COSMET

(... Mmnh. Ah, I must’ve fallen asleep.)

(That was quite a nostalgic dream.)

(Back then, Sena-senpai never smiled in front of me—not even once.)

(Though he could pull off a most perfect smile for the fans when we were performing—)

(Perhaps it was because he thought nothing more of me than a burdensome newbie. I was always just one step behind everyone else…)

(I had no chance of ever catching a glimpse of such a sight.)

(That’s why today, when Sena-senpai started laughing in such an undignified manner…)

(I realized that now, I can laugh together with him—cry with him. It feels like I’m dreaming… it makes me overjoyed.)

(He still hasn’t changed his teasing ways, and pronounces my name wrong on purpose.)

(But despite being so harsh with his words, he never once tried to selfishly drive me out.)

(He always accepted me in the end, after I grit my teeth and stuck it out.)

(The sight of his back, always so elegant, proud, and forthright… That figure, so strong, kind, and beautiful, like that of a picture-perfect knight—I always looked up to it.)

(And that’s why… it never sat well with me how strange he’d start to act around Yuuki-senpai.)

(I’m sure he needed something to help him relax sometimes, like how I am with my favorite sweets…)

(And that “something” was Yuuki-senpai, although I’m sure it brought him no end of trouble.)

(I must thank you, Yuuki-senpai. Even if it was just one fleeting moment, a mere act, by standing in your shoes, I finally realized…)

(Even if I haven't been treated as outwardly affectionately as I may have hoped, I’ve been blessed with quite a lovely situation myself.)

(I was forced to put in my utmost effort first, rather than having everything handed to me on a golden platter.)

(No, I was blessed enough just being able to undertake what I wanted to.)

(We can’t help wishing for things we don’t have… but we learn to persevere through that and grasp them with our own two hands.)

(That must be what it means to become an adult.)

(I can’t remain a pitiable caterpillar forever. I can’t remain a chrysalis locked within a sturdy suit of armor.)

(A day will come when I emerge as a most beautiful butterfly, taking nobly to the sky as I please.)
 

Izumi: … Yuu~kun, you up?

Tsukasa: Gwah?! Um, I’m Tsukasa Suou! I’ve returned to my own body after using the pillow with Yuuki-senpai, just as planned!

Izumi: That so? Then I guess there’s no need to be so nice to you anymore…

Can you move already? You've been sleeping by Yuu-kun’s side forever, that’s my spot!

Tsukasa: Nngh… It’s even more startling how unfair you act now. It’s quite aggravating, you know!

Makoto: Mmnh…?

Izumi: Hey now. If you kick up a fuss, Yuu-kun’ll wake up.

I’m sure he’s dead tired from being worked to the bone in preparation for the SS, so let him get some rest, ‘kay?

It’s your day off too, y’know. Maybe it’d be good for you to sleep some more?

Sleep’s good for your skin. Here, just look… Kuma-kun’s skin’s as soft as a baby’s ♪

Ritsu: Snnnzz…♪

Tsukasa: Hm? Why’s Ritsu-senpai sleeping as well?

Izumi: He said that you guys looked so comfy that he couldn’t resist his sleepiness~ or something.

He was sooo annoying about it too, trying to use my lap as a pillow ‘cause you guys stole his favorite pillow. Well, I kicked him off, though.

Tsukasa: Hehe. I’m sure it couldn’t hurt to be a little more compassionate toward your closest companions, at least. That part of you is why people misunderstand and lose all affection for you, is it not?

Izumi: Hmph. If that’s all the rude awakening they needed, then they didn’t love me in the first place…

I’ve parted ways with people so many times. And it only hits harder when you both cared for each other.

I was trying to protect myself, so the grief wouldn’t crush me as hard.

But it didn’t work… ‘cause no matter how cruel I was to you guys, you’ve never left.

I wonder if I should’ve stopped fixating on when we’d eventually have to say farewell, and gotten myself together so we could deal with all this earlier…

You only realize how important something is once it’s gone for good, huh?

Tsukasa: … But you haven’t lost us yet. We have yet to bid our farewells. And even once all of you graduate—I will protect Knights in your stead.

So please don’t fret, Senpai. I want you to smile. There’s nothing for us to be sad about, after all.

