Summary
Kozue is a wallflower with non-existent presence. She is frequently overlooked by everyone else and she doesn't get to participate in much; she's the total opposite of her best friend, Mika. She's pretty sure nobody is aware of their friendship to begin with, so she feels a little jealous because of how popular she is.
On their way home Mika attempts to make Kozue feel better by assuring her that she's fine the way she is. Even if she tries to deny anything being wrong she knows her very well, including her strong points, an interest in collecting weird things and collection of the Police Man manga. Kozue is touched by Mika's words, but it doesn't change how she feels. It's then they spot some capsule machines and she becomes entranced after realizing they were newly installed and wants to buy some. But she begins worrying over what Mika said moments ago until she spots one that reads "Capsuled Personality Vending Machine". She curiously purchases one and opens a red capsule to find it empty; but for some reason she feels strange.
The following day Kozue observes her classmates trying to determine where in Harujuku to visit soon. She asks if they could check out a place known as Maru-chan, then points out a nearby plaza from there, and a crepe shop that Naru and Saki wanted to visit. The girls realize she's on to something and happily compliment her efficiency. Kozue is delightfully surprised by how open she was able to speak just then; to the point of anxiously racing to the bathrooms while wondering how she was able to do it. Recalling the capsule she purchased she takes it out from her pocket to see "to express yourself clearly: red" is written on it.
After school, Kozue returns to the capsule machines to see what else it can do. She purchases a few of them this time and the following day, debuts her brand new, bright personality as she enters her classroom with a funny picture of Mayuge, her neighbors dog. Everyone's attention begins to drift her way as she realizes the capsules are making her mouth move on its own, recalling the one she chose earlier was "To make people laugh: Yellow".
Over time, while Mika has become startled by Kozue's drastic change in personality, everyone else has become taken by it. Kozue is very happy, revealing herself as a cool blue intellectual one day to advocating peace another. She's made so many friends!
Then one day Mika calls Kozue to remind her that the next volume of a manga they like is coming out and they were going to be picking it up. Further aware of how weirdly she's acting, she calls Kozue out on "laying it on thick" and reminds her of how she preferred the old her. Kozue eagerly insists that this is the real her but Mika doesn't buy it. Kozue begins to feel bad and mentally apologizes for not being more honest with her and making her worry like this, but she would rather be liked by many people than just one, so she plans to keep going.
While admiring the change she stole from her mom's wallet, Kozue wonders what capsule she'll get today as she approaches the shoe-lockers to overhear her friends mention her name. Today they were going to see a movie with her, but they aren't sure they want to now. Kozue is shocked when they complain about how she's really fun to hang out with, but she seems kind of fake now the way she keeps changing personalities, they're worried she isn't trustworthy. Kozue is very hurt when Mika agrees with them and she attempts to leave, but her shoe squeaking catches their attention. Mika attempts to explain herself but Kozue runs away.
Whether she's there or not, it makes no difference.
Kozue runs to the capsule machines as she weeps, wondering why nothing seems to go right for her. She can't understand why her great changes weren't good enough for them, and now she has no one.
With one last capsule still in the machine Kozue recalls the other day, when Mika said she liked her the way she was. But desperate to be liked, Kozue decides to purchase this final capsule. She picks it up as Mika arrives to call out for her.
Now when Kozue arrives to school everyone surrounds her to talk to her. She's very happy, because she's permanently stuck this way. It's not positive attention she gets anymore, but cruel. They bully her and draw on her property, they insult her and ask for her to do things for them. A few of them are concerned, however, and someone asks Mika if this is really okay. Mika turns away, stating that it no longer matters what she says.
Because of the last capsule, Kozue is surrounded by everyone.
She thinks she is very lucky.
"To not care about anything and be happy: white".
Tropes:
- Addictive Magic: Kozue quickly becomes hooked on the personality capsules as their powers help her to be noticed more and more.
- And I Must Scream: Kozue is stuck being perpetually happy while everyone mocks and harasses her. And even Mika has given up on her, leaving Kozue without a single true friend.
- Happy Ending: Only in a literal sense in that Kozue can't be anything else but happy, it's actually a Downer Ending.
- Extreme Doormat: Kozue becomes one in her desperate pursuit of friends. In the closing narration, Yomi considers this the "ultimate personality.".
- Here We Go Again!: The Capsule Machine was installed elsewhere and a new girl is shown looking at it.
- I Just Want to Have Friends: Kozue isn't satisfied with having only Mika as a friend, because Mika has lots of other friends who barely acknowledge Kozue.
- Lighter and Softer: Compared to most other chapters, this one is really tame.
- Kids Are Cruel: At the story's end, when Kozue has been reduced to an eternally cheery doormat, her classmates surround and mock her, vandalizing her desk and belongings while gleefully pointing out how she doesn't care what they say or do.
