"Arata-senpai, Himeno-senpai, Hayakawa-senpai."
As the group returned from the cathedral, Arai was already waiting for them at the entrance of Public Safety headquarters. Upon seeing them, he bowed repeatedly. Beside him, Kobeni followed suit, her movements as mechanical as a robot's.
"Arai, why are you waiting outside?"
"Miss Makima asked me to wait for you, saying she has something important to discuss."
"Important business? Why didn't Miss Makima just call us?"
"Miss Makima probably knew we went to fight a devil, so she didn't want to call," Aki Hayakawa explained.
"Then let's not keep Miss Makima waiting," Himeno said. "But where's Denji?"
"He went to be a dog the moment we got out of the car," Arata remarked mercilessly. The group understood immediately.
They headed to the office. Before they entered, Denji was inside, bragging to Makima about unlocking his new "saw-chain" skill and killing a massive Coriander Devil. He was one step away from trying to force her to watch a video of the whole fight from start to finish. Makima, however, was just tuning him out, merely pretending to listen.
"Um... Miss Makima, do you know how to smile?" Denji asked, feeling embarrassed.
"Denji-kun, why do you suddenly ask that?"
"Nothing special. I just rarely see you smile, so I wanted to... see it."
Makima gave Denji a faint smile. Although it was a practiced, artificial expression, it was executed so perfectly that it looked entirely genuine. Denji was momentarily stunned, but compared to the impact of Reze's smile, Makima's felt significantly less potent. In Denji's mind, it was actually pushed down by the memory of Reze's grin.
"Miss Makima." The door pushed open. Himeno, as the most senior member, led the group inside.
"You're all here." Seeing everyone assembled, Makima stood by the desk.
"Miss Makima, what's the important business?" Aki asked.
"This matter concerns Denji-kun, so all of you, listen carefully."
"Me?" Denji was bewildered. He didn't think he was that big of a deal.
"You are all aware of the Eternal Devil and the Katana Devil incidents. They share a common goal: Denji-kun's heart. A Russian spy has released footage of the Chainsaw Man on global news—which means the whole world now knows of the Chainsaw Man's existence."
"Does that mean I'm a celebrity?"
"Denji-kun, you're not a celebrity; you're prey."
"Prey?!!"
"The latest intelligence indicates that various nations have dispatched their top devil hunters to seize Denji-kun's heart. Not to mention the independent hunters who are joining the hunt for the massive bounty on it."
Ah? Is my heart really that important? Denji was shocked. He only wanted to live a normal life, not seek fame or fortune—working and fighting the occasional devil was enough. Makima's news felt like a bolt of lightning shattering his peaceful future.
"Do they know who Chainsaw Man is?" Aki asked.
"Denji's photos have been made public, so they all know who the target is. Everyone, be careful from now on."
"Makima, why do they want Denji's heart?" Denji pressed.
"Your heart has significant international influence because it is the only way to restrain someone." Arata walked over, draped an arm around Denji's shoulders, and cast a meaningful glance at Makima. Makima pointedly avoided his gaze.
"In other words, they want to use Denji's heart to restrain a certain devil?" Aki deduced.
"Exactly. Because they fear 'Control,' they need something to completely destroy it."
"Regardless, stay alert. I've also found a new companion for you; he will be operating with you starting today." Makima clapped her hands, and a boy who looked like a girl walked in. He wore a halo, had white wings on his back, and his eyes were dull and listless. His appearance immediately made everyone think of an angel.
"He is the Angel Devil. He is a very special devil with almost no hostility toward humans. His ability is to continuously absorb the lifespan of any living being he touches. Do not make physical contact with him, or your lifespan will be drained," Makima warned.
"That guy is way too dangerous, isn't he?" Kobeni muttered, taking a few steps back.
"A single handshake is enough to steal two months of your life. He can use that lifespan to manifest weapons with various special abilities. These weapons emerge from the 'King's Treasury' halo hovering above his head as life energy is paid," Arata added.
"Arata, you know this guy?"
"I don't. I just know."
"The higher-ups wanted to give me more support, but I figured Denji and Arata could help him out, so I only asked for one," Makima added.
"Right, where did Power go?" Himeno noticed the group felt unusually quiet; the "mood maker" was missing.
"Probably sleeping at home." Arata hadn't woken Power up when he left with Denji that morning.
"You can all go about your business now. Aki-kun, take the Angel Devil with you today."
Aki nodded, and the group dispersed. In the hallway, Aki walked behind the Angel Devil, eyeing his back curiously.
"What's your name?" Aki asked.
"I don't have one."
"No name? Then how about 'Angela Baby'?" Arata chimed in.
"Angela is nice. It sounds like 'angel'."
"Whatever you want. Call me whatever."
"By the way, Arata, where did you and Denji go this morning?" Himeno suddenly turned around to ask.
"To the cafe to meet Denji's girlfriend."
"Since when does Denji have a girlfriend?!" Everyone's eyes shifted to Denji. The depressed Denji instantly snapped awake.
"She's not my girlfriend! We only met yesterday!"
"Denji, aren't you friends with Reze?" Arata asked.
"I guess so." The mere mention of Reze made Denji think of her smile.
"Since you're friends and Reze is a girl, calling her a girlfriend is perfectly reasonable."
"I guess that's true..." Denji found himself unable to refute the logic.
"Aki and I haven't eaten yet. Let's all go to that cafe to eat and see Denji's girlfriend."
Everyone agreed, so they set off for Erdao Cafe. But when they reached the front of the Public Safety building, they found a yellow Fiat 500 parked there.
"Whose car is this?"
"Himeno-senpai, it's... my car," Kobeni replied.
"You bought a car already?"
"Thanks to Himeno-senpai helping me get my salary card back. To stop my parents from demanding my money, I bought a car. Now I never have to squeeze onto the subway to get to work again."
Seeing Kobeni's beloved car, which seemed even more popular than she was, Arata tapped the hood. "With you as the owner, this car definitely won't have a long lifespan."
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