The scene was in film grain, as an old man in a coat and hat was walking in a cane. It was also raining. He walked past a girl in long blonde hair and pink highlights, wearing her school uniform. She passed him and was concerned. "Hm?"

She suddenly turned around and saw a flash of light heading towards her. She screamed, "YAAA–!"

Her phone dropped, and the girl was gone.

This is the story… of a young woman's life gone backwards. Her life had ended… and it all happened, just years ago.

Episode 9 EXTRA
Wonder of U!
The Ballad of Black Lobelia…

February 27th, 2022…

Marin was walking down the street, talking on the phone. "So, that's great, Nowa! You totally have to save me a seat. Anyways, I gotta bounce. Later, girl!"

My name is Marin Kitagawa. I'm a 17-year old student in Watanabe High School. My specialty is cosplaying. However, before I was to become what I was today… everything changed.

Marin was at home, watching anime on TV, and even did some selfies in her outfits.

I'm a model. A cosplayer, and an otaku. Not a care in the world. I was very happy. One day… I wanted to go on a date with Wakana Gojo, my best friend.
He's the love of my life, and one day, I want to confess my feelings to him. I don't want to be friendzoned by him.

Wakana was a boy with short hair and wearing a blue robe. "I'm sorry, but I'm very busy today. Will March 1st be it?"

Marin smiled, "Totes. I understand you're uber-busy and all. You take care."

"Thanks. I'll see you then, Kitagawa?"

"I'll be there."

Marin was happy that she got to hang out with her friend, but…

Two days later…

"Gojo's sure acting late." She huffed, waiting by the train station. She checked her watch and muttered, "I'm bright and early, but… I bet he's trying to stand me up!"

She dialed on her phone, but then…
SHATTER!
"HUH?" She looked at her phone and cried, "No way… My phone exploded. All I did was a gentle touch. Dammit, there goes my cellphone hours. But still… Where's Gojo?"

She checked her watch and gasped. The watch was spinning fast. She whispered, "Wha–? What is this?"

She looked up, and people were screaming in panic. The clouds were flying rapidly and everyone was losing themselves through time.

It was, at this time, Ritsu Tainaka and her Stand, Maiden Hell, was able to begin the ushering of a New World – a second Moji Mikisa. And Marin witnessed it, among everyone else.

"NO WAY! WHERE DID THE SUN GO!"
"WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS?"
"WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?"

A lot of people were in shock and horror, as their world was speeding up faster and faster. Marin was shaken in fear, "What… is… happening? Why is this–?"

A huge light flashed, as she shrieked, "KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA–!"

And then, everything went black. Marin suddenly was floating in an endless space, completely naked. She whispered, "What's happening? Why does it feel so warm?"

She heard a whisper, as she floated over to the small light. "Wonder of U…"

Marin thought, as she was reaching for it. "I… I can feel it…"

She vanished into the light, and she left this world. But wouldn't return, until later.

Present day…

Jace and Kim decided to have lunch at a cafe that Kim heard about.

"You're gonna love this place, Jason. Some girls talked about it, across town." She said.

Jace asked, "Wait, Kim? Are you sure?"

"Oh, totally! And I even set up a reservation for us."

Jace thought, "Why does Jace Be getting a bad feeling about this?"

They were shown to a table, as a girl in blonde hair and a pink dress said, "So, the games here are free, so you can play whenever you like. And the bathrooms are down the hall there."

Kim smiled, "Thank you, Miss."

The clerk said, "Your waiter will be here, shortly. Thanks for waiting." She walked off, as Jace huffed, "Weird people."

Kim said, "Well, they said today's a special day… I heard that someone is cosplaying as Rei Kogami!"

"Who?"

"A character from a live-action Japanese show I saw, back in Korea. It's hugely popular worldwide!"

"Yeah? What's it called?"

"Prez-Host." She said, "It's based off the manga of the same name, and later made into a live-action adaptation. When I was little, my Mom and I couldn't stop watching it. It was a hot guy harem drama."

"Ohhhh, that show. Yeah, didn't that show aired in Japan?"

"Duh… Until cable came along. I was hooked, and I was like "I so wanna meet Rei Kogami" in the flesh." She sighed, "But I could never… You and I were in prison, so we never got the chance. But the show ended, years after."

