Chapter Twenty-Five

Panic stirs in the room. Light, remaining calm, asks: 'For what reason?'

'Oh, just in case.'

'In case of what?' I mouth.

'Near,' Light scolds, 'kidnapping is a blatant criminal act. You have to stop this now.'

'Actually, Mr Mogi and Amane both came here willingly. You can even ask them yourself. I'll put them on the line now. Here they are.'

The screen switches to Mr Mogi and Misa seated calmly on a sofa. They don't look harmed or contained by any force. Near wasn't lying. Still…

'Mogi, Misa,' Light calls, 'this is L speaking. I'm told that Near is detaining you. He said that you both agreed to it. Is that true?'

'It is,' Mr Mogi sighs.

'Actually, I was against the whole thing,' Misa contradicts, 'But Motchi said it would be best if I just went along quietly. He told me we would have both been killed if I didn't.'

'Alright,' Light says, 'it's fine, as long as you both consented to this.'

He cuts off the connection. This is clearly a move to bait Kira, and if I can see it, Light can too. Someone will respond to this soon. Meanwhile, the audience at the festival remains disappointed that the opening act didn't show which obviously sets the motion that the SPK needs. I wonder how Takada feels about this. Light will probably figure out the next time they meet. Meanwhile, I continue to search for the identity of the new Kira using some of the transcriptions from previous recordings as well as every video surveillance or recording I can find from Takada in the last three years. Whoever this New Kira remains careful in personally meeting Takada since he became the Hand and she the Voice. There's no way Takada would risk meeting him publicly either, especially if she even suspects Martha's affiliation with the SPK. There's no reason for her to at this point, but my interaction with Martha last time could have given her more ideas. Most of the jargon passing between Light and Takada throughout these meetings doesn't fall short of being irrelevant but if I know Light, everything he's saying is coded. If I hadn't known the truth, I probably would have seen it like the others do, Takada pulling in with the Task Force and banding with us to arrest Kira. It's a terrible advantage, but an advantage nonetheless, something that melts my brain more than any other case I've worked and now, now I understand exactly how Ryuzaki felt dealing with this. I've taken the road of silence, keeping it to myself and not confronting Light head on. Even if Mr Aizawa and Mr Ide have my back, there must be concrete evidence to convict him and the worst part, I wouldn't be able to do my job. Better to suffer in silence, I guess. Still, what information I'm getting isn't entirely useless, for instance, Light's comment about the fan mail. What if Light instructed Takada to contact the New Kira through the fanmail? Or maybe, the fanmail isn't a communication device, it's more of a delivery service. Why would Kira need to use something like that to get something out of Takada? Out of the New Kira?

'Aizawa, Frejda,' Light calls.

'Come on Frejda,' Mr Aizawa beckons.

'Again?'

'You'll at get to see your friend again, at least,' Light smiles, 'cheer up.'

'Not amused,' I growl.

'What friend?' Mr Matsuda asks.

'Not now!' I snap.

'Sorry,' he ducks.

Grabbing my coat and earpiece, I follow the two men out. Mr Aizawa and Light take the two front seats while I take the back. At the hotel, we do our routine check of external bugs and cameras until it satisfies Light. I decide to wait for Takada outside this time so Light can prepare himself for the dinner and Mr Aizawa heads back to HQ.

'You're staying?' he asks before he leaves.

'Yeah, I get the feeling he wants me to stick around.'

'Honestly, I can't tell his feelings about you. He always wants you around him, I can't tell if he likes you or mistrusts you.'

'Oh?'

'Since your return, it's almost as if he's kept an eye on you, like he was anticipating something happen to you. Now he wants you to stay until he's done meeting with Takada?'

'Who knows? He's probably wondering if I'm a mole too. Since I came directly from the SPK and all.'

'You've had plenty of chances to leak information and you haven't.'

'True, but it's actually because Near told me not to.'

'Why?'

'Light would be expecting a Trojan Horse, even I know that. I haven't shared anything classified with Near but—' I pause, glancing at the room door. Takad's not here yet so I can say this: 'I think there's more going on here.'

'How do you mean?'

'The Shinigami, the first one we encountered when Higuchi was arrested?'

He nods, remembering.

'It told me something which the other Shinigami, Ryuk, confirmed.'

'What?'

'Neither of them can see my lifespan.'

'What?'

'They can see my name but not my lifespan. That being said, a person with the Shinigami Eyes can also see that I don't have a lifespan.'

