Chapter 2
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The following day, we find the trio at the Public Safety Bureau. Denji stands at the front desk, securing a permission slip that grants Power and Super the freedom to leave until 5:00 that day. After obtaining the slip, they exit the building and head to a nearby bus stop. Denji patiently waits while Super and Power occupy themselves, and before long, the bus arrives. The three of them board the bus and take their seats.
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Denji (Curious): "So, where can we find this bat devil?"
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Power (Gazing out the window): "It's in a shabby little house in the middle of an open field. It's not too far from here."
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Super: "A ramshackle abode, you say? How pitiful. How could such living conditions even befit the feeble-minded devils of this world.."
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Power: "Indeed, it must be rather embarrassing to dwell in such a squalid environment. A true pity."
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They engage in conversation during the bus ride, and after a while, they arrive at their destination and disembark from the bus. They proceed toward the house, with Power curiously quiet. Suddenly, Power, along with Denji and Super, comes to an abrupt halt. A moment of silence envelops them before Power resumes walking, with Denji and Super following suit. They eventually reach the front door, and in his impatience, Super kicks it open dramatically.
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Super (Loudly): "Alright, bat guy! We've arrived! Prepare to meet your doom!"
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A resounding thud reverberates through the house, and there stands the bat devil. His colossal form causes the entire building to tremble with each of his movements, and he's notably missing half of his right arm.
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Bat Devil: "Ah, the blood devil returns... And who have we here? Friends come to end me?" He lifts a cage, revealing a cat inside. "We wouldn't want your little buddy here to suffer, would we?"
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Power's eyes widen, and she takes a cautious step forward, extending her hand toward the cage.
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Power (Anxious): "Meowy... Please, don't... Put him down!"
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Denji (Angry): “Hey! You put that cat down before I rip out your guts!”
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Super (Infuriated): "Let go of the cat, you bastard!"
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Bat Devil: "I don't appreciate it when my dinner speaks." He raises the cage over his mouth. "Perhaps this cat will suffice?" With a malevolent grin, the bat devil drops the cage into his open maw and swallows it whole.
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Power’s eyes widen in shock and her jaw drops in utter disbelief. She crumbles to her knees, a solitary tear streaming down her cheek. In a breathtaking display of power, Super materializes two gleaming swords, one in each hand, and rushes towards the bat devil with unfathomable speed. The bat devil instinctively lifts his arm to defend himself, but the blades slice through his flesh with excruciating precision, causing him unimaginable agony. With a nimble bound, Super propels himself into the air, casting aside his swords, only to summon a colossal scythe that materializes before the bat devil's eyes. With a forceful downward strike, the scythe cleaves through the bat devil's skull. Despite the bat devil's desperate attempts to shake him off, Super clings fiercely, unyielding in his mission. Finally, Super gracefully descends, releasing the scythe, and lands next to Denji.
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Bat Devil (Severely Injured): "You pesky little rats! You're all going to pay for that!"
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Super (Still Furious): "Shut your mouth, you stupid bat!"
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Denji (Hand on ripcord): "Let's end this guy."
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The bat devil swiftly delivers a devastating blow, shattering the ceiling and creating an enormous hole through which he attempts to make his escape. Denji springs into action, lunging towards the bat devil's leg and gripping it tightly, determined to prevent his escape. Super, sensing the urgency of the situation, rushes over and joins Denji in his valiant effort to pull the bat devil back inside. Despite their combined strength, their attempts prove futile as the bat devil manages to break free from their grasp and ascend to the rooftop. Desperate to shake off his pursuers, the bat devil violently thrashes, only to lose his balance and plummet towards the ground below, causing the earth to crack upon impact. Sensing the imminent danger, Denji instinctively activates his chainsaw form, with blades protruding from his head and arms. Super, witnessing Denji's awe-inspiring transformation, commits it to memory for future reference before refocusing his attention on the bat devil, who is desperately trying to regain his footing and escape. In a final act of defiance, the bat devil rips chunks of earth from the ground and hurls them at the persistent duo, determined to keep them at bay.
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Bat Devil (Scared): “G-Get away from me! Stay back!” He finally stands up and rips up a huge chunk of the ground and chucks it at the two.
