Bookmarks in Yako's Love Story

III. Higuichi.

A/N: Thanks to all who took the time to review previously! I'm glad you liked it. (To be honest, I really had fun writing that Sasazuka one.) Now, Higuichi - not sure if he actually knows about Neuro being a demon. You would think he would after that HAL incident, right? He never mentions it though...does he? Well, um, just assume he knows about it in this.

Next'll either be Godai or Yuki, if I get the time and inspiration.

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It was a bright, sunny day. People ambled past each other on the streets, and most of the cafes were full to the brim. All in all, it was the sort of day Higuichi hated. Not that he was an antisocial loner that enjoyed huddled up in dark corners, angsting - that seemed more like Sasazuka's type of thing. It was just that this sort of weather, this lack of quiet shelter...well, it was so inconvenient.

Usually around this time he could be found in a quaint, quiet little café, tapping away on his laptop with a tall glass of frappe nearby. But now he had to walk even further from the police department than usual, trying to find someplace that wasn't bustling with people. Sitting in a park was too dusty for his precious machine, not to mention the glare from the sun made the screen annoyingly hard to see. And the department was full of bossy superiors that would come breathing down his neck at any given time. So he wandered a little further, past the streets he was familiar with.

Ah, there was that cafe he had seen the high-school detective at before. He peered in through the windows, wondering vaguely whether she would be there again. Being with Katsuragi Yako was fun, it was like being with people his own age. He didn't get to do that too often. The police department was full of personnel at least ten years older than him, with none of the entertainment value of youth. Besides, she knew more about him than most. It was only fair he got to know about her in return.

The café was full, but he couldn't see anyone that resembled Yako. And there was definitely no one with more than three plates in front of them. He sighed and moved on, a little disappointed. Well, it was worth a try. Her office was near here, after all. And it was a nice da--

"Oof!" Someone stumbled out from a small side street and crashed into him. "Ah, sorry! ....AHN?! Higuichi-kun!"

Hey, speak of the devil! "Ah, it's you, Katsuragi. How're you doing?" Higuichi grinned, taking a hold of her elbow as she righted herself.

"Actually, I was supposed to go buy something for Ne...er, for the office. And I have a crazy time limit too..." Higuichi raised his eyebrow a little. That last bit was mumbled with a hint of hostility, and he thought he knew why. He wondered why she even put up with such a strange assisstant. Why should she when it looks as though she'd rather not? Here was his opportunity to spend time with her. And in any case, he could be resourceful enough to pull her from that man's grip.

Higuichi smiled and followed as Yako began walking again, muttering darkly under her breath. It occurred to him that skipping into a powerful demon's territory was hardly clever. Still, it'd be worth it, even if it was just to get a glimpse of Neuro's face when his 'slave' left him.

"I'll come too. It's my break anyway." Casually, he slipped an arm around her shoulder. Her surprise was met with a relaxed grin and she thanked him uncertainly for his help.

As they exited the store, arms laden with shopping bags, Higuichi decided to act.

"Let's go sit down for a bit, Katsuragi." He scoffed as she turned a are-you-crazy-or-just-not-thinking-about-my-health look at him. "Worried about shirking work? Come on, I'll even come up with you to the office. He can't say anything if I say I coerced you into it, right?"

"Yeah, but I'm more worried about what he's going to do. As in, after you leave." She grumbled.

"Oh? You want to come home with me then?"

Yako took a second to fully register what he had said before whipping around with eyes wide. A playful sparkle deepened the boy's grin and her stoic response was rapidly changed to a reddened face.

"That's, thanks, but I'll be fine." She rushed. Unable to meet his eyes, Yako gathered up her bags and began walking.

"Let's go sit down, then." Higuichi leaned into her, pushing her towards a nearby café. Yako, confused by his sudden charm and only just remembering that he was in fact, around her age – that's right, he's only three years older than me – complied easily.

Yako sighed as the waiter placed two cups of tea on the table and left. She eyed the boy sitting across from her, who met her gaze with a small smirk.

"What is it? Regretting your refusal?"

"N-no, that's not it. It's just..." she fiddled with the hem of her sleeve, considering. "I suppose I was just surprised. I mean, you don't seem to be yourself today. You're more...direct."

Higuichi sipped at his cup thoughtfully and watched as she shredded a sugar sachet, scattering tiny crystals into her tea.

"Katsuragi, how about we do this again sometime? I'll treat you to a drink...without your assistant hanging around. If you'd like, I'm sure I could hack into the police records and dust off some unsolved crimes for you to look at."

The notion of free food – even a drink, fought bravely with the notion of what Neuro might do if she went without his knowledge.

She met Higuichi's eyes. He looked back, sharp with self-assurance. The notions were stunned still, but it was Free Food that took the opening and tackled Neuro to the ground.

"...Slave number one has become quite bold. Perhaps I have been too lenient on her?" Neuro mused, peering thoughtfully at the hastily scrawled note left at the door. The writing was distinctly of the Yako variety – Akane's was small and precise and Godai never left notes.

Off to do some important business – concerning work!

Akane twisted slightly in worry.

"No, no, the impertinent slug is safe. She is with someone we know. Quite well, in fact." With a slight smirk of satisfaction, Neuro crumbled the note and settled into his chair. "The human hacker is a useful ally. Yako is helping me by befriending him."

His smirk widened. "But that is something she need not know."