Keiko’s POV:

H-huh? What’s this? Another businessman is dead? Keiko let out a small gasp as she looked at the profiles of Kira’s latest victims, it could just be a coincidence, seeing as they aren’t of heart attacks...but at this point, is it really? In addition to the usual criminals, a lot of prominent businessmen have been dropping dead recently.

“Light-kun,” the girl called out, “you should come take a look at this.”

I might still be mad at you, but I’m less upset with you than a certain detective...

“Only calling me over, huh? Are you still upset with Ryuzaki-san because of what happened?” Light questioned as he padded over, a certain raven haired detective trailing along slowly behind him.

That’s really none of your business, Light, but yes. I suppose I am still upset. At first, I was okay with my crush on L being unrequited, but after what happened that night…when he kissed me back…he truly made me think, even if for a moment, that he cared about me. He knows it, too, otherwise why would he have done that to me during the double date? He was milking how I felt about him for his own personal enjoyment. At this point, it’s clear he knows all too well that I like him.

Keiko knew that she was being difficult, but she just couldn’t bring herself to talk to the detective, not since the whole double date fiasco. It would be way too embarrassing. In fact, Keiko hadn’t directly spoken to L since she had said those three little words, ‘I hate you’. However, Keiko knew she didn’t actually hate him, not a single bit. She was painfully aware that L probably knew that fact just as well as she did.

L might have complimented my investigative skills and agreed to do that double date, but it’s clear that he doesn’t return my feelings. I knew his personality from the beginning, I knew he’s not the type to care for others… but now, for some reason, Keiko swallowed hard, attempting to mask her emotions, that fact really hurts me. I know it’s impossible, but I want him to like me. Does this mean I’ve moved on from Light?

“I’m sorry to say this, but considering the fact that we’re chained together, Ryuzaki-san and I are quite literally a package deal,” Light joked, breaking Keiko away from her thoughts. She supposed that he was trying to make her crack a smile, but at the moment, smiling was the last thing she felt like doing.

Sorry, Light, but anyway...speaking of L…,Keiko could sense his gaze on her back, but she didn’t dare look behind her to meet his eyes. She made sure she focused only on her laptop’s screen as Light and L sat down next to her.

“Look at these victims,” she pointed at the screen, not even bothering to respond to Light’s comment. “It can’t just be a coincidence, can it?”

Upon seeing that Keiko wasn’t going to answer him, Light let out a sigh. “Alright, fine. Let me take a look.”

Light scooted closer to Keiko, peering over at her computer screen. He scrolled down the page, carefully looking everything over.

We haven’t been this close together since...since his confession the day he got out of confinement…if he feels awkward around me, he isn’t showing it. It’s funny…he finally told me that he loved me, and yet, now the only person I can think about it L…who doesn’t feel anything for me.

“You know,” Light started, “I was just looking at the same thing. In my opinion, it’s definitely not a coincidence. All of them were CEOs whose companies were leaders in their respective industries. In just over a month, they’ve all died. I was also looking at the stock market, and as expected, there’s been a general downturn for those companies...with the exception of Yotsuba. In other words, their deaths are beneficial for the Yotsuba group. Looking back, there have been a few other similar incidents recently.”

“If that’s the case…” Keiko started, “then right now, Kira’s supporting the Yotsuba group.”

“Exactly,” Light nodded, turning towards the detective. “What are your thoughts on this, Ryuzaki-san?”

“Hmm, that could be the case.” Keiko heard L say. “However, if what you’re saying is true, then we can only assume that punishing criminals is not this Kira’s real intention. Punishing criminals is merely a diversion for this Kira. It obscures the fact that he’s killing people for the benefit of the company.”

Wait a moment… ‘this Kira’?

“You mean to say that you think this is a different Kira from the previous two?” Keiko blurted out before she could stop herself. She covered her mouth, feeling the detective’s gaze on her once again.

Whoops...I guess I finally broke my silent treatment. Though, I suppose the case is far more important than my own personal dignity…but still, he knows how I feel about him, and he took advantage of that...and I yelled at him...it’s embarrassing. He knows just how much he affects me. He knows just how hopeless I am. There goes my pride.

“Yes,” L said after a moment. If he was taken aback by Keiko finally talking to him again, he didn’t show it.

Was he just waiting for me to talk to him again? He better not think he’s getting off easy. If I ever get the chance to talk to him alone again, he’d better be prepared.