'So, anyone with the Eyes would be able to notice that.'

'Right. To them, at best, I'll look like a person with a Notebook of my own; unless—'

'Unless the Shinigami points it out to Kira.'

'By the miracle of the Saint, Misa hasn't seen me with her Shinigami Eyes. The day I went to see her, I risked it all to test the theory.'

'What?' he growls.

Before I can explain, Takada appears with Martha at her side. Takada smiles at me with a nod and tells Martha something inaudible before approaching us. 'Hello,' she nods at me. 'You're Abdul's girlfriend, right?'

I glance at Martha who shrugs.

'How d'you do, Miss Takada,' I nod.

'Very well thank you. I just wanted you in person.'

'Of course.'

'Well, I'll be going in now. Abdul, don't forget to have fun.'

She heads to the door.

'Girlfriend?' Mr Aizawa whispers.

'Don't ask,' Martha and I say in unison.

'Alright. We'll finish this later.'

'Right.'

Nodding at Martha, Mr Aizawa turns to leave. My earpiece picks up noise from the hotel room, the alarm I need to start paying attention.

'Your colleague outside, she's quite the nice girlfriend for Abdul.'

'Right,' Light nods. 'Kiyomi, I saw you had some trouble at the Pop Music Festival.'

'Yes. I never imagined that Ms Amane wold be missing.'

Wow, he got down to business fast.

'But it didn't do too much damage to NHN, right?'

'No. Not too much.'

'That's good.'

The rest of the conversation shifts to something rather boring, pertaining nothing towards the case. But I'm surprised he didn't talk about the reasons behind Misa's disappearance, even if we know what's going on. By the time it's over, Martha escorts Takada out of the hotel room. Light comes out later. I wonder how he manages to clean everything up so quickly. Especially without my noticing. Even when I walk into the hotel room almost immediately after Takada leaves, everything looks untouched and in place. During the ride back to HQ, we practically ignore each other, much to my liking. I must think of a quicker way to discover the identity of the New Kira. But more importantly, I need to stop stalling with regards to Misa Amane. Perhaps I should contact Martha, let her know to do away with Misa once Near releases her. She can't die until Light's certain to not hold anything over the SPK. Small as they are, I don't think they can blame Misa's death on an accident, especially with Mr Mogi watching over her. So, it must be done once she's clear of Near. As for Light Yagami, I could do it now and no one will have to know. The SPK may help me hide my involvement, especially if it means ridding the world of Kira. It might be easier to prove his guilt that way. We'd find clues we need on his person. Of course, when I really think about it, the more it sounds like a stupid idea. First, how do I kill Light without involving the driver? At least he'll be an involuntary witness which I can pay to lie, but that will only lead to either backfire or exposure, not to mention failure to keep our moral and ethical values alive on the field. At worst, I kill him to silence him. In other words, the diriver will be fatally involved if I make my move now. It will be a failure to may ways if I make such a reckless move. And I know Near won't allow me to make such a move on my own without repercussions, one that endangers my entire branch. I'm stuck until he finishes his game. I turn to look at Light who sits quietly and calmly.

I don't know who I'm looking at anymore. Is it Light or Kira? Have they become one? Has he really surrendered himself to this? If he has, why would it be hard for me to accept it? I know what Kira does is evil, and I know Light is Kira. So why do I still feel even mildly conflicted about this? I doubt I'll hesitate when the time is right but—still, why does my heart ache at the thought? Is it because part of me believes in the slightest one percent of his humanity? I think back to the time when the Task Force discussed how evil Kira is. Light stood by Mr Matsuda's side admitting that on some level, Kira probably knows what he's doing is evil. That he's only doing this to make the world a better place even if it's through extremem measures. I remember how he concluded the argument: 'If we catch Kira, he is evil. If he wins and rules the world, then he is justice.' Though I still hope he eats those words, I wonder if it means he'll accept that he is evil when the time comes? Will he declare justice on himself? Is this evidence of that one percent?

'You okay?'

'Hmm?'

'You've been staring at me for a while.'

'Oh. Sorry,' I look away.

'No, really, are you okay?'

'I'm fine Light, don't worry about it.'

'Okay.'

'By the way, regarding your date with Takada, have you given any thought to Misa lately?'

'What do you mean?'

'How much does Misa know all about this?'

'As much as she told Takada, I assume. Does it matter?'

'Mr Mogi better keep Misa out of the limelight then. It won't be an issue keeping her away from Takada anymore. Of course, I've come to realise that Takada can be just as jealous.'

