"Oh, is that so."
Ye Xing nodded with exceptional calmness, speaking plainly to Light Yagami beside him.
"Explain it to him then."
"Eh?"
Light Yagami was stunned.
"Really explain?"
"Really explain."
"Everything?"
"Yes, everything."
Light Yagami frowned slightly, and when he looked at L again, he no longer concealed his true nature at all. His originally deep brown pupils instantly transformed into a frightening crimson red as he slowly spoke.
"The world's number one detective, who's been pursuing me for so long, suddenly says he might become our collaborator. Without giving a reason, it's hard to believe."
"You're mistaken about one thing."
L's expression remained unchanged, merely hunching his back as he carefully examined the two before him with eyes hidden beneath messy black hair, speaking softly.
"I'm not just number one. The world's top three detectives are all my aliases."
"You still haven't given a reason."
"What would happen if I couldn't provide one?"
L looked directly into Light Yagami's eyes. Though physically shorter than the other, his presence wasn't the slightest bit weaker as he simply countered.
"Would you kill me? That's not Kira's style. If you did that, you'd lose."
"You're right about that."
Light Yagami narrowed his eyes slightly, his crimson pupils flickering with an eerie glow.
"This indeed isn't Kira's usual style, and I don't want to lose this rather interesting game either, but..."
Suddenly, Light's tone shifted, his voice devoid of any emotion as he spoke coldly.
"I don't care whether my identity is exposed, but since you already know his identity, winning or losing is no longer the most important issue for me. I will use any means necessary to ensure his identity remains concealed."
"I see..."
Just from this brief exchange, L had already drawn numerous conclusions.
Before coming here, he had naturally investigated the backgrounds of the two individuals before him.
Light Yagami, son of former Kyoto Metropolitan Police Department Criminal Director Soichiro Yagami, had maintained excellent academic performance since childhood. His ambition was to enter Tokyo University and become a member of the Metropolitan Police Department, possessing an extremely strong sense of justice.
In terms of interpersonal relationships, while he was quite popular at school, he only had one person who could truly be called a friend - Ye Xing, who was currently in Kyoto.
Setting aside the known fact of Ye Xing's identity, Light's own personality, abilities, and background perfectly matched the suspect profile L had created for Kira long ago.
After this interaction, L became even more certain of his deductive conclusion.
Light Yagami was indeed Kira.
There was just one question.
Why did someone like Light Yagami - who punished evil with top-tier abilities in every aspect - show no trace of arrogance when interacting with Ye Xing, instead engaging in equal dialogue?
What undiscovered qualities did this Mask possess, beyond the known identities of being top in Japan's unified exams, having defeated the geniuses from Shuchi'in Academy, and allegedly undertaking exorcism commissions privately, that could command such respect from Light Yagami?
"In that case, I'll be completely honest."
L shrugged and spoke slowly.
"From the moment I discovered both your identities, this investigation ended for me. I'm a detective, not a member of the Metropolitan Police Department. I pursue only one goal - finding the truth. Capturing criminals, subsequent legal trials... I don't care about any of that."
"In other words, even if you two don't face legal punishment... though frankly, without any substantial evidence, the current legal system would struggle to convict either of you anyway."
"Whether your actions are just or not, I couldn't care less. Even if you escape legal punishment, it means nothing to me. This is my personal view, and it's the prerequisite for us to transform from opposing adversaries into collaborators."
L's words were significant.
Becoming collaborators, allies, companions - regardless of the terminology used - required one fundamental condition.
That there be no essential conflict of interest between the parties.
L's statement indicated that although he operated within the Metropolitan Police Department's sphere, he had no compelling reason to expose Kira and Mask - the most crucial prerequisite for establishing cooperation.
What he was about to say next would reveal his own reasons.
"I'm someone... who's only interested in one thing - uncovering the truth behind various cases. The more difficult and perplexing the case, the more I enjoy it."
L looked at Light Yagami and spoke slowly.
"And yet, after you provided me with information and made me aware of those unbelievable abilities that ordinary people could never hope to attain, even with all this intelligence and the full cooperation of the Metropolitan Police Department, it took me this long just to find one name. This is the first time in my life I've encountered such a situation."
"If I'm not mistaken, the two of you will encounter many more such incidents in the future. By cooperating with you, I can satisfy my curiosity and experience the satisfaction that comes from deducing the truth."
"From another perspective, since you've come to me for help this time, it means you both need someone who has completely abandoned normal life, possesses authority within the Metropolitan Police Department to mobilise official resources, has the strongest deductive abilities, and can uncover the masterminds behind these events."
"You need me, and I need you. It might sound absurd, but this is my genuine opinion."
"So now..."
L looked at the two people before him, speaking in a calm tone.
"Shall we form a partnership?"
Light Yagami didn't answer, instead turning to look at Ye Xing beside him.
Seeing both L and Light Yagami staring at him, Ye Xing looked exasperated as he complained.
