Pov Narrator.
Makima looked slightly surprised at what she had in front of her, Isagi was standing in front of her, a few steps away from her desk, observing her calmly.
Physically he had no visible injuries on his body, no scratches nor stains of fresh blood, but the public safety uniform had been replaced by a tight black shirt that marked his silhouette, loose white sports pants with a black belt at the waist and black martial arts sneakers that seemed newly put on.
Before returning to this place after his battle against the explosion demon, Isagi had taken out the set of clothes of Toji Fushiguro that he had received from the random loot boxes, one of those strange rewards that appeared after completing certain dangerous missions.
—(Now I can finally feel that I am a worthy heir to the job and to my father's 45 arm). —Isagi thought, feeling strangely more confident than ever while he slightly flexed the fingers of his hand.
It must be because of his super suit.
—Isagi, why are you dressed like that? —Makima asked with slight curiosity, barely tilting her head while observing him carefully.
The new outfit did not look bad on Isagi, in fact it suited him surprisingly well, but it was still working hours.
—A demon flew over me and exploded me with his rasho laser —Isagi replied making gestures of what happened, raising one hand and pointing upward as if recreating the exact moment—. No, speaking seriously now, a demon almost killed me with his last attack, my clothes unfortunately did not survive, so I had to improvise, it was either this. —He pointed at his new clothes with both hands, as if presenting them—. Or return half naked to public safety.
—Are you sure you didn't come out injured?. —Makima insisted subtly although she already knew the truth, Makima always knew and saw what was happening. —What demon was it, Isagi?
She ignored the fact that it seemed like he even had time to comb his hair to recover his sea urchin hairstyle. Isagi frowned, he didn't know why, but he felt that someone was criticizing his hairstyle somewhere. It irritated him for a few seconds, but now he was in front of Makima so he would let it pass.
—The explosion demon, the bastard could make everything he touched explode, he blew up my arm and my head. —Isagi said with annoyance remembering how painful those moments were and how damn uncomfortable and strange it was to be without a head, even if it was only for a brief instant.
—You lost an arm and... your head?. —Makima's eyebrows raised slightly while her gaze ran across Isagi's body, observing him from top to bottom with attention, completely healthy.
—(Fuck! I opened my mouth too much again). —Isagi clenched his fists frustrated with himself for not being able to keep his things secret.
He sucked at pretending or trying to hide things, this was already directly having a loose tongue. If being an idiot were a sport he would be in second place, since Denji would have the first.
Now he would have to reveal that he could regenerate, something that a human could not do, even demons had to drink blood before being able to do it.
—Tell me Isagi. —Makima spoke with a soft voice and a barely perceptible slight smile on her lips, one of those calm expressions she almost always carried on her face. —Is there something you didn't tell me in our last conversation alone?
The golden eyes that almost looked like those of a cat, with circular pupils of Makima fixed on Isagi, who felt like they were seeing all the way to his soul, as if that gaze pierced through any lie or secret, so he covered himself with his hands.
—What happened, what happened? First a little coffee before looking at me like that, I'm not an easy man, woman. —Isagi ran a hand through his hair acting unreachable, trying to recover some composure while exaggerating his attitude.
But the only thing he received was the silence of the beautiful red-haired woman who patiently waited for an answer, observing him without looking away.
—Isagi.
Makima stood up and walked toward him extending her hand to place it on his shoulder, she wanted to know more, Makima wanted to know where Isagi got those abilities from without needing a contract, she lowered her voice a little to encourage him.
—Come on, you said you wanted to get along with me, so don't worry, you can tell me whatever you want. —She leaned slightly toward him, showing him a small comforting smile while looking directly into his eyes.
Isagi narrowed his eyes stepping back one step instinctively, it seemed that she loved getting too close to him, I mean it was cool that a woman as beautiful and sexy as Makima got close to him, but Isagi like the antisocial he had been, was afraid of women.
—Fine. —Isagi clicked his tongue knowing that what he would say could change something between them. —I can regenerate, even lost limbs, that's why I come out of all the missions without any wounds.
—Oh... Without needing blood like demons or hybrids like Denji?. —Makima asked now more curious to know under what conditions Isagi's regeneration works.
—No, I don't need any of that, it's totally automatic and apparently I can even regenerate even if only my torso remains... Although clothes are another matter. —He said with a drop of sweat running down his cheek while looking away with some discomfort. —During the battle against the explosion demon, in fact I lost an arm and my head. —Isagi swallowed remembering that painful and strange sensation of being without a head, a memory that still disturbed him. —To be honest, even though I can regenerate, I don't like feeling pain.
