Broken Mirror - MiSide

We arrived at a jagged hole in the wall, its edges barely wide enough for us to squeeze through.
I glanced at it, then at Kind Mita, my voice heavy with curiosity. "Where exactly are we again?"
She turned slightly, her tone calm but precise. "Think of it as a passageway between versions, a sort of liminal space. We're heading to version 1.75, where Cappie lives."
Without waiting for my response, she crouched and slid gracefully through the opening.
On the other side, she extended her hand toward me, her expression steady and resolute.
"Here, take my hand. With those wounds and the knife still sticking out of you. You shouldn't push yourself."
I hesitated but eventually reached for her outstretched hand. Her grip was firm yet careful, guiding me as I clumsily pulled myself up.
A sharp jolt of pain shot through me as I moved, twisting my stomach into knots.
"Urgh... this damn knife. Kita, we'll actually be able to remove it WITHOUT me bleeding out, right?" I gritted out through clenched teeth.
She helped me fully through the hole, dusting off her hands with an air of casual confidence.
"Yes. Cappie and I studied a lot of books on first aid and surgery," she explained as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
"But why? Why would you put yourselves through that?" I asked, bewildered.
She shrugged, her lips curling into a faint smirk.
"Boredom, I suppose. Besides, learning something new is exciting. You should try it sometime. Considering it's what's going to save your life, you might want to be grateful I'm not a lazy person, Lukas~."
Her teasing tone caught me off guard, and I frowned. "Wait, are you seriously calling me lazy?"
You little...
"I'm just saying, lazybones." She grinned, clearly enjoying herself.
Groaning, I shifted the subject. "By the way, are you sure it's okay if I call you Kita? I've been thinking about it, and honestly, the nickname feels kind of... unoriginal. Maybe even a little cringe."
She raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable for a moment, before smiling.
"It's fine, Lukas. It's the thought that counts. Besides, I find it cute that you wanted to give me a nickname, even if it's just because you're too lazy to say my full name."
"Stop calling me lazy..." I muttered under my breath.
We emerged into a massive chamber with a bottomless pit yawning at its center.
Entryways lined the walls in every direction, each one leading to parts unknown.
I came to a halt, staring at the dizzying scene. "Uhhh... where do we go?"
She shrugged, utterly unfazed. "Who says I know the way?"
I shot her an incredulous look. "Stop trolling me..."
She smirked, amused by my frustration.
"Oh, right. Sorry, Dementia Mita. I thought you were GPS Mita, knowing exactly where to go," I teased, a sly grin tugging at the corner of my mouth.
Her grin widened, and her tone grew playful. "Careful," she shot back, "or you'll call me 'You can continue alone if you keep this up' Mita."
"HELL NO!" I exclaimed in mock horror, throwing my hands in the air. "That name's terrible! It's even longer than your current one!"
She chuckled, a warm sound that somehow lightened the oppressive atmosphere around us.
"It's eight letters. Two words. What about that is long? You're just proving my point, lazybones."
I sighed in exaggerated defeat, muttering under my breath, "Fair enough. Let's just move on. I'd like to get this knife out of me sometime this century."
Her teasing faded, her expression softening as her eyes flicked to the knife embedded in my side.
When she spoke again, her voice had lost its playful edge. "Come on, then," she said quietly.
We pressed on into another hallway, dimly lit and eerily quiet.
Each step I took felt heavier, the searing pain from my wounds gnawing at what little strength I had left.
Kind Mita noticed my faltering steps and stopped abruptly.
Without a word, she crouched to help me lower myself to the ground.
Her hands were steady, her movements deliberate, ensuring I didn't aggravate my injuries further.
"You look exhausted," she murmured, her voice gentle but firm. "Let's sit for a moment."
Grateful for the reprieve, I leaned against the wall, closing my eyes briefly to steady my breathing.
After a moment, I glanced up at her.
"Kita... wait a second," I said hesitantly, my voice quieter now.
She turned to face me, her expression calm but tinged with curiosity. "What is it?"
I hesitated, then forced the words out. "I'm sorry. For destroying that cartridge earlier. You were... really pissed off."
Her expression shifted, the warmth in her gaze dimming as a shadow of sadness flickered across her face.
She lowered her eyes, staring at the floor as if searching for the right words. "It's fine, Lukas. I told you everything you needed to know already."
"I know," I said, bowing my head. "But I didn't listen. I should have, and I'm sorry."
She was silent for a long moment, her eyes studying me.
Finally, she spoke, her voice softer now. "The name of the player you killed when you destroyed the cartridge... was Subaru."
The words struck me like a physical blow.
I froze, staring at her in disbelief. "How do you...?"
She turned away, her gaze drifting to the void beyond us.
Her voice grew distant, tinged with both fondness and pain.
"Subaru was the player assigned to me. He was an engineer. Quiet, thoughtful, always tinkering with something. He used to play this game during his breaks at work, said it helped him clear his head."
Her lips curved into a faint, bittersweet smile.
"He wasn't like most of the others. He took his time, asked me questions, laughed at my stupid jokes. I started to look forward to every moment we spent together."
She paused, her eyes fixed on the swirling void as if reliving the memories.
"Thirty-seven days. That's how long we had. It doesn't sound like much, but... it was enough. Enough to feel comfortable. Wanted by someone."
Her hands clenched into fists, her voice trembling as she continued.
"I got too comfortable. Too trusting. I wished for something impossible...that he could be here. Really here. And then one day... it happened. Subaru showed up in my version. Not as code. Not as some projection. He was here. A living, breathing person."
I blinked, my mind reeling. "Wait. Seriously? How is that even possible?"
She gave a bitter laugh.
"I stopped asking that question a long time ago. It didn't matter how...it only mattered that it was real. We were... happy, for a while. We built things together, explored together. That ring you're wearing? Subaru and I made it. We thought it'd help us travel between versions, stay connected no matter what."
Her voice faltered, the faint smile fading. "But then... she came. Crazy Mita. She found us, overpowered me before I could react, and dragged me into the basement. You know the rest."
Her fists tightened, and her voice grew heavier with anger and pain.
