[Vol. 2] Chapter 43: Beauty Secrets
Later that night.
I was at Black Lotus, sitting in front of the mirror in the break area, trying to touch up my makeup.
"A little more here…"
I leaned toward the mirror and carefully went over the line of my eyes.
Behind me I could hear Reiko and Melissa talking.
"I'm telling you, that client came back asking for the same song."
"Again?"
"Yes. And this time he even asked them to dedicate it."
"How romantic."
"How annoying."
I let out a small laugh.
"What?"
Reiko looked at me through the mirror.
"Nothing."
"Don't you think so too?"
"Think what?"
"That he's annoying."
"Ah…"
I thought for a second.
"I suppose so."
"See, she thinks so too!"
I don't even know who they're talking about…
Almost all of them are annoying to me.
Melissa seemed to pick up on what I was thinking and just laughed.
Then she moved a little closer.
"By the way, Aika-chan."
"Yes?"
"What shampoo do you use?"
I blinked.
"Shampoo?"
"Yes."
She pointed at my hair.
"Your hair has been so much shinier lately."
Another girl nearby looked up.
"It's true."
"I wish mine looked like that…"
I looked at them both.
"My hair?"
I took a strand between my fingers.
Now that I was looking at it closely…
Yes.
It was quite shiny.
Suspiciously so, maybe.
"I don't know…"
"You don't know?"
"I use the same one as always."
That wasn't a lie.
Then Reiko stood up.
"Hmm."
I watched her come closer.
"What?"
"It's not just your hair."
She stopped in front of me.
Too close.
"Your skin also looks incredible."
"Huh?"
I backed up a little.
Reiko tilted her head slightly.
"It's much softer than before."
"Softer?"
"Are you using some special product?"
"No."
I answered too fast.
"Just water and soap."
Reiko stared at me.
"Eeh…"
"It's true."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"You're not keeping a secret all to yourself?"
She moved a little closer.
I felt my cheeks starting to heat up.
"I'm not keeping any secret!"
"That doesn't sound like someone innocent."
"Because the question is suspicious!"
Melissa came closer too.
"That's not fair, Aika-chan."
"Huh?"
"Share your beauty secrets with us."
"But I don't have any!"
That wasn't a lie.
Well…
Not exactly.
I remembered the system windows.
[Porcelain Skin.]
[Silky Hair.]
"Ah…"
I get it.
It must be because of that.
"Must be because of that."
"Because of what?"
"Nothing."
The reward from the last stream leveled up several skills. I'd love to share my beauty secret, but I'd rather not have them think I'm crazy.
"Nothing?"
"Nothing."
Reiko smiled.
"Then you're definitely hiding something."
"I'm not!"
Suddenly I felt her finger lightly brush my skin near my neck and trail down toward my chest.
I gave a small jump.
"Reiko-san?!"
She let out a little laugh.
"My, not just your face — you're soft everywhere."
"I already told you I'm not using anything special!"
The girls started laughing.
"She's adorable."
"Sorry!" said Reiko, sticking out her tongue and winking.
I puffed out my cheeks.
I'm not their source of entertainment…
A little while later, while I was still trying to recover my dignity, Bibi appeared in the break area.
"Aika-chan!"
I turned.
"Yes?"
"There's a VIP client who wants you to attend him."
My smile disappeared.
"He's one of the clients who spends the most at the club. Treat him well or I'll make you pull a double shift."
"…"
He's an ogre… no, a demon. That suits him better.
A little while later.
I was sitting across from that client.
And I was already regretting every decision I'd ever made.
"Aika-chan, you look especially beautiful tonight."
"Thank you."
I smiled.
On the outside.
On the inside I was counting down how much time was left until my shift ended.
The man leaned toward me.
"You know, I think we could really hit it off. It would be great if we went out sometime."
"My, how nice of you," I said with a smile. "But going out with clients is against the rules."
"I could be more than a client."
"It's a shame the rules are so strict."