Izumi: Haha, you’re still as cheeky as ever. Just who do you think you’re talking to?

Well, I don’t mind that much. … Kasa-kun, sometime soon, we’re gonna let you in on a few secrets we’ve been keeping.

We’ve been acting tough and hiding all those disgraceful parts of ourselves, but—you deserve to know.

Real soon, Knights will belong to the three of you. And like Kuma-kun said, I don’t wanna be left with any regrets.

But that’s all a story for another day… Right now, just doze off like an idiot without a care in the world.

Soon, you’ll become a second year, so you’ll be a senior, right?

Be a kid while you still can… Keep kicking up a fuss like you always do, and let us protect you.

And once you grow up, you can start talking all self-important like I do.

We were kids too once—always screwing up and bawling our eyes out. So just stubbornly hide those parts of your past.

Put on a brave face. And make a little fun of the stupid brat who totally fell for it and idolizes you instead.

You’ll find yourself having so much fun, you can’t help but laugh…

So fall asleep for now dreaming of that day, and grow up quickly—Tsukasa Suou-kun.

 

←
 

Izumi: … So?

Ritsu: Hm~? You gotta be more clear, okay? We’re not that close, so I have no idea what that “so?” of yours is supposed to mean.

Izumi: You’re smart enough to figure it out anyway.

… So like, what’s going on here? What kinda stupid joke is this?

This morning, you come up to me saying “Suuchan and Yuu-kun will be acting a little strange, so just go along with it the best you can”.

You seemed weirdly desperate, so I played along for your sake.

But it all became so idiotic partway through that I seriously thought about leaving, y’know. It was suuuch a pain!

Ritsu: Ah, you bought it? You’re pretty sincere deep down, so I knew a serious approach would do the trick.

Sweet. My acting skills to get other people to spoil me are as sharp as ever~♪

Izumi: Excuse me? How is anyone supposed to trust you if you lie so much?

Ritsu: I’m perfectly fine not being trusted by “just anyone”, though~

In any case, you’re pretty smart, so I don’t think I need to spell it out for you.

Saying that makes me sound like some cliche villain going “only fools feel the need to explain every last detail~”, which kinda sucks, though.

Izumi: Hmph. If I had to say, we’re more like those cliche villains than some heroic protagonist. 

But yeah, I don’t really need the explanation.

Those brats never say what they’re really thinking, so the plan was for them to spit out all the stuff they’ve been bottling up inside, right?

But having that kind of serious confrontation now after all this time is seriously embarrassing.

I’m guessing that’s why they decided to “switch”... so they could borrow each other’s appearance and position.

Well, it was no secret that they were hiding stuff before, though.

Kasa-kun’s always so stubborn and tries to act all tough, and basically never opens up about the important stuff…

He spits out complaints left and right while hiding what really matters… It’s like he’s covering those delicate, vulnerable parts of himself with armor so that nothing can hurt them.

Ritsu: Sounds like a certain someone I know. … In any case, that’s the gist of it.

You’ll be graduating soon enough. A little heart-to-heart before you take off couldn’t hurt.

Or else, those regrets will follow you to the grave.

Wrap everything up nicely with a proper farewell. My stomach’s in knots just watching you guys, y’know?

Izumi: Hmph, I’m just graduating, okay? It’s not like I’ll be gone forever.

Ritsu: You never know what the future holds in store, though. Only God knows when you’ll be able to see each other after graduation…

It’s not like you thought you and His Majesty would spend so much time apart last year, did you?

Izumi: ……

Ritsu: Settle this year’s issues now—while you’re still alive. Just a word of advice from your friendly ol’ neighborhood vampire 

Izumi: Kuma-kun, I don’t know if you can tell, but you’ve started acting a lot like your brother recently.

Ritsu: What was that? I’ll kill you.

… Juuust kidding. Hearing that kinda stuff doesn’t bother me that much anymore. I don’t really get it myself.

Izumi: That means you’ve found a little peace of mind, doesn’t it? That’s a good thing, really. You were just like a living corpse when we first met, y’know?

Ritsu: You were the same way this fall. It was like you died inside. But recently… it seems like you’ve been really enjoying yourself.

Izumi: Thanks to a few people I know, I’m sure.

… Hm?
 

