Boy and His Dog

[Word Count: 3433]

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Leo straightened his tie, his eyes lingering on the imposing facade of Strawberry Productions. Purple hickeys adorned his neck, reminders of the events that had unfolded within those walls. He inhaled the crispness of the early morning air, the city still cloaked in the dim glow of street lamps, awaiting the arrival of dawn.

With measured steps, Leo began to walk backward, his gaze fixed on the building. He etched every detail into his memory, a silent vow to never forget the significance of that place. Slowly, he turned around, leaving behind the shadows of the past, and ventured down the quiet street. The weight of his thoughts and the gravity of the situation enveloped him, casting a heavy silence in his wake. Only the sound of his own footsteps echoed through the stillness, a somber cadence accompanying him on his solitary journey.

As luck would have it, a passing cab caught Leo's attention. He extended his arm, signaling for it to halt, and the vehicle obediently pulled over to the curb. Opening the back door, Leo climbed in, the interior offering a momentary respite from the outside world.

The cab driver glanced at Leo through the rearview mirror, curiosity dancing in their eyes. "Where to?" they inquired, their voice laced with a hint of intrigue.

"Hunters HQ, as quickly as possible," Leo replied.

The cab driver nodded, a knowing smile tugging at the corner of their lips. "In a hurry, huh?" they remarked, gauging the determination etched on Leo's face.

Leo's response was a solemn nod.

Without wasting another moment, the cab driver turned the key in the ignition, igniting the engine's rumble. The vehicle surged forward, merging seamlessly into the flow of the waking city. The streets whizzed by, a blur of lights and shadows as the cab navigated the labyrinthine paths toward the hallowed grounds of Devil Hunters HQ.

Time seemed to compress, the world outside reduced to a mere backdrop as Leo's thoughts raced ahead. The journey became a microcosm of his own tumultuous inner landscape, every passing moment filled with anticipation and uncertainty.

Leo reclined in the comfort of the backseat, tilting his head back to expose his neck to the cool air. The cab driver occasionally glanced back through the rearview mirror, their gaze momentarily lingering on Leo's vulnerable posture, before refocusing their attention on the road ahead. The quiet hum of the engine provided a steady backdrop to Leo's thoughts, as the passing city lights painted fleeting images across the windowpane.

After what felt like an eternity, the cab driver expertly guided the vehicle to a smooth stop in front of the formidable Devil Hunter's building. The engine purred softly as it idled, a gentle reminder of the journey that had brought them to this point.

"Hey, buddy, we've arrived," the cab driver announced, breaking the silence.

Leo acknowledged the message with a nod and rose from the backseat, ready to face whatever awaited him at his destination. Pulling out his wallet, he fished out a wad of money, refusing to let the cab driver recite the final amount. Without a word, he tossed the money onto the passenger seat.

With a sense of determination and trepidation intermingled, Leo began to walk toward the building. The cab driver, respecting the silent air that surrounded his passenger, zipped their lips, not uttering another word.

As Leo approached the entrance of the Devil Hunters' building, the heavy door swung open, revealing a night guard stepping out. The guard, caught off guard by Leo's early arrival, couldn't help but comment with a chuckle, "You're here early."

Leo acknowledged the remark with a nod, his gaze determined and focused. Without uttering a word, he stepped past the guard, entered the building, and made his way toward the basement. His purpose was singular, and his mind was set on a specific objective.

Upon reaching the basement, Leo was met with another guard standing in his path. The guard began to question Leo, his words were cut short as a strong grip closed around his neck, cutting off his breath. Leo exerted force, pushing the guard back against the large metal door behind him.

With a sickening snap, the guard's life was abruptly ended, his body limps as it slumped against the now-melted door. Unnatural flames engulfed his torso, transforming him into an unrecognizable, melting mass. The door, distorted and deformed by the intense heat, granted Leo access to the lower floors where the devils were imprisoned.

