Seeing Makima reach into her pocket, Hitori instinctively tensed up.
What... what is she pulling out?!
There was something off about Makima's expression, like she might be quietly enraged and about to go on a killing spree.
Hitori half-expected her to pull out some kind of massive weapon.
If she does, I have to act first. I have to protect Mom and Dad!
With that thought, Hitori discreetly moved her hand toward her backpack, ready to pull out Pochita at a moment's notice.
And then, when Makima finally pulled something out... Hitori realized she was overthinking it.
It was a stack of cash.
"Huh? What do you mean by this?" Hitori's mom blinked, eyes lighting up.
"This is just a little token of sincerity," Makima said calmly, handing her the bills. "Think of it as a personal guarantee for Hitori. I'd like you to accept it."
"Oh no, I couldn't possibly..." her mom said, though her eyes stayed glued to the money.
The Gotoh family wasn't especially well-off. That wad of cash looked like a seriously impressive amount.
"If Hitori joins Public Safety, her salary will be far more than this," Makima added, not even trying to be subtle. "So really, there's no need to feel any pressure. Please take it."
Her mom pursed her lips, clearly deep in a battle with her conscience.
Finally, she took a breath and said in a low voice, "Makima-san, with all due respect... I still can't agree."
"Money and salary aren't the issue here. What I'm most afraid of is something happening to Hitori."
"If there's even a chance she could get hurt, no amount of money is worth it."
"Mom..." Hitori murmured.
Her chest warmed at the sincerity of her mother's words.
She could feel the weight of that love.
"So that's what you're afraid of," Makima replied softly. "Then let me offer you a different kind of reassurance. I promise you, Hitori will never be in danger."
Her mom frowned. "And how exactly do you plan to guarantee that? I already said, I don't care how much money you offer"
"If anything happens to Hitori," Makima said seriously, "I will atone with my life."
Hitori's mom stared wide-eyed, clearly startled by the sheer gravity of her tone.
If Makima had been a normal person, she might've scoffed and asked, "And what good would that do me?"
But this was someone from the top levels of Public Safety. The weight of her words was not so easily dismissed.
Then her mom narrowed her eyes and asked, almost in a whisper, "Is this... a contract?"
Makima nodded. "It is."
"If you're going that far... alright then. But if we ever decide to quit, we can walk away anytime we want."
"Of course."
Actually, I want to walk away right now, Hitori thought bitterly, though she didn't say it out loud.
Her mom accepted the cash, and that settled it.
Starting today, Hitori Gotoh was now a government employee, officially part of Public Safety's Special Division 4, under Makima's command.
A little later, Hitori and Makima stood outside the house.
Makima seemed lost in thought, off in her own world, and Hitori didn't dare break the silence.
But then Makima suddenly spoke, completely out of the blue.
"You know, Bocchi-chan... I'm a little surprised."
"Surprised? About what?" Hitori blinked.
"That your mother is your real, biological mother."
"...Huh?"
Hitori's brain short-circuited for a second. Then she frowned.
"Um... is that your idea of a joke? Because that's kind of rude, don't you think?"
"Of course my mom gave birth to me. I wasn't some random kid they found on the street!"
"You're right. That was thoughtless of me," Makima said without elaborating further.
They fell into silence again.
Hitori thought back to what Makima had said in the house and couldn't help but ask, "Makima-san... if something really does happen to me, would you seriously die for it?"
"Of course," Makima answered without hesitation.
"Aren't you... scared I might really get hurt?"
Makima turned toward her and smiled with childlike innocence. "You're the Chainsaw Devil. There is nothing in this world that can hurt you."
"..."
Hitori was speechless.
Please stop being so confident in me. I'm just a fragile human girl!
Now she understood why Makima had so casually made such a dramatic vow. She really, truly believed that Hitori was the Chainsaw Devil.
She just hoped her tiny human life could live up to that absurd expectation.
Hitori let out a deep sigh and pulled out her phone to check the time.
And froze.
It was already almost 10 a.m.
She'd completely missed the first class of the day. Even if she sprinted to school, there was no saving her attendance record now.
"Ugh..." she groaned in despair.
"Bocchi-chan? What's wrong?" Makima asked curiously.
"I... I'm late for school..."
"Oh, right. You go to Shuuka High, don't you?"
"Yeah..."
"No worries. I'll call the principal and make sure they don't mark you tardy."
"Wait, really?! Thank you!"
"It was my fault anyway. Besides, while we're at it, let's exchange contact info. That way I can notify you directly whenever we have missions."
Missions?! Hitori winced at the word but forced a reluctant, "...Okay."
Later that afternoon, after school.
Hitori stood at the school gate, backpack slung over her shoulder.
Crowds bustled past her on all sides, making her feel even more awkward than usual.
There was only one reason she was here.
She hadn't expected her very first mission to come so soon.
But now that she was officially part of Division 4, she had no choice but to show up. Supposedly, she was supposed to meet her teammate here.
Guess I'm not going to STARRY today...
I should probably let Nijika and the others know.
She pulled out her phone and opened the group chat for Kessoku Band, ready to type a message.
"Bocchi-chan?"
A voice called from behind.
She jolted and spun around, startled.
"Eh? You're... Higashiyama-san?" Hitori blinked. "Wait, what did you just call me?"
The girl in front of her was Higashiyama Kobeni from the neighboring class.
"Makima-san told me my partner would be someone by that name," Kobeni said, her lips pursed. "So you're Bocchi-chan?"
"Yeah... my real name's Hitori Gotoh."
"Wow. I never expected you to be a devil hunter too."
Kobeni looked genuinely surprised. After all, the last time they'd spoken, Hitori had been getting harassed by delinquents.
"Honestly... I'm just as shocked as you are," Hitori muttered.
"What's even crazier is that our school was hiding a devil this whole time," Kobeni added.
"What? A devil at school?" Hitori blinked.
Kobeni took a small step back, half wary and half afraid, and gave Hitori a wary look.
"It's you, isn't it... Chainsaw Devil?"