[ It's the same fatigue that was on display in the library, but that seemed absent at the party. The night of the latter, John walked in with both swagger and confidence, ready to meet L's challenge. The next time they met, he seemed ready for it to stop. Whatever blow L dealt in between must have been vicious. ]

You must have been very powerful back home. It would have been stupid to fight them unless you had a reason to think you'd win.

[ Again, he judges John by L's standards. The detective wouldn't have bothered dancing with a fool. It was the move of somebody who won often enough to believe in victory even against something so strong, not the plan of an idiot who didn't know better. ]

Why is that a secret?

[ Light's voice is curious instead of challenging. ]

Most of us have something we'd like to return home to. Why do you hide the war?