Cael blinked in surprise.
Makima was crying.
Seriously?
She cried over that garbage movie?
Cael originally had a lot to say. He had been ready to tear the film apart piece by piece. The pacing was awful, the cinematography was a mess, and the music sounded like someone dumped random noise over the scenes.
And that ending.
What kind of nonsense ending was that?
Two brothers searching for each other their entire lives, only to finally meet and die together from poison?
Who the hell writes something like that?
No wonder the movie only scored a miserable 3.0.
Cael had been prepared to roast the screenwriter with Makima on the way out of the theater.
But now she was crying.
Well, shit.
All his criticism died in his throat.
Instead, Cael quietly handed her a tissue.
"This ending is really touching," he said with a straight face. "The screenwriter definitely knows how to pull on the audience's heartstrings."
Makima wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes and sniffed softly.
"So that's what Cael thinks?"
"Of course." Cael gave a firm thumbs up. "This is a rare good movie. A 3.0 score is way too low."
Makima rubbed her chin thoughtfully.
"My opinion is actually different from Cael's."
"This movie is a complete disaster."
"The cinematography is fragmented, the music is grating, and there are far too many meaningless long shots."
"The production team clearly could have done better."
Cael froze.
His brain took a moment to catch up.
"…Then why did you cry?"
Makima tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled faintly.
"Overall, the movie is terrible."
"But the final scene, when the older and younger brothers die in each other's arms, is the best shot in the entire film."
"That single scene alone makes the ticket price worth it."
"I see." Cael scratched his cheek and smiled awkwardly. "So it's a movie that's both good and bad."
Trying to understand a woman's thoughts was difficult.
Trying to understand a devil's heart was even worse.
By the time the credits ended, it was already 10 PM.
The theater lights came on.
It was time to leave.
Cael was about to stand up when Makima moved first.
She stepped in front of him and opened her arms.
"Cael," she said softly, "give me a hug. Just like in the movie."
Even Makima was not entirely sure why she said it.
After watching that film, she felt an inexplicable emptiness in her chest.
Only Cael seemed capable of filling that space.
Cael stared at her for a moment.
Makima stood directly in his path, leaving him no way around.
But honestly, why would he avoid it?
The whole point of dating Makima was to make her happy.
Besides, she was his girl.
If he did not hug her, who would?
Cael stood up and gently pulled her into his arms.
Thump. Thump.
As he held her, he could faintly hear the sound of a racing heartbeat.
Makima leaned her head against his chest.
Her scent drifted up to him.
Cael quietly focused his mind and forced down the impulses rising inside him.
Five minutes later, Makima slowly released him.
She felt much better.
Although she wanted to stay like that longer, lingering in an empty theater was not appropriate. The staff were probably waiting to close.
Cael took Makima's hand and led her outside.
Even after the chaos caused by the Falling Devil incident earlier in the year, Tokyo's nightlife was still vibrant. Neon lights glowed across the streets, and people moved through the night markets as if disaster had never happened.
Perhaps humans had simply grown used to devils destroying buildings.
Repairs happened quickly.
Life moved on.
Cael and Makima walked hand in hand to the nearby subway entrance.
The apartment Makima lived in was not far away. Taking the subway was faster than driving and only took about five or six minutes.
Soon they reached the entrance.
It was time to say goodbye.
Cael leaned forward and lightly kissed Makima on the forehead.
Makima had a strong sense of control and possessiveness. Before leaving, he wanted her to keep a pleasant memory.
Cael looked into her orange ringed eyes.
"I should head back. Did Makima enjoy today?"
"Go back?" Makima frowned slightly, clearly surprised. "We agreed to spend the whole day together. After the movie comes the part everyone looks forward to."
"Getting a room."
She tightened her grip on his hand, afraid he might run away.
Her eyes locked onto his.
The entire purpose of inviting Cael out today was to finally claim him.
If she could not eat him tonight, then all the flirting and tension throughout the day would be meaningless.
"Ah… well…" Cael felt his heart twitch.
For some reason, his kidneys suddenly felt a little sore.
"That might not be a great idea. Tomorrow is a workday. Makima has work too, right?"
Makima shook her head calmly.
"No need. I work overtime frequently. I've accumulated six full months of compensatory leave."
Cold sweat appeared on Cael's forehead.
"Well I also…"
"Cael doesn't need to worry either." Makima gently pressed a finger against his lips.
"Doesn't your shop have Reze? Let her handle things. I'll transfer triple pay to her tomorrow."
Cael carefully moved her hand away.
"But Asa…"
Makima seemed to anticipate that response.
"No need to worry."
"I've already prepared an excuse."
"I am technically Cael's superior. You need to report to me regularly. It's part of your job."