"Why are you looking at me? Didn't I already say it? Yes, okay, we can cooperate, no problem. Seriously, I've run out of words. How many different ways do I need to say it for you to understand? I agreed to cooperate ages ago."
"Oh, I see."
Light Yagami couldn't help but laugh.
"I thought you were just being abstract and joking around."
"Sometimes I really feel like slapping you twice, Old Ya."
Listening to their conversation, L suddenly spoke up.
"Light Yagami, may I ask you a question?"
"What question?"
"Why do you..."
L pointed at Ye Xing standing there.
"...approve of him? And why do you follow his orders? This is the only point in all your actions so far that doesn't match your character and logic, something I find puzzling."
Ye Xing chimed in.
"Yeah yeah, Light-kun, why exactly is that?"
Light Yagami shook his head with a wry smile and said softly.
"Lord Ye Xing, up until now, how many people know your true identity and abilities?"
Hearing this question, Ye Xing thought for a moment before answering.
"Hmm... just counting identity... about a dozen? If we include abilities, too, probably over twenty? I've lost count."
Light Yagami looked at L and shrugged.
"Do you understand now? So many people know his true identity, yet as you should have discovered during your investigation, not a single person who knows has revealed even half a word about it."
"I don't quite understand how he manages it, but I only know one thing."
"The assistants this guy chooses are all trustworthy people, and every choice he makes has proven to be correct afterwards. Even me becoming Kira was one of the choices he made."
"So rather than myself, I trust his judgment more."
Hearing these words, a complex expression flashed in L's eyes as he took two steps back and lowered his voice.
"You two... couldn't possibly be... in that kind of relationship, could you?"
Ye Xing looked at Light Yagami with an exasperated expression.
"See? I'm not the only one who thinks there's something wrong with your sexual orientation."
...
Half an hour later.
Even with Light Yagami's linguistic organisational skills, it took considerable effort to explain everything about spiritual power awakening, the Reverse World, psychics, while also inserting personal embellishments, managing to stretch what originally only took a few chapters about his initial meeting with Ye Xing and their process of reaching cooperation into a feature-length narrative. With various psychological descriptions added for dramatic effect, he ended up speaking for over ten minutes.
Just listening to him talk, one would think Light Yagami was the most important secondary protagonist around Ye Xing.
"Sounds rather unbelievable..."
After listening to Light Yagami's account, L murmured thoughtfully.
"But this way, everything connects... everything can be explained now."
Ye Xing chuckled lightly as he spoke.
"So, want me to help you awaken your spiritual power?"
"No need."
L waved his hand, appearing completely unmoved.
"As I've said before, the only thing that interests me is investigating cases ordinary people can't solve and uncovering the truth hidden within them. As for becoming a psychic, since I haven't awakened, it doesn't matter to me. I don't care."
"Typical of you."
Ye Xing said this first, then asked in a calm tone.
"Now, will you tell us their name?"
"No problem."
L nodded slightly and said softly.
"Rikka Sakuragawa."
"Oh, it's her."
Hearing Ye Xing's tone, both L and Light Yagami grew somewhat curious.
"What, do you know her?"
"I know her, but she doesn't know me."
"I see."
L nodded noncommittally and didn't say anything more, only slowly beginning to speak.
"Rikka Sakuragawa, female. Since childhood, she has had multiple hospitalisation experiences due to injuries. Notably, for some unknown reason, her medical records weren't archived, seemingly involving certain secrets that cannot be known."
"Employment status: unemployed. Marital history: unmarried. Relationship status: unknown. This Rikka Sakuragawa is like a transparent person, leaving very few traces in this world."
"And from about a year ago, which coincides with the time Yagami-kun mentioned when you awakened your spiritual power, she seems to have completely disappeared from this world, leaving no written or electronic records."
"However, considering her multiple hospitalisation experiences, I used the Metropolitan Police Department's resources to investigate all medical facilities in Osaka, including mental hospitals and small clinics, even veterinary hospitals, and obtained results."
"According to a nurse at Osaka Municipal Hospital, Rikka Sakuragawa stayed in a private room for at least half a year, though she didn't know exactly when she was admitted."
"Based on her description, Rikka Sakuragawa is very polite towards others, possessing a gentle, well-educated temperament. Yet during daily interactions, she occasionally gave people an unnerving feeling, as if she were quite frightening."
"The Metropolitan Police Department attempted to question the person in charge at Osaka Municipal Hospital, only to find the vice-director had gone missing, while the director was discovered having hanged himself at home, without even leaving a suicide note."
At this point, L paused before continuing.
"As for Rikka Sakuragawa's whereabouts... that remains unclear for now. If, as Yagami-kun just said, she possesses that brainwashing-like ability, then even if we investigate, it would likely yield minimal results. Rather than that, it would be better to predict her next move, to anticipate her thinking."
"You two chat."
Ye Xing waved his hand and walked directly into the distance.
"I have things to do, I'm off now. If you deduce anything, just call me."
