Chapter Text
‘Ya asshole! You knew that chick’d react like that. “Loser”?! I’m no loser! She’s the real loser, missing out on the hottest guy in school! Thanks for getting my hopes up for nothin’!’
I yell at the tall weirdo. He smiles an annoying smile.
‘That’s a little harsh, Denji. It’s not like I scammed you in some way, I just presented an opportunity, “ Chainsaw Man ”.’
Why’s he talking like some suit-wearin’ geezer? ‘Opportunity’ my ass. I open the door and walk from the dusty staircase back into the quiet hallway. He follows like a shadow, his footsteps quieter than you’d think. It almost reminds me of…
‘Do you have to follow me?’
I turn and tell him, my face dropping as I see old Mr. Okuyama right behind him. Yoshida’s face drops a little too.
‘Do you two have ears? What did principal Ishikawa say at the start of the year? And do you two have eyes!? There’s a sign on the wall of the staircase! Students are not allowed on the school roofs!’
Oh. Right. Because some students end up smoking, or jumping off ‘em… I could jump off them, but I’d just heal. Guess I’m lucky like that, huh?
‘Is there something funny, Nanashi?’
Damn my beautiful smile.
‘No man- I mean sir .’
I can sense how badly my tall stalker wants to roll his eyes. The teacher stares at both of us, almost in disbelief.
‘You two are both getting detention! Nanashi, “man”, you’ll be in detention for three weeks, and you, Yoshida, for two!’
He yells, a vein almost popping in his forehead. Yoshida frowns a little. Shit. That cuts into me time! Into money time! I feel a bead of sweat run down my neck, my mouth open in shock.
‘I’m sorry sir, but really, it was my fault that we were on the roof.’
Yoshida says calmly, as Mr. Okuyama looks at him with interest. He… Bows?
‘The truth is that Denji knew we’d get in trouble, but I practically dragged him up there because I wanted to see the view of the school from above, thinking we wouldn’t get caught. We weren’t there to smoke or do anything unsavoury, sir.’
He stands straight and empties his pockets to the teacher, which reveals nothing but a pair of keys. The teacher turns to me, and I follow his example, revealing nothing but my wallet and keys, keys on a gore-tastic Chainsaw Man keyring I got on sale for fifty percent off! Mr. Okuyama’s stony stare softens.
‘Alright. One week each, for both of you. But if this happens again, it will be four weeks of detention for both of you ! Do you understand?’
He warns. The old guy’s stern but fair.
‘Yes, sir.’
We say in unison. The old geezer walks off, happy enough.
It’s just us in the hallway. Yoshida looks at me, with that same slight smile.
‘How was that for an apology?’
‘Incredible… Maybe you have a future as one of those sweet-talkin’ con artists fooling idiots.’
I mutter as I push past. He frowns a little.
‘It wouldn’t hurt to show a little gratitude , “Nanashi”.’
He remarks, grinning on his mole’s side. I keep walking, trying to ignore him. I can feel his gaze on my back, like I’m caught in his fishing line.
‘I’m just a little surprised you didn’t take “Hayakawa” as your family name. Too many memories, perhaps?’
I stop.
I have my hands grabbing his collar, pushing him up against the wall in less than five seconds. Grip so tight I can feel my fingernails almost cutting through his uniform. Motherfucker…
‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you, Denji. I was only curious about you and your relationship with-’
‘Don’t even say their fucking names , you got that! Huh?’
He’s not intimidated in the slightest, and his smile is long gone. But he looks sincere .
‘Forgive me.’
I let go of him and he sorts his uniform out. I don’t know why, but I can’t stay mad at him.
‘Do you miss them?’
Our eyes lock and I look into the void for a moment before turning away. I feel something in my throat.
‘I learned more about them in your file, but I remember them fondly. We met during that time with the assassins, though earlier you did say you forgot about it. They seemed alright. It was amusing seeing you and the girl with the burger. What you did felt a little cruel though.’
I remember… The taste of an ice lolly ?
And think about cake .
I…
Remember
THUNK THUNK THUNK THUNK
‘Denji! Stop!’
I feel his cold, soft hands try to stop me.
