Chapter Text
Nayuta’s eyes opened. The human that had brought her to his house, fed her, let her play with his dogs… was laying on the floor sleeping with her body wrapped around him. Circling the two of them were seven huskies.
Why do I want this heart?
The Control Devil lifted the man's arm off of her, rising to stand above the human. A human she felt an instinctual pity for. A human who might know who she is. Who she really is.
Who am I?
The room was still. The devil didn’t breathe. Instead, she raised a pointed finger. All she could hear was the howling wind of the night. Then, she sent a chain into the man’s forehead. As soon as she willed it so, all information she asked for and then some was obtained.
Nayuta saw the human’s life. So much of it. More life than she had even begun to experience herself. Her chest was hollow. Her body was hollow. Her brain was full. Full of memories. Days spent shaking from pangs of hunger in a shed with only Pochita to cling on to. Dreams of a normal life left unanswered. Pochita trying to give the means for that life, at the cost of his own. That wasn’t all. The name Reze elicited a desire ungrasped. What she’s looking for is deeper. Aki brought an overwhelming guilt, so crushing it made her tiny body almost flinch. Power delivered an uproot of any semblance of normal, a loss impossible to bounce back from. Even more repressed. Makima promised a love so deep, both motherly and sexual, that was unshakable despite all she had done to ruin the man. The Control Devil who only desired one thing.
Makima.
According to the knowledge this man possesses… the old me was called ‘Makima.’
Destroying his contract with Pochita, his dream of living a normal life, will awaken Chainsaw Man. The same Chainsaw Man the old me once sought.
Nayuta looked up, away from the slumbering man.
“If I grant her wish, I might find out who I am…”
This human is empty. I’ll fill him up with happiness… then destroy it.
The cool night’s winds died down, yet Nayuta felt a tingle run through her body. Something was different now. Nayuta stilled, devil instincts screamed at her. A small hum came from behind. It also came from the back of her brain. Nayuta shifted her small frame as she turned her head around. A womanly figure in a suit. Public Safety, her brain supplied. Nayuta lifted her gaze upwards. Red hair was now visible. Her gaze continued its upward drift, right until two sets of spiral eyes interlocked.
Makima allowed herself a small, close-lipped smile. “It is great to meet you, Nayuta. I hope that this arrangement can be beneficial for both of us.” The woman folded over, her doll-like face directly at eye level with her new incarnation. “It seems you are already well-acquainted with me. That is a good start. We have a lot of work to get done.”
Nayuta stared at the woman, not reacting. She quickly lifted a finger and shot a chain at the woman’s forehead. The chain went through her, clanging against a wall. Denji grumbled in his sleep, but remained unconscious. The dogs’ heads darted up and looked around before resting once more.
Makima stood back up straight, towering over the little girl. “Ah, I’m afraid that won’t work. I am a phantom. Created from the memories you have peered through and the lingering essence of my life in you and…” Makima’s head turned to the man Nayuta was staying with. Nayuta observed a visceral hatred unlike anything she had been exposed to before. “Denji…”
The most recent Control Devil did not respond. She got to her knees, then fitted herself around the loose arm of the human. He curled himself around her, the minor movements he had been making now halted.
I’ll fill him up with happiness…
“...then destroy it.”
Nayuta sat at the small table. It lacked any seats, instead having cushions to kneel on. She looked down while poking at the material. She heard the man shuffling over, her keen smell picking up on the breakfast he had prepared.
“Hey… uh… Nayuta. I got breakfast for ya.” Nayuta looked up, seeing the human across from her at an almost eye level. She easily perceived the sweat dripping down his neck. How strong his chainsaw heart was beating. Nayuta nodded, looking down at the plate in front of her. It smelled good, better than any food she had before. Nayuta picked up a piece of the meat on the plate. She lifted it into her mouth, and bit down. Her eyes widened at the flavor.
He let out a laugh. “Bacon’s pretty good, huh? Don’t get too used to it though. You said you’d be fine with bread; we can’t be eating like this every meal.” The boy cupped his chin, thinking out loud. “Although maybe if I can scam some bums…”
Before Nayuta could zone out her surroundings to focus on her next bite, another voice came from her left side. “Denji has nothing of use to say. It would be best not to listen to him talk. Every word that comes out of his mouth comes from someone without a working brain.”
