Synopsis of the last chapter:

( ゜∀゜)o彡゜Tentacle, tentacle .

I put the rasp on the block of wood I had taken into my hands . ᴬ

I had mostly given the shape, however, the finis.h.i.+ng touches were yet to be given so it could match the my imagination . There was no way I could let my mind wander, not that there was an opportunity to do so anyway .

What was needed was the delicacy to finish a work of art .

Although, I had never seen the so called actual article .

However, 『art』could be comprehended as an object without any practical use, valued purely on aesthetics and the article I was making would also leaned towards having more artistic value than practical .

Therefore, I was paying the maximum attention that I could muster .

Even a slight change in the angle of insertion of the rasp could warp the facial expression to an astonis.h.i.+ng extent . Therefore it was a must that I didn’t let my mind wander even for a moment . I focused till the point that my mind felt like it was about to burn and advanced .

——Considering why I was making it, it was beyond my means to make it too gaudy .

——However, if I considered what this was for the sake of, I didn’t think it was enough even if it was the perfect beauty .

I, currently, was making something for myself .

With my intention, I was making my possessions .

This was an unusually rare case .

Until now I made things for other with my own free will . Or rather, I made things in accordance to Master’s wishes .

I hadn’t made things I wanted personally .

You could say this would truly be the first possession I obtained . On the other hand since it was something that I owned I didn’t want it to be too gaudy . Neither did I think that it would suit me nor did I think that it would be something within my means to have .

However, it was . It was『something of mine』as well as not『something that was for me』 . ᴮ

At any rate, it was something I didn’t see myself usually . In everyday life, it was another person who saw this to the utmost, but in this case, that another person was my Master, who was more important than anyone . Therefore, I wasn’t too exhausted no matter how much I tried all possible means .

“I’ve completed it . ” (Rose)

When I finished the entire process, there was a『face of a girl』exquisitely crafted within my hands .

The age range was about the same as Master . It had well-featured looks, but there were some places where it was lacking features a little bit . The skin was a little too white, but it was smooth and had a tone typical of a girl . It was extremely troublesome for me to have finished it in a calm atmosphere .

“How about it?” (Rose)

I handed over the work to the friend who had been looking at the work beside me .

She was my collaborator . She didn’t have an ability to make things herself, but without her I wouldn’t be finding my work in this direction . So to speak, I guess she was something like an advisor?

Even now, she had been watching and taking a good look at my work from various angles .

By combining her own dark facial expression, the cave illuminated by the open-air fire, and the exquisite work she held in her hands, her figure had the appearance of an eerie witch .

Hou, a sigh leaked out from my friend’s pale lips . The result was about to be told . If I possessed a feature to breath on me, there was no doubt that I would have had my breath taken away by the tension .

“It’s perfect, right?” (Rose)

“Well……” (???)

My friend——Katō Mana floated a thin smile towards me who had leaned my upper body forward, and spoke .

“With a remake . ” (???->Katō)

When we separated from Master, was the day before yesterday already .

In the preparatory meeting beforehand, we had expected that the knights would leave the forest and head towards a town . The development where they were guided to a fortress like that wasn’t expected, and putting it clearly, this was quite inconvenient .

However, it didn’t necessarily change what we needed to do . We were waiting for contact from Master, and if we perceived through the path that Master was in danger then we were to rush to his side at all costs . For that it was desirable to be as near Master as possible .

Therefore, we had found a moderate cave among the mountains at a low alt.i.tude where we were able to look out on the fortress that Master went towards, and were staying in it . It seemed to be a den that was dug out by some kind of monster, and whether or not the owner of the den was subjugated a long time ago, we hadn’t seen its figure .

“In Kato-san’s opinion, what would be the issue?” (Rose)

In the cave, I questioned my friend who was facing me .

“——Mana . ” (Katō->Mana)

A short reply . No, this was simply a complaint? A pair of eyes that carried light like she was blaming me were turned towards me .

Eyes that were damp really matched her well .

“Please call me Mana . ” (Mana)

Recently, it had reached the point that she, my friend, asked me to call her Mana .

I hadn’t gotten used to the way of calling her that yet . Due to that, I occasionally made a mistake like just now and she would sulk .