"This Rei Kogami's a big deal. What is he like?"

"Well, the actress playing him was superbly excellent. You see, in order to earn the role, she had to chop off all of her long hair locks, and make her hair mature and short. She was perfect for this role."

"Wait… A woman playing as a dude?" He cringed.

"Well… … … Not exactly. You see, in the series, Rei Kogami was a woman. Adorn and fawned by all girls. But she had a secret job as a host in the Rainbow Rose Host Club. Of course, she goes by Ray – R-A-Y, in this persona."

"And that's when she went drag, huh?"

"Yep." Kim said, "I still have the boxset I got from Amazon, since I got out of Prison. But it was slightly used. I wanted to see what I missed, while I was in jail." She squealed, "But… Mmmmm… THE Rei Kogami, in the flesh, in real life!"

Jace huffed, "You and your fangirl dreams…" He sighed and smiled, "Well, Jace Be not stopping you. After all, Jace Be Real for you, babe…"

Kim asked, "Huh? Uhhh, I've been meaning to ask…"

"Hm?"

"Ever since our battle in Gamindustri, you've been saying Jace Be Real, a lot. I thought you're called Jace B Right."

Jace sighed and said, "Well… Since our battles, a while back, and joining The Gang, Jace isn't being real to you. But I realized this… I need to get a reality check that if I lose you, I lose everything. Even if it means protecting the world and the people that live here."

Kim nodded, "I see. I guess you and I have matured, since we joined World Agency."

"I know… but something feels… different, than before Prison…" he whispered, "You hated Chase Craver, did you?"

"Yes. My Dark Persona… She somehow was my savior. At first, I didn't want her to exist, but it came to me, as soon as I was controlled. So, basically, I was a Wild Card to Neptune and the others."

He giggled, "You could say that."

"Excuse me…" A man approached them, wearing a white suit, "Shall we take your order? I'm Rei. Welcome to our club."

Kim blushed heavily, and her glasses fogged up a bit. She shrieked, "AAAH! IT'S HIM!"

Jace cried, "WAIT! Calm down! Sorry, she's too excited." He fanned her, as she was breathing heavily, "Easy, Kim. Take it easy… Sorry, people. She had a relapse!"

Kim moaned, "Rei…"

Minutes later, after Kim recovered, Rei bowed and said, "Sorry for the trouble. What would you like?"

Jace said, "Just a hamburger and some tea." Kim said, "I'll take a chocolate shake and a side of your fried tofu." Rei giggled, "Of course. Are you enjoying yourself, Princess." Kim giggled, "Y-yes… I am."

"I'll see you then, Princess." He walked off, as Kim blushed heavily. She composed herself and said, "Thank goodness. It may not look like it, but he's such a radiant man."

"You're gay, aren't you?" Jason scoffed sarcastically, "Stop panting, Princess!"

After the cafe trip, Kim and Jace paid for the meal, and headed home. Kim smiled and said, "Worth it. I got to see my idol, and spend it with the man I love."

Jace grumbled, "Ugh… I'm not buying this. In fact, Jace Be tired of going on for your sake. Can't we go for my picks, next date?"

"Sure, as long as it's not boring."

"Whaaaat?"

"I'm kidding. You always treat me nice." She smiled and said, "To be honest, I want to meet this guy that posed as Rei."

"Oh?"

When I woke up, I was in a huge room. A man came to me and pulled me out of a box. I was buried in packing peanuts, and couldn't see, because it was dark. My eyes suddenly opened, and I was dressed in a corset, with long blonde hair. Corsets were my jam and jelly, as I loved wearing one.

"Oh, isn't she beautiful… Welcome home, Marin." He kissed her and placed Marin down.

His name was Chase Craver, and he took me in, as his girlfriend. My life changed forever. I couldn't move, nor could I speak. I was a sex doll.

Marin was seated, as Chase began to clean himself off in the shower.

This is how I came to be, but I wouldn't be aware of it, at the time. Until now…
God… Kill me now…

XXXXX

Days passed, and Chase was happy with Marin, who was poseable and soft. Chase decided to remove her hair and face, and then he said, "Impressive. Such craftsmanship. Marin is so adorable… Plus, this tongue is lifelike." He opened the jaw and pulled out her tongue. He then placed her in a seated position, and began to set up her new face and wig.

