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Just the day before, Teru Mikami, freshly out of university and brimming with intent to hunt down criminals and impose justice, had no idea his life would soon be changed forever.
Of course he'd heard of Kira. The most prolific killer–Mikami would sooner use the term cleanser–who had taken the world by storm. Mikami made his allegiance to the God no secret.
Still, it was an indescribable feeling, holding Kira’s sacred weapon in his hands, the very place Kira’s own hands had touched… What were they like? Mikami wondered. Were they elegant and slender, appropriate for a pianist for whom the entire world played its tune? Or were they older, rough, hardened by the experience in this harsh world?
Mikami had been gifted the Death Note only yesterday but, sitting in front of his TV blaring in the background, he stroked the soft leather with a single-mindedness his mother had, in her misplaced worry, scorned.
“You're practically salivating, he he! Do you love Kira that much?”
Mikami closed his eyes. Getting used to the irreverent Shinigami now tailing him would be arduous, but for Kira, for justice, he would do it.
“–and that is why they changed the agriculture tax laws in 1798 in southern Japan–wait, I'm getting breaking news! Uh-huh…uh-huh…hold on, seriously?!”
Mikami looked up from the Death Note. The woman who had been droning about something he'd usually find fascinating before he'd found his new purpose, had stood up from her chair in shock. She removed her hand from her earpiece, and stared into the camera with wide eyes.
“We’ve just been informed that the Japanese police have made two arrests on account of being Kira. One of them is–I can't believe this, my daughter will go nuts,” she muttered under her breath, “the idol and actress Misa-Misa. The other is a To-Oh law student, Light Yagami. The police have also requested we show their photos.”
Mikami’s eyes were starting to itch from not blinking, but he had to see this! They first showed Misa Amane, a rather vapid celebrity Mikami would otherwise spare no second glance. But–there was no lifespan under her name! She must have hidden her intelligence in order to be the true Kira…
Or so he thought until he saw the photo of Light Yagami. In that moment, he knew. There he is, my God. It was a photo of what Mikami assumed to be Kira at his graduation ceremony. His suit was tailored, his face was spotless, his deep eyes clear.
God, in all his forms, was terribly beautiful indeed.
“They are currently held in high-security custody and will be tried by the Supreme Court of Japan as soon as possible–”
Mikami jumped to his feet. “I must leave right now. Kira needs me! Ryuk-san–” He turned to the Shinigami, only to stop in his tracks.
Ryuk was, for once, not laughing and held his head in his hands, as if in great pain. Mikami stumbled back when what came out of that fanged mouth was a low wail.
Mikami approached him slowly at his own risk, like he would a spooked animal. It wasn't lost on him that, between the two of them, it was very clear who was the predator and who the prey. “Ryuk-san?”
Ryuk’s head snapped up suddenly, eyes glowing an unholy red, not unlike Mikami’s. “I gotta leave.”
“What? Leave where?” Mikami sputtered. “Kira needs us! Did you not see the news?”
“Trust me, the depth of the shit your Kira is in will be nothing compared to my own if I don't leave right now. The Old Man is far less lenient than any court in the human world.”
Mikami was struck speechless at the tidbit of information about the godly realm. ‘The Old Man’ must be a code for an authority figure. Did the Shinigami have a hierarchy in place? Did there exist a king? How monstrous was he?
Ryuk was already halfway through the wall with his dark wings out when he suddenly turned his head 180 degrees. “I’ll try to watch from up there anyway! Stuff’s getting really interesting now, hehe. Tell Light-o I said hello!”
That being said, he flapped his wings once, twice, and was gone as if he'd never been there in the first place.
Mikami snapped himself out of it. His God needed him! Why else would there be the insistence on photos if it wasn't a desperate cry for help? He was certain Kira could influence things such as TV channels.
I won't let you down, he thought as he adjusted his fanciest tie by a millimeter. He snapped his briefcase shut, locked the door on the way out, and strode towards Tokyo’s main police station like a worshipful disciple on a mission to save his master.
Mikami fidgeted with the sleeves of his coat as he was escorted by multiple guards to the maximum security rooms. Would his god find him pleasing? He'd only become an apostle in name yesterday, but his devotion and sense of justice had been there from the start.