Ignoring the lift, Leo slid down the railing to the bottom.

At the bottom, Leo noticed a clipboard hanging next to a series of doors. With a quick glance, he absorbed the information written on it, gathering crucial details as he passed by the imprisoned devils. Whispers of imprisoned devils reached his ears, including one voice that repeated, "Future rules! Future rules!" Leo paused for a moment, intrigued yet resolute, before pressing forward.

Arriving at a particular door, Leo used his strength to pry it open, the sound of bending metal echoing through the hallway. Slowly but surely, the door yielded, revealing a pitiful sight—a battered and broken mess of glass strewn across the floor.

As the door swung open, red lights began to flash, casting an ominous glow that illuminated the once-dim hallway. The Glass Devil, in its weakened state, uttered with malice in its glassy voice, "You."

"Glass Devil," Leo greeted, unfazed by the hostility. "Let's make a contract."

If the Glass Devil could scoff, it surely would. "Why should I make a contract with a mere human?" Bitterness dripped from its words, vividly recalling the painful beating and burning inflicted upon it by Leo in the past.

Leo's tone remained steady and resolute. "Whether it's here or the depths of hell, we will make a contract, Glass Devil."

Through its hazy, glassy vision, the Glass Devil silently stared at Leo, torn between curiosity and lingering resentment. At that moment, the air crackled with tension, and the outcome of their encounter hung in the balance.

Outside, the night guard who had stepped out observed the flashing red lights with a hint of curiosity. Taking a leisurely drag from his cigarette, he leaned against the wall, exuding a relaxed demeanor. The unfolding events inside the Devil Hunter's headquarters seemed to have piqued his interest, but he saw no reason to rush.

A devil hunter had entered, and a few more were already inside, so the situation appeared to be under control. The night guard dismissed any notion of urgency, exhaling a plume of smoke into the air. His nonchalant shrug conveyed a sense of confidence as if he knew that things would unfold as they should.

Downstairs, the atmosphere was tense as Leo finalized the terms of the contract with the Glass Devil, their hands clasping firmly. "In exchange for granting me access to your abilities, I shall restore you to your former glory. But for now, you will reside within my skin, Glass Devil," Leo declared, sealing the pact. Gradually, the Glass Devil merged into his skin, and the exchange was complete.

As Leo absorbed the remaining traces of glass that clung to his hand, urgent footsteps echoed down the hallway. Two devil hunters rushed towards the open metal door, their expressions a mix of concern and determination.

"Freeze!" a female devil hunter shouted, her hand forming a fox. Before she could complete her incantation, a razor-sharp glass shard severed her fingers and embedded itself in her forehead, causing her to collapse.

Her teammate gasped at the sudden turn of events, pulling out their knife and approaching the door cautiously. But as they reached the doorway, they found it empty, and their confusion only deepened.

In the blink of an eye, a glimmer of light shot toward them, catching them off guard. The same glass shard that had claimed their partner now claimed them, and they, too, fell to the floor.

Amidst the chaos, a blurry figure began to materialize, revealing Leo standing in the center of the room. The glass slowly retreated into his skin, leaving the fallen devil hunters behind.

Approaching the injured hunters, Leo touched the glass shards embedded in their bodies, causing the glass to recede harmlessly. He then made his way back the way he came, arriving at the door where a devil whispered, "Future rules! Future rules!"

Leo paused, before firmly prying the door open with his hands.

Outside, the night guard's nerves were on edge, their hand trembling as they struggled to enjoy their smoke break amidst the blaring alarms. The cacophony in the air only heightened their unease, and they anxiously glanced toward the building's entrance.

Abruptly, the alarms ceased, and a momentary sense of relief washed over the guard. They released a long exhale, believing that the worst was over. But as they peered into the lobby, their eyes widened with disbelief.

A blurry figure emerged from the building, gradually coming into focus. The night guard's heartbeat quickened as they watched the figure take its first steps toward the glass doors. However, before the figure could fully step outside, the glass door shattered, collapsing inward as if it were being drawn toward the figure.

