Inspiration is a funny thing, especially when you got a fanfiction to finish, it just all of sudden hit you. So I apologize for not updating "The Legacy", but on the bright side is that the newest chapter is in process. And now it's time for the…
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN MAJIN TANTEI NOUGAMI NEURO OR ANY MAJIN TANTEI NOUGAMI NEURO CAST. THEY ALL BELONG TO THEIR RIGHTFUL OWNER.
KEY:
"TALKING"
'THOUGHTS'
-Katsuragi Yako
'Humans have feelings, I know that, but do demons share the same feelings? Do they rejoice and mourn the same way humans do?' such thoughts stayed in my brain as I jogged breathlessly to the office, 'Would Neuro appreciate a gift from me?'
"Sorry I'm late!" I slammed open the office door, preparing myself for whatever punishment Neuro had decided to hand out.
"Ah, sensei you're finally here," Neuro had his innocent act on.
"Yako-chan," Sasazuka-san was here with a cigarette in his mouth.
"Sasazuka-san, what are you doing here?"
"I was just dropping by to say hi and was on the way out since you weren't here," Sasazuka-san explained and I formed an "o" with my lips.
"It's because sensei is always late," Neuro commented with an evil intent within his eyes.
"Well I'll be going now," Sasazuka-san ruffled my hair affectionately, "I'll treat you to dinner sometimes Yako-chan"
"How dare you make me wait wood louse," Neuro's voice was dripping with venom, his vice-grip tighten around my skull.
"Sorry," I mumbled and he released his grip on my skull. For once in my life I wanted him to torture me, until I could feel nothing. Even though Neuro told me not to forget anything, I wanted to forget that cruel day more then ever now, the day my father was murdered.
"What's wrong wood louse?" If he was concern, it didn't show.
"Nothing," I flashed him my regular smile and set those depressed thoughts aside, "Neuro, what would you give to a person who's precious to you?" the words just blurted out without me realizing.
"What's this? Wood louse actually got a boyfriend?" He raised an eyebrow mockingly.
"With you dragging me everywhere it's impossible," I felt a small blush crawl onto my face.
-Nougami Neuro
'Wood louse was even later then usual, she becoming rather bold', I glanced up at the ceilings and let my eyes drift, from the ceiling to the bookcase to the clock. It read 3:15 PM, one minute passed, another minute, and then a quiet knock alerted me someone was at the door.
'I don't smell any mystery and Yako doesn't knock, that only leaves one option of who it is,' I answered the door.
"Is Yako-chan here?" Sasazuka asked, and peered around the room a bit.
"Sensei is late today," I replied with my innocent voice, "Would you like to wait for her?"
After a pause he spoke, "You don't have to act innocent I already know you're a demon"
"It's becoming a habit now," I returned to my normal voice, "Do you have any puzzles or did you just drop in to say hi?"
"Just dropped in to say hi," I turned my back and walked back to my chair.
"That's rare, for you to come in so early just to say hi," I state, then I narrowed my eyes, "Or is there another reason?"
"Sharp as ever," He closed the door behind him and lit a cigarette, "So how is Yako-chan holding up?"
"Holding up?" I sat down onto my chair, "You just saw her yesterday, why would you ask?"
"It's that time of the year," Sasazuka looked a bit shock much to my annoyance. Then BAM!
"Sorry I'm late!" Wood louse was here.
"Sensei you're finally here,"
"Yako-chan," two lazy rings of smoke floated towards the ceiling.
"Sasazuka-san, what are you doing here?" Wood louse asked, clearly surprised.
"I was just dropping by to say hi and was on the way out since you weren't here," Sasazuka explained and Yako formed an "o" with her lips.
"It's because sensei is always late," I met her chocolate brown eyes for a second to let her know she was in trouble.
"Well I'll be going now," Sasazuka ruffled her hair affectionately, "I'll treat you to dinner sometimes Yako-chan" As soon as he left the office I gripped her fragile skull tight enough to feel enough pressure to be uncomfortable.
"How dare you make me wait wood louse," I tighten my grip a little.
"Sorry," She mumbled an apology, sounding almost broken. I released my grip, startled.
"What's wrong wood louse?" One of the things I disliked most is when my possessions were broken.
"Nothing," She gave me one of her smiles only there was something different about it. Broken.
Her next question aroused my curiosity, "Neuro, what would you give to a person who's precious to you?"
"What's this? Wood louse actually got a boyfriend?" I raised an eyebrow mockingly.
"With you dragging me everywhere it's impossible," Her cheeks grew light pink. I set her to work right away, flipping through newspapers and magazines to find more puzzles for me as I flipped through the crosswords, Sudoku, and go scenario puzzles.
After all water was better then nothing, speaking on the terms of food, I glanced over to Yako's hunched figure as she flipped through the newspapers. She seemed dead, like a puppet moved by the puppeteer.
