MTLNOVEL Chapter 118: Cash Cow Makima
Shoko's wish couldn't influence beings of immense power. For instance, after rewinding time, Pochita hadn't returned to Denji's body; it remained nestled in Shoko's hand.
Naturally, the same applied to the Control Devil, another entity standing at the apex of power.
"...Shoko."
When Shoko found Makima, she was still standing where Chainsaw Man had struck her down, lost in thought. She only turned when Shoko approached.
"Are you leaving?"
Makima, that unflappable woman, who could face her own death without a flicker of emotion, now looked… unsettled.
What a rare sight…
Come to think of it, Makima was quite tragic. A lifetime searching for someone who saw her as an equal, only to find no one. After Shoko entered the story, she finally found a true friend, only to lose her now.
Perhaps this is the legendary bad girl being punished by a bad girl?
"I'm sorry."
Shoko spoke softly, her voice filled with genuine regret. "I don't want this either, but there's no other way."
"To ensure no one gets hurt, to restore everything, to give everyone a happy life… I have to use the Desire Devil's once-in-a-lifetime power… and the price is my own existence."
"I won't return to Hell. I won't reappear. The concept of Desire will remain, but there will no longer be a Devil bearing that name."
"...Even if they live, they won't be happy without you."
"I know. Don't worry about that." Shoko turned towards the Hayakawa residence. "My wish is for Denji to live a happy and peaceful life. If my absence makes him unhappy, then let the memory of 'me' vanish."
"They don't need to remember unpleasant memories. They'll forget me and move on."
The setting sun cast a warm orange glow over the city, deepening the shadows.
"Then… what about me?"
Makima clenched her fists, her voice strained. "Are you abandoning me? Leaving me all alone?"
Shoko's expression, initially serene, clouded with melancholy. "Yes. What are you going to do?"
"You're too powerful, Makima. As the Control Devil, my wish can't influence you. I can't make you forget me. I'm sorry—"
[Energy +450,000]
"I don't want to forget!"
For the first time, Shoko saw Makima lose her composure. The eternally aloof Control Devil was now shouting, devoid of her usual grace. "And you're not allowed to leave!"
Anger, sadness… those words seemed inadequate to describe Makima's current state.
Her lifelong goal, her sole companion and confidante, her one and only friend…
To Makima, Shoko was irreplaceable.
Makima had never understood human grief over loss. She'd yearned for such genuine connection, but never experienced it.
She'd had no one to lose, until Shoko. But Shoko was a devil.
Devils didn't die. Even if killed, they simply returned to Hell, to be reunited soon. The concept of permanent separation was foreign to Makima.
Even when Shoko had been shot, Makima had felt only anger, not despair. She'd immediately planned a rescue mission.
Makima had never known true fear, until she'd seen Chainsaw Man open his jaws before Shoko, and her own powerlessness in that moment. The chilling fear had felt like ice shards piercing her heart and spine.
Despite its strangeness for a devil, Makima had silently thanked God that Shoko hadn't been devoured and erased right before her eyes.
She craved genuine connection, but that kind of fear, she never wanted to experience again.
Yet, fate played a cruel joke. Mere minutes later, she received the devastating news again.
Shoko was still leaving, right here, right now, before her very eyes.
And everyone else would forget Shoko ever existed.
Shoko couldn't erase her memories. Makima didn't know whether to be grateful or heartbroken. She didn't want to forget, but remembering would be agonizing…
"Denji has many friends. They'll support each other, even through difficult times. But..."
Shoko turned, her eyes filled with apology. "I'm sorry, Makima. I can't stay by your side anymore."
"I told you, you're not allowed to leave—"
Her nails digging into her palms, drawing blood, Makima's voice was resolute, as if she'd made a momentous decision. She raised her head, her spiral golden eyes now sharp and unwavering.
"That's an order."
As if imbued with some mystical power, the world fell silent. The chirping of cicadas and the songs of birds ceased. Nearby office workers, heading home, froze mid-stride, immobilized.
Makima, the Control Devil, could control any being she deemed inferior. And with her unwavering confidence, she believed no one was above her.
Therefore, her power extended to every living creature on Earth.
Makima had always hesitated to use this power on Shoko. If she succeeded, wouldn't that prove Shoko wasn't a true friend?
Makima feared that outcome.
But now, she desperately hoped her power would work. Even if it meant deeming Shoko inferior, even if it meant controlling her, as long as it kept Shoko alive, Makima would accept it.
Though she didn't know if Control could stop Shoko's disappearance, it was her last hope.
However, even this sliver of hope was denied.
"Doesn't seem to be working." Shoko flexed her limbs, a cheerful smile on her face. "Wonderful! This proves our relationship has nothing to do with 'control'~"
"...Not wonderful at all."
Makima had never understood why humans cried.
But now, she did.
"I… I don't want you to leave…"
Tears streamed down her face. The indomitable Control Devil, now reduced to a weeping child, unwilling to part with her friend.
And like a child, powerless against the inevitable.
[Energy +950,000]
The warm summer breeze ruffled Shoko's hair, then passed right through her.
Shoko's time was running out.
Even Battle Continuation couldn't hold back the inevitable.
She'd successfully fleeced Makima, but what about the Hayakawa household? Were they ready yet?
Hurry, hurry! I haven't even recouped my 2 million!
"Denji has many friends. They'll support each other, even through tough times. But..."
Shoko turned, her eyes filled with apology. "I'm sorry, Makima. I can't stay by your side anymore."
"I told you, you're not allowed to leave—"
Makima, my sweet, sweet cash cow… I'll be back for you soon~