CHAPTER 19: Renaissance

MUKAHI RESIDENCE

Lawliette stared proudly at her (officially) new house as the hired movers moved in some furniture Watari personally picked up. With the bright blue sky as the background, its form was emphasized and reinforced the experience greatly.

"Ah, excuse us!" She turned and saw Matsuda with one of the workers. He was helping with the moving, and she did too really, but everyone told her she should just watch and relax.

And indeed, she did so. After all, the biggest case in history just finished the previous night. Even she needed some rest. And she only agreed because the emotional and psychological strain she received was more than the others.

In any case, Watari seemed to have thought of her reward as soon as the case ended. He soon appeared from the house's interior and smiled. She chuckled and went to him to give him a familial kiss on the cheek. "Thank you."

And Watari let out that Santa Clause-like laugh of his she hadn't heard since this case started. He patted her head—just like old times. "My pleasure."

…

Lawliette soon entered her new home and looked around. Other than the basic furniture that was already there, other slightly more miscellaneous ones were added as well. There were even space for some picture frames and there were flowers. Most of the lights in the corridor were open and it felt homely.

It reminded her of the Yagami house—peaceful and bright.

She smiled, and they're her neighbours now, too.

And right on cue—as if they heard her thoughts—the door opened, revealing the whole of the Yagami family, with Sachiko holding a large basket of fruits. The women had wide grins on their faces while the men, who were used to being stoic, smiled brightly.

"Welcome to the neighbourhood, Lawliette!"

…

L guided the Yagamis around the house, and noting why the two weren't resting (they pointed out she needed it most so speak for herself). They complimented Watari's good style and eventually ending the tour on the master bedroom.

"At least we know where Light would move in to in a few years. Ho-ho~" Sachiko chuckled and Sayu laughed. "And it's close by too!"

The two teens, naturally, weren't able to hold their blush. "That's very inappropriate."

"We need to do that sometimes." Sayu grinned and turned to L. "And ne, Lawliette, wanna make Lunch with us? We'll feed everyone here!" But she grabbed her hand before L could reply. The girl blinked, turned at Light who sweat-dropped, but otherwise shrugged and followed the younger girl.

"Is that alright Watari-san?" Sayu asked as they went down and saw him sitting on the couch. Watari smiled.

"Of course."

And L was dragged to the nearby house.

Lawliette entered the Yagami house with mixed emotions. She walked passed the corridors and found her eyes attracted even more than usual at the pictures. They were of the family, and in different places they've been to together. The house was bright—both by the light and the people.

A picture of what might've happened if she had chosen differently appeared at the back of her mind.

She smiled and knew that she would not regret her decision.

…

Light called their 'tadaima' with the others after the packing was done, thinking the girls should have finished their lunch by then since Sachiko often took a fixed amount of time to cook. "Ah, a few more minutes." He heard Lawliette say, and his eyes widened when he saw her in the kitchen. She was wearing an adorable apron and was holding a spatula. She turned around to face him, smiling an awkward smile. "Gomen ne, Light. I've dragged them back a bit."

Light found himself gulping for some reason and only nodding in response. Sayu, as inconsiderate as always, grinned slyly. "Ehh… Nii-san looks like he's thinking of something perverted."

Light's eyes widened immediately. It was true. "Sayu!"

"What's the commotion about?" Soichiro peeked in, everyone shrugged, and then turned the buchou gaze to Light and Lawliette. "You got visitors." And two new people appeared behind him. They wore those congenial smiles that characterized them as their friends. It was no other than Takada and Rokko.

They positively beamed at the sight of the two. "You're really here!" And rushed to them. Light looked at L as she watched Sayu take off her apron and push her away from the kitchen so they could speak with the newcomers. Light, on the, other hand was positively nervous—even when he mostly did not show it.

"Let's all go to my room." He said, for privacy, and they followed. But as soon he closed the door, Light lowered his head to both Rokko and Takada. He needed to clear everything up as soon as he could. He owed these two a lot.

"I'm sorry. I do not know what I was th—"

He was cut off by Takada letting out a small chuckle, a forced one, but she tried. "No need. I knew you weren't serious, how could I not?" She smiled at him when he lifted his head. "I just hoped for a miracle, I guess.

"But tell me the truth." She said and crossed her arms, looking at him and Lawliette alternatively. "Were you two together during those months?"

Silence

Rokko's eyes widened and whipped his head at Takada, and then to them. "No way."

Takada, however, seemed to have expected this. "Well…?"

