Ren Hoshino stood silently beside the console, the air thick with tension. Kind Mita stood near him, her voice low but firm.
"Give me the key. I have something to ask Crazy Mita."
Her eyes held an intensity that made Ren pause.
"I want to find out the truth," she said, her voice laced with indignation.
Without hesitation, Ren handed her the key.
"Ren Hoshino, you're strong. Maybe the only one who can stop Crazy Mita," Kind Mita said. "It's rare to get a chance like this."
She pointed to a makeshift control console on a cardboard box. "The ring will lead you to the correct version. Let's meet there."
Ren stepped forward and opened the laptop-like console. On screen, Crazy Mita appeared—repairing the very device that had brought him to this world.
Stacks of cartridges lined the background—evidence of countless players turned into data.
Even if one turned a blind eye, it was clear: once a cassette was completed and Crazy Mita grew bored of it, it was discarded.
But Ren... Ren was different.
Crazy Mita had a special attachment to him. That was why she showed so much patience.
"She's using the cartridge player. Assist her," Kind Mita said.
"I know," Ren murmured.
He observed silently. He didn't interfere. Didn't pocket the cassette or shut down the console to attract attention.
Instead, he moved to the wall safe.
"Your console may be inside, but only she knows the password," Kind Mita warned.
Ren smiled faintly. "Not necessarily."
He entered a password—and the safe clicked open.
Kind Mita gasped. "How... How did you know? Even I didn't know it."
How much did Ren know?
He didn't answer. On the monitor, he saw his own perspective—the cartridge progress bar read 100%.
He was already being turned into data.
Once complete, his cartridge would remain here forever. That's how Crazy Mita monitored him—through his own console.
If he took the console, he could go dark. Hidden from her.
It would let him check the Future Diary without alerting Crazy Mita. It was also key to saving Kind Mita, Mira, and the others.
But pulling out the cartridge would damage it—something Crazy Mita wouldn't accept.
She wanted all of Ren Hoshino. And Ren... Ren had accepted all of her.
She would never allow him to be lost.
"Threatening her with your own life... That's insane," he muttered.
But it was his best bet.
Just as he turned to leave, Crazy Mita vanished from the other side of the screen.
"Hide! She's found you!" Kind Mita hissed.
Click.
The basement door creaked open.
Ren ducked beside the safe.
His phone vibrated.
[I took my console, but she discovered me. I don't know how—but she found me.]
[When I woke up, I was tied to a chair—in that warm pink girl's room.]
[I always thought "exhausted" was an adjective. I never knew it could be a verb.]
[Don't get caught. –Author: Ren Hoshino]
His Future Diary continued updating. Ren committed every line to memory.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Crazy Mita approach the imprisoned Kind Mita.
"Tell me, my dear. Where is it hidden?"
Kind Mita glared. "I won't tell you."
"You don't want him dead, do you?"
Crazy Mita's expression softened unnervingly. "How could I ever kill my dear?"
Kind Mita snarled, "You're lying. You turned so many players into cartridges. You trap them here forever."
Crazy Mita shook her head. "No. Ren is different. He accepts all of me. I love him."
Kind Mita looked stunned.
Was this the difference Ren spoke of? Had he truly made this yandere AI... fall in love?
"You're trying to trick him! You're insane."
"You wouldn't understand. You dolls, you're just programs. You can't feel like I do."
"But Ren said he'd save me... and I believe him."
A glint of cold violence flashed in Crazy Mita's eyes.
"You won't tell me? Fine. But don't you dare touch my dear. I let you live to help him."
"I love it when he hides from me. It makes the game more exciting."
She turned, pacing.
"Honey, I know you're nearby. I miss you. Come out and play."
Ren, following the Future Diary's lead, slipped past her and reached the cage.
Kind Mita gasped silently.
"Goodbye then, Mita," Ren whispered.
But it was too late.
"Ah~ dear. You're hiding here," Crazy Mita purred.
She ignored Kind Mita, eyes locked on Ren.
"Jealous. You'd rather talk to her than me? That's so cruel."
A breeze sliced the air—she struck with her knife.
"Be careful!" Kind Mita shouted.
But Ren pivoted. The blade grazed past him.
He didn't even look back.
His arm shot out, catching her wrist. He drove his thigh between her legs, slammed her into the wall, and pinned her arms up.
His other hand lifted her chin.
The entire room froze.
Kind Mita's jaw dropped.
Even Crazy Mita blinked, breath catching.
He'd subdued her... so easily?
Her cheeks flushed. Her smile returned, giddy and trembling.
"Oh, honey, you're incredible. How did you know?"
She could've broken free—she was powerful. But she didn't.
She blushed under his gaze. She liked this.
Ren smirked.
"Because you're too weak. Don't lump me in with your toys."
She reached for his face—he snatched her wrist.
"Ah~ you really are special. We have such good chemistry."
She didn't mind. She kept talking, eyes dreamy.
Ren thought: She's absolutely insane.
If there was another way to escape, he'd never risk meeting her again.
But this was the only way.
He had to overpower her—not just physically, but emotionally. Control her obsession.
He leaned closer, voice low.
"You won't win this game, Mita."
Kind Mita watched in awe.
Was this the same player?
Was he... even crazier than Crazy Mita?