"She took my place. Pretended to be me. And Subaru... he didn't even notice. Didn't question it. I thought he'd come looking for me, that he'd see through her lies, but... he didn't. He forgot me. She made sure of that."
A lump formed in my throat as I listened, her pain cutting through me like a blade. "Kita, I-"
"Don't," she interrupted, her voice sharp. "It doesn't matter now. I've spent enough time mourning someone who chose her over me. That's why I was so angry when you destroyed the cartridge, Lukas. It wasn't just a cartridge... it was a reminder of him. Of everything I lost."
She drew a deep breath, her tone softening.
"But... maybe you did me a favor. Maybe now, I can finally let go. Move forward instead of clinging to the past."
When she turned to me, a genuine smile broke through the sadness in her eyes. "Thank you, Lukas. For being the lazy idiot you are."
Her words caught me off guard, and despite everything, I found myself smiling back. "Yeah, well... you're welcome," I said softly.
After a while, we arrived at a corridor.
It stretched on forever in both directions, an endless amount of identical doors connected to it.
Uhhhh, which of these identical-looking doors is the correct one...?
Noticing my hesitation, Kind Mita stepped ahead and spoke with a calm, resolute tone that carried more authority than mere reassurance.
"Don't worry. I know exactly where we need to go."
I glanced at her, grateful for her confidence but still curious. "Where do all these different doors lead?"
She walked ahead confidently, motioning for me to follow. "Different versions," she said simply, as if it were the most obvious answer in the world.
I trailed behind her, intrigued. "Every Mita has her version archived," she continued, her voice steady.
"Oh, fair enough-" I began, but she cut me off mid-sentence, her tone shifting slightly.
"There is one exception, though."
Her steps slowed, and her voice dipped into a reflective cadence. "One Mita failed to archive her version. She's somewhere here, roaming without a home."
She paused, her brows knitting together in a rare moment of vulnerability. "I feel sad for her."
There was genuine sympathy in her voice, but I could sense her holding something back, choosing her words carefully to maintain control over her emotions.
"I see," I muttered, shrugging off the comment.
Kind Mita exhaled sharply, rolling her eyes. "You are so blunt sometimes, Lukas..." Her tone was light, half-joking, but her mild exasperation was evident.
"Is that specific Mita the only thing in here?" I asked, shifting the topic back to business.
Her expression changed instantly, snapping into focus. "Oh, no. There are anomalies, bugs, and glitches," she said casually. "They're alive, hostile, and will attack you on sight."
The nonchalant way she said it felt surreal, as if she were reciting the weather forecast.
"Uhhh..." I stared at her, utterly at a loss for words.
So bugs even follow me into this world? Great. I thought I'd finally get a break from debugging...
"Oh, and there are possibly other hostile Mitas."
Bruh.
Her voice remained calm, almost disinterested, as though she were commenting on an ordinary inconvenience.
"WHAT?!" I blurted out, incredulous. "And you're just telling me this now?"
"To be fair, I only know of one. Ugly Mita," she replied, raising her hands in a preemptive gesture of defense. "And just so you know, I didn't name her!"
"Sure," I teased, smirking.
"Ugh..." She crossed her arms, feigning exasperation. "It's just that she's a very early version of Mita. Her version is closest to version zero, the core."
Her voice softened, and for a moment, it felt like she was recalling something tragic. "She's so ancient that her presence alone causes a ton of bugs, corrupting everything around her."
After what felt like an eternity of walking, we stopped in front of one of the countless identical doors.
"Kita," I began, my curiosity bubbling to the surface. "You mentioned earlier that you have a plan. When are you planning to tell me about it?"
"Not now," she said firmly.
She opened the door and gestured for me to follow. "Cappie is very important to that plan. I'll explain it in her presence."
"Alright," I said reluctantly, though I couldn't help but feel skeptical. "Hopefully, she's as competent as you describe her."
"Trust me, she is," Kind Mita replied with unwavering confidence, a note of pride in her voice that made it clear she didn't enjoy being doubted.
I hope you're right...
We stepped through the doorway into a room with another door at the far end.
Off to the side, a table stood against the wall, and next to it was... an arcade machine?
Why on earth is a fucking arcade machine here?
Kind Mita caught my bemused expression and arched an eyebrow knowingly.
"Game logic?" I asked, echoing the same question I'd once asked Mita.
"Game logic," she replied with a faint smirk.
We shared a brief chuckle before moving toward the next door.
"Here we are," Kind Mita announced proudly, pulling the door open with a flourish. "Let me introduce you, Lukas!"
The door swung open to reveal a familiar bedroom, the same one I remembered from the apartment.
I stepped inside cautiously and immediately noticed a girl sitting on the bed.
She bore a striking resemblance to both Kind Mita and Mita, but with a distinctive twist.
She wore a blue cap adorned with cat ears, paired with matching blue gloves.
Her hair was styled in a low ponytail, giving her a casual yet confident air.
The girl noticed me and practically bounced to her feet, radiating an almost overwhelming energy.
"Salutations!" she exclaimed, her voice bright and cheerful, brimming with excitement that seemed to spill over like sunlight.
I stepped further into the room, the light from the bright windows now fully illuminating me.
"You're my... new player-" she began, her words charged with enthusiasm.
But the moment her eyes locked onto me, her expression shifted dramatically.
She gasped, covering her mouth with both hands as her eyes widened in horror."WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?!"
Her gaze darted over me, fixating on the dried blood staining my face and shirt before finally landing on the knife protruding from my stomach.
HOLY SHIT, IS SHE LOUD!
"Uhh-" I stammered, but before I could muster a proper response, Kind Mita entered the room, her calm demeanor grounding the whirlwind of chaos.
"Don't worry about it," she said factly. "He's fine. For now, at least."
Her tone was steady, almost clinical, cutting through the girl's panic with ease.
Kind Mita strode directly toward the girl, arms open wide, a rare, genuine smile lighting up her face.
"It's been a while, hasn't it? I missed you so much, Cappie!"
Her voice carried warmth, the kind that only comes with deeply cherished memories.
