The senior colleagues exchanged complicated glances. They had been with Public Safety for years, unlike Cael with his reckless nonchalance, or the timid newcomer Akai, who avoided confrontation at all costs.
Their position was awkward, caught in the middle with no clear way up or down. Their only choice was to participate in the subjugation mission.
But if mere gangs and a few dozen pistols could throw Tokyo's Devil Hunters into chaos, how could they possibly face the Gun Devil in its full form?
The so-called Gun Devil expedition was, in simple terms, a suicide mission.
Yasuda Yuzuki, unusually pensive, lit a cigarette. "If we manage to kill that Gun bastard, we could finally live a good life. When that time comes, I want to return to my hometown and get married. My childhood friend's had a crush on me forever."
"Is that so, Ms. Yasuda? You must send me an invitation," Makima said coolly, her expression untouched.
"Will Miss Makima also join the subjugation mission?" Mr. Fu asked, a trace of melancholy in his eyes, the lines on his face deepening.
"Of course. It's my duty as a Devil Hunter under the Cabinet," Makima replied, though her mind seemed elsewhere. The expedition wasn't what occupied her thoughts. It was only a ruse, meant to ignite a War to seize flesh.
But War or no War, Makima's concern was singular: Pochita.
Previously, the reason she adopted Pochita was to keep it safe from Sawatari Akane's gang. Now, with the gang neutralized, Cael could easily take Pochita back. Killing him was an option, but Pochita liked Cael, even sharing its power with him. If she killed him, Pochita would hate her—and being hated by her idol was unbearable.
The ideal approach was control.
Makima had the ability to control beings who saw themselves as weaker than her. Using the Control Devil's power, she could make Cael willingly distance himself from Pochita without arousing suspicion.
But then another problem emerged: Makima couldn't understand Cael. She could not discern the principles behind his strange Black Hole Power, nor which Devil he had contracted.
She had overheard him mention the 'Blackbeard Devil.' But according to all her informants, no such Devil existed. A being with that power would surely have a fearsome name—not Blackbeard. Clearly, it was a ruse to deceive the War Devil, a simple-minded adversary.
Not only was Cael's contracted Devil mysterious, his physical state was unusual. Each time they met, he seemed stronger than before, leaving Makima both intrigued and cautious.
Apart from work, Cael spent time with the War Devil. Their relationship was changing… evolving. Could love make someone stronger? No. That was unlikely. It had to be a different mechanism.
After battling Devils, Cael grew stronger. Especially after killing zombies, his aura shifted, unrecognizable from when she first met him.
Could he, like her, control the weak? She had never made a contract with him, and their powers manifested differently. Every thought of Cael threw her mind into chaos. Rationality, usually her advantage, now felt like a limitation.
If only she could be as confident as Asa or Yoru, thinking, 'I am stronger than you!' she could have controlled Cael long ago.
"Miss Makima, I'll take the drunk person home first, please excuse me," Mr. Fu said, helping the completely inebriated Himeno to her feet.
After Makima explained the Gun Devil subjugation, the room's energy deflated, the previous enthusiasm for food and drink evaporating.
"All expenses tonight are on me," Makima reminded. "Leave without worry."
Power helped the tipsy Hayakawa Aki, following behind Mr. Fu. "Hey, you up front. I want to drive. Can I try?"
"You don't have a driver's license," Mr. Fu said.
"A driver's license? I had one when I was three," Power shot back.
As Kobeni left, she bowed timidly to Makima. "Miss Makima, thank you for tonight. The food was delicious, the drinks perfect."
If it weren't for the terrifying words that followed, it could have been the perfect dinner. Perhaps Kobeni didn't just like good food—she liked anything free.
"As long as Akai enjoyed herself," Makima said with a sweet smile.
One by one, everyone left. Soon, only Cael, Pochita, and Makima remained.
Makima raised an eyebrow at Cael. Why wasn't he leaving? Just sitting there idly?
"Want one?" she offered, pulling a crumpled Chupa Chups lollipop from her pocket.
Cael took it. He didn't smoke, rarely drank, and only sampled alcohol lightly to avoid Asa inhaling fumes.
"This is good," he said, unwrapping the lollipop. "Strawberry. Sweet."
Makima tilted her head slightly. "Mine's chocolate. Want to swap?"
"Can't. That'd be an indirect kiss," Cael said with a wry smile.
"Oh," Makima replied, unfazed. "Everyone else has left. Why aren't you going?"
"Waiting for you," Cael said, spreading his hands.
"Me?"
"You've had too much to drink to drive. I'm headed that way anyway, so I'll give you a ride home."
"I can take a taxi."
"No need. I've already paid," Cael said.
Makima's expression flickered subtly. "I'm not short on money."
Cael smiled faintly. "Consider it living expenses for taking care of Pochita. You've worked hard, Makima."
Her eyes dimmed slightly. Of course—he paid. This was a prelude to taking Pochita.
"Woof," Pochita barked, signaling Cael privately.
"Uh, Pochita wants to go outside," Cael said, making a casual excuse as he walked toward the street, holding the little devil.
"But there's a restroom in the store," Makima said.
"This..." Cael hesitated, embarrassed. "Pochita prefers a lamppost…"
Makima: "…"
Cael left the izakaya and squatted under a nearby lamppost.
"Here, Pochita, what do you want—"
VROOM!
The chainsaw atop Pochita's head roared violently, interrupting him.
"Pochita?" Cael frowned. Did it suddenly want to cut the lamppost down?
"Chainsaw buzzing, prevents Makima from eavesdropping," Pochita said, audible only to Cael.
Suddenly, he understood. "Oh… what do you want to say?"
Pochita nodded. "I want to ask Cael… Makima… do you want her?"
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