Hey guys! New content for once! Sorry it's been a few years since I've actually done anything with this story, but I'll certainly try my hardest

In addition, I updated and changed the prologue, so check out the previous chapter as well!

Notes at the end of the chapter


Chapter 1 :: Client [Arsinoë]

They were quiet during the walk to their client's home. Before the Sicks incident, before any major threat came to the Demon's food source, Neuro would have been dragging the teenager by her collar and comparing her to trash cans along the way. However that fiasco was over, and Yako certainly didn't wish to be harassed to that degree again. But she felt like she was waiting for some form of abuse to happen, and for lack of better words, the anticipation was killing her. She's exhausted of being so high strung during the month Neuro's been back and this silence certainly wasn't helping her relax.

"...So Neuro,"

"Be quiet slug, I am trying to enjoy the smell of this puzzle."

Yako quickly shut up and caught up a bit to the Brain Eater's strides. Was the scent that enticing? She asked herself. Her question was answered with the Demon wiping away his corrosive saliva with a sleeve. His eyes were frenzied, and the grin plastered on his face only seemed to grow wider and wider at the prospect of eating the mystery.

Now it certainly wasn't farfetched to say that Yako missed Neuro. She was a sentimental human being, its in her nature to miss people, even if they didn't miss her.

"Has something caught your interest little louse?"

The blonde just shook her head smiled. "I'm just happy that you're back Neuro."

"Well in that case," said the Demon with a smirk, "Ring the doorbell for your master." She felt his gloved hands in her hair slam into the doorbell of their client's home. We're already here? Was the only thing in her mind when she felt her face connect with the doorbell.

"How strange, there's some dirt on the doorbell. Wow sensei! You're cleaning it up with your face, how kind of you, I'm sure the client appreciates your charity work." Goaded the Hellspawn with an innocent face.

"I-i take that back, I'm happier without you!" said Yako as she was struggling to prevent her assistant from slamming her face into the doorbell again. "Neuro, stop it."

"But I thought you were happy that I'm back and recovered from my injuries?" He teased.

He released his grip on her head when the sounds of scratching approached the door. It was followed by the sounds of shuffling feet and the unlocking of the door which opened with care. The first thing Yako saw was the wavy honey colored hair and deep brown eyes of the dog that stood near its owner.

The owner was, by her body language, reserved and quiet, maybe even shy. She was young, only a few years younger than the detective. The only other thing Yako noticed was the guide cane she was holding and how the girl's eyes were shut.

Yako was opening her mouth to introduce herself before Neuro elbowed her face into the door frame. "Are you Arsinoë Sinclair-san?"

"Y-yes." Said the girl with a noticeable flinch when she heard Neuro's cheery voice. "Are you the detectives my aunt hired?"

"Yes! This is the famous detective Katsuragi Yako and I'm her humble assistant."

Said detective finally managed to get Neuro's elbow off of her with a dissatisfied huff. Yako waved her irritation away, after all, letting her emotions afloat was awfully unprofessional. "It's nice to meet you Arsinoë-san. I'm extremely impressed and fascinated with your father's contributions to archaeology, I'm truly sorry for your loss."

The girl smiled at Yako's word's. "Thank you for your condolences Miss Detective. My aunt and I are truly grateful that you accepted this case."

"Big or small, sensei would never turn down an offer. She's a workaholic like that!"

"Well, please come in. Lori, living room. Please follow my dog Miss Katsuragi, Mr. Assistant."

The golden canine was already down the hall when she barked to indicate that they should hurry up. Yako looked at the walls framed with photos of the late archaeologist and his family on various expeditions. The house was very lovely, even without her father's architectural knowledge Yako could tell that the Sinclair's house was modern but cozy. It was terrible to think of the quiet girl living in a home that was emptier than ever. Dogs and relatives are fine, but it's nothing compared to the daily interactions of a closely knit family.

The dog nudged the two to sit on a couch. After seating the two, the dog settled in at the foot of the opposite couch.

"Such a well trained dog!" said the blonde as she cooed to Lori. The dog got up and started to sniff Yako's outstretched hand. "And well tempered as well!"

Lori grew tired of licking Yako's hand and moved on, curious about the tall person sitting cross legged with a disinterested face. The golden retriever nudged the Demons leg only to slowly back up, snarling.

"'Well tempered'? Looks like this mutt still needs to show some respect to higher predators."

Yako felt the demonic aura creep out like tendrils and infecting the poor dog's mind, filling it with horrifying images similar atrocities. She was caught entirely off guard and shrieked in surprise.

"Jesus Christ Neuro, why are you mind screwing the dog?"

"It is a form of asserting my dominance. Back in Hell, if anyone showed any disobedience to a figure with higher authority, they would have been subject to torture much more extreme than what this mongrel is experiencing."

"Well we're not in Hell are we? So what if the dog growled at you, it isn't worth scaring the poor thing to death, especially when her owner is practically 2 doors away."

He released his grip on the retriever's mind and let it scamper away with its tail between its legs, letting his focus switch to the blonde. The Demon smiled wryly at her chastising. "My my, what a negotiator you've become! The slug has certainly achieved a competent level of rational ability while I was away."

She sighed and turned away, resting her chin on her folded arms propped on the couch arm. "Though I appreciate the attention and compliment, I'd rather hear it without the condescending remarks you're implying."

"But Sensei," he retorted, pulling up his innocent mask, "I'm genuinely moved by your efforts to change yourself. Sensei is such an inspiration!"

"Don't you dare pull that on me Nougami Neuro. That empty mask is ridiculously easy to see through, and I'm honestly surprised to see people fall for that face."

"I will keep it Sensei, seeing as our client is coming with refreshments."

Shortly after he spoke, Arsinoë came in with her aunt who was carrying a tray of tea and persimmon cake. The blind girl settled herself on the couch. Lori trailed behind Arsinoë the entire time, determined to offer protection against the horrible beast that sat across from her owner.


Notes ::

Arsinoë and her family - She's half Caucasian (Mostly British, but other things mixed in as well. This is from her dad) and half Japanese (This is from her mom).

Honorifics - I will use English titles and name order for Caucasians speaking. Japanese honorifics and name order for Japanese, yadda yadda yadda