To say it was a surreal feeling was quite an understatement. You were sitting at a cafe with your wife and daughter and your mother happily chatting away. Something about the situation seemed sour on your tongue though that could be that your daughter had begged you to try her green tea.

Maya: It's good, Daddy!

(Y/n): I will never understand hot leaf water.

Maya: It's not leaf water, it's tea! And it's not even hot! It's milk tea!

A chuckle escaped from your lips as you looked over at the passing traffic and pedestrians. It was a relatively quiet sunny day and just seemed like... bliss. How long had it been since you weren't running around trying to slay some devil or doing paperwork for Denji and Power? However... you still didn't know where Denji was and Power was certainly going to be out of commission even with her healing factor. You could only imagine the mountain of paper-

Mafuyu: You listening?

(Y/n): Huh?

Mafuyu: Sheesh... Sitting here with your family and your mind is still stuck at work.

(Y/n): Sorry, hahah~ Things have just been hushed recently. It's kind of... weird I guess?

Mafyuyu: Leave it to you to find a way to want more work when you don't have any too.

Yukari: That's just his provider mentality, you were the same way with all the stories you tell~

Mafuyu: Bah, I wasn't that bad! Grandma at least knows how to have fun, right Maya?

Maya nodded her head quickly as she sipped on her drink. A smile pulled at your lips as this moment just felt... perfect. A family you could spend time with. Friends you could hold dear to your heart. And even a peaceful day in this world invested with devils. A soft chuckle escaped from your lips which managed to draw Maya's attention away. Her innocent eyes met yours for a moment before a frightened look filled her face.

Maya: D-Daddy?

(Y/n): Yes? What's wrong?

Maya pointed at your face and now you found Mafuyu and Yukari's attention on you as well with equally surprised looks. You couldn't help but knit your brows in confusion before something dripped from your upper lip onto your shirt. Looking down, you spotted a red stain on your white shirt slowly followed by another. A nosebleed was pouring from your nostrils and you hadn't even noticed. Yukari stood up and pressed a cloth napkin against your nose.

Yukari: Are you ok?

(Y/n): Y-yeah just uh... a nosebleed.

Maya: Are you ok, Daddy?

(Y/n): Yes Cherry Blossum~ It happens sometimes but it's perfectly ok!

Mafuyu: Get a little too happy there, (Y/n)?

Mafuyu chuckled softly as you glanced in her direction, a throb of pain filling the right side of your head as your lifted right hand gently nudged away Yukari's hand to take over the pressing of the cloth against your nose.

(Y/n): H-Happy? What are you-

Yukari: You should check inside the shop, they have a bathroom that you can try to clean yourself up in.

A grunt left your lips as you eased your way out of your trail, trying to pinch your nose in the right way to prevent another torrent of blood from pouring down onto your already thoroughly ruined shirt. You had expected Maya and Yukari to follow you perhaps even MAfuyu but gazing back they simply watched you enter the shop with gentle smiles.

(Y/n): H-Hey uh... Should I have some help?

Mafuyu: You're a big boy aren't you? We will be waiting here when you're done.

Yukari: It's ok, dear. Just think about the last time you were happy and it might slow the bleeding.

Maya: Think really hard, Daddy!

(Y/n): Of course! I'll be right back.

A bright smile pulled onto your lips as you pulled open the door of the cafe and closed it behind you.

(Y/n): H-Hah... What is going on here?

A chill ran down your spine as the hair on the back of your neck stood up. Why was everyone talking about your happiness? In any other situation, this would be a nice sign of affection from others but everybody is asking such similar things that it's becoming strange. You stumble forward toward a door adorned with a restroom sign expecting some patrons of the cafe to be concerned or at the very least upset you were walking through their establishment with blood dribbling from your nose but they remained completely oblivious as if frozen in place. The unlocked bathroom door opened and you walked toward the sink to try cleaning yourself up with a healthy mix of water and the bloody cloth.

While there was no saving your shirt you could at the very least clean the sanguine fluid from your face, your fingers clutched the sides of the sink while you looked up into the mirror. Your face still seemed the same. nothing new or different aside from some stubble. Same (H/c) hair, same (E/c), same crevice... You allowed a bit of water to pool in your left pal before bringing the cold water up to your face in a vain attempt to wake yourself up even more. 

(Y/n): Hah... Ok... We just had a breather, now it's time to head back out. 

Talking to yourself didn't seem to calm your nerves but it was just the sort of coping mechanism you needed now. Your left hand flipped the lock before opening the door with a sigh. The cafe was still strangely devoid of life despite there being a handful of patrons. The only thing that moved which also managed to cause you to jump was the waitress behind the counter slamming down a cup onto the wooden surface. The force would have suggested the cup should shatter but it remained perfect with even the liquid inside refusing to tip over the sides.

Waitress: Your order.