“Seeing it from Mana…’s eyes, what would be wrong with my work?” (Rose)

“It isn’t to the extent of calling it bad, but . ” (Mana)

When I said it again, Mana loosened her mouth only a little .

“But, what I’m saying is, I have a feeling that the human charm isn’t enough . ” (Mana)

“Human charm, is it?” (Rose)

I repeated Mana’s words verbatim .

——With my own mouth .

Indeed . I had been wearing the head that I manufactured to try it out .

I hadn’t successfully produced vocal cords that had natural human movement, so, as a matter of fact, I was only『moving my mouth to match my voice』, but if you looked at it quickly, it would look as if I was voicing out the words with my own mouth .

This, that I had only made some time ago, was my face as a girl . It was fine to say that this was the first step so I could be held tightly by Master . If it was only as a model at best, I was bragging about making something perfect after what Mana said .

The journey to reach this point wasn’t straightforward by any means .

Regarding making things by hand, I had self-confidence in itself even now . Being able to process wood into anything to my heart’s content was a special characteristic of mine as a magical puppet .

Indeed . It was『to my heart’s content』 . That I understood it was meaning『the things that I couldn’t imagine I couldn’t make』in the end, it was from beginning this trial .

In making the face of a person, the way had been different than usual .

To put in simpler words, this was in a direction that was different from my usual works .

My works generally pursued functionality over form . They were crude yet practical . However this was essentially close to a sort of work of art . Even though the tools and materials I used were the same, the technique needing to change would be natural if the objective was different .

A gap of just several millimeters could destroy the entire balance . If done poorly, it would even collapse to an extent that it wouldn’t even look human .

If I spoke about the first prototype, it was something more terrible, and it was to the extent that I didn’t want to think about it .

Naturally, manufacturing was a tough process .

Nonetheless, for me, it was also impossible to give up with that . If I was going to give up over an issue this minute I shouldn’t even have started . Besides, I also had promised to show it to Master someday .

Although I had put in a lot of work and improved bit by by after all that, the out of place feeling was still present no matter how many I made . Honestly, I was fl.u.s.tered . If Mana hadn’t informed me that it was because it had come near the area referred to as the『uncanny valley』, this trial of mine may have been at a standstill .

In the modelling of art pieces with facial features that closely resemble humans, after a certain extent we reach a point where small discrepancies could be felt in uncanny things . It seemed that this was called the『uncanny valley』phenomenon .

In order to improve it, there was no choice but to bring it even closer to life .

By getting my mistakes pointed out each time, I improved my work . Whether or not this became several tens of works, I didn’t even remember myself .

Even with mistaken thoughts that couldn’t be seen of such a past, Mana had accompanied me patiently .

Truthfully, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration that this was our group work .

Maybe due to that, there was a part that closely resembled Mana with a set of facial features for some reason in the work I made . As Mana had very young looks for her age, we may have even appeared to be sisters if we stood next to each other . If it was the humanity of the places that Mana pointed out in some way or another, however .

“Well, let’s judge it as being okay . There is another even bigger problem . ” (Mana)

Mana said in her usual flat voice .

It was hard to be able to imagine from the undulation of emotions of her weak facial expression¹, but she was motivated by this . I understood that . In actuality, the things she pointed out were mostly to the point, and it was simply helpful for my trials .

“Rose-san doesn’t make facial expressions well . Although it’s become quite human-ish for modelling……to say it, it is too perfect, there’s no humanity, and it is angel-like……but, the facial expression is no good . ” (Mana)

Mana was staring at my face . No . She was observing it .

“With just the technique improving to a point where you are unable to tell it apart from humans if you stand silently, the out-of-place feeling related to the movement of detailed facial expressions is getting bigger . The way the voice is produced and the movements of the mouth are also mismatched . If those areas are corrected, you will be somewhere in the place where the looks have been a little too arranged . On the contrary, even if the facial features of countless faces are things full of human traits, it comes to nothing if the facial expression is no good . ” (Mana)

“Although I am aware, nothing can be done . ……is it no good to that degree?” (Rose)

“Honestly, it’s eerie . ” (Mana)

We had been exchanging comments over and over so far . Now, there was no such thing as holding back our thoughts with unnecessary fear .

Mana, as always, pointed out my faults bluntly, and I, as always, accepted it, and felt down as it was .

Although it was impossible for me to advance without my faults being being pointed out, it didn’t mean that I didn’t feel down because of that .

