15 - The Devil Part V

The stage was set.

Fluorescent lights shone down, illuminating the scene.

A small kitchen with all the usual amenities. A table of plain, varnished wood and two matching chairs.

The cast was gathered.

Light, Ryuzaki, the whole wheat toast, and the doughnuts.

It was a drama, an improv, and perhaps a bit of a farce.

This production that went under the name of "Impasse".

It was nine o'clock in the morning. Only an hour ago, the scripting began for this event. Hence, the improvisational nature of the performance was to be expected. Well, there was one other element that interfered with even the most carefully laid and well-intentioned plans of the dramatist.

That would be Ryuzaki, natch.

Earlier, Light awoke in a calm and refreshed frame of mind. It allowed him to examine the entity that had plagued him in the middle of the night. His manner, while doing so, was thoughtful and analytical. Dreams, both his and others, were meaningless…No. That wasn't quite accurate. Repetitive dreams, possibly, should be classified differently.

The last time Light had experienced a repetitive dream was a result of his father holding a gun to his head. Ryuzaki was pivotal in why that had occurred. So, Light confronted him about it. It had not gone well, but the end result was beneficial. The repetitive dream never occurred again.

Now, there was a similar situation. A repetitive dream had visited him three times over the last four nights. It was different in that Light was under no active threat and contained three figures. His father, Ryuzaki, and himself. Nothing of note happened, no extraordinary events, but Ryuzaki was portrayed in a debilitated state. One that, in last night's iteration, was becoming more pronounced.

The focal point was Ryuzaki. He was the image that drew the majority of his attention in the dream and also upon waking. Was it viable, then, that it was a reaction to Ryuzaki himself? Was it indicative of a problem that Light had thus far failed to notice?

He turned his attention outward.

Ryuzaki was sleeping and Light still had his arms around him. He could feel it. Ryuzaki was thinner. While true that it was not by much, it was weight he could ill afford to lose. He pondered upon how Ryuzaki used his head to eat as he liked while maintaining a stable weight. It was typical of him, really. To come up with an intelligent method like that and yet fail to notice when it stopped working as intended. It was because…

'He doesn't make his own health a priority.'

In reality, it was so far down on the list of things important to Ryuzaki as to be negligible.

Light was different in that regard. He took care of himself because he understood, in a practical sense, that basic physical needs were actually needs. They were not optional. Ryuzaki, conversely, did not seem to comprehend that. This could be seen in his poor sleeping and eating habits.

It was getting late. Light paused his analysis and focused on the task of waking Ryuzaki. After the usual struggle, he watched his retreating figure as he trudged to the bathroom. His gaze was considering.

He did not want Ryuzaki to lose any more weight and, especially, did not want to see the image from his dream brought into reality. It was distressing and likely showing a problem that Light was not addressing. The issue, from what he could determine, was Ryuzaki. And since his former repetitive dream was dispersed through taking action, it followed that a comparable solution was relevant now.

It did occur to Light that his conclusion did not take into account the other two people in the dream. It was only a small observation and quite readily suppressed. Light had more important things to focus on. Like, changing Ryuzaki's eating habits. Whether he liked it or not.

It was for his own good, after all.

The backdrop.

Ryuzaki preferred to read during breakfast which left all the decisions (and chores) up to Light. Normally, he made coffee and a simple meal for himself and gave whatever new sweet item to Ryuzaki. It was a phenomenon that Light never bothered to ask about. He surmised it was Watari who faithfully delivered the pastries, cupcakes, and other foodstuffs on a daily basis. Little did he know, though, that even that was not enough to ensure Ryuzaki actually ate. If Light did not place the food in front of him, he would not ask for it or go get it. Instead, he would content himself with a coffee and grab the treat on the way out.

Fortunately, this particular habit of his was helpful to Light's purposes.

Once he was done with the preparations, Light set three plates down. One with two powdered doughnuts on it and the other pair with two pieces of whole wheat toast on each. They joined two cups of coffee and a bowl of peeled and cut apples which had already been placed.

And…

Raise curtain.

Light took a piece of apple and nibbled on it, waiting.

Ryuzaki, without lowering his book, reached toward his plate. Thumb and index finger lightly touched and then shirked away. Light watched as the book was lowered. Ryuzaki studied the contents of the dish and then looked up. Their eyes met.

Light smiled affably. The gesture was not returned. Ryuzaki's eyes lowered to observe the two plates in front of Light. One which held the toast he was currently eating and the other which held the doughnuts. His gaze lingered momentarily on the powdered confections and then returned to Light.

Ryuzaki set his book aside, and imperatively said:

"Light-kun."

An arm was outstretched, veered towards the doughnuts.