The package I came in came with an extra set of wigs, eyeballs, and facial masks. Chase even did my makeup. How I started, I was dressed in a loose sweater, my eyes were yellow, and my hair was jet black.

He finished her and placed her on the chair. He turned on the television and said, "Now, you stay here, while I go out to work. Stay pretty for me now."

He walked off, as Marin was watching TV, immovable and still. Suddenly, as she was watching her shows, it changed to an anime called Flower Princess Blaze.

And then one day… Something changed me, forever…

She was watching an episode of Blaze, where Neon Nikaido changed into Black Lobelia.

Flower Princess Blaze… It was an old anime I love. And still loved to this day! Before I knew it… My body responded.

Her hand moved, and she slowly turned the volume up. She was watching the anime and was excited. She let out a smile and giggled, "Where have… you been?"

Marin started to enjoy her anime, until Chase came home. When he came home, Marin was sitting, watching anime. He gasped, "Huh? How did this air?"

He turned off the TV, as Marin was in doll form, watching with a smile, while relaxing on the couch. "Odd… Did someone pose my doll? Weird… This doll is strange."

He sat next to her and whispered, "Now that we're alone, babe… Let's have our little episode together."

He kissed her, and proceeded to make out with her on the couch.

It was magical. No, I totally mean it literally. As he had sex with me, I had a thought that occurred to me. When he's gone, I come to life. But when he returns, I stop moving. It's like that movie I heard about, but never saw… which I should check out.

But Chase somehow knew that I was a fan of Blaze. A week passed, and I got to see almost all of the 106 episodes that aired. There were so many memories. And that's just it. When I watched that show, my memories somehow recovered.

Weeks become months, and months become years. Chase was happy to have me, from lusty X-rated photo shoots, to nights in bed, from watching anime to romance movies. And he even gave me a gift.

Chase fixed up the white hair on Marin, and then put two eyeballs into her eyes. He refitted her face back on, and then showed Marin to a mirror. She was simply similar to Black Lobelia.

"Do you love it, Marin? Now, you can be just like her, like in the show. I mean, Neon Nikaido is simply gorgeous as Black Lobelia."

He never left my sight. I was so happy that I was going to explode. But… All I could do was be silent. He was still eyes towards me. Meaning, I cannot move at all. Someday, I was going to have free movement for myself. And when that day comes, I will be alive for him…

…and maybe learn what, why, and how I became like this…

XXXXX

That evening, Marin woke up and got out of bed, naked. She took a shower, and then redressed herself in her black attire. She then whispered, "Am I…" She felt her face, and then saw something on her back. It said "Wonder of U" on her skin. She looked at her hands and said, "I am… Wonder of U… Marin Kita… gawa…"

A voice called on the TV, "Calamity is everywhere." The TV somehow turned on, and a man on the monitor spoke, "It is not possible, but no one has been able to touch me. So even for me… This is the first time that happened… so I am a bit surprised."

NOTE: Spoken from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure – "JoJoLion"

"Only a centimeter away. I don't think there's ever been anyone closer to me, without a, you know… calamity occurring…"

Rain began to fall, and Marin watched on, mesmerized by this scene. She was in awe, "Oooooh, what happens next?"

"I'm not really entirely sure what happens at one centimeter away, because it's the first time. I don't understand it either. Seriously. But in the flow of calamity, there has been not a single person that can touch me. Not a single one. That I know for sure…"

The final words echoed into Marin's head, and she spoke, "WONDER OF U!"

She stood in place and responded, "Calamity occurs, at all times. The truth comes out."

Marin lost herself in character, and walked into Chase's closet. She pulled out a black hat, jacket, and a gray gown. She put it on and tipped her hat, "Neon… went through a… calamity, losing the one true love, Soma-kun, for Sakuya. But Mirai loves him… and she doesn't know that. Such a calamity." Marin responded, "I am Neon… I am Black Lobelia… and I must spread the gospel of calamity and chaos… before it's too late."

She walked out of Chase's house, and left to spread her calamity across the world. But overtime, she would return, after remembering a lot. Only… Everyone can see her. But…

When I became her… I lost myself. My memories were buried in antiquity, and I lost control of who I was.