Astonished, the night guard's jaw dropped as they witnessed an astonishing sight. Each broken shard of glass from the shattered door seemed to merge seamlessly with the blurry figure, intertwining and becoming one. The figure proceeded to move along the line of glass doors, absorbing their shattered remains, until it gradually became a distorted blur.

And then, just as mysteriously as it had appeared, the figure vanished entirely. The night guard stood frozen in shock, unable to comprehend what they had witnessed. Not even the shattered glass remained as evidence of the figure's presence, leaving the guard in awe and disbelief.

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Walking through the streets of Tokyo, Leo started thinking about the future.

Amidst his contemplation, a toy store caught Leo's attention, prompting him to pause and retrace his steps. His eyes were drawn to a plushie, a striking resemblance to his friend, their beaming smile frozen in fabric and stuffing.

A mixture of shock and amusement crossed Leo's face as he muttered, "She's been turned into a marketable plushie." It was a peculiar sight, a testament to the influence and popularity of B-Komachi's members.

Peering through the toy store window, Leo noticed a makeshift stage, adorned with plushies of each B-Komachi member, carefully positioned to entice potential buyers.

Continuing his stroll, Leo now found himself clutching an Ai plushie. He absentmindedly walked through the labyrinth of Tokyo's streets, lost in his thoughts.

Locking gazes with the plushie's blank eyes, Leo came to terms with the face he wouldn't be seeing Ai in a while given his current to-do list.

"One day," Leo muttered.

Stuffing the Ai plushie into his jacket, Leo ventured into a convenience store, the eyes of the clerk following his every move as he made his way down the aisle. He grabbed a drink from the coolers at the back of the store before returning to the front, facing the scrutinizing gaze of the clerk.

As Leo reached for his wallet, the clerk, with a hint of disdain, couldn't resist but ask, "You a devil hunter?" Leo simply nodded in response, eliciting a scoff from the clerk.

"Why aren't you doing your job then?" the clerk retorted, his frustration palpable. The clerk's female co-worker emerged from the back, witnessing the confrontation as she tried to intervene and defuse the tension.

Curiosity piqued, Leo arched an eyebrow and calmly inquired, "What do you mean?"

The clerk, his anger still burning, ranted, "What I mean is, why are you people letting a little kid do your work for you?" His grip tightened on Leo's suit, pulling him slightly forward across the counter.

In an attempt to calm her colleague down, the female clerk intervened, her voice laced with concern. But the floodgates of the male clerk's frustration had burst open, and he continued his outpouring of emotions.

"For months now, a little orange-haired boy and his dog have been taking down devils in the vicinity, while you people just sit around all day!" Tears welled up in his eyes, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and sorrow. "He comes here often, only buying bread..."

The clerk's tears streamed down his face, his grip on Leo's suit weakening as he sobbed, struggling to regain control of his emotions. His colleague, no longer holding him back, averted her gaze, seemingly lost in her own thoughts. Leo watched the scene unfold with an impassive expression, his mind processing the information.

"A little orange-haired boy and his dog..." Leo mused silently.

Putting on his best-concerned face, Leo leaned forward, closing the distance between himself and the distraught clerk.

"Where is the boy?" Leo asked.

"We don't know," the male clerk's coworker said fighting back tears of her own. "He comes and goes from the woods, no one knows where he lives."

"I see," Leo said reaching for his wallet, pulling out a card. "Devil hunters work like the police. Unless obvious, we only respond to reported devils, if you see or hear about any give this number a call."

The female clerk took the card and set it down on the counter.

"Now, you said the boy only buys bread?" Leo asked getting a nod from the clerk. "Do you know of any bakeries around here?"

.

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As Leo ascended the winding trail, the rugged terrain beneath his feet challenged his every step. The biting cold nipped at his cheeks, and his suit served as a practical barrier against the chilly weather, trapping whatever warmth his body could produce.

