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All the breath was snatched out of Rikai the second his knuckles met with Terra’s door. He turned around to leave, stumbling over his own feet. He was making a grave mistake.
“Rikai-kun? Did you need something?” Terra asked, opening the door. She leaned against the frame, tilting her head curiously.
“N-No, nothing, Terra-san! I’m quite alright,” Rikai spoke fast. He stood at attention, locking his knees.
“Ehhh?” Terra scowled at him. “So why’d you disturb Terra-kun’s beauty sleep?”
Immediately, without an excuse in mind, Rikai jumped to what he knew best. “Terra-san! Sleeping at this hour of the day is not optimal for your circadian rhythm!”
“Relax. It’s a nap.” Terra rolled her eyes. “I’ll sleep perfectly fine.”
“Tch. Unless it’s a power nap, you are causing more harm than good. Were you aware that longer naps lead to heart conditions?” Rikai asked with a click of his tongue. “Besides, the longer the nap, the more likely you are to fall into “deep sleep.” When you disrupt this “deep sleep,” you may awaken feeling groggy or ill.” Suddenly, he gave her a bright smile. “Come, Terra-san! Let us engage in power naps of no more than twenty minutes from here on out.”
“No.” Terra shut the door in his face.
“Hah?” Rikai pounded his fist on the door. “Terra-san?” He called out. “Terra-san! You hooligan! Have you no manners?”
She opened the door again and glared at him. “Did you wake me up just to lecture me?”
“No, of course not!” Rikai shook his head. “Though, if I had known you were sleeping, I would have anyway.”
“Then, why? You'd better have a good reason for disturbing someone like me.” Terra stared daggers.
Rikai’s face flushed. If he left Terra without a reason, that would be rather rude. However, if he admitted it, she’d surely drag him inside and leave him no choice but to go through with it.
“I, ah…” Rikai scratched the back of his neck, eyes downcast. “I was w-wondering if you could… could, um…”
“Spit it out, Rikai-kun.”
“You happen to be an expert at fashion design, and—” He took a deep breath. The next words tumbled out faster than a whirlwind. “I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind dressing me up?”
Just as he expected, Terra snatched his wrist and tugged him into the room. She slammed the door shut behind him. “A makeover!” She exclaimed as she guided Rikai to her vanity. “Of course! The world needs Terra-kun’s beauty tips to thrive, so I’ll be generous and share them with you.”
He wasn’t quite sure how her beauty was so important, but he did not dare question it, focusing his attention elsewhere. “I wouldn’t call it a makeover…”
“That’s what it is, isn’t it?” Terra guided him onto the stool. “Don’t worry, you’re in perfect hands.”
She backed away, heading towards her closet.
The cushion beneath Rikai was nice and soft, just like a bed of the finest wool. Yet, his foot tapped wildly against the carpet. Terra was approaching from behind him, a handkerchief in hand and clothing slung over her shoulder.
“Rikai-kun.” She grabbed hold of his chin, turning him to look at her. “You’re sweating so much! But don’t worry, it’s only natural that Terra’s beauty makes you so nervous.” Giving his face a tight squeeze, she wiped the handkerchief across his forehead.
“T-Terra-san… Is so much t-touching really necessary?” Rikai asked, dipping his head the moment she let go.
She completely ignored him, leaning in close to observe him. The smell of her caramel perfume made his hair stand on end. His heart beat a million miles a minute.
She then backed away, looking him up and down. “This should fit you.” In the next moment, she was shoving the clothing into Rikai’s hands. “You seem the classy type, so I’m sure it’ll suit your fancy.”
“Th-Thank you.”
“Yes, you should be thanking me. I’m taking the precious time out of my day to help you,” Terra barked. “Now, I’m sure you’d love it if Terra-kun watched you change, but she’d rather not.”
“WHAT?” Rikai spat. “N-no! Why would I—Hah? HAH?”
Waving her hand with her back turned, Terra left the room.
Rikai slowly rose to his feet, staring at the door. His mouth hung open. The gall she had!
Once he was dressed, he looked into a mirror. His face was a bright red. She had chosen a black halter-neck dress for him. It had a high slit that showed off his leg. The train unfurled on the floor behind him.
Rikai snorted at the sight, covering his face. To put him in a dress, of all things? At least it was long, but that leg slit! Honestly, was Terra an uncivilized fiend? Was she turning into an unjust pervert like Amahiko?
He had half a mind to change back into his usual, strictly modest clothing when Terra knocked at the door.
“You’ve had long enough.” She said, stepping into the room. Her eyes sparkled at the sight of him. “Ah! Rikai-kun, you look so good! You’re nearly as beautiful as Terra-kun herself!”
“I suppose…” He risked one last glance at the mirror, peeking out from behind his hands. He couldn’t deny the way his heart swelled at the sight.
“It’s a bit tight, though…” Terra said, circling him. “But that’s alright; it shows off your body.”
“My what?” Rikai squeaked.
Terra walked to her closet, selecting an assortment of items and returning to Rikai. She grabbed his shoulder and whirled him around to face her. Rikai’s breath hitched as she leaned in, latching a golden pendant around his neck. In the center was a bright green emerald to contrast his eyes.