(Y/n): Thank you but I didn't order anything.

The waitress didn't speak again simply staring at you until you awkwardly lifted up the teacup from the counter. Glancing down at the liquid, it was clear to tell it was some type of tea but even you knew accepting a drink from a stranger was probably not the smartest thing to do. The waitress meanwhile simply gave you the iciest stare you had ever seen, simply waiting for you to take a sip.

(Y/n): I guess I can go-

Waitress: You can't take the cup.

(Y/n): Even outside?

Waitress: Drink.

Who knew that flags could turn that shade of red? You lifted the cup to your lips but made no motion to actually drink the beverage as you continued to lock eyes with the waitress who managed to show no response or even emotion in this strange shop. It seemed like you weren't getting out of this without sipping some of this hot leaf water so you prepared every insult and excuse for your behavior and tilted your head back gently only to find yourself expecting another jumpscare, causing the cup to slip from your fingers and the beverage to spill on your already bloody shirt. The waitress for her part finally showed a bit of emotion as she gave a deadly glare in the direction of the phone before sauntering off to another motionless customer. 

(Y/n): What is going on here?

You asked out to no one in particular but you found your hand already gripped around the handset of the phone with it lifting to your ear. 

(Y/n): What on earth-

???: You really know how to keep a girl waiting.

(Y/n): ... Makima?

A chuckle tickled the inside of your ear from the phone, the red-haired woman's tone filled with a sense of warmth and frost. Like it was attempting to lure you with pure bliss into a world of agony. Or perhaps you had been trapped in a blizzard and found warmth in the arms of another. It caused your heart to throb with emotion and your stomach to flip.

Makima: Are you excited~?

(Y/n): E-Excited? 

Makima: You're speaking to another woman with your family nearby. It's almost like I'm your lover~

(Y/n): Lover?! M-Makima what are you talking about?

Makima: Is it that uncommon for a lover to tease their partner? I suppose we will have to learn more when you arrive~

Your brain is attempting to try and find a solution to Makima's words. Either this was some elaborate joke you were not privy to or you had just been slapped in the face with the fact you had turned into a scumbag without realizing it.

Makima: You didn't forget our meeting right? Or should I say date~?

(Y/n): No I didn't forget but... I have no idea where you are! I'm covered in blood and tea and I'm lost and-

Makima: It's the first place we really talked. You remember that shop where you tried... what did you call it...? Hot leaf water~?

Another chuckle filled Makima's voice as you vaguely remembered a tea shop where the two of you first really spoke. It had been after Makima had discovered you thanks to those two agents. The one by Mafuyu's place... that's it!

Makima: I will see you soon at our place~ Maybe you should bring me a gift, hmm~?

CLICK

The call ending filled your ear as you placed the phone back onto the receiver. So you now knew where Makima was but considering you were soaked in tea and blood maybe you could take the chance to stop at Mafuyu's for a change of clothes. And what about a gift... Maybe Yukari would know? Your footsteps filled the quiet shop as you glanced down at your shirt with a pout not noticing the cold stare of the waitress as her eyes followed you out of the cafe...

(Y/n): Hey Mafuyu can we stop by your...

Your voice trailed off as Mafuyu, Yukari, and Maya were gone. Just vanished like they had just faded away at the drop of a hat. The drinks were still there and the chairs were still pulled. Your brain instantly fired off some logical responses at how they might have gone shopping or even started returning home knowing you had your meeting. But still shouldn't they at least say something? 

(Y/n): What is wrong with today... I just wanna sleep...

A sigh escaped from you as you began heading in the direction of Mafuyu's place hoping to stumble upon that cafe in the meantime... hopefully it's close to a clothing shop...

You were only a few streets away from Mafuyu's house at this point and the streets were still relatively quiet which still baffled you to no end. Maybe you were having some good luck today? Of course, you managed to jinx yourself in a single breath as a flood of people walking and chatting began walking toward you and even walking past you. In fact, the volume seemed like too much as you were casually shoved to the side before long finding yourself pressed up against a shop. With no escape in sight, you slipped your fingers around the metal handle of the glass door before pulling open the door just enough to escape from the horde of people.

(Y/n): Hah... Where did all of these humans come from? Were they all hiding here?

???: (Y-Y/n)?

A timid voice filled your ears before you turned to see a surprised Kobeni staring at you behind the glass counter of a... flower shop? When did... Why is there... At this point, you couldn't even find the energy to be surprised at this city's strange layout. Tokyo and humans are weird... Kobeni wore a simple suit and a black apron as you approached the counter. Other than the new outfit, Kobeni seemed the same as usual though she surprisingly managed to hold eye contact with you for the most part. 

(Y/n): Kobeni... it's so good to see you! When did you uh... you know... start working with flowers?