Makima looked at him attentively, her golden eyes observing him calmly while she could clearly see Isagi's discomfort when remembering, apparently, the pain of the wounds he suffered during that battle.
—It must have been quite painful, it seems you still don't get used to it. —Makima shortened the distance taking another step toward him. —But maybe it's because you are careless when fighting, you know Isagi, even with your regeneration you should be careful, I don't want you to die before showing me that movie you mentioned, remember?
—Sssss. —Isagi brought a hand behind his head because... He forgot.
He had forgotten that he had told Makima he would show her the movie about that dog, Hachiko.
Maybe getting his head blown off 2 times had left him more dumb than he already was, and that was saying a lot. Makima lightly covered her mouth to hide a slight smile that threatened to form on her lips when she saw his reaction. It was clear that he had forgotten.
—Isagi, and you want to become my friend like that when you forget that you invited me out?
—Wait, wait, when did I invite you out?. —Isagi turned to look at Makima incredulous since at no moment had he invited her out, or at least that was what he remembered. —No no no, you invited yourself.
He quickly denied moving his head from side to side, according to his memories she had been the one who suggested watching that movie together, not the other way around... He remained silent for a few seconds, doubting whether to tell Makima this or not, but Isagi really wanted to earn at least a little of her trust.
—Hey Makima, I still have something to tell you.
—Uh?. —She slightly tilted her head to show her curiosity, her golden eyes observing him attentively. —What else do you want to tell me, Isagi?
—I... I can also manipulate blood. —He said while blood began to slowly come out from the palm of his hand, forming a small dark red thread.
He was using the blood manipulation of the Kamo clan, through convergence he could extract blood without needing any wound, concentrating it little by little in the palm of his hand while Makima observed the strange phenomenon attentively.
The blood resting in Isagi's palm began to move. At first it was barely a slight tremor, a subtle vibration that ran through the dark red liquid as if it had a life of its own. Then it began to rise slowly from his hand, defying gravity as thin crimson threads separated and gathered again in the air.
The blood floated between them.
Little by little it began to condense, spinning on itself like a small liquid whirlpool until it formed a tiny sphere of intense red color. The surface of the orb compressed and contracted constantly, as if an invisible pressure were crushing it from all directions.
A faint crimson glow emerged from its interior. Isagi was performing the first step to execute Piercing Blood: compressing and condensing the blood through convergence, increasing its density to absurd levels.
—Wow… it's fascinating. —Makima commented with genuine interest.
She leaned slightly forward to observe the small floating sphere more closely. From that distance she could perceive how the blood vibrated under immense pressure. The sphere was barely the size of a marble.
But the energy it contained was evident.
—It is similar to Power's power… —she continued calmly—, but it seems much more refined… and controlled than hers. —Her golden eyes slowly moved from the floating sphere to Isagi's face.
There was something that seemed especially interesting to her. He had shown it to her voluntarily. He had not needed pressure. Nor manipulation. Nor insinuations. Isagi had simply revealed it. That was… pleasing.
—Did you make a contract with Power? —she finally asked. The question seemed casual, but her mind analyzed every possibility.
Makima wanted to know where he had obtained that ability. A contract with Power was, in theory, impossible. The possessed could not form contracts with humans… or at least she had never witnessed something like that.
That was why the question carried more weight than it seemed. Isagi let out a small laugh before answering.
—Oh, so many questions… like you were my mom. —he said in a carefree tone, while the small sphere of blood kept floating in front of his hand—. Too many revelations for today.
He had no intention of explaining the source of his abilities. That Makima knew they existed was already enough.
—…
A soft sigh escaped from Makima's lips. It was not a gesture of annoyance. It was more one of acceptance. It seemed that Isagi still did not trust her enough to reveal something so important. And pressing him too much now would only generate resistance.
Makima knew that well. Absolute control was rarely obtained through immediate force. It was built with patience. So, for the moment… she decided to accept his silence.
Isagi narrowed his eyes slightly while bringing a hand to his chin, adopting a thoughtful expression. Something did not fit. An uncomfortable sensation lingered in the back of his mind, like a word that sits on the tip of your tongue but you simply cannot remember.
—(Damn… I feel like I'm forgetting something…) —he thought, slightly frowning while trying to organize his memories.
For a few seconds he remained silent, mentally reviewing recent events. However, the more he thought about it, the more obvious it became that something important was slipping away from him. Finally he raised his gaze toward Makima.
—Hey, Makima… —he said suddenly—. Where are Chainsaw guy, the bloodsucker and the emo?
Makima observed him for a moment before answering with the same usual calm.
