Devil Huntering with a new partner

You returned to Makima's office.

To your surprise, it was back to normal. No broken desks or knocked-over bookshelves.

You couldn't find any trace of the ruckus you had made before.

"..."

Kobeni silently stood next to you.

Her cheeks were bright red, and she avoided making eye contact with you.

She had been acting like this ever since she dressed up back down in the cell room.

But then again, you were also blushing and avoiding looking in her direction, so she wasn't the only one acting out of place.

Makima stepped behind her table.

"It's getting late, but I want you two to go take care of a devil nearby.

Judging from what eyewitnesses have said, it doesn't seem to be a strong one, but it's near an apartment complex, so it's best if we get rid of it quickly."

"Got it."

You nodded, eager for any time to break the awkward silence between you and Kobeni.

Kobeni also nodded, although she seemed too embarrassed to speak.

"You can take a bus from the nearby bus stop to get there.

Once the devil is taken care of, give the aftercare division a call, and then you can get off work for the day."

Makima waved her hand.

"Good luck."

You stayed silent the entire bus ride.

It was near rush hour, so the bus was packed with people going home.

Since Kobeni was smaller than the others, you put a hand on her shoulder and kept her close.

Kobeni startled when you made contact, but she soon stepped a little closer to you during the bus ride.

'This is so awkward...'

You glanced down at Kobeni.

'Does she think I'm a freak?

... no. She wouldn't have become my...sex partner if she did, right?

Unless there is another reason for her to do so...'

Finally, on the short walk to the park, you mustered up the courage to speak up.

"So...um, I... don't want to sound rude or offensive, but... why did you decide to, uhm, you know..."

You tried to smile at her, but it came out more as a grimace than anything.

"..."

Even so, Kobeni didn't look up.

She kept her eyes down and squirmed slightly.

"...right."

You cleared your throat.

'Maybe that wasn't the best icebreaker...'

You racked your brains for a better conversation starter, but nothing came to mind.

It really didn't help that you never had many conversations with others, even in your previous life.

You were seriously considering talking about the weather when, to your surprise, Kobeni spoke first.

"...Makima-san told me before I went into the cell room that... that I can choose whether to take the huge extra pay once and leave, or get a bonus every month and be... your sex partner."

"Oh, so you were getting paid."

Suddenly, you felt like an idiot.

Then again, it made sense.

In fact, it made so much sense as to why Kobeni would make such a choice that it felt bad that you felt bad about hearing it.

"B-b-but!"

Kobeni noticed that you were let down and hurriedly spoke up.

"I-I wasn't lying...I mean, I, it felt so good, so I... I, uh, erm, that's..."

Kobeni desperately tried to smooth her words over.

Somehow, watching her fumble over her own words did help you feel a little better.

"It's fine. You don't have to apologize."

You waved your hand.

"I, I'm sorry..."

"No, it's fine. If anything, I should be sorry for... everything."

Kobeni nodded, but she still hung her head with a guilty expression on her face.

You decided it would be best to change the subject.

"So...what do you need all that money for?"

"O-oh. Um..."

Kobeni's expression went slightly stiff.

"My... my family has 9 siblings, so we're always tight with money.

M-my parents want my brother to go to college, so th-they forced me to get the money for it.

I had to choose between a prostitute and a devil hunter, so I came here... but... I, I don't want to die either..."

"Oh."

Listening to her story reminded you of your parents.

They weren't the best parents as well, but at least they didn't force you to earn money for them.

"That's horrible..."

Kobeni sniffed and nodded.

But then, she turned to you with a brighter expression.

"B-but now, I'm your sex partner... so all I have to think about is you, and I'll get paid per ejaculation..."

"...right."

You weren't sure if that was a morally correct solution to her problem...

But then again, you couldn't think of any better way to actually solve Kobeni's problem.

'It's not like I could barge in and kill them all or something...'

"I-I'll do my best to pleasure you, so don't hold back in asking..."

Kobeni stopped in the middle of her words as she realized what she was talking about.

She retreated back into silence while blushing even deeper than before.

You nodded.

"I'll... think about it."

"..."

Thankfully, you arrived at the park not long after.

A pair of police officers, armed with small shields and batons, stood next to the entrance.

"No entry allowed."

One of the officers grunted.

"O-oh, hold on..."

Kobeni fumbled with her pockets and pulled out a tattered wallet.

"We're with Public Safety Devil Extermination Special Division 4..."

The officer checked the badge attached to the wallet and clicked his tongue.

"Took you long enough.

The devil is lurking in the lake.

It only comes out to grab when something comes nearby, so you'll have to draw it out."

"Do us a favor and don't die. We have already written enough reports for a lifetime."

The other officer added.

Kobeni let out a small hiccup.

The park seemed like a regular park any big city would have, apart from the giant lake in the middle.

You stared at the lake, hoping for some clues.

"...whoa."

Instead, you found a cluster of bones piled at the edge of the lake.

Luckily, they were all picked clean, so you didn't have to see gross flesh lying around.

Then, something moved in the water.

You quickly stepped back.

You hadn't expected that the devil would be this sensitive to another's presence.

"Kobeni, it's coming!"

"Eh-eeeeh!?"

Kobeni yelped and fumbled around her pockets.

You took out the axe, which was the only bladed weapon you had ever used.

It was more of a bearded axe, which was not suited for lumbering, but you had used it before to shave some logs.

You locked your eyes on the lake as a shadow slowly emerged from below the water's surface.

Glrrrg...

The devil looked like an anthropomorphic fish.

It had pale blue skin and sharp teeth. Instead of fins, it had limbs with fingers ending in sharp black nails.

Its gills closed up as soon as it made contact with the air, and the devil took a deep breath through its mouth.

'Looks like breathing isn't going to be a problem for it.'

"Alright.

Kobeni, I'll go around to its right, you—"

"Awaaahhhh!!"

Kobeni screamed in terror and ran away before you could finish.

"Wha—"

Your mouth opened in shock.

Glrrrugaah!!

The fish devil reacted to Kobeni's scream.

It slammed its fist onto the ground, then leaped towards you with its fanged mouth wide open.