“All of this time, I suspected that Light Yagami was Kira and Misa Amane the Second Kira, the entire investigation hinged on those two facts. Up until Light’s confinement, all of the evidence pointed to them. Even though criminals began dying soon after Light was confined, I don’t think it was a coincidence that, at least for a little while, the murders stopped. This suggests that, at that time, my theory about Light Yagami was correct. Even though he’s technically in the gray right now, I’m still suspicious, hence the handcuffs. However, like you noted, there’s been a recent shift of Kira’s killing patterns, which pokes another hole into my theory that Light is Kira. But, I do not think that my deductions that Light and Misa were both Kira before are entirely wrong. I believe that it’s possible they were Kira, but somehow they’ve lost their powers, and their memories, and that Kira’s powers have been transferred to someone else within the Yotsuba Group. That, to me, makes the most sense. We also know that Kira can control people. If that’s the case, then he’s stopped controlling Light and Misa, and is controlling someone involved with the Yotsuba Group.”

Keiko glanced over at the detective, her face turning a little pink at their sudden eye contact, he still stands by the fact that Light Yagami and Misa Amane were Kira and the Second Kira...even I have to admit, that makes sense.

“So essentially,” Keiko started, attempting to ignore the blush on her face and the way L was looking at her, “you’re saying you think it’s possible that Kira’s power can pass between people?”

L nodded, the corners of his lips curving slightly upwards. “Yes, I believe so. Therefore, if evidence is pointing to someone in the Yotsuba Group, we should find them and bring them into custody as soon as possible before they lose their memories and have their power transferred to someone else. Then we can find out once and for all how Kira kills once and for all. And, during the process, maybe we can see whether or not Light or Misa regain memories of being Kira. ”

“It sounds like, in the end, you won’t be satisfied unless I am or was Kira at some point,” Light grumbled.

“When you put it that way, I suppose you’re right, in a way,” L responded. “After all, all the evidence was against you...up until now. I admit it, I wanted you to be Kira.”

Light’s face twisted in annoyance, but before he could respond, the intercom buzzed. The rest of the task force had finally arrived.

Saved by the bell, Keiko thought.

“Did we miss anything?” Matsuda loudly questioned as soon as he entered the room. The others, Aizawa, Mogi, and Chief Yagami, followed behind him. Keiko noted that the chief looked especially worn out.

“As a matter of fact, you did,” L responded, “it looks like we might have something here. A new direction for the investigation…”

“Oh geez,” Aizawa commented once L was done with his explanation concerning the Yotsuba Group. “So you suspect that Kira is someone connected with Yotsuba?”

“Yes,” L said simply. “That’s what makes the most sense. If we investigate Yotsuba Group, we should be able to find Kira.”

Oh hey!” Matsuda grinned from ear to ear, “that means we have a lead again! That’s wonderful. Well done, you three.”

“I’m afraid I have some not-so-wonderful news,” the chief announced, a grim expression on his face.

“What’s going on?” Light shot his father a concerned glance.

“This won’t be easy to say,” the chief replied. He loosened his tie, taking a seat on one of the couches in the room. “Well…before we came here, Mogi and I spoke with the deputy director. It seems like this Kira’s offered bribes to a number of politicians. Kira said as long as the police don’t chase him, he won’t lay a hand on any politician in power. After hearing this, the police caved in to Kira.”

W-what?! Caved in to Kira?! Keiko’s eyes widened at the Chief’s statement. She heard both Light and Matsuda let out gasps beside her. The only one in the room who did not appear to be surprised, however, was L.

The chief continued on, “Mogi and I have already made up our minds...but Aizawa, Matsuda, if you two wish to continue working this case, you’ll have to hand in your letters of resignation to the NPA. Mogi and I have already done this. Therefore, like it or not, we cannot pursue Kira as members of the police force anymore. They made that quite clear. If you continue to work with L, you will be fired.”

“What?!” Aizawa had a pained expression on his face, “chief-”

Light’s father cut him off, “in a few more hours, I will no longer be your chief. However, I know that everyone has different circumstances, so please, think it over carefully.”

“That’s true,” Matsuda commented, “especially if you have a family to support.”

Keiko peered over at Aizawa, thinking about his young daughter he’d mentioned before. It looked like he was thinking about her, too. His eyes were full of both sadness and distress, his mouth a thin line.

“If you want my opinion,” L’s voice broke through the sudden silence, “you’d be better off as police officers. I was alone when I started this case, and although I’m grateful to each and every one of you for sticking with me this far, I know I can do this by myself.”

At this, Keiko’s eyebrows furrowed. By himself?! What is this attitude all of the sudden? Where is this coming from? Surely he can’t be serious...if that’s true, then does he see the rest of us as worthless? Does that mean he wasn’t serious when he complimented my investigative skills? No, that can’t be it...it has to be a bluff of some sort, right?

