Warning: This chapter contains psychological manipulation, cruelty, and morally questionable actions. Reader discretion is advised.
Word Count: 3.4k
Third Person
"I killed her."
Makima revealed it as though she were announcing a simple truth, her voice calm and almost melodic.
Rein blinked once. Just once. Processing her words, then, slowly, a sly smile curved his lips.
"For real? You really went that far?" His tone carried a touch of humor, as though she'd just played a harmless prank.
Makima's golden eyes glimmered. Her smile widened, and then she laughed. Soft at first, then bubbling with quiet delight.
"For real real," she said, her tone almost sing-song. "You should've seen his face, Rein-kun. Hahaha… the way he broke down…it was beautiful."
She loved this… his refusal to ever flinch at her cruelty, his willingness to accept that every move she made had a purpose.
They were alike. Neither saw the appeal in meaningless slaughter, but when necessity demanded blood, they never hesitated.
"It was… entertaining," she continued, her voice slipping back into smooth silk. "Watching him break, watching that hatred bloom in his eyes. That boy has immense potential. And now, he'll only grow stronger. My actions will make sure of it."
Rein leaned back, arms stretching behind his head lazily, and then he turned to meet her eyes.
"I had a different plan," he admitted with a half-smirk. "But this changes things." He paused.
"Tell me then… what's your reasoning? I'm curious."
Makima tilted her head ever so slightly, lips parting to utter one word:
"Hatred," she whispered, almost reverent.
***
A few hours ago.
Ding Dong.
Makima rang the doorbell, standing perfectly still at the entrance, hands neatly clasped in front of her, a soft smile curving her lips.
The door slowly creaked open, revealing a mature woman in her forties, dressed like any ordinary Japanese housewife. Seeing Makima, the woman's eyes went wide immediately.
"Oh my… did Issei bring a friend home? I never thought my boy had it in him to bring someone… this beautiful," she stammered, clearly caught off guard.
Makima tilted her head slightly, letting the smile linger. "Makima. My name is Makima. I am Issei-kun's… 'girlfriend.'"
The words hit Miki like a bolt of lightning. Girlfriend? She froze, then practically grabbed Makima's hands, shaking them with excitement. "G-girlfriend? Oh… Issei finally has a girlfriend!"
For all she knew, her son would remain the hopeless perverted brat she'd raised. God only knew how many times she'd washed his 'dirty' laundry.
Makima was quite pleased by her reaction. She wanted to laugh, but held herself back, letting only a faint smile linger on her lips.
"Yes. I go to a different school… but I saw Issei heading home, so I thought I should follow and say hello," she added, voice casual, while effortlessly conjuring up a lie.
Miki's excitement broke through her surprise. "Oh, where are my manners! Come in, come in! Issei will be down in a bit." She practically dragged Makima inside happily as if she were welcoming a daughter-in-law for the first time.
Makima followed without a word, her smile perfectly polite. Once inside, she seated herself on the sofa, hands folded in her lap, with her posture straightened.
"I'll bring some tea and pastries! Please make yourself comfortable, Makima-san!" Miki called from the kitchen, voice brimming with motherly pride.
In the Kitchen.
Miki hummed softly to herself, genuinely happy for her son. She knew Issei had his flaws, his over-the-top perversion, his constant troublemaking, but deep down, she always believed he was a good boy.
Back when she'd visited Kuoh Academy during his first year, the teachers hadn't held back their complaints. She had scolded him countless times, lectured him until her voice grew hoarse, but nothing ever seemed to change. At some point, she'd given up on expecting more.
And yet… today felt different. For the first time in years, she felt proud. Her hopeless son had managed to bring home someone so beautiful, it almost didn't seem real. Maybe… just maybe, she had underestimated her son..and she felt bad for it.
Opening the fridge, she spotted a single almond croissant. With a small smile, she plucked it out and set it on a plate. Thank God his father didn't eat it, she thought with a little sigh of relief.
Soon, with the tea poured and the pastry neatly arranged on a tray, Miki took a breath, her heart still filled with joy. She held the tray carefully and began walking back toward the living room.
She arrived in the living room. It wasn't anything fancy, but cozy enough to make anyone feel at ease. What immediately drew her attention was a painting of a bleeding angel…falling from heaven. The Fall of Lucifer.
Issei's grandfather had been the artist, and this painting was his most cherished possession. He had reimagined the famous "The Fallen Angel," putting his own vision and imagination into every brushstroke.