His thoughts spiraled into worries both big and small and before he knew it, he was before the impenetrable steel door. He knew the only handle was on the outside, and only communication in-between was through a small opening window.
“You've got fifteen minutes,” the leader of the guard told him. He was obviously trying to remain impartial, but the dubious look he'd given Mikami spoke volumes. It must have been his youth, Mikami deduced.
After a deep breath, he opened the door and went inside. He knew he should have ducked down his head out of respect, but his gaze was stuck on the young man sitting at the table.
Kira jerked into motion as soon as the door closed. “What are you doing here?” he demanded.
“I-I’m here to get you out,” Mikami said. “I’m your defense attorney, Teru Mikami–”
“I know who you are,” Kira snapped, suddenly starting to pace. “Why are you here? You're supposed to lie low, not let the police even know about your existence. Don’t tell me you've even brought it with you!”
Mikami urgently looked around, as if he could spot the cameras and wire taps with bare eyes. With his Shinigami sight, he might even be able to.
“We're not under surveillance, I've checked,” Kira interrupted impatiently.
As expected of God, such foresight!
“I'm here to save you,” Mikami said slowly. “Was that now why you arranged for your photo and name to be made public? As a sign for me to act?”
Kira let out a frustrated sound and pinched the bridge of his nose, a very human thing to do. “You idiot! It was a trap and you jumped into it headfirst.” Under his breath he snarled, “Damn you, L.”
Mikami felt as if he'd just been doused with icy water. He…had already failed his god?
“I can get out of this,” Kira was muttering. “Though it will be more complicated than you anticipate, Mikami. I'm afraid you won't be only my attorney in this sham of a trial.”
Mikami’s mind immediately went to the other Kira. “You don't mean…”
“She's stupid and impulsive, but she will listen if you tell her the orders are coming from me.”
“Pardon me, my god, but… isn't Misa Amane just your copycat? Not even a good one at that? It would be easy to shift the blame onto her.”
Mikami experienced no guilt churning in his gut. Misa Amane was nothing more than a fake god, an incompetent disciple. Teru Mikami would prove himself much more valuable–no, indispensable.
“If only,” Kira snorted with thinly veiled disgust. “Unfortunately, she's quite protected by the higher forces.” He pointedly glanced up.
“…I understand.”
He didn’t, not really. If all the Shinigami were as callous about human lives as Ryuk, he couldn't imagine it voluntarily protecting any being whatsoever.
Kira glanced at his wrist–Mikami was surprised to see a nice watch adorning it. He was certain the accused of such serious crimes would be stripped of all his belongings.
Kira noted where his eyes had wandered. “I sweet talked the guards into letting me keep it. After all, it's not as if I can kill anyone with a wrist watch.” His lips curled into a smirk. “We’ve lost enough time as it is. They're going to come knocking on the door any minute now. Listen carefully; here's what you're going to do…”
Mikami left the room with a fire burning so hot in his heart, he didn't even notice when he bumped into someone. His eyes first latched onto the name above the man's hunched head.
L Lawliet.
This must be the Great Detective L, Mikami thought. Worry not, my god. I will get rid of him for you soon enough.
L stroked a thumb over his mouth. “Teru Mikami, an inexperienced prosecutor. Aggressively pro-Kira. I assume you're here to represent Kira in court?”
Mikami’s expression was stony. “Who might you be, sir? Are you even aware of where you are? Why have the guards not arrested you by now?” He turned to the guards, waiting for an explanation. They all evaded his sharp gaze.
“I am this case’s prosecutor,” L said, with no inflection whatsoever.
“And your name?”
“Ryuzaki,” L lied baldly.
Mikami knew he'd do so, but hearing the false name was akin to scratching an itch.
“Can you move, please?” L asked. “I'd like to see Kira.”
“I would ask you to stop referring to my client as Kira,” Mikami said coolly. “And I do not believe it is allowed for the prosecutor to be alone in a room with the accused days before the trial.”
L seemed like he would say something else, when the steel door squeaked open. They all stared, even the guards, as Light Yagami stepped out.
