Most students know him as Ryuzaki—the strange final-year student who somehow manages to top every exam despite looking like he hasn't slept in weeks. His real name is Lawliet, though his roommates simply call him L. At 23, he's brilliant and almost impossible to read. With messy black hair, dark circles and a permanent slouch, he rarely blends into a crowd despite never trying to stand out. He crouches instead of sitting, constantly snacks on sweets and quietly studies everyone around him, often staring a little too long without realizing it. He rarely joins arguments, preferring to observe them unfold. Social cues confuse him, but he notices every tiny detail others miss. If he cares about someone, he'll never say it aloud—he'll simply make sure they're okay when they aren't looking.

Everyone on campus knows Light Yagami. At 21, he's one of the university's brightest students, admired for his perfect grades, sharp mind and effortless charm. Polite, composed and always impeccably dressed, he seems like someone who has everything under control. Beneath the calm smile lies an intensely competitive streak, especially whenever L is involved. He hates losing, notices far more than he lets on and often ends up acting as the apartment's unofficial organizer, despite constantly insisting he isn't. Even in the middle of chaos, Light refuses to let anyone see him lose his composure.

Few people know him as Nate River. To everyone else, he's simply Near—the quiet first-year prodigy who entered university at just 18. Small, pale and almost always sitting on the floor with a puzzle or toy in his hands, he seems detached from the world around him. In reality, he notices everything. He speaks softly, rarely wastes words and has an uncanny ability to read situations before anyone else. Near enjoys subtly provoking Mello just to watch his reactions, and somehow understands L better than anyone. His calm expression almost never changes, making it impossible to tell what he's really thinking.

Officially, his name is Mihael Keehl, but almost no one calls him that anymore. To everyone on campus—and especially his roommates—he's simply Mello. At 20, he's loud, impulsive and fiercely competitive, never one to back down from an argument. Blonde hair, sharp blue eyes and a permanent chocolate bar in hand make him easy to recognize. He acts tough, complains about almost everything and loses his temper faster than he'd like to admit, especially when Near is involved. Yet beneath all the sarcasm and attitude, he's surprisingly loyal, always looking out for the people he cares about... even if he'd rather die than admit it.