'She still believes her bodyguard is your girlfriend, doesn't she?'

'Yep. We're keeping it that way until the investigation is over.'

'Is that really necessary?'

'I don't know, Light, you tell me. How would you like to have Takada bombard you about your relationship with me, next time?'

'Okay, fine.'

'What's it matter to you anyway? It's not like we act like an actual couple.���

'Okay, okay.'

When we make it back to HQ, I've not stepped into the room fully before Mr Matsuda tackles me with: 'Frejda Sofer! What's this about you having a girlfriend? Why didn't you tell us?'

'Matsuda!' Mr Aizawa growls.

'Calm down, Mr Matsuda,' I plead, 'I'll explain. Martha isn't my girlfiend and neither of us is a lesbian. Takada just assumed so when I smiled at Martha the first time I met her. We've kept up that farce since so that she doesn't bother Light.'

'Oh.'

'Let it go, mon frere, let it go.'

'Right.'

'Oy,' I sigh.

I spy Mr Aizawa giving me a look, reminding me of our earlier discussion. I nod and beckon him to join me in the kitchen. Setting down my coat, I follow him out back. He waits for me, leaning impatiently against the counter. 'So?' he asks.

���What did I last tell you?'

'About risking your life by visiting Misa with that information. Why would you do that?'

'I only felt confident enough to do it when you and Mr Mogi couldn't find the Notebook at their place. That's when I had my suspicions. Misa's only acted dumber than usual lately and I placed my bets on that. There's no doubt in my mind she's the Second Kira, especially if she forgot about the book by, say, relinquishing ownership?'

'You don't know that for sure, do you?'

'I just placed my bets, and it turned out, I was right that she no longer has the eyes. If she did, she would have told Light, something I prepared for as well.'

'Based on the fact that Light is Kira?'

'Yes.'

'Okay, so you know. How does that help?'

'I—look, what I'm about to tell you stays between you and me. this is serious, okay? Telling you this means that eventually, I may have to kill you. And what I tell you is strictly need-to-know. So, no asking for more. Stick only with what I tell you, am I clear?'

He silently contemplates my warning. The stress lines on his forehead indicate his measuring the risks of knowing what I'm about to tell him; settling all risks, he sighs: 'Alright.'

'If those Shinigami Eyes can't see my lifespan, then they cannot see Martha's either.'

'What?'

'Martha and I came from the same branch, meaning we were brought up and trained by the same people. Without giving away too much, I'll tell you this: everyone in that branch is related by blood, which is why Martha's in as much danger as I am. The only time I've contacted Near, while I've been working with you all, is to warn Martha about this. Otherwise, I've kept the information the Task Force has gathered confidential.'

Mr Aizawa studies me carefully. 'So, are you saying that Martha's your—your sister?'

'Yes.'

'And if a Shinigami notices this about you, you're in danger of exposure?'

'Yes. Both Shinigamis we've encountered couldn't stop staring at me. Remember?'

'Y—yes.'

'It's because of this; they were confused by their sudden inability to see my lifespan.'

'They both confronted you about it. Have either of them told Light?'

'I don't think so. Knowing him, he would have done something about it if he knew. Which means he's either teasing me about it, waiting for me to confess or he just doesn't know. I'm placing my bet on the latter based on my observation alone.'

'Alright. We've been in here too long. We better get back.'

'Sure.'

While talking, I'd made Mr Aizawa his tea and a hot chocolate for myself. He takes it with gratitude before we make our exit and return to the main room. Everyone is hard at work, even Mr Matsuda, with his investment in the entertainment part of this investigation, and apart from the humming of the computers and the audio feed from the television, terse silence consumes the room. It lightens up when Light decides to make quiet conversation by asking: 'Is everything okay between you and Aizawa? He seems to be on to you about something.'

'I was just intriguing him with stories about me being an orphan.'

My casual talk stills Light's concentration: he stops typing and turns to look at me sympathetically. 'You're really an orphan?'

'Why?'

'Nothing, it's just—I recall you mentioning what happened to your mother. But you never said anything about being an orphan.'

'I did say I lived in a boarding house.'

'Is that really the same as an orphanage?'

'Isn't it?'

He lets it go.