THUNK THUNK THUNK THUNK
My head hurts but it hurts me good , it hurts me less the more I bash and smash against the wall. Bash and smash. Bash and smash! That feels good ! I feel funny. I think… Of three dogs eating purple ice creams? Am I wearing sunglasses?
Why is the world so dark…
‘Are you awake? Don’t do that. You worried me, Denj.’
Yoshida is looking down at me, kneeling on the floor, his long hair almost touching my nose. I ain't some princess! Why am I on the floor?
‘Huh? Wha?’
I get up and look around. I have a bitch of a headache…
‘Why am I on the floor?’
I question, worried for a second that me and Yoshida got into a fistfight, and he won. Really won. He looks at me, frowning.
‘You passed out after slamming your head against the wall repeatedly. It must have been-‘
He stops himself.
‘Just don’t do it again. You can talk to me if you want.’
He walks away. Why the hell would I do that? And what’s with this mister mystery bullshit? I get up and dust myself off. I check my wallet, and yep, all the money is still there. I breathe a sigh of relief.
I notice a plaster on his left hand as he walks away. Guess I got some of his blood, huh? I look at the clock above and notice it’s nearly time for Maths class. This day just keeps getting worse and worse…
‘He’s so hot…’
‘Tall too...’
I hear some girls whisper as I pass them in the crowded hallway, looking for Denji because I know he might have forgotten our joint detention. I frown a little, thinking about him smashing his head against the wall. I figure it serves as a violent warning that I shouldn’t bring Power and Hayakawa Aki up when speaking with Denji. This cut on my hand needs to be sealed. I wonder what I’ll offer the Skin Devil in exchange for healing this wound. Perhaps the blood-soaked plaster itself?
‘Don’t do that again.’
Asa tells me as I pass her, clearly annoyed. I don’t blame her. It was quite a lazy attempt at finding a ‘desperate girl’, but a good lesson for Denji.
I find the detention classroom and slide the door open to see Denji.
Picking his nose.
And the others. All doing their homework silently. The teacher looks at me as I take a seat at a desk right next to Denji’s. I see on the chalkboard:
Start: 16:00
End: 17:00
I take out the books from my bag and set my pencil case on the right, ready to do the homework I was set today. If it wasn’t for him , I would have been able to do all my homework during break times, but the duty comes first. I take out a tissue and offer it to Denji.
‘Picking your nose is unhygienic. Girls don’t like guys who pick their nose.’
I offer him some kind advice. He sticks out his tongue as if to say ‘ I don’t care ’, as he ignores the tissue. Oh well. It was worth a shot.
16:31
I’m done with all my homework. Denji, however, looks stumped. I see the teacher is busy doing something else. I pass him a note.
Want me to help?
He snatches it from me before reading it. He scribbles something down on a piece of lined paper and tears it off. He hands the crumpled paper-ball to me.
Yeah Maths homework
I smile. The teacher gets up.
‘I’m going to leave the classroom for a few minutes. But don’t take this as a sign to start talking and misbehaving! This is detention .’
He warns, before he opens the door, exits, and closes it behind him.
The other students immediately start messing around. Some start talking to each other. I start talking to my blonde friend.
‘I can help you out with your Maths homework, but it’ll cost you .’
Denji furrows his brow.
‘If it’s gonna cost me, then I’d be better off doing it myself.’
He groans.
‘It wouldn’t be a hefty cost at all, trust me.’
I smile reassuringly.
He thinks about it.
‘Alright. But it better not be anythin’ funny !’
He replies, eyebrows facing the ground.
‘You know, you speak about me like I’m trying to poison you. I only want you to live a normal life. Can’t we be friends?’
There’s an obvious frown on my face as I respond.
‘Well you appeared outta nowhere and said you’re stalking me, so I’m not going to be nice ta ya! Anyways, I don’t need friends ! Only girlfriends !’
Denji replies, with his mischievous full-toothed smile visible.
‘You like food, don’t you, Denji?’
I respond, smiling casually. He’s curious.
‘Sure. I mean you need to eat ta live, so why wouldn’t you wanna eat tasty food?’
He replies, as if I’m stupid. I’m a little excited as I speak.
‘In return for me helping you with your homework whenever you need, you’ll have to hang out with me every now and then. We can visit the café or another restaurant every week, and I’ll pay for your food and drinks, within reason . How does that sound?’
