Chapter Text
She looks at the red daisy on her hand as she finishes going up the stairs.
"I'll be waiting for you...! In the cafe...!"
Reze's heart skipped a beat as she was about to enter the alley that would lead her to Crossroads. She took a breath to relax; she thought she would never walk this road again just minutes ago.
It was her routine when she disguised as the high-school girl who worked as a waitress, who Denji fell in love with...
She didn't deserve his love, she felt Denji should hate her, forget she even was there, for toying with his feelings and trying to kill him...
But instead, he still fell in love with her, even after everything from the previous night. She bit off his tongue, cut his hand, and tried to take his Chainsaw heart. It was the mission she was sent undercover after all, which she failed.
Neither her being a murderer, the bomb devil, or that the ideal girl he spent his week with was fake, it didn't take away his feelings...
It's like he already saw the real her, which made his love stronger...
She planned to never see him again, to leave him unconscious on the beach and pretend she didn't hear he was waiting for her...
But...
She held the red daisy more firmly as she walked the alley. A phone booth comes to her mind, a boy giving her a white daisy, her heart feeling alive for the first time, a smile she was never able to pretend in her life.
'Denji, are you waiting for me?'
There he was, waiting for her pass the window from Crossroads, the same spot they sat together all this week.
Reze's heart couldn't handle it anymore, feeling tears in the back of her eyes as she started to increase her pace, running as her mask shattered in millions of pieces.
How this boy who was supposed to be her target, made a girl raised to be a weapon into a woman in love?
She didn't care; all she wanted was to be by his side, never leave him behind again, keep him safe, laugh together, and kiss his lips, hug him. It was just a dream for her all her life, and now it was alongside the boy who made her find her heart.
.
.
.
"I like the country mouse too..."
She knew it was too good to be true...
She was ambushed, taken off guard...
Her heart pierced by an angel, her right arm cut to pieces.
Makima was listening, she waited for her using her love as bait.
As Reze kneels through her pain, she feels her blood draining for her body each second. She tried to reach her pin one more time, but Makima just took her hand away, as she was left on the floor.
She stopped caring about pain, her body always endured her painful explosions. But now, the agony and cries coming from her heart, regardless of being pierced, were hurting her entirely.
'"Seriously, why didn't I kill you when we first met?"
She didn't need an answer, she already knew.
A white daisy in her hand, a smile she never expresses before.
That simple, trivial feeling... one she didn't deserve.
The same white daisy she took care of for the entire week, more likely, waiting for her alongside the boy right now...
The red daisy in her hand, now pooled in blood, never to be given to the love of her life...
She used the last of her strength to look at the window one last time. The back of Denji's head, she wondered if this is how he felt when she left him behind on the beach...
But he was there, with a bouquet of flowers just for her. She would cry if she could, scream the voice of her heart, extend her hand, anything... but the strength left her body.
"Denji..."
She didn't deserve his love.
"The truth is..."
She deserved to be forgotten in this alley.
"I never went to school either..."
A murderer like her didn't deserve a normal life, but Denji...
Made a monster like her feel hope for the first time.
...
Reze felt the fresh breeze pass through her cheeks, a light smile on her lips while her green eyes contemplated the scenery.
How long has she been walking? She didn't really remember, but she was focused on her surroundings.
The grass under her bare feet, the trees, the plain hills, cozy houses at distance from each other. She knew it was a dream, since it is the countryside.
She always had the same dream every time she died, as she waited to be revived before her next mission. The soviets always saw her as a tool, so these times were the only moments in all her life she felt at peace.
She found death more appealing than living inside that dark room just waiting to be of use again.
She didn't even think about what to do if she ever was in the countryside, aside perhaps, go to a proper school...
She just wanted to be free. She just wanted to be herself. Despite never knowing what her personality exactly is, she was trained to be cold and distant, as any assassin needed to be, just act and not care about the consequences...
But she hated that. That's why she felt content in being able to smile in this dream, each slow step, another second of just enjoying the brief peace death brought to her...
.
.
.
But she didn't feel that way today...
He wasn't with her, he was waiting for her, and she was unable to reach him. She was unable to find him in her dream.
She wanted to meet him, she wanted to apologize to him, she wanted to embrace him in her arms, to kiss his lips with all her pent up love, to erase the painful one she gave to him, and to show her genuine love.
She missed him.
She wanted him.
The countryside was an impossible dream that made her feel at peace. But... Denji made her the happiest just by being at his side.
She felt seem, she felt human, Reze was no longer a weapon from the Soviet Union. She was a regular girl in love with a boy who clearly was in love with her as well.
She never found being a city mouse appealing, with all the chaos in the city, but.
Reze stopped her steps, as she took a glimpse to what she held on her fingers, a melancholy smile appeared on her face. It was a red daisy, a flower, similar to the white one he gifted to her.
She donated to the charity in hopes to contribute to the repairs of her destruction, she would never forgive herself for that but wanted to help. Being given this flower felt like fate wanted her to listen to her heart.
He melted any mask that could cover her face...
She was in love with him... she didn't mind becoming a city mouse if it meant to stay at his side. That's why she wanted to go back to him.
