Perhaps too tired—or malnourished—Denji-ko slept the whole way and hadn't woken.
Standing beside Su Tang, Makima murmured, "She should be up soon. I left a set of new Public Safety uniform for her in the car; I imagine she'll see it when she wakes."
Mention of uniforms made Su Tang reflexively glance at Makima.
He was still wearing Makima's trench coat. After the bumpy ride, the body heat and scent that had belonged to Makima were entirely his now.
He wanted to return it, but they couldn't go back to the clinic yet. If he didn't want to look like some exhibitionist pervert, he had to keep wearing it for now.
But on hearing her say "new uniform," his eyes brightened. "Do you have another of those Public Safety outfits? Or any other new clothes? I can pay for them—just deduct it from Power's debt."
Tilting her head at him, Makima shook her head. "Only Public Safety personnel can wear Public Safety uniforms. Mr. Su Tang hasn't joined Public Safety yet; I can't make that call. But… why the sudden urge to change? Is my trench coat uncomfortable?"
Can't make that call? Didn't you just leave a new uniform for Denji-ko?
So you've already decided Denji-ko will agree to join Public Safety?
Which, granted, was highly likely.
He looked back toward the car and saw a figure outline gently shifting.
Turning back, he answered her question: "No, it's not uncomfortable. It's just that wearing only a trench coat with nothing inside feels a bit weird…"
It really did. The material wasn't as comfortable as a shirt; once you moved, it would chafe the two… a bit itchy, a bit sore.
"Mm…" Makima nodded lightly, signaling she understood. Then she smiled. "That's my oversight. In that case, let's head up quickly. I have a white shirt in my office I just changed out of yesterday—hasn't been washed. If you don't mind, you can wear it for now."
He didn't mind. While he liked cleanliness, he wasn't a neat freak.
With more and more Public Safety staff arriving to start their shifts, sneaking glances at him and Makima with the urge to gossip but not daring to, he nodded at once.
Staying here would only get more awkward!
"What about Denji-ko?" He glanced at the car again.
"I've already notified Himeno. She'll handle the follow-up." Makima paused, as if sensing his concern, and smiled. "Don't worry. Himeno is Hayakawa's senior—a very reliable operator."
The mention of Hayakawa made him think of the man's "male-mom" image.
If she was Hayakawa Aki's senior, it should be fine.
—
Standing before the window of her office, hands clasped behind her back, Makima quietly watched the scene outside.
The breeze teased the fringe at her brow; under those long lashes, the golden irises were unruffled, as if she were thinking.
Hearing movement behind, she turned, and the smile returned to her face:
"How is it? Fits?"
Feeling the fabric of the thin white shirt against his skin, Su Tang nodded.
The material was comfortable. And though Makima had said it was the old shirt she'd changed out of and hadn't washed, there was no smell—only a faint, inexplicable fragrance, something like body wash.
Most importantly, it was a long cut. It hung just right to cover his waist. He just had to hitch his pants up a bit.
"Thank you," he said sincerely.
For a doctor, a good reputation was very important. After all, no one would see a psychotic for psychological issues—just as no one would see a bald doctor for hair loss.
Seated again behind her desk, Makima smiled. "More good news. Himeno texted: Denji-ko is awake and has decided to join Public Safety."
A double blessing.
Dragging a chair over, Su Tang sat opposite Makima, feeling happy for Denji-ko.
The kid would have a livelihood now; with combat ability that strong, her safety shouldn't be too big a problem.
For other sixteen-year-olds, joining Public Safety wasn't an ideal path; but unless Denji-ko never transformed again, or hid forever in the deep mountains, Public Safety was truly her best option.
Fingers interlaced on the desk, Makima looked at Su Tang. "Then shall we talk about Power now?"
"Of course." His expression grew solemn. The earlier chatter could count as friendly exchanges, but this was the creditor of a debt speaking to the chief of Division 4 about official business—he couldn't be as casual.
"Mm." Makima nodded. "After tallying, Power's personal mistake in the line of duty caused Mr. Su Tang a loss of five million, two hundred thirty thousand, and forty yen. As per routine, Public Safety will compensate half; the remaining two million, six hundred seventeen thousand yen will be repaid by Power personally. Any problem?"
"No problem." He nodded.
"Good. Based on Power's unique value as a 'fiend,' she will need to work at your clinic half a year to complete repayment. But since she can only go on her days off, the time doubles to one year. Acceptable?"
"Acceptable." Su Tang was easy about it.
In fact, after meeting Reze, his demand for Power had dropped. As storefront sign girls, the two weren't comparable at all.
Still, a unique labor resource—might as well use it.
In a mere three minutes, poor Power had signed a deed of sale in their mouths. And since Power wasn't human, she didn't possess full human rights; in theory, whatever Su Tang asked her to do, she would do.
"Pleasure working together." Having said that, Makima shed her serious aura and, propping her chin languidly, tilted her head. "As for tips on handling Power… her horns will congest, she doesn't like vegetables, and she's very afraid of…"
They were getting to the essence.
Su Tang was about to commit it all to memory when a voice rang out in the corridor—loud and instantly recognizable:
"What? I still have to go on patrol today? Damn humans, squeezing me dry every day!"
"Not good, Power's here." Makima glanced at Su Tang, troubled. "If she heard what I just said, it would be hard for you two to get along later."
"So you can't let her see you, or she'll get suspicious."
As she spoke, a brilliant idea clearly struck her. She quickly drew back her chair. "Mr. Su Tang, hide under my desk for a bit."
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