Chapter 4: ‘Love’ and Deception

(Read Author's note at the end please.)

(1st POV)

I stood frozen, unable to believe my eyes. 

How is she here? 

How? 

How? 

How? 

HOW?

I needed answers. Right. Now. 

Makima is a complicated character, to say the least. 

Don't let her looks deceive you. Her personality is darker than she shows. 

I haven't finished reading the entire Chainsaw Man manga. But I completed Part 1 and watched the anime. That was enough. 

She's the Control Devil, the devil of domination itself. She sees everyone as nothing but pawns on her board. 

At first, I admired her character, but there was always something unsettling about her. A chill that grew the longer you looked at her smile. 

And after she killed Power and Reze, any illusion I had shattered. 

According to the memories of that fallen angel, devils don't come from human fear here. There's no Chainsaw Devil. No Darkness Devil. None of that. 

So there are only two possible conclusions. 

First, she might be a twisted Highschool DXD counterpart of Makima, wearing her face and identity.

Or second, she might be Makima herself, reincarnated here by whatever cosmic reincarnation bullshit that govern this world. 

I didn't know when the Path of Human God would reset. One small comfort I have is the Blessing.

At least she couldn't control me or force me into a lopsided contract.

But if she's here—if she came to me—it means she wants something. She wouldn't waste her time otherwise. 

"…I am Aleks," I managed, trying to keep my voice steady. "It seems you already know me…Miss Makima." 

She looked amused, as if she were watching a pet dog try to bare its teeth. Her fingers caressed my cheek as if she already decided she owned me. 

I guess I'm her new pet now. 

"I like your polite attitude, Aleks," she said softly. "Now, come with me. We don't have enough time." 

She took my hand—if you could call it that. Her grip was like a vice. I felt the blood stop flowing to my palm just from her touch. 

If I resisted, she'd rip my arm off without hesitation. 

Before she dragged me out of the house, I glanced over my shoulder. 

Yana was waking up, trembling as Yelena pulled her into her arms. They looked at me, helpless. Silent. 

They didn't dare call out. They knew—somehow—that if they spoke, it would get much worse. 

Yelena's eyes screamed, I wish I could help. 

I don't blame them. They're just normal humans, after all. 

I kept walking toward the exit, my steps heavy, my mind still reeling.

Outside, a black sleek car was parked near the gate.

We got inside. She sat in the back seat, and I sat beside her, trying to pretend my heart wasn't beating out loud.

The driver didn't say a word. He just started driving like this was all routine.

The journey was silent.

I glanced at Makima, and the moment our eyes met, I looked away.

"Is there something you want to ask, Aleks-kun?" Her voice was calm, too calm.

"…Where are we going?" I finally asked. "And why do you need me? I believe we've never met before."

She let out a small hum, then smiled, as if she expected me to ask that.

"We are going to the Supernatural Public Safety Bureau," she said. "My private quarters, to be precise."

I clenched my jaw, trying not to show any reaction.

"And as for why I approached you…you will know soon enough."

Her tone was so gentle it made my skin crawl.

I looked down at my hands, trying to flex my fingers in order to feel something.

She really is something else. Everything about her feels…dangerous.

No wonder Denji liked her so much.

And just to be clear—I'm not her simp. Mind you.

***

Time passed.

The entire car ride was spent in silence. My mind was too occupied to bother trying to talk to her any further.

We finally arrived at the headquarters of—huh?

Cultural Preservation Facility? Is this what they're going with to cover the true nature of this organization?

Funny.

We got out of the car. She grabbed my hand again. I swear I felt butterflies in my stomach just from that.

Does she think I'll try to escape? Cute.

Some nobodies guarding the main entrance saluted her as we walked in.

A minute or two later, we stepped into a lavish room.

This must be her personal quarters.

"Sit." She commanded, and I complied, even though I was still tense, my guard up.

She sat down across from me, her eyes locked on mine.

(3rd POV)

"You are an interesting human, Aleks-kun."