Tsukasa: H-He~y! Sorry for the holdup, guys!

Makoto: Hehe. A fan noticed us and requested our signatures, you see. Given our current circumstance, it was quite a predicament.

Tsukasa: Y-Yeah. It would’ve been a total forgery if I signed my name as “Tsukasa Suou”.

Izumi: Okay, we get it. Stop kicking up a fuss at the entryway and sit down already.

I wasted a bunch of calories running around like that, and it’s a good time to eat anyway, so let’s get something to eat.

We can rest here for a bit, and then head back and use the pillow to turn you guys back to normal… how’s that sound?

Then this whole ordeal will have its “happily ever after”, won’t it?

 

← | →
 

Izumi: … Hm, so you guys were talking about deep stuff like that, too?

Just when did you get so friendly with each other? I thought Kasa-kun hated Trickstar, with how much he complains about them pissing him off.

Tsukasa: Ah, um… I don’t think he hates them.

Makoto: That’s right. Knights and Trickstar are merely rivals, after all.

With how many skirmishes we’ve had, I feel it’s only natural I would harbor a sense of caution and hostility toward them.

However, I have to admit that some of my reservations toward them were done away with after our time together in the nap room.

Although I suppose it was I who one-sidedly displayed such a belligerent disposition in their presence in the first place.

Tsukasa: Yeah… But you completely let go of that once we started complaining about Izumi-san.

Izumi: Excuuuse me?! What the hell does that mean?! Are you guys some kinda low-lives who get fired up talking crap about people? If you got a problem with me, why not just say it to my face?

Being talked about behind my back like that seriously pisses me off! That’s sooo annoying!

Tsukasa: Yeah, well, it’s a little hard to tell you straight up when we know you’re gonna act like that…

We might have some bones to pick, but it’s not like we wanna fight with you. Right?

Makoto: Exactly. But the more we aired out our grievances, the more enthused we became…

I suppose you could say we reached a tipping point, so we devised ourselves a quaint little plan.

Looking back, I doubt we had fully woken up at that point…

That must’ve caused our common sense to fail us, for we had considered “such a thing” to be a most splendid idea.

Tsukasa: Yeah. Plus, we didn’t even think “that” would work. We were just playing around to blow off some steam.

Izumi: Huh? “That”? “Such a thing”...?

You guys aren’t making any sense. Being able to explain all sorts of things to people is something an idol has to do, you know?!

Makoto: We are very much aware, Sena-senpai. Lecturing others as a way to relieve your stress is quite a poor habit, no?

Even if what you’re saying is true, it’s not a very pleasant feeling to be on the receiving end of all your frustrations, you see?

Tsukasa: That’s right. It just makes it harder to take what you say in good faith. It’s a seriously bad habit.

Izumi: Oh, shut it, would you… Fine, then I’ll stop being so “immature” just like you want and force you inarticulate brats to use your heads for once.

I’m guessing “that” means the switching bodies thing? Am I right?

Makoto: Yes. Allegedly, Ritsu-senpai’s favorite pillow is a cursed item that has belonged to his family since ancient times.

It’s said that centuries ago, this pillow belonged to a youkai—perhaps an incubus or a makuragaeshi.¹

Tsukasa: Yeah. There are all sorts of legends about that pillow… Like, if someone other than its rightful owner, Ritsu-kun, uses it, rashes will break out across their whole body, and stuff like that.

Ritsu: Mhm, curses to whoever uses my pillow without permission~...♪

Makoto: Hehe. It’s also said that if two people were to use the pillow at the same time, their bodies would be switched.

That is precisely what we were aiming for.

Izumi: A youkai… Are you being serious? Are you two actual idiots?

What are you, kids who still believe in Santa? It’s common sense to take that kind of occult nonsense with a grain of salt.

Makoto: Well, we were only partially serious ourselves, but we thought it couldn’t hurt to try.

We thought that if we were able to switch bodies, we could relieve ourselves of all our grievances.

Tsukasa: Yeah. Suou-kun said so earlier, but we must’ve been half-asleep. There’s no way we'd have thought that was such a great idea otherwise.

Izumi: Ah, I get what you mean…

One time when I was kid, I had just woken up and took a peek in the mirror, and tried to shave my eyebrows off cuz their shape was bothering me.