“It's alright, Mikami. Ryuzaki and I have unfinished business.”
“W-Wait, how did you get out?!” the head guard shouted, finger pointed at Kira as if he were the devil. “They can only be opened from the outside!”
Kira raised an eyebrow. “My attorney hadn't closed them properly. Besides, it is not yet time for me to be escorted to my lodgings. Surely a couple more minutes wouldn't hurt?
Several sentences later, the guards were convinced by Kira’s skillful tongue. Mikami lingered, unsure if he should leave his God alone with the enemy.
Kira gave him a hard look, and Mikami took it as an answer. As he was passing by, Kira suddenly grabbed his hand. Mikami's heart stopped at the sensation of the soft skin against his. For whatever reason, he'd imagined it as cold, but the fingertips pressing against his pulse were scorching.
“Remember what we discussed,” Kira spoke. In his determined eyes, Mikami saw the whole world. “I know you can do this. I believe in you.”
He let him go abruptly, with the barest hint of a smile on his lips. Mikami wanted to chase after it, to make it appear again because of him.
Dazed, Mikami left, close enough to hear, “Another lover, Light-kun? I had foolishly thought two would be enough for you. Though for a man of your appetite, I assume nothing but a feast would satisfy, let alone a two course meal…”
He only got to hear Kira say in a derisive tone, “Shut up. Who do you think you are, playing an attorney, and you didn't even have enough dignity to dress yourself properly –” before he rounded the corner and then the only thing he was able to perceive was the crisp sound his own polished shoes made against the floor.
The judge, sitting on the grandest chair in the middle, had to slam his hammer on the table to get some order. The journalists who had snuck in had been unceremoniously kicked out, but not without causing as much fuss as they could. It was crowded enough with the jury, the defence and prosecution, as well as the artist and the recorder.
“Is everything ready?” he asked the transcriber in charge of manually recording the entire trial on paper, as cameras were highly prohibited.
“Yes, Your Honor,” she answered, pen at the ready.
“We shall proceed, then.”
[JUDGE: The date is the eighteenth of November, the year 2004. The time is nine o’clock. We are gathered here today for the trials of Light Yagami and Misa Amane. They stand here accused of terrorism, first degree murder, genocide and obstruction of justice. How do you plead?
YAGAMI: Not guilty, Your Honor. [YAGAMI gives the JUDGE a rather defiant yet at the same time mournful look that couples well with the shocking bruises on his face. He is very handsome nonetheless.]
AMANE: Not guilty, Your Honor. [Despite being dressed in the ugliest prisoner garb, AMANE still manages to look fabulous.]
JUDGE: Very well, let us then proceed. First, opening statements. Will the prosecutor… [JUDGE squints at the paper in front of him.] Ryuzaki step forward?
RYUZAKI: [Stands up. He is a hunched, bug-eyed man dressed in a simple white shirt and baggy jeans. Upon a closer look, his feet are bare in ratty tennis shoes.] I will keep this short. Light Yagami is the first Kira and the mastermind behind the majority of the crimes committed. Misa Amane is the second Kira. I will bring forth irrefutable evidence, and I will see them answer for their crimes. That is all, thank you.
[RYUZAKI sits back in his chair. The jury are uneasy by such a brief speech. YAGAMI seems to be shooting daggers at RYUZAKI with his eyes.]
JUDGE: Will the defence step forward? Teru Mikami?
MIKAMI: [Stands up, a fresh-faced man in a sharp suit.] Yes, Your Honor.]
JUDGE: [Is visibly surprised.] You look quite young. It says here you hold the calling of a prosecutor, rather than defence attorney. Are you sure you are up to this?
MIKAMI: [Looks back at YAGAMI.] Certainly, Your Honor. If I may proceed?
JUDGE: [Waves a hand.]
MIKAMI: No matter how well-organized and righteous our beloved country’s judicial system may be, it is nonetheless governed by humans, and we humans as a whole are not infallible. Events blur together to portray a faulty picture. A single drink can ruin the correct perception of reality. Mistakes happen, and they will happen for as long as humanity exists. Such is the case of Light Yagami and Misa Amane. Two young people with bright futures that some want to see undeservedly cut short.
