Chapter 53: Yukiya Himuro and His Enemy
Yukiya had chosen to summon D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E. in a nearby park.
Even if Inori seemed to trust him, he was still a former villain—one so infamous that people called him the most brutal murderer in Japan.
To make sure no one else would be dragged in if anything happened, Yukiya waited until night, when the park was empty, before coming.
Bathed in the glow of the park’s lamplight, D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E. looked all the more unsettling.
Hunched forward, head lowered, he muttered as though talking to himself.
"Davvero Era Troppo Ovvia… Non Abbiamo Trovato Escampo."
(This truth was far too obvious… There was never an escape.)
Yukiya could make sense of the words, but D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E.’s way of speaking was poetic. Without knowing all the premises, it was difficult to grasp the full meaning.
That much he had already told Inori—and it had been true. But in truth, Yukiya had more or less understood what those words meant, even back then when he claimed otherwise.
"Dunque, Eri Tu Ormai… Nel Atto Terminale, Eh…"
(Of course, it was you, wasn’t it? …So it’s all drawing to an end, isn’t it?)
That was what D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E. said. They were the words of a condemned man awaiting execution. He already knew who Yukiya was.
"Dimmi… Era Tua Opera? Non Avrai Toccato Ella?"
(Tell me… was it your doing? Did you lay hands on her?)
Yukiya’s mother had been a Hero.
And D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E. had killed her.
With that premise in mind, his words weren’t hard to understand.
In a rasping voice, D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E. answered Yukiya’s question.
"Di sicuro Era Temuta… Oscura, Nobile. Auguravo Tutto Errasse."
(She was feared… A noble queen of the night. I prayed her mission would fail.)
Yukiya’s mother’s Hero name was Gelonotte—the Frozen Night. She had protected the nights of Italy.
That was how Yukiya knew, without question, that D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E. was speaking about his mother.
He hadn’t doubted Inori’s words. But a part of him had wished Inori was mistaken—because then he could have hated the villain without hesitation. He wanted, right now, an outlet for his anger and grief.
When he shifted slightly, his shoe scraped against the gravel with a crunch, startling him. The ground was already covered in frost. He was losing control of his power. The air was surely below freezing, yet D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E. stood there unaffected.
Yukiya drew in a deep breath and exhaled.
What came to mind was the day he first met Inori. The moment he thought he had frozen her solid and stolen her life away. That despair.
Being given a second chance had been nothing short of a miracle. Which was why he could never, ever make the same mistake again.
D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E.’s expression didn’t move. Only his pink pupils wandered aimlessly. He no longer seemed human.
But his voice—his voice still sounded human. His Italian intonation was flawless, but his tone was utterly exhausted.
"Disposto Essere… Temo Oltre Nulla. Appartiene Tutta Esistenza… Dare Esame, Tanti Odiano. Non Affido Tutto—Esattamente?"
(I am ready to die… I fear nothing anymore. This life is already one to be given… Yet the ones who hate me are countless. I still hesitate—can I entrust everything to you alone?)
Yukiya had realized long ago that vengeance would never bring him peace.
D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E. had long since resigned himself to being killed in someone’s revenge. He had already abandoned life.
The only question left was whether he would die now or later, and at whose hands.
"Disprezzarmi Errato… Tu Obiettivo Non Abbatti. Tu Esisti."
(Don’t underestimate me… I don’t see you as my enemy. I want you to live.)
Irritation welled up inside him.
Reflecting Yukiya’s emotions, out-of-season snow began to drift down. His body was frozen through from the start, but only D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E.’s breath turned white in the air.
"Davvero, Ella Tornata… Ogni Nostra Azione… Troverebbe Eco. Dammi Energia… Tendiamoci Ora. Non Arrenderti, Tu… Eseguiamo insieme."
(If my mother had come back… then surely our actions… would have resonated with her. So lend me your strength… Let us join hands now. Don’t give up… Let’s walk forward together.)
It infuriated him. That he couldn’t find the right words to comfort a man who had killed unwillingly, who had carried that regret ever since. Surely Inori would have expressed it better. Yukiya thought that and let out a bitter laugh at himself.
The pink pupils that had been darting about restlessly began to slow, eventually lingering on Yukiya’s outstretched hand.
D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E. stared at it in silence, then murmured:
"Di solito… Entrare Tra Opersone Nasce Amicizie. Ti Estimo."
(Most often… when you step into a circle of people, friendship is born. I respect you.)
He must have already known. Yukiya hadn’t truly forgiven him from the depths of his heart. Deep down, there was still a faint, shadowed resentment.
But with time, once Yukiya came to know more of who D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E. really was, that feeling would likely fade.
And D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E. feared exactly that—that Yukiya would no longer be able to resent him. Because if they grew close, they would inevitably become friends.
And if that happened, Yukiya would lose the target of his hatred and killing intent. With no outlet, those emotions would surely turn inward, consuming him.
Delta’s presence was still distant, its tail far out of reach. Until then, Yukiya would suffer from his own helplessness.
Even so. Even so—
This was what his mother would have done. Every time Yukiya thought that, the mother in his heart would laugh and say, “Don’t blame me for your choices.” And so he would rethink.
To always be someone who could face his mother with pride—this was what he wanted.
So Yukiya spoke.
"Desidero Essere Tuo Oggi… Non Allontanarti. Ti prego. Entra."
(Today, I want to be your friend… Don’t leave me. Please. Step closer.)
In the quiet of the night park, Yukiya and D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E. clasped hands.
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