Chapter Eight

I try to speed things up with the analysis. Several results come back regarding the fingerprints but the bottom line is, as far as the tapes are concerned, only Miko's fingerprints can be traced. Great! So it looks like all roads point to her. I let Ryuzaki know about the tapes only to return to the lab to have a look at everything else. I can't escape this gut feeling that I'm missing something. I look at the DNA match results again. Something is missing. I know I checked for more fingerprints and DNA samples in all of the envelopes we intercepted from Sakura TV, so what the heck is it that I'm missing? Oy! I need a break. I walk out of the room to make myself a cup of hot chocolate to go with the cookies that I'd bought earlier. The Task Force members huddle around the TV. 'You're watching the surveillance tapes again?' Mr Aizawa asks.

'If Kira and the Second Kira met at any time, it would be at Aoyama.'

The new tape with the Second Kira claiming to have found Kira was marked for the 23rd, the day after Aoyama. It makes the most sense that the two Kiras were there. But, ironically, so was Light. If I have to follow Ryuzaki's line of thought, Light being Kira means that the only reason he'd go to Aoyama is to meet up with the Second Kira, maybe even spot them. Of course, from what I heard, Light stuck with the group he went with and made no attempt to socialise beyond them. So how the Second Kira could have met him without the cameras catching them is a mystery. Unless…I think about the word the Second Kira used to refer to the killing power—something like, Shinigami? Light said that they're Japanese gods of Death. But that doesn't give me much. Now would be the perfect time to do the research. With my hot chocolate ready, I walk back into my room and pull over the bag of chocolate chip cookies. I need some music to help ease some tension. I pull out a new album from my iTunes account, a gothic metal band called Krypteria. I play a song from their latest album as I look up the word Shinigami on the web. Not much is available on them, it seems. They are definitely known as gods of Death but they are also called angels of Death. Of course gods and angels are two entirely different beings. In all, what I get from them is that their main job is to kill people. Not enough details on how they do it. Then again, because they're gods, why should anyone question their powers' secrets?

'Uh, Frejda?'

I turn to the door and see Mr Matsuda at the door. 'Hi. Come on in,' I smile.

He does. 'What are you doing?'

'Researching on the Shinigami. I actually got the name right.'

'Did you find anything?'

'Nothing pertaining to the case. Looks like the two Kiras are just using the name as a diversion.'

'Huh?'

'I was trying to see if there's anything the Shinigami have that could tell us more about this ability the Kiras have to kill. Nothing.'

'I see.'

'So, what brings you to me?'

'Well, Ryuzaki wanted to know if you've had a breakthrough with finding out anything with the tapes and the envelopes.'

'Not yet. I know that I'm overseeing something but I haven't been able to figure it out. It might take an all-nighter.'

'Anything I can do to help?'

'Actually yeah. Can you ask Ryuzaki if I can borrow his computer?'

'Uh…sure.'

He walks out of the room with my request. Setting my laptop aside, along with my now empty cup and left over cookies, I check out the DNA sample reports again. At this point, there are no contradictions against Miko's fingerprints covering all the envelopes and tapes. What about everything else? Think, think! I found hair samples, lolly wraps, plus pieces of nail and other fibres all around the envelopes. Merde, what am I missing? There has to be something I overlooked! There has to be! As I look through the report, an image of Light being surprised by that blonde girl flashes through my mind. I can only imagine the embarrassment that the poor boy was feeling. The image replays in my mind again. And again. And again.

Blonde hair!