His mouth is open with glee.
‘Sure! Glad you’re my buddy , Yoshida!’
He replies, arm around my shoulder. I actually feel a little disappointed at how quickly he folded. I guess the fastest way to a man’s heart is indeed through his stomach.
‘The Maths homework?’
‘Oh, here.’
17:01
Detention’s finally over!
‘Wahoo!’
I jump and yell outside the classroom. Then I look out the window.
It's raining bats and frogs! Shit! I don't have an umbrella or jacket! I turn around to see Yoshida, holding an umbrella.
‘Want me to walk you home?’
Yoshida smiles as he says it.
‘...Sure.’
As I get my bag from my locker, he stands in front of the exit door, umbrella open. Look at that smile. Dammit. I'm making sure I keep an umbrella in my locker so this never happens again!
‘So Denji, what do you do in your spare time?’
He tells me as we walk through the streets, us under his umbrella.
‘I do things to get money, like picking up cigarette butts and making new cigarettes out of them to sell to hobos.’
He frowns.
‘You scam homeless people?’
He replies, some judgement in his voice.
‘Hey. It's not like I'm forcing ‘em to buy cigarettes! I've got to make a livin’ somehow! Otherwise we'd be eating stone soup for dinner every now and then!’
I yell, because I've gotta do what I've gotta do. He goes quiet for a bit.
‘Well, I guess you have got to make money somehow.’
Nice that he gets it. I put my hands behind my head.
‘An’ I love to watch movies.’
I say. Yoshida turns to me.
‘What kind of movies do you like?’
He questions. I respond, smiling.
‘All kinds of movies. I mostly like action and comedy movies, but I'll watch pretty much any movie!’
‘I prefer dramas and thrillers, though I don't watch movies often.’
He responds, smiling.
‘So what do you do in your free time?’
I question, turning to Yoshida.
‘I like to read books and go on long walks.’
He says, smiling.
‘What kind of books?’
I reply.
‘Mostly Crime and Detective novels. I like to read whatever’s popular every now and then, though.’
He smiles, looking down.
Why am I staring at his face so much?
‘Do you read books, Denji?’
He turns, asking in a soft voice. I scratch my head.
‘I don't really like to read anything other than manga, sorry.’
I reply. He smiles ahead.
‘That’s okay.’
His smile puts me at ease for some reason.
Woah! Is that… A devil ahead of us in the alleyway? It’s some kinda fiend with pincer hands, black eyes and a fucked-up face. It’s got two horned heads growing out of the main head. I get ready to pull my starter !
‘Boyohboy, fresh human meat!!!!’
The fiend gurgles.
‘Nasty devil, prepare ta meet…’
Yoshida puts his hand on my shoulder.
‘Denji, I'll deal with this. Can you hold the umbrella?’
I sigh.
‘Fine.’
I take the umbrella.
‘Bloodbloodbloodbloodbonebonebo-’
Holy crap, he's fast. Maybe even faster than me! Yoshida turns the devil into mincemeat in less than a second with his bare hands. He then walks towards me and gestures for me to give him the umbrella.
‘You can count it as one of the devils you took out, Denji.’
He turns to me and stares into my eyes, as he wipes the blood off his hands. The heavy rain made his hair wet, and now it’s all loose and messy over his face. His eyelashes are long, his lips are thin. His features look soft and almost delicate to touch. He looks pretty, pretty like a girl.
Fuck! I'm not into guys. That shit's gross. He's just handsome, like a model, or that Angel dude. It's just that I've not had a girlfriend yet, that's it! My mind's getting all weird and desperate.
‘Is there something wrong?’
He makes me realise I've been staring too long. I look at the ground.
‘No, it's nothing, really.’
I reply, scratching my neck. I can feel him looking at the back of my neck as we continue walking back to my house.
‘You know, it would have been so much easier if you were a girl. ’
I say, without really thinking. It catches him off-guard.
‘In what way?’
He replies, curious.
‘If you were a girl, then I wouldn't have to worry about finding a girlfriend! You'd probably date me to keep a close eye on me, wouldn't ya?’
I reply, nonchalantly. I don't want to think too hard about what I just said.
‘ I guess so .’
He looks away.
‘Alright, my house is just this way.’
I point to the path on the right, and we continue walking together.