Nayuta slowly turned her head. She saw Makima sitting down, laying between the resting dogs. She had seemed at peace, until she brought the topic of Denji up. Makima’s eyes slightly narrowed.
“There will be no peace for me until Chainsaw Man is under our control. Don’t conflate the assessment of my dog’s condition with weakness. Who knows what that man could have done to them. Isn’t that right, Tirmasu?” Makima’s voice became baby-ified as she talked to the dogs that were incapable of hearing her.
Nayuta continued eating her meal in silence. She could feel the man staring at her, likely with his mouth half-open, trying to think of what to do with her. Nayuta remembered what she told herself last night, the fact that her past incarnation was now in her head changed little, it only solidified her purpose. The Control Devil who will control Chainsaw Man… that’s who she will be. Then, she could be even more.
Because of that mission she decided to throw the boy a bone once she finished eating. “What do we do now?” She questioned, seeing his brain start-up.
“Shit, yeah. We gotta brush our teeth, I guess.” The man stood up, groaning as he stretched the side. It was likely that the floor wasn’t comfortable for him. Why would he sleep on it?
Makima’s soft voice floated to her. “Because a dog like him lays amongst his pack.”
Nayuta followed the human to the bathroom. His eyes widened as he looked at the sink. Nayuta was unsure what the reason was, as she couldn’t see what he was looking at. The man looked down at her, doubting himself.
“Well, it probably isn’t too bad to share a toothbrush once, right? I’ll buy ya your own later.” He nodded, before grabbing a stool and putting it in front of the sink. Nayuta took the cue and stepped up onto it. Her body shook a little as she slowly stood up on it, but the human’s hands hovered around her midsection for a moment to steady her in case she lost balance.
The man smiled, and held up what Nayuta could assume was a ‘toothbrush’.
“Okay!” He readied himself. “When you go and eat, you get a whole lotta food and shit in your mouth. That fucks up your teeth reel bad. Y’see?” He opened his mouth and pointed to his pointed teeth. “All ‘cause the Germ Devil came for me. Don’t end up like that, ya got good teeth right now.”
Nayuta couldn’t hide her surprise. “The Germ Devil did that?”
Denji nodded sagely, eyes closed. “Sure did. He comes for you if you don’t brush them teeths.” He then took a tube off the side of the counter. “Now this, you gotta squeeze to get the toothpaste out. You put it on the toothbrush so it can clean your teeth.”
Nayuta nodded, following the human’s words.
“You’re a faster learner than me. Alright, then you use the toothbrush and scrub it against your teeth. Hold your lips open while ur doing it so you can see your work. Do it for a few minutes, then ya peachy.” He then did the action himself, moving the toothbrush with the paste on it to get every part of his exposed teeth. He ended it by spitting out the contents of his mouth into the sink. Nayuta absorbed the information eagerly.
When he wetted the toothbrush, applied new paste, and handed it to Nayuta she was able to copy the motions. Like him, Nayuta pulled her lips back and scrubbed against her teeth eagerly. She didn’t prepare for the flavor of the toothpaste, but quickly moving her eyes to look at the tube told her it was cotton candy flavor. She decided that she liked whatever that was. Nayuta slightly pulled her head up as she tried to get a better angle at the germs, not wanting to be attacked by the Germ Devil.
“You know that…” Makima began. “Nevermind, keep brushing your teeth.” The woman returned her attention to the dogs.
Nayuta could see the boy looking at her with a slight smile in the mirror. Good. Progress is being made already.
When she was finished, she spat out whatever was in her mouth. The color was a disgusting yellow with some red. The man looked at it. “Dont worry, that’s normal when you're start to brush and ya never done it. It was nastier for me.” Nayuta silently accepted that.
He then brought her back to the living room, having her sit on one of the pillows he took away from the table. “Okay, now we’re gonna brush your hair. It’s uh, in a pretty rough state. The old man didn’t do much for you, did he?” The human observed.
Nayuta thought back to the old man who had given her to this boy. He smelled like alcohol and regret. If Nayuta had to choose him or the boy, she would find the decision quite easy. That is until she felt something tug on her hair. She let out a pained yelp.
