(Come, everyone, lend me your strength. Let us use the power of the curse for the right path.)
Amamiya Rin extended the invitation to the [Tomie]s as a matter of course, his tone extremely sincere.
(...Right path? What is the right path?)
A thought from a [Tomie] floated past, carrying a somewhat mocking smile.
(...Who wants to be 'us' with you?)
[Kawakami Tomie] curled her lips. She wanted to say something even more acrid and mean, but due to an inexplicable sense of tranquility, she couldn't get the words out.
(Playing house?)
(Not interested. Go play by yourself.)
The thoughts of other [Tomie]s rang out sporadically, all displaying a lack of interest. Not a single one was willing to accept Amamiya Rin's invitation.
(Did I ask for your opinion?)
Faced with this attitude from the [Tomie]s, Amamiya Rin couldn't help but retort with a question.
This single sentence immediately choked the [Tomie]s into silence.
(Hey! Amamiya Rin! What do you mean?)
(Do you intend to force us?)
(You really dare to say that!)
The thoughts of the [Tomie]s rippled through the [Tomie Network], carrying obvious displeasure and resistance as they indignantly rebuked Amamiya Rin.
(Didn't I say it before? For people like you, there is no need for kind persuasion. If I want to do something, I just need to notify you directly.)
Amamiya Rin smiled leisurely. Although his tone hadn't changed, his will was transmitted to the [Tomie]s with incomparable clarity.
(You...!)
(Amamiya...!)
(Idiot!)
...
The [Tomie]s were momentarily flustered with anger, annoyance rising in their hearts, yet they didn't know how to retort against Amamiya Rin.
The last time Amamiya Rin spoke like this, he directly used [Dhyana] to drag them into the same state of [Dhyana].
The one hundred percent synchronization phenomenon of the [Tomie Network] allowed them to influence one another, and the side with the stronger willpower could naturally influence the side with the weaker willpower with ease.
Amamiya Rin was undoubtedly the one with the strongest willpower. Even if the [Tomie]s ceased their infighting and united their wills, they might not necessarily be able to contend with Amamiya Rin now.
(Accept your fate, everyone. Our lives are already bound together. Unless your willpower can surpass mine, no matter how unwilling you are, you must follow the rules I set. Instead of complaining, you might as well strive to improve yourselves and raise your willpower to a level sufficient to suppress me.)
Amamiya Rin offered a kind reminder, but not a single [Tomie] took it to heart.
For the [Tomie]s, improving themselves was far less direct and satisfying than ruining others.
Such thoughts flashed through the [Tomie Network], but there was mostly helplessness and confusion.
What should they do?
Over thirty brains operated simultaneously, desperately seeking a way to resist Amamiya Rin.
However, after discussing for a long while, the only effective conclusion they reached was—
(Non-violent non-cooperation! No matter what you want, don't dream of us cooperating with you!)
(Right! [Kawakami Tomie] will never be a slave!)
The [Tomie]s forced themselves to cheer up, shouting bluffing declarations within the network.
(No problem. I will practice [Dhyana] often, letting everyone also experience the liberated state of mind of breaking attachment and revealing wisdom.)
Amamiya Rin responded lightly.
Before his voice had even faded, the [Tomie]s involuntarily recalled the state of [Dhyana] from just a moment ago.
Their bodies subconsciously shuddered, and a great terror arose in their hearts.
To no longer be oneself, to no longer be [Kawakami Tomie]—there was nothing more terrifying to them than this.
[Kawakami Tomie]'s attachment was the self, and Amamiya Rin's [Dhyana] was forcing them to break the attachment to the self.
For [Kawakami Tomie], this was no different from losing her ego.
(Not only that, if I use the [Gate of Contemplation] to penetrate deep into the [Tomie Network] and synchronize with the five senses and thinking of any one of you using my immense spiritual cultivation, I can also make you think what I think, and make you treat my thoughts as your own. It just so happens that my body cannot recover in the short term; borrowing your bodies for a use would also allow me to experience the state of a healthy body in advance.)
The words Amamiya Rin followed up with made the [Tomie]s feel cold all over, a strong sense of powerlessness welling up in their hearts.
They clearly realized that they currently had absolutely no way to deal with Amamiya Rin, while Amamiya Rin had plenty of ways to deal with them.
(However...)
Amamiya Rin changed the subject, his deliberately prolonged tone slightly diluting the previous hardness, leaving a sliver of room for negotiation.
(...However what?)
Almost immediately, a [Tomie] couldn't wait to ask.
(What other ghost ideas do you have?)
Another [Tomie]'s voice carried vigilance, but it also implied a trace of expectation.
Things having come to this, they had no way to handle Amamiya Rin; they could only hope that Amamiya Rin would make a concession.
(I also don't want to keep using forceful methods. After all, our lives are bound together, and we still have to live together for decades to come.)
Amamiya Rin said sincerely.
(So?)
[Kawakami Tomie] asked suspiciously.
(We can set a rule, reach a consensus, and establish a few agreements that everyone can accept.)
(Agreements?)
The [Tomie]s' vigilance instantly rose to the highest level.
Judging others by themselves, they would never make concessions to others when occupying the advantage.
(Yes, everyone takes a step back and tolerates each other. After all, we are the closest people in this world.)
(Eww...!)
(Want to vomit!)
(Don't say such disgusting words!)
(Who wants to play house with you!)
(There is only one [Kawakami Tomie] in the world, and [Kawakami Tomie] will not allow anyone in the world whose charm she cannot conquer.)
(That's right, the relationship between us is irreconcilable. Amamiya Rin, don't dream of being some Mr. Nice Guy here.)
(Save it. We and you are not on the same path at all. Your idea of 'everyone getting along' only makes us feel sick!)
...
In an instant, the [Tomie]s were like cats whose tails had been stepped on, their fur bristling one after another.
The emotions that had been peaceful became intense, and everyone clearly expressed their protest.
Almost every [Tomie] showed a look of disgust on her face, and some even made retching motions.
There is only one [Kawakami Tomie] in the world, and oneself is the real [Kawakami Tomie]—this was already the underlying code of [Kawakami Tomie]. No [Kawakami Tomie] was willing to accept Amamiya Rin's suggestion.
(All conditioned phenomena are like a dream, an illusion, a bubble, a shadow...)
Amamiya Rin nodded slightly, his heart empty and clear, as he recited that passage of scripture he had spoken who knows how many times.
(Stop chanting! Stop chanting!)
(We agree!)
(You continue speaking!)
(Rin-kun, you're right, we are the closest people!)
...
Upon hearing that familiar scripture, the [Tomie]s screamed as if scalded by boiling water.
The [Tomie]s, who had been full of disgust just moments ago, changed their faces instantly. Several [Tomie]s who were acting as if to vomit hurriedly covered their mouths, forcefully suppressing the nausea. The [Tomie Network] was filled with emotions of flattery, weakness, and fawning.
Clearly, the underlying code of the [Tomie]s could not resist their instinctual fear of the liberated state of mind.
____
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