Beyond Control 4 (Patreon)

Beyond Control 4 - or ‘I refuse to be Controlled, so I will attain the [Heavens] to not get dommed by a certain redhead Control Devil' (Chainsaw Man, SI!)

Watching TV in the morning was something of a habit of mine.

It was odd that the device wasn't flat but the big boxy thingie of old but… I had been around when that was the trend. Still, the programming was the same as usual- the news were mentioning the fire of yesterday but seemed to have limited focus on the ‘skull-faced priest’.

They didn’t go beyond the ‘what a creepy guy’ kind of comment, which was good news considering I didn’t want the extra attention. After I was done with breakfast, I got through my morning routine, put on some fresh clothes and got on with my business today…

Which was to buy some groceries and take a break from action as I needed to have the day for planning my next moves. I have been ‘reacting’ to things, but now I needed to read some of the books I bought about Italy as I knew history went different due to Devils and… some of the shit I found on these books had my blood boiling.

After a while I just couldn’t take it anymore and went for a walk. I had to buy food and other stuff, so I passed by the nearest mini-market to do so. The place was mostly empty as it was still early in the morning and most adults were out working.

I was at ease as I didn’t expect any surprises- it was a workday after all, so I doubted anyone was around. Makima being in that park yesterday was more of a dog-related business. She tends to be this ‘caring’ towards her pet, so it was fair to assume that I had all the rights to not expect to find her anytime soon if ever again.

So… I was a bit surprised (or more like shitting my pants) when I happened to see Makima actually focusing on choosing some dog food’s bags from the right aisle at the mini-market. I had been focusing on getting myself some cookies when I stumbled on her.

Now, what to do when your potential doom is around the corner and may grow suspicious of any odd behavior you show them? Well, you go and greet them like a ‘good person’.

“My, my, what a surprise,” I hummed, catching the attention of the redhead. “Makima-san, don’t tell me this is where you buy groceries?”

“At times,” The woman remarked, slightly surprised . “And I am quite surprised to find you here, Bukharin-san. I thought you lived far from here.”

“Oh, I guess it’s a bit of my fault here- I moved here in Tokyo recently and I got to move into my new house yesterday. Before that, I was living in a smaller flat so that the movers could get my things in the new home.”

Makima nodded. “I see. Well, this place tends to have all their products refurbished on a weekly basis. It’s an excellent location to find anything you may need to use in the general day.”

That was quite the praise.

“I will keep that in mind. I can tell you are being quite driven about this.”

She smiled a bit at this, and I was about to end the conversation there but-

“Say, John-san. There’s something you may help me with but… are you free for the time being?”

I tilted my head with a surprised look on my face, while inwardly I was-

Oh fucking shit. She knows. She is going to fuck with me and then either murder me or turn me in one of her ‘dogs’. I need to be careful or I am screwed beyond recognition.

“I can spare a few hours. Then I have work to deal with.”

The redhead flashed a curious expression as she picked up a medium-sized bag of dog food and put it in her shopping cart.

“Now that I think about it, I think you forgot to mention what job you have.”

“The same goes for you, Makima-san,” I remarked as we both walked up to the shop’s main counter.

She merely blinked and yet didn’t show any interest to back down.

“I asked first. Let’s try to keep being courteous.”

I hummed. “Sure. I am a Private Devil Hunter- but don’t ask me where I am assigned, I wish to keep it all anonymous.”

“Wouldn’t that be counterproductive to say you are one to the idea of keeping it a secret?” She pointed out and I shrugged. “Or perhaps not.”

“I wear a mask. Good ol’ balaclava. Nothing too fancy but… it’s common enough that many don’t know who is who.”

“That’s true. Well, since you told me the truth… I am a Public Devil Hunter agent. I am in charge of a few subordinates actually.”

“Oh, I see. Well, I am glad to hear that someone so competent is in charge. I thought it would have been like back home- so much nepotism back there.”

Her lips twitched at the compliment. “But considering the situation, how about I hire you?”

…Shit.

“I doubt that is necessary. I don’t need favors-”

“It wouldn’t be one,” Makima remarked calmly. “I can tell you would be resourceful and… I could make use of you in a good way.”

That last sentence was so ominous that I thought this was all a ploy to lower my defenses… but I could tell it wasn’t it due to how ‘long-staged’ this thing felt. I just… nodded at this.

“I am afraid that’s not something up to you, Makima-san. See, I am not really trusting of the government. Especially when it comes to handling something as important as the Public Devil Hunters.”

It had been something I came up with as I remembered what made me go for a walk early this morning and this abrupt shift took the redhead off-guard. Cue her trying to make sense of this derailment.

“How come? Is there a particular reason for you to distrust the government?” Makima inquired, interest and curiosity flashing out of her genuine tone. “Perhaps you heard some rumors?”

“It’s less of a personal experience with the Japanese Government and more of me knowing the history of my country and how this could be easily replicated in others.”

“Italy, are you referring to…” Makima frowned a bit. “The Mafia Devil?”

Ah yes, the one thing that really pissed me when I looked into some stuff about home. I mean, I was a bit surprised when I found out that the ‘Mafia’ had orphaned me- but then I realized that the full story was that the Mafia Devil took care of that aspect of my life.