"Noooooooooooooo…" Marin sunk into a deep abyss in her subconscious. But then she grabbed onto a branch, and she sobbed, "I… I can't…"

But try as I might… The abyss to my lost memories is endless. I was changed. I was no longer Marin Kitagawa. I became one of my best characters – Black Lobelia. A life-sized sex doll that came to life, and spread the word of how calamity ensues all. Those who learn my secret or defy me will meet an untimely fate. Because no matter where I go, calamity ensues.

This was who I am….

"Wonder of U." Marin spoke in both her voice and a robotic male voice.

[Marin Kitagawa (aka Black Lobelia) – Wonder of U]

The next night, Kim was fidgeting in bed, thinking about the guy that cosplayed as Rei Kogami. She blushed and heavily whimpered, "I have to see him again… Who was he?"

Jason was in bed with her and said, "Kim? It's 1am…"

She said, "I'm… I'm sorry. That guy, he was hot. Or she, because she was a woman, and–! JASON! I can't take it! I want to meet him, or her, or THEY! IT!"

He yelled, "KIM! Enough! You're exaggerated! Rei Kogami's not real! She's just a fictional character!"

"I know… But I want to meet the guy or girl that cosplayed her."

"Kim, let Jace Be Real here… Be careful when you meet your heroes. You just don't know it, until you unveil the curtain from behind the scenes."

Kim was upset. She held herself and sobbed, "I'm finding out, tomorrow."

"No–!"

"Don't stop me, Jason!" She grabbed her pillow and blanket and barked, "I'm sleeping on the couch. Sorry, I just needed space…"

"Couldn't you use your Ghost Room?"

Kim huffed, "Goodnight, Jason…" She walked away to the living room.

Jason sobbed and cried, "Couldn't you at least get another blanket?" Jason was without a blanket in bed. She took the only blanket.

Kim was lying on the couch, feeling uneasy. She blushed and said, "Rei… Rei…" She fell asleep and dreamt about Rei Kogami. He was singing to her, and said to her, "Won't you be my number one Princess?"

Kim blushed and giggled, "Zzz…. Yoshio… Rei… So… … Zzz…" And then, she fell fast asleep.

Marin was out on patrol, as she was searching for anyone. Chase was already at work, and Marin had nothing to do, since her anime ended. She turned to the corner and saw Kim walking down the street, feeling dejected.

She dove down and confronted her. "You there."

Kim gasped, "Oh? Hello… And you are?"

Marin said nothing, as she whispered, "Why aren't you scared of me?" She said, "Why are you not frightened?"

Kim said, "Sorry… I'm in no mood. I need a place to live, and my boyfriend is such a tightwad."

Marin gasped, "Boyfriend?"

She suddenly remembered some words. "Boyfriend". "Love". "Cosplay". "Youthful". "Goddess". "Model". "Home". Marin Kitagawa's memories, when triggered by Kim's broken heart, started to blossom slowly. This occurred, prior to The Gang's encounter with Cinder Fall, and later with Gamindustri.

Kim asked, "I'm sorry, but… Who are you? Because Halloween's passed."

Marin narrated, "Who… Who is this woman? And why did she bring up my memories? They… I'm starting to…"

Kim asked, feeling worried, "Are you okay?"

Marin blushed and turned away, "I apologize. I did not mean to scare you. Just be careful…"

She walked off, as Kim was uncertain. She smiled and nodded, "Oh, well. She was rather sweet."

XXXXX

Marin was sitting alone, in her Black Lobelia attire, motionless and stiff. Chase was setting up a photo shoot for her.

My memories were slowly growing. I'm… I'm starting to remember a lot. For starters, how I came to be… Wonder of U. I am a sex doll with the words "Wonder of U" on me. Secondly, my arrival here… It was the year 2024, and it started in 2022. From there, all I remembered was the sun was rapidly going crazy… and then…

She saw an image of a New Moon, as she was posed forcefully by Chase.

I… Who am I? All I know is that I must know who I am…

XXXXX

She was outside, as Chase was asleep, and she was viewing the New Moon. She whispered, "Someday… I may find out the reasons for who I am. Am I really Black Lobelia, a life-sized sex doll? Or am I really…"

Her voice echoed, as she saw Marin in her blonde hair. She gasped, and she whispered, "Who are you?"