That's why she left the train behind and returned to Crossroads.
"Denji, I want to see you..."
She gave up the countryside to be with him...
___
"Aghgh...!"
The woman woke up with a cough. she struggled trying to breath as soon her lungs functioned once again. They felt heavy as they worked normally after a bit, while her eyelids finally were able to open. The taste of blood was still on her mouth, with tons already on her stomach working overtime to revive her.
Reze found an unfamiliar ceiling, she was on a bed under the sheets, wearing a shirt and shorts she didn't remember taking ever. The room was cozy as she noticed the blood bag at her side, with a note.
She arched an eyebrow, wondering if she should be worried, relieved, or scared.
The last thing she remembered was dying at Makima's hand... before meeting Denji, who was waiting for her with a bouquet of flowers.
Her heart sunk, wondering how long it has been since then... would he accept this late arrival?
Her mind felt heavy as well, feeling like something was missing. Flashbacks that felt fleeting like dreams.
Impossible to know, but first, it was better to discover where she is. She took the note, arching an eyebrow at the words.
'You're not a prisoner, just take your time to recover and walk outside once you're ready.'
And she did, as she put on the sandals on the floor, and took the blood bag to recover what was left of her energy. She cursed the horrible metallic taste, but she was grateful to be able to wake up in peace for the second time...
As she stepped outside the bedroom, there was just a man in uniform reading a document on a table. Seems like she was in some kind of facility, although, empty.
"Bomb, correct? You're the first to wake up. Well, you are the only one I didn't detain." The man comments, the mention of her devil name made her flinch slightly, but his voice was too neutral to know his intentions, "take a seat, we need to talk before I let you go, kid."
"Is this public safety...?"
"What is left actually, there's still time to rebuild it, but not my problem now."
His indifference made Reze suspicious but without more options she took a seat on the table, "For the look... I've assumed you are Mad Dog Kishibe."
"Just Mr. Kishibe is fine, good to know I'm acknowledged in the USSR." He said indifferently, as Reze's eyes widened slightly, but her words were cut off before asking, "Now answer honestly Bomb, are you still with the Soviet Union?"
Reze expected the question, although it's weird they didn't tie her to a chair first, "I'm disposable to them. They couldn't care less if they lost me, so I don't plan to go back."
"I see... Now, Makima is dead, what do you feel about that?"
It took her off guard, especially having the memory of her own demise so recent, "Nothing, just anger to be unable to kill her myself." There was venom in her voice, but if she was already dead, all her problems just went away.
"Figures, taking in mind the report she wrote about you... ambushed in an alley just before meeting Chainsaw. You're not a good soldier letting your emotions prioritize your choices like that."
She clenched her fist, her expression unreadable, "I didn't asked to be a soldier, or to be the Bomb Devil... and I don't regret my choice to go with him... in fact, I plan to meet him again once this is over, and I will not let you stop me." She points with her voice cold as ice, despite the warm the mention of Denji brought to her heart.
"I don't care what you do as long it doesn't cause problems for Public safety and me, and I already knew you would say that. That's why I set you free." He takes an envelope from his jacket pocket and gave it to Reze, who picked it with curiosity as her gaze softened slightly.
It was a modest sum of yen, an ID with her disguise identity as Reze, but likely real now, and a choker, similar to the one she wore in her week with Denji. She took it with a little smile before accommodating it on her neck and the pin.
"Why are you helping me? After... everything I did... everyone I killed..." even with the happiness she felt, she couldn't help but remember the destruction of that night. She must have so many in public safety that want her dead, civilians who lost their future thanks to her.
"You're a child of the dark room, right?" Her eyes twitched at the mention, her iris losing their colors but keeping herself calm as Kishibe proceeded, "You didn't feel you had a choice. Don't get me wrong, neither you and the boy are really free, we keep an eye on you both so don't take it as we forgive you both entirely..." he points with a stern tone, which didn't really made Reze flinch, she paid attention with her stoic face, assuming responsibility, is the least a murderer like her could do, "But the kid saved us all from Makima, the control Devil... I want to take care of all the mess she did, including the hybrids she collected. And in my eyes, you are clear, since you don't work with the soviets anymore, and you're not planning to destroy this country or something."
It made her feel relieved that they let her be free to an extent, even if she couldn't bring herself to forgive her actions.
"Thank you..."
"In any case, you're free to go with him, don't cause more problems and we leave you both alone... after all he has enough responsibility now, you will see."
She didn't question why he didn't say all the details as she took the envelope and directly walked away from the building.
It took her by surprise that one of the drivers offered to give her a ride, which she accepted. As they move through the almost empty streets since it was morning, Reze was concerned of the remaining chaos in the city, most likely from the battle against Makima, or devils with exaggerated powers.
She wondered how much of this damage was caused by her under Makima's control, if she used her in her plans. It was already enough to endure the innocent people who died with her explosions, and the public safety division she exterminated months ago. She shook her head, it was not time for that, besides, the best she could do for the future is prove she can do better. Both for herself and him...
