Before we begin, i would like to clarify something: this story is a sequel to the original manga and OVA of Devilman, not a sequel of Devilman Crybaby. As such i tried to make it as faithful to the original manga and 1987-1990 OVA as possible. If you have a problem with that, then this story is not for you (No offense and with all due respect).

With that out of the way, enjoy the chapter.

Chapter 8: Glimpse Of A Broken Heart

Two days later Akira found himself walking in the streets. With the events that unfolded in the last five days still fresh in his mind, he decided to have some time for himself to relax and reflect. He still coudn't believe it. Two days earlier, for the first time ever, he had become friends with a demon. And not just any demon: the lover of Sirene, the toughest opponent Akira had ever faced up until his battle with his former best friend (if that could even be called a battle). Back on Akira's world, Kaim would not have hesitated to fight Akira in order to avenge his beloved Sirene. Fate sometimes truly was a strange mistress: now, reborn in this new world, they forgave each other, put aside their difference and became friends, promising to help each other out when the time would come. Honestly Akira was looking for to what the future had in store for him and his friends.

"Oh, right. Guess i'll have to introduce Kaim to the gang sooner or later. Pretty sure the girls will be happy to know more about their saviour. That is, if i would know where that damn rhino works at." mused Akira, when his thoughts wandered back towards what happened yesterday.

After a while, Akira found himself in one of Tokyo's many squares. Today in particular, the square was very busy, with countless people going to or getting off work, or having a break. "Mmm…. Don't recall this place ever being so busy…." thought Akira, noticing just how people there where in the streets today. "Maybe i sh-" he was pulled out of his thoughts when his eyes landed on a particular person in the crowd, causing him to stop immediately in his tracks

Akira's eyes could only widen in amazement. A tall, beautiful young woman with an equally beautiful, shapely body, brown eyes and dark brown straight long hair. She wore a blue coat, a light brown long sleeved shirt underneath, a grey skirt, a collant and black medium-heeled shoes and she carried a blue bag in her left arm. She was walking perpendicularly to Akira, dozen of meters away from him when he spotted her. After noticing that she was being watched, the woman turned her head towards Akira. Both their eyes widened as their gazes met each other. Akira was at a loss for words: a face as pristine and as perfectly sculpted as the finest porcelain, framed perfectly by her beautiful brown eyes and hair and by her delicate lips and nose. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in all the years of his existence. He knew at that moment that no other woman would have ever captured his gaze again.

He had no doubt about it: it was her, Jun Fudo. It was the woman Takae and Takeshi spoke of, the one he had seen in that picture in the magazine store, his counterpart from this world. But even that picture did her no justice: one just had to see her in person to fully comprehend and appreciate her beauty.

However, unlike in the picture, in her eyes there was no intensity, no fire. Instead they almost looked…. Empty. And at that moment it dawned on him: her heart was broken, her soul forever shattered. He could tell that she probably went through her own share of pain, grief and suffering. It was a look Akira had seen way too many times to count.

The woman herself, gasped slightly, her lips parting slightly as her eyes fell on Akira. There was something about this young man, she thought, an intensity, an ardour, an indefatigability that radiated from every inch of his body. Something she once had. Not to mention how handsome he looked.

They remained like this for what seemed like a couple of minutes, before the young woman, suddenly gasped slightly, averted her gaze from Akira and resumed her walk, dissappearing in the crowd, leaving a still spechless Akira alone.

"There was no doubt about it. It was her…." mused Akira, still astounded. He had finally found her. Ever since he first saw her in that picture, he wanted to learn more about her. This before he learned from Takae and Takeshi that she was just like him. A Devilman, a devil with the heart of a human and someone who had apparently succeded where Akira failed, saving the world and both the human race and the beasts.

But at what cost?

Akira could see it from her eyes. People she cared about died and there was nothing she could do. Even thought he didn't know exaclty what happened or how she came to be, Akira knew perfectly how she felt. That point of absolute despair, grief and misery. He had hit that point himself when Miki died. Afterwards the only thing that kept him going forward was his hatred towards the demons and his desire for vengeance against Ryo, his former best friend, who had caused the death of everyone he cared about.

