[1st POV]
(2 days later)
It has been two days since the Yakuza attack. The members of the staff in the 4th Division were given two days paid leave but today was the day everyone returned back to work.
After waiting for two days in the aftermath, nothing else came up. The threat was thoroughly neutralized now and the HQ had considered it safe enough for the Public Safety Commission to return back to their usual routine.
But while everyone else was back to work, I was tackling more important issues.
"400 million yen? Are you fucking insane?" I said in a tone higher than I intended.
I was in the building of the Tokyu Livable agency, it was a real estate corporation. Sitting across from me in the office was a realtor I contracted a few days ago.
His name was Takakura. He looked like the average office worker here in Japan. Sleek hair that was combed sideways, slender build, quite tall, which only made him look even more lanky, and he wore glasses.
"I understand the number is...considerable," he said.
"You must be joking. Considerable? I didn't even know houses could cost that much," I said.
Maybe I was not as rich as I thought. I thought I was Bruce Wayne for a moment. But 400 million yen would literally empty my whole account.
"Well, it is Tokyo," he said simply.
"I thought the government give discount to Devil Hunters or something,"
He shook his head.
I clicked my tongue.
Maybe having a huge mansion was still a pipe dream. Imagine the amount of food I could buy with 400 million yen.
"When you first came to us," Takakura continued after a while, "your request was extremely specific."
"??"
"You asked for a detached property," he said professionally, "with enough rooms for five adults, located within Tokyo metropolitan limits, with minimal surrounding residential density, preferably near the waterfront, and with a structure that could tolerate… physical damage."
"I did not say all that," I said quick.
He smiled politely.
"You did not have to, Takakura-san. Your occupation and the recent events made the implication clear."
I clicked my tongue.
"And those properties are rare," he said, tapping the page with a pen. "Almost nonexistent within central wards. Particularly in Minato."
"I told you it doesn't have to be in Minato ward. It was only a preference,"
"Yes. Which is why we focused on Koto Ward next, specifically the bay-side industrial districts."
He slid a photograph forward.
The image was that of a tall structure of concrete and steel. It had a high fence, a wide driveway and some other buildings which looked like garage and storehouse.
So it wasn't even just a big house like I asked.
"This is not exactly what you asked for but better considering your intentions," he said. "This is what we call an executive residence."
"It sounds expensive."
"It is expensive."
He turned the page.
"Land cost in Tokyo is the primary factor. Even in Koto, waterfront land carries a premium. Additionally, detached properties above two hundred square meters are uncommon. Most of the market is apartments."
"But you were clear you did not want that." he said.
"I can't have explosions in an apartment again." I said.
His expression remained neutral, like he hadn't heard that sentence at all.
"Furthermore," he continued, "you also requested distance from civilian concentrations. That restricts us to industrial zones, which are not typically residential. Meaning the few properties that exist are either corporate-owned or specialty listings."
The reason why I requested distance from civilian concentration was because I didn't want anyone to get hurt in case a fight starts out again. And with the current situation that was starting to unfold, it would happen again.
"So basically you had nothing."
"We had almost nothing," he corrected. "But I was able to find you this. Which is why the price is what it is."
I stared at the number again.
Four hundred million yen.
It was still expensive but thinking about it, the absurd number starts to make sense.
"If you still have issue with the numbers, I suggest renting. Purchasing is not advisable at this stage anyway," Takakura said.
"And why is that?"
"Buying a property requires registry transfer, taxes, broker fees, and legal processing. Even with an expedited schedule, it will take several weeks. During that time, your name will be attached to the address in multiple systems."
I leaned back slightly.
The real reason why I didn't want to involve the Public Safety Commission again was because there was a leak there. I didn't want anyone coming after me to know where I live that easily.
The guy seemed to have realized this too.
"And renting is safer how?" I asked.
His eyes softened just a little, like he was waiting for me to finally arrive at the correct conclusion.
"Renting can be done immediately," he said. "It is discreet, temporary, and far less bureaucratic."
He flipped to another page to show a completely different form.
"This is my alternative proposal."
"How much?" I asked.
"One million yen per month." he said.
Okay, that was more manageable I guess. Also, buying a big property like that was not favorable to me. This was Chainsawman for christ sake. Although strong, I could die at any moment.
"What is the upfront costs?" I asked.
"Including deposit, key money, and agency fee," he thought for a moment, "Approximately four months' rent in total."
