Echoing bond

Morning in Tokyo

The hum of Tokyo's early morning buzzed in the background as Yami Saturo stepped into the bathroom, his tired reflection staring back at him. His silver-white was slightly tousled, and his crimson eyes, dull from sleep, reflected the weight of the day ahead. The routine felt endless, yet he went through it mechanically, the pressure of another school day hanging heavy in his mind.

Exiting the apartment, he found Misami waiting in the hallway, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed.

"Good morning, Misami. How'd you sleep?" Yami asked, managing a small smile.

She glanced at him briefly, her voice flat. "Yeah… morning. I'm fine, I guess."

Yami scratched the back of his neck, a nervous laugh escaping. "Eh heh… Dinner last night was nice. It must be nice eating good food every—"

"No, it's not!" she cut him off sharply, irritation flickering across her face before she quickly turned away. "Anyway, let's just go."

They walked in silence, the streets of Tokyo alive with the hum of the city. Just as they neared the school, a voice rang out from behind them.

"Misami! You left without me again, you meanie!"

A blonde girl with striking purple eyes ran toward them, dressed in the formal school uniform. Her playful expression was at odds with the slight exasperation in her voice.

Misami sighed. "It's not my fault you overslept. I told you to check your alarm."

Yami blinked, exchanging a glance between the two. "Ehh…?"

The girl suddenly locked eyes with him, her grin widening. "Ohh… So this is the guy you dragged to the hospital? Wow, he's even more handsome up close. Misa, you slay, girl~"

Misami groaned, her face turning red. "Please, don't mock me..."

Yami chuckled, his nervous energy slipping away as he offered a polite nod. "Hehe, I'm Yami Saturo. Nice to meet you. So you were with Misami that day?"

The girl cleared her throat dramatically, feigning an elegant pose. "Such a prince~" she teased before her grin returned. "I'm Yahiko Sato. Nice to meet ya, Satu~"

Yami raised an eyebrow. "Satu?"

"Yeah, short and cute, right?" she giggled.

"I… suppose."

Misami rolled her eyes. "Great introduction. Can we move now?"

The three of them continued toward the school, entering Class 2-A together. As Yami stepped inside, the room fell silent. Whispers began to ripple through the class.

"Who's the new guy?"

"Oh my God, he's so dreamy!"

"I swear, that's daddy material right there."

Yami sighed deeply, already feeling the weight of attention.

Just then, the teacher entered the room, and the class immediately quieted.

"Alright, enough noise. Everyone, sit down. We have a new student. Please introduce yourself."

Yami let out a soft exhale before stepping forward.

"I'm Yami Saturo. Sixteen, new to Tokyo. I hope we all get along and become great friends."

The teacher nodded, motioning for him to take his seat. "I'm Miss Sakura Norman. Now, take your seat."

Yami quietly made his way to the back corner by the window, resting his chin on his hand and staring out, lost in thought.

---

Elsewhere – A Parallel Realm

Lucifer stood amidst the shifting energies of the parallel realm, his crimson hair flickering under the eerie glow of the void. His scarlet eyes burned with anticipation as he gazed upon the remnants of the divine war.

He turned to the hooded figure beside him. "Grim… What's taking so long?"

Grim, Lucifer's enigmatic right hand, spoke in his calm, measured tone. "Your Grace… Aphrodite has perished into nothingness. I'm afraid…"

For a moment, there was silence. Then, the air cracked, and the realm trembled as Lucifer's grin twisted into something darker. His laughter echoed through the void, and a dark aura of bloodlust seeped from his form, choking the very air.

"Yes… Yes! Finally! No god can stand in my way anymore!" he howled. "Dagger… you failure of a woman! Hahaha!"

But his glee was short-lived.

"Grim… where is Aphrodite's crest?"

A pause. Grim remained still, unmoved by Lucifer's growing fury.

"It's not here, Your Grace."

Lucifer's eyes darkened to pitch black, his destructive aura swelling like an abyss.

"What… did you say?"

Grim stood unwavering. "The crest… she didn't have it. Which means it must be somewhere in the mortal realms. But I do not know which reality it exists in."

Lucifer's rage simmered, his eyes narrowing dangerously. Then something caught his attention—a faint glimmer in the distance, a plane trapped between the realms.

"Huh… What's that?" he asked, his smirk returning. "Grim, let's go see."

"As you wish."

In an instant, they appeared before the wreckage. Lucifer's gaze locked onto two survivors. His expression shifted—intrigued.

"This one… has god's blood."

The woman stirred first, her eyes widening with relief.

"Honey, look! People! We're saved—"

The man immediately tensed, stepping protectively in front of her. His expression hardened.

"Stay back… We're not safe. That's Lucifer."

Lucifer chuckled, a sickening amusement in his voice. "So this is the legendary god who tricked Hades… My father, deceived by a fool who chose a mortal life. How… amusing."

Yami Saturo clenched his fists. "You monster. You murdered all the gods—your own father—just for power."

Misaki clung to her husband's arm, her voice trembling. "Where's Yami? Did you take him?!"

Lucifer's grin widened. "A demigod, is he? How interesting. No matter… I'll end him too."

Yani stepped forward, muscles tensed. "Don't you dare touch my son!"

Lucifer raised his hand, black flames flickering to life in his palm. He pointed it at the Saturo family, his expression cold.

"Or what? What can you do? You threw away your power for love… how pathetic. Emotions make you weak."

The fire roared.

"Now then… burn in the flames of hell."

Misaki gasped as Yani instinctively pulled her close.

"Let's meet again… when we reincarnate," she whispered, her lips trembling. "Maybe we'll see Yami all grown up… right?"

Yani smiled, a single tear slipping down his cheek. "Yes, dear… Yes."

And then, Lucifer's flames consumed them.

Ashes.

Nothing remained but the echo of their love.

Back in Tokyo – Lunchtime

Yami sat alone on the school rooftop, staring blankly at the sky. The wind was gentle, but an unease lingered in the pit of his stomach.

Then—

A voice. Soft. Familiar.

"Sorry, Yami… for leaving the burden on you… I'll always love you, my son… Please… stay alive."

Yami's eyes widened, and his breath hitched. A single tear slipped down his cheek.

"Dad…?"