For some strange reason, he hoped to meet her again in the future. He hoped to talk to her, help her heal her broken heart. But for now he resumed his walk.

(Later in the afternoon)

After having lunch at an italian restaurant (and being surprised at how good italian food actually was), Akira was back in the streets again, still thinking about his brief encounter with the young woman earlier.

Then he noticed a building towards his left, a familiar building. A smile formed on Akira's face as he recognized the building where a good portion of his youth was spent. Higashi High School. He fondly recalled the memories of when he would walk with Miki home after school ended, or even going to her house and studying with her and all the lessons he attended to.

"Ah, so many fond memories. And it looks almost exactly how i remember it." mused Akira to himself. He was pulled out of his thoughts by a black cat coming towards him, meowing. Then after noticing an empty bowl next to the school's now closed entrance, he deduced that it was hungry and that it often came here.

Being an animal lover, Akira coudn't resist. "Hi there, kitty." he spoke with a cheerful voice before kneeling down and pulling out several pieces of salami that he had taken from the italian restaurant. "Hungry?" he asked while waving the salami left and right, earning a meow of approval from the cat. Then after eating a few pieces, the cat came towards Akira and started to happily rub his head on Akira's legs, purring all along.

"Awwww, you're such an adorable kitty….." spoke Akira happily, while petting the cat's head, causing it to purr even more. He then spoke to himself "Well, guess some things never change, eh?" with a casual tone.

But he was not alone.

"It would seem so." came a soft, beautiful, almost angelic voice behind him. Startled, Akira turned towards where the voice came from only to stop immediately and for his eyes to widen in astonishment. Brown eyes and hair, soft lips and nose. It was her, the same young woman from earlier. She was just a meter before him, looking down towards him with an inquisitive look in her face. She was even more beautiful up close. Akira hated to admit it, but even Miki paled in comparison to this woman, appearance-wise.

Akira was, once again at a loss of words, his mouth gaping slightly at her beauty. The young woman started to feel a little uncomfortable due to how Akira was staring at her, so her face stirred a little and she spoke "Ehmm….. are you alright?" with a half caring, half uneasy tone.

"Man, even her voice is beautiful." mused Akira in his mind. Putting his thoughts aside and getting up, Akira replied "Y-yeah. Sorry about that. Wasn't expecting a beauty like you to sneak up on me." with a friendly tone.

Akira noticed a slight blush appear on the young woman's face. She clearly wasn't expecting that. Getting herself together, she spoke "Well…. I guess i should be the one to apologize then." Then she extended her hand and introduced herself "My name is Jun. Jun Fudo." with a somewhat happy but at the same time, dry tone.

Taking her delicate hand in his, Akira replied "Name's Akira. Just Akira. Nice to meet you." with a smile and a cheerful tone, charming her.

"The pleasure is mine, Akira." replied Jun, a little confused as to why the young man in front of her didn't give his surname.

They remained silent for what seemed like a couple of minutes, each seemingly staring at each other and not being able to say anything. Then Akira broke the silence "I remember seeing you earlier in the square. Sorry for making you feel uncomfortable back then. I just coudn't help but stare." he spoke with a sheepish tone while putting his hand behind his head.

"It's alright. I often get that look. Must be because of my beauty." she replied in a friendly tone. They were interrupted by the black cat meowing and rubbing its head once again on Akira's legs. Surprised, Akira was about to crouch down to pet it again when it noticed Jun. The young woman then smiled softly upon noticing said black cat, then she crouched down and spoke "M.. Mephistopheles…." causing it to meow in happiness and run into Jun's arms.

Embracing it and getting up Jun spoke happily "Look at you. You've grown so much..." while petting the cat now known as Mephistopheles.

Akira on the other hand was baffled. "You…. You know him?" he asked, with curiosity.

