Makima's deep-seated disgust toward Renji's request was quite strong. Renji couldn't be sure what answer she would ultimately give.
On the rooftop, the Angel Devil overlooked the three figures below, clutching her stomach, her brows tightly furrowed. She was putting all the positive attitude she had ever possessed toward work into making herself look a little pained.
She didn't know the exact details of the situation, but she could sense the atmosphere was off. It seemed like Renji might fight Makima on the spot for this bomber.
The Angel Devil, of course, knew about Makima's identity and abilities. She herself had been caught and brought to the city by Makima. Renji was strong—but not strong enough to defeat her.
She also didn't think she could fool Makima in her current state. But even so, if she could achieve even a brief, surprising effect—successfully delaying Makima for two or three seconds—that would be enough.
From the previous combat, Renji was very strong. If things really developed in the worst direction, he should be able to escape with his abilities.
I hope when you escape, Renji… you're alone.
Just as the Angel Devil was about to cry out about her stomach ache, Makima spoke.
"Is that so? Well, there's nothing to be done then. Since you, Renji, are guaranteeing it with your life, then it's fine. As for the Public Safety leadership, leave it to me to handle."
Renji breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thank you, Miss Makima."
Although Makima's emotions were of extreme disgust—just as before—neither from her current facial expression nor from her gentle, soft tone of assent could any hint of disgust be perceived.
Makima walked toward Reze and stopped in front of her.
Reze, in her Weapon Human form, quickly reverted to her human appearance. A bead of sweat trickled down her cheek.
Makima gently reached out and wiped the sweat away.
"I actually… also really like country mice. I have a friend who has a few acres of fertile land in the countryside. Every autumn, I go to help out. But there are many mice hidden in the fields that destroy the crops, and they must all be driven away before the snow comes."
[Ding~ Detected Reze's nervous emotional state. System rewards 20 points.]
"So, I'll work with my friend to turn over the soil and kill all the troublesome mice. I don't know why, but every time I do this, I feel very at peace."
"But recently, for some reason, my friend has started raising mice—even treating them as very important. I don't understand. It's just a mouse."
"But I can't do anything about it. After all, he's my friend. So I can only respect him."
Makima walked past Reze.
"Since everything is resolved, let's go together. We can meet up with Miss Kishibe and the others now."
"Um… Miss Makima?"
Renji called out. Makima turned.
"Hmm?"
Renji hesitated slightly before speaking.
"I plan to take Reze somewhere else to rest first. She's too tired. She probably won't have the energy to report to Public Safety Headquarters until evening."
After speaking, he looked at Makima with a hint of apology.
[Ding~ Detected Makima's disgusted emotional state. System rewards 50 points!]
"Is that so? That's a shame."
Makima expressed understanding, then she thought of something else and continued.
"Oh, and about me being the Control Devil—you must keep this secret for me. This is crucial. Normally, ordinary public servants are not qualified to know anything about me. Once they know my true identity, their memories will be extracted. If my identity is leaked, it will cause a lot of unnecessary trouble."
Renji nodded. Makima left.
Watching her figure gradually recede until it completely disappeared around the corner, Reze's heart—which had been pounding violently due to extreme tension—finally began to slowly calm down.
It actually succeeded just like that…
Although Reze completely didn't understand why Makima would agree so easily…
But no matter what…
Kishibe left. Makima also left. And she had really survived.
She might have to work for Public Safety for the rest of her life, but that was fine. Off-duty hours were also acceptable. She was already very satisfied.
She could return to the coffee shop and live the usual life with Renji every day.
[Ding~ Detected Reze's peaceful emotional state. System rewards 20 points.]
…
"It's like a dream…"
Reze subconsciously looked at Renji beside her. He stood there. Her heart suddenly pounded again. She opened her mouth—but before she could utter a single word—
Renji put a finger to his lips and gently made a shushing gesture.
"No need for extra words. The important thing is now. See? I told you—if you had agreed earlier, we wouldn't have had to fight each other so fiercely."
A faint blush reappeared on Reze's cheeks, just as before. She lowered her head slightly and nodded gently.
"Mmm…"
On the rooftop, the Angel Devil kept watching Makima's departing direction, her face showing confusion. But fortunately, things hadn't developed in the worst way she had imagined. She breathed a sigh of relief.
"Although I don't know exactly what happened… this is good."
The Angel Devil leaped down from the rooftop, landing softly beside Renji and Reze. She studied Reze for a moment, then turned to Renji.
"Recruit her? That's amazing you thought of that, Renji. This woman was trying to kill you just yesterday. And she's not like wild devils such as myself—she used to be with Man's Religion. I don't know much, but if those three words are on her resume, recruiting her might be… difficult."
"It should be fine. Miss Makima said so. As for trying to kill me—that was yesterday. The important thing is now. And I'm alive and well."
"Well~ anyway, I didn't have to work hard this time, so that's good. That's it then, Renji. See you during the night patrol."
"See you tonight."
The Angel Devil waved lightly at him, then turned and left.
Suddenly, only Renji and Reze remained on the empty street. Reze reached out and took his hand.
Exhaustion surged over her again. Her vision suddenly darkened; her body swayed uncontrollably, about to faint once more.
Renji quickly supported her and, taking the opportunity, bent down to lift her onto his back again.
"Renji… I really want to sleep a little longer…"
"Okay. Sleep."
He responded softly, adjusting his posture to make her more comfortable.
Reze didn't answer again. She had already fallen into a deep sleep.
She slept incredibly soundly, like an innocent child. At the corners of her tightly closed eyes, a few tears shimmered faintly in the dim light.