MiSide: Taming Crazy Mita

Ren Hoshino picked up the small blue umbrella by the door and opened it.

"Mita, does it rain in this place?"

"I've been here for days and haven't seen a single drop."

"I always see pictures online—rainy nights and snowy streets. Feels kind of romantic."

"There are so many people here. I wonder if any of my relatives made it to this world."

Crazy Mita silently watched Ren fiddling with the umbrella. She hesitated, then offered a gentle smile.

"There are rainy days here, but they're rare."

"If you stay long enough, you might see one."

"But snow? That doesn't happen here."

Ren nodded. "That's a shame.

Otherwise, we could've gone out and made some fun memories."

Crazy Mita's smile thinned. "You want to leave?"

She asked again—her voice light, but probing.

She could sense something beneath his words.

Ren shrugged. "Not really. Just think of it as… a trip.

A glimpse of what else might be out there."

"Is that so?" she murmured.

She didn't press further.

"Let's play some poker," she said instead.

"In my room."

Ren smiled. "Sure. I love card games."

The two sat across from each other, playing quietly.

"I've got the most HP," Ren announced.

"I win again!"

Crazy Mita smiled and praised him sweetly. "You're really amazing.

Looks like I'll have to show my true strength next round."

"I couldn't ask for more," Ren grinned.

Later, in the kitchen, Ren brought the prepared meal to the table and took off his apron.

"Mita, dinner's ready," he called out.

"I even made your favorite—carrots. Try them and tell me what you think."

Crazy Mita took a bite of carrot, holding her knife delicately.

"Ren, your cooking is really good."

"Just like Hoshino's…"

"Oh—sorry, I forgot…"

"It's just that you two cook exactly the same."

"Oh—sorry again, you were always alone, weren't you?"

She quickly backtracked, looking uncertain.

Ren tilted his head, forcing a polite smile.

"I'm glad you enjoyed the original flavor."

After dinner, they sat silently in the living room, watching whatever was on TV.

No words exchanged. Just the quiet flicker of the screen.

They sat at opposite ends of the couch—not by choice, just by instinct.

Crazy Mita could feel the peaceful calm she had once longed for…

Yet inside, she felt nothing but restlessness.

Mita, isn't this what you always wanted?

Why can't you be satisfied now?

You finally have the 'player' you dreamed of. He stayed.

She reminded herself. Again. And again.

This was Ren Hoshino.

The one who used to drive her crazy.

The one who always disobeyed.

The one who made her heart race from anger and thrill.

It was him.

Just—missing something.

That boy who never listened.

That infuriating brat.

Gone.

Gone forever.

Crazy Mita wanted change.

She didn't want the obedient Ren sitting across from her now.

She wanted that Ren. The one who would talk back.

The one who didn't play by her rules.

"I'm going to take a shower," she said.

Ren nodded. "Okay."

She glanced back once more at him still watching the screen…

And disappeared into the bathroom.

Ten minutes later—

"Ren, I forgot to bring my clothes. Can you grab them for me?"

"It's the blue school uniform hanging in the wardrobe. Thanks."

Ren heard her voice, got up, and walked toward the door.

"Got it. One second—I'll hang them by the door."

More time passed.

"Mita," Ren called from outside, "I've set your clothes on the hanger by the bathroom door.

I'll be in the living room. Just grab them when you're done."

Inside the bathroom, Crazy Mita's expectant expression slowly crumbled.

Her lips drooped.

"What a block of wood…"

"A puppet that just follows orders…"

"So boring!"

"Boring!" she muttered.

Still, she replied aloud:

"Okay. Thank you, Ren. You're a big help."

Ren's voice floated back from the living room.

"No problem. I'm happy to help."

He returned to the couch and watched a comedy show, smiling faintly at something silly on the screen.

Who wouldn't want to be a human machine?

Hold it together.

She's just trying to bait you into going in there.

I won't fall for it.

It's just a harem romance. I can handle this.

Now, Ren was locked in a silent battle of patience against Crazy Mita.

Who would crack first?

Would she get so bored that she pulled out his cassette, ending everything?

Or… would she suffer in silence, unable to destroy him, trapped by her own obsession?

He was gambling it all.

After all, Ren's cassette wasn't finished.

The worst that could happen… was death.

Sure enough, Crazy Mita emerged shortly after, now wearing her signature blue sailor uniform.

She sat beside Ren, her expression stormy.

Ren noticed the shift immediately.

"Mita? What's wrong? Are you upset about something?"

"If something's bothering you, talk to me. I'll do what I can to help."

Oh, that flawless human-machine response.

Almost too perfect.

Like he was programmed to care.

Crazy Mita didn't answer at first. Her eyes looked empty—haunted.

The real Ren would never say that, she thought.

He'd throw his arm around me, smirk, and say 'leave it to me.'

Not this.

Not this careful concern.

Not this programmed empathy.

Not like this.

She didn't think this version of Ren had done anything wrong.

But still—she couldn't stand it.

Just like earlier.

If it had been the old Ren, he'd have burst into the bathroom.

Even if she yelled at him, insulted him—

He'd shamelessly stick around, teasing her like it was nothing.

Maybe even take advantage of the situation.

And the crazy thing was—

She wouldn't have minded.

"No, I'm fine," she said finally.

"Thank you for worrying about me, Ren."

Ren nodded. "Alright.

Just know… if anything's wrong, you can always tell me."

"It's just the two of us here."

If you don't like something, Ren thought, just say it.

Not the shower excuse. Not the phone excuse. Just say it.

He already knew Crazy Mita hated this version of him.

But wasn't this exactly what she wanted?

A doll who stayed.

A player who obeyed.

Why wasn't she happy now?

Couldn't delete him.

Couldn't unplug him.

So… what did she want?

What was the real medicine here?

***

Late upload…sorry, I was messing around with my Meta Quest 3s that came in today 🙏