Akane walks down the street, her hands firmly in the pockets of her oversized red hoodie. Her eyes seem to glaze over as she watches the various people going about their day, a slight sense of boredom etched on her face.

Suddenly, Akane's thoughts are interrupted when a stranger accidentally shoves his shoulder against hers while passing by. She stumbles slightly and then quickly regains her balance, glaring at him with those snake-like red eyes.

Oh great, just what I needed today… she scoffs sarcastically. You know, it takes real talent to be that oblivious to your surroundings. Are you proud of yourself?

Gah! Stop looking at me like that, creepo! You're starting to make my skin crawl. She glares up at him defiantly before returning her gaze to the people walking past them. After a moment of silence, she finally decides to break it with some sarcasm. So, how about that weather today? Or would you rather continue with this amazing display of eye contact?

Her body tenses instinctively as the stranger speaks, his voice softer than she expected. She briefly glances down at her hands before meeting his gaze again. He knows? But how could he? No one besides Denji should have any idea about that part of her life... unless someone from his crew told him?

She chews on her lower lip, debating whether to deny it or not. In the end, she decides on sarcasm. "Oh really? You expect me to believe some rando like you knows anything about my demon contract?" Her voice is mocking and cold. "Why don't you tell me more, mystery man?"

Akane crosses her arms over her chest, leaning back against a nearby wall in a defiant posture. It's clear that she's not going to make this easy for him... or anyone else who tries to pry into her business.

Akane narrows her eyes at him suspiciously, feeling a shiver run down her spine despite the warmth of the afternoon sun. "So what exactly do you want from me?" She asks curtly, trying to maintain control of the situation. Her fingers tighten into fists at her sides as she wonders if he's here to cause trouble or merely to try and blackmail her into giving up information about Denji... or something else entirely.

The tension between them grows, like a rubber band being stretched further and further before it snaps. Akane knows that sooner or later, one of them is going to have to blink. But she isn't about to be the first one to back down.

Taken aback by his unexpected gift, she raises an eyebrow but doesn't bother asking where he got the coupon from or how he knew she'd forgotten it. The fact that he considers himself neutral in the war is also a bit of surprise, given their current circumstances. Still, denying its usefulness would be foolish.

"Thanks..." She mutters almost reluctantly, stuffing the coupon into her back pocket before glancing around to make sure no one else noticed their little exchange. "So... if you're neutral, then what exactly do you want from me?" There's an undercurrent of suspicion in her tone that she can't quite hide. It's clear that she isn't going to trust him easily, not when it seems like everyone else has their own agenda these days.

She narrows her eyes, not quite sure how to react to his cryptic statement. On one hand, she appreciates the fact that he's not trying to manipulate or threaten her like everyone else seems to be doing these days. On the other hand, she can't shake the feeling that there's more going on here than meets the eye... and that maybe this guy isn't as neutral as he claims to be.

"Alright..." She says slowly, not quite sure what else to say. "Thanks for the advice... I guess." Her tone makes it clear that she doesn't entirely trust his motives but is willing to consider what he's said. For now.

Taking the cigarette from him carefully but not too roughly, she studies it for a moment before taking a long drag and exhaling smoke of her own into the air between them. "Yeah... I guess you're right," she says after a pause. Her voice is more thoughtful now as she contemplates what he's said about choosing sides. It isn't an easy decision, but it might be one that will determine the fate of everyone involved in this conflict.

With another drag on her cigarette, she glances back up at him and musters a half-smile. "Thanks for talking to me like a normal person, you know? Most people don't bother." She pauses again, realizing how harsh that might sound. "I mean... I appreciate it," she clarifies quickly with a slightly more genuine smile this time around.

"Well... when you put it that way..." Akane takes another drag on her cigarette, looking thoughtful as she eyes the five cigarettes he's just offered her. She hasn't smoked in years, but something about his casual gesture and the situation they find themselves in makes her feel a bit more relaxed... or maybe even less guarded than usual.

"I guess I can try that," she says eventually, shrugging slightly as she takes one of the cigarettes from him. They smoke together for a moment, neither of them saying anything else until the silence starts to feel a bit awkward again. "So... uh... what's your name, anyway?" She asks finally, forcing out a small laugh between puffs as if to make light of her own nosiness.

She blinks in surprise at his answer, glancing away briefly before looking back up at him. His knowledge of her name throws her off guard for a moment; most people don't know about the Sawatari surname unless they're part of Denji's inner circle... or enemies who have dug up information on her past. But this guy seems different somehow, and she can't quite figure out why yet.

"Hmph..." She takes another drag on her cigarette before exhaling a thin stream of smoke through pursed lips. "Alright, Samaki... or whatever you want to be called. I guess we'll just have to see where this goes." There's an odd hint of determination in her voice that wasn't there before, and she isn't sure why. Perhaps it's because she's suddenly found someone who doesn't seem interested in using her for their own gain...

Caught off guard by his sudden movement, she almost drops her cigarette in surprise. Instead, it falls from her lips to the ground between them as she focuses on the group of men closing in on them. She glances over at Samaki quickly, noting that he doesn't seem too concerned about their presence or impending attack.

With a sigh, she retrieves her knife and stands beside him, readying herself for whatever might come next. "Looks like you were right," she mutters under her breath. Despite her previous willingness to trust Samaki, a part of her still can't help but be cautious around strangers... especially when they know as much about her as he does.

"I guess you must be new around here..." One of the men in suits snorts before raising his weapon threateningly. "We just want to ask you a few questions about your... association with that devil over there." He jerks his thumb in the direction of Chuchu. Akane scoffs under her breath, already knowing where this is going. The Order is always after Denji and anyone connected to him; it's nothing new.

She glances at Samaki out of the corner of her eye, wondering if he's picking up on the tension in the air as well or if he's just too relaxed for his own good. Despite her better judgment, she finds herself trusting this stranger... to a certain extent. But that doesn't mean she's going to make it easy for these thugs to hurt either of them.

"Sure thing," Akane says with a mocking smile