Amidst the rhythmic sound of his footsteps, a subtle shaking and rattling emanated from the bag he carried, the contents jingling and jangling with each movement. The enigmatic ⬜⬜⬜ Devil within his mind suddenly spoke up.

"Leo," it called out.

"Hmm?" Leo hummed in acknowledgment.

"There's a familiar devil nearby," the voice echoed ominously.

Leo's curiosity was piqued, and he raised an eyebrow. "Friend of yours?"

"No," the ⬜⬜⬜ Devil replied cryptically, leaving an air of mystery lingering in the conversation.

As Leo continued his ascent, he noticed plumes of smoke rising from the depths of the forest. The sight served as a promising indicator that he was drawing nearer to his desired destination. Intrigued, he quickened his pace, driven by the anticipation of what awaited him beyond the forest's veil.

.

Seated by a hastily thrown-together campfire, the orange-haired boy meticulously tended to the crackling flames, his eyes fixed on the dancing embers. Beside him, his loyal canine companion, adorned with a chainsaw protruding from its head, barked intermittently, its distinct growls adding an eerie ambiance to the secluded setting.

Abruptly, the dog's attention shifted, its gaze piercing through the veil of darkness that enveloped the surrounding forest. Its teeth appeared more pronounced, glistening ominously under the flickering glow of the fire.

Sensing the shift in the atmosphere, the orange-haired boy swiftly grasped the handle of the chainsaw-headed dog, his other hand instinctively reaching for its cord. With a firm grip, he prepared for whatever impending threat lurked in the shadows.

A snap echoed through the silent woods, causing the boy's senses to heighten. Emerging from the dense foliage, a man with black hair emerged, bearing a large bag slung over his shoulder. The orange-haired boy's eyes narrowed as he assessed the stranger's presence.

Reacting swiftly, he pulled the tail cord of the chainsaw, instantly igniting the roaring blade on the dog's head. His voice laced with a small sense of authority, he demanded, "Who are you!?"

Leo met the boy's gaze, his expression unwavering. "Leo," he answered simply.

A surge of defiance coursed through the boy's veins, and he raised his voice, his grip on the chainsaw tightening. "Well, get out of here!"

Undeterred, Leo raised his hand, pointing momentarily at the boy before...

SNAP!

In an instant, the tree behind the boy erupted in a blaze of fire, engulfing the surrounding foliage and sending a rush of heat cascading over the boy's back. With bated breath, he slowly turned, his eyes widening in astonishment as he beheld the mighty inferno devouring the once towering tree.

As Leo attempted to regain the boy's attention, he spoke with a calm demeanor, his voice cutting through the crackling of the flames. "Let's start over. My name is Leo, and I'm a devil hunter."

Despite the scorching heat radiating from the fiery backdrop, the chainsaw dog persisted in its barking and growling, its teeth gleaming menacingly. The orange-haired boy swallowed nervously, his grip on the chainsaw dog's handle tightening.

"W-What do you want?" the boy stammered, his voice laced with unease.

Leo glanced at the obvious devil before pointing and asking, "That dog, it's a devil, right?"

"S-So what if he is?" the orange-haired boy replied, his apprehension palpable.

"How about a trade?" Leo asked.

Leo's proposition caught the boy off guard, and his initial anger contorted his face. "Pochita is not for sale!" he yelled defiantly, his hand revving the chainsaw dog's engine, ready to defend his companion.

Leo, however, stared back blankly, his expression unwavering. "I don't want your dog."

The boy's eyes widened in surprise. "W-What?"

"I don't want your dog," Leo reiterated, his voice devoid of malice. "What kind of bastard takes a kid's dog away?"

Although Leo had no interest in the dog, the ⬜⬜⬜ Devil within him had different intentions, craving revenge against the weakened Chainsaw Devil. However, Leo had alternative plans.

"You don't want Pochita?" the boy asked skeptically.