We arrive at my home, and Yoshida closes the umbrella.
‘We’re here. This is my crib. Sorry, but I’m not lettin’ ya in.’
I turn and tell Yoshida. He nods understandingly.
‘Well, I wouldn’t want to disturb you and Nayuta anyways.’
He replies, turning away. How does he – Public Safety. I unclench my fist… He turns to me one last time.
‘Goodbye, Denji.’
He tells me as he waves goodbye. I don’t wave back, I get my keys out.
‘Bye.’
He walks away, disappearing into the streets.
I unlock the door.
‘Nayuta, I’m home!’
I have Denji hanging upside down, like a bat. I put him upright, then let him go. His chainsaws plop on the floor, and dissipate. He’s back to normal. He kicks over a chair, seething.
‘Way to ruin everything, asshole!’
He yells at me. I get up off the desk.
‘What would I have ruined?’
I reply sternly. He looks away.
‘If the girls knew I was Chainsaw Man, then the chicks’d be all over me! Get in my way again, bitch, and I’ll fucking cut you up.’
He spits out, spite dripping from his mouth. I step closer.
‘Do you even believe that? Do you think that their opinion on the school’s loser , Denji, would change for the better, knowing you’re a devil ? Knowing you’re going around with chainsaws wreaking havoc? Do you think they’d be lining up for you?’
I tell him, fed up. He crouches and squares up while looking at me. Like a gangster.
‘I’m not your fucking dog .’
He tells me, before grabbing my collar. I reflexively grab his wrist. I grip it hard enough to hurt.
‘I’m not your owner. Like I said, I was assigned to you because I can stop you. By force, if necessary. ’
We lock eyes.
He breaks contact first, and lets go of me. He starts walking away.
‘Just stay away from me.’
He says. Why? Why does my chest feel strange?
I can’t let him go like that.
‘Denji!’
He turns to me.
‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.’
He looks at me. Something in his eyes relaxes.
I want to walk up to Denji, and hug him .
He sighs.
‘Alright. You’d better make it up ta me, though, at Family Burger .’
He turns and walks away.
I smile. And follow.
‘Did the fighting make you hungry?’
‘I’m just in the mood for burgers, ya know.’
‘Here it is: your Fam-Burger meals – one Supersize, one Happy, your Chicken Nuggets Family Sharebox with your four dips, your SweetAsSugar Vanilla Ice Cream, Dad’s Takoyaki and the LovelyChild meal in the takeaway bag. Enjoy.’
‘Thank you.’
‘Thanks!’
Hey, that tall chick with the moles and the hairpin looks familiar…
Good thing Public Safety pays as well as it does.
Ah, this stuff is as great as it’s always been!
Denji eats like he’s been stranded in the desert for a week. It’s sweet.
Fries, burger, nugget, dip, drink, fries, burger, nugget, dip, drink–
‘Hey. There’s ice in this cola. I asked for no ice .’
I get up.
‘Should I go tell them about it?’
‘No, no, it’s fine. Sit down, dude.’
He sits down. He takes the chopsticks, and eats the takoyaki. He takes fairly small bites. It kinda annoys me. He looks at me.
‘Feel free to have some.’
‘Thanks!’
I grab one with my hands, and eat it. Yum.
I finish my takoyaki, and move onto my burger. Denji’s almost finished with his burger meal.
Could this day get any better?
I drink some of my lemonade through the straw. It’s alright. But I won’t finish it.
I’m finished with my burger meal!
I hand Denji some tissues, since the bottom part of his nice face is dirty.
I take the tissues, and wipe my mouth with ‘em.
‘Did I miss a spot?’
‘No.’
I move onto the ice cream! Sweet, soft and…
Too cold! I scrunch my face.
‘Are you alright?’
‘Fine. Just… Brain freeze .’
I’m done with the ice cream! I grab the takeaway bag. Nayuta’ll love this!
‘Hey, Denji. Want my lemonade?’
Yoshida offers me his lemonade, as we put the trash in the bin.
‘Sure.’
Denji takes the lemonade, and drinks it. I feel a little sheepish for liking that we’ve both sucked that same straw.
‘Alright. Guess I’ll see you later, Yoshida.’
I wave goodbye.
Denji waves back, then leaves.