Miko's place was filled with strands of hair, both brown and blonde. I had initially concluded that Miko had dyed her hair at some point. But…did I still check for the DNA comparison? On top of that, Miko's statement appeared to be blaming someone else for sending the tapes. Is there a possibility that the blonde hair belongs to that other person? I file through the reports to check the DNA samples for the hair. Each colour strand had been tested separately and produces no match that links the two together. Eureka! I look through all of the strands of hair tested. The brown hair strands definitely belong to Miko Tanaka. The blonde hair, according to what is concluded, belongs to another person entirely. This cannot be a coincidence, can it? If patterns like these keep popping up with the rest of the DNA samples then this may really help solve the mystery of the Second Kira…if not confuse us more. I go through every report I can, trying to see how often these patterns appear. To my surprise, they begin to add up with what we carried out regarding Miko's home. Have I really been asleep this entire time? This is so not my usual pace. I grab my log book and begin to jot down the patterns, categorising them as Miko or Mysterious Blonde (MB). Whatever it is, they seem to appear more frequently within recent days. I notice this particularly in the candy and food crumb samples. Some of the crumbs are not even over two weeks old. Something is up. I think about what Miko said again, replaying the words in my mind. She seemed so keen on hiding behind words but there were heavy implications that someone else was there when the tapes were being created. MB may or may not be the Second Kira we're looking for but something tells me that they are very well connected to all this. With all these patterns showing up, it's about time I begin to search for the plausible match. They should have a match by later this afternoon (when on earth did it become morning?) with the information I've gathered. I walk out of the room in time to see Ryuzaki walking to me. 'Oh good,' I sigh. 'I was coming to you.'

'What have you found?'

'There's a possibility that more than one person is involved here.'

'Is that so?'

'I'm not sure who, but I've been looking throughout the DNA samples Mr Aizawa and I collected in Osaka. I've been able to match several of those samples to a subject I've nicknamed Mysterious Blonde, or MB for short. I got that from strands of blonde hair I found at Miko Tanaka's apartment. That being said, I think that this person was with Miko around the time the tapes were about to be sent. This can't be a coincidence. I just need help finding who the owner of the DNA of MB is.'

'Very good,' he says, 'I'll ask Watari to help you with that.'

'Great. Thank you.'

'You're welcome.'

'Oh, and Ryuzaki?'

'Yes?'

'Do you think that Light is the type of guy to have two girlfriends?'

Ryuzaki's face changes, the suspicion in his eyes deepening. 'No. I don't think so.'

'Okay. Just wondering.'

At this point, I'm wondering if part of me suspects Light of being Kira. I mean, is it possible? Yes. If it isn't the case though, is all this throwing me off? Light is a friend, so it's not fair of me to even consider it but I don't know; is it the fact that I saw that girl with him that's throwing me into suspicion? Of course that's also a terrible conclusion. There are plenty of cheaters out there but it does not make them a murderer. I don't think it does anyway.

'Are you jealous?'

Ryuzaki's question snaps me out of my reverie. 'I beg your pardon?'

'Are you jealous of Light's two girlfriends?'

I growl. 'No. Just 'cause I'm a girl doesn't mean that's the only thing on my mind. You should know that.'

'Right.'

'You're a jerk!'

'I've been called worse.'

'Deservedly so!'

He just chuckles.

'Oy!'

It takes another hour to complete the chart I began, which either means that I've gotten slower at my work or my lack of sleep is catching up to me. I continue to type up everything I categorised and send it to Mr Watari. He lets me know that he'll run the tests on MB. While waiting for that, I curl into the bed and give myself two hours to sleep. Dreamless and short, I wake up later to refocus my energy on homework. I can't believe that I nearly forgot about a project due in two weeks. I start with the research but even then, my focus is divided. My mind can't stop picturing that blonde girl that I saw with Light earlier. Aside from a rather rude display of affection, the girl doesn't really seem like a person that I should be worried about. Then…why do I feel like I should be paying attention to her? Argh! I can't work on a half divided mind like this. I need another round of hot chocolate. I grab my empty cup and head out of the room. Ryuzaki still reviews the tapes from Aoyama and everyone else appears to have gone, save for Mr Matsuda who is taking a nap on the other couch. Poor man. Despite continuing with the investigation and homework, I can't shake the image out of my head. But the more I think about her, the more her facial complexion appears in my mind, I feel like I've seen her before. But where? I try to think. I wonder if there's a way I can find out more about her identity. I pull up my computer. I wonder…

