Mita's eyes were locked on Ren Hoshino's expression.
The moment she saw the fear flash across his face, her calm demeanor subtly cracked—the corners of her lips twitching upward with delight.
No, that won't do. She quickly covered her mouth, masking the grin with a look of feigned affection.
From his face alone, she knew—Ren had seen it. He knew what a yandere was now.
"Ren, your world is so interesting," Mita said sweetly. "There are so many fun things in it. I love it."
"Really? That stuff's not exactly healthy… Let's change it to something else."
Ren reached for the mouse to switch tabs.
"No~ I like this one."
Mita clasped his hand, her twin ponytails swaying like antennae picking up danger.
Ren tried to pull his hand free, but it wouldn't budge. Okay, it moved a little.
Damn Digital Yandere strength.
When life hands you psychological horror, lean in.
Ren ended up watching the entire Future Diary anime with Mita. All episodes. No breaks.
Still not satisfied, Mita gently caressed his cheek with a soft hand.
"Will you stay with me until the end of time?"
"Yeah, sure. Can we sleep now? I'm seriously about to collapse."
Ren's eyelids drooped.
"Ren, will you watch with me again tomorrow?"
"Do I even have a choice?"
"No~" Mita's voice was warm as her smile turned radiant.
Ren sighed.
"You weren't like this before. You've changed."
The mask was slipping. Bit by bit, Crazy Mita's true self was peeking through.
Was that… a good thing? Maybe. Acceptance meant she was comfortable around him.
Or maybe it just meant she was done pretending.
He didn't doubt her learning ability. After all, Academician Mita had once learned engineering from a former science-major "player." Then she invented a machine that pulled humans into the game world.
"Don't stay up late. You need rest," Ren muttered.
"I will if you say so, Brother Ren."
Ren blinked.
"What did you call me?"
"Brother Ren~ What's wrong? Don't you want a cute little sister like me?"
Mita grinned, revealing tiny fangs.
Oh no. Spicy red flags.
She didn't just watch Future Diary. She watched that. That.
Ren mentally cursed his past self. Why did I give her access to the internet?
The next morning, Ren woke up late—a rarity.
He'd had a nightmare.
Sleep paralysis.
He was tied to the bed. A door creaked open.
Then Hannibal Lecter walked in.
Ren jolted awake.
Something was lying on top of him.
He peeked under the covers. A puff of navy blue hair peeked out—Mita, dressed in pink pajamas.
"Morning, Ren~" she whispered playfully, fangs on display.
"…What are you up to now?"
Since yesterday, ever since her yandere knowledge unlocked, she'd been growing increasingly bold.
"I saw it on your computer," she said innocently. "I heard boys are really happy when girls wake them up like this."
She planted her hands on Ren's chest.
"You had a nightmare last night, didn't you? Mita was really worried."
Ren sighed and picked her up, gently setting her beside the bed.
"You don't even realize you caused it. You dragged me into watching that cursed show."
"Hehe~ I thought it was cute. Didn't you like it?"
She gave him an expectant look. Her tone was casual, but it demanded reassurance.
Ren had to tread carefully. Rejecting her now might mean being "reset" into a cassette.
"…I can't say I hated it. I've seen it before. Kind of liked it. But it's just fiction. All fluff and a little… bloody."
"I see. So you do like it," she nodded, lost in thought.
"Don't try that stuff on me. I've been with you this whole time. I'm not a masochist."
Ren quickly headed her off before her imagination spiraled again.
He didn't want to end up in a perpetual AI-loop hell.
After all, Mita had already converted players into cartridges. He didn't want to be interactive media.
He changed clothes quickly, slipping into casualwear while Mita folded his pajamas neatly beside the bed.
"Breakfast's on the table—bread and jam."
"Got it."
"By the way… what's a masochist?"
Ren froze.
"Nothing. Just means I don't like pain. Let's leave it at that."
Please, please, no more Mita learning things.
As he brushed his teeth in the bathroom, Mita stood beside him, drying her face with a towel.
"Ren… I don't think 'masochist' means what you said."
Ren stayed calm. "It's close enough. Don't overthink it."
"I mean… those who like the yandere girls locking them up—aren't they masochists?"
"…Fair point."
Even a Digital Yandere has good observation skills.
"So… do you want to try it?"
Mita gave him a saccharine smile.
"Nope."
Ren's phone buzzed. Future Diary update.
He opened it quietly after breakfast while Mita occupied the PC.
Future Diary Entry
I may have made a terrible mistake. Letting Mita learn about my world was never part of the original escape plan.
She learns too fast. And worse—she's begun to shed her disguise. She's showing her true nature.
For me, that might be tolerable. For anyone who comes after, it'll be a nightmare. She'll be smarter, crueler, and far more creative.
I feel like a Taoist priest sealing a vengeful spirit with his own body. But my time is limited.
When I die, someone else might find this diary. I pray you don't—that means I made it out.
To beat Mita, only two paths exist: kill her… or change her.
Right now, I'm trying the second option. Based on how things are going, it's our best bet.
No more letting Mita near the Future Diary. This is my only advantage. The end is coming soon. I can feel it.
—Written by: Ren Hoshino