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"Do you think Chainsaw Man would eat it for us? The Death Devil?” - Yoshida's enigmatic and so annoying smile.
And Denji looks at him wearily, like the jerk he is. Who cares about the Death Devil? He still needs to earn money for Nayuta's college.
Okay, better meeting the Death Devil than this fucking school, shitty math test, and stupid homework. Denji yawned and looked at the clock on the classroom wall. They also left him after class because he tried to steal chips from the vending machine. He didn't try to steal! The chips just lay badly, that's all. He fell out of reality for a couple of moments, but can you really kill Death? So, what is next? People won't stop dying. Just would forget about Death? Difficult. Denji didn't want to think anymore. His head started to hurt. Better think of a hot chick with huge boobs, long hair, and a skinny waist. Oh, and a firm ass. Yes. Everything he loves. At least he liked just such women from the numerous porn magazines that he read.
“Ass or boobs?” Denji said.
Yoshida looked at him from under his stupid emo bangs, “huh?”
“Well, what is better in a woman: ass or boobs?” Denji asked. Yoshida was supposed to be the smart one here, not him.
They sat in a cafe near the school. Denji agreed to Yoshida's offer that he would feed him for free in exchange for Denji not telling anyone that he was the Chainsaw Man. But this deal was for the time being, Denji decided for himself. And then he would still tell everyone one way or another.
“But I thought that it was important what is inside - the soul and the inner world.” - answered Yoshida, placing his elbows on the table, propping his chin in dumb astonishment.
"Bullshit. The soul and this inner world cannot be touched. But boobs on the other hand…” Denji replied, “I still like boobs more.”
A pretty waitress came in and set a cherry pie, tiramisu, and a hamburger with double barbecue sauce in front of Denji. Denjin's favourite. Plain black coffee and a small plate of sweets were placed in front of Yoshida. The waitress smiled at the guy, winking. Denji winced. Women flocked to this handsome dude like flies to shit. And what is so special about him? As the waitress left, Denji turned around. She had a great ass...
“And yet boobs.” - the guy said to himself.
Yoshida was strange. In every sense of the word. Constant, not descending from the face, smile and a beautiful appearance. Some kind of hellish combination, especially when absolutely all the girls and even the guys stuck to him. He was also a stalker. And no matter the task from the organization, whether this organization existed or not - is another question, or not. Plus he had a lot of money that Yoshida spent on Denji. Well, isn't he a moron? He also must have been a fool if he thought Denji would give up on his quest to tell the world he was the Chainsaw Man. Here, like now, it was just a great chance!
Denji was fighting some stupid cactus devil. And why do some people have such absurd fears? The world would be much simpler without all this... Right now. Here's a great moment. Just as a crowd of girls applauding to the Chainsaw Man. Denji felt the familiar feeling of being dragged underwater. Something slippery and sticky. This feeling only lasted a couple of seconds. And Denji ended up on the roof of the nearby building, where Yoshida was sitting with that stupid smile. The cursed octopus tentacles are gone.
“Denji. Aren't you tired of this already?" - dark, like night, eyes stare intently at him. Permeate. It's like they're looking into your soul.
Denji cringed. That look has always been so cold. He could compare it with the feeling of approaching death, which he felt more than once in his life.
"Not." - he muttered, “if they happen to find out, it won’t be my fault.”
"On purpose. By chance. I still won't let you tell everybody." - Yoshida stood up.
“Well, fuck it.”- Denji spat.
* * *
Sometimes Denji had nightmares. Sometimes. Most of his life it was already a nightmare. Therefore, at least he didn’t get nightmares in his dreams. But this time he dreamed of Ms. Makima. Her unusual golden eyes and red iris rings in them. Silky red hair and a smile that looks like someone else... Ms. Makima kills Power. Aki... Makima ripped out Pochita, Denji's heart, from his chest.
“My beloved dog, I will meet you on the other side. Death is near…” Darkness engulfed Denji.
