One above all

by Abusamadres-Sama

In 1977 Kishibe came across a child amidst a massacre that had once been a family's home. He made the decision to take the child with him until he could find a new home for him. Meanwhile, elsewhere, the Control Devil learns that she must become perfect to rise to the top and be someone who can achieve anything. This means using people as well.

32. Lovebirds

ShadowStriker101/AssassinSlayer10

Thank you for your words, although I am very confused with the way you left your comments xD

Pan-san the Panda

Oh shit, I forgot about that detail. W-well, whenever you notice something like that, a wizard did it.

JamGuzzler

Thank you, on the next anniversary I'll send each of you a piece of cake by mail.

Guest

They're really fucking cute together, I know!

Nindoros

Thank you for your appreciation of this story, don't worry, I'll be here until the end.

One of the veterans came back.

Venom1462

Don't worry, friend, I'm going to finish this story no matter what.

Lachgar

I had already replied to you privately, but this site still sucks for sending email notifications. So here you can see it as well.

Hi!

First of all, thank you for leaving your comments. I just wanted to use some of my free time to respond to you directly here instead of doing it in the next chapter.

While you say that the fear of death is the greatest of fears, I have a different point of view: For me, someone who has already lost the fear of dying doesn't necessarily become insensitive to everything else, or at least not entirely. I see fears as separate entities. Let me explain: Hiro might not fear dying in the future, but he will still have different kinds of fears, such as the fear of seeing his loved ones in danger, the fear of not knowing what to do to save people, and even the fear of making a decision that could be harmful, just to name a few simple examples. This is reflected in Kishibe and Quanxi, especially in chapter 28. They no longer fear for their own lives and sometimes don't feel remorse about letting a small number of people die in their work, but they still show significant concern for Hiro. They were quite afraid of finding him dead, and they were overcome with remorse when they thought he was dead.

So, if you were wondering why Hiro felt tense and was trembling in chapter 18, there you have your answer. Additionally, there was a rather intimidating woman who could easily have crushed his dream of becoming a hunter at that moment. He was afraid of messing up and losing his only chance to become a devil hunter. I thought that would be obvious.

You also said that Denji is physically and mentally better than Hiro (although recently, the latter is quite debatable, lol). Well... No shit, Sherlock.

It's like that meme of the hydrogen bomb versus the coughing baby—pretty unfair, I'd say.

You must remember that Hiro was still a child at that time, literally 10 years old. Trying to compare that version of Hiro to Denji is a bit silly, in my opinion, unless you were thinking of a younger Denji. Even so, I would say Hiro is mentally better than Denji, at least in terms of mental health. Hiro at least doesn't let himself be guided by a woman's breast.

Don't expect a 10-year-old child with traumas to be physically and mentally strong. Even Denji at that age wasn't anything special.

And I think you said too soon that Hiro is only made to be Makima's lover or her "dog." I hope the rest of the chapters have dispelled that idea. Hiro was created to be much more than that. I repeat, he is NOT Denji. I don't think it's a good idea to compare an OC character to another when the main idea is to focus on the new protagonist who came to tell a new story and put the original protagonist in the background to see how things develop differently this time. That said, you won't see Hiro being a simp towards Makima or her having him on a leash without him protesting. Here we use common sense.

I see that by chapter 21 you were able to understand some of my points, but you feel that it's very slow. Well... I think you're right, I see it that way too. I've already mentioned before that I'm not skilled enough to publish weekly chapters, and if I did, I would have to cut the chapters down quite a bit (you didn't skip the author's notes... did you?), which would significantly decrease the quality of the chapters. Personally, I prefer to sacrifice time for quality. I don't want to deliver a chapter to the world that could have been better. I always give my best in each chapter to satisfy the readers, but I know that pleasing everyone is almost impossible. You would prefer me to release 31 chapters in half a year, but unfortunately for both of us, I can't do that. Despite having been writing for four years, I'm still not good enough to write quickly and maintain an acceptable level of quality.

I'm very sorry if it bothers you that this is a much slower development than you're used to. I try to improve with each chapter, I swear.

It seems that you ended up liking my story—thank you very much! But seriously, do you only read the parts between Hiro and Makima?

Honestly, I don't recommend doing that. You might lose context or not understand certain dialogues or references later on. But, well, if you prefer to keep reading that way, I won't say anything else. We all read as we like after all.

I look forward to seeing more of your comments in the future. See you around.

Phew, I'm done. Someone, please post the chapter already.

Notes: So, 30 chapters, huh? In other cases, I might give a longer monologue, but oh well, I've run out of words.

I'll just say that this chapter is full of intimacy (not that kind of intimacy), but well, the word "intimacy" is subjective. I assure you, this is just about pure hugs.

For now.

And guess what? There's a small action scene that will be expanded in the next chapter.

But for the most part, it's just scenes between our favorite lovebirds, Hiro and Makima.

0O0O

Chapter 30: It's simply not worth it without him.

There was something very special about everything that was happening.

There was something very special about her. He always thought he knew what real bonds between people felt like; he thought he had experienced it firsthand in the first seven years of his life when his parents were still alive. Then, when he grew close to two devil hunters who at first glance, seemed not quite normal. Later, when he made his first friend in elementary school, with whom he still got along very well to this day.

But this felt quite different, though Hiro couldn't explain why. It was as if his body was acting on its own before his mind could formulate the action in his brain. He just knew he didn't want to let her go from his arms; he wanted to keep her there for as long as she wished. It was as if he had an overwhelming need to protect her from anything that could harm her. He felt like the only person who could take care of her, though the reality was different. He knew she could protect herself, but that wouldn't stop him from being there for her whenever she needed him.

Hiro couldn't explain this strange occurrence, but it was as if his protective instincts had intensified when she started crying on his shoulder, pouring out all the pain and frustration she had endured for two weeks. Despite that, his heart ached as her sobs seemed to intensify with every apology that came from her lips, going straight to Makima's ears, as if she had been waiting an eternity to hear such words.

Hiro knew it wasn't really his fault that she was like this; if it was anyone's fault, it was the Gun Devil's. Still, he couldn't help but feel guilty for not being more determined to do something different when he had the chance. Maybe he should have pushed Kishibe and Quanxi harder to let him visit Makima. Back then, he didn't know how badly she was suffering; he only thought she would be worried about him. He never imagined she would be so distressed that she would lose her mind and become desperate enough to come to his apartment for a visit.

