Important Note:
Most of you who read my fic and never donate stones, please consider showing some love. Well if this continued then I will post next chapter when we meet 100 power atones goal hehe. Keep voting if you don't want that!
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(1st POV)
"You have arrived in Kyoto."
The automated voice echoed softly through the compartment. One by one, the other Public Safety passengers began making their way toward the exit, all except the two of us.
I blinked slowly. I don't know how, but somehow, I had dozed off midway through the ride, my head resting lightly against Makima's shoulder.
"Morning sleepyhead, did you sleep well?" I heard a pleasant voice…it was soft, teasing, and something I could never ignore. It brushed against my ear, pulling me fully out of my stupor.
"Yeah… I guess I overexerted myself these past few weeks," I muttered, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
Without a word, Makima took my hand and intertwined her fingers with mine effortlessly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. I froze for a second, caught with the warmth of her touch, and then I found myself staring at her.
She tilted her head with a smile on her face. "Just for that…I will give you a Makima special reward after our date~"
"Makima special? Does it involve lots of hugs and kisses… or maybe something more?" I asked, caught off guard by her words, but a small smile spread across my face.
"Well," she replied, her tone soft yet playful, "you'll just have to find out for yourself."
With that, she rose from her seat, straightening her posture and adjusting her slightly disheveled coat. "Come now… we shouldn't keep Kyoto waiting."
We didn't waste any time and made our way toward the exit. Still, I couldn't help but slow myself down, taken aback by the sheer number of people crowding this station.
Foreigners with maps in their hands, locals rushing past probably following their routine, students laughing and walking towards the Karaoke bar, and various announcements echoing overhead. It was the weekend, a day or two past Golden Week, yet this city felt livelier than usual.
Children tugged at their parents' sleeves, begging them for toys or snacks. Couples walked shoulder to shoulder, lost in their own worlds.
All of them… looked livelier and happier.
For a moment, I just watched. The sight of it all pressing down on me in a way I couldn't explain.
It must be nice… living like this. Smiling without a purpose. Living without having to worry about the chaos of this world…
A normal life.
I used to have that once in my previous life. A life where I lived, pretending the world wasn't all that bad. Where I didn't have to wake up and get caught up with devils, gods, or make impossible choices.
But that is the past.
I tightened my fists and forced myself to stop letting nostalgia get to me.
Yet, deep down, I couldn't help but say to myself—
I wish… I could have that life again.
Without realizing it, Makima had already slipped ahead of me, meeting up with Public Safety officials from Kyoto, who were here to greet her.
My eyes searched for her out of habit, but then something—no, someone—caught my eyes.
It was Reze.
For a second, everything in the station blurred into background noise. I felt better just seeing her there, making me forget the chaos that came with this Public Safety gig. I was glad there was someone who I can relate to, someone who craved a normal life just like me. A small smile appeared on my face before I even knew it.
She noticed me too, lifting her hand to wave at me. But her smile… there was something else to it, as if something was internally bothering her.
Before I could even take a step toward her, she had already closed the distance, throwing her arms around me in a desperate hug. The warmth of it caught me off guard, enough that I froze for a second before returning it.
"I was bored out of my mind, you know." Her voice was light, teasing even, but when her emerald eyes met mine, I could tell, there was something bothering her.
"Reze… be honest, is something bothering you? You know you can tell me, right?" I asked, concern threading my voice. I had to know…last thing I wanted was to be in the dark about her… especially before this mission.
She hesitated for a moment, then masked it with her usual smile. "You know I'm not the type to worry about things that much. It's nothing I can't handle. So rest assured~" This time, her words felt genuine.
"If that's what you think, then I won't pry too much."
"Oh, and you brought that crystal, right?" I asked, curiosity nudging me.
Reze tilted her head and smiled. "Obviously. We went through so much trouble to get it, after all." She finished by pulling a hidden necklace from her… cleavage.
This was no ordinary crystal. It was a summoning crystal, a rare magical item few magicians were capable of creating. Public Safety had only a few in their inventory, and stealing one from them would have been reckless… especially when Makima had the whole organization under her fingertips.
