Chapter Text
Yoshida's persistent approach isn't working and it's very obvious with the way Denji's beautiful face is already scrunched into a mix of disgust and frown every time he enters the same room.
To say the reaction did not hurt him would be a lie, to some extent. For someone like Yoshida, even contempt could make his heart race.
Any feeling that Denji could feel, no matter if it is negative, is a blessing if that feeling is directed at him.
He's been after him for months. It was just a mission at first and he made that clear. Denji would draw lines and he would cross them with very little effort.
But then he soon began feeling something more for the rowdy boy he's supposed to spy on, somehow his messy ways and 'rough around the edges'-ness drew Yoshida in.
They're way too different.
Yoshida lives alone in a spacious and beautiful apartment, woke up to eat good food and goes to school in a pristine-looking uniform.
Meanwhile Denji is cramped in an apartment with dogs and a kid he treats like his own, wakes up with barely a toast for breakfast and goes to school with the same uniform he wore yesterday and washed the night before.
They couldn't be more different. From the life they live to their appearance, so it's quite a shock when Yoshida blurted out his love confession one morning on the rooftop.
"I think I like you." He said, hands shoved so nonchalantly into his pockets while the breeze brushed through his locks and Denji turned just in time to see his face clearly.
The wind brushed away the strands of hair that would usually kinda conceal his right eye and he failed to see any trace of a joke on his expression.
He's serious.
He's fucking serious.
"The fuck you mean by that?" Denji asked taking a step back on instinct and for some reasons, his fingers itched to full the cord on his chest.
He's not in any immediate danger, nor is he being threatened but this foreign feeling triggered his fight of flight instinct.
"It's like I said. I think I like you." Yoshida shrugs and turns to face him, that stupid fucking creepy-ass grin on his fucking face again.
Denji scoffs after processing that information, if he really did, "Fuck you mean you think?" He raised his voice, appearing angry and confused. "You wanna run tests or sum'?"
Yoshida exhales with a knowing grin, as if he expected this reaction and turned around to lean forward against the railings. Arms folded across his chest as he looked down at those ant-like students going about their day.
"I say “I think” because I believe there's a slight possibility that it might be more than “like”, Denji-kun."
Denji gags as his immediate response, making Yoshida laugh. That was expected too.
"Bro this isn't funny!" Denji stomps his feet, growing uncomfortable. Because why did his heart skip a beat? Pretty sure it was his heart dropping from the utter horror of this freakshow lik- loving him.
Was he so damn desperate to be loved by literally anyone that he felt all giddy over some guy, specially YOSHIDA, liking him?
Yoshida is being honest though, and despite Denji's denial, he's spent enough time with the taller schoolmate to know when he's joking. He really does believe his feelings have grown to be bigger than him, than both of them.
Denji blinks in confusion. "So what? You wanna be my boyfriend?"
Yoshida continues to smile. "If you'd let me."
Denji lets out a huff and crosses his arms. "Fuck no."
That was the beginning of Yoshida's endless pursuit. At first, it was about Chainsaw Man and the blond's strong desire to make some grand reveal and get a girlfriend but now, it's for his own gain.
Denji would never admit it out loud but being chased felt good, knowing someone liked him enough to always come back no matter how many times he pushes them away is validating in some weird and fucked up way.
He knew he should be disgusted, he's a straight guy, the straightest. And yet having pretty boy and campus heartthrob Yoshida Hirofumi head over heels for him felt incredibly good to boost his ego.
Someone so perfect, so wanted by all the girls without even trying is tripping over his own feet to be given his time of day is a big source of dopamine.
But that is all in the past, as mentioned—Yoshida's approach isn't working and not once has Denji even shown interest in his offer for the past months he spent chasing after the blond.
So he's going to change tactics.
He spent a week, a week going a bit over the top— sending flowers to Denji during class, having expensive cakes delivered to his address and even shoving fat stacks of cash in his locker with cheesy love letters.
Of course Denji accepted all of it for he is shameless, and basked in the attention he was being given. He's too easy.
And after that— nothing.
Completely nothing.
Denji spent the first four periods feeling like something is wrong. He can't put his finger on it but something is definitely wrong and only when did he finally enter the class he shared with Yoshida did he figure it out.