I thought it’d be easier to just draw them on from scratch instead of tweaking them every single time…

I came to my senses and caught myself before I could do anything so idiotic, though.

Well, not like that matters now. More importantly… just what kind of grievances do you have with me?

Just spit it out. Why’d you think switching bodies would help at all?

Makoto: Then allow me to use this occasion to its fullest and set some things straight.

Yuuki-senpai doesn’t seem to appreciate when you dote on him too much.

He’s quite discontent with how little your behavior toward him has changed, despite him directly telling you how he felt during Halloween, among other times.

Even though you said something so respectable, that you understood how he felt.

Even though you, at the very same time, shamelessly sought the same understanding and compassion as well, and received affirmations and comfort from him in turn.

And then just when he thought that you had changed for the better, you became even more overbearing, as though you had already forgiven yourself and got carried away…

Yuuki-senpai’s rather enraged, you see?

Izumi: Um…? Look, I’m really sorry, ‘kay? I’m not really good at changing things like that so quickly, y’know?

I was just really happy that you listened, and didn’t reject me entirely… and got carried away, I guess?

I-I’m trying to watch myself, though!

On the flip side, what if I just started acting like a complete stranger?

Wouldn’t that have been even further from what you wanted from me?

Makoto: … I’m sure he’s willing to overlook it to a certain extent, and is grateful for everything you’ve done for him.

I believe what he wants to tell you is this: “I can only take so much, so get a handle on yourself please.”

Tsukasa: Yeah. And Suou-kun seems to have been pretty unhappy with you for a while now. You two are supposed to be close, but you’re always so harsh and cold to him, like a demon.

And just putting this out there, he wanted me to go over some things with him too, since you’re always so doting on me. Like, about how unfair it is and how it doesn’t make any sense.

Izumi: … What? I think I’m trying to be nice enough to him, though?

But it’d do no good if I spoiled him, and isn’t it better to be sweet with strangers and strict with friends, rather than the other way around?
 

 ← | →

 

Izumi: Hmm… got it. I’m not sold on this at all, but I get the picture.

“Switching bodies”, huh. Just how’d you end up in that mess?

Makoto: We brought ourselves here to explain exactly that. We weren’t expecting you to be here…

However, we figured that Ritsu-senpai might be able to assist in our predicament.

Ritsu: Who, me? Well, I am a vampire who lives in the underbelly of common knowledge, so I happen to know a thing a thing or two about strange phenomena ♪

I’ve been feeling pretty tired recently thanks to Knights’ increasingly elaborate projects too.

I’d love to help my cute little underclassmen… You’re probably free, Secchan, so you should help us if you can too.

Izumi: What do you mean, “probably free”? I’m trying to practice here, if you can’t tell!

Whatever. I don’t really care about Kasa-kun, but I’m pretty worried about Yuu-kun. Let’s clean up this mess quickly so you all can get out my hair, got it?

I doubt we’ll get anywhere if I just sit here complaining, anyway.

Let me get things straight, first. Um, you’re… Kasa-kun?

Makoto: Yes. I highly doubt there’s any need to check. I’m sure my elegant nature emanates from every last one of my actions, after all ♪

Izumi: Um, excuse me? If someone as dumb as Kasa-kun started acting all elegant, then I might’ve actually bought the whole switching bodies thing.

Tsukasa: …! To what ends will you not go to disrespe—

Makoto: How rude of you! I implore you to retract that statement, Sena-senpai! You have tarnished not just me, but the honor of the entire Suou family itself!

Don’t you think so too, Yuuki-senpai? He’s always so cruel… Could he regard me with any less respect?!

Tsukasa: Huh? Ah, I guess…?

… Y-You’re right! People wouldn’t misjudge you and hate you so much if you stopped being so cynical, Izumi-san!¹

Izumi: Hmph… Like I care about any of that. I already know how perfect I am, after all.

Makoto: Just where do you get so much confidence from…?

Izumi: Shut it, you. Getting back on topic, you’re… Yuu-kun?

Tsukasa: Yes! Uh, I mean, yep… I’m your beloved Yuu-kun! Feel free to dote on me all you like!

Izumi: Excuse me? I thought you hated it when I did stuff like that.

