Makima leaned into the van, rubbing her chin as she spoke softly
"Aki, Himeno, thank you for your work. Once you've locked this guy up safely, you can go rest. I'll handle the transfer with Cael."
"How could we trouble Ms. Makima with something so small? Himeno‑senpai and I can handle it!" Hayakawa Aki said eagerly, puffing out her chest
Usually cold and distant, Aki somehow looked way too enthusiastic around Makima. Cael took in a dry breath, wondering if this Aki might be… a simp? Gross. Goosebumps
Himeno sighed. "Aki, don't speak for me. I really do want to rest."
Makima clapped her hands. "It's okay, I've got this. And since little Denji's finally in the big city, take him out for a proper look around after you deal with Katana Man."
Once that was dealt with, Makima's deep eyes turned back to Cael
"Cael, I'll handle your transfer. That's alright, right?"
Cael shot Himeno a shrug. "Doesn't matter who I'm with, as long as the deal I made still counts."
"Deal?" Makima tilted her head, curious and deceptively cute. "What deal did you and Himeno make?"
Cael held up two fingers. "Himeno said since I killed the Zombie Devil and caught Katana Man, as long as I cooperate with the aftermath, I get 26 million yen. Makima, you're her superior, so that should count, right?"
Himeno just kept sipping her drink, silent
"Ah," Himeno finally said after downing her beer, content. "Nothing beats an ice‑cold beer after a mission."
She crushed her can and tossed it aside, a slight blush creeping onto her cheeks as she glanced at Cael
"Boy, just to be clear, it's 25 million from public funds and one million from my own money. You can't mix the two! Dame, dame."
"That's your business," Cael replied, uninterested in petty accounting. He just wanted the money ready
Makima frowned, rubbing her chin. "Hmm, 25 million, huh?"
Her thoughtful look made Cael's heart do a weird flip. Crap, was she about to renege?
"Is 25 million too little? Considering what Cael did, maybe 50 million would be more fitting." Makima reached out, adjusting Cael's collar, her voice dead serious
Cael blinked. 50 million yen?! That was insane. Denji's eyes lit up not because of the money, but because he only gave a damn about love and respect for his work. Right. Right. Totally
Denji immediately tugged at Himeno's sleeve, forcing words out
"Himeno‑nee‑san, Aki‑nee‑san, let's get this bad guy taken away fast. We shouldn't bother Cael anymore."
Aki just shook his head. "Kid, you've got money on your brain…"
Makima led Cael into her office
"This is my private office. Please, sit."
"Sure." Cael sat up straight in front of her desk, eyes sharp. Until the money was physically in his hand, he wasn't letting his guard down
"Coffee?" Makima asked, already pouring two mugs before Cael could answer
"Thanks, no sugar." Cael's eyes scanned the stack of files on her desk
A mug landed with a soft clink
Makima sat opposite him, hands folded under her chin, eyes curious. "Coffee is best hot. Try it."
"You're quick," Cael muttered, lifting the cup to taste
His brow twitched. It was so sickeningly sweet it made him gag
"How's that?" Makima asked
"Too sweet," Cael said flatly, setting the mug down
Makima tilted her head. "Not a fan of sweet?"
"It's not that it's bad. I'm just not used to it," he answered
Makima smiled faintly. "I keep a bunch of dogs, and like them, you don't like sweets either"
Tsk
Cael raised an eyebrow. "Are you calling me a dog?"
Makima didn't deny it exactly, just teased, "Dogs don't like sugar because it can kill them. But Cael won't die. So, saying no sugar means… you want to be treated like a dog by me?"
Cael cracked a grin. "Nice try."
He stood up and spilled the coffee all over the floor
"Makima, that's my answer. I'll drink it however the hell I want."
"Oh dear," Makima sounded regretful. "Such a waste…"
"Let's cut the bullshit," Cael said, folding his arms. "We got shop business to settle."
Makima exhaled. "Alright."
She pulled out a document
"Cael," she said, "because of your status and what you are, you have two choices. One, join the Public Safety Special Division as an official Devil Hunter. That's the optimal route, and once you agree, 50 million yen is deposited immediately."
Her tone didn't change as she continued, "Second, we treat you like a devil and hunt you down. In that case, you get nothing."
"First or second, pick one," she said
Cael frowned. "I've never liked multiple‑choice questions, especially when one is obviously wrong. Hard to choose if the wrong answer means I'm fucked."
He tapped his fingers on the desk
"Killing devils is an easy way to die, right? But I want the 50 million. I don't want to join you officially, and I definitely don't want to be hunted. So what do I do?"
Silence filled the room, heavy and suffocating. Cael was ready to snap at any second
Just then, a familiar voice broke the tension
"Woof!"
It came from inside Cael
Pochita wanted out
Ever since Cael became Chainsaw Man, a weakened Pochita had been resting inside his body. Now he wanted out. Cael froze, realizing releasing him might expose their abilities
Makima's expression softened instantly, her gaze gentle, almost innocent
"Cael, what was that sound?"
____
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