Tried something a little different for this chapter. This is sort of a one off, meant to act as a recap for the story so far and maybe offer a little extra insight. It'll be back to normal next chapter.

Rozen Maiden: Märchen

EPISODE 3

Dear Diary

DOLLHOUSE

The blog of Jun Sakurada

# NEW POST 1

Okay, so I finally caved into my sisters incessant nagging and started a blog. I have to say, I don't get blogs. I mean they're like a diary, right? That you let people read. Doesn't that seem like a contradiction to anyone? I thought the whole point of a diary was that you don't let people read it. This is such a waste of time.

1 comment

It isn't a waste of time, Jun! It'll make you feel better to put your thoughts and feelings into words. It's therapeutic you know? - N. Sakurada

# NEW YEAR

It's New Year. What else can I say? Mom and dad can't make it back, so they're going to be away again. Probably for the best, I still don't know how I'm going to explain the dolls to them when they eventually do come back. I gave Shinku a tea set for Christmas. I think she liked it, but she seems down lately. Absent parents is something we both have to deal with I guess. Tomoe sent me a present as well - a model car, one I was missing from my collection. How did she know which one I needed? Did Nori tell her? I feel bad for not getting her anything now.

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Hi Jun, happy new year. Yes your sister did tell me about the car, I hope you like it. Don't worry about getting me a gift. Looking forward to seeing you at school this year. - T. Kashiwaba

Sorry Jun, I had a look through your room to get some ideas for Christmas gifts for you. I hope you don't mind. Mom and dad are really sorry they couldn't make it back, I know they tried really hard but it's especially busy this time of year. - N. Sakurada

# SCHOOL

I started back at school today. Amazingly I made it through the day without running out of the building screaming. Yay for me I guess. Got a lot of stares from people, but the teachers were nice enough all things considered. Shinku's been spending all her time in my room, reading. There's a growing pile of books in the corner - where does she get them? I asked her about it and she said she was looking for a way to help Hinaichigo and Souseiseki. Suiseiseki has been even more annoying than normal. She got into a fight with Shinku last night because she asked me to read her a bedtime story (she does that a lot). Shinku was up late reading and she said it was distracting her. What a temper those dolls have.

4 comments

It was great to see you at school Jun, well done! A lot of people were asking me about you. Maybe you could try talking to some of them? - N. Sakurada

Geez Nori, one step at a time. - J. Sakurada

Is it really possible to bring Hina back? I thought she was dead? - T. Kashiwaba

The dolls father said it could be done. He asked Shinku to do it. Instead of, you know, doing it himself. Man, this is going to be one strange blog for anyone that reads it. - J. Sakurada

# STRAWBERRY PANIC

I had to pry Shinku off my computer just to post this. How does she even know how to use a computer? The last time the dolls tried to use modern technology they blew up the microwave and put the vacuum cleaner through a glass door. Shinku's taking this whole research thing a little too far. Like obsessively far. She hasn't set foot out of my room in days and I cant even remember the last time she told me to make the tea. Got a visit from that doll with the yellow dress. What was her name? Damn, I cant remember. Said she wanted to check up on us and see how we were doing, but wound up in a fight with Suiseiseki over the last of the strawberries. Do dolls get fat if they eat too much? They don't seem to. Tomoe came around to help me with my homework. I really owe her big time for helping me out at school. She still misses Hinaichigo. I do too. Hina was fun.

7 comments

Hey Sakurada! Great to see you back at school. Tried to talk to you yesterday but you were busy. Can't believe you started a blog. What's all this stuff about dolls? - S. Onota

I live in a house full of creepy supernatural dolls that move about and talk just like regular people. - J. Sakurada

Huh? - S. Onota

You asked. - J. Sakurada

Ohhh, you started a blog! That's so cool! That was Kanaria that visited you by the way, I'm her Medium, Micchan. We met last Halloween, remember? Sorry to hear that the dolls are fighting. Maybe I could help? If they ever want to stay at my place for a while just give me a call. - M. Kusabue

I'd take you up on your offer, but Shinku wont move more than five feet away from her books atm and Suiseiseki thinks you're weird. Sorry. - J. Sakurada

