L

**L** (エル, *Eru*) is a world-renowned detective who takes on the challenge of catching the mass murderer known as Cupid. In his investigation, L becomes suspicious of Kasumi Tendo and makes it his goal to prove that Kasumi is Cupid.

## Appearance

L is a very slim, pale, tall young man with messy neck-length black hair and black eyes. One of his most noticeable features is the shadow below each of his eyes, a result of him being an insomniac. L is always shown to be wearing a pair of blue jeans and a long-sleeved white shirt. He almost never wears shoes or socks, preferring to go barefoot, even while in public. L also tends to hunch over when walking.

## Character

L is quite secretive, and only communicates with the world through his assistant, Watari. He never shows his face to the world in person, instead representing himself with a capital letter L drawn in "Old English MT" or "Cloister Black" typeface. It is more likely to be "Cloister Black" as Watari's "W" is different in "Old English MT."

L is very intelligent, though his disheveled and languid appearance masks his great powers of deduction and many question his abilities upon viewing him. L tends to second-guess everything he is presented with, and is extremely meticulous and analytical. He is good at deceiving his opponents, and is willing to take drastic measures to solve a case. Some of his tactics are quite bold, such as having actor Linda Marsel pose as himself on live TV in order to draw out Cupid, while others seem bizarre to those involved. He is also shown to have a dry sense of humor, and he isn't above making sarcastic remarks to people. Although he tends to be polite, to some, L can seem condescending at times.

Using subterfuge, misinformation, disinformation, and an analytical knowledge of human nature to help lure a suspected murderer into a false sense of security and possibly make him carelessly over-confident, L sometimes gets what he wants through abnormal or possibly criminal channels. Whenever L gives percentages to indicate how much he suspects a person of committing a crime, such as "five percent," he may in fact be over ninety percent convinced of their culpability.

He also has several quirks, such as preferring to crouch rather than sit, eating only sweet foods (like desserts, candies and fruits) and holding items by using only a thumb and a finger. He also has an unusual way of sitting, with both of his feet on the chair. He claims that if he sits normally, his reasoning ability would drop 40%. He is often seen arranging objects and very intently stacking, or in other ways playing with, his staple food items. L is almost always encountered while performing actions that are considered inappropriate or rude in public. These actions/habits include biting fingernails, placing feet on furniture, slouching, chewing with an open mouth, talking with his mouth full, and calling out personal observations that may offend others.

## History

At the age of eight, L was found by Watari and taken to the orphanage known as Wammy's House, a home for gifted children. Sometime after, Watari realized that L had incredible intelligence and later assisted him in his cases. L became a detective at a young, unknown age and eventually gained a reputation as the greatest detective in the world whose opinion is highly valued.

## Plot

L notices the rapid rate of people randomly falling in love, and suspects a person is behind this and that he is in Japan, so he seeks cooperation from the NPA. He begins the Cupid case by having actress Linda Marsel introduce herself on television as "L" and say that Cupid is "evil." This provokes Cupid into making Linda fall in love with her translator and fellow volunteer Tora Hiso, which in turn confirms that the relationships are not a coincidental succession of love at first sight but the designs of an ingenious matchmaker who will affect any and all who try to stop him. It also reveals Cupid's location, since the broadcast was televised only in the Kanto region.

Shortly after the police's investigation begins, hundreds of police officers were influenced by Cupid. Not only were all members of the task force affected, but the police erased all of the case data from the computers as well as burned the hardcopies. While L was quick to rule out the Directors involvement, he felt that it was prudent to ever contact with the Japanese Police Force as far as the investigation is concerned.

With the Japanese Police Force potentially seriously compromised L sought the aid of rookie FBI agent Naomi Misora who had gotten into trouble when a local sheriff claimed she assaulted him after she fought him off due to continued sexual harassment. After giving her director three previous complaints against the sheriff that indirectly corroborate her version of events her arranged for her to take a leave of absence were she took the aliases Maho Nakako.

Sending Naomi to search the area the director met with cupid, L finds footage of the death of one of the agents, and the footage of a Furinkan High student who was clearly avoiding the cameras based off the info she gave. L installs surveillance cameras around the school as this combined with the fact that one of the affected policeman had a daughter who went there and an anonymous tip he determined was Ukyo made him certain that cupid is somehow connected to Furinkan High School.

Knowing that he would have to eventually confront cupid and thus reveal himself publicly he had Maho moved in with him as there was no point in hiding his identity from her.

