I’m excited to announce that Yamato, Van, and I are officially engaged! We traveled on the weekend… and they proposed to me together this evening. I’m so incredibly lucky to have them, and they have supported me so much. Yamato, Van… I love you with my whole heart, and I hope I can make you two as happy as you’ve made me. 🥹🩷💚🧡
Legend has it that white foxes from all over the land gathered underneath a hackberry tree on New Year's Eve. There, they dressed in their most magnificent attire and travelled a path illuminated by foxfire to the sacred Oji shrine for their first visit of the year…
Even to this day, the legend lives on by donning fox masks in a procession from one shrine to the other. It is then that white foxes, summoned by the sound of flutes and drums, mingle with the disguised humans in their festivities and honour the pilgrimage of their ancestors.
Originally posted on December 31, 2025.
New Year’s Eve had brought about a biting cold as a reminder that Winter's reign had only just begun. Though the northern wind breathed its chill through a crack in the wood, I sat snug on the floor before Shonoshin, bundled in rabbit hides and bear fur, with my finest silk robes layered underneath. In the little forest shrine he had claimed as his home, the frozen ground and barren trees seemed like a distant dream, driven out of our thoughts by the dim, golden glow of the paper lanterns.
My face flushed in the warmth of the white fur stole on my shoulders, a sharp contrast to the cold, wet tip of the brush as it danced across my cheek. I’d been patiently kneeling there for some time now, and although a cushion eased the pressure, a numbness had settled in my legs. I slightly shifted my weight.
"Hold still. I'll mess up if you move around too much."
A warning flick of his white, bushy tail made me straighten my posture, although it proved to be challenging to hold still when I was overflowing with anticipation for New Year’s Eve. After all, Shonoshin had invited me to the mythical fox parade and, for the occasion, insisted on adorning me with red face markings. Though his absolute persistence had caught me off guard, I happily obliged when he wanted to introduce me to the rituals of the sacred foxes.
A tingling warmth spread from where his one knee rested against mine while his other knee served as an elbow support for his brush-wielding hand. I decided to focus on the curve of the bristle against my skin as Shonoshin traced an unknown pattern beneath my eyes. Though his repeated, rhythmic brush strokes were oddly soothing, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t also bursting with curiosity to see what I looked like.
When I slowly opened my eyes, Shonoshin was staring at me, brows furrowed in intense concentration, and only tore away his gaze to dip the brush in a bowl holding vermilion paint. In the flickering shadows cast by the lanterns, the rich and thick liquid almost resembled blood, but that grim thought vanished when Shonoshin leaned in towards me, so close that the heat of his palm warmed my face and the familiar, earthy scent of his skin almost made me lightheaded.
As his hand moved the brush across my forehead with the careful, fluid strokes of a calligrapher, I thought of his own red markings, which appeared on his cheeks and eyelids and only when he channeled his most powerful form. Why did he paint my forehead too, when I wasn’t even a spirit? Let alone a formidable one like Shonoshin who took on demonic foes far larger than him. I was just an ordinary human girl, who had dipped her toe in the spirit realm one too many times, and had her heart stolen by a mischievous fox spirit.
"I feel like you're having fun painting my face," I said, a bit flustered as he continued to draw the intricate little motif with an almost ceremonial kind of calm.
The corner of his mouth perked up slightly at my comment.
"It's not just for fun. Red paint scares off bad spirits. Don’t forget that we’re heading to a festival after the parade, and stuff like that might attract an ogre or two. I’ve seen some of ‘em get a little too comfy bothering humans