We had to sneak into Grauzauberer's base in Japan, a renowned magical faction in the supernatural world, run by the devil Mephisto Pheles himself.
The crystal's power was simple yet devastatingly effective: it allowed Reze to instantly summon any person she held affection for, given they were within a 100-kilometer radius.
Meaning? If Reze ever found herself in a life-threatening situation, the crystal would sense her desire and call forth the person she held deep affection for… me. And I would be there to save her.
What? You thought I'd let her go into this mission without any preparation? Absolutely not.
Coming back…
She tucked the crystal back, hidden…behind her clothes again, and then she put her hands around my neck.
People walking past us gave us knowing looks, as if reminding us that the station wasn't exactly for stuff like this…when there were kids around.
We ignored them.
"You've given me so many gifts, Aleks-kun," she murmured, her voice soft as she leaned even closer. "First the Sacred Gear, then the dagger… and now this crystal. It makes me so happy… knowing how much you care about me."
"Reze…my life belongs to you…I had give it up for you…I also want to make it through this mission with you so we can go on that trip together." I finished, leaning even closer, only an inch before our lips meet.
As if taken over by something, Reze pressed her hands against my shoulders and kissed me. I closed my eyes, forgetting everything but this one precious moment.
Seconds passed but we continued kissing…until…
"A public display of affection… especially while on duty as Public Safety hunters… is highly unprofessional. I am disappointed in both of you."
The voice sliced through us, disrupting our intimacy.
We broke apart instantly and turned toward the source…only to find her. My eyes widened in shock.
It was Makima.
She had seen everything. Fuck!
Her golden eyes inspected us as if we had done something wrong. Her
expression was the same calm and indifferent…but I could tell…she was glaring daggers at Reze.
"Reze, your assigned teammates are already on their way to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. You should join them. Now… leave." Her words weren't a request…they were an order.
I glanced at Reze apologetically before shifting my focus back to Makima, wondering what she was planning. Why appear right at the worst possible moment?
Without a word, Makima wrapped her hand around my wrist, and then began walking out of the station… dragging me with her.
"That bitch!!" Reze muttered under her breath, her eyes following us. A mix of frustration and longing washed over her before she finally turned and started walking the other way.
***
(3rd POV)
Minutes passed as the duo got into a sleek black car which was waiting for them at the main entrance of Kyoto Station.
Makima and Aleks sat in the backseat as the female driver began moving, their destination the meeting venue.
Aleks felt both awkward and uncomfortable… as if he had been caught cheating on his girlfriend. He could tell Makima didn't like it, but she was showing nothing on her face.
He glanced at her, and when their eyes met, he quickly looked away, ashamed to face her.
"Is there something you wish to tell me, Aleks-kun?" she asked, her tone calm yet decisive.
Aleks hesitated for a moment before confessing. "Look… I know you must be disappointed in me and all… but please don't blame Reze for it. It was me who couldn't control my libido and took the initiative." He took the blame entirely, not wanting Makima to hate Reze, it would only bring him more trouble.
Hearing his words, a faint smile formed on her lips. She placed her hands on his and leaned forward, their foreheads almost touching.
"If you truly feel sorry, then… you should do as I say." She cupped his cheek with her right hand, and Aleks froze.
Makima's golden eyes locked onto his, unflinching. "I want you to only think about me… no one else. Do you understand?"
Aleks gulped nervously, trying to calm his nerves. Makima was at it again, using her seduction to get him every time.
Aleks hated himself for falling for it.
"Now… kiss me," she whispered, her voice calm, yet coaxing.
"…As you wish, my lady." Aleks complied, closing the distance between them.
This time, the kiss was not out of love but out of attraction. Their lips pressed together, exploring each other with growing intensity.
Kissing her feels so good. Her lips taste like cherry… Aleks thought to himself, drown in the pleasure she was giving him.
The sounds of their sloppy, lewd kissing echoed softly through the car. The female driver, uncomfortable, chose to mind her own business, maintaining her professional composure.
Aleks pulled away, wiping his mouth, his breathing still uneven. Makima watched him with that faint smile, her cheek propped against her palm, eyes following him with quiet amusement.
