Though Corin was cute, she wasn't stupid.
A cardboard monster that lured children? That only happened in fairy tales. Corin wasn't about to fall for such an obvious trick.
She shrank back timidly, lifting her chainsaw before her, and asked in a soft, sugary tone, "Mr. Cardboard Box, can't you come out on your own?"
[Ahem, please don't call me Mr. Cardboard Box—I'm no box! You may call me the Ragged Doll.]
[And it's not that I don't want to come out. I've been sealed here by an evil Notoriety Ethereal. Unless a kind and adorable twin-tailed maid frees me, I'll be trapped forever.]
[So, my kind and lovely twin-ponytailed maid, will you release poor Mr. Ragdoll?]
But Corin's eyes stayed sharp, not a hint of hesitation in them. She puffed her cheeks and shot back,
"Mr. Ragdoll, Corin's not some three-year-old! You'd have to know my ID number to fool me!"
[Oh? I can say that?]
"That's not the point!!!"
Corin tightened her grip on the chainsaw and shouted in frustration.
[Ahem, no, not the point… Sigh, if you won't let me out, then so be it. We'll have plenty of time. After all, we'll be living together for a long, long while. Someday, you'll set me free.]
"A long while…?"
Corin tilted her little head, confusion written across her face.
If she understood correctly, what the ragged doll meant was—she couldn't leave.
"What? That's impossible!"
Panic flickered across her face. She began pacing nervously. "No, no, that can't be! Mr. Lycaon and the others will definitely save me!"
[How can they save you if they can't even find you?]
The voice floated out from the box. Corin's eyes widened, trembling slightly.
The Ragged Doll clearly knew how to strike where it hurt. After a short pause, it continued:
[Besides, aside from the elaborate doll that dragged you here, there are three others like me. Your Mr. Lycaon and the others are probably being tormented right now.]
[They'll be too busy even to call for help. Do you really think they'll have time to care about a burden like you?]
"Corin is not a burden!"
Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, Corin flared up. Her face flushed bright red, her small teeth biting her lip pale. All she could do was shout louder to cover the sting.
"Corin… Corin is useful!"
"Every day after meals, Corin washes the dishes. Everyone pats her head and says she's a good girl."
"Even strong Miss Ellen has days each month when she doesn't feel well. Corin always takes good care of her. Though… lately Mr. Phaga's been doing that instead."
Her voice grew quieter, the confidence fading from her tone.
Then suddenly—her eyes lit up. A thought flashed through her mind, and she perked up again, hands on her hips, chin raised in pride.
"When Miss Rina tries to fight with Mr. Phaga for the kitchen, I'm the one who stops her and stalls for time!" she declared proudly.
"Without me, Victoria Housekeeping would've ended up in the hospital countless times!"
Inside the box: [...]
[Does Rina know you talk about her like that?]
"Ah?"
Corin froze, realizing what she'd just said. She slapped both hands over her mouth and darted her eyes around nervously.
Only after confirming that Rina was nowhere nearby did she breathe a sigh of relief, patting her flat chest. "Thank goodness Miss Rina's not here."
Then she lifted her chin again, confidence flashing briefly across her face as she stared at the box. "See? Corin is useful after all!"
[Uh… with all due respect, those sound like trivial things.]
"H-how could that be trivial! Family harmony is important!"
Her expression twisted in protest, voice rising, but before she could speak again, the Ragged Doll interrupted:
[Given the kinds of commissions Victoria Housekeeping takes, aren't household chores exactly the trivial matters?]
[High pay means high risk. That requires strength—and caution.]
[Look at you—crying, exaggerating. Where's the poise of a Victoria maid?]
"I…"
Corin froze, her lips trembling. She wanted to argue back—but no words came.
The Ragged Doll seized the moment.
[Remember the time you first met the Cunning Hares? Mr. Lycaon had complete control of the situation. He could've won without a fight.]
[But because of you, the atmosphere broke. The Cunning Hares regained confidence, and Lycaon was forced to change tactics.]
[You know it's true. You should've left Victoria Housekeeping long ago.]
[Let them go—and free yourself.]
[Stay here, with me.]
[They won't need to protect a burden anymore, and you won't have to live in fear of not being good enough.]
[Look around this room. I've prepared so much for you.]
"I…"
Corin's gaze turned dazed. Slowly, she looked around at the things it mentioned.
[See the bookshelf? Hundreds of books! If you read one every three days, they'd last you years.]
[Look over there—the pool table. The sound of balls clinking into pockets at night is delightful. I'll cheer for you with every shot.]
[And food, drinks... I can give you all of it.]
[You can stay here forever—no burdens, no pain, nothing to remember. I'll always be with you.]
"But…"
Corin hesitated. Tears welled in her eyes, soaking her collar.
She bit her lip, voice trembling as she looked at the box. "But what if… one day, I miss Mr. Phaga and the others?"
[Then I'll make them for you.]
Corin blinked, stunned. "What… did you say?"
[Just a small trick.]
A sharp snap echoed from inside the box.
Moments later, a hand shot out, five fingers clawing the floor. Veins bulged as it pushed downward—and a familiar head emerged.
Phaga's head.
"Phaga" looked around, dazed. "How did I get here?"
Then his eyes caught Corin's figure. His face lit up, full of joy. "Corin! You're here too! Quick, pull me out!"
But Corin stood frozen, her legs heavy as stone. Her eyes went blank.
"No... that's not right. You're not Mr. Phaga!"
Her voice cracked as she shouted, "Mr. Phaga may seem gentle, but he's strong and independent! He'd never ask for help with something this small!"
Her cheeks puffed up, her glare fierce and fiery.
The "Phaga" hesitated at her words but soon smiled faintly, the corners of his mouth twitching.
[You're right. I'm not the Phaga you remember.]
[But so what? I can do even better than him.]
As he spoke, his body began to twist and morph. His hair grew longer, his frame slender, his collarbones sharp and defined—Ellen's shape.
Then, in moments, her hair turned pale flaxen, her chest full and elegant, her smile tender and kind—Rina's form.
[You don't want to leave Victoria's family, do you? Then I can become them for you—the ones you love most.]
[Mr. Lycaon will never be disappointed. Miss Rina will shower you with affection. Your brothers and sisters will tell you stories, make you laugh, and say...]
[We love you most, Corin.]
Thud!
The chainsaw came down hard, tearing through "Lycaon's" shoulder.
The fake Lycaon froze, confusion flashing across its face—uncomprehending.
But Corin's eyes were full of tears, her cheeks red with rage.
For the first time, she truly hated a monster. The darkness burning inside her roared to life as she pulled the chainsaw's trigger.
Whirrrrrrrr—
The blade spun, spraying red across the room as the imposter's screams echoed.
But Corin showed no mercy. Her voice rang out, trembling yet firm:
"My family… they…"
"Would never do this!!!"
"And I'm not some girl who needs coddling!!"