Next morning, early.
"Public Safety received a devil-extermination commission."
"A devil was sighted inside a hotel. Guests' status unknown. Several civilian devil hunters died trying to exterminate it. That devil likely swallowed a piece of [Gun]."
Recalling Ms. Makima's briefing before the operation, Su Tang halted and looked up at the building before him.
"The devil is lurking somewhere in this hotel."
Holding a piece of [Gun] meat, Aki Hayakawa said gravely, "And it's no ordinary devil."
Su Tang knew what he meant.
Gun meat attracts itself; judging from the wobble of this piece, the devil inside had indeed swallowed some.
He turned to the team this time.
All familiar faces.
Aki as captain; he himself as temp vice; aside from Denji-ko and Power, there were the two rookies he'd seen at the Bat Devil incident: Higashiyama Kobeni and Arai Hirokazu.
"Where's Himeno-senpai? Why… isn't she here?" Arai had been holding that question the whole way—face red—only to blurt it at last, standing straight.
Su Tang glanced at him. This upright kid had a crush on Himeno, huh.
Pity Himeno had a crush on Aki.
And Aki…
From days of observation, even this ever-serious man had someone he harbored feelings for.
No… more like extreme reverence—beyond clear lines.
Yes—his direct superior—Makima.
By Aki's account, Ms. Makima had saved his life; the rest of his life would be spent on two things: killing devils for revenge and supporting Ms. Makima with all his might.
He admired the guy's courage. Pity—wrong target.
From what he'd learned, his partner was a domineering big sister with a need for control; more than loyal knights, she needed obedient dogs. Aki, at present, lacked the purity to attain "dog."
"Himeno-senpai was sent to handle follow-up from the attack two nights ago. This time, the six of us go together." Aki turned and said to the others:
"This is our division's off-roll member and designated partner psychologist, Mr. Su Tang. You've met."
"Sir!" Arai straightened and called loudly to Su Tang. "Senpai!"
Full of spirit.
Smiling, Su Tang nodded back, then looked at Higashiyama Kobeni beside him.
Still timid as before—shivering all the way. She didn't dare take point or anchor the rear, forever squeezed into the middle, stopping and starting.
Strictly speaking, that temperament isn't fit for a hunter. But he'd read her file. Forced by her parents; college-aged but working to pay tuition for older siblings.
Back then she had two choices: the sex trade—or devil hunting.
"G-good… morning, senpai…" Kobeni ducked her head, fingers twisting.
"Hahahaha! What are you saying! This guy joined Public Safety later than you did." Power had been holding back a laugh; seeing this, she couldn't resist. Slapping her chest (pads?), she declared:
"Why don't you call me senpai too? Then I outrank this detestable human brat!"
The "human brat" jabbed a thumb at Denji-ko.
Looking up from a book, Denji-ko curled her lip. "Mouthy loser—you can't beat me at groin-kicking or biting, and you want to outrank me? Keep daydreaming."
"Aaaaah! Damn it! Only because you cheated! Yes—cheated! You… you got a buff from that Su Tang guy! How could Yours Truly end up with you riding my face!"
Power swung her fists and ranted.
"A buff?" Aki turned, curious.
Crap!
If you can't talk, Power, then don't talk!
With a glare telling her to shut it, Su Tang laughed and covered, "She… learned to game these two days. Picked up a new word and used it everywhere. Fiends—you know how they are."
"What's wrong with fiends! Do fiends eat your rice!" Power's eyes bulged. She started to retort—then remembered she did eat Su Tang's rice. So she hemmed and hawed and changed the subject. "I don't care! Unless you let Yours Truly touch too!"
"Heh, crappy woman, give it up. I earned the right from Mr. Su Tang by completing a task!" Denji-ko huffed with pride.
If she'd stayed quiet, fine. Speaking obviously provoked Power.
The cross-pupiled woman whipped her head like mad, raging: "Unfair! Human brat can touch—but Yours Truly can't?! I'll even let you stab me again and—mff… mfff mfff!"
Su Tang's eyelid twitched; he exhaled in relief.
Good thing he sensed it in time and had Shadow Ninjas cover her mouth—otherwise he'd be branded a degenerate after today.
"Uh… Brother Su Tang." Aki suddenly remembered Himeno's mysterious chatter at his place that night—two fiends and a human; long spear and chainsaw nose to nose… He hadn't believed it—thought it a pretext to stay over. Now…
He sighed and shook his head. "You're a doctor; I can't lecture you. But you should know more than me—still… show restraint."
Fiends have infinite stamina.
Blood restores them.
Even if Su Tang had kidneys for a body—how long could he last.
Su Tang opened his mouth.
He glanced at worried Aki; at shell-shocked Arai; at trembling Kobeni who avoided his gaze. He rubbed his brow.
Great. Now they all thought he was some pervert.
He struggled to explain, "Power ate something bad that day, so I… uh. Right—she doesn't flush, so I made her unclog the drain by force."
He said it righteously—as if it were true.
It was true—Power really didn't flush.
They looked from his face to Power—pinned by four or five Shadow Ninjas.
Fiend or human—who to believe hardly needed saying.
"Senpai Su Tang! I'm sorry!" Arai blushed and bowed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you so much for reading until the end.
If you'd like to read more, you can Joining to my Patreon.
My Patreon:
patreon.com/Hydran_Tea
Chainsaw Man: The Covenant of Flame Demon [Ss2 133 Chapter ]
Uma Musume: Wait—you want me to pop my Christmas Hat Ultimate? [Ss2 123 Chapter ]
Honkai star rail:Invincible From the Moment I Started Playing as Jing Yuan [ 56 Chapter ]