Descent to misanthropy

Muki trembled as she laid in the hospital bed, now only able to see out of one eye. It had been a few days since the incident, yet trauma naturally remained. The homeless man that had nearly killed her had been shot to death by police, while Monika had been fired and had lost all her assets as a result of her actions. Yet instead of admitting her wrong, Monika had doubled down on her belief she had been wronged, and began launching a campaign against the Fuukuro family, alleging them of corruption and other unsavory actions regardless if there was any truth to them. 

"Mu... I'm sorry... I'll get you a new eye, I'll have the dance show postponed," Machiko sobbed as she held Muki's hand. 

If only it was a simple as that, but the pain and trauma would forever warp Muki for the worse. 

"He... He wouldn't listen to me. Why? I even threw money at him, but he stabbed me.. HE STABBED MY FUCKING EYE OUT! I CAN'T SEE OUT OF IT ANYMORE! THE FUCK WERE YOU THINKING ALLOWING THAT BITCH OUT AGAIN!?" Muki shouted as she threw her food tray across the room. 

Machiko attempted to reprimand Muki for the outburst and defend her actions, but paused, figuring Muki's anger in this case was completely justified. Sadly, this began the downfall of their relationship with each other. 

A month later, Muki returned to school, but had a completely different vibe to her. Her haughty smile was gone, replaced with a brooding scowl, while her hair was completely drooping down and styled to conceal her right eye. Worst of all was her paranoia as she scoured the room with her remaining eye, on high alert in case anyone tried to harm her. Said paranoia had prompted her to conceal a taser on her, a fact everyone would soon learn when a poor girl just casually put her hand on Muki's shoulder. 

Incidents at school quickly became the norm for Muki to the point where she eventually dropped out, and became a shut-in in her room. Machiko tried her best to try and help out Muki, but eventually hit her limit for tolerating Muki's attitude and began getting hostile with her. The only people Muki would somewhat open up to were Yamane and Jenna, who was now assigned as her personal maid. 

"Madam? What are you studying?" Jenna asked as she peered over at Muki's computer. 

"Microchips that can be put in the brain. I hear Eulon Moosk made this thing called a cranial link chip which allows you to connect your mind to numerous electronics. I figured I'd use them as a basis for creating my own chips." 

"You seek to have a career even after dropping out of school?" 

"You think I'm some fucking NEET just because I'm cooped up here!? I'd love to be out there dancing on stage, soaking up the spotlight, but there's too much chaos. Fucking Monika's gone full conspiracy loony, which will only increase the resentment and chances of me getting stabbed again, no matter how much we expend our resources to shut her down. That's why I've gotta get everything under control first before I can get my life back." 

"The mistress has worried for you ever since the incident. Informing-" 

"Not a fucking word. That bag gets wind of this shit, she'd throw me in a prison to save her reputation. I get caught microchipping, Monika also gets vindication. We do this, we do it in secret, or are you going to stab me in the back too?" 

Jenna let out a heavy sigh. She wanted to truly help Muki, but also had morals. Nonetheless, she figured that going down the dark path with Muki would probably be for the best, thus, she pledged her undying loyalty, voluntarily allowing herself to be chipped when the terra link chips were completed. The day Muki tested it out by taking full control over Jenna and walking through town in her body was the day she cried tears of joy for the first time in her life since prior to the incident. 

"Finally, I have some of my life back," she thought as she did a pirouette in Jenna's body. 

Now with a guaranteed method of control, the next step in easing Muki's angst was to set up cameras anywhere and everywhere across town. Jenna did voice her concerns and disagreement with the placements of cameras in certain locations, but already under Muki's control, she had no choice but to comply with her mistress' will, lest her mistress take over her body to do things herself. 

"Mu, I have no issues with putting up security cameras around town for resident safety, but why are you keeping sole authority over watching it?" Machiko asked Muki as she peered into her room one day. 

"It's "Muki" now, you bag," Muki snarled as she played her game. 

"M- "Muki"!?" 

"Yeah, Muki Muku Mu's my handle name online, so I'd kindly appreciate if you could get it right when in private." 

"What's with that attitude, young lady? I had my rebellious phase, but never was I this snarky." 

"You didn't get your fucking eye stabbed out. Now fuck out of my room, I'm trying to make money."

"M- Money!?" 

Muki clicked her tongue in annoyance as she set her controller down. "I make videos, I get money from them, simple." 

Machiko stared in disbelief before scowling and storming out. "Damn those video games. They've only worsened your attitude." 

...

Ikebukuro frowned in silence as Machiko finished her story. 

"To this day, I keep asking myself what would have happened if I had decided to have someone else take Mu out that day, what would have happened if I had just fired Monika after the first incident. It doesn't matter in the end as the damage is already done. You've seen what Mu's like already while Monika's just a disgusting rat in human flesh these days. The blatant lies and contradictions she'll utter all in a single sentence make me question her sanity," Machiko scowled as she rubbed her eyes. 

"It sounds like you shoulder a lot. I thank you for telling me of all this." 

"We're spouses now. We share our troubles with each other and help each other out," Machiko yawned as she stretched her arms out. 

"Then how about I help you get some sleep. You look tired," Ikebukuro smiled as she lifted up Machiko and carried her like a princess to a sofa in the corner of the office.

Machiko warmly smiled as she closed her eyes and got comfortable on the sofa. "Thanks for hearing me out. Feels good to finally have an equal to talk to," she mumbled as she drifted off to sleep. 

After confirming that Machiko truly was asleep, Ikebukuro frowned and sat down in the chair at the desk, propping her feet up on the desk and leaning back. "Spouses tell each other their problems, huh? Can I really tell you my original goal was to takeover your city, but ever since getting to know you I've wanted to discard that, betray my tribe? Can I tell you I lied about myself because I was scared I'd lose you? What if my will to conquer returns?" she thought as she glanced at the stack of papers. 

In this scenario, Ikebukuro was completely in the driver's seat. With the flick of a pen, she could sabotage in seconds, even kill Machiko with ease and take over outright. Yet those thoughts were quickly vanquished from her mind as she got up and walked over to the couch, squeezing on next to Machiko. 

"I guess the moment I shaved my head, I chose to forsake my tribe and mission for you and your city. I only ask that we can spend all our days like this, and that if I one day decide to tell the truth, you still accept me as I accept you," she thought as she kissed Machiko on the lips before drifting off to sleep herself.