Makima's voice was soft and almost affectionate. Her gaze never wavered as she studied him like he was some new species.

"You keep defying all my biases."

She tilted her head, her smile delicate and unsettling.

"It feels," she continued, "as if you're suddenly a different person."

Aleks felt every muscle in his body tense. He forced his face to remain calm.

"…I have no idea what you're talking about, Miss Makima." He lied while clenching his teeth.

But she didn't look convinced.

"You were born and raised as a normal human," she said, as if reciting facts from a dossier. "You never displayed even a semblance of affinity with the supernatural."

Her eyes gleamed.

"You were ordinary…until today."

She let the words hang in the air.

"A human with no training or notable background managed to kill an Ultimate-Class Fallen Angel with unknown means."

Makima's voice didn't rise. It didn't need to.

"And then, you proceeded to heal your stepsister."

A pause.

"And resurrect your stepmother."

Aleks swallowed, his throat dry.

"You exhibit abilities," she continued calmly, "that no ordinary supernatural being should possess."

Makima leaned in, her face inches from his. Her smile never faded.

"So tell me," she whispered, "who are you really, Aleks Constantine?"

His heart stuttered in his chest.

Bloody hell. Just how does she know all this?

A single drop of sweat slid down his temple.

"What do you want from me?" Aleks finally cut through the chase, deflecting her question. His voice came out lower than he intended.

Makima's smile widened, pleased.

"I'm glad you asked."

She leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs with an elegant, practiced grace.

"I want you to form a contract with me."

Aleks felt something cold crawl up his spine. He raised his eyebrows, trying to keep his expression unimpressed.

"And if I refuse?"

For a moment, she didn't reply. The silence felt deafening and stretching long enough to make his heart feel like its about to burst.

Then, she got up from her chair and leaned in—so close he could feel her breath against his face.

Her lips brushed his right ear and then she whispered.

"I don't want to do this…but you leave me no other choice." Her voice was soft. Almost regretful.

"If you refuse, your family will be slaughtered. Not even their souls will remain."

She paused, letting the words sink in like a needle sliding under the skin.

"And I will make sure of it, Aleks-kun~."

He clenched his fists and his jaw tightening.

But Makima wasn't finished.

"I also heard…" She drew the syllables out, her tone teasing. "That you were in the…adult video business."

Aleks stiffened, heat prickling under his skin.

"If you become mine," she murmured, her tongue flicking the edge of his ear before she gently nibbled it, "I promise I'll make you a very…happy and satisfied dog."

Her hand trailed lightly along his throat, fingers soft and deceptively affectionate.

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?"

Aleks sucked in air, trying to calm the heat building in his veins. He didn't doubt it—she was doing this on purpose. Trying to make him aroused. And it was…working.

This was driving him insane. His thoughts were slipping away, drowned under her presence—her soft chest pressing against him, the warmth of her breath on his skin, that low, soothing voice curling around his brain like a chain.

He forcing himself to stay grounded and snap out of those thoughts.

"…Why do you want me, Miss Makima?" he asked hoarsely. "What do you see in me? I believe I'm nothing special compared to the likes of the hosts of the Heavenly Dragons."

Makima stopped nibbling his ear. For a moment, there was only silence. Then she tilted her head, her lips hovering so close to his he could feel her breath.

He couldn't look away.

"You amuse me," she whispered. "I love how you downplay yourself…pretending you're just another human, denying the terrifying power you wield."

Her fingertip brushed against his lips, lingering there.

"I won't pry much into who you really are. But I refuse to believe you're the same human called Aleks."

She let her hand drop to his collarbone, her thumb tracing the pulse hammering in his neck.

"Resurrection is the territory of the gods of life, death, creation and such. Mortals can't simply do that."

Her gaze sharpened, golden eyes catching every microexpression on his face.

"And that unknown barrier technique you used…the Angel came out of it brain-dead."

Makima's voice lowered to a purr.

"When I approached you, you were trembling. When I harmed your stepsister, you did not retaliate."

