"Yes, I am indeed a man, I assure you of that."
Upon hearing this, Denji's joy gushed forth like a spring. She threw her hands above her head, jumping up and down on the spot, continuously shouting, "Yay!"
After all, Renji Kuroda had genuinely admitted he was a man—a real man, standing right before her eyes. This was almost too much stimulation for Denji; for a moment, excitement overwhelmed every other emotion.
Renji's gaze dropped back to the plaque in his hand, his brows furrowing slightly. Though abstract, the carving was unmistakable—a phallic symbol, etched like some kind of emblem. In a world inhabited solely by women, possessing such an object didn't sit well with him.
"I'll ask Hayakawa Aki about this thing when I get the chance. Denji, do you have anything else to pick up?"
"Huh? Oh, oh! No, no! Just this."
"Then let's go."
"Oh!"
On the ride back, in the rear seat of the taxi, Renji kept examining the plaque, turning it over in his hands.
Suddenly, a question struck him—something he'd overlooked. He turned to Denji and asked, "Denji, where did you get this thing?"
Denji, who had been dozing lightly against the window, perked up at his words. Her eyes lit up as she touched her nose, sheepishly.
"Oh, this? I stole it from that old lady in the mafia—from her clothes. It wasn't easy. I even got beaten up for it, hehe. But looking at it now, that beating was totally worth it. Renji, do you like it? If you do, I'll give it to you!"
Then, as if hit by sudden realization, Denji widened her eyes and nodded vigorously.
"So that's it! Back at the factory, that old hag kept asking me if the thing was with you and where I'd hidden it. She meant this!"
Renji shook his head with a sigh. He glanced between the plaque in his hand and Denji.
"Well, thank you. But from now on, if you ever need something, just come to me. You don't need to steal, okay?"
"Mm! I'll do whatever Renji says, hehe~"
Denji's tone was playful, eager to please.
Renji looked at her face, her exaggerated fawning expression—and suddenly, an odd impulse welled up inside him. Heat clouded his mind, and without thinking, he placed a hand on Denji's fluffy hair, stroking it gently a few times. Then he smiled.
"Denji, do you want to be my dog from now on? I promise you'll have food and drink every day."
The moment the words left his mouth, Renji immediately regretted them.
But to his surprise, Denji didn't react with offense or confusion. On the contrary, she lit up with excitement. She immediately climbed onto the seat, barked a few times like a dog, and even stuck out her warm, soft tongue at him.
"Cough cough"
The female taxi driver deliberately cleared her throat, her face flushed, a subtle reminder that they had arrived at their destination.
Renji and Denji got out of the car. As soon as they stepped onto the sidewalk, Denji clung tightly to Renji's arm. She even rubbed her head against his chest, truly like a small, affectionate puppy seeking warmth and reassurance.
Renji could feel her soft body pressed against him, and the irregular-shaped jelly bouncing lightly at his side. A strange, unnameable emotion surged in his chest.
He led Denji toward the apartment building, heading for the elevator on the first floor.
"Na na~ Renji, what kind of woman do you like?" Denji asked, her face suddenly flushed, eyes shimmering with hope.
Renji paused, taken slightly aback by the question. His expression grew thoughtful.
Seeing his hesitation, Denji held her breath without realizing it, heart tightening with nervous anticipation.
Renji took a deep breath and said softly, "I like women like you, Denji."
Denji froze. Her expression flickered wildly—surprise, confusion, elation—before settling into a dazed, dreamy smile. She began to giggle foolishly, utterly lost in the moment.
"Ding~ Detected Hayakawa Aki's jealous emotion. System rewards: 20 points."
Suddenly, a system prompt chimed in Renji Kuroda's mind.
Hayakawa Aki?
Why would the system register a prompt about Hayakawa Aki—and even track an emotion like jealousy?
Renji Kuroda looked back and saw a Public Safety Devil Extermination Special Division car parked quietly by the roadside.
The driver's side window was rolled halfway down, and Hayakawa Aki sat behind the wheel, calmly watching him and Denji. When their eyes met, she offered a faint, natural smile.
Then, she raised her hand and pointed toward the back seat, signaling Renji to look behind her.
Renji followed the gesture, just in time to see the rear window slowly descending.
A woman came into view, seated with her hands neatly folded on her knees. Her gaze was also locked on Renji and Denji.
She was, without a doubt, a beauty—but her presence carried a distinct and indescribable intensity.
She wore a white shirt and a black tie under a long black coat—the uniform of a seasoned Public Safety Devil Hunter.
Her long red hair was braided and draped over one shoulder, and her eyes were the most striking of all: orange-yellow irises, marked with concentric rings like golden targets, fixed on Renji with a half-smile.
Makima.
"Ding~ Detected host's first acquaintance with a main plot character, Makima. System rewards: 3 points."
On the ride to the Public Safety headquarters, the car's atmosphere was quietly tense.
Hayakawa Aki had originally intended to introduce Makima's identity to Renji, but before she could speak, Makima gently interrupted her.
"Let's save the introductions for when we're back at headquarters, Hayakawa Aki. It's not convenient to talk here."
Hayakawa Aki nodded and turned her focus back to the road.
Makima, however, turned slightly, studying Renji with calm curiosity. Renji met her gaze, and she smiled at him—gently, almost warmly.
He knew the smile was fake. All of Makima's expressions were calculated. But still, he nodded back slightly, then looked away, pretending to watch the passing cityscape through the window.
"Hehe~ Me too, I also like people like Renji."
"Ding~ Detected Hayakawa Aki's jealous emotion. System rewards: 20 points."
Renji and Hayakawa Aki both turned their attention toward Denji, who giggled foolishly, her face still flushed with glee, completely unaware that her words had drawn everyone's attention.
"Ding~ Detected Makima's disgusted emotion. System rewards: 5 points."
Renji's heart skipped a beat.
He turned toward Makima, stunned—but she was quietly staring out the opposite window, her expression unreadable.
Then, as if sensing his gaze, Makima turned her head slightly, a faint look of confusion in her eyes.
"Is something wrong? Do I have something on my face?" she asked gently.
Renji quickly shook his head. "No, not at all," he said, keeping his voice steady. He turned back toward the window, trying to recompose himself.
Makima gave him a brief, thoughtful glance, then rested her chin on her hand and gazed out the window again.
"What a strange guy."
Renji's thoughts were swirling.
Disgusted? But who was the disgust aimed at? Denji?
That didn't seem right.
He replayed the moment in his head again and again. The system had been clear: right after Denji's words, first Hayakawa Aki's jealousy triggered a notification, then Makima's disgust.
And both had awarded him points.
It couldn't be a mistake. He was certain he hadn't misheard anything.
Oh, right—how could he forget? Since encountering Reze, Renji had begun to suspect he had somehow replaced Denji's role as the central protagonist in this world.
Still, it all felt... too surreal.
"I like you too, Renji~"
Denji suddenly blurted it out with another dreamy giggle.
"Ding~ Detected Makima's annoyed emotion. System rewards: 5 points."
Makima reached forward and pressed a button, lowering the windshield slightly. The car wasn't moving quickly, and a breeze filtered in, carrying away the growing tension.
"The weather in Tokyo has been so hot lately," Makima said mildly. "Even though it rained this morning, it hasn't cooled down at all."
.. p@treon Rene_chan