Bad End or Good End

Alain was cornered. Crazy Mita had forced him back against the wall, and the greatsword hilt trembled in his grip, threatening to slip from his grasp at any moment.

"Hmm~ What's wrong, darling? Giving up already? You're panting. So cute~" She purred, a predatory glint in her eyes. "My anger's mostly subsided. If you want to beg for forgiveness, go ahead. But..."

A blush bloomed on her cheeks as she tightened her grip on the dagger. "You'll have to use some sweet words. Coax me. And then... we can be together. Forever."

Alain had to admit, despite the jarring combination of dagger and greatsword, the mischievous girl was undeniably cute.

Crazy Mita's gaze flicked to the greatsword in his hands. "Also, I thought I knew you so well. But you were hiding secrets. After this is over..." She smiled, a sugary sweetness that didn't quite reach her eyes. "You'll have to tell. Me. Everything."

Alain balked at that. He wasn't entirely opposed to the idea of "together forever" with this captivatingly dangerous girl, but that was predicated on him retaining the information advantage – and the self-preservation abilities – of the Security Guard.

Without that gap, he was certain that Mita, brilliant enough to build a cross-dimensional machine, would find a loophole. And then... it truly would be "forever." His entire existence at her mercy, played with at her whim... leading to utterly shameless days.

He found himself wondering, almost idly, if having children was even possible in this game. The thought was quickly followed by a chill that had nothing to do with anticipation.

"And that puppet lady over there," Mita continued, her voice laced with venom. "After this, I'm going to kill her." She sighed, a dramatic, theatrical sound. "I wanted to enjoy our little moment, but it seems the messes I left behind have become the source of our quarrel. It's my fault, really—" Her azure eyes flashed, the full force of her killing intent unleashed. "—for not killing her in the first place."

Alain's gaze drifted to Kind Mita. She stood, flustered, seemingly caught in a desperate internal debate. Then, with a visible effort, she bit her lip and nodded vigorously.

"Tap."

Alain's back finally hit the wall. He was out of room. Trapped.

"Don't make this harder than it has to be."

"Hmm? Harder?" Crazy Mita tilted her head, a picture of innocent confusion.

"I'm not talking to you," Alain said, his voice low. "I'm talking to her." He looked directly at Kind Mita, and Crazy Mita followed his gaze.

"You made that face... how could I not save you?" Alain thought, What the hell. He was already saving himself; saving one more person was just a matter of convenience. And, she had called him "dear."

Crazy Mita was momentarily stunned. Then, a feeling of weightlessness swept over her. She looked down, realizing Alain had twisted sideways, using the smooth wall to evade her overwhelming strength.

"Thud!"

Caught off guard, Mita's momentum carried her forward, slamming her upper body into the wall.

"...Damn physics engine! Why does it have to be so realistic?!" she groaned, her face flushed, tears of pain springing to her eyes.

But Alain wasn't finished.

Mita suddenly felt her hand empty. Her dagger, snatched away, clattered to the floor. Then, two arms, strong as ropes, wrapped around her, binding her tightly.

"Idiot! What are you doing?! It's not time for that yet! Wait until after I kill her!"

"Hmm? Can we do it?" Alain deliberately breathed into Mita's ear, the warm puff of air making her struggle noticeably weaker.

"No... that, at least... wait until I'm... ready..."

The struggling started again, but it was feeble, her body almost melting against his. Alain let out a quiet breath of relief.

[85%→90%]

In their previous clashes, Alain had been surprised to discover that not only had his strength and reflexes increased, but even his more abstract combat skills had sharpened. He'd realized this while blocking Mita's initial attacks.

Facing her dagger, he hadn't panicked; he'd had room to maneuver, to test the limits of his enhanced abilities. However, he'd also learned something crucial: even with the Security Guard's [Clean Up & Speed Boost], his raw strength couldn't match hers.

And right now, Mita was using a dagger. If she switched to a weapon with more reach, even Alain might not be able to subdue her.