“Ryuzaki-san,” Light rattled the chains connecting him to the detective, “did you forget about our current situation? Anyway, as long as I’m alive, you won’t be working alone. You have my word on that. I’m sure Keiko-chan feels the same way. Right?”

Keiko nodded, meeting L’s eyes with a determined look on her face, “I won’t stop until we catch Kira.”

Even though you confuse and frustrate me to no end, I’m determined to work alongside you and see this case out until the end. I have to prove my worth as a detective!

“Hmm,” L said after a moment. “I suppose that’s right. I guess I’ll have the two of them working alongside me until I catch Kira. So I won’t be alone after all. However, like I said, I think the rest of you should remain as police officers.”

“But when you first contacted us, you said you needed the help of the police!” The chief blurted out.

“That’s because the police as an organization didn’t bow down to Kira. Besides, with all due respect, I don’t think the help of two or three civilians can be compared to the police as an organization. Anway, the police have made their position clear; they no longer want to catch Kira. So let’s leave it at that.”

“I suppose what you’re saying makes sense. If we are no longer police officers, we won’t be of as much use to you. However,” Soichiro’s voice raised slightly, “we are all personally involved in this. All of us have risked our lives to catch Kira. Therefore, we should have the right to decide whether to stay here or remain as police officers!”

“You have a point. Then by all means, decide what you want to do.”

“But chief,” Aizawa interjected, “if you quit the police force, you’ll be unemployed! Even if we catch Kira, what are you going to do afterwards?”

“Afterwards, huh?” The chief crossed his arms, a thoughtful look on his face, “I haven’t quite thought about that...but after we catch Kira, I guess it’ll be time to dust off my resume.”

“Count me in!” Matsuda pumped a fist in the air. “I’m also going to quit the police and chase after Kira! Besides, I still have to do my job as Misa-Misa’s manager! If I remained as a police officer, I’d feel like a loser!”

“You should think before you open your mouth, Matsuda-san,” the chief commented.

Keiko watched as an embarrassed Matsuda turned towards Aizawa and stuttered out an apology.

“Is there any way I could keep my job and help you in my spare time?” Aizawa questioned, pointedly ignoring Matsuda’s apology. Everyone in the roomed looked at L, awaiting his response.

“There isn’t…if you remain as a police officer, then please don’t come back here.”

Aizawa was livid. “But you know I won’t leak any information!”

“That may be true...but I won’t be sharing any information,” L coolly replied, causing Aizawa to gasp. “You are free to pursue Kira on your own, or quit your job and continue to search for Kira with us...but I don’t think it’s fair to your family to burden them by giving up your livelihood just to continue with this case. I can’t see how that’s a good idea.”

“It’s as Ryuzaki-san says,” Soichiro commented, “anyway, no one will blame you if you quit now.”

“But chief,” Aizawa swallowed hard. “You have a family, too.”

“That’s true, but our situations are quite different, Aizawa-san.”

“Dammit!” Aizawa cried out in despair. “That’s not fair! I want to stay here! I was prepared to die at any time! Anyway, if I quit now, what kind of friend would I be to Ukita?! I became a detective so I could catch the bad guys, not run away!”

“Ryuzaki-san,” a new voice filled the room. Keiko glanced at the computer monitors, displaying the gothic ‘W’ on the screen.

It’s Watari...he rarely ever gets directly involved with what’s going on...

“Early on in the investigation, you specifically told me that if a Task Force member were to lose their job, I should make preparations to ensure that their family’s financial future was secure. If you recall, a trust fund was set aside for that purpose...I’m a little curious as to why you’re withholding this information.”

What?! He was already prepared for this?! What in the world is going on? Perhaps...was L just testing him? Was this all just a test to see how loyal he’d be to the Task Force? If so, that’s just cruel…but it makes the most sense. Keiko bit her lip, besides, being cruel isn’t new to him...just look at how he teased me during the double date.

“This is not the time or the place to disclose this information,” L commented, earning him an apology from Watari.

“Wait a second, so all this time we had nothing to worry about?” Matsuda gasped. He turned towards Aizawa, “isn’t that great news?!”

Aizawa balled his fists at this new information. If he had been upset before, he was full on angry now, “Ryuzaki-san, I assume this means you wanted to see how committed I was to the Task Force?”

“I’m sure it’s not like that, Aizawa-san,” the chief replied. “Ryuzaki-san just isn’t the type to say things directly. You should know that by now.”

“No, he’s right,” L’s voice cut through the room. “I was testing him. You see, Aizawa-san, I wanted to see which one you would choose.”

No way! That means...he really was just testing him!

“Ryuzaki-san,” the chief’s voice was soft.

“Fine then!” Aizawa bellowed out. “If I wasn’t sure before, I am now!”

