Crimson, To Seal Your Lips (1)

HAMA Tours - Conference Room

1

Chihiro

Chiefy~! We did so good todaaay!

You totally came in clutch when you slid me those docs! That sponsor looked super happy too! Thanks a ton~!

Kaede

No problem! I want this collab to go well too, so I’ll do whatever it takes to help!

But…

Kuguri

Ufufu… You were absolutely adorable in there, nyuszi, using your whole body to explain everything to the producer.

Chihiro

Booo, Kugurin! That doesn’t sound like a compliment~!

Kaede

(Kuguri-san still hasn’t… given me any updates on the makeup design. He’s the one who’s supposed to be directing the collab…!)

Kuguri

Now then. If we’re finished here, I’ll be leaving. I have plans tonight.

Kaede

Um. Kuguri-san… Have you finalized the concept for the makeup design?

Everyone on the Evening Team has been talking about how they want to be able to do their own promotions, so…

…Since they need time to practice their makeup, I’d really appreciate it if you could finish it up soon.

Kuguri

Good grief. You’re so impatient, cica. What would happen if the design ends up sloppy because you rushed me?

Kaede

That’d be a problem, but…

Chihiro

Huh? So what I’m hearing is that Chiefy wants everyone to have time to practice their glam, but Kugurin wants to take his time to think about it, right?

Why not have Chii do a makeup tutorial sesh for the Evening Team?

Giving a crash course of the basics’ll help out anyone that isn’t used to doing their makeup, and maybe Kugurin could come up with something after seeing it!

Kaede

That’s true! I’d really appreciate that. Thank you, Chihiro-kun!

Kuguri

How brave of you, nyuszi. Well, I suppose you could do whatever you want.

HAMA House - Meeting Room

2

Chihiro

…Look, like this. Tilt your brush and just draw… a straight line to the outer corner of your eye! It’ll look mega intense and super hype if you do it that way.

Kaede

(Chihiro-kun’s examples are pretty easy to follow, but…)

Tao

Huh? My hand keeps shaking, so I can’t make it straight at all. What should I do?

Kinari

I attempted to draw the line at a one hundred and eighty degree angle, but my result strayed from the outer corner of my eye. I’ll readjust the angle.

Raito

I see… So this is why we needed practice.

It seems like it’ll take a bit of time before we get used to it… Aren’t you going to practice too, Kuguri?

Kuguri

Oh. A bit of my nail polish chipped off… I’ll have to fix it up.

Nayuki

Domeki-san. We’re doing our makeup right now, not our nails.

Chihiro

Oh, Kugurin might be fine even without practice. You do your makeup sometimes, right?

Like, you’ve got lip gloss on today! Your lips are all shiny, it totally gives off a subtle, trendy look~!

Kuguri

Ufufu. You always pay such close attention to detail, nyuszi.

Kaede

H-He’s right! Now that I’m taking a closer look, he’s got a bit of eyeshadow on too…!

Kuguri

It all depends on my mood.

Kaede

(Oh… Then, in that case, the makeup design would probably depend on his mood too…)

Tao

Huh? You’re wearing makeup? You don’t really look that different…

3

Kuguri

Then why don’t you take a closer look? Come on, get up close…

Tao

What?! No thanks, I’m good!

Kuguri

No need to be shy. Ufufu… Makeup isn’t just about making things look flashy, maci.

Makeup is about illusions and decorations.

It can make someone look beautiful, but it could also make them look ugly too.

Tao

Ugly…?

Kuguri

For example, if you make your skin look awful, then you could easily pretend to be sick. Next time, I’ll teach you how.

Raito

I see. I didn’t realize makeup could be used that way.

Nayuki

Domeki-san. Don’t teach them anything like that.

Kaede

(I-Is everything going to be okay…?)

HAMA House - Living Room

4

Kaede

Kuguri-san. I’m sorry that I keep bugging you about this, but is the makeup for the circus show all set?

If you need any resources, I’ll get them for you. Just say the word, okay?

Kuguri

Again with this, cica? You sure love to talk… Do you want me to shut that mouth of yours?

Kaede

No, that’s not it at all…!

Kuguri

Don’t worry. The makeup design is more or less finished.

Kaede

Huh? Really?

Kuguri

I can apply the look on you, if you want. You’ll probably understand it better if you see it for yourself, cica.

I’ll make you look stunningly foolish, like you’ve just stepped on stage…