Keiko’s POV:

Keiko watched as the blonde sitting across from her let out a disappointed sigh. “Man,” Misa pouted, “this has got to be the lamest double date I’ve ever been on.”

The four of them were all gathered in Mia’s quarters. Misa had insisted on sitting next to Light, of course, which pushed Keiko to awkwardly sit next to the raven haired detective. Now, there they were, sitting side-by-side on separate cushions. It was like an invisible boundary, an imaginary line, between them. However, Keiko wasn’t sure if the ocean of space between them was a blessing or a curse.

Perhaps, she supposed, it’s both.

While Keiko wanted nothing more than to be near him, she was also glad for the space. She wasn’t sure she could trust herself to be sitting any closer to him. The closer she was to him, the more his warmth would invite her in and tempt her once more.

We’ve already kissed once… something my ex-boyfriend is clueless about...we don’t need to make it a second time.

Keiko didn’t need the heartache and confusion, not again. She also didn’t need anyone on the Task Force, especially her ex-boyfriend, finding out.

If they ever found out then…, Keiko didn’t want to finish that sentence. She pushed that thought from her mind and attempted to focus on the scene playing out in front of her.

“You know, I did give you fair warning that, given the current situation with Light and I, our options for a date would be sufficiently limited,” the detective commented, gesturing to the handcuffs linking him and Keiko’s ex-boyfriend together. Keiko was honestly both surprised and somewhat impressed that the detective found a chain long enough for them to sit comfortably across from each other.

“Hmph,” Misa slumped back against the couch. “At least I get to spend some quality time with Light-kun.”

Keiko glanced over at her ex-boyfriend. The scowl on his face told her that he’d rather be anywhere else than on a date with Misa, not that she could blame him. Keiko supposed it was in part her fault for their uncomfortable situation, as she was the one who agreed to a double date with L, but she still couldn’t come to fully regret her decision.

She had to admit, a small part of her had been curious as to how a double date with the world’s greatest detective would play out. Keiko knew that there was a chance nothing good would come out of this, but she figured she’d deal with the consequences of that decision later on. Or, hopefully, never, though she supposed that was just wishful thinking. After all, a double date featuring Misa Amane, her ex-boyfriend, and L was probably bound for disaster.

“By the way,” L started, gesturing towards the uneaten slice of cake sitting in front of Misa. “Are you planning to eat that?”

“No way!” Misa cried out, disgust crossing her features. She pushed the plate of cake away from her, “cake makes you fat. I’m not going to eat any.”

Keiko, who had just taken a small bite of her strawberry cake, slowly lifted her plate back down onto the table in front of her. She figured she had almost gotten away with her action, that is, until she sensed that L’s eyes were on her. When the detective saw that Keiko had noticed him, the corners of his mouth turned slightly upwards, and she could feel her cheeks turning a light pink.

How wonderful, he caught me…ugh, how embarrassing. I know I shouldn’t let Misa get to me, but…

“Actually,” the sound of L’s voice broke through Keiko’s thoughts. Keiko looked up, watching as L stared at the blonde girl. “You wouldn’t gain any weight as long as you burned calories by using your brain.”

Keiko covered her mouth to let out a soft giggle, is this his attempt to try and make me feel better? Or am I just reading too much into things?

Across from her, Misa crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing at the detective. “Hmph! So now you’re calling me stupid?!”

Well, knowing L, it’s probably the latter...either way, it’s still oh-so satisfying to watch Misa’s reaction… looks like someone isn’t too happy...

“I never said that,” L responded, calm as ever, as he finished his piece of cake. He looked over at Misa, “however, if that’s what you got from my comment, then so be it. I can’t do anything about that.”

Annoyance flickered across Misa’s features, her lips were now a thin line. Keiko watched as she pushed her piece of cake across the table towards the detective. “Fine…how about this? I will give you my piece of cake as long as you and Keiko agree to let Light-kun and I have a proper date in private!”

“Even if we did leave the two of you alone, I assure you that we would still be watching on the surveillance cameras. So it wouldn’t really make a difference.”

“Surveillance cameras? What a pervert!” Misa shuddered, looking aghast at the detective. “Could you maybe stop it with that creepy hobby of yours?!”

The detective leaned forward, carefully inspecting the blonde girl. “Hmm…you say it’s creepy? You do realize that it’s only for purposes relating to the investigation, right? An investigation that you’re a top suspect in.”

“It’s still very creepy! And, it’s no fair that I’m a suspect! I told you, I don’t know anything about Kira! All I want to do is have a proper date with Light-kun without you creeping around and being a pervert!”

Despite Misa’s persistent name calling, Keiko noticed that L seemed unfazed, it would appear that he’s getting used to it by now.

“So I’m still a pervert in your eyes? Well, Amane-san, feel free to call me whatever you’d like, I’m taking your cake.”

