Chapter 6
"Mm~"
After a long, lingering kiss, threads of saliva stretched and snapped between them…
Denji still hadn't answered her earlier question, yet Makima acted as if she already knew everything. A faint, knowing smile curved her lips as she murmured:
"I really like your scent~"
The words sounded almost affectionate. Denji didn't buy it for a second.
He'd savored every sweet second of the kiss—and now his expression was utterly relaxed, casual, almost lazy...
Makima's gentle, smiling face didn't waver in the slightest at his nonchalance. She simply continued, unfazed:
"You did all this here, didn't you?"
It was phrased as a question, but her tone carried unshakable certainty.
Denji didn't reply. He just watched her—seemingly blank, yet hiding depths of thought.
Makima went on:
"My name is Makima. I'm here to—"
"Denji."
Hearing him finally speak, Makima's smile deepened a fraction. Interrupted or not, she didn't mind. She continued smoothly:
"I'm here to handle the Zombie Devil. I'm a Public Safety Devil Hunter.
You have two choices right now: Die as an outsider—for interfering with and obstructing Public Safety duties— or join Public Safety as my… subordinate to atone."
Her expression remained soft and warm, but the voice beneath carried absolute, chilling killing intent—enough to freeze most people.
Denji scratched his head in mock thought, then suddenly clamped a hand over his mouth in an exaggerated gag.
He cracked his fingers open just enough to slip the other hand inside, fishing around dramatically.
"Blegh~"
The two subordinates grimaced in disgust as Denji pulled out a bright red fruit from his mouth.
Their faces twisted in a mix of horror and confusion that words couldn't capture.
"Is this a tomato or a 西紅柿?"
Denji asked Makima point-blank.
Almost the instant the question left his lips, she answered:
"This should be a devil's fruit, right~?"
With perfect composure, she plucked the vivid, flawless fruit from his fingers.
She lifted it close, inhaled lightly, then brought it to her lips. Parting them slightly, she let the red orb slide in—squeezed gently between soft pressure.
Her pale cheek bulged faintly as she chewed delicately, savoring. Her graceful swan-like neck rose and fell with a swallow.
Resting her chin on her hand in a thoughtful pose, Makima said:
"Hm~ Looks like I got it wrong. It's just an ordinary tomato."
Seeing her performance, Denji finally gave in—from the heart.
"Fine, I'll join.
But—when I join Public Safety… does headquarters assign wives?"
"No assignment. But if Denji-kun performs well… I wouldn't mind letting you become my— pet~"
Denji's hopeful expression deflated instantly.
"Never mind then. Guess I'll have to find my own wife the hard way…"
Makima's golden-ringed eyes narrowed ever so slightly. She wasn't used to rejection~
But if it's you…
…
The ride back was silent.
On the way to Tokyo, Denji hitched a ride with Makima's group.
Her two subordinates sat up front; Makima and Denji shared the back seat.
With the first troublesome clash behind them, Denji finally checked the rewards from Devouring the Zombie Devil:
Zombie Serum: Moderately infectious. Can convert living beings into zombies. Once converted, you gain absolute control over them. (Quality scales with fear obtained from the host; max potential: "Probability World-End" level.)(Current: "Normal")
Evolution Serum: Single-use per individual. Grants evolution to the target. If used on another being, you gain a special link to them. (Quality scales with fear obtained from the host; user cap: "Beyond-Perfect Infinite Possibility"; others cap: "Near-Perfect".)(Current: "Ordinary")
Both are essentially two sides of a unique alchemical ability—split for easier understanding. Exceptional growth potential and utility. Denji was pretty satisfied.
Gurgle~ Gurgle~
His stomach let out an embarrassing rumble.
Makima glanced toward the source.
Denji stated bluntly:
"My stomach says it's hungry. There's a service area nearby—let's stop there."
The front two didn't react.
Until Makima spoke kindly:
"We haven't eaten since morning either. Let's grab something quick at the service area."
The subordinates sprang into action—co-pilot checking the map, driver adjusting the route.
Makima eyed Denji's beggar-level outfit and said:
"Tell me what you want. My treat."
"Mm."
Denji slumped against the seat, nodding weakly, then added:
"Anything edible's fine."
The conversation seemed over.
But then, almost too quietly, he muttered:
"Kinda want something you made."
Makima didn't know why he'd said it, but she replied formulaically:
"If there's a chance, I'll let you try some~"
"Ha~"
Denji let out a soft, unreadable chuckle…
At the service area, Denji and Makima walked together to a noodle stall window and ordered two curry udon sets with sides.
They'd barely sat down at the counter when a bloodied, disheveled man stumbled out from a side path in the woods. Spotting people, he ran toward them shouting:
"Help—help…! Help me!"
Makima pulled out her Public Safety badge, showed it, and asked calmly:
"I'm a Public Safety Devil Hunter. What happened?"
"A d-devil… it took my daughter! Dragged her into the forest!!
Please… please save my daughter!"
Makima's subordinates hurried over upon noticing the commotion.
Normally, handling civilians like this was their job.
The stall owner seemed used to such scenes—he just kept working, focused on the orders.
"Hey—curry udon's ready~"
"Ah… that's mine."
My noodles are done. Makima rested her chin on her hand in thought for a moment.
Then she crossed her arms, looked at Denji, and said:
"Denji… udon gets soggy if it sits. So that devil's your problem now."
"I'm not officially hired yet~"
"Doesn't matter."
"Hah? That's what you're going with?"
Makima tilted her head innocently, meeting his eyes as if to say Isn't it obvious~?
Denji wasn't falling for it—at least not her version.
Under her gaze, he reached out, pinched her soft, delicate chin with his thumb, pressing just enough to feel the warm indentation.
"I'll handle the job for you. But you'll owe me one date—and you pay."
"…"
Makima's eyes locked with his again. She searched for something—anything—in those pure red pupils, but found nothing she could read.
Silence stretched… or maybe it was only a heartbeat.
When she gave the tiniest, almost imperceptible nod of agreement, Denji grinned in satisfaction.
Then he turned and headed straight toward the direction the man had pointed—into the forest.