Something-vania Arc

Story guide

Hachiware brings a small pink package and urges Chiikawa to open it. When Chiikawa unfolds the bag, a doll modeled after nagano's bear wearing pink overalls appears. Hachiware explains that it seems to be a Something-vania doll, then shows two more modeled after Hachiware in blue overalls and Usagi in yellow overalls. Chiikawa compares the small clothes and bodies, their eyes lighting up at the cute design. The two decide to bring the Usagi doll to Usagi, then run off while checking the doll in their hands. The scene ends in anticipation before they deliver the gift.

Cultural and language noteThe subject recalls dollhouse toys that combine animal-family dolls with houses and furniture. Attention goes to the detailed design of the small dressed dolls.

Story guide

When Usagi leans to one side, the small Usagi-like figure at their feet tilts in the same direction. Watching it, Chiikawa and Hachiware wonder what is happening and whether the small figure is copying Usagi, and they cannot hold back their laughter. Even when Usagi puts on orange coveralls and moves around, the small figure follows along, prompting the two to cry out in bewilderment. Hachiware laughs aloud and says they do not understand at all, while Usagi asks what they mean. A figure with a green face beneath a black covering then thrusts a large hand out of the grass, appears, and declares that this is their power. Chiikawa and Hachiware scream, and all three flee through a red-tinted scene as the figure chases them.

Story guide

Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi, changed into doll-like forms, raise panicked voices in a grassy field. Hachiware is bewildered, wondering how this happened, and recalls when they were caught in a net. The black figure had said that there were those who wanted to become this form. The three confirm among themselves that they have been turned into Something-vania, and walk along unsure whether this is acceptable. Hachiware realizes they can no longer eat noodles and cries out. All three together shout that they hate it and then begin to cry, but the story ends when they realize that even crying produces no tears.

Story guide

Under a dark night sky, Usagi, Chiikawa, and Hachiware stand side by side. They are no longer doll-like figures in colored overalls, but have returned to their usual outlines with long ears, small round ears, and blue cat ears. Usagi quietly looks forward, Chiikawa in the center wears a calm expression with their arms lowered, and Hachiware smiles brightly with their eyes closed and tongue slightly out. They stand on a rounded green grassy rise dotted with small white and yellow flowers. Fine points of light and short flowing lines scatter across the sky, while handwritten text above gathers the three as small, cute beings, making this a lingering image for the chapter.

Cultural and language noteThe wording at the top turns the idea behind the work's title, small and cute beings, directly into a sentence. The three standing together show who the words refer to.

Story guide

In doll form, Chiikawa and Hachiware find a plastic-bottle cap lying in the grass. Thinking it is something they can use even while their bodies will not move as they want, Hachiware devises a way to operate a trap. When the black figure approaches and steps on a stick in the ground with their large green foot, a net falls from above and wraps around them. Hachiware pulls a string from a distance to keep them captured. With the figure's power stopped, Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi return to their usual larger forms, leaving small dolls at each of their feet. Delighted to be back, the three run away together while keeping their distance from the figure inside the net.

Story guide

Walking through a forest, Chiikawa and Hachiware confirm in the water's reflection that their forms have returned and celebrate together. When Chiikawa regrets the Something-vania doll, Hachiware encourages them that they can save up and buy one if they see it in a shop next time. Chiikawa then pulls a round object patterned in yellow, pink, and purple from the ground. Green filling drips from its surface, startling them at first, but Hachiware explains that it is tasty despite looking frightening and demonstrates by biting it. Hachiware teaches that the mesh-like outer layer can be spit out after biting, while Usagi watches nearby. Having escaped the danger, the three turn their attention back to familiar food.