LOL! You guys are all weird! Seriously, what's the deal with the dolls? - K. Itō

# I'VE GOT MAIL

Oh man, what a day. First of all I had a great time at school. Itō and Onota told everyone about my blog and now people think I'm some kind of sissy boy who collects dolls. Thanks guys, really needed that. It's like the thing with the dresses all over again. Maybe I should just get a girls uniform and change my name, then I wouldn't seem so weird. Wait, what the hell am I saying? Ehh. Anyway, I finally had it out with Shinku and convinced her to stop her obsessive crusade for answers. We'll find a way to bring back Hina and Souseiseki. As it happens the answer might have been delivered right to my door. I got a package in the mail - from Rozen of all people! That wasn't half so surprising as what was inside. It was that creepy doll Enju made, Barasuishou. I gotta say, Rozen is one hell of a dollmaker if he could put her back together. The last time I saw her she went to pieces. Like literally. Apparently Rozen wants me to take care of her. That guy has a few screws loose if you ask me. The other dolls weren't happy about it. Understatement. They refused to let me wind her. And oh yes - Kanaria is back. Her Medium is away on business and Nori said she could stay over. Gee, thanks Nori. Tomoe came over and helped me with my homework again. She suggested I join a club at school. That's the last thing I need - a whole new way to make an idiot of myself. I'll pass. Just coping with school and these crazy dolls is enough.

9 comments

Seriously dude, what's with the dolls? And what's a 'Medium'? - S. Onota

A Medium is a nickname for someone who collects specialized animatronic dolls. Jun collects them because he's interested in the mechanics of them. I used to collect them too, but I gave him my doll because I broke her. - T. Kashiwaba

Ohhh. That makes sense. Sort of. - S. Onota

Hey Jun, just reminding you that I have that lacrosse tournament coming up this weekend. I'll make dinner for you and the others before I go and you can heat it up, okay? - N. Sakurada

Thanks sis. Good luck with the game. - J. Sakurada

Hey Sakurada, why is it you wont talk to anyone at school except Kashiwaba? Do you have a crush on her or something? The way you act around her makes it seem like it. - K. Itō

No I don't! She's the class rep and she's helping me out because I'm way behind everyone else. That's all. - J. Sakurada

Actually Jun, I think the two of you make a really cute couple together. You should ask her out! - N. Sakurada

SHUT UP! How the heck do you delete comments on this thing anway? - J. Sakurada

# UNLUCKY NUMBER SEVEN

Well that was ... I don't even know where to start. Nori had a nightmare last night, only it turned out to be caused by the seventh Rozen Maiden. The real one apparently. She threatened Nori and demanded that we turn over Barasuishou to her. The others said I should just do it. Shinku was especially odd. I decided to go ahead and give this Kirakishou what she wanted, but I figured I should wind Barasuishou up first. Suiseiseki and Kanaria ran screaming from the room when I did. Considering what the little psychopath did before, she was surprisingly mellow when she woke up. I explained the situation and she agreed to play along with my idea - pretend to be asleep and then surprise Kirakishou. It worked anyway, and we managed to break the covenant with Nori, so she's safe now. She was pretty shaken up by the whole thing, and keeps blaming herself. I told her it wasn't her fault but she still feels badly about it all. Meanwhile we have another evil Rozen Maiden running around causing trouble. Just great. As if Suigintou wasn't bad enough. At least this Barasuishou seems to be less trouble than the others. She just stares out of the window all day long. Creepy, but I'll take that over bossiness and relentless verbal attacks any time.

7 comments

... the hell? - K. Itō

That's terrible! Is Nori okay? Are you? - T. Kashiwaba

Yeah, we're fine. The dolls are not too happy though, what with having that Barasuishou around. - J. Sakurada

OH! That sounds so exciting! I wish I was there! Hey Junjun, could I move in with you? - M. Kusabue

Forget it, it's crowded enough here as it is. And seriously ... Junjun? I really don't need a nickname. - J. Sakurada

Awwww. Well can you at least tell me what this seventh doll is like? What does she wear? What colour is her hair? Do you think she'd let me take pictures of her? - M. Kusabue

Did you not read my post? Kirakishou is a menace. Anyway, when are you getting back? Kanaria doesn't want to stay here now Barasuishou is awake. - J. Sakurada

# WHAT A DRAG

It's the weekend, you'd think I could relax a little. But no. I got a call from Kusabue, apparently she has to work on the weekend. What a job. She was doing a fashion photo shoot for teen girls but her models called in sick. So who does she call for help? Yeah I don't get it either. Nori was at her lacrosse tournament, but I figured Tomoe might be free. She was, and she was willing to help out, but she invited me along as well. I probably should have said no, but one of the problems with rebuilding your social confidence is that you sometimes do stupid things like agree to go out with friends. I'm not going to repeat what happened because I know some people at school read this, but suffice it to say it was weird on whole new levels I didn't even know existed. I'll admit it was fun, despite Suiseiseki. Just don't ever ask me to do it again. I don't want to make a habit out of it. Tomoe enjoyed herself as well. It's not often you get to see her smile, she's pretty stoic. Anyway, it's late now and I really need some sleep.