“I think that the feeling of things like the skin are very good . ” (Mana)

Whether or not she read my innermost feelings like that, Mana reached out her hand and touched my cheek .

When her fingertip pressed me, my cheek sank softly .

“This area, I am happy as expected, even for me . Things like the『Pseudo Damascus Steel Sword』, and later things like the『Black Armor』 . The Magic tools that you made had appearances that were quite different from wood at the point in time they were completed . If that was the case, I thought that such raw materials could be made as well . ” (Mana)

While she was able to make it hard like iron, there was no way that she couldn’t make it to the degree of human skin .

That was Mana’s theory . It was a way of thinking I didn’t have .

“I thought about what it would be when I heard it, but there was nothing that you couldn’t do . Although, there is a part where it is hard to say that this is also a perfect score . ” (Mana)

It was far off from a perfect score even though it had pa.s.sing marks; that was my feeling .

For example, the strangely white skin wasn’t able to reproduce as far as the feeling of blood flowing beneath the skin . To the bitter end, this was an imitation . It didn’t mean that blood flowed even if it was cut . As there weren’t any pores, if you approached and looked properly, you would notice that this was an imitation .

I also couldn’t make too large of a facial expression . It was because I wasn’t able to make wrinkles naturally, and I wasn’t able to skillfully reproduce the movements of muscles under the skin, which were the causes of it .

Even the modelling of a calm impression into the looks wherever practicable, was a plan to suppress the out-of-place feeling even a little that such parts produced .

If the facial expressions were limited, I shouldn’t mind even if it was without rich facial expressions . Needless to say, it was a makes.h.i.+ft solution plan to the bitter end .

There were many limits of such techniques that couldn’t be overcome no matter what, as a result, my current face had an inhuman impression .

Although there were places that had been made exquisitely, this was nothing but the face of a doll to the bitter end .

This was not『the face of a human girl』 . It was『the face of a girl doll』 .

Be that as it may, if it was as『a doll that looks like a human』, I thought that it was well made by myself . That is to say, it even was meaning that it was『spoiled if I changed it』 .

“In any case, it was because of Mana’s cooperation that I could reach this point . ” (Rose)

“It was because you touched it many times over, wasn’t it?” (Mana)

Mana took in her hand from my face, and this time I scratched my cheek .

For the sake of reference, I had *touch touch* touched her face many times over so far . This was Mana’s proposal, and I was proud that I was able to trace that of hers, if only softly at least, thanks to that .

“Well, I guess there’s no choice but to plan for the long-term when it comes to the facial expressions . If I had to say then that isn’t a hard problem but a soft face……because it depends on Rose-san’s processing ability . ” (Mana)

“There is no face . Unlike my limbs, it is a part I hadn’t changed so far . ” (Rose)

“You’ll surely become better if you practice . Let’s keep at it together after this . ” (Mana)

Mana who gave me words of encouragement lowered the ends of her eyebrows a little bit immediately following that .

“……Although I said that, I don’t think I’m capable of saying that I am a suitable person for the role of a teacher here, though . ” (Mana)

“……Although I said that, I don’t think I’m capable of saying that I am a suitable person for the role of a teacher here, though . ” (Mana)

“Is that so? Why is that again?” (Rose)

“Although it isn’t an imitation of an infant, to imitate is the basis of learning . In that point, I don’t have a very rich facial expression . ” (Mana)

Mana appeared to be self-aware about her thin facial expression .

More like a girl, if she smiled like she was blooming, like Lily-ane-sama for example, the impression would also change considerably……I thought so, but Mana didn’t smile like that .

If you considered her circ.u.mstances, I guess that was something inevitable .

“That’s right . ” (Mana)

The thin Mana with such a facial expression clapped her hands with a *slap* .

“What about if you ask Lily-san if you are so inclined? I think that person is more suitable for a thing like this, though . ” (Mana)

“No . That is……” (Rose)

It was the at great pains proposal of Mana, but my words were spoken ambiguously .

Certainly, Lily-ane-sama’s facial expressions were rich and charming . As a living thing called a woman, it would be possible to say that she has reached some kind of ideal .

However, I was hesitating over seeking a.s.sistance from ane-sama .

Regarding this trial that was advancing together with Mana, I had felt it hard to rely on Lily-ane-sama somehow .

