Seated before the dressing table, Manhattan Cafe sat as still as a doll.
Behind her, Yukino Bijin, acting like a doting mother, was happily combing her hair.
"What color lipstick would you like? I think a muted rose shade would suit you well, Cafe."
"If possible… I'd like to look different from my usual self."
"Mhmm." Yukino Bijin nodded seriously. "Could you be more specific? What kind of difference are you looking for?"
"I want people to look at me and not even imagine I'm Manhattan Cafe."
"I see, I understand now. You want a completely new image, right?"
"Something… like that."
After forcing out those words, Manhattan Cafe let out a soft sigh. "Can I rely on you, Yukino Bijin?"
"Don't you worry, leave it to me! I'll make sure you're beautifully done up, worthy of the name 'City Girl'!"
"Actually, the more inconspicuous, the better…"
"How can you say that! You're so pretty, Cafe. If you don't show off your best features, people might look down on you."
Having ignited the flame of Yukino Bijin's passion for beauty and fashion, she brought out cosmetics she normally hesitated to use even herself.
After pinning Cafe's bangs back with clips, Yukino Bijin began carefully applying her foundation.
Ah, that's right—it's not just about makeup. If you really want a total transformation, it's best to change your hairstyle and clothes too!
To think Cafe would take the initiative to ask for a makeover one day… Was someone influencing her?
As expected, a city girl should carry herself like one—cuteness and beauty are essential!
She'd always felt Cafe was a bit too neglectful of her appearance. Now that this opportunity had finally come, she wasn't about to let it slip away.
"What kind of braid would you like, Cafe? I can do anything—fishtail braids, perky braids, crown braids…"
"I think… something simple, but with a big change." She stated her minimal requirement.
"Then I'll choose for you."
Yukino Bijin skillfully began braiding Cafe's hair.
What had led to this situation?
Simply put, her 'friend' had seen through the disguise tools she'd provided.
The other party had already connected her appearance to 'Cafe.'
But since 'friend' had apologized so sincerely, Cafe didn't press the matter.
So she'd been discovered… Fine, she'd just use another method.
For example, following 'friend's' suggestion, when the promised day arrived, she would transform herself too.
A little styling, some added accessories, things like that.
Luckily, her roommate was an expert at this sort of thing.
That way, aside from Yukino Bijin, no one would recognize her.
Her safety rating would skyrocket.
It was a pity 'friend' couldn't get help from others—being touched would cause problems.
So the burden fell entirely on her.
As Yukino Bijin gently applied eyeshadow and carefully placed crimson-colored contacts in her eyes, the transformation was finally complete.
The girl who usually hid behind long bangs now revealed her face fully. Her waterfall of black hair was braided and arranged in a crown-like circle around her head.
Her originally somewhat pale cheeks, under Yukino Bijin's hand, now looked rosy and radiant.
Those distinctive golden eyes, now with contacts, had become a gorgeous, bewitching crimson, harmonizing with the subtle eyeshadow.
Just looking at her appearance, no one would ever imagine she was the usually unnoticeable Manhattan Cafe.
"Amazing…"
Cafe couldn't help her soft exclamation.
She couldn't even recognize herself—who was that girl in the mirror?
It felt like a very beautiful young woman was sitting face-to-face with her in the chair.
"It took a bit of work, but the result is pretty good!"
Wiping a faint sheen of sweat from her brow, Yukino Bijin smiled brightly, admiring her handiwork.
It seemed the makeup techniques she'd learned from Gold City had really paid off.
At the very least, her past self could never have achieved this level!
She looked like an exquisitely crafted doll, stunningly beautiful.
Manhattan Cafe touched her soft cheek, staring at her reflection.
"This seems… very expensive."
She quietly pulled out her wallet. "How much does a beauty treatment like this cost?"
"This is just to let you experience the fun of being a city girl, Cafe! No charge, really, no charge!"
Yukino Bijin waved her hands dismissively.
"But if that's the case…"
Cafe felt a pang of guilt.
"I just wanted to see how cute you could look, Cafe. Ah, I know!"
Pulling out her phone, Yukino Bijin leaned close to Cafe. "How about a selfie together as payment? I think since we moved in here, we've never taken a photo together."
"I'm not very good with these things…"
But Manhattan Cafe still copied her, making a V-sign with her fingers.
Click—!
"Feels nice, doesn't it?"
Looking at the photo of the two smiling girls, Yukino Bijin promptly set it as her wallpaper.
"When are you heading out, Cafe?"
If there was still time, Yukino Bijin wanted to help Cafe pick an outfit too.
But the clock on the wall showed the hands were already nearing the meeting time.
"I think I should leave now."
"I see. Well then, Cafe, go show the world your vibrant new self!"
Yukino Bijin gave her a thumbs-up.
After thanking her again, Cafe hurried out.
Finally, today had arrived…
Cafe's heart fluttered with anticipation.
Going out with 'friend.'
A promise, and keeping it—an experience she'd never had before.
She was so incredibly happy.
She'd even been too excited to sleep last night, just sitting by her bed waiting for the sun to rise.
Was the outside world always this wonderful?
Arriving at the meeting spot, Cafe saw 'friend' wearing the black outfit she'd bought for her.
She was about to raise her hand in greeting when she stopped.
Next to 'friend' stood two other girls.
One with dapple-gray hair, the other with chestnut-brown hair.
"…"
"Sh-She's here…"
'Friend' waved at her.
Manhattan Cafe walked over silently.
The unfamiliar chestnut-haired girl approached her.
"Hello, are you Cafe's friend? I'm Belno Light, a classmate of Manhattan Cafe."
"I'm Oguri Cap." The dapple-gray girl nodded at her.
Hearing their words, Manhattan Cafe narrowed her eyes. A faint, almost undetectable light flickered in her crimson pupils.
What is the meaning of this?
I invited you out, so why are there two strangers here?
And what do you mean, 'a classmate of Manhattan Cafe'?
Who are they?
Completely ignoring the two, Manhattan Cafe stared directly at 'friend.'
It's so hot…
The black-haired girl tugged at her clothes; her chest felt heavy and cumbersome.
Behind her black sunglasses, she averted her gaze.
She hadn't meant for things to turn out like this!
According to the original plan, Belno Light and the other were supposed to go out in the evening.
But that reservation-only shop had called Belno Light, saying the evening was fully booked for a private event and wouldn't be open to the public.
If they could move their time slot earlier, they'd offer a discount to guests originally scheduled for the evening.
And the discount was quite substantial.
If not, unfortunately, they'd have to cancel the reservation.
So, just as the black-haired girl had changed and was about to leave the classroom, the two had found her while asking around.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to enjoy treatment others don't get!"
Oguri Cap wiped a bit of drool.
"And we're free this morning too, so there's plenty of time!"
Faced with the two bearing down on her, the girl faltered, at a loss.
"But I have plans…"
"With a friend?"
She nodded.
"Even better!" Belno Light showed off a set of four vouchers. "If we have enough people, we can use these! Four is just perfect."
"If you don't mind, could Cafe's friend join us too?"
"Th-That…"
Invisible cold sweat beaded on the girl's forehead.
"Let's all go together; we were about to leave anyway." Oguri Cap was practically vibrating with impatience.
"I might… need to ask for her opinion." Feeling like the two gave her no room to argue, the black-haired girl struggled to speak. "My friend… she doesn't like particularly crowded places."
"Is that so? Then how about we ask her? If it really doesn't work, we can always go another time."
And so, things had come to this.
Barely suppressing the urge to flee, the black-haired girl forced an air of calmness, walked over to Cafe, and quickly explained the situation.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.