You’re so indecisive… it’s throwing me off, y’know?

Like, just what do you want from me? Just tell me already! You’re sooo annoying!

Ritsu: (Ah, Secchan’s getting pissed off…)

(“That” one’s acting is worse than I thought, so we should probably move on for now…)

You should calm down… I get the confusion, but nothing good comes out of fighting with the people you’re close to. We gotta get them out of this pickle first.

These guys seem to need our help, and I’m willing to lend them an ear…

For now, can you just shut up for a little? We don’t need your interjections right now.

Izumi: Yeah, yeah. Seems like this whole thing has nothing to do with me, so I’m free to leave now, right?’

Tsukasa: P-Please don’t leave yet, Izumi-san. We can’t have that. Without you, we can’t fulfill our agen—

Makoto: Hm, then allow me to explain the situation.

It all began this morning. Yuuki-senpai and I were resting together in the nap room—

Izumi: Stop right there! What the hell does that mean? Why were the two of you sleeping together?

You’re so mean, Yuu-kun! All you do with me is hate and avoid me like I’m some kind of insect!

Makoto: … I don’t believe he hates you, per say. It’s just that he finds the constant clinginess and skinship off putting.

Tsukasa: Well, it is pretty weird for two guys to be all close like that.

We couldn’t help it, though. All the other futons were full, see…

Makoto: That’s right. I originally opted for a different futon, but due to my twisting and turning, I awoke to find myself rolled up right next to him.

It was a complete accident. I had not intended for the situation to turn out the way it did.

Izumi: Hey, wait a sec. What even is this nap room, for starters?

We had one of those?

Like, obviously I know you can stay overnight for practice if you get permission, but I don’t remember there being any room where you could rent out a futon and use it there.

Ritsu: Ah, Anzu went through the process of actually setting one up just recently, see.

She managed to put together a new system for staying overnight after working it out with the student council.

This way, the student council can have an easier time keeping track of all the students staying over.

It seems Ecchan accepted the proposal with just a couple conditions.

So they remade one of the empty rooms into the nap room and opened it to the public after finishing the necessary preparations.

It costs a little to use, but nothing too much.

All the futons and stuff are regularly cleaned by part-timers, and it’s nice and quiet…

Plus, it’s fully prepped with AC and heating, so it’s easy to fall asleep there. I’m a regular myself.

Izumi: Hm… Anzu’s sure got her finger in a lot of pies. I thought she’d have her hands full with SS so close.

Well, whatever. I got the picture. So they implemented some new amenities, huh? That actually sounds pretty useful, personally.

And you… sure, you’re totally capable of falling asleep in some random field.

But I’m sure you’d prefer to sleep in a nice warm futon instead, right?

Ritsu: Yep. Anzu must’ve had the same idea, ‘cause she told me I could stay there the first few times for free.

She said she’d cover the cost for me.
 

She told me she’d rather do that than have me catch a cold from dozing off outside. I’m really grateful. “There is kindness to be found everywhere”, they say…♪

← | →
 

 

Ritsu ・ Tsukasa ・ Arashi ・ Izumi ・ Leo
─────────

 

 

 

Are you yearning for?
Please tell us!

 

In order to save the captive princess, we, her brave knights, 

Will face even dark magic and fire-breathing dragons.

 

Tsukasa・Arashi: No matter what it is that stands between us,

Izumi・Leo: Or what wounds we may suffer,

 

And swear our love to you,

Because we will escort you to even lands from fairytales.

 

From an evil witch,
Arashi・Izumi: Shall become a chance to bring you joy.

 

 

Will surely come true!

 

We brave knights will always watch over you.

And if you find yourself lost in the maze of a moonless night,

 

Arashi・Leo: As you wander,

Ritsu・Izumi: The bright stars will surely lead you

 

And at this sunlit scene,

We'll bring a smile to your face (La La Sing for you)

 

In those eyes of yours!

 

We can become brave knights for you. 

We'll open up the future with a blade called hope.

(If it's for your sake)

 

Ritsu・Leo: We'll promise to you,

Tsukasa・Arashi・Izumi: And keep our vow

That we'll protect you for for the rest of eternity

(Happy End Uh Uh Uh…)

 

We'll escort you even beyond your dreams.