He most likely underestimated Makima's determination. No, he underestimated the depth of her affection for him.

A part of Hiro cursed himself. He had wanted to ensure that Makima's life was filled with happiness, that the last time he would have seen her cry like that would have been in that library. Yet, somehow, he always managed to make her cry, even indirectly. This made his heart ache once more and made him question whether he was truly making her happy.

But the way she clung to him only showed how desperate she was for his closeness, so until told otherwise, he wouldn't let her go.

These were very difficult feelings to understand but easy to absorb. Did that make sense? Hiro found them quite challenging to comprehend, but the sensation they brought was not unpleasant, at least for the most part.

The only thing he understood was that all these feelings stemmed from the desire to comfort Makima, and he was more than willing to fulfill that.

The atmosphere was so pleasant. The way their foreheads were now pressed together, simply enjoying each other's company with their eyes closed and without saying a word, was a feeling that seemed to calm all their existing worries...

... As if she were the part of himself that had always been missing.

The world around them seemed to vanish, just the two of them enjoying a moment they had been waiting for a while, and there was no better way to savor it. Under different circumstances, he would have felt embarrassed by the closeness they were sharing; before, it was nothing more than her wrapping her arms around him, trying to take in as much of him as possible while hugging him.

But he didn't know what kind of thing possessed Makima to sit in his lap. She probably had no other option; he was sitting on his bed, and it wasn't as if she would have been comfortable hugging him while standing. It probably wouldn't have been enough for her, as there wasn't much maneuverability for a full embrace.

But if he was honest, he didn't mind at all right now. Maybe it was due to the seriousness of the situation, but whatever the reason, having Makima straddling his lap was a new but pleasant sensation. He could get used to this.

How much time had passed? Hiro was starting to feel drowsy.

"Do you feel better?" he asked. At some point between all his thoughts, she had shifted her face back to his neck again, probably needing more of his scent, though he didn't feel her sniffing it. Maybe she just liked this position.

Makima nodded without saying a word. Hiro assumed she didn't want to say much at the moment and was simply enjoying it while she could. He could understand that.

But as much as he enjoyed this new position, there came a point when his body had to yield to fatigue. His back began to feel uncomfortable from being in this position for so long. He tried shifting a bit to alleviate the discomfort, but it wasn't very effective.

The only way to ease this was...

"Can we lie down on your bed?"

Maybe it was because Makima started to sense that he was uncomfortable, or because she couldn't maintain this position for much longer either, but her request came as a welcome coincidence, one that made his mind start to think more clearly.

"L-lie down?" Hiro asked, not entirely sure if he should do it. Hugging this way was one thing, but picturing himself in bed with her while hugging seemed like something much more intimate. His cheeks flushed at the mere thought. On the other hand, it didn't sound like a bad experience, and his back was shouting at him to agree.

To emphasize that question (which hadn't even received a response), Makima managed to slip off her shoes, which fell very close to Hiro's bed. She started putting more weight on him, indicating that she wanted him to lie down on the bed.

Well, it was going to be very embarrassing, but there's a first time for everything.

Still with flushed cheeks, Hiro obeyed and let his body fall onto the bed, instantly relaxing his back. It's worth noting that at that moment they were lying vertically, while the bed was set up horizontally.

"W-wait, give me a second" Hiro tried to move and wriggle free from her embrace to lie down properly on the bed, but she wouldn't let go. It seemed she didn't want to release him at any moment, even though he was willing to keep hugging her. He sighed, knowing there was no arguing this, so he managed to adjust both of their bodies to lie down on the pillows.

When he finally succeeded, he let out a sigh of relief. "There we go. Happy?" he asked playfully, knowing this was what she wanted. Still, he was surprised when she didn't respond and simply lifted her head from his neck to look at him directly.

Makima had an inscrutable expression, but she didn't seem upset. It was more like she was lost in thought about something he didn't need to know. Her yellow eyes had a slight red tint from all the tears she had shed earlier.

Oh, but that was the least of it. Makima lifted herself further until her back was straight, shifting more weight onto her hips and causing a shiver to run through Hiro. Her hands were resting on her legs, but her left hand was attempting to tear at the fabric of her stocking as if it were a nervous tic he was already familiar with. Her legs, covered in those dark stockings, pressed more tightly around his thighs. Hiro's face was probably burning as he admired the view. For a moment, he set aside the seriousness and sentimentality to appreciate this sight... This sight that was so...

... So glorious, for lack of a better word he still didn't quite understand.

Hiro always tried to think of Makima in the best way possible out of respect for her, but he couldn't deny that having a beauty like her on top of him was somehow thrilling, not in the sense of being comfortable—there were other ways for that—but in the sense of something he didn't fully grasp yet but was tempted to explore if this continued. Makima's head tilted slightly to the left as if she were confused, and Hiro couldn't help but find the sight quite adorable.

And it only made her look even more beautiful.

"Your face is red. Do you have a fever?"

"Uuh" Hiro took a moment to respond, still trying to find the right words. "No, I'm fine. It's just that... I'm not used to having someone else in my bed"

"I see" Makima nodded understandingly "I've only seen it in movies, but I think it's a pleasant experience"

Hiro smiled nervously "A-any experience with you is pleasant, Makima" Somehow, that comment slipped out, but a part of him was very tempted to say it.

He didn't know why; it was as if the whole atmosphere was making him say everything he was thinking, but in ways that had more than one meaning, something he unfortunately wasn't aware of.

Makima seemed taken aback for a moment but then smiled. "The same goes for me"

After that, they just looked at each other in silence, one more nervous than the other. Hiro wasn't sure what to do in this position. He didn't know if it was right to place his hands on Makima's hips, as there weren't many other options. He imagined in his mind, his hands gently holding her waist, while she gave him a look that could mean more than one thing, gazing directly into his eyes. The image made his face turn even redder, and he was going to dismiss it for the sake of his mental well-being.

The other option was her thighs...

...

