Chapter 135: Taking the Initiative to Uncap
"What kind of way?"
Himeno couldn't help but ask immediately.
Although Aki hadn't used the Curse Devil's power since joining Tokyo Public Safety—as he was currently still in Captain Kishibe's special training period—Aki had told her that using that power would snatch away a massive portion of his lifespan. Knowing Aki's personality, if they encountered a devil they couldn't handle, she knew she wouldn't be able to stop him from using it. Therefore, she was desperate to know: what could Otonashi-kun possibly do?
"I'm sorry, it's not convenient to reveal the specifics. Besides, it's a method I'd only use as a final resort," Chiya said, shaking his head slightly.
He didn't know Edo Tensei or Rinne Tensei; while he couldn't rule out the possibility of buying them from the System Shop later, talking about it now was just empty words. His actual "way" was the Hybrid transformation experiment.
Given how compliant the Soviet military brass were toward him now, demanding they perform the Hybrid surgery on Hayakawa Aki wouldn't be difficult. Once Aki became a Hybrid, he would be essentially immortal. Hybrids have no concept of a "lifespan," and their appearance remains frozen at the moment of transformation.
While his previous devil contracts would become void after becoming a Hybrid, very few devil powers were stronger than the innate abilities of a Hybrid anyway. The biggest issue was that Chiya wasn't certain about the success rate of the experiment; he'd have to ask the Soviet brass about that later. Furthermore, he had to consider Aki's own wishes—not everyone is willing to let a devil's heart merge with their body. Aki might only agree when his life is truly at its end and he has family he can't bear to leave behind.
"Alright. If it really comes to a point of no return, I'll have to rely on you to find a way, Otonashi-kun!" Himeno requested with utmost sincerity.
"No problem," Chiya nodded.
The next day, Chiya accompanied Aki and Himeno to a cemetery in Hokkaido to officially begin the memorial. A significant portion of this vast graveyard was filled with victims of the Gun Devil disaster—including Aki's parents and younger brother.
Flowers were laid, offerings placed, and eyes closed in prayer...
Aki remained silent throughout the entire process, but the unwavering determination in his eyes showed that his goal of revenge against the Gun Devil had not shaken in the least. Noticing this look, Chiya knew he could only wait for time to settle things. Telling Aki the truth about the Gun Devil right now wouldn't be a wise move.
Once the visit was over, they followed their original itinerary and took the train back to Tokyo Public Safety. They were now standing in front of the Public Safety Headquarters.
"Thank you very much for being willing to accompany us to the graves," Aki said, expressing his gratitude once more as they prepared to part ways.
"Otonashi-kun, you'll probably be heading back to the Soviet Union soon, right?" Himeno asked.
"Mhm..." Chiya smiled slightly but didn't elaborate.
He didn't feel the need to give them a formal goodbye. Even after the International Transfer, regardless of which country he worked for, he could return whenever he wanted—though he expected it wouldn't be very often.
"Master~!"
Just then, Reze's voice called out from not far behind them. Chiya turned around to see her approaching.
"My intuition is sharp, isn't it? I knew Master would be back at this time."
"..." Chiya smiled without speaking.
He had spotted Reze while he was still on the train, and she had glanced toward the window; he knew then that she had noticed him.
"Master? Who? Is she talking about Otonashi-kun?" Himeno asked, confused.
"Yes. Her name is Reze. She's the newcomer I was responsible for training while working in the Soviet Union," Chiya introduced her to Himeno and Aki.
"Mmm~"
Reze hummed softly, her eyes flickering over Hayakawa Aki and Himeno with a hint of playfulness.
From Otonashi Chiya's words, she could tell he had no intention of revealing the messy details involving the Soviet military and the Japanese Cabinet to these two. Thus, she played along, saying, "That's right! I'm the disciple who loves Master Otonashi the most, most, most!"
"Whoa! Miss Reze expresses her love that directly?"
Himeno's eyes lit up with excitement. "I didn't think Otonashi-kun would find a little girlfriend in the Soviet Union so quickly! And such a pretty and cute one at that."
"Congratulations, Otonashi," Aki added with a serious nod.
"..."
Chiya was speechless. "You've misunderstood. This girl is usually quite mischievous and often says whatever comes to her mind. Honestly, this is just her acting; she's just trying to tease me."
"Oh? Is that so..." Himeno felt a bit surprised. If what Chiya said was true, then Miss Reze's acting skills were incredible—she couldn't see through them at all.
Aki, however, fully believed Chiya. "It sounds like you have a hard time, Otonashi."
"I do," Chiya replied, unable to deny it.
"Eh? Why is Master like this? I'm clearly very well-behaved." Reze looked quite aggrieved. Chiya simply ignored her performance.
"By the way, Miss Reze, your Japanese is excellent," Himeno couldn't help but marvel.
"You flatter me. I just spent a long time studying it specifically," Reze replied modestly.
Just then, Shingetsu appeared. Her tone was laced with clear annoyance. "Reze, you dumped everything on me just so you could run off to find Otonashi Chiya by yourself?"
Shingetsu was carrying several large bags in both hands. Unlike Reze, who had already changed into a beautiful dress, she was still wearing the military uniform and cap from her time at the Leningrad Military Department. Earlier, when Reze spotted Chiya on the train, she had shoved all the shopping bags into Shingetsu's arms and sprinted after him.
"Oh? Another acquaintance of Otonashi-kun?" Himeno asked curiously. Though she couldn't understand what this handsome young man was saying, he was clearly a close associate of Chiya and Reze.
"Yeah. She was my partner while working in the Soviet Union and the strongest Devil Hunter in the Leningrad Military. Her name is Shingetsu," Chiya introduced.
"She?"
Himeno immediately picked up on the specific detail. "Isn't this a guy? Though he's prettier than most girls... could she actually be a woman?"
"..."
Chiya realized he had accidentally let it slip, as the Japanese words for "he" and "she" are pronounced differently. He wasn't sure if Shingetsu would mind him revealing her true gender to others, so he didn't answer immediately.
He quickly turned to Shingetsu. "Shingetsu, I accidentally let it slip. If you don't want others to know you're a girl, I can explain it away."
However, Shingetsu didn't say a word. Instead, she took the initiative and removed her military cap. Her smooth, long hair instantly cascaded down her shoulders, transforming her into a stunning, long-haired beauty. It seemed to be a deliberate move directed at Himeno, the new woman on the scene.