But as she leaned in for a hug, the girl, Cappie, took a step back, her once bubbly demeanor now tinged with confusion.
"Huh? Who the hell are you? And how do you know my name?"
Kind Mita froze mid-step, her outstretched arms trembling slightly as if Cappie's words had physically struck her.
"What...?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
She blinked rapidly, her expression unraveling from disbelief to something closer to heartbreak.
"I mean, no offense or anything, but I don't remember you. Should I?"
Cappie's playful innocence only seemed to twist the knife deeper.
Kind Mita staggered back a step, clutching her chest as though the air had been stolen from her lungs.
"No, no, no... this can't be right..." she muttered, her voice trembling as she dropped to her knees.
Her breathing grew uneven, panic starting to take hold.
"This isn't happening... This isn't fair... She's gone... She doesn't remember..."
Her voice cracked, and tears began streaming down her face.
"Crazy Mita... She's been here," she whispered hoarsely, her words laced with a mix of fear and anger.
Clutching her chest tighter, she seemed to crumple under the weight of realization.
"She... she killed her. Crazy Mita killed Cappie. This isn't just memory loss...this is a forced reset. No..."
Her voice broke completely as the pieces fell into place.
"I failed her. I couldn't protect her..." she sobbed, burying her face in her hands.
Instinctively, I stepped forward and crouched down to her level.
"Hey, hey, it's okay. Kita, it's okay," I said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder, trying to steady her.
"It's not okay!" she shot back, her tear-streaked face turning up to meet mine. Her anguish hit me like a tidal wave.
"I couldn't stop her. I wasn't here, and now she's... she's gone. Cappie's gone. All her memories, everything we shared... it's all gone!"
Her voice broke entirely, and without thinking, I pulled her into a hug.
She resisted at first but then collapsed into my arms, clutching at my shirt like it was the only thing keeping her afloat.
Urgh...I forgot this stupid knife...it hurts...
Suddenly, Cappie knelt down beside us, her usual boundless energy subdued but her presence still warm, almost comforting.
"Whoa, hey, hold on," she said softly, placing her hands gently on Kind Mita's shaking shoulders.
"I may not know you, but..." her voice softened, her exuberance replaced with genuine tenderness.
"I believe you. I mean, look at you. You're crying your eyes out for me. That's not fake."
Kind Mita raised her tear-streaked face, her red-rimmed eyes meeting Cappie's.
"So... I don't know what we had before," Cappie continued, "but I know one thing for sure."
She smiled, a warm, radiant smile that seemed to light up the room.
"We've got time, right? Time to catch up, time to make new memories. So let's start there."
She wrapped her arms around both of us, pulling us into a tight embrace.
"Besides," she added with a teasing grin, "I'm pretty sure I'd like you. You're kind of cute when you cry, y'know?"
Her lighthearted comment broke through the heavy atmosphere like the first rays of sunlight after a storm.
Kind Mita hiccupped, a faint, wavering smile forming on her lips.
"You really haven't changed, have you?" Kind Mita said, her voice fragile but laced with a hint of amusement.
"Not one bit!" Cappie replied brightly.
The three of us stayed like that for a moment, huddled together.
Despite the gravity of the situation, the room felt lighter, warmer.
For the first time since stepping into this strange place, it seemed like things might actually be okay.
As we got up, I grunted from the pain. A small trickle of blood dripped from the knife still lodged in my stomach.
Oh right. Forgot about you.
Kind Mita snapped out of her earlier distress, her expression sharpening into a determined focus.
She took a steadying breath, her composure returning as she turned toward Cappie.
"The surgery. Right. Cappie, do you remember anything, anything at all about performing surgery?" Her tone was calm but urgent, a flicker of hope lighting her eyes.
"I'll need to remove the knife, stitch his head wound, and seal the wound in his stomach. It's delicate work."
Cappie's eyes widened, her mouth falling open slightly as she rubbed the back of her neck.
"Surgery?" she repeated, blinking rapidly.
"Oh, uh, nope! Not even a little. The thought of cutting someone open and putting them back together sounds... thrilling, I guess? But nope, never done it." She gave an apologetic smile, the edges of it nervous.
"I'd probably make it worse."
Kind Mita sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose like she was trying to ward off an oncoming headache.
"Figures..." she muttered, half to herself.
After a pause, her voice softened. "Of course, I'll have to do it myself. But you can still help in other ways. I'll need you."
Cappie's posture straightened immediately, her boundless energy returning in a snap.
"Help? Oh, I can do that! Tell me what to do, and I'm your girl!" She gave a cheerful salute. "Well, within reason. No touching guts, though."
"Fine. Just... follow my instructions exactly," Kind Mita said firmly.
"No improvising." Her gaze swept the room before she nodded decisively. "Let's get him to a flat surface."
Cappie's grin widened as she gestured for us to follow her.
"This way! The kitchen's perfect. It's got space and snacks if he survives!" She practically skipped toward the living room, occasionally glancing back to make sure we were trailing behind.
We passed through the living room, and Cappie pushed open the kitchen door with dramatic flair.
Inside, a large, red button sat conspicuously on the table.
"Oh! Can't have this in the way," she said brightly, scooping it up and tossing it onto the counter without a second thought.
Kind Mita didn't even react, her focus already locked on the task ahead.
She guided me to the table, her movements precise and deliberate.
"Lay him flat here," she instructed, her voice steady and authoritative. "Cappie, grab the nearest chair so I can work."
Cappie darted off, pulling a chair over with enthusiasm. She glanced at me, mischief glinting in her eyes.
"Ooooh, I guess we'll need to get him out of this shirt and... anything else in the way. You okay with that, Player? Or should I dim the lights and cue some mood music?"
I groaned faintly, too drained to respond properly.
"Cappie, focus," Kind Mita said sharply, shooting her a look. "Cut his shirt open. We need his upper body clear for surgery. I'll prep my medkit."
Cappie chuckled, grabbing a pair of scissors from a nearby drawer.
"Alright, alright. Don't get your bandages in a twist," she teased, snipping through my shirt with exaggerated care. "Let's see what we've got under here... Who knew this would be part of my day? Bet you didn't either, huh?"
