Has the world without injuries truly been achieved?
Tokyo has lost its threat, and Denji and Aki Hayakawa no longer need to bear the guilt of betraying their partners. Although Makima didn't achieve her goal, she didn't suffer any significant loss either...
However, both Yuzuru Yamai and Kaguya Yamai could see some helplessness in each other's eyes.
In the end, it was still a matter of self-infliction.
At first, they thought they were just two mindless berserkers, after all, the main and side missions in this world didn't require any brainpower. All they had to do was avoid getting hunted by the entire world.
They never dreamed that the one who would open their hearts to them in place of Shidou Itsuka would be Denji.
And the one who would strategize behind the scenes for them in place of Kotori Itsuka would be Aki Hayakawa.
With these two meddling, even though Yuzuru and Kaguya didn't want to admit it, they were forced to open their hearts to each other in order to maintain the image of the Yamai sisters.
From now on, their interactions with each other would no longer be just bickering; it would evolve into sweet, intimate exchanges.
Under the watchful eyes of Makima, Aki Hayakawa, and Denji, Kaguya Yamai and Yuzuru Yamai appeared deeply moved on the surface, but inside, they could only sigh secretly.
The difficulty of acting had increased.
At the same time, Makima was also listening to the conversation between the Yamai sisters.
Although Aki Hayakawa and Denji had not gone into detail about what they did, from the situation at hand, Makima could roughly guess the general outline of their plan.
Yesterday, when Denji asked her for one more chance, although she agreed, she didn't believe he would succeed.
But to her surprise, things had actually taken a turn.
Makima couldn't help but look at the two with slightly more respect.
They were really daring.
Clearly, Aki Hayakawa and Denji's plan was to make the Yamai sisters remove their facades and confess their feelings to each other.
If, in each other's hearts, they considered each other more important than the resurrection of Yamai Kazamachi, the fusion ceremony would be canceled.
But if they were wrong, and the Yamai sisters still prioritized bringing Yamai Kazamachi back into the world, even if they confessed their feelings to each other, the aftermath wouldn't be pretty.
After all, no matter how you looked at it, Aki Hayakawa and Denji had deceived them.
If the Yamai sisters found out that Denji had told Kaguya he chose Yuzuru, and told Yuzuru he chose Kaguya, Japan wouldn't face one wind Devil, but the wrath of two wind Devils.
It could be said that they were gambling with the country's fate.
Denji was one thing; he never had much loyalty to the country or its people.
But what surprised Makima was that Aki Hayakawa, one of the few rational members of the police, would also join such a crazy plan.
"But it's fine."
Makima stood with her hands behind her back, a smile always on her face, making it impossible to read her thoughts.
Having Denji take action, betraying the trust of the Yamai sisters and attacking them from behind to kill them, was the best outcome.
Not only would it eliminate two unpredictable variables on the board, but it would also make Denji feel pain.
Although this goal wasn't achieved, Makima didn't feel disappointed.
After all, there would be plenty of opportunities in the future.
As for what to do with the Yamai sisters afterward, she had already prepared a countermeasure before coming here.
Makima stood quietly, waiting for the Yamai sisters to finish their conversation.
"Thank you. Thanks to Denji giving Yuzuru this opportunity, I was able to open my heart to her."
Soon, Kaguya Yamai approached Denji, slightly bowing in gratitude.
"Well... I really have to thank you, Denji, for letting me hear Yuzuru's true feelings."
Yuzuru Yamai's cheeks were still flushed as she shyly thanked Denji.
"So, you're not going to fuse and become the true Yamai Kazamachi?"
Denji's heart lifted. Although the situation was already quite clear, he still asked this question to be 100% sure.
"No, not for now."
"Mmm, becoming Yamai Kazamachi is still very important to us, but right now, I want Yuzuru to stay by my side."
Upon hearing this, the other three people in the room slightly nodded.
Although they couldn't stop the Yamai sisters from eventually fusing, even if it was just for a while, that would be enough.
Devils have long lifespans, and as long as the concept they are based on doesn't disappear, they can live forever.
Even if the Yamai sisters spent enough time together and decided to restart the fusion ceremony, that day might not come for decades or even centuries.
By then, as short-lived Devil hunters, they might have already passed away.
"So, what are your plans from now on?" Makima asked. "Not wanting to become Yamai Kazamachi means you no longer need the police as an adjudicator. You won't need to work for the police anymore, right?"
With this question from Makima, Denji and Aki Hayakawa both realized this point.
Aki Hayakawa had actually thought of this long ago.
But yesterday, he had been too busy executing his plan to think about such an important matter.
With the fusion ceremony canceled and the Yamai sisters no longer needing to settle the score between them, they no longer had to be bound by the police and its rules.
If they wanted to leave, no one could stop them.
However, the Yamai sisters clearly hadn't thought about what they would do next, and for a moment, they fell into deep thought.
Seeing this, Makima casually took out a pure gold nameplate from her pocket.
It had four big characters inscribed on it.
"Yamai Kazamachi"
"Although you two have given up on the fusion, you still probably want to retain the name 'Yamai Kazamachi,' right?" Makima asked casually. "Since you two have no place to go and no plans for the future, why not stay with the police? Whoever contributes more to the police will be recognized as Yamai Kazamachi. How does that sound?"
Makima could see deeper than both Aki Hayakawa and Denji.
Although the Yamai sisters thought each other was more important than Yamai Kazamachi, that didn't mean Yamai Kazamachi wasn't important to them.
In fact, it was the opposite. In their hearts, the name Yamai Kazamachi was perhaps only second to each other in importance.
The police could still decide who would be Yamai Kazamachi.
Although it would only be a name that could be decided, Makima was confident the Yamai sisters wouldn't refuse.
Upon hearing her new proposal, the Yamai sisters exchanged glances.
They really had no reason to refuse.
Staying with the police would allow them to enjoy all the benefits of a civilized society, and they could continue to hold the title of Japan's police, making other countries hesitate to act against them.
Most importantly, by accepting Makima's proposal, they would still be able to maintain a certain level of rivalry.
This proposal held no downside for them.
After weighing the pros and cons, Yuzuru and Kaguya both accepted the offer.
"I'm glad you've decided to stay."
Makima smiled slightly.
"Then, I hope we can continue to work together happily."