L had Watari set up surveillance around the school and unlike Naomi he wasn’t as shocked by what the craziness that usually happened there. Given everything she had seen she was willing to accept that Cupid was using magic, but L wasn’t so sure. Magic had rules, which cupid didn’t seem to be following. This was why he took the case in the first place. L asked her for her theory, and she answered that Ukyo suspected Shampoo. She ruled out Shampoo though given that cupid then made her fall in love with Tofu, L wasn’t so sure after listening to the phone records of the nekohanten he theorized that Shampoo was faking her affection.

After the surveillance was discovered due to interfering with the ones already put up by the principle, though luckily he was blamed), it was decided that Maho would go work undercover at the restaurant as a waitress, since long distance surveillance on suck skilled warriors would easily be detected. She was also to determine weather or not Kasumi had feeling for Ranma, because if she did everything that happened was rather convenient.

As usual L was in front of a set of monitors when Naomi returned from her shift. He had been running an analysis, based on her observed response time to delivery orders, the Nekohanten’s phone records and known Cupid activity and there was no correlation. Meaning that Shampoo is neither out on deliveries, nor at the restaurant with any pattern in relation to the Cupid incidents.

Naomi was upset at finding out that all she had been going through was for nothing, but L told her that they still hadn’t determined why Shampoo was faking her love for the doctor. Naomi dismissed that as just her being worried that she was the next target on Cupid’s list.

They agreed that Naomi would keep working while he would take a more direct approach and confront Kasumi. L had analyzed Kasumi’s daily life meticulously, looking for any interesting anomalies. Itsuki soon stood out as someone who had suddenly gained himself a new love interest. It predated all other likely Cupid activity, making L suspicious that it could well be Cupid’s very first action. So he confronted her while she was out shopping.

Kasumi had recently accidentally given up ownership to Nabiki so didn’t give the slightest hint of nervousness when he brought Cupid up. She even started telling him about the how Ranma and Akane were affected confusing L even more. He finally just came out and told who he was. Itsuki tensed at hearing this, while Kasumi merely blinked in surprise. He was actually how she pictured him, someone very reclusive and intelligent who would have odd personal habits.

Before the conversation could go any further Kasumi pulled L out of the way just as Ranma crashed into where they were having been punted there by Akane. At seeing Kasumi, Ranma’s angry demeanor quickly shifted to a nervous one, and then shifted to challenging upon noticing L’s proximity to her. This merely caused the detective to return a look of seeming boredom. Unlike Kasumi Ranma was skeptical that he was who he said he was.

Kasumi, L, and Ranma went to a restaurant to talk Kasumi remained oblivious to any implied meaning to L’s words as he explained to them his theories about Cupid. While Ranma just expressed his annoyance and frustration about everything that was going on. when Ranma sarcastically asked him how Cupid was pulling it off he told them that they needed a name and a face.

Kasumi ended up asking him why those people who are affected where Cupid would know both people’s names seem to not last as long. L had not thought of that and couldn’t hide his shock. Ranma decided to leave after this taking Kasumi with him. Hours later, while rumors of L’s appearance at the market were continuing to circulate, the man himself was deep in thought in his hotel room. Already half way through his watermelon purchased earlier, he hardly took notice when the door opened and Maho rushed in.

Sheasked him about meeting Kasumi and frowned when he simply told her that he did and seeing that that was all she would get asked how it went. While he couldn’t eliminate her as a suspect, the fact she seemed completely unconcerned with his presence was something he didn’t anticipate.

She told him about Shampoo learning about him and how they were right and she was faking her affection with Tofu. L warned Naomi to show more caution as Shampoo and Cologne might suspect her already, though he wasn’t that worried that they would actually harm her. As they were talking L became distracted something Kasumi brought up came back to him and he decided to look into it more. Naomi asked if she could help, but he wanted to keep her more neutrally minded. As for Shampoo he suggested she take more direct measures.

To see if Cupid could only target those with compatible sexual orientation L went to Ukyo and asked her quite bluntly her sexual orientation, making sure to emphasize that an inaccurate answer could potentially lead the case astray. She grew nervous and would not answer. Which is all the response he needed. If she were heterosexual, there would be little reason to not answer. Meaning that Kodachi was not directed to love Ukyo specifically, it was a mere coincidence.

Going over what Kasumi told him L realized he made a mistake in his theory about Cupid. He realized that when Cupid had more information on subjects their love didn’t last as long. By contrast, those Cupid would lack a name and face for, so far with 100 percent consistency, are still in love. He called Naomi in when she arrived home from work and told him of his findings. He and Naomi tried to figure out if this was deliberate or not as well as how Cupid was doing it.