Kind Mita ignored her, pulling out a medkit with the same practiced precision she'd shown earlier.
She laid out the tools with steady hands, her expression unreadable.
"Cappie, enough commentary. Pass me the antiseptic."
Cappie handed over the bottle with a cheerful, "Yes, boss!"
Kind Mita began cleaning the head wound, her hands deft and methodical.
As she worked, she murmured under her breath, her focus unshakable.
"This part's crucial," she said quietly, her eyes darting to Cappie. "One slip, and the thread won't hold. Hold his head steady. Don't let him move."
Cappie nodded, surprisingly serious as she carefully followed the instruction.
"Got it. Don't worry, Player. I've got you. Even if you're, uh... a little sweaty."
Kind Mita sighed but didn't comment. After finishing the head wound, she shifted her focus to the knife.
"Cappie, sterilize the scalpel and hand me the gauze pads," she ordered.
Cappie obeyed quickly, her usual grin softening into something more earnest.
"You're really good at this, y'know? Bet you could've been a doctor."
"Focus, Cappie," Kind Mita said, her tone firm but not unkind.
She carefully extracted the knife, working quickly to control the bleeding before starting to stitch the wound shut.
Each movement was deliberate, her focus unwavering.
She glances up at Cappie occasionally, giving brief but clear instructions.
"Hold this gauze down, no, firmer. Good. Now hand me the adhesive strips," she instructed, her voice steady despite the tension.
Cappie complied, her usual energy breaking through.
"Teamwork makes the dream work!"
Why is she still yapping?
Finally, Kind Mita secured the wound with bandages, leaning back as she exhaled deeply.
Her hands trembled slightly from the strain.
"Done... for now. He'll need rest, but the worst is over," she said, her voice tinged with exhaustion.
Cappie clapped her hands together, her grin returning in full force.
"We did it! And hey, no guts spilled on me. Bonus!" She glanced down at me with a playful wink.
"You owe me a soda for all this, Player."
Kind Mita silently cleaned the surgical tools, placing the reusable ones into a plastic bag and adding them back to the medkit.
Cappie, meanwhile, tossed the bloodied bandages and non-reusable tools into the trash with exaggerated care, as if performing a dramatic cleanup.
Kind Mita shook her head, though a small smile tugged at her lips.
"Thank you, Cappie. You actually weren't half bad."
"Aww, thanks! I'll take that as a glowing review!" Cappie beamed, her eyes sparkling with pride.
For the first time in what felt like hours, we found ourselves in a moment of peace.
The three of us gathered around the kitchen table, the hum of the fridge filling the quiet air, a stark contrast to the tension that had gripped the room earlier.
Kind Mita methodically closed the medkit with a soft click and tucked it back into her inventory.
Cappie leaned forward on the table, propping her chin in her hands as her bright eyes darted between us.
"So..." she began, her voice light and curious, "what are your names? I feel like we're all roommates now or something."
Kind Mita leaned back in her chair, her faint smile unwavering.
"Mita," she said evenly, her tone steady. "Just like you. But if that's too confusing, you can call me Kind Mita. Or whatever nickname strikes your fancy. I've heard them all."
Guh, a personal attack?! Hey my nickname is...shit, fair enough.
Cappie's mischievous grin widened as her eyes sparkled with the promise of trouble.
"Ohhh, don't tempt me. I could get really creative with nicknames."
Kind Mita let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head as if bracing herself.
"I've no doubt you could. Just... keep it reasonable."
Sensing an opportunity to join the lighthearted exchange, I spoke up, offering Cappie a friendly smile.
"You can call me Lukas, Cappie."
Cappie sat upright with a delighted clap of her hands.
"Nice to officially meet you, Lukas and Mita! We make such a cute little team. Or wait-" she paused, her grin turning impish, "maybe I should call us a chaos squad."
Kind Mita exhaled through her nose, a sound that was equal parts amusement and exasperation.
"Alright, let's focus," she said, her tone shifting.
"Back to the bedroom. There are a few things we need to discuss, together."
Cappie and I nodded, sensing the shift in her tone.
The shift in her demeanor sobered us.
Cappie and I exchanged glances before nodding in unison.
Rising from the table, we followed Kind Mita out of the kitchen and through the dimly lit living room, until we found ourselves back in Cappie's room.
The atmosphere had changed. The once lively space felt heavier, as if it were holding its breath.
Cappie and I perched on the edge of her bed while Kind Mita settled into the chair by the desk.
Her posture was straight, her expression serious, the light in her eyes hardened with purpose.
Breaking the silence, I glanced at Kind Mita and asked, "So... what exactly was the plan you had, Kita? Regarding Mita?"
Cappie's head tilted in confusion, her brow furrowing slightly.
"Wait, what? Who are we talking about?"
Kind Mita leaned forward. Her voice softened, but the edge in her tone carried a mix of sorrow and determination.
"He means Crazy Mita," she explained, her words deliberate. "The person who... murdered you, Cappie."
For a fleeting moment, Cappie's smile faltered, her ever-present energy dimmed by a flicker of unease.
"Oh. Right. That." She forced a laugh, attempting to mask her discomfort. "Guess I should've asked for life insurance."
Without skipping a beat, I shrugged, a smirk tugging at the corners of my mouth.
"We already passed the living room," I quipped. "I think you're out of luck there."
Cappie blinked at me, her expression caught somewhere between disbelief and delight, before bursting into laughter.
She leaned forward, clutching her stomach as her laughter echoed through the room.
"Oh my god, Lukas!" she managed between breaths. "That's so bad it's good. I love it!"
That's exactly what makes this humor the best.
Kind Mita rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath.
"We're seriously joking about life insurance now? This is what I have to work with..." She shot me a dry look, though the faint twitch at the corner of her lips betrayed her amusement.
She really is dying of cringe.
"Alright, comedian," she said, her voice tinged with mock sternness. "Let's try to keep things focused, shall we?"
Still giggling, Cappie waved her hand dismissively.
"Come on, Mita. You've got to admit that was pretty clever."
Kind Mita sighed, glancing between the two of us with a mixture of exasperation and reluctant amusement.
