Emerge

The problem was not exactly the number of people to attend, because the hospital was almost abandoned because it was so empty. It was really hard to explain to anxious paramedics what exactly had happened.

The two had a lot of time in the queue, which ended up helping Kyomi to launch their hints and end up discovering the whole story, or at least what Light knew. The boy had just reported it in whispers. And the facts were a little too absurd. She, in turn, was beginning to wonder if Light had a fever ...Finally, he sighed and faced the floor, at the same time that the boy's words stabilized in his mind.─ Fuck…

─ That's right. ─ Light nodded, massaging one temple, eyes closed."No, Light ..." he laughed, probably nervous. ─ A twin brother. How unlikely is that?"I don't know ..." he snorted. ─ But I'm not going crazy, not yet.

They were sitting on the most uncomfortable bench in the world, just like those at church. It was incredible that a hospital of that size, with all the Japanese quality, did not have the money to buy some measly padded seats. Light held his identity in his hand, greasing the laminated plastic in the process. He was lucky to have practically all his documents at such an opportune time,─ How long do you think it will take? He shook his head.─ Ah, little time. Our turn is already the next.

The boy looked around. The reception was almost empty, which managed to make the hospital absurdly darker, despite the dazzling lights. Several runners appeared from all the cardinal points, leaving Yagami dizzy. It was crazy to think that Lawliet was there somewhere, in some room, with luck being successfully examined. With even more luck, he was fine. But the boy, with all his philosophy of probabilities, knew that this possibility was very remote. L's condition was not good. At least, that was what his body said while they were on their way.─ Do you think they will stop us? We have no blood connection with Lawliet.Takada crossed his arms.─ Well thought out. We also have no way of proving that we are friends or anything ...

Light nodded and suddenly there was silence.

─ Wait. ─ Kyomi raised a hand in the air, attracting the attention of Light and some people passing by. ─ There you are.

He turned the trunk towards her, waited for her to speak:─ I can ask Naomi to be our witness.

Light frowned.─ To prove that we are his friends?─ To prove that you are his boyfriend. He corrected.

Yagami blinked, slightly confused.─ So in addition to lying, do you want to suffer free homophobia?─ No, creed. - made a face. ─ Think, it will be much better if you have a stronger connection with Lawliet. Doctors will give you priority.─ Just remember that we are not in Europe, Kyomi. ─ Light snorted, now raising his eyebrows at the idea of ​​the girl.─ They can be very prejudiced, but they are professionals and have an education. This is our biggest move. - He insisted, putting a hand on the boy's shoulder. ─ Stop being an idiot.─ This is crazy. What if he wakes up before that and denies everything?─ It won't. You will talk to him before that, we will fix it.

Yagami broke his gaze with hers, staring at the floor for a few seconds, letting his mind analyze all the possibilities. He was not having much success, his head looked like a sack of potatoes, intellectually useless. Maybe you should trust her. Or maybe it was too crazy.─ But what if ...─ Okay, then. ─ She jumped up. ─ I'm going to call Naomi and tell her the whole story. She will be our witness to your courtship.─ No, Takada, wait a minute ... ─ It started, but the Japanese woman was walking away with quick steps, until she leaned against the wall perpendicular to the bench, at least five meters apart. There was no way. Despite the indignation on Yagami's face, he could only think that he didn't deserve a friend like her. Definitely not. The plan, too, was good. It made sense. The way he needed answers, he didn't care so much about the means to get them. Also, taking all the gloomy context out of the situation, Light found himself thinking that he wouldn't even care if it was in fact true.

Takada, far away with the cell phone to his ear, frantically pointed at Yagami, and he thought that maybe she was cursing him for interrupting his lunch. However, before he could find out, there was another hand on his shoulder.─ Light Yagami? ─ Another voice, feminine and more mature, touched her ears before Light saw it. Apparently, he wasn't going to have peace. Of course not. He came face to face with a middle-aged Asian woman, all in white. She smiled sourly, almost as if she was being paid for it. ─ It is your turn.

The girl went away, waving her hand to go with him. And in the same instant, adrenaline rushed through his veins like racing cars. The

woman sat behind a small counter and started fiddling with her notebook. Yagami sat on the opposite side and waited a few seconds.─ You brought L Lawliet here, right? ─ it started.─ Yes ... I mean, me and a friend. ─ He straightened the hair that fell behind his eyes. The girl did the same thing, like a mirror.─ What did you tell the paramedics ... ─ she stopped typing ─ It was that he passed out after complaining of headaches, right?"Yes," he breathed.

