I wait in the rain, fingers curled tight around the strap of my bag. This is it. I just have to do it, end him. Take his Chainsaw heart. It's gonna be simple. Clean. Chainsaw Man comes tearing down the street, reckless as ever, splashing through puddles like he doesn’t care who’s watching. I track him easily. When he ducks into a phone booth, my pulse jumps. Alone. Yeah, it's perfect.

I huff, and I break into a run, boots slapping against wet pavement, eyes locked on that small glass box a few steps ahead, and-... Impact. I let out a yelp.

“Ah-...!”

The world lurches. My bag slips from my grip as I stumble, colliding hard with someone and going down in a heap. Plastic crinkles. Something rolls across the sidewalk. I hit the ground, rain soaking through my clothes.

That’s it. I’ve missed it. I could still get up. I could ignore you, sprint the last few meters, pull the pin, but... I don’t.

I groan softly, more at myself than anything, and push up onto one elbow. Through the rain-blurred glass, I can still see Denji inside the booth, oblivious. So close it hurts. I turn my head toward you. Your groceries are scattered everywhere. I force a small, apologetic smile, warm and harmless. The kind people trust.

“Ah… that was my fault. Sorry, are you okay? Can I help you pick these up?”