Episode 5

**The Cherry Orchard** is the 5th episode of the Gekidol anime.

## Summary

Because their lead actress to their upcoming play has bailed on the Alice in Theater troupe to pursue a better deal with their rival.

## Plot

Seria names Doll Alice after her sister, which makes Doll smile.

The next day the troupe enjoy a cake prepared for Seria's belated birthday and later prepare themselves for the extra cast that will be arriving in the theater later. As they prepare, Airi tries to formally apologize to Seria, but she brushes her off in favor of Doll. On stage, Kaworu announces she'll play the lead role of Yuu for rehearsal and when she assigns 3 roles for Doll to play, she states her name is Alice. Perplexed by this, Seria steps in and informs Kaworu that Alice is the name that she gave Doll. She also requests that Alice formally be put into their plays, but Kawori is hesitant to do so, because of her inadequate knowledge involving Act Dolls. Furthermore, Kawori would have to consult Alice's owner Mino about it as well. Airi then interrupts the conversation and grabs Seria's arm, bringing her to the rooftop, and finally getting the chance to formally apologize to her for kissing her abruptly that night at the bus stop. However, Seria thinks nothing of it, because she overcame a burden bound to her heart and returns to the stage to continue the rehearsal. On the other hand, Airi states how distraught she was because of her guilt over it saying she couldn't sleep that night because of it.

That afternoon on the rooftop, Alice and Seria continue their rehearsal together and are approached by Alice's owner Mino. He states that he heard from Kaworu about how Alice wants to officially join the troupe. Alice then formally introduces herself to Mino in her new name and Mino notes how she must have been named after the theater. The following day, the extras to the play have arrived and when it's stated that their lead role actress Jinguji is running late. Manami reveals from her smartphone that Jinguji has signed up with their rival company TMS to form a new act called Actidol. Because of this abrupt news, an emergency meeting is held at the stage to discuss who will replace Jinguji as the lead role in of the play. Seria suggests that Alice take up the roll and this is believed to be a good idea by Manami and Mayuri. However, Kaworu admonishes the suggestion stating the risk factors behind it, but agrees to it due to the problems that would arise without a lead actress for their play. Afterward, Alice rehearses her role in the rec room and when she stops, her fellow troupe members praise her for her job, all except Airi.

On the rooftop, Airi opines how upset she was at Seria for giving up on the lead role. However, Seria states how anxious she is to do it as she can only mimic the people rather than act with her own conviction. Airi argues that Seria can, conveying her adamant belief in her friend and that no doll can match her talent. This triggers Seria as she doesn't consider Alice a doll whatsoever and leaves the rooftop. The following day, Hirokazu visits Kaworu on the rooftop of her theater who acts apprehensive toward her business rival. When Hirokazu declares that he wishes to acquire the doll Alice for his company, Seria appears along with Alice denouncing that he can have her. Hirokazu tries to approach the two, but Kaworu trips and falls because she wasn't in possession of her cane and Hirokazu catches her. Not wanting to cause a scene, Hirokazu leaves.

On the day of the play, it was a full house and a great success. After the play, Airi tries to confront Alice over her relationship with Seria, however, Alice uses the hologram machine to appear as Izumi. As Izumi, Alice thanks Airi for supporting Alice in Theater while she was gone. This moves Airi to tears and she falls down a flight of stairs because of it.

## Characters

* Seria Morino
* Doll
* Airi Kagami
* Kaworu Sakakibara
* Mayuri Nakamura
* Akira Asagi
* Kazuharu Yamamoto
* Manami Fujita
* Hirokazu Takezaki
* Izumi Hinasaki