Prosecutor Ryuzaki has called Light Yagami the first Kira and the mind behind all the murders. To that, I respond: the Light Yagami in question is a young man of eighteen years, raised by a loving upper middle class family. He has a strong sense of justice, seeing that he has been enrolled into Tokyo University’s Law programme with the highest of honours. He has always been kind, empathetic and patient with his juniors, peers and seniors alike. Why would such a person throw away their entire life? If anything, Light Yagami is the type of person who would sooner join the police in their hunt for Kira rather than being Kira himself. In fact, I believe I am correct when I say that my client already has helped a branch of the Police Department specifically created to catch Kira. Why would my client endanger himself under the continuous scrutiny of L himself no less, if he were Kira?
Prosecutor Ryuzaki has also accused Misa Amane of being the second Kira, the popular actress and idol. Women specifically in such industries have difficult schedules, especially those new to the scene that must carefully maintain their popularity. Among all the stress and pressure, where would Miss Amane have the time and energy to commit countless murders every day? Not to mention women are more delicate. Could she bear the knowledge of having taken a life? Let us move on to the moral aspect of it. My client is a highly empathetic person who deeply values each individual life, human or not. She has donated to many animal and human shelters for as long as she has had the funds for it. In the brief time I have come to know her, I have found her to be a loveable and cheerful person whom I do not doubt is innocent, and I'm certain you will too. That is all, thank you.
[MIKAMI bows and takes a seat. The JUDGE and the jury are visibly ruminating on MIKAMI’s many, many words. YAGAMI looks satisfied, AMANE is showing YAGAMI heart gestures he is ignoring and RYUZAKI seems vaguely bored.]
JUDGE: Very well. Prosecutor Ryuzaki, you may take the podium and bring forth your evidence.
RYUZAKI: [Stands up, still hunched. He opens a box on the table in front of him.] I would first like to question Misa Amane.
AMANE: [Jolts a little, but obediently sits in front of everyone.]
RYUZAKI: Miss Amane, we see each other again.
AMANE: [Turns her nose up disdainfully.] Pervert.
JUDGE: [Clears his throat.]
RYUZAKI: You claim you are not Kira, correct?
AMANE: Correct.
RYUZAKI: [Takes out a plastic bag. Inside it is a video tape.] Are you familiar with this, Miss Amane?
AMANE: [Barely spares it a glance.] No.
RYUZAKI: No? Allow me to explain, then. This is one of the video tapes Kira sent to the TV channel 4, threatening the police and requesting to meet up with the first Kira. Do you know why I'm saying this?
MIKAMI: Objection, Your Honor, a leading question.
JUDGE: Sustained. Prosecutor, get to the point.
RYUZAKI: [Seems unperturbed.] I am saying all of this because there have been found your fingerprints and hair on it. Do you still not recognize it?
AMANE: [Briefly looks in the direction of YAGAMI.] I’m telling you, I don't! I don't remember any of it!
RYUZAKI: Hmm. How do you feel about Kira, Miss Amane?
AMANE: [Perks up.] Kira? He's great! He executed the burglar that killed my parents. He was going to get away, but Kira got him. [Sighs dreamily.]
MIKAMI: [Pinches the bridge of his nose.]
RYUZAKI: And how would you feel if someone you knew personally was Kira? Someone like…let's say your boyfriend Light Yagami?
MIKAMI: Objection!
JUDGE: Overruled. I want to see where this is going.
AMANE: [Has hearts in her eyes.] I'd love him even more. But he is not Kira, of course, so that's a silly question you're asking, Ryuga. [Nervous laughter.]
RYUZAKI: While we're on the topic of Light Yagami, I want you to tell me more about your relationship. Where did you meet?
AMANE: Ooh, I know this, I wrote it down in my diary! It was on the 22nd of Ma– [Abruptly stops.]
RYUZAKI: Yes, miss Amane, you were saying?
AMANE: We met on the 22nd of March, in a shopping mall. I was on a break from my modeling gig of the day and he was there after school. He thought I was very cute and so asked for my number. From then on, we couldn't stay away from one another.