"I could even take you to a very expensive restaurant."
"Ooh… if only it weren't against the rules…"
"I'll get you out of this place!"
"Eeh… well, that's…"
This idiot doesn't know how to read between the lines?!
I'm rejecting you, you moron. If I actually liked you, don't you think I'd find a way to see you outside of work?!
I wanted to hit him… but Bibi's voice saying "VIP client" kept echoing in my head, so I just took a deep breath and smiled.
After a while the man took out a cigarette.
He lit it and took a drag.
"Do you smoke?"
"Huh? Not really."
He offered me one.
"Try it."
"No, thank you."
"I could teach you…"
He said it with a smile that he probably thought was seductive, then tried a small smoke trick.
Or attempted to.
The result was…
A cloud of smoke that dissolved immediately.
I looked at him.
"…"
He smiled proudly.
"What do you think?"
Is that supposed to make me fall for you?
You can't even do it right.
"Impressive."
"Right?"
"Very much so…"
Actually.
In my past life I did used to smoke. I'd started because of work stress. It had become a simple way to relax for a few minutes.
But since I woke up in this body I hadn't smoked once.
And I didn't feel the need to.
Because I…
I'm too pretty to smell like cigarettes!
Without meaning to I let a satisfied smile slip at that last thought.
"Aika-chan?"
"Oh! Sorry, I got lost in my thoughts, hehe."
The man laughed.
"That's fine, I like you like that."
And he extended the cigarette toward me again with his attempt at a seductive look.
I sighed.
Then an idea came to me.
I took the cigarette, looked at it for a few seconds, and then tilted my head slightly.
"Actually…"
I let a small shy smile slip out and blinked slowly, making my long lashes stand out.
"I'm very embarrassed to do it badly in front of you."
The man went completely still.
Good.
Now a little eye contact…
"So…"
I lifted my gaze to his and lightly played with a strand of my hair while leaning forward slightly, letting my neckline come a little more into view.
"Could I take it with me and try it in private?"
Silence.
It worked.
His expression changed immediately.
"Ah…"
He smiled.
"Of course."
HA!
How did you like that combo, idiot?
FATALITY!
I tucked the cigarette into my things.
Problem solved.
When I finally got home I was exhausted. I closed the door behind me and dropped my bag.
"They should give me an award just for putting up with idiots like that."
I stood in silence for a few seconds.
I wanted to sleep.
Just that.
A shower, a pillow, and eight hours of not talking to absolutely anyone.
That was the dream.
The next morning, I was fixing myself up in front of the mirror before school.
While I was brushing my hair, I stayed looking at my reflection.
"…"
I lightly touched my cheek.
Soft.
Very soft.
I remembered the scene with Reiko and my cheeks flushed.
Maybe…
It wouldn't be a bad idea to buy some beauty products.
A window appeared in front of me.
[Affirmative.]
[Even though I'm incredible, you shouldn't depend solely on my effects.]
I blinked.
"Don't you think you have a bit too much confidence?"
It didn't even bother responding — the window disappeared and immediately a new one appeared.
[New mission available.]
[Stop being a disheveled girl.]
I stared at the title.
"Was that a personal attack?"
No answer…
The window continued.
[Mission:]
[Acquire appropriate personal care products.]
[Recommended products:]
[• Skincare.]
[• Moisturizer.]
[• Hair care.]
[• Bath products.]
[• Appropriate makeup.]
[• Other personal care products.]
When the categories were expanded, more details appeared about what types of products to look for.
"All of that is probably going to be quite expensive… besides, I already have some makeup."
[You need more. And better.]
[Reward: ¥100,000.]
My eyes lit up.
"…"
I looked at the list again.
Then the reward.
Then the list again.
"I see you're willing to finance the shopping."
"…"
"Am I really that disheveled?!"
[Affirmative.]
"…"
I sighed.
"Alright."
I picked up my bag.
"I'll stop by a store later."
…
I finished getting ready, and when I was about to head out, I stopped to look at the calendar I'd brought from the old apartment.
