Su Tang's voice isn't loud. He even says it with a light laugh.
But Makima listens intently.
She sits quietly, props her cheek quietly, and looks at Su Tang quietly.
"Eh? What is it?" Her gaze makes him uneasy. He touches his cheek. "Do I have something on my face?"
"No."
Makima's lips curve. Her long lashes tremble faintly with her breathing:
"It's just that Su Tang-kun is very good-looking, so I can't help but look a little longer."
Such a flirt?
Su Tang lifts a brow, returns a polite smile, and jokes, "Thanks. But I don't think I'm on Miss Makima's level of good-looking—where people can't bear to look, afraid they'll melt."
A bit oily—but just joking.
He knows she won't mind.
Ask any Division 4 member—or anyone who's met Makima—what they think first, and it's always: she's working, or talking work, talking big matters, talking the future… in short, not sighing about spring, not lamenting love.
Much less flirting.
That's why, when some in Public Safety see Makima interacting with him, they want to gossip but don't dare.
The idea is simply too bizarre.
"All right, we'll leave changing the world to later. I look forward to that day with you."
Makima lowers her eyes, then gathers her smile and returns to calm composure.
Fingers interlaced and propped under her chin, she says, "For now, let's continue. In truth, the damage to Tokyo Public Safety is far worse than the casualty sheet—public trust and staff confidence are both serious issues."
"If residents stop seeing Public Safety as their umbrella, then when a new devil appears, its strength will surely rise with their fear—and that in turn will cause more casualties for our hunters, a vicious circle."
"And the second issue…"
She stops.
She looks to Su Tang. "Do you know the only two endings for Public Safety hunters?"
"Death and… resignation."
He answers.
His voice wanes—because he suddenly thinks of Aki.
If Aki doesn't choose the Kyoto duo's "retirement counseling"…
There's only one end.
"Yes. Death and resignation."
Makima nods. "After the shooting, many survivors handed in resignations—not a small fraction. Many who remain are wavering—afraid and unsettled."
True enough.
From what Su Tang's seen these two days, it's worse.
Partners gone, colleagues dead, a sudden attack, trust collapsed…
Many are at the brink—like a black gun could be lifted in a black place at any time.
Thankfully, Makima returned in time—gave them a temporary pill of reassurance.
Without her, Division 4… might truly have scattered.
"The highest-ranking resignation is a division chief." She pauses. "And one of those who submitted a resignation is someone you know."
She picks up a letter weighted under a book and hands it over.
"Someone I know… Kobeni?"
He takes the envelope and sees the signature at a glance.
—Kobeni Higashiyama.
He's surprised. But when the girl's sweat- and tear-streaked face flashes in his mind, he understands.
"Her partner on this operation, Hirokazu Arai, died to bullets. After that she failed to arrive in time and the shooters escaped…"
"Fear and guilt drove this resignation."
Makima says softly.
Unexpected… and yet, reasonable.
Su Tang looks at the paper in his hand and blinks. "So giving this to me means…"
"I haven't approved it. Kobeni still counts as Public Safety staff."
Makima props her chin with one hand, sets her other arm on the desk, and smiles. "So I want to, as a collaborator, invite Su Tang-kun to give Division 4 staffer Kobeni Higashiyama a psychological counseling session."
Eh? That's the matter?
Su Tang nods. "Of course—that is my job. But… I won't force Kobeni to abandon the idea of resigning."
"That's fine. Just do what you do." Makima smiles. "Your… guidance with Denji, Power, and the Angel Devil has been plain for all to see. Your ability is recognized by Division 4."
Hey—you were about to say "training," weren't you!
He sighs and can't be bothered to quibble over a single word. He shakes his head. "I'm not that great… And Kobeni is human—an adult—with her own hobbies and thoughts. Her temperament isn't suited to…"
"Whether it is or not—declaring that rashly seems ill-suited, doesn't it?"
Makima's smile holds—and her eyes almost speak. "How about this. Just do your counseling. At most, when you finish, carry a message for me."
"What message?"
"The half-year bonus is almost out. And there will be extra bonuses for this big operation."
"…"
He opens his mouth—then smiles helplessly and nods.
"Okay. I'll deliver it. By the way, by 'big operation' you mean…"
"The first task of the new Division 4." Makima answers. "Find the shooters and annihilate them."
"We estimate action in about a week. Before then, I'll run special training for some members to increase their combat power and survivability."
"Training?"
Interest shows on his face.
"Mm. I invited an expert from Kyoto." Makima nods. "Kishibe, of Special Division 1, will temporarily serve as Division 4's captain. Those to be trained—are Denji and Power."
