Crunch.
Makima's fists clenched audibly, her muscles taut. Compared to her third sister, War, who wasn't the sharpest, her second sister, Fami, was far more troublesome. As her own sister, Makima knew her well enough—Fami had no clear objectives; she acted purely to fill her emptiness.
"Sister, sooner or later, I'll let Chainsaw Man eat you…"
Crunch—Makima chewed her lollipop, unbothered. Yet a certain inconsiderate Devil remained. Was this Fami's plan? To make herself unbearably hungry so she could manipulate Makima?
Fine. Don't even think about leaving. Makima's mood darkened further. She gazed at the izakaya ceiling and said coldly, "Eternal Devil, say, 'I am willing to dedicate everything to Makima.'"
A hidden space in the restaurant squirmed, and a grotesque face appeared. It was the Eternal Devil. Its flesh writhed uncontrollably, rasping in a discordant voice, "I am willing… to dedicate everything to Makima…"
"Good child," Makima said with a faint smile. "Crush your own heart."
"Y-yes… my lord."
Rip—! The sound of flesh and bone tearing filled the room. The Eternal Devil pulled out a Mobius strip-shaped chunk of its own flesh—its heart—and squeezed it violently. Blood splattered everywhere, drenching diners, tables, and dishes.
Click. The second hand on the wall clock resumed moving. Time flowed again. Screams and chaos erupted.
Makima calmly approached the cashier, showing her identification. "Don't be nervous. I'm a Public Safety Devil Hunter, and the Devil has been eradicated." She pulled out her phone. "Here's 40,000 Yen, which covers the table and cleaning fee."
"Eh, wait, why don't we—"
Before the cashier could finish, Makima left, ignoring any protests. Forty thousand Yen was a fair price. She moved like someone playing a single-player game, unconcerned with NPC complaints. Putting on her shoes and black coat, she stepped outside.
Just then, Cael and Pochita arrived. The chaotic scene, combined with Pochita's earlier words, immediately connected in Cael's mind. Looking at the blood-soaked room, he narrowed his eyes.
"Makima, what exactly is this…"
Could she have started a rampage?
Makima wiped the blood from her clothes with a handkerchief. "Don't worry. This is Devil blood. I've taken care of it. No one was hurt. Let's go, take me home."
Meeting Fami had left Makima inexplicably down; she didn't even attempt a fake smile. The thought of Pochita being taken by Cael only worsened it. She wanted to kill him, she thought.
"Alright."
Cael noted Makima's assertiveness had grown. He got her into the car and drove toward her apartment. He had promised Pochita he'd try to be friends with Makima, but her mood was clearly low, and conversation was nearly nonexistent.
An hour and a half later, they arrived in front of a high-end apartment building.
"Thank you," Makima said, her professional fake smile back in place, leaving decisively. Farewells were always awkward; the longer one lingered, the more foolish they felt.
"Wait."
Cael jogged a few steps to catch up.
Makima paused. "Is there anything else?" She expected some kind of show-off move.
Instead, Cael handed Pochita into her arms, smiling faintly.
"Makima, you left Pochita behind."
"Woof." Pochita wagged its tail at her.
Makima froze. "Cael, this…"
Cael rubbed his forehead. "Pochita seems to like you. The store's been busy, so I thought you could look after it a bit longer. Is that okay?"
Makima's resentment melted into something subtler. Busy was good. Very good. If the store stayed busy, and Cael wasn't taking Pochita away, even better.
"Of course, I'll take care of Pochita," she said genuinely. Her smile was charming; unlike her professional smile, this one conveyed warmth.
"Then can we be friends?" Cael extended his hand.
Makima held Pochita and tilted her head. "Friends? Aren't Cael and I already friends?"
Cael smiled warmly. "You treat everyone like dogs. I want to be real friends with you."
This was foreign to Makima. In her worldview, there were only three things: her idol, Black Saw Pochita; her sisters, Death, Hunger, and War; and everything else, dogs. A real friend? What was that?
Yet, since Cael had fulfilled her wish and returned Pochita, remembering his scent was the first step to becoming a real friend. Makima freed one hand, shook Cael's, and twitched her delicate nose. "Okay, I've remembered your scent."
Cael's scent was unlike any human or Devil—unique even among Weapon Humans. Elements of life, death, engine oil, shockwaves, and darkness blended perfectly. She had never smelled anything so complex.
Glancing at his watch, Cael said, "Go rest. It's almost midnight."
"Woof." Pochita leapt onto Makima's shoulder, whispering.
"Cael, wait." Makima stepped a few meters away to a snack vending machine.
"Oh?" Cael puzzled.
"Pochita says I should thank you," Makima confirmed.
Pochita nodded. "Cael treated Makima to a meal and drove her home. Friends should express thanks."
"But didn't I already thank you?"
"Your thanks were too perfunctory," Pochita explained. "To show gratitude, do something the other person would like."
"I see."
"Pochita, what does Cael like? How should I show my thanks?"
Pochita hesitated. Cael seemed unable to kiss anyone other than the War Devil for now, so they compromised.
"When I'm happy, I lick Cael's face. Why don't you do that too?"
Makima furrowed her delicate brows, inhaled deeply, and understood. She bought two drinks and approached Cael.
"Uh, Makima, I've had enough—"
Without pause, Makima leaned in, tongue lightly sliding across his face. Cael froze, blushing, a mix of shock and ticklishness. A faint chocolate milk scent lingered—the Chupa Chups lollipop.
"Makima?"
She handed him
the drinks and said evenly, "Cael, thank you. To thank a friend, you should lick them with your tongue."
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