The End of a Peaceful Life

"Ugh..."

"It's okay, it's okay, calm down."

Inside the izakaya's restroom, Denji clung to the toilet, miserably emptying his stomach, while Shoko knelt beside him, patting his back with seemingly heartfelt concern. "I told you a year ago not to swallow anything remotely nutritious, but you still haven't learned your lesson..."

Shoko's pointed words only amplified the painful reality of what had just happened, making Denji retch even harder.

While Denji had lived at the bottom rung of society, a carefree slacker, that didn't mean he was without dignity. He had his limits, and one of those was that he'd rather starve than eat someone else's vomit.

Yet, here he was, living the good life, unexpectedly subjected to such a horrific attack.

But what truly tormented Denji wasn't the lingering taste and recurring sensation of vomit, but the despair in his heart.

His first kiss… His first kiss was now inextricably linked to the taste of vomit!

And it happened in front of Shoko!!!

What would Shoko think of him now, a vomit-eater…?

[Energy +5000]

Judging by the sheer amount of energy Denji was emitting, Shoko could tell just how devastated he was.

So, should she stop now, after such a traumatic blow, especially since he'd already contributed so much energy? Should she refrain from further twisting the knife?

Anyone with a shred of empathy would.

So, would Shoko let Denji off the hook…?

Absolutely not.

"This is perfect, Denji. I got to see you at your most pathetic." Shoko whispered, a devilish glint in her eyes. "If your crush had seen that, you'd probably be doomed. Kissing a vomit-covered mouth is just… blegh. No normal person could handle that."

Denji: "..."

[Energy +10000]

Damn you, Himeno, this is unforgivable!!!

"My life… is over."

Finally, Denji collapsed before the toilet, letting his sorrow flow freely with his tears. "Even if I kiss someone else, all I'll taste is… that…"

Well, since I've already hit five figures, I'll go easy on him today. Wouldn't want to break the poor kid.

With that thought, Shoko replaced her teasing smile with a gentler one. "Say, Denji, wanna run away with me?"

"...Run away?" Denji looked at Shoko blankly, unsure what she meant.

Shoko pointed toward their private room, where the rest of Special Division 4 was engaged in a drinking contest. Apparently, Aki wanted Makima to explain the recent increase in Gun Devil flesh pieces and the reason for their team being deployed all over Japan. Makima agreed to tell them, but only if they could outdrink her.

Currently, the entire division was taking turns challenging Makima, a contest that didn't seem likely to end anytime soon.

"Isn't it boring just sitting there watching them drink? I'm a health nut, I don't touch alcohol." Shoko stood up and gestured towards the izakaya's back door. "So, wanna ditch them with me? It's gotta be better than going back to the smell of booze and… other things."

"Let's do something… naughty. Just the two of us."

Late at night, the girl you adore invites you to do something secret, something forbidden… What teenage boy could refuse such an offer?

"Let's go!!!"

"So, the 'naughty' thing we're doing is… going to an amusement park…?"

Looking at the darkened amusement park, Denji's shoulders slumped. He'd envisioned something a bit more… stimulating. Like a love hotel, perhaps…

"And it's past midnight. The park's closed."

Shoko didn't seem surprised by Denji's reaction. She put a finger to her lips, signaling him to be quiet and avoid attracting security, then leaned closer, whispering in his ear, "That's why it's naughty. Breaking the rules is the thrill, isn't it?"

"But the real fun is yet to come."

Following Shoko over the fence, Denji trailed behind her through the darkened park, finally stopping before a massive structure shrouded in shadows.

"...A roller coaster?"

Denji was puzzled. "You wanna ride this? But the power's off, we can't—"

His words were cut short as Shoko gently placed a finger on his lips.

"Close your eyes. Give me your hand."

Though unsure what Shoko was planning, trusting her implicitly, Denji closed his eyes and placed his hand in hers.

Hee hee, Shoko's hand… so small, so soft…

Before he could fully savor the rare sensation, Shoko started walking, pulling him along.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see." Shoko's voice was calm and unhurried. "Keep your eyes closed. It's a surprise."

Following Shoko's lead, Denji felt the ground beneath his feet shift from flat pavement to a narrow track, gradually inclining.

…Wait, are we climbing the roller coaster track?!

Perhaps due to the increasing height, the cool night breeze intensified. Denji felt the track tremble beneath his feet. The thought of essentially tightrope walking high above the ground made his heart race, not with excitement, but with pure terror.

What if I fall?!

"Shoko, we—"

"Trust me."

Those two simple words were all it took to silence Denji.

No matter what, Shoko wouldn't hurt him. Of this, he was certain.

His heightened anxiety made everything around him feel incredibly vivid. He could almost feel the shape of the wind against his skin, and smell the faint scent of jasmine carried on the breeze.

Shoko's footsteps suddenly stopped. Just as Denji felt a pang of confusion, the scent of jasmine intensified, followed by a soft touch against his cheek that vanished as quickly as it came.

In his heightened state, Denji recognized the shape of… lips.

"Huh?!"

Denji's eyes flew open, and he stumbled backward, nearly losing his footing. At the last moment, those same hands caught him again.

"Be careful."

The girl in his eyes stood at the top of the roller coaster, her hands firmly gripping his. Her long black hair danced in the wind, blending into the night sky behind her.

Despite standing in such a precarious position, she smiled, a carefree, almost reckless smile. "If you fall from here, even you might die, Denji."

But Denji was too flustered to care about the possibility of his own demise. "Just now… was that…?!"

"So, Denji, what comes to mind when you think of a kiss now?" Instead of answering, Shoko simply smiled at him. "Is it still Himeno, or…?"

"..."

Denji froze. The memory of being vomited on felt distant, almost forgotten.

Now, when he thought of a kiss, all he could recall was the faint scent of jasmine and the fleeting warmth against his cheek.

In that moment, Denji finally understood. His heart had already been stolen by Shoko.

Watching Denji's dumbfounded expression, Shoko knew she had her answer.

The 10 energy points for the Kissing Gadget were well spent.

Originally, this scene was supposed to be Makima helping Denji overcome his trauma, but Makima and Denji weren't exactly close right now. She had to step in.

Consider it a parting gift, a final act of kindness.

Shoko looked up at the moonless night sky.

It was time to put her plan into motion.

...Now, how do we get down from here?