Chapter 17

## Chapter Guide

**"Star-Bearer"** (星 (ほし) つき, *Hoshitsuki*?) is the seventeenth chapter of the Shadows House manga series. It is adapted into Episode 4 of the anime.

## Summary

The Dolls are summoned for another grand cleaning, but first, Barbie, a Star Bearer, carries out a hearing as she believes that a team was slacking off during cleaning which leads to the Phantom incident. Mia speaks up when it comes to Rosemary's team, earning her a kick to the stomach to Emilico's protest. Another Doll interrupts this as he suddenly walks past Barbie, knocking her off balance. Another Doll drops her equipment as she was made to carry too much at once as she tearfully apologizes. Angered by these Dolls, she forces them to take late night patrols or force the timid Doll to be disposed of, then orders for cleaning.

## Plot

Emilico wakes early as she has another grand cleaning to attend to, then visits Kate who has woken up early as she is studying books for the upcoming Debut. Shadows are unable to leave their rooms until they Debut and noting the difference in their lifestyles, they agree to teach each other parts of their respective lives, and Emilico leaves for the cleaning. The Dolls gather in a hall with a tall Star Bearer, Ben, suddenly rushing past Emilico and setting down a step ladder which a shorter Star Bearer, Barbie, climbs to address the gathering. Barbie believes a team had slacked off on cleaning which caused soot to pile up and proceeds to carry out a hearing to put together the testimonies. During Rosemary's turn, the leader states they were disorganized due to Emilico's placement on the team and Mia interjects, stating that as it was their first incident, they were slow to react and all their work was properly done which earns her a kick in the stomach from Barbie, causing Emilico to call the Star Bearer cruel. Already irritated, Barbie marches back to Emilico, but a male Doll suddenly runs between them with a mop, knocking Barbie off balance who is caught by another Doll, Ricky. Barbie yells at the new Doll which she calls "Disgrace", with the unnamed Doll stating that he has bad eyes but does not wear glasses as his master does not. Ricky comes in and punches "Disgrace" in his stomach but a fight is quickly stopped by fellow team members. A female Doll accidentally drops the cleaning supplies she was holding and tearfully apologizes, Barbie calls her "Incompetent", noting that she has broken things and scattered collected soot, accusing her as the cause of the Phantom Incident. Emilico turns to "Incompetent's" team members who don't care about the fate of her. Attempting to step in again, Emilico raises the possibility of some other cause, with Barbie then giving Emilico, "Incompetent", and "Disgrace" orders to carry out night patrols or have "Incompetent" disposed of. Going back to work, Mia warns Emilico that Barbie's Shadow is very powerful and Ricky is commended for his behavior. Back in Kate's room, Emilico declines an offer from Kate to study with her and leaves Kate alone, who silently gives off a steady stream of soot.

## Characters

1. Barbie
2. Kate
3. Emilico
4. Shaun (Debut)
5. Ricky (Debut)
6. Hank (Debut)
7. Billy (Background)
8. Rum (Debut)
9. Belle Twins (Debut)
10. Lou (Non-speaking Role)
11. Mia
12. Ben (Non-speaking Role)
13. Rosemary
14. Maggie (Background)

## Trivia

• In the Yen Press translation, calls Emilico “Daisy-Brain”, Rum “Bungler”, and Shaun “Embarrassment”.