Chapter 21

“Hey, Vivi.”

Julia called her in a small voice.

“The photo studio. You said you booked it for 5 o’clock tomorrow, right?”

“Yes. But why?”

“Could it be just me and Sir Costance going to the photo studio?”

Julia looked at her with a serious expression, as if she wasn’t joking.

“What?”

“Well… I want to get along well with him this time.”

“Didn’t things go well with Manager Lance and you last time?”

“Manager Lance? Oh, but Sir Costance is much better looking and comes from a better family, right? And that pink dress you wore last week. Where did you buy it?”

Vivi was momentarily flustered and said she bought the dress at a nearby market. Julia raised her voice, saying, 

“Really? No way! Can you lend me that dress tomorrow? It’s so pretty.”

“I don’t have many dresses.”

“Vivi, for my sake. If things go well, I’ll make sure to take care of you so you won’t feel left out.”

Things go well?

Sir Costance doesn’t like you.

Even though Vivi had rejected his confession, such negative thoughts came to her mind instantly.

Was I such a bad person?

She felt overwhelmed with emotion and resented herself deeply.

“…I’ll lend you the dress. But I’m going to the photo studio too. It’s for the library event.”

“Weren’t you uncomfortable with him?”

“We’re going for work tomorrow.”

“Alright. Then bring it tomorrow, okay?”

* * *

The weather was brighter than usual, allowing sunlight to stream into the library. Perhaps even the sunlight had come to the library to see this person.

Sir Costance appeared with his forehead raised, adjusting his sleeves as he leaned against the window. The white uniform with medals on his chest shone brightly. Not only Julia but also the other librarians in the library stole glances at him.

“He’s wearing a uniform today!”

“How does he shine like that?”

Julia glared at them and nudged Vivi in the side, signaling it was time to get ready.

“Vivi, Julia? Where are you going during work hours?”

The director, who came out from an inner room, found them and asked.

“Oh, Director. I told you yesterday. We’re going to the photo studio. Sir Costance is waiting for us in the hallway right now.”

“It’s fine to take photos, but try not to upset him. If you catch the eye of the Orsi family, you’ll be the ones in trouble.”

“We’ve already caught their eye.”

“What?”

Julia chuckled as she left the reading room. She felt the director’s bewildered gaze on them from behind.

* * *

As soon as they reached the break room, Julia urged her to act.

“Hurry, Vivi!”

Under Julia’s burdensome gaze, she pulled out the pink dress she had brought from home.

Julia expressed pure admiration when she saw the dress. Then she carefully checked to see if the dress had any wrinkles.

The dress was almost like new since it wasn’t worn often. Julia, having scrutinized it with her keen eyes, finally smiled with satisfaction.

“I brought something too.”

Excited, Julia opened her locker. A pink pouch, the size of her face, was packed full with something. When she unzipped it, various types of cosmetics appeared.

“Are all those yours?”

“Yeah. What do you think? Quite a lot, right?”

There were more than ten different shades of lipstick alone.

“What cosmetics did you bring?”

“The usual. Just a lipstick…”

“Just one? You mean that pink lipstick you wear every day? Try this red one for a change. I’ll let you borrow it.”

After saying that, Julia stood in front of the mirror and began taking off her work clothes. Vivi looked at the deep red lipstick.

It was a color that didn’t match the work clothes she was wearing. She put the lipstick back in place and took out a thin yellow dress from the closet. It was a refreshing spring dress with white floral embroidery at the hem and a small ribbon at the chest.

Having impulsively chosen another dress after Julia took the pink one, she let her hair down and adjusted her clothes appropriately.

‘Is this too much?’

In fact, it wouldn’t have mattered if she wore her work clothes to the photo studio. Hesitant, she glanced at the red lipstick. She didn’t want to fall behind Julia.

“……”

She picked up the lipstick. Carefully applying it to her lips, a deep red color appeared.

‘Should I try something else too?’

Having only the red lipstick on her bare face looked odd. She didn’t usually wear makeup, except for some on her skin and lips. She looked at the mascara and light-colored eyeshadow.

“Julia. Can I use other things too… Julia?”

Julia was too quiet.

“Julia?”

“…Ugh, Vivi.”

Julia was sitting on the floor in front of her locker. Startled, she quickly approached her.

“Julia! Are you okay?”

“Well… what do I do? The dress doesn’t suit me at all.”

“What?”

“Look at this.”

Julia carefully stood up. The pink dress she was wearing came into view.

“Uh…”

“Isn’t it strange?”

Rather than strange, it was awkward. It felt like something that didn’t fit was being forced. Julia suited dark colors like blue or red, but such a subtle color…

“What do I do? I wore light clothes today just to wear the pink dress!”

Julia said with a teary voice.

“Uh, maybe makeup will help?”

“Makeup?”

When Julia asked again, she nodded.

“Yes. If you remove your makeup now and apply it lightly to match the dress, it might look okay!”

Gaining confidence, Julia sat in front of the cosmetics. She roughly wiped her face with a tissue and started applying cream to her skin.

“Hmm? Vivi. Do you have something to say?”

“No. It’s just… I wanted to try mascara and eyeshadow too. I’ve never used eyeshadow before.”

When she spoke hesitantly, Julia was shocked.

“What? Never?”

“Yes. I thought I could just apply a light color.”

“How do you not use that pretty face of yours? It’s such a waste.”

Julia tapped the chair in front of her. When she sat there, Julia picked out colors that suited her.

“You do suit light colors. No, actually, anything would suit you, but with the dress you’re wearing now, light colors are better. Now, close your eyes first.”

“…Can I open them now?”

“What are you talking about! I haven’t even taken out the makeup yet. Keep them closed.”

“……”

“I’ll teach you, so do it from now on. Want me to recommend colors too?”

Julia skillfully traced her eyes with her fingers. When she frowned at the unfamiliar touch, Julia shouted to stay still.

Before long, her hands were completely off. Sensing it was finished, she opened her eyes.

“Is it really done now?”

“Why are you so scared? It’s really done. Want to see?”

Julia held a hand mirror in front of her.

“…It feels really awkward.”

“What are you talking about? You look amazing. You’ll get used to it. Just look.”

Hmm. The more Vivi looked, the prettier she seemed…

“Oh, right! I almost forgot. I don’t have time to worry about you. It takes a while to do makeup, and now we’re in trouble.”

“Then I’ll go to the reading room and finish what I was doing.”

“Will you? Thanks, Vivi.”

What to do with the remaining time, she wondered while adjusting the hem of her folded skirt. She felt the gazes of employees passing by in the hallway.

Oh, if she entered the reading room in this outfit instead of her work clothes, the director would say something.

In the end, she gave up going to the reading room.

“Vi…”

When she went down to the first floor, Sir Costance was there.

He who spotted her, froze on the spot.

“I’m sorry, Sir. Did you wait long?”

“Vivi…”

She could see his Adam’s apple move slightly. 

Was it that awkward? 

She smiled awkwardly and spoke.

“Julia needs about 10 more minutes to get ready. We should be able to leave by around 40 past the hour, so could you wait just a little longer?”

He gave no response.

“Sir?”

“Ahem. I’ll just go to the restroom for a moment.”

Sir Costance, who had been silently looking at her face, turned his back and fled.

That direction doesn’t lead to the restroom…?

“Sir, that way is the administration office.”

When she cautiously spoke, Sir Costance flinched. He turned his back again and headed in the opposite direction. His face, which she unintentionally saw, was bright red.

So… it was like a tomato.