You give Hiyoko a near-perfect restoration, but...

It's done, and right on time. One by one, you believe you've remembered every programming command and every stupid piece of story you put in Mahiru when you fucked her up, then you untangled and destroyed the fake personality. The only two pieces out of place should be the off switch and her easy-going attitude regarding brainwashing. You confirmed that when you rebooted her and she didn't immediately go for your throat.

You're exhausted... A part of you just wants to go back to bed, but a part of you is actually excited to show off how well you've done to Mahiru's best friend, to show that you fixed the problem perfectly. Since it's exactly lunch time, after getting changed, you take Mahiru with you and go to meet Hiyoko as promised.

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.

You and Mahiru calmly take a seat across from Hiyoko, which causes the blonde to shift so she's across from her friend directly. Mahiru raises an eyebrow at her friend's behavior, and when she speaks, you're relieved to find the ordinary voice of a frank but kind young woman come from her throat. "What's gotten into you, Hiyoko? Oh, I get it. You were worried about me, huh? Well, don't worry. I'm back to my old self," she declared, giving her friend a reassuring smile before digging into her food with a healthy appetite. She's going the extra mile to ease Hiyoko's concerns.

Hiyoko looks momentarily pleased, but she gives you a shifty look. She obviously still doesn't trust you've done it. She asks Mahiru a question. "Say, Mahiru... how do you feel about the fact that I call you 'Big Sis?'"

Mahiru's eyebrows raise. She blushes a little bit, drinks some water, then responds with an awkward smile. "Well... We're both in University now, right? So, honestly, I was kind of hoping you'd grow out of it. But I know I'm important to you, and you're important to me, so... Do what makes you happy, I guess."

You wince, turning your eyes to Hiyoko, expecting to see her glaring daggers at you. Instead, her eyes are watery and her face is wearing a wide, weepy smile. Apparently, that sentiment was exactly what she wanted to hear. "Big Sis... H-hey, photography! How do you feel about photography? Did you take any good photos this morning?!"

Mahiru lets out a sigh. She takes the camera off her shoulder strap and holds it pensively. "Honestly, I didn't get anything good this morning. It's a little foggy out, when I was kind of hoping for a bright day to match my mood, you know? Sometimes the environment just doesn't line up for the perfect composition... Ah! But it's rare for you to take such an interest in my photography. Do you have a request?"

Again, Hiyoko looks delighted. Mahiru hasn't actually taken a photo, so you don't have any guarantee her skill is all back, but her sharp photographic mind shines through, even just talking about it. You give yourself a proud pat on the back, then rise, intending to forsake lunch for a chance at more shuteye before your next class.

Before you can leave, Hiyoko grabs your hand to stop you. It seems she has one more question. "Okay, Big Sis, last question. How do you feel about this jerk?" She thumbs at you with her free hand.

Mahiru admonishes her friend immediately. "Hiyoko! Honestly, I don't know what's gotten into you around Tomo. There's no reason to act like a such a clingy brat. The two of you ought to make up and be friends."

... Hiyoko's pleased expression has faded like a mirage. Now, she turns a dry smile that conveys pure hatred your way, gripping your hand tightly. Without speaking to you, she turns back to her friend, her offense taken clear in her voice. "Excuse me? Tomomo just brainwashed you into a disgusting, perverted, mindless Barbie doll a second ago. Are you saying I should be friends with someone like that? Why? Is your brain still broken?"

Mahiru looks deeply offended on your behalf. "Hiyoko, seriously! That's uncalled for. Yeah, Tomo brainwashed me, but that's no big deal. I'm already fixed, anyway. Now, I want you to apologize to her. Quit being a baby and act your age-"

"Mahiwuwuwu," Hiyoko growls through clenched teeth.

Immediately, Mahiru's resolute expression, her determination to have one friend apologize to another friend, vanishes. Her eyes cloud over, her jaw hangs slack, and her freckled face falls limp into her lunch.

Hiyoko grabs your hand hard, her nails digging into your skin. "What did I tell you?" she growls at you. "You thought you'd get away with this, didn't you, dumbass? That I wouldn't ask the right question, and I'd let you get away? Mahiru's still totally broken!"

You tell her there's no error, that this is completely in-character for Mahiru! She's like a big sister who loves Hiyoko, but firmly corrects her when she does something wrong. Just the day before, Mahiru had told you she wanted the three of you to be friends. And, since this Mahiru doesn't see brainwashing as anything wrong, she doesn't have any reason to dislike you. The restoration is perfect!

"Perfect, my butt!" Hiyoko spits back. "Yeah, I see what your seedy little plan was now. But there's no way you're getting away with that. Reprogram Mahiru exactly like she is now, except she hates your guts!"

You tell Hiyoko you can't make Mahiru upset about the brainwashing. That could make her resist further attempts, which could-

"She doesn't have to hate brainwashing, idiot. God you're dumb! She just has to hate you. There are like a thousand things to hate about you: you're a nerd, you're a creep, you're a loser, you're pig-faced and you're ugly. Pick one and make it happen! Otherwise, I'm gonna tell the whole school about what you've been up to."

You keep your silence, trying to weigh your options quickly before Hiyoko takes action. You've just about had it being pushed around. What you've done here is amazing: you programmed an entire different personality into someone, then unprogrammed it back! In less than 24 hours! And, as far as you're concerned, you've basically acted like an angel, someone with the power to ruin a person's life who instead used her powers to fix her mistake. You deserve an award, not all this hate.

There's no way you're going to turn Hiyoko's kind, good-mannered friend into a second monster who's going to **** you for the rest of your school year, just like her. There has to be something else you can do.