"So four million yen to move in."
"Correct."
I hummed thoughtfully.
"So?" he asked with his hand out for a shake.
"You got a deal," I said and took his hand for a firm handshake.
..
///////////
[1st POV]
"And basically, that's how I got the new house!!" I said, standing inside the compound of my new home and showing it to my...
Family, I guess.
"I still think you went overboard with this," Aki said with a hand on his face.
"What can I say," I chuckled, "I try,"
This place was a little insane. It was a far cry from the previous small and tightly packed apartment where we once lived.
The entire lot stretched out wide, roughly a thousand square meters of reclaimed waterfront land, a private block carved out of the industrial district.
On every side stood a concrete perimeter wall, easily three meters tall, thick enough that it looked like it could take a car crash without even cracking. I knew that wouldn't really stop powerful individuals but those were there to only let food or people with worthy snacks in.
Along the top of the walls ran coiled wire to stop people from climbing into the walls.
The only entrance was the main gate made from steel and reinforced plates. It was big enough for trucks.
And then there was the gate.
A heavy black sliding gate of steel mesh and reinforced plating, wide enough for trucks, not cars. The kind of gate you didn't knock on.
The house itself sat at the center of the compound. It was modern, which was another way of saying simple and boring. But this too was built from reinforced concrete and dark steel so it was safe.
What I bought was basically a rich man's bunker.
Other than the main house, there were warehouses and garage structures to the side. They were meant for storage, training space etc.
There were smaller structures that held the water tanks and generator. Supposedly those should be able to power the house for a full week even if electricity went out throughout the whole of Japan.
You never know. There could be the Electricity Devil.
"Should we go in?" I asked.
"Hell yeah!!" Power answered first and immediately ran to the main house.
"My new castle!!" or so she said.
"Denji?" I called with a side eye. It was a little odd that he was not matching Power's energy.
"Hm?"
"What do you think about the new house?" I asked.
He didn't answer immediately. He looked around the entire compound, scratching the back of his head as he did that.
"I don't know.." he said in the end, "Never thought I'd live in a big house like this,"
I smiled, "Make yourself at home,"
He matched my smile before heading in to check the new house.
I turned towards Aki, "Although I went overboard, I know you will be happy to know that there are toilet and bathroom on each room,"
Aki perked up immediately. His antenna ponytail perked along with it. He had that ugly hair mainly because the Fox Devil demanded it in their contract. Maybe because of that I think it was alive.
"No more cleaning after Power," he said in realization.
"Yup,"
"I take back what I said. This is perfect," he said.
As we gazed at the new home, the sight of Power doing something dangerous and climbing to the top of the house caught our eyes.
The problem was that she was using her blood manipulation to try and create spikes which she could use to climb the building.
"Hey Power!!" Aki called out immediately, "Don't do that! We have stairs for a reason!"
And off he went, switching on his dad or big brother mode. Whatever you want to call it.
That left me alone with the newest addition to our family.
"Reze?" I turned to her.
She was standing at the very back of the group, her body language was shy and you could tell that she still felt a little out of place. But she'd never actually show that.
In the past few days, she had mingled among us. Successfully I might add. All of us were a bunch of weirdos whom you couldn't find anywhere else on the planet. A Bomb Devil hybrid and a Soviet Spy was not the most interesting among us.
"How many rooms are in there?" she asked, stepping forward to stand beside me.
"I asked for five separate rooms but there should be more," I said with a nod, "Why? Are you going to say we won't share a room?"
She only smiled knowingly. I predicted her words before she even said anything.
"It's good that you are taking your security seriously," she said.
There was a pause. I felt like she had more to say so I left the silence for her to fill.
"Things are complicated between me and the Soviet," Reze said at last, "I've reported a failure in my mission. But they are not asking me to come back,"
"????"
"It's a good thing and a bad thing. Had they asked me to return, I would have no choice but to reveal my defect. But its bad also because something else is coming here instead,"
"They know now Jin. They know about you and your powers,"
And this was where my knowledge becomes void. The international assassin arc, or so I was told. I had seen plenty of those comments about how peak this arc was from manga readers. Comments like, just wait for the next arc, can't wait for the next arc.
But that was the end of my knowledge.
The second rain won't be as kind as the first.
I could only reply her with nothing. I played with my hair while her hand slowly snaked into mine as reassurance.
It's okay, it's okay. I told myself.
I'm strong.
..
.
[IMAGE]
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