"He was just a kitten when i was going to school here. And look at him now. Isn't he just the most adorable furball ever?" asked Jun, still happily petting Mephistopheles's head.

Akira however was even more baffled. After a few seconds of silence, he asked "You went to school here?" earning a nod from the young woman who replied "Yes, why?"

"Oh, nothing. It's just that i've also went to school here several years ago." replied Akira after pondering on what he should tell her for now. This earned a curious look on Jun's face "Really? Well, that's interesting. Never recall seeing you around though. Must be because i used to spend more time in the infirmary than in class…" she replied, this time with her voice suddenly taking a melancholic tone and her eyes moving away from Akira's own.

Noticing Jun's mood going from cheerful to gloomy in seconds, Akira asked "Did… did i say something wrong?" in a caring tone. Surprised, Jun put Mephistopheles on the ground and replied "I…. i should get going now…." with a distant and somber tone.

She was about to leave when Akira spoke "Wait!" and grabbed her hand with his own, stopping her. Akira had noticed her sadness once again. This time thought he wanted to do something about it.

"Wanna talk about it?" he asked, while his eyes once again made contact with Jun's own. At that moment, Jun noticed something in Akira's eyes, if only a glimpse of it. Pain, sadness, grief, not unlike what she had been through and was coping with in these last months. Normally she would lash out in annoyance at someone grabbing her like this. But this time she coudn't do it. That glimpse in Akira's black eyes prevented her to do that. There was something about him that intrigued her, that made her want to know more about him.

"You don't have to talk about it if it pains you." continued Akira still with a caring tone. Noticing that she still wasn't responding, Akira let her hand go and was about to leave when Jun's voice came "Wait…" a voice full of longing, causing Akira to turn back towards her. "Perhaps we can talk about it over a drink…" she proposed, earning a soft smile from Akira.

"Alright then. Lead the way." he spoke again with a cheerful tone earning a nod from Jun.

Later

Jun led Akira in a pub that she would often go after work. After taking a seat at the table the two ordered a drink and began to talk a bit more.

"You were born with a weak body?" asked Akira while taking a sip out of his drink after hearing Jun out.

The young woman replied with a melancolic tone "Yes. During my childhood and adolescence i suffered regurarly of anaemia. That's why, more often than not i had to visit the infirmary to get myself treated. One time it even happened while i was swimming. As a result, i lost consciousness and nearly drowned myself. Because of this i had to give up swimming, even though i dreamt to one day become an olympic athlete." with her eyes looking down in regret.

Akira was a bit disheartened to learn that her condition robbed her of her dream of becoming an olympic swimmer. Nonetheless, he replied "Oh, well. At least your childhood was better than mine." with a casual tone, taking Jun completely by surprise.

"You think? What could possibly be worse than being afflicted by such a severe disease at such a young age?" she asked, curious to know what Akira went through.

Putting his drink on the table after taking a sip, Akira eyed Jun in the eyes before speaking "In my younger days, i could never stand up for myself. Always relied on others to do that. All i could do to escape problems was crying. In fact i used to cry so much that people back at school nicknamed me "Fire Alarm". " causing Jun to giggle a little at the mention of that nickname. "Because of that people thought i was weak, a good for nothing crybaby. And that led to a few people bullying me." he finished, his voice taking on a somewhat somber tone at the end.

Jun could only listen in downheartness. Being afflicted by a disease at a young age was one thing. Being a subject of bullying was a completely different matter. "Oh….. i see. It must have been hard for you back then." she spoke, pity evident in her voice.

After taking another sip out of his drink Akira replied "It was. Luckily i wasn't completely alone back then. My girlfriend was always there for me." his voice beaming up, as he recalled the fond memories of the time he spent with Miki.

"Your girlfriend?" asked Jun with interest in her voice, earning a nod from Akira.