Oy! How do I search for a girl who's name I don't know? Huh. Now that I think about it, Light never once called her by her name. Or maybe I'm worried about nothing. When I'm back in my room, I get an email from Mr Watari confirming the verified identity of Miko's friend and possible accomplice: Misa Amane. Wow that was fast. Misa Amane, huh. Cool. I have a name now and MB is starting to sound a little ridiculous. I pull a name search on the web for any social accounts I can trace. Surprisingly I don't need to. Her name is famous. I click on the first search result. A picture of a blonde young woman appears on the screen. I look up more images of her on the net. She's a famous up and coming model it seems. Wow! Impressive. But the more I see her face, the more I'm convinced that this is the same girl I saw pouncing on Light before coming here. No way! This has to be a coincidence. This same girl, who meets with up with Light—but, can I confirm that she really is a personal friend of Miko Tanaka? With Misa being famous, could she really be the same girl as MB or is Miko pinning it on her just because? But I doubt any person wanting to frame someone would go for the famous, that doesn't qualify as believable. Still I can't get this thought off my head that I have seen her before. I have to think about this logically. Even if I have seen her before, and if she really is a friend of Miko Tanaka, how would I know that for sure? I also have to consider that the meetings between the two became frequent around the time the tapes were going to be sent to Sakura TV. What could be the bloody connection? I have to be overlooking something!

Wait! I'd asked earlier to see Ryuzaki's computer and I never got the chance. There was something I wanted to look over. Of course, Ryuzaki is a little possessive of his things. I walk out of the room, my mind feeling sure that this is the final piece of the puzzle: 'Ryuzaki?'

He crouches on the couch staring at the TV whilst eating a chocolate ball. 'Yes, Frejda?'

'May I borrow your computer?'

The urgency in my voice grabs his attention, along with a now awakened Mr Matsuda. I even notice Mr Mogi giving me an alerted look.

'Sure,' Ryuzaki finally answers.

I pull it to face me. Finding the files regarding the Osaka investigation, I search through the pictures that we collected. The moment I land on the one I'm looking for: 'Eureka!'

'What did you find?' Ryuzaki asks.

'I believe that I found the second suspect.'

'The second suspect?' Mr Matsuda repeats.

'I think I know the Second Kira who really is.'

'How?'

'You listened to Miko Tanaka's testimony right?'

'Right,' Ryuzaki says.

'Remember how she almost sounded like she was blaming somebody else for a prank gone wrong? I've been following that lead for a while. The possibility that someone else could be involved.'

'What did you find?'

'A lot. This picture just confirms that I have every right to be suspicious. Ryuzaki, I'm going to give you my research in detail. Also, remember how I asked you earlier if—' I stop myself. I can't say a question like that in front of the others, especially not right now. 'Remember that question I asked you earlier?'

Ryuzaki seems to catch up: 'Yes.'

'Pay close attention to the conclusion of my research.'

Ryuzaki works on verifying what I have found the entire next day. I think that there is no hole in what I discovered but I can't be too sure. Meanwhile, I try to survive the morning class. Thankfully, two of my later classes are cancelled which means I get to give myself a nap. I find a quiet place in the library to crash. Hopefully, I don't have any sleep problems that I need to worry about. Despite it being an hour and a half of sleep, I feel like it's enough to keep me awake most of the day, especially since I have to do research for a project. I spend most of the class hour in the library doing assigned work as well as research and other types of homework. Some of the work I have to do requires a lot more time than I have to give. Particularly the research project. I cannot rely on the internet alone for sources. I have to look for books to satisfy the amount of information the professor requires. Oy! I'm not sure that I can take much more of this double life. It's becoming too much to bear. I thought that the school aspect would give me a break from the Kira investigation; now it's become another burden. But I can't even think of leaving this school. If I'm to continue in my belief that Light is not Kira, I need to maintain the student charade that can help utilise any chance of finding the real one. But, even if Light is Kira, this is the only way I can remain close to him. Speaking of which, is it a coincidence that he's looking more like Kira these days? Is it possible that all this is by chance or…

If I carefully think about it, it's like the identity of the Second Kira is pointing directly at him. But from what I saw of the surveillance tapes from Aoyama, there's no way that Light could have seen or met the Second Kira. The clue from the Diary was that notebooks would be involved. No one had notebooks with them that day, never mind meeting up to exchange them or whatever the diary said. That's the missing link. Even without it, how is it that everything points to Light? Might I have to really investigate the possibility of my friend being one of the scariest serial killers in the history of the world?