It's like he's being pulled out. And he finds himself in an empty train. He's only been on the subway a couple of times, and he didn't like it. It was crowded with a lot of shady people. But this time he was alone. The blond looked around and noticed that someone was sitting at the other end.
"Who's there?" - Denji screamed. He could hardly hear his own voice.
The man turned slowly. It was Yoshida. He just smiled. But Denji could only see black eyes with dark gray, almost indistinguishable, iris rings in them. An overwhelming fear began to consume him.
The blonde woke up in a cold sweat and frantically looked around the room. Here his numerous dogs are sleeping, and in a dream Nayuta managed to crawl away onto another edge of the bed. Denji closes his eyes. A smile and black eyes appear before them. Dream. No, a nightmare.
Yoshida promised to help Denji with a stupid literature assignment. Denji couldn't even read the cafe menu properly, but here is a book. Life just kept laughing at him.
“You are not listening.” - Yoshida noted.
“I don’t want to because.” - Denji replied. He rocked in a chair and drank apple juice from a carton. The guy flew somewhere in his thoughts. Makima said something in his dream there. And there was something else… He closed his eyes. What if they were in a video game where devils are fighting game characters? Who would be the best character to play as?
"Hey Yoshida." - Denji snapped his eyes open, nearly falling off his chair. Dark eyes stared at him, “Which do you think is stronger: Death Devil or Darkness Devil?”
"M?" - Yoshida raised his hand to the chin, thinking, "Why such questions?"
“Well, imagine that we are in a video game. Yes? Have you played video games? So, who would be the strongest character in this case?” - Denji almost dropped the juice on himself from such enthusiasm. It's more interesting than the book.
“And you are a very interesting human, Denji.” - Yoshida replied.
The blonde screwed up his face. Human?
“Death is something that every being in this world fears. On a subconscious level. Starting from the beginning of time, and will be afraid until the very end. Someone can call this fear just an instinct - in general, most living organisms tend to avoid unpleasant and dangerous influences. Primal instinct…” - Yoshida began.
"Yes Yes." - Denji rolled his eyes, "I didn't ask for a lecture."
Yoshida looked from under the bangs directly into Denji's eyes, “The Death Devil is stronger. Because even primordial devils are afraid of death.”
Denji thought for a second that he saw dark rings in those eyes as black as night. He blinked. He just played with Nayuta on a new console for too long tonight. Glitches are already catching.
“And you asked me if I could eat the Death Devil. If this crap is stronger than the Darkness Devil, then I will disappoint you. This is impossible to win.” - Denji replied, taking aim and tossing the empty juice bag into the trash.
Yoshida leaned on the chair, "for now you and your chainsaw were doing impossible things."
Denji blushed involuntarily. He knew that he was just awesome, but it was unusual to hear compliments from someone. Maybe Yoshida isn't so bad, just a stalker.
* * *
Yoshida was strange. No, not even that. He progressively got weirder each time. Not even the most brilliant Denji noticed this. Because Yoshida paid too much attention to the blond. These strange touches, gazes, invitations to cafes, movies, walks ... on dates? And it came to Denji. He guessed who Yoshida really was. He's just gay, faggot! Exactly. And what to do with it? The plus was that Yoshida didn't care about all the hot girls that he was molested by crowds every day. The downside was that these same girls did not care about Denji himself. But the plus or minus was that Yoshida liked Denji himself, the guy did not know. Difficult situation. But Denji wasn't the type to give up so easily.
“I saw through your true intentions on me!” - Denji exclaimed as soon as he climbed onto the roof of the school. They used to meet there with Yoshida at lunchtime lately.
"Yes?" - the smile faltered for a second.
"Yes! You like me!" - Denji put the guy before the fact, “you like me. That's why you take me on dates all the time and chase hot girls away. And in general, you follow me all the time.”
Yoshida was silent for a couple of seconds, considering the words he had just said, “You are right about two things. And the last one is wrong. You have absolutely no charm, decency and manners. No decent girl will like you.”
