The North Choice

*This path has Miu and MC walking up a looping hallway. Ominous BGM plays*

~It figured that there would be no regular people around here. The north end of school was more of a collection of offices and meeting rooms. Closest to the main entrance, this made it the best place for visitors and clubs to meet up. During the middle of school, it was all but deserted.
~Every step we took, Miu seemed to grow more and more anxious. Her vibrant green eyes were glued to the floor, not even trying to keep an eye out for danger. Her usual confident posture was nowhere to be seen.
MC: Miu… what’s wrong? Aren’t we trying to avoid running into those two guys?
~Slowly, the android shook her head.
Miu: No. I’m afraid we will not be avoiding this confrontation. The main doors are the only exit from this end.
Miu: Rather than waste time going from room to room, they will secure that exit, relying on the fact that I… the other Miu… will most likely do the searching herself.
~I sighed, suddenly feeling a bit guilty.
MC: That’s why you look so worried, then.
~Miu brings a hand to her face.
Miu: You could tell?
MC: If they don’t listen to us, they’re going to think that I convinced you of a lie. They might even think that you’re betraying them.
MC: I don’t know what you three have been through together, but you probably care about them a lot.
Miu: …
~She nodded once. My feelings of unease only grew worse.
MC: I can’t imagine how that must be. I’m sorry, Miu.
Miu: No. My emotions matter little right now. Saving you, saving the future itself, is far more important than what they think of me.
Miu: And yet…
~The android was silent for a long time.
Miu: I sometimes wish I could deactivate my emotions. Even if only for a short while.
Miu: Perhaps it wouldn’t hurt me so badly then, to do what I have to do.
MC: …

*The screen fades to black. They enter a room with the school’s front entrance doors, where Smith and Jackson are waiting just as Miu predicted.*

Smith(Beard): Miu?
*MC and Miu continue walking, until they’re only 1 tile away from the two men*
Jackson(Glasses): You found him already. Consider me impressed.
Smith: No kidding.
~The two men both looked relieved to see Miu again with me in tow. The android had a pleased expression as well, playing her part perfectly. It’s only with with my hand in hers, cold as ice, that I could tell how she really felt.
Smith: So? What are we dealing with here? Why was the timeline out of sync?
Miu: Because…
~She hesitates and they lean in closer. Full of curiosity and of respect.
Miu: There has been a change of plans.
~And their looks disappeared like a puff of smoke.
Smith: A change of what, now?
Jackson: Hmm?
Miu: Yes. We cannot kill MC.
Smith: Like hell we can’t! Are you malfunctioning? Have you forgotten who this man is?
Miu: I’m sorry. I don’t have the time to explain. Please, forgive me for this, but I am taking him away to safety.
Smith: I don’t think so.
*Smith takes a step closer.*
Smith: I know you too well, Miu. You would never hurt me. I don’t know what lie this bastard has told you, but I need to take this into my own—
~In a flash, Miu whirls around. The barrel of her cannon is shoved into the agent’s face before he can so much as blink.
Smith: !!!
Miu: Do not try and stop me.
~With the guise of absolute confidence, she strode past the bewildered expressions of her closest friends. I stumbled along behind her, guilt burning in the pit of my stomach like hot lead.
~The android could mask her emotions perfectly… But the hand in mine was trembling.
Smith: What..? So that’s it, then?
Jackson: Indeed. It’s clear why you aren’t taking us with you, Miu. You no longer need us, do you?
Smith: Everything we’ve been through together. Every promise you’ve made to us, and you’re going to end it like this? In a betrayal?
…
Smith: Miu? Answer me, damn it! I know you; you’re trying to run! You don’t have the guts to face me!
Miu: …
~Miu froze in her tracks. But she didn’t turn around. Cracks in her brittle mask were beginning to show. I didn’t know how much more of this she could take.
Miu: Smith. Jackson. Meet us again somewhere safe after school. You have my promise that I’ll explain everything soon.
Miu: \}I never break my promises.
*Miu begins walking again*
Miu: And when we do meet again… Please bring your Miu along as well.

*The camera pans down away from MC/Miu and down to the two agents.*

…
Jackson: Our Miu..?
Smith: What does she mean, our…
~Smith frantically reaches for his headset.
Smith: Uh, Miu?
Miu2: …Yes?
Miu2: What is it, Smith? Have you found MC yet?
Jackson: Wait a second. Are you telling me that’s not you walking out the front doors with MC right now?
…
Miu2: What?!
~Stunned, Smith fell to his knees. His mouth was moving, but no words escaped his lips.
Jackson: …
~Taking off his glasses, Jackson began to methodically clean them with a piece of fabric.
Jackson: If they choose to, MC and this other Miu could disappear forever. Our options are extremely limited.
Jackson: I fear that we may have no choice but to accept their offer to meet them again.

*Screen fades to black*