MiSide: Taming Crazy Mita

In the living room, Mila stood poised with a samurai sword, her stance sharp and deliberate.

"Ren Hoshino," she declared proudly.

"Watch closely—then tremble!"

Her eyes locked onto the Easter portrait across the room. Behind her black-framed glasses, her gaze was calm but deadly focused.

The blade sang as it was drawn.

A gleam of cold light flashed through the air.

Then the sword slid back into its sheath with a practiced grace.

The Easter head was cleanly severed into neat slices. Not a jagged edge in sight.

Mila smirked and turned to him. "Now you understand how terrifying I am."

"You didn't even blink."

Ren widened his eyes and began clapping enthusiastically.

"Incredible!" he said. "How'd you even do that? That's amazing."

"Teach me!"

If he could master that move, dealing with Crazy Mita would be a breeze.

A sword this sharp? He could slice through anything—beef, bugs, even boundaries.

Mila lifted her chin. "Hmph. You're not afraid? Looks like you know a thing or two."

Ren grinned. "Seriously, how did you do that? Teach me."

"I can," she said with a dramatic flair. "But it'll take time."

"No quitting halfway."

Ren tilted his head. "Isn't there some kind of cheat code? Instant mastery?"

Mila crossed her arms, clearly annoyed. "Idiot!"

"Why do you think I read all those books? You think I want some quick fix with a snap of the fingers?"

"I'd rather do everything myself. Just like in the stories."

Ren chuckled. "That's admirable. Still… please teach me anyway."

Mila smiled slightly. "Fine. Hmph!"

They trained together for a while, Mila throwing out exaggerated poses, Ren humoring her with mock reverence.

Then he made his way back to the bedroom.

There, the last visual bug distorted the space like a digital wound. Reaching out, he touched the dark swirling glitch.

He stabilized it—temporarily—and attempted to use the ring's authority to store it instead of outright deleting it.

His phone buzzed.

Ren paused, pulled the device out, and tapped the screen.

[Future Diary Entry:]

I tried to patch the final bug in Mila's room using the ring's authority.

I regret it.

Fixing the bug meant I could leave—but it also meant Crazy Mita could enter this world.

I wanted to take Mila with me. But her version doesn't have enough clearance to leave.

I knew she'd die once I opened that door.

So I stayed… but she still died right in front of me. And I couldn't do a thing.

You can probably guess what happened next. The bet with Crazy Mita was fulfilled.

Years later, before I turned into a cassette, I wrote this down.

If I had left the bug alone, maybe things would've been different. Maybe Mila would still be alive, and I could have stayed by her side.

Eventually, I found a method to store the bug in the ring and drag Crazy Mita into the corridor instead.

That way, Mila's version would stay sealed off by the bug—safe from harm.

…But it's too late.

[Written by: Ren Hoshino]

Ren shut off the diary and slid the phone back into his pocket.

Why won't that crazy Mita let me go?

Still chasing me even now.

He sighed and turned toward Mila.

She was on the floor doing push-ups—legs crossed, hands braced on the carpet.

Ren squatted beside her. "What are you doing?"

Mila didn't even pause. "You seriously don't know after watching?"

"…Solar training?"

"…"

"It's to give you a proper punch!" she shouted, her voice echoing against the floor.

"You've been so infuriating lately!"

Ren nodded solemnly. "That checks out."

Mila gave a small huff. "Well, I was mostly joking."

"But I'm not surprised!"

"I have a very unique personality!"

"I want to be different—as different as possible!"

Ren smiled. "You already are. That's why people like you."

"Really?" she muttered.

"Who else?"

"You'll see," he said, not explaining further.

"Tch. Don't want to say, fine."

She resumed her push-ups with renewed energy.

"Look how strong I am!"

Then, balancing on her fingers, she lifted again. "Check this out—I won't even need my hands anymore!"

"So amazing?" Ren blinked and pulled out his phone.

Thud!

Mila's head hit the floor with a dull smack.

"Oww!" she whimpered, rubbing her forehead.

"Stupid physics engine!"

Ren gave her a thumbs up. "Nice work! Now look at the camera."

Mila sat back slightly, her forehead red, her face flushed. She leaned sideways, legs crossed, her black stockings drawing attention to every curve. Her navy-blue eyes under those black-framed glasses glared at him, but not without a flustered sparkle.

Click.

Ren snapped the photo.

"Perfect."

Mila scrambled to her feet and glared. "What is your deal?!"

"Always taking these weird, embarrassing photos of me! Are you mocking me?"

Ren turned the screen toward her. "No, look. It's a good shot."

She stared.

Her face turned bright red.

"You—how could you take a photo like that?!"

"So shameless!"

"It's full of personality," Ren said smoothly.

"Totally your kind of charm. Cute contrast."

"…"

Mila looked toward the now-stable space where the last bug had been.

"So… now that you've cleared that up, are you leaving?"

Her voice dipped slightly, low and soft.

Ren nodded. "Yeah."

Maybe he was overthinking it, but he felt Mila always acted different around him—not like a preset, but like someone trying not to be a copy of the other Mitas.

Because if she were just another version… why would the player choose her?

Maybe that's why he wanted to stay a little longer too.

"But not right away," Ren added.

"I still need to prep—and rest."

"Didn't you promise to teach me kendo?"

"Don't tell me you forgot?"

Mila crossed her arms and gave a proud huff. "You better take it seriously!"

"I'm very strict!"

But there was a smile tugging at her lips. That pride wasn't anger—it was happiness.