Where Regret Can Take You [Makima x Denji]

Chapter 1 - Death - Inside and Out

The grim cemetery has never felt so celebratory. I finally got what I wanted. Needed. Chainsaw Man!!! But...

"Ah yes~ We'll be so happy together! We'll eat a lot together, sleep together, and live a happy life together! I can't wait to bathe together, kill lots of devils together, and love each other..."

...

"I..."

...

"...Chainsaw man..."

...

"Why do I feel so empty-"

I was quickly interrupted by the indescribably loud weeps of a chainsaw. It ferociously tore through my flesh. I let my guard down.

Vision began fading, as I looked up at him in disgust. But I felt relieved. I have no idea why. Why am I feeling relieved while blood is spewing out of me.

"Sorry, Makima-san..." The boy uttered.

I felt my expression instinctively lighten as he uttered those words. Those were genuine words. Then he took Chainsaw Man away from me. At this point, I was too lost in my own thoughts to care.

He then began ripping me into shreds. Tear by tear, he was grinding me up. It just felt empty. And painful.

Then my final remaining thoughts went to the boy that was tearing me up. He didn't want to do this.

But I destroyed it. His life. He'll never be a normal boy. He'll never be able to return.

I turned him into a motionless husk.

I turned him into Chainsaw Man.

I thought that's what I wanted. Genuinely. But I led him on. Letting him think I actually loved him: a boy with such trauma. He killed his own father. Sold his mutilated body. Even so, he finally paid back his debt. But the moment he did, all I did was steal it from him.

I really am the worst. Maybe this is for the best. He'll likely find a way to prevent me from coming back, so there's nothing I can do.

Two minutes ago, I would've called myself crazy for even thinking these thoughts. Hmmm.

I accepted my fate, as he followed through, and destroyed my brain, preventing any more thoughts...

Break

I woke up laying down. Fully intact.

What was that stench? And that buzzing sound? It was dark, nearly pitch black. It felt rough under me. I moved a little bit, and felt the rattles of plastic and glass.

I'm in a dumpster.

I pushed the top open as hard as I could. All my might didn't even make it budge. It's almost as if fate itself has shut the door. I began to look around.

Next to me were someone's body parts, and some kind of dog that was sliced in half. As I began to squirm around, I found the head of the mutilated person. I turned his head, and it was Denji's.

His glistening eyes had been reduced to lifeless orbs.

My eyes widened. I instinctively moved back. This is the first time something has genuinely revolted me. This is weird. Who was playing with my emotions?

Creating a little distance between me and the boy, I find the dog piecing itself back together. As if wires began to pull it intact.

"This is his soul," the dog whimpered, as it slowly turned towards Makima, who was scrunched up, in order to fit into the dumpster.