That was embarrassing. Denji even lost all enthusiasm, “Fuck you…! So you liked me, despite all my so-called cons. Why?"
"Why?" - Yoshida responded dully, “You know, the Control Devil has always dreamed of a loved one. Forever be with Pochita. Lead a happy life, have an equal relationship with at least someone. Because of her fundamental inability to have that kind of relationship.”
Denji narrowed his eyes, “what does this have to do with it?”
“Because everyone has their own purpose. Dream. Which, due to our nature, is not capable of being fulfilled.” - Yoshida turned away and looked into the distance, “because the Death Devil also has a dream - to be with someone who can give him what Death is deprived of. No matter how funny it is - the possibility of dying. And only the Chainsaw Man can kill Death. It fills me with a nice warm feeling of life.”
Denji was completely lost, “what does all this have to do with it?”
Yoshida turned around again. Only there was no annoying smile, “because I am the Death Devil.”
And Denji broke through. He laughed out loud, clutching his stomach, “yeah. Of course. Didn't know you were such a joker." - Denji almost fell on the cold concrete, “and then I am a billionaire with a hot model wife. It's like I was trying to prove that I am the Chainsaw Man.”
“Glad I could cheer you up.” - Yoshida replied. Denji did not notice how his voice trembled.
"Not seriously. Good joke. Ok, it's time for me to go. But I haven’t forgotten about this conversation, joker.”- Denji ran down the stairs from the roof. His stomach hurt from laughing.
That night Denji woke up in a cold sweat. What did he mean by Death Devil? Assuming for a second that Yoshida wasn't joking, then... Denji had just laughed at the most powerful devil in the world. The guy felt that Pochita would now jump out of his chest. He fucked!
Should he go to school or not - that is the question? Although, if Yoshida really is death, the blanket won't save Denji. Even if he hides with his head.
“Nayuta, wish me luck.” - Denji breathed.
The girl showed a peace sign and stuck out her tongue, “try not to die.”
"Thank you anyway." - Denji rolled his eyes.
Yoshida showed up in the hallway, surrounded by girls. Denji was mentally indignant, he was not a devil, but an asshole. Handsome, lucky faggot.
Denji cleared his throat, "Um, Yoshida, I wanted to talk to you."
The girls looked around and looked at Denji like he was shit.
"We are busy." - one answered.
Yoshida didn't say anything, just walked around the girls, “The class on the third floor is free. We won't be disturbed."
“Is that true?” - Denji immediately began as the door closed behind him.
Yoshida must have pulled his bangs out of his eyes for the first time, “yeah.”
“Wow. I imagined death in a different way.” - the blond replied.
Yoshida tilted his head in silent question.
“Well, a skeleton. The black hoodie is there. Scythe…” - Denji began.
Yoshida closed his eyes and grinned, “I don’t even know what I’m more offended with, the hoodie and scythe or how you laughed yesterday.”
Denji swallowed. It is a pity that there is no scythe. Then it would be possible to check which is stronger: a chainsaw or a scythe.
"So, what is next? Why are you here at all? Are you stirring up the apocalypse?” - in fact, Denji was not feeling good. He perfectly remembered what Makima was capable of. Not to mention that creature from hell.
“Honestly, nothing. So far, nothing.” - Yoshida replied as he pushed back the chair and sat down, “I'm just bored. And when I heard that the chainsaw was back, I could not miss this opportunity. However, like all of us… Only with a different approach.”
“Yeah. Guys in hell aren't the most talkative. And there are no hot chicks from porn magazines.” - Denji scratched his head.
"And what do you want?" - Yoshida suddenly asked.
"I am? I want you to feed me.” - Denji replied without hesitation.
“That's how you always…” - Denji chatted, eating a one slice of pizza, “you all need Pochita with a chainsaw. Not me. Make evil plans…”
“But I like Denji too.” - Yoshida sipped his black coffee, “I love how you manage to avoid death every time you're on the verge. Even when the situation seems hopeless.”