With that, L reached forward, grabbing the plate and taking a bite out of the cake that Misa had pushed towards him. He looked rather pleased with himself. Misa, on the other hand, looked defeated.

“Why would you want to watch Light-kun and I have a date anyway? Why can’t you just let the two of us be alone?” Misa grumbled.

“Who said I wanted to be alone with you? As I said before, you’re the one who ruined my relationship with Keiko. The last thing I want is to be alone with you,” Light responded bitterly, causing Misa to pout once more.

“But Light-kun! I told you before, you two don’t belong together. After all, I’m the one that’s your soul mate!”

“I highly doubt that,” Light responded, crossing his arms in front of his chest. “Anyway I only have feelings for Keiko-chan.”

Keiko ate another bite of her cake and attempted to keep her face neutral as she chewed. She didn’t dare meet her ex-boyfriend’s eyes.

He keeps saying that…but does he truly mean it? However, I suppose…no matter how he feels, and despite my lingering feelings, it’s too late for us. Isn’t it? Otherwise, why would I have let myself have feelings for L? Why would I even let myself go so far as to kiss him?

“I’ll help you forget her,” Misa started, “besides, like I said before, Ryuzaki-san and Keiko-chan would look cute together, don’t you think?”

I’m certain it’s because she wants to keep Light all to herself, but still…why’s she saying all this again? Surely Misa must realize that she’s only stirring up trouble… I know she knows that Light still has feelings for me. So what is she gaining by pushing L and I together? It doesn’t make any sense. By attempting to play matchmaker, she’ll only upset Light more...what’s she planning on doing?

“Them? Together? Yeah, right,” Light had a sour tone to his voice. “Again, that’s absurd. It’s just as crazy as the thought of you and I together.”

Misa, however, didn’t pay any attention to Light’s harsh comment. She leaned forward, looking straight at the raven haired detective, who was still munching on the slice of cake that he had successfully stolen from her.

A sly grin was poking at her face as she questioned, “what do you think, Ryuzaki-san? Don’t you think you two would look so cute together?”

She’s asking him directly?! Wait a minute…

Keiko glanced over at the raven haired detective, hoping to see his reaction, if anything, to Misa’s question. She supposed she could try and piece together how he felt about her. However, much to her disappointment, his expression was neutral. L raised his fork, eating the final bite of Misa’s cake before responding.

“I suppose,” he said after a moment of chewing. Although his response was not negative, Keiko didn’t feel it was positive either.

‘I suppose’. What kind of response is ‘I suppose’?! What is that supposed to mean? As per usual, he’s hard to read…it’s not surprising, but I was hoping, if he really did care about me...he’d give a stronger reaction to her question…after all, he kissed me back...but I suppose, to him, it meant nothing. Like I thought, I have no chance with him...

Misa frowned, appearing to also be disappointed with L’s lack of a clear response.

“Fine,” she started. The blonde shifted in her seat and focused her attention on her next victim, Keiko, “hmm...what do you think, Keiko-chan? You said you and Light-kun broke up so...that must mean you’re ready to move on.”

“Eh?” Keiko glanced around the room. All eyes in the room were now on her, especially L’s, something she was now becoming hyper aware of. The girl was uncertain how to respond, or if she even should respond, to Misa’s prodding. She bit her lip, anxiously playing with a loose thread on her skirt.

“Hmm, how cute…there’s no need to be so shy, you know,” Misa grinned, “if you broke up with Light-kun then that means you’re over him, right? Isn’t that also why you agreed to a double date with Ryuzaki-san?”

Keiko stiffened at Misa’s words.

That might have been a part of it, but you certainly don’t have to know that! Again, why is she suddenly so interested in L and I?

“T-that’s none of your business, Misa-chan,” Keiko stuttered out, not bothering to meet anyone’s eyes. She didn’t want to accidentally give away her true feelings towards L. “Besides, need I remind you, there’s an investigation going on right now. That’s much more important than a silly date.”

Even so, I wanted to go on that silly date…with L… what does that say about me? I’m just a girl with a useless crush on a world renowned detective. A detective that made the ‘mistake’ of kissing me.

“But this is much more interesting than some boring investigation!” Misa replied, giggling a little, “isn’t it?”

“Not really,” Keiko mutered. While the girl was more than ready to change topics, she had a sneaking suspicion that Misa would keep pestering both herself and the detective. She watched as the blonde haired girl leaned forward once more, looking between herself and the detective. Sure enough, there was a mischievous look on her face that Keiko didn’t trust. Keiko groaned internally.

What’s she up to…?

“Say…have you ever kissed anyone, Ryuzaki-san?” The question left Misa’s lips with a playful tone, but to Keiko, her question was anything but playful.