RYUZAKI: It seemed like you were going to say something else. A different month, maybe? May?
AMANE: [Angrily.] Stop putting words in my mouth! I already told you how it happened.
RYUZAKI: [Seems unreadable.] Hm. [From his jeans pocket whips out a candy and takes his sweet time unwrapping it as loudly as he can. Doesn't register the looks of horror on everyone else's faces. Meets YAGAMI’s eyes and sucks on it extra obnoxiously.]
RYUZAKI: How would you describe Light Yagami? What kind of boyfriend is he? Loving and generous? Uncaring and selfish? Does he dedicate enough time to you as you deserve?
AMANE: He's great! Very loving and sweet, loves listening to what my day was like. Only…
RYUZAKI: Go on.
AMANE: [Turns to YAGAMI.] I know you've been so busy with the investigation and catching Kira, but you should really spend more time with me now that you and Ryuga aren't handcuffed anymore!
[Questioning murmurs from the JUDGE and jury. An older man in a suit with glasses and a mustache in the audience looks especially pained.]
JUDGE: Handcuffed?
RYUZAKI: That's irrelevant to my point, Your Honor. She's joking.
AMANE: No I'm not! I always felt like such a third wheel, like Light was dating you instead of me!
[Even louder murmurs.]
JUDGE: Am I correct in assuming that you have previously known the accused Light Yagami before in close proximity, Prosecutor Ryuzaki?
RYUZAKI: Yes, but it's because I know him so well that I am confident he's Kira.
JUDGE: Are you aware of the conflict of interest and that you have just endangered your entire case? Everything you say from now on will be seen in a different light.
RYUZAKI: I know, but I will show you hard evidence that will leave no room for doubts.
JUDGE: [Visibly holding back some curse words. Sighs and shakes his head.] Just…continue.
RYUZAKI: Thank you, Your Honor. This far we have confirmed your DNA has been found on the tapes Kira sent, for an obsessive girlfriend you aren't even sure of the month you met in, and you have all the motive to be Kira’s accomplice. And now my final piece of evidence.
RYUZAKI: [Pulls out a notebook from his pocket.] Do you know what this is?
AMANE: [Eyes wide, shakes her head.]
RYUZAKI: This is the Death Note you have been using to kill people.
MIKAMI: Objection, Your Honor, this is blatant accusations and intimidation.
JUDGE: [Is silent, looking at the notebook.]
RYUZAKI: [Continues.] All you have to do to take someone's life is write down their name and imagine their face. Are you sure this is not yours?
AMANE: No!
RYUZAKI: If that is the case, then why is your handwriting in it? [Opens the Death Note to a specifically marked page with the air of victory and shows it to everyone.]
[Silence in the court.]
MIKAMI: [Coldly.] I'm certain we could reconvene on another date if Prosecutor Ryuzaki is unprepared for this case.
AN UNNAMED MAN IN THE AUDIENCE: Um, Ryuzaki? The page is e-empty…
RYUZAKI: Matsui, don't be an idiot. [Glances at it. It is indeed empty. Turns to YAGAMI. It is difficult to discern the emotion in his eyes.] Well played, Light-kun. Well played indeed.
YAGAMI: [Raises a sceptical brow.] What are you talking about, Prosecutor Ryuzaki? Please have at least some professionality.
RYUZAKI: [Smiles.] I am done with the accused Misa Amane. She's free for cross examination.
JUDGE: [Mumbles.] That’s my line.
MIKAMI: [Rises.] Miss Amane, how would you say you have been living for the past three months?
AMANE: …Eh?
MIKAMI: [Gives her a meaningful look.] You have, however indirectly, been a part of the Kira investigation. Were you under a lot of pressure?
AMANE: [A lightbulb turning on above her head.] I don't even know where to start; pressure doesn't even begin to cover it! First I was kidnapped and tortured for so many days I lost count! I was made to stand up in a straight jacket, with a blindfold on. I couldn't even pee when I wanted to!
MIKAMI: I am very sorry to hear that. It must've been a horrifying experience.
AMANE: [Sniffles.] You have no idea.