Although I said that, there wasn’t any kind of problem with ane-sama . Stubbornly, my side just felt guilty towards ane-sama for some reason or another .

Regarding the reason, it wasn’t known . Even I myself had been thinking in wonder .

——I was held tight by Master, a night like that dream again .

That was my wish .

I wanted to be held tight by Master . What I wanted was that alone,

The reason why I had to feel apologetic towards ane-sama there didn’t exist .

It should be that . ……should be that, however .

Really, I wonder why .

Due to this feeling I didn’t understand, I hadn’t had a talk with Lily-ane-sama about this trial that I was conducting .

Whether or not Lily-ane-sama also was perceiving my complicated feelings around that, she should have noticed the thing I was doing together with Mana, but she had pretended not to see without taking it upon herself to touch it .

“It can’t be helped if Rose-san is reluctant . ” (Mana)

As for the story around that, there was an opportunity before and I had a discussion with Mana . For that reason, even though I refused the proposal without a rational reason, Mana had accepted it easily .

“I’m sorry, Mana . I’m aware that it is valid but……” (Rose)

“Things like apologizing are unnecessary . I can understand your feelings and why you feel guilty . ” (Mana)

Mana replied indifferently without even appearing to mind in particular .

Mana seemed to understand my feelings even though I myself couldn’t understand them .

It appeared that she had a rough idea somehow of what in the world the cause of this mysterious guilty conscious of mine towards Lily-ane-sama was .

However, she wouldn’t inform me of what it was .

It was because she knew that I didn’t want that .

From the start, one of the motives I thought of trying to fulfill my desire of『I want to be held tight by Master』was because I wished『to understand the minds of people』 . Even though that was the case, doings things like simply seeking the answer to what my feelings were from another person were just putting the cart before the horse .

I had to get an answer with my own power .

……However, for that, it was also true that Mana’s long-awaited response was all wasted for that reason . I also felt sorry about my miserable thinking in an honest way .

“……I’m sorry . ” (Rose)

“I don’t think it is necessary to brood over it to that extent . ” (Mana)

Whether or not it was recognized by the insides of such a me, it was enough that it wasn’t understood by anyone but close people, but Mana made her voice soft .

“Even if you don’t rush, you too will arrive at the answer before long . If it is ‘no matter what’, why do you think that you want to be held tight by Senpai; it may be good to try to think about that again . ” (Mana)

“Why do I want to be held tight by Master……is it?” (Rose)

“Yes . Rose-san was held tight by Senpai one night, and you were happy more than anything, right? Enough that you desire it again . Where on earth are the feelings you thought so coming from, what kind of emotions are the source……if you realize that then you should go forward a step again . ” (Mana)

Being held tight by a person that was considered important .

That was pleasant . Enjoyable . It was happiness .

——And, this wasn’t merely only that feeling, it was something that could have been guessed even by the current me .

This feeling of mine of wanting to be held tight by Master, it didn’t mean that I wanted to be connected like Ayame pressing Master with her snout, for example .

If I were to say it, this thought wasn’t something innocent but something pure .

Stirring up even this body that was a doll, this wonderous and powerful thought, it was something subtle and even more complicated and mysterious .

……It was a premonition .

At the time a name was given to this feeling, it would it be arranged so that I’d understand the minds of people in a true meaning . Also for that reason, I had to think about it .

“I understand . I’ll agree . ” (Rose)

“Okay . ” (Mana)

To my response, Mana loosened the shape of her mouth, though only a little, seemingly in satisfaction and nodded .

“In which case, let’s decide to let the matter of proposing a discussion about this matter to Lily-san drop . I’ll continue to play the role of being your teacher . ” (Mana)

“I’ll be taking up Mana’s time, but I look forward to working with you . ” (Rose)

“I’ll be taking up Mana’s time, but I look forward to working with you . ” (Rose)

“I don’t consider it like time . Since I am doing something I like . Poking my nose into Rose-san’s business is fun . ” (Mana)

Whether or not that was a remark of worrying about my matter, were those her true feelings weren’t known by me . Either way, I couldn’t do anything but show my grat.i.tude to my friend’s goodwill with a nod .

“Thereupon, while improving for the meantime, are we doing practice concerning facial expressions?” (Rose)

“Ah, no . ” (Mana)

When I asked with the intention of confirming, Mana shook her head .

