In the weeks following the Toho entrance exams, criminals all over the world continued to die of sudden, inexplicable heart attacks, but L and the Task Force made no substantial progress with the case.  Nonetheless, there still existed a singular suspect, and the renowned detective intended to follow up on his hunch until not even the remotest possibility that Light Yagami could be Kira remained.  So, as the cherry trees blossomed along the streets of Tokyo like pink cotton candy, L prepared to attend the Toho Freshman Orientation, where both he and Light would be recognized for having earned perfect scores on the examination.

For this event, L had taken the alias 'Hideki Ryuga,' which was also the name of a Japanese pop star.  In doing this, he prevented Kira from making an attempt on his life, given that the beloved idol Ryuga may accidentally be killed.

The spacious auditorium was filled with ambitious young people and their families, all smartly dressed and well-groomed... and among them was a disheveled, sleep-deprived mess of a man in wrinkled clothing and old, battered sneakers with no socks.  Following some formalities, the two freshmen representatives were announced, and both L and Light stood amid applause mixed with incredulous murmurs.  The two young men approaching the stage could not possibly be more different.

Light gave his speech first.  He was well-versed and charismatic, and he certainly looked the part of a young person well-acquainted with success and privilege.

L waited beside him, a folded piece of paper held by a corner at his side.  His other hand was unceremoniously tucked in his pocket.

Moments later, the crowd applauded again, and Light Yagami bowed before stepping away from the microphone.  He glanced at his fellow representative, but L's eyes remained fixed ahead as he moved to take the place at the podium.  He unfolded the sheet of paper and held it up before him, the top two corners pinched delicately in his fingertips.

Earlier that morning, L had obtained this very document shortly after Agent Matsuda had voiced a concern in the form of a question...

"Ryuzaki..."  Matsuda addressed the detective warily.  "...you do realize you will have to give a speech, right?"

"Mister Matsuda," L replied coolly, swiveling in his computer chair with a teacup and saucer in hand.  "I always do my research thoroughly.  I assure you, I am well prepared."  He held the handle of the delicate china cup with only his thumb and first finger.

Matsuda nodded.  "...right.  O-of course!"  He lifted his shoulders, feeling stupid.

L glanced at the clock, then tipped his head back to finish off the tea-saturated sugar.  He set the dishes on the desk before stepping out of the chair and shuffling over to the sitting area, hands pocketed.  He stopped before a plushy armchair and crouched down before it.

"Is it ready?" L asked very seriously.

A small hand holding a sheet of paper thrust out from under the chair.

L took the paper as a pair of bright eyes watched him from behind pitch black bangs.  The small Bean was lying on his stomach, several sheets of paper and a box of crayons surrounding him.  His bent legs alternatingly bobbed up and down, and a drawstring dangled loosely from one side of his mouth. 

L put a thumb to his lip as he studied the paper.  Slowly, he nodded.  "This is just what I needed," he said, all businesslike.  "Thank you, Bean."  He reached out and tousled the boy's hair before standing again to his bare feet.  "You see, Mr. Matsuda?"  L displayed the sheet of paper between his thumb and index finger.  "I have everything I need."

Matsuda slowly took the paper, his brow furrowing.  On it was what appeared to be a scribbly drawing of L giving a speech to a crowd of smiling people.  The stick figure at the podium held a sheet of paper with a red A+++ on it.  Matsuda looked up at L.  "...but..."

L plucked the drawing out of the young agent's hands, and Matsuda promptly shut his mouth.

And L gave his speech at Toho that day with his son's drawing in hand.  It was unnecessary and ridiculous, but it amused him, and so he held it up before him and pretended to read from it.  The words that came out of his mouth were ad-libbed and less than half-hearted, but what was going on in his brilliant mind was anything but.

"Light Yagami... The likelihood that you are Kira is just under five percent.  Even so... something tells me I'm not wrong to suspect you.  But you're just too perfect..."

As he delivered his speech, his tone remained plain, his expression bland.  But a spark was flickering inside of him that was only the beginning of an all-consuming flame.  Had he known what his actions this day would bring, he may have done things differently... had he known what lay at the end of this road, he may not have chosen to take it at all.  But as he concluded his improvosed oration, and he and Light took their seats amid the applause, L carried out his decision.

"Light?  Light Yagami?"  L addressed the younger man in a low tone.  "Your father is Chief Soichiro Yagami of the NPA?  Your respect for your father is matched only by your strong sense of justice..."

Was this a mistake?  Maybe.

Was it a risk?  Without question.

But this case... this Kira... there was something about all of it that infuriated L to his very core.  It ignited the very passion that drove all that he was.

HE was justice, and how dare this arrogant, juvenile murderer with an apparent god complex claim to be so?

Nonetheless, despite this inner flame, L continued in his somber and monotonous inflection.

"You are planning to join the police agency when you graduate, and you've already got experience, seeing as you've helped the police solve a number of cases in the past.  Now, you're showing an interest in the Kira Case.  I'm impressed by your abilities and your sense of justice.  If you promise not to tell anyone about this, I have important information concerning the Kira investigation that I'd like to share with you..."

His demeanor was hardly indicative of the ferocity inside him that was already bordering on the obsessive.  But he was childish and he hated to lose, and it had been a long time since he had been met with such an opponent, so matched with his cleverness and so worthy of his time.  It was true that Kira deserved judgement, and it was true that L was determined to raise his son in a world wherein true justice prevailed.  But true as well, and perhaps even moreso, was the indisputable fact that L Lawliet loved the game.  He thrived on it.  And he would do whatever it took to win. 

Monumental stakes aside, this was a means to an end.

Light Yagami glanced at him sideways.  "I won't tell anyone," he answered coolly.  "What is it?"

L's heart was pounding.  The thrill of this moment was intoxicating.  He looked at Light and whispered the words that would change everything.

"I want to tell you, I'm L."