A Clockwork Romance

Part 4

The whole story behind Sakaki & Kaorin's life as dolls came to be, and it came to a tragic end.

In the last chapter, Sakaki mentioned that thirty years ago, she & Kaorin were created to become companions and play friends to young girls and teens (sans men). She was very upset by the fact that she was neglected and very unpopular, for personal reasons. But let us not get ahead of ourselves…

Let's recall the past…

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In a small toy store in Tokyo, a young boy was playing around with some machinery. He began to construct a small robust woman, with black hair.

"Almost finished; she'd be perfect for our new line of companions for everyone," he said, "And when we finish selling, you shall be a very great girl."

He then constructed a key to wind her up and installed it in her back. She then dressed her in a pink school girl's uniform. He brushed her long hair up and draped down.

"Perfect… she's ready to be sold to many kids."

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The boy, who was a young man with brown hair, graduated from High School when he was 17. He has a degree in robotics and has been doing odd-jobs around the local body shop.

When he finished College, he began to produce human-shaped girls in the form of young women. The girl he created, Sakaki, was his first creation; and from here on in, he created more girls. He thought of Sakaki as his first and popular creation, but when he opened, after creating about 200 different girls, it was about to change.

When he opened, the line was big! Everyone wanted a wind-up girl. A small blonde-haired girl wanted one; she chose a small girl with short blonde hair and a small bust, dressed in a white uniform. Another girl, dressed in black, with her red hair done up in a bun, chose a green-haired girl, done up in braids. One-by-one, each girl of different sizes and different forms, were sold to many girls and women. Every doll was sold… except for Sakaki.

The boy who created Sakaki approached her and asked, "Are you okay, Sakaki?"

She said nothing. She was motionless with her eyes closed. He caressed her hair and said, "I'm sorry you weren't sold to someone. But I promise you that you'll become one happy doll for one happy owner."

He turned out the lights and closed his shop… until tomorrow.

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Even as Sakaki was a very popular doll, she was, in fact, not purchased. Several days went on, and the dolls were sold in succession. Though, every girl ignored her, and went with different dolls of different types.

Then came the day that she was scarred for life…

Two girls noticed Sakaki and smiled.

"Wow! She's beautiful! I want one of those!" The 1st girl, dressed in pink, cheered.

The 2nd girl, who was small and dressed in beige, replied, "I don't know. She reminds me of my mother; she could be nice like the other dolls, but someone made her too good."

"You're right," she said, "I'll find another girl. She does look like an adult."

The girls walked away from her.

Another girl, in brown hair and glasses, noticed Sakaki, but then scoffed and walked away from her saying, "She's too mature looking. Whoever created her, must remember to tone down her height and girth."

The worst was yet to come. A tall man, with a short haircut and nerdy looking glasses, wanted Sakaki. However…

"I'm sorry," the boy said, "But she's not for sale… to boys like you."

"Oh, come on!" He shouted, "Give me the girl! She's smoking hot!"

"What part of NO do you not understand? These dolls I created are made for nice people, not perverted dogs like you!"

"Okay… okay… I get the idea. I'll give you $500 for that beautiful lass in black hair."

"GET OUT! I'm not running an escort service! I'm running a toy store!"

The man leaves in disdain.

The boy turned to Sakaki and said, "No doll of mine become a property for men, who takes advantage of them! Right, Sakaki?"

Since then, Sakaki was declared outdated… after not getting a master of her own; but she hoped to be sold to the people soon… but it got worse.

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The boy puts up a sign that says "Dolls are to be sold by girls only". It seems he was strict about the recent encounter. Sakaki was sad, since she wasn't sold for four weeks… and it hurt her badly on the inside, even when she is motionless.

However, the doll business lasted three years. Sakaki and another doll were the only unsold dolls in the shop. He was about to close down, when Sakaki opened her eyes and saw the boy. He turned around and saw her come to life.

"Are you my master?" She asked, "What's going on?"

"Sakaki?" He yelped, "You're alive?"

Sakaki looked down and was sad. He then explained the whole situation about the dolls. The dolls were sold to perfection, but he has to shut down production since his first creation was collecting dust. When Sakaki was shocked by it, she asked if she was to be taken apart. He disagreed; he pointed at a doll, which was with her, during the final days of service.

"How long was she with me?" She asked.

"About a year; sadly, she wasn't sold, as well."

She approached the motionless doll, when a short bob, and held onto her. She then kissed her.

"Whoever you are, my fellow doll," she said, "I wish you would find yourself a happiness that I don't have… one day."

She then hugged her and started to cringe.

"I won't be lonely; not without you," she sobbed.

"I'm afraid I have bad news," the boy said, "She was to be taken apart; I wanted to give you her as a playmate, if unsuccessful. I also did a two-for-one offer, but nothing. I'm sorry, Sakaki-Chan."

Sakaki then turned to him and cried, "You can't! She can't be tossed out!"

Her gears started to shake and her spring unwound.

"I love her… I love her… I… love…" her voice began to warble.

"Sakaki, it's okay. Don't strain yourself. You'll see her again soon…" he said, "But not her."

Her body stood motionless and said in her final words, "Don't… make… me… lonely…"

A single tear shed from her eye; he approached her and wound her up.

"Sakaki, I promise… you'll meet her eventually," He said, "I know how you feel."

He approached the other girl and carried her away, "I have plans for you."

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One year later, Sakaki departed from the toy store and lived alone in a small home. The other girl, who the boy named her Kaorin, was left in a small garbage pile, with a sticker saying "Outdated Merchandise". She was later picked up by the boy who created her. He cradled her and carried her to his house.

