Itaru Chigasaki/Marionette's Destination

Trying to Be a Dollmaker

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2

Izumi	Itaru-san, there's a package for you.
Itaru	Oh, it's here.
Tasuku	Did you buy a game again?
Itaru	Nope, a magazine.
Taichi	So a game magazine?
Itaru	Too bad. The correct answer is this.
Izumi	"Monthly Doll Holic"...?
Itaru	It's a doll-specific magz. I ordered it online since there aren't any stores selling this magz nearby.
	My role in this play is a dollmaker, but dolls are like a whole new world for me.
	I know how to handle figz, but it's a different story when it comes to dolls since they feel different to me.
Tasuku	Heh, you're preparing for your role seriously. That's surprising.
Itaru	Omit the "surprising" part pretty please. It's unnecessary.
	...Oh. This is a doll of a character from a certain classic RPG.
Izumi	Heh, I didn't know there's such a thing like that too.
Itaru	Welp, I kinda expected it but it really is pricey.
Taichi	Is it really that expensive… Whoa!? There's a whole lot of zeros right there…
Izumi	I've actually also considered purchasing a doll as a prop for this play, but the price was higher than I expected. I was surprised.
	I've also thought about renting one, but I can't say that the doll will absolutely not be damaged if we use it during the play.
	Besides, there is apparently only one piece of the doll that Homare-san told me about. I don't think we can compensate for the damages so I give up.
Tasuku	Well, it can't be helped…
Taichi	So what do we do about the prop?
Izumi	We have no choice but to make it ourselves.
Itaru	Seriously?
Izumi	I plan to get Yuki-kun and Kazunari-kun help us with that.
Itaru	Don't tell me you're gonna make it right down from the body?
Izumi	Aah, about that…
	*door opens*
Homare	I'm home.
Izumi	Oh, welcome back, Homare-san.
Homare	Director-kun, I somehow managed to get my hands on that doll body.
Izumi	Really!? Thank goodness…!
Itaru	I see. I get it now.
Tasuku	So that means we have the body for now?
Izumi	Yep. I was asking whether the dollmaker Homare-san is acquainted with could sell their doll body for cheap.
Homare	They wanted us to come get it at the doll event next week.
Izumi	Understood. Thank you, Homare-san.
Itaru	Say, can I tag along with you guys?
	I feel like it could be a reference for my role-building.
Izumi	I don't mind, of course…
Itaru	I also wanna see this while I'm there.
Taichi	This is the game chara doll you talked about before.
Izumi	I knew it.
Tasuku	Figured as much.
Itaru	Hey, it's not like I have a choice, y'know? It's said here that this doll will be first displayed to public during that event.
	Relax, I wasn't lying when I said I wanna go there for my role-building. I'll study properly.
Homare	In that case, the three of us will go to that event.
Izumi	There really are a lot of dolls here.
Itaru	They have different sizes and vibes.
Homare	Wonderful. This is indeed an art.
CHOICE 1: This will surely make a good reference. [+] Izumi This will surely make a good reference. Itaru Yep. Seeing the real deal feels different indeed. I can further imagine what kind of dolls Kigutsudou makes. Izumi That's great to hear! Itaru Plus, I found that anime's collab doll. It was such an unforeseeable harvest. Izumi I expected no less of you to be able to notice that kind of doll immediately and check it thoroughly…
CHOICE 2: I can't help but be fascinated somehow. [+] Izumi I can't help but be fascinated seeing all the cute and pretty dolls. Itaru Agree. There are fantasy-like dolls, modern style dolls… They are really well-made. They have a lot of different hairstyles, outfits and accessories… I might get hooked at this rate. Izumi We can also make them do a lot of poses. It really is amazing. Itaru Incidentally, even figures have the type whose pose is adjustable. Izumi Oh, really? Do you have it, Itaru-san? Itaru I have some. I'll show you my favorite ones next time.
Itaru	That game chara doll was so good. The quality is much better than what I imagined.
Homare	Are you going to buy it?
Itaru	Hmm, I'm not sure about that. I have no confidence in maintaining the doll. Plus, it's pretty big. Senpai's so gonna tell me it's in the way.
Izumi	So the price isn't the problem here…
Homare	Well then, shall we go get the doll body now?
Dollmaker	Arisugawa-sensei! I've been expecting you.
Homare	I'm sorry for asking you a favor this time.
Dollmaker	It's all right. Here is the doll body.
	I'm leaving this child in your care. Please take a good care of her.
Izumi	I will. Thank you very much!
Itaru	Umm… Can I ask you something?
Dollmaker	Sure. What is it?
Itaru	I'll be playing a dollmaker in our upcoming play. I'd like to ask you something for reference.
Dollmaker	Oh, I see. If you're okay with me, I'm more than happy to answer it for you.
Itaru	Thank you. What kind of feelings do you have when making dolls?
Dollmaker	Let's see… In any case, I'm always having fun and excited.
	It's because I'm putting my preference and ideal into the doll, after all.
Itaru	Preference, huh… I see. Then, I'd like to ask one more question.
	Do you grow attached to the dolls you make?
Dollmaker	For that one… I think you'll understand if you try making one yourself.
Itaru	Huh?