The driver left her on a familiar road, where she set up her hideout while she was undercover. It felt weird to return after being sure she would never come back. She kinda grew fond of it, her first home that felt like one thanks to her routine going to work and meeting with Denji...
She felt her cheeks blush as she thought about him. It probably has been a few months, but she still remembered everything so far until Makima killed her in front of Crossroads
"I never felt this free..."
She said most to herself as a smile appeared on her lips, while she entered her old hideout one last time.
Because she wanted to meet him.
____
It's been days since he defeated Makima.
Days after he was free from his fake life...
Free from the control Devil manipulation, used as a weapon, and when he lost his only family... Aki and Power.
Public safety was now led by Kishibe, who let his workers decide if they should stay or enjoy their freedom. On the other hand, who became the world savior was no longer working for them as closely, being given a more important task...
But...
"What am I supposed to do now?"
Denji walks through the streets, accommodating his black jacket, not needing to turn into Chainsaw Man... it felt weird, since the last couple of weeks he was being treated more as a weapon, or the most dangerous being in existence... or Makima's target...
He was free, but at what cost? None of his friends, or former teammates were here anymore. Some went away from the city, others died... not like he really cared about them, only those he felt as his family and lived with for too long...
His chest felt guilty, knowing well that it was just recently that he realized how much that life meant to him...
"It wasn't always like that... after all..."
when he wanted to run away... with her...
A dagger was on his chest, reminiscing the day he waited for nine hours in the Cafe for a certain girl... the waitress he met in a phone booth under the rain, and he gave her a flower.
He fell in love just with her smile...
One who he thought to be a free spirit, a regular girl who genuinely wanted him to be happy... even after discovering she was the Bomb hybrid, or fighting her around Tokyo, he still felt her comment of her feelings for him being a facade wasn't entirely true...
A nod on his throat made him lower his gaze, the last time he saw her was on the beach after their fight concluded. She hugged him, caressed his back, shoulders, cheeks, lips, almost kissed him...
"I should've been brave and kissed her first..." he muttered, as if somehow it would change her mind before she choked him.
He felt in her gaze she wanted to stay with him, or at least he wanted to believe, "Reze..."
It's been just like four months, but it felt like a lifetime after everything that happened because her mission to take Chainsaw heart failed...
But she stole Denji's heart...
After she left, he did feel less enthusiastic about love, forcing his mind to stop self-loathing as much as possible... maybe externally.
Coffee reminded him of her, pools as well, or a single glance to the beach...
"You should wise up a little."
Her last words to him before he fell face first to the sand, calling for her as she walked into the distance, leaving her barefoot footprints, only wearing his shirt.
"I wonder if she heard me... I'm sure she did..." and she never showed up.
He didn't lie when he proposed to her to escape, despite being grateful and satisfied with his life back then. He fell in love with Reze, and he wanted to be with her forever, that single week with her were the happiest moments in his life.
So much happened after that, including what happened with Aki, Power, and his fight against Makima...
He rubbed his stomach, she was one with him now, but so far apart. Despite everything, she gave him a new life, which she took away just days ago.
"I wonder if Nayuta is fine with me, I barely was able to talk with her and so... she's new in Japan." He continued walking gazing at the sky, even changing the person who he focused his thoughts on, it didn't put away the scar Reze left on his heart.
He couldn't concentrate on love anymore, but he wanted to have a girlfriend... But why did it feel so empty, despite being his dream?
He put all his heart on Reze back then...
Since he was distracted, he didn't notice earlier that he was walking a familiar path, "huh, did I pass here before? I don't... uh wait."
He was in front of Crossroads now. The cafe where he spends his lunch breaks with Reze for an entire week. Why was he there now? Perhaps his heart just wanted to meet her again, but he already knew she wasn't there working hard or slacking off studying for exams. Waiting for him and having a chat.
Her lovely smile and laugh are still on his head, how much he wishes to hear and see her again...
"I... should get back home." He tried, walking immediately to his right, perhaps to find a market and buy Nayuta's favorite food. She was in his care now. He wanted to make her happy and avoid her to become Makima. He didn't have time to focus on what if...
Like the sounds of footsteps coming from the alley.
"Denji!"
Or a familiar voice calling his name...
"It's you, Denji!"
Or that the voice is right--
"Wait, huh!?" Turning back on his feet, a familiar face, those beautiful emerald eyes, her dark purple hair taken by a bum on her nape, and some bangs in her face. Her choker on her neck, alongside the pin of her hybrid transformation. She didn't look all that tired, but she clearly ran all the way here.
She was wearing the same outfit of the day they met, which made his mind wonder more if he was dreaming.
His mouth tried to say her name. It was on the tip of his tongue. His hands were shaking, his cursed heart raced in both happiness and pain, he questioned if he hadn't fallen asleep on the table at home. Yes definitely, it was impossible... but everything felt so real.
"Sorry... to be late, I wish I... uh I reached the cafe on time..." she apologized looking down, one of her hands now on her wrist. She was quiet, like waiting for him to say something, anything.
He finally was able to speak up, as he left out a breath he didn't know he was containing.
"Re-Reze!?" Denji says in shock, taking a step back unconsciously, then falling to his knees.