“Ah, shit, sorry Nayuta I didn’t warn ya. I’ve dealt with tangled hair like this before. You kinda just hafta brush at it for a while. It’s gonna hurt, but it's gotta get done.”
This was news to Nayuta. Unpleasant news. But if she was going to break the boy, she had to gain his love first. “Okay.” She quietly responded, not speaking out.
Makima was across from Nayuta looking at her with pity. “I doubt that child has any idea what he is doing. He is going to ruin your hair even further.”
Nayuta winced as the boy did an especially strong tug at her hair. The human began to hum as he worked at her tangled hair, getting lost in his work. Nayuta would continually get surprised by a random strong pull, making her unable to relax.
“Denji believes that you are his new life. The earnest look in his eyes says it all. He has already latched onto you like the desperate dog he is. He’s a sad creature, unable to stop loving when all he is capable of is loss. I’ll make sure to remind him that I’m the one who creates and destroys his happiness.”
Nayuta knew this, she had seen it from the human’s memories firsthand. Her past life’s work impressed her. What she had done to the human was cold and calculated, meticulously building him up to tear him down. A deep desire boiled in her gut.
Makima smiled at her. “Do not worry, your time will come. You are the star of this new venture afterall. Just listen to me.”
Nayuta nodded.
“Hey, try not to move too much. I'm trying my best here but it's been a while. I’ll grab some ice cream for you later if you’re good.”
Ice cream? What’s that?
“Quite a tasty desert humans have made. I would recommend trying it.” Makima informed.
Nayuta smiled a little. “Okay.”
It had been just over a week since Nayuta had been taken in by Denji. Just over a week since her past life began haunting her. Over this time period, she had gotten used to her routine of breakfast, brushing her teeth, changing her clothes, and going along with whatever Denji had planned for the day. He had brought her shopping by the end of the second day, and with the help of Makima she was able to find enough decent, reasonably priced clothes that fit into Denji’s meager budget.
Nayuta’s eyes scanned the small apartment, spotting all the changes she had seen occur over the week she had been there. The ground was covered by an assortment of toys for Nayuta and the dogs. Most of them were for the dogs, Nayuta preferred books over toys. Since books were expensive she only had a few. They were stacked up in the middle of the floor. She had gone through a few as they weren’t very long or complex, but they were good enough stimulation.
On the wall were now a t-chart that kept score of the amount of swear both used. Nayuta had yet to swear once, but Denji was quickly gaining a large lead with his foul mouth. He had put it up as a way to try swearing less. This was after he got an earful from a mother about swearing in front of his little sister and being a bad role model. It didn’t matter much to Nayuta, but she was willing to entertain the activity.
Nayuta walked over to the bathroom, climbing atop the stool with more ease than her first morning here. Possibly due to growing more, but Makima had said her growth would slow to one of a normal human’s soon. Nayuta grabbed the red bowed toothbrush that Denji had designated for her and brushed her teeth with ferocity. Spitting out bubbly paste, Nayuta let out a tired sigh.
Now, Nayuta was preparing to wind down for the night. Dressed in one of Denji’s old shirts, she lazily rubbed her eyes. The days out were entertaining, the amount of new stimuli felt energizing, but by nightfall she always felt drained. Letting out a long yawn, Nayuta began her walk to the carpeted floor Denji laid on. Until Makima spoke up.
“What are you doing?” The red-haired woman questioned, making Nayuta halt.
Nayuta glanced back, unsure. “Going to sleep?”
Makima sighed, clarifying. “Why are you going to sleep against him? He’s filthy and on the ground.”
The girl sniffed, not noticing anything different about the boy’s scent. He still smelled like a dog. That wasn’t a bad scent.
“That’s what I always do.” Nayuta replied simply.
The former boss of Public Safety was starting to show signs of losing her patience, unused to children even if said child was a reincarnation of her. Her lips were pressed into a line before speaking. “Well, the boy is already asleep. You don’t have to entertain him now. You can find somewhere else to sleep for once.”
Nayuta raised a single black eyebrow. “Where else? I always sleep with him here.”
“The bed. Even the couch. Just don’t sleep on the floor for no reason.” Makima almost had emotion slip into her tone.
