Choosing for Each Other

She wasn't teasing him.

The Karuizawa Kei Kazehara Tetsu knew had been like that since their first year... She styled her hair, did her nails, and never skipped skincare or makeup. In any crowd, she was always the one who stood out.

She had never been careless about her appearance.

At his words, Karuizawa Kei paused.

She looked down at the affordable cosmetics on the shelf. After a moment of silence, the corners of her mouth slowly lifted.

"Before, maybe. Back then, I always felt like if I didn't put enough on my face or buy the good brands, I'd be a step below everyone else. I didn't even feel confident walking down the street."

She turned and leaned against the shelf, looking up at him.

"But now..."

She drew out the words, her eyes curving into a smile. "I'd say I have plenty of charm. Charm comes from the person, not from piling up bottles of makeup. I don't need all those extravagant luxuries to dress myself up."

"Someone's confident."

"I learned from you." Karuizawa Kei blinked, entirely unapologetic.

Kazehara Tetsu rubbed his nose and said nothing.

They stood in front of the shelf for a while.

Karuizawa Kei's gaze moved over several boxes of cosmetics, then settled on his face.

Suddenly, she held her shopping basket out to him.

"Pick one for me."

Kazehara Tetsu froze. "I don't know anything about this stuff. You'd be better off closing your eyes and grabbing one yourself."

"That's why I'm asking you."

Karuizawa Kei pushed the basket closer, refusing to let it go. "Someone who knows this stuff can pick for herself. Why would I need you for that? I want you, who doesn't know a thing, to choose one by instinct."

She looked up at him, a mischievous glint in