“I think it’s nice as well, but it’s also a fact that it will take time . I think I’ll change the plan a little bit here . ” (Mana)

“To?” (Rose)

“Although Majimsenpai is able to understand your feelings of wanting to show flawless things, I think it also isn’t wrong to fill up the outer moat with time until then . ” (Mana)

“Do you have some kind of idea?” (Rose)

Mana nodded and asked .

“Did you make the things that I asked before?” (Mana)

“The said, is it that? Yes, it is completed . ” (Rose)

I stood up and stepped up to the alongside of the wall of the cave .

Although I also said this, there were many『Not-well understood prototype models』placed there .

Since after manufacturing the disguise of Master’s『Pseudo-Damascus Steel Sword』, I was experimenting with whether or not the tools that I’ve preformed craftsmans.h.i.+p on like that could do something .

As of now, it didn’t look like results appeared as what was made was sheer junk only, but sooner or later, it was a place where I was thinking that I could receive praise from Master if I made things .

“Is it this?” (Rose)

I picked up the thing that had slipped into and lied down among that, and handed it to Mana .

It was a white mask . It was something simple which only had slits for eyes opened, and it didn’t particularly have devices and the like . It was something requested by Mana that I had manufactured a few days ago .

“Well then, shall we try out various things for a little while?” (Mana)

“Try out, is it?” (Rose)

“Yes . Please have peace of mind . Rose-san doesn’t need to worry about doing anything . Because it is okay to leave everything to me . ” (Mana)

The att.i.tude of Mana like that, following what she herself said some time ago, was certainly vaguely happy .

Like that, a little time pa.s.sed .

“……it’s perfect . ” (Mana)

Mana murmured .

Despite the completely same thing being said some time ago, I wonder why the tone of voice that resounded in the cave was heard differently .

“Mana, this is……” (Rose)

I had been standing stock still in wonderment .

My overlooked appearance had completely changed .

The white clothes that Gerbera had made for Lily-ane-same were wrapping up my doll body that felt whitish .

This was my first time wearing clothes, but it felt somewhat weird .

Concerning the details, my doll body wasn’t manufactured, but if it was wrapped up in clothes like this, I couldn’t see it as anything but that of a woman from the delicateness and the lines of the body .

On the jacket which covered the chest that rose modestly, semi-stiff gray『hair』was flowing .

This was the diligently shaved tail fur of a fire fang . Hair that was a little peculiar was prepared; the sides were long enough to reach my chest, and the back stretched until my waist area with thick braids .

“It’s a little disappointing, it seems better to hide your face with the mask . ” (Mana)

Mana, who had turned me into a literal dressing-doll hitherto, removed the mask on my face .

As a result, what was there was a gray-haired woman who had put on a mask .

Only the ends of my limbs that were sticking out a little had indicated that this body of mine was that of a doll’s .

“Gloves are also needed . And shoes as well . ” (Mana)

“Um, Mana?” (Rose)

I couldn’t endure before very long, and my mouth interrupted Mana’s conduct .

“I am sorry that it’s a new and fun part, but……what kind of thing is this?” (Rose)

“Aah . Now that you mention it, I haven’t explained yet, have I? As there is a need to have Rose-san seen as a woman by Senpai, this is a strategy for that . ” (Mana)

Mana replied to me who asked about the situation .

“If it was until now, there was a feeling that Rose-san, no matter what, didn’t enter into the category of a woman in Senpai . As for Senpai’s personality, you would at least put clothes on if treated as a woman . I think it’s better to reform his awareness around that early on . ” (Mana)

“Have me seen as a woman by Master……is there that necessity?” (Rose)

“There is . For example, wouldn’t Rose-san find it unpleasant to be carried in his arms like Asarina and Ayame do so?” (Mana)

“It isn’t particularly unpleasant, but……” (Rose)

However, as there was a thought that it was somehow different, I swallowed the reb.u.t.tal .

That, in other words, was something of approving this appearance .

After this, I would come into contact with Master with this appearance; it was a thing like that . Just as I thought so, anxiety seeped from the interior of my chest .