"Let's just... get back to the plan," she said, her tone shifting back to seriousness.
Straightening up, I nodded, the grin slipping from my face as I focused on her words.
Behind her back, Cappie gave me a playful thumbs-up, her mischievous energy already rekindling.
Kind Mita leaned forward, hands steepled as she spoke with her usual seriousness.
"Alright. Regarding the plan to stop Crazy Mita. The general idea remains the same."She glanced between Cappie and me, her tone measured.
"We'll have to reach the core, version 0, which I mentioned earlier, Lukas. You remember that, right?"
I grinned, leaning back slightly.
"My memory's not that bad, give this poor boy a little credit."
Kind Mita rolled her eyes.
"Urgh. Whatever. As I was saying, the core is like the heart of this world, it controls everything."Her voice grew firmer.
She glanced at my head and then my stomach, the remnants of the violence from Crazy Mita's attack.
"And trust me, we don't want to face her again in a weakened state. The knife wound in your stomach was a close call, Lukas. We barely stopped the bleeding in time."
I touched the stitches on my stomach with a wince.
"Yeah, don't remind me. Stabbed in the gut, what a way to spend the afternoon."
"Keep it light, sure. But if we hadn't acted quickly, you wouldn't be here now."
Cappie, who had been hovering around nervously, finally spoke up with her usual bubbling energy.
"Well, I was there too! I helped! I... uh, held things in place while Mita stitched you up. Teamwork!"
I shot her a smirk.
"I'm sure you did everything you could, Cappie. Don't sell yourself short."
She definitely lightens up the atmosphere.
Cappie winked back at me, her playful tone never leaving her.
"Hey, I'm really good with my hands. You should know that by now."
Uhhh...
Kind Mita rolled her eyes, clearly trying to stay focused.
"Cappie, as much as I appreciate the help, we need to stay on track. We can't afford any more distractions, especially when we're facing Crazy Mita again."
"Right, right. No more knife fights, please."
Kind Mita gave me a pointed look, her tone serious.
"Anyway, we've already tried to overwhelm Crazy Mita with violence, which, let's face it, didn't exactly work in our favor."
Cappie was bouncing on her feet, her energy like a ball of sunlight in the room.
"But I like the idea of violence. Maybe we could do just a little bit more next time? You know, for fun?"
Kind Mita gave her a flat look, her patience clearly wearing thin.
"Not the time, Cappie."
"Yeah, let's not give Mita any more chances to stab me."
Kind Mita's voice became more resolute as she continued.
"We've tried reasoning with her, talking to her, all of it failed. The only real solution left is reaching the core and either resetting or deleting her character."
The words hit me harder than I expected.
Ending her?
I rubbed my head where she had stitched the gash earlier, contemplating the reality of what that meant.
"Delete or reset her?" I asked.
"Every player and every Mita is essentially an object in this world. We're all data with unique identifiers. That data is stored in the core. Resetting or deleting it should be possible... theoretically."
"And it should be possible to delete or reset a Mita character, at least I hope it's possible."
"Theoretically? You've never been to the core before?"
Kind Mita nodded, frustration creeping into her voice.
"No. Mitas can't enter the core. It's physically impossible for us. And no, I've never visited it myself."
I frowned, trying to make sense of everything.
"So the plan is to get to the core, find her data, and reset or delete her?"
"Yes, essentially."
I glanced at Cappie, still a bit lost in her own world, but this time her face lit up with excitement.
"Ooooh, I like the sound of that! Let's go delete some data! Sounds like my kind of thing!"
"Resetting someone's memories is basically killing them, though..."
Kind Mita's expression softened for a moment.
"Lukas, if we find any way to spare her, believe me, I'll be the first to take it. But until then, this is our best option."
I really hope that it's possible...but knowing Mita...it's probably not...
I looked at her, trying to find any sign of doubt in her voice, but there was none.
"Okay, I get it. I have two questions, though."
Kind Mita's expression softened, though she still seemed a little impatient.
Kind Mita raised an eyebrow. "Sure, shoot."
"First, what's Cappie's role in all this? Will she be coming with us?"
Cappie perked up instantly, her head tilting to the side.
"A journey? I'm in! I can carry snacks and give motivational speeches! Maybe a song or two?"
Kind Mita's face didn't change, but I could tell she was trying to stay composed.
"No, Cappie. Lukas, turn around. Do you recognize that device?"
I turned, my gaze landing on the red teleporter behind me.
"A teleporter."
"Exactly. Before Crazy Mita appeared, Subaru and I built the first one together in my apartment. He insisted on having a sleeping cycle, even though players don't need one, so I spent a lot of nights visiting Cappie, and we built a teleporter here."
Cappie's face twitched, and her voice wavered.
"Wait... I... I don't remember any of that. Did we really build that together?"
Kind Mita's voice softened slightly, her eyes avoiding Cappie's.
"Yes, we did. Before you... well, before you..."
Cappie seemed lost in thought, the gap in her memory evident on her face.
"I'm sorry. I don't remember anything like that... But hey, I'm sure I was great at it!"
I raised an eyebrow, catching the awkwardness in the air.
"Sounds like a really convenient memory wipe."
Too convenient...
Kind Mita quickly moved past the awkwardness, her voice gaining strength.
"The teleporter broke down in my apartment back then, the TV screen displaying all the data broke down. This one isn't finished either, and we don't have the missing parts. You'd know more if,well, if you still had your memories."
Wait a moment...
Cappie glanced up, a playful smirk returning to her face.
"I'm sure I was fantastic at building things. Maybe my brain's just a little bit... selective."
Kind Mita didn't indulge her teasing, staying focused on the task at hand.
"The plan is this: You'll be a backup, Cappie. You'll stay here and finish building the teleporter, in case we need to make a quick exit."
"Aww, so I'm the safety net?" She grinned. "I like it. But don't forget about me when you're off saving the world!"
"We won't, but just in case you forget, don't make me come back for you." I tease Cappie."Hah! I'll be here, just waiting to rescue you."
I gave her a wry smile, glad to see that her usual spunk was returning.