L and Light looked at each other briefly, before turning back to Takada and her interrogating stance. They sighed in defeat. "…yes."

They were expecting something a little negative, but they knew she wasn't angry. Nevertheless, what she did surprised them. Takada hugged them both.

"Thanks for telling me."She then grabbed Rokko's arm and pulled him as she looked at the door. "Shall we?"

"Eh? But we just—"

"I'm hungry again, after all." She cut him off and started dragging him away. "Ja, for now you two. See you downstairs later, okay?"

The two nodded passively as they watched her close the door, not quite certain what happened. Lawliette eventually had to sit on the bed, feeling weak on her legs due to her nerves. Light knew this, and feeling relieved himself, sat down beside her. "That was easier than anticipated."

"Yeah." Lawliette nodded with her usual deadpan expression and tone. "You really deserve more slaps though. So far you got none."

"Maybe I'll get one eventually. Or perhaps some other form of Karma will happen to me for all I've done." He said sardonically and placed a palm on his head, suddenly feeling a slight head-ache. "I don't even know why I did so many of the things that I did. It's just… not like me."

She looked at him sadly, knowing precisely the answer to his question, but hid them immediately. He never had to know.

Never.

"Does it matter? It's all fixed now." She said, smiling. "Don't overthink things that don't need to be thought about. We all know you're smart already."

And, for some reason, the next thing she knew he was looking at her very intently and was a few inches closer to her. "Then I'll go with my gut now." He said and smirked. "Shall I confess again?"

She raised a brow. There was no need to, was there? But then again, this was Light. "You want to?"

He nodded and turned his body to face her. She saw a sudden burst of humility within his usually over-confident orbs. "I know I may not be good enough for you, but—"

"You're not." She said, it wasn't necessary, but it was as if a force inside her made her feel the need to say it.

L was pertaining to a very different definition of 'good' than what he used. But Lawliette knew of it—the inherent good in his eyes, ruined by that notebook she burned. It was back now, and she was not planning on letting it happen again.

She held his cheek, who turned pale due to her reply. "But you will be, I can tell."

He let out a loud "TSK" afterwards and leaned closer. Too close that L immediately felt her breath hitching at the slightest movements.

"Don't." He paused and kissed her.

"Scare me." Kiss

"Like that."

She could feel his breath, and he to hers. He closed his eyes and let their foreheads touch and she could feel even more of his heat. "I love you."

I know, she mused, and smiled. "I love you too."

And they didn't realize how deep the kisses were becoming, and how she suddenly was laying down on the bed, and how Light's slowly hand sneaked its way up her shirt.

A moan came out of her mouth and they paused staring at each other, realizing where this was going and flushed even more. They paused. They were too young for this, and they knew there was a reason why people could (or should) do it only after wedlock. They certainly had the brain capacity to keep themselves from doing anything further, despite their bodies telling them otherwise.

But then there was willpower.

Ah..., all that was left was will. But before they could muster enough, they heard a creak that could only be made by the door opening without their prior knowledge. They awkwardly turned their heads to it and saw that someone actually opened the door.

What's worse? It was Watari.

"My, what could you two be doing in here, in that position?" He was smiling..., but that aura.

It was full of killing intent.

They shivered and immediately parted. They 2 meters away from each other a second later.

But Watari was still smiling that unreadable smile of his.

They gulped.

And from then on, they fully understood just how an overprotective father-figure Watari (who also happened to be a very conservative Christian) could actually be.

...

Later that night, a small banquet was held in the hotel with them and their families, and Watari seemed to have invited a few other people like the police chief. In any case, Watari never allowed Light and L to stand side by side with less than 10 inches apart.

Lawliette sighed light-heartedly and found her eyes at Misa and Matsuda. They seemed like they were having fun chatting. She remembered something Misa requested for earlier that day, a request that wouldn't get refused, and she went to approach them to pass on the news. Light gestured to follow but Watari dared him to come with his glare.

He gulped and stayed in place.

In retrospect, Light realized he was becoming weak and submissive against his future father-in-law. Did it really matter? Sons were supposed to be under their (future) father-in-law, so he shrugged in the end and just watched his girlfriend chat around, and perhaps do some socializing himself.

Lawliette, on the other side of the room, greeted the two, who showed their affections easily. She then began to tell Misa the good news after their greetings. She initiated with a question. "Didn't you say you want to go to a university?"

"Hai?"

"I found one that is perfect for a girl with a growing career in show business." Misa's eyes beamed and Matsuda grinned. "I already sent for you application—and I can guarantee they'll admit you. Sorry for not asking your permission.