“Where’d you…” Rikai gulped as Terra’s hand brushed against his nape. “Where did you get this?” He asked, eyeing the emerald as she backed away.
“Oh, that?” Terra tapped the emerald. “Fumiya got it for me in exchange for something.”
Of course Fumiya got it for her; who knew who he stole that thing from? He’d have to——
Terra’s arms wrapped around his waist.
“T-Terra-san!” He cried, staring up at the ceiling, his entire body stiff as a board. “What is—What is the meaning of this?!”
“Relax,” Terra said, fastening a gold chain belt in place.
“I could do that myself!” Rikai snapped, clenching his fists.
“So? This is a makeover!” Terra perked back up and flicked his forehead. “There are rules to this.”
Rules? Well, he couldn’t break any rules… Where would be the order in that?
Rikai’s shoulders relaxed. He heaved a deep sigh, allowing Terra to take hold of his wrist. She slipped long, black gloves over his hands and up his arms. Then, she turned him back around and pointed to the mirror.
Rikai could hardly look at himself, but he managed. The green emerald and the gold made his eyes pop. With the sleeves and jewelry, he looked infinitely more elegant. Who knew minor details would bring an outfit together?
“What’d you think?” Terra asked. Before he could respond, she answered for him. “Beautiful, dazzling, everything you could ever hope for!” She clasped her hands together in awe.
“Is the leg slit necessary?” Rikai asked, bending his knee. He did look rather charming like this, but it was far too much.
“You don’t plan on wearing this out, right?” Terra called, sorting through her shoes. She plucked up a pair of black high heels with golden accents. Was she going to make him wear those!?
“I-I will not be wearing it out, no,” Rikai said, clearing his throat. “I’d rather this remain private between us.”
“A shame. The world deserves to see Terra-kun’s excellent design,” Terra sighed. “I’ll drag you out someday.”
“You will do no such thing!” Rikai gasped, eyes wide.
Terra set the heels down by Rikai’s feet. “Put these on.”
Though he grumbled, Rikai slipped his feet into them.
“Anyway,” Terra began. “If you won’t wear it out, you don’t need to worry about the leg slit, right? Just focus on how good Terra-kun’s making you look.”
She led him back to the vanity, sitting him on the stool once more. Rummaging through her drawers, she pulled out a variety of small tubes. “Wrist,” she demanded.
Rikai stuck his wrist out. She squeezed a bit out of each tube on his wrist until one matched his shade perfectly.
Pressing her hand to her cheek, she smiled. “I knew keeping these would come in handy.”
Swallowing, Rikai looked up at her. “Is… Is this makeup?”
“Yes! You’re gonna be so pretty, Rikai-kun!” She pulled out more containers from the drawers. “You already have fairly feminine features.”
Rikai practically snapped his head off to look in the mirror. Slim eyes, a pointy chin, full lips… Not to mention his narrow waist. She wasn’t exactly wrong.
Terra unfolded another stool, sitting down in front of him. She began to apply a cold liquid to his face, followed by more liquids and powders. Rikai did his best to remain as still as he could, shutting and opening his eyes as she demanded.
Finally, she stuck on fake eyelashes and gave them a nice curl. WIth a proud smile on her face, she rose to her feet and moved out of the way of the mirror.
His skin glowed in the vanity lights. He blinked, and his long lashes fluttered. The light blush on his cheeks gave him a youthful appearance.
Rikai’s eyes shone. He gawked at himself, lips slightly parted. “I…”
“Look wonderful? Say thank you, Terra-kun!” Terra dragged Rikai to his feet before turning him to face the standing mirror.
He sniffled at the sight. How could he look so… so beautiful? “Thank you,” he whispered, relieved that the makeup hid his burning cheeks.
“You’re so cute, Rikai-kun,” Terra commented. “Aren’t I just amazing?”
“C-Cute!?” Rikai looked himself up and down. Before he could respond properly, Terra grabbed his chin and turned his face.
“Oops. Let me fix that really quickly, ‘kay?” She leaned in and planted a kiss on his cheek.
Rikai’s eyes widened. His stomach somersaulted as he took a few steps backwards, wobbling on his heels, before tripping and falling on his rear. “T-TERRA-SAN?!” He cried, his voice breaking in every which way.
“The Terra Touch,” she winked. “You’re welcome. Make it count.” She then turned and left the scene of the crime.
Rikai looked in the mirror, dumbfounded. Bright red lipstick smacked clear as day in the middle of his cheek. He reached up to touch it with shaky fingers. He wanted to be angry, to chase after her and give her a good talking to, but he couldn’t. He couldn’t take his eyes off the mark.
What did this mean? Was she… attracted to him? Was he attracted to her!? She certainly was a beautiful woman, but there was no way! Absolutely no way!
He shook his head wildly, scrambling to his feet. He had to get this off of him.
Iori’s voice rang through the hall. “Dinner’s ready!”
Rikai’s heart jumped to his throat.
Dinner in a dress. With a kiss on his cheek.
He was finished.