Kind Mita sighed, clearly trying to stay on track.
"Alright, once we've made our way through the versions, we'll reach version 0. And once there, we'll find Crazy Mita's data and-"
"And delete it!" Cappie completed her sentence.
"Yes, delete or reset it. But we can't afford any distractions along the way. We need to focus."Cappie gave an exaggerated salute.
"Understood! I'll hold down the fort here!"
Kind Mita nodded, then quickly turned her attention to the ring on my finger.
"Give me the ring, Lukas." Kind Mita asked me.
I hand her the ring which she takes into her hand, inspecting it.
"Give me a few minutes. You two can do whatever while I check the ring. We need to be sure it's safe for travel."
Cappie grinned, bouncing on her heels.
"Alright! Let's go explore again, Lukas! I can teach you how to make an excellent paper airplane!"
I rolled my eyes, unable to hold back a grin at her antics.
"Sure, but only if it doesn't stab me in the gut."
"No promises! Maybe a little stab for fun?"
Kind Mita muttered to herself, her voice barely audible over the noise in the room.
"They're going to drive me insane..."
Both Cappie and I left the bedroom.
"So... what do we do now?" I asked, glancing at Cappie.
Cappie bounced on her toes, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
"Ooh! I have an idea! Let's go to the kitchen!"
With a grin, she grabbed my hand and practically dragged me through the living room and into the kitchen, her energy palpable.
Once inside the kitchen, Cappie hopped up onto the counter and picked up the small red button she had tossed earlier.
"Here it is!" she said, practically glowing with enthusiasm. "This is it!" She carried it back to the table, placing it down with a flourish.
I raised an eyebrow, confused. "A button?"
Cappie beamed at me, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Yep! It's a little game. You press it when the timer gets to zero, and if you're the fastest, you win! But if you mess up, you lose a life."
"You lose three lives, and then you're out!" She giggled.
I gave her a skeptical look, trying to suppress a smile. "Sounds simple enough."
Cappie nodded enthusiastically, practically vibrating with energy. "Oh, but wait, let me check my inventory for a sec!"
She started pulling up random items. "Look! A rubber duck!" She laughed and tossed it in the air before catching it. "So cute!"
Then, she pulled out a gun and made a playful "pew pew" sound. "Ooooh, I could get into trouble with this one," she teased.
Next, she pulled out an axe. "Whoa... this could be fun!" she exclaimed, holding it like a mighty warrior.
Oh fuck, I want that axe.
I laughed at her antics. "A little overboard, don't you think?"
Finally, Cappie hesitated before pulling out the vibrator.
Interesting.
Her eyes widened in surprise, and she immediately tried to hide it behind her back, a deep blush creeping up her cheeks. "Uh, well, this is still an adult game after all," she stammered, clearly flustered.
She glanced at me quickly, her voice teasing but slightly nervous. "But, uh... it could really make things... buzz."
She shifted uncomfortably and tucked it behind her back more discreetly, her usual playful demeanor softening for a moment.
I raised an eyebrow, a little surprised.
"Cappie, what are you planning to do with that?"
She giggled nervously and cleared her throat. "W-well, you never know when you might need a little... extra excitement, right?" She grinned again, trying to recover from the awkward moment.
"But, uh, I'll put it away for now!"
I smiled, amused by her reaction. "Maybe not the best idea for this moment?"
She laughed and nodded, her cheeks still a bit red. "Right, right! Focus! Let's get back to the game!" She clapped her hands and moved on, trying to regain her usual enthusiasm.
Cappie tapped a few more buttons on the screen and pulled out something unexpected: a toy hammer.
I blinked at it, confused. "Wait, what's this for?"
She grinned mischievously, holding it up proudly. "Oh, we use this to bonk each other on the head after each win! It's part of the fun!"
I raised an eyebrow, still unsure. "Bonk each other on the head? With that?" I glanced at the plush hammer, not sure whether to laugh or worry.
"Are you sure that's safe?"
Cappie giggled and waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, it's perfectly safe! It's a soft toy, see?" She tapped it lightly against her palm, demonstrating.
"The rule is, every time someone wins, they get to bonk the loser on the head with this. But don't worry, I'll be extra careful, especially since you had that surgery!" She winked, clearly enjoying my hesitation.
I was still a little concerned, but I couldn't help but laugh.
"Alright, alright. If you're sure."
Cappie laughed and nodded enthusiastically. "Yep, let's go! Time to start!"
She pressed a button on the timer, and the countdown began. "Ready?" she asked, her grin wide and mischievous.
The game began.
The timer started ticking down, and we both waited with bated breath.
As the timer hit zero, I pressed the button almost instinctively, but Cappie's fingers were lightning fast.
"Ha! I win!" she declared, hopping in place. "One point for me!"
I laughed nervously, looking at the soft hammer. "Okay... here we go," I said, bracing myself.
Hope she will not crush my skull...
Cappie tapped it gently against my head with a playful bonk! "See? It's harmless!" She laughed, clearly enjoying herself.
I chuckled, still a bit unsure. "That was... okay, I guess."
We went again, and this time I was determined to catch up, but Cappie's reflexes were too quick.
She beat me to the button yet again.
"Ha! Two to zero!" she grinned, bouncing excitedly.
I frowned playfully. "No fair! You're way too fast!"
I can't keep up with any of these girls, urgh...
Cappie giggled. "What can I say? I've got skills!" She tapped the soft hammer against my head again with another playful bonk.
"You're still in the game, though!"
I shook my head, trying to recover. "Alright, alright. I've got this. One more life!"
The timer counted down once more, and this time, I managed to press the button just a split second before Cappie did.
"Yes! Finally!" I cheered, feeling victorious. "Two to one!"
Cappie laughed. "Nice job! But I'm still ahead!" she teased.
I gave her a cheeky grin and tapped her on the head with the soft hammer. Bonk! "Payback!" I laughed, feeling a bit more confident.
The tension built as the timer counted down once more.
This time, Cappie hesitated, just a fraction too long, and I beat her to the button again."Ha! Two to two!" I laughed, bouncing on my feet.