Yeah... There was no way he was going to do that... Unless she didn't mind, but if there was one thing life had taught him, it was not to tempt fate like Kishibe does every day with that silver-haired, eye-patched woman.

So, with no other option, he kept his arms at his sides, definitely maintaining a safe distance from Makima's body.

He felt her shift her hips slightly, sending a shiver through his body. She was pressing dangerously close to his groin... Shit.

This was going to be a long night.

God help him.

Fortunately (or unfortunately?) Makima got tired of sitting and finally snuggled on top of him. Hiro barely noticed as his face flushed; apparently, she wasn't handling it any better than he was. Makima rested her head on his chest, with her left ear over where his heart should be. Soon, she could hear the familiar sound of a heartbeat, which made her smile as a wave of relief washed over her. It was the ultimate proof that Hiro was safe and sound, and there was nothing to worry about.

How many days had she daydreamed about this moment—being curled up against Hiro's chest, the sound of his heartbeat lulling her to sleep while he wrapped her in his arms, in a hug that would last as long as she wanted. Now she could savor this moment as much as she wished.

She shifted a bit to hook one of her legs around his, and when she finally found a comfortable position, she smiled in satisfaction "Hmmm," Makima nuzzled her nose into his chest, relishing the sensation of this new position. They had only been cuddling like this for a few seconds, but it had already become her favorite position. They would have to repeat it on another occasion.

But for now, she would enjoy the present.

"Happy?" she heard Hiro ask playfully, and Makima smiled dreamily. This boy was wonderful.

"You have no idea" She tried to move her head to look at his face but barely managed to. "And you?"

She could see Hiro smiling sweetly at her "The question offends" he chuckled before wrapping his arms around her back, this made the position a thousand times better.

She felt so protected here. Hiro holding her while she rested on him made her feel so calm and relaxed, as if all the problems of the world had been set aside and only the two of them remained to enjoy the peace and tranquility.

It sounded so perfect, a world where she and Hiro could live in peace without anything bothering them for the rest of their lives. It was something she would give anything for to make it a reality.

But unfortunately, things don't work that way. However, as long as Hiro was by her side, any place felt like paradise.

Makima absentmindedly ran her hand over his chest, noting how soft it felt even through the fabric of his shirt. But when she touched a particular spot, it caused a shiver to run through Hiro's body... and a small groan of pain.

"Ah!" Hiro winced when Makima, without realizing it, touched a sore spot on his chest that hadn't healed completely.

Immediately, Makima pulled her hand back and looked at Hiro with worried eyes "Are you okay? What was that?"

He tried to calm her with a smile that was slightly twisted with pain. "It's nothing serious. My body took a lot of damage when the Gun Devil attacked. The gust of wind threw me against a wall, almost breaking my back. It doesn't hurt as much now, but it's still uncomfortable to move. Also, some debris fell on my chest, causing superficial wounds. At least nothing is broken... But like I said, it's nothing serious"

Hiro was so distracted that he didn't notice how Makima had kept her eyes wide open throughout his explanation.

"What?" she whispered, surprised.

She quickly got up and sat back down on his lap. "Are you sure you're okay? Does it hurt a lot? A-are you sure you don't have any internal damage?" Her voice sounded calm, but her face showed clear concern. Her hands desperately searched for signs of injury, even though most of them were probably hidden under Hiro's shirt.

"R-relax, I'm fine. I already told you it's nothing serious."

"Nothing serious?" Makima looked at him incredulously, frowning and clenching her teeth. "You almost broke your back! You could have been paralyzed for life, and the debris nearly destroyed your chest! Your ribcage could have suffered severe damage. I don't think that can be considered 'nothing serious.'" She was clearly upset by Hiro's lack of concern for his well-being.

"But I'm fine, aren't I?" Hiro tried to smile to ease the situation, but failed.

"How can you be fine if I barely touched you and you already felt pain?!" Her eyes now narrowed dangerously. "Don't you dare lie to me, Hiro. I know very well that you're enduring the pain on purpose."

At that moment, Hiro wondered if she had become an expert at seeing through him. He figured it didn't matter anymore; she was here with him now, so there was no need to keep up the façade of being strong.

He sighed, but it was a shaky, painful sigh, something Makima noticed, which only deepened her concern "Alright... I admit I've been struggling quite a bit these past few days. It's very difficult to do some things like cook or even bathe, but I try to think that each day it hurts a little less."

She raised an eyebrow, not buying the last part. "And does it work?"

"... No"

Makima closed her eyes and shook her head slowly. "Hiro..."

"But hey, am I still alive or not? That's a win for me."

Makima looked at him for a few more seconds before sighing and forming a small smile. "You're right. The fact that you're still alive is what matters most" She placed a hand on his chest and moved it with much more delicacy now, as if he were made of glass and even the slightest touch could shatter him.

In fact, it wasn't far from the truth, Makima always took the utmost care when approaching Hiro, and the reasons were quite obvious. Being a devil, she possessed strength far exceeding that of humans; if she wanted to, her fist could easily punch through a concrete wall, let alone break or pulverize the bones of an ordinary human, it would be as easy as breaking dry, thin branches.

Although she always hugged Hiro with a certain strength, so much so that he even mentioned she was suffocating him, she only used a small fraction of her strength in those moments. Hiro was fortunate to have met her when they were both ten years old; back then, her strength had not fully developed yet. Otherwise, she might have crushed him with the first hug they shared, due to all the emotions she felt that day, she wouldn't have been able to control her strength.

She wondered why Hiro never mentioned this fact out loud, but she assumed he had come to the simple conclusion that her strength was just because she was a devil, so there was no need to delve into it further.

Hiro was like a cherry blossom that had the misfortune of falling into the hands of a monster, a monster that would do anything to protect the beauty of those delicate petals. Yet, being close to Hiro was like walking barefoot on broken glass, any misstep could lead to eternal regret.

She wanted to believe Hiro was aware of this situation, of course he was, right? If not, he would have distanced himself from her long ago. But as the years went by, and as she grew and her strength increased, the fear of accidentally harming him grew with her, becoming a true source of terror that made her shiver. If anything frightened her more than seeing Hiro injured, it was the thought of being the cause of his suffering.

Makima had many worries on her mind... but perhaps this was the most terrifying of them all.