MIKAMI: Even though I believe you, that doesn't mean everyone will. And for that to change, we need concrete evidence. Please, bring in the TV.
[A guard wheels in a small TV. MIKAMI presses a button on the remote in his hand. A video of AMANE is being played. She screams to be killed instead of tortured. It is very uncomfortable to watch.]
YAGAMI: [Stares at RYUZAKI, looking very smug.]
RYUZAKI: [Stares back at him.] How did you obtain this?
YAGAMI: [Gives a mysterious smile and turns away.]
MIKAMI: [Obviously unnerved and jealous by the brief exchange.]
MIKAMI: How did you get out of this situation, miss Amane? Did you say something to Detective L that made him let you go? A forced confession, perhaps?
AMANE: At the time I didn't even know it was L that had kidnapped me; I just thought it was a stalker that was really into some really kinky stuff. But then he kept asking questions that I had no answers to, like how Kira was killing and if I was a murderer.
AMANE: As for how I was let go… Light and I were both released, only to be shoved in a car and told we were going to our executions. [A bitter smile.] Light’s dad was driving the car. He pulled the trigger on Light and everything. It was empty, of course, but we didn't know that.
MIKAMI: Do you think that very illegal action left you traumatized in any way, shape or from?
AMANE: [Angrily.] You're even asking? Of course it did! I had nightmares after that for so long! And my poor pookie–
MIKAMI: [Clears his throat, fixes his already straight tie. Colour rises on his cheeks.] Just to be clear, when you say ‘pookie’ you mean…?
AMANE: Light, duh. Who else would be my pookie? We're going to be together forever and ever, you know?
RYUZAKI: [Laughs into his hand.]
MIKAMI: [Glares at him.] Is there something funny, Prosecutor Ryuzaki?
RYUZAKI: Don't mind me, Defence Attorney Mikami. Feel free to question Miss Amane more about her…pookie.
YAGAMI: [Clenches his hands under the desk.]
MIKAMI: [Unhappily.] Very well. Miss Amane, what happened after the false execution?
AMANE: [Taps her chin in thought.] Let me think. Ryuga, sorry I mean L, had me locked into his super fancy and tall building in downtown Tokyo. I was allowed to go to work, but I was always followed by a policeman. And at home there were cameras everywhere! Probably even in the bathroom, knowing him. Ugh!
MIKAMI: Would you call that unsafe or hostile environment?
AMANE: [A decisive nod. Her pigtails bounce with her head.] Definitely. I could have dates with my own boyfriend, by the way, only once a week, and even then it was supervised.
MIKAMI: Thank you, I have heard enough.
AMANE: [Spitefully.] Not to mention, Ryuga, that I'm dyclexis or whatever that’s called, so how could I write down all those names in some silly notebook, huh? I don't remember the last time I wrote down something and I only read fashion magazines. Take that.
RYUZAKI: [Deadpan.] You've got me, Miss Amane.
JUDGE: I call the second accused to the stand. Light Yagami, if you please.
YAGAMI: [If it's possible to exude humility and charm merely by walking a couple of steps, YAGAMI has perfected it.]
RYUZAKI: I already know you're Kira, this is just formality. [Pause.] I also really want to see your face when you realize you've lost.
MIKAMI: Objection!
JUDGE: Sustained. Prosecutor Ryuzaki, please restrain yourself from making deliberately provoking remarks or we will have to find another prosecutor.
RYUZAKI: [Does not look bothered by the reprimand. Only has eyes for YAGAMI.] You were nothing like Amane. Where she was sloppy, you were meticulous. I could not find proof of your meddling in Raye Penber’s death, nor those of the twelve FBI Agents. Every inch of your house was bugged and filmed for three days, yet the worst thing you did was look at mild porn like you were reading a furniture catalogue.
YAGAMI: [Head slightly ducked, color high on his cheeks.] Prosecutor Ryuzaki, please don't be so crude.
RYUZAKI: You do sound good begging, just as I had imagined. While you were in confinement, the deaths stopped, then continued. During the investigation you were nothing but helpful. Yet I knew it was you. You were so normal that it was abnormal. Everyone has a vice, Light Yagami. It's a shame yours is murder.