Light simulated a mildly confused expression, and asked:

"Yes? What is it, Ryuzaki?'

"Watari left those for me."

Light was careful not to overact.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't notice. Here, take them."

While lifting the plate, his thumb faintly impressed onto one of the doughnuts. It was easy to accomplish since it just so happened to be located on the edge of the dish. What followed next was, perhaps, a little showy.

It was with dismay that he observed:

"Wait. This is kind of hard. I think they're stale."

Light got up and…

"You can't eat this, Ryuzaki."

…dumped the contents of the plate into the trash can.

Light, not meaning to upstage Ryuzaki, sat back down.

"Why don't you eat some toast or apples instead?"

Ryuzaki just stared at him, his expression indecipherable. It gave Light pause for around two seconds and then he carried on.

"Or I could make you something else, if you want."

His response was to pick his book back up.

"Ryuzaki?" Light prompted.

As he raised the book in front of his eyes, he quietly said:

"I'm not hungry."

The rest of the meal passed in uncompanionable silence.

Close curtain.

When they arrived at the operations room, Light was met with a concerned Soichiro.

"Sorry, dad. I had trouble sleeping. I'll make up the time, don't worry."

"I'm not worried about that, Light. Did you have another headache?"

"No, I just needed a little more sleep."

Light was keeping an eye on the other occupants in the room, particularly Matsuda; who was approaching.

"If that's all it was, that's fine. But if there's a next time, I want you to let me know."

"I definitely will, dad," he said distractedly.

Matsuda arrived. Light changed the subject.

"Have there been any new Kira victims reported in the papers?"

"We haven't found any yet," Matsuda answered.

He leaned sideward to peer around Light. The detective was standing behind him at an angle.

"That's good news, right, Ryuzaki? It proves that Higuchi is Kira!"

Light shifted slightly over, cutting Ryuzaki off from view, and answered for him.

"No, we don't know that yet. It'll take a couple more days to get decisive proof," he replied briskly.

"…Oh, that's right. That's what you guys said yesterday," Matsuda said abashedly.

Soichiro, noticing his embarrassment, stepped in.

"It's a good start, though. We'll just have to keep our eyes open and check every source that we can over the next two days," he explained kindly.

Matsuda smiled and nodded. He leaned around Light again; a look of inquiry on his face.

'Time to end this.'

"There's some places on the internet that I want to check. You've got the papers covered, right, dad?"

Soichiro nodded, and said:

"We're just waiting on the afternoon editions. And Watari is checking with his contacts and keeping us up-to-date with any information the police have."

Light noted the discomfort in his father's features.

"Okay, I'll let you know if I find anything right away. And maybe you can look over the script we're working on for Matsuda-san after we finish it."

Soichiro smiled.

"All right, Light."

Light smiled back and then turned toward Ryuzaki.

"Come on," he said as he took hold of his arm.

And firmly propelled him towards their desks.

Light was troubled as he sat down. That brief look on his father's face;…

He clicked on the first news site on his list.

…it bothered him.

Soichiro had spent his entire career working for the good of society. His dedication, shrewdness, and hard work had eventually landed him the title of Detective Superintendent of the NPA. It was not so long ago that he had overseen and directed that huge organization. And, now, he was forced to rely on others to gain any information from the police. While true that he had chosen to resign, it was because of Kira that he was put in that position in the first place.

'It's not fair.'

Light clicked on another site.

His father had said that, after catching Kira, there was always a new career. But, as inspiring at that statement was, it didn't change the fact that he had been forced to relinquish his former one. On one hand, it showed his dedication to bringing Kira to justice. Soichiro gave up everything he had built and worked for to remain with the investigation. On the other, it put him in the situation he was in now. The power and authority he had once wielded was irrecoverably gone.

By this time, Light had finished checking the various news sites he frequented. Next was a much smaller list of Kira-related websites. There were thousands of them already and more appeared every day. Light checked only a small sampling because the rhetoric and delusion on display was, as always, exasperating. Still, he didn't underestimate the information collection ability of people…

'…who have no life.'

He scanned the various pages, looking for any mention of new killings or observations that they had stopped. Several phrases, all the usual suspects, caught his attention.

The savior. The messiah. The messenger from Hell. The legend. The defender of the innocent.

…Guardian angel.

Light rolled his eyes.

Did people really believe this? He thought of Higuchi. That was quite the hero, there.

While his father gave up a lifetime's achievements, there were people spewing this dogma. In darkness and anonymity, they proclaimed their reverence and thankfulness to Kira. The same ones who would never celebrate his existence openly. Light knew this with absolute certainty. After all, that was the way most people were; hypocritical, helpless, ignorant, and mindless.

Saying one thing and doing another.

