MiSide: Taming Crazy Mita

Tsundere Mita backed away once more, her face bright red.

"Nothing!" she snapped.

"Say you're a pervert! A playboy! Falling in love with random girls you meet and proposing to anyone who glances your way!"

Ren Hoshino's expression turned serious. He stepped forward and gently held Tsundere Mita's shoulders, stopping her from pulling away.

"I won't let you say that about yourself," he said firmly.

"You're not some random girl to me, Mita."

"I like you. And only you."

Tsundere Mita's eyes widened. Then her face scrunched in embarrassment and rage.

"I—How could I be just some random girl!"

"Ren Hoshino, you're infuriating!"

She shoved his hands away and pulled something from her pocket.

Raising her hand, she twirled her slender index finger—on which sat the familiar cross-version ring.

With one hand on her hip and a smug look on her face, she glared at him. Her large, navy-blue eyes gleamed with misplaced triumph.

"Is this what you left here?" she said with haughty pride.

Ren swallowed and calmed his breathing. He could tell she already knew this was the ring that allowed travel between versions… yet she wasn't giving it back.

After all, no other player had ever come to this ancient version. She had been born into this flat, 2D space—alone.

She had endured that bone-deep loneliness ever since.

And now, here was someone. Talking to her. Seeing her.

She didn't want to let him go.

Even if it was just a brief moment. Even if he had to move on soon.

She just wanted something to remember.

In her mind, it wasn't selfish.

"I'm saving Ren Hoshino," she told herself.

"He should be thanking me."

Ren smiled softly.

"No, I didn't lose it," he said.

"That's yours now."

"It's my proposal ring—for you."

Her arrogant expression froze. The ring spun around her finger as if it had a mind of its own.

"R-Re—Ren Hoshino!"

"You… You're so shameless!"

"How can you say something like that so seriously?!"

She was blushing so hard it reached her ears.

"You—you're just trying to leave!"

"To get out of this boring version—no, my home, that's what I meant!"

Ren shook his head.

"No. I want to stay with you too."

"You must've felt awful when I wasn't around."

Tsundere Mita balled her small fists. Her navy-blue eyes narrowed like a cat caught off guard.

"I don't need your pity!" she snapped.

"I'm perfectly happy here alone!"

And then she vanished.

Ren just shrugged. No need to go chasing after her.

He wandered around the 2D space for a while, not bothering to head to the bedroom. Instead, he flopped onto the sofa.

A few minutes later, footsteps approached.

Hands on hips, Tsundere Mita returned.

"Why didn't you come find me?" she demanded.

Ren blinked. "Huh?"

So she was mad.

But not because of the ring.

Because he didn't chase her.

"Didn't you say I wanted to get the ring and leave?" Ren said.

"Turns out I'm not in a rush after all."

"Being here with you isn't so bad."

His reply deflated her on the spot.

"You—you're so shameless," she muttered.

"Who said you could stay in my house?"

Her voice was biting, but Ren could hear the tremble of joy hidden inside.

"Is that so?" Ren said, turning away.

"Oh no… Mita doesn't love me anymore. Guess I'll just leave."

He stood, stretching dramatically and holding out his hand.

Tsundere Mita narrowed her eyes. "What are you doing?"

Ren gave a gloomy look. "I want the ring back. I'm not welcome here, right?"

"I never said you had to leave!" she blurted.

"I just hate how full of yourself you are!"

"So… you want me to stay?" Ren asked, smiling slyly.

"You like me too?"

"Y-You're full of yourself! Leave if you want!" she huffed, looking away.

"Is that so?" he said sadly.

"I finally get serious for once, and I get my heart broken."

That did it.

"You—Ren Hoshino, stay!" she barked.

"You look so pathetic I'll generously let you stay!"

Ren grinned. "Thanks, wife. You're so kind."

Her entire face went pink.

"Shameless! Who's your wife?!"

Ren smiled. "You're wearing the engagement ring."

"Give it back if you don't want to be my wife."

He held out his hand.

"No way!" she snapped.

"Stop dreaming!"

"You said it was mine, didn't you? It's mine now!"

She put it back on her finger, glaring at him like a cornered animal.

Ren chuckled.

Ren didn't say another word. She was just a tsundere—retreating into attitude when affection threatened to break through.

But she was almost there.

All that pride was about to melt into something soft.

He pulled out his phone.

"Come on, honey, let's take a photo together."

"Shut up, pervert!" she shouted.

"Who's your wife?! You really are the worst, calling every girl your wife!"

But she took a small step forward.

"…Since you're being so serious, I guess I'll let you take one picture," she mumbled.

"Don't get the wrong idea. I just don't want you getting all depressed again."

Her body betrayed her mouth, walking right over and standing beside him.

Click.

The screen froze on the moment:

Ren with a sly smile.

Tsundere Mita next to him, tilting her head slightly, a reluctant pout on her lips—

—but navy blue eyes shimmering with a joy she didn't yet know how to name.