Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 6: Makeup
Please note: The point of view shifts partway through this section.
“At first, I just thought, ‘That voice sounds familiar.'”
After school, Himeji-san and I were walking along the route we take to school.
“When I heard your voice the day we met, it gave me this nostalgic feeling. Then, when I heard your name, I thought there might be a connection between Himeji Tsukiyo and Hoshizuki Kaguya-chan. Like, Himeji and Kaguya-hime, ‘Tsukiyo’ (moonlit night) and ‘Hoshizuki’ (starry moon) — I couldn’t help but start making those connections. And you both love strawberries, right? That kind of clinched it for me…”
Himeji-san looked me in the eyes and quietly listened as I explained.
“And this—this is what confirmed it for me.”
I pointed to the keychain on my bag.
“T-this…?”
“Yeah, that! That’s the ‘Chichakyawa’ character I drew for Kaguya-chan a long time ago, right? It’s an original mascot I made for her because she likes cute things, so no one else should know about it. You even mentioned on stream that you liked it so much you made your own keychain.”
“Y-yeah…”
“You really did make it into a keychain, huh!”
“B-because I love it so much…!”
Himeji-san clutched the keychain tightly and looked at it lovingly.
I’m glad she liked it — I did think I managed to make a pretty cute mascot back then.
Seeing her now, I truly felt that the Himeji-san in front of me really was Kaguya-chan.
“So, here’s the real question. How come you can talk so naturally during your streams as a V, but not so much in real life?”
“Th-that’s because… I’m tall, and my eyes look sharp and intimidating… I didn’t want to be like this. I wanted to be small and cute… that’s why I became a Vtuber. With a V-body, it’s not really me… so maybe that’s why I can talk more easily…?”
“But I think Himeji-san has a great figure, and your eyes look cool and beautiful.”
“F-feh…?”
“Hmm… then let’s go make you cute!!”
“…Huh?! What do you mean…?!”
I took Himeji-san by the hand and led her to our destination.
◯ ●
I’m just a part-time beauty advisor. I used to work as a makeup artist’s assistant, but I moved back to my hometown after getting married and now work at a small cosmetics shop in the station-side shopping mall.
I still like makeup, but the passion I once had for it faded long ago, and these days, I work more out of habit than anything else.
That’s when a pair of high schoolers — a petite boy and a tall, absolutely stunning girl — walked into the store.
She was so beautiful that even among the celebrities I saw back in my assistant days, few could compare.
They were in school uniforms, so I figured they were high school students and smiled at the charming scene.
“Found it!”
“This place is…”
“Yep, a cosmetics shop!”
“I’ve… never really come to places like this. And I’m, uh, not really good with this stuff…”
“Ah, some people don’t like it when store staff approach them too aggressively. But don’t worry! I’ll handle everything today. Looks like this place lets you try makeup samples on your own too, so it’s perfect.”
Whaaat?! That boy’s going to do makeup for that gorgeous girl!?
She’s already so naturally beautiful — any more and it might ruin it!
“Himeji-san, I think you’re already super beautiful and practically perfect as-is, but you do want to become cute, right? Then let’s use makeup to become the you that you want to be! There’s not just one version of ‘perfect,’ you know.”
His words snapped me to attention.
Makeup is about transforming into who you want to be.
Maybe I had been denying myself that possibility just because I already looked “complete.”
Meanwhile, the girl was flustered from being called beautiful.
From one woman to another — she’s adorable!
“Alright, here we go. Close your eyes…”
“…O-okay!”
She closed her eyes, cheeks slightly pink, as if ready to accept everything.
…Wait, we are still talking about makeup here, right?
“Let’s start by removing what little makeup you have. Since Himeji-san is basically barefaced, we’ll go light here…”
The boy soaked a cotton pad with cleansing water and gently wiped her face.
His technique — he’s totally experienced!
This boy isn’t normal…
“First, we’ll use a purple-toned primer to balance your skin tone. People with dark under-eyes need concealer, but your skin is so clear that primer alone should be fine!”
“C-clear…?”
“Yep! Super clear. And since you’re cool-toned with great skin transparency, the makeup I have in mind will be a perfect match!”
“……Uu…”
“Apply primer with a brush, then blend with fingers. Next is foundation. Something not too matte, not too oily. We’ll apply it like the primer to add a radiant glow.”
He instantly picked out the perfect primer and foundation for her skin tone from countless options.
His technique was fast but incredibly gentle. A-amazing…
“Next is this vivid pink blush. It might feel a bit too bold as-is, so we’ll mix it with the primer to tone it down. That way it blends with your skin for a soft, youthful pink! Look — just this makes you look like a cute, innocent girl!”