"Asa Mitaka will believe it."
To be honest, Makima's determined expression genuinely scared Cael.
Was she planning to kill him in bed tonight?
But strangely enough, he gradually calmed down.
When he thought about it carefully, he understood his own hesitation.
Asa and Reze had grown close to him naturally.
There was history between them.
But Makima…
A kiss was fine.
Going further felt different.
Cael did like her. A lot.
Makima was beautiful, intelligent, and kind to him.
But one question lingered.
Was her affection genuine?
Or was it just the result of his manipulation and teasing?
That kind of thing should only happen between people who truly loved each other.
Cael needed to know.
"Makima."
"Are you sure you really like me?"
"And why do you like me?"
Makima's eyes suddenly lit up.
Good question.
She had asked herself that countless times.
She already knew the answer.
Makima gently took Cael's hand and placed it against her chest.
"It hurts here."
Cael blinked in confusion.
His hand remained still.
Makima smiled softly.
"I don't remember when it started."
"When Cael got injured."
"When those bad women plotted against you."
"When you kissed Asa Mitaka and Pomu."
"It hurts here."
"Do you know what that means, Cael?"
"What?" Cael asked, playing dumb.
Makima took a slow breath.
"If there is no love, why would the heart hurt?"
"I can't explain love with words."
"So I prove it with pain."
Cael finally understood.
Damn.
Makima was terrifyingly good at psychology.
The last bit of hesitation in his chest disappeared.
"But I'm exhausted," Cael admitted honestly. "Can we do this another day?"
Makima smiled mysteriously.
She already expected that answer.
"Cael is a Weapon Human. As long as you consume blood, you recover completely."
"So you won't be tired."
Cael froze.
That was… an angle he had not considered.
Energy problems?
Nonexistent.
Cael sighed and tapped Makima lightly on the forehead.
"Xiao Ma, are you really determined to have your way with me tonight?"
Makima tied her hair into a simple ponytail.
She leaned her forehead against his.
"Going to a hotel is risky. Someone might secretly record us."
"That would be troublesome."
"Cael, come home with me."
"Pochita learned how to do a backflip."
Well.
With that kind of invitation, there was no point resisting anymore.
Cael followed Makima onto the subway.
Soon they arrived at a quiet, elegant private apartment building.
The complex contained many rooms.
But the only real resident was Makima.
The door opened.
The moment they stepped inside, a pack of excited dogs rushed toward them.
Woof! Woof!
Cael and Makima were instantly surrounded.
Makima laughed as she rubbed their heads.
"Alright, alright, calm down."
"I'm back."
Pochita jumped straight onto Cael's head.
"You've gotten fat, Pochita," Cael said.
Makima gently patted a husky.
"Tiramisu, checking the scent of a new guest?"
"This is your future male master."
"His name is Cael."
The dogs immediately rolled onto their backs and exposed their bellies.
Makima laughed so hard she nearly lost her balance.
"Look, Cael."
"Green Tea, Black Tea, Cream Puff, and Tiramisu are all showing their bellies."
"That means they like you."
"Go ahead and pet them."
Cael knelt down and rubbed their soft fur.
"Damn, that's smooth."
Makima nodded.
"No matter how cold it gets, touching a dog's belly always warms you up."
The door closed behind them.
Makima turned on the air conditioner, removed both their coats, and hung them neatly on the rack.
Then she led Cael into the living room.
"Make yourself comfortable," she said with a meaningful smile.
"I'll prepare some late night snacks for you."
"It will be ready soon."
Soon the sound of the stove and the range hood filled the kitchen.
Cael sat on the couch while holding Pochita and chatting briefly about recent events.
Before long, Makima returned with a pot of thick white soup.
The aroma was unusual.
Cael could not identify the ingredients.
"I already tested the temperature," Makima said expectantly. "Drink it while it's hot."
Pochita suddenly grabbed several dog leashes and walked toward the door.
He seemed to understand the situation perfectly.
Soon he led the entire pack outside.
The door closed again.
Now only Cael and Makima remained.
Makima sat beside him and urged softly.
"Drink it."
Cael picked up the bowl.
"Alright."
He finished it in one go.
Warmth spread through his body instantly.
Cael frowned slightly.
"Besides blood… why does this taste like alcohol?"
Makima licked her lips.
"There are some other interesting ingredients too."
Before Cael could respond, Makima climbed onto his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"You'll find out soon."
Their lips met.
The room fell silent except for their quickened breathing.
Makima slipped slightly, pulling Cael down onto the sofa with her.
She pressed against him and gently bit his shoulder.
Then she leaned close to his ear and whispered softly.
"Cael."
"Look at me."
"Tonight…"
"You are my Control Devil."
"The one that belongs only to me."