Another great story! This one is so frustrating because it was RIGHT there but they keep missing each other lol

I felt so empty and unhappy while reading this. Truly depressing

Fuck me this was depressing

This... this is outright depressing. And it becomes more depressing when you realize that its not so far fetched from canon characterization, both of em are so super intelligent that getting bored of life after a time is all there is for them. This line here '...but Yagami does not obey L's whims and leaves the country...' made me laugh & instantly hopeful that somethings gonna happen now, someone's ego gonna get hurt & they'll go after the other guy BUT.. but it seems ur faithful to ur story's summary after all. I'm reminded of another story with similar themes called 'genius is a curse', no notebook their too. I was afraid the whole time for Light attempting suicide, he didn't- thankfully- but his life isn't any better than death so.. no difference. And L being disappointed in his successors made me laugh way to much.
Light achieving perfect feats in everything he touches is something I expected- he's Him, so obviously!

This made me realize how L n Light both are kind of yin and yang to each other, in a way, they both completed the other one. Their mere proximity around each other makes that motor inside their head run like crazy as if high on drugs, so in a world where they didn't meet equals no entertainment. I probably sound like a LxLight shipper but NO. I'M NOT THAT. Yet I can see this happening in the anime if the notebook didn't caught Light's sight. [Oh buy hey- If L was so bored then why didn't he submerged himself at finding out more n more about the deathnote? That magic notebook that shouldn't exist-but it does.. so there must be more to it, something undiscovered, unexpected etc etc]

It's an interesting thing to think about, as purposefulness is always something that starts with the mind.

No matter how intelligent or capable a person is or becomes... no person is that special or unique, in the grand scheme of things.

Notebook or no, you need something to ground yourself in, something that matters to you, or else you fall into the trap of an empty mind that passively observes an empty life.

Came back here after years and this is just as good as I recall. Good work. Tragic, but incredibly pleasing to read.

you described an ache i always had but couldn’t put into words. you raised it into my conscious awareness

God...this is so tragically sad

Wow that really makes you wonder how it would be if they’ve never met. Light would just continue being the oh so perfect human he is and solve cases. Maybe he would find a case that’s interesting, maybe he wouldn’t. It’s odd thinking of L growing old, because in a way with his reputation and career, it’s both hard and easy to die.
Great story, I love it :D

Been a long time, since I last saw this. Death Note is one of the hardest series to write for because it requires a balancing act of dubious morality, brilliant characters as the normal, and evocative writing.

I think you have captured both Light and L perfectly; especially the latter. Both can be defined by their desires to push themselves, to truly test their skills, and do something. Their only difference is that Light believed he could do more for the world while L just wanted to solve puzzles.

This story... of a world without Kira, shows how much emptier they would be. L never gets his ultimate case and is left wanting and Light... Light gives up on life. I like how you had him try to find something; from becoming a master chef to even thrill seeking by falsifying evidence, but none of it could mean anything. That sort of emptiness, that hollowness, fits Light very well.

Namjoon… stop cutting onions.

"If I die, who will remember me? Who will mourn me? Who will care?" That thought goes through my head nearly every day. And each time, no one is the answer. That's why this hit home for me. You took an idea that was so simple, and executed it in a blunt way that inspires so many complicated emotions. To see two people that I know become so lifeless is truly terrible. You described depression so accurately that it's scary.

I was not ready for this. This made me feel hollow, you have some beautiful writing skills. Thank you the intense read.

Whhyyyyyyyyy? This is so freaking depressing, I just...cannot do this.
Why?
Just why?
A writing skills though

Can yo write a one shot of light and L meeting, cause this gives me the feels.