"Makima?"

Makima flinched when Hiro's voice brought her back to reality. She had been staring blankly while her hand continued to move over Hiro's chest.

"..." She didn't respond, preferring to lower her head back to his chest, trying now to avoid putting too much weight on him to prevent any pain.

Hiro placed his arms back around her, and this time he gently rubbed her back, intending to offer some comfort and ease her worries.

They remained silent for a few good minutes, simply enjoying each other's presence. If it weren't for the noise outside, they were sure they could hear each other's breathing. Despite that, Makima found solace in the steady rhythm of Hiro's heartbeat, and Hiro felt at home holding her in his arms, breathing in the scent of her reddish hair.

This was enough for both of them.

Makima only needed Hiro to be happy, and Hiro only needed Makima to feel at home.

However, there was one thing Makima wanted to know.

"Can you tell me how you managed to survive?" She made no move to look at him, instead staying nestled against his chest and ready to listen to whatever he had to say, whether it was good or bad.

Makima was quite curious about how Hiro managed to survive; she hoped it would be a story worth remembering... or, depending on the details, preferably forgetting.

Hiro didn't make any attempt to look at her. He kept his gaze fixed on the ceiling of his room as he processed Makima's question, finally taking a deep breath to prepare himself to recount that tragic day.

"Do you really want to know every detail?"

"Yes." It was a simple answer but conveyed an authority that Hiro perceived; she wasn't going to take a 'no' for an answer.

Makima traced small circles on his chest as Hiro began to speak. "It happened shortly after I got on the bus. The teacher told us to wait a bit longer to make sure everything was in order before the bus left for Hiroshima. But then I heard other students laughing because someone had left their suitcase outside the bus, almost inside the school. It turned out to be Kenji's suitcase... Oh right, I never told you about him!"

Makima closed her eyes in an attempt to recall any conversation where Hiro might have mentioned this Kenji, but in the four years they had known each other, he had never mentioned anyone by that name.

"No, I have no idea who that is."

Hiro nodded slightly, a faint smile on his face. "Right. You should know that before I met you, I... wasn't the most sociable kid in the world. To be precise, I had no friends"

Makima furrowed her brow, feeling confused. How could anyone not want to be friends with Hiro? He was the most wonderful human in the world. Could the rest of humanity really not see that? It was a shame; many children missed the chance to know someone as kind and lovely as Hiro.

They missed out; many humans are unable to recognize a precious gem even when it's right in front of their noses.

"But that changed when Kishibe enrolled me in a new school. I had the chance to start a new life, even though I was only seven. That's when I met Kenji" Hiro smiled with nostalgia as he remembered how he and Kenji met.

Seven years ago, in 1977.

A new kid was joining the school late.

It was the talk of several students in a particular class, and Hiro thought that might be the only time he'd be popular in any way.

When he was introduced to the class, it was as normal as it could be.

"G-good morning, my name is H-Hiro Takahashi. It's a pleasure to meet you all" he said, bowing as a greeting. As was customary in such events, the rest of the class applauded in a formal acknowledgment.

It was a good sign; at least he hadn't embarrassed himself in any way.

When the teacher indicated a seat for him, Hiro did his best to ignore the curious stares from some of the boys and girls. They didn't say anything, but their gazes still made him uncomfortable.

Hiro finally took his seat, and when the first class of the day began, he felt a sense of relief that all eyes were no longer on him. That was one good thing about living in such a disciplined country. But it also worried him a little—if no one was interested in him now...

How was he going to make friends?

Unaware of his own habit of overthinking, Hiro missed the curious and amused glance of the boy sitting to his left.

During lunch hour, Hiro found himself alone. With no one he knew at this new school, it was inevitable that he would eat his lunch in solitude.

In his previous school, there was a system to prevent students from feeling alone at mealtime. All the younger students would eat at a single, large rectangular table, big enough for the entire class to sit together. Despite this, Hiro had never managed to make friends. He never had the courage to speak to anyone, and no one showed interest in him.

Not even when he brought his toys from home! Can you believe it!?

Hiro sighed as he placed his bento box on the table. He had managed to find a spot a little away from the rest of his classmates, who by this point had already formed the habit of eating near the playground area they used during recess.

Hiro considered the idea of joining them, but he thought it would be quite uncomfortable to eat near other kids he didn't know, and who didn't know him either. He would just end up sitting on the sidelines, excluded from the conversation. It would be like an awkward outsider, even though he already felt like one.

The best option seemed to be sitting a bit farther away. No one would pay attention to him anyway.

He thought about using the same technique he had employed since he could remember...

... Doing nothing.

He would just wait for someone to approach him and start a conversation.

As long as he could get at least a simple "hello" he would be happy for the rest of the day!

So Hiro waited... and waited.

And waited.

And waited...

It had been about 15 minutes, nearly half of the recess, and no one had come up to him. Not even to ask for the time (not that he had a watch anyway). His bento box had begun to cool down.

Well, whatever, maybe he should start eating. He could try making friends another time—

"Hello! Your name is Hiro, right?"

Just as Hiro was about to open the lid of his bento, someone approached him from his right. He jumped and looked at the person who had called him by name.

It was a boy his age, with black hair slicked back and light brown eyes.

"Umm, what?" Hiro blinked in confusion, unsure of what was happening.

The boy smiled at him. "Hi, I'm Kenji Inoue! I saw you sitting here all alone, so I thought maybe you wouldn't mind if I sat next to you while we both have lunch. Is that okay with you?"

Hiro was in shock, the technique had finally worked!

"Y-yeah, sure!" Hiro responded, equally excited, unable to prevent a smile from spreading across his face.

Kenji nodded, pleased, and the two spent the rest of the break getting to know each other better.

That day, Hiro made his first friend.

And from that day on, he started to get a little better at socializing and practiced mustering the courage to talk to others, something that would unknowingly help him greatly in the future when he met a certain red-haired girl.

Who would have thought that the only kid who intended to be his friend would also be the only kid, aside from Hiro, to survive the gun devil attack?

Fate works in mysterious ways, or maybe it's because every good deed gets its reward. Because if Kenji had never spoken to Hiro, he would have called someone else to help him with his future problem involving a suitcase.