Itaru	Hmm… Why did it turn out like this?
	Me? Making a doll?
Homare	That's a great idea! Why don't you try it?
Itaru	But I've never made a doll before, and I don't know how to make it…
Dollmaker	Bisque and Rinse Dolls are costly, but wooden and vinyl ones are cheap and easy to find.
	Besides, there are a lot of ready-made products like clothes and accessories being sold these days.
	You don't have to make a good one. Just make what you like.
Homare	That's right. Blow your emotion and preference up!
Izumi	I think that's the best reference you can get for your role-building.
Itaru	I see…
	While I do admit this is a great way for my role-building, I can't think of anything I should make.
	*door knocks*
	Come in.
Izumi	I'm coming in, Itaru-san.
	The design for the body doll we received the other day has already finished, so I'd like to show it to you.
Itaru	Is it done already? I expected no less from Yuki. He works fast.
	Flowers and laces, huh… This is certainly giving off the vibes that Yuki likes. I get why the design is finished at a lightning speed.
Izumi	It's really cute, isn't it?
	How about your doll, Itaru-san?
Itaru	I'm drawing the design right now, but… nothing comes to mind.
	I don't have the slightest idea about what kind of vibes I wanna go for.
Izumi	Since this will be your doll, why don't you put your preference and ideal into it?
Itaru	Huh?
Izumi	The dollmaker also said the same thing, right?
	Even Yuki-kun puts what he likes into the design alongside the image Tsuzuru-kun has in mind.
Itaru	Put my preference and ideal into it, huh…
	I see. Okay, I think I know what to make now.
Izumi	Great to hear that. I can't wait to see the finished product.
Itaru	--And so I'd like to unveil the doll that I made.
Tsuzuru	You made a doll?
Sakuya	Wow, that's awesome!
Itaru	Now look at this. My doll… "Rohm Raven"!
Chikage	This is…
Citron	Oh! This is a full chuunibyou doll!
Itaru	Rohm Raven has the horns of a dragon, the wings of Lucifer and the brain of Thoth. The flame of darkness dwells in his eyes.
	If you chant the Lunatic Logos, the forbidden magic square that is sealed in the back of that hand will emerge and destroy everything.
Sakuya	You even come up with a lot of traits! That's so cool!
Itaru	Right, by the way, he'll be voiced by--.
Masumi	...He just won't stop.
Chikage	God…
Izumi	(Itaru-san looks like he's having so much fun, but I've never thought he'd go into that direction…)
	Uhhh, have you come to understand the feelings of a dollmaker, then?
Itaru	Of course. Some parts may be wonky, but I've totally grown attached to this doll.
	It's also because of you that I can completed this doll. Thanks.
Chikage	...What did you tell him?
Izumi	I merely told him to put his preference and ideal into the doll…
Citron	I see, this doll is truly packed with Itaru's fantasy!
Tsuzuru	Too much fantasy, I'd say...
Itaru	Say, for this play, should I make my entrance while manipulating this doll? How's that?
Masumi	Out of the question.
Tsuzuru	No.
Chikage	That'll be OOC.

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