Kobeni sat in Makima's office, retelling her encounter with Denji. She grew increasingly uneasy, tugging at her shirt collar nervously. Makima, however, seemed almost bored, resting her head on her hand as if hearing a mundane tale. Denji, to her right, still in his jacket, nonchalantly devoured a doughnut he had stolen from Aki earlier. Kobeni couldn't help but sneak occasional glances at Denji's rip cord, her concern deepening.
Denji, mouth filled with a chocolate-frosted doughnut, rudely questioned why he was there. He asserted his lack of interest in becoming a devil hunter, claiming he had come solely for a burger and hastily made a contract for it. Wiping his messy hands on his green cargo shorts, he pointed an accusing finger at Makima, bluntly expressing his feelings.
Kobeni gaped at his bluntness, and Denji's words made her cover her eyes as if she were on the verge of tears. "Miss Makima, he doesn't know what he's talking about, please!" she implored, attempting to mediate.
Makima maintained her composure, explaining that Denji's contract was open-ended. Despite the immediate danger having passed, she sensed that the contract remained in effect. The implications of her words weighed heavily on Kobeni. Makima's gaze shifted between Kobeni and Denji, emphasizing the severity of the situation.
"I can have you dismissed, you know," Makima's words echoed in the room, immediately dropping the temperature. Kobeni grew anxious. Denji, increasingly suspicious, drew parallels to a past encounter. He clenched his jaw and addressed Makima with a stern warning, "Don't do that."
He acknowledged his role in the contract, taking advantage of Kobeni's predicament and defeating the devil. However, as he spoke, the buzzing sensation within him intensified. Each moment Makima's eerie, swirl-eyed focus shifted towards Kobeni, Denji felt a disconcerting tug at his heart and ripcord, as if they were on the verge of being activated.
Makima countered with the fact that Denji had coerced a devil hunter while on duty, an action amounting to treason under the 1993 statute and could result in imprisonment or execution. She rose from her seat, stating her belief in Denji's potential as an asset rather than a corpse. Denji vehemently rejected the notion, Kobeni sobbing softly, witnessing the tense exchange. An unusual expression briefly crossed her boss's face, and for a fleeting moment, she wondered if Denji's naivety was as profound as it seemed.
Makima pursed her lips and swung the door open, revealing Aki standing there with an apathetic expression. "Pineapple head?" Denji blurted out, prompting a visible reaction from Aki—his back stiffened up. Kobeni stifled a small laugh, finding the moment amusing, while Makima continued to gaze at Denji with her characteristic emotionless demeanor. The tension in the room seemed to grow.
Kobeni clutched the keys to her apartment, a space provided by the Department of Health and Safety, a relief in terms of expenses given the financial support she sent home to her family. Denji's reaction upon entering was immediate, his expressive "Woooow" echoing his astonishment as he stepped onto the dingy carpet of the small living room, taking in the modest surroundings.
He observed the green carpeted flooring throughout the living room, a small wooden coffee table at its center, and a TV placed on a repurposed dresser. Curiosity led him into the kitchen, where he playfully hopped over the counter, exploring the space like a curious child. His hands wandered across the counters until he reached the sink. Bewilderment and frustration washed over him as he experimented with the taps, inadvertently triggering hot and cold water bursts. The ensuing confusion was interrupted by a thudding sound from the living room.
Kobeni had shed her black tie, now clad in pants and a dress shirt. Overwhelmed, she sat with her head in her hands, crying loudly. Denji winced as he witnessed her distress, a helpless feeling welling up within him. Tears fell onto the wooden table, marking the weight of her emotions and liquid began to pool on the coffee table. Denji recalled an old movie clip he once saw on a store TV, where a gentleman gallantly placed his jacket over a puddle for a girl. A eureka moment struck, and he swiftly removed the borrowed suit jacket from his back. Stepping closer to Kobeni, he gently lifted her head, ensuring she was looking at him. Dramatically, he laid the jacket over the coffee table, covering the tears.
Kobeni gazed at the now dampened jacket for a brief moment before her head fell back onto the coffee table with a thud. Her sobs escalated, the weight of her emotions now intensified. Denji felt a mix of helplessness and determination, unsure of how to comfort her.