Third Peeson
For all intents and purposes, Makima should have had fun on her first ever day in high school.
Yes, someone as smart as the Control Devil herself had never actually attended school in any of her lives. Each cycle of being the Control Devil carried the memories of all previous lives, every experience, and every lesson learned.
In her last one, she had served the Japanese Public Safety Headquarters in exchange for her damage-transferal contract with the Prime Minister.
An environment where human lives were constantly at stake, where mundane rules could decide life or death, she was the type of person who thrived in such scenes.
Compared to that, school was utterly boring. She wondered why humans endured such torture five, six days a week.
So while she nominally paid attention in Rein's math 'lecture,' she had secretly delved into a book, finishing it quietly.
Her textbook lay open, but beneath it, a book was hidden so perfectly that nobody could notice what she was doing.
The book she was reading was "No Longer Human," a literary masterpiece by an author who had suicide 'fetish'.
To think this world's Dazai Osamu had given his masterpiece a "happy" ending… how disappointing.
She averted her gaze from the book with a quiet sigh and glanced around the classroom.
Normally, a new transfer student would drawn a lot of attention in the classroom. Curiosity, attempts at conversation, or even admiration. Yet, no one dared come close to her.
Male and female students alike felt a creeping, unexplainable unease whenever they looked at Makima, despite her inhuman beauty.
And of course, her "fun" fact had only made matters worse. Who would want to associate with someone who openly joked about seeing humans as loyal, obedient, entertaining… dogs?
Makima flipped a page in her book, a smile playing on her lips. "They avoid me like the plague," she whispered softly to herself. "How fragile humans are… all it takes is one truth they don't like to know."
From the back row, two girls whispered loud enough for her to hear:
"Wait, is that Kiba?" one of them gasped.
"No way, he looks so handsome!" the other replied, practically squealing.
Makima's golden eyes lifted toward the door, catching sight of the blonde boy. He scanned the room while his presence immediately drew attention from every corner.
He kept searching until his gaze finally landed on Makima.
He smiled. "Miss Makima, the Student Council President would like to meet you. If you don't mind, could you follow me?"
Makima closed her book with deliberate slowness. "So formal," she said, her voice sweet but carrying an undertone that made several students flinch without knowing why. "Very well. I was beginning to tire of this class anyway."
Neither she nor Kiba spoke as they walked down the hallway, though the air seemed to be filled with tension. Students gawked, whispering about Kiba's usual popularity and the strange, cold aura of the new transfer.
Finally, Kiba stopped in front of the council room and opened the door. "Here we are, Miss Makima. Please head inside. President Sona is waiting for you."
Makima's smile returned, calm and predatory. "Of course. Thank you, Kiba-kun."
The knight blinked at sudden familiarity of her tone, but before he could reply, she was already gone.
Meanwhile…
Inside the Student Council room, Sona and Tsubaki were sweating. Neither knew exactly what to expect from Makima, her power level was a mystery, and her intentions were unknown. So far, she hadn't shown hostility, and both had assumed that negotiation could prevent disaster.
If things went south, Serafell was only one teleportation away. But calling her sister into the fray was a last resort; Serafell's eccentricity combined with her power, if she so much as glitter, it could accidentally level Kuoh City.
"Prez, Saji-kun, Kiba-kun, Momo-san, Reya-san, and Akeno-san are stationed around the school as backup," Tsubaki reported, her voice calm and precise.
"I've also set up several defensive measures in this room, in case the meeting takes a turn for the worse," she added, keeping her tone neutral.
Hearing Tsubaki's words, Sona allowed herself a reassuring smile. She was grateful to have allies she could rely on. As one of the two strongest devils in the school, it was their duty to ensure the safety of everyone under her and Rias's watch.
"I appreciate your vigilance, Tsubaki," Sona said, her voice steady. "I need you to stay alert at all times. Our responsibility is not just for ourselves… but for everyone here."
Right then the atmosphere of the room became colder. As if an unexplainable presence has loomed over the room, both Sona and Tsubaki instinctively turned towards the entrance.
And then they saw her.
That light red hair, those golden eyes with concentric red rings, and a charm that would put all of them to shame. Just from her posture, it was evident she was a different league compared to the two.
It was Makima.
Makima's gaze swept over the room casually, landing on Sona and Tsubaki. Her smile was small, polite, but there was a faint edge to it.
"I was told the student council president wished to meet me," she began, her voice calm, measured. "I assume that's why I was summoned here."