K-kissed?! L?! Keiko’s eyes widened at Misa’s sudden question. She gave a violent cough, nearly choking on the bite of cake she had been chewing, she doesn’t suspect anything, does she?! No, wait...think logically...she’s probably just trying to stir things up a bit on purpose, so calm down, Keiko...there’s no way that she knows anything about what happened that night. That’s impossible. She’s just trying to get a reaction out of L.

“Are you alright?” L questioned, giving a quick glance in her direction. Keiko cautiously met the detective’s eyes. As always, he looked as calm and collected as ever. If Misa’s question had shocked him in any way, he didn’t show it. In fact, if anything the L looked rather amused at Keiko’s reaction.

Great…not only is he not affected by this, he’s enjoying watching me suffer! He must know how I feel about him! That must mean that what happened that night really was one big joke to him. I’m one big joke to him…

Keiko could feel her cheeks flushing pink with both embarrassment and annoyance as she nodded, not bothering to meet his eyes again. Her throat was on fire, and she reached for her water. While the cool drink quenched her thirst, it did nothing to quell the raging storms of emotion within her.

“You should be more careful, Kagami-san,” L commented. “I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to you.”

What’s that supposed to mean?! First ‘I suppose’ and now this? His words make it sound like he cares about me but his actions prove otherwise! As always, he’s so frustrating!

“So...about my question...have you?” Misa questioned once more, still peering over at the detective. It appeared that the girl didn’t connect Keiko’s little choking fiasco to her question, something that she was thankful for.

“What’s with your sudden interest with my love life, Amane-san?” L responded, quirking an eyebrow.

“Aha!” Misa pointed at the detective. “I bet you haven’t! That must be why you’re dodging my question!”

“Is that what you think?”

Misa nodded, “yes. That’s gotta be it. You’ve never kissed anyone. You’ve never been on a real date before, either, have you? That must be why you said you weren’t opposed to going on a double date with Keiko-chan!”

“Amane-san…” Light interjected. “Please stop. You’re acting ridiculous.”

The blonde gave a scandalous gasp as she continued on, not listening to Light. She wagged a finger at L. “You do know that dates can end with a kiss, right? Did you want a kiss from her? You sly dog!”

“I see...so that’s your thought process,” the detective said after a moment. A sly grin entered his face, “hmm, so you’re telling me I should kiss Kagami-san? Is that it? After all, she also agreed to this double date...”

Misa gave a loud squeal as L turned towards Keiko, closing some of the distance between the two of them. Before she could even process what was going on, Keiko found herself face to face with the detective.

“Is that what you want? Do you want me to kiss you, Keiko-chan?” the detective questioned. His dark eyes looking deeply into her own. His gaze was too personal, too intense for Keiko. Panic bubbled up inside her and she could feel her heart hammering away in her chest. She could also feel her face flaming, something she didn’t want anyone in the room to notice, causing her to look down at her lap.

Much to her dismay, L lightly touched her chin, slowly directing her gaze upwards at him. This caused Misa to squeal once more in delight, “it’s like I’m watching a t.v. drama!”

“R-Ryuzaki-san…” Keiko somehow managed to stutter out. She could feel the warmth emitting from his body. Memories of their previous kiss flooded her mind and she couldn’t stop herself from glancing down at his lips. If she wanted to, she could easily kiss him once more, but there was no way she would let herself do that. Not again. Especially not in front of Misa and her ex-boyfriend.

Why’s he doing this to me?! He’s not playing fair!

A part of her urged herself to push the detective away from her, but another part of her knew she didn’t want that.

But I have to! I can’t let him kiss me in front of them! Especially not in front of my ex-boyfriend! It’s far too dangerous!

However, before Keiko even had a chance to free herself from L’s clutches, Light sprang forward out of his seat. He was livid. Her ex-boyfriend briskly walked over towards their side of the couch, roughly grabbing L by the collar of his shirt, forcing him to stand up. As soon as L managed to stand up, Light punched him square in the face with a rather loud thwack. Keiko cringed upon hearing the impact of Light’s fist meeting L’s face, and Misa gave a loud, shocked gasp.

“That’s for Keiko,” Light announced, a smug expression on his face as L hit the ground.

Upon hearing his words, Keiko shot up from her seat, her thoughts running wild.

He did that for me?! What?! Does this mean Light meant it when he said he loved me? Does this mean that Light’s relationship with me was real all along? Does this mean Light was jealous?

“An eye for an eye, my friend,” L stated as he wiped his bruised cheek. Once he had regained some of his balance back, his leg shot into the air, kicking Light in the face with his foot. Light groaned, hitting the ground with a thud. “That’s also for Keiko.”

Light’s eyes narrowed at the detective, a death glare on his face. “How can you say that? Who gave you the right to do anything in her name? You’re just a detective. You’re not anything to her but a co-worker on this damned investigation.”