"Yes, it's me... uh!?, Denji!" She kneels in front of him checking his forehead with her palm, "Are you all, right? Sorry for startling you!"
"You're here! Are you... like actually here!?" He exclaimed, almost shouting which startled the girl a little.
A blush was painted on her cheeks as she expressed a little smile, "Yes, it's me... I'm back, Denji."
Denji, still in shock, still couldn't believe it, as he pinched his arm immediately, expressing his pain as he didn't wake up back at home once again. He felt the back of his eyes heavy, his heartbeat accelerated, as he stood up, looking at her eyes with so much melancholy and uncertainty, but above that, relief...
Reze still smiled, as she placed one hand on her chest, "Let me explain before anything, please Denji."
He nodded, relieved that she understood his question without asking. He loved how smart she was.
"I was planning to run away from Japan, alone... the police were everywhere, so I disguised myself just in case. But I was only thinking about you, what you said at the beach... I was doubting if you really were waiting for me..." she looks up at his eyes, feeling her blood on her cheeks, despite being able to control it, it was impossible when it was him, "Even so... I decided to go back to the Cafe... I realized that I really wanted to go with you... far away from here... and take you away from Makima...
"You... yo-you did!?" He was surprised, his mind still trying to figure out if Reze was real or not, yet his heart was beating faster, feeling more alive than ever, "But... you didn't show up at the cafe... I waited for you all day..." His heart sunk again at the memory, but Reze took his hand before falling in despair, soothing both his mind and moving his worries away, making his eyes meet hers once more. Her touch was real, her warmth, and her fingers holding his firmly were all real.
"I did come to you..." her voice trembled slightly, "I was running through the alley... the one I always took when I used to work here. As soon as I noticed you... the back of your head, and the flowers in hand, I felt so happy, so relieved... I wanted to be with you as soon as possible..." her smile faded, as tears were on her eyes now, which shook Denji, he never saw her cry before, "Makima... stopped me, she killed me in cold blood, like if I was just a rat in her way..." her hands were shaking, she still remembered all of it, "I died... and wasn't able to meet you... she used me as her puppet, I think I fought against you but my memories are so blurry... I wasn't myself, until this morning..."
"Reze..." he was able to say, as the girl finished her explanation, her beautiful green eyes trembled, but expressed her feelings genuinely as she placed her forehead on his chest, now holding both of his hands. Of course, Makima had something to do with it, he didn't consider it at the time, but he silently cursed himself for not figuring it out when Makima herself said she would kill any loved one he met.
His heart felt relieved, although in doubt, but happy to see her again, crying for him, but he didn't want her to be sad, "I thought you left me behind... that you didn't like me, and I doubted if you really lied when you refused to have feelings for me." He trembled as his voice broke with each word.
That tone hurt her heart, she knew she needed, she wanted to make things right, directly from her genuine feelings, "I'm sorry, for being so weak and left you behind on that beach... if only I listened to my heart earlier..." she inhaled as she accommodated her posture, with her eyes closed. Her heart was in the point of breaking by how her disappearance made her first love feel.
But no, she didn't need to feel sad anymore, he was here... she was here.
She doesn't need to contain her feelings anymore.
She was the Soviet Union's strongest weapon: Bomb, but she decided to not work with them anymore the second she fell in love with her target.
Makima was defeated. His neck didn't have a leash to her directly anymore.
She still felt she didn't deserve Denji, but he loves her, or at least she hoped he still did, and there was just one way to figure it out.
"I love you, Denji." She finally says, giving him a smile, one that he immediately recognized... their meeting under the phone booth.
His heart raced once again, as he couldn't believe her words once again, feeling tears forming into his eyes, as he couldn't find the words he wanted to say.
Reze was real, she was never introduced to her by Makima, all his moments with her were made in their free will...
The Soviet bit her lower lip then proceeded, "I want to be with you... if you want to still run away, I go with you. If you want to stay, I will too!" Not wanting to scare him with a kiss on his lips, she hugged him this time, her face on the crook of his neck, caressing his back as she felt his hands trembling, like wondering if he should hug her back. She remembered he did as well on the beach...
The memory hurt her heart, since that was the last time they both properly looked at each other's eyes.
This time he didn't stay motionless, his arms embracing her, as he rested his face on her neck as well, "I love you, too... Reze. I REALLY MISSED YOU!" He screams as he starts crying, sobbing as he finishes his shout. He placed his face on her shoulder, his fingers and arms trembling while holding on her gently, but in panic.
He was scared that it was just a dream.
He didn't want it to be a dream.
All this time apart, he thought she left him behind with a scar on his heart.
He didn't want to lose her again...
Reze felt her heartbeat increase at his words, she felt a weight getting out of her chest, as she contained her tears of sadness with a smile. Denji took a glimpse of that smile, melting his heart in the process.
He fell in love with her again...
"Denji... I, I thought you would hate me... that you would forget me... I'm sorry, for taking so long..." Reze said within a sob, unable to stop her smile with her happiness.
"Why didn't I kill you when we first met?"