Kobeni: O-Oh! I'm happy to s-see you as well! I just... hunting devils wasn't my thing and I was scared to death. So with Ms. Makima's advice, I ended up quitting and coming to this flower shop that needed help with staffing. The location isn't... g-great...

(Y/n): I can tell sadly... but how about I be a customer? I have a meeting anyway so I could use a gift for-

Kobeni: Ms. M-Makima?

(Y/n): Oh, well yeah? How did you guess?

Kobeni: W-We don't get many customers... but Ms. Makima stops by to get roses sometimes. I don't really k-know why... But I don't really ask her questions... I guess they are her favorite flower?

(Y/n): Then can I get a couple for her? I've never seen flowers in her office but she really wants a gift.

Kobeni began to search a few areas of the shop, carefully plucking out roses. Each rose seemed perfect. No blemishes or damage but Kobeni did have to be careful with the extremely large thorns. The timid girl took the small bouquet behind the counter and began to trim at the roses though you weren't sure how they could look any more perfect. The shop was silent in the meantime except for the ideal chatter of passersby outside and the click of a clock on the wall. A breath exhaled out of your nostrils before your brain seemingly came up with something to say without your input and your voice ever the traitor simply blurt it out.

(Y/n): I've missed you.

Kobeni: Eh?!

The girl let out a surprised squeak nearly cutting right through the stem of a rose.

Kobeni: M-Missed me? We talked just a few days ago...

(Y/n): I-I'm sorry! I don't know what came over me! It just seems like you... disappeared on me and I haven't seen you in a while.

Kobeni: I guess... w-wed did see each other a lot when we were both hunters. But you could... just visit me here?

(Y/n): Sure, that sounds great. A friend of mine lives close by so I can pop in every once in a while.

Kobeni smiled gently before wrapping the roses in a thin sheet of red and white paper, presenting it to you with a (F/c) ribbon wrapped around it to keep it sealed.

(Y/n): How much do I owe?

Kobeni: I-It's on the house.

(Y/n): What? N-No come on I can pay-

Kobeni: It's ok, I-I promise. Just...

The timid girl practically pressed the bouquet of roses into your blood and tea-covered chest before meeting your eyes with a strange gaze, a gentle smile pulling onto her lips.

Kobeni: Find your own happiness, ok?

The topic of happiness cropped once more causing the hairs on the back of your neck to stand up though you carefully gripped the roses in your arms and nodded. Kobeni's smile deepened a bit before she turned away to attend to some more flowers, the whole encounter seemingly ending so abruptly. Even turning to look at the door showed that very few people from the initial horde were still there.

(Y/n): I... I will Kobeni. I just hope you're a part of it, you and everyone else! So I will visit soon, ok?

You called out before leaving the shop, ready to get this meeting with Makima over with so you could see everyone on the way back... before promptly going to sleep so you could shake off today's weirdness.

RING RING

The door of the cafe opened with the ring of a little bell. The inside of this cafe was completely empty save for one or two customers but compared to the last cafe you were in seemed so much more alive with a vibrant atmosphere filled with music and idle gossip between the older man behind the counter and the older man and woman sitting across from the counter in raised stools. It didn't take long for your (E/c) eyes to trail over to the corner to see... Makima but it seemed almost like something out of a story. Makima was staring out of the window but an almost angelic-looking light was shining in on her, illuminating the booth she sat in and the black dress she wore that hugged her curves well. Makima's sharp gaze turned to lock with yours and a gentle smile pulled onto her face as she waved you over. You took a chance to look down at the floor to ensure your jaw was still attached but forgot to slip out of your ruined outfit... but... it was just Makima right? Sure you were holding roses but this was a simple meeting then you could head back with-

You blinked and found yourself sitting across from Makima, your mind blanking on how you managed to get to her booth so quickly as she smiled at the bouquet of roses that now rested in her grip. Her face pressed closer to the flowers and she took in the scent.

Makima: Hah~ They are beautiful~ Thank you, (Y/n)~

(Y/n)L A-Ah... No problem...

You glanced around still momentarily stunned before the older gentleman from the counter brought forth two drinks. A cup filled with tea for Makima while you received a glass filled with... juice?

Makima: It's what you ordered the first time we were here. the first thing you ever ordered anywhere.

A small hit of nostalgia coursed through you as you took a sip of the juice, identifying it as apple juice. Pieces were falling into place as you managed to stitch your memories together though it seemed like it had been years since you last sat peacefully in a cafe like this not including your multiple stops today. Some devil or danger always seemed to lurk nearby so it was nice to get just a moment to breath with some juice.

Makima: I'm proud of seeing how far you have come. Who would have imagined that poor creature I encountered not too long ago would turn into such a capable man~

(Y/n): Heh yeah I was... something else. I guess... I should thank you.

Makima: Why~?

