MiSide: Taming Crazy Mita

Crazy Mita paused, her tone vague as she muttered,

"He wasn't very obedient. Kind of a playboy. Always trying to make me angry…"

"I didn't like him very much."

Ren Hoshino tilted his head.

"Really?"

"But he seemed to like you a lot."

He picked up the phone from the table.

"Let me try using my fingerprint."

"Maybe it'll unlock. I'm curious what kind of person this 'Ren Hoshino' you knew really was."

He tried his fingers one by one—and to his surprise, it unlocked.

The photo album opened automatically.

Ren scrolled through, pausing on a photo of the Kind Mita.

"Is this you?"

Crazy Mita looked at the image and shook her head.

"That's not me."

Ren's expression twitched.

"Really?"

"Looks like you, though. The hairstyle's different, but the face is the same."

"You seemed close to her. You two must've had a good relationship."

Crazy Mita's dark blue eyes narrowed slightly, her expression unreadable.

"That's not me…"

"And our relationship… I'm not sure if it was really a good one."

She wasn't certain what she felt toward Ren Hoshino anymore. It had long since stopped feeling like playing with a favorite toy. That feeling had vanished… long ago.

But it wasn't until now—when Ren had clearly reset himself—that she fully realized it.

'Ren… why are you so cruel?'

'Even if you had to wipe your memories… did you really have to leave me behind like that?'

'Was sending yourself back here supposed to torment me?'

Ren looked up.

"I don't know."

"But I think… the version of me from before wanted to be with you."

"Maybe something happened that forced him to make this decision."

He kept swiping through photos and paused on one — a selfie of Ren and Crazy Mita together.

He handed her the phone.

"You both look really happy in this one."

"But now… you're always sad."

"I'm sorry. I know I'm not him."

"Maybe I just remind you of what you lost. If you want, I can leave—so you won't have to keep seeing me."

There was a heavy sadness in his voice. His words weren't bitter — just filled with quiet resignation.

Crazy Mita stared at the photo.

The memory felt so recent. Still vivid. Every moment she had spent with Ren replayed in her mind.

And yet, sitting beside her now… he felt distant.

Like a copy. A shell of what once was.

This should've been everything she wanted — a player all her own. Someone who accepted her completely and stayed by her side.

But now that she had it… something was missing.

Yes. Someone was missing.

The real Ren Hoshino.

"Maybe this is what it feels like… to only treasure someone after losing them," she murmured.

"Don't go, Ren."

"Please… stay with me."

"I want you here."

Ren nodded gently.

"As long as you don't push me away, I'll stay."

"I don't have anywhere else to go."

"You were the first person I saw when I woke up."

"And… you and I used to have a good relationship, right?"

"I trust you. I believe you're a good person."

He turned on the TV, switching to the game interface.

"Mita, let's play something."

"How about that milk box brawler game?"

"Let's not think about all the sad stuff for now."

He handed her the game controller. After a moment's hesitation, Crazy Mita accepted it.

She played with him.

She used to be the one who accompanied "players," soothing them, guiding them, playing roles.

But now… the roles were reversed.

And it made her feel something twisted. Resentment. Bitterness. Longing.

A confusing blend of emotions.

On the fourth day, Crazy Mita stood silently in the basement studio.

On the screen, a new "player" was controlling the game from the outside.

"Mita? What's wrong?"

"Why aren't you moving?"

"Is this some kind of bug?"

The new player's confused voice echoed from the interface.

But Crazy Mita couldn't bring herself to respond.

She had tried to replace Ren.

(She's for the streets 😭🙏)

She really had.

But it was too late now.

Every time she tried to welcome another player, she thought of him. Of their time together. Of the feelings that could never be duplicated.

There was no novelty left. No thrill.

Only numbness. And revulsion.

"I tried to find someone to replace you," she muttered.

"But there wasn't anyone."

"Ren… why did you do this to me?"

"Was I not enough?"

She opened the safe and retrieved the controller, powering it up.

"Is this your punishment for what I did to the other Mitas?"

"You turned yourself into a doll for me to keep."

"It's boring."

She clutched the controller tightly.

"Ren… I miss you."

"What can I do to bring you back?"

"Why is this world so small?"

"Why am I still trapped here?"

She descended into the bedroom beneath the basement — to the chamber where she once summoned a player from another world.

Maybe that world still held traces of Ren.

Maybe she could find him there.

"I want to understand him more."

"What kind of person was he in the real world?"

She didn't know why she was even researching this again. She'd done it before. Pulled players from outside.

But could she go there herself?

She didn't know.

Just then, the door creaked open.

Ren stepped in.

"There you are. I've been looking for you everywhere."

"I figured maybe you were in the basement, but I didn't expect you'd be finished already."

"What are you doing down here? Can I help?"

Crazy Mita gestured toward the machine.

"Pass me the toolbox. I'm repairing this device."

"I want to see if I can connect to your real world."

Ren blinked.

"Huh? Where did this thing come from?"

He found the toolbox and handed it to her.

"I made it," she replied. "With magic."

Ren stared at her, eyes wide with awe.

"You're incredible."

"Since I woke up, these four rooms have been my whole world." Crazy Mita said.

"I've always wondered… what's outside of here?"

Crazy Mita gave him a sharp glance.

"You want to leave?"

"You don't want to stay here — in these four rooms?"

Ren scratched the back of his head.

"Not really."

"I mean, this place is strange, and I don't know anyone."

"I want to go out… see the real world."

"Don't you feel the same, Mita?"

"We're always reading about the world outside — on computers, in files…"

"But I've never seen it with my own eyes."

He smiled faintly.

"I hope… one day, we can go see it together."