"That was something—" he started, but the words froze on his tongue.
A familiar HUD suddenly flashed across his vision.
Dimensional Entrapment Detected!
A powerful spatial barrier has sealed an area of 825 sq km of the Kyoto City. Subject [Rein] is fully adapted to bypass the barrier without restriction.
⚠ Adaptation applies only to the subject. It cannot be shared.
It was his familiar skill Properties again, the secondary gift from the Goddess, meant to give him diagnostic insight into himself and his abilities.
He hadn't seen it activate since the day of his reincarnation. The sight of the translucent panel now made him feel uneasy.
Eight hundred and twenty-five square kilometers… the whole city.
His expression hardened, his eyes narrowing as he began contemplating. Who has the strength to do something on this scale? Have they already started making their moves?
Aleks knew one thing: whoever he was about to face in Kyoto had already made their move. A creeping urgency stirred in his chest. He hated this situations, things happening behind his back.
"Aleks-kun? Is something the matter? You've been staring at my breasts for over a minute now." Makima's voice carried that strange blend of playfulness and seriousness.
She had noticed the way he paused mid-sentence. Did he sense something she hadn't?
Jokes.
She already knew what was happening. Playing dumb was just part of her act.
"Makima… a strong barrier has been enacted. It's covering the entire city….I am afraid we have been trapped." Aleks's tone was deliberately steady, though a hint of desperation slipped through.
Makima's eyes lingered on him for few seconds, long enough to make him question whether he'd said something wrong. Finally, she spoke:
"You're right. Their plans must already be in motion." Her expression softened slightly, her smile faint. "Aleks-kun, I have a task for you."
She leaned forward, her tone both smooth and commanding.
"Investigate the barrier. See if there's a weakness… perhaps even a way out. It would be troublesome if we cannot rescue the people trapped in the city."
This was exactly what she wanted. She hadn't orchestrated this, but she knew enough to understand there was no escape. Not unless… she wanted to, of course.
Aleks shook his head firmly.
"I have to refuse. I won't leave you alone. Not when I know they're coming after you."
His voice hardened as he crossed his arms.
"Not happening. Nuh-uh."
Seeing him act so defiant delighted her. She liked when he cared for her, when he even dared to refuse her orders. That act of rebellion was one of the reasons she found him so interesting.
"I'm glad you care about me," Makima said softly. "But don't worry. I'm strong, remember?"
She leaned in closer, her lips almost touching his.
"Not like my boyfriend would let me die… right?"
The words froze Aleks where he sat.
A chill ran down his spine.
Those were the exact words Reze had said to him, two weeks ago. Same tone, same phrasing…it can't be just a coincidence right?
His mind raced. No. Impossible. She couldn't have heard that. I made sure nobody can eavesdrop on us. Unless… unless she already has ways of watching me that I still don't know about.
But then…that would mean…everything he had talked to and even planned for with Reze, she must know about it.
This was the worst possible outcome and he was praying she didn't know anything.
He tried to rationalize it, but unease had already settled in his chest. His instincts screamed that this wasn't something he can ignore.
Then Makima, as if to rub salt on the wound, reached into her breast pocket.
She pulled out a small crystal, and it was awfully similar to the one he'd given Reze.
Aleks widened his eyes in shock. His breath caught. He tried really hard to suppress his reactions.
"It's a summoning crystal," Makima explained with that same serene smile, as though nothing was wrong. "We have quite a few in our inventory. Perhaps, when I'm in danger, I can summon you to me."
Her eyes met his, steady and unblinking.
"You would come to save me… right?"
For a long, frozen moment Aleks didn't answer. His mind was too shaken to form a coherent thought. But he didn't let himself drown any further.
Makima had the crystal. He wasn't completely sure but he believed Makima already knew everything, every plan and precaution he had made with Reze.
If anything happens to Reze, it will be Makima's fault, and if that ever comes to pass…
Extreme woman should he dealt with extreme measures. So…
…he would feast like a king, just like Denji had savoured…
Makima special: sashimi, seared steak, sizzling patties, fried cutlets, sushi, steaming meat buns, boiling hot pot… and extreme juice.
Bon Appétit!
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