"You hold too many memories… Kaorin; I cannot give you up," he said, "Sakaki is gone, but you're still with me."

He then placed a special gold key onto her back and wound her up.

"I know you haven't been awakened yet, but one day, you'll find your happiness. Besides, Sakaki is very lonely… and I hope she finds her happiness."

He wound her key up and smiled.

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It started as a heartfelt journey; Sakaki and Kaorin lived together and they had a pet. However, Sakaki was saddened by Kaorin's future and Harmonia's passing.

Then, twenty years later, the day before they died, she returned to the old toy store, which is now an abandoned store, where she was created. She visited the boy, who was now an old man with gray hair and a flannel suit.

"Hello," she said, "How long has it been?"

"50 years," he said in a raspy voice, "How is my favorite first doll?"

"Oh, I'm okay; but I think we should talk. Kaorin… she & I… well, we have been together for a long time, and well, I think my memory has returned to me."

"Oh… you remember everything from that moment?"

"Yes. Tell me… was I unloved?"

"Well, no… but no one wanted you, because you're a very special doll. You have the size and strength of an athletic woman, despite the big chest, but you have a very unique look."

"I do?"

He then gave her an old key Kaorin had, before she was created.

"That's…" Sakaki gasped.

"That was her original key," he said, "When you left, she was very lonely. I tried to toss her out, but she was too noticeable for me… it reminded me of you and I couldn't let her become scrap."

"So, you saved her?"

"I don't want the memories to die. I cannot let you be lonely. So, twenty years ago, I enrolled her into the same school as you were. And since then…"

Sakaki remembered all the good times she had with Kaorin. She then started to shake a bit and collapsed on the table. The old man wound her spring and she woke up.

"You started to become weakened; it seems you've become very old and feeble."

"But… I didn't age at all! How can I be-?"

"Sakaki! Listen to me! I know you have been around for fifty years, but you could be finished with your life."

"No… I cannot be… finished with this world. Not until I have happiness with Kaorin!" She cried.

"Sakaki, it's all right. You have been happy with Kaorin for a very long time, since you've become a cute doll I created. I think you've already had your happiness with her. The reason I created you was to make a cute little girl happy. But, you have proven to be nothing more than an unpopular doll; but when I created Kaorin, she was unpopular, too. And I decided that you and her deserved to be together."

Sakaki started to cry.

"You… you did all this… for me?" She sobbed.

"It was hurtful to see you lonely. When you said you don't want to stay lonely, I just couldn't take it. So, after you left, I made a special key for her. When she has found her one true love, she must cease to being, thus completing her accomplishment: she will no longer become lonely… and neither do you."

"Uh, one question," Sakaki asked, "For fifty years, she never knew who she really was… how is that possible? Even when we were separated, she'd be wound up if weakened, like me."

"That's the power of my special key," he said, "Once she is wound up, she'll live as long as she likes; winding her up for more power is sometimes optional. Of course, once she has found her true love and happiness, she'll stop working; it's pretty much a one-time shot. Her key, however, is still an enigma to her and us. I think maybe it was you that loved her the most, caused the key to react; so it could be possible to try. You should tell her and she'll do the same… that is, if you haven't told her by now."

Sakaki then said, "I… never told her about it. What if my body shuts down and I don't get to tell her?"

He then loosened her key and said, "Sakaki-Chan, you have always been my favorite doll. I think it is time. Also, I suggest you tell her tomorrow afternoon, before your spring winds down permanently."

"What?" Sakaki gasped, "Why?"

"I wound your spring when you collapsed, but it sounded funny," he said, "It was a signal saying that you must tell her now… before it is too late. Your key will no longer be wound, and you will no longer be functional again; but you won't be lonely anymore."

Sakaki got up and asked, "But… what will I do? What will she say if I tell her? Even if I do, she might wind me again, but I have already wound my last spring."

The old man looked at Sakaki with a concerned look on his face.

"Do you love her?" He asked.

Sakaki then cringed and said, "Yes."

He then said, "Kaorin… she's a very special girl. I gave her that special key for a sole purpose. And now, she must be able to admit it. Tell her, and you'll have her. If you don't, Kaorin will have no love… and she'll be lonely… forever."

Sakaki left the toy store, with a very strange message.

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Sakaki came home and talked to Kaorin. Kaorin approached her key, but she stepped away.

"No, don't!" Sakaki yelled.

"Miss Sakaki? What's wrong?" Kaorin asked.

"Oh, uh, nothing… I'll tell you tomorrow," she replied as she left to her room.

Sakaki was lost in thought on her bed.

"How can I tell her? How can I tell Kaorin about this? Will she be happy?" She thought, "I'll have to make it count."

She nodded and went to the closet to change. Kaorin looked from the doorway and was forlorn.

"Miss Sakaki…"

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Then, when Sakaki & Kaorin stopped living, the old man watched through the window and saw a shooting star falling.

"Sakaki… Kaorin… I hope you two will find happiness together," he said, "My precious dolls, be happy for the rest of your life. Live your love to its fullest, and never look back on the tragedies that happened all those years. Sakaki… Kaorin… I think of you as the daughters I never had. But now, I wish you best of luck in your future. Goodbye, my dolls… no… my girls."

He left to his bedroom, walking very slowly. He hopes that they have found happiness… however… they did, but in a sad way.

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Meanwhile, Sakaki and Kaorin were still frozen in place, from earlier; a voice echoed from out of nowhere. Its voice sounded like Sakaki's:

"Kaorin… thank you for my life… and my happiness."

And another voice echoed, sounding like Kaorin's:

"I'll never forget you… Sakaki. I'll always love you."

The End