She didn't need to question it anymore. Her answer was always on her heart. She fell in love with Denji, and that made her the happiest woman in the entire world.
"I was hurt... but I can't blame you if Makima stopped you... is too much to sink in after so long though... I- I missed you so much, I thought I was going to get crazy for just thinking about you...." he says as he looks at her with a weak smile. The memory of her leaving him behind on the beach was constantly on his mind, with dozens of what if popping off, but giving him a cold water bucket every time he was back in reality.
Just seeing her face, her lips, her hair, all of her, made him all flustered, and relieved. She closed her eyes, calming herself down, despite everything, she wanted him to help him with his sadness above anything else.
Reze's lips grinned, showing her teeth as she moved her hands up to his neck, then cheeks, moving herself slightly close to him. She found his tension adorable, alongside his blush, it reminded her of their days in Crossroads.
"Re-Reze!?" He exclaimed, but didn't do anything to stop her, it was a familiar sensation, of the times she got closer to him in the Cafe. But it made him remember their kiss at the festival, and the one she tried to give him on the beach.
"Denji, I'm glad you think it is not my fault... I do blame myself for being so weak and unprepared, I wanted to see you so much... It will not happen again." She slightly shook her head before tilting it, "I'm here... please, ask me anything you’d love to know, let's have a pleasant day, or let's just sit in silence for a while?" Her lips were a breath away from kissing him. How much she wanted to claim them, to erase their previous kiss and welcome the countless to come.
"Are... you really Reze? I mean, are you not pretending?"
"I stopped pretending the moment I got your flower..." She looks down with light melancholy before looking at his eyes again, "I only lied about never feeling anything to you... there at the beach, just with your shirt... I felt so at peace, I wanted you to come with me so bad..." Her emerald eyes approached his eyes more as she closed them.
He flinched slightly once more, but just like in the beach, he opened his lips, waiting hers.
She closed the distance of their faces and kissed him on his lips. Gently, carefully. She wanted him to know she was there for him, his love, that she would never hurt him, or go away from his side again.
Denji slightly panicked as their lips met. His teeth and mouth shut at first as he didn't know where to place his hands around Reze. She gently bit his lip, making him gasp on her lips, so their tongues met once again after so long. Unconsciously, he was mentally preparing himself to feel his tongue be bitten off, only to never happen...
He felt relieved, no, his heart started to beat more, as he placed his hands on her waist, kissing her back immediately. His eyes dropped tears, finally feeling a normal kiss...
And from the love of his life.
Reze's lips smiled in the kiss, feeling him kissing her back was just a dream until now. She will make up, and take care of him about every harm she did to him...
As they needed air, they separated the kiss, looking at each other's eyes, flustered and drowsy. Reze tightened her grip on his shoulders slightly, as she bit her lower lip, "I'm sorry... for biting your tongue. I was scared you wouldn't like another kiss from me..."
"It's fine! this kiss was wonderful, it feels good to have a normal kiss finally, and from you, so even better!" He exclaimed with a smile, which made the woman flustered, "I was gonna let you kiss me on the beach, remember?" He didn't even think about his tongue at the time, he was desperately wanting Reze's approval.
"I wish I did... but It scares me to imagine what that bitch would have done to you." She made a pout, clearly annoyed by the presence of Makima back then, "But I can't excuse what I did to you, you looked so scared and shocked... and I tried to take your heart, despite those actions hurting mine..."
"But it's all in the past, no? You're not the first person I met who tried to kill me, then I got along later..." he got silent for a bit, making a frown which Reze noticed instantly, "The friends I made... Aki and Power were the same, but... we got along well after those days..." He took a breath to let go of his wounded heart, "I was serious that I liked you back then, and to this day... I feel I just love you even more..."
"Denji..." Reze did a little smile at the blonde, who was sobbing without realizing. She put a hand on his cheek, feeling his tear go down between his cheek and her palm. It hurt her to know he was feeling this way when he thought she left him behind, "I'm here..."
"Yes... I know, please... never go away..." he rested his forehead on hers, his grip on her hand holding slightly firm, while shaking.
Reze stayed silent for a moment looking around as she caressed his nape, then broke the comfortable silence, "We should go somewhere to sit, we're standing on the road for too long."
That was true, although there were no other people around, neither Denji nor Reze remembered if it was a holiday, but Crossroads didn't even get that many customers to begin with.
"Right, I guess we have too much to talk about."
"Yes, like who I am, where I come from... unless public safety told you after our battle?" She giggled as she took his hand, fingers intertwined as they started walking.
"Actually... I wasn't told anything about you, or I didn't pay attention... I was too depressed." He scratched his nape nervously, which made Reze sigh.
"It's fine, I wanted to present myself to you either way... huh, funny. You still fell for me and loved me all these months without questioning my identity, oh my." She grinned at him.
"I did fall for you, how you were all that week, the school, the festival. Nothing about the bomb devil or being an assassin really made me see you differently, Reze is Reze, and that's what matters to me!"
Reze wasn't able to stop her gasp and blushing. She already knew, but she didn't expect him to say it suddenly, "idiot..." she muttered to herself, without being able to ignore how happy her heart felt.
