Crimson, To Seal Your Lips (2)

HAMA House - Living Room

1

Kuguri

Now. Before I start on your makeup, let me ask you something.

How do you want others to see you, cica? What kind of perception do you want them to have of you? The makeup look depends on your answer.

Kaede

How I… want others to see me…?

Let Kuguri-san figure it out.
Kaede

If it depends, then I’ll leave it up to you, Kuguri-san. Do my makeup however you want.

Kuguri

Oh? You want me to do it? How naughty of you.

You’re giving yourself up so easily… Who knows what’ll happen if you do that?

Ask Kuguri-san what he thinks.
Kaede

Um. Well… how do you see me, Kuguri-san?

Kuguri

Answering a question with a question? My, my… it seems you’ve learned a few tricks.

I suppose… I’ll leave my answer to your imagination.

Kuguri

Now then… Hm, your lips are a bit chapped. We can start with some lip balm.

Alright, let’s get started. Just relax and let your eyes fall shut…

Kaede

(Kuguri-san doing my makeup… I wonder how it’ll turn out…)

The chief closes their eyes.

Kuguri

Lift your chin up a bit more… until you feel my finger.

There, good. Ufufu…

Kaede

…? Why are you laughing? What kind of face am I making…?

Kuguri

There it is… The look of anticipation before a first kiss.

Kaede

Huh?!

2

Kuguri

Ah, ah. Keep still. I’m still doing your makeup.

Not another word out of you.

Kaede

Mmnh… Mngh…

(The brush is on my top lip and Kuguri-san is holding my chin… This is so grating…)

Kuguri

Ufufu… you’re trembling like a baby deer. Those doe-eyes of yours are quite seductive too.

…I’ll hide away those soft, vulnerable sides of you under an elegant mask.

The chief closes their eyes again.

Kuguri

There… All done. The eyeliner is still drying, so just stay like this for now.

Kaede

Thank you. Um… can I open my eyes now?

Kuguri

No. Stay still and wait until I say you can. Can you do that?

Kaede

Fine…

Nayuki

What the–?! Is that the Chief?

Why is he sleeping here?

Nayuki

What the–?! Is that the Chief?

Why is she sleeping here?

Kinari

Commencing vital scan…

Scan complete. Body temperature, pulse, and breathing levels are all normal. Master is awake.

3

Kaede

Nayuki-kun? Kinari-kun? Huh…? Where’s Kuguri-san?

Kinari

If you mean to ask whether Kuguri is present, he wasn’t in the room when we arrived.

Nayuki

…Oh. I see how it is. Judging by your response, I think I know what happened.

Chief, please look at yourself in the mirror.

Kaede

In the mirror…?

HuuuUUUH?! Is that me?!

I look like some kind of femme fatale… Wait, I look really good…!

Woah, so sexy… It’s like I’m not even myself…

Kaede

In the mirror…?

HuuuUUUH?! Is that me?!

I look like some kind of homme fatal… Wait, I look really good…!

Woah, so sexy… It’s like I’m not even myself…

Nayuki

Ugh, that man… What a waste of makeup talent…

At any rate, leaving the Chief like this and disappearing was too much for a prank. I’ll be sure to have a word with Domeki-san later.

Kaede

Oh, Nayuki-kun. You don’t have to go that far⁠—

Annnnd he’s gone.

Hmm… It’s really strong, but this should be the makeup design for the show, right? Or was Kuguri-san just joking around?

Kinari

Kuguri’s intentions may be unclear, but you look “super hype”, Master. I believe even the angle of the eyeliner is perfect.

Kaede

Hehe, that’s true. Well… that’s our Kuguri-san for you.