Light…just thinking about him and the way he behaves...

Light fights for justice, for the right of the world. He's a hard worker and an incredible detective at that. It's adorable that he would choose to follow in his father's footsteps but the more I get to know him, the more I see his genuine concern for the world's wellbeing. If he is Kira, and he's killing criminals alone, it's possible the god complex we see in Kira could be attributed to him. But I wouldn't know about this. Most other cases I have done are more political. They are especially linked to the well-being of France. But for the first time, a mass murderer who calls himself Kira shows up and the headmistress tells me I'm to come to Japan to take care of this. But little do I know about the behaviours or a murderer like Kira. If Light is Kira, is he just pretending to be the sweet young man that I see or is he hiding in plain sight? Kira kills his victims with a heart attack and it's near impossible to do that on a whim, never mind without being there in person. But that's no longer the point. Light is my friend, and in the short time I've been in Japan, he's looked out for me, showed me around and even been sweet enough to babysit me until he was confident that I'm fine on my own. If Light is Kira, does that mean that I will have to…

My stomach lightly growls, snapping me out of my reverie. A real meal sounds nice. I've been chewing gum to help me maintain my strength. I need to get something to eat now. Packing everything up, I walk out of the library heading in the direction of the cafeteria. Coming across the narrow walkway, I stop short of a rather large crowd formed. Suddenly it disperses leaving Light and Ryuzaki left in the middle. I approach the two and smile: 'Haven't seen you two all day.'

'Hey Frejda,' Light greets, 'how are you?'

'Fine. What was going on just now?'

'Misa Amane was here,' Ryuzaki explains.

Confused, I ask, 'Misa Amane?'

'A model,' Light helps.

'Oh,' that Misa Amane. She was here? Was she here for Light again? Or…

'Light and I were on our way to the cafeteria,' Ryuzaki says, 'wanna come?'

'Sure.'

'Actually, you two go on ahead, I need to use the restroom,' Light says.

He knows there's one in the cafeteria, right?

Ryuzaki turns to leave and I follow. We walk quietly for a minute when suddenly a rock song plays out of nowhere. Ryuzaki pulls out a phone, holding it by the leash: a flip orange phone that does not belong to him. He holds it for a bit, grinning at it like it's some sort of trophy.

'You gonna answer that?' I whisper.

Ignoring me, he flips it open and holds it against his ear: 'Yes? Hello?'

Though it's a bit muffled, I hear a familiar voice respond.

'Oh, is that you Light? I guess someone must have dropped this phone in all the commotion earlier on.'

Why don't I believe that?

A few seconds of silence pass before Ryuzaki speaks into the phone: 'Uh…hello?'

'Yeah, that's—that's Misa's cell phone you have,' Light says approaching us,looking very irritated, 'I can give it back to her.'

'Oh I see, sure that makes sense.'

Snapping the phone shut, he gives it to Light.

Another cell phone rings seconds later. Ryuzaki's.

'Oh. Oh this time it's actually my cell phone.' Pulling it out of his pocket, he flips it open and answers it: 'Yes? Yes I see. So it's done then. I understand.' Snapping the phone shut he turns to face us, looking directly at Light. 'I'm not sure how you'll take this, but regarding Misa Amane there's something you should know. We've taken her into custody under the suspicion of being the Second Kira.'

A hoarse laugh follows but I ignore it.

