[Location: Rooftop Bar – Shibuya, Tokyo, 00:17]
The night air creeps slowly, brushing against the skin with the coolness of the spring breeze, wrapped in the lingering warmth of the flashing neon lights below. Their table is tucked away in a secluded corner, slightly shielded by a frosted glass partition that reflects the red and blue glow streaming from the lively streets.
Makima gently nudges the glass of red wine to the edge of the table, her eyes fixed on Fitran, as if she doesn't want to miss this moment.
"Have you ever wondered why my eyes look like this?" Her voice comes off formal, yet there's a tension hidden beneath her words that grabs attention.
Fitran holds her gaze without hesitation. "I'm not sure you'd answer if I asked." His tone is steady, direct, showing an unmasked honesty.
A slight smile graces her lips, like a flower blooming in the middle of the night. "Answers are never obtained for free. But tonight… perhaps I want to give you a little bit of myself." With a graceful motion, she slides her finger along the stem of the glass, as if exploring what she might say next.
The traffic sounds below start to fade, leaving space for their conversation. It feels as though the world around them shrinks, leaving just the two of them in a tense silence.
Makima leaned in slightly, creating a thin gap between them. "You know, I'm not like other humans." She stared at Fitran intensely, waiting for his reaction.
"I know," Fitran replied quickly, "but that's not the only thing that makes you different. Your eyes… they aren't just mere birthmarks." His voice was firm, intensifying the atmosphere between them and adding weight to the confession that had been made.
Makima raised an eyebrow, her gaze still cold. "So, what exactly do you think they are? Just side effects of magic?" Her tone was challenging, revealing strength in her deep knowledge.
Fitran shook his head, the intensity on his face growing stronger. "No. They can tell you more than you think."
Makima's smile broke slightly, even though her red eyes still held a sense of inability. "Exactly. This isn't just an anomaly. It's a sign. A stamp from something much older than the government, long before modern devil contracts began."
Fitran tilted his head, his face expressing a blend of doubt and curiosity. "Control Devil," he said quietly, as if trying to digest the meaning of each word carefully.
He didn't deny it, his voice heavy with experience. "I was born from the fear of being controlled… and the desire to control. These red eyes are not just a physical trait—they are a window for anyone who submits. Just one glance is enough to make someone believe that whatever I command… is their own wish."
Makima took a deep breath, her eyes locking onto Fitran with an intensity that reached into his soul. She sipped from her glass of wine and then set it down slowly, as if trying to savor every second of their conversation to avoid wasting a moment. "You can feel it, can't you? Since the first time we met, there's a part of you that wants to resist… and another part that desperately wants to give in."
Fitran stared at Makima with a sharp gaze, his eyes unblinking. "Then why did you tell me? Wouldn't it be more efficient if I were unaware of anything?"
Makima clasped her fingers on the table, her voice steady yet firm. "Because you're different. Our contract... isn't just one-sided. Attention-Para makes you more sensitive to the small details that others often overlook. You're beginning to see the gaps, and I'd rather show you everything before you get lost in the wrong digging."
[SUBTLE SYSTEM PROMPT]
Trait Updated: Awareness Threshold – Passive effect unlocked.
Fitran reclined, his gaze still focused on Makima. "So you admit... that you're a devil?"
Makima shook her head lightly, her voice remaining calm and certain. "I am a Devil. An entity. A concept. Words don't fully capture who I am. Although I'm not human, I exist among them. Making contracts. Regulating. Erasing."
"And controlling," Fitran replied, unable to divert his gaze from her steady face. There was something deeper, more mysterious, buried behind that explanation.
A thin smile reappeared, restrained yet full of meaning. "Always," Makima said, as if reminding him of a weapon always ready in hand.
A server approached to ask about additional orders, but a quick glance from Makima made him stop abruptly. He quickly nodded his head and then backed away without a word. Fitran observed, feeling the tension that filled the room, like the air vibrating between them.
"A good example," he said, trying to respond to the strange situation with caution. Makima raised an eyebrow, her expression remaining cool and unfazed. "No one is invincible. Not even you."
"But I fight back," Fitran retorted passionately, challenging the implications of the person standing before him. There was determination in his voice, reinforcing that statement.
"Exactly," she replied while touching the rim of her glass, her gaze never leaving Fitran. "And that's what makes you... interesting."
The night air whispered softly, sneaking through the gap between the glass, carrying the fresh scent of ozone from the wet streets below. Makima turned her chair slightly, looking at the panoramic view of Tokyo stretching out—an ocean of twinkling lights in a palpable tension.
"Do you want to know another secret?" her voice was now lower, implying that this was a personal conversation meant just for the two of them. "These spies... are not just a showcase of my power. They hold everything I have ever controlled. Every face, every voice, every fear. It's all recorded here."
He looked at Fitran again, and this time his gaze was not only deep but also inviting, as if offering a power that was hard to resist.
Fitran felt a strange sensation, like a gentle wave sweeping over his mind. "There's something different here," he murmured, enveloped by a strange urge to open all his thoughts to her, to relinquish the control he had held tight for so long.
"If I allow you into my world," Fitran said softly yet firmly, his gaze probing Makima, who stood before him. "What are your plans with all this?"
Makima stared at him without blinking, her voice flowing calmly despite the tension in the air. "I will keep it, using this power to protect what is precious… or if necessary, destroy it to achieve a greater goal."
Makima's expression changed slightly, her smile faint and leaving a mystery behind. "That… is a secret you are not ready to accept."
Fitran showed no signs of backing down. "You might be mistaken if you think I'm not ready to face that reality." He leaned forward, looking at Makima with undeniable intensity. "I'm stronger than you think."
Fitran's hand felt the surface of the table between them, as if sensing the invisible energy that connected them both. A soft light shimmered in the air, though it was unseen by anyone who was less attuned.
"Be careful, Fitran," Makima suddenly lowered her voice, delivering an unexpected warning. "Be cautious when playing with chains; you might get trapped in them."
Fitran lifted his chin, displaying his courage. "Or perhaps I'll find a way to break free from them."
Both fell silent for a moment. Only the bustling sounds of the city filled the silence between them, creating an atmosphere thick with tension.
Makima finally moved, her steps soft yet steady, circling the table until she stopped behind Fitran. The tips of her fingers touched Fitran's shoulder, the pressure feeling very different—almost as if testing him, but also deeply personal.
"If you want to free yourself from these chains," she whispered into Fitran's ear, her voice holding a depth that was hard to grasp, "you need to see the entire chain… starting from my end."
[QTE – CHECK MENTAL RESISTANCE]
Pass: +5% Resistance / Fail: -10% Autonomy
Fitran remained silent, his breaths steady and calm. He could sense the tension hanging in the air, the temptation like a soft whisper. "One step deeper, and everything could fall apart," he thought, holding himself back from being drawn in.
Makima smiled faintly as she sat back down. "These red eyes are not just a secret," she said, her voice soft yet heavy with significance. "They are a reminder... that everyone is connected by something greater. And I... choose who holds the end." She leaned back slightly, as if to assert her undeniable authority.
A [SYSTEM FLAG] appeared at the edge of Fitran's vision:
Hidden Route Unlocked: Eye of Power