Steam curled from the tea.
Su Tang lifted the cup, blew lightly; his face blurred in the vapor.
"Your proposal is indeed tempting, but…"
"I refuse. Sorry."
He took a shallow sip and shook his head.
Makima propped her chin in her hand, tilted her head, and asked softly, "May I know why?"
"Why… probably freedom."
"Freedom? Do you think I would bind yours?"
"Ms. Makima." He sighed, leaned back, and drawled, "You may not know me. I'm nothing like a hero."
"Greedy, money-loving, ignorant, shortsighted, ambitiously incompetent, indecisive, given to lust…"
"In short, I'm not a good pick for a hero."
Silence for about three seconds.
"All right." She broke it first, smile unchanged. "Seems the timing isn't ripe. If you insist on refusing, let's put it aside."
"Thanks for understanding." He braced the armrest to stand.
"Wait. Don't rush off." She dipped her head. "We may disagree here, but we needn't part ways. We can cooperate differently."
"Oh? How so?"
He straightened, attentive.
"The conditions I mentioned stay. We'll still co-found a psychiatric clinic and make it a Division 4 medical partner to support our members' mental health."
"But for funding, you'll need to cover part of the initial capital."
"And as part of the contract, you'll become off-roll personnel for Division 4."
"Off-roll?" He frowned.
"Yes. Off-roll personnel don't have to do regular duties like patrol. But in major incidents or when summoned, they join the operation."
Got it.
Very easy to understand—like a guest elder in the xianxia he'd read.
Of course, not at elder level.
"Off-roll also enjoy formal benefits, with some reduction to pay and perks." She twirled her pen, golden eyes steady. "How about it?"
Mm…
He weighed a few seconds.
Frankly, not bad. Several items bespoke tailoring to him.
She'd loaned clothes, smoothed the process; he'd been stacking IOUs.
He'd refused the hero proposal for personal reasons—he disliked the spotlight.
And a faint unease had nudged him to say no.
This time, no such feeling.
He'd decided to agree—but asked the question he'd wanted to ask.
"Ms. Makima, with respect—your conditions could fit other psychologists (Note 1). My skill is decent, but hardly top. If it's just a clinic for Division 4… why me?"
"Mm." She wasn't surprised. After a pause, she answered, "Two reasons. First, you're already familiar to Division 4. And other psychologists can't kill two devils in a row—safety issues would arise."
"Second—Denji-ko."
"Denji-ko?"
He blinked. He hadn't expected it to circle to her.
"I'm sure you've seen it—Denji-ko's talent is astonishing. Especially that neither-human-nor-devil aura is very unique."
He nodded.
Makima drew out a file from the drawer. "This morning's review on Denji-ko and Power leaving their patrol posts—Aki submitted it. Considering they did engage devils, the review passes."
"But passing once doesn't mean always. Power and Denji-ko aren't purely human; missteps are inevitable. If I liken them to sharp swords, then I need a scabbard."
"Scabbard?" He tasted the word. "You're asking me to restrain these two fiends?"
"No—guide them." She shook her head. "My choice was Aki, but Himeno had objections… and Denji-ko and Power like you more."
"What do you think?"
Guide them…
Golden chopped bangs, bold, jagged; Power on the ground hugging Meowy, resting quiet.
He closed his eyes, then opened them—smiling. "Of course. In fact, that's a psychiatrist's job."
"Good. Then—pleased to cooperate." Makima extended a graceful hand. "Thank you for choosing to become my scabbard, Mr. Su Tang."
"Pleased to cooperate." He took it.
Not as he'd imagined—those white, delicate hands weren't soft. Like her—crisp and forceful.
Looking at her constant smile, he couldn't help but think: Ms. Makima… a woman you simply cannot refuse.
"Angel will take you to your clinic shortly. Also two floors: first for consults, second your quarters with Denji-ko and Power."
The clinic even prepared in advance.
He stretched. Nothing surprised him now.
Living with Denji-ko and Power didn't bother him. They'd cohabited once already. With whom didn't matter.
"Good. Business done—shall we talk personal?" Makima relaxed, eyes on him. She touched her cheek and smiled. "From the moment you walked in, you've avoided my eyes—like they contain some monster."
"Can you tell me why?"
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