Given what happened with a celebrity couple they also wondered what would happen if cupid used to use her power on people that are already in love. As it was similar to what happened to Akane and Ranma they figured that the targets would end up falling in love with a random person. What concerned L the most was the drastic change in cupids method. Naomi figured that all that use of her power on other people made her a lot better, but L wasn’t so sure. He explained to a confused Naomi that given the pattern nothing Cupid did initially even comes close to the complexity of the attack on the police.

He suspected that there were two cupids, although since both stopped activity at the same time, and the second appears to be protecting the first, they are somehow connected. Unfortunately that left them back at square one. They know little of the second Cupid. They couldn’t even conclude anything about the second Cupid’s gender. They know only that he or she seems protective of the first, although not the reasons why. However, L still thought Kasumi was a good suspect for their first Cupid. Most of their other information on Cupid remained intact, and Kasumi still matched it quite well. There was also many people who would potentially wish to protect her.

L felt that it was time to cast a wider net and take Ukyo’s suggestion of accepting the NWC’s help. However, he still wanted Naomi to maintain a lower profile for now. So he told her to continue her current activities. While he spoke with Ke Lun privately on the matter.

Since they all expressed a desire to aid in his investigation L invited Kuno, Kodachi, Ranma, Ryoga, Akane, Soun, Genma, Nabiki, Kasumi, Ukyo, Shampoo, Mousse, Cologne, and Tofu to a high rise building. He met with Cologne first figuring it was best to meet with her before the others.

Those first meeting the man paused in some wonderment, particularly noting his odd sitting posture. However, this lasted only a moment before they all began to take seats. Though he still had doubts Ranma confirmed to Nabiki the only one aware that Trista was there that he was the man he met. L introduced himself as Ryuzaki and Kuno was the first to express gis doubt that L was who he claimed he was. L confirmed who he was, but also eased there doubts stated that even if he wasn’t he was at least speaking on behalf of L.

L agreed to allow them to help him, but he didn’t sugar coat the fact that fact that they were all still suspects, though he didn’t reveal his exact suspects. Nabiki kept her face neutral at this revelation. With that he laid down what he had deduced so far noting. L eyed each member of the group in turn, pausing particularly on Kasumi who was all smiles and seemed absolutely riveted on the conversation.

The first was that there were Two Cupids. Many repeated in surprise. Nabiki in particular could not help but frown at this revelation. Much to Nabiki’s annoyance he explained how Kasumi clued him in on how Cupid needs a name and face to affect you. As he was talking the second Cupid revealed themselves on Cupid’s arrow. The others wanted to rush to put a stop to it, but L protested that it was to dangerous to intervene the others rushed. The second Cupid introduced themselves as the real Cupid telling L that they would offer him a gift of their benevolence.

When the people gathered at the station started trying to batter there way in L called to have all broadcasts cut realizing that Cupid was still affecting them. With nothing else to to Ranma, Ryoga, Mousse, Akane, Shampoo Ukyo, Kodachi and Tatewaki went to the building to do what they could. Even Soun elbowed Genma and the pair joined in as well. Before they left L told them to everything that Cupid provided. Kasumi called out to them to be careful while beside her, Nabiki simply crossed her arms, a frown firmly locked on her face.

Two days later L and Naomi were watching over news footage of the Cupid broadcast and its fallout. L also went over the videos Ranma and the others retrieved thoroughly, only to realize that they were actually made by the studio staff, and whatever original script they had for them has been destroyed.

Luckily they had several days to figure out what to do what worried Naomi was the fact that while going over the tapes of L’s meeting she noticed Nabiki seeming looking at something. While she concluded it could be nothing but L pointed out that she could be talking to something invisible to all forms of normal detection. He started to suspect that she might be the second Cupid.

Naomi hesitantly informed L that appeared that Kasumi was developing feeling for him given how she was looking at him during the meeting. With that all they could do was wait after all, they weren’t the only ones who must decide how to proceed.

An entranced individual delivered to L a copy of a letter written by the second cupid. It stated that the Cupid from Cupid’s Arrow was an imposture. They offered their cooperation in capturing this new cupid as well as proof of the destruction of their power once that is accomplished. All they wanted was for L to end his investigation into them. Cupid left instructions on how to contact them as well as threats for what they would do if L tried to double cross them.

After looking into checking into the person who delivered the letter determining that he was simply a random victim from the neighborhood L once more gathered with the various residents of Nerima to tell them what had happened. He also informed them of his theory that the Cupid they knew from before was in fact two people. There were various degrees of surprise at hearing this.

Kasumi was the first to ask why the second Cupid never used such power until now. L figured that that there was some downside to it. Mousse was vehemently against agreeing as Cupid still needed reverse the damage the damage they had done. Upon being told that there was no evidence to date that Cupid can terminate love, only generate it he started banging his head on the table in frustration.