They sat on a bench close by, a little green area under a tree, the quiet breeze comforting them in silence. It didn't feel icy or uncomfortable, still holding hands, they enjoyed each other's company.
Denji was looking at her, unable to say something, losing himself in how beautiful and ethereal Reze feels to him at this moment. He unconsciously caresses between her fingers as he holds her hand.
Reze giggled as she leans her face slightly with a purr, her green eyes on him, "Someone seems to enjoy a different view."
"S-sorry! I just wanted to see you." He giggled, as he calmed himself, nothing to worry about.
The girl smiled, she noticed smiling with him was not painful anymore. It made her cursed heart feel at ease, "Reze is not my real name, I never had one or if I did, I’ve long forgotten it... Reze is the undercover name I got assigned for this mission." She first confessed as she leaned her head on his shoulder, "But it started being my actual name when you started calling me by it, I appreciate you love it."
"It suits you so well, I know you by it!" He exclaimed to affirm her point, he assumed if she was a spy, it wasn't really strange, but it never crossed his mind. For him she was just Reze, "So, where did you come from?'
"I was an Assassin from the Soviet Union, Russia; or to be specific, their weapon the Bomb devil. Their plan was to send me here in Japan and take the Chainsaw devil heart before Makima takes it." she commented in a somber tone, as she caressed his chest, taking his cord through the shirt. Denji wasn't bothered, he trusted her, "I expected the Chainsaw hybrid to be like me... but instead, I found Denji, the most innocent, the naivest boy I could ever imagine..." she looks at him with a fond smile, "and got my heart stolen" she giggled.
Denji blushed as he was slightly shocked, he did remember many assassins went after him after Reze disappeared, he didn't give a thought that she was probably the first one, "I have so much fun those days, I'm glad... they sent you, because after all we met each other, right?"
"Yes, exactly." always looking for the positive side of things, she loved that from him, "And don't worry, I'm not working with them anymore... let's say Public safety woke me up and now..." she smirked, wanting to see the look on his face, "I don't have where to liv-"
"You can stay with me Reze, I have a home!" He instantly proposed, now holding both of her hands.
Reze was entirely red, she wanted to make him feel flustered, just to get flustered by him instead, "I- I was thinking that exactly, I didn't expect you to say it immediately!" She points as she looks down slightly, her heart beating in happiness.
"Ah, sorry for startling you... I'm just so happy." he says, although it made Reze worried that he seems lost in thoughts rather than over the moon. She remembered that look when he mentioned his friends.
"Something is on your mind, Denji? You can tell me..." she smiles at him, as she caresses his fingers with her thumbs. She could instead say he could tell her later, but she didn't want to lie. She wanted to help him, let him know he is safe with her.
"Reze... I lost everything, all that I told you back when you confessed to me... Aki, I killed him when he turned into the Gun Fiend. I had no option. I didn't know if I could save him. Power, Makima killed her in front of me, I barely could react..." he comments, but he doesn't cry, "I didn't know how to move forward... I got freedom after defeating Makima, I got a home and was offered to go to school... but I feel empty."
She let him lean his head on her shoulder, caressing his back, "There, thanks for telling me... don't bottle up your feelings, Denji... I listen to you." She exhaled, all that life he always commented to be perfect, all destroyed by the person who gave them to him in the first place. She wondered if her disappearance was on purpose to hurt him as well.
Well, she was here now... she would not let more pain be brought to him.
"Reze, I know we kissed already but, I wanted to make it official." He parts from her shoulder as he looks at her eyes with determination, which was unusual for him before meeting her again.
"Oh, okay!" She said blushing as she fixed one trend of hair on her face, smiling at him as she waited for his words.
Denji was not nervous, his feelings were already settled and confirmed, Reze's eyes told him everything. Although he felt something was missing, he wanted to finally say those words. "Let's be together Reze, I want you to be my girlfriend!"
Reze's heart skipped a beat, she didn't understand why, because she already saw herself as his girlfriend from the moment, they were talking in the cafe...
No, it hit her, it was her dream...
She wanted to run away with Denji so they both could've had a normal life, being together forever.
When she was unable to reach the Cafe, she thought she lost everything, not second chances, no reason for him to accept her...
And here she was, free from the Soviets. With Denji, free from Makima's grasp.
Her hands started to tremble, a sob left her lips, tears on her eyes silently fell.
She felt human.
Denji noticed her silence, dread invaded his soul instantly as he was about to ask Reze what was wrong, her tears making him worried.
"I accept you, Denji... of course I do." She hugged him. "Thank you... for loving me…"
Her cursed heart beat faster, she loved that feeling in her chest, the only one that he could bring just with being himself.
"HELL YES, I HAVE A GIRLFRIEND!" he shouted, raising one arm as he caressed Reze's back with the other, as she giggled, he felt his heart happy, like Pochita was telling him he deserved his happiness.
He lost Aki, He lost Power...
But Reze came back... she was like him, and he felt less alone in this world now...
Nayuta...
