L rarely let his personal feelings affect his choices. And he expected Mello to know that, but perhaps the younger man’s own emotions were getting in the way of him realizing this. To L, this was a matter of protecting those around him from him. His death had nothing to do with it. If it had, he wouldn’t have been studying the institute in the first place. It was his repeated failures and ability to act that had brought him to this choice. He may have ruined lives, he may have killed people, but if he continued investigating it meant destroying, and ultimately distinguishing more. In this kind of place life was far less expendable.

L kept his eyes locked with Mello’s. Despite the young man’s anger towards him, his expression remained unreadable. “Yes. I am a liability, which is why continuing to do my duty is not a reasonable option. Admittedly, at this moment, you are more capable, but if you do not feel you are adequate enough for the tasks at hand I am certain Near would more than likely be up to the challenge.” L brought himself to his feet, “You should quit wasting your time with me and find something productive to do.”