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The rest of the band knew, of course, even if they didn't know the full extent of it. Sodachi left with Sakiko as often as she left alone. They would speak in hushed voices, and make each other blush. On one occasion, Sodachi had accidentally worn one of Sakiko’s dresses to practice. But specifics eluded the other four members of the band, so all they could do was speculate in hushed voices and when they weren't around.
All in good fun.
Sodachi had learned to ignore the playful giggles when she and Sakiko left together. It only lasted as long as they were in the studio. And once they were outside, a car awaited them, a car that took them back to Sakiko's apartment.
It was less like an apartment, and more like a house that was a part of a larger building. Two floors, and many rooms on each. They entered into the living room; from there, doors branched into a bedroom which had been turned into Sakiko's home studio, as well as a bathroom and a kitchen which rarely saw use.
The girls dropped their things by the door and collapsed onto the couch on one side of the living room. They took a moment to breathe, quietly. But then Sakiko reached over and grabbed Sodachi's hand, squeezing it once. After a moment, Sodachi squeezed back, which made Sakiko smile.
Sakiko twisted to face Sodachi, then lifted a hand. She reached over and brushed a finger down the bridge of Sodachi's nose. As she did, Sodachi’s eyes shut closed as she went limp in place. Her breathing, now gentle and rhythmic, was as if she had fallen asleep.
Sakiko watched Sodachi's face for a few moments, before she leaned over and whispered in Sodachi's ear, “Follow me.”
Sakiko stood up, then reached down and took Sodachi's hand in her own. She pulled the limp girl to her feet. Despite Sodachi being limp, she was able to stand. Her eyes fluttered open, but it was like she was sleeping with her eyes open. As Sakiko began to walk, Sodachi followed, only barely able to avoid running into things. They took the stairs slowly, then hurried into the bedroom, where Sakiko guided Sodachi to the bed. Once she was laying down, Sodachi went limp again, falling backwards onto the mattress, sinking in.
Sakiko then leaned down and whispered in Sodachi's ear, “Doll.” After the word had time to sink into Sodachi's brain, her eyes fluttered open again. This time, however, she was clearly conscious. Her eyes flitted around, taking in her circumstances. Despite that, she didn't move. She didn't, because she couldn't. it wasn't until Sakiko gestured with a single finger for Sodachi to arise that she did, taking jerky, stiff motions. She arose to her feet, then simply stood in place. Sakiko grabbed both of Sodachi's hands and pulled her forward; Sodachi allowed herself to be pulled, still only moving in stiff ways.
She was a doll, and dolls didn't have their own agency. They were just there to be used as their owner saw fit. She wouldn't move unless Sakiko moved her. She wouldn't speak unless Sakiko wanted her to speak.
Those were the thoughts that kept repeating in her head as Sakiko moved her around. The thought, on loop, almost seemed silly to Sodachi. She was a human, right? She didn't need to do this. She could just move if she wanted to. But whenever she thought about it, she wouldn't. As though she didn't really want to move. Or as if she couldn't.
That's how it always went. It was an odd feeling, as her mind began to wander, realizing that she truly wasn't in control of her body anymore.
Sakiko was dancing with Sodachi, but she might as well have been dancing with a mannequin. But that was the point, to see a person become so stiff and lifeless as a doll. To see that Sodachi couldn't fight back. A form of control that went beyond the physical.
Eventually, after nearly a half hour had passed, Sakiko set Sodachi down on the bed. Then she reached over and tapped Sodachi on the nose again, in the same manner as before. Sodachi's eyes fluttered one last time, and she let out a small gasp, as control returned to her. She looked up at Sakiko, who was changing into casual clothes, and blushed.
“I love you.”
Sakiko smiled back. “I love you too.”