'We've gathered physical evidence from the envelopes that were sent by the Second Kira. In particular we gathered hairs and fibres from the masking tape used to seal them. They matched what we found in Misa's room.'

Oh boy. Here comes the bomb.

'There would be a public uproar if word gets out that she's apprehended as the Second Kira. So officially, we've charged her manager with drug possession, and she's a voluntary witness, but I doubt any of this will get out.'

Ryuzaki gave me instructions to stay with the Task Force as soon as they'd confined Misa Amane; I'm allowed to check-in with Light. As of now, he is a primary suspect. Part of me wishes that I didn't see Misa with Light last night but most of me knows that I can't let my personal feelings get involved. The evidence against Light being Kira increased significantly; this is a fact I can't ignore. I don't want Light to be Kira. In fact, I pray to the Saint that he is not Kira. I hate preparing for the possibility, never mind the reality, of such a truth.

I start to follow Ryuzaki but my wrist is gripped by Light.

'Did you know?' he asks quietly.

'What?'

'About Misa?'

In all honesty: 'No. I don't know about Misa. She's just a suspect to me.'

'I see.'

Silence.

'Are you going to be okay?'

He lets go of my wrist. 'I don't know.'

For some reason, I can't bear to leave him like this. He really looks guilty but not of being Kira. Hearing about Misa's arrest must take a toll on him. I mean, I would be a little scared myself if someone I know was arrested for suspicion of something like that. But, while I may feel nervous, would I feel guilty? Or would I have to be the real Kira to feel that guilty?

'Light? Are you going to be okay?' I repeat the question carefully.

'Yeah.'

'Alright.'

I don't feel like leaving him here, but Ryuzaki is waiting for me. I can't keep him waiting either.

'I'll see you later?'

'Sure,' he says distractedly.

The Task Force gathers around the TV in the main room to see the progress of Misa Amane. Mr Watari informs us she has yet to say a word. 'Get me a visual,' Ryuzaki asks.

'Are you sure?'

'Yes.'

Uh-oh.

The TV turns on. It takes all strength to keep myself from gasping in disgust. The blonde girl wears strait jacket, and like a mental patient, Mr Watari strapped her to a vertically set bed. The cherry on top: she's blindfolded. I've never seen such a sick form of torture, even from the way we do things. We test their patience and loyalty through pain but we never dehumanise them like this. The others don't have trouble expressing their disgust about how insanely far Ryuzaki is taking this but he ignores them. 'Mr Watari, take the necessary precaution but otherwise, you're free to do as you wish.'

Which I am not interested in seeing. No one expects her to start talking today so Ryuzaki saves us by turning off the TV. Finally, having gotten somewhere with the investigation, this is the part where we wait. And waiting takes anxious days. Not even school seems like an option to go through right now. I know I have a backup just in case of situations like these but the stress of waiting plus monitoring Kira��s killings since Misa's confinement are oddly relaxing. Some of the others semi-agree with me. Things don't take a turn for better or worse. Misa remains quiet, refusing to say anything. What she doesn't realise is how this doesn't look good for her. I kind of feel sorry for her. Whether innocent or guilty, she's caught herself between the blades of a double-edged sword. But it gets me thinking: what sort of person is Kira? What does he expect of people? How does he view them? How does he view Misa? Does he love her or use her? Should he hear of her arrest… The image of a startled Light appears in my mind. Ryuzaki is so sure that Light is Kira; I very well saw how he took the news. I still can't say it gave me much on what was going on through his head. I have a lot of gifts but mindreading is not one of them. Even if I could, would I like to know what it is that goes on in his head? Will it destroy something I feel about Light as my friend?

After three days, Mr Watari informs us she's talking. Ryuzaki turns on the TV. Misa's head slumps over, worn out from whatever Mr Watari put her through. Her breathing sounds off, a mixture of tired and scared. Her tired slump doesn't shock me as much as what comes out of her mouth: 'I can't take it anymore. Kill me.'

The gasps in the room come from the other men but I remain silent. I just study her.

'Kill me. Please, just kill me.'

