When he turned around, Kanako was slumped over in the corner. She was deathly pale, even for a doll, and had broken out in a greasy sweat. Her breathing was labored and her eyes were tightly shut.

"This might be it."

She was smiling ever so faintly.

"Kanako!"

Tomoya ran over to her. He didn't know what to do. He didn't know any doll doctors. He put his hand on her forehead as if she were human. It was hot but he had no idea what that might mean.

"What should I do? Are you in pain? Are you hurt?"

Kanako turned her head weakly and pointed to her right arm. The smooth, flat stump.

"What would happen to you if your arm was cut off?"

"I'd bleed . . . to death."

"It's the same for a doll. I'm pretty tough, but this might be it for me."

"At least let me call an ambulance! I'll explain it to the doctor!"

"Don't be an idiot. I'm a doll."

She took a long breath. It was hard for her just to talk. On the brink of panic, Tomoya pitched a pointless tantrum.

"Why! Why didn't you tell me?"

Kanako hung her head like a sulking child.

"Couldn't be helped. I missed my chance. It's like glue—once it dries there's nothing you can do about it."

She'd grown even more pale.

This was no good at all. He knew that but he couldn't do anything except shout,

"What can I do? What can I do?"

"Don't worry about it. Somebody probably threw my arm away. It was all pointless."

"If you were human we could go to a doctor. They'd save you."

Tomoya was nearly in tears.

"It's no use—I'm a doll. What, should I cry and beg to be born human next time around? Forget it. I'm Kanako, a capsule figure. Figures have their pride too, you know."

His hands were clenched so tightly his nails were digging into the skin. I'm such an idiot, he thought. For just a second he felt like taking the utility knife and cutting his own throat. Instead, he stood up.

He put on his coat and, supporting Kanako with his shoulder, got her to her feet.

"Let's go. We're going to find it."

"It's nighttime. Nakano Broadway's closed."

They went out anyway, Kanako riding on Tomoya's back.