Makima stood silently before it, her golden eyes fixed on the painting as if searching for some hidden meaning, her expression remaining perfectly unreadable.
Miki smiled as she approached the sofa. "That's Issei's grandfather's blood, sweat, and tears. You like it?"
Makima finally turned her gaze toward Miki, a smile barely touching her lips. "It's… tragic," she murmured, her voice soft. "He was known as the most beautiful and powerful Angel in Heaven. He believed himself greater than even his creator… and all that effort, all that rebellion… wasted, falling like this."
Miki tilted her head in confusion.
"Tragic? I… I think it's beautiful. He really captured the essence of the moment, don't you think?"
Makima's golden eyes met Miki's. After a long pause, she spoke in her usual soft voice.
"Mrs. Hyoudou… tell me. What do you think of bad paintings? Do you believe they can truly capture a moment… like this?"
Miki froze, startled by the sudden question. Was she… implying that Issei's grandfather's masterpiece was a bad painting ? She was almost offended at the thought but she forced a polite smile.
"I… I think every painting has its value," she replied carefully. "Whether good or bad, it's the thought and effort behind it that matters."
Makima tilted her head, her gaze drifting downward as if contemplating. "I see…"
Then, slowly, she lifted her eyes again… and this time they pierced directly into Miki's soul. The air grew heavier from her gaze alone. Oblivious, Miki felt chills crawl over her body and a sudden tightness around her chest.
Before she could react—
SHATTER
Her hands trembled as the tray slipped from her grasp. Tea and pastry spilled across the floor, the sound of shattering porcelain echoed throughout the room.
Cough… cough…
She brought her hand to her mouth and froze. Her fingers were covered in blood from the cough she had just let out. Her knees buckled, and her vision blurred. Instinctively, she looked up, fear rooting her to the spot as she met Makima's calm, faintly smiling face.
"W-what… did you… do?" That was all she could say in her current state.
"You were wrong," Makima said softly, each syllable carefully controlled. "The world would be a better place without bad paintings."
Meanwhile, with Issei…
His room was a mess. Clothes were scattered all over the floor, and a stack of porn magazines sat on his desk. If there was a trophy for shame, it would probably belong to Issei.
For the past twenty minutes, Issei had been tearing the place apart, searching for the magazine Motohama had lent him. The worst part? He couldn't make excuses anymore, he'd borrowed it over a month ago and still hadn't returned it.
To make matters worse, the magazine wasn't just any magazine. It was a limited edition, filled with exclusive photos of his favorite pornstar.
"Ugh… where did I put it? Motohama's gonna nag me to death if I don't find it…" Issei groaned, flopping onto his bed in defeat.
Originally, he had come home to grab his P.E. clothes, but then remembered Motohama's request. Now he was caught in this mess.
He sighed, staring at the clock. Lunch break would end in ten minutes. "I still can't stop thinking about Rein Sensei's meeting with my mom and now this crap..Great. Just great."
He was about to drag himself up from the bed when—
SHATTER
The faint sound of breaking glass reached his ears. It wasn't loud, but it was sharp enough to pull him out of his daze.
Issei froze. "…Mom?" he muttered. Maybe she dropped a cup or something while cleaning. Still, something about the sound felt… off.
That uneasy feeling clawed at his chest and he didn't know why.
He walked until he reached the entrance of the living room. It was unusually quiet. Normally, his mom would be watching TV at this hour, but the TV was turned off.
Stepping inside, his eyes scanned the room for anything out of place. His gaze lingered until—
He saw Makima.
She was sitting calmly on the sofa, her legs crossed, a soft smile on her face.
Their eyes met.
"M-Miss Makima…?" he stammered. What was Rein Sensei's girlfriend doing here?
And then his gaze drifted lower.
His heart stopped. His hands began trembling, tears already welling in his eyes.
"M-Mom?"
His mother lay motionless on the floor. Her mouth was dripping with blood while her eyes were utterly lifeless.
Issei's legs buckled as he rushed to her side.
"Mom! Mom! Mom!" His voice cracked, his tone desperate. "MOM, ANSWER ME! PLEASE WAKE UP!"
Tears streamed down his cheeks as he shook her gently. No matter what he did, she didn't respond. But… her faint breathing was still there. She wasn't completely gone.
She's alive! He thought.
Relief washed over him, and then he slowly turned toward Makima. She was still watching him, with that same expression that made him feel like she was mocking him.
"Tell me… did you do this?" he asked, his voice trembling, yet it carried a strange authority he never had it in him before.