'I don't know. Maybe this is just too much for a young girl to take,' Mr Aizawa says.

'He's right,' Mr Matsuda agrees, 'we've pushed it too far.'

Ryuzaki pushes the button to turn on the speaker in her room: 'Misa Amane, can you hear me?'

'I hear you. Please, just kill me now,' she begs.

'Does this mean you admit to being the Second Kira? Is this the reason you wish to die?'

Trust Ryuzaki to set aside sensitivity for questioning.

'No. I don't know anything about being the Second Kira. Please, I just can't take this anymore.'

Did anyone notice her toes curve?

'Now hurry up and kill me. If you want you could kill me right now, couldn't you?'

Oh gosh!

After a pause she says: 'Yes. Kill me.' A faint muffled sound follows. 'Yes. I do.'

What the—is she talking with someone? Mr Watari is the only other person in room and he didn't say anything. So who could she be talking to? And what was that strange muffled sound?

'I can't take it anymore. Kill me!' Her pleas become desperate and the muffled sound, which sounds faintly like a woman's voice, continues after each time she says something. I look around the room. No one else seems to look for another sound in the room or feel bothered by it. Is this my stress catching up to me again? Who could have thought that this would produce such stress that I'd actually begin to hallucinate? First laughter and then this.

'You can't,' she says, 'No, you can't. Please just kill me!'

Now she sounds like she's trying to correct an alternative. Who is she taking to? Should I bring this up or would I look like an idiot?

'Fine!' she snaps, 'if you won't kill me—'

'Stop her!' Ryuzaki yells. 'Watari! Don't let her bite her tongue!'

Mr Watari rushes behind Misa and gags her between her lips. Misa's muffled protests make everyone, including myself, very nervous and uncomfortable. For a suspected killer, she seems almost too human to me.

'Is it possible this behaviour can contribute to Kira controlling her actions right before death?' Ryuzaki asks.

At least it gives us an idea of what kind of a person Kira might be.

Ryuzaki and I volunteer to watch over Misa while everyone else goes home to get some rest. Neither of us says anything, we just quietly watch the calmed gagged girl. Sometime in the night, I hear that deep woman's voice again, still muffled for the most part. In a panic mode, Misa begins to shake her head, as if protesting against something. Upon hearing it, I want to confer with Ryuzaki but I fear I'll look like an idiot. She shakes her head violently for a few more seconds before calming down and then, nods in some sort of agreement. A tear slides down her eye but that's not the strangest part. A strand of her blonde hair flips up as if in response to wind: wind that cannot, should not and does not exist in that confined room. Even if it's cold in there. Not even the AC has that much wind power.. 'Did you see that?' Ryuzaki whispers to me.

'Oh yeah,' I nod. I wait a few seconds before asking: 'Did you hear anything strange coming from that room?'

Ryuzaki snaps his head in my direction before returning his stare to Misa. 'I didn't. No.'

'Okay.' Whew.

'Why? Did you?'

'I've been having a lot of hallucinations lately. It's probably that.'

'You probably just need more sleep.'

'I'll be fine tonight.'

Ryuzaki and I continue watch her through the night. He keeps me up by letting me some of his caffeinated candy and drinking three mugs of hot chocolate with a strong dosage of sugar and coffee in them. Misa's calmness allows Mr Watari to take off the gag. The girl slumps her head, defeated. She remains absolutely quiet, giving Mr Watari some peace. In the early hours of the day, I go to the bathroom to freshen up myself. I return to the main room and fix myself another hot chocolate, without the coffee, as Mr Matsuda, Mr Aizawa and Chief Yagami come in. 'Good morning, Frejda,' Chief Yagami greets.

'Good morning, gentlemen.'

'Any progress with her?' Mr Aizawa asks.

I shake my head as I yawn, returning to my place next to Ryuzaki. He's eating away at his box of chocolates. I sip on my hot chocolate, keeping my eyes focused on Misa, who appears to be waking up from her sleep. Suddenly she utters words that make even less sense than her earlier behaviour: 'Mr Stalker?'