(Y/n): I may have hated it at first but without you and the others I wouldn't have figured it out myself. You know everyone kept asking me about happiness today and I finally think I have my answer. A-Ah wait not this is a business meeting right? What do you have to say?

Makima waved her hand away dismissively before lifting up her cup to her lips, taking a sip before pulling it away, drawing your gaze to her sharply red lips which seemed new for the already strikingly beautiful Makima.

Makima: It's quite alright. We can speak without every single breath needing to be work related. Tell me... about your happiness, (Y/n)~

(Y/n): Well I uh... I want to spend time with you. You and everyone. Denji, Aki, Power, Kobeni, Himeno and everyone. I don't think I would be this happy without all of you.

It seemed like a sappy moment but you thought Makima might find it amusing. The woman managed to retain the same smile but her warm eyes seemed to dull gently like what she was listening to was nothing but a drag.

Makima: Interesting... And if the others die?

(Y/n): W-What?

Makima: The other's will be gone... they have left... And yet you still reach out to them?

(Y/n): Isn't that natural? I mean we are all friends, right?

Makima: I want you to think of something for me, ok?

Makima stood up from the booth and walked to stand in front of your seated form.

Makima: When they You couldnleft you behind... who brought a smile to your face? When they offered there terrible solutions... who offered you happiness at every turn?

Makima bent forward and rested her hands on your knees as you leaned back gently with a gulp.

Makima: This world is painful, isn't it?

(Y/n): It is...

Makima: You've made so many sacrifices... lost so much...suffered for sins not your own... I can lift that from your shoulders.

(Y/n): Makima...

Makima's right hand lifted from your knee to rest against your chin, acting as something to lift your gaze to hers while her thumb teased at your lower lip much like she had done in your first cafe visit.

Makima: Every day can be like today. Peace and tranquility. You can have the others as toys but... at my call, you will return to me, ok?

You couldn't help but gulp once more at how close the attractive woman was to you. Her words seemed strange and commanding, satisfying an urge in the back of your brain that you didn't even know you had. It seemed like her words were a leash ready to attach to a willing pet.

(Y/n): But what about work? O-Or devils?

Makima: Leave them to me. Leave work to me. All you need to do (Y/n)... is leave everything thing to me~ Can you do that~? Can you give me you all~? I can promise you happiness till your last breath~ Doesn't that sound good~?

On instinct, you almost said yes, but your mind just barely rebounded from the surprisingly seductive whiplash. What about the others? Himeno and Kobeni and of course your family. You couldn't just throw them away... right? You opened your mouth to protest but Makima moved first. She lifted her leg and rested her knee gently in between your thighs. The red-haired woman pressed further lifting her other hand from your knee to instead use both hands to cup your cheeks, bringing your (E/c gaze to stare into her own. 

Makima: Say yes and I can give you everything you ever wanted, my pet~

You opened your lips to answer the woman's words but only let out a gasp as something strange brushed past your back before climbing onto the table. Your gaze ripped away from Makima's to look at the newly arrived creature to find... a cat?

(Y/n): I didn't know this was a cat cafe.

Makima: It's not.

Makima looked at the cat with a simple smile on her face but behind her eyes was an almost hellish amount of fiery rage that the red-haired woman just barely held back. The cat for its part simply licked at one of its paws, letting its left ear flick forward before returning to its place. Snapping out of your daze, you took a moment to look at the cat before something came to mind that caused a jolt of surprise to fill you.

(Y/n): A-Aspa? How did you get all the way out here?

Aspa seemed to ignore you for a moment before turning to you and Makima. Aspa's eyes were usually dull but seemed to have an unnatural amount of clarity and he seemed to silently glare at Makima before turning to look at you. There was a silent plea in his eyes but in your confused state, you couldn't quite understand Aspa. He tilted his head to the side for a moment... before letting out a humanlike sigh.

Aspa: I chose this form because you were closely connected but I suppose that dumb look on your face tells me I chose wrong. Perhaps I should have picked the yellow one... but he's already on this hag's leash.

Aspa... talked. He talked! Like a human but that voice...

(Y/n): Uncanny?

Uncanny?: I should have expected the witch to strike while you were purifying... but I didn't expect for you to shatter my already low expectations...

Aspa or... Uncanny... spoke out as he glanced between you and Makima who had now pulled away from you and returned to her seat, sipping on her tea to prevent herself from doing something drastic.

Makima: I thought something foul had snuck in... and here you are~

Uncanny?: I care little for your tricks as well, she-devil.

Makima: hmm but now that we are all here... why don't we have an honest talk? You agree right, (Y/n)?

The two turned to you for you to only be shell-shocked. A talking Aspa... Uncanny... happiness...? Your tired brain had reached its limit for weirdness and was on the verge of going haywire as you tried to string something resembling a sentence together. 

(Y/n): W-Why... Why can't... I just want to sleep...