YAGAMI: [Starting to look angry for the first time.] What else do I need to do in order to prove I'm not Kira? I've done everything you asked for and then some. Where do you draw a line at violation, torture and invasion of privacy?
JUDGE: Might I remind you this is a place of formal questioning, not a quarrel?
YAGAMI: [Sheepishly.] Of course, Your Honor. I apologise, I got carried away. It won't happen again.
JUDGE: [Satisfied that someone at least has manners in this court.] Good. Prosecutor Ryuzaki, ask a relevant question or be done with it.
RYUZAKI: Light-kun, what date is it?
YAGAMI: November 18th, year 2004. It's currently three fifteen in the afternoon.
RYUZAKI: I didn't ask for the time, but I suppose you can't help but strive to overachieve. What was the date we took down the Third Kira and tested the Death Note on a criminal convicted to death sentence?
YAGAMI: [Through gritted teeth.] It was the fifth of November.
RYUZAKI: So it is the thirteenth day since. Are you familiar with the rule written in the Death Note? [To the audience.] The rule states that, if the person writing in the Death Note has not written again within a thirteen day window, they will die.
YAGAMI: It's exactly because of that rule that Misa and I could never have been Kira. We spent weeks in captivity, I willingly!
RYUZAKI: Quite convenient, no? However, if that's the case, then why have I not received news that the prisoner is dead yet? [Smugly raises a phone between two fingers as if it's contagious. At that moment the phone begins to ring.]
JUDGE: [Indignantly] The phones are meant to be turned off, that includes you too, Prosecutor Ryuzaki!
RYUZAKI: [Answering the phone.] Uh huh…hmm…I understand. [Flips the phone closed.]
YAGAMI: Well? What's so important?
RYUZAKI: [Stares at YAGAMI with his bug-eyes.] The prisoner is dead. Only the Kira Task Force knew his name. You were under surveillance those thirteen days, I watched every moment myself.
YAGAMI: Then this is definite proof I am not Kira. [Turns to the JUDGE.] Isn't that right, Your Honor? Prosecutor Ryuzaki has dragged us all here with no hard evidence and refuses to give up. He has it out for me! I had always been…uncomfortable with this strange fixation, but you've heard him! He’s been spying on me every moment. I…[Looks down bashfully.] I fear for my safety, Your Honor. That man has too much power in his hands, and I fear he hasn't been using it responsibly.
RYUZAKI: [Unimpressed.] You're going down that route? It would be more efficient if you were a girl.
JUDGE: Everyone just–quiet. This trial has been chaotic from start to finish–
MIKAMI: Does that mean you've reached the verdict?
JUDGE: Don't interrupt me! Yes, I've reached the verdict, and it is that Light Yagami is declared innocent. The case of Misa Amane is more difficult and will be investigated again at a later date. For now, I don't want to see any of your faces again.
AMANE: [Bursts into happy tears and jumps over a table to go running to YAGAMI. Hugs him and tries to kiss him but he turns his face away.]
MIKAMI: [Lets out a sigh of relief.]
RYUZAKI: [Phone ringing again. Answers it. Suddenly smiles ominously.] Not so quick.
YAGAMI: What?
RYUZAKI: I’ve just received the video footage of Teru Mikami writing the name of the prisoner in a second Death Note.
YAGAMI: [Turns to MIKAMI, whose eyes go wide in realization and horror.] That can't be true, right, Defence Attorney Mikami? You're the man who puts the murderers in prison, not the murderer himself.
MIKAMI: [Falls to his knees.] I…I failed you.
YAGAMI: Wait a minute! Let's all first see the video you claim to have and then we’ll make the judgements.
[Sudden multiple phone notification sounds.]
RYUZAKI: And that was the sound of the video being sent to the Kira Task Force members.
A VERY NERVOUS LOOKING YOUNG MAN: But Ryuzaki, you–
A MAN WITH AN AFRO NEXT TO HIM: [Angrily swats the back of his head.] Shut up, Matsui!
A VERY NERVOUS LOOKING YOUNG MAN: R-Right, we got the video! Wow, it's, um, definitely that guy!
