𝙍𝙀𝙎𝙊𝙇𝙑𝙀 | l lawliet

Intrigue

1995

"Hikari! Are you ready?" the woman's voice called out.

"Why do I have to come?"

"Because they've invited all of us. Come out quick!"

Hikari came down the staircase, her father's suit hanging from her limbs.

"Hikari! Wear the dress I got for you!"

"This is fine! Let's go!"

Her father chuckled.

"What're you laughing at?" her mother snapped.

As they reached the orphanage, Hikari immediately ran to the coffee machine, not even looking anywhere else.

"Hikari! Come for the donation!"

"Why? It's not like me being there is going to change the amount."

"Still! You have to show support!"

"Support? Donating so much is your choice, not mine. I'm not obligated to come."

Her mother stomped away in frustration.

"You know, however true it may be, that is a rather controversial statement to make in society," a voice stated from the dessert table.

"I don't care. And, who are you?"

"Ah, apologies. I'm a part of this orphanage," the man said. He certainly did look as crazy as you needed to be a part of Wammys'

'His eyes stick out...'

"Aren't you supposed to be with the rest of them?"

"Cake."

"Alright. See ya, I guess."

"Have you ever heard of de-caf?"

Hikari turned around.

"Eh?"

"De-caf. It's coffee which does not contain caffeine. Consuming that would provide the ability to sleep while maintaining your daily usage."

"How the hell do you know all that?"

"Research is the answer to both. Hikari Kurai, half Japanese, half British. Fan of gory, Japanese horror movies and has an addiction to black coffee. Popular among peers. Basic personality traits: Bluntness, unintentional charm, refusal to compromise, impulsive decision making. 2 months premature birth."

Hikari thought she'd be creeped out, but she wasn't. She was intrigued.

"No wonder you're part of this place.... remembering all that is wild."

"I remember data about everyone here."

"Do... Hailee Kurai."

"Your mother. Completely British. Fan of baking. Hypocritically social. Basic personality traits: Overly emotional, stern, sugarcoative tendencies, calculated thinking."

"That's so accurate!"

Hikari laughed.

"I thought you'd be offended."

"Offended? Why?"

"I mean... most people I have encountered have been overly protective of their parents and not standing for somebody openly exposing them," he said blankly.

"That's bullshit. I asked for it, didn't I?"

His eyes almost widened, a smirk tugging at his lips.

'Hikari Kurai...'

"Ah, It's time to go home. Finally getting out of this hell hole..." Hikari poured herself one last cup of coffee, chugging it down in less than five seconds. "See ya, weird orphan kid."

He simply nodded.

"Not even a bye? Damn, I like you."

"Hikari. Who is this?" her father approached them.

"Friend."

"If I'm not mistaken, you find it really difficult to address a human being as a friend, and use words such as 'aquaintances' or 'allies'," the raven declared, smirking.

Hikari shrugged.

"Who says you're like them?"

There was a silence, one almost unmistakable. The three simply stared at eachother, when, Hikari burst out laughing, while the other two simply looked at her, oblivious.

"Sorry, that was so teenage film!"

"He's cute. Maybe a little too skinny for you, but otherwise, go for it," her father declared.

Hikari chuckled, even L cracked a smile.

"Good to know."

He winked and walked away, but Hikari stayed.

"I thought you wanted to leave?" L asked flatly.

"Nah... I think you're too complex to let go."

L smirked. "I beg to differ. There's a fine line between complexity and intelligence."

"No modesty, huh?"

"I doubt you have any either."

Hikari shrugged, pouring more coffee.

"Fair point. What's your name?"

"L."

"Pfft... L? Like the letter?"

He nodded.

"I was unnamed by my parents, so I gave that name to myself."

Hikari narrowed her eyes.

"Unnamed... That's interesting. How did birth certification work?"

L almost laughed. No sympathy, no condolences, no respectful silence. Just a blatant question. He loved it.

"I wasn't a registered citizen until I arrived at this orphanage."

"So... home delivery?"

"Yes."

"So cool... You have a phone?"

"I have mail."

Hikari pickpocketed a pen from a stranger's pocket, acting like nothing happened and spinning it with her fingers.

"You know what to do," she said, pulling his hand and scribbling it down on his palm.

L smiled, accepting. "I do."

"Well, atleast your smile is not as scary as the rest of you. Message me!"

Hikari sighed as she sat in the car.

"Unbelievable... Hikari, you didn't even talk to one person... How can you be so impolite?"

Hikari wanted to get annoyed, but she couldn't. For once, she felt grateful to her mother, because that let her meet her match.

"For the record, I did talk to one person."

"One, that's it?"

"Be grateful for all you have, damn hag..." Hikari said in Japanese, to which her father chuckled.

"What did you say?!"

"Nothing, just how beautiful of a mother you are."

Hikari leaned back, tuning out her mother's usual bickering. Her mind was occupied with something far more interesting: L.

She couldn't stop thinking about him, about the excitement-- the thrill she felt while talking to him. Hikari almost felt lucky-- lucky enough to meet him. She'd always hated people, but he was something else. The accuracy of his observations, his bluntness, his sense of humour. He was perfect.

"Hikari," her father called. "You're smiling."

She snapped out of her haze. Smiling was an understatement. Hikari was happy, happier than she'd ever been. Infact, she might've never smiled as much as she was then. As if she'd finally found someone worth her undivided loyalty. And, she'd be damned if she wouldn't give it to him.

"Am I?"