And that catches our attention.

'Mr Stalker, can we please stop this game now?'

'Where's this coming from?' Mr Aizawa asks.

Good question.

'Mr Stalker? This is illegal, you have to stop. Okay, come on, please?'

Is she serious right now? Is she okay?

'She's been acting like this ever since she regained consciousness,' Mr Aizawa observes.

'Seriously,' Mr Matsuda asks, 'Does she think she can get out of this just by playing dumb?'

'Okay, how 'bout this?' she continues, 'you could at least take off my blind folds? At least I could see what you look like.'

Ryuzaki holds out his hand: 'Matsuda, call Mogi for me.'

'Uh…just a second.'

Mr Matsuda gets out his phone and makes the call. He hands it over to Ryuzaki.

'Mr Mogi,' he says, 'when you apprehended Misa Amane, you informed her that she was a suspect am I correct?'

We wait in silence while Mr Mogi answers.

'What if I gave you an autograph? Will that do?' she continues, 'I know! I could give you a kiss on the cheek if you want! Oh come on, I won't run away. I promise.'

What the heck is going on here? Merde!

Ryuzki presses the speaker: 'Misa Amane.'

'What's that Mr Stalker? Are you planning to release me?'

'Before you passed out, you barely spoke,' Ryuzaki continues, 'you even asked me to kill you. And now you're claiming ignorance?'

'Hmm? I don't understand! You're the one who knocked me out and brought me here weren't you? Wait! I get it! This is some kind of Misa Amane interrogation fantasy isn't it?'

Uh…wow.

'Do you know why I'm detaining you here? You must have some idea,' Ryuzaki presses.

'What d'you mean? It's because I'm a celebrity, obviously!'

I'm sure that she was told what was really going on when she was apprehended.

'But you're definitely the first stalker to have gone this far and you're starting to scare me.'

Suddenly Mr Matsuda grabs the microphone and screams: 'Hey Amane, no one is buying this so cut it out!'

'Not helping,' I mutter.

'Oh this is scary! What's going on?' she asks, visibly shuddering.

She begs us to let her go, creating excuses just to be let out of the situation. The drastic change in her mood begins to scare me, not to mention, confuse me. The spar she puts against Ryuzaki seems too genuine, like she's really got no clue what's going on. Is she an amnesiac and we didn't know it or something? That can't be the reason. How she'd survive as a celebrity with that kind of problem, I don't think I'll know. What the heck is going on?

'Amane,' Ryuzaki tries again, 'let's get back to the conversation before you passed out. Do you know who Light Yagami is and why you met him?'

'Huh? What do you mean? How can I forget my own boyfriend?'

Whoa! Wait, they are dating?

'Where is this coming from?' Mr Matsuda asks.

Someone's phone rings, dismissing the tension in the room. Ryuzaki pulls it out of his pocket: 'Perfect timing. It's Light.' He answers the phone. The conversation is brief but it appears that Light is coming here. When Ryuzaki finishes talking, he slips his phone back into his pocket and asks that all audio and visual be turned off. Turning to me he says: 'Please go get him from the lobby.'

'Sure.'

I walk out of the room and use the lift to get to the lobby. I find Light sitting on one of the provided couches. He looks so lonely considering how empty the place is this early in the morning. The moment he sees me, he gets up. As I start toward him, he surprises me with by engulfing me in a hug. 'Whoa! What's wrong?'

'I have a confession to make,' he says, 'and…I need your support.'

'Uh…sure. Uh…the others are waiting for you.'

'Right.'

The walk to the lift and up is so tense that I start to feel light headed. I almost take Light's hand in reassurance but stop myself. What is there to reassure at this point? When we get to the room, the others watch him expectantly. I bite my inner lip, anticipating the worst. Light faces Ryuzaki who turns to acknowledge the boy.

'Ryuzaki, as I said over the phone,' Light pauses to breathe and then, 'I could be Kira.'