I continue to surf through the web for any details regarding the New Kira. The results seem close to me but at the same time, I feel like I'm reaching some dead end. Still, regarding suspects, I find many linking to Takada, which means there's a chance she may not even know the real identity of Kira. However, five of them link back to Takada in one way or another at least three times. So, whoever it is, maybe Takada discovered his identity after meeting up with Light, right after he confessed to her that he is Kira and all. Placing my bets, I examine anyone she's interviewed or appeared on public television with in the last three months. While the options are still numerous, enough come for me to take my time and do a thorough investigation on them. Kira's killings are stable now and as far as we're concerned, we have no power or means to stop them. This, in a way, is merciful timing and I can't afford to go off Light's play on words anymore. The SPK is probably two steps ahead of me, I need to catch our team up to them. From the five names, I start with a man named Kuro Coda, an investor in modern technology, specifically mobile phones and musical devices. He was interviewed by Takada three months ago in a talk show, discussing how his technology will serve Kira's goal by creating an app dedicated to people who wish to post names. As tempted as I am to sit back and be repulsed, I set aside my opinions to investigate his interactions with Takada. Though I don't expect anything obvious to jump out at me, the nature of Mr Coda slowly stands out. I think he does believe in Kira but it's nominal at best. It's clear, from his interviews, that he supports Kira's ideals as opposed to an organised religious scandal many are turning into. But whoever this New Kira is views Kira as his god, like a religious vigilant, far worse than Misa was when she first appeared. He's gone as far as killing lazy people up until the night Takada and Light first met.

The second person is Eiichiro Asaka, a well-known producer and DJ who worships Kira. He's known for producing music in a variety of genres. Lately, he's focused on writing music that could be categorised as worship music for Kira which branches him as a serious suspect; Takada is part of his reason and rise to fame, she has had him appear on NHN multiple times. Currently she uses his music as the theme for her own show, Tonight's Miss Takada. He may appear on that show soon. For a bit it looks like I've found the potential Hand. Mr Asaka believes in the complete cause and organisation that supports Kira. The fact that he vews him as god is an almost bonus. But the more I study Mr Asaka, it seems his love and worship for Kira is considered barely devout. He lacks the passion and obedience someone willing to be the Hand would have. I would know based on the devotion of both Takada and Misa. They have different personalities and express their love of Kira differently. But their devotion and obedience to Kira is almost identical, to the point that they deny who they are for him. Of course, Misa's behaviour when she spoke of Kira outside of her involvement says a lot. It explains her behaviour when she obtained the Notebook for herself. The difference between Misa and the New Kira is their ideals. Takada's ideals are closer to Kira's and from what I can tell, so is this New Kira's. Even Light, when introduced to Misa as the Second Kira, expressed disgust at her views in relation to Kira, finding it vain and psychotic. But—

'Hey, Light?' I whisper.

'Yeah?'

'Can I ask you to step in Kira's shoes for a minute?'

'Why?'

'Just humour me; I have a thought.'

'Okay.'

'Would Kira want everyone to love him or will he be bothered until everyone submits, even on pain of death?'

'What do you mean?'

'Like, does Kira care that the whole world isn't bowing to him, and will he leave innocent people alone if they don't agree with him? Or does he want to completely dominate the thoughts of everyone regardless of their criminal status, or lack thereof?'

Light silently contemplates my question for a moment, probably considering that I'm testing him. He sighs, staring at the computer as he puts the words together in his head before he straigtens up, prepared with an answer: 'No. Kira would want people to see things his way on their own time. It's like I said, until he is caught, he is justice.'

'That's what I thought.'

'Do you think that makes him fair?'

Is he asking for a pat on the back? Wary though I am, I say: 'In his own way. I guess it doesn't make him good though.'

'Yeah,' he nods.

Whoever it is I'm looking for is no different from the religious fanatics with power. He uses it both to serve his god and to serve himself. I suspect this mystery man will screw up soon, but my objective remains to capture him before that happens. And with him, I sincerely hope to catch Kira. I continue my search over the next couple of days, in between which I continue to accompany Light to his meetings with Takada. Most of their meetings continue to progress through the notepads but verbally, they continue to feign working against Kira. Most everyone's patience continues to decrease, seeing how much of a standstill we've returned to. However, it doesn't stop Mr Aizawa from being vigilant. My search narrows down to the names of people Takada openly interacted with at least once. Much of it proves rather fruitless although some come very close to the person I'm looking for. There's still more to look through though and it helps that I keep track of the Kira killings as they progress. The job has me working each time I have at HQ and I get less sleep. Unsurprisingly. Light notices first. It dawns on me when we retire from the hotel room one evening and I almost fall down the stairs, faint from exhaustion. 'Whoa!' Light steadies.

