Two in the afternoon, at Linhai University's indoor tennis courts.
Sunlight streamed through the high windows, carving a boundary between light and shadow across the synthetic court.
Dressed in Linhai University's standard navy sportswear, Kannazuki warmed up at the edge of the court.
Footsteps approached.
L wore a white sports outfit that was clearly a size too large and carried two professional-grade carbon-fiber tennis rackets.
He wore no socks. The heels of his oversized sneakers were crushed beneath his feet, turning them into slippers.
L walked up to Kannazuki.
"Yagami." L raised his left hand and hurled one of the rackets straight at Kannazuki's face.
The distance was less than two meters.
There was no warning.
Kannazuki raised his right hand.
His fingers spread, then closed precisely around the handle. A yielding motion of his wrist instantly absorbed the racket's momentum.
"Let's play." L turned and walked toward the other end of the court.
Kannazuki watched L's retreating back.
PE class was supposed to be free time.
L had chosen the tennis courts, and his intentions were obvious.
Intense aerobic exercise would accelerate circulation, sending the heart rate soaring and triggering adrenaline release.
Under extreme fatigue and oxygen deprivation, the brain's control over the muscles would plummet.
L wanted to tear away his disguise.
Kannazuki tightened his grip on the racket and walked toward the baseline.
"Since you're inviting me, L, I'll give it my best."
Kannazuki took his position, his feet shoulder-width apart.
L stood at the opposite baseline.
He did not adopt the standard sideways stance.
He brought his feet together, abruptly lowered his body, and squatted right down.
He held a fluorescent green tennis ball in his left hand and the racket in his right, its head hanging between his legs.
Several students playing nearby stopped and