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Denji was an unfortunate boy born in a unfortunate situation.His mother died of a heart disease when he was very young.He can't even remember her face.His father died was an alcoholic and a gambler with a mountain of debt to the Yakuza.
After his father died of suicide the Yakuza started to make him do "jobs" to pay the debt back.These included cleaning some places,transporting things and sometimes more ... horrible jobs.And he barely had anything to survive.On most days he would sleep hungry with only a dirty oversized t-shirt and shorts.
When he was 7 years old.He found an injured dog.He seemed to have a leg injury.So Denji nursed him back to health with what little he had and they had been inseparable ever since.He even gave him a name "Pochita".Sure it was far tougher on Denji to share what little food he had with Pochita but to Denji it was all worth it to live together with his best friend.Pochita would sometimes hunt small animals like birds or rabbits to share with Denji.
"Pochita,one day we are both going to sleep with full bellies and live in a proper house."Denji said to Pochita.Both of them were currently laying in the shack curling together to keep body warmth.
Denji loved to share his dreams with Pochita even if he knew he couldn't be understood but sometimes it really did feel like Pochita understood everything Denji was saying
Pochita died 10 months later after being with Denji.It was just a day like any other and one of the members of Yakuza "accidentally" shot Pochita when he was growling at him after he hit Denji for not doing a good enough job on his last task.Denji stricken with grief stopped following the orders of the Yakuza no matter how much he was slapped or beaten.
The Yakuza members thinking Denji had outlived his usefulness were originally going to sell all of his organs but they had gotten a much better offer from the government.
He was eight years old when he was used like an object to be traded for currency.
000
Pain and more pain are the only words Denji can use to describe his situation right now.A lot of people had stripped him naked,asked him questions and then done all sorts of weird things to him like taking his spit,shining light in his eyes and other things similar.One man in particular seemed to be enraged when Denji answered that his mother died of a heart condition.
"This one might be unsuitable for the tests.Well whatever if he dies then nothing of worth will be wasted anyway so make sure to conduct the high risk experiments on him."
He was used to pain but he still felt this was at least ten times worse than back then.Every day strange people in mask would come and do many horrible things to him They would stick needles in his body or make him take bitter rock like things.
No matter how Denji much cried or screamed.No one came to help.He was at least fed properly every day even if the food they gave tasted like crap.
He could feel himself growing weaker every day.He vomitted blood at random parts of the day and they would write it down on their clip board.His stomach constantly felt like it was being ripped apart.His heart felt like it was being crushed by a hand.Is this how he was going to die?Without ever achieving even one of his dreams?No he wouldn't die so soon.
Pochita wouldn't want him to die like this.So he kept on holding his stomach with a determination to not let the pain overtake his mind.Even if he felt like blacking out,he didn't know what would happen if he did.Would he ever wake up at all?
000
"How wonderful.You are one of the few children who have survived until now.It was my mistake thinking you would die the fastest because of your defective heart."The man exclamated pleased with the results.
Denji doesn't know how long it has been but he thinks it has been some time since he feels that he has grown taller.Everyday is still horrible with all the test and stuff but at least all the pain he felt before has isn't as bad.It hurts less for some reason.
"Today is a very important day.One of the higher ups is here to check the results of my project so you better be on your best behaviour boy or else."
"Yes sir"Denji replied back blankly.It was better to just obey everything they said since it would at least mean there would be less tests and no reason for any punishment.
The man smiled crookedly showing his yellow teeth that looked dirty.Does this guy ever brush?Denji thought to himself.They at least provided him with basic hygiene products did this guy not have them?Better not say that to his face.
"Your very obedient unlike the some of the others.I am sure that will take you very far in the future." If you survive that is.
The man overjoyed with getting more funds and therefore getting more luxury for himself walked away from Denji's cell.
Whatever.They have had these check ups once or twice before and it had never been pleasant.
An old man looking at him like he was an animal rather than a person.They always made him do a lot of physical activity when they came to "check" the results.
000
She had long strawberry red hair braided perfectly behind her shoulder.
