Cannon Fodder – Chapter 25 – Have You Ever Liked Her?
Cannon Fodder – Chapter 25 – Have You Ever Liked Her?
This was the first time Su Tao had heard the term “yandere.”
She had never been exposed to ACG subculture, nor had she grown up in a stable environment like most people.
An orphan from childhood, she had constantly struggled just to survive. Before picking up Chi Xiaocheng, she had lived with an elderly garbage collector; a grandmother whose own son neglected her and who had no grandchildren.
The old woman had mobility issues, so the two took care of each other. It was under her guidance that Su Tao learned maturity at a young age.
But the grandmother passed away early, leaving Su Tao behind after helping her through the hardest years.
Then, in elementary school, she met Chi Xiaocheng, a child being bullied.
Though Chi Xiaocheng’s family was also poor, they took Su Tao in.
From then on, aside from working part-time jobs, Su Tao focused solely on studying. The rare moments of joy in her childhood came from Chi Xiaocheng. Every time she heard that adorable little voice calling her “big sister,” she felt everything was worth it.
Even now, her hobbies remained simple: reading books and listening to music. She didn’t watch dramas, read novels, play games, or engage with livestreams. Her internet usage was mostly limited to news.
So when Chi Xiaocheng brought up the concept of “yandere,” Su Tao immediately searched it up.
Meanwhile, Chi Xiaocheng waited patiently for her reply.
In the adjacent hospital room, Su Tao stared at the search results in shock.
“Based on Xiaocheng’s behavior… she really does fit the doctor’s description of a yandere?”
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“And online, this is considered… a moe 1 meaning: cute trait?!”
Su Tao was dumbfounded.
Whether it was the basement incident or the rooftop confrontation, she had been deeply unsettled by Chi Xiaocheng’s erratic state.
Yet according to netizens, this was a beloved archetype in anime culture.
She read the definition aloud, word by word:
“A warped psychological state stemming from distorted love, characterized by possessiveness and extreme ideologies or actions, leading to intense behaviors beyond normal comprehension…”
“Such behaviors include obsessive declarations of love, exclusion of others, stalking, ‘if I can’t have you, no one can’ mentality, self-harm, and other radical acts.”
Su Tao thought carefully.
“Xiaocheng checks every box. It’s a perfect match!”
“How can people find this twisted mindset ‘moe’? Are they that starved for love?”
Next, she searched: Can yanderes be cured?
Few medical professionals addressed this directly, as “yandere” in real life typically referred to a form of mental illness.
The results horrified her even further.
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In extreme cases, yanderes could “blacken.” Many examples described dismembering loved ones and storing them in freezers. Su Tao’s scalp prickled with dread.
After a long pause, she hesitantly returned to “Dr. Cheng,” clinging to hope.
Peach: “Doctor, I just looked up what a yandere is. My friend seems to have a severe case. Do you have any solutions?”
Dr. Cheng: “Of course. In my thirty years of practice, I’ve seen it all. Handling yanderes is my specialty.”
Peach: “That’s a relief. How much do you charge?”
Dr. Cheng: “No rush. We’re still in the consultation phase. I’ll provide preliminary treatment suggestions based on your friend’s condition. If you find them helpful, we can delve deeper. Medication is rarely used for this.”
Dr. Cheng: “For such patients, the focus is on behavioral and verbal therapy to address their psychological needs.”
Su Tao felt slightly reassured.
“Chen Qian really is a good friend. She found me such a capable and responsible ‘uncle.'”
She had initially worried about exorbitant fees. Given her financial struggles, she’d have had to borrow money.
With a determined expression, she replied:
Peach: “Then I’ll trouble you for your guidance, Dr. Cheng.”
On the other side, Chi Xiaocheng smirked and snapped her fingers softly.
Got her.
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Now, under the guise of a doctor, she could craft an even more elaborate “yandere rehabilitation plan;” one that would force Su Tao to take increasingly bold steps to “treat” her.
Her carefully constructed backstory for this persona was paying off. She typed:
Dr. Cheng: “Miss Peach, yanderes come in many types. Your friend appears to be the dependent subtype, though her kidnapping attempt suggests minor possessive traits.”
Dr. Cheng: “However, since she’s mostly stable, the dependency likely dominates.”
Dr. Cheng: “The dependent type develops distorted affection and reliance on you. If you leave or prioritize others, she’ll spiral into negativity, potentially with suicidal tendencies.”
Su Tao immediately recalled the rooftop incident and nodded in agreement.
Dr. Cheng: “The possessive type exhibits twisted love and extreme ownership. They view loved ones as objects, often resorting to confinement when words fail.”
Dr. Cheng: “The good news is your friend’s possessive traits are minimal. Her dependency won’t cause broader harm. Just be kinder and indulge her a little, and she won’t escalate.”
Mid-explanation, Chi Xiaocheng sent Su Tao detailed breakdowns of other yandere subtypes, like elimination and aggressive types, which were far more terrifying, as they involved murder.
Yet even this milder version gave Su Tao a headache.
After hesitating, she finally asked the question weighing on her:
Peach: “Doctor, if Xiaocheng’s ‘love’ is part of her illness… how should treatment go…?”
Dr. Cheng: “Do you like her?”
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Peach: “Uh… I told you, we’re both girls.”
Dr. Cheng: “And I told you that’s irrelevant.”
Peach: “It’s very relevant!”
Peach: “You’re a doctor, so it might seem normal to you. But I’m the one involved here. Two girls… that’s… that’s just not right, is it?”
Reading Su Tao’s flustered response, Chi Xiaocheng grinned.
“She’s so clueless. Cute girls are treasures, so two together is double the joy! 2 based Chi Xiaocheng! “
She continued typing as Dr. Cheng:
Dr. Cheng: “You’re overcomplicating this. You don’t need to genuinely return her feelings. Just pretend to care for her sake.”
Peach: “Oh! That would work. Calm her emotions first, then gradually guide her to recovery through therapy, right?”
Dr. Cheng: “Correct. Given your long history, if you can’t accept her romantically, this method is viable. But note: yanderes are perceptive. If she realizes your affection is fake, the psychological fallout could be severe.”
Peach: “That’s…”
Dr. Cheng: “Hence why I asked if you like her. This is critical. If you feel nothing, maintaining the act will be difficult.”
Dr. Cheng: “Tell me honestly. Have you ever liked her, even a little?”