(Yami POV)
The hum again.That low, constant whisper just beneath her skin.
Not her own. Not human. Not Devilukean.Scourge.
And the bond.
She clenched her fists as she walked the empty rooftop, the late afternoon wind tugging at her hair.
"You can't run from this."
The voice came—not aloud, but inside, threading her nerves.
Her eyes narrowed. "Watch me."
With a sharp breath, Yami forced her will inward. She pushed—hard—imagining the seed as a parasite lodged in her chest. Her power spiked, golden strands of hair whipping around like blades, vibrating with killing intent.
Inside the Hivemind, the connection flickered.
Lala gasped. "Yami-chan! Don't—!"
Haruna's softer voice followed, worried. "She's trying to tear it out…"
Yami ignored them. She pushed harder.
A tearing sensation spread across her ribs, fire along her nerves. For a split second she thought she'd done it—broken free—until the bond pushed back.
Not violently. Not with chains.But with weight. Pressure.A heartbeat not her own.
"I'm not caging you."
The voice again. Calm. Steady.Scourge.
"I'm here because you can't keep pretending you're alone."
Her breath hitched. She staggered.
"No… I—"
She tried again, golden light blazing, her hair splitting into a thousand blades, slashing the air around her. The rooftop cracked under the pressure of her aura.
And yet, the bond held.
Not crushing. Not invasive.Just there.
A pulse ran through her body, forcing her to her knees. Her vision blurred, the Hivemind shimmering around her.
Lala's voice reached her—gentle, coaxing. "Yami-chan… please stop. It's not hurting you. You don't need to fight it."
Haruna's whisper followed. "If you push too hard, you'll only hurt yourself…"
She grit her teeth. Sweat beaded her brow.The bond thrummed like a second heartbeat, not breaking, not bending.
And then Scourge spoke again.
"If you want to test me, keep testing. If you want to hate me, keep hating. But the truth won't change."
"You're already connected. You feel it, even now. Stronger than before."
Her arms trembled. The glow in her hair dimmed.
Because he was right.
Even as she resisted, even as she fought, she could feel them. Lala. Haruna. Him.Every flicker of their thoughts brushing hers.Every echo of their emotions rippling against her heart.
It wasn't control.It wasn't chains.It was… connection.
Her body gave out, dropping to one knee, her hair falling heavy around her shoulders.
She clenched her jaw, forcing words through ragged breath.
"This… isn't over. You don't own me."
Scourge's reply was softer than expected.
"No. I don't. Not unless you let me. That's the difference."
The bond steadied.Her heartbeat slowed.The rooftop fell silent again.
Yami lowered her head, golden eyes burning—not with defeat, but with conflict.
She hadn't broken free.But she hadn't surrendered either.
For now, she remained in between.
In balance.In danger.In doubt.