“Well, if that’s how you see it then I could also ask you the same thing. Who gave you the right to do anything in her name as well? Aren’t you the one who broke her heart? She broke up with you, therefore, you’re nothing but an ex-boyfriend,” L responded, glancing over at him. Despite his cold words, the expression on his face was expressionless, his tone neutral.

“Our relationship isn’t any of your business, Ryuzaki-san,” Light snapped.

“Hmmm...fair enough. My relationship with Kagami-san isn’t any of your business, either, then,” the detective commented. “Besides, why are you being so serious, Light-kun? It was just a little joke.”

A joke?! So he admits it…?! I was right, I never meant anything to him. And to think, he had the audacity to tell me to forget what happened that night! How am I supposed to forget when he keeps teasing me like this! And in front of everyone! And hurting each other in my name?! What is that bull?! How dare they?!

Keiko’s hands balled into little fists and she noticed Light staring at her, causing her to look away.

“From what I observed, your little joke wasn’t that funny to her.”

The detective glanced in Keiko’s direction, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips, “on the contrary, Light-kun, it looked to me like she wanted me to kiss her.”

“Oh, just stop it! Both of you! I’ve heard more than enough! How would either of you know how I’m feeling right now?!” Keiko demanded, her initial shock finally wearing off into full blown anger. Tears of frustration were threatening her eyes, but she attempted to ignore it. She dug her nails into her skin as she continued on, trying to stop herself from having a meltdown. She turned towards Light, “you broke me. And yet you want me to trust you again, all because you say you love me? How am I supposed to believe you?! For all I know, you could be lying to me all over again!”

“I’m so sorry.”

She could see Light’s pained expression, causing her heart to sink lower in her chest.

He looks like he really does mean it..no, Keiko! Don’t melt now! Remember, that still doesn’t excuse his behavior! And...as far as behavior goes...

“And you!” she met the detective’s eyes, willing herself to keep going. “Somehow, you’re even worse! I know by now that I can’t trust Light, that I shouldn’t trust him...but you…you’re the most frustrating one of all! I don’t know how you think or what you’re feeling at all! You say one thing but you do another! Didn’t I tell you to stop being so complicated?!”

“Kagami-san,” L whispered, his voice soft. He looked like he wanted to say more, but Keiko cut him off.

“And for that, I hate you,” Keiko spat out.

I hate your stupid face. I hate those stupid clothes you wear. I hate your sweet tooth. I hate those stupid mannerisms of yours. I hate how intelligent you are. I hate how hard you are to read. I hate how vulnerable you make me feel. I hate how you know just how to drive me crazy. Most of all, I hate how I don’t hate you at all.

Keiko could have sworn she saw a flicker of emotion cross the detective’s face, but she chalked it up to wishful thinking.

I couldn’t have hurt him. He’d have to have feelings for me to do that...which he clearly doesn’t. Otherwise, why bother humiliating me like that?

She took a deep breath, “that being said, neither of you have the right to speak on my behalf.”

With that, Keiko was done with her emotional speech. She gave a cough and an awkward silence filled with tension filtered through the room. This was broken only by the sound of the phone ringing. Keiko watched as L took a couple steps forward, reaching towards the side table for the phone.

L’s POV:

“Yes?”

The detective internally cringed as he heard Matsuda’s overly excited voice on the other side of the receiver, “Ryuzaki-san, I’ve got some great news! I’ve just received word that Misa-Misa is number one in magazine Eighteen’s popularity poll!”

L’s voice was emotionless as he responded. “I see.”

“Oh wait!” L could hear the desperation in Matsuda’s voice. “I’ve got more! Listen to this! She’s going to get a lead role in Nishinaka’s new movie! Isn’t this so-”

The detective had heard enough of the young policeman’s blabbering, so he hung up, setting the phone back in its original resting place.

“What was that?” Light spoke up after a moment.

“It’s nothing. Matsuda’s being stupid again.”

“That is his speciality,” Light muttered, attempting to let out a laugh and relieve some of the tension in the room. It didn’t appear to be working very well.

L glanced at Keiko, whose face was still bright red. It was clear that she was probably regretting how harsh she had been, but he also guessed that a part of her was relieved by venting out emotion she had held inside for so long. While her words had hurt him, he knew they were words he deserved to hear.

I suppose I deserved those words, as it appears my specialty is making Keiko upset. However, it wasn’t my intention to hurt her like that…through Misa’s question, an opportunity presented itself to try and make Light jealous. I only wanted to see his reaction to me getting close to her, to see if he’s telling the truth about his feelings towards her. After seeing how upset he got, I can pretty much safely assume he truly is in love with her. Although I knew Keiko might get hurt in the crossfire, I didn’t expect such a strong reaction from her...I’m sorry for making things so difficult for you once again, Keiko Kagami...the last thing I want to make you do is hate me...