What if Ayanokoji tried to solve the Kira case?

A Step Into the Shadows

The next morning, Ayanokoji blended seamlessly into the crowd of students at Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School. To his classmates, he was just another face in the sea of uniforms—unremarkable, quiet, and easy to overlook. It was a role he played to perfection, honed over years of experience. In truth, Ayanokoji had mastered the art of invisibility, not in the literal sense, but in the way he navigated through life without attracting undue attention.

As he walked through the corridors, his mind was a flurry of calculations. The data he had gathered last night was still fresh in his thoughts, and he had already started formulating a plan. Kira's actions had stirred something in him—a desire to see how this game would unfold. And if he could unravel the mystery while remaining undetected, it would be a testament to his abilities.

In class, Ayanokoji took his usual seat near the back, where he could observe without being noticed. He glanced around the room, noting the familiar faces. Suzune Horikita, with her aloof demeanor and sharp intellect, sat a few rows ahead. She was the only one in the class who might suspect there was more to Ayanokoji than met the eye, but even she had no idea of the depths of his capabilities.

As the teacher droned on about the day's lesson, Ayanokoji let his mind drift back to the Kira case. He had already begun creating a mental map of potential avenues to explore. The first step would be to establish a link between the victims—something that might give him insight into how Kira was selecting his targets. But that was only the beginning. The real challenge would be finding a way to confirm his theories without exposing himself.

L's approach had been to challenge Kira directly, forcing him into the open by putting his own life on the line. It was a bold move, but one that Ayanokoji would avoid at all costs. He preferred to remain an unseen force, manipulating events from the background. To do that, he would need information, and there was only one place to get it—the Task Force.

The Japanese Task Force had been formed specifically to deal with Kira, comprised of the best minds and detectives in the country. But despite their efforts, they were no closer to catching Kira than when they had started. It was a perfect example of why brute force and logic alone were not enough to solve this case. What they lacked was subtlety, an understanding of the psychological elements at play. Ayanokoji had no intention of joining the Task Force directly—he would gain access to their information through other means.

The bell rang, snapping him out of his thoughts. As the class began to pack up their things, Ayanokoji stood, his movements calm and deliberate. He noticed Horikita glance his way, her expression as unreadable as his own. She was always watching, always analyzing, but Ayanokoji knew how to keep her at a distance. He offered her a polite nod before exiting the classroom.

Outside, the day was bright and clear, a stark contrast to the dark thoughts swirling in his mind. Ayanokoji made his way to the library, a place where he could work undisturbed. Once inside, he selected a secluded corner, away from prying eyes, and set up his laptop. The school's internet was monitored, but Ayanokoji had already bypassed the security protocols, allowing him unrestricted access to the web.

He began by searching for publicly available information on the Task Force—names, ranks, anything that might give him an idea of who was involved. It was a risky move, but Ayanokoji knew how to cover his tracks. Within minutes, he had compiled a list of key members, including their known affiliations and specialties. Most of the names were expected—veteran detectives, forensic experts, and even a few government officials. But there were a few that stood out.

One name in particular caught his attention—Soichiro Yagami, a high-ranking officer in the National Police Agency and the head of the Task Force. Ayanokoji clicked on the name, bringing up a detailed profile. Yagami was a man of principle, respected by his peers and known for his unwavering dedication to justice. He also had a son, Light Yagami, a top student with a promising future. Ayanokoji's eyes lingered on the younger Yagami's name for a moment before he moved on. The connection was noted, but for now, it was just another piece of the puzzle.

His next step was more delicate. Ayanokoji needed access to the Task Force's internal communications—their notes, reports, and anything else that might give him an edge. This would require hacking into their network, a task that would be difficult even for someone of his skill. But Ayanokoji thrived on challenges.

Over the next hour, he worked meticulously, bypassing layers of security with a level of precision that spoke to his experience. It was like dismantling a complex machine, one piece at a time, until he had access to the core. Eventually, he found what he was looking for—a secure server that housed the Task Force's confidential files. Ayanokoji smiled to himself as he began downloading the data, ensuring that his presence would go unnoticed.

As the files transferred, Ayanokoji leaned back in his chair, considering his next move. The information he was gathering would give him insight into Kira's methods, but it would also reveal the weaknesses of those hunting him. And that was where Ayanokoji's true advantage lay—in understanding both sides of the equation.

When the download was complete, Ayanokoji encrypted the files and stored them on a hidden partition of his hard drive. He would analyze the data later, when he was back in the safety of his dorm room. For now, it was time to withdraw. He logged off, erasing all traces of his activity, and packed up his things.

As he left the library, Ayanokoji's mind was already several steps ahead, planning his next move. The game was progressing, and the pieces were beginning to fall into place. He knew that he was still far from his goal, but the path was becoming clearer with each passing day.

Kira was a formidable opponent, but Ayanokoji had faced challenges before. And like every other challenge, this one was just another problem to be solved—a puzzle that required careful thought and precise action. As he walked back to his dorm, blending into the crowd of students once again, Ayanokoji couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.

The game was still in its early stages, but Ayanokoji knew one thing for certain: he was going to win.

This chapter further establishes Ayanokoji's methodical approach to the Kira case. It introduces the idea of him working in the shadows, gathering information while remaining completely invisible to both the Task Force and Kira. It also hints at the deeper layers of the game that Ayanokoji is beginning to unravel, setting up the tension for the upcoming chapters.