"I'm you." The second Marin whispered.

"HUH?"

"Please… You are me, and I am you… You are not Wonder of U."

"Yes, I am… I am… I am… I am… Who am I?"

The second Marin held the first Marin's face and whispered, "Marin… Kitagawa…"

Black Lobelia's eyes widened, as Marin sank into the abyss below, completely.

"M-Marin… Kitagawa?" She gasped, "I'm… I'm Marin…"

She went back inside, and Chase saw her. "Ah, Marin. There you are." He picked her up and carried her away, "Come on, it's time for bed."

I hope to get more answers… and maybe learn more of who I am… But as I lay dormant as his sex toy, one other name came to my mind.
"Gojo".

And since then, I have not woken up from my doll form since… until recently.

In Gamindustri, Marin confronted the Rock Woman, Zero, also known as Nobara Aoyagi.

Zero stood up and hissed, "This one will not listen. Not even you… I know my place. And I chose to accept my failures. Because I am NOT him. This one may not know who she was… but this one may figure me out. But the one thing I will never be… … …is a toy for a sex-crazed, bikini-clad fanboy of a pervert."

"Really? I thought he was using it for a paradise."

Zero walked off and said, "I'm done. Do what you want. I don't care anymore."

"Then permit me, Zero… or should I say…" Marin glared, "Nobara Aoyagi."

She was Non-chan… a friend of Gojo's. But she rejected herself of that name. The name was familiar to me… as I started to remember slowly.

She whispered a name, "Wakana…" She gasped, "NO! This one… cannot accept… I… This one rejects this Nobara Aoyagi! This one is NOT Non-chan!"

"Have it your way." Marin smirked, "I was trying to help you. Hopefully, when I learned who you really were, you would help me, too." She walked past her and said, "I'm simply not Black Lobelia. I'm merely a literal dress-up robot, for my own master. This is merely cosplay."

"YOU?!" Zero gasped.

Marin stared down at the base, "You may not remember who you were, but I do… And even so, my backstory is way worse. You wouldn't believe me."

And believe me, it was indeed foreshadowing.

"I don't believe you now. You can't be… Black Lobelia…"

"My name… is Marin Kitagawa."

"Kita… gawa?" She pondered, as Zero whispered, "You're Wakana's girlfriend…"

Marin glared at her face, walking towards her, "But know this, dear… No matter what decision you make, know that calamity and chaos befalls one or the other. Whatever decision you decide, think twice. Because the decision you make affects how chaos and calamity will fall onto only one." She walked past her, "Take your pick. It's a one-way choice, and you cannot turn your back on it. Then again… You were pretty close to him, weren't you? The choice is yours. But the path you choose, there's no escape… Nobara Aoyagi."

She knows… Wakana Gojo. I could not ask her… because she won't believe me. But my time was running out… and after my scuffle with The Gang… Everything went black…

Marin was lying by a tree, following her battle with The Gang's Steven, Farra, & Asahi. While she was not damaged, she was weakening.

She moaned and whispered, "So… This is what true pain feels like. I think… I'll sleep here… and resume… my path … … … home…" She slowly slid down and passed out.

Marin's final words, before she fell asleep, "Go… jo… kun…"

Her arm dropped, and she stopped moving. She lay on the tree, sleeping peacefully.

…

"Go get him, Marin… Marin? Marin?" Marin's spirit called to her and gasped, "She's… She's dead…"

Marin sank into the endless abyss, but she grabbed onto a branch and barked, "NO!" She struggled and pulled up, "That's… that's my body…"

Her spirit pulled hard and reached for Black Lobelia, "Wake up! Please… WAKE UP!"

Her screams echoed, and then suddenly… Black Lobelia's eyes opened, and her body started to move slowly. This happened after The Gang defeated Chase Craver. Black Lobelia raced to the tower, hoping to make it in time.

Minutes later…

At the base, it was about to explode in 60 seconds. Chase was unconscious. Marin stepped in and said, "Chase… My lover."

She picked him up and left the base, without looking back, returning to the real world.

Kim arrived at the cafe, the next afternoon, and she asked the manager about the Rei Kogami actor. The manager said, "Oh, you mean MICO?"

"Who's MICO?"

"She's one of our rental androids from Wonder of U."