Denji gasped audibly when he saw her.A perfect face without any flaws with a gentle smile.Her body was slim and clearly fit.Denji's eyes were immediately drawn to her breasts that were hidden behind her crisp white shirt.She wore one of those long coats and black pants.
Her most striking feature were her eyes.Large golden yellow with concentric rings were looking straight at him.He gulped.
Was this the higher up that old man was talking about?She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and while he hadn't seen many women in his life considering everything but still.She was hot as hell.
"What an unfortunate boy.Sakazukisan is this any way to treat a child this young?"She said looking at the man whose name he just found out.He looked nervous with sweat pouring from his forehead.
"Come here little one."She said gesturing at Denji to come closer with a gentle smile.This would normally ring alarm bells for anyone who was an adult considering they was no way a higher up wouldn't know what went around this place but since Denji was a child all he could see was a person caring about his well being for the first time in his life.
Denji moved forward and Makima pulled the boys into her embrace.It felt warm to be held like this.
"Don't worry I am here now.As long as I am here nothing bad will happen to you."She said while rubbing his back over and over again in a soothing motion.
Denji could feel tears prickling his eyes but he didn't want his first hug with a girl to be messed up by him ruining her shirt with his tears.So he holded it in.
000
Things changed after that.They stopped treating him like before.He would get fed actual food now ever since Miss Makima visited him for the first time.
Miss Makima.he thinks he could say her name a million times and still not get tired of hearing it.
Miss Makima gave a long scolding to that Sakasuchi or whatever that guy's name was.The old man looked about ready to cry after she was done.
After that Miss Makima made sure to make his life a lot more comfortable.He got furniture in his cell.Rather than nutrient slop they gave,he was now given food like bread with jam or rice.
It was amazing though they still performed test on him.Miss Makima even got him a calendar.She told Denji that he was 13 years old now.
Huh so it has been 5 years since he has been in this place.Denji doesn't know how he is supposed to feel about that.
Miss Makima visited him again after a month and he had asked why he had to still stay here.Why couldn't he go with her?
"I am sorry Denji but this is for your own good.Your mother passed on her heath disease to you.Worse yet it is likely worse in your case.You might not even make it to 20.So you have to stay here a little longer while the doctors here will figure out a way to cure you."
Huh that makes sense I guess.They all do look like the doctors he once
saw on a billboard just with strange masks on on their faces.
"But don't you worry they will fix you very soon and then I will take you with me so can you endure these tests for a little longer Denji?Can you do that for me?"She said all that while petting his head.
He was definitely motivated to get better now.
"Of course Miss Makima.I will do anything you ask."He said and he meant every word of it.
"That's wonderful to hear Denji.Your such a good boy."She said while still petting his head affectionately.
Honestly Denji felt like he was a dog being called a good boy and being petted like this but he didn't think that was bad thing.The only thing he was focusing on right now was hearing the voice of the angel who had saved him and given him hope again.
What Denji wasn't hearing however were the mutterings of Sakazuki in the control room looking and hearing everything through the camera and hearing devices in the room.
"Fuuuuccck and here I thought I was evil.Seriously the little brat might not stay in this world any longer considering how this is the point in the process where every person has died so far.She is seriously making all those promises knowing he will die soon though that may be called kindness.Well whatever as long as I get my raise I don't care.Her acting sure is superb.She could be a movie star with the way she pretended that she didn't know what was happening around here."
More tests continued being tested on Denji for two more years but he still hadn't died.Makima visited Denji once in a month or a few more times.
The length between her visits were always random,sometimes it was three months and another time four times in a single month.Luckily they were able to make a breakthrough so Denji became the first super soldier in the world with healing factors that were able to even cure his heart disease.
Makima took him in after that.Denji felt over the moon that he would finally get out of this place and live with Makima but rather than that she had him live with a rude guy that didn't seem to like Denji at all.
Nonetheless he was immensely disappointed after hearing that Makima actually had a kid named Nayuta who she lived with.Though his hopes were lifted again after hearing that no one knew or had seen the father.
Denji had asked her about it without thinking and before he could take the words back Makima simply said that he had died in a car crash with the same voice and face as always.
Denji was a little unnerved by it but hey that meant a better chance for him.
