"What is it? What were you talking about?"
With the last dish set down, Su Tang noticed both girls were acting mysteriously—each minding her own business without a word.
"Hmph, who knows what schemes a crafty human is plotting." Power stretched for the pork knuckle in his hand. "But I do know—it's time to eat!"
Smack.
Crisp and clean.
He slapped her hand back. "Wash your hands before you eat. And get your leg off the table."
"Hah? Human? You're ordering me around?" Power's eyes went wide, ready to argue. "What right do you have to deprive me of my right to meat?!"
What does that have to do with anything?
He gave her a look—humans really couldn't parse a fiend's thought circuits.
He set the pork knuckle before Denji-ko and said deliberately, raising his voice, "A fiend worse than a human girl at hygiene only deserves a human girl's leftovers."
A simple goad, but for the simple-minded (or missing a screw), it worked wonders.
Power slapped the table, dropped her leg, and huffed, "Don't think my IQ's low enough not to hear who you mean! Hmph—wait till I wash my hands, and you'll see who's worse than who!"
She kicked her chair back and marched to the restroom, chin high—yet kept peeking back to make sure the knuckle wasn't stolen.
He smiled.
Division 4's fiends and devils were easy to get along with—much simpler than humans.
In discussing the new partnership, Makima had asked whether he wanted to re-sign Power's indenture. He refused. As compensation, Public Safety would shoulder more of the clinic's build-out.
Thankfully, with his leftover funds plus Valon's bonus, he barely made up his share.
He looked down at Denji-ko.
Oddly, after a single trip to the kitchen—less than thirty seconds—the lively, excited Denji-ko had gone vacant, staring off.
"Something happen?"
He asked softly.
The girl jolted like she'd been spooked.
She turned, cheeks flushing, eyes evasive. "No… nothing…"
He nodded, not chasing. Psychological guidance is a long haul—not a matter of push hard, win fast.
The urgent thing was dinner. Neither of them had eaten since morning. He'd been running all day; they'd just come out of review.
Power came hustling back, flicking water off her hands.
She plopped down and fixed on the pork knuckle. "You two didn't sneak any while I was gone, right?"
"Relax, no one's stealing your share."
He smiled and put the knuckle in the middle.
Power started to drag the whole plate to herself, then glanced at him, pouted, and settled for one piece.
"I'm taking the biggest!"
She raised it high like a victorious general.
"What about you, Denji-ko?"
He looked right.
"Ah… ah?" Denji-ko was absent. "A-any will do…"
"Che. Human kids are such a pain. It's just one promise." Feeding Meowy a bite, Power lifted her head, glanced at Denji-ko, and laughed. "I'll grab you the smallest!"
"Promise? What promise?"
He had a feeling this was why Denji-ko was out of it.
"Wait—"
Denji-ko scrambled to speak—but Power beat her to it.
"Oh. That 'agree to any one condition' you said—remember?"
He nodded.
It had been days. He'd wondered whether Power had forgotten. Then Power continued:
"I made a deal with Denji-ko. She'd help me… rescue Meowy, and I'd give her the chance to use that promise. Now she's probably agonizing over how to spend it. Tsk—what's to agonize over?"
Power shook her head and tore into meat.
Er…
So the "agreement" Denji-ko mentioned this morning was that.
He almost laughed—who knew a little exchange to keep Power from yelling would stretch so far.
He turned to Denji-ko and found her looking at him, face anxious.
"M-Mr. Su Tang… can I… use it?"
Ah—afraid he'd say no.
After all, it had been made with Power, even if Power had given it to her.
He smiled and nodded. "Of course. As everyone knows, I never li— never break my word. Ask away."
Too smooth—he'd nearly recited the Holy Lord's motto.
"Hee-hee…" Reassured, Denji-ko seemed to recall something, a certain (perv?) look on her face. Then she shot a wary glance at Power and said to Su Tang, "Sir! Let's talk in your room later! Don't let her see!"
"…All right."
He couldn't help but be amused at her little-girl hoarding face.
"Tch. Who cares."
Power kept eating, grumbling around a mouthful.
Gulp.
Denji-ko swallowed.
It was late afternoon, close to dusk. Fire-clouds rolled across the sky. She couldn't tell if her blush came from nerves and excitement, or the evening glow through the glass.
"Can you tell me your request now?"
Su Tang smiled.
The girl had made a whole production—locking doors, closing windows.
He almost thought she was about to negotiate drugs or poison.
Then her trembling voice:
"M-Mr. Su Tang…"
"I kept thinking—you have a pair of pecs, and I just happen to have a pair of hands. How can there be such a coincidence in the world?"
"So…"
"Can I touch your chest muscles?!"
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