### Chapter 36: Become My Puppet
After stuffing herself, Yestar was ready to head out.
“Phew~ I hope nothing weird happens on the way this time.”
The moment Yestar stepped out, she saw Motu, who seemed to be heading out as well.
Motu smiled at her and asked, “Oh? Are you going out now, Yestar?”
“Uh… yeah, I guess.”
“It’s kind of dangerous to go out so late. Should I keep you company?”
“Mm, no thanks. I’m just meeting up with a friend; everything will be fine.”
“Alright then.”
Yestar countered, “And what about you? Heading somewhere so late at night?”
“I have an old friend to meet.”
“Mm~” Yestar couldn’t think of anything to say next.
Seeing her discomfort, Motu decided to end the conversation.
“Alright, let’s stop here. I need to go.”
“Uh-huh, stay safe.”
Yestar gave a small wave, politely bidding farewell.
“Speaking of which… This neighbor never goes out to work. Feels like they’re just hiding all day.”
Yestar hadn’t heard any movement from the neighbor, seeming to spend days lounging about mysteriously.
Though, perhaps she had no right to judge either.
She herself was a lazy shut-in, relying on a different body to “work,” which she supposed was self-sustaining. Truly peculiar.
Back to the main point.
Maybe Motu saved up a fortune to relax, or he was just some rich boss who didn’t need to work. And he could make delicious snacks, which was really enviable.
He looked quite handsome and gentle, probably had scores of girlfriends already.
Such a person must be quite social, one of those annoyingly popular types.
Yestar thought maybe she was the most useless in his circles.
“Forget it, I don’t want trouble. Let’s go.”
Yestar pulled up her hood, covering her lustrous silver hair, aiming to blend into the background to avoid strange people noticing her.
On her way, Yestar followed her mental map and arrived at the theater entrance after around fifteen minutes.
“Hmm, no matter how many times I see it, this dark tunnel is still eerily creepy.”
If it were just her and not the group leader before, she definitely wouldn’t enter.
Because she lacked the courage.
But since she had already been once, fear had turned into familiarity, erasing the dread.
“Uhh… I’m entering…”
Yestar passed through the pitch-black tunnel and entered the dimly lit interior.
Looking around quietly, it was utterly silent.
The second time felt exactly like the first, empty and somewhat unsettling.
“Mr. Group Leader~ Mr. Fraudster~ Mr. Gentleman~ Are any of you here?”
Yestar called out softly, her pleasant voice echoing but receiving no response.
“Are they all backstage?”
Muttering to herself, she cautiously approached the back area.
Yet, there was no sign of them. Very quiet.
“Hmm, looks like I came at a bad time. They’re probably busy. What a shame.”
A soft sigh escaped Yestar, thinking about heading home to continue her usual slothful routine, when something else occurred to her.
She pondered and went to another place.
A dark corner where a little girl sat blankly, holding something tight, undisturbed.
The tiny puppet master.
“Still here…”
When she first came, the girl was in this state. Same this time around too.
Had she always been sitting here motionless?
Surely food and bathroom breaks are necessary though, right?
Even after those breaks, returning to sit blankly again was odd.
“Hmm…”
Yestar stood from a distance, contemplating approaching and greeting her.
The group leader had cautioned against getting close to her, but Yestar believed that sad girls needed comforting, especially someone who had been dazed for so long.
A good pep talk couldn’t hurt.
“Um.”
Without colleagues, she might not have the courage.
But as part of the group, she had to do her part, offering support to demoralized members.
That made sense.
“Un, I’ve decided.”
Yestar patted her soft face, giving herself a pep talk, and gently walked over.
“Soft steps… soft steps…”
Each step was light, worried about startling this young puppet master.
Stopping steps from the tiny one, Yestar peered closer.
This puppet master seemed like a normal girl, with delicate features and fair, flawless skin—a cute little loli.
But her complexion wasn’t great, looking pale rather than lively, almost despondent.
Yestar crouched slightly to look into her downcast eyes.
“Hi… I’m Yestar, new member of the cast, and you are…?”
Her eyes were a pretty pink color, but unfocused, just like computer standby. In her hands, a marionette was broken into two parts, cut flat—almost intentionally severed.
“Uh…”
Yestar waved her hand in front of her.
“Hey, can you see me? Umm… Let’s chat.”
The puppet master showed signs of reaction, lifting her head slightly with a vacant stare.
“Cute.”
A soft, barely audible voice issued from her pink lips, causing Yestar’s cheeks to blush slightly, feeling shy.
“Umm… Thank you for the compliment—you look cute. Is there anything I can help with?”
“Become my puppet.”
“Huh? What did you say? Can you repeat it?”
Yestar edged closer, her expression odd.
“Be… come… my puppet.”
“Uh-har?” Yestar cocked her head in confusion.
What did that mean?
Puppet?
Someone who could be controlled?
But Yestar certainly didn’t want to be controlled.
The puppeteer’s eyes regained color, showing a yearning desire. Yestar felt a strange threat, a tightening in her chest.
“Ngh… No…”
“That’s a no, huh…”
Rejected, her eyes dimmed again, appearing quite sad.
Feeling pity, Yestar spoke up, “Is there anything else I can help with besides becoming your puppet?”
“…”
The puppet master made no reply, closing herself off again.
Thinking of the group leader’s words, Yestar examined her hold on the broken doll.
“How about if I try to fix the doll?”
Seeing that, the puppet master’s eyes trembled, lifting her gaze to meet Yestar’s, filled with mystery.
“Really?”
“I’ll give it a shot…”
After saying this, Yestar’s tone softened, knowing she couldn’t actually repair it herself but hoping for outside help.
If fixed, wouldn’t this adorable loli puppet master be happy?
That would be a great deal!
—
Hope this fits the comedic style requested!
