A Push in the Right Direction
Mystery 37: One Step Forward and Two Steps Back
After having broken up with Neuro and quitting the detective business, Yako was surprised to find that Neuro didn't attempt to contact her. He was probably waiting for her to go crawling back, which she did not intend to do. Instead, Yako occupied herself in catching up with academics so that she could graduate on time.
The home economics teacher looked at the stuffed animal Yako made as part of her project. Her cooking was good, if the teacher was fast enough to try it and grade it before Yako ate it herself, but she still needed to turn in a sewing project. "The beak is big, but I suppose some parrots could look like this. The stitches are well done and strong, good job on the wings. Congratulations, you passed."
"Thank you!" Yako was proud of herself for this, though she didn't know why in the world she made a doll of Neuro's true form of all things. In her own defense, she could reason that, since she spent so much time studying for the written tests and left this project for last, she simply wasn't thinking as she should and her brain went numb, allowing her hands to move automatically without thought. It didn't matter, her make up work was over, her tests have been graded, all her projects were turned in and graded, it was over, Yako was going to graduate.
xoxox xox xoxox
The graduation ceremony went without anything unusual happening. There was a multitude of black robes flowing about and a disarray of flat hats being thrown into the air, as it generally happens in such events. The flashes of cameras were constant, accompanied by teary goodbyes and victorious cheers among the congratulations and hugs.
After the ceremony, the students, now graduates, got ready for the party. Yako was wearing an elegant sky blue dress with bare shoulders and a flowing skirt. Her makeup was subtle but highlighted her features. Her usual hairclips were absent, being replaced by two sapphires clips, which matched her delicate earrings and necklace.
Yako was, predictably, at her table stuffing her face, while her friends danced. "Yako, when you're done with that, would you like to dance?"
She looked at the one who had spoken; she recognized that voice, "Higuchi!" Yako had not expected to see him there. "Sure, just a minute, I'll be done really quick."
Higuchi, having forgotten his terrifying experiences, was ready to pursue Yako with renewed determination. She finished stuffing her face unlike a lady, though she did clean her mouth gently with a napkin, checked her make up and reapplied her lipstick like Kanae taught her, then she took Higuchi's arm, allowing him to lead her to the dance floor.
Yako did her best not to trip on her dress or step on Higuchi's feet. Inevitably, she stepped on him on a few occasions, apologizing each time. "It's alright Yako, don't worry about it." Higuchi smiled, he had heard the rumor that Yako recently dumped her boyfriend, this was his chance. "You look beautiful tonight..."
xoxox xox xoxox
From behind the crowd, Neuro watched Yako and Higuchi jealously. Godai wisely decided not to comment on the fact that Neuro was jealous, opting for the safer option of pretending he didn't notice. Akane was perched on the yakuza's shoulder looking limp, a fact which did not escape Godai. "I think there's something wrong with Akane."
"Have you tried giving her something to write on?" Neuro reminded.
"Oh yeah, I forgot," Godai held up his cellphone for Akane.
The braid typed quickly as always, explaining that the party made her feel nostalgic.
"It's never too late to enjoy your afterlife, I'll leave this up to slave number two after his job is done," Neuro replied.
"What?" Godai was puzzled.
"Dance with Akane," Neuro ordered.
"I can't, she's a braid of hair!" Not only did Godai had to dress up all fancy to blend in, now he had to dance with hair, it was too much.
Akane shook, as if trying to tell Godai he didn't have to, which made him feel guilty.
"Don't be sad, I'll dance with you... in private," Godai really didn't want to be seen dancing with a braid of hair. At least Akane was satisfied.
"Did you wire it?" Neuro got to the point.
"Yes, I'll be able to control the lights from here," Godai assured, holding up a small controller.
"When I get close, turn the lights off, give me five minutes and turn them back on but keep them dim," Neuro ordered, "you can leave after that."
"Got it," as long as his job was over soon, Godai decided not to question it.
Neuro walked away through the crowd. His usual blue suit had been replaced by a black tuxedo; he kept his eyes dim and wore a mask that gave them a violet tint. His golden clips were absent, his hair was brushed back and was completely blond.
Neuro spotted Kanae and walked over. If he left someone with Higuchi while he got away with Yako, that would delay his pursuit, at least until the lights came on. He couldn't keep the lights off for too long or people would start going out in search of he moonlight outside, humans generally disliked darkness. "Miss Kanae?"
"Yes, how do you know my name?" It wasn't every day that Kanae saw such a handsome man, let alone one who mysteriously knew her.
"I know you're Yako's friend," Neuro decided to leave a little clue, not that he expected humans to catch on to him any time soon. "Would you like to dance?"
"I would love to," Kanae agreed, while searching her memories for the man's identity with Yako as her only clue.
When Neuro and Kanae were close to where Higuchi and Yako were dancing, Godai turned off the lights. In the middle of the confusion, startled yelps and complaints, Neuro switched the two girls and led Yako away.
xoxox xox xoxox
"There's a full moon so there's some light out here," once outside, Yako noticed that the man that led her there was not Higuchi. "Um... it looks like there was some confusion."
"Not at all, Yako," Neuro smiled, teeth perfectly disguised to look human.
"How come you know my name? Who are you?" There was something very familiar about this man, but Yako couldn't quite place it.
To be Continued
Disclaimer, I don't own Majin Tantei Nogami Neuro.