Yuto was no longer himself.
The boy who once had his own thoughts, his own will, and his own friendships had been reduced to nothing more than a puppet. A willing servant. A tool.
Reina had ensured that.
She had done it so subtly, so precisely, that Yuto never even realized it. Every cruel step was disguised as kindness, every demand framed as a request, every manipulation woven so deeply into his thoughts that he believed it was his choice.
But this wasn't kindness. This wasn't friendship.
This was control.
1. Gaslighting – Twisting His Reality
"Yuto, you know you're the only one I can trust, right?" Reina's voice was soft, almost fragile. "Everyone else… they just want to see me fail."
Yuto nodded. Of course, he knew that.
"I need you," she whispered, placing a gentle hand on his cheek. "But sometimes, you doubt me. It hurts when you believe their lies."
Doubt? Lies? Yuto frowned. Had he ever doubted her?
Yes… he had, once. Kaido and Mei had tried to tell him things—things that made no sense.
"Reina is using you."
"She's controlling you."
"You're not helping her, Yuto. You're a slave, and you don't even see it."
But that wasn't true. It couldn't be true.
Reina's eyes shimmered with sadness. "If you ever doubt me again, I don't know if I can stay by your side…"
Panic struck him. "No, I—I won't doubt you."
She smiled. A satisfied, victorious smile. "That's my Yuto."
Another chain tightened around his mind.
2. Psychological Torture – Breaking Him Down
Reina didn't just control him—she broke him piece by piece.
Exhaustion: She made him stay up late to help her with 'important' things—homework, planning pranks, covering up her actions. He barely slept.
Isolation: Every time Kaido or Mei tried to get close, she pulled him away. "They're jealous, Yuto. They don't want you to be happy."
Guilt Manipulation: If he ever hesitated, she made him feel awful. "Do you even care about me? After all I've done for you?"
Public Humiliation: Sometimes, she made him do embarrassing things—spilling drinks on people, tripping in front of crowds, saying weird things in class. Then she'd laugh and whisper, "It's just a joke, don't be mad."
Each time, Yuto felt smaller. Weaker.
And each time, Reina's grip tightened.
3. Obedience – The Final Stage
"Yuto, I need you to do something for me," Reina said one day, her voice sweet but her eyes cold.
"Of course," Yuto responded instantly.
"Good boy." She handed him a small box. "Put this in Kaido's bag."
Yuto didn't even ask what it was. Didn't hesitate. He just nodded and walked toward Kaido's desk.
His best friend. His only real friend.
But Kaido had tried to turn him against Reina. Had tried to 'wake him up.' And Reina had taught him well—anyone who doubted her was the enemy.
Yuto placed the box inside Kaido's bag and walked away.
4. The Breaking Point – A Shattered Reflection
That evening, Yuto walked past a classroom window and caught his own reflection.
The boy who stared back at him was a stranger.
Messy black hair.
Round glasses, slightly cracked.
Sunken eyes, void of life.
A hollow expression, like a ghost trapped in a body that wasn't his anymore.
"Who… am I?"
For the first time in weeks, something inside him stirred. Something real.
But before the thought could take root, a soft voice whispered behind him.
"You're mine, Yuto."
Reina's hands rested gently on his shoulders. "And you always will be."
The reflection vanished.
And so did the last piece of Yuto's free will.