Present Day, 1984.

"He was the only one who intended to approach me and talk to me. Eventually, we became friends," Hiro said, placing one arm behind his head and still smiling. "He was my first friend"

The hand Makima had on her chest stopped abruptly.

Hiro didn't notice and continued speaking, his tone turning serious again. "Anyway, the suitcase Kenji wanted to take on that trip was extremely heavy, and most of its contents were romance mangas. So, when we were lining up to board the bus, he had set it aside by the entrance, supposedly to move it when it was our turn to sit. But then, he suddenly forgot he had that thing with him. When he got off the bus to try to put it back on, he said he needed help this time, and as a good friend I—"

"You went out to help him…" Makima finished for him, her face showing the understanding that had finally been satisfied "That's how you avoided dying on that bus that ended up crashing into that building."

Hiro shivered. "Yeah… Even so, we were still very close to the blast. Not close enough to be pulled along with the bus, but close enough for it to push us deep into the school. I… had never felt so much pain in my life when my back slammed against that wall"

He felt Makima move her hand to his right cheek, and immediately, he felt a warmth she rarely could provide because she was cold to the touch.

"Did you suffer a lot?" she asked gently, not wanting to imagine all the pain Hiro's weak, human body had endured.

Hiro felt his heart beat faster, yet he surrendered to the comforting warmth Makima provided. "No, the pain was intense, but it faded quickly when my head also hit the wall, causing me to lose consciousness" he replied, as if it were a way to ease her worries.

"Don't talk about suffering a concussion as if it were beneficial" Makima admonished.

Hiro chuckled. "But it helped me avoid feeling all the pain that came afterward. The next thing I knew, I was in a hospital bed. Kenji was in another bed next to mine, and Kishibe and Quanxi were there too, waiting for me to wake up."

Hiro let out a deep sigh. "And that's it. That's how I survived the attack of one of the most destructive devils the world has ever seen" Hiro finished, looking up at the ceiling, hoping this would be enough to satisfy Makima's curiosity.

"But why did your scent still linger there? My nose might be sharp, but most scents tend to dissipate over the days. Yours shouldn't have lasted for two weeks, even if it was very potent" Makima asked again, still not making sense of it.

"Oh, well, yesterday afternoon, Kenji asked me to go with him to see how they were removing the debris from our school. It was like a way to say goodbye to all the students and to that place where we spent seven years," he answered.

"I see" Makima closed her eyes as she hugged him tighter and buried her head in his neck. "It all makes sense now."

"Yep, but I owe it all to Kenji. If it weren't for him… I would have died."

Makima sometimes found it quite amusing how the threads of fate moved. Because you never know what might happen the next day. Even a small interference, no matter how harmless or insignificant it may seem in the scope of your life, can end up making a significant change to your existence or could turn it 90 degrees, for better or for worse.

In this case, a small call for help was enough to prevent Hiro from dying, all thanks to someone's silly forgetfulness of his suitcase.

Makima had no fixed opinion about Kenji Inoue; in other words, she didn't know what to think of him. On one hand, she couldn't help the feeling of gratitude that grew within her upon hearing that, due to his interference and his inability to remember something as simple and important as his suitcase, he managed to spare Hiro Takahashi from a horrible death.

Makima wasn't sure if it was truly necessary to thank him, at least not to the same extent Hiro did, as if Kenji had taken a bullet for him. Given how Hiro described what happened with the bus and the Gun Devil, it was likely that it all came down to a huge amount of good luck that had accumulated over the years, finally coming into play at a moment when Hiro was only a few meters away from having his body destroyed atom by atom.

Was it fate? Or was it just a lot of luck?

However it was, Hiro managed to survive due to the intervention named Kenji Inoue. He might not have known at the time that he had saved Hiro from a certain death he was also moments away from experiencing, but still, he felt he deserved some credit, ironically, for his stupidity in forgetting his suitcase.

So yes, Makima agreed with Hiro.

"I suppose he somehow saved your life, even if he didn't know it at the time. Maybe you should return the favor someday so that you're even" she said, not particularly enthusiastic about delving into the details.

Hiro agreed "Yes, if he ever needs my help, I won't hesitate to assist him in any way I can. I just hope it will be when I'm already a devil hunter."

For Makima, Kenji Inoue was one of those interferences that brought about a greater good in the world, at least once in his life.

Good for him…

… But on the other hand…

She couldn't shake off the overwhelming sense of hostility that engulfed her when Hiro clearly stated that Kenji was his first friend. All that hostility was directed at the boy in question.

She really didn't like hearing that. She had been taught all these years to be the first in everything, never to come after someone else, to remove any obstacle blocking her path to victory. In this case, she had been determined to be the first in everything in Hiro's life. She wasn't sure to what extent she could manage it, but up until this day, she had maintained a streak… A streak that had been brutally shattered by an interference.

Hearing that Kenji was the first friend Hiro made in his life was a harsh blow to Makima's pride. It meant she would be the second friend Hiro made, and she didn't like the idea of being in second place, she wanted to be first! Unfortunately, she had arrived a bit too late to claim that honorary title, and she hadn't even realized it until today.

It sounded like a child's complaint, but it led to the thought that the beginning of her friendship with Hiro had lost a bit of its significance.

NO!

She crushed the thought before it could expand. It didn't change anything. Every friendship has a different beginning and end, and the start of her friendship with Hiro was among the most special experiences either of them could have had up to that point. She was certain of that. The way Hiro and Kenji became friends was probably as basic as it could get. Hiro didn't provide details, but it surely wasn't as special as her own friendship with him.

But in the end, what defines a friendship must be the actions friends do for each other, right? Hiro had done so much for her; it was time for her to do something for him. She might not like holding the title of being Hiro's second friend, but this only fueled her determination to be closer to Hiro from now on. She would be the first one to be there for him, just as he always seemed to be there for her when she was going through tough times.

Hiro deserved to be rewarded for his actions, and Makima would eventually find a way to show her gratitude for everything he had done for her.

And it would definitely be much better than anything Kenji Inoue could do!

She was going to be a better friend to Hiro than that guy!

And thus, unknowingly, Kenji Inoue became the first rival of the Control Devil. And the worst part was, he was winning.

