Chapter 16: Running Away?…and the Meeting

Important Note: I had to rewatch and reread Chainsaw Man anime/manga to write this chapter accurately to stay consistent to both of their characters. I hope you enjoy this chapter! 😈 😈

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(1st POV)

The night sky looked clear and beautiful, way better than Tokyo's.

Right now, I was lying on a flower bed with cherry blossoms all around us.

There was something about nature that gave that peaceful feeling. Just being here had cooled all the stress and frustration I'd been carrying these past few days.

It hadn't even been a full week, and I already felt like I'd aged ten years.

"Aleks-kun, you sure hide a lot of secrets," Reze broke the silence, snapping me out of my thoughts.

She was lying right beside me, enjoying this moment.

"What do you mean, secrets?" I asked, curious what she was getting at.

"You know… the things you do don't really make sense to me."

She paused. "First, it was that evil dragon guy. Don't lie, I'm sure it was you who killed him."

She turned her head toward me. I met her gaze.

She had that usual smirk on her face, the one that made it feel like she'd already uncovered everything about me.

I stayed quiet, letting her keep going.

"Second… you destroyed the Eternity Devil's core. Its main body was way beyond for either of us to reach. Any supernatural being would've had trouble. I've seen…devil hunters die trapped in it forever."

Devil hunters?

Was she talking about… her past life?

"Devil hunters?" I echoed, wanting her to clarify.

She froze just for a second, realizing she'd slipped. A rare thing for someone like her who was trained to monitor every micro-expression, every twitch of body language, leaving no openings.

"…I meant supernatural hunters like us, from other countries," she finished.

I see… so she's not willing to open up yet, huh? I guess I won't pry.

"…I have limits like everyone, Reze. I'm not that strong… not yet. If I were, I wouldn't even be stuck in this Public Safety crap Makima forced on me."

"She does have a way of getting what she wants, doesn't she?" Reze chuckled.

There was something bitter in her voice, as if she had been used to Makima's tactics.

"Speaking of secrets…" I glanced at her. "Don't you think you're hiding something too?"

"The last time I checked," I added with a dry smile, "hot girls like you don't just randomly turn into that by pulling a pin from their neck."

Reze stiffened. Just slightly.

Her smirk wavered for a second, like I'd hit something underneath her usual confidence.

"…That obvious huh?" She muttered.

I said nothing.

She looked at the stars, her voice becoming quieter.

"…It's fine if you're not comfortable talking about it," I said, trying to ease the weight between us.

She stayed quiet for a moment.

Then, softly, she replied:

"…It's related to humanity's fear of bombs. My heart is the source of that power.

It's also the reason that devil wanted it."

That was the first time she'd shared truth about herself. I knew everything about her, but getting it to know from her personally had a different feeling.

She was choosing to trust me.

And honestly, I was glad.

"I see…" I murmured. "I've never seen anything like it before.

I guess this world's hiding more secrets than I thought."

I glanced at my watch, it was nearly time for the fireworks.

We had come here to get the best view, a sort of secret place I'd found.

Right after we showed together,, we'd attended a local festival.

Turned out our little Golden Week date happened sooner than I expected.

The night air was cool, cherry blossom petals danced around us in the breeze.

It should've felt peaceful.

And yet…

"Aleks-kun," Reze said suddenly, her voice softer than usual. "I've been thinking about this for a while."

She didn't look at me. Just kept her eyes on the sky..

"I looked into your past," she continued. "You were living a quiet, normal life with your family… until Miss Makima decided to take it away."

Her words hit heavier than I expected. The past she was talking was not mine, but why did it feel so relatable? Is it because of the memories I had of the previous Aleks?

"…Her forcing you to give up your freedom, the normalcy you had… it's really messed up."

She finally turned to me, her eyes met mine.

"You had no other choice did you?"

I didn't respond. I didn't need to. The silence was answer in itself..

Reze continued, her voice low.

"After your dad died… your mother worked herself to the bone just to keep things stable.

And then you…" she hesitated, "…you ended up doing things no sixteen-year-old should have to. Just to support your family financially."

There was no pity in her eyes, it felt as if she has seen this kind of messed up things before.

"You remind me of someone," she murmured. "Someone who didn't go to school . Got used by people stronger than him. Just like you."

She didn't need to say the name.

I knew she was talking about Denji.

The fireworks started without us realizing it. We sat back up, wanting to enjoy the moment.

She held my hand, then looked at me.

"…I have a feeling… if we go on that mission in Kyoto, something horrible is going to happen."

"This thought scares me day and night. I try to forget about it, but I can't help picturing us being separated…"

She paused.

"I want to protect you, Aleks-kun."

"…Reze, I… I'm not really sure what you mean," I said quietly.

She held my hand tighter and looked straight at me.

Without hesitation, she said,

"Will you forget about Miss Makima… and run away with me?"

"I know a place we can go. Somewhere quiet. We could start that normal life we both always wanted. Together."

"Miss Makima will never find us."

Her voice trembled slightly, but determination in her eyes never faltered.

"I want to make you happy. I want to protect you."

"Please."

She poured out everything that had been clogging her heart.

My instincts told me she wasn't lying. There was no ulterior motive. She was being completely honest.

But still… doubt lingered in my mind.

Would she betray me if I said no?

I wanted to believe she'd changed.

That this time… she really loved me.

"Run away? But why would you do all that?" I asked.

She looked at me—without hesitation.

"Because I really love you, Aleks-kun."

My eyes widened. My heart stuttered for a second.

She meant it. Every word.

I'd always wanted to live a peaceful life. A normal life. Especially with someone I loved.

That dream… it was right in front of me.

So then, why was I hesitating?

Was I still hung up on Makima?

I didn't know.

