Cael actually found himself swayed by the idea.
Makima had thought everything through. Living at her place would be far more comfortable than any hotel.
But that raised a problem.
He hesitated before speaking. "But… the War Devil inside Asa doesn't exactly get along with Pochita, right? If we move in, what happens to him?"
If Yoru and Pochita met…
If she recognized the true form of the Chainsaw Devil, they would tear everything apart. And if Pochita got even a little serious, Yoru at her current level would get wiped out instantly.
But Yoru was using Asa's body.
Yeah… no way in hell he wanted that.
There was a solution.
He could stash Pochita in the Dark Hole again.
No… that was basically solitary confinement. Way too cruel for the little guy.
A soft chuckle came through the phone.
Makima didn't seem bothered in the slightest.
"That's simple," she said calmly. "I'm the Control Devil. I can slightly adjust the War Devil's perception and make her believe Pochita is just an ordinary dog."
She spoke like it was nothing.
And honestly, it was nothing to her.
If she wanted, she could go even further. She could twist Asa Mitaka's perception entirely, make her think she was a dog.
Then Cael would have one less person to "share" himself with.
Makima could cling to him right in front of Asa, while Asa could only kneel off to the side, waiting for scraps of affection.
Too bad…
That idea was off the table.
Cael cared about Asa. He would hate that.
And Makima had no intention of doing anything that would upset him.
Cael thought it over.
Messing with Asa's perception felt… off.
But it was the cleanest solution.
"Alright," he said, exhaling. "But listen, Makima, you keep it limited. Only change how Asa sees Pochita. Nothing extra. Got it?"
Asa was his wife.
So was Makima.
He wasn't about to let one turn the other into a puppet.
"Of course," Makima replied smoothly, like she had been expecting that. "Come as soon as you can. I've already prepared a room for you."
"Yeah. Thanks."
The call ended.
Cael grabbed the food he had bought, paid at the register, and headed back to the car.
He cleared his throat. "Alright… Asa, Reze. Found us a place. We're heading to Shinjuku."
"…Shinjuku?" Reze's instincts immediately flared.
If she remembered right… that witch Makima lived in Shinjuku.
No way…
Was this idiot about to blow everything?
She glanced at Cael but kept quiet.
Asa frowned slightly, pinching her chin. "Shinjuku? Hotels there are insanely expensive. We could just stay somewhere cheaper, like Setagaya."
Cael waved it off with a grin. "Nah. It's my boss's place. She owns the whole apartment building. Saw the news about the disaster and told us to move in."
Asa sucked in a sharp breath.
"Shinjuku… an entire building… Cael, your boss is ridiculously rich."
"Yeah, probably," he said casually. "Better than wasting money on a hotel, right?"
Reze's expression turned complicated.
Great. It really is Makima.
Living under the same roof as that woman… what a pain.
She crossed her arms and forced a smile. "I don't mind."
"Good." Cael nodded, then looked at Asa. "What about you?"
Asa stared straight into his eyes.
"Your boss… man or woman? And how old?"
Damn.
Straight to the point.
Well, no point dragging it out.
They were going to meet anyway.
"Alright," Cael said. "My boss is Makima. She's the Control Devil. Yoru's younger sister. Looks about twenty three."
Asa's heart skipped.
Makima.
Control Devil.
Yoru's sister.
And his boss…
This was the second time she had heard that name.
The first was from Fami, mentioned casually.
Her thoughts spiraled.
No way…
There was no way Cael, a Public Safety temp, was screwing around with his boss too… right?
She had just barely come to terms with Reze.
Two was already a headache.
Now a third?
Her chest tightened again.
"…Fine," she said quickly. "I'll go."
She needed to see this Makima herself.
…
Shinjuku Ward.
A luxurious standalone apartment building.
The moment Asa saw Makima, she froze.
So this was her…
Beautiful.
Not even slightly inferior to her.
Three years older, yet perfectly in her prime.
That calm, almost holy aura she carried was lethal.
If she acted even a little nice toward Cael…
Yeah, there was no way he would resist.
And those eyes…
Eyes didn't lie.
Every time Makima glanced at Cael, there was obvious affection in them.
Cael, for once, avoided her gaze.
That alone told Asa everything.
Great.
Just great.
Another one in his collection.
Her heart, which had been hanging by a thread, finally gave up.
And worse…
Standing in front of Makima, Asa felt pressure.
Something she had never felt from Reze.
For the first time, her position as the "main wife" felt shaky.
Makima opened the door, revealing a spacious interior.
"Cael, Asa Mitaka, Reze, welcome. Make yourselves at home."
"Th-thank you, Miss Makima…" Asa tightened her grip on Cael's arm.
Suddenly—
Woof!
Woof woof!
Dogs rushed out from the bathroom.
Seeing strangers, they immediately surrounded them, wagging their tails and sniffing excitedly.
Pochita trotted over and jumped straight onto Cael's head.
Tiramisu, Cream Puff, and the others rolled at his feet, exposing their bellies.
Asa flinched and quickly hid behind Cael.
"O-Oh… you have a lot of dogs…"
Makima smiled faintly. "No need to be afraid. They're well-behaved. And freshly bathed."
She gestured lightly. "The Labrador at your feet is Corn. Very gentle. You can try petting her."
"…Okay."
Asa crouched and carefully patted Corn's head.
The dog responded happily.
Makima, wearing slippers, then opened the bedroom doors one by one.
"Other than my room, there are four empty bedrooms. Each has its own bathroom. Pick whichever you like."
Asa stood up and clung to Cael's arm, smiling stiffly.
"That's too much trouble. Cael is my boyfriend. I'll stay with him."
Cael felt the tension instantly.
Yeah… that line wasn't subtle at all.
Makima's smile didn't change.
"Of course. No problem."
Her gaze shifted to Reze.
"And you?"
Reze let out a quiet snort.
"There are plenty of rooms, right? I'll take the one next to yours."
She smirked slightly. "I'm not used to living with dogs."
The air went cold.
Makima's smile sharpened just a little.
"I see. Though that room hasn't been used in a while. Might have rats."
She paused, voice calm but edged.
"Compared to filthy rats, I think living with dogs is much more comfortable."
Yeah… this was getting spicy.
Cael scratched his head.
Should he step in?
…Nah.
As long as they didn't start killing each other, he'd let them talk their shit.
Asa, completely confused, tilted her head.
"…Do you two not like cats? I think living with cats is pretty nice."