The other two beamed. Matsuda patted the blonde's back gently. "Congratulations Misa-chan!" And the girl chuckled in reply.

"Hai!" She chuckled to herself. "Even when Misamisa loses her popularity, Misa will still be able to help those families."

"Families?" Matsuda asked. L answered for her.

"She's helping support the families of many people lost due to Kira."

"EH?" Matsuda exclaimed, admiration bursting through his orbs. "That's awesome, Misa-chan!"

And then they just laughed.

…

Aizawa's daughter was adorable, Lawliette noted as she went from table to table and helped entertain the small group of guest, as her father instructed. It was good to train friendliness in a child, after all, especially when she was nearing puberty.

In any case, she ended up looking at Watari, wondering why they still wouldn't start the banquet. "What are we waiting for, Watari?" He looked at her and said he was waiting for a few people. Looking at him, it must be a pleasant surprise for her. She tried to guess. "The people from the Wammy House?"

"No, no. I already arranged a separate party there in three days. Precautions still apply." He smiled. "Nevertheless, get ready. These are still very important guests." L nodded, and then wondered who they were waiting for. Her pondering was answered less than a minute later.

"Ah, they're here."

Her eyes followed Watari's line of sight. However, unexpectedly, she did not recognize the people, at least at first glance. She noted that they appear to be traditional Japanese folks. And they all had familiar ivory black hair.

However, the couple reminded her of someone…, while a man who seemed to be their son, reminded her of someone fully. Heck, he looked like a male version of the woman. And looking at him, she realized who they were immediately and whipped her head towards Watari to check.

"The Misoras."She stated, and he nodded. L still had a lot of things owed to them, hadn't she?

"I knew you were fond of their daughter." Watari said. "I thought you'd want to get acquainted with them."

Lawliette stared at him for a while before sending a warm smile.

"Thank you."

...

The young Misora looked at everyone with a cool and detached eyes, and then looked at his parents standing in front of him. He knew they must've felt slightly out-of-place, being the family who did not have background in their business. They would have one, like most families that were present, but that person was gone now. And they were here only by a very polite invite.

"Welcome to the banquet, Misoras." A girl approached them from nowhere and held his mother's hand. She looked odd, almost like a panda, but he was not blind to miss the aesthetically pleasing face behind the haggard façade. She smiled congenially, which somewhat surprised him, as he assumed she was a very serious person given her demeanor, and then she introduced herself. "I, like all the officers here, am an acquaintance of L. My name is Lawliette."

"I… see… I am Yumiko." His mother voiced out and shook the girl's hand. Her father did the same, and by formality. "Misora Mamoru, and this is my son..."

"Misora Nozomi." He said passively, and she smiled at all of them.

"Nice to meet you." Nozomi thought that she looked young—around his age, maybe even younger. How could she be acquainted with such a strong person like L?

In any case, his parents seemed to have found their way to Wammy, apparently the person who invited them in, leaving him with the girl.

"Thank you for coming." She said and he could only stare. Why? "I'm sure L will appreciate your presence here." She smiled. "Because Naomi would have."

He stared at her in surprise but otherwise kept his cool façade. "L… eh? I want to meet with him soon." He said, slightly looking away. "I heard a lot about him through my sister."

His sister. The girl who committed suicide due to her fiance's death. Mamoru knew his sister loved Penbar very much… but knowing her—she would've tried looking for Penbar's killer instead. She wasn't weak.

Nozomi believed so.

He realized the girl was looking at him. He wondered what emotion he showed. "Naomi, your sister. She's strong."

Doki

"Very." Was the only words he could say.

There was some sort of silence that came afterwards. She was waiting for something, and he didn't move, doing the same. It was then that she touched his shoulder reassuredly. "She didn't commit suicide." She said and his eyes went wide. "We both know she wouldn't do that."

A wave of relief passed by him and it would soon break his usually dry tear glands. "…yes."

"And you should be proud."

He smiled. And for some reason he felt she could see through his bright blue orbs—and thus knowing how happy he was at the moment. He looked away to compose himself and saw his parents were already being seated. He'd pass this news to his parents as well.

He looked at Lawliette again.

"Thank you."

...

"So who was that?" Light asked as soon as she sat down their table, his peripheral vision never leaving a certain ebony-haired family. Particularly one boy who was looking stoic and looked a lot more emotional only after a few minutes with his girlfriend.

"They're Misora Naomi's family."