Nayuta looked out the window. The dark night sky left no light. The moon wasn’t out tonight. “No, it’s part of my routine. There’s no reason to change it. He might even be distressed if he wakes up without me.”
Makima continued to argue. “Well, yes, but you always wake up before him. It won’t be unbelievable for you to have slipped out before he awakened. I am truthfully not a fan of the Control Devil sleeping on the floor. We are above that. It would be more fitting to sleep anywhere else.”
Nayuta sighed. “Sleeping around him is part of my mission. You’re not making sense.”
Two pairs of ringed eyes stared at each other. “Fine, do as you wish.” Makima relented, having no desire to raise tensions between the two of them. Nayuta nodded thankfully as her drowsiness began settling in. Putting herself to the floor, Nayuta inched close to Denji. Curling up to his warm chest, her body relaxed as his arms instinctively wrapped around her, pulling her in tight. Makima watched with disdain. Nayuta settled in for the night.
Denji had begun styling her hair in a braid. Nayuta was unsure where the man learned how to do it, but she didn’t complain. She noticed that with each motion in the process, his hands were uncharacteristically unsteady. Denji normally was confident when doing actions such as brushing her hair, but something about braiding set him on edge. That reason was seated in front of her on the couch, one leg folded over the other as she watched the two.
Denji let out a sigh of exertion and relief. “Okay, all done.” He assessed, giving the braid a little tug.
“Hey!” Nayuta cried out, making him laugh slightly.
The human stood up and patted his knees, with her doing a similar thing. When she turned to him, his face looked uncomfortable. Nayuta stared up at him with her spiral eyes. Her hair in a braid.
Denji clapped his hands together. “Alright Nayuta, I got some stuff to talk about with you today. Even if I wish I didn’t hafta.” He whispered the last part to himself, Nayuta could still hear it.
Nayuta was unsure where this was heading. “Okay.” She stated, opting for her usual response. Denji took that as a good enough sign. He led her over to the couch, sitting on the far left side. He gestured for her to take a seat where Makima was. Nayuta did so, causing the woman to appear a few feet away. Spotting Makima from the corner of her eye, Nayuta couldn’t tell if she was bothered by that or not.
Denji fiddled with his fingers for a few seconds, Nayuta’s patience began wearing thin.
“Okay, Nayuta. You’ve been with me for some time now. Maybe a month. I think we gotta talk about some serious stuff now.”
Nayuta nodded, not feeling the need to question until she heard more.
Denji breathed. “So I’m pretty sure you know you’re a devil. And that you’re the Control Devil. Whose power is controlling animals… or devils… or people.”
Nayuta affirmed this, causing Denji to gulp. Makima watched the scene with keen interest. Her eyes were set on the boy’s rapidly beating heart.
“I just wanted to say that it’s good you haven't been trying to use your powers on people. I want it to stay that way. You’re uh- with me now. So you don’t have to be doing that shi-stuff. Alright?” Denji questioned, looking at the small girl across from him.
Nayuta didn’t verbally acknowledge his request, but she didn’t deny it. She looked Denji in his eyes before walking to the small spare room she had dictated as hers for her own use. Nayuta sat on the floor, grabbing one of her new books to read.
Makima had followed her into the room. Her arms were folded behind her back. She looked at Nayuta as if appraising her. Nayuta knew there was no need for her to do that. She was already inside her head.
“Yes, that may be true. But what you’re feeling is rather complicated, isn’t it?” Makima responded to her thoughts.
Nayuta set down her book, knowing she would have to read it later. “What do you mean?” She inquired. She was unsure what Makima wanted to add to that conversation.
“You don’t like being limited like this. You’re fine with following your mission, but being told what to do - being told to suppress yourself - you won’t allow that.” The woman aptly assessed her.
The little girl sighed. “It’s fine. I know what I have to do. Not using my abilities until then matters little.”
Makima hummed, making a sound as if she agreed with the girl. “I agree you could go without controlling anything, but why? Denji is below you. Everyone is. You’re one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. You need to make the boy happy to crush him and awaken Chainsaw Man, but that does not mean you must be subservient to him.”
Nayuta nodded. “I’ll use my abilities when I want to then, as long as Denji isn’t around. I need to practice using them even if I already have an innate understanding.”