Sona straightened immediately, keeping her composure. "Yes… Miss Makima. We wanted to discuss your presence on campus… and to ensure there are no misunderstandings."
Makima tilted her head slightly, as if examining them. "Misunderstandings?" she repeated softly. "I can assure you, I'm not here to cause trouble. But it seems you've prepared rather thoroughly… for a simple conversation."
Her golden eyes flicked over the room, taking in every detail.
"Impressive," she said, almost to herself. Then her gaze returned to Sona. "Tell me… am I interrupting anything important, or is this meeting purely ceremonial?"
Sona and Tsubaki flinched, their expressions tense. They had hoped to appear confident, but it quickly became clear Makima's perception was far sharper than they anticipated.
"I'll cut straight to the chase," Sona said, her voice steady despite the unease curling in her chest. "This town is under the jurisdiction of House Sitri and House Gremory. If you intend to endanger any of my peerage, or this town, you will make enemies of our households."
"Don't misunderstand me," Sona added, her tone carrying quiet authority. "We're giving you a friendly warning. Cause no trouble, and we won't trouble you."
Makima merely smiled. The seriousness in their voices seemed almost comical to her. For a moment she didn't say anything and let the silence stretch, the weight of her presence slowly pressing down on the room.
"Territory'?" she said softly, tilting her head, her golden eyes scanning them both. "Since when did devils start claiming territory on Earth? And your little threats…are pathetic, at best."
She paused, letting the words sink in. "You can do better than that," she added, almost playfully, her smile widening.
Then, as though bored with pleasantries, she straightened, her voice sharp. "Anyway, I don't have time to waste. Let's make this quick."
Sona and Tsubaki exchanged a glance, senses screaming that something dangerous was coming. Tsubaki instinctively moved her hand to activate the defenses but they were too late.
"From now on," Makima said, her voice soft yet controlled. "You are my loyal puppies. You will do everything I say…do you understand?"
Sona and Tsubaki's eyes widened, their expressions subtly shifting as if an unseen influence had washed over them. Their thoughts, now carried a strange compulsion. Their minds were now clouded with an overwhelming desire to obey their new master.
"Lady Makima… what would you have us do?" Sona's voice had an an unusual warmth to it, a show of enthusiasm she rarely ever showed normally. "I… I will do anything for you."
Makima's golden eyes glinted. "Good," she said softly.
"Start by telling me everything about Rias Gremory and her peerage. I want every detail…abilities, relationships, and weaknesses."
***
First Person
5:00 p.m.
The evening glow of the sun cast the park in an orange spectacle.
Such a beautiful day it was… I would have loved to explore the city, maybe try some new places to dine in. And yet—
Sigh.
We were back at the same park where I had saved Issei from Raynare yesterday. Now, instead of fighting fallen angels, I was fighting to keep my sanity intact. My head rested on Makima's shoulders, my body still, my mind clearly drained.
Slowly, I opened my eyes, and turned to face her. And there they were—those mesmerizing concentric eyes, gazing me with a gentle warmth that felt… genuine.
"Do you feel better now?" she asked, her voice soft, dripping with 'concern.'
Are you seriously asking me that?
"I'm finding it hard to maintain my sanity, thank you very much, Makima—for making me watch some wormoman horror romance movie."
She had dragged me to movie theater right after school ended. She even had the nerve to call it our 'date.' But I knew better, it was just her excuse to indulge in that bizarre choice of film.
This woman… she really had some strange taste in movies. Then again, maybe all devils who embody fear are like this.
Makima tilted her head, that serene smile never wavering.
"Tell me the truth, did you hate spending time with me?"
Her eyes glimmered as if she already knew the answer.
"I drag you into the things I enjoy, even when you don't… and yet, you always go along with it."
She leaned in slightly, her voice dipping into something sweet and dangerous.
"That makes you a very caring boyfriend, Rein-kun~"
My eyes widened in surprise. Every time she praised me, it felt unreal. Satisfying. Like I had already won life itself…
…even though I only had three decades left.
I smiled, taking her hand and intertwining my fingers with hers.
"With only thirty years left, I might as well waste them on you."
Makima's demeanor shifted instantly. Her smile faltered, and her golden eyes narrowed, their glow sharpening like blades. It was clear she did not appreciate me bringing that up.
"Don't say that again, Rein-kun," she said, calm yet heavy with authority, pressing against me like an invisible weight. "You are not allowed to think of yourself as someone with thirty years left. Not when you are mine."
Her fingers tightened slightly around mine. "I promised you, didn't I? I will fulfill your goals. Your wishes. You are not like the others, Rein-kun. You are my equal."
Her gaze softened, but that gentleness carried terrifying possessiveness.
"So stop talking as if you're already fading away. I won't permit it."
I tightened my grip on her hands, not wanting to let go.
"I'd rather die than even think of giving up. It goes against everything I've done so far." My fingers curled around hers, pressing with quiet determination.
She tilted her head, letting a faint smile curl her lips, though her golden eyes still glimmered with that sharp, controlling edge.
"I feel like I've used up all of life's luck just by meeting you," I continued, my voice low, "and that… that means everything to me."
The truth is…I had known Makima for nearly my entire childhood. We came from the same orphanage. She arrived when she was nine, but out of all the children, she chose to associate with me. I was eleven at the time.
Even then, I was already leagues beyond ordinary humans, more mature than anyone my age and born with abilities that would inspire envy in anyone who knew. It was a truth I concealed carefully, even from the supernatural world that would eventually reach into my life.
At thirteen, when Yuki Tsukumo became my legal guardian, I joined the Public Safety Headquarters, all while carefully hiding my relationship with Makima.
Public Safety hunted devils, and if Yuki had known about Makima, she would never have allowed us to be together.
With that, I spent years chasing a way to restore my halved lifespan, researching every possibility, only to hit dead end after dead end. The truth was cruel: I was destined to die at fifty.
I nearly gave up. If restoring my lifespan was impossible, why waste time mourning it? Better to make the most of the time I had left.
But then, unexpectedly, Makima appeared, not as the little girl I remembered, but as someone beyond human comprehension.
The Control Devil.
That was what she claimed to be: a being born from humanity's fear of control, a devil who had reincarnated into this world due to circumstances she herself was unaware of.
She became my hope, my beacon. Perhaps, by allying with her, I could achieve what seemed impossible.
We forged a loyalty contract. She would help me achieve my goals and would never take action that threatened my life. In return, I would aid her in fulfilling her vision: an ideal world where only the two of us held control.
It was an ambitious, almost impossible dream, but I wanted to help her, genuinely.
What began as a relationship built purely on mutual benefit… slowly changed. One thing led to another, and we became…closer.
That's a dream come true.
"You shouldn't get lost in your thoughts when you're with me, Rein-kun~," she whispered into my ear, pulling me out of my reverie.
"I… I was thinking about you," the words slipped out before I even realized it.
She tilted her head, her smile radiant enough to make my chest tighten.
"Good things, I hope?~" she asked, intertwining her fingers with mine.
We leaned in slowly, foreheads nearly touching, lips just an inch apart.
"I love you, Makima," I whispered.
"I love you too, Rein-kun," she murmured back.
Our lips met, and I drew her closer, returning the kiss. It was nothing sloppy or lewd…just a pure, tender expression of everything I felt for her.
Her lips… they tasted like cherry, soft and sweet.
God…I can never get used to this.
***
6:00p.m.
Without realizing it, an hour had passed in a blur. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the park. There were things I still needed to do… but I didn't rush.
I wanted to enjoy this peace while it lasted.
Makima rested her head on my shoulder, her hand firm around mine. Her unusual affection was almost palpable—but I didn't question it. I simply let it be.
"Makima… should we go?" I asked, my voice calm.
"Go where?" she murmured, tilting her head with that serene, unreadable smile that always made it impossible to guess her thoughts.
"To Issei's house. We need to make him accept the contract, remember?"
She lifted her head, letting her golden eyes meet mine. The warmth of her gaze was unsettling.
"That won't be necessary," she said. "He already agreed."
I narrowed my eyes. "You went ahead… without me?"
"He forgot his P.E. clothes, so I followed him home during lunch. Simple enough." Her tone was impossibly soft and unnerving.
I allowed a slow, approving smile. "Efficient as always. Good work."
For a moment, we simply held each other's gaze. There was a silent understanding between us, something we didn't need to explain.
"And… there's one more thing," she said, her voice soft but carrying a dangerous undertone.
I didn't flinch. I knew she was up to something, but whatever it was, it would take more than that to catch me off guard.
"What now?" I asked, calm, collected.
Her smile widened, impossibly sweet.
"I used his mother as leverage," she said, her words falling like ice. "I injured her, and promised Issei that I would heal her if he agreed to the contract."
I blinked once, slowly, keeping my expression neutral.
"He accepted," she continued, her tone smooth, almost casual. "I healed her… but then—"
She tilted her head slightly, her smile widening.
"I killed her."