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It's been three months since he was accepted into Public Safety. Three months of doing various tasks around the city, killing demons, patrolling the perimeter. Life goes on as normal for the schizophrenic boy. Today wouldn't be different
"The Big Chungus devil mission is finished" he handed in the report in the evening "I held back like you said. Only a dozen people died this time. The other fifty was hospitalized"
"Hm hm" The receptionist "That makes it your 50th mission without dying. Congratulations for surviving this long, mr Hayakawa"
Mortality is a logical fallacy. Death is a lie. He is a human who is used to the lies of this world. The only truth Aki Hayakawa can accept is of his reflective self. And so he will live
"Will I get a salary raise?"
"No, but you'll directly report to miss Makima now"
"Why"
"The director is also head of special divisions, which are demon hunter squads with experienced personnel similar to a black ops" She explain "Naturally, she's your direct superior"
Aki nodded. Makima really has that hidden boss vibe. In an RPG or manga, she'd be the one to manipulate everyone from the shadow. For some reason, she fit the archetype
"Miss Makima 's responsibility is to find new blood to supplment the dwindling work force, as such you should expect to interact with her a lot more in the future"
The woman smile brightly at him
"I mean, I should be jealous of you! She's such a pretty thing, so charismatic, intelligent, and no doubt full of kindness. She's every man's idealized woman"
Aki picked up the report and left, leaving the woman to her rambling
______
"Come in"
The same red hair, friendly smile, and ember-colored irises greeted him as he closed the door. Makima gestured at one of the guest seat as a silent invite
"Good afternoon" Was her greeting as he hand in the mission result. Without another word, Makima began signing off his report. She seem satisfied for whatever reason "How has your day been, Aki?"
"It's fine"
He look out the window, waiting for her to finish so he can finally go home and do stuff. Like sleeping, or eating, or find somebody who believe this world is fictional but also not a conspiracy theorist
"Are you free tonight?"
He shrugged. "I can make time. Why do you ask?"
"I'm thinking we can go have dinner at my place" Her lips slightly curled, the limit between innocent curiosity and seductive manipulation set. Aki knew better than to stare down the predator's bait. He would not accept that lie
"The food is on me, of course"
Some lies, however, are worth dying for
______
He stood at the front door to her apartment. As the clock struck six, Aki knock on the door. It opened without pause, as if whoever is on the other side has been waiting for him
Makima has her hair loose. The woman wore comfortable clothing - a pale green shirt with casual jeans. She looks charming for an unpredictable creature with enigmatic intent.
Aki don't like women, but he can certainly understand the appeal
"Did it take you long to get here?" The redhead lean against the door frame, tilting her head at him. She let out a startled noise when he push her inside
"Not much" He replied "I have plenty of time to spare, but not much to waste"
How rude. Makime bite her lips. It soon return to her pleasant smile
The room is homely, walls painted in ebony white with velvet cushion on a sofa of the same color. He plop on the most comfortable seat at the center
Aki allowed himself to relax a little as Makima entered the kitchen. On the stove is a pot, already boiling. The woman must be cooking when he came
"Why am I here?"
"I simply want to know about public safety's rising recruit" She chop the onion to thin pieces, then carefully slide them to the boiling pot from the edge of her knife
"It's been three months since you joined the organization. May I ask why you haven't made a partner?" She prepare the meat. It is a delicious red, their tempting freshness displayed beautifully under the kitchen light
"Socializing isn't my strong point" He sigh "Is that what the office worker's beeen telling you? I simply work better alone"
Makima chuckled
"Relationship is an important part of being human" She stirs the pot. The pleasant smell of spice waft through his nose "We are social creatures, and seek to connect with kins to stimulate, whether to survive as a group, or affirm our existence"
"You sound like a therapist"
"Maybe" she hum, turning off the stove "Where would humanity go if we can't accept the desperate nature from our being? We don't come to peace with things we instinctively reject. It is only inevitability that forced the change"
"I don't believe so" He narrowed his eyes "Choice isn't a matter of freedom. It is a matter of individuality. Every man and woman, under any circumstances, is bound to travel a path unique to them alone"
"A noble and idealistic notion. Philosophically speaking, human would find themselves rather hard to attain such clarity without conscious of its motive"
"You didn't invite me to this place, cook me a meal and talk to me out of the kindness of your heart" His finger wrap around the spoon "It's rather clear from our conversation me finding a partner has never been your motive"
Silence descend upon the table
"You're an interesting person" she finally said "Apologies. I only have your best interest at mind"
There are many kind of liars. There are the compulsive ones, the reluctant ones, and the ones who speaks in half-truth
Which is the lie, and which is its true purpose?
"Dinner's getting cold"
"It is" Without another word, Makima serve his dish. Aki couldn't help but notice how odd the meat taste
__________
Aki walk to the receptionist table in the morning. The attending lady is a different one from yesterday, whom he met more often
"Good morning, Yarai"
"Hayakawa" The middle aged lady respond with a nod, as per courtesy "Here to take another mission?"
He was about to give affirmative, but the conversation last night linger in his mind.
Aki gave it a thought. He don't trust Makima's kind facade, but at the same time she has a point about partnering with others. If he keeps going solo, people will look at him weird
"Actually, I was wondering if there's any recruits I can be partnered with"
Yarai paused. He could imagine the gear in her head turning at this, admittedly, out of character request
"Any specifications?" She opened the cabinets and shift through a few files "We have a variety of applicants waiting for approval. Choose one so we can get you on the same team"
The stack of paper was placed before him. Aki turn each page, inspecting the various individuals on display. None of them seem particularly impressive
"Ex-soldiers, mercenaries, killer for hire..." These guys all have NPC energy. He is looking for someone with a protagonist background, as they'd usually be the most interesting
The Devil Hunter continued until he comes across a particular file. He took it and show the photo to the receptionist
"Who is she?"