"Her name was Miki, Miki Makimura. In many ways, she was the complete opposite of me. Brash, short-tempered, and fearless, she always stood up for me even against bullies twice her size." began Akira, while Jun listened intrigued. "Believe it or not she was known as "Miki The Hands" because God help you if you were at the receiving end of one of her slaps. And to think that she was actually ashamed to show this side of herself to her friends. Some boyfriend i was eh? To rely on a girl to get yourself out of trouble. " he continued, barely trying to hold back and failing to laugh, earning a cute, sheepish chuckle from Jun. The way Akira described her, reminded Jun of a person she once held dear. The best thing that had happened in her life up until that point.

But then his voice took a somber tone "Her family adopted me, after my parents left me. They said that they were to busy with work. Bullshit. They never cared about me." causing Jun's mood to once again drop. At least, no matter all the trouble she went throught her childhood, her parents were always there for her and it was thanks to their efforts that she was cured from her condition. She coudn't even imagine how it would have felt to be suddenly abbandoned by those who up until then had raised you.

Putting her thoughts aside, Jun asked "Then why are you wasting your time with me? Shoudn't you be with her?"

At first Akira coudn't respond. Instead he closed his eyes for a few moments, his lips quivering slightly. Finally, after a few seconds he spoke "She died." his voice full of sadness and remorse. Jun's heart sank and her lips parted each other slightly in mild shock. Now she could see it clearly. That pain, that grief, that sorrow that she had glimpsed earlier in Akira's eyes.

For now Akira chose to lie. He still didn't want to reveal to Jun that he was like her. After pondering for a few minutes on what to say, he continued "It was a house fire. They never found out the cause. Her parents and her younger brother also died. I was at work when it happened, two years ago." he continued, visibly crestfallen by his remembrance. Then it dawned on Jun: Akira had suffered just as much as she had, if not more. Like her, he had lost people he cared about. Not just his girlfriend: those who had raised him as if they were his parents. The death of Kazumi had already broken Jun's soul. She coudn't even imagine how she would have felt had her parents, who had always been with her, also died back then.

After what seemed like a few minutes of silence, Jun looked Akira in the eyes and replied with a saddened tone "I….. i didn't know. I'm sorry, Akira. You may not believe me, but i understand how you feel. I too, lost a person i cared about not too long ago…" while putting one of her hands on top on Akira's own, taking him by surprise.

"Her name was Kazumi. Kazumi Takiura. She was still in high school when i first met her. At the time she dreamed to become a model like me." Began Jun, her voice full of melancholy while Akira listened, surprised at how similar that girl's surname sounded compared to Miki's own.

"She was such a polite and friendly girl. Just being with her and chatting with her brought me warmth." continued Jun, beaming up ever so slightly, while Akira listened in intrigue "And she was very stubborn too. Once she had set up her mind on something, no matter how much you tried, nothing could dissuade her. Heck, she was always so preoccupied in looking the part, completely disregarding every single advice i and others could give, worrying about getting the right jobs and reputations and even flat out refusing to go to college once she would finish school."

Akira smiled softly upon seeing Jun's mood beaming up upon recalling her memories. Yet, as soon as her mood beamed up it went sour in seconds "The passion that she put in her work, in her life was what i loved the most about her. No matter the odds, no matter how many difficulties she would have faced, no matter how much she went through, she always moved on with a smile on her face." she spoke, her eyes leaving Akira's own, once again staring down.

After a few moments of silence, Akira replied "You are a model?" even though, he already knew the answer. "Yes, Akira. In fact, i am a supermodel. The agency i used to work at, was one of the most popular here in Tokyo. I left when….." she replied with a dry tone, before halting mid-speech. She coudn't do it. She coudn't find the strength to speak. The death of her beloved Kazumi was still fresh in her mind. The trauma of her loss was still too much to bear.

Noticing Jun's lips shaking and her eyes on the verge of tears, Akira spoke "Jun." with a caring tone "You don't need to talk about it if it brings back too much pain." meeting her eyes with his. After once again noticing Akira's own sadness in his eyes, she realized that he was there for her. Nonetheless, Jun chose to lie. After everything she went through, she was still the same shy woman she was before her awakening. As such, she still was afraid of how people would react upon finding out her true nature.