His smile freezes.
"Denji and Power…?"
He repeats, frowning. "They… I mean, is this training necessary? It'll disrupt my guidance… You know, one just became a fiend—green and ignorant; the other is still a minor…"
"Su Tang-kun."
She cuts off his confusion.
She watches his worried face. Quietly: "This is war."
"…"
He falls silent.
"When I entrusted Denji and Power to you, you weren't this unsettled. Has the time with them changed you, Su Tang-kun?"
She murmurs.
"Maybe… but if it were anyone—say, if Miss Makima were sixteen, and I happened to be your guardian—I wouldn't let you do this either."
He shakes his head.
Makima startles.
But she soon smiles again.
"All right, then perhaps you misunderstand. Captain Kishibe is Public Safety's strongest hunter. He's trained many in Division 4. Tomorrow, when he arrives, I'll have you take Denji and Power to meet him yourself."
She writes a phone number and passes it. "But I suggest you calm down and think. With their current levels, even if they escape training, what of the danger after? Don't forget—the Gun Devil is after Denji's heart."
He stares at the slip on the desk, silent. After a sigh, he takes it.
"You may be right."
Their current combat ability isn't impressive. So what if they heal and revive? There are so many ways to torture someone.
As of now, even together they couldn't beat Su Tang in half-dragon form.
"So you agree."
Makima smiles.
"I've never refused you, have I." He tucks the paper away.
Hearing that, she props her cheek, tilts her head at him.
"Mm… anything else?"
He checks the clock—past three.
"One thing. Not official."
She blinks and asks suddenly, "You're thinking of going to that chocolate factory, aren't you."
He pauses mid-rise.
He moves his gaze from the clock to her face.
He sees the gentle smile. Though her sentence is a question, her tone is flat.
As if she already had the answer.
For some reason, he thinks of the Mouth Devil and the Sphincter Devil that night.
He'd wanted the Mouth Devil to become Makima's mouth—then the Mouth Devil popped. The poor Sphincter Devil didn't even speak (couldn't), and followed it to the same fate.
He'd thought it was Guinea Pig's failsafe. But…
After seeing yesterday's fight—seeing gunmen pop by the dozen—he suddenly understands.
It was Makima's power.
Which means…
That night—everything was under her eyes!
The Mouth Devil and Sphincter Devil exploding—those were her work too!
This woman really is…
"Nothing can be hidden from you, Miss Makima."
He closes his eyes and draws a breath, then opens them and smiles.
Since she's asking, she must know. No point in hiding.
His empty search for factory info in the morning—likely a Public Safety lockdown.
Makima seems unsurprised.
"May I take that as praise for me?"
"Of course." He spreads his hands and smiles. "Once you say a sentence, the right to interpret it belongs to others."
"Mm…" She tilts her head. "Tokyo has many spies. Sometimes I have no choice."
"No need to explain to me. I understand." He nods.
She keeps watching him.
Then her red lips part: "As for that invitation that night… it still stands. Would you like to come explore the chocolate factory with me?"
He opens his mouth to answer—and she adds:
"Ahead of time: because there was a devil attack there, the factory is under temporary Public Safety seal. If you go alone, it'll put the posted staff in a bind."
Again… everything arranged.
He thinks back to when she invited him to debut as a hero, and the questions that sprang up.
He studies the orange-haired woman and raises a brow. "So I have no other choice? Still, I want a condition. If Miss Makima will tell me which devil you're contracted with, I'll go with you."
"That's classified." She blinks and smiles lightly. "But if you truly want to know—when we arrive, you'll see it perform."
He looks at her.
Exquisite face, mysterious irises, elegant air.
He shakes his head and smiles, helpless. "I told you—I never refuse Miss Makima."
"But I can't go just now. When I can, I'll let you know."
"All right."
She tucks a lock behind her ear and smiles. "My phone is open twenty-four hours for Su Tang-kun. Call me anytime."
"An honor."
He stands. "If that's all, I'll go."
"Be safe."
She smiles and watches him out.
A long moment.
Her smile fades. She reaches to her collar.
She draws out a stone charm.
Staring at the lifelike dog etched on it, she seems lost in thought.
The next day.
"Don't worry, Mr. Su Tang! I'll get strong in training and protect you!"
Denji walks beside Su Tang, fists up, bubbling.
"Get real, brat. Beat me first." Power picks her nose with her pinky, full of scorn.
"Filthy woman! Mind where you flick that! It hit me!"
"Oh? Seems my aim is quite good."
"…"
The bickering rises again.
Smiling, Su Tang listens—then stops.
They've reached the meeting place—just ahead.
It is…
A cemetery.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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