It's dark, but the smell is familiar. I can't see anything, but I've seen this before. Why are my arms tired? Why does my whole body feel like it's about to fall apart?
"Looks like someone beat us to it."
My ears hear a dead voice. I can barely make it out, but I recognize that face anywhere.
"What exactly are you?"
Ah, this must be a dream. Or maybe, a nightmare is more appropriate.
This time, I say nothing and allow myself to fall to the floor.
"Hey!"
After what you put me through, concrete feels more comfortable.
My vision gives out and so do I.
My eyes open.
"That was a wild dream," I said. "What time is it? Nayuta's going to be mad if I don't pick her up from school."
"Who's Nayuta?"
"…!" Ah. What!?
I turn my head. I can't believe my eyes.
"What's wrong?" she says. "You look pale. Well, I suppose that's natural, given your prior condition."
I pinch my cheek. I pinch it some more. I them slap my face.
"Stop it."
She grabs my arm and I feel myself recoiling. This touch. This feeling.
"My apologies. You must've been through a lot. My name's Makima. I'm with the Public Safety Devil Hunter's Association."
"Ma-ma-ma…"
"That's right. Makima. And you are?"
I get my wrist out of her hand and look at her, silently.
"Not the talkative type? I can only imagine what you must've been, through… Ah, I got it. You must be hungry. Suzuki. Stop by the nearest diner."
This has to be a dream. The grumbling of my stomach is just a dream feeling. Yes. That's right. All a dream.
We stop at the diner. It's the same one. Now that I think about it, Udon and hot dogs are a weird combo. Nonetheless, my dream starvation feels real enough to warrant a second serving.
"Ah!" Before I order, I have to take care of that muscle devil. "Hey, Makima," I say. She's a dream, so she should be at least easier to deal with than the real Makima. "I've got to get something done. Tell them to prepare the Udon when I get back."
As I run, I hear one of her henchmen yell, "Wait!" However, they don't chase after me.
Makima probably told them to stand by and wait. That, or they ceased to exist the moment I stopped paying attention to them. That is how dreams work, after all. Right?
Following the same trail as before, I find that damned muscle devil and his hostage.
"Wait," the girl is forced to shout. "Don't hurt him. My dad beat me. He's a good devil. He protected m-"
Before the thing has any chance to spout any more of its bullshit, I kick it off the girl. Immediately she collapses, and the devil gives me a look that makes me feel satisfied.
"How the-!?" it says.
"Cut the bullshit, Muscle Devil! I know what you are. Transform already so I can cut you up!"
Damn. Felt good to see past a sneaky devil's deceit and rub it in its face.
"Not as foolish as you look," the muscle devil says as it transforms into its bigger form. "Unfortunately for you, I'm quite strong. Going to enjoy tearing you apart!"
"Yeah, yeah. I've got a date with Udon, so let's get this over with."
I pull the chord and make quick work of the petty devil. Now, I have to meet up with the other devil…
I bring the girl back to her dad and wordlessly make my way to the table where my meal should be waiting. Also, there's my Udon.
"After you left, a man came and said his daughter was kidnapped by a devil," the food speaks. "Then you come and bring the daughter back without knowing anything about him. Almost like you did know ahead of time."
"I have a nose for these things," I lazily answer as I prepare to dig into my bowl. Ah, so this is what non-soggy udon tastes like. I've been meaning to try it, but I haven't had a chance to-
…wait?
"You still haven't told me your name."
How would I know what non-soggy udon tasted like if I never tried it in reality. If this were a dream, it would taste like the same soggy Udon I had before.
I look up. Those yellow, ringed eyes are gazing at me.
"If you won't tell me your name, I will have to name you myself, then." Makima places a hand to her chin as she feigns thinking seriously of some name to call me.
I nearly choke on my food as I swallow it down and say, "Denji."
"Denji."
Knowing her, she was probably going to call me "Creampuff" or some other dumb name.
"Denji. Hm. That name suits you."
Around this point, she would tell me to either be her pet or die as a devil.
"Ms. Makima," I say. "You said you were a member of the Public Safety Devil Hunters, correct?"
"That is correct," she answers, putting down her chopsticks. "We deal with devils at an official capacity for the Japanese government. Of course, if need be, we're more than happy to have civilians help out with our public safety efforts. Provided they follow the required regulations. Oh, but this no longer applies to you. Seeing as you're now my pet and-"
"Wait, wait, wait," I interrupt. She's not even giving me the illusion of a choice in this version. "When did I agree to be your pet?"
"Oh, an error on my part. Yes, seeing as you're part-devil, you have two choices. Join the Public Safety Devil hunters or get hunted down as a devil. I'm sure it's not a difficult decis-"
"Lawyer."
"…I beg your pardon?"
"You heard right! I demand a lawyer. Something tells me there's some laws regarding my circumstances. I ain't going to sign my name on any dotted line till I get a lawyer's eyes on it!"
Makima looked at me with her usual stoic expression. 'cept this one seemed more strained than usual.
"A lawyer. Right. I doubt you understand the severity of the position you're in. One word from me, and I can have the entirety of the public safety devil hunters on you."
She wasn't bullshitting. Save for that crazy old man, there wasn't a single member Makima didn't have her chains in. Oh, well… Was worth a shot.
"Fine. But I have one condition."
"Oh, and what is that?"
"Don't call me your pet or dog or anything like that. My name's Denji. I'm a man. Treat me as an equal."
Makima pauses. She's silent. This is the closest I've ever come to defying her without outright attacking her. Finally, she speaks.
"You promise to devote yourself to the organization without any issues if I abide by these terms. Correct?"
I extend my pinky. "Pinky promise. Cross my heart and hope to die."
"Very well." She grabs my pinky with hers and says, "Welcome to the association, Denji. I look forward to working with you."
"Likewise."
But if I can't change your heart this time, I'm having it for dessert.
