people on the team." Light looked straight at him. "Right now, I am working with your father on the investigation. If I brought you to the base, would that be convincing enough sincerity for my invitation?"
"Of-" All stopped when L brought up his phone, soon freezing in shock. Light's phone went of next.
"Ah? Mine too..." Light answered.
'Light! Hikaru! Your father...' his mother's shocked and horrified voice resounded from the other end. Hikaru felt his blood go cold as he looked at his brother.
"Your father He!" L yelled. Light looked at him and the phone in disbelief, he immediately stood up and took his younger brother's hand.
"K-Kira!?" Light rushed to leave the building with his brother in toe. L also rushed out behind him.
"Get in my car, it'll be faster." L led them to the fancy car.
"Light... dad..." Hikaru felt himself shake, only calming down when he remembered the anime. "What ...are we going to do?"
"Don't think that way," Light held his brother's hand. "And even if it is, we can make it through."
"..." L watch on from the side.
...
"...Is this really just from fatigue?" Light asked his mind soon calming down.
"What do you mean Light?" His mother asked.
"Well, my first thought was that Kira..." Hikaru added in from the side, light nodded to confirm.
"...Before i lost consciousness i was asking myself 'is it kira?' I don't deny that." His father admitted.
"You are head investigator of the kira case, an attempt to assassinate you is more than justified." L looked on. "And the chance of kira failing to kill his target may not necessarily be 0%."
"..." Their mother looked at the strange man in shock.
"Sachiko... Our boy's are here now, you should go home and rest." He looked over at his wife. "But don't tell Sayu anything. I don't want to make anyone else worry."
"I'll bring things for you tomorrow; I'll leave the rest up to you 2." Their mother walked out.
"Okay." Light said as Hikaru nodded.
"I think any suspicion of me being kira should be cleared. now that I think about it, I argued with my superior about living in fear of being killed by kira... and didn't sleep much. I really am overwhelmed, aren't I?" He sighed
"Not to mention your son is being suspected. You were under tremendous stress." L said.
"Dad knows about that?" Light asked.
"Yes." L admitted. "I told him everything, Including the fact that I'm L."
Light and Hikaru whipped their heads to look at their father.
"It's true, he is L." Their father nodded. "To prevent others from finding out we all call him 'Ryuzaki but, he really is L.... Ryuzaki have you cleared suspicion after talking to my son?"
"No. However, he is now the least suspisous." L answered. "We still can't rule him out."
"It's one thing to say that to me but saying that to my father... at this moment." Light gave L a look. Hikaru immediately perked up to defuse the situation.
"it's Okay light. It's much better to hear the truth then comforting lies. And though your being suspected, it's different than believing you are the criminal." dad reassured.
"Yes, Raito-kun misunderstood." L looked over to the Yagami twins. "When I said I was suspicious of you. I was only very slightly suspicious. Let me reiterate some points. Kira killed the 12 agents that entered Japan. All 12 died on December 27th after receiving certain files. It's safe to assume that kira has an indirect way to access information. Although we don't know exactly how. we do know of a number of weaknesses in the security of the police station."
Hikaru looked at L, listening to the information closely.
"Therefore, it is very likely that kira has a direct link to one of the members of the investigation however all 12 agents died yet no Japanese investigator was targeted. Thus, it's likely that kira had family relations. Of course, it is still possible that kira is willing to murder his family in cold blood and just hasn't done so yet." L looked away from light. "Furthermore 2 of the agents, Arire Weekwood and Raye Pember are particularly noteworthy. His Fiancé and her friend, an ex-FBI, has disappeared."
"Wait, She disappeared!?" Hikaru jumped. "Why did no one tell us this!?"
"Hikaru, calm down." His father looked at him.
"You don't understand dad, she-she would have contributed so much to the case. She had so much information and possibilities-" Hikaru Took a deep breath. "We talked to her, she told us that her friend's identity was compromised! And that friend has to be Arire Weekwood, she told us..."
"We will talk about this more later." L spoke up. "Light-kun, do you mind briefing me in the investigation headquarters?"
"Of course." Light nodded.
"...Light you should be concentrated on your studies. You can investigate after you graduated." Soichiro said.
"What are you talking about? I won't graduate in years." Light argued. "Right now, it is at least indirectly because of kira that you are like this. So, if we can help the investigation by joining the team then we will."
"Light- kun." L called out.
"Hm?" Light responded.
"What kind of person do you think Kira is?" L asked.
"Kira?" He thought about it for a second. "He is...A teenager maybe a young adult from a wealthy or at least well of family."
"Oh? That sounds like a good lead." L looked at light.