Her fingers pressed more firmly into his throat, just enough to make his heartbeat stutter.

"Your racing pulse tells me everything."

"You have limits to your current self. Weaknesses you don't want anyone to see."

She leaned in until her lips brushed his ear again, her tone almost gentle.

"If I can make you powerful…and keep you as mine at the same time…"

Makima paused, the tiniest smile on her mouth.

"…Don't you think its a win win?" Makima finished, revealing almost everything she knew about Aleks.

(1st POV)

I have no words.

She knows almost everything about me.

It had be a nightmare if I decide to make her my enemy right now.

I haven't even strengthened my base yet. I'm still…weak and not ready.

She wants me as hers. A tool she can put on a leash. If I accept her contract, I'll have to do whatever she says.

…But it's not like I'm helpless.

The Blessing—it's the one card I still have. I can nullify any contract, any time. She doesn't know that.

I'm not truly her slave. I'll have to pretend to be her slave. There's a difference.

At least, that's what I keep telling myself.

I need time. Time to gather information, to learn everything about Makima and her powers. Right now, all I have are guesses—half-remembered wiki pages and that gnawing feeling in my gut that she's already planned ten moves ahead.

God.

Every woman I meet either tries to kill me or make me their pet.

First, it was the Fallen Angel.

Then the Goddess, and now Makima.

…Sigh.

"Fine. I accept the contract."

I looked her dead in the eye.

"You better keep your word, Miss Makima. I'm a wild, horny dog."

"And trust me—I'm not that easy to satisfy." I

teased her, trying to ease my increasing anxiety.

Makima giggled softly at my response, a sound that felt both musical and completely hollow. Then, without any warning, she leaned forward and pressed her lips to mine.

It was a short, chaste kiss. But it cut deeper than anything I'd felt in my entire life.

My eyes shot open.

Huh?

Huuuh?

Did…did she really just kiss me?

What is she planning?

She's too unpredictable. Too composed. She never acted this affectionate with Denji. Sure, she let him touch her boobs, but this version of Makima—she's different. Or maybe she's just adjusted her tactics to fit me.

She drew back as if nothing happened, her expression as calm as ever. Then she stood, turning her back to me to look at the clock mounted on the far wall.

"It's settled, then," she said quietly. "You're officially mine, Aleks-kun."

Her tone was so casual it made my skin crawl.

"One more thing," she continued without turning around. "You are not allowed to meet your family without my permission. And trust me…I would know if you did it anyway."

Just a warning.

Her voice was gentle, almost caring. It didn't make the threat any less clear.

"She will be here soon."

She?

Who the hell is she?

"…Umm. Who?"

"Your new partner," Makima replied, her eyes flicking back to me with that same empty smile. "And your roommate."

Before I could react, she tilted her chin slightly.

"She's behind you."

I turned around, and then…

And then…

My heart skipped a beat when I saw her.

She stood there, as if she had been waiting for me the whole time. She had shoulder-length purple hair and emerald green eyes. Her slender build made her look delicate, even though I knew better.

(Image)

She wore the standard Public Safety uniform: a plain white dress shirt buttoned neatly, a slim black tie, and black pants. Around her neck was a black choker. It was simple, but for some reason, it made her look even more beautiful.

"…Reze." I muttered to myself.

The name escaped my lips before I could stop it. Thankfully nobody heard it.

She blinked and then smiled.

"It's nice to meet you, Aleks-kun," she said. Her voice was calm, polite, and almost friendly.

I didn't reply right away. My mind was too busy trying to figure out why my chest felt so tight.

Memories of her character began resurfacing in my mind. I did not know what Makima was planning. 

But if she dares to ruin my life, I swear I will murder her.

***

***

***

Author's Note:

The contract with Makima exists but has no effect—Aleks's Blessing makes it impossible to control his free will. He keeps it active only to avoid suspicion. He is not her slave.

I really enjoyed writing this chapter, please vote and comment if you enjoyed as well! Appreciate your support.