After discussing Kobeni's beloved car, the rest of the Division 4 team headed toward Erdao Cafe. Due to Kobeni's lack of driving experience, it took them an extra fifteen minutes to reach the storefront.
"This is it." Arata was the first to step out of the car, facing the cafe entrance.
"Denji's girlfriend must be a very cute girl."
"Himeno-senpai, you haven't even seen her and you've already guessed that?"
"I know Denji well enough; his taste definitely wouldn't be bad."
Himeno couldn't wait and was the first to rush inside.
Ding-a-ling~
The door chime rang. Reze, who was buried in her studies, looked up. "I'm sorry, we're not doing business today—" Reze started to say, but upon seeing Denji trailing behind, her attitude flipped instantly. "Denji-kun, you're back!"
"Yeah, just killed a devil." Denji was about to brag about his victory when Himeno cut in, stepping right up to Reze. "You must be Denji's girlfriend."
"Himeno-senpai, don't talk nonsense! I told you, she's not my girlfriend."
"You must be Denji-kun's colleagues, right?" Reze didn't immediately refute the claim, instead showing curiosity about the group.
"That's right, we're all Denji's coworkers. You must be Reze, right?"
"Reze? My name is Reze."
"Arata told me your name was 'Rem,' I guess he got the name wrong. But Denji has good taste—you're very cute!" Himeno looked back excitedly at the group, wanting everyone to see the girl named Reze.
"Let us see the menu first," Aki Hayakawa said, sitting down, clearly disinterested in Reze.
"Right away." Reze quickly gathered her textbooks, hugged them to her chest, and hurried to the counter to grab menus for everyone.
"One curry rice, please."
"I'll take the pork bowl."
"One rice ball for me."
"Understood, just a moment." After receiving the orders, Reze donned an apron and scrambled around behind the counter, trying to prepare the ingredients. In her haste, she accidentally knocked a frying pan off the counter. She reached out to catch it, but missed. Just as she braced for the loud clatter, a hand appeared and steadily caught the pan.
"Let me help you."
Reze looked up to see Arata.
"You're a guest, I can't let you do this! It's alright, I can handle it myself," Reze insisted, clenching her fists to psych herself up.
"It's no trouble. You go ahead and brew the coffee for them."
"Then... thank you, Arata-senpai." Reze scurried off to brew coffee.
Meanwhile, Aki noticed the Angel Devil sitting away from the crowd and moved to sit across from him.
"Why did you come over here?" the Angel Devil asked, puzzled. Most people distanced themselves once they learned of his ability.
"Makima-san asked me to look after you. If you sit alone, it looks like Division 4 is ostracizing you."
"It's fine. I'm used to it."
"What did you order?"
"I don't eat."
"You don't look that old. I'll get you some ice cream." Aki gestured. "Bring him an ice cream."
"Right away." After serving the coffee, Reze quickly prepared the dessert.
As for the main courses, Arata handled the cooking solo. Soon, the fragrant aroma of Chinese cuisine filled the air.
"Arata, I didn't know you could cook. I've never seen you do it at Aki's place," Himeno remarked, eyeing the golden-yellow rice in surprise.
"I just don't usually bother. Dragon Kingdom cuisine is vast and profound; any single dish is enough to conquer your taste buds."
"Mmm~" Himeno took a bite and sighed in admiration. "So delicious! Arata, it looks like I need to go to Aki's place more often to eat your cooking."
"I'll teach Aki how to make it for you." Arata carried the last two plates of fried rice to Denji's table.
"Master, you're eating two portions by yourself?"
"This one is for Reze. She didn't eat this morning and probably didn't have time to eat lunch either."
"Thank you, Arata-senpai! You're so kind. Denji is so lucky to have a master like you," Reze said, clearly excited.
"Denji is quite lucky to have a master who is both powerful and thoughtful," Himeno added while eating, sounding almost like she wanted to become Arata's apprentice too.
"Arata-senpai, what devil did you contract?" Reze asked, sitting between Arata and Denji.
"How did you know I contracted a devil?"
"Denji-kun is a Public Safety Devil Hunter, and you are all his colleagues. Since you're recognized as powerful, you must have contracted a devil."
"Actually, I contracted the Bomb Devil," Arata said deliberately.
This statement took Reze by surprise. You contracted the Bomb Devil? Then what exactly did I contract?
"What's wrong?" Arata asked while eating.
"Nothing. The Bomb Devil sounds quite formidable." Reze took a bite of the soy sauce fried rice and clutched her cheek in bliss. "This is too delicious!!"
"If it's good, eat more. I'll make more if you want."
"Arata-senpai, I'll take another serving!"
"Arai, you eat fast."
"Haha, it's just too good."
"Wait, let me finish mine first."
"No rush, Arata-senpai. We have all day."
"Denji-kun, even though you didn't go to school, having friends, colleagues, and a master who looks after you—I'm truly envious," Reze said to Denji.
"Why don't you join Division 4?"
"Me, join you guys..."
"Arata, don't tease her. Division 4 doesn't need a barista," Himeno laughed.
"If Reze has truly contracted a powerful devil, she should join us. We'll protect you and give you a sense of belonging."
"Thank you... Arata-senpai." Reze hung her head, her heart a complex mix of emotions.
"Alright, I'm finished. Who wants seconds?"
"Me!!" Everyone raised their hands in unison.
"Arata, get one for Angel too," Aki called out.
"I don't want it. It makes no difference whether I eat or not." The Angel Devil remained distant.
"Since you've joined Division 4, I'm responsible for you." Aki didn't tolerate the Angel Devil's social anxiety and forced an order for him.
Just as they were waiting for the food, the door pushed open.
Ding-a-ling~
A masked man with a sturdy build walked in.
"Sorry, we're closed for today," Reze said, standing up.
"It's alright. I just want one cup of coffee; it won't take long."
"O-okay then." Reze complied and went to the counter to make the coffee.
The masked man scanned the room, his eyes finally landing on Denji—and lingering there for a long time.
"Why are you staring at me?" Denji asked, annoyed. His voice drew everyone's attention.
"Nothing. You just look like someone I know."
"Your coffee." Reze handed the cup over.
"Thanks." The man took a sip, turned around, and roared, "What is this? This tastes like garbage!"
He spat the coffee on the floor and smashed the cup to pieces.
CRASH!!!
Reze's eyes filled with a murderous intent.
"What do you think you're doing!" Denji yelled, rising to his feet. The others were equally hostile toward the man's rudeness.
"My apologies, the coffee was just terrible." When he turned back, the man's demeanor had shifted entirely; his tone was apologetic. He pulled 1,000 Yen from his pocket and held it out to Reze. "Here, take this for the coffee and the cup."
"Not necessary. Please leave." Reze replied coldly.
"My mistake." The man turned and walked out of the cafe.
The group's wariness relaxed slightly.
"I thought the people hunting Denji had tracked us down already," Himeno sighed, not wanting the peaceful atmosphere ruined by an outsider.
"Denji-kun, are you being hunted?" Reze changed her tune, turning to look at them with a completely different face.
"Yeah, we're all protecting him right now so bad guys don't steal his heart."
"Denji-kun's heart?"
"Himeno-senpai, stop! That's classified," Aki warned.
"What's the big deal? Reze is Denji's girlfriend. Don't tell me you suspect she's an assassin?" Himeno teased, clearly having accepted Reze as one of their own.
Reze just offered an awkward smile.
"My Master is right here with me; I'm not afraid of anything."
The moment Denji finished his sentence, a loud BANG sounded from behind them. A yellow Fiat 500 smashed through the glass and flew into the cafe.
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