Facing Makima's sudden advance, Cael froze, letting her clumsily smear his mouth with saliva. It wasn't that he didn't want to move—he couldn't. Makima had emotional issues, and being inexperienced, she likely believed this was how close friends interacted. If he rejected her now or showed disgust, it could traumatize her.
Surprisingly, though, the sensation wasn't entirely unpleasant. On the contrary, it was exhilarating.
The brief farce ended with Makima leaving a series of tiny bite marks on Cael's upper lip. She leaned close to his ear and whispered,
"Cael, remember the pressure, so in the future, even without seeing, you'll know it was me by the force of my bite."
Reze stood nearby, like a subordinate observing a superior, her eyes blank as she watched Makima. Regret gnawed at her. She shouldn't have provoked this devil. Having Asa Mitaka as a rival was already a headache—now she had another potential love rival.
If it had been a one-sided, forced kiss from Makima, maybe it would have been bearable. But judging from Cael's expression, he had been genuinely affected. Makima glanced at Reze with cold amusement.
"I have 'lip friendship' now too. Are you satisfied?"
"You bastard…" Reze choked out, speechless.
Makima's smile widened faintly. "Compared to a wild girl who bites off tongues, Cael can judge for himself whose friendship is sweeter."
"I can certainly compete! Want to have a contest?" Reze's competitive spirit flared. She might not match Makima in combat, but she refused to be surpassed in charm.
Makima sneered. "What a joke. You think my good friend is your plaything?"
She fixed her gaze on Cael with innocent clarity. "Cael only kisses people he likes, right?"
Cael froze, guilt flooding in. Asa, I'm sorry. What had he just done, and why had it felt so… good?
But Makima was right. He only kissed those he truly liked. Asa counted. Yoru's bite had been unpleasant, and Reze's goal was his heart, making her taste less appealing. But Makima… she was beautiful. Candy-loving Makima had a sweet mouth, and aside from a faint rat scent, it was perfect. Cael had developed feelings for her earlier than for Asa, but he hadn't understood her then. Pochita's accidental matchmaking had drastically changed Makima's attitude toward him. Damn it—his pure friendship was starting to blur.
"Mhm, yes, as long as Makima is obedient and doesn't attack Reze, I like you," Cael said with a forced, half-sincere smile.
Makima nodded like a dog taking Pochita's cue. Simple. Effortless.
Cael: "…Pochita, what exactly did you teach her?"
"Let's leave it here for today, Little Makima. We'll continue another time," Cael said, needing to calm down.
He took Reze's hand. "Come on, Reze. I'll show you the work environment. Compared to the KGB, my shop is easy and free…"
"Oh… oh."
Reze was still reeling from what she had just witnessed.
After some distance, she finally asked, "Cael, do you really like Makima?"
"Yes, I like her," Cael answered decisively, unsure if he was shielding her from Makima's ears or speaking from his heart. Probably both.
"But aren't you dating Asa Mitaka…"
Cael paused, then said naturally, "Yes, I am."
He slowly came to terms with his feelings. In this chaotic world, liking more than one person wasn't a crime. Before his transmigration, corrupt officials keeping hundreds of mistresses was common. He wasn't stealing anything; he just liked two devils. And liking Makima didn't betray Asa.
Besides, Pochita was right: letting the Control Devil feel love helped maintain world peace. Cael bore the weight of that responsibility. Truly, he was a great philanthropist. The real challenge was helping them accept each other. That would require effort.
Reze was incredulous. Could it really be this simple?
"Even if Makima's personality is terrible, you still like her?"
"Then I damn well like her," Cael replied.
Reze frowned. "If you can like that devil, doesn't that mean you could like me too?"
"Huh? Didn't you say your affection for me was just a disguise?"
Cael only intended to hire staff. Nothing more. Two were already complicated enough. More would be a headache.
Reze smiled sweetly. "Alright then, I like you. This time, seriously~"
Cael treated it as a joke. "Talk like that on the road, but don't say it at work, especially when Asa's around…"
---
Half a month later.
Tokyo Devil Hunter Headquarters Building, Special Division 4, Office.
"Himeno-senpai, this… this is my letter of resignation…"
Higashiyama Kobeni lowered her head, placing the letter on Himeno's desk.
Himeno picked it up without opening it, asking gently, "Kobeni, why resign suddenly? You just became permanent and finally get a full-time salary."
"I…" Kobeni clenched her uniform nervously. "I feel too much pressure. Everyone says the Gun Devil Expedition Team list is nearly finalized, and I'm scared…"
Himeno folded her hands. "But didn't Makima say you don't have to participate in the Gun Devil subjugation? You're not on the list—so what's troubling you?"
"That's true, but…" Kobeni bit her lip, trembling, a tear threatening. "Even if they defeat the Gun Devil, most will likely die. If everyone dies, won't I, left in Public Safety, become the pillar? Won't all the troublesome devils fall to me? I just want to earn money, not lose my life…"
Himeno's gaze softened. Hayakawa Aki's seat was empty, her merits sufficient. "I understand. So, Kobeni, have you found another job?"
Kobeni fidgeted. "I… I'm still sending résumés. A few places have agreed to let me try out…"
"I see…" Himeno sighed and pulled out a cigarette. "I have a suggestion that might be better for you."
"Huh?"
He smiled mysteriously, clicking the lighter. Smoke swirled. "Kobeni, can you hold on for another half month? The quarterly bonus is about to be issued. It's about one million Yen. Grab it before you leave."
"O-one million?!"
"Mhm."
"Okay… I can hold on," Kobeni said, retracting her resignation.
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Patreon = _Zeph