Makima's smile widened.
"Would it make you feel better if I said yes?" she replied softly.
Issei's chest tightened.
"Indeed… I did it, Issei-kun."
Something inside him snapped. Anger unlike anything he had ever felt surged through him, drowning out fear.
"WHY?! WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS?!" he roared, his tears mixing with fury.
Without thinking, he lunged at her, fist curled tight.
And in that moment—
A strange red gauntlet materialized around his arm, it had a green jewel with two spikes, making the gauntlet resemble a dragon's hand.
"BOOST! BOOST!" an unfamiliar voice announced from the gauntlet itself.
Issei's eyes widened at his new found power but he didn't stop. He aimed his fist straight at Makima's face—
—but she stopped it with nothing but her palm.
Her smile faltered for a split second, golden eyes widened with genuine surprise.
"All it took was a little trauma… and you awakened your Sacred Gear," she mused, her voice smooth.
Her smile returned, sharper than before.
"So, you truly are the Red Dragon Emperor. That makes things easier."
And then, with a flick of her finger, Issei was ripped off his feet. An invisible force flung him across the room like a ragdoll,crashing his body into the wall with a sickening thud.
He gasped in agony as pain shooting through his entire body, blueing his vision.
Before he could even begin to recover, a firm grip seized his chin, forcing him to look upward. Hazily, his eyes met a pair of golden irises with concentric red rings.
It was Makima. Her expression was so serious, that if looks could kill, Issei would have been dead a thousand times over.
"Hyoudou," she said, her voice calm, yet dripping with dominance, "if you want to see your mother alive, then do as I say."
Issei's body trembled uncontrollably as he stared into her eyes.
"Say it… say you will make a contract with me."
He had never felt this much fear in his life. His entire body was paralysed. Not a single muscle would obey him, nor did he had any will remained to resist.
He was at his absolute lowest. Mentally, and physically, and he understood one thing: there was no way out of this.
This was the moment Issei Hyoudou died.
The being who would emerge now would be someone else entirely.
His final thought was a desperate one: to save his mother, even if it meant selling his soul to the devil herself.
"M-Miss M-Makima… w-why are you… doing this?" he stammered, his voice trembling yet carrying a flicker of courage. He needed to understand. Why was he being subjected to this fate?
For a long moment, Makima did not respond. She simply stared at the brown-haired, brown-eyed boy before her.
But then, the sound of him calling her "Miss Makima"…that phrasing…it brought something back in her mind. Her field of vision blurred, and suddenly, she saw someone else: a blonde-haired boy with reddish-brown eyes, a chainsaw cord protruding from his chest.
Her golden eyes widened. Why did this memory surface now?
"Denji…"
She did not allow herself to let this memories distract her. Denji was the one who had killed her, and also the one who had taken what rightfully belonged to her. She had never truly seen him for who he was; only Pochita had mattered. And now, Pochita was gone.
Her obsession had shifted entirely to the one man in her life, the eye-patched, Heavenly Restricted man who she had come to love dearly even if it was in her own twisted way.
"From now on," she said, her grip tightening on his chin just enough to inflict sharp pain, "you will call me Master. You will not speak my name again."
Her hold inflicted agony, but not enough to kill.
"Now… say it. Say you will make a contract with me."
Tears ran down Issei's face as panic overtook him. His voice broken, and his entire body trembling.
"I… I accept your contract!!!"
***
Present.
First Person
"So… you healed his mother first, then killed her, just to make him hate you…and use that hatred to unlock the full potential?" I deduced, piecing together her actions without her saying a word.
Makima tilted her head, a smile on her face.
"Hmm… precisely. Sacred Gears respond to strong emotions and desires." She paused for a moment.
"If I can direct all of his hatred toward me, then he will get stronger in no time." Her voice was soft, controlled, and calm.
I was not surprised at all. I know her too well.
Did I feel repulsed by her actions? Absolutely not.
I have no care for my fellow humans. Even if I don't indulge in meaningless slaughter, in the end… humans are nothing but dogs.
Sacred Gears indeed respond to strong emotions and desires. It's the whole reason my Sacred Gear is a subspecies, having developed unique abilities beyond its original design.
Maybe, in a parallel world, Issei would have used his love for boobs as his primary desire for power. Rias is a kind devil, after all… she would never have gone to such extreme lengths like Makima.
One thing still bugged me: if not for our loyalty contract and my Heavenly Restrictions, could she have done the same to me?
