Tattle on the Brat

"Starting today, a new member will be joining your team."

In the office, Makima announced the non-negotiable fact with her usual smile. "Hayakawa, thank you for your hard work."

"One?"

Confusion flickered across Aki's face, while Denji stared blankly at the ceiling, lost in his own world.

Public Safety Devil Hunters usually operated in pairs for small-scale missions or patrols. Currently, everyone in Division 4, including the recently recruited Denji, had a partner. Adding one more person would make things awkward.

"Will their partner be reporting in later?"

"No, there's only one."

Makima's smile didn't waver. "Or perhaps 'monitoring' would be a more appropriate term."

"Since they're an important subject, I'll have to trouble you with this."

Monitoring?

Just as Aki was about to ask a question, Makima spoke. "You can come in now."

"Alright, alright, the new Public Safety member reporting for duty~"

?!

The instant the voice sounded from behind him, Aki froze, instinctively reaching for his weapon, but Makima stopped his hand.

"Hmm? Who is it—?"

Denji scratched his head and turned around nonchalantly.

Then, he saw a figure all too familiar.

"Long time no see, Denji."

The black-haired girl smiled. "Did you miss me?"

Denji: "...Huh?"

[Energy +5000]

"You look pretty decent in a suit, you know?"

Casually tossing the shopping bag she was carrying into Denji's stunned arms, Shoko walked past the two with a smile, sat down next to Makima's chair, and crossed her legs. "Although I think we all know each other, I'll introduce myself anyway – my name is Shoko, and I'm the Desire Devil."

"I just broke out of prison today and was immediately apprehended and asked to work here. So, from today onwards, we're dear colleagues. Denji, Aki, let's get along~."

Makima glanced at Shoko beside her, ultimately saying nothing about her behavior. Instead, she shifted her gaze to Aki, who was still hesitant and unsure how to react.

"Hayakawa, the Desire Devil is a crucial asset to Public Safety's Devil Hunters. Although our contract with her has ended, we can't just leave her unattended. Therefore, we've decided to have her join our Special Division 4 for close monitoring. Since your contract with her is still active, the task of monitoring her falls to you."

"It just so happens that there's an open room at your place."

"But why put such a troublesome individual in my house...?"

"It's more convenient for monitoring. Besides, apart from you and Denji, there's no one else in Public Safety who can manage them." Makima's face wore a gentle smile. "And you're the person I trust the most, Hayakawa."

"Ah... Oh..."

Watching Aki being manipulated by Makima, Shoko raised an eyebrow.

Wow, Makima's dog-training skills are top-notch. I need to learn from her.

"Denji, you've grown taller in a year... but you're a bit thinner. Have you been eating properly?"

"Huh? Yeah..."

"Working under Aki, has he been bullying you?"

"Besides nagging, he's not that bad..."

"Is that so~? That's good."

"..."

On the way home, Shoko walked confidently at the front, Denji followed behind her with the bags, and Aki trailed behind them, frowning.

I don't understand what's going on.

Shoko, imprisoned for a year, suddenly breaks out, attacks Denji, claims a powerful devil from Hell wants his heart, then leaves on her own accord. Less than an hour later, she's smiling and becoming a member of Public Safety.

There's definitely something going on, but I can't figure out Shoko's goal, nor Makima's intentions.

This feeling of being caught in a trap without knowing where the danger would come from made Aki incredibly uneasy.

Although he asked Makima, she hadn't given him any meaningful answers. So, now he had a belly full of questions for Shoko. But seeing the clueless Denji happily chatting with Shoko after their reunion, he couldn't interrupt. He could only silently increase his vigilance, ready to prevent Shoko from suddenly trying to steal Denji's heart.

Maybe a fierce battle will break out on the way home— Aki's worst-case scenario didn't materialize. They arrived home without incident and even encountered an unexpected guest at the door.

"Why are you guys back so late?! You made this great me wait forever!"

Carrying bags of luggage, with a cat perched on her shoulder, Power yelled at the trio. "Hurry up and open the door! From today on, this great Power is living here!"

Denji & Aki: "Huh?!"

Shoko: "Oh my, oh my~"

In Aki's living room, Shoko leaned against the wall, watching Aki and Denji frantically complain about Power's bad habits.

But I have to say, a devil who doesn't bathe and doesn't flush the toilet is a bit much. I hope these two can fix Power's bad habits quickly. Otherwise, I might have to take matters into my own hands... living in the same house, it's a bit much.

"Seriously, they're all problem children..."

Aki rubbed his forehead in exasperation. The arguing Denji and Power were giving him a headache. He turned to Shoko, who was watching the drama unfold.

"There's only one spare room left. You and Power will share."

"This great me has to share a room with this weakling?!" Power immediately protested. "I demand my own territory!"

"Well, I don't really mind..."

Shoko waved her hand dismissively. "Sharing with Power is fine. If Power doesn't want to, I can also sleep with Denji. We've lived together before, after all."

"..."

Denji remained silent, looking dumbfounded.

"No." Aki wearily massaged his temples, wondering if there was any point in discussing gender separation with devils. They weren't even the same species, after all...

Ignoring Power's objections, the homeowner made the final decision.

"Power and Shoko, you two will share a room!"

"The biggest room! That brat is still scared of this great me!"

Power, initially unhappy about sharing with Shoko, immediately puffed up upon entering the master bedroom Aki had given up. She arrogantly threw herself onto the bed with her cat, then propped her head up and looked at Shoko like a bandit leader.

"This bed belongs to this great Power! You're not allowed to steal it!"

"That's a bit of a problem, since there's only one bed..." Shoko tilted her head, feigning distress.

"Who cares!"

Power was full of herself, acting even more arrogant towards Shoko than she did towards Denji and Aki.

This was understandable. After all, Denji and Aki were humans and official subordinates of Makima, while Power was a Fiend under surveillance. Plus, she had just caused a major incident, so it was natural for her to be a bit more restrained around them.

But Shoko was different in her eyes.

First, she was a devil under surveillance, just like her. They were on equal footing.

Second, this gal hadn't helped her during the previous incident.

Finally, and most importantly—this gal couldn't beat her!

"Hmph, the Desire Devil, right? This great Power knows about you. One of the weakest devils in Hell. Always getting killed by other devils 'cause you're tasty, then quickly reviving back in Hell~"

Power pointed at herself with her thumb, full of pride.

"And this great Power is the Blood Fiend! I'm the strongest!"

"So, from now on, you have to listen to me! You do whatever I tell you to do, got it?!"

The way devils established hierarchy was simple: whoever was stronger was the boss.

And right now, Power clearly thought she was much stronger than Shoko.

If I let this idiot boss me around, things will never end...

Shoko sighed, gently shaking her head.

"That's not going to work."

The Desire Devil, supposedly a weakling, dared to refuse her, the strong one's, orders. The shock made Power bristle.

"You—! Then let's settle this with devil rules! A duel! If this great me wins, you have to listen to me!"

"Oh, so you want to fight."

"That's not good. Having so many bad ideas in someone else's house, how naughty. And for disobedient children like you…"

Looking at the bristling Power, Shoko gave a smile that sent chills down Power's spine.

"I'm going to tell Makima."