Back in the first year of high school, Naoko’s life had been hell. The bullying against her had gotten so bad that she had stopped coming to school. I had visited her once and seen her room. It was strangely full of books on hypnosis-related topics. Her parents had told me that they were all she read.

Two years later, Naoko returned.

She looked like a new person, stepping into our classroom. Her eyes shone with confidence. Even the way she spoke bore a new ring that made people listen. Her presence quickly became revered by all.

“Please, Nao,” my classmate asked one day. “Please, teach me how to be pretty.”

“Nao, my boyfriend keeps saying I don’t love him enough,” said another girl. “What should I do?”

To all who confided in her, Naoko responded in a whisper. I couldn’t hear the words, but those taking her advice said it was the best they ever heard.

Soon, girls were found giving themselves face surgery with box cutters. Their eyes were reshaped, and they smiled ear to ear, dead in front of mirrors.

One girl hammered her boyfriend until his face was unrecognizable.

“I showed him that I love him to death,” she told reporters. “I never felt so liberated!”

Tragedy increased daily. One girl was found with earphones. She had been listening to music Naoko recommended for days and at the highest volume. She went mad. Then, a whole group was found cannibalizing one another as a form of group bonding. The one who survived was caught, still holding her friend’s head.

“Gather on the rooftop, everybody,” Naoko said one morning. “I will teach you how to be self-confident. You will jump off buildings without fear.”