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Oh come on! You have to tell us what you did! - S. Onota

Did you just go out on a date with Kashiwaba? - K. Itō

You guys were great! I'll let you know how it turns out, m'kay? Soooo cute... - M. Kusabue

I did have fun, thanks Jun. Maybe you should make a habit of it; it's not often I see you smile either. - T. Kashiwaba

Jun Sakurada has a blog? No way! And yes, he totally has a crush on Tomoe, it's so obvious. - T. Tsuzuki

Well he might be disappointed, I'm pretty sure Kashiwaba is gay... - M. Kitagawa

# WAITING

I can't believe what I'm about to write. Tomoe is in hospital, in a coma. I went to see her earlier today. Apparently she went to sleep last night and didn't wake up the following morning. The doctors couldn't do anything to help, they couldn't even say what was wrong with her. When I visited her, I bumped into Suigintou of all people! I first thought it was her fault; this was just the kind of dirty trick she'd pull. It wasn't her though, it was that Kirakishou again. Is there nothing that freak won't stoop to? She wants to force me to choose between Tomoe and Shinku, and gave me until midnight tonight to make up my mind. To hell with that, who does she think she is? Luckily for me Suigintou did an about turn and actually offered to help out. She says she has some kind of plan to save Tomoe without dealing with Kirakishou. I'm going back to the hospital tonight to see if she's telling the truth or not. In the meantime I just have to sit and wait. I hate this. Tomoe's safety hinges on us trusting Suigintou. I don't hate her as much as Suiseiseki obviously does, but even I can see that it's a shaky plan.

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Didn't understand a word of that. - S. Onota

What do you mean choose between Shinku and Tomoe? Who's this Shinku? And who the heck is Kirakishou? She sounds dangerous, shouldn't you tell the police about her? - M. Kitagawa

WHAT? Tomoe is in hospital? You're kidding! I'm going to go see her. - T. Tsuzuki

Oh no, that's awful! Do you need any help, Jun? - M. Kusabue

No thanks, it's probably safer if you and Kanaria steer clear for now. - J. Sakurada

# ALL'S WELL

Phew. What a night. It's late and I'm exhausted, but I wanted to get this down before I went to sleep. Tomoe is fine. Suigintou's plan worked (just don't ask me what it was), but Kirakishou had set a trap for us. We'd have been screwed if Barasuishou hadn't showed up at the eleventh hour and saved our asses. I don't know why she's suddenly on our side after everything that happened last year, but I'm not going to complain. Maybe Rozen knew what he was doing when he brought her back after all. We don't have to worry about Kirakishou pulling any more stunts like this again either, not after Barasuishou stole Lempicka from her. That's a weight off my mind. The doctors checked Tomoe over and gave her a clean bill of health. They're going to keep her in for observation for the next day or so. I'm just glad everything worked out. Well, sort of. I managed to really upset Shinku, Suiseiseki made that clear in no uncertain terms. I'm going to have to talk to her tomorrow and tell her ... what? I don't know. I'm so tired I can't think straight. Maybe I'll know what to say to her tomorrow. I hope so. If what Suiseiseki said is true...

3 comments

Thank goodness. I was really worried there. I still don't understand all this stuff about Suigintou and Kirakishou, but as long as Tomoe is okay then it doesn't matter. Maybe I'll pay you a visit and get you to explain it all to me sometime? - T. Tsuzuki

Wow. This is like reading an adventure. If it weren't for the fact that Kashiwaba and that Kusabue lady seem to know what you're talking about, I'd think this was all made up. Kashiwaba really is in hospital though, isn't she? Yikes, that Kirakishou sounds frightening. - K. Itō

I did some reading on these Rozen Maiden online. Apparently they are dolls, but they're some kind of mythical living dolls made by a master artisan named Rozen. I checked through some of your earlier posts and you said you've had contact with Rozen! The guy's supposed to be hundreds of years old! Are you saying he's real? You mentioned Enju as well. That was the craftsman that owned the doll shop last year. I stopped by there once with Tomoe, and it had the most lifelike dolls I've ever seen. One things for sure, these dolls you're talking about are no animatronics. I can't believe Tomoe knew about this and never told me. - T. Tsuzuki

# NEW POST 10

Shinku's gone.