He was brought out of his internal condemnation by the arrival of lunch.

Ryuzaki was still absorbed in his work, allowing Light to peruse the selection on offer. It was doubtful that he would eat the sandwiches, but maybe the salad? Ryuzaki enjoyed fruit and there were fruit-based dressings available. He decided it was worth a try.

There was also a large slice of chocolate cake, but…

'That has no nutritional value whatsoever.'

So, it was out.

Ryuzaki paused and turned, reaching for it. At the same time, Light moved the salad toward him. While doing so, he carelessly knocked the cake onto the floor.

Whoops.

"I'm sorry, Ryuzaki! I wasn't paying attention!"

'My aim was off. Three more centimeters to the left and it would have landed right in the waste basket.'

Light grabbed some napkins and kneeled to scoop up the pitiful remains. He stayed bent on task as he suggested:

"The raspberry dressing is pretty good. I've tried it before. Why don't you have salad instead?"

When there was no reply, he looked up. He was met with the same indecipherable expression that he had noticed earlier. With Light's attention, it disappeared in a flash; replaced by a slight smile.

"I'm not hungry," Ryuzaki stated softly.

Light frowned. He would have challenged such an obvious lie, but was distracted by the arrival of a pair of helping hands. Matsuda, armed with paper towel and cleanser, crouched beside him.

"Geez, what a mess! Isn't this your lunch, Ryuzaki?"

"Yes."

A dramatic pause.

"It was," he answered solemnly.

"Do you want me to run to the bakery and get you another one? It'll only take ten minutes or so."

Ryuzaki smiled. A true smile that was reflected in his eyes.

Matsuda stood, brushing his hands off on his pants.

"I'll be right back. Do you want…"

Light cut in.

"You don't need to do that, Matsuda-san."

He stood and, with a disarming smile, faced Matsuda.

"Ryuzaki's not hungry."

He turned to the detective.

"Isn't that what you just said?"

Ryuzaki's smiled faded away. He shrugged and turned back to his computer screen.

An awkward intermission. Matsuda glanced at the detective.

"If you change your mind, just let me know. I don't mind going at all."

Light stepped closer to Ryuzaki.

"Sure, we'll let you know."

Matsuda smiled nervously and opened his mouth to speak.

Light circumvented him.

"Thank you for helping me clean up."

"Sure…no problem, Light.'

After ensuring he had returned to his desk, Light sat down and ate his lunch. Ryuzaki contented himself with coffee and the occasional sugar cube. The box had been moved well out of Light's reach.

Light wondered if he had offended Matsuda. He wasn't trying to be rude, but sometimes subtlety wasn't an option with certain people. Matsuda, while well-intentioned and gregarious, was a little on the slow side. He reminded Light of Misa. Sort of a male version of her. So, at times, there was no choice but to take a more direct approach.

There was a difference between Matsuda and Misa, of course. Where all of Misa's attention was focused on Light, it was Ryuzaki for Matsuda. It would seem he seriously wanted to befriend him or something. Which was fine. Light had no problem with that. It was just that his friendly overtures were too easily used as ammunition. Recently, Ryuzaki had twisted his innocent questions and used them to put Light in an incredibly defensive position. He had done it twice already and so long as there were unresolved matters between them; he would likely do it again.

As well, Light's method for dealing with Ryuzaki's diet was reliant on removing options and introducing others. Today was a testing period. In order for any preliminary results to be obtained, there could be no other variables besides the ones already in place. Matsuda's offer to replace the cake interfered with that. And he, well-meaning and dim, would only continue to be a hindrance if Light allowed it. So, for the time being, he wanted to keep Matsuda away from Ryuzaki.

The rest of the afternoon passed quickly. Light worked with Ryuzaki on the script for Matsuda. The main purpose of it was to incite Higuchi to take direct action. So, the unveiling Kira part needed to be written in near the start. It was both their estimation that Higuchi would take the bait immediately. Regardless, though, there were still three hours of dialogue to be constructed. Since both he and Ryuzaki were proficient at fabrications, the project went well. It was just before dinner when Light brought the final draft to his father.

The meal arrived while Soichiro was still reading it over. Light inspected the offerings. There was rice, fish, vegetables, and salad. Light frowned. There wasn't much to work with here. Maybe the rice? The salad was worth another try too.

There was also a generous slice of blueberry pie. It was charmingly topped with a dollop of whipped cream. It looked quite delicious.

Light studied it for approximately three seconds. Fruit was healthy but, in his opinion, the amount of sugar negated any benefit the blueberries introduced.

And so, not long after, it suffered the same gruesome fate as the cake.