In Ye Xing's eyes, Light Yagami and L, both abnormal minds, were perfectly matched.
In the original storyline, if a normal person were in L's position - reasoning? Testing? I'll reason and test with you my arse. For a dangerous criminal at Kira's level, if you suspect someone, just execute them privately. Suspect which one, kill which one. Kill them all and be done with it.
And if a normal person were in Light Yagami's position - you're telling me you're L? I don't care if the Metropolitan Police Department suspects me or not, I'd just exchange for the Shinigami Eyes and when I have time, write your name and be done with it.
Only these two, these two who enjoy that kind of stimulation, when they meet, would engage in this so-called game.
Ye Xing never liked intellectual battles or games.
His philosophy was simple.
Me killing you - that's the best intellectual battle and game.
However, just like with Light Yagami back then, while Ye Xing didn't understand L's methods, he acknowledged his value as an ally.
L's ability to track down Rikka Sakuragawa was the best example.
With the authority to mobilise the Metropolitan Police Department's resources, the world's strongest deductive mind in L, plus Light Yagami, who excelled at reading people and possessed spiritual power...
To be honest, Ye Xing could almost believe how immense the pressure Rikka Sakuragawa must be facing under the pursuit of these two and the entire Metropolitan Police Department.
How powerful Rikka Sakuragawa's immortality was remained to be confirmed, but what he could be certain of was that as long as she remained human, she wouldn't be able to withstand such tremendous psychological pressure.
Finding Rikka Sakuragawa's weakness and locating her true form was merely a matter of time.
When Ye Xing left the shrine, the Matchmaking Deity in her Miko outfit came bouncing over, looking quite cheerful.
"Lord Ye Xing, the Matchmaking Deity sends you a warm reminder: the people you need to pay New Year's visits to include Kaguya Shinomiya, Ai Hayasaka, Eriri Spencer Sawamura, Utaha Kasumigaoka, Yumiko Miura, Rikka Takanashi, Toka Takanashi, Miki Okudera, Mafuyu Kirisu, and finally give little Mitsuha a call. That should be all!"
"Just these?"
Hearing the long list of names recited by the Matchmaking Deity, Ye Xing couldn't help but complain.
"Never mind the others, but why Mafuyu Kirisu and Miki Okudera? I'm not close with Mafuyu Kirisu, but at least I know her. But Miki Okudera? I've never even spoken to her, I don't know her at all."
"Eh, is that so?"
The Matchmaking Deity wore a puzzled expression on her small face, murmuring.
"But there's a red thread of marital fate between you and Miss Miki Okudera."
Ye Xing shook his head helplessly and spoke bluntly.
"Well then, let me ask: are there any women I've interacted with who don't have a red thread of marital fate?"
"Oh, there are."
The Matchmaking Deity nodded very seriously.
"There's no red thread between you and that Godmother Granny."
Ye Xing: "...Thanks for stating the obvious. She's in her seventies or eighties - if there were a red thread between us, that would be problematic."
"But there is a red thread between Godmother Granny and Mr Oda Noto."
"Well now, I knew it. Those two are having a sunset romance and actually kept it from me. How inconsiderate."
Ye Xing first chuckled and teased, then inquired.
"Can't I just call everyone? Visiting each one personally would be such a waste of time. There are so many people waiting back home."
"Hmm... that makes sense too. We shouldn't neglect some for others."
The Matchmaking Deity thought seriously for a moment before smiling sweetly.
"In that case, you should personally visit Miss Toka Takanashi. For the rest, just call to greet them. After all, indulging in too many couples at once would be rather excessive. Sweet romantic connections should be savoured slowly."
"Why Toka Takanashi?"
Faced with Ye Xing's question, the Matchmaking Deity gave him a reason he couldn't refute.
"Because today, I want to ship you with the older sister type with black hair and red eyes."
"Fiiine then."
...
Later that evening, at the entrance of the Takanashi sisters' apartment.
"You're here? Come in."
Toka Takanashi's attitude was neither cold nor warm, showing no particular surprise at Ye Xing's phone call announcing his visit.
"Fine."
Ye Xing stepped through the apartment door, scanning the interior decor and quickly forming an assessment.
This wasn't like the cramped, noisy, cheap apartment near the train tracks where Hina Amano had previously lived with her younger brother.
Naturally, it also wasn't comparable to the luxurious, party-worthy large apartments occupied by Kazusa Touma, Mai Sakurajima, or Rio Futaba. Though Toka's salary wasn't low, it didn't reach the level where she could spend extravagantly. For two people, this approximately 80-90 square meter apartment was perfectly adequate.
"Ye... Ye Xing-san..."
Seeing Ye Xing enter, Rikka Takanashi—dressed in homewear—though somewhat shy, mustered her courage to approach the entrance. She lowered her head and waved slightly as a greeting.
But the very next second, her chuunibyou flared up again.
"Have you finally resolved to join my Tyrant's Eye in opposing the Holy Caretaker!? Excellent, truly excellent!"