"October 13th."
…
"How strange it feels… anyway, I'll be late if I keep wasting time."
A few hours later.
"Shimizu-san."
…
"Shimizu-san."
…
"Shimizu-san!"
"Huh?!"
I gave a small jump.
The whole class was looking at me.
The teacher watched me with a tired expression.
"Could you tell me what we just went over?"
"…"
I looked at the board.
Then at the teacher.
Then at the board again.
"…"
"Shimizu-san?"
"I'm sorry."
The teacher sighed.
"Exams are coming up soon. I'd recommend coming back down to earth or you'll do poorly — and that goes for everyone."
Some laughter nearby.
I lowered my head.
I tried to pay attention for the rest of the class, but that particular day it was difficult.
October 13th was my birthday.
Or rather.
It was Ren Takahashi's birthday — the person I'd been in my past life.
"…"
My last few birthdays hadn't exactly been memorable.
In fact…
They'd been quite depressing.
Work.
An empty apartment.
Convenience store food.
An occasional message from a coworker.
And then…
Nothing.
Another night alone.
Another year ending exactly the same as the one before.
I stretched slightly in my chair.
Even so…
I felt nostalgic.
It was strange.
What was there really to miss?
"…"
They say nostalgia is a traitor.
Making me feel this way over a life like that…
I turned back to the board and tried not to think about it anymore.
Later, after school, I was walking down a street I didn't know too well yet.
Until I saw a sign with the name "Ainz & Tulpe" and stopped.
"I suppose this is it."
I swallowed. The system had given me the address, but that store looked much more premium and expensive than the typical multi-brand shops.
In front of me was a huge glass façade with a very modern and sophisticated look.
When I finally went in I found mirrors and shelves packed with every kind of product.
Shampoo.
Conditioners.
Creams.
Perfumes.
Skincare products.
Makeup.
There was so much that I felt my brain starting to shut down.
"…"
I looked at one bottle.
Then another.
Then another.
"How is anyone supposed to know the difference between these two?"
"May I help you?"
I startled.
A sales assistant had come over.
"Oh!"
I brought a hand to my chest.
"Sorry."
"No worries."
She smiled.
"Are you looking for something specific?"
"Yes."
I looked at the shelves.
"Actually…"
I scratched my cheek slightly.
"I want to buy some things to better take care of my skin and hair."
"Of course."
"But…"
I lowered my voice slightly.
"Even though I have a general idea, I don't really know what I should get."
The assistant looked at me.
Top to bottom.
Then back at my hair.
Then my face.
"…"
"What?"
She smiled with a slight gleam in her eyes.
"I think you're already quite the expert."
"Huh?"
"You have beautiful skin and incredible hair."
"Ah…"
I felt my cheeks warm.
"Thank you."
"But I'll still help you with everything I can."
"I appreciate that…"
And so it began.
Hell.
Much later.
I left the store carrying several bags.
I looked at all of them.
"…"
Then at my wallet.
"…"
Then at the bags again.
"Didn't I go a little overboard?…"
I sighed.
"At least I hope this works."
A window appeared in front of me.
[Mission complete.]
[Reward: ¥100,000.]
In total I'd spent only ¥73,000, so I had some money left over from the reward — but before I could celebrate, another floating window appeared.
[New mission available.]
[Use the purchased products correctly.]
[Complete the indicated personal care routine.]
[Penalty for non-compliance: temporary reduction of related skill levels.]
[Fine: ¥100,000]
I stared at the window.
"…"
"I see you're not going to let me buy them and abandon them on a shelf collecting dust."
[Correct.]
"How thoughtful."
A little while later.
In my apartment, I was in front of the mirror.
"Alright."
I looked at the products I'd bought.
"I think this one went first."
I applied a little.
"Or was it after?"
I looked at the instructions.
"Ah."
Another product.
Then another.
Then another.
"Why are there so many steps?"