Kim gasped in horror, as the manager said, "It was a one time special for all customers, and I figured I wanted to bring in star power, so I hired a Wonder of U Sex Robot to perform for the guests as Rei Kogami of Prez Host. I mean, the rental fees were expensive. Plus, we had to tone down her programming to make things family-friendly. But I guess I said too much."

Kim groaned, as she held her hat over her face, "N-No… I'm sorry… I mean… I didn't mean to waste your time. I…" Her voice was breaking. "I'll keep it a secret, if you want. H-Have a nice day…"

She ran off and was crying. She was whimpering, running away.

"Kim, let Jace Be Real here… Be careful when you meet your heroes. You just don't know it, until you unveil the curtain from behind the scenes."

She was heartbroken and she cried, "How am I this stupid?"

At home, that evening, Kim was bawling loudly, crying on Jace's shoulder. He sighed and whispered, "I tried to warn you… so, Ths Rei Kogami was a robot…"

"An entertainment android… for purposes other than sex…" Kim wept, "I was so stupid! I thought she was real! I thought the actor who played the character was perfect! But she was a robot… That's cheating!"

"Shh… There, there, it's okay." he comforted her, "I tried to tell you… but I guess we both were stupid."

She sobbed, "You were right… I shouldn't have been greedy… I should've listened…"

Kim sniffled, "Jason… … … Please, hold me… Say I'm your Princess. SAY IT! I BEG OF YOU!"

He smiled and held her face, "You're always going to be my Princess, babe… Time to make Jace Be Real to you…" They kissed, as Kim blushed, "요시오 (Yosio)…"

They kissed and made out on the couch, but Jace stopped and asked, "What's Yoshio?"

Later that night, Marin placed Chase in bed, and patched up his wounds.

I found him like this… and he was out cold. He didn't wake up when I rescued him. What a relief. But… The name "Gojo". It's odd, but… Am I really remembering, because of him?

She whispered, as she held his hand, "You're not my lover… But one day, I'm going to learn who I am, someday… Someday, I will see him again…" She held his hand to her face and kissed it. "I love you… Master…"

I decided to stay with him. After all, he owns me… If I stay a while longer, maybe I can find out who I really am… when it happened… and why I am like this…
I may never know who I am… but someday… I will… Someday, I will find him. And finally confess my feelings to him…

Marin's eyes dimmed, as she whispered, "Go… … Jo… … … Wa… Wakana… … …" her voice faded, and her eyes clicked closed. Chase suddenly woke up and groaned, "Ungh… Where am I? Ungh… my ribs…" He saw his hand, clasped on by Marin, who's frozen stiff.

"Ma-Marin?" he felt her face and tears flowed down her eyes. "You… You were worried about me?"

He nodded and whispered, "I am sorry to make you worry… I mean, when I first met you, you were a sexy toy for me. And you are! Though, I can never learn how you function a lot. However… What I'm trying to say is… As far as sex robots are concerned, you're… … …unique."

He kissed her and said, "I'll never leave you…" He hugged her, and was in complete bliss.

Marin Kitagawa remained in her doll form, since then. But it is unknown if and when she'll ever wake up again. But she sleeps peacefully now.

Someday, Marin… … … Someday…

Kitagawa can only walk in the subconscious state, hoping to regain her lost memories, before that shocking day of March 1st, 2022, where she was changed.

[Marin Kitagawa (Wonder of U) – Lost soul inside a sex doll owned by The Secret Society's Chase Craver; currently in a deep sleep; alignment unknown]

XXXXX

Farra was walking down New York, until she saw Marin Kitagawa on a poster. "What?"

She gasped, but then saw Marin as Black Lobelia, on a reflection in a glass window. She rubbed her eyes and saw a mannequin that resembles Black Lobelia.

She whispered, as she walked off to work, "There's just no way…" She shook her head and chose to forget it.

On the window, there was a poster with Marin on it, winking with a peace sign over her head. On the poster it said:
"Wonder of U Entertainment – Quality Adult Products
Best Seller – Marin Sex Doll Robot - only $20,000 to purchase, and $1,500 for rent/month.
Some assembly required, extra wigs, eyes, and faces sold separately."

Perhaps Marin's mysterious past in this world will remain forever theorized through time.

Episode 9 EXTRA – The End

To be continued…