Cappie pouted dramatically, sticking her tongue out at me. "Oh no! Looks like it's tied up!" she said with mock drama. "Okay, you've earned a real bonk this time!"
I laughed and bonked her gently on the head once more. Bonk! "This is getting fun now!"
The final round began, and Cappie's excitement turned to determination, but this time, she got flustered and messed up several times.
I pressed the button just before she did, securing the final point.
"YES! Three to two! I won!" I cheered, feeling triumphant.
Cappie grinned, even in defeat. "Wow, you're really good! I can't believe I failed that many times at the end!" She laughed, clearly impressed by my comeback.
Hmm...did she let me win?
I smiled, still catching my breath from the excitement. "Hey, you were awesome, though! Those first two rounds were yours!"
Kind Mita entered the kitchen.
"Oh? Done already?" I asked, raising an eyebrow as I looked up from the table.
Kind Mita stood tall, her demeanor serious but with a hint of warmth in her gaze. "Yes. I have good and bad news," she said, her voice steady.
Cappie, ever the optimist, perked up with a bright grin. "Tell us the good ones first!" she chimed, hopping around the room like an excited ball of energy.
Kind Mita let out a soft sigh, not unkindly, but her tone remained pragmatic. "The route embedded in this ring is almost identical to the one I chose before," she explained, tapping her fingers thoughtfully on the counter.
"Just a few more extra versions we have to traverse."
Cappie giggled, skipping in a small circle. "Ooh, that doesn't sound too bad! A few extra versions are nothing, right?"
"The bad news?" I prompted, already sensing a change in the air.
Kind Mita's expression tightened slightly, and she exhaled deeply.
"I cannot remove those extra versions. I don't know how Crazy Mita did it, but I cannot modify the route," she said, sounding frustrated but determined.
Cappie gasped dramatically. "Oh nooo, that's not good!" she exclaimed, her smile slipping for a moment. "What now, boss?"
Kind Mita nodded, her eyes narrowing slightly as she spoke, her seriousness not wavering. "She definitely tampered with this ring," she muttered, almost to herself.
"But creating a new one would take too much time. We'll have to live with it and use this one. Even if it's not the most optimal route."
Cappie looked concerned but nodded vigorously. "We can do it!" she said brightly, trying to lift the mood.
Kind Mita sat down at the table next to me, her gaze softening as she glanced over at me. "We will manage. It's just... not ideal."
I think now is a good time to ask for that axe.
"Hey, uhm... Cappie?" I began, hesitant but hopeful. "You have an axe in your inventory... could we maybe borrow it for the journey?"
Cappie's eyes lit up as she looked over at me, her mischievous grin returning in full force.
"Ooooh, you want the axe? Well, well, well... why should I give it to you?" she teased, her voice playful and full of energy.
Kind Mita immediately looked over at me, her expression hardening.
"No." Her voice was firm and unwavering.
"You are not getting the axe. I'll be carrying it. I'll protect you on this journey. That's my responsibility."
She paused for a moment, her gaze lingering on the axe. "It will be safer in my hands. You won't need it."
I frowned slightly, curious. "Wait... Mita, aren't you against violence? Why would you carry the axe then?"
Kind Mita's expression softened just a bit, but her tone stayed serious, almost reflective. "I'm not against violence, I still hate violence though," she said quietly, her eyes meeting mine with intensity.
"I know that not all problems can be solved by dialogue. I've learned that the hard way."
Her voice grew quieter, a note of sadness creeping in as she continued.
"I already lost my player. And I lost Cappie too... in a way. She was killed once and lost her memories... and I couldn't save her."
She took a deep breath, clearly processing her own words.
"I will not lose you, too," she added with quiet conviction, her gaze unwavering.
"This is the one thing I can control, and I will do whatever it takes to protect you. Even if it means carrying an axe."
Cappie, who had been watching silently, suddenly spoke up with a teasing grin.
"Ooooh, Mita, you're all serious and protective! But don't worry, I'm sure he doesn't need it. You just like carrying around big things, huh?" she laughed, her usual playful tone returning.
Kind Mita gave her a sharp look, but there was no malice in it.
"Cappie," she began, her voice firm but gentle, "this isn't a game. I have to be practical about this. The axe is for protection. Not for fun."
Cappie let out a little giggle, shrugging her shoulders.
"Alright, alright, you win, Mita! You are the boss after all!" she said, still grinning.
Kind Mita sighed, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
"Good. Now, let's focus on the task ahead." She turned back to me, her eyes softening. "I'll carry the axe. You just... stay out of trouble."
I chuckle, still processing everything she said. "You're really serious about this, aren't you?"
She nods, her expression determined once more. "I have to be. I've lost too much already to take risks now."
Cappie bounces up to me with a wink. "Guess that means you've got two strong protectors now, huh?" she teases, tapping my shoulder.
She feels like a wife protecting her husband, huh? She definitely is wife material.
I grin at both of them. "Yeah, looks like it. Thanks, Mita."
She nods, then pulls the axe into her inventory with a decisive motion. "It's done. Now, let's get ready. We have a journey ahead."
Cappie, ever the playful spirit, skips up to Kind Mita with a grin.
"Ooooh, Mita, you're all serious and no fun today! I think we need a little break before the big journey!" She bounces on her heels, eyes sparkling with excitement.
"How about a quick game to get the energy flowing?"
Kind Mita looks at Cappie with a raised eyebrow. "A game?" she asks, her tone still pragmatic.
"We're supposed to be preparing. Not... playing."
Cappie pouts, her big eyes filled with innocent charm.
"But Mita, we need to loosen up, right? C'mon, just one quick round of the game we played earlier! Please?" She tilts her head, practically radiating cuteness as she waits for her response.Kind Mita sighs, clearly reluctant but still understanding of Cappie's energy.
"Fine, but just one round. We can't waste too much time," she says, crossing her arms, trying to maintain her usual calm demeanor.
"It's not like I'll lose anyway." Her voice hints at irony, clearly not expecting the outcome to go in Cappie's favor.
"Yay!" Cappie cheers, clapping her hands excitedly.