000
As far back as Nayuta can remember she can never recall seeing her father's face even once.All her life her mother had taken care of her.
Well taken care of would be a pleasant way of putting it when her mother never even paid that much attention to her.Everyday she would only see her mother a few times.
In the morning and at night,well that was fine since her mother was a very important person in the government and she couldn't make time to play with her.
Her mother had more important duties to fulfill rather than to deal with her.
000
She had recently turned 8 when someone came to her doorstep.He had shaggy blond hair and a somewhat skinny build.Her mother had told her not to talk with strangers but she remembered him.
Denji as she recalls is one of the soilders under her mother.She had seen him a few times whenever her mother decided it was a fine enough day to bring her to her workplace.
Denji looks at her for a moment with a somber gaze with eyes that look somewhat nervous.Nayuta thinks he looks like one of her mother's dogs.
Creampuff would always have such a sad expression when he did something wrong and she thought Denji looked the same right now.
"Your mother isn't coming back.She died."Denji always had a blunt way of saying things,even now he couldn't give the news easier even to a child.
A long uncomfortable silence was stretching and Denji seemed about ready to say more but he somehow couldn't.Nayuta had such a blank expression on her face one which she always had every time he saw her that he felt too stunned to speak more.
He was expecting shouting,screaming and any physical hits that he would take and not whatever this was.
"Does that mean the dogs are mine now since mother won't be able to take care of them?"Nayuta said with a voice that was not at all that of a child who had just lost her mother.
It was very unnerving for Denji but he reminded himself that she might just be expressing her grief in a different way.Miss Makima had told him that people have different ways of expressing grief so it was just that he assured himself.she was a child with no one to turn to now.
No father,no relatives to turn and there was no way in hell that Denji was going to put Nayuta in an orphanage.Denji was 16 years old now so he was a minor himself so normally he wouldn't be able to adopt a child but since Kisibie had pulled some strings for him so no one would come to check where Nayuta's new parents were.
The school she was going to would be notified that her current parents were on a "business trip".
Remembering that Nayuta had just asked him a question Denji answered"Uhhh yeah sure they are your dogs now."
Denji was feeling very awkward looking at Nayuta now trying to decide in his head how he would say he was going to take care of her from now on.
He couldn't exactly say hey I am going to adopt you now so come live with me a complete stranger that used to work under your mother.
"Hey just to let you know I am the one who will be taking care of you from now on."Denji said patting himself on the back thinking he did a good job saying it.
"Okay"Nayuta replied back with the same monotonous voice and blank face.
Denji sighed internally.This might be tougher than fighting in a war.
000
The first few weeks were ...rough to say the least.Denji had brought her back to his apartment which was honestly better than most other apartments but still a downgrade from her old place.
There was always an awkward silence between them most of the time.Nayuta acted like a robot barely speaking or reacting to anything other the seven huskies she had brought with her.Denji also had a cat called Meowy.She thinks she likes Meowy too.Denji also seemed to have trouble looking at her in the eyes.Denji knew that she wasn't just a copy of her mother.
She was a child in need of help but still the resemblance especially the eyes were uncanny.
Denji tried several times to make conversation but Nayuta always replied with two or three sentences that shut down the conversation.
000
Nayuta didn't know how she should feel about her mother's death.They used to live and sleep in the same house but Nayuta barely knew her.
She was always working and sometimes she wouldn't even come home for months.She had taken care of herself fine enough whenever her mother was away.
She didn't need one of her mother's underlings to babysit her but it did beat going to the foster system or the orphanage since she was able to keep the dogs.
She thought at first that Denji might just be after the inheritance she would surely get after she became an adult.Her mother had a high position in the government so naturally she had a fortune that other people would want to lay their grubby fingers on.
Though that thought quickly vanished after a few months of living with Denji.He was far too much of an idiot to scheme something like that.
He could barely write or read,he didn't have a proper schedule and he also watched stupid cartoons or nonsense with explosions on TV rather than educational programs that would help him be less stupid.
She has no idea why her mother would keep a person like him around.He flinched like an abused dog whenever Nayuta came close to him without him noticing.
How annoying she thought to herself.He does smell like a dog though and that was enough reason for her to not dislike him completely.
