Mechanical Marie (機械じかけのマリー)

Mechanical Marie

Mechanical Marie

Mechanical Marie

Mechanical Marie

Mechanical Marie

Mechanical Marie

Mechanical Marie

Episode 6 "Captive Marie"

You're late.

Ten minutes late.

I-I'm so sorry, sir.

The driver's a dead man this time for sure.

Oh well.

Marie, you get in first.

Master Arthur isn't angry?

How come?

Master Arthur, I wish you a very happy birthday today.

It's... his... birthday?!

How could I not have known it was such a big day for the guy I like?

My birthday... My least favorite of all the 365 days in the year.

It gives people a pretext to send me gifts, all rigged with blades or bombs.

My birthday meals are always poisoned.

My party always gets canceled due to bomb threats.

And my birthday brings back memories I hate to even—

No, never mind.

The one fond memory I do have

is from the year my father took me in as a stepchild.

He took time out of his busy schedule for me,

and we had birthday cake together.

Birthday cake...

Before I ended up in extreme poverty,

I got one every year. It made me so happy.

That settles it! When we get back to the mansion, I'll bake a cake!

After all,

birthdays are supposed to be joyous occasions.

Arthur!

Please accept these birthday presents from us!

Sorry.

I've decided not to accept any presents from classmates.

I hate to ask, but please take them back.

Marie, help return them all.

Yes, sir.

Hey, you.

Do you have a moment to talk after school?

Marie!

How would you like to be friends with us, the Arthur Fan Club?

The what?

Also known as the Society for Wanting Arthur to Look at You Like You're Trash!

He's a misanthrope through and through.

When we say hello, he responds with an awkward smile to be polite.

ZMYLE

You can just tell he thinks we're a nuisance!

And we love it!

In any case, I trust you now understand how we feel.

So please, take these.

I'll check with Master Arthur. Just in case.

Thank yo—

But will you really be my friends?

I'm glad.

I like Master Arthur too.

My! Don't tell me you're one of those people!

To be clear, falling in love is a serious offense within the fan club.

Why, you ask? Because Arthur is just too wonderful.

Falling in love with him is beyond presumptuous.

So give up like the rest of us!

No, thank you.

What's wrong with falling in love?

Are you picking a fight with us?!

Bring it on!

So the cookie crumbles.

Is falling for Master Arthur really so wrong?

Arthur...

Fool around too much and you'll get hurt.

W-We're so sorry!

Please excuse us!

I'm saved.

Marie, what happened? Are you all right?

Er, we were just... playing tag.

Oh, is that all? I'm glad.

Student council business will keep me late today.

Would you go home without me?

Certainly, sir.

As long as I mix in lots of tasty things, it will come out fine... won't it?

Tasty

Tasty

Ultra Tasty

That wasn't nice.

Give me a break. My left arm hasn't fully recovered yet.

I will not relent.

Anyone who wants Master Arthur dead must—

Relax. I'm taking a break from hitman gigs.

I won't do anything to hurt Arthur.

Then what are you doing here?

Isn't it obvious?

I'm here for that cake.

You think I'd give it to you?

This is Master Arthur's birthday cake.

Let me bake in peace.

Let me give you some baking tips, then.

Baking is a chance to slip a foreign substance into your target's body.

You have to make sure you get the job done.

Oh, my cake...

And what in the world is this funny smell?

Hey, don't look at me.

You just suck at baking.

I was hoping to snag that cake, but it looks nasty, so I'll pass.

See you. Good luck with the whole doomed love thing.

Anyway, I can't believe how full of holes the mansion's security is.

Maybe I'll drop in again to check out Marie in her maid outfit.

Flick.

Maximum priority threat detected.

Now commencing mincing.

Hamburg steak time.

If Marie 2's around, I'd better call off any more visits.

Off I go.

Hamburg steak time.

Reengaging deactivated security system.

Establishing patrols.

It ended up a far cry from how I imagined it,

but I'm glad it looks decent now that I've wrapped it.

Initiating power mode.

M-My cake!

I-I'm terribly sor—

It's fine.

To be honest, I didn't do a great job making it.

Forget it and focus on increasing patrols.

Oh, of course. Understood.

I guess I won't give it to him after all.

Beyond presumptuous!

Good luck with the whole doomed love thing.

Besides, who knows if he'd even accept it, coming from me?

Moreover, he deserves better than a failed attempt like this.

If I'm just going to embarrass myself, I shouldn't bother—

What are you up to, Marie?

W-Welcome home, Master Arthur.

Thanks. It's good to be back.

I had an extra exhausting day.

Dodging presents after school was hard work.

If only I could take people's goodwill at face value...

But after what I've been through, I can't bring myself to trust any of them.

In the end, today wasn't a good day for anyone.

It's no wonder I hate birthdays.

Birthdays are supposed to be joyous occasions.

That's right. I didn't want Master Arthur to hate this day.

Master Arthur,

happy birthday.

Even if you hate today,

I wanted to celebrate it.

So I downloaded a recipe and tried making... this.

Of course.

I don't have to feel blue every time my birthday comes around anymore.

I have you.

Master Arthur...

I'm here for you.

And I'll stay here...

right by your side.

Marie got the sugar and salt mixed up.

Marie got the sugar and salt mixed up...

It's good.

There's something I've wanted you to do for me for a while now.

Change into this dress.

May I open the door?

Yes, go ahead.

Pardon me.