Kiyotaka Ayanokoji looked at the empty space where Zefir had been moments earlier. His expression was impassive, yet his thoughts were calculating possibilities
'An invitation, not an imposition… And yet, even within his proposals, manipulation was present.'
He put on the accessories Zefir had given him and, without directing his gaze at anyone in particular, broke the silence.
"What do you think we should do?"
Light Yagami, who had been carefully examining the objects, formed a faint smile.
'Clearly, he has a hidden motive. Even so, this opportunity is welcome.'
"The logical course would be to verify whether what he said is true," he replied calmly as he placed the necklace around his neck. His words sounded neutral, but the glint in his eyes betrayed restrained excitement.
Lelouch Lamperouge, ever analytical, observed the others before putting on the accessories with an elegant motion. His mind wove possible scenarios as he searched for a way to seize control of the situation.
"I agree, but…" he said, turning toward the group with a piercing gaze. "If this 'job' is going to take us to other worlds, acting alone would be imprudent. At least for now, joining forces would be the most sensible approach."
Senku Ishigami let out a brief, mocking chuckle as he adjusted the collar. He slipped the remaining accessories into the pocket of his lab coat as if they were nothing more than simple scientific tools.
"Kukuku… 'Joining forces,' huh? I suppose you're right. But if these worlds are as chaotic as I imagine, we'll need a great deal of preparation."
L Lawliet, hunched over with his curious eyes, held the collar between his fingers, examining it as though it were a puzzle. He remained silent, processing the situation.
Finally, he placed the collar around his neck with a slight nod, though he said nothing.
Shinichi Akiyama nodded faintly, his expression calm yet alert. He eyed the accessories with a hint of distrust before deciding to put them on.
Yuuichi Katagiri, wearing a carefree smile, took the accessories and adjusted them as if he couldn't care less. Yet his eyes gleamed with dangerous cunning.
'How kind of him to grant us the "freedom" to choose. It would be an insult to waste such an entertaining opportunity.'
He turned to the others, gesturing toward the collar around his neck.
"If we really can go to any world with this, we should test it first."
Keima Katsuragi, for his part, barely glanced up from his console. He took the accessories with an indifferent air and put them on without much thought.
"Do whatever you want. As long as you don't interfere with me, I don't mind working together."
Light Yagami, noticing the lack of communication among those present, took the initiative with his usual charisma.
"Before we do anything, I believe it would be wise to introduce ourselves. After all, cooperation will be mutual from now on." He paused briefly, offering a polite smile. "I'll start. My name is Light Yagami. It's a pleasure to meet you."
The others looked at him for a moment, weighing his words.
Kiyotaka was the next to speak, his tone devoid of emotion. "Kiyotaka Ayanokoji."
Lelouch lifted his chin slightly, displaying his innate elegance. "Lelouch Lamperouge."
Senku spoke simply. "Senku Ishigami."
L, still hunched over and idly fiddling with the ring, introduced himself without taking his eyes off the accessories. "Rue Ryuzaki."
Shinichi introduced himself just as plainly. "Shinichi Akiyama."
Yuuichi, still wearing his crooked smile, added lightly, though his tone was full of intent. "Yuuichi Katagiri."
Finally, without lifting his eyes from his console, Keima said, "Keima Katsuragi."
After the introductions, Lelouch resumed control of the conversation.
"Then, to test these accessories, the most logical step would be to return briefly to our original worlds. That way, we can confirm whether they function as Zefir explained."
"Indeed," Light commented, touching the collar with his fingers. "After that, we can plan more effectively."
Senku nodded as he casually examined the ring.
"And then we can also evaluate the possible limitations of these devices."
"Then let's make it quick," Yuuichi added, still playing his role. "I don't know about you, but I'm eager to fill the counter."
One by one, they stood up and activated the collars, focusing on the names of their original worlds. Within seconds, they all vanished from the place.
From their perspectives, it felt as though the world itself simply reconstructed in an instant, reappearing in the very locations from which they had previously disappeared.
_____
[Location: Death Note – Unknown Country – Unknown Location]
L Lawliet observed the familiar surroundings of his room. Though his expression remained impassive, his eyes analyzed every detail.
The return had been surprisingly simple—almost unsettling—and though he would not openly admit it, Zefir's words continued to echo in his mind like an unsettling melody.
For now, he was beginning to consider their meaning from a different perspective. Yet the notion of being a piece in a larger purpose felt uncomfortably plausible.
Still, he set those thoughts aside for later. There were more immediate priorities.
He calmly approached his computer, sat down on the floor, and adjusted the microphone with an automatic motion.
"Watari, I need you to record everything I say from this moment onward."
At his monitoring station, Watari—ever attentive—listened to L's words.
His eyes had been fixed on the cameras when he saw him appear so suddenly, but he did not allow surprise to take hold. In his position, caution was a necessity.
"I'm listening, sir. You may begin when you're ready," he replied calmly as he activated the recording and took out a notebook to jot down anything he deemed important.
L, aware of the caution in Watari's tone, did not question it. If their roles had been reversed, he would have acted with the same prudence.
"Suddenly, the only thing I could see was an impossible landscape," he began, his voice soft. "A place where the color white stretched beyond visibility. There were no walls, no ceilings… It felt like a completely empty world. The lighting suggested an open space rather than an enclosed one, yet it was impossible to identify a concrete source of light."
L paused, as though gathering his thoughts, then continued with the same calm, methodical tone.
"I met eight people there. Judging by their behavior and their words, seven of them were simply human. I will describe them one by one. Light Yagami, a Japanese high school student. Frail appearance, brown hair, somewhat long and unkempt. Brown eyes, thin eyebrows…"
With unsettling precision, L began describing each of them, listing physical traits, behavioral patterns, and any detail that might prove useful in the future. Some individuals received more detailed descriptions than others, deemed more relevant.
When he finished, he paused meaningfully before continuing.
"Watari," he finally said, his tone suggesting that what followed was of utmost importance. "That is all I can say for now. I intend to return to that place. I will be back within an hour at most. If I do not return within that time…" L let the sentence hang in the air for a moment, calculating the weight of his words. "Make the necessary preparations."
Watari remained silent, processing L's words.
Since his superior had begun speaking, he had not interrupted even once, despite the fact that what he was hearing seemed to skirt the very limits of logic.
However, only a few seconds passed before he responded with the efficiency and composure that had always defined him.
"Understood, sir. I will be waiting."