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Denji effortlessly slices through the chunk, then lunges ferociously towards the devil with his chainsaws poised and aimed at its head. In a swift maneuver, the devil evades Denji's attack, narrowly avoiding his deadly blades. With lightning speed, Denji swiftly evades the devil's retaliatory punch, causing its gigantic fist to crash into the ground. Denji gracefully evades the devil's strikes while relentlessly launching powerful counterattacks. The battle intensifies as the two adversaries clash with breathtaking speed and precision.
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Super copies Denji's chainsaw form and transforms himself into an exact replica of Denji in his chainsaw form. With a burst of incredible speed and precision, Super charges towards the bat devil, aiming his lethal chainsaws directly at the devil's stomach, determined to retrieve Power's beloved cat. Sensing the imminent danger, Denji swiftly maneuvers between the bat devil's legs, swiftly slashing at his knee cap, unleashing a cry of agony from the diabolic creature as it collapses to the ground. In a moment of suspended animation, the devil's eyes widen as he catches a glimpse of Super's relentless approach before he is engulfed by darkness. Without relenting, Super finally reaches the devil's stomach, effortlessly slicing through it with his mighty chainsaws. The malevolent being's body is instantaneously split in half, lifeless, and crashes to the ground, vanquished.
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Super (Denji Form): "Wow! Your body is really impressive, human!"
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Denji (Chainsaw Form): "Please don't say that while you're imitating my body... It's... strange..."
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Super transformed back to his normal form and approached the remains of the bat devil. He carefully retrieved the caged cat from the scattered organs of the devil.
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Super (Feeling relieved): "The cat is safe."
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Denji (Also relieved): "That's a weight off our shoulders... Let's bring him back to Power..."
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Super and Denji exchange nods before re-entering the house, where they find Power curled up on the floor. Both of them wear expressions of confusion as they approach her. Super kneels down and gently taps Power on her shoulder. She turns around to see her uncaged cat now cradled in Super's arms.
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Super: "We managed to rescue your cat. So, could I... Wait, scratch that... Could we receive our reward?"
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Denji (Excitedly): "Yeah can we?"
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Power smiles and happily embraces her feline companion, gently caressing him before raising her gaze to the duo and giving a nod. Super and Denji cheer with excitement, delighted that they are about to receive their well-deserved rewards. Power stands up while still tenderly petting her cat, and gazes at the two before expressing her heartfelt thanks.
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Power (Sincerely Grateful): "Thank you so much.."
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Denji: "No need to mention it! Now let's get to the reward part if you don’t mind.."
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Super interrupts, clearing his throat to capture Denji's attention. Denji turns and looks at Super, puzzled by the interruption.
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Super: "We will have to postpone that for now.. We need to leave before 5:00, or we could find ourselves in trouble.."
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Denji realizes his mistake and quickly responds.
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Denji: "Oh, right! Let's go."
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The trio exits the dilapidated house and begins walking back towards the road. Suddenly, Super abruptly halts and turns to face the lifeless, blood-soaked corpse of the bat devil. He conjures a fiery ball in his hand and hurls it at the devil's remains, igniting them and reducing them to ashes, erasing any evidence of its existence.
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Super: “That’s better.. He was giving some creepy vibes.. Just had to be sure..”
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Super turns around and swiftly catches up with Denji and Power. They reach the road and realize that the bus won't be coming, so they decide to walk back to the city together and engage in conversation along the way. After approximately 30 minutes, they arrive back in the city and manage to return to the PSB just in time, before 5:00. Hours later, the trio reaches Aki's apartment, with both Super and Power experiencing it for the first time.
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Denji (Fatigued): "Aki.. We've finally arrived.."
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In the kitchen, Aki would be busy preparing some curry for dinner. Without turning around or facing them, Aki would respond while chopping onions.
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Aki (Cooking): "Took you quite a while.. Super and Power with you?"
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Super: "I'm present, human!"
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Power: "Indeed! We have arrived at your dwelling, human!"
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Denji (Tired): "Yes.. They are here.. If anyone needs me.." He lets out a yawn, conveying his exhaustion. "I'll be sleeping.."
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Denji proceeds to his room but before closing the door, Aki abruptly interjects.