The woman looked at him, her wrinkles reaching deep into his soul. Her look was heavy.─ I understand.After that, there was a silence in the air. She wrote something down on a small clipboard next to it. And out of nowhere, he got up and, like Kyomi, took out a small cell phone and put it to his ear, at the back of the room. He spoke in a low voice, eventually looking at Light and looking away as soon as he realized. And every time that happened, nervousness returned that something could be very wrong. That horrible feeling that Light had a few minutes ago, of finding L thinner and paler than he already was, fragile as if he would break with any turn that Takada took in the car. And an even worse feeling: having to let him go with the paramedics to the hospital. ─ Okay, Light-san. ─ she reappeared in the same place she was. Probably seeing that Light's expression only deteriorated more and more. ─ Look, we have a confidentiality system here and we naturally do not give information to people who are not family members. But ... The doctor wants to talk to you. ─ Has something happened? He asked, seeing the woman's hesitant eyes.─ He didn't tell me. ─ She approached, bending over the boy. ─ But you know, this is really not common. I mean, we are not allowed to give information to friends if they are not in the presence of a relative. But Aiber said it was urgent.─ Don't worry. I won't tell anyone. ─ he said as soon as he saw the receptionist look around as if looking for a supervisor eager to scold her for breaking the rules. She sighed deeply.

─ It is better to be really important for your friend's recovery. She whispered, getting up, and as before, urging the boy to follow her.Light's legs weighed tons, it was like dragging an iron ball. And that's how he walked: limping like a zombie. The woman stopped in front of a small closet, so she had time to whirl her head around to Kyomi. She said, "What about the plan?" for him without making a sound. ─ No, never mind. She whispered, covering her mouth so that only she could see the movement of her lips.─ What is it? ─ The receptionist turned her torso to face him.─ No, nothing. ─ He smiled nervously. The woman frowned and continued to stir something inside.The girl snorted, looked around and started to march over to where Light was. Obviously I would do that. Irritating as hell. Light swore in thought. ─ So? ─ It approached like a hurricane, and dictated the words like an actress. ─ Is he okay? ─ I don't know yet. ─ He made a face, indicating that she should not proceed, and that only made her return the frown and continue:─ Stay calm, right? I know he'll be fine.Motherfucker.The lucky thing was that the receptionist was still too busy picking up her mysterious object on the furniture. However, it was clear that he listened carefully to each word. After all, it wouldn't be any good if she sent a murderer into the hospital."I am calm ..." he said calmly, but caught a hard look."Light ..." she trailed off. ─ We know how overprotective you are… ─ The boy bit his lower lip considerably, launching mental insults.─ I'm fine. I'll call you when I know something ...

Light was interrupted. As if Kyomi and her crazy schemes weren't enough, the hospital's back-and-forth door opened so hard that everyone, other receptionists, traveling doctors and waiting patients - literally everyone - looked up.─ Light! ─ A third female voice broke out from the lobby. The hair that hit her waist moved with the steps she took, practically running. His eyes and expressions were all contracted with concern. It came like a jet, and without warning, hugged Yagami so tightly that he fell to the sides before stabilizing. ─ I came running as soon as I heard that your boyfriend was hospitalized ...Fuck. As Naomi practically screamed, there was a shower of reactions, but all very discreet. Most people just looked away. Others whispered things that Light didn't want to know, and security guards probably just didn't expel her because Misora ​​had acted splendidly well, pretending to be all that worry.

Anyway, this was one of the few times that Light felt his cheeks really burning and the growing desire to open a hole in the ground and bury himself. That devastating shame

It was not something I was used to. Generally, looks were on you in another way.Naomi released him when almost everyone was already dispersed. Only then did he have time to see her. His lips were curved in a thin smile and with enough sarcasm to fill the void of the universe. Then, she moved closer to Kyomi, who had almost the same puzzled expression as Light.─ This is what I call "helping with the scheme". ─ Takada whispered.

─ I would call it more "revenge".

Light was still a little too shocked to speak. I'm glad he didn't have to, because the older girl turned to him. He held out a cardboard bracelet, completely green and with the words "Free Access" printed in black ink.─ Well ... I think I can consider you a relative, then. ─ She smiled. ─ We have to go.The two girls gave a triumphant look. In the end, the plan really worked. Yagami was even happy to get out of that lobby as soon as possible. I would take care of them later.