000
She thought at first that she would never get along with Denji.He was so different from her and he looked about ready to run away from her every time he looked at her but gradually he kept trying to talk to her more and more.He bought her ice cream which she has never had before.
You will rot your teeth not to mention it is unhealthy.
She remembers her mother telling her that when she had asked for ice cream.She is gone now and Denji had gotten it for her.
She takes a small lick and she has fallen in love for the first time in her life.She would then proceed to fall in love several more times with different food that she wasn't allowed to have when her mother was alive.
She thinks that while Denji might be a bit dumb,he was certainly lovable just like a dog.She thinks she knows now why her mother kept him around.
He taught her how to play cards,how to play different board games and even took her to an amusement park.Things she had never done before because they were a "waste of precious time" that she could use studying.
000
Denji had photos of people around the apartment and every single one included either a guy with a stoic expression with hair tied into a topknot or a girl with blond hair and rather sharp looking teeth.
Both of them had opposite looking faces with the guy always looking stoic and girl having a large smile on her face.She saw a group photo with both of them and Denji in the middle.He looked happy.
She tried to ask about them to Denji.It wasn't a great idea.From Denji's less than happy reactions she could conclude what most likely happened to them knowing they were one of mother's employees.
Denji would sometimes wake up screaming in the middle of the night and Nayuta would also be woken up by that.So she had made it a habit to sleep with Denji since she read in a book once that it helped.
Denji was less than enthusiastic about the idea because he felt it was embarrassing but after not waking up without getting any nightmares in the night he stopped complaining about it.
000
It was nice while it lasted but she had to go to school again.She would much rather spend that time playing with Denji but alas she needed to go back to her studies.She loved learning.She was the top of her class,mother had said that she was a smart girl after all.
Denji also seemed to go to high school even though she could tell he wasn't really learning much from there.He still went for whatever reason she couldn't understand.
The days passed and both of them grew closer with time.Watching crappy movies on the couch and laughing at them,talking about their days and going to different places on the weekends.
She was content with that.She felt like these days would never go away but of course Denji had to bring her to their home.It seemed Denji made a "friend" in school or multiple friends.One of them was Yoshida and she knew him He was one of the people who had worked under mother so it was fine.
He didn't trespass on their home like that hoe Denji brought while she was busy walking the dogs.Nayuta had learnt some bad words after Denji had bought her that iPad when she got first place in her finals.
How dare she try to take what's her and even dirty her possession with her disgusting spit?She felt like throwing a tantrum right then and there but she controlled herself and merely commanded the dogs to "play" with her.
At the end after Denji managed to carry all the dogs off her she was already covered in dog saliva from all the licking.She looked furious.Good.
she hoped she would stay away from Denji.
After the hoe left Denji got pretty mad.Enough to give her a lecture about how she needed to respect that he would start forming connections with people other than her.
It got on her nerves but Denji made a deal with her that he would take her out two times a week and give her chocolate ice cream tomorrow after lunch.
000
They felt a lot more comfortable talking with each other now.It had been one year and a few more months since she had started living with Denji now.They didn't hide much from each other now.If Nayuta asked him a question he would answer.
When Nayuta learned about her mother from Denji.She started to feel jealous towards Denji that her mother had spent so much time with him rather than her.She could not tell if Denji hated her mother or loved her.
On one hand it's clear now his reactions to her when first living with her was due to things that probably happened with her mother and him but on the other hand he did still take care of her and he also talked about how her mother had saved him with joy in his voice when she asked him how he met her.
How foolish.She didn't think for a second that her mother actually ever cared for him.If she ever knew her mother the one thing she could say for certain was that her mother had a heart that wasn't capable of the emotion called love.
She was glad that she wasn't like her mother in that way.Her mother always said that Nayuta would grow up to be like just her but she was wrong.Nayuta was her own person.
She was Denji's family.
000
This is annoying she thought to herself.Apparently that hoe called Asa had a twin sister.
While she disliked Asa.She couldn't stand her twin sister whose name was Yoru.She was loud and annoying.She was also very big into hunting and collecting weapons.
