"You somehow got access to my phone number and knew the location of my hideout," Kishibe says, looking bored as all hell like he usually does. "Kid, you have a lot of explaining to do."

"Before I do that," I say, "this place is safe to talk openly, right?"

"…it's the safest place. But, of course, how would you know that? Who are you trying to keep safe from?"

Pausing, I say, "Our common enemy."

Kishibe takes one sigh and says, "I have plenty of enemies." He then takes a seat and lights a cigarette. "Devils, humans, and everything in between. What are you?"

"An ally against the Control Devil," I finally let out.

To this, Kishibe stares at me for a few seconds before saying, "That's top-secret information. Alright, I'm going to need the full story. Now. Speak."

Nodding, I tell him everything. About how I come from the future and about Makima's plans to revive the Chainsaw Devil. About how she plans to use Aki and Power to make me happy and then destroy that happiness. I even tell him about how I defeated her. I can see him wince a little at that last bit.

"I have to say, even though everything you say is accurate, it's hard to believe she'd go that far for such a petty goal."

"Yeah, well, it's the truth."

"Heh, I'm a least thankful I don't bite the bucket in this tale of yours."

"You still don't believe me?"

"I do believe you know more than anyone else. That part about Makima only being able to distinguish by scent is something I've picked on as well, though it's easy to miss. You also have knowledge of top players like Santa Claus that not even the higher-ups in the government are privy to. I would be inclined to believe you if there was a way to explain how you were able to travel back to the past."

"Believe me; I'd like to know that too."

"Hm, the Future Devil could have a hand in this."

I remember something about Aki contracting with the Future Devil after losing the fox. It's not a long shot. But if the Future Devil's ability doesn't include time travel, then that must mean…

Kishibe finishes my thought. "The Future Devil blasted you with a vision way into the future. Now, I don't know which is more shocking. The fact that it was able to give you so much information remotely, when most people have to stare into its disgusting chest cavity to see the future. Or the fact that it gave you so much for practically nothing. Most people lose their eyes for looking a day into the future. Either way, that's only one possibility. The other…"

"The other?"

"The other is that you're bullshitting."

"So you still don't believe me."

"Like I said, I believe you know a lot of things that no one should reasonably know. I trust that beneath all the layers of bullshit, there's a sprinkle of truth. And in this line of work, that's better than nothing."

"So what do you think I should do? I don't really want to eat meat again."

Oh, but if I don't kill Makima, Nayuta won't be born…

…

…

Shit.

"Well, knowing that's a possible way to kill her, it might be better to use a devil anyway. But we have to incapacitate her with that blood chainsaw first. And that requires catching her off guard."

…

"Why're you all slumped like that?"

"I just realized that if I don't kill Makima, Nayuta won't exist. But I don't want Makima to die either."

"This Nayuta person… You said she's next the incarnation of the Control Devil, correct?"

I nod.

"Unlike Makima, who's committed numerous sins and atrocities, Nayuta's completely innocent. How deep has Makima gotten her tendrils into you that you can't see Nayuta's the better option?"

"I know, I know… It's just. Makima's the first person to ever be nice to me. Plus, she's cute and the first woman to not treat me like some dirty thing to be avoided. I know that it's all a manipulation. I know that she doesn't really care about me. I know all this. But…"

"But?"

"If I convince Makima to be a good person—to repent for her sins and start a new life—I don't think it would be fair to just kill her off. Even though Nayuta wouldn't exist in this timeline, I think I'd be satisfied with having a reformed Makima."

"Damn. If that's how you really think, why don't you tell her yourself?"

…

…

…!

Makima's office is always so spacious. You could mistake it for the Prime Minister's office. I guess that's appropriate, considering who's really in charge and everything.

I stand patiently as Makima finishes her paperwork. She sure has a lot of paperwork.

"Take a seat, Denji," she says.

I awkwardly stumble my way into the chair. As soon as Makima finishes, she puts her pen down and says, "For what reason do I owe this visit?"

"I've been meaning to ask some questions. I figure you're the best person to approach for advice."

Makima leans in, her primary expression turning to her secondary: a calm smile.

"I'll try to answer as best I can. But note that I have a busy schedule. Will 10 minutes suffice?"

I nod. "Don't worry, I'll make this quick." I then pause, breathe in, and then out. "What's your favorite movie?"