His throat dried. "Misora Naomi?" He said awkwardly, and for some reason it felt unusually bitter to utter. "That sounds familiar."

That reaction, on the other hand, planted a small dagger in Lawliette's chest, she knew she'd never get used to it. "She was an FBI agent that helped us solve the case. That was before you entered the group."

"Oh."

He stared at the stage where Watari now stood. "For a moment there, I thought your friends from that orphanage would come."

"Watari said we'll hold a separate banquet of sorts." She smiled. "They all had to be protected by anonymity, after all."

"Can I come?"

"Maybe."

"So… will you tell me more about them?" He paused. "Especially the man you treasured to the point that you can dress like him?"

"You mean Beyond?" L stared at the ceiling to think before looking back at Light. "He replied to me back then; but I never got to speak with him again—nor do I think he's planning on contacting me anytime soon."

"Is that so?" Light said and placed his chin on his palm. "What… is he to you?"

"A mentor, a comrade, an important friend." She mumbled nonchalantly and then looked at him seriously, obviously seeing through his question."Light. If anything he's like an older brother to me. We even look alike, you know…"

"Ah."

"You got jealous over a person you don't even know."

"Shut up." He mumbled and looked away.

She smiled and he held her hand. She noted that they were really big, and now—rather than hands that partly aimed to strangle her, they now felt extremely… protective. She opened her palm so their fingers would entwine.

Watari stood at the platform and begun his short speech—it was full of admiration and thanks to everyone that helped solve the hardest case the world had ever seen, soon giving out a speech dedicated to the innocent victims. Lawliette's eyes began to wander around due to the merriness of the atmosphere—she wanted to catch as much of it as she could.

Her eyes ended up on Misa, Light, and his family. The Yagamis… all merry—not a single hint of knowledge what the truth truly was. Just as she wanted it.

Taking their lives, lives of people so many cared about, would bring no one true happiness. And no one true justice.

Blood must not have blood.

She would have them live, help them atone for their sins by living life to the fullest and helping others. Protect their paths, and ensure they were going the right direction. As if she was a guardian (a panda would suit her better), and would maintain that. That was what she had decided.

That was her 'Justice'.

.

.

END

OF

OXYMORON

______

THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR READING!

I finally finished and there will likely be a sequel to be released in an uncertain future. It would be awesome if you point out the loop holes I left in case I missed some. I'll fill them in the sequel. :3

And in the mean time, as we wait for the new story to come up, I would love to hear everyone's thoughts on the story! Also calling the silent readers—after all, it's sad if I never even got to feel your presence even once during this whole thing, ne? xD

I promise I will read (and re-read) all of them, no matter how long from now they are submitted! Haha

Once again, I love you guys and thank you for reading! ;D

I hope to see everyone soon.

______

Two Months Later

"Light…"

Lawliette huffed as Light's lips found its way back on her neck, after ravaging her mouth. The scarf she held dear was lying on the couch.

She was sitting on his lap (she didn't remember how she got there) with Light sitting rather comfortably on her living room sofa. Watari going to Chiba to send her 'solution' to a murder case there. Naturally, she went by Watari's teachings so as much as she wanted this to continue—she had to gently push Light away.

"I'll stop. This is the farthest..." Kiss. "…south that I will go." He said. "I like hearing you moan."

"Light, you—"

It was then that her phone rang. And still, Light wouldn't stop. It continued to ring. Light ignored it. She frowned and after muffling a moan—she manoeuvred and bit his nose.

"WHA—"

Lawliette ignored him and answered the phone (after clearing her throat, of course). "Moshi, moshi?"

"Lawliette?" It was Watari. "Why are you breathless?"

"I was jogging." She muttered immediately. "What is it?"

"A new case came up." He said with that seriousness in his voice she hadn't heard since… she stopped herself before going any deeper. No.

"…what is it?"

"Mass murder."

She tried to regain normal breathing, but she couldn't. Surely, she mused, this one wouldn't be as difficult as the Kira case? How could the universe do that to anyone, if it was so?

Her eyes met with Light, who was just as worried at the tension as she was. She wanted to touch his cheek. It looked so... warm. But she stopped herself. She didn't want to shock him with her increasingly cold hands.

She closed her eyes and focused on Watari. He sounded so strained. This terrified her, more than she would want to admit. "What is it?" She managed to ask, as coolly as she could. And on the other end of the line, her old man sighed. "A difficult case of mass murder." He said, but he was not done. And L's heart almost stopped afterwards.

"I think 'B' is responsible for it."