CHAPTER 32

Takeo stretched in his office chair and released a long sigh.

He's been sitting in this dusty room for hours now, researching and researching and researching. Relentlessly. Now that another individual actually believed his whole Shinigami nonsense, there is no time to waste! B's plan was in the works and Phase 1 was to start tomorrow on Monday morning. He had no idea what to think of B. He was quite the peculiar being, unpredictable and ever so strange. Hopefully it would all turn out for the best. Takeo craved to prove everyone wrong. All those people who laughed in his face at the absurdity of his research would realize that they were in fact, the stupid ones. Sweet satisfaction would come soon, surely, and he couldn't wait to taste it.

His phone vibrated and he looked at it weirdly as he could've sworn that he turned off all sounds and vibrations this morning.

He reached for his phone and saw a message from an unknown number.

'Hello, you do not know who I am. But something terrible will happen to your cousin if things continue the way they are. Meet me at the corner of 6th and 11th tonight at 8:36pm sharp. Please trust me.'

Takeo blinked.

What is it with all these randoms contacting him out of nowhere?

'Okay, I'll be there,' he hesitantly texted back.

'Look for a man wearing dark leather. See you then and take care,' his response was crazy fast.

'Bye now.'

Why such a specific time? And what would happen to Matt? What exactly does this person know and capable of if he's able to get his contact info without ever seeing him before? His mind whirled with questions and he sighed once more, scratching his head. Whatever, he just hoped that whoever the hell this was wouldn't waste his time.

"Light-kuuuun, I wanna eat that cinnabun!" Misa squealed in excitement as she cheerfully pointed towards a cute bakery across the block.

Light forced a smile. "Sure, Misa, we can get that."

"Thank you!" She grinned while attacking him with a hug and Light struggled to breathe.

L watched and smirked, fully knowing Light wasn't genuine towards Misa at all. It was entertaining for him to watch him continue this fake relationship with the blonde girl. He wondered if Misa would ever put two and two together and realize it was so. However, L doubted so.

"I heard they have amazing strawberry shortcakes too," L mused while gnawing on his finger, eyeing Light's twitching smile.

"Oh yeah, they were featured in Washoku last Tuesday! Great memory!" She exclaimed while skipping towards the establishment, dragging a helpless Light behind her.

The three of them walked in and it was exactly how you'd expect it to look like. Very cute and modern. Bright pastel colours covered the place from the floor to the ceiling as well as anime figurines on shelves and the window sills. Small plants hung from the ceiling and all of their pastries were displayed in the glass counter in front of them. The place was fairly busy and only a few tables were left empty. Relaxing classical jazz music resonated in the background as well as a live pianist in the corner, playing elegantly on a pastel pink grand piano, her movements in tune with the beat of every musical note.

"Hello, welcome to Espresso Express! How can I help you all today?" The cashier greeted us with a warm smile and a slight bow.

"Hi hi, I'd love a cinnabun!"

"Okay, one cinnamon bun."

"A slice of strawberry shortcake too. Large dark roast coffee and a cup full of sugar cubes on the side, please," L ordered nonchalantly, peering at the baker making a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies.

"Nothing for me," Light said until his girlfriend interrupted.

"He'll have a medium vanilla latte!" Misa ordered for him.

She laughed and said, "The total is 6,250 yen. How would you like to pay?"

Light's eyes widened. That much for a bunch of snacks and coffee, what the hell?! He turned to Misa and she looked at him with puppy eyes. Light sighed inwardly then took out his credit card.

"Credit please."

"Okay, please tap here sir."

L and Misa had already sauntered off to one of the tables and as per usual, he sat in his trademark way and Misa was browsing through one of their magazines. Light joined them, feeling not too happy about spending that much on so little.

"It should take at least eight minutes, ten at most," Light stated, "they like to make everything fresh to order."

"Wow, that's amazing! We are definitely coming back!"

He cringed for a split second then smothered it with a smile. "One time, sure. It's on Ryuzaki then."

"Hmm?" L gave him a look. "Only if the cake is as good as they advertise it to be then agreed."

Light rolled his eyes. Of course the detective had his own set of conditions before spending money. Maybe he should start doing the same.

Soon enough, somebody brought their food and drinks to their table. Both Misa and L's eyes lit up before devouring what was in front of them, mercilessly. Tentatively, Light sipped on his warm cup of coffee. Hm. Not bad. Not something he'd usually order, it was a light flavoured coffee with real vanilla in it. He could understand why the place was so popular now. He wouldn't say it justified the high prices but it is what it is.

"Mmm, this is so yummy!" Misa happily said and held out a fork of it towards Light. "Say ahhhh..!"

He blinked before obliging and the sweet gooey cinnamon hit his tongue. Too sweet for him. Way too sweet, goddamn. He gulped it down and drank more of his drink to get rid of the taste. He can barely tolerate that, how the hell can Light put twenty something sugar cubes in his drink?! He warily watched L add all his sugar cubes in his drink. That thing isn't even coffee anymore. It's just... sugar. Sugar coffee.

"What are you looking at, Light-kun? Do you want my coffee too?" L asked and held out his cup with his finger, precariously. "Say ahhh," mocking Misa.

Light almost took a spit take and Misa giggled in the background. "I don't think he wants it, Ryuzaki," Misa laughed.

"I suppose. What a shame, it is quite delectable," L chugged down half of it and Light watched in awe.

Was he even human? Eats weirdly and barely sleeps. How can L possibly maintain such a lifestyle and not collapse? Crazy bastard.

A/N: Annnnd I'm back! I don't know when the next I'll update because my life is crazy busy now like killmenowpls. Hope you enjoyed this chapter and I'd love to hear what you guys think in the reviews! Thank you for reading and have a good week :)