"First, let's assume that the theory that kira uses... Supernatural powers to kill the victum is true then "kill all the criminals and scare people out of committing crimes and make the world a better place" this is the idealistic view of either an elementary student but I believe they'd be too scared to actually do it. So, let's say a high, maybe middle but I don't find that likely, school student to maybe a university student. If the person was older, then they'd use it for their own financial gain. not to reform the world." He reasoned. "Also, Kira is probably a wealthy young person who was raised or has rather idealistic views, and maybe doesn't have much freedom. I'd bet he's a wealthy highschooler with his own computer and television."
"If we sort through the suspect using Yagami-kuns criteria, the most likely suspect is...Hikaru Yagami." The moment his name left the detective mouth, Light stood up like he was about to fight to the death with L. Hikaru Jumped and held Light back, Light could only glare at the world-famous detective.
"That's Enough! Are you trying to anger me to death!?" Light yelled, absolutely Furious.
"I was just following up on Light-kun's reasoning." He noted down Light mentioning himself rather than their father.
"Stop it both of you. if you want to fight, take it outside." Their father sighed. "I may be biased on this, but Hikaru can't be kira. If he did have such powers he wouldn't use it, he's too engrossed in his inventions to even care about matters like 'cleaning the world from criminals'."
"Ah, I see." L agreed.
'Dad, what the hell. why aren't you defending light too!?' -Hikaru messaged
'Well, I do fit the criteria. he also doesn't have anything that would tell otherwise.' Light
'You should have just gone into tennis; this shit is stressful.'- hikaru
'I would much rather use my brain to work. By the way, how's the novel going?'- light
'I put it online, it's free for the first 5 chapters and 2.50 usd to open the rest. So far 24,043 went to read the rest.'- hikaru
'You used USD rather than Yen?'- light
'It seems cheaper that way.'- hikaru
'Good job *head pat*'- light
"Kira... is evil...that is what I thought, but recently I've changed my mind." Both Yagami children looked at their father, confused. "it's the power to kill that is evil. it the person who has it."
'Oh? Are we going to get a philosophy lesson?' Hikaru messaged.
'Shush, listen.'- light
"It is a misfortune to have that power... and it doesn't matter how it is used. The happiness achieved by murdering people cannot be true happiness." He finished.
"In other words, if kira received that power as a normal person, then he was doomed by that power?" L looked rather intrigued by that.
"Ryuuzaki, I'm sorry about this. I'll try to get back to work as soon as possible." Soichiro said.
"What are you talking about!?" Hikaru looked at his father, shocked.
"Don't push yourself before your completely healed!" Light said. "If you do that, you'll just do more harm than good."
"he's right chief Yagami." The young detective quickly went to agree.
"No, if I just lay here, I will die a regretful death. No matter what it takes, I will arrest kira." Soichiro closed his eyes.
Knock knock!
"Visiting hours are over." A young nurse told the 3.
"Ryuuga..." Light called out the moment they walked outside.
"?" L looked over at the eldest twin.
"You aren't kidding about letting Hikaru in, right?" Light asked.
"Of course, Light-kun." L looked to the pair. "I believe his ingenuity and engineering knowledge will be of great help to the investigation. "
Hikaru perked up immediately and happily looked up at his older brother. Light rolled his eyes at this younger brother of his and looked to the detective.
"I would appreciate if my little brother was kept out of the frontlines. I know this might be a lot to ask, but I can't handle putting my little brother in danger..." Light sighed.
"Then why let him enter the investigation?" L looked at the younger Yagami.
"We come and go as a pair... well I had to compromise a lot." Hikaru huffed. "He's a better negotiator then me."
"I see." L gave a small smile to the 2. "Your rather close."
"We've never once been separated." Light nodded.
"Hey light, do you think we can swing by the convivence store?" Hikaru asked.
"Yea sure." Light looked to L. "Have a safe trip."
"See you later!" Hikaru waved.
"...Hm See Ya." L went into the car with a wave.
Hikaru stared at the leaving vehicle, much to Lights disbelief and chagrined. However, the thoughts that whirled in the younger twin was much different compared to what the elder twin thought he was thinking about.
It seems... he was careless...
The heart attack his father suffered today was one of the memorable things that happened in the anime, yet it took him so long to remember it. It's been almost 2 decades since he watched or read anything about the death note anime and he didn't have the foresight to write it down.
Leaving him almost bare to this world...
Everything he knows now is only in fragments. He only remembers a few major points like the coming of 2nd Kira, L's death, and a few other things he might remember only when they pop up when the situation arises. Like today...
He needs to solve this, Stat.