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Aki (Cooking): "We don't have any guest rooms.. You know that, Denji..?"
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Denji (Tired and Confused): "Yes.. Why..?"
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Aki (Cooking): "You'll have to share your room with Super and Power.."
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Denji (Shocked): "WHAT? NO!"
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Aki (Still Cooking): "Well, you have limited options. There is no other place for them to sleep."
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Denji: "They can sleep in your bed!"
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Aki (Still Cooking): "I cannot share my bed. You will have to find another solution."
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Super: "I do not reqiure a bed."
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Aki (Cooking): "Oh, alright. Denji, you and Power can share a room, and Super and I will share mine. Does that sound good to you?"
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Denji: "Absolutely not–" He pauses, realizing what Aki said. Then, he remembers the reward he has yet to receive from Power, and corrects himself. "You know what? That's fine with me."
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Denji yawns once again now barely being able to keep his eyes open.
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Denji (Really Tired): “Aki save some of that for me.. I’m heading to bed..”
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Aki: “Alright man.. Goodnight..”
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Denji gives a gentle nod and retreats to his room, softly closing the door behind him. After some time, Aki finishes preparing dinner, and together with Super and Power, they enjoy their meal before eventually heading off to sleep. Aki makes his way to his room, and Super follows suit. As for Power, she attends to her own affairs before eventually finding her way to Denji's room, closing the door behind her.
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The apartment embraced a soothing silence, as Denji, Aki, and Super slumbered in peaceful harmony. The soft hush of their breathing filled their rooms, a gentle symphony of tranquility. Amidst this serenity, Power remained awake, the soft purring of her feline companion providing a comforting backdrop to the stillness. Minutes ebbed away like the gentlest of tides, and then, as if a whisper from the universe, Denji felt a weight descend upon him, like a feather settling upon a meadow. His eyes blinked open slowly, uncertainty and surprise dancing briefly in their depths. The room was dimly lit, the moon casting a gentle glow through the curtains, and he struggled to comprehend this unexpected sensation.Yet, as quickly as his hesitation arrived, it began to dissipate. The weight, initially a mystery, began to feel like an embrace, tender and warm. Arms enfolded him, an intimate connection born in the silence of the night. Slowly, he turned his head to gaze upon the source of this newfound serenity. There, beside him, was Power, her features softened by the moonlight, her eyes closed in peaceful slumber. She had nestled herself close, her form fitting snugly against his, her arms wrapped around him as if seeking refuge from the world in his presence. At first, Denji was confused, caught in the gentle tides of this unexpected moment. Yet, as he watched her, the corners of his lips curled into a soft, understanding smile. He welcomed this unspoken gesture, an uncharted path in the quiet stillness of their lives. With a tenderness born of a thousand untold emotions, he reciprocated her embrace, wrapping his own arm around her as they lay side by side, hearts beating in perfect harmony. Their gazes met the ceiling, both lost in thoughts and feelings too profound for words, as the world outside continued to slumber, oblivious to the quiet magic that had unfolded within the apartment's peaceful cocoon.
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Denji (Thoughts): "Could it be that... No, it's impossible, right? Perhaps she's just afraid of the dark or something... There's no way she could feel that about me... But... What if she does..."
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As Denji pondered this perplexing situation, doubts swirled in his mind like leaves caught in a gentle breeze. He wrestled with the possibility, the thought that perhaps, just maybe, there was something more to Power's actions than met the eye. A quiet turmoil churned within him, a mixture of hope and uncertainty.
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But in the quiet of the night, he decided to shelve these thoughts, like a book placed back on a shelf. With a deep breath, he closed his eyes, surrendering to the embrace of slumber, for the moment at least.
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Suddenly, breaking the stillness of the room, Power's voice cut through the silence like a fragile melody.
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Power: "You know... I haven't forgotten about your reward... Initially, I didn't want to let you do it... but on our way to kill the bat devil, something occurred to me... I stopped and realized... You genuinely desired to help me... And... I'm truly grateful for that..."
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Denji: “Well.. Yeah.. I was originally only helping you to get what I thought I wanted.. But then I realized that.. You were really worried about your cat.. And I can relate to that you know.. I had a pet too.. Pochita.. He saved my life and.. I miss him every day..”
