Evening.
With Makima's recommendation, Makoto and Ishigami Yu officially joined the Public Security Bureau, becoming members of the Special Division 4 led by this enigmatic woman.
Leaving the office of the Superintendent General, the three walked along the corridor toward the Special Division 4's headquarters.
Yu walked beside Makoto, his expression showing clear displeasure as he complained, "Why do you have to lower yourself to work under that woman, Senpai? What qualifies her to be your superior?"
As he spoke, Yu didn't even bother to lower his voice, completely disregarding the fact that Makima was walking ahead of them.
Hearing this, Makima merely tilted her head slightly without breaking her stride.
It only made her once again feel a flicker of surprise at Yu's absolute loyalty to Makoto.
Makoto chuckled softly, signaling him not to worry about such trivial matters.
Moments later, Makima led the two to her office.
To prevent Yu from feeling dissatisfied, she specifically indicated that Makoto could take the sofa.
The two sat down one after another. Makima propped her chin on one hand, tapped her fingers lightly on the desk, and slowly spoke, "According to Bureau regulations, during missions, all personnel must work in pairs. Since Makoto-kun and Ishigami-kun already know each other, how about the two of you form a team?"
"Absolutely!" Yu responded almost immediately.
Makoto had no objection to this either.
Makima continued, her tone carrying a hint of amusement, "I initially thought what happened to Mr. Kudo's son was just an ordinary sexual assault case, but I never expected it to involve a Devil. And this is precisely the responsibility of our Special Division."
She looked at Makoto with a probing gaze. "Makoto-kun, you and Mr. Kudo are acquaintances, right? Would you be interested in taking on this case?"
Logically speaking, the Special Division 4 led by Makima should be a frontline combat unit directly facing Devils.
Civilian investigative matters like this should have been handled by other specialized divisions.
But seeing that the parties already knew each other, Makima felt this case might suit Makoto's taste.
"Sure,"
Makoto's lips curled upward, his smile deepening. "I also want to see which Devil is so desperate."
After assigning the task, Makoto and Yu left together and returned to the employee dormitory the Bureau had arranged for them.
But 'employee dormitory' was somewhat of a misnomer… it was more like a high-end single apartment building.
After all, working for the Public Security Bureau was a life-risking job. If the treatment weren't good, who would work for you?
According to the Bureau's original regulations, two to three employees were supposed to share a room.
But on Makima's recommendation, both Makoto and Yu were assigned their own private rooms.
Inside the elevator car, Yu looked at Makoto beside him. "Senpai, do you need me to help clean your room regularly?"
"No, I can manage myself." Makoto smiled.
Just then, the elevator doors opened and several people walked in.
It was the Kudo Family of three.
It wasn't surprising, after all, Yusaku was now employed by the Bureau.
"Pfft!"
Makoto's gaze fell on Shinichi's face, which still carried a look of dejection but was staring at him defiantly, he couldn't help but let out a soft snort.
"Watch your attitude, Kudo Shinichi!"
Yu stepped forward and pulled out a stack of freshly developed photos from his bag.
Though the photo resolution wasn't very high, the content was clear enough to see.
"If you don't want Mouri Ran to see these photos, you'd better show some respect."
"You guys!?" Shinichi trembled with rage, almost leaping out of his wheelchair.
Just then, the elevator doors closed with a 'ding', and the elevator began to move.
Makoto and Yu entered the elevator. Seeing the Kudo Family still waiting outside, hesitating to come in, Makoto smiled and asked, "Aren't you coming in?"
Since Makoto had taken the initiative to invite them, the Kudo Family didn't dare refuse and could only steel themselves and step into the elevator.
The elevator rose slowly, the atmosphere in the enclosed space growing tense.
Makoto chuckled softly and looked at Shinichi beside him. "I'm in charge of investigating your case. Any leads? Or did you see the perpetrator's face?"
Shinichi clenched his teeth. He was extremely reluctant to talk to Makoto, but since the other was now the lead investigator on his case, he had no choice but to speak.
Finally, he gritted out, "Ask my dad!"
Just then, the elevator doors opened, arriving at the floor where the Kudo Family lived.
Makoto smiled at the family of three as they stepped out. "I'm not really interested in talking to a man too much. I'd rather have Mrs. Yukiko discuss it with me."
With that, he pressed the button to close the elevator doors and continued upstairs with Yu.
Back in his private apartment, Makoto first thoroughly checked every corner of the room to ensure there were no hidden cameras or listening devices.
"Come out, Pochita."
As soon as he spoke, the skin on Makoto's shoulder began to ripple slightly. The surface layer slowly peeled away, his form subtly shifting in the process, eventually transforming into the furry Pochita.
"Woof!"
Pochita leaped lightly onto the coffee table, wagged its tail at Makoto, and let out two happy howls.
"From now on, to avoid being targeted by that bad woman, we need to stay merged whenever we're outside, got it?" Makoto reached out and gently patted Pochita's round head.
"Woof woof!"
Pochita immediately responded, indicating it understood.
Ding dong—
The crisp sound of the doorbell suddenly rang.
Makoto opened the door. Standing outside was, as expected, Kudo Yukiko.
"I came to talk to you about Shinichi's... mmph!!"
Before Yukiko could finish her sentence, Makoto pulled her inside.
The next moment, her lips felt warm, and her breath was stolen away.
"D-Don't. I came to talk about serious matters." Yukiko struggled, her voice flustered.
"After."
Yukiko was at a loss between tears and laughter, sighing helplessly in her heart.
Her son's condition had long since improved. He no longer needed to go to the hospital as frequently, and the family's financial burden had lessened considerably.
Logically, she no longer needed to earn Makoto's 'reward' in this way.
But somehow, whenever Makoto invited her, she still agreed.
Two hours later, after a quick rinse, Yukiko hastily dressed while saying, "I have to go. Otherwise, Yusaku and Shinichi will get suspicious."
Makoto couldn't help but laugh.
Shinichi was already pretty dense about these things. It wouldn't be surprising if he hadn't noticed.
But Makoto was certain Yusaku hadn't remained completely oblivious.
Yusaku had been with the Public Security Bureau for years. Could he really not know that his wife's skill with disguise had become common knowledge in certain circles?
If so, where did her income come from?
Connecting the dots, could Yusaku really have no suspicion?
Perhaps the fathers of protagonists in anime all had a remarkable capacity for endurance.
Yusaku was like that. Monkey D. Dragon was like that too.
"Makoto, are you going to investigate that guy's case?" Just then, Pochita walked out from the adjacent room.
Makoto wasn't surprised that Pochita suddenly spoke.
They had been together for nearly a decade. Usually, Pochita mostly communicated through barks. They knew each other so well that a single glance was enough.
But occasionally, it would speak in human language.
Seeing Makoto nod slightly, Pochita continued, "Then we can transform and use my nose. It's very sensitive. Just sniff the scent that Devil left on that Shinichi guy, and we'll immediately..."
"Forget it, forget it!" Makoto cut it off.
He would rather die than go sniffing that thing.
Seeing Makoto refuse, Pochita didn't insist. It rolled over on the floor and winked at him.
Makoto understood immediately… poop scooper, go cook!