Even though I understood exactly what she was—venom that could poison me without leaving a trace. I still couldn't get her out of my thoughts completely. And that conflict, it disgusted me.

The idea of running away made me sick.

It would mean turning my back on everything. On the power I'd been given. 

I didn't ask for this power…

But it was part of me now.

And if I used that power just to run from my problems, then what would that make me?

I would be nothing but a coward.

"Why are you hesitating?…I thought you loved me too?" She asked me, seeing my hesistant expression.

"I love you, Reze. More than anything."

"But I can't just run away from my problems."

"I'm starting to get a feel for this life… and with the power I have now, I want you to trust me."

I squeezed her hand gently, my eyes never leaving hers.

"No matter what happens… I'll keep us safe."

"No one in existence can take that peace from us." I said with my tone composed. 

"So… can we not keep working and still love each other?" I asked her.

"I see… so you still love Miss Makima, huh?" she said, not looking away.

"I… I won't give up," she said as she mustered the courage and kissed me.

I reciprocated her kiss, our lips locking as she held my face gently.

I hugged her, wanting to show her I really cared.

The fireworks covered the sky into a beautiful scenary. We kissed, focusing only in each other for a moment.

I wanted believe she really loved me.

I really really do love her…

From this point onwards, I have to protect her, it is my responsibility.

***

(3rd POV)

-Meanwhile Elsewhere-

In Kyoto, within Yasaka's shrine.

Makima was seated inside a Japanese-style room. The space was decorated with several traditional artifacts such as scrolls, antiques, and statue of Inari. Paper lanterns dimly lit the room, casting shadows along the floor.

Several youkai stood around the perimeter, guarding their queen with their lives.

"What brings you here… Miss Makima?" Yasaka asked in a curious tone, trying to remain composed.

She was already having a terrible day. A few days ago, her most precious person in the world , Kunou , had been kidnapped.

She was devastated.

Yasaka had used all her connections and resources. She had even begged Amaterasu herself, but the goddess was as indifferent as most gods when it came to mortal affairs.

And now, to make things worse… the most annoying woman in Japan had shown up.

Makima.

The devil aligned with the Supernatural Public Safety Bureau. A dangerous presence all other supernatural factions (except Shinto Pantheon) in Japan, openly loathed.

"Youkai attacks on humans have increased lately. In Kyoto alone, the numbers have exceeded the data of the last ten years," Makima spoke, her tone calm and soft.

Yasaka sighed. Dealing with Public Safety was always a headache.

"Miss Makima, with all due respect, you must understand what we are." she replied.

"We feed on human fear. That fear is essential to our growth. If we stop siphoning it completely, our species will go extinct. We are a necessary evil. We have protected Japan from much greater threats, but we still need sustenance."

Makima didn't blink. Her expression remained unreadable.

"I'm willing to turn a blind eye," she said, "if you fulfill one of my demands."

Yasaka narrowed her eyes, intrigued. "And what would that be, Miss Makima?"

"I need your faction's full cooperation during our upcoming meeting. You must do as I say that day. It's as simple as that."

The youkai around the room immediately grew tense. Some were already preparing to lash out , how dare she speak to their queen like that?

But Yasaka raised her hand, silencing them.

"I must say… I'm intrigued by your confidence, Miss Makima," Yasaka said with sharp eyes. "But I'll have to decline your demand."

To her, this was a matter of pride. And honor.

Makima's gaze didn't waver.

"You're mistaken," she replied evenly. "This wasn't a request."

She calmly placed a duffle bag on the table.

One of Yasaka's attendants scoffed. "You think money will make our Queen change her decision? How laughable."

Makima tilted her head slightly.

"There isn't a single yen inside," she said. "Rather, it holds a collection of items. Articles we have acquired from the parents, grandparents, siblings, wives, and lovers of everyone present in this room."

She paused.

"Namely… their eyes."

Yasaka froze.

"Their what?" she whispered in disbelief.

She unzipped the bag.

And her hands started trembling.

Inside were dozens of eyes, staring blankly. Her stomach turned, and her breath caught.

Her daughter's eyes… could be in here too.

Dread ran through her spine:

For the first time in centuries, Yasaka was truly afraid.

"There's no need to be alarmed," Makima said gently. "The eyes can be reattached with no loss of function. We have exceptional healers at Public Safety headquarters."

"You monster…!!" one of the youkai roared, lunging at her in rage.

Makima didn't move.

(Image)

She simply turned her gaze toward him.

A moment later, his nose began bleeding.

Then he exploded.

His body ruptured mid-air into a gruesome mess, spraying blood across the floor and walls.

Makima got up from her seat, and looked around.

 "I am aware of the concept of necessity evil. Its a convenient justification for your misdeeds. Society doesn't need you cheap excuses. Trust me, if you were truly a necessity evil, you had be put into a much tighter leash."

Yasaka listened in stunned silence. Her heart was pounding.

She had underestimated this woman.

But before she could break down, she had to know — she had to ask.

"I… my daughter…" Her voice cracked. Her knees trembled. Tears began to blur her vision.

Makima looked at her with that same calmness.

"Rest assured," she said. "Your daughter is in perfect condition. No harm was done to her. I can return her after your cooperation in the upcoming Kyoto expedition."

Her voice carried a subtle, unnatural weight. Every word stabbed into Yasaka like invisible daggers.

Yasaka couldn't bear it anymore.

She fell to her knees, bowing deeply in ojigi.

"I beg of you, Miss Makima… the Kyoto youkai faction will offer our full cooperation. Please don't harm my daughter!"

The room went dead silent.

Yasaka remained bowed, ignoring the shame and humiliation , none of it mattered when it came to her daughter.

Makima's lips curled slightly into a cold smile.

"…This meeting sure is going to be interesting," she murmured to herself.

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