Kiss? Puke!

Denji and the others finally ended their Japan tour. Not because of Aki's report to Makima, which she ignored completely, but because Shoko realized that with Denji, Power, and Aki constantly away, her energy harvesting was suffering. She had pestered Makima until their missions returned to normal, allowing her regular access to them.

To put it bluntly, Shoko felt like she was… influencing Makima…

But she had no choice. While Makima was a high-efficiency energy source, Denji was higher, and with Power and Aki, there were three of them.

Plus, Makima was too emotionally stable. She gained affection but didn't burst with energy!

Shoko almost regretted focusing on Makima. She could have farmed Kobeni and Himeno instead… but it was too late.

"Everyone in Division 4 is having a get-together tomorrow. Shoko, you should come too."

During dinner, Aki suggested, immediately earning Denji's enthusiastic support. "Yeah, yeah, come along!"

"A get-together?"

Shoko, serving Power more rice, paused. She wasn't surprised by the invitation, but the event itself sounded familiar.

A Division 4 get-together… if she remembered correctly, it was followed by an attack on Public Safety, decimating Division 4, ultimately placing everyone under Makima's control.

Though there was that strongest Devil Hunter, Quanxi, to suppress things, Shoko could only say her effect was… minimal.

Was that attack orchestrated by Makima...? Probably not, she died in it too.

If she remembered correctly, Himeno died in that attack.

Should she intervene? She had interacted with Himeno quite a bit and had reached affection level three. Though not in the 90% range like Denji or Makima, Himeno still offered a decent 70% energy charge efficiency.

Can't waste resources. She'd help, and farm some affection and energy in the process.

"Even though you haven't been on missions, you're officially part of Division 4, so don't worry." Aki, assuming Shoko was concerned about being unwelcome, quickly reassured her. "Everyone in Division 4 has worked with Fiends or devils, so they're used to it. They won't mind you. They're all good people, like Himeno-senpai—you two get along well, don't you?"

"Himeno… hmm, I'm trying to befriend her, but she seems wary of me."

Shoko smiled playfully. "Like she's worried I'll steal you away, like a protective older sister afraid her little brother will be led astray by a bad woman."

"Huh?! If anyone's getting stolen, it's me! What's Aki got to do with anything?!" Denji protested indignantly.

[Energy +300]

"Shoko needs to feed me. Where would she find the time to seduce anyone?!" Power added angrily.

[Energy +240]

Having completed her daily energy quota, Shoko smiled at Aki. "Don't worry, I'll be there. But Makima's taking me out tomorrow, so I might be late."

"Yay!" Denji's anger instantly turned to joy.

"What? Makima's coming too?!"

The next evening, at the izakaya.

Denji, happily enjoying his yakitori while waiting for Shoko, felt his heart plummet upon hearing his senior's words. He didn't even notice Power snatching his skewer.

"Why would she come?!"

"It'd be stranger if she didn't. She's the head of Division 4." Fushi, their senior, calmly sipped his beer. "You can dislike her all you want, but Makima never cares about other people's feelings."

Poor Denji, happy all day, was now dejected.

Makima—the name alone gave him a headache. That woman was always clinging to Shoko, leaving him no time alone with her. He had It's not easy found a holiday, bought amusement park tickets, only to discover Shoko had already gone with Makima!

Though Shoko went with him again, and he had fun, the thought of Shoko experiencing those joys with Makima first irritated him. What right did Makima have?

But Makima hadn't done anything wrong, and she was his superior. Denji could only stew in his frustration.

As for the time he learned Shoko hadn't been to the aquarium, bought tickets for a date, only to be entangled by Power, with Aki eventually joining, turning a date into a family outing… well, that was another story…

Pochita, why is my love life so difficult?!

Damn it, at this rate, how long until Shoko finally kisses me—

"Say, Denji, do you want a kiss…?"

As if hearing Denji's lament, a slightly tipsy Himeno looked at him with hazy eyes.

"A… a kiss?!" Denji was startled.

"Yeah, how about a kiss from big sis…?"

A kiss?! Now? Here?!

Looking at Himeno's lips, Denji's heart pounded, and then—

"Uh, no thanks." Denji scratched his head sheepishly. "Someone told me that kind of thing should be with someone you like…"

"Oh my, aren't you a pure-hearted one, Denji~"

The teasing voice and the figure entering the room startled Denji, then filled him with joy. "Shoko?!"

Perfect! She saw him reject another woman! His affection level with Shoko must be skyrocketing—

Suddenly, Denji felt his head being held, and a mouth pressed against his.

Denji: "?!"

A forced kiss?!

He was being kissed?!

Sorry, Shoko, but you saw, it's not my fault… Hmm, soft lips, but they taste like alcohol, and a bit… stinky?

Stinky?

Denji, initially ready to succumb and enjoy the moment, opened his eyes.

It wasn't a kiss. Himeno was vomiting all over his mouth!

"Ugh, that's a bit…" Shoko grimaced.

She had seen this scene in the manga, but witnessing it firsthand was still quite… impactful.

Scene as pictured.jpg