“……isn’t it weird?” (Rose)

“It’s alright . It’s enough that there is mysterious charm with the face not being visible . … . how should I put it?” (Mana)

“It’s alright . It’s enough that there is mysterious charm with the face not being visible . … . how should I put it?” (Mana)

Mana gazed at me from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet with me stepping back a step, and shortened the distance slowly and stretched out her arm .

“Still, there are such things as places where you get anxiety like that, even with Rose-san . ……it’s cute . ” (Mana)

She tightly embraced me .

No, was it more correct to say she was hugging me as there was a difference in height?

Mana had something like a habit of hugging . Perhaps, if some emotions within her reached a threshold, I guess she would do so impulsively .

Well, because even for me it didn’t feel unpleasant to be hugged by a friend, I liked it .

Moreover……by some possibility, this might be the ruins of a conduct of hers, who was transitioned to this world, from her former world .

If I considered so, I shouldn’t refuse this action and the like of her, a friend .

“Rose-san, cute . ” (Mana)

As it was a flat voice saying her thoughts, it was a little eerie .

‘If you went into emotion a bit more’, I thought that while being quietly hugged by Mana .

“……However, it’s hard . ” (Mana)

“It seems so . ” (Rose)

I responded with a voice that was a little shocked to my friend who said something obvious .

In turn to what I said, Mana had narrowed her eyes in pondering while clinging to me as is .

“……You should also correct your body . ” (Mana)

“It is my body as well?” (Rose)

“Yes . So far you have created faces, but with that alone it seems to be partial . It’s absolutely no good if a girl isn’t soft . ” (Mana)

“No good, is it?” (Rose)

“It’s no good . ” (Mana)

It seemed to be no good .

I didn’t know much about things like this, but it seemed to be true if Mana said so . I didn’t harbour doubts there . Originally, I had thought it’d be best to put in order only my figure, but Mana also proposed that I bring my face near the feel of material wherever practicable .

She, a human, knew better about humans . It would be right to obey docilely . I nodded .

“I understand . I think I will try to produce it in trials after this . ” (Rose)

“Please keep at it . I think it still will be simple if compared to the face, though . ” (Mana)

“In what way? I don’t have too much self-confidence . ” (Rose)

“Even if the details are more or less splendid, it doesn’t feel out-of-place like the face . If it is Rose-san’s skill, I think you can make it without spending so much time . ” (Mana)

“It’s fine if that’s the case . I think I want to do it until exhaustion with all of my strength . ” (Rose)

I nodded greatly at my friend’s words of encouragement, and then changed and lowered my head .

“Well then, although it will take time for Mana as well this time, please help me . ” (Rose)

“Yes . ” (Mana)

Mana nodded, rolling her eyes as is while expressionless .

“……eh?” (Mana)

While thinking in wonder with ‘what happened?’, I put both of my hands on the shoulders of Mana who was hugging me .

The gist was the same as the face . I needed to receive collaboration from her .

“Eh?” (Mana)

I was really being looked after by Mana .

I had to pay back this debt someday, I etched the determination into my heart again .

Author’s Notes

◆The story of the synopsis of the previous story .

Although I have a hunch that something happened in addition……well, a family .

( ゜∀゜)o彡゜Tentacle, tentacle .

◆I forgot to write it in the afterword of the previous story, but I’m summarizing the impression returns with cooking .

The previous story, I will summarize it around this evening (Monday) or tomorrow probably .

◆About this story . The end was cut at a good place .

Well, there are 10,000 characters still, though . As an author, I wanted to write until the end .

It is Rose’s turn . I wanted to write it accurately because I couldn’t write that『wanting to become human』wasn’t something that wasn’t human .

◆It wasn’t such a thing when I thought I finished being busy by last month . orz

However, I won’t be busy if I overcome next week (or, perhaps I should say this week)…I shouldn’t be . For work, I am turning my eyes to another matter after .

As for fixed-updates, I intend to try my best . I am keeping at it .

Next update is planned for 6/7 (Sat.u.r.day) . On Sunday if it’s impossible .

Translator’s Notes

¹ – Not sure about the first part of this . ‘感情の起伏が薄い表情からはなかなか想像できないが、’ 

Editor’s Notes

A: This part’s in Rose’s perspective . For those who forget like I did she’s the wooden doll that makes stuff for team Majima .  

B: I’m unsure what the difference is supposed to be here so I’ll leave it as the raws say .