“So, what kind of look are we going for?”

“Let’s start by straightening your hair.”

Otaku-kun switched on the curling iron he’d borrowed from Yua.

It was noticeably larger than the one he normally used, making him hesitate slightly as he adjusted to the difference.

“If it gets too hot, let me know.”

“O-Okay.”

Riko had been about to throw out another sarcastic remark.

But if doing that caused Otaku-kun’s hand to slip, she’d be the one paying the price, so she reluctantly kept quiet.

First, Otaku-kun lightly dampened Riko’s hair with a spray bottle while combing it through.

That alone would make it straighter for the moment.

However, once it dried, it would simply curl up again.

“You’re using clothespins?”

“Yeah.”

“Hair clips would normally be better, but I don’t have any with me.”

“I’ll make sure they don’t hurt, so just bear with me for a bit.”

Carefully considering the order in which he’d use the curling iron, he divided her hair into sections with clothespins.

Otaku-kun always kept several clothespins around.

They were useful for everything from adjusting doll wigs to holding plastic model parts in place while painting.

The ones he’d brought today had a weaker grip.

That way they wouldn’t hurt and wouldn’t leave strange creases in her hair.

Starting near the roots, he slowly ran the iron through her hair.

Since her hair was fairly coarse, he worked in small sections, taking his time rather than trying to straighten too much at once.

“Wow… Otaku-kun, you’re amazing!”

“Yeah…”

“This is seriously incredible.”

When Riko ran her fingers through her hair, they glided smoothly from root to tip.

Compared to her usual stubborn curls, the result was almost unbelievable.

Even she couldn’t hide her surprise.

If there was one thing she wasn’t happy about…

It was that her naturally fluffy curls had made her look just a tiny bit taller.

Now, when she touched the top of her head…

…all she felt was flat hair.

Granted, even with the extra volume, she had barely reached 140 centimeters.

She was still tiny either way.

“Now then…”

“Before we style your hair, let’s do your makeup first.”

“Fine.”

“But are we gonna have enough time?”

All three of them looked at the clock at the same time.

They still had more than an hour before school started.

“I think we’ll be okay.”

“And if we’re not…”

“We can all just be late together.”

“That’s not okay.”

Letting out a dry laugh, Otaku-kun began removing Riko’s makeup.

“Oh!”

“I can help with that.”

“Then I’d appreciate it.”

“Got it.”

Using makeup-removing wipes, they quickly removed everything.

After all, Riko was still a student.

Her makeup consisted of little more than lightly filled-in eyebrows and eyeliner.

“Don’t stare at me so much.”

“It’s embarrassing.”

Even without makeup, she didn’t actually look very different.

Still, it embarrassed her.

Unfortunately, her words weren’t reaching Otaku-kun anymore.

He had entered complete concentration mode.

He first applied a light eyeshadow across her eyelids.

Above that, he blended gold, gradually transitioning into pink near the outer corners to create a soft gradient.

It was the same coloring technique he normally used when painting doll heads with colored pencils.

This time, however, he was using Yua’s actual cosmetics, making the finish look far more natural.

Keeping his eyes fixed on Riko’s, Otaku-kun slowly drew in her eyeliner.

“Hmm…”

“Since you’re already cute…”

“I think drooping the eyes a little would suit you better.”

He muttered to himself as he worked.

By this point, he’d completely forgotten he was working on Riko.

To him, it felt as though he were customizing a large doll.

“W-Who are you calling cute—”

“Don’t move!”

Riko tried to protest.

But Otaku-kun, completely absorbed in his work, didn’t even notice.

If anything, his tone had become surprisingly firm.

‘I’m definitely punching this guy later.’

Thinking that to herself, Riko reluctantly stayed still.

“Narumi-san…”

“Do you have a really small brush?”

“I do.”

“But what for?”

“The lipstick.”

“It’ll be difficult to apply directly.”

“I’d rather use a brush.”

“I see.”

“Hang on.”

Yua hurried into another room before quickly returning.

In her hand was a paintbrush like the kind used for watercolors.

It was less than half the width of her little finger.

“Will this work?”

“I think so.”

Scooping up a small amount of lipstick with the brush, Otaku-kun carefully applied it to Riko’s lips.

He chose a soft pink shade.

On her upper lip, he deliberately applied slightly less than the natural shape.

“…All done.”

With that, Otaku-kun handed Riko a mirror.

“W-What the heck is thisssss!!?”

Despite it still being early in the morning, Riko shouted loudly enough that the neighbors might have complained.

Her reaction was understandable.

“Why do my eyes look so huge!?”

“And doesn’t this make me look like a little kid!?”

“Not at all.”

“You look adorable!”

As Riko reached for the makeup remover wipes, Yua desperately stopped her.

The makeup Otaku-kun had created made her eyes appear larger while subtly lifting the corners of her lips.

Riko naturally had an expression that made her look annoyed.

She wasn’t actually in a bad mood.

She simply looked that way to other people.

Seeing that expression, Otaku-kun figured many people were tempted to tease her just for the reaction.

So first, he enlarged her eyes and softened them with a slight downward curve.

That alone removed much of her intimidating appearance.

Then, by making the corners of her lips appear slightly raised, her expression naturally seemed friendlier.

The final result was admittedly a bit youthful.

But considering her petite frame, it made her look undeniably cute.

Once he pinned back the straightened bangs that had fallen over her forehead…

…she looked even more adorable.

Yua immediately hugged her tightly while repeatedly shouting, “So cute!”

Riko continued trying to wipe the makeup off.

In the end, after Yua practically begged her with tears in her eyes, she reluctantly agreed to spend the day wearing it.

“Oh!”

“If we’re going this far, we should change your uniform a little too.”

“Your skirt’s too long, and you’ve got your blouse tucked in properly.”

No sooner had she said it than Yua started adjusting Riko’s uniform right over her clothes.

Using one hand, she unbuttoned the front of her blouse.

With the other, she folded up her skirt.

“H-Hey, idiot!”

“Otakura’s right there!”

“Stop for a second!”

“Otakura!”

“Turn around!”

“Y-Yes!”

“You’re not looking, right!?”

“Of course not!”

That was what Otaku-kun answered.

The brief glimpse he’d accidentally caught of Riko’s underwear, however…

…would remain his secret.

With Riko’s makeover complete, the three of them headed to school.

She looked adorable now.

Thanks to Yua’s adjustments, the blouse was unbuttoned down to reveal part of her chest, while the lower buttons were opened enough to expose a bit of her midriff.

Her tie had been loosened, and her skirt was now short enough to show off her thighs.

She had transformed into a classic kogal.

“I’m telling you right now…”

“This is only for today.”

“I’m never dressing this embarrassingly again.”

“Aww.”

“You should keep it like this forever.”

Chatting as they walked, they eventually arrived at Riko’s classroom.

The moment she stepped inside…

Every single classmate did a double take.

“Whoa.”

“What happened to your look?”

“You seriously look like a little kid now.”

The same girls who had been picking on Riko the day before immediately approached her again.

This time, however…

Something about the atmosphere in the classroom was different.

“Come on.”

“You guys say something too.”

“…”

The boys remained silent, visibly unsure how to react.

Watching their hesitation, Yua smiled to herself.

Her plan was working exactly as she’d expected.

“Hey.”

“Would you all stop messing with Riko already?”

Yua’s counterattack had begun.