[...]

Yagami could not imagine how many times he would take this path from now on and for a long time. Light followed with quick steps, wanting to get out of there as soon as possible. It was quite difficult to keep pace with the woman. She had the hospital practically mapped on her head and moved without worrying about obstacles. Light, on the other hand, almost bumped once or twice on stretchers and benches along the way, but that was because his sense of orientation was waning by the second. Damn Naomi. He wandered, asking if there was a soul in this hospital that hadn't heard the girl's show. It seemed that all the people he passed were judging him, but it was pure irrationality, after all the corridor was a huge street, and she only stopped in front of the last entrance. It was pastel green, like almost everything in that place. He opened it, peered inside. The boy stood behind her, waiting.─ It's here, doctor. Can he come in? He whispered.─ Yes, please. The voice resonated from the room, and the girl finished opening the door, giving enough space for Light to pass. As soon as he entered, the man was staring at him, with both elbows on the table, one hand curled in the other. The funny thing is that he was not Asian. He had an angular and typically western face.─ So ... ─ The woman said ─ I have to go back there, but if you need, just call me. And doctor, please try to be discreet. We know this is an exception ...─ Of course. ─ he replied

She was gone and the door closed with a soft click.

Well, at least from his neutral expression, it was likely that he hadn't heard anything."Hello." The doctor smiled. ─ You can sit down.

At least the office chair was infinitely more comfortable than the waiting room. But that was the only good thing about the environment. Light tried to return the smile, but the doctor was already staring at him, his eyes fixed. He held himself that way until one of them had to break eye contact and it was the doctor himself who did it. Light could only concentrate on the environment, the heavy vibration he was transmitting. And of course, in Lawliet. His brain insisted on reminding him every thirty seconds why he was there, overcoming his shame.─ I will be direct. I am very concerned about him.Okay, that comment didn't help much. Light's expression deepened, and the doctor continued:"But, well ..." he stopped and looked at the card spread on the table, looking for the boy's name. ─ I am very relieved to see that you have a relative here.Yagami saw that he was referring to his green bracelet. Great, the only person who hadn't seen that ridiculous performance would have to hear the lie directly from Light's mouth, perfect. Of course, at that point, the doctor would find out. The boy had to engage in this story. However, as always, he lied about the lie.─ Ah, yes. ─ He swallowed.

The doctor gasped.─ The point is: there is a problem that I cannot solve.

Despite the bubbling stomach, it was hard not to feel the sarcastic little voice inside that screamed: Yeah, I know, there's a big problem, but I have no idea what it is.─ Um ... problem? The doctor sighed.─ She woke up just over ten minutes ago. ─ He explained.The words were hitting him. His shame was immediately drained."And also ..." The doctor continued. ─ I found that he has a badly healed fracture in his left arm. It is almost as if he has tried to heal himself. The blood test will be out shortly, but we need to investigate further and find out what happened.─ But why? ─ Light whispered more to himself, but the doctor shook his head.─ That's what I want to know, Light-san. I am really very concerned. We didn't get anything about the catastrophic headaches that you described to the emergency. Upon arriving, I thought that the fainting could be a consequence of this. But ... "He looked away with a sigh.─ And what else? He asked quickly. ─

Doctor, do you already know anything else?─ You can call me Aiber. ─ He got up, circling his bench and coming straight to Light. He pulled his chair out in front of the boy, took off his glasses, facing him again. The impression is that he was trying to read something inside the Japanese man's eyes. ─ Light Yagami, right?

Light nodded, a little frantically. Seeing the doctor evading the question was slightly desperate."So, Aiber," he corrected himself. ─ Is there anything else?

The doctor sighed heavily again. He rolled his eyes across the floor, hunting for the right words, or perhaps deciding whether to really say them.─ You two ... Well, I don't want to sound invasive, but I'm just curious as to what kinship you have. I mean, the patient looks very Western.Light knew that matter would come. It was not curiosity at all. There was something, something bad and heavy under the doctor's throat. He was deciding whether Yagami was worth knowing, if he could be trusted. It was an extremely suffocating sensation and Light could not avoid a thin, sharp irritation rising through his veins, because no one seemed to trust him enough. Damn it, he was very worried and it was impossible not to notice. He, more than anyone, had seen L's condition, much paler and thinner than he already was. The hair was shoulder-length. It looked like it was going to break.─ Please, can you tell me. I'm his boyfriend and I really wanted to be the first to know. ─ Light blew, without much effort to make the performance seem legitimate.