"No, not really," Leo responded truthfully.

"WHAT!!!" the ⬜⬜⬜ Devil roared in Leo's mind, its thirst for vengeance unquenched.

Curiosity piqued, the orange-haired boy inquired, "What do you want then?"

"Answers," Leo stated firmly.

"Answers?" the boy repeated, casting a skeptical gaze at Leo.

"Yup, and I'm willing to trade," Leo proposed, raising three fingers while presenting a large bag. "You answer three of my questions, and I'll give you everything inside this bag. Deal?"

The orange-haired boy hesitated, his grip on the chainsaw dog slightly easing, while Pochita continued to growl and bark in Leo's direction.

"Fine," the boy relented, taking a step back and settling behind the log where he had been seated. "But don't come any closer."

Acknowledging the boy's request, Leo raised one finger and posed his first question. "What's your name?"

The boy glanced at Leo's finger before responding, "Denji."

Raising a second finger, Leo asked his next question. "Are you the one killing devils in the area?"

Denji's eyes remained fixated on Leo's hands as he admitted, "Yeah."

Nodding, Leo raised a third finger and inquired, "You and that dog, do you have a contract?"

Denji's gaze shifted, locking eyes with Leo. "Why?"

"Devil contracts outside of registered Devil Hunters are illegal and punishable by death," Leo informed him.

Denji's eyes widened, and he averted his gaze, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "N-No."

"Alright then," Leo said nonchalantly, catching Denji off guard.

"Ehh?" Denji stammered. "Just like that?"

Leo shrugged casually. "I'm a devil hunter, not a cop."

With that, Leo placed the bag on the ground, turned around, and began walking away, leaving Denji flabbergasted.

Pochita continued to growl, even as Leo disappeared into the foliage. The ⬜⬜⬜ Devil recognized the Chainsaw Devil, and the Chainsaw Devil recognized the ⬜⬜⬜ Devil.

Once the rustling of the woods faded, Denji cautiously leaped over the log, bringing Pochita along as they approached the bag. Denji pointed Pochita towards the bag, allowing him to sniff it.

"Well?" Denji asked eagerly.

"Bark!" Pochita excitedly responded.

Denji's eyes widened with anticipation as he set Pochita down and began rummaging through the bag. He felt a tinge of disappointment when the first thing he saw was bread, but as he moved it aside, his excitement skyrocketed. Before him lay the holy grail—the condiments for the bread.

"Pochita, look!" Denji exclaimed with glee, holding up a jar of jam for the little devil to see.

"Bark!" Pochita cheerfully barked.

Denji placed the jam aside, his focus shifting to the remaining contents of the bag. Throughout his search, Pochita's unwavering gaze remained fixed on Denji, caring more about witnessing Denji's smile than whatever awaited him in the bag.

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As Leo descended the mountain, he was bombarded with a tirade of furious yelling from the ⬜⬜⬜ Devil in his head. The echoes of its angry voice reverberated through his mind.

"We should've killed that Chainsaw pest while we had the chance!" the ⬜⬜⬜ Devil roared.

Leo maintained his composure, casually responding while obscuring his face with the Glass Devil. "Uh huh. It's a shame that seeking revenge isn't at the top of our priority list."

Taking a moment to collect itself, the ⬜⬜⬜ Devil tried to calm down. It realized that while they still had a contract, reclaiming its name and reforming itself could wait.

"Does that mean we're finally going to hell?" the ⬜⬜⬜ Devil inquired.

A mixture of disbelief and elation washed over the ⬜⬜⬜ Devil's voice. "Oh, for the love of-... Wait. Are you serious?"

"Yup," Leo reaffirmed.

Leo could practically hear the ⬜⬜⬜ Devil celebrating with glee in his mind.

"Where are we going?" the ⬜⬜⬜ Devil asked excitedly.

A mischievous smirk adorned Leo's lips as he disclosed their destination. "China."