As Makima seriously debated asking Hiro for Kenji's address, he slid his hand to hers, which was still making small circles on his chest. "And you… didn't get hurt?" he asked hesitantly.

To his confusion, Makima just snorted, as if the question were a bad joke "Unlike you, my survival skills are much more effective, so I don't have to rely solely on luck to see another day."

Hiro groaned, feeling somewhat dejected and foolish. "True, but what about bullets? I don't think you could survive those, especially not the ones from the Gun Devil"

He could have sworn she was smiling. "You have so little faith in me? Just wait until you see me dodge bullets."

"I'd rather not."

"Alright, then get ready to see me catch them with my hand. It would be quite the circus act, don't you think?"

"You're a devil, but I don't think you're resilient enough to do that" Hiro frowned.

Her smile widened. "We'll have to see someday. Maybe when you can shoot a gun yourself, you could—"

"Makima!"

She laughed. "I'm just kidding! Don't you like jokes?"

"Only when they don't involve potential murder."

"I see. Are you saying that because you think you'd be so bad at shooting in the future that you'd accidentally hit someone? You're very hard on yourself" she laughed on his chest, and Hiro just smiled wryly, finding the comment genuinely amusing and filled with bizarre humor.

It's strange how comedy works.

A few more minutes of silence passed. Unbeknownst to them, the noises outside had mostly stopped; there were still some sirens and ambulances in the distance, but now far enough not to disturb Hiro while he slept.

Speaking of sleeping, young Takahashi started to feel a bit drowsy again; all the emotions had finally taken their toll. It was probably already past one in the morning, but he didn't bother to check the clock.

"I was wondering" Makima spoke again, understanding that it wasn't quite time to sleep, but maybe it was close.

"Hm?"

Hiro looked with curious eyes as Makima lifted herself from his chest and sat on the edge of the bed. It seemed she was looking at something on the table to her left.

She appeared to pick something up in her hands, but Hiro could barely see what it was because she was blocking his view. When she turned to show him, his eyes widened a bit in surprise.

"Who are they?" Makima asked, holding the only family portrait of him and his parents that he kept in his room.

"Oh…" Hiro adjusted his head on the pillow while his eyes remained fixed on the photo. Something in his gaze made Makima tilt her head slightly.

"Are you okay? Did I… ask something wrong?"

"No… It's not that" Hiro looked into her eyes for a moment before sighing deeply. "They are… my parents."

Upon hearing the word "parents" Makima's eyes widened further in surprise. She looked closely at the photo again, taking her time to appreciate every detail. Hiro simply watched her in silence.

"I see. So that means the man here, and the woman here, are your father and mother?" Makima sought further confirmation, her finger pointing at the adults in the photo.

"Yes" Hiro replied calmly.

Makima continued examining the photo, noticing Hiro's resemblance to his parents. He had inherited his father's eyes and hair, and Makima would venture to say he also inherited his mother's beautiful smile. Hiro was in the middle, smiling as happily as an innocent child living without a care in the world.

Makima smiled. "How old were you here?"

"I think I was six"

Six years old, that explained why he looked so small… and damn adorable. Makima hoped to make a copy of this photo in the future just to appreciate the cuteness of a six-year-old Hiro every morning in her room.

Although that idea was quickly overshadowed by another important and question-filled matter.

"Hiro… What happened to your parents?"

Of all the things Makima might have wanted to know about him, he honestly hoped she wouldn't ask that. But somehow, he had to get it off his chest completely; even Kenji had only learned a few details out of respect for him.

And he hadn't talked about it with Kishibe in many years.

He wondered in silence why they were having this conversation after four years of friendship, but he actually knew the reason; if she didn't ask, there was no reason to bring it up, and he had never felt at peace enough to address the topic of his deceased parents.

Hiro lay back down, staring at the ceiling once more; somehow it felt therapeutic. "Have you ever wondered why I live with Kishibe?"

Makima placed the photo back while considering his question. "Actually… no, I never did. I never thought much of it."

Hiro exhaled with a touch of amusement. "Of course. Well, this happened seven years ago." His gaze was vacant as he looked at the ceiling. "I don't have many memories of it; I think my mind erased most of them due to the trauma. But I remember that Mom was scared and Dad was shouting something I couldn't understand. The next thing I knew, Mom had hidden me in the stairwell shed. After that, I don't remember anything. When I woke up again, I was in the back of a vehicle."

"Oh, you're awake… Shit, I was hoping you'd stay out longer" Kishibe scratched his head, knowing this would be a problem.

A seven-year-old Hiro Takahashi rubbed his eyes as he woke from what seemed like a long nap "W-where am I? W-who are you?" He looked around, starting to get scared. "W-where are Mommy and Daddy?"

Kishibe grimaced as he looked back at the house; the forensic team was just getting started.

He turned back to the child, his expression and eyes serious enough to make the young boy shiver "You and I… we need to have a talk"

After that, the inconsolable sobs of a small child echoed throughout the area, not quieted until a certain woman with an eye patch arrived to the rescue.

Hiro had lost a lot that day, but he gained a chance to become something more in life.

Something that would prevent more children from crying like he did.

"A devi killed my parents; they were gone forever" Hiro finally answered, his eyes appearing somewhat empty. But at least now, Makima had all the answers she wanted.

"..." She remained silent, unsure of how she should really feel. She didn't like seeing that expression on Hiro's face, but as dark, twisted, and cruel as it seemed—making even her uncomfortable with how it sounded...

...She couldn't truly empathize with him here, at least not in the same way.

Makima might have come close to experiencing the real feeling of loss when a loved one dies; Hiro almost died in that school. In fact, she had cried many times as her mind forced her to resign herself to the idea that he was already dead. That sensation was horrible, as if a part of her had been torn away, as if her heart were crying uncontrollably while every beat felt like a damn heart attack.

But in the end, her mind reminded her that all of that was still superficial pain, merely caused by the possibility that he might still be alive. Yet, it was a horrible experience. But Hiro was still here, and everything had turned out well in the end.

One could say that what she experienced was an extreme form of worry, so intense it kept her awake for days.

Therefore, she couldn't truly imagine the same pain Hiro went through when his parents died because, for him, it was already confirmed that both his parents had been murdered.