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In the soft embrace of the night, their words hung in the air, like fragile blossoms in the moonlight, each sentence a glimpse into their hearts and the unspoken bonds that were forming, slowly but surely.
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Power looked up at him, her gaze meeting Denji's in a moment that seemed to stretch infinitely. Their eyes locked onto each other, and in that unbroken connection, Denji felt his heart quicken its pace. It was as though time had stilled, leaving only the two of them in that shared space, a silent conversation unfolding in their locked gazes. Unbeknownst to him, a rosy blush painted his cheeks, an involuntary reaction to the intensity of the moment.
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Power, her voice carrying a hint of mischief and affection, broke the silence:
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Power: “You know.. You're kind of cute when you do that, Denji..”
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Denji's shock and confusion momentarily gripped him, but he quickly rallied his composure. His voice, tinged with a mix of vulnerability and curiosity, ventured into uncharted territory:
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Denji: “Power.. Are you.. Like.. interested.. In me..?”
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A soft, affectionate smile graced Power's lips, and she gave him a small, affirmative nod, her eyes sparkling with feelings she had kept hidden. In that simple gesture, she confirmed what Denji had dared to ask, and their connection deepened in the quiet embrace of their newfound understanding.
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Denji's eyes widened, and in that instant, he found himself momentarily stunned, caught in a whirlwind of emotions. His mind raced, struggling to process the unexpected turn of events. But amidst the confusion, a powerful surge of happiness welled up within him, a profound realization dawning. In the short span of time since they had met, Denji had come to recognize something extraordinary. It was as if the universe had conspired to bring them together, crafting a connection that transcended mere chance.
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This realization settled in his heart, anchoring him in the certainty that what he shared with Power was no ordinary bond. Power, undeterred by the uncertainty in the air, drew Denji closer, their faces inching closer together until their breaths mingled. Her eyes bore into his, a depth of emotion reflected in her gaze. With a quiet determination, she closed her eyes and leaned in, her intention clear. Denji, initially taken aback by the unexpected turn of events, hesitated for a fleeting moment. However, as their worlds narrowed down to this shared moment, he found his resolve. Closing his eyes, he reciprocated Power's intent, and their lips met in a passionate kiss, sealing the unspoken emotions that had lingered between them. In that tender exchange, they acknowledged the extraordinary connection they shared, a bond that felt as if it were guided by the hand of fate itself.
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The following day, Denji awakens, finding Power still peacefully nestled beside him. He gazes upward at the ceiling, a gentle smile gracing his lips. His thoughts drift to their shared kiss and Power's heartfelt confession. It dawns upon him in that moment, a profound realization: Power is the one he cherishes. With newfound determination, he solemnly commits to a fresh, personal mission – to safeguard her, no matter the cost.
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A few minutes later, Denji and Power found themselves settled in the living room, savoring generous servings of Denji's famed "Ultimate Toast," a culinary creation he concocted on the day he first moved in. In the cozy ambiance of their shared space, they enjoyed their meal in tranquil harmony, engaging in warm and amiable conversation.
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The door to Aki's room swung open, revealing Aki as he emerged, gently closing it behind him. He yawned, his hands instinctively reaching skyward in a revitalizing stretch before he made his way to the kitchen. There, he set about preparing a soothing cup of tea. As he went about his morning routine, his observant gaze fell upon the harmonious camaraderie shared by Denji and Power, prompting a subtle, appreciative smile to grace his lips.
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Once the tea had steeped to perfection, Aki carefully poured himself a steaming cup, retrieved a newspaper, and retrieved his pack of cigarettes. With these in hand, he proceeded to the balcony, where he intended to savor his tea, peruse the news, and indulge in a moment of peaceful reading.
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Aki's room door swung open once more, revealing Super as he emerged, his hand absently scratching his head. He proceeded to the kitchen, where he quickly fixed himself a bowl of sugary cereal. Afterward, he made his way out to the balcony as well, taking a seat and beginning to enjoy his breakfast while casting several inquisitive glances towards the bustling cityscape before him.
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Everyone is at peace and the atmosphere is calm as everyone enjoys their morning.
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