Chainsaw Man: Heart of Hell |Aki Hayakawa|

Chapter 24: An Angel Without His Wings

Everything started to make sense with Angel. 

It all started with a misunderstanding and that was all they needed to start a connection.

Recovering was separate from surviving and Love was nowhere on that path. It was the price of her survival which she had not yet paid her dues in the eyes of the world. Even if her lifeless body was plastered on national tv and was put in a museum as a reminder to the world that the part of her that dedicated her everything for the peace of humanity would never be enough.

Her neck prickled every time unknown memory of that time came to her. It was a remnant of what she used to be, a shadow that followed her everywhere. 

Her eyes wandered on her shadow on the cemented ground. The sunlight managed to reach her despite being in a narrow alleyway surrounded by the city buildings. Her body tingled as the hairs on her body perked up. It was a sense of malice and hostility that came hurdling at her. Instinctively, Love whirled her body around, her arms reaching out immediately catching the projectile.

It only took a second to know what it was, a spear. It was no other spear, it felt different to her. Love raised her head to the source of where it might have come from. Then in the corner of her eyes a silhouetted pair of what could be wings presented before her. 

"Good thing you caught that. I might have gotten a long and boring scolding for accidentally killing the love devil." A male voice came from the top of a building. Love narrowed her eyes raising her hand to her face to block the sun that obscured her view. She could only see the silhouette of the male, particularly what was prominent about him, his wings.

"It's proof of how capable she is. Though I never thought you would be one to make mistakes, Angel." A female voice pitched from behind Love. Love did not need to turn around to know who it was.

"I sensed a devil. I never expected it to be the love devil." Love felt pair of eyes glance at her. " Ms. Makima, what are you doing here with her?" Angel glided down to the ground where Love and Makima stood. His foot lightly landed just a few feet in front of Makima. 

"I'm here to introduce you to your new partner. This is the love devil, Love." Makima faced Love. "And Love, meet the new devil recruit the angel devil, Angel. This is just an experiment I am conducting and it will be an effective way to train each other in areas you both lack."

Love had a questioning look. This was not something she had expected the first day she came back to Japan. Makima had promised her great news. If this was the great news she was supposed to receive she did not think it was. 

Love studied Angel, he looked younger and was shorter than her and had an androgynous look to him. The stare did not go unnoticed by the male as he stared back at Love. He had an indifferent look in his eyes but there was something there Love couldn't explain. She felt bad to think that this time she won't be alone. She still felt at a loss even after a few months she had regained her consciousness. There was no memory of how she became to be.

Where could it be?

"WAKE UP LOVE!" Angel's voice interrupted her train of thought. Her eyes fluttered slowly. A red hue slowly came into her view and behind was a familiar face. Love looked around her. Sand had completely enveloped her body hindering her movement. She was slowly descending into the mass.

Right. I'm at the beach.  There were no clouds in the sky. The sound of gentle waves pulling in and out of the shores.

A firm grip on her hands had started to pull her up. "Angel?" His face expressed one of panic. His endeavor was futile as the sand was slowly rising to her neck. Angel glanced at Love and his eyes widen seeing the hopeful look in Love's eyes. Was it her obliviousness that kept her from noticing where she was? Needless to say, Angel kept his hold on her.