Shizuku Kuroe Arc

*For other uses of this name, see Shizuku Kuroe (Disambiguation).*

The **Shizuku Kuroe Arc** is the first story arc in *My Dress-Up Darling*.

Traumatized by a childhood incident with a friend who took exception to his love of traditional dolls, doll-artisan hopeful Wakana Gojo passes his days as a loner, finding solace in the home ec room at his high school. To Wakana, people like beautiful Marin Kitagawa, a trendy girl who's always surrounded by a throng of friends, is practically an alien from another world. But when cheerful Marin--never one to be shy--spots Wakana sewing away one day after school, she barges in with the aim of roping her quiet classmante into her secret hobby: cosplay! Will Wakana's wounded heart be able to handle the invasion from this sexy alien?!

## Summary

Wakana and Marin became friends after the two found each other in the school's Sewing Practice Room. Marin showed Wakana the cosplay she was working on, but Wakana noted that it was poorly made. In tears, Marin shared that she wanted to show her love for her favorite character, Shizuku Kuroe, and cosplaying as her was a show of her love. Moved by Marin's passion, Wakana decides to help her out.

When asked when she was going to wear her costume, Marin initially thought of wearing it during a cosplay event which was to happen in two weeks. Unfortunately, two weeks was cutting it close for Wakana. They had midterm exams coming up, and Kaoru Gojo, Wakana's grandfather, had just been hospitalized. Wakana was able to finish the costume in time and asked Marin to see how it fit. When Marin found out that Wakana was pushing himself to exhaustion just to finish the costume, she broke down in tears, apologizing profusely for not realizing how two weeks was barely enough time to finish it. However, Wakana sighed in relief, and admitted some of the blame for not communicating the difficulties he was facing.

Seeing how good the costume was, Marin decided to push through in attending the cosplay event. There, Marin, as Shizuku, was met positively by the other attendees. After the event, Wakana was grateful for the experience and was saddened that this might be the last time he was going to hang out with Marin. However, just as they were riding the train home, Marin asked him what their next project should be. Wakana, although surprised, happily responded that he was looking forward to working with her again.

## Story Impact

* Wakana's traumatizing childhood incident with Nobara is shown. This affects him as he grows up, with him giving zero effort in making friends. This changes all throughout the series as he comes out of his shell with the help of Marin.
* Marin and Wakana become friends, with Wakana promising to help Marin with her cosplays.
* Wakana and Marin attend their first cosplay event together.
* Marin meets Suzuka for the first time at the cosplay event.
* It is due to the time Marin and Wakana spent together in preparation for the former's Shizuku costume that Marin develops feelings for Wakana.

## Characters Introduced

Kaoru Gojo
Nobara
Wakana Gojo
Marin Kitagawa
Nowa Sugaya
Daia
Rune
Rude Guyflashback

Sajuna Inui
Miori Gojo
Suzuka

## References

1. ↑ *My Dress-Up Darling* Manga — Volume 1.
2. ↑ *My Dress-Up Darling* Manga and Anime — Vol. 1 Chapters 1–2 and Episodes 1–2.
3. ↑ *My Dress-Up Darling* Manga and Anime — Vol. 1 Chapters 3–4 and Episode 2.
4. ↑ *My Dress-Up Darling* Manga and Anime — Vol. 1 Chapters 5–6 and Episode 3.
5. ↑ *My Dress-Up Darling* Manga and Anime — Vol. 1 Chapter 7 and Episode 3.
6. ↑ *My Dress-Up Darling* Manga and Anime — Vol. 2 Chapter 8 and Episode 4.
7. ↑ *My Dress-Up Darling* Manga and Anime — Vol. 2 Chapter 9 and Episode 4.
8. ↑ *My Dress-Up Darling* Manga and Anime — Vol. 2 Chapter 10 and Episode 4.
9. ↑ *My Dress-Up Darling* Manga and Anime — Vol. 2 Chapter 11 and Episodes 4–6.
10. ↑ *My Dress-Up Darling* Manga and Anime — Vol. 2 Chapters 12–13 and Episode 5.
11. ↑ *My Dress-Up Darling* Manga and Anime — Vol. 2 Chapter 14 and Episode 5.