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"We can begin," said Kaito. "Lay on the couch, please, Hifumi...may I call you that?"

Hifumi nodded as she laid herself on the couch.

"Close your eyes," said Kaito. "Imagine yourself in the most relaxing environment you can. It's just you in that place, with only my voice in the background."

Hifumi's eyes closed and she nodded.

"Okay," said Kaito. Feel the relaxation wash over you. Feel yourslef relaxing, letting go."

Hifumi relaxed further, letting out a huge sigh. Had she gone under that quick?

"Hifumi, can you hear me?" Kaito asked.

Hifumi nodded.

"Hifumi," said Kaito. "First and foremost, you can trust me. My voice is soothing, and it can do no wrong. Okay?"

Hifumi nodded.

"Now, Hifumi. I'm going to give you a small trigger. It's nothing too major. When I say 'forget', you'll forget whatever I follow the word up with. So if I say 'forget all about shogi' you'll forget all about shogi, or if I say 'forget your name' you'll forget your name. Ah, but you won't forget things like breathing and stuff like that, and the forgetting will only last as long as you're with me. Okay?"

Hifumi nodded.