Before returning to work, they stopped briefly at a highway rest stop.
Denji was sprawled on a bench next to an old vending machine. His shirt was torn and bloodstained, but a faintly excited smile lingered on his face. Makima sat down next to him without saying a word. She quietly handed him a shopping bag. Inside were a newly purchased T shirt, jeans, and a warm fish shaped bread.
Denji smiled awkwardly and took it.
"Is this… black?"
"Yeah. The one you were wearing was covered in blood."
It was a short answer, but it carried a strangely warm resonance.
Before leaving again, there was one more minor incident.
A small demon crawled out of a dumpster behind the rest stop, and Denji, with great effort, turned on his chainsaws and cut it down in a single motion. The wound had widened. Even to Makima, it was a miracle he was still standing.
She gently picked Denji up. Her body was warm, like perfume, even amid the smell of blood.
At that moment, Denji's hand fell limply and by chance touched her chest.
"Ugh… ah, I'm sorry!!"
Denji's face flushed bright red as he hurriedly tried to pull his hand away.
Makima did not move an inch.
Instead, she gently pressed his hand down and whispered,
"It's okay."
Her breath brushed against his ear. It was sweet, and somehow dangerous.
[You are blushing now.]
"Oh no. I was just a little surprised."
[Huh, really? Then why is your heart beating so fast?]
"…That's something I don't know. Don't keep talking to me. I have to concentrate."
[Hehehe.]
Makima's smile spread very slowly.
"Denji is so sneaky."
It sounded like a joke, but beneath that subtle tone lay a power capable of suppressing someone's will.
When Makima laughed playfully, Denji's face flushed again.
"Ah, I'm sorry… I cut up my body with the chainsaw too. I think I bled too much…"
"Yeah. I know."
At that moment, another Makima's voice echoed in her head.
[Aren't you going to ask why I ended up like that?]
"Why are you doing this? You and I both know everything about Denji's situation."
[Still, you should at least pretend to ask. If you act like you know everything, people will suspect you.]
"Denji? How could that be."
Makima smiled and turned her gaze to Denji.
In her eyes, the Demon of Domination and the heart of a human were strangely intertwined.
"Denji, do you know what kind of demon is inside you?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
[Are you planning to tell him everything?]
Makima's slightly flustered voice leaked out, but she had no intention of stopping.
"The demon inside you isn't just any devil. It's Chainsaw Man. The one all demons fear. It's too strong. Too cruel."
Denji's eyes wavered.
"That's why there are probably many people after your heart. So if possible, avoid using that power. Unless it's absolutely necessary, don't use it."
"…Yes. I understand."
"And one more thing."
Makima gently pressed her fingertips against Denji's chest. His heart pounded beneath her touch.
"Your friend isn't dead. He lives inside you. So don't be so depressed. He's still here with you."
"I… I see. Thank goodness. I'm so grateful."
Tears welled up in Denji's eyes.
At that moment, a growl sounded. His stomach rumbled softly. Whether it was from relief or the relaxation of his nerves, it was unclear.
"Um… can I eat udon?"
Makima tilted her head.
"You're staggering. Can you eat it by yourself?"
"I can't… eat it."
A small laugh escaped her lips.
Makima scooped up the udon and brought it to Denji's mouth.
"Ah."
Denji bowed his head in embarrassment and took a bite. Steam rose into the air, gently distorting the space between them.
[Hmm.]
"What is it?"
[I didn't know you would do something like that.]
"Hey, that's what you did to Denji in the first place."
[That's right. If it were me, I wouldn't hesitate. It would be inconvenient if Denji didn't fall in love with me. Of course, I don't mind using my power if necessary.]
"There's no need. Denji is simple. He already fell for you without it."
[Yes. That's true.]
Makima's voice softened.
[Look at him now. In his eyes.]
Nayuta's gaze shifted to Denji.
He was staring at Makima as if he had seen light itself. An innocent, naive, profoundly human gaze.
[See? It hasn't been long at all, and he's already completely smitten.]
As if to prove it, Denji spoke.
"By the way… what's your name?"
"Makima."
"Makima-san… what kind of man do you like?"
Makima's fingertips paused.
Her pupils slowly turned toward Denji. A faint ripple passed through them. Nayuta felt a blush rise.
[You should have said someone like Denji.]
"…Really? That's… embarrassing."
[Embarrassing? What use is embarrassment to a Demon of Domination?]
"I wasn't a demon. I was human. I was a weak girl."
As the internal exchange continued, Makima's lips moved. She leaned closer to Denji. There was no space between them.
Denji's breath brushed her cheek.
"A person like Denji…?"
The moment those words left her mouth, Denji froze.
It was not just surprise. It was as if his heart had stopped.
Her cheeks were faintly flushed. Beneath her expression, a blend of laughter and excitement carried the sweet chill of domination.
[See? In the end, you spoke just like me.]
...
[And Denji melted completely from just that one sentence.]
Makima kept her gaze on Denji and smiled faintly.
It looked human. But something was fractured.
Deep within her golden pupils, domination quietly breathed.
Her smile was gentle.
But the moment Denji fell for it, he was already in the palm of her hand.
After that, she guided them to Devil Hunter headquarters and handed Denji a uniform. She introduced him to Hayakawa Aki, and then to the Blood Devil, Power.
Everything flowed similarly, yet differently.
Makima spoke lightly in the quiet conference room.
"Aki, from now on, you and I will work as a pair. Denji will be paired with Power. Unless something special comes up, the four of us will move together. Understood?"
Denji beamed as if he had won the lottery.
"We're going to act together? With Makima-san? Yay!"
Aki reacted more calmly, but the faint light in his eyes revealed his feelings.
Power alone scowled.
"I don't like this body. Being tangled with humans is annoying."
She said it bluntly, but when Makima gently tilted her head, Power stiffened.
"Power, you don't like being with me?"
Her voice was smooth, low, inescapable.
"Oh no. I like this body too. It's an honor to be on the same side as you, Makima."
Power waved her hands frantically.
Makima's next words struck before she could finish.
"It's okay. Don't worry. I will definitely save Nyako."
Power's eyes shook violently.
She had never told anyone that.
Makima smiled softly.
"Power-chan, I know everything. Why you're with the Hunters. Why you pretend to cooperate. You don't need to lie to me."
She stepped closer and gently lifted Power's chin with her fingertips, as if handling a cat. Her scent filled Power's senses.
"Do you understand what I mean?"
Her voice was warm, yet abyssal.
Command. Affection. Fear.
Power froze completely.
"…I understand."
The air resumed its flow.
Aki turned away silently.
Denji stared with hearts in his eyes.
Makima accepted all their gazes with her perfect smile.
"You're quite something too."
"Because Power is cute."
"…Do you have a taste for women?"
"Yes. That's right."
Makima laughed softly to herself
It was not human laughter
It was the instinct of a ruler
She already knew who had surrendered, and who still resisted
And so she took another silent step toward domination
Her smile was angelic and devilish
Like a rose blooming in the light
Beautiful
And poisonous