"You seem to have a lot of free time."
In the office at Devil Hunter headquarters, Makima looked impassively at Shoko, who had sauntered in with a playful grin.
Of course, Makima already knew what Shoko was up to. With nearly every living thing in Japan as her eyes and ears, she had overheard the conversation between Shoko and Aki.
Don't underestimate my intelligence network.
"If you're asking if I'm bored, then yeah, kinda. Not much to do."
Shoko cheerfully slipped over to Makima's side and placed the bento box on her desk. "You told me to help you raise Denji, but you didn't specify what you need me to do."
"And aren't you a bit too dedicated to your work?" Shoko glanced at the floor-to-ceiling window behind Makima. While other parts of Devil Hunter headquarters were still brightly lit, most members had gone home. The few who were still working were mostly slacking off with coffee, and Makima was the only one genuinely working diligently.
It was somewhat ironic that the most dedicated worker in the headquarters fighting devils was a devil herself.
"There's nothing for you to do right now. Just live with them like you used to and make sure to build good relationships with Hayakawa and Power." Makima spoke flatly. "I need to eliminate the Gun Devil, and for that, Denji needs to be motivated. He likes you, so you're his incentive."
"Ah, I see..." Shoko nodded in feigned understanding, not believing a word.
Eliminate the Gun Devil? Is she trying to pull an Aki on me?
It didn't matter. After hearing Makima's instructions to get along with Aki and Power, Shoko had a pretty good idea of Makima's plan.
It was just a repeat of the original story. Makima wanted Chainsaw Man, not Denji. Even if she didn't interfere, the real Chainsaw Man, Pochita, was now one with Denji due to their contract. So, Makima needed to break that contract.
Her method: give Denji a happy life, a family with Aki and Power, foster deep bonds, then have them die, either directly or indirectly, by Denji's hand. Losing his loved ones, especially if killed by his own hands, just like his father, would shatter Denji, leaving him hopeless.
Pochita's contract with Denji was to save Denji, in exchange for Denji showing him a happy life. So, by making Denji unhappy, the contract would naturally break.
Now, they were adding Shoko to the mix. That made sense. If Shoko remained alive, Denji might have a pillar of support.
You're cruel, Makima. A truly manipulative woman. Giving hope then cruelly snatching it away. That's just too much—wait, isn't that kind of what I'm doing too?
…Nevermind. Makima's actions didn't conflict with her own goals, so she might as well play along.
With that in mind, Shoko pushed the bento box towards Makima. "Eat something. We made this ourselves. It's pretty good."
Makima glanced at the cold food in the box, then at Shoko.
Expressionless, silent, but Shoko easily understood the sentiment being conveyed.
Disdain.
Alright, time for my silver tongue.
"What's with that look? You didn't think I'd get you takeout from some fancy restaurant, did you?"
Shoko sat on the edge of Makima's desk, crossing her legs and looking at her with a playful smile. "It's just some food for a friend, not an offering to a superior."
"...?"
A flicker of surprise, barely perceptible, crossed Makima's face.
Friend?
Since when were they friends?
But she rather liked the word.
Seizing the moment of uncertainty, Shoko pressed on. "Don't be so surprised. Friendships are built through initiative. Like before, even if we weren't friends, as long as I kept trying, we would eventually become good friends, right?"
...Would they?
Could friendships be formed with only one side's effort?
Then could her control over others be considered friendship?
But it didn't feel the same… something felt off.
Makima, though sensing the discrepancy, couldn't articulate it. After all, she had never had a friend.
The friendless Makima fell into contemplation.
"Don't overthink it. Analyzing everything makes life tiring." Shoko smiled, hopping off the desk. "Some homemade food isn't anything fancy, but sometimes, friendships are built on such simple, even mundane, things."
"Don't work too hard. Get some sleep, okay?"
Shoko gave the seated Makima a light hug, waved, and left the office. "See you tomorrow~"
"..."
The large office fell silent again.
Makima sat back in her chair, expressionless.
Rude, disrespectful, always grinning, doing incomprehensible things.
But, not afraid or awed by her.
Strange. As a devil, Shoko couldn't have missed my identity. Why wasn't she terrified to even mention my name, like other devils?
As if they were equals.
Not like Watanabe, who seemed to see her as an equal but actually treated her like a natural disaster, an enemy. Makima could see that in Shoko's eyes, she was no different from anyone else—except perhaps a bit closer.
Why?
…Perhaps, further observation is required.
Makima looked at the bento box on her desk, frowning slightly.
She brought food but no utensils.
[Target Makima's affection increased. Current affection level: 2]
[Current target energy charge efficiency: 190% ]
On the way home, Shoko smiled, seeing the notification.
As expected, the "winning over the CEO" strategy works on Makima too.