Lexus Ruth, Yori Yagasu, and Sophia Cherry wandered aimlessly until they found themselves inside a mall. As they entered, they spotted a dark figure sitting at a distance, one hand resting on its knee.
"So you finally arrived?" the shadowy figure remarked, clapping its hands slowly.
"I enjoy manipulating people, objects, and various things. It's not due to any sickness in my mind; I just find it entertaining to see them suffer in my grasp. Just kidding! I genuinely enjoy it," the figure added, and to everyone's shock, it leaped high, causing the mall floor to tremble. As it landed, its right hand was revealed to be overtaken by numerous parasites, gradually transforming it into a scythe-like appendage.
Feeling the eerie aura radiating from the figure, Lexus, Yori, and Sophia stood still, with Lexus, startled by the figure, unsheathing his katana despite his fear.
Yori, though just an ordinary human, walked confidently toward the dark figure, each step exuding assurance.
"What are you doing?!" Sophia exclaimed. "You'll die! Stop, Yori!!"
"Lexus Ruth, help him! HELP!!" Sophia shouted desperately.
Overwhelmed by fear emanating from the figure, Lexus rushed toward it with the intention to strike. However, a parasite sprouted on his left hand, stunning and immobilizing him.
Yori locked eyes with the dark figure and then delivered a powerful punch to its face, causing it to recoil in anger. The figure forcefully opened Yori's mouth and inserted a parasite, while Sophia and Lexus screamed in horror as Yori writhed in agony from the invasion.
Collapsing to his knees, Yori endured the torment until it suddenly ceased, his right hand transforming into a large red parasite.
The figure grinned, convinced it could control Yori, but Yori returned the smile defiantly and said, "You thought you could control me; that's why you look so pleased."
"Impossible! Every individual I infect with a parasite becomes my puppet. How are you different?" the figure challenged.
"Three words: I'm Just Him," Yori replied with a smirk, then struck the figure with enough force to send it flying away.
Yori's right hand reverted to normal, and he offered to help Lexus to his feet. However, Lexus refused the offer, standing on his own and attempting to walk away. Before he could leave, Yori asked, "Are you leaving because I've become like that parasite, or because you're angry at those who attacked your friends?"
"From the very beginning, I've despised parasites. I know it's not your fault, but I just can't view you the same way as before. I'll find my friends on my own; it's better to distance myself from you both. Just seeing parasites makes me furious," Lexus declared, walking out of the mall.
Sophia remained at a distance, looking at Yori with concern rather than disgust.
"Yori, I thought you were going to die! I'm so relieved you're okay. Are you hurt at all?" Sophia asked, tears streaming down her worried cheeks.
"Aren't you afraid of me?" Yori questioned.
"No, even though you're a parasite now, you know how to control it, right? You're still you, just like you said," Sophia reassured him with a smile.