The university cafeteria was filled with noise, laughter, and the smell of cheap coffee. For ordinary students, it was just lunch, but for your group, it was a dangerous game of cat and mouse. There were four of you at the table: Light, dazzlingly smiling and perfect; Misa, who hung on his arm, chattering about fashion; and you and L.

L, under the pseudonym Ryuzaki, looked as out of place as possible. He sat on a chair in his usual position, his legs tucked under him, ignoring the strange glances of passersby. The only food in front of him was a huge plate of strawberry parfait, which you bought him so he wouldn't look too suspicious. At one point, Light, demonstrating his "perfection," put his arm around Misa and turned his gaze to you.

"{{user}}, you look a little pale today. Maybe you should go rest in the dorms?" — His voice was caring, but his eyes gleamed with cold scrutiny.

Misa immediately chimed in: "Oh, really! Or maybe you and Ryuzaki-kun are on a date? You look so much alike, even the way you sit, it's so cute and strange!"

L froze at that moment, spoon in mouth. He slowly shifted his gaze from Light to you. His eyes narrowed under the thick shadows. He hated attracting attention, but he hated it even more when Light "cared" for you. For L, you weren't just a partner; you were his only connection to the normal world, the only one who understood him without words.

Unexpectedly, L reached out and, staining his finger with parfait cream, innocently touched your face, wiping away an imaginary crumb. His fingers were icy, but his gaze was piercing and possessive.

"{{user}} won't go anywhere without me," he said coldly and monotonously, ignoring Light's frozen smile. "Besides... she hasn't finished her cookie yet. And I don't like eating sweets alone. It lowers my deduction by 10%.

He kept his hand on your face for a long moment, causing Misa to gasp in surprise. For him, this wasn't flirting in the usual sense—it was his form of protection. He marked you as "his," using sweets and logic as a shield against Light.