Tengen said his makeup skills were excellent. I dared not agree with this.
He borrowed quite a few things from the Butterfly Estate girls. Said he'd apply makeup to dress Tanjiro and them as women.
During his busy process, Ume went over to watch the commotion. When she came back to talk to me, she rarely cursed: "Shit-tier aesthetics."
I was just wondering what kind of makeup Tengen painted. Then saw three youths in skirts walk into the room to greet me.
Didn't guard against it for a moment. I sprayed out a mouthful of water. Accidentally choked. Coughed loudly.
"Are you alright?" Tanjiro worriedly ran over and handed me a handkerchief. But I didn't dare look directly at his face.
That upright, spirited young face was painted with a thick layer of powder. Face and neck were two completely different colors.
Fake eyelashes stuck on his eyes. Two cheeks painted with big red blushes. Plus those fiery red lips.
To say eye-catching—very eye-catching. But absolutely couldn't be associated with good-looking.
Besides him, Zenitsu and Inosuke also had similar faces.
Even Kyojuro stared blankly for a long while. Seemed to rack his brains thinking how to not hurt either party's self-esteem. Give a more tactful, appropriate evaluation.
"Looks very spirited!" Finally he praised ambiguously.
I looked suspiciously at Tengen. Didn't know how these three children offended him. Couldn't help asking him, "You're preparing to take them on the mission like this?"
"Yes." Tengen calmly met my eyes. Not half a trace of guilt on his face.
Not good. He seemed to really think this makeup was fine.
I really feared before even entering the Entertainment District they'd be driven out. Could only say tactfully: "Used too much powder. Might be discovered as disguise. How about having Ume help revise it."
Tengen was a bit unhappy. But for the mission he endured. Very tolerantly agreed to let Ume redo the makeup.
Ume looked deeply disgusted by his aesthetics. Directly used clean water to wash off those garish makeups.
Under Tengen's increasingly fierce gaze, she brought her bottles and jars. While painting said: "The most important thing about makeup is of course natural beauty. That idiot's painting method is simply a country bumpkin. Seen through at one glance."
That said, the makeup she handled for Tanjiro and the others was much more natural. Didn't forcibly paint them white. Just mixed a powder with soft, lustrous color. Lightly dusted a layer. Then took an eyebrow pencil and lightly traced a few strokes. Swept with rouge and finished.
Besides Inosuke, these three children didn't look like girls. Ume didn't force it. Just made their features softer. Looked only like girls accustomed to rough work. Wouldn't make people immediately think they were boys.
Because it involved the new Upper Rank Six's whereabouts, Ume and Gyutaro also went along. Stayed outside the Entertainment District as backup.
However, looking at her expression, more like she wanted to follow and watch the excitement.
This time, no one let me participate. Reason was I just finished a mission. Body still not too comfortable. Should rest more.
I could only lie in bed with nothing to do. Flipped through books Koyuki and Yuichiro brought me.
When Koyuki came, not only brought newly published novels and magazines, but also an unexpected letter.
"It's from Miss Rama."
I immediately recalled that tiger girl. Worried a bit whether she caused some trouble again.
More importantly—how did she know Koyuki?
"Some time ago, I took Yuichiro to a literary salon. At the gathering, Miss Rama proactively chatted with us. Also talked about you."
Koyuki explained somewhat embarrassedly. "Because she's in the know, I felt at ease chatting more with her. Also exchanged addresses."
Fine. Having her get material from Koyuki for her novel was better than picking up another demon on the street.
The letter Rama had Koyuki pass to me was an invitation.
She was going back to her hometown area for vacation recently. Heard it was a place with pleasant scenery. Also had a beautiful flower field.
So she intended to invite Koyuki and Yuichiro to visit. Probably considering I as guardian wouldn't let them run that far, or she wanted to inquire about demon matters from me again—also invited me along.
I finished reading the letter. Saw Koyuki standing before me. Looking at me with somewhat expectant nervousness. Couldn't help feeling guilty.
Speaking of it, I owed her the most.
Those years, always busy with Demon Slayer Corps missions. Rushing about everywhere. Only visited yearly. The remaining time, she lived self-sufficiently.
So I said to her: "Then let's go play together."
Koyuki pressed her lips. Obviously smiled joyfully.
Seeing her happy appearance, I temporarily didn't tell her about Akaza. Just secretly put more attention on that side.
Because Ume was executing a mission, I decided to act first and report later. After returning, would listen to her nagging complaints.
Rama's hometown was very remote. Had to take two days by train to reach.
I reported to Kagaya. He was happier than me. Very much approved of me putting down everything. Going out to have a good time.
"Please don't worry about the Demon Slayer Corps. Even if there's any unexpected situation, I can handle it."
Since he said so, I could only shake off those worries. Packed simple luggage. Together with Koyuki and them, boarded the long-distance train.
On the train, rarely had leisure. I also took the opportunity to ask about Yuichiro's recent situation.
He couldn't go out during the day. Koyuki encouraged him to study. Read with people at night schools opened for adults.
Because they taught from simple knowledge, Yuichiro learned without difficulty. Though classmates had big age differences, they were very friendly to him.
Yuichiro said bashfully he made two good friends. Both youths who dropped out to work due to poor family circumstances. A few years older than him. But very straightforward and cheerful.
Koyuki and I laughed hearing this. Discussed with him—this trip out, also bring souvenirs for his friends. Later could also invite them out to play together.
Naturally, Yuichiro also asked me about Muichiro. Learning he was doing well in the Demon Slayer Corps... Though memories hadn't returned yet, his condition was much better than before. Also had people looking after him.
Yuichiro nodded. "Then, if you buy souvenirs, please also help me pass one to him."
I suddenly said: "Do you want to go see him with me?"
Yuichiro was extremely surprised. But didn't flatly refuse like before.
He just considered briefly then said: "Alright. After we return this time, I'll go see him with you."
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