Yoshida didn't come to annoy him before his first class started. He would usually come in, talk about needing to see him before classes start to get motivated during the day and make Denji gag but he didn't do that.
Denji walks in and takes his usual seat with a roll of his eyes. Telling himself he's glad he didn't bother him so early for once and dreading the fact Yoshida's gonna annoy him again anytime now.
Anytime now...
Anytime now?
The whole day went by without Yoshida talking to him. Or even looking his way. Denji is beyond shocked at that, how the fuck did the guy who always breathed in his scent whenever he's near (creepy motherfucker) just ignore him?
And for a whole fucking day?
Denji pondered over it the whole walk home, until he got to his door steps and realized that he should be happy! This is big fucking news!
But he's not happy.
Quite the opposite, actually. Yoshida has not looked his way in a fucking week and it feels like a cruel joke is being played on him.
That asshole followed him everywhere and was on his ass almost 24/7 and then he just decided he's gonna pretend they never even knew each other? The fuck?
Denji is not really one to beat around the bush so he finally got into action after processing the very obvious fact that Yoshida is ignoring him and his existence. He has no idea what he did that was so wrong to make that creepy asshole not like him all of a sudden but he's gonna find out why.
Denji turns a corner and spots him right away, he's laughing with some girl. She's a few feet below him, very pretty and petite and her laugher reached Denji's ears from down the hall.
He marched over. He's not mad Yoshida's talking to another girl, definitely not, he's mad that prick is talking to a pretty girl when he deserves a girlfriend more than anyone else.
Sure, in his head that made some kind of sense.
Denji finally reached them and stopped behind Yoshida, meeting eyes with the girl who perked up at the sight of him. She exchanged glances between them before excusing herself away from the situation, good call.
Yoshida took his time. Watching her figure disappear into a corner before turning to face Denji who looked about ready to chainsaw his whole head off his neck.
"Yes?"
Denji wanted to strangle him. A whole week of nothing and he greets him with a lazy ass "yes"?????
Oh he is so gonna pull his chord—
Why is he mad?
He celebrated when Yoshida finally left him alone and he was almost throwing a party, going back to charming (not really) the girls without some guy with a crush ruining his chance(barely had any) with the ladies.
So why is he so riled up over being ignored?
Denji stopped himself. Instead of shouting and cursing him out like he almost did, he instead stepped back and crossed his arms with an accusatory look painted on his face.
"What are you planning?" He asked, raising a curious brow but Yoshida knew better. He's so easy to read and it was as if he doesn't really care what people understands from his actions.
Yoshida raised a brow, feigning ignorance. "Planning?"
"Fuckin' hate it when you return my question like some smug ass. What are you planning you creepy fuck?" Denji asks, stepping forward and scanning his usual smiling face for any kind of sign.
Yoshida's too good, he hid it well under his usual facade and he would sooner eat his own fingers than give in first. Not when he's enjoying this so much. "I don't know what you mean, really." Even throwing his hands up in defence to show a mock surrender which Denji didn't appreciate at all.
"You've been at my ass telling me you love me and then you stop outta nowhere, something — you have got to be cooking something!" Denji pointed a finger and Yoshida only smiles down at it.
Oh Denji, he has no idea how delicious he looks. He's spilling over the rim, he's keeping it in but Yoshida can see it so well and it's exactly like he wanted.
Anyone else passing by would've mistaken Denji's expression to be one of pure anger. Brows furrowed and sharp canines displayed and a nerve nearly popping on his forehead.
But not Yoshida. He's spent enough time watching, studying and exploring Denji. His mind, his actions and even his devil heart.
He's keeping it in. Those words he so badly wanna scream out like some poor, unfortunate character in a play.
"Why don't you like me anymore?"
For someone like Denji who craved any kind of affection he is offered, being abandoned by Yoshida who once pursued him so intently must've been a big shock.
Despite the act he put up of being disgusted, they both knew he liked the attention and to have that taken away so suddenly and without reason must be a very painful punch in the gut. He's like a dog abandoned by his owner, sitting still with a leash on his neck.
Yoshida ponders for a moment, carefully considering his answer. Everything Denji is doing and saying falls right into place, exactly like he had predicted because despite Denji's eccentric and unruly personality - he's quite easy to control, much to Yoshida's delight. He savours the look on his face for a few more moments before answering.