Episode 2

**Theater Named Desire** is the 2nd episode of the Gekidol anime.

## Summary

The Alice in Theater is having financial difficulties due to how much electrical energy their TMS machine uses to create the holograms. Therefore, troupe member Minami suggests the troupe become idols to raise money and awareness about the Alice in Theater. This and the revelation of why Seria joined the troupe because of her inspiration from Izumi causes a giant rift between Airi and her fellow troupe members.

## Plot

Seria has a dream with her childhood friend named Alice that she lost in the incident 5 years ago. The two play with some dolls and briefly act out a play until Seria finally wakes up. Dressed for the day, Seria enters the kitchen area where 3 dolls are placed around the table, representing Alice, her mom, and dad. She announces to them that she's starting her first day as an actress, at the Alice in Theater. Wished the best of luck by Alice and later meets up with Makoto. The two apologize to one another for their separate reasons and head to school, it's there that Makoto anxiously asks Seria about how she was treated by Kaworu the day before.

After school, Aira shows Seria the TMS (Theatrical Material Equipment) equipment at the Alice in Theater. While booting the machine up a black out occurs, to which, Airi explains that it happens due to how much energy the machine consumes. Airi also details that their machine is the original and that SMT stole the system and formed a rival company. The two then run into Doll who is formally introduced by Aira as an Act Doll who is also a part of the set the TMS creates. Astounded that Doll isn't a real person, Seria introduces herself to Doll.

Later, Akira arrives at the theater and is soon embraced by Manami after her arrival. Just then another girl named Mayuri arrives, takes a selfie with Seria and introduces herself to her as well. Another girl who just so happened to be there was a girl named Kazuharu aka "Air" because of her incognito presence. Once everyone is introduced and Airi states that Seria can ask her anything, Seria asks her about if Izumi Hinasaki really made her start there. This causes Airi to snap and demands to know where Kawaro is. In a panic, Seria goes to the rooftop and finds her sleeping on a sofa, informed that it's close to rehearsal time. Just then, the lights go out once again and Seria believes it's another TMS malfunction, but Kaworu believes otherwise.

Sometime later, Kaworu meets with the landlord who apologizes to him about the electrical issues they've been having. The landlord, whose name is Mino, lets Kaworu off the hook as she helped him in the past with her 2nd job. When Mino leaves, Akira explains to Seria Mino's history with Kaworu and when money is said to be a problem, Manami says she has a plan. In the rec room, Manami proposes to everyone her plan to raise money through a battle of the bands. The theater would participate in idol events as an idol group and thereby increase Alice in Theater's reputation. Everyone's opinion differs from person to person, but it's still agreed upon by most of the member except Airi.

The following day at school, Makoto is informed about Seria's new acting endeavor as an Idol, which perplexes her. Afterward, at the theater, the group finish off another dance practice and Seria tries to approach Airi, but is given the cold shoulder by her. Seria learns from Akira and Manami that in the past many fans of Izumi joined the theater because they heard that Izumi made her debut there, but left because of the harsh work conditions. As Airi runs through the streets, she recalls when Izumi told her that she's leaving to join the rival company SMT to become a bigger name. Furthermore, she states that Airi was the best partner she could have ever had.

At the World Radio Hall Akibahara, the theater troupe, minus Airi, perform a song in front of a live audience when a black out occurs. A flustered Minami tries to mediate the situation, but Seria improvises and performs a scene from her favorite play and Airi who was in the crowd acts with her. Airi then fully recalls the rest of her memory where Izumi foretells that one day, Airi will find another partner just like her and to guide her well. The scene finishes as the lights turn back on and the troupe ready themselves to finish their idol song together with the crowd giving them a hearty cheer.

Outside of the radio hall, it rains heavily and Airi and Seria briefly talk with each other until a male fan approaches Airi calling her Ai Ai. He tries to start a conversation with her noting how they met in the past through some events, but Airi leaves in an agitated state.

## Characters

* Seria Morino
* Makoto Higuchi
* Airi Kagami
* Doll
* Akira Asagi
* Manami Fujita
* Kaworu Sakakibara
* Kazuharu Yamamoto
* Izumi Hinasaki (Flashback)