—They are on a mission together with another group. —she explained in a calm tone. Then she shifted her gaze toward the clock hanging on the wall of her office. The hands advanced with silent precision. —Although it is strange that they have not returned yet. They were sent since the morning… —she made a small pause while calculating the time— and it is already past three in the afternoon.
Her voice showed no obvious concern, but there was a slight analytical curiosity. They were taking longer than expected. At that moment, something in Isagi's mind clicked. It was as if a missing piece had finally fallen into place.
—(The Eternity Devil…) —he suddenly thought. Now he remembered.
Having separated from the group so often, sometimes he lost the rhythm of the events of this world. But that mission… that mission was quite memorable. He remembered perfectly what had happened there.
The hotel. The loop. The despair. He knew everyone would come out alive in the end… but even so. Isagi let out a small sigh while crossing his arms.
—(Although… I think a little help would do them good.) —he reflected. And, being honest, it was not a bad idea for him either. A little more experience was never a bad thing. —Makima, tell me where you sent them.
—Hm?. —Makima slightly tilted her head to the left at the sudden request. The gesture was small, almost imperceptible, but it conveyed genuine curiosity. —Why do you want to know where I sent them?
—Something tells me they are in trouble… and that they need help. —he replied naturally—. Besides, I am still within my working hours. —Then he smiled shamelessly. —Work is calling me.
Makima remained silent for a moment, evaluating his words while her gaze remained fixed on him. The light entering through the window softly illuminated her reddish hair, creating a delicate contrast with her golden eyes.
She seemed to be thinking. And while she did, Isagi waited patiently in front of her, with the usual carefree attitude that seemed to accompany him even when he spoke with one of the most dangerous people in the world.
—Mmm… they will be fine. —Makima replied—. Aki and Himeno have a lot of experience in this job. I am sure that, if any problem arises, they will know how to solve it.
The carefree tone with which she said it made Isagi roll his eyes.
—Ah, come on, Makima! —he insisted with an exaggerated sigh—. Tell me where you sent them. Come on, Makima, don't be mean… tell me. Come on, just tell me, okay?
While speaking, he stepped closer to the desk and, with complete naturalness, placed both hands on Makima's shoulders, leaning slightly toward her with an almost childish smile, as if he were trying to convince someone through pure insistence.
—Hmmm… —Makima slightly shifted her gaze to the left.
Her eyes rested on Isagi's hand on her shoulder with a familiarity that very few people would dare to show. Her expression did not change much, but there was a small moment of silence while she evaluated the situation.
Finally she looked at him again.
—Alright.
Isagi blinked, surprised by how quickly she had given in. Makima let out a slight sigh before beginning to explain the mission.
She told him that Aki, Himeno and the rest of the group had been sent to investigate a devil that was suspected of possessing a fragment of flesh from the Gun Devil. The mission seemed relatively simple: locate the devil, eliminate it and recover the fragment.
Nothing out of the ordinary. Or at least… that was what it seemed. When she finished speaking, Isagi smiled with satisfaction.
—You're the best, Makima. I would hug you, but that would be going too far.
Makima observed him in silence for a second before responding.
—"Going too far"? —she repeated softly—. You already hugged me once without even asking for my permission.
Isagi remained motionless for a moment. Then he lowered his gaze, as if mentally reviewing his own memories.
—…Yeah, that's true. —Then he raised his eyes again, showing a carefree smile. —Then I'll do it.
Before Makima could say anything else, Isagi opened his arms and wrapped them around her. Makima did not resist. Her body was gently pulled toward Isagi's while silence once again filled the office. For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.
Makima remained completely calm within the embrace, with the same serenity she showed in almost any situation. There was no tension in her shoulders nor visible discomfort in her expression.
She simply… allowed it.
For his part, Isagi closed his eyes. The warmth of Makima's body felt pleasant. Her presence was soft, almost comforting. There was something surprisingly calming in that moment, something that contrasted with the usual chaos of his life since he arrived in this world.
It felt… good. So, without thinking too much about it, he began to give her gentle pats on the back, as if he were consoling someone.
Or maybe as if he himself were enjoying the moment more than he expected. From the outside, it might seem that the gesture was meant to comfort her. But in reality… Maybe Isagi was the one enjoying it the most.
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End of the chapter
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Message from the original creator:
What do you guys think of how Makima and Isagi's interactions are going?
Keep their personalities in mind. Makima has no problem using her sex appeal or affectionate gestures to manipulate, so I don't see the hug in this chapter as too rushed or forced.
But of course, you can always leave your opinion and ideas since an outside perspective is always welcome. I'm doing what I can, damn it, and I hope you like it.
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I do this for fun.