Poor Hiro.

She was still new to the feeling of treasuring something you value. Makima cherished the friendship she had with Hiro, so the idea of something causing them to no longer be together frightened and hurt her.

But was the pain of losing your parents greater than losing a very precious friend?

This was what truly confused Makima. If she had come into this world normally, she might have had parents who raised and loved her, and if she had lost them in the same way Hiro did, she might have been able to empathize with him right now.

To begin with, Makima's mind, or rather, the mind of the Control Devil, was mostly occupied with the word "Friend."

Words like 'Mother,' 'Father,' 'Sister,' and 'Brother' rarely appeared in her mind, and for some reason, they didn't evoke the same warmth and hope as the word 'Friend' did.

But why? Isn't the affection from a family, comprising a father and a mother, supposed to surpass the affection you feel for friends?

Makima knew her mind often thought differently from the common human ways, but even she understood she was ordering things incorrectly.

But deep down, she no longer cared. She had achieved what she always wanted, a friend who appreciated her and would do anything for her. She was quite sure that friends could also be considered part of a family.

In the end, she guessed it didn't matter how she ordered things. If her mind thought this way, it was better not to force herself to change her way of thinking just to fit in with others.

But right now, she wished she could force herself to change her way of thinking, perhaps so she could comfort Hiro properly.

"..." Without saying anything, Makima placed her hand on Hiro's cheek. He looked at her, but his expression didn't change.

To her surprise, he seemed to read her mind with just one look in his eyes. "I understand if you can't grasp how I feel, Makima." Now he seemed uncomfortable with his own words. "I know you don't know what it's like to have a family like I did; you've only had me throughout your existence. So, I don't want to force you to comfort me in a superficial way."

Makima smiled with sadness. This boy really could read her like an open book, but sometimes she wished he wouldn't. "But I don't want to see you sad. It hurts me to see you like this, but I honestly don't know what to say to comfort you. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked if it was too painful for you."

Hiro shook his head. "Don't apologize, Makima. It's more my fault for bringing this up after four years of knowing each other. There just... wasn't a right moment to talk about it."

"Still…" She moved her thumb along his cheek. "I can somewhat understand that feeling of losing someone. I mean, I almost lost you. But deep down, I knew that wasn't confirmed yet, so it was just worry in the end, taken to different levels by my paranoia. You, on the other hand…" She didn't want to finish her sentence.

Hiro nodded. "I understand what you mean" His eyes glanced at the clock, noting that it was almost two in the morning "Maybe you don't need words to comfort me."

She looked at him inquisitively, and Hiro just smiled. "How about you stay with me a little longer? At least until I fall asleep. Your presence will be more than enough to make me feel at peace again."

Makima and Hiro gazed into each other's eyes, the yellow and blue sharing so many unspoken feelings once again.

"Of course" Makima said with a warm smile reserved only for Hiro. She curled up against his chest again, and Hiro wrapped his arms around her, holding her as if she were his lifeline.

"Thank you" Hiro said, closing his eyes as they both settled comfortably. Having Makima in his arms as he prepared to drift off to sleep made the process a warmer and more comforting journey, one he had never experienced before. But there was something about Makima that made it so special; she was special to him, she was his friend after all.

Friend… Yes, she was his precious friend… A friend he never wanted to let go of.

"You know, Makima?" Hiro spoke slowly, already feeling drowsy. "I hope that by the time we become devil hunters, you'll still be by my side, helping me protect people... The world, don't you think? You and I... Saving this beautiful world we call home from evil."

A few more minutes passed, and Hiro said a final few words before falling asleep completely "The world... is a beautiful place, isn't it, Makima?"

Those were Hiro's last words before he slipped into the realm of dreams once more. His breathing steadied, along with the beats of his heart. He was at peace, all thanks to his dear friend Makima.

But she was not at peace. Let's not misunderstand the situation, being in Hiro's arms was just as relaxing for her. But it was those final words... Hiro's last declaration that made her go stiff, preventing her from fully enjoying his embrace.

The world a beautiful place?

Since when was Hiro so good at telling jokes?

The world was a horrible place. Hiro was the one who made the world around her seem like a place worth living and dreaming in. But when he was gone, everything turned back into hell, and it only disgusted her how the human race had brought itself to such a decline.

Makima didn't want to think ill of Hiro; the idea would never have occurred to her because, to her, he was perfect in every way. But it seemed he was still incapable of seeing the world as it really was.

It pained her just to think about it, but one had to admit that Hiro was naive if he believed the world was a beautiful place.

She didn't want to delve into this topic again; she preferred that the last thing on her mind now and when she returned to the research center would be Hiro.

Even so, to emphasize what their friendship meant to her, she waited.

And waited.

She waited for a few minutes, maybe ten or fifteen, long enough to ensure Hiro was completely asleep. When she felt it had been enough, she gently lifted herself from his chest and out of his arms, taking great care not to wake him.

After putting on her shoes, Makima looked at her friend for a while longer, simply appreciating how peaceful he looked while sleeping. She leaned closer to his face, her gaze empty as she looked at what was, to her, the greatest treasure this terrible world could have given her.

"No, Hiro..." she spoke softly, so as not to wake him "...the world we live in isn't beautiful... and it's simply not worth it without you."

She planted a gentle kiss on his cheek before leaving his room, as if she had never been there.

As if she had been merely a dream.

0O0O

Makima's footsteps on the stairs outside the building echoed through the street. There was no one else outside but her; no cars, nothing. It was like a ghost town out there.

But it was understandable—no one wanted to be out at night for fear of encountering a demon. Most citizens preferred to stay safe at home with their families.

It was better this way. Walking like this was very relaxing and helped her keep her thoughts in order. So, as she walked, Makima only thought, putting everything else around her aside as if it didn't exist.

What was she going to do with Hiro from now on? It was a good question, worthy of analyzing all night if possible. She wanted to protect him, she really did, but from her position, there wasn't much she could do. She hated being restricted like this. At least she hoped to teach him a thing or two about survival once he started training.

There was also the question of what the government would do with her now that Dr. Nishimura was busy with the hybrid project. Who would the government assign to monitor her? Whoever it was, she just hoped it wouldn't be someone too annoying. But all humans seemed insufferable in their way, except Hiro, of course.

