The girl's face flushed blood-red.
If she could, she wished none of this had ever happened.
But looking at the perfect makeup in the mirror, nearly complete,
she felt it would be better to just let things take their course.
"Phew... Finally done."
The girl let out a long breath. Ibuki was naturally restless, making her quite difficult to apply makeup to.
"Thanks for the effort, Airy."
Suzuki Tsubame spoke gently and reached out to rub her little head.
Sakura had been specially invited by him to help Ibuki with her makeup and photography.
When it came to makeup and photography skills alone, probably no one in the class could compare to her.
A carefully selected idol.
Sakura's little face turned bright red. She buried her pretty face in her chest, too afraid to meet Suzuki Tsubame's eyes.
"As... as long as I can help Su-Suzuki..."
Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, making her hard to hear. Fortunately, Suzuki Tsubame was close enough.
"Hehe... You really helped me out this time."
Those without ulterior motives could not do makeup, while those who could had too many ulterior motives. Sakura could be said to be his best choice.
Meanwhile,
Ibuki, who had been left off to the side, showed no dissatisfaction. Her gaze was unfocused and her expression dazed as she stared blankly at herself in the mirror.
In the mirror, she had bright eyes, white teeth, rosy lips, and delicate features. She wore a maid outfit styled after a traditional Japanese kimono, complete with a white apron and a maid's headpiece.
She was utterly unlike her usual competitive self.
"Is... is that really me?"
"So... so I can be this pretty too!"
What sounded like a girl's innermost thoughts was spoken aloud in a teasing tone.