Satisfied, Light looked over his handiwork. His aim was right on target this time. The pie had landed directly in the trash can. That should prevent Matsuda from coming over to "help". All the while, he offered his hollow apologies. Ryuzaki, playing the role of captive audience, just sat and passively watched the show. It was only when Light suggested his alternatives that he stirred. A small smile appeared as he very softly said:

"I'm not hungry."

Light resisted the urge to call his bluff and instead ate his dinner. Ryuzaki drank more coffee and finished off the last sugar cube in the box.

In truth, Light was starting to feel a little irked. Why was Ryuzaki being so stubborn about this? There was no doubt he needed to eat. His total consumption for the day thus far was multiple cups of coffee and a box of sugar. Light did not even want to imagine what his blood sugar level was like.

What he wanted to accomplish was fairly simple. If Ryuzaki did not have access to his desserts, what would he choose to eat instead? That was the information Light was after. If he had that, then he could begin to devise a menu plan suitable for him. Ryuzaki's behavior, however, was making that impossible.

'How long is he going to keep up the pretense that he's not hungry?'

It was shortly thereafter that his question was answered.

Soichiro approached with Matsuda for an impromptu meeting about the script. After a brief discussion and some fine-tuning, it was decided that Soichiro would help Matsuda rehearse it the following day. On the condition, of course, that no new killings were reported. This was Light's idea. There were two reasons behind it although he did not say them aloud.

Matsuda was clearly anxious about his role in the plan. It was understandable considering the danger he could potentially be in. His father and Matsuda were used to working together and, more importantly, Soichiro exerted a beneficial influence over him. With his guidance, Matsuda would calm down and focus. The second reason was a little more personal. Working with Soichiro would keep Matsuda busy and away from Ryuzaki.

Through all this, Ryuzaki remained silent. It was as the meeting was winding down that he spoke up. Soichiro and Matsuda were getting to their feet when he said:

"Matsuda-san, if you have time now, will you please go to the bakery for me?"

Matsuda smiled cheerfully.

"Sure! What do you want me to pick up for you?"

Ryuzaki smiled back.

"I would like two powdered doughnuts, one piece of chocolate cake, and a slice of blueberry pie. Please ask them to add whipped cream to the pie."

"Wow, that's quite a list! I better write it down."

A lull while he jotted down the order in his notepad. And in that pause, Ryuzaki looked at Light.

Light's eyes narrowed at his smirk.

Ryuzaki turned away and addressed Soichiro.

"Would you like something too, Yagami-san? I wish to thank you for your hard work. Watari will reimburse Matsuda-san later."

A surprised smile lit up Soichiro's face.

"You don't need to do that, but now that you mention it…pie does sound good."

He spoke to Matsuda.

"Put me down for a slice of apple pie."

"Sure thing, Chief. What about you, Light?"

All eyes turned to him.

Light adopted an amiable expression.

"I'm fine. Thanks, anyway."

Ryuzaki's amusement was apparent.

"Light-kun has been working very hard today. He should receive a reward for all his efforts."

Matsuda chimed in.

"He's right! Come on, Light, isn't there anything you want?"

"Why don't you have some apple pie with me? I've had it from that place before and it's a close second to your mom's," Soichiro said persuasively.

Matsuda beamed at Light.

"It's been a long time since we had a chance to relax together. It'll be fun!"

"Yes. Matsuda-san is correct."

Light, realizing he was outnumbered…

He looked at Ryuzaki.

… and outmaneuvered, gave in.

"Sure,…why not? Let's do this," he said brightly; eyes never leaving Ryuzaki.

While they waited for Matsuda to come back, Soichiro filled Light in on Sachiko and Sayu's activities. He listened with perfunctory attention. As he did when Matsuda returned and regaled the group with anecdotes from his time as Misa's manager. What should have been a pleasant gathering was undermined for Light. He barely tasted the pie as he ate.

This was partly due to the realization that all his efforts had been for naught. Ryuzaki ended up eating every dessert he wanted and not a single healthy alternative. Instead, Light wound up eating the exact thing he attempted to keep away from him. He glanced over. Ryuzaki was eating the treats in the order they had appeared throughout the day. It was a message. As was the fact that he finished everything prior to Soichiro's departure for the night. Light would not say or do anything unusual in front of his father. Ryuzaki knew that and used it against him.

Later, Light lay in bed and watched him.

He must have been waiting all day. Acting passively and biding his time.

Ryuzaki was sitting at the table; working on his laptop.

He could have just said something. Instead, he used Matsuda and Soichiro to put Light in an untenable position. Again.

A vision of Ryuzaki's self-satisfied expression floated into his mind.

Light smiled and turned away.

Well, then, if he wanted to play games…

'I'll play.'

And…

'I'll win.'

Tbc