I merely nodded. “A Devil able to kill anyone with an ounce of moral justice within seconds. Truly a monster and one that ruled over the country for a few decades. Even now, after it got put down, some groups still worship it as a ‘bringer of stability’.”

“Did it?” Makima interjected, sounding quite fascinated by the topic. “The news on the matter is mixed. Since you are a local, maybe you can tell me more of it.”

“It’s… Let’s just say that I am quite biased on the matter, but I would say that there was stability for a few, and quite the chaos for many. After all, the Mafia Devil took over the whole context of ‘Mafia’, which extends to its origins as a movement of brigands in Southern Italy. It was an anarchic force of nature, which ultimately favored some and killed others.”

“...May I assume that you have some experience in history. I can’t help but find your focus on the topic to be quite ‘analytical’ compared to how many would put it.”

That was… quite the swift gut-shot. I didn’t expect someone to pick it up like this but I guess Makima is quite sharp.

“That’s correct. History was my favorite subject at school. What about yours, Makima?”

A surprised blink, then a quick ‘reorganization’ of her expression back to composed. “Religion.”

“Oh? I didn’t know it was a subject in Japanese schools.”

“I studied abroad,” She said, and I could tell she was lying about it. “It’s just interesting how the bible tries to explain Devils.”

“Ah, I… I kind of can barely relate to this. Most of my religious knowledge I got from Sunday School. Back in regular school it was mostly a ‘free period’ to rest, do some homework or just waste time.”

“And what did you use to do during that period?” She asked with a hint of ‘teasing’ in her voice. She was digging for info, but I let her do this because I didn’t have much to worry about in this specific matter.

“Either resting or homework. Those were… awkward times. Being a highschooler was an experience I am glad I am through with.”

Makima chuckled and I frowned, only now realizing that we both paid for our stuff and had been wandering around the streets for a while now.

“It reminds me of a coworker. A young man, he is… a fun individual.”

“Oh?” It’s Denji. She is talking about Denji with… me- Why? “Could it be that Makima-san likes someone?”

“I like many people, this one I may actually love.”

Liar. It was delivered so forcefully I could spot on her face she was hurling such a lie.

“Mah, Mah, love? How are you so sure?”

“I feel like that,” The redhead remarked strongly. “You sound like I am not meaning it.”

“...Perhaps.”

She stopped and I did too.

“And how can you tell?”

“It’s the way you sound. When you are not purposely trying to mimic your honesty, you sound at ease. The moment you bring up a lie, it softly shifts to forcefulness. It’s almost impossible to catch but… after hearing you being so honest for a while, I can pick that up for now.”

Makima looked… surprised. Really surprised. “Is that so?”

“Yeah, I mean, if you want to just push someone to work more diligently by charming them you can just say that,” I pointed out ‘flatly’. Her surprise lessened to an extent, but she still looked shaken by what I had just said about ‘picking up her lie’. “Am I right?”

“Yes and… no. I want to motivate him, that’s true.”

“Hm, close enough. I am good with puzzles,” I added with a small smile. “So, what kind of guy is this one, Makima-san?”

“He is a bit of a simple-minded one. He is easily convinced through food or drinks- but has a dream of ‘touching a woman’s breasts’.”

Telling me this in such a blunt manner was perhaps revenge. She wanted me to be shocked too, and I gave her that as my eyes widened at that last bit. I mean, Denji wanting to do that as a young adult and telling it to a woman was… awkward.

Which is why I had to work through this carefully.

“That’s… straightforward.”

“He is quite the bold individual, but there are reasons for him to be this blunt about the topic. I hope you can get that.”

“I don’t judge people- I guess it was something so big it makes him so… ‘brazen’. Still, convincing him to do more? How about you go around that desire?”

Makima hummed. “Elaborate.”

“That wish feels less of a personal desire and more of something that he is trying to idealize. See, a woman’s breasts are… ‘first step’ in sexual interactions. Groping such a ‘lovely’ spot so to speak. It’s a- well, it’s childish. A little boy would want to do the same, which is why I think it’s not really something he wants at this point.”

“So… do you think that providing it to him would do more bad than good?”

“I think it would just extend such trauma to ultimately root in him. It’s childish, and if he is a Devil Hunter that is meant to do this sort of harsh work, that means he would just deviate into something deeply strong in that trauma.”

“I see, and what would you do?”

“...If you want him to improve, have him seen by a therapist. A young woman preferably, perhaps with small breasts.”

Makima frowned. “These are specific preferences-”

“If it was a man, he would be bored. A woman seems to grasp his attention with ease. A small-breasted one would set him up to be interested but not distracted by her body.”

“Which would make therapy feasible. But what would be the end goal with this?”

“If you granted his wish, he would be grateful. If you gave him more than that in a way he doesn’t know only to realize that’s what he really needed, he will be even more submissive to you.”

That seemed to please her and yet she noticed my tiny smile and… nodded.

“I think I took enough of your time, John-san. And I have to go back to my dogs.”

I nodded and… was surprised when I felt a finger booping at my nose.

“See you soon then, John.”

I was… stunned as she just left like that. I swear I saw her smiling before turning away and leaving me just like that.

…Damn, she got a fine ass too, I almost forgot that.