"Both of you, stop fighting. To me, both Makima and Reze are very important," Cael said, repeating the same old platitude.
"Huh?"
Reze's mind scrambled. What had Makima just said? Like some lovestruck fool? And Cael… had he been influenced by her? Damn it, this witch was exhausting. Could this aggrieved-looking girl really be Japan's most dangerous enemy? No… impossible.
Then it hit her.
It was a disguise.
Makima, just like Reze herself, was a master actress. Every word, every expression, deliberately performed in front of Cael. Her offer to recruit him into the Devil Hunter squad had an ulterior motive, just like Reze's own plans.
She couldn't let Makima manipulate Cael. She had to expose her.
"Cael, don't believe her!" Reze gritted her teeth, ignoring the searing pain of her severed arm, and shouted Makima's secret in his direction.
"Makima isn't just a simple Devil Hunter under the Cabinet. She… she's a Devil!"
"Oh?" Makima's cold gaze pierced her. The corners of her lips curled with amusement.
"Pomu, let me open your brain and see just how much you think you know about me."
Sigh. Cael pinched the bridge of his nose. Here we go again.
Makima being a Devil was the paper-thin barrier between him and her. He hadn't wanted to confront it—hadn't wanted to puncture that fragile line—but Reze had already done it for him.
Fine. If it's broken, it's broken. Better now than later.
"Reze, I've known Makima is a Devil for a long time, but she is also my irreplaceable good friend," Cael said carefully.
The words after the 'but' mattered most. Compared to her identity as a Devil, what mattered more was the fact that she was his friend. The emotional weight needed to be clear. If Makima ever faltered, the consequences would be severe—but caring for the lonely, old Makima was his responsibility.
A subtle curve appeared at the corner of Makima's mouth. Did you hear that? Cael had said it himself. They were friends now, and what they could become in the future didn't need to be asked.
"To say that, Cael, you must have already been controlled by her…" Reze's bloodied face showed disbelief.
Hehe.
With Cael's endorsement, Makima looked confidently at Reze.
"Pomu, you are a Soviet spy agent, a rat in the sewers. For someone like you to try and drive a wedge between me and Cael… isn't that ridiculous?"
"I…" Reze faltered.
"Even if you got on the train, did you really think I'd let you leave Tokyo without consequences?" Makima's voice was gentle but carried immense pressure.
Time's almost up. Since she could see that Cael's feelings hadn't soured, it was time to deal with the rats. Being a dog for a good friend was reasonable. She would help Cael bite this rat Pomu to death. No matter how pretty a rat looked, it was still a rat causing harm. Cael would understand.
Her orange-ringed eyes gleamed with divine intent.
"Pomu, say it with me: I am willing to offer everything to Makima."
Control Chains erupted from her abdomen, latching onto Reze's body. Makima had already studied Reze thoroughly; her combat power was absolute. The chains pierced through Reze, freezing her instantly. Her emerald eyes dulled.
"I am willing to offer everything to Maki—"
Snap!
Cael lunged, pulling Makima into his arms.
Holding a beauty should have been a pleasure, but Makima carried a strong rat scent. Fortunately, Cael was used to it.
He wasn't doing this to take advantage of her. No.
The Dark Water effect activated.
Makima's Control ability shattered. The chains crumbled into nothing. Reze shuddered, returning instantly to her normal state.
Makima looked up, slightly dazed. "Cael, why stop me? I was doing this for your own good."
Cael exhaled. "Reze used to be a spy, but that doesn't mean she has to be one forever. She should be free to choose her own path."
Whoosh.
Cael manipulated the airflow, pulling the pin from the choker around Reze's neck. Boom!
Her Devil form dissipated, her severed hand fully restored. At that moment, she had no fight left. She couldn't defeat Cael or Makima, so she willingly exited her Devil form.
"Reze, does your appearance here mean what I think it means?" Cael asked, holding her close to prevent Makima from causing trouble.
Reze had imagined many possible meetings, but she hadn't accounted for Makima. Terrifying, yes—but with Cael here, Makima wasn't so terrifying anymore. Still, seeing Cael holding Makima stirred a sour jealousy deep in her chest. She exhaled a troubled breath, pursed her lips, and forced herself into a slightly playful tone.
"Hello, Interviewer Cael. My name is Reze, 19 years old. My previous job was as a 'guinea pig' for the Soviet KGB. I have 14 years of work experience, I'm skilled in social techniques, and I want to join your Funeral Home."
"You're hired," Cael said immediately.
"That simple? No questions?" Reze winked at him and playfully stuck her tongue out at Makima.
Makima's expression softened; being held by Cael wasn't unpleasant.
"Because it's Reze, there's no need," Cael said calmly.
"But we haven't negotiated salary yet."
"How much do you want?"
Reze's gaze flicked past Makima. A cunning smile appeared. Her tongue slid across her lips as she pointed at them.
"I can do without a salary."
"And the price? Let me taste your tongue once a week, just like last night."
Cael froze. "Hey, hey, hey, Reze, act normal…"
The mental states of the people around him were… something else.
Makima couldn't hold it in. This was provocation! Damn it, what was Reze implying?!
Makima tilted her head, staring seriously at Cael's profile.
"Cael, an impolite Pomu just needs to be tamed. Let me turn her into a dog."
Cael rubbed her head gently. "No, Little Makima. Reze is already my employee. If you break her, there'll be no one to do the work."
"But!" Makima puffed her cheeks. "I'm not satisfied…"
"Pfft, Little Makima…" Reze laughed. "Witch, can't you see? You think you like Cael, but he's just coaxing you like a child."
Makima tightened her tie. "You're asking for death."
Reze raised her head defiantly. "Makima, records say you like sweets. Eat more Chupa Chups lollipops."
"Only children eat sweets."
"Mature adults don't use candy to soothe their emotions."
"Because…" Reze traced her finger along her lips, smiling slyly. "True lovers have a 'lip friendship'."
Makima's face gradually flushed red.
Sweat beaded on Cael's forehead. Tsk, here we go again…
"Can you guys give me some face and stop quarrel—mph?!"
Makima suddenly pressed her head against his, taking advantage of their proximity. She had been suppressed for too long. First Asa Mitaka, then Reze… and now him.
Enough!
Makima had watched from the sidelines for too long. She wanted to be the protagonist. She wasn't going to ask permission. She was going to take what she wanted.
Her kiss carried the unmistakable sweetness of a rat.