“C-c-c-cute…!”
“The makeup’s a bit strong right now, so let’s set it with powder. This softens the shine and gives a more natural glow. That’s it — your base is done!”
This boy knows so many techniques.
Who is he…?
And wow, he compliments girls so naturally!
She’s blushing — cut it out!
…Actually, no — keep going! Her blushing face is adorable!
“From here on is a really important part—eye makeup. I’ll use pink eyeshadow in a gradient to create depth around the eyes. Next, I’ll add glitter above and below the pupils to give a cute effect, then curl the lashes with an eyelash curler… I’ll define them with black to tighten the look. There’ll be gaps at the base of the lashes, so I’ll fill them in with black eyeliner. Himeji-san, your lashes are so long and beautiful—they look like false lashes!”
“R-really…?”
“Most people wouldn’t get this kind of volume without using falsies!”
“Fu…fuhe… psshh—”
Oh dear, it looks like she overheated from being complimented too much…
“Now onto the eyebrows. I’ll make them bold but draw each hair carefully to avoid a flat look. Then I’ll add the same glitter to the lower lids to emphasize the tear bags and bring out even more cuteness. Next, I’ll dab some glitter on the tips of the eyebrows and lashes. That way, every time you blink, your eyes will sparkle!”
Even I can’t take my eyes off the makeup process. Every explanation is a learning experience.
I was so engrossed, I completely forgot I was supposed to be working.
“Lastly, the lips. I want them to look like they’re blushing from within, so I’ll start with an over-lip application from the center, then layer the color. To add shine, I’ll apply lip balm and put glitter on top. That gives glossy, dewy yet elegant lips!”
Wow… I can’t believe there’s so much technique just for lips! Incredible!
“And now, the finishing touch—a bit of highlighter, then blending everything together… Done! Himeji-san, open your eyes.”
I gasped.
Standing before me was a refined young woman—cute, yet mature and elegant.
Makeup… can do this?
The last time I felt this kind of emotion was when I saw a live demonstration by the makeup legend, Professor Odajō.
I felt my long-lost passion for makeup ignite once again.
“A-Amazing… Is this really me?! I’m so cute!”
“Right? Super cute! This is what’s trending right now—it’s called jun’yoku makeup. You already have a mysterious, mature, alluring vibe, so I just added cuteness on top of that.”
“You’re incredible, Sakasegawa-kun! I don’t even look like myself anymore!”
“I’m really not that amazing. Compared to real professionals, I’m still learning… I just brought out your natural potential in a different way.”
“No, no way! You’re amazing! Even when I try to do makeup myself, it never turns out like this. And I’ve had makeup done by professionals before—but this is even better!”
“Haha, you’re exaggerating…”
“N-No I’m not… It’s true…”
Seeing Himeji-san so happy made me happy too.
I’ve done my sisters’ makeup before, so I’m decent at this stuff.
(Well, honestly, makeup at my level is something anyone could learn to do…)
“Wait… Himeji-san, aren’t you talking normally now?”
“Oh! You’re right! Maybe it’s because with makeup, I feel like I’m not myself? It feels like I’m talking as my VTuber self.”
“I was really hoping that would happen!”
“This is a first for me. I feel like a whole new person. Thank you, Sakasegawa-kun.”
“…!! N-Not at all…”
That dazzling smile she showed me—it caught me completely off guard.
When a stunning beauty also becomes adorably cute, that’s just not fair!
“A customer’s makeup has the power to change their life.”
“Huh…?”
“I’ve been watching closely. Please, take me as your apprentice!”
“Ehhh?! I-I’m not qualified to take on an apprentice…”
Suddenly, the shop staff spoke to me.
(W-What should I do…)
“Sorry! We’re going on a date now!”
“H-Himeji-san!?”
“Ah… I see. Pardon the interruption.”
“Let’s go, Sakasegawa-kun!”
She grabbed my hand and we left the shop.
(Ugh… My face is burning…)
After that, I didn’t mention what Himeji-san had said.
It was probably just a way to get us out of that awkward situation.
Spending time with Himeji-san was incredibly fun.
We went to clothing stores and tried on outfits that matched her new look, took purikura at an arcade, and ate crepes while strolling around.
(So this is what “normal” student life feels like… Hanging out with a friend is amazing! It’s nothing like being alone, staring at a phone or PC all day doing work!)
I was getting emotional comparing this to my usual routine when—
“Heeey—isn’t that Sakasegawa?!”
I turned around as my name was called from behind.