"Have you forgiven me?"

"...Forgiven."

Holding the mischievous girl close, whispering into her ear, Alain shot a look at Kind Mita. She nodded, understanding instantly, and rushed to open the prison door.

With a groaning creak, the door swung open. Kind Mita, taking a deep breath of the outside air, didn't hesitate. She moved behind Alain, tugging gently at his clothes.

She glanced at the now lovey-dovey Crazy Mita, her eyes wide with a mixture of surprise and forced calm. Her lips trembled, forming silent words:

[What do we do with her?]

Alain considered. They'd keep things as they were for now, until the progress bar was full. After that... this world wouldn't be his concern.

Then, he looked down at the girl who seemed utterly lost in a sugary haze within his arms. A flicker of something unreadable passed through his dark eyes.

"You're like a flower."

"Such a cliché... But, I like it!" She smiled, a radiant, spring-like expression. Like a flower, yes – a flower brimming with deadly poison.

The mischievous girl was complex, a whirlwind of contradictions. Adorable, yet lethal.

She existed on the edge of two extremes. And her love... it was intense. Like molten rock. One wrong move, and he'd be consumed, reduced to nothing but bone.

And on the other side...

Alain glanced at Kind Mita, who looked back, puzzled. He was curious about her, too.

They'd only just met. Yet her actions baffled him.

Crazy Mita had said she'd forgive him, on the condition that he kill Kind Mita later. And Kind Mita, after a moment of agonizing hesitation, had agreed to give up everything.

This was bizarre behavior for two strangers. He had a strong feeling... there were secrets here.

"By the way, Alain," the girl in his arms murmured, drawing his attention back. "Have you hugged me enough? We can hug more after I kill that puppet." Her bright eyes seemed to convey the most casual of thoughts.

So, she still hasn't forgotten about that.

Alain's mouth twitched. He forced a smile. "No, it's never enough." He was just being a professional.

[90%→95%]

"Really... you're still so smooth. But let's put the sweet talk on hold for now." Her hand crept up his arms.

Alain felt a surge of monstrous strength, gradually loosening his hold on Mita. Until she broke free completely. She glanced at the dagger on the floor, a swift, predatory movement, and quickly bent to retrieve it.

In the next instant, the sharp edge was aimed at Kind Mita's throat.

With a hiss, a large sword, glowing with blue light, intercepted the attack.

"Alain? Just stay put. After our [alone time]..." Crazy Mita's mouth curved in a shy smile, her delicate lips reflecting the dim light of the basement. "I will... offer myself to you. Ah~ I said it!"

[95%→100%]

Alain, straining against her overwhelming power, wanted to object. He hadn't done anything, yet he was still somehow at fault.

"...Alain, let go."

The girl behind him, at this moment, patted his shoulder. "With you here, Crazy Mita should be significantly restrained. That way, the other Mitas can be saved, too."

Alain looked back. Kind Mita smiled, shaking her head slightly. Her words, so utterly rational, stirred something within him.

"Besides, there's no lasting impact if Mita dies. Only her memory and room will be reset. That's why Crazy Mita, who took over my room, didn't kill me."

Alain remained silent, still struggling to hold her back.

Kind Mita leaned close, her lips moving near his ear, whispering so only he could hear. "At that point, with her love for you, you can go directly to the core and reset her. And that way... you'll have a chance to go home. So, dear..."

"Shut up."

Alain was just an ordinary guy. An ordinary guy with a bit of bad luck.

In the real world, he was drowning in debt. After graduation, he'd face a mountain of repayments.

Under that crushing pressure, he'd found the game Mita. He was, in that moment, deeply grateful for the relentless advertising of 720 Security Guard.

And Mita-type characters... they were his solace, his escape.

"I won't... let you die in front of me. I haven't heard enough of those 'dears' yet." A strained smile touched his lips. "Also, I hate bad endings and R18g."

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