But if there was someone she really couldn't stand, it was that damn Kishibe.

"Tch, when I get my hands on him..." Makima murmured with her eyes closed, not bothering to open them to see the path. Her sense of direction was better than average.

Makima could say with certainty that the day she and Kishibe got along was never going to come. It simply wasn't happening. He hated her for everything she had done in the past, and Makima found him unbearable for how intrusive he was, belittling her with every word that came out of his mouth. On top of that, she still felt that immense hostility every time he was near. She always repressed the urge to put a huge hole in his chest whenever she could, all for Hiro... and because they would execute her if that happened.

What kind of things had been done in the past to end up like this? Who knows, she really didn't care about that guy's life.

"Damn Kishibe, I really feel like I can't get along with you, not even for Hiro's sake," Makima thought out loud once more.

"The feeling is mutual."

Makima's heart skipped a beat when she heard a voice very close to her left ear. Her eyes widened as she felt a fist smash into her cheek. She had no time to register the pain before the force of the impact sent her body flying several meters, crashing hard into the interior of a car.

The sound of crumpling metal and shattered glass filled the air where she landed. Her mind barely registered her surroundings; it looked like the parking lot of some random restaurant.

Damn, she had been so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice someone sneaking up on her position, catching her off guard with a punch that would have shattered anyone's jaw.

If she weren't a devil, her ability to speak would have been gone forever.

Makima tried to get out of the car she had crashed into. Her back ached, and she could feel shards of glass embedded in her arms, which were beginning to streak with thin lines of blood.

"Ugh..." Makima attempted to stand while rubbing her left cheek where she had received the heavy blow. However, the sound of approaching footsteps caught her attention. She hadn't noticed until now, but due to all the chaos of the past few weeks, some street lamps were malfunctioning, casting insufficient light. It was with a mix of surprise and displeasure that she saw the figure emerge from the darkness.

Kishibe approached her slowly with his hands in his coat pockets. His gaze was empty, but there was something within him that she could perceive even from her position.

A massive irritation bordering on rage.

"Of all the things I thought you could be, I never imagined you'd be forgetful," Kishibe's posture, his stride, and those cold eyes filled with restrained anger gave him an intimidating aura as Japan's strongest devil hunter.

So this is what a forty-year-old Kishibe looked like when he was angry? Even time doesn't spare emotions.

Makima tried to straighten up but staggered and ended up on her knees again. Damn, that guy had a powerful right hook, it even made her feel dizzy.

"Y-you...?" Makima tried to say something to keep her focus on what was happening, hoping he wouldn't catch her by surprise again.

Kishibe pulled out his flask and began to open the cap while continuing to stare at Makima. "I thought I told you that if you crossed the line, there would be consequences. But look at you, you're not only strolling out of my apartment, but I also found out you did it yesterday. So this would be your second time."

Kishibe took a swig from his flask. "It's pretty bold of you to do something like this, breaking into the apartment of a devil hunter who could easily send you back to hell. I don't know if you're stupid, brave, ignorant, or just really want to get beaten up... But what I do know is that you're not getting out of this so easily, Control Devil"

Kishibe expected her to return a comment with the same amount of hostility or to look at him with that emotionless face she always wore around him, which always conveyed all the ill will she had towards him.

But he was caught off guard this time when Makima... started to smile.

A bit of blood trickled from her mouth; his punch had been effective, but she wiped it away easily, using the back of her hand, and her smile remained firmly in place with no intention of disappearing anytime soon.

"In that case..."

Kishibe reacted just in time as a chain, as strong as steel itself, headed for his head. He tilted his head slightly, causing the chain to miss him by a hair's breadth. A normal person wouldn't have seen it coming. Taking advantage of the fact that she had already unleashed those infernal chains early, he grabbed them before she could retract them and yanked them with the intention of pulling Makima back to deliver a direct punch to her stomach.

It worked. His strength was enough to drag her along with the chains; everything seemed to happen in slow motion. Kishibe was already preparing his fist to crash into Makima's stomach, potentially knocking the wind out of her, and her body was yielding to the brute force of the hunter.

However...

"Bang."

Kishibe's eyes widened in surprise as he noticed too late how Makima's free hand had formed a gun, and that word he despised reached his ears, too close to him—too close to his own stomach, to be precise.

Kishibe was sent flying this time. The impact of that attack had always been devastating. Had it not been for the material of the hunters' suits and the protection provided by his devils, along with the fact that Makima was still a remnant of what she once was, that attack could have killed him instantly. He probably would have had a new hole to boast about.

At least, this time, all he had was a massive pain in his solar plexus, as if someone had hit him with a giant hammer. He crashed into a wall, breaking through it and causing some dust to billow around.

But he got up quickly. At some point, he had let go of Makima's chains, giving her a few seconds to clutch her aching mouth. Kishibe took a moment to touch the spot where she had shot him and dust himself off from his suit.

But there was something both of them were doing simultaneously.

They were both smiling like lunatics.

'How nostalgic' they both thought, ready to try and kill each other that very night if possible.

0O0O

Notes: And done.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Many loved the previous one, and I hope this satisfies your craving for more Hiro x Makima for a while.

In this first semester of university, I did quite well. I passed my subjects with grades between 9, 7.5, and 6.5—success, if you ask me.

Passing is passing.

I hope the second semester goes just as well.

I also want to thank the Wattpad community for helping this story reach 50k views—awesome! Thank you so much for reading this.

I wanted to release this chapter last week, but I was deeply committed to trying to platinum Resident Evil 4 remake. In fact, I only need 4 trophies: the platinum trophy, which comes automatically; the one for collecting all the treasures in the castle and the island; and the one for completing the game without talking to the merchant.

I always mess up the treasure one because I always forget one, but I'm going to try to get the rest of the trophies in a single playthrough. I just hope I don't mess it up again.

I don't have much more to say, just one thing.

After 30 chapters, what do you think of this story? Do you feel the pace is right with everything I want to tell? Are you curious about what's in store for all the characters?

Seriously, thank you so much for sticking around after 30 long chapters. You're the ones who keep this story alive.

I was abusamadres, see you around.