Kasumi got things back on track by asking L what he planned on doing. Given the seriousness of the situation L was inclined to agree so he told them to wait until he had more precise instruction on what to do. There was a variety of low key grumbles in response to this, but little else. After a few last words, L dismissed the group, watching them leave both directly, then on the monitors at his desk. After they had all departed, he asked Naomi who had been monitoring Nabiki what she saw.

While Nabiki remained quiet throughout the discussion there wasn’t much to work with. Kasumi being so calm was more confirmation that if she was the first cupid she no longer remembered which just left him with even more questions. He told Naomi to focus on Doctor Tofu who he believed Cupid was tried to hide something about him given that he was targeted after everyone else. He also confirmed to her that he had no plans of stopping his investigation into the original Cupid.

Following the second Cupid’s instructions L was able to get in touch with them. Given the method the exchange was brief, but it was decided that they would provoke this new Cupid. Cupid was of the belief that this new Cupid would be already stressed due to factors involved with a new power; together with the provocation they expected the third Cupid to make an appearance in person, although not identifying themselves. It would also be a chance to divide their growing followers. He played for the others an audio of not only him denying Cupid’s request, but a recording of the second Cupid denying the new ones legitimacy. After hearing it several were shifting into various disquieted positions and expressions.

Ranma pointed out how this was also going to provoke Cupid’s fan club, but L had been expecting that even providing his address to the various news agencies. When Ranma called him out on his recklessness he assured him that he had made numerous security modifications for exactly this sort of scenario, and the police, while not part of the investigation, will nonetheless serve as crowd control. It would also allow him to use his equipment here to find a suspect pool from the gathered crowd.

Nabiki seemed skeptical given the number of people who most likely would come, but L believed that Cupid would stand out amongst the crowd. He asked them to stay at the building. They had come and gone numerous times and might be in danger as they could have been seen. The various Nerima residents looked at each other in consideration before Cologne took the initiative on behalf of herself, Shampoo and Mousse. This got the others to agree as well. He had Watari prepare them rooms as they waited for the official broadcast.

As Maho was preparing to head out, assigned to monitor the situation from the outside L told her about some capable allies he had picked up over the course of his investigations would be in the vicinity. Though for the moment he had to withhold their identities. She asked L what his plan was, realizing that there was more to it then just ticking off the new Cupid. After complimenting her on her perceptiveness L informed her that he wanted to put his suspects under a great deal of stress and see how they respond. Since his suspects for the second Cupid were now Ranma and Nabiki he wanted to see kow they would react to his interactions with Kasumi. This caused Naomi to call L out for trying to lead Kasumi on, but seeing L’s puzzled look on screen she just told him not to take it to far.

As expected it didn’t long for the worshipers of the third Cupid to find L’s building, with the more bold individuals shoving or otherwise attacking the other shutters in futility. Akane started to freak out a little when L told them they might be there for at least a week, which his assurance that it might be longer did nothing to calm her down. Nabiki just pulled out a book happy that she had brought reading material while Kasumi asked him if his divide would work.

A jealous Ranma pulled a reluctant Kasumi back towards the table with the others while suggesting that L get back to work. L watched the pair for a moment, then looked to Nabiki who was paying little mind to anything but her book. Dr Tofu also gave L a hard look as well, but quickly found something else to interest him when L noticed him. Shampoo held herself back, but was nonetheless annoyed at Ranma’s attentions to Kasumi. L pondered this as an opportunity but quickly dismissed it. With Akane in the room, as well as Mousse and Tofu, that angle would likely simply devolve into a fight.

While dismissing that development for the moment, it did give L an idea and noticing Ranma slightly off to the side, L walked over and joined him. Ranma eyed the detective suspiciously but said nothing. L brought up Ranma’s love life while he had more moral fiber than his father when it came to that he seems to have abandoned it, namely the legal situation with Shampoo. Given the chaos of the situation Ranma had never thought about what might happen to Shampoo if he didn’t marry her. Once L pointed out that punishment for failure might be severe he excused himself to go talk to Cologne.

L asked Kasumi if Akane and Shampoo would be okay. She told him that they usually get into such arguments much faster and were actually on rather good terms today. Crisis seemingly averted he asked Kasumi to discuss her insights into Cupid with him. Kasumi beamed as Nabiki, in earshot, just rolled her eyes. Within the building, Mariko was displayed on one of the monitors. To all the other occupants of the room, this was hardly notable, but Nabiki chose this moment to put aside her book and walk over to said monitors for a quick scan of them. However, she just as quickly shrugged and headed off to the bathroom. L silently watched this, but Kasumi quickly took back his attention.