The doctor blinked very hard. I certainly didn't expect that. He narrowed his eyes, and something in his expression simply screamed how confused he had become. Instead of easing the suspicion, Aiber was even more doubtful.─ Light-san ... I'm sorry. Maybe I shouldn't give you information before I'm sure. You know, this is not the standard of the hospital."But if you called me, there must be a reason," he defended himself. Amazing how his shame was gone, giving way to impatience. At the same time, I didn't know if I wanted to listen to the end. He didn't want to believe the deductions his mind was making. He didn't want to think about the possibilities, the whys ...─ So I think it would be better to wait until you are sure. I don't want to scare you.Yeah, I certainly hadn't done it, not at all. However, even so, Aiber's tone was somewhat scenic, because it was kind of obvious that saying "I don't want to scare you" to someone scared would not solve the problem. Was he ... testing him?─ No! He interrupted. ─ Whatever it was, it can continue.The doctor sent him another look.─ So ... ─ The doctor started again. ─ I'm going to ask you something, and you don't have to answer if you don't want to, this is not an interrogation.Light nodded very slowly.─ How long have you two been dating?─ About three months. He blew. For some reason, Light already imagined it would be something related to this. There was something in his gut saying that it was going to the wrong place."Okay ..." the doctor paused as if he were making a mental note. ─ There's one more thing, I just don't know if I should ...─ It's okay, you can ask. Aiber's face hardened a little.─ Has Lawliet been acting strange in the past few days? Different from what it used to be?─ Not that I knew. ─ Light said, apparently normal. But inside him, the feeling of impending tragedy showed no signs of abating.─ So, who knows about any physical changes?Yagami shook his head, looking at the doctor and totally unable to remain in control.─ I did not see him for some time. ─ He gave the best excuse he could get.The doctor did not feel false in him. It wasn't a lie, at least that part. Aiber relaxed his eyebrows a little, but remained tense. Before, it looked more like he was accusing Light of something. He bowed, massaged his forehead.─ So you mean it has been a considerable time since you had sex?

─ Ah, well, we never had ... ─ Yagami almost choked on the air.

The doctor nodded.

─ I'm going to ask you something and I don't expect you to understand now: I need you to go inside and convince me to let you examine it today. Since he woke up, I can't touch him anymore because he won't let anyone get close."How ..." Light opened his mouth.─ There are some things I would like to check.

─ Like what?

─ I need to be sure. ─ it expired deeply.

Yagami stamped his foot with the answer.

─ Do you think I'm going to calm down with all these ideas in my head? Whatever it is, you can tell me.

Aiber stood up and looked out the window, crossing his arms. I was just going around the subject, but there was no doubt that something was buried. And Light did not like the hypotheses he was creating. He wanted the truth, he really wanted it.

─ Doctor, I swear I don't ...

─ I am a criminal doctor, Light-san. ─ cut it off. ─ And I think this job is making me paranoid. It's just

that.

Light was wishing that the suspicions he had been considering since they were in the car were just the product of his fertile imagination. His heart, however, was beating so violently that everything that came to Yagami's head was too bad to speak out loud.

─ What do you mean by that?

─ Has he always had scars on his neck? - returned the question, with an expression going from worried to anxious.─ He ... Ah, fuck. He said, and the doctor just gasped. Light put his hand on one side of his forehead, covering most of his face. ─ I really don't know what you mean by that.

It was obvious that he knew.─ I shouldn't have called you, sorry ...─ What do you think happened? The sound scratched his throat.─ I don't want to jump to conclusions, but ...─ Do you really think something has happened? - rephrased the question. ─ Honestly?The doctor realized that he was determined to know. You should then be honest.─ Yes, I think. He articulated, firmly, but his eyes hesitated. ─ But I don't know what it is.

"But what if something happened to him ..." he whispered to himself, never taking his hand off his face.─ Light-san, I told you, we need to find out ...─ I should have known. I should know. What the hell. Aiber already saw that there was no turning back. It was not as if he himself was not concerned with the patient, with all this poorly told story, and even what involvement Light would have with all of that. However, he decided that Yagami could not be faking that shaking, and the disbelief that permeated his voice. Then the doctor got up.─ Okay, I'll send for the people who came with you. I'm sorry for this conversation, it's just that nothing like this has ever happened to me in an ordinary hospital. You can keep them until you are able to ..."No," she replied, with both anger and fear. "I need to see you now, please."