In the end I ended up looking up tutorials on Koutube, and after several attempts and an absurd number of products, I got to the last one.
A lip gloss.
I looked at it for a moment… and after applying it, I was surprisingly satisfied.
"This color is pretty."
…
I tilted my head slightly.
My hair shone under the light.
My skin looked luminous.
And my lips had a slight shine.
"…"
I smiled.
"Wow."
I dramatically brought a hand to my forehead.
"Too much shine!"
I struck a small pose in front of the mirror.
"My own eyes can't handle this much beauty!"
Silence.
"…"
I slowly lowered my hand.
"What am I doing?"
I sighed.
I was definitely spending too much time alone.
[ You look much better now! Post a photo to celebrate! ]
"..."
After that I decided to tidy up a little.
I'd left several things scattered when I'd come home the night before.
The mission required using so many products it was impossible to finish it all at once, but I had plenty of time so I took it easy.
I bent down to pick up one of the garments from the floor, and then…
Clink.
Something fell to the ground.
I looked down.
"…"
A cigarette.
The one that client had given me.
"Eugh…"
I picked it up.
"So I did end up bringing it home."
I looked at it between my fingers.
I could simply throw it away. That was the logical thing.
But…
Some memories came back.
A desk.
An empty room.
The blue light of a monitor.
A small cake.
"…"
Before I realized it I'd picked up a box of matches and walked out to the balcony.
The sky was starting to turn orange.
The air was fresh.
I leaned against the railing, put the cigarette to my lips.
And lit it.
The small flame went out.
I took a drag and then slowly exhaled the smoke.
"…"
I looked at the city.
From up here…
Everything looked different.
The streets.
The buildings.
The lights.
The people walking below.
And I thought about the old apartment.
About that tiny room.
About the pipes that sounded like someone was trying to murder me in the middle of the night.
A small smile appeared on my face.
"Did you ever think you'd be living somewhere with a view like this?"
I let out a small laugh.
"…"
Another drag.
The smoke disappeared into the air.
I looked at the sky.
"I suppose…"
I paused.
"You didn't turn out so bad after all."
I stayed quiet for a moment, and then smiled slightly.
"Happy birthday… Ren."
For a few seconds there was nothing else.
Just the wind.
The city.
And me.
…
…
Then…
Ding-dong.
I startled.
"Huh?"
I looked toward the door.
"Who could that be?"
Ding-dong.
"Coming!"
I quickly put out the cigarette, rushed to the kitchen to throw it in the trash bin.
I walked to the door.
Ding-dong.
"Coming, coming!"
I opened it.
And froze.
"…"
"…"
"…"
What are they doing here?
Then I remembered.
The conversation from the day before.
The housewarming celebration.
"…"
Ah.
Right.
I'd forgotten.
Harada raised a hand.
"Shimizu-san!"
Rika smiled.
"Surprise!"
Arima looked inside.
"Wow…"
His eyes opened wide.
"It really is a nice apartment."
"Right?"
Mei smiled.
"We came for the celebration."
Then she gestured inside.
"Can we come in?"
"Ah."
I came back to reality.
"Yes, yes. Come on in."
Everyone started filing in.
I stepped aside.
"Make yourselves at home."
Then I heard:
"Why does it smell like cigarettes?"
Yuuna asked, frowning.
BAM.
My heart practically launched out of my chest.
"Huh?!"
I gave a small jump.
"I-I don't know what you're talking about!"
Yuuna looked at me steadily.
"It smells quite strong."
"The neighbors!"
"The neighbors?"
"Yes!"
I smiled nervously.
"There's a neighbor who smokes and sometimes the smoke drifts into my apartment."
"…"
"I'll file a complaint later."
"…"
Yuuna watched me for a few seconds, and finally shrugged.
"Alright…"
Please don't ask anything else.
I turned to everyone.
"Anyway!"
I gestured toward the living room.
"Please, come in."
The others started settling in.
I closed the door.
And let out the breath I'd been holding.
"…"
This is going to be a long night.