'It's that time of the year,' I pondered over what Sasazuka had said, 'I heard of that time of the month before but what does it mean anyways?'
"Yako," She turns towards me, "What is that time of the month?"
-Katsuragi Yako
"Yako," Neuro called, probably for me to pick up the pace, "What is that time of the month?" I stared open mouth at my demon boss before feeling my face turning a new shade of red.
He watches me with an amused look, "Well what is it wood louse?"
"Y-You don't know?" I choked, "Are you p-playing with me or are you s-serious?" I saw his emerald eyes narrow in annoyance.
"Answer me wood louse," was it embarrassment that reflected off Neuro's face? If it was any other question I would have rejoiced and rubbed in his face, but apparently he was serious.
"W-W-Well," I stuttered, "It's um…"
'How am I going to explain it to him?' I gulped fearfully; 'This is almost like telling a five year old about sex only worse' Just then my savior dressed in causal clothing walked.
"Godai-san!" relief flooded through me as I saw the former yakuza enter the office.
-Shinobu Godai
It was my fucking unlucky day, mountain loads of paperwork (I'm not exaggerating) errands to run for the monster and I just HAD to walk in at that moment.
"Well I'm done with the newspaper and magazines," the brat had newspapers and magazines all organized neatly into piles, "I'll see you guys tomorrow and you can ask Godai-san 'bout that Neuro" and she left like the wind. The monster's name should have been my first clue, to get the hell out of there.
"Slave number two," the monster called.
"I'm not your slave," I snapped back as usual, then mumbled a what.
"What's that time of the month?" That was my second clue.
"Excuse me?" That was probably the most damn polite thing I said in my entire life.
"Do not make me repeat myself," the monster growled and I paled.
'Shit, the damn monster is serious,' I stared at him.
"HOW THE FUCKING HELL SHOULD I KNOW?" I felt my cheeks heat up, "DON'T ASK ME 'BOUT WOMEN STUFF!" then I fled the scene.
-Katsuragi Yako
'I feel sorry for Godai-san,' I was halfway back to my house, 'There's no way in hell I can answer that question especially to Neuro the Demon'
"Yako?" Kanae's voice snapped me out of my thoughts, "Aren't you suppose to be at work right now?"
"Eh? Kanae, well I had an early day today," I replied.
And she turned to the café besides us, "Want to get something to drink? My treat"
A small grin crept up my face, "Sure"
"That's the Yako I know and love," Kanae pushed open the café doors and I followed behind. After we ordered our drinks, Kanae seem to be observing me.
"What is it Kanae?" my eyes met hers as she studied me for several seconds before answering.
"Nothing, it's that you're cheerful even though it's so close to that day," then she added, "I'm glad you're doing so well"
"Well that's mostly because of Neuro," every single word was true.
"Neuro?" Kanae asked, "Ah, your assistant right?"
I nodded, "Neuro appeared pretty soon after my father's murder and even now he cheered me up when I was feeling a little depressed" In a embarrassing way though.
"He seems like a pretty reliable assistant," Kanae complimented.
"Y-Yeah I guess so," If you don't count the countless times where he tortures me for his own amusement.
'Kanae's right, during the time where I should have been broken I was cheerful all thanks to Neuro. Even now he cheered me up without realizing it,' a small smile tugged the corners of lips, 'I'll do my best tomorrow for Neuro!'
"Thanks Kanae," I said, "I feel a lot better after talking it with you"
"So, do you," Her sincere smile turned into a sly grin, "Like him?"
I choked on my drink, "Like Neuro? That's impossible!"
"Why not?" She pressed on, "He's tall, good looking, nice, and has long hair…." Then realization hit her.
"He's the guy you were going to recommend to me," Her eyes twinkled with excitement, "Could it be you were jealous so you didn't tell me?"
"No, it's not that. It's just that Neuro is," I paused for a better description, "just Neuro."
"Why not, he's a very nice person and absolutely looks up to you doesn't he?"
'Poor, poor, Kanae,' I shook my head, 'You have no idea'
"He's mean to me," I whined, "He tortures me and everything"
"Maybe he likes you," Kanae suggested, "You know, boys pulled the pigtails of the girls they like" That gave me a bit to think about.
'Was it possible? Neuro likes me? I'm not but a front to him right?' I shook my head again.
"Neuro only likes puzzles," I answered, "Pretty much nothing else"
"Puzzles, like mysteries?" I nodded.
"That explains why he wants to be your assistant," Kanae replied slowly.
'Half-truth,' I thought bitterly, 'Almost a year later and I still can't help out much. When am I going to evolve?'
"Well I better get going," Kanae glanced at the clock, "It's pretty late"
"Yeah, me too," I drank the last bit before exiting the café.
"See you tomorrow Yako," Kanae winked, "Good luck with Neuro"
"What's that suppose to mean?" I blushed and watched Kanae disappear into the crowd and headed home myself.