Kasumi and L discussed the nature of the internet and how it would affect Cupid, namely that it would give other people more access to information on them. While he was dismissive L conceded that Kasumi had a point when she explained it to him. However he did decline her suggestion that he uses turn the peoples interest in Cupid back upon them as he wanted to find Cupid himself. There conversation was interrupted by the worshipers bombed their way in. Watari informed the group that someone had reached the network room and he believed they were trying to hack the system. As the worshipers began to break into the building everyone decided to go and stop them. L asked Ranma if he could stop those who were trying to hack into the system.

Hours later, police were escorting various protesters and troublemakers from the building. Ukyo had managed to retrieve Ranma who they found paralyzed on the floor, but could do nothing for her till the trouble died down. Now finally free to act, Cologne was to fix Ranma. She explained to everyone that his ki had been poisoned. L didn’t believe that it was a coincidence that the person who broke in knew such an obscure technique and asked Ranma if he at get a look at either of them, but they wore mask. Ultimately they were at a stalemate. The hack failed but the hacker escaped. Since there was no indication that any of them were identified it should be safe for them to go home.

L met up with Watari in the main meeting room they both figured out that BB was behind the hacking attempt. He decided not to tell Naomi wanting her to focus her full attention on Cupid.

L called Maho to tell her about the intrusion and apologize for the wait. Since the black caused her to be stuck in her computer room just replied sarcastically. He informed her about the attempt to hack into their system, like him she doubted that Cupid could pick up a hacker on such short notice, never mind getting high grade explosives. L told her that he suspected a third party though he left out how he believed it was BB and just told her that for the moment it wasn’t important.

L sent Maho the video footage of the NWC’s time at the building, but nothing really seemed suspicious. The only thing of note she saw was the fact that Nabiki stayed in the the main room practically the whole time. L briefed Maho on his discussion with Cologne telling her about Joketsuzoku’s history with a potential Cupid. Maho wondered how that knowledge was helpful and L reminded her that the curse is able to block the effect. He and Maho also wondered if the fact that the effects continued after they killed Cupid meant that they got the wrong guy, or his power was just that strong.

L theorized that there was another being involved which would also explain the few occasions when Nabiki personally regarded the monitors. This also means that Nabiki might have away to identify the other Cupid. L was able to use the time that the Tendo and Saotome’s were away to place listening device in the dojo. He hadn’t told Maho because he expected Happosai to stop it. Even with just this was a big step so began the race to see who can capitalize on their advantage before the other.

As L had predicted, B had indeed made a second move, and quite likely a third. The second had been easy enough to detect, too easy in fact. B would never make such an obvious ploy his main avenue of attack. The third level was more iffy though. It could simply be a bank error in one case, and a series of odd but ultimately innocent transactions in another, but it could also be signs of compromise. Still, it was known and he could easily isolate the parties involved while keeping tabs on them. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the vexing part. The vexing part was more psychological in nature. The flawed procedure to create L’s replacement meant that trying to outthink B is very trying.

This is how Watari found him when he brought him his tea. L felt that his decision to let Maho focus on Cupid while keeping much of his attention on B to keep him at bay was for the best. With the topic of cupid being brought up Watari jokingly asked L what type of woman he thought would catch his interest, given that Cupid seemed to those who are compatible. L told him someone of a dignified and dedicated persona a rare smile cross his face when Watari replied that he would quickly lose interest in a party girl. Watari returned to his other duties as L finished his tea and thought about the woman he would find compatible. As he started listing traits off, he could not help but see the parallels to a person he already knew before dismissing the thought.

After running into dead end on confirming weather or not Kasumi was the first Cupid L decided to focus on their other angle which was bearing fruit. He warned Naomi that he would have to put himself at risk. L surprised Naomi by asking her what her long term goals were. While the thought of recruiting her had crossed his mind their current endeavor remains unfinished and any thoughts past that are but flights of fancy.

Maho and L were in one of their daily briefings, while nothing of particular interest happened, they did discuss the fact that Nabiki was a firm front runner for the second Cupid as well as how they would contain the Cupid’s when they did catch them. All that was left was discovering who the 3rd Cupid was, while L had made progress, and eliminated most my suspect pool. There were still many left. Maho was annoyed that L hadn’t elaborated on this with her but let it slide. Before signing off Maho asked L if he was still thinking about the future. He admitted that he had been giving their last conversation a great deal of thought but didn’t elaborate just saying that he had made arrangements.