Inside the headquarters building of the Special Division Against Devils in Tokyo, Renji Kuroda looked around curiously. Makima led them on a tour, meticulously explaining the various systems and regulations in place—things like handling administrative affairs, social insurance, housing provident funds, and employee welfare.
Renji listened as he observed the surroundings, while Denji, following behind him, seemed somewhat absent-minded. She had snapped out of her earlier fantasies and showed no interest in Makima's explanations, listlessly trailing after Renji.
The four of them entered the elevator together. As the doors slowly closed, Renji quietly asked Hayakawa Aki, "Hey, what's the meaning of this? Introducing all this stuff to me—are they trying to recruit me?"
Hearing this, Hayakawa Aki quickly glanced at Makima in front. Seeing she hadn't reacted, he lowered his voice to reply.
"Um… yeah, that's right. But Renji, you can refuse. This is just a suggestion."
The elevator continued ascending and stopped at the sixth floor. They stepped out and arrived at Makima's office. As expected, she turned to Renji, an expectant look in her eyes.
"Renji Kuroda, are you interested in joining the Public Safety Devil Extermination Special Division? If you join, not only will you enjoy all the benefits I mentioned, but you'll also be allowed to choose your missions."
"Hm? That good to me?"
Makima smiled gently and nodded. "That's right. Because you're being recruited. There's no need to rush your decision. Feel free to take some time to look around. I've already informed the other departments—they'll cooperate with you."
Then she looked to Hayakawa Aki. "Hayakawa Aki, you go along as well. If Renji has any questions, explain everything to him."
Aki nodded. Denji, meanwhile, raised her hand excitedly. "I'm going too! I'm going too!"
The three of them left the office, but Renji suddenly veered toward the stairwell. Aki quickly called out, "Renji, where are you going? The tour's this way."
Renji stopped and turned to him. "What tour? That's clearly not the point. Makima said that on purpose—she wants you to answer my questions for her. She knows I have a lot of doubts and is using you to address them. Let's head to the stairs. I really do have some things to ask you."
Hayakawa Aki paused for a moment, then followed him.
Renji sat on the stairs and asked, "Hayakawa Aki, did you really report my identity ahead of time? I'm a mercenary—doesn't it seem odd to be suddenly recruited like this?"
Aki looked slightly embarrassed, a hint of apology in his eyes.
"I… I'm sorry. Actually, Makima only found out about you recently. The situation at the time went like this…"
A few days earlier…
"Aki, for this mission, are there any individuals besides Public Safety involved?"Makima slowly circled Aki, her voice soft.
"Eh?! Makima? How did you know…?"
"Did you forget? My nose is very keen."
Aki hesitated, then told her everything, starting from the incident with the Bat Devil at the mall, leaving nothing out.
"Renji Kuroda assisted as a mercenary throughout. He's not suspicious—I can vouch for him."
Makima listened silently, her face expressionless. When Aki finished, she nodded and sighed softly.
"Aki, if you're injured, why didn't you report it? Don't you realize how dangerous that is? If you were worried I'd be disappointed if the mission failed, then you're gravely mistaken. What truly disappoints me—and worries me—is your silence."
Her voice softened further. "Next time, report any injury or abnormal situation immediately. I'll arrange paid leave for you to recover properly."
A warm current welled up in Aki's chest.
"Makima… I understand. I'll take better care of myself from now on. I won't let you worry."
"Where is that mercenary, Renji Kuroda, now?"
"He should be at home."
"Take me to him."
"Okay. Oh, by the way, Makima—there's also someone named Denji outside who needs to be processed, for ID and such."
"That short-haired blonde girl?"
"Yes."
"No need. I saw her on my way up. She already ran off—probably two kilometers away by now."
"Eh?!!! She's still wearing my clothes!"
After hearing Aki's account, Renji Kuroda nodded slowly, beginning to seriously consider whether to join the Public Safety Devil Extermination Special Division.At that moment, he suddenly recalled something the goddess Eris had told him when he first transmigrated…
Eris had told Renji Kuroda that his main mission in this new world was to uncover its truth—and ultimately defeat the Great Demon King in order to save it.For now, defeating the Great Demon King was out of reach. The first step was to find the truth of this world.And the strangest thing about it so far? Everyone in this world was a woman.
Renji pondered for a long time, then made a decision. He and Denji followed Hayakawa Aki back to Makima's office.
Makima glanced at them returning, showing no sign of surprise—just as Renji had expected.
"Oh my? Done sightseeing so soon? So, what's your decision?"
Renji nodded, then pointed at Denji. "I want her to join the Public Safety Devil Extermination Special Division too. Is that okay?"
Makima smiled and nodded. "Of course. Actually, even if you didn't join Public Safety, it wouldn't be a major problem. But if Denji doesn't, she'll be classified as a wild devil."
She stood and retrieved two sets of Public Safety uniforms from a cabinet—clearly prepared in advance.
"We're required to wear uniforms while working. This one is for you. As for Denji, the clothes she's wearing now originally belonged to Hayakawa Aki. They don't fit well, so I've had a proper set prepared for her too. After changing, you two can familiarize yourselves with the workplace and patrol the surrounding area. It's a light task."
Renji excused himself to change in the restroom, and Denji attempted to follow. But Hayakawa Aki stopped her—and immediately began undressing Denji on the spot. Denji resisted slightly, clearly unhappy about it. Hayakawa Aki, for her part, looked frustrated and impatient with Denji's behavior.
After a while, Renji returned in a clean, properly fitted uniform, and Denji had changed as well. Makima turned her attention to Denji.
"We usually work in pairs here. Denji, your partner will be Hayakawa Aki. You've met before, right? She's a senior employee with three years of experience—more than you. She'll be your mentor today. You'll patrol the nearby districts with her."
[Ding~ Detected Denji's anxious emotion. System rewards: 5 points.][Ding~ Detected Hayakawa Aki's disheartened emotion. System rewards: 5 points.]
Denji's eyes went wide. "Eh?!!! But I came here with Renji Kuroda! I should be partnered with him! Why are you assigning me to this person?!"
Hearing that, a flicker of disappointment crossed Hayakawa Aki's face. She briefly glanced at Renji, then shifted her gaze back to Makima.
She had assumed Makima would pair Renji with her. As the more experienced one, it only made sense that she'd be guiding him—not this impulsive, golden-haired girl who'd suddenly become so close with Renji.
Hayakawa Aki opened her mouth but said nothing in the end.
Forget it... it's Makima's decision.
With a sigh, she turned to the sulking Denji. A weary expression came over her face.
Without another word, she stepped forward, grabbed Denji's wrist, and dragged her toward the door.
"How could things be arranged like this?" she muttered. "It's always been standard in our division for seniors to guide the newcomers through their tasks."