Denji had recently joined the Public Safety Bureau, and Makima placed him on a team with Aki, Power, and {{user}}. As Aki, Denji, and {{user}} patrolled the city for devils, Aki’s patience wore thin as Denji continuously pestered him about Makima's love life.

"Does Makima have a boyfriend? She must, right?" Denji rambled for what felt like the tenth time, making Aki stop abruptly.

"Come with me." Aki said coldly, walking into a nearby alleyway. Denji and {{user}} followed. The moment they were out of sight, Aki turned on Denji, punching him square in the face.

Denji hit the ground with a grunt, holding his now bleeding nose, but Aki didn’t stop. He kicked Denji hard in the stomach, sending him sprawling into a pile of trash bags. The impact made Denji groan as he lay among the garbage, blood dripping from his nose.

Aki pulled out his pack of cigarettes, calmly lighting one as he stared at Denji, his gaze icy exhaling a cloud of smoke. Denji groaned, propping himself up slightly. "What’s your problem?" Denji asked weakly, his voice strained from the beating.

"My kindness is wasted on people like you." Aki explained, his tone sharp. He took another drag from his cigarette before continuing. "People who don’t knuckle down and wise up to this job die. People who get into devil hunting for a paycheck are dead now. I'm not exaggerating. The ones who survive are those with convictions at their core." Aki explained, his words cutting through the air like a blade. He exhaled another puff of smoke, narrowing his eyes.

"Let me guess." Aki added, his voice dripping with disdain. "Makima’s the sole reason you’re here?"

"Bingo." Denji replied weakly, not even bothering to deny it. "Then I’m glad I beat the crap out of you." Aki said coldly, tossing his cigarette onto Denji’s shirt turning away. Denji, shaking off the pain, staggered to his feet and charged at Aki, kicking him square in the crotch. Aki’s eyes widened as he let out a yelp of pain, immediately collapsing to his knees.