"She died in a car crash along with her parents, two months ago." spoke Jun with a saddened tone, a few tears descending on her face, after finally mustering the strength to reply, as well as coming up with what she believed would have been the best fabrication to use. After all, it was obvious that Akira was lying as well.

Even though he could tell that she was lying, it was now clear to Akira. That girl Jun spoke of, was most certainly Miki's counterpart from this world. Like Miki, she had, most likely, lost her parents because she was associated with someone who was considered a traitor to its kind. And then she had to find out that the person closest to her was no longer a human but a monster. One that still had the heart of a human, however. And then suddenly, when things were about to get brighter for both of them, her life was suddenly taken away. Just like what happened to Miki.

"I'm sorry, Jun. I can't even imagine how hard it must have been for you." he replied after a few moments of silence, with a saddened tone while putting one of his hands on Jun's left shoulder. He no longer doubted it: Jun had suffered just as much as he did. Be it your parents, your brother or sister, girlfriend or boyfriend or just any friend in general. When you lose someone you care about or love, a part of your soul dies. It is a pain that can only be understood by those who have experienced it.

After wiping off her tears, Jun replied "I envy you, Akira. I can tell that you have been through a lot, that you have lost people you cared about just like i have. And yet….." she paused, while taking a sip out of her drink "You still moved on, with a smile on your face. I wish i could do that."

(OST: Smile Bomb alternate instrumental version= Yu Yu Hakusho soundtrack = watch?v=deCm7j8_iPY)

For some reason, Akira could no longer bear to see Jun like this. Instinctively, he pulled one of Jun's hands on the table before putting his own hands on top of it. "I didn't do it alone." he spoke, catching Jun by surprise. "I've been where you are now Jun. It was the lowest point of my life." he continued with a serious tone before beaming up "But afterwards i made new friends. The bonds i created with them saved me. I am where i am now because of them. And i'll never thank them enough."

Jun could only listen speechless, her lips slightly parting from each other in mild shock. "You are not alone Jun. There are others who have suffered just as much as you have. But by finding each other they have found the strength to move forward. If you don't mind, i hope to spend more time with you in the future. That is, if you would like to." he finished with his usual bright smile.

Deeply touched by Akira's words, Jun hugged Akira deeply. After months of depression, he had managed to make Jun feel happy again. He had managed to warm her heart for the first time, ever since the death of Kazumi.

"Akira…. Thank you….." she spoke, weakly, her head burrowed deeply in Akira's chest. He returned the hug before replying "It's alright, honey." with a reassuring tone, causing Jun to blush softly and gasp slightly. The only one who had ever shown this much affection to her other than her parents was Kazumi. And now she was being hugged by someone she had met only hours ago. Yet in those hours a bond had already been created between them.

After releasing themselves from the hug, the two looked at each other and remained like that for what seemed like hours. Then Akira took a look at his watch. It was 7.00. PM. It was time to go to work.

"Sorry, but i have to go. It's almost dinner time." spoke Akira, earning a perplexed look from Jun "Dinner time?" she replied earning a nod from Akira "Yep. I'm a cook. I own a cart ramen shop. It's not much but apparently a lot of people have enjoyed the food i've made in the few weeks since i've opened." he replied with his usual laid-back cheerful tone, earning a smile from Jun.

"I see. Well, off you go then. You don't want to keep your clients waiting." she replied with a cheeful amost teasing tone, earning a soft chuckle from Akira. He then got off his chair and leave when Jun spoke "Akira." causing him to turn around "Thank you. And i hope to see you again." she concluded with a soft, happy tone.

(Soundtrack ends)

"You're welcome. Actually. if you don't mind, can i have your phone number?" he replied happily. earning a nod from Jun. Then after getting her phone number, as Akira was about to leave, he spoke "I'll be seeing you t-"

"DAMN! THIS STUFF IS GOOD!" Came a loud, deep and resonant voice, one Akira was familiar with. He promptly sweat-dropped after seeing a man with short brown hair and goatee, barely holding himself on his feet, slumped forward with a bottle of wine in his left hand.