Despite protests from the chief and Matsuda, Aizawa continued on, “let’s face it, I wasn’t able to decide right away like you guys. In fact, I was leaning towards going back to the police.”

“Aizawa,” Matsuda looked hurt, “please don’t be so stubborn.”

“No! I quit!” Aizawa’s voice was hard. “It’s become clear to me. I hate Ryuzaki-san!”

Well, Keiko thought to herself, that’s certainly not the first time he’s heard that statement directed towards him recently…I can’t say I blame Aizawa for leaving. He will be missed around here, though.

“I hate Ryuzaki-san!” Aizawa repeated, stomping towards the exit. “I hate him and I hate his way of doing things! That’s it! I’m outta here!”

“That’s too bad,” L said quietly, “because I enjoyed working with you, Aizawa-san. Thank you very much for all of your hard work.”

Just like that, the number of people in the Task Force shrank.

/timeskip/

“I just found another!” Light called out, “a general manager of a bank that happens to be one of Yostuba’s biggest competitors. On September 7th he slipped on the steps of his home and died.”

“September 7th…” the chief mused, shuffling some of his papers around. “That was a Friday, wasn’t it? After going over this again, I noticed that all the deaths that are beneficial to Yotsuba appear to be concentrated around the weekend...with the first few victims, the time of death appears to be random, but more recently, they all seem to take place between Friday night and Saturday afternoon.”

“That’s some amazing work, chief!” Matsuda cheered, offering Light’s father a thumbs up.

“I told you, Matsuda-san, I’m no longer the chief.”

“No, you’ll always be the chief to me,” the young policeman replied.

So, all of the dirty work is done on the weekend, eh? How interesting…

“That’s a really important clue...nice work, Yagami-san,” Keiko commented.

“Thank you,” the chief replied. He let out a small chuckle, “I can’t let myself fall behind. After all, I don’t want to be dead weight.”

“Huh, dead weight…?” Matsuda questioned. He turned towards Soichiro, “you’re not dead weight.”

“Is Kira truly someone from the Yotsuba Group?” L mused, breaking up the conversation, “or is Kira simply using Yotsuba? I haven’t figured that out yet, but let’s investigate this with the assumption that this is Kira’s doing. As I said before, we should definitely focus on the Yotsuba Group.”

“I guess I’m just in time, then,” Mogi announced, stepping into the room. A big stack of papers was in his hands that he set down in front of the raven haired detective. “I’ve compiled a list of all the domestic employees in the Yotsuba Group.”

“Thank you very much. This will be extremely useful.” L flipped through the first couple pages in the stack.

Light turned towards Mogi, “I’m surprised you compiled the list so quickly.”

“Mogi’s been a hard worker from the beginning,” L commented.

“Ryuzaki-san!” Matsuda jumped up from his seat. “Is there anything I can do besides being a manager?”

“You want to be useful?” the detective questioned, glancing up from his papers at the young policeman.

“Yes!”

Keiko had a feeling that, whatever L’s next words were, they wouldn’t be good.

This can’t end well...

“Then,” L started, looking back down at the stack of papers in front of him, “could you please get me another cup of coffee?”

“W-what?” Matsuda stuttered out.

I totally called it. Keiko let out a sigh, earning her a glance from the detective, who offered her a mischievous smirk, what the…? What now?

“And could you get some coffee for our guests over there, too, please?” L gestured towards the couches where two unfamiliar people were sitting. There was a man and a woman, both with blonde hair.

Matsuda let out a gasp,“what? Who are they? When did they get in?”

“Those are the newest members of the Task Force,” L said simply.

“I’m Aiber,” the man said, waving his hand up in the air. “I’m a conman. How’s it goin’?”

“I’m Wedy,” the second one, the woman, announced, lighting a cigarette. “I’m a thief by trade.”

“A con man and a thief?!” the chief demanded, looking appalled.

“Yes. Aiber is a lifelong con man. He has unparalleled social skills that allow him to befriend and gain the trust of any target. We’ll use him for infiltrative investigations. Wedy is a thief who can crack any lock, safe, or security system. As proof, she entered without any of us noticing or setting off any alarm.”

“You expect us to work with criminals?” the chief was aghast.

“Yes, that is correct. However, these two have never been caught. So it’s unlikely that they will be killed off by Kira. Think of them as pros of the underworld.”

Pros of the underworld, eh? I never imagined we’d be working with criminals, but I suppose, given this case, it’s something that has to be done.

“I understand, Ryuzaki-san,” Light commented, “to investigate Yotsuba, we need people like them. Let’s all work together to solve this case as soon as possible!”

Sounds much easier said than done…