Denji should honestly report her to the police since it's illegal for minors to own weapons.Though her dad had all the guns in his name that's why no legal actions could be taken.Yoru no doubt bullied her father into buying all those things.
The only things she liked about Yoru were her pets.She had a turtle named Tank and a canary named Gun.Strange names but who is she to question that when all her dogs are named after sweets.
Denji seemed to like both Yoru and Asa.That really got on Nayuta's nerves since Denji spending his time on two girls meant less time spent with her.
Denji did seem happier now so she didn't want to complain.She loved Denji.He was her big brother so she wanted him to be happy even if it annoyed her who he was happy with.
000
Yoru and Asa came to their home almost every day now and Nayuta after finally somewhat accepting their presence she got along suprisingly well with them.She didn't mind when Asa rambled about a topic since it would give her knowledge and Yoru wasn't that bad when she wasn't trying to show her gun collection.
Denji also had like a part time job for some reason? Nayuta didn't think it was necessary since she would be rich when she became an adult therefore Denji would be rich too since he was her family.
Denji didn't tell her what kind of job it was.He was pretty secretive about it but she had a sneaking suspicion now that he was probably just beating up criminals in the night trying to act like batman since there had been several news reports about Yakuza members being brutally beaten up and thrown on the roof of police stations.
Oh and she was also 10 years old now.She was in fourth grade now and while she had a group of friends she didn't really care about them at all.
She was still top of the grade and she was originally planning to just study up to high school since there was no need for her to even get a job but Denji convinced her that it would be better to finish college and get a job.
She thinks she will become a veterinarian.The dogs and Meowy were getting old now so she wanted to be surrounded by animals when they died.
000
She was 13 years old now and in junior high school.Denji was also officially an adult.Both of them always celebrated her birthday together.A whole day dedicated just for her with Denji and no one else.
Denji would get her the biggest tub of ice-cream and let her eat whatever she wanted.He seemed to know effects of junkfood, Asa probably told him so these last few years he had been limiting her access to those foods.But this day she was allowed to go all out.
We went to the movies and watched several crappy films and one good film.Denji stopped holding her hands now though because he told her she was a big girl now and if she holded hands with her big brother other kids might make fun of her.
She didn't care what others thought but if that's what Denji thought was best she wouldn't complain too much.Asa also butted in whenever she could to help take care of Nayuta which she found pretty annoying since she was much stricter than Denji.
She also started dating Denji which bummed Yoru out but she seemed to have gotten over it.
"One must accept defeat when the other side has attained victory"She said once trying to sound cool but that was hard to take seriously when she had whined and cried for weeks after Denji and Asa announced they were dating.
000
Nayuta was 16 now and in high school.Not much had changed over the years.Oh yes boys confessed to her a lot now ever since she hit puberty though she rejected all of them.She didn't understand why but she has never held any romantic feelings for anyone.
She recently got into a fight in school.One boy insulted her by saying that her eyes looked weird and while she normally wouldn't get so irritated over the meaningless words of useless vermin like him.
The fact that he had the nerve to say it straight to her face ticked her off really bad.She didn't hit him first since it would be much harder to explain later.She started by targeting his insecurities and insulting him.
The maggot looked about ready to cry already and out of anger he decided to slap her.Well all hell got loose after that.
By the end,Nayuta only had a red mark on her right cheek and the boy looked ready to be sent to the hospital.All the training she received from Denji came in handy at times like this.
The school called her guardian which was officially Denji now and the principle complained about her unacceptable behaviour.Denji immediately came over to school and let them all have it.
Few times she had seen Denji so mad.He asked them all how they let the situation escalate to this point.
"What the fuck was the teacher doing while all that shit was going down?!Was he smoking the zaza in the back?!Huh?!Look what that boy did to her!"Denji exclamated pointing at the still only slightly red mark on her cheek.
No one pointed it out to him that the said boy was in much worse condition.
Denji then proceeded to shout their ears off complaining about how Nayuta would never hit anyone if she didn't have a good reason for it.And if they ever let another incident like this happen again then he would come and kill them all.
Needless to say no one ever insulted Nayuta to her face ever after that.