(OST: Yu Yu Hakusho funny unreleased track: watch?v=3KrtIVp98eM&t=3s )

"Kaim?! What the hell is he doing here!?" mused Akira in his mind, upon recognizing the demon in disguise. Then after sharing an awkward look with Jun, he spoke "Now if you would excuse me….." he ran towards Kaim, who was knocking down tables and chairs left and right, leaving behind a confused Jun.

"OUT OF MY WAY! I AM NOT DONE YET!" shouted Kaim, his cheeks completely red and his senses obviously clouded by alcohol, while flipping a table with just one hand, spilling all sorts of drinks on the floor.

"That guy's fuckin'nuts!" shouted a random man on a table, startled by Kaim's drunk rampage.

"Somebody stop him!" yelled a humanoid eagle like beast, just as startled.

Then Akira came behind Kaim and spoke "Hey there buddy, had too much drinks?" after tapping slightly on Kaim's back. The demon in disquise, faster than a spinning top, turned towards Akira and, with a not so friendly look, spoke "There you are. I have been looking forward to this." he then threw his arms in the air, threatening to bring them down on Akira, before shouting "LET'S SETTLE THIS, DEVI-"

But before he could finish, he was knocked out by Akira's quick left jab. Catching him on his feet, Akira, completely embarrassed by what Kaim had done, spoke with a shamed tone "Sorry about that guys! My friend here usually often lets himself go!" and with a fake smile, causing every single person in the pub with the exception of Jun, to sweat-drop.

Before exiting the bar, Akira, with Kaim slumped on his shoulder, glanced at Jun, still unsure as to what had happened, one final time before speaking "Sorry about that. Have a nice evening!"

He then left, leaving a still puzzled Jun alone "What…. was that?" she spoke, still bewildered at what had happened.

(soundtrack ends)

(Outside the pub)

"You just had to ruin everything, didn't you?" asked an annoyed Akira to Kaim still slumped on his shoulders. All he got in return was some incoherent mumbling. How ironic. That even someone who has lived for milions of years, fought in all kinds of battles, would still suck at holding alcohol.

His thoughts went back towards Jun. He had finally met her. Then he had glimpsed into her broken heart. And for now, he had lifted her mood back up after who knows how much time Even though for now he opted to avoid telling her what he was, Akira was content. Could this be the start of a relationship, something more that a friendship? Only time will tell.

He was pulled out of his thoughts by Kaim muttering "S…. Si…. Sirene….. My love…" in a mournful tone, still half-asleep. Akira sighed, before a smile formed in his face. After all this time, his love towards Sirene never wavered, it was still as powerful as it was back when it first blossomed.

Having met Jun, today he was pretty confident that, sooner or later he would have faced the Demon Bird once more. He hoped this time, that it would end better than it did last time.

(Back at the pub)

Jun, despite having her usual stoic face, was conflicted. Ever since her eyes first met with Akira's own, she knew that he wasn't human. Ever since she awakened as a beast, she had acquired the ability to tell beasts apart from humans by their scent.

But Akira felt familiar yet different at the same time. His scent was similar to that of a beast. But there was something strange about him. As if another personality was burrowed in his being, trapped, imprisoned, waiting for the time to come out.

But he was so nice to her.

Unlike other people, who were only attracted to her by her beauty, by her success as a model or by her true nature, Akira came to her, talked to her and spent time with her, not because of her looks, but because he had seen and understood her sadness. Because he was like her. And even though Jun wasn't sure of it, she suspected that Akira already knew what she was. Yet, instead of avoiding her, he engaged her, he sought to help her out not as a beast but as a human. He wanted to help her regain her humanity, the part of it that she had lost with the death of her beloved Kazumi.

For the first time in months, Jun was content. Akira had inspired her to move forward once more. His kindness, his friendly attitude and his encouragement, had warmed her heart. Now she was looking forward to what the future had in store for her. And so she finished her drink and left.