Makima looks at me all confused. "Forgive me, I'm a bit taken aback by your question. I assumed this would be about devil hunting."

"Ah, yeah, sorry. I guess I should've mentioned that. I wanted to take Aki and Power to the movies, and I heard from the rumor mill at the office that you're one of the biggest movie buffs. I figured you'd be the best to ask for such advice."

"Hmph, well I do indeed take pleasure in perusing the cinema; I wasn't aware such rumors were flying around about me. This is quite concerning. You have to understand, I try to keep my work life and personal life separate."

"Do you not want to answer the question?"

"Huh? No, let me see. There aren't really many movies that have hit me deep in my core. This is all my personal taste, of course, so I can recommend you some fairly good ones I've watched recently instead."

"I'd rather hear about the best one you've enjoyed."

"The best one I've enjoyed… I do remember a particular film, however, its name eludes me. It's a film about a samurai reuniting with his long-lost son. At first, their relationship is rocky due to estrangement. But as the two face trials and tribulations together, they slowly regain their bond. In the end, the two have to walk their separate ways. They exchange a hug, and the film ends. Oh, I just spoiled it. Sorry."

"No need to apologize. I'm a bit surprised you're into such films. I didn't peg you as the type."

"Ah ha ha, you got me. I'm not usually into those films. Maybe it was the end that stuck with me. I don't know the reason why, though."

"Was it the hug?"

"Hm?"

"The hug. Physical contact. Expression of longing. Was that what hit you?"

"Denji, don't be ridiculous. I guess that was part of it, but for something so simple to cause such a reaction in me. No, that can't be it."

"Yeah. I guess you get lots of hugs from your mom and pops. No way it could be something so simple."

"I… My family is confidential information, and none of your concern."

The way her mood shifts in that last sentence sends shivers done my spine. It's to be expected, though. What's worse than having a shitty family?

"Was that all you wanted to ask about?"

No family.

"Uh, yeah. Uh, wait, no, not really. There was one more question I wanted to ask. I promise it's the last one. Promise."

"Alright. Go for it."

I take another breath. "Let's say you want something. Like you really want something. But, in order to get it, you have to do some really messed up things. Would you still go after it, or would you stop and live without it?"

After I finish my question, I sit there in awkward silence. Makima's default frown has sunken further, and she's staring daggers into me right now.

"I fail to understand how this pertains to anything," she finally responds. I feel like my heart can give out at any moment. "However, it is an interesting question. How best to proceed?" Makima cups her chin. "I suppose I would stop."

"Huh, you would?"

"Yes. Though, I can't really think of anything I would go to such lengths for. You could say I'm satisfied with my job as is."

Liar.

"That's true. Oh, but the job of a devil hunter ain't exactly clean."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Well, you know, you have to make tough decisions sometimes. Say, like, you want to save someone, but in order to save them, you gotta sacrifice someone else. That sort of thing."

"Is this about your past civilian devil-hunting work, by any chance?"

"Huh, no? Well, maybe. How did you call it? It's comfy-dential. Yeah. That's it."

"…well, when it comes to making tough decisions for the sake of public safety, there are a few arms that must be twisted every now and again. It's just the nature of the world we live in."

"That is true, I guess. But if that's the case, how are you stopping exactly? If pursuing your work means you will have to twist arms, then isn't it better to quit?"

"Oh, Denji, are you worried about me?"

"…a little." I'm more worried about what you will do.

"I've been doing this work longer than most. You could say it's something I was born to do. As for your previous question, I somewhat disagree with your definition of 'messed-up'. For me, if something is evil, it's because it leads to an evil end. However, if the end is virtuous, can the means to achieve it necessarily be called evil?"

You call killing Aki and Power "virtuous"?

"All I'm interested in is making a better world. One where humans don't have to live in fear of devils."

Liar.

"That's why I do the work that I do. I take no pleasure in sacrifices or the twisting-of-arms, but if it's to ensure a peaceful state, I consider it a necessary evil."

As she finishes her sentence, an alarm rings.

"Our time is up. I hope I managed to answer all your questions."

…

…

…

…

"Well…" Kishibe says. "How did it go?"

Flashing my brightest and most upbeat smile, I turn to him. "I can't save her."