'I'm okay,' I promise.

'You're exhausted,' he contradicts.

'Isn't everyone?'

'Not as much as you. Even Aizawa's gone a couple of times.'

'He's only gone home for one night.'

'At least he knows when to get rest.'

'Yeah, yeah,' I yawn.

'Yeah, you need a break.'

'How caring of you.'

At HQ, I try to go into the coffee room to pour myself another cup of tea but Light, one step ahead, forces me out of the room and into the next one, where a single bed lies unoccupied. 'I'm not leaving this room until I know you're asleep,' he inists.

'Light!'

He holds up his hand. 'No. I need you at your best. Goodness, no wonder Ryuzaki worried so much about your health. You look awful.'

'Oh, thanks.'

'Frejda, I mean it. Get some sleep. For all our sakes. Please.'

'Light—'

'Frejda, please. I don't want to involve your girlfriend in this, but I will if I have to.'

'You leave Martha out of this, boy!'

'Get some sleep then. And I won't.'

'Oy!' I groan. 'Fine.'

Shedding my coat, I walk to the bed, collapsing on it in admission to my exhaustion. A satisfied smile passes Light's face, but true to his word, he does not leave until he knows I'm asleep. Despite my exhaustion, it actually takes me another ten minutes to get there. Light sits by me in that time, silently studying me, which prompts my mind to return to the conversation I had with Mr Aizawa. Sure, Light kissed me a couple of times, and we were friends before he knew of L and my involvement with the case. But I feel like some sort of distance was maintained between the two of us. These days though, it does seem like Light wants me by his side often. What could he gain from keeping a constant eye on me? What would he gain from knowing the truth about me? Would he be nervous? Would I be in danger, more than I am now? I wonder if he'll feel in danger if he knows, if he'll question himself because of it. As much as I would love to hope so, I guess it wouldn't matter. When we are finished, I'll make sure that something like this will never happen again.

I don't remember when I end up going to sleep exactly, but I wake up around 7:00 a.m. Normally, I would scold myself for the late rise but the refreshing sensation after waking up from the longest sleep I've had in a while encourages me to face the day and make the most of my time. Instead of rushing to join the others thought, I start by a refreshing shower (not staying in too long) then change into a new outfit; a pleated short braces black skirt with a longsleeved purple turtleneck and black knee-high socks. Styling my hair into a ponytail and finessing my makeup, I travel to the kitchen to make myself a coup of hot chocolate before joining everyone else in the main office. 'Welcome back, Frejda,' Mr Matsuda greets.

'Morning all. What did I miss?'

'Nothing much,' Mr Ide answers. 'Aside from the continuation of the Kira killings.'

'Nothing from the SPK?'

'They've been pretty quiet too,' Mr Matsuda says.

'Right.'

I take my seat next to Light who gives me a proud smile. I nod back in thanks and resume my research. While keeping track of everyone's role in the investigation, Light continues to monitor my sleep and health, often by forcing me to take breaks through running ridiculous errands. The last thing I need is to draw attention to myself by refusing, as much as I would love to. Enduring it becomes a painful necessity. Still, part of me can't help feeling grateful to him. I don't know, even now, his true intentions by having me close to him. To me, no matter what his intention, this proves a blessing in disguise. It provides an inside so that I can keep an eye on him. On his part, he gets to keep an eye on me too.

Ignoring any more contemplation about Light's actions, I move on to the next man on my list: a prosecutor named Teru Mikami. He had interacted with Takada through a debate show in which she was the host, which gives him reason to talk with her, perhaps even befriend her. As I study him, Mikami slowly starts to mold into the image of Kira before my eyes. Not the New Kira, but the one currently sitting next to me. as a prosecutor, his job is to retain justice for the world and with Kira's power, he'd have no hesitation executing his plan promptly. Mikami believes in the power of the youth, the demographic most supportive of Kira, his sense of justice matched by his passion to create a new world for the youth he advocates. Plenty of times, during any rallies for Kira, has he spoken praise or desire to be of service, like a Hand. If Kira chose him, I wouldn't be surprised. I spend more time digging deeper, looking for something to contradict my growing confidence that I've found the New Kira. Any essays he's written, debates he's participated in, surveys he's taken openly, anything I can find. While a lot of his words prove much, nothing explicit shows up as the solid evidence I need. It doesn't stop me. I investigate someone else while I dig deeper on this guy; that's when Light's phone beeps with a notification.

Takada wants to meet.