My Dress-Up Darling (その着せ替え人形は恋をする)

Ohh...

These are called hina dolls.

Pretty, aren't they?

I made 'em with some of my old pals.

Do you like them?

Mm-hmm. A lot. I love them.

They're so beautiful.

With plenty of practice.

You can make these someday, just like your gramps.

You're a freak!

What's wrong with you, Wakana?

Dolls are for girls; boys aren't supposed to play with them!

You're not my friend!

I hate you!

Good morning.

Beautiful as ever.

Hey, Grandpa. Morning.

Oh. Good morning, Wakana.

You have a long night?

I thought I heard you up working late again.

Are you sure you're getting enough rest?

Yeah, I just lost track of time last night.

I was really in the zone.

I swear, my brush wouldn't stop painting.

But still, not one doll I've made

is as perfect as yours are, Grandpa.

And do you know how many years I've been doing it?

Um, about 47?

No, 48! Now, let's eat.

Thanks, looks good.

So, about your dolls, the faces need work,

but the clothes are great.

But that's all I'm good at.

I've got so much I still need to practice.

Well, no reason to rush.

You're still young, after all,

and I'm sure you've got a lot going on.

Oh, by the way,

have you managed to make any friends at school yet?

Yeesh, you okay there?

Yeah, I'm fine.

But why would you even ask me something like that?

Oh, well, you know.

It's just that you spent all your free time

in grade school and middle school working on your dolls,

but have you had any time to make real friends?

Of course I have friends!

Lot's of 'em, actually.

But they're in different clubs, so it's hard to plan stuff!

I swear! Stop looking at me like that!

Well, good, that certainly is a relief!

Gotta say, you had me a little worried.

I'm heading out.

All right. Be careful out there.

I will.

Come on! Why can't we just skip first period?

Are you serious? Your grades are bad enough as is!

What up, loser?!

Whoa! My bad, bro!

I thought you were someone else!

I'm sorry, Grandpa.

I lied.

I still haven't made a single friend.

It's impossible at this school.

Not like there's a hina doll club

where I can talk crafting with other guys.

I have nothing in common with anyone.

All I ever do these days is work on my dolls,

stare at my dolls, and talk to my dolls.

No one here understands,

so talking to people is pointless.

You see episode six yesterday?

Chiretsu?

Yeah man, it was freakin' epic!

Like, god-tier animation.

The tournament the other day was insane.

Our coach completely lost it.

I wish I did, but...

...I have no common interests with anyone here.

What's up, man?

If people found out what I do,

they would either laugh at me or hate me.

So I stay quiet.

Maybe it would be better...

...if I wasn't here at all.

Whoa, wait!

Ow!

I'm so sorry, Marin!

That looked rough!

Yeah, are you okay?

Ouch. Yeah, great. Never better.

Sorry 'bout your desk! Huh?

Gojo, right?

It's Marin Kitagawa!

Oh, um... I am, yeah.

You good?

Uh, yes, I'm... I'm fine!

Oh, yikes.

Whoa, dude, what's your story?

Looks like some pretty hardcore action.

Sorry, does it hurt to touch?

Uh, no! This is, uh...

It's chill. I mean, not chill, but cool!

Just shut up, dude!

Cool. You're free to go, then.

You good, Marin?

No, girl, didn't you see me die?

-- Oh, whatever. --

Ink. I didn't even notice it.

Did that just happen?

That's the first time I've ever talked to her.

Marin Kitagawa.

She's beautiful, popular, and outgoing,

which means she's always the center of attention.

We live in two completely different worlds.

I can't believe she just spoke to me.

So, I had fun with you yesterday!

Cool, we don't need to talk about it now.

Sure we do, I wanna know how

she got you to hang after school!

You always hide from me.

It's not that deep.

She had a hair modeling gig and I wanted a haircut.

There it is!

But guys!

There was this dude who was like stalking Marin outside

even after his hair was done.

My dude, just go home.

Creeper! Was he cute at least?

Oh, yeah. He was stupid-hot.

Then he opened his mouth when we were about to leave.

I'm sure he was just trying to "look cool" or whatever, but...

Hey, isn't that thing on your bag from some anime?

Wow, you're a nerd!

A hot nerd, though!

Least I'm not a stalker.

Then she just walked away from the scene of the murder!

You brutal queen! Way to go!

Yeah, ouch!

I swear, the dude froze

and his soul spilled out of his mouth.

I dunno, Marin.

If he was hot, why didn't you give him a chance?

Because Marin's heart turns to stone

anytime someone dares to like her.

Like I care what he looked like.

He was a huge jerk.

I mean, clearly it's something I'm into

if it's on my frikkin' bag!

Why be rude about it?

Making fun of the things people like is not hot!

-- Right? -- Preach, girl.

Also, did he seriously point to Shion-tan

and call her "that thing"?

Here we go. "Leave Shion-tan alone!"

Look, we don't understand you

when you get all dork-a-saurus on us either.

Right here in this classroom.

There's someone who lives in the exact opposite world as me.

In the world she comes from,

she's accepted for who she is.

It must be really nice there.

For real? You can do it again?

Sure. Why not?

You're a lifesaver!

Come on. You should do it today.

Don't be a jerk.

Why? Gojo already said he'd do it for us,

and I don't wanna be late for work again.

You're a good friend, bro!

See you later!

Seriously? Sorry, Gojo.

I'll buy you a soda or something someday!

Honestly, staying after to do this on my own

is pretty rough,

but it'd be worse if someone else were here,

then I'd have to fumble through a conversation.

I can tell people don't know what to do with me.

If those guys had stayed,

I would have just made them uncomfortable.

That's why it's best for me to do this alone.

Huh?

It's Kitagawa.

I wonder what she forgot.

What's wrong?

Huh? Uh, nothing.

I guess, but what exactly are you doing?

I mean, these chairs aren't gonna stack themselves.

I have cleaning duty.

Sorry I'm late.

I had to go to the bathroom.

Wait, so you're... you're actually going to clean?

Of course I am.

I mean, that's the gig.

Um, where's everyone else?

Oh, they went home.

I think they had to work.

What? All of them?

Yeah.

Be honest, okay?