"Huh? Th-that... Natsumi. You can just call me Natsumi."
This was the first meeting between Natsumi and Inaba Tsukiyo. This misunderstanding didn't create any rift between them; instead, it made them sit on the swings like friends, happily chatting.
Because Inaba Tsukiyo 'couldn't see' things, Natsumi led the entire conversation. She would tell Inaba Tsukiyo all the interesting things she saw.
Inaba Tsukiyo, as a qualified listener, would ask Natsumi for details while listening, which gave Natsumi a great sense of accomplishment in speaking.
"The ocean... the sea? Hehe~ Although I don't know exactly how big the ocean is, or what color blue really is. But the ocean should be similar to a swimming pool, right?"
Inaba Tsukiyo, sitting on the swing, swung her feet and spoke with a hint of sadness.
"I... I don't like that feeling. That feeling of my ears being blocked by water, and my nose and other senses being restricted, I really hate it."
This was Inaba Tsukiyo's true feeling. Her first experience in the water when she couldn't see was simply a psychological trauma for her.
During their previous conversation, Natsumi also understood that when Inaba Tsukiyo lost her sight, her hearing and smell became extremely sensitive.
Thinking about herself soaking in water and in a bathtub, her ears and other senses indeed became useless, especially when she couldn't see.
Natsumi couldn't help but imagine this scene, and the whole person felt unwell.
"Um... I'm sorry, I think I said the wrong thing. Haha~ Haha~"
Natsumi laughed a few awkward laughs. She only wanted to tell Inaba Tsukiyo how beautiful the ocean was, but it resulted in such an incident. She really wasn't good at chatting.
"It's alright. Although I've lost many things, I've also gained a lot. Even though I can't see, my other senses help me experience this world."
After speaking, Inaba Tsukiyo suddenly held Natsumi's hands. This sudden action made Natsumi jump. Looking at Inaba Tsukiyo, who was close by, her closed eyes now open, and a gentle smile on her face, Natsumi's heart began to race.
"Just like this, I can feel your presence. I can tell if the person speaking to me is lying, and I can tell if the other person truly considers me a friend."
Fingers intertwined, Inaba Tsukiyo held Natsumi's hands tightly, saying words that made Natsumi's heart beat faster.
Friends? Natsumi had never had friends. Her identity was a Spirit; how could a Spirit become friends with others?
Moreover, she hadn't told Inaba Tsukiyo a very important thing: she was very insecure about her own appearance, or rather, about her original appearance.
She remembered that during her first manifestation, because her original appearance wasn't accepted by people, she used her Angel to transform herself into her ideal, most perfect self.
She disliked, or feared, others seeing her original appearance, so most of the time, she would face others in her most perfect form.
The reason she had reverted to her original appearance today was because she wanted to find a deserted place to rest and relax.
She didn't expect to meet Inaba Tsukiyo, someone who couldn't see, and who was born unable to see, someone whose situation was countless times worse than hers.
Originally, she had been quite jealous of Inaba Tsukiyo's cute appearance, but after thinking about Inaba Tsukiyo's situation, Natsumi found that she couldn't bring herself to be jealous.
"My hands... they're very dry, aren't they?"
"Dry? Hehe~ You probably don't know how to take good care of yourself. Every girl needs to learn to cherish her body and also learn to doll herself up."
"Learn to... doll myself up? What does that mean?"
Natsumi didn't know what makeup was. She only knew about disguise and transformation, as she had always been doing that. So, hearing this unfamiliar term, she tilted her head in confusion.
"Hmm~ How should I explain it to you... I don't know how to explain it either. Just use this to look it up online."
After a moment of hesitation, Inaba Tsukiyo handed her phone to Natsumi.
First, Tsukiyo-chan unlocked the phone with her fingerprint, then handed it to Natsumi, teaching her hand-in-hand how to use the phone to search for things online.
Natsumi, holding a new object for the first time, curiously examined the phone in her hand. Under Inaba Tsukiyo's guidance, she opened the search app and looked up "what is makeup."
The initial results were difficult-to-understand terms, followed by comparison images, such as pictures with makeup versus pictures without makeup.
It felt like two completely different people, and Natsumi was stunned. Could human technology really reach such a level? This was already like sorcery, wasn't it?
The matter wasn't over. After viewing the pictures, Natsumi, again under Inaba Tsukiyo's direction, logged into the Niconico video app and searched for information related to makeup.
Over the next two hours, Natsumi watched videos of UP streamers introducing cosmetics and showing how to make oneself beautiful.
Although her body hadn't changed, her face was completely different. Natsumi maintained this expression (? ｀? Д? ′ )!! the entire time, even starting to doubt her own existence.
"Did you see? Although I haven't watched makeup videos, when I wake up, they always comb my hair, and in the evening when I shower, they specifically help me maintain my hair."
Inaba Tsukiyo introduced Natsumi to the precautions needed when washing hair, as well as skincare and other related knowledge, leaving Natsumi utterly bewildered.
Originally, Natsumi thought she had perfectly assimilated knowledge of human society, but she realized she was still too naive. She hadn't expected humans to possess such terrifying things.
Looking at the pictures on the phone, Natsumi was silent for a moment, then reached out and touched her cheek, feeling the dryness.
Recalling the introductions in the videos, Natsumi hesitated for a moment, then looked at Inaba Tsukiyo beside her.
"If... if I also doll myself up properly for a while... will I become as pretty as them?"
Natsumi looked at Inaba Tsukiyo expectantly. She hoped for the correct answer. In a situation that had seemed hopeless, Natsumi discovered a possibility for change.
"Of course, Natsumi. Your natural features are very good. Why do I feel like you're very unconfident about yourself?"
"Unconfident about myself? Your description is quite apt, Tsukiyo-chan."
Natsumi said with a bitter smile. She was indeed unconfident about herself; otherwise, how could she face others in her transformed appearance?
However... Natsumi squinted at her meager figure, then turned to look at Inaba Tsukiyo's even more meager figure. For some reason, the gloom in Natsumi's heart lessened considerably.
She... didn't seem so bad? If she learned to take care of herself using the methods in the videos, could she also become as pretty as Inaba Tsukiyo?
But... what should she do? She had no knowledge of makeup at all and didn't know how to proceed.
"What are you troubled about, Natsumi?"
"Ah, well... actually, I've never bought cosmetics, so I don't know what to do."
Natsumi spoke her true thoughts, giving Inaba Tsukiyo her initial trust.
"Then... would you like to come to my house? It just so happens that they are responsible for my daily grooming, and they might be able to give you advice."
"Eh?"
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