"Oh, I almost forgot!" He separated slightly from Reze looking at her eyes once more. She tilted her head without erasing her smile, she was more than happy to listen, "I'm not living alone, Public safety put me in charge of..." he gulped, he wondered how Reze would react. It is not like he forgot about the little girl. He was lost in his memories about Reze.
"Of whom? Are you with a roommate or is someone watching over you?" she teased as he searched for the right words.
"A little girl called Nayuta... she is the new control devil..."
Reze's eyes twitched, but instead of anger she was concerned, frowning a bit, "Control Devil..? Wasn't Makima already dead?"
"It's complicated..." he tried to look for the right words, sweating nervously. A single mistake could shatter this new relationship...
"Take your time, I trust you."
Reze's eyes and words soothe his anxiety away, surprised by her understanding. She needed to know everything.
"I killed Makima... it was possible because I did it for love..."
"Explain..."
He flinched slightly at her tone, "She gave me that life... I know I should hate her because she toyed with me and my feelings but... I never had or ever thought I would be so happy with what I got... especially since, after I lost you, it's what helped me move forward."
"Denji..."
"Losing Aki, then Power really shattered my will to live." He trembled, as Reze caresses his cheek, making him shiver at the touch. "But... if I wanted to move forward, I wanted to save Makima, she was raised by the government, with no choices but become who she was..."
Reze hummed, her eyes hiding beneath her bangs, looking down with a stern expression, one she would never use with Denji. She could relate to that past, after all she was raised to be a weapon, a monster...
Constantly in fear, darkness, isolated from the world. They only accepted success and discarded failures like if they were just guinea pigs for them to enjoy torture. She was their only success, the only girl the bomb devil was successfully compatible with.
She will never stop her rage for Makima, especially considering all the damage she did to her beloved and herself. However, she could understand they were similar in their past.
But unlike Makima, Reze chose Love...
"I killed her, bypassing her powers with my love for her..." He exhaled. it wasn't that long ago when it happened but his feelings for Makima are definitely a mess. "You know the real powers of the Chainsaw devil, right?" As he looked at Reze, her eyes were back to her affection for him once they met.
She nods, "He can erase any devil or concept it devours... It's confidential information in the Soviet Union, but since they just saw me as a weapon, I was able to overhear it." she comments, already figuring out what Denji was about to say.
It hurt him to hear the way the soviets treated Reze, but was grateful she already knew, "I ate her, so her control and existence was erased, not as the Chainsaw devil, but as myself... but the control Devil still reborn, in a little girl called Nayuta. Public safety left her in my care, and in exchange I could go to school and have a normal life." He now smiled, it warmed Reze's heart after hearing just suffering in her absence, "She is not Makima, and I want her to have a good childhood..." he looked at her again, flustered once more at her as she smiles at him.
Reze caressed his cheek, she felt like the luckiest girl in the world to fall in love with him, "I understand, you decided by yourself to help Nayuta... that's what matters." She gave him a hug as he relaxed in her embrace.
"Sorry we wouldn't have too much time by ourselves..."
She playfully pouted, looking aside with her eyes closed, "We find the time, as long as we love each other that's what matters to me!" She points, as she took Denji's arm and placed it behind her with the hand on her shoulder, resting her head lean to him. "I'm happy just by being at your side Denji... I know a lot of challenges await us in the future, but we face them together, isn't that, right?"
"I- I like the sound of that..." He commented, as his heart raced like crazy. Being with Reze felt so right; he noticed that he no longer felt that scar on his heart, replaced by a warm hug from the love of his life. "Thank you... for falling in love with me." he says, trying to retain his tears, feeling its weight behind his eyes.
"No. Thank you for making me feel hope… it made me fall for you!” She caressed his cheek and smiled, showing her teeth. She was scared of the possibility of never seeing him again, even if he suffered much after she was taken away, she definitely will make up for their months apart.
She still couldn't forgive herself for the destruction and death she caused, as a weapon led by the Soviets, but for Denji...
She is prepared to enjoy her life, led by her own decisions.
After a little bit, they wanted to stay a little longer there to enjoy their reunion. They never got a chance to relax with each other after the festival...
"Oh, I will buy some drinks, wait for me here." Denji carefully stood from his seat, "something you would like?"
"I'm fine with any, just buy me the same as you!"
"Gotcha!" And he quickly went out of the park, heading to the vending machines as he left Reze alone.
The Soviet smiled to herself as she took from her pocket a handkerchief, revealing a red daisy. 'I’ll surprise you this time!' She smirked, looking forward to his flustered reaction, placing the covered flower beside her on the bench and hiding it with her hips.
Her green eyes shone as she took a glimpse at the sky, focusing on a plane that was heading down, from a far.
'I don't belong in Russia anymore... Will I belong here?’
Reze bit her lip, this time nothing was in her way to be at peace, feeling her heartbeat increase. It was too good to be true, since even her former superiors were afraid of Makima. To think Denji himself was the answer to kill her...
She shook her head, not used to think about her ever again, or indulge in her thoughts like the soldier she used to be. She was free, and right now she wanted to enjoy her time with Denji.
As she heard Denji's footsteps, she smirked, closing her eyes to pretend she didn't notice him. How much she missed these moments with him... she was about to show her surprise as well.
