A few years later...
Near was already 10 years old and Mello was 13... Near had finished his puzzles years ago but yet again disappointed because L hadn't showed up yes he contacted the house at times but near didn't pay attention anymore
He didn't even know why he was so affected everytime L calls he just sits there somewhere with his rubix cube or puzzles
He was currently inside his room doing his 10,000 puzzle then mello barged in annoyed he threw a paper on the ground "you got another 100! I didn't even see you study!"
The white haired boy twirled his hair and ignored mello, the passed few years mello and near hadn't fought they just casually insult each other they were actually growing close along with matt but mello was still being competitive so is near of course they were both possible successors they need to be the best
"How did you get 100 near!?" Mello asked near
"Well if you must know I did study while you and matt were playing video games" near answered looking at mello
Mello groaned then matt came in "pssh at least you got 98 mello..i got 76" he said
"You should study more" mello told matt, matt just shrugged "eh its just one subject besides i hate geography "
"You're just really lazy!" Mello exclaimed matt glared at the yellow haired boy "hey! I do try to study! I just really forget because it's sooooo boring" matt complained they both continued bickering near just continued doing his puzzle
A bit annoyed at the noise then roger came in thank god Near thought "near, mello please come to my office please"
"What did we do now?" Mello asked Roger didn't answer he just signed them to follow him
Near stood up silently and followed roger mello followed as well
"OOOOH someone's in trouuuble!!!!!" Matt yelled laughing
Both near and mello rolled their eyes and just silently walked to roger's office near was thinking about everything that happened the passed few years
--
Flashbacks
Near was looking outside the window of his room he hasn't left it in a while now he just felt really sad and empty he hasn't eaten for so many months and years and he hasn't talked to anyone except for matt and mello
He was starting to miss his parents...and he was strangely starting to miss l near felt his eyes watering and that's something that hasn't happened for awhile now since he got beaten up he just stayed emotionless he never once smile or laugh he was just empty he even tried cutting once because he believes that when one hurts himself physically he will automatically forget about the emotional pain he was just really tired...for a kid he sure has a lot of problems
"No one will ever stay in my life permanently" near mumbled then looked away from the window "no matter what happens no matter what I do...everyone that he cares about will disappear..." He's talking about his parents and L he cared for them but now his parents are dead and L? Who knows where the older guy is
"I think I'm cursed...no....I know I am" tears fell down he stood up and went over to his puzzle that L sent for his 10th birthday it was a 15,000 pieced puzzle but it weirdly had one piece missing "my heart is like this puzzle...there is one piece missing...and im guessing the piece will never be found..."
--
Near sighed and once they got to the office him and mello was shocked they saw L looking at them while eating his cake "ryuzaki!" Mello exclaimed then ran over to the raven haired boy and hugged him L hugged back
"Hello mello how are you?" l asked hugging back then pulled away
"Im great!" Mello said grinning L smiled slightly then looked at near
Near looked back with no emotion "near..you have grown" L pointed out "well I am human I do tend to grow" near answered looking away then twirled his hair l was a bit upset at the young boy's answer "how are you?" He asked the young boy " good" near mumbled not looking at the older lad
"Don't mind him he's been like that since...I don't know" mello whispered
L put his thumb on his mouth "hmmmmm"
Near rolled his eyes "not to be rude but why are you here?" He asked L looked at near "I'm here because Im on my break...i will be staying here for two weeks and i want to get to know my two possible successors and hang out with them" he told near
"That's awesome!!" Mello exclaimed "yes now go back to your rooms you two i believe you still have classes...just meet with L later in his room after your class" roger said mello nodded then went outside near was about to walk outside but then he felt someone staring at him
Near twirled his hair then glanced at L coldly then went out
--
L was a bit taken back he was confused at why was the boy so cold
Roger sighed "you might be wondering why is near like that...so cold we don't know that has been our concern to be honest he is doing well in class but the teachers and caretakers have noticed how quiet and cold he is not to mention he barely leaves his room or eat"
"When has it started?" L asked frowning
"I believe when he was beaten up by piere and jake...but he wasn't that upset by what happened so I really don't know" roger answered honestly
L ate his cake again "i will try and find out...no matter what happens I will" he doesn't know why he wants to know so bad but he just assumed because he was really curious...
--
Near's class was already over but matt and mello still had to do something because they both got in trouble the white haired boy sighed looks like ill be all alone with l for awhile he thought
--
L was so persistent on knowing the reason why near was like that he actually did something to get mello in trouble so that he could have some alone time with near he knows it a bit too far...but a great detective won't solve a case if he plays it safe
"I need to know" he mumbled putting his thumb on his mouth
--
When near got to his room he knocked on the door "come in" L's a bit deep and hoarse voice said
Near gulped a bit then went inside silently L placed his candy on the table then stood up and went over to L "hello near..where's mello?" l asked the small boy looking down at him "he's gonna be late he got in trouble with his friend" near said without looking at him l nodded
"Okay then do you know why I wanted you two here?" He asked
"No..." Near mumbled walking past L and sat on the chair twirling his hair
"Well if you must know I want to get to know you both better..especially you since I only had a short time to get to know you" l said sitting on a chair across him then took his candy and started eating it near tensed a bit but didn't show
"What do you care about us? Let alone me" near mumbled coldly "hmm let me guess you're doing this to make us feel like you care then the moment we feel comfortable with you even more you're gonna say that you're gonna be for us but you're not there for us! Because you only need us for when you're dead! I know you don't ca-"
"I care!" L yelled a bit
Near was taken back with L screaming this was very new because he knows too well that L was not one to raise his voice but this time was different near looked down hiding his eyes on his curtain of white locks trying to stop himself from crying
"Where were you then?" He mumbled
L looked at him confused and pained "what?"
"Where were you the day I got beaten up? Roger said that you told him you were going! i waited for you for a week! You were the only person who made me feel like they care since I got here because everyone was nothing but mean to me! I finished every puzzle you gave me because you said once I'd finish it you'll be back!...but you weren't and I never felt so alone I never felt so empty having no one with me" near said his years falling down
"Near.." L said
"forget it" he said then stood up and ran out
L quickly attempted to follow the small boy but he was too fast l ran into mello "hey ryuzaki what's up? I was about to go to your room..."
"Uh well let's just hang out tomorrow I'm a bit busy at the moment"
"Oh okay well see you tomorrow then" mello said about to walk away
"Mello wait...do you happen to know where near keeps all his puzzles?" L asked him
Mello nodded "yeah he keeps them in his room and you know whats weird? He keeps wrecking it then redo it all the times I think he already memorized it all...and when me and matt ask him why he does that he keeps saying he's waiting"
L actually felt more guilty now...but he didn't show the guilt instead he gave mello a curt nod then went inside his room again I'll just go to his room when he's asleep
He sighed "now I'm starting to regret trying to get an answer...but like I said before a great detective doesn't solve a case by playing it safe...but is it worth hurting both people"
...l hated to admit it but he felt sad and he didn't know why