Chapter 63 Part 2
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This chapter is edited by Cthulhu. Thank you for your contribution!
Chapter 63: The Opening Thunderstrike, Little Sakura’s Awakening! (2)
Chu Yuanqing wanted to refuse. She despised having unfamiliar substances on her lips and felt accepting would lead her down a path of corruption.
Yet considering how the other contestants all respected the stage, and that her companion had already brought out half a box of makeup products, refusing would not only make her seem difficult but also show disrespect for the stage itself. In essence, it would precipitate a major crisis of her image collapsing.
Though her image had likely already crumbled in others’ eyes, she had just earnestly answered the question about radio waves. Displaying this attitude now would seem utterly hypocritical.
For these reasons, the great savior resolved to endure this humiliation and bear this burden.
“What shade do you like?” Xie Qingxuan’s question interrupted her thoughts.
Chu Yuanqing was genuinely stumped. What shade? Aren’t they all red?
She attempted to appear more knowledgeable about feminine matters but soon abandoned the pretense. Instead, she carefully observed her companion’s lips, hoping to describe any random color she could discern.
The girl’s lips were dewy, with a base of red interwoven with subtle orange and brown undertones. Upon closer inspection, fine shimmering particles gave them a dimensional, alluring quality against her fair complexion.
Viewed this way, lipstick truly was magical, instantly elevating one’s beauty.
But… what color was this, exactly?
Xie Qingxuan gazed at those innocent eyes, noting their pure clarity unmarred by knowledge. After brief consideration, she casually retrieved several items from her makeup box without explanation.
Working with focused attention, her eyes fixed on her subject’s lips, she applied fresh lip balm as a base, then instructed Chu Yuanqing to purse her lips while she applied foundation around them.
Next, she filled roughly half the lips with lipstick, dampened a makeup brush, and carefully blended the color to complete the application.
Evidently, while Xie Qingxuan might neglect to blow-dry her hair, she possessed genuine skill with idol makeup, capable of executing at least basic techniques independently.
She regarded Chu Yuanqing’s face with satisfaction, feeling slightly dreamy.
The shade she’d selected complemented the other’s skin tone perfectly – a light, peachy oolong tea color that evoked summer. Its velvet matte texture, free of artificial shine, projected a girlish charm that aligned perfectly with “Candy” magazine’s aesthetic.
These subtle changes provided the perfect finishing touch to Chu Yuanqing’s features. In internet parlance, she looked so adorable one might feel compelled to embrace her. Combined with her tranquil, lake-like eyes that emanated subtle allure and irresistible charm, it was easy to become lost in her gaze, staring for extended periods.
Just as she was doing now.
Xie Qingxuan stared until Chu Yuanqing’s expression gradually shifted, her eyes growing guarded. Composing herself, Xie Qingxuan stood casually, placed the lipstick on the table, and said:
“These are for you. Remember to use them more often.”
The words hung in silence.
Xie Qingxuan happened to glance up, meeting Kirimi Miyuki’s gaze from outside the door.
In that instant, an oppressive force loomed like a shadow, causing her heart to skip.
But it vanished just as quickly, dissolving like a fleeting dream.
The young girl’s innocent face brightened with a sweet smile, as if merely passing by. She nodded politely and continued walking, her footsteps fading into silence.
Unable to see behind her, Chu Yuanqing pursed her lips, contemplating the sensation of the lipstick while asking casually:
“Did someone come by?”
Xie Qingxuan tilted her head, responding honestly: “Yes, the door wasn’t completely closed. Someone walked past.”
Meanwhile, Kirimi Miyuki returned to her empty dormitory with composed dignity.
She retrieved her pajamas from the wardrobe and covered the room’s camera – a reasonable action suggesting she intended to shower. Entering the bathroom, she gazed at her reflection, her smile vanishing as her eyes emptied.
Why so close?
Why no refusal?
It’s happening again, again, and again.
Uncontrollable jealousy, irrational possessiveness, indescribable bitterness, unprecedented anger, and even… nearly uncontrollable destructive urges.
Meeting Chu Yuanqing served a purpose – at least the taste of spotlight on stage was instantly overshadowed and eliminated by these stronger emotions.
No.
This won’t do.
Even if Little Shu’s method could help diminish this possessiveness, without first establishing reasonable principles and boundaries to distance Little Qing from others, her own stage would inevitably be tainted by dark impurities.
No, that’s still not right.
Calm. Calm. Calm.
After this mantra, Kirimi Miyuki examined herself in the mirror, tilted her head slightly, formed a gun with her fingers, and slowly raised it to aim at her reflection’s heart.
The Perfect Interpretation Method, typically reserved for stage performances, surged like a roaring tsunami, activating autonomously and entering a subtle state of “Heart Flow” fueled by overwhelming emotion.
Darkness swirled in her pupils as her rosy lips trembled.
Suddenly – BANG!
The imaginary report echoed in her ears.
Her empty hand, mimicking a firearm, simulated the impact of firing pin striking bullet, creating explosive force, launching golden projectiles.
Clatter, clatter.
In a vision only Kirimi Miyuki could perceive, a disturbing void appeared in her chest where the bullet had mercilessly torn through, blood blossoming like a vibrant rose, filling the air with gunpowder and copper, slowly burning and dissolving in her nostrils.
The intense pain successfully extinguished her surplus emotions.
The confusion in her heart shattered under the virtual bullet’s impact, forcefully using self-suggestion to calm her turbulent feelings.
“It’s been a while since I used this. Feels somewhat unfamiliar,” Kirimi Miyuki murmured.
She had always been this way. Before stepping onto stage, when bullied by teammates, exploited by unethical companies, making mistakes during performances, feeling suicidal, wanting to quit but refusing to allow herself…
The Perfect Interpretation Method had been her greatest support.
More accurately, back then it wasn’t yet called the Perfect Interpretation Method – it was its prototype.
Without this distorted self-hypnosis, painstakingly building technical foundations piece by piece, the Perfect Interpretation Method that forcibly induced “Heart Flow” on stage wouldn’t exist.
Yet as she progressed, her true self grew stronger. Even during her forced graduation period, she managed to limit herself to using it just once monthly on average.
Now, someone had drawn out this unhealthy self-correction method again.
Kirimi Miyuki smoothed her clothing over her chest. Expressionless, she approached the mirror and adjusted her facial muscles, practicing her usual smile, demonstrating the perfect curve refined through countless repetitions.
In an instant, her smile’s charm dispersed like morning mist, bringing early spring’s beauty, radiating warmth capable of melting ice and snow.
Wanting to become a perfect idol.
Wanting to gain sincere friendships.
The path to the former was undeniably rough.
This had always been clear in her heart.
Could the process of gaining friendships be as painful as the journey to becoming an idol?
Yes.
Since it was as precious as treasure, one must pay the price to obtain it.
This applied both to the idol’s throne and to sincere friendships.
She had been naive, mistaken from the start, allowing herself to fear the jealousy and possessiveness in her heart, foolishly trapping herself in mental loops, worrying about meaningless impurities.
What impurity could desire itself be considered?
Comparing friendship to debut quotas revealed this as a selfish competition.
So…
Wasn’t it natural to do whatever necessary within reason?