"Kobeni Higashiyama" Yarai adjust her glasses "She joined a week ago. Has decent skillset. Background check reveal she comes from a family with financial difficulties"
"So a person who is in this for the money" he nod "Why hasn't she been partnered with anyone else?"
"It would be better if I show it to you" Yarai sighed and reach under her desk
A file was thrown in front of him. Opening it, Aki frowned as he inspect the pictures of mutilated corpses displayed inside. It certainly wasn't pretty
"Are these members of her team?"
"First one, the one after, and the latest one" She affirmed "All dead within a week. We've classified her as a special case, seeing how all her partners end up like...that"
People his age joining the corp wasn't strange. However, this girl's circumstance raised a lot of question, and also red flags. Aki wonder if he'd finally get to die
"I'll take her" After a moment, he said
"Are you serious right now?" Yarai slammed her hand on the desk. At his confused look, she smile sheepishly "Excuse me for the outburst. That's one less problem I have to work with"
She turned to make some calls through the phone on her table. There was chatter on the other side, and he watched as the woman's face brightened
"Yes, he wants you specifically" She laugh "No, no. Aki isn't that scary. He can be a dork sometime. Trust me on this, miss Higashiyama, the boy'll take good care of you"
His keen sense picked out panicked sounds from the other side, as well as words of gratitude
As Yarai put the phone down, she offered him a warm look
"Poor girl, she was on the edge of being fired prior to this, so I'd say you did her a great favor"
"There are no flavors here" Aki's eyes glazed over "Hm. I remember now. The meat miss Makima ate wasn't beef at all"
_______
"God damn it Kobeni, why are you so fucking useless?"
Another Monday, another crying session for one Kobeni Higashiyama
It's only been one week since she has joined Public Safety. One week too late for the teenage girl to regret her decision of ever sending that application form
"If you're just going to piss yourself every time we meet a devil, might as well quit the job, kid"
Everyone told her that, but...she can't. The altenatives to this horrible job is simply impossible for her. Thinking back about it, she really fucked up big time
"Don't just stand there, help me! HELP ME!"
A sudden wave of nausea came over. Kobeni Higashiyama bent over as she emptied the content of her stomach over the toilet bowl
"Ahh...hah...maybe my family was right" She trembled at the look of her reflection "I'm not ready for this job. All I'm good for is wasting their money"
Vomit mixed with saliva trail down her shirt. Kobeni tried to wipe it with the roll of toilet paper in her hand, but her body started shaking with disgust again
The girl took a deep breath in an effort not to make herself more miserable. It would be the end of her if someone discovered a Devil Hunter is crying in the restroom.
A knock sounded outside, making her froze
"O-occupied" She croaked out
"I don't hear the sound of shitting" A voice sounded from the other side "Is your name Kobeni Higashiyama? We were suppose to meet half an hour ago"
Oh, the person the receptionist had introduced her to this morning. Her supposed partner
Kobeni hurriedly open the door. It took her a moment to realize the vomit stain is still on her shirt is still there as she stood before him. She must have looked like a mess
"Um...hello, yes it's me" The girl stuttered "Nice to meet you"
"Were you crying inside?"
"No I wasn't! It's just...something is in my eye" Kobeni took a deep breath "Maybe I'm nervous. I don't know anymore"
Aki look at her. His obsidian black eyes show no expression. Eventually, he nodded
"How good are you at killing people?"
_______
Aki think Kobeni is a killer bunny
--not a single slip in expression can be found as he walked beside her. Everything about her body language screams "weak, feeble, not worth noticing"- a natural defense to get under the radar
It wasn't a coincidence she is always the last one alive in any previous combat squad. Not because she is lucky, but because she has an instinct for survival
And that is crucial quality for a top notch Devil Hunter.
The two of them walk along the hallway. Kobeni is still fidgeting behind him, having changed into a new set of clothes minutes ago. Aki is engrossed in his newly bought book
"Um...where are we heading?"
"Lunch" Was his simple reply. He'd already done his mission today. Besides, treating your new colleagues to a meal was simple courtesy according to his seniors
The girl nodded.
She can't help but be curious about her new partner. Aki Hayakawa is a newcomer like her, and despite rumors about her mission result, had sent a request form to take Kobeni with him
Aki continued reading. Out of the corner of his eyes, the boy notice her peaking at his book.
"American Psycho" Kobeni read the title. As he turned around, she smiled slightly "I'm just curious. What was it about?"
"It's a story about Patrick Bateman" He consider his next words "He is an...unusual fellow. However, the story is less about him and more about the world he live in"
Through the lens of Patrick Bateman we learn the shapeless materialism that so plague everything around him, clinging to every man and woman he met
It wasn't a social critique as much as it is a commentary on human culture. Our needless extravagance, desire to fit in, and most of all is the ignorance of our actions
It all contributes to the image of a bleak society
"He is your charming entrpreneur. A golden mask that cover up the shitty porcelain underneath" Aki stare into space "Somehow I connect really well with him"
The world through a serial killer's eyes is most fascinating and horrid, but in itself reflects the nature of men's feeble mind
A life without passion and purpose. Without it, what are we?
Bateman commits unspeakable acts of tomfoolery with disregard for humanity. He rapes, and kills, and eat people, to feel a thing. He admit to those crimes to feel alive
But he isn't. He is a cogwheel in the corporate machine. The one in a millions just like him, in a soulless society where a man's moral is smaller than the penny in his pocket
That in itself is his ultimate punishment, the ironic hysteria from realizing you will never be different
"Here. You can have this book" He gave the novel to Kobeni, who accept it with a flustered face "Learn from it. Be a better psycho than Bateman can ever be"
"...Oh. And we're having beef for lunch
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