"Kanae is saying weird things again," I mumbled as I tighten my grip around my school bag, "My life isn't a freaking romance manga for goodness sake!"
'If it was, it would definitely be horror,' I thought with a shudder, 'and mystery with innocent 17-year-old Katsuragi Yako as a victim of Nougami Neuro the evil demon from hell'
'Nah, that's lame, who would ever read a manga like that?' I shook away those thoughts and entered my empty home.
"I'm home," I shouted into the empty space in front of me and walked into my favorite part of the house, the kitchen. Flipping on the light, there was a note from mom on the fridge.
Dear Yako,
I have to go overseas again to cover some stories and will be gone for a while. I'm not sure how long but at most it will take around a month at most, but when I get back lets visit Papa's grave together okay? I left some money for you in your food funds. Be a good girl and be careful when you're investigating crime scenes okay? And Neuro better protect my baby girl from dangers otherwise he'll get a piece of my mind! I love you and I'm sorry I can't stay.
Lots of Hugs and Kisses, Mom
"Who does that ignorant woman think I am?" Neuro's voice floated from behind me.
"Neuro, what are you doing here?" I asked clearly startled, "And don't call my mom ignorant." I turned around to find him standing on the ceiling, his emerald orbs giving an eerie glow.
"You've gotten pretty bold these few days slave number one," Neuro grabbed my skull again, "Not only you're coming in late, you're also leaving early"
"Ah, well that's because…" I racked my brain for an excuse.
"I haven't have any mysteries in a while since you keep lacking off," So that's why he's always so cranky these days. I guess the way into a man's heart is through the stomach is true, is it the same for demons?
"By the way, sensei," Neuro had his innocent face on, and I paled.
'Neuro's only this nice to me when he's planning something,' I shook my head nervously, just then my stomach betrayed me, 'TRAITOR!'
He raised an eyebrow and out of nowhere pulled out a bag of food, "I'll treat you to dinner" Alarm signs were going off in my head, but I ignore them all.
'Could it be? The day has finally come!' tears of happiness flowed down my cheeks, 'The day Neuro is being a gentledemon instead of an ass!'
Nougami Neuro
The pig was the same as ever, I still see that sparkle in her eyes whenever someone treats her to a dinner.
"Really?" She squealed a bit too high for my ears.
I flinched inwardly (of course not that I would ever let that pathetic dish rag see me flinched), "Of course sensei" I handed her the plastic bag.
"These all look so delicious!" She was drooling a bit, "But why are they all sweets?"
"That's because I though a pig like you would like these sweets," I replied casually, restraining myself from grinning because even a low dishrag like her would know.
"This isn't a trick is it?" My, the dishrag was getting smarter, maybe I'll promote her to a toilet next, "Then again these look really good"
"Itadakimasu(1)," She said, before lifting one of the sweets into her mouth, "It's delicious!"
"Now Yako, for your punishment," I grinned evilly, "777 tools of the demon world, Evil Taster (2)" Yako paled at the name and I shoved the tool onto her tongue.
"Please enjoy your dinner sensei," I smiled sweetly, "Also I advise you don't open the fridge, you might end up without a head"
"NEURO, WHAT DID YOU DO TO YUKI-CHAN?" Yako shouted.
"Yuki-chan?" I raised an eyebrow, "You named your fridge?" And she gave a small nod, humans are really amusing.
"Whatever is in the fridge is going to be gone by tomorrow right?" She munched on the sweets, trying not to wince at the bitterness.
"Probably," I had my blank face on now, "Then again maybe not"
"What did you come here for?" Yako asked, "You came here to ask something right?" Maybe I'll promote toilet again, she's getting much sharper, it's no surprise, after all I been polishing her.
"But before that I want to ask you something," Yako stated, and continued before waiting for me to answer, "What do you like?"
"Mysteries," was my simple reply.
"I meant other then that," she sighed, "after all it's been nearly a year and I don't know much 'bout you" Nearly a year, that time of the year, suddenly those two linked together. I glanced at the calendar, and there it was, the date was blacked out as if no one wants to remember that date.
"You better not be late tomorrow," I replied, I'm getting soft, doing such a nice thing for a toilet that's about to be promoted again.
Akizakura
Finally, I finished chapter one, this chapter is kind of useless but it's a start. After "Happy Anniversary" I plan to do an AU High School Fic. Apparently there isn't any except a chapter from another MTNN story. I'm not sure what to name the high school so suggestions are welcomed with open arms. Till next time.
DICTIONARY
-Itadakimasu: A phrase said before a meal, usually translated as "Thank for the meal" or "Let's eat!"
-Evil Taster: One of Neuro's 777 tools of the demon world. It is a demonic tongue-cover that switches the wearer's taste around, making sour foods taste sweet, bitter foods taste spicy, and vice-versa.