She practically skips over to the table, eagerly setting everything up for the game. "You're gonna love it, I promise!"
With a resigned smile, Kind Mita sits down, making sure to keep her composure. "Alright, let's do this."
The timer begins, and the two start the game.
It's a simple, yet competitive challenge, each of them racing to hit the button as it flashes.
The timer ticks down, and Cappie's reflexes are lightning-fast.
She slams her hand onto the button just before Kind Mita, her victory clear.
Cappie grins widely, hopping in place. "Woo! One for me!" she sings, her energy bubbling over.
"Don't worry, Mita, you've got two more chances! I know you'll catch up!"
With a playful flourish, she grabs the soft toy hammer from the table and lightly bonks Kind Mita on the head, her bright laughter echoing in the room.
"Aww, it's so cute and soft, I almost feel bad!" she teases, her voice light and teasing.
Kind Mita shakes her head, her usual composed demeanor remaining, though there's a flicker of frustration in her eyes.
"I see... this is how it's going to be." She taps her fingers on the table, trying to shake off the loss.
"Fine, one round. There are two left."
The timer flashes again, and this time, it's an even closer race.
But once again, Cappie's reflexes prove to be too quick.
Cappie jumps up with a wide grin, her excitement infectious.
"TWO! Oh, Mita, you're slacking today!" she teases, barely able to contain her laughter.
She grabs the soft toy hammer again and, with a dramatic swing, bonks Mita on the head once more, her tone playful and teasing.
"Maybe this little hammer can knock some sense into you!"
Kind Mita's eyes narrow slightly, but she manages a calm exhale. "You're... quick," she mutters, though there's a hint of frustration in her voice.
"But it's not over. I'm not giving up yet."
The timer begins once again, and Kind Mita is laser-focused.
She watches the timer tick down, trying to anticipate the flash of the button.
But once again, Cappie outpaces her with a quick jab.
Cappie lets out a victorious cheer. "THREE! I win!" She jumps up and down, practically glowing with energy.
"Guess you just can't keep up with me, Mita!"
Without missing a beat, she grabs the toy hammer once again and bonks Mita on the head, the soft thud of the toy ringing out in the room.
"You know, I think I'm getting really good at this bonking thing!" she teases, winking at Mita.
Kind Mita stares at the table for a moment, her frustration mounting despite her best efforts to stay composed.
She lets out a soft sigh, standing up slowly. "3-0..." she mutters, almost to herself.
"This isn't going according to plan. I'll admit... I didn't expect this."
She forces a smile, though it's clear that the defeat stings more than she lets on.
"I guess you are faster than I thought," she says, though there's a hint of bitterness in her voice.Cappie giggles, still on a high from her win.
"Aww, Mita, don't be so grumpy! It was just a game, right? You're still my super strong boss!" She pats Mita on the shoulder in a friendly manner, her usual cheeriness never faltering.
"I promise, we'll make up for it someday! But hey, if you ever need any more practice..." She raises an eyebrow, winking playfully.
Kind Mita exhales, clearly trying to regain her calm composure.
"Yes... practice. I need to focus." She turns back toward the task at hand, brushing aside the playful teasing.
"We've got more important matters to attend to than a silly game."
Cappie grins, bouncing on her feet. "You'll get 'em next time, Mita! Just remember: you've always got me to beat when you need some practice!"
Mita, taking a moment to gather herself, gives Cappie a small, amused look. "I'll be ready next time. But for now, let's focus on what really matters."
Cappie gives a theatrical sigh, her energy never wavering. "Fine, fine, I guess we'll have to get serious now, huh?"
"Yes," Kind Mita replies, the spark of leadership back in her eyes. "We will. Let's go."With that, Kind Mita and I walk to the main entrance.
With a bright smile, Cappie bounces over to Kind Mita and me.
"Good luck, you two!" She throws her arms around both of us, giving us big, warm hugs."I know you've got this, Mita! And you too!" she says, her voice full of bubbly energy as she looks at me.
"Stay safe out there, okay? Don't forget, you're both amazing!"
Kind Mita looks down at Cappie with a soft smile but maintains her usual composed demeanor.
"Thank you, Cappie," she says, her tone firm but warm. "I'll make sure we're ready for what comes next." She nods thoughtfully, her eyes sharpening as she surveys the situation ahead.
I chuckle, feeling the warmth of Cappie's hug. "Thanks, Cappie. We'll be careful."
Cappie beams, still a ball of infectious energy.
"Don't worry about me! I've got the teleporter all set up," she says, giving a wink before stepping back with an exaggeratedly confident gesture.
"And if anything goes wrong, you know where to find me! Just... try not to get into too much trouble without me, okay?"
Kind Mita watches her for a moment before giving a small sigh.
"I know you're excited, Cappie, but we need to focus. The sooner we finish, the sooner we can all be together again."
Cappie pouts slightly, but then grins wide again. "I know, I know! Focus, focus! But remember, I'll be waiting right here, all ready to help whenever you need me! Just give me a shout!"
Kind Mita crosses her arms, her eyes narrowing slightly in that thoughtful, introspective way she gets when she's processing something.
"Just don't forget what I said about the teleporter. It's vital. We might really need it at some point." Her voice is serious, but there's still a trace of lightness to it, as though she's teasing herself for being so strict.
Cappie gives a quick nod, her playful smile still evident.
Kind Mita gives a quick nod, her usual calm demeanor still present but tinged with a slight smile.
"Don't worry, Cappie. I've already got the three items needed for the teleporter in my inventory," she says, her voice steady and assured.
"Everything's all set to teleport us back to this exact apartment whenever we need it." She gives a brief, satisfied nod, the weight of responsibility on her shoulders.
Cappie lights up with a grin, clearly impressed.
"Ooooh, Mita, you're always one step ahead!" she exclaims, her energy bouncing up in full force."Teleportation, yay!" She twirls around, practically skipping with excitement, as if the very idea of teleporting thrills her to no end.
"I love how prepared you are! We're totally gonna rock this!"
With a deep breath, Kind Mita turns toward the door, her gaze focused on the path ahead.
"Next stop, version 1.3B," she announces with quiet determination.