"Ha! But it is not funny for me..” - chewed Denji.
Yoshida picked up a napkin from the table, leaning over and wiping the ketchup off the guy's face, "You're really funny, Denji."
* * *
From being strange, Yoshida became almost normal. Regardless of all his usual quirks. Oh yes, he continued to follow Denji. They continued to have lunch together, and sometimes to have dinners. Go to different cool places. Denji won a huge bear for Nayuta in the slot machine. He was jumping for joy because he had never won anything before in his life. From such happiness, he even jumped on Yoshida, and he picked him up and rotated him around the axis, putting him in place. It was all almost normal, even mundane. And Denji even liked it. He felt almost like a normal teenager.
Okay, Yoshida was still an asshole because he refused to show any of his powers. He didn't even want to tell. And Denji was even a little angry about it - Yoshida, why didn't he trust him? Or was he able to do something so cool that mere mortals were forbidden to watch? Shit, the blond will think that the Death Devil only knew how to summon a stupid octopus, if he is not telling.
A little later, Denji even invited Yoshida to his home. Are they friends now? Or something more? Of course, until Yoshida, like everyone else, tries to kill Denji. But Denji in his heart really wanted to show his dogs. They were so cute too.
“Nayuta, we have guest.” - shouted Denji, “did you wash the dishes?”
The dark-haired girl turned around from the table. She was clearly drawing something. And from the expression on her face it was clear that she was not going to wash anything.
“Hi, Denji. Hey, Denji’s boyfriend.” - answered the girl and returned to drawing.
"Oh you! Little bastard. He's not my boyfriend." - Denji began to resent loudly.
Yoshida simply proceeded inside the apartment. It was a little chaotic, but clean enough.
“Hello, Control Devil.” - Yoshida said.
The girl turned around again and looked intently at the guy with her unusual eyes, “did you bring me treats?”
"Of course. You have always been so demanding.” - dark-haired replied, taking out a couple of sweets.
Nayuta smiled broadly, "Denji, we're leaving him!"
“Let him wash the dishes then.” - came from the next room.
Almost normal. Nayuta slept on the couch, and Denji even allowed Yoshida to lean on him and lay his head for free. They were watching some kind of midnight bad show.
“Why are you almost normal? Well, compared to other devils.” - Denji asked, “You, Nayuta, Makima. Almost human.”
Black eyes met light ones, “because control, war, hunger, and death are the most human fears.”
Denji narrowed his eyes, “those riddle puzzles again.”
Yoshida just shook his head and stared back at the TV screen. His life must have been really boring if he found interest in this stupid show.
Denji had already begun to doze off when Yoshida took his hand in his. The guy tensed a little, all this again began to remind him of the situation with Makima. But Yoshida simply intertwined their fingers and then kissed the back of his hand, looking at the blond with his endless eyes. Indeed, if you look closely, you can see dark gray circles. Denji felt his cheeks begin to heat up.
“Don’t be anyone’s dog anymore, okay?” - Yoshida said softly.
“Um… okay. Of course." - Denji was not thinking. He just drowned in those eyes.
Yoshida moved close to the blonde's lips and kissed him. The kiss was cold, almost chilling.
‘That’s what the kiss of death means…’ - flashed through Denji’s head.
Yoshida carefully slipped his tongue into Denji's parted mouth, slowly studying, savoring. And Denji awkwardly tried to imitate, smacking his lips stupidly. Pulling back, a string of saliva formed between them. Yoshida smiled and lightly pinched Denji's cheek.
“Hey, what are you?” - he kissed the guy! That is the guy who is the Death Devil kissed him.
“You blush so cute.” - answered Yoshida, returning to watch TV.
‘Yeah, like the TV is more interesting than me.’ - Denji mentally protested.
And as if reading mind, Yoshida squeezed their intertwined fingers tighter.