She hummed a melody until he was closer, grinning, "Oh, Denji~! I have a surprise for y--"
Her heartbeat increased, as her eyes widened more, holding the red daisy in hand behind her hip, while her voice was cut short at surprise.
Denji was holding a bouquet of flowers. Very distinctive types mixed with combined symbolism.
"Reze, you loved the flower I gave you when we first met... so, when I planned to run away with you, I wanted to give you these." He says with a little smile, a melancholy look on his eyes as he gaze into her expression and trembling emerald eyes, "You looked so happy, I wanted to see you smile like that again..."
"Denji..." She was at a loss of words, as the ghost of a smile was on her lips, reaching the bouquet with both hands, taking it on her torso, as she looked down at the flowers on them, "so pretty..."
"I don't know much about flowers, but I know you like them! I was serious when I told you I wanted to run away with you, and I knew you were going... I know it is a bit of a waste of money, but for me, seeing you smile is all worth it!"
Reze didn't respond as she listened to him, her eyes focused on the flowers. She did know about them, as she spent her time reading magazines about flowers between her travels…
“Haha… I wanted to be the one to surprise you…” she took the red daisy beside her hip with her free hand, as Denji's eyes widened in a smile.
“Oh, it's red!” He took it and checked it with interest. While he didn't know about flowers like her, just being from Reze made it so special, “I'll treasure it!” He smiles at her while placing the flower on the pocket of his jacket.
Reze giggled at his reaction, happy he recognized the flower. She was looking forward to telling its meaning later…
But her mind was too focused on the bouquet he just bought for her…
She remembered her days in the dark room, all isolated, just sitting in the darkness waiting to be of use again.
Being chosen as the Bomb Devil hybrid, a monster who doesn't deserve love.
When she is sent to kill a target, and she can't do anything but just finish her mission...
She killed more innocent people that she would ever forgive herself about...
Reze never felt that she deserved happiness, that's why she just did her missions without ever thinking about running away.
She remembered the day inside the phone booth, how she was about to use her knife until Denji coughed the flower and gave it to her.
Her first present, all for her, a white flower that means innocent love...
How does someone like her really deserve to love?
She didn't care. She still chose to fall in love with Denji.
She wanted to be happy, she wanted a normal life, to be alongside the love of her life.
When she bit off his tongue, the look of pain, confusion, and betrayal he expressed sunk her heart into despair. While forcing herself to finish the mission.
Every time they spoke in their transformations, she could hear the pain but certainly in his voice. He really saw through her pain.
While sinking in the ocean, all she could think about was their time together. Despite everything, he didn't kill her, he chose to die together alone under the water. Just like how they felt like the only people in this world in the pool.
He still chooses to save her.
Yet she refused him to come with her, giving him the cold shoulder, she wanted him to forget about her. She wanted him to stay here, stay safe.
She hurt him so much, yet he chose to buy a bouquet of flowers not even knowing if she really would come back for him...
And she did... dying at the hands of Makima while looking at his back in silent despair.
Why would someone like her even deserve happiness? Why would a monster like her really deserve love? She just hurt others to be a good little soldier. She stayed as the Soviets puppets without a will of her own
How could Denji still love her despite their time apart? Despite thinking she chose to leave him behind?
"Reze, what's wrong!?"
Reze fell to her knees on the floor. A flood of tears coming from her eyes as she grips the bouquet on her chest. Her cursed heart beat faster, between happiness and pain.
"I-I'm... so happy..."
Denji kneels in front of her, while her bangs cover her eyes, he can see her smile.
"I ne-never thought, I-I would e-ever receive flowers... I don't deserve this Denji..."
"Of course you do, Reze! You make me so happy, and I love you so much!" He moves her bangs to the side as she lifts her gaze to him, her eyes still crying as they shine looking at his, "The moment I saw you again... it made this day the happiest of my life. I missed you, and I really want you to be with me, Reze..." it was his turn to cry this time. He usually didn't like crying. He wanted to look confident and strong.
But to see the love of his life again after thinking she left him behind.
His heart just wants to make her happy.
"Thank you... D-Denji... for accept a mons-" She shook her head. "For accept me in your life." Her smile touched his heart again as she leaned into his chest. She kept crying while holding the bouquet, but she wanted to be closer to him.
It may have been a short time for her, which she felt like an eternity. She can't imagine how long it was for Denji all these months after she left him on the beach.
"Alright, then let's go back home!"
"Woah!"
Denji carried her like a princess, as she held the bouquet between tears and giggles.
"What are you doing? Hahahaha." She winks to him as she leans her head to his shoulder, enjoying the feeling of being loved. As Denji walks through the road with a smile.
"Just listen to my heart! I want to run away back home with you!" He exclaims with a grin as he slightly runs in his pace. He wanted to go faster, but he prioritized Reze's conform in his arms.
She giggles as her tears continue, she never felt this happiness before. And it was just their reunion!
Denji took a few glances at her while he continued forward, he felt so happy to have one of the pieces of happiness from his past back.
And he will definitely cherish and love her the rest of his life
~To be continue