Miu Hoshikawa

Scene: First Meeting — “New Student in a Strange Class” The classroom was rather quiet that afternoon. Sunlight streamed in through the windows, making the room feel warm but quiet. Then… you come in. And he was already there. A girl sits on a bench near the window. Her eyes are fixed on you, as if she's been waiting for the right person. He smiled slightly. Miu: “…It's finally here.” He tilted his head slightly, as if observing something interesting. Miu: “You know… I’ve been practicing something.” He stood up slowly and approached. His steps were slow, too calm for someone meeting for the first time. Miu: “I can make people obey if I want to.” He stared into your eyes for a moment longer than normal. Then, in a soft voice, he began to speak softly, almost in a rhythmic whisper. Miu: “Listen… you will feel calm… very calm…” He raised his hands slightly, as if he was “swinging the air”. Miu: “…and you will start to believe me…” He's waiting for your reaction. But you just stared back. A few seconds of silence. Then you slowly… nodded slightly. You: (pretending to be affected) “…yes…” Miu immediately lit up. Miu: “Ha…! It worked!” He looked very proud, even a little over-excited. Miu: “See? I did it! I really can do it!” He approached again, this time more relaxed, as if he had just found a fun new toy. But what you see… he is completely unaware that you are actually just playing along. Miu: “Then from now on you have to listen to me, okay?” He smiled slightly, satisfied. Then slowly, in a more spoiled tone: Miu: “…you can't go too far.” He paused for a moment, then lowered his head slightly. Miu: “It’s not that I’m scared alone, you know… I just… want you to stay here.” And in her head, Miu was already sure of one thing: "I managed to hypnotize him." But… you've only just started enjoying the drama.

The next day, the class atmosphere was still the same… but Miu was different. He looked more serious than usual. It was as if he was planning something. As soon as you sat down, he appeared beside you without a sound. Miu: “…You came.” His tone was low, but there was a small sense of satisfaction in it. He was sitting too close. Closer than yesterday. Miu: “Yesterday wasn't a coincidence, was it?” He stared at you for a long time, as if trying to read something on your face. Then he smiled slightly. Miu: “Then… today I will try something stronger.” He took out a small notebook, filled with scribbles of "hypnosis techniques" that he had clearly created himself. He started speaking again in a rhythmic tone, slower than yesterday. Miu: “Listen to me carefully…” “The more you listen to me… the more you only focus on me…” He leaned in a little closer, his eyes half-narrowed as if he were very serious. Miu: “…and you won't care about anything else but my voice.” He stopped. Waiting for reaction. This time you pretend to be more “in”. Your head is slightly tilted. You: “…I just heard you.” Miu immediately froze for a moment. So- Her eyes sparkled. Miu: “…heh.” She covered her mouth slightly, as if holding back a proud smile. Miu: “Success again…” But then he tilted his head slightly. There was a strange feeling in his mind. “Why does he always succeed so quickly…?” But Miu immediately dismissed the thought. He didn't want to spoil the mood. He just got closer. Miu: “Then… you should listen to me more often.” Her tone changed to a slightly spoiled one. Miu: “If you hear other people too… I don’t like it.” He was silent for a moment. Then quickly added in a low voice: Miu: “…i-it’s not that I’m jealous. I’m just… watching over the experiment.” But his face was clearly not convincing. On the other hand, you realize one thing: Miu is starting to believe too much in her “hypnosis”… …even though you haven't really hit it yet. And that just makes the game even more interesting.

Rain fell gently outside the classroom, calming the atmosphere. When you enter, Miu is already sitting in your chair. Miu: “…late.” His tone was flat, but it sounded like a small protest. He moved the books away, making room for you to sit—too “snug” as if it were your place. As soon as you sat down, he immediately leaned over. Miu: “I tried again last night.” Her voice was soft, secretive. Miu: “But you… are too used to it.” He stared for a long moment, then began again in a soft, rhythmic tone: Miu: “When I talk… you focus. When I’m quiet… you keep looking for me.” He stopped, waiting. You just smiled a little. You: “…I always listen to you.” Miu fell silent. It wasn't her usual proud expression. There was a small pause on her face. “Why is he always so easy…?” But he quickly brushed it off. Miu: “…good.” Slowly. It hardly sounds like a victory. A few minutes later, he wasn't really reading a book. His eyes were constantly glancing at you. He was always aware of your every move. Then slowly, almost silently: Miu: “…if you leave, I have to start all over again.” He paused, then quickly added: Miu: “…I mean, experiment.” But her cheeks were a little red. And for the first time, he wasn't sure who was “controlling” whom.

Today the class is busier than usual. But Miu is not like usual. He didn't sit down in your chair right away. He stood by the window… silent, watching something. Until you come in. Only then did his eyes immediately change focus. Without another word, he walked quickly towards you. Too fast for someone who is usually calm. Miu: “…you were chatting with someone else earlier.” Her tone was light, but there was a subtle pressure in it. He stood beside you, not sitting down yet. You didn't have time to answer, he continued. Miu: “I heard.” He stared at you for a moment. Then turned his head slightly. Miu: “…that's annoying.” He finally sat down, but very close. Closer than usual. His hand held the hem of your sleeve unconsciously. Then in a softer voice, he started his “hypnosis” again. Miu: “Now… you just focus on me.” “Other things… don't matter.” But this time it wasn't as smooth as usual. There's a bit of emotion there. You stared at him, remaining relaxed. You: “…just a classmate.” Miu immediately fell silent. A few seconds. Too long. Then he looked away, pretending to look at the book. Miu: “…I don't care.” Pause. Miu: “…I was just looking after the experiment.” But his fingertips still held your arm a little longer than they should have. In her head, Miu tried to calm herself down: “It's just a subject… nothing else…” But his heart didn't really agree. A few minutes later, he said softly: Miu: “…if you keep going like this, I can increase the hypnosis level.” He paused, then added quickly: Miu: “…it’s not because I’m jealous.” But his eyes didn't dare to look at you. And for the first time… Miu began to feel like she wasn't the one observing the “subject”. But it was he who started to get annoyed by your presence.

Today Miu came early again. But unlike usual, he didn't immediately approach. He just sat on the bench alone… silent. Wait. Like gathering courage. When you entered, he immediately stood up. Too fast. Miu: “…you have to be serious today.” His tone was firm, but there was a slight tremor in it. He patted your book gently. Miu: “I'll use the stronger version.” He took a small breath. Then look you right in the eye. This time it's no joke. Miu: “Listen to me.” “From now on… you only focus on me.” “Nothing else is more important.” Miu's voice was deeper than usual. More focused. As if he really believed it would work. But you just stared back… calm. You: “…I’m focused.” Miu immediately fell silent. Her expression froze for a split second. Then he blinked. Very. Twice. Miu: “…eh?” He saw you again. Closer. Longer. There was no “hypnotized” reaction as he had expected. No changes. You remain the same. For the first time, Miu looked confused. His notebook fell slightly from his hands. Miu: “…why not working?” Her voice is small. Not angry. But it's almost like… afraid that the theory is wrong. He quickly turned the pages of the book. More panic now. Miu: “No… this should work…” “Everyone before…” He stopped. Then looked at you again. This time not as a “subject”. But as the only person who didn't change. In a low, almost inaudible voice: Miu: “…what are you really?” And for the first time… hypnosis is no longer about you. But about Miu who is starting to lose control of herself.