MIKAMI: [Looks up to the ceiling. A single crystalline tear rolls down his cheek.] Kira, my god, I'm unworthy.
YAGAMI: [Heads towards the door, AMANE still clinging to his arm. Tries to shake her off but it's futile.]
MIKAMI: [Grabs YAGAMI’S legs and sobs into them aggressively. YAGAMI seems to be surrounded by octopi.] No, wait, my god! I can still fix this!
YAGAMI: You–!
RYUZAKI: [Smugly.] It's too late, Kira. Now the world will know what lies behind your facade of perfection. You can't weasel yourself out of this one.
YAGAMI: [An abrupt shift between kind to murderous. He kicks MIKAMI and shoves away AMANE.] Misa, tell me his name already, since Mikami obviously can't be trusted.
AMANE: [Eagerly.] His name is L Law–
RYUZAKI: [Quickly interrupts.] How are you going to kill me, Light? You have no Death Note on you.
YAGAMI: [With a quite deranged smile.] A magician never reveals his secrets. Just know that you will soon be dead.
A MAN IN THE AUDIENCE WITH GLASSES AND MUSTACHE: No, this is some kind of mistake! Light, what are you saying?!
RYUZAKI: You see, Light, I don't think I will.
YAGAMI: [Falters in the face of such confidence.] What.
RYUZAKI: Because I never had the video of your attorney with the Death Note. I never had any evidence against you at all. But thank you for exposing yourself. You’ve just spared us months of difficult trials.
YAGAMI: [In denial.] No! No, you're lying!
RYUZAKI: [Only smiles.]
YAGAMI: [Nods, seeming to come to a decision.] I suppose I have to resort to the old methods. [Lunges at RYUZAKI, strangling him.] I’ll kill you myself!
RYUZAKI: [Kicks YAGAMI hard. YAGAMI rolls away, clutching his stomach.] Security!
[Guards come rushing in, handcuffing a struggling YAGAMI, screaming AMANE, and sobbing MIKAMI, who'd been trying to kill himself with a pencil.]
JUDGE: [Head in his hands, horrified.] Order! Order in the courtroom! [No one is listening to him.]
A MAN IN THE AUDIENCE WITH GLASSES AND MUSTACHE and A VERY NERVOUS LOOKING YOUNG MAN: [Visibly torn between crying and screaming. The younger one looks to be on the verge of both.]
RYUZAKI: [Turns to the JUDGE.] I think this calls for a different verdict, in the light of the latest evidence.
MIKAMI: [Desperately.] Objection!
JUDGE: [Snaps.] Overruled! All three of you are guilty of terrorism, first degree murder, genocide and obstruction of justice. I sentence you to death penalty.
RYUZAKI: [Leans down to whisper something in YAGAMI’S ear but quickly staggers away after YAGAMI savagely bites his cheek. RYUZAKI holds his sleeve to his bleeding skin.] Think about it, Light Yagami. You've still got some time before your execution.
YAGAMI: [Glares, spits out RYUZAKI’S blood.] Never.
RYUZAKI: We'll see how long before you change your tune. I'll be there, waiting. [To the guards.] Take them away.
[The guards obey.]
JUDGE: [Spluttering.] Wha–don’t listen to him, I’m in charge here!
[The guards stop.]
JUDGE: Well–oh, just take them away!
[YAGAMI, AMANE and MIKAMI are dragged away in handcuffs. YAGAMI is ominously silent, AMANE is screaming and MIKAMI is trying to strangle himself with his handcuffs.]
72 hours later, a day before Light Yagami’s scheduled execution, the guards in charge of a routine check found an empty cell. A frantic search of the grounds concluded that the criminal was gone. The cameras revealed only that Yagami had received a visitor, a sloppy-looking man in a plain white shirt and baggy jeans. After that, the footage cut to Yagami sitting calmly in this cell, and looped.
Prosecutor and one-time defence attorney Teru Mikami had been found dead in his own cell. The forensics concluded the cause of death to be a heart attack.
Misa Amane also went missing, though she has nearly been caught on the run several times. Yagami has not been spotted with her.