Denji and Asa were going to get married soon too.She felt happy for her big brother.She did think it would get a little lonely without him around as much but Denji had reassured her that he would always have time for his favourite sister in the whole world.
The pets were getting old now.They weren't as energetic as before.She thinks it would be best if something like death never existed to begin with.It would be wonderful if she could create a world like that without pain,misery or suffering.Alas there was no logical way to do that.
000
She was 18 now and recently graduated high school.Denji,Asa,Yoru and some of Nayuta's friends celebrated together.
When Nayuta was walking to the grocery store after the party to restock the groceries,men wearing long coats appeared and in front was Yoshida.
"Miss Nayuta what do you intend to do from now on?"Yoshida asked with the same creepy smile he always had plasters on his face.
"And why does that concern you?"Nayuta asked holding her phone in her pocket her finger hovering on the call button.Denji would take at least five minutes to arrive here even with his speed if everything went to hell.
"Oh it does concern me quite greatly infact it concerns quite a large number of people."Yoshida answered with a twinkle of amusement in his voice though his eyes still looked like the eyes of a dead fish.
"Miss Nayuta in case of your mother's death your mother had instructed us that once you were of suitable age you should fill in her position.After all you are her daughter just thinks of all the power you would get."
"Nah I am not really interested in all that.I already have more than enough to live comfortably for at least six generations without doing anything.Besides that sounds like a lot of work that I would rather not do."
"No?Surely your jesting."
"Do I look like a clown to you that you think I am joking?"
"Well considering your answer to my offer...you wouldn't want me to answer that."
This guy was starting to get on her nerves.
"Ok then guess we will just let you go."
"Huh?!"
"What?did you think we were going to kill you or something for refusing?Come on,we are not that horrible."Yoshida said with a chuckle that didn't have any joy in it.Nayuta thinks he is lying.
"Hmm well you got us your mother asked us that if you were to refuge the offer for some reason than we should back off.The offer is always open we will make do with replacements in the meantime like we have for some years."
After that rather dangerous interaction.Nayuta spent her time in bed thinking.She was not her mother's clone.She was her own person.She was Denji's family.
She would never be anything like her mother who she knew had badly hurt Denji in some way or the other.But she had to admit that they both had some similarities with each other.
She still couldn't bring herself to care about other people aside from Denji.She hated the fact that her mother had most likely done some irreversible damage to Denji.He acted fine on the the outside but he still trembled sometimes whenever he looked into her eyes.He still got nightmares if he wasn't holding someone.
That someone being Asa now.For as smart as Nayuta was.She still couldn't figure out everything that her mother had planned and thought.It was impossible to completely understand another person and even harder to understand her mother.
Denji once told her Makima must surely loved Nayuta and the only reason she wasn't as present with her was because her job was dangerous.Nayuta didn't think so.Her mother always looked empty as far as she could remember.Someone who was incapable of loving another person.The closest thing she could feel to love was possessiveness.
In that sense she might have loved Denji like how she loved Nayuta.Her mother might have just liked the idea of there being a carbon copy of her even if she was dead.She must have been disappointed that Nayuta didn't look as similar to her as she wanted.
Well there was no use thinking about her any longer she was dead.Nayuta buried her deep in her memories and try to forget if she can.
She was satisfied with her conclusion that she wasn't like her mother and that's all that mattered.
000
Nayuta was 22 now and had finished her studies at Harvard.She had to be away from her family for a bit because of her studies but she now has a niece named Reka.
She couldn't wait to meet her.She planned to return once she finished setting up everything here.The pets had already died three years ago.It had hurt but she was somewhat glad that she had the ability to grief for loved ones.It's sad but everyone has to say goodbye eventually.
She thinks the future is rather bright for her maybe even brighter than she would like but everything was perfect right now.Denji was happy and she felt content with where she was now.
Though she knows that things like peace come at a price so she would make sure to protect her family in any case if she had to.
She would rather not be in that position since she knows it is rather time consuming work but if she is left with no choice it could always be used as a last resort.
As she rides the plane back to her hometown she thinks she is rather glad that her mother died when she did since it gave a more fulfilling life having her meet Denji so that's one of the two things she is grateful from her mother.