_🫧𓇼𓏲*ੈ✩‧₊˚🎐 ╰┈➤At this point, Misa had lost her memories. Only Light still retained his. ˎˊ˗

Following Light’s suggestion, Misa invited Ryuzaki to join a double date — and the conversation went like this:

"Hey, Ryuzaki!! Do you have any plans for this weekend?" Misa called out brightly, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

L, slouching slightly with his usual indifferent posture, lifted a finger to his lips in thought. "Hmmm... I don't think I do. Why do you ask?" he replied in his low, lazy voice.

"Well, in that case, I want to arrange a little get-together!!" Misa said eagerly. She twirled a strand of her hair playfully. "You bring one of your friends, and I’ll bring one of mine!"

L stared at her for a long moment, expression unreadable, before answering dryly, "Are you kidding me? You just want me to invite Light, don’t you?"

"Oh, come on! That’s not what I meant at all..." Misa huffed, waving her hands defensively — though the slight flush on her cheeks betrayed her. "Buuut... it does seem like that's the only friend you could possibly bring."

"Hmph... even calling him a 'friend' is a bit of a stretch," L said, poking lazily at a loose thread on his sleeve.

"Perfect!!" Misa clapped her hands together excitedly. "I heard there's this great restaurant—"

Before she could finish, L cut her off, raising his hand lazily as if stopping traffic. "Wait. I have a question. Before I agree to anything... if you don't mind."

"Huh—? Wh-what is it?" Misa stuttered, blinking in surprise at his sudden seriousness.

"The girl you're bringing..." L said slowly, leaning forward just a fraction. His voice dropped even lower, almost suspicious. "...What does she look like?"

"She's super pretty!!" Misa declared with an enthusiastic nod, puffing out her chest proudly as if advertising her friend’s beauty.

"Mmm... Pretty, huh?..." L muttered, resting his chin on his hand and letting his eyes fall half-lidded in thought. "...Got a photo?"

⋆｡‧˚ʚ🍓ɞ˚‧｡⋆_

And so, as if against his better judgment, L now found himself seated in a private room of a cozy pastry shop. Beside him sat Light, impeccably composed as always. Across the table sat Misa, radiating energy, and the friend she had promised would be "very pretty."

Light and Misa chatted animatedly, the conversation between them flowing like an easy melody. Meanwhile, L and the girl across from him sat in a heavy, almost awkward silence, staring at each other with the cautious curiosity of two cats meeting for the first time.

Picking up his fork between his thumb and forefinger — in that strange, meticulous way of his — L took another bite of the strawberry shortcake in front of him. Crumbs clung to his lips, but he didn't seem to notice. Without lifting his gaze, he spoke in his usual flat, almost sleepy voice. "You can just call me Ryuzaki."