You give Hiyoko one you think she'll like.

It's done, and right on time. You'd worked methodically, undoing every wrong note you'd added to Mahiru's brain and returning it to what you hoped was its original state. You put in the necessary off-trigger and the easygoing attitude she needed to have about brainwashing. Then, with that out of the way, you began the part that was more art than science. You recalled as much as you could about how Hiyoko had talked about her friend. Well, "friend" seemed to be a bit of a short word for how Hiyoko felt about Mahiru, in your opinion, but maybe that was just the lesbian in you... You tried to mold Mahiru's brain into a shape that would fit Hiyoko's desires so well, she'd be willing to overlook any minor flaws and let you off the hook. When you reboot her, you're relieved to find a relatively normal Mahiru... one whose differences only seem to show up when the two of you discuss Hiyoko.

In other words, it's exactly what you hoped for. Since it's now lunch time, you take her along with you, resisting the urge to tie a big bow on her to really drive the point home. Maybe with such a great gift, Hiyoko will finally leave you alone...!

As you and Mahiru approach her table, Hiyoko has her arms crossed and an intense, unblinking expression on her pretty face. You can see she's been waiting here excitedly, since her food is almost untouched. She must already have in mind how she'll confirm this Mahiru is the real deal.

Immediately, Mahiru throws her for a loop by walking around to her side of the table, taking a seat beside her friend. Not just beside her friend, but right next to her on the bench. It ought to seat three people, but she leaves only inches of space between the two of them. When Hiyoko turns her head to meet Mahiru's eyes, Mahiru gives her a fond smile and speaks. Her voice is, thankfully, back to her usual mature and friendly tone... although, maybe a little more mature and friendly than it had been before. "How's my favorite Little Sis doing?"

"Uuuh..." Hiyoko mutters, looking between the two of you. She settles on you. "She sounds better, but... still kinda off..." You can see her settle back on her questions, determined to take you to task. "Big Sis Mahiru! How do you feel about photography? Did you take any good shots this morning?"

Mahiru giggles warmly and reaches into her bag, producing some. "You're so silly, Little Sis... You know I've had a busy morning. I did take these just yesterday, though, see? I think they're all excellent compositions, especially this one, with the sunrise. A beautiful sunrise reminds me of someone very close and special to me, after all."

"Uhuh..." Hiyoko replies with a gulp, again glancing at you nervously. "This is... some kinda trick, isn't it?"

Her friend clears her throat for attention. "Ahem! Didn't you have more questions for me, Little Sis?"

"Yeah... H-how do you feel about Tomomo...?"

"Well, Tomo's all right, but she's not special. Not like you." Ignoring her food, Mahiru dotingly brushes Hiyoko's bangs just how she seems to want them, fixing them like she's prettying up a doll and smiling broadly at her handiwork. "You're beautiful, you're a talented dancer, you're smart and funny... The perfect little sister. I love you so much!" She plants a kiss on Hiyoko's forehead.

With a bright red face, Hiyoko leaps to her feet. "W-wait wait, what is this?! Tomomo, you know I'm gonna kick your butt, right?! There's no way you think this is what Big Sis Mahiru is actually like! Why did I waste my time describing her to you?!"

"Now, Hiyoko, calm down," Mahiru reassured her, apologizing. "Sorry! I was laying it on a little thick. It was just a little joke, okay? I'm normal! I'm functional. I love photography again, and I can talk like a normal human being. I just... wanted to tell you how special you are to me, you know?"

"A joke?!" Hiyoko sputtered, her eyes wide. "You just kissed me!"

"Is there a problem with that?" Mahiru replied, shutting her eyes and looking a little red and cross herself. "That's how special you are to me. But you're especially cute when you're nice to people. So try and get along with Tomo, all right?"

Hiyoko nodded dumbly, but turned her head to you with a conflicted impression. She turned back to Mahiru. "Right, uh... last question. How do you feel about me calling you Big Sis?"

Mahiru actually laughed now, covering her mouth. "Oh, Hiyoko, you're too cute! You know I love it when you call me that. But, hm..." A surprising, playful wink crosses her ordinarily serious face as she lowers her voice to a whisper, talking behind her hand. "You can call me something else when we're alone, you know? I'll give you some suggestions."

Watching this is pretty fun, but you decide to pull the trigger. You sigh and admit to Hiyoko that this Mahiru is just as messed up as the last one. You'll say the keyword and put her on pause so you can try and fix her again...

The off word is only halfway out of your mouth before Hiyoko shouts. "No! I mean, uh..." Glancing away and sweating, Hiyoko had an awkward smile, trying to put on the expression she usually wore when she teased you. She doesn't seem to be a great actor, either, despite her time in showbusiness. "You're so clumsy that if you try to fix this, you'll probably just muck it up again with your fat fingers. Maybe this is just a glitch in your stupid programming, uh... Something that'll smooth itself out? At least she's talking like a human being now! Let's... give it a day, and see how things play out. I'll keep my lips shut and stay your execution one more day."

You can't help but smile. It couldn't have gone better. Just to make sure, you'll seal the deal. You approach Hiyoko, telling her to bring it in, then wrap your thicker arms around her thin shoulders. Quickly, before you can get elbowed in the stomach, you whisper her your secret message: Mahiru's current romantic state, specifically, is malleable. She'll react and adapt to Hiyoko's advances. Tonight is Hiyoko's chance to determine what kind of relationship she wants with Mahiru... As normal or as freaky as she wants.

You get that elbow after all. You sink to your knees on the floor as the other tables start murmuring. Mahiru rises to her feet and starts scolding Hiyoko. "That's no way to treat Tomo! Didn't I tell her you're cuter when your nice?" You see her lean in closer to Hiyoko, which puts her standing over you, inadvertently giving you a nice peek up her skirt at the side-tied polka-dot panties she wears and some of her more private freckles. You're enjoying the view as a side dish to the salacious whispering you get to pick up. "Or... are you trying to get punished in private?" Mahiru whispers to her friend in a low voice. "Do you want me to treat you like a good girl, or a bad girl?"

To your surprise, you don't get to hear the answer. It turns out you'd been pushing yourself harder than you thought, and the pain from Hiyoko's sharp elbow is enough to knock you out.

When you wake up again, who knows what Mahiru's and Hiyoko's formerly friendly relationship will look like? You'd hoped that giving a nice gift and having Mahiru encourage Hiyoko to be good would be enough to finally turn Hiyoko into a well-behaved girl... But, after listening to that exchange, you're not sure that's how this is going to play out.