Makima smiled. “Yes, I agree.” She paused, turning to an open window. “There, I want you to shoot a chain out this window and attach it to that man walking by.”
Nayuta rose, walking over to the window Makima was pointing at. The breeze coming through the open window felt fresh. It was invigorating compared to the stale air of the apartment. Standing on her toes, Nayuta saw a middle aged man walking down the sidewalk. No one else was around.
“Shoot the chain at his head. You know how to do it. Then let your instinctual desires take hold as I guide you.” Makima’s soft voice bounced around in her head.
Makima raised Nayuta’s arm, positioning it to where the man was about to walk. Nayuta formed her fingers into the shape of a gun.
She breathed.
She shot out a chain. Before the man could make a noise it entered the his head. He stood still, unmoving. Nayuta felt the connection. This human was now putty in her hands. She had full control over what he could do. It felt right. Being in the driver's seat was how things were supposed to be. A smile overtook her face.
Makima whispered into her ear. “Now… command him to do anything you want.”
Nayuta ran through the possibilities, all the possibilities in her head. This human was forfeit to her. Nothing could be done. She had complete control. She began to run a command through the chain, to-
Knock knock knock…
“Nayuta? You okay in there?” Denji’s voice shattered Nayuta from her trance.
Nayuta quickly commanded the man to forget the last two minutes, or maybe she commanded the last two hours? She had no time to be sure. The chain snapped and dissipated as Nayuta pulled herself away from the window. Makima watched her hurry with a serene grace. Running up to the door, Nayuta responded.
“Y-Yeah, I’m fine.” She shakily said. Emotion bleeding into her usually reserved tone. She felt sweat running down her brow.
No words came from the other side for a few seconds.
“If you’re sure…” He paused again. “If I made you upset we can, like, talk about it.”
Nayuta stared at the door. “I’m fine.” She felt Makima’s stare. “Thank you, though.”
The man’s footsteps started and got further away. Nayuta let out a breath as her tension released.
“Good job.” Makima praised. “Do remember to gain his favor, he must love you deeply and fast. I feel that my sisters are on the move, now that they believe me to be fully deceased. We will have to stay vigilant, even if it will be a while before any problems arise from them.”
Nayuta swallowed. “Yes, right. But I think I’ll try controlling another day.”
Makima nodded. “That is fine, we can practice again soon.”
The girl felt disorientated. The rush she got from using her ability was intoxicating. Not even necessarily the use of power, but the fact it was a liberal choice. That surge of freedom left a strong aftertaste in her mouth. A feeling that would linger for a long time.
Nayuta opened the door, the idea of reading that new book discarded as she made her way to the kitchen. Her nose had picked up on the smell of food being cooked. She saw Denji moving around the kitchen as if he had been in it his whole life. She remembered the man Denji used to live with would take care of all the chores and cooking. Those memories from Denji seemed to conflict with the current reality. Denji’s cooking seemed to be just as good as Aki’s though, so she didn’t mind. The boy held himself to a high standard, getting frustrated when what he made did not taste like Aki’s meals.
Nayuta continued to stare at the young man until his eyes drifted over in her direction, causing him to pause as he fully gave her his attention. Nayuta felt those unusual nerves worm their way around her stomach.
Denji seemed relieved when he saw her. “Dinner’s gonna be a while, but the T.V. is on, can probably find some educational channel to watch.” He lazily suggested.
Nayuta agreed easily and walked to the television. There were some video games and a console that Denji had which Nayuta was interested in, but the boy never played them. Nayuta thought back to their origin, how he bought them with Power after killing the Gun Fiend. Denji would likely be upset if she tried to use his console. It wasn’t worth it.
Nayuta lounged as she half-watched whatever program was on today. Eventually Denji called her over, causing the girl to walk over to him.
“You don’t gotta be nervous, ya’know?” Denji assured the girl, making her blink. She looked at him curiously.
“Sorry, you were just walking over kinda slowly. I ain’t tryna upset ya, I just want you to be… safe. Maybe when you're older we can practice your powers.” He put on an easy smile. “They’re probably pretty cool.”
Nayuta looked at his face. He seemed apprehensive of her, but genuine in trying to work with her. She could use that. Nayuta chose to return Denji’s smile. “Alright.”