Ruka put her hands on Shijunana’s shoulders and brought her face in close. “I didn’t wanna say this in front of Orii-san, but you know what? I think you look totally fine without makeup. I mean, makeup takes time and money, and you’re so pretty already. There is a difference between not wearing makeup without knowing anything and making that choice when you understand it, though.” She paused and stared straight into Shijunana’s silver eyes. “You’ve fought...uh, worked hard for everyone till now, Shijunana-san. Now I wanna show you all the fun things on our side, ’kay?”
She’s been fighting all this time to protect us from vampires. So I want her to know how great this world really is. Seeing that and having fun should be her reward for all the time she gave us and the suffering she went through.
“But still, uh, I’m sorry... Heh, um, so... What do you think...?” Ruka mumbled.
“Very well. I forgive you.” The furrows between Shijunana’s brows started to fade.
That was close! Ruka realized she was covered in cold sweat and stepped back. Seems like she’s in a better mood, so I think we’re good!
Orii apologized to Shijunana once more and started talking to her again. “Did you live overseas, perhaps, Shijunana-sama?”
“Yes, until recently.”
“Ah, I can see that.”
“You can?”
Orii nodded. “Many Europeans and Americans take a more minimal approach to makeup instead of applying a full face every day as we do here in Japan. There are also climate and skin type differences... Shijunana-sama, I believe that your feelings toward makeup were shaped by your time overseas.”
Ruka could tell that Orii was pinning Shijunana’s lack of makeup knowledge on cultural differences. Well, she’s actually been living in the mountains, but she does come from a whole different world in a way. Guess Orii-san’s not off the mark.
“But doing your makeup for formal occasions, for example, is important no matter where you are,” Orii continued, “so I believe it would be best for you to learn the proper methods.”
So she’s saying that learning makeup techniques will help you not embarrass yourself at fancy events and stuff, huh... Orii-san really is a pro. She did get a little flustered at first, but she knows how to make her customers see why makeup’s important.
“Go ahead and give her the full course, Orii-san,” said Ruka.
“The full course...? Do you mean a complete makeup lesson?”
“You got it.”
With an awkward look on her face, Orii leaned in close to Ruka. “Pardon me for saying so, but we ask our clients to purchase the products used in a makeup lesson. For a full lesson, that would amount to quite a few...”
“Oh, no prob. We figured that out already.”
Orii blinked a few times and stepped back. Ruka knew Orii probably felt like she should say something as an adult, but as an employee she didn’t want to raise an objection. So Ruka decided to give her a little nudge.
“Do your thing, Orii-san,” she said.
“Understood.” Orii moved quickly and smoothly as she started placing brightly colored bottles and palettes branded with the Corolle logo onto the table in front of Shijunana. “Let us begin with a cleanser. Normally it’s meant for removing makeup, but this product also plays a role in general skincare. We will be using it for that purpose now.”
Orii added some of the cleanser to a cotton pad, then gently rubbed it against Shijunana’s face. “Women’s skin is more prone to damage compared to men’s skin, because it produces less sebum. Please remember to be gentle when cleansing your skin or applying product.”
She pulled out another bottle and put some of what was inside on her fingertip before dotting it on Shijunana’s face. “I’ll apply the base and primer now. The base acts as the groundwork for your makeup and makes your skin more vibrant, while primer controls shine and enhances your complexion.”
Next, Orii took out a cushion pad and began carefully spreading the products she had placed. “Together, base and primer help your makeup last longer and improve the overall texture and finish. Some people only use one, because their effects do overlap, but others use both.”
“I-I see...” Shijunana seemed overwhelmed.
Ruka smiled at her. “Makeup is freedom, y’know?” Well, she probably feels like she’s getting an info dump from a whole other world. Of course she’s confused.
“Orii-san, did you pick pink because of her blue base?” Ruka asked.
Orii’s eyes narrowed. “I do believe she’s a summer type, but I cannot say for certain since I’m not a personal colorist. With that in mind, I have selected an intermediate color.”
“Intermediate color, huh... That’s tough to work with.”
“Wh-What’s a blue base...?” Shijunana asked.
Orii must’ve picked up on how Shijunana sounded like she was struggling, because she started working slower and explaining more. “Bases refer to your personal color. In other words, it’s the type of color that best suits you. Your base is important for selecting makeup and clothing, and it is determined by analyzing the color of your skin, hair, and eyes.”
“Skin and hair...” Shijunana repeated as she stared at herself in the mirror.
Is she thinking about figuring out her personal color from her silver eyes and hair?
Orii smiled at Shijunana. “Everyone has a personal color. There are three bases, blue, yellow, and green, and then there are seasonal classifications like summer or winter types. There are even more specific categories overseas, such as cool, warm, and neutral as well as light, deep, vivid, soft—”
Ruka cut in. “Hold it, Orii-san, you’re gonna break her.” All of this probably sounds like some kinda mystery chant in a foreign language to Shijunana-san. She’s as still as a statue.
Orii dabbed the sweat on Shijunana’s forehead with a cotton pad. “Your personal color is only a single factor, and you are free to choose whether to follow it. Prioritizing your own preferences when it comes to your appearance is perfectly fine.”
She smiled, and Shijunana nodded stiffly.
Ruka had been planning to just stand and watch without getting too involved, but she caught a glimpse of Shijunana’s scar twitching and decided to speak up. “Orii-san, were you gonna use concealer next?”
“Yes, that was my intention...”
“Shijunana-san, what do you wanna do about your scar?”
Concealer was for covering up stuff like acne and bad skin, so it could work for a scar too. But back on the train, Shijunana had said the scar was a part of her and that she didn’t necessarily want to get rid of it herself.