MiSide: Taming Crazy Mita

Ren Hoshino gently calmed Mila down, waiting patiently until her emotions settled. Her breathing slowed. She wiped her eyes, slipped on her black-framed glasses, and turned away, though the redness in the corners of her eyes still lingered.

Ren quietly took out his phone and snapped another photo of her.

This time, Mila didn't scold him.

Mila: "Ren… let's take one together."

"Frame it however you want."

Ren smiled. "No problem."

He set his phone to timer mode. The two of them stood in the living room, shoulders lightly touching. The evening sun streamed in through the window, casting their silhouettes in a soft, golden hue.

Click.

The photo was captured. Ren held up his hand, the ring on his finger glowing faintly. With a flicker, the image was transformed into a framed photo.

Ren: "Perfect."

They stood in silence, looking at the wall of captured memories—every photo glowing faintly in the sunlight.

Mila: "Ren… thank you for staying with me this whole time."

"I really… I really had fun."

Ren grinned. "Me too."

They exchanged a long glance. The silence stretched, heavy and warm.

Mila: "Wh-What are you doing?!"

"Don't just stare at me like that!"

"You idiot!"

Ren chuckled but said nothing.

Mila's eyes were still a little puffy from earlier.

'We were standing so close… but he didn't say anything. Why is he always so quiet?'

Ren: "Just let me take one last look at you."

"It's time to say goodbye."

Mila lowered her head, voice soft. "Have a safe journey."

"…And remember to come back and visit me. If you have time."

Ren: "Of course."

His eyes drifted toward the samurai sword under the TV table.

Ren: "Mind if I borrow that for a while?"

"I'll return it."

Mila: "Take it. Think of it as a return gift… for what you gave me."

Ren picked up the sword and gave her a grateful nod.

Ren: "Thanks."

He turned toward the door. Mila followed quietly, trailing behind him.

She reached out to touch his back more than once—but each time, stopped herself. Her lips trembled with unspoken thoughts.

Why didn't I hug him? Why can't I say it now?

Ren turned back.

Mila: "What?"

"Changed your mind?"

Ren: "Can I… touch those black-stockinged legs of yours one last time?"

"GO TO HELL!"

"SHUT UP!"

"You completely ruined the mood!"

"You pervert! You total pervert!"

Ren laughed as Mila's face turned beet red. That flustered glare of hers… he committed it to memory.

He stepped to the doorway.

Ren: "Goodbye, then."

Mila: "…Yeah."

The door closed behind him, leaving the hallway silent.

But Ren didn't leave.

Inside, Mila stood frozen, staring at the door as if hoping it would open again.

That short time spent with Ren—it had been precious. Unique.

In this small, cold space of four walls, the warmth he brought was something she could cling to. Something she could remember when everything felt like it was falling apart again.

She had wanted to ask him to stay so many times.

But she knew… Ren had something he had to do.

She couldn't be selfish.

"…It's really… enviable."

A soft voice echoed from behind.

"Isn't it, though?"

Mila spun around, eyes wide with horror.

The door had never opened. Yet Crazy Mita now stood in her room.

Mila: "Y-You… Why are you here?!"

Crazy Mita's eyes glowed with obsession as she looked at the framed photo on the wall—the one of Mila and Ren standing together.

Crazy Mita: "How did I get here?"

"Simple."

"He's mine."

"You thieving little doll."

"My dear had a great time with you, didn't he?"

"So touching. So romantic. So sickening."

"You dolls… you soulless failures… always get the best gifts."

She leaned in, whispering with venom.

"Oh wait, that's right. You're not even a real one."

"You're a broken version. Forgotten."

"How pathetic."

Crazy Mita flashed a wicked smile.

"You'll never have a 'player' of your own."

"Ren belongs to me."

Her hand shifted, pixels distorting. A roaring chainsaw materialized in her grip.

It buzzed to life.

Mila: "Y-You're insane!"

"You're going to kill Ren!"

"Why?! Why are you doing this?!"

Crazy Mita shook her head.

Crazy Mita: "Kill him?"

"Oh no, no no… I want him to stay with me forever."

"You, on the other hand… get deleted."

"You don't belong in this narrative, broken doll."

Mila stumbled back in terror, but there was nowhere left to run.

She fell to the floor as Crazy Mita advanced, saw spinning.

Mila: "N-No! Stop!"

Crazy Mita smiled.

"You'll rot in these four rooms until you're forgotten."

She raised the chainsaw above her—

BANG!

The door burst open.

A blade gleamed in the air.

CLANG!!

A samurai sword intercepted the spinning chainsaw in a flash of sparks and shrieking metal.

Ren: "Back off!"

Ren Hoshino stood in front of Mila, sword in hand, shielding her completely.

Ren: "Step away from her."

He calmy said, unafraid of the Digital Yandere before him.

Mila stared, stunned.

Mila: "Y-You… you already left!"

"Did you really think I'd let you get hurt?"

"Kind of heroic, right?"

"Saving the beautiful girl."

Mila remembered her joke from before—calling him a hero.

She had said it teasingly.

And now… he was living up to the word.

He really came back.

Like a real hero.

Mila (softly): "…Ren…"

But her gaze shifted.

Crazy Mita's expression had turned monstrous.

Mila: "Ren, look out!"

"She'll kill you!"

Crazy Mita: "SHUT UP!"

"You're the third wheel, doll!"

"When I get Ren back, I'll kill you too!"

Her eyes locked on Ren.

Crazy Mita: "You always make me angry."

"You keep messing with other Mitas."

"You run away."

"You take advantage of my love."

"I won't let you do that again."

"Come try me then."

"Mila, I'll protect you!"

Crazy Mita: "You can't protect her."

"This is your fault!"

"You made me mad!"

"We'll see." He muttered.

"My name's Ren Hoshino."

"I'm not some pet."

"If you're looking for a dog…"

"Go left at the hallway."