I looked into her eyes. This beautiful devil…
"Tell me, Makima. I am also a Sacred Gear user. Would you have done the same to me if you could control me?"
"After all, I still haven't unlocked my Balance Breaker," I added, half serious.
One of my Heavenly Restrictions made it impossible for me to be fazed by any soul or mind shenanigans…and Makima is the master of controlling minds. Yet her control was utterly powerless when it came to me.
Then she did something unexpected. She gently cupped my face and pulled me closer to her chest, hugging me.
"I could never do something like that to you," she said softly. "I told you, didn't I? You are special compared to others. And in my eyes, special people deserve special treatment."
"Special, huh? Well… I guess I am a little too special. Smart, strong, and not too shabby on the looks. I'd be lying if I said I didn't love myself a little~" I replied while enjoying her embrace.
She started caressing my skin, my nape, and my face with her gentle fingers.
God it felt good.
"Narcissistic, arrogant and a bit too beautiful don't you think? It will get you nowhere Rein-kun~" she whispered in my ears with a voice that was like musc to my ears.
"And yet here I am, with you." I replied looking her in the eyes.
Her lips curved into a knowing smile—
RING. RING.
The sudden vibration in my pocket broke the moment. I pulling out my phone begrudgingly
The caller ID made me sigh in exhaustion.
Faris NyanNyan.
Of course. Why did Yuki have to pair me up with her of all people?
I answered, already irritated. "What do you want, Faris?"
"Reiiiiiinnnnn-kun~! Hurry up, nya~! Rias-chan is going to walk in any moment! Did you forget the mission?" Faris's overly cheerful voice blasted through the speaker.
"Mission? How could I forget? That's why I'm in Kuoh in the first place." I shrugged, but the truth was softer—spending time with Makima was my priority. I wasn't going to let this affectionate Control Devil be upset because of me.
"I'll be there in five." I said, and cut the call before Faris could squeal another chorus into my ear.
"Rein-kun? Who was that?" Makima asked, tilting her head with a curious look.
"Faris," I answered casually. "My teammate from Public Safety. She runs the maid café where I'm supposed to 'work' part-time." I tried to keep my tone breezy. It was harder than I made it sound.
Makima's gaze sharpened; she studied me like a predator considering a puzzle. "Is it the café Rias Gremory frequents?" she asked.
Of course she knew. She always knew.
"It is," I said. "It's perfect cover. And… we need something from Rias, so this is necessary."
She didn't let me finish. Her fingers closed around my hand with a grip that locked me in place. Surprised, I met her eyes and found something possessive and cold staring back at me.
"If you kiss her," Makima said softly, voice smooth as silk, "if you have sex with her, then I will kill her. I won't care about the mission. Promise me you won't betray our… love, Rein-kun."
My heart stuttered. Jealousy? Possession? It didn't matter. I never wanted to betray her.
I yanked her close and hugged her. She was startled by my sudden show of intimacy but didn't resist. Her arms eventually tightened around me.
"I will never betray you," I whispered into her ear. "You're the only one I love. Trust me, I know what I'm doing."
She didn't speak anything but from the way she hugged me, I can already tell she took my words to heart.
Her smile was also unreadable, and for a moment, the world faded away, leaving only the two of us
***
It was only a week ago, but that was all I needed. The moment I saw the crimson-haired princess of the Gremory household, I knew she was the one….
Her personality, her beauty, her breasts… everything about her is so utterly perfect that it makes me want to do things to her.
I kept walking toward the café, not knowing what truly awaited me. But I already knew this was the start of a new chapter of 'love' in my life.
I can't wait to see you, my princess of destruction.
I was almost at the café when I spotted her, sipping her coffee, seated alone, that dull expression she'd been carrying lately painting her face.
My smile widened.
And as if she sensed my gaze, she turned, our eyes locking. Her head tilted ever so slightly, a hint of confusion in her expression.
I raised my hand in greeting.
A small smile spread across her lips, and she waved back at me.
She was my target.
My new 'love'.
Tell me, Rias… if you had to pick one of the two, who would you choose?
The country mouse… or the town mouse?
The country mouse lives safely, but only ever eats scraps. The town mouse enjoys the finest food, but risks everything, even their life, to get it.
Which one would you pick?
***
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***
Author's Note:
Be honest, did you think this was a light hearted DXD fanfic that follows the usual route? Well I hope this chapter cleared any misunderstandings you had for this story.
If you read it, please let me know your thoughts, any feedback is appreciated!