Destructive force

"It was shortly after we started to live together. Ruki appeared before me, and he asked me to hide him. So yes, your are right. But Sophia, his current state is bad, you know what they did to him since you participated in-"

Sophia had appeared before him in a flash and had her hands on his neck.

"How dare you help him. So you used to come back home to me despite meeting with that guy-"

"Sophia, look, it's not like you love me? Why do you-" His sentence fell short when he saw the look in her eyes. "You fell in love with me?"

She fell in love with him and yet still put him through all that torture and abuse? Haruka shuddered. Her idea of love is very frightening. If he did not know her background story, then he would truly think she was born to be this twisted.

"Is that so wrong? Are you going to blame me for that too?"

"Sophia you-"

"Besides, it's your fault! How could I not like you if you treat me so kindly? Did you not realize that you became my ideal guy by treating me kindly? A girl like me only wants to be treated with kindness and sincerity. That is how you treated me. But then she came that woman-" Sophia's gaze dimmed. "It is all because of Terashima Lila. If it was not for that woman, you would be mine."

'What she is looking for now is someone to possess rather than love.'

"Well, all of that will end soon. You will belong to me."

Why does she sound so confident? He is getting a bad feeling from this. Right now, his current strength should not lose out to her, but what is this feeling?

Sophia suddenly took something out from her pocket. It was a red color amulet attached to a gold chain. There was something ominous-looking about the jewel. Is that not the pendant Ruki gave her?

It was during the time before he discovered the true nature of the orphanage. He got Ruki to show him around, and he saw his friend buy this pendant. Ruki said he would give it to the girl he likes.

It looked just like a normal pendant back then, but now, what is the amount of evil energy emitting it?

"The final activation to this sphere, to truly turn it into something destructive, is you."

Haruka took a step backward. "Stay away." Despite his sharp words, Haruka knew he wouldn't be able to escape this situation.

"I am afraid you can't stop me." Sophia extended her hand out, and he felt his entire body freeze. Sophia ripped open his shirt and raised the pendant towards his scars. The moment she did that, she saw the scars turn red and start glowing.

It started to pound loudly like a heart.

Sophia brought it right towards the scar, and he heard a high-pitched screech. In the next second, he felt a burning sensation in his chest. What is this? His entire body feels like it is on fire.

"It seems your wife is here. Otherwise, I wanted to take my time, but I cannot risk her getting to you first. Even in that state, Rosalia will be no match for her.

"Aaah-" Haruka tried to hold back his screams, but he could not endure the pain. His entire body felt like it was burning, and the ringing in his ears did not stop. His breathing became unsteady.

"Now then, until the sphere turns red and you can no longer move your limbs, you will feel the pain."

So this is what she meant by him belonging to her? Right if he is handicapped, he will not entertain the idea of running from her.

Sophia leaned forward and kissed him. "What should we do until then? It's enjoyable hearing you scream, but it would be better if you screamed my name instead-" She trailed off. "Well, just in case."

He felt a sharp pain in his leg and found that Sophia had stabbed it with a sharp knife.

She kicked him and caused him to roll on the ground. Haruka clenched his stomach in pain. The kick from just a few seconds ago was nothing compared to the burning sensation he currently feels. What did she do to him? Why does he not remember?

At most, he was whipped a lot, thus explaining the scars. But why does it hurt so much?

But more than the pain, Haruka recalled what Sophia had just said a few minutes ago. The reason she is rushing like this is because Lila is here. 'Even in that state.' Is it that bad? Lila, Lila, why did she come here?

That silly little girl, he told her that he would wait for her at the final stage. But wait, if Lila is here, then who is singing? If the singing stops, then it will be difficult to control the infected.

"Miss Sophia, this is bad. Terashima Sumire is-" Right at that moment, a normal-looking person entered the room.

So it is true that those who have not been brainwashed follow Sophia.

W-what on earth is that light? Haruka's eyes widened when he saw the woman singing on the large screen.

His sweatdropped. He could almost hear her saying, 'How dare you bully my cute daughter?'

God, she is truly crazy. How can she sing on a floating stage that isn't near the clock tower? Does she know how vulnerable she is to attacks from the infected?

Haruka's thoughts broke of once he saw Sophia's calm composure vanish.

"Damn it. Didn't we have a plan to keep her occupied? You were supposed to kidnap her daughter."

"About that, Terashima Satomi interfered. No, he did it deliberately. He let us take her only to find a way to infiltrate-"

"You mean he is on the ship--" Sophia's words fell short when they heard an explosion at the entrance.

Right at that moment, he felt his vision blur. Ah, it doesn't matter he is done for. The power from the lock and keys gave him strength, but it seems it cannot stop whatever Sophia did to him. Lila's efforts went to waste. He is sorry, wife, please assess the situation and leave. Please give up on him this time.

This thing inside him is not normal. But they have already used the power of the lock and keys. There will be not enough energy in the s[here to save both him and Lila.

He does not want her to choose to save him over saving herself. That child will need a mother, and Lila can raise him better between the two of them.

"I'm sorry," Haruka mumbled. "I'm sorry, my wife. My son, please take care of her."

Right at that moment, the pain in his chest increased, and the light on his chest grew larger. The more it glowed, the more pain he felt. This is bad; if this continues, he will no longer have control of his senses. Is this a type of brainwashing? Does Sophia intend to use him to attack Lila?

He cannot allow that to happen.

Haruka closed his eyes, and his entire world turned dark. 'If I surrender to it willingly, perhaps I can still have control.' He could no longer see his surroundings; all he could see was nothing but darkness. There was no furniture or a soul in sight.

Ah yes, a place like this probably suits him the best. Haruka's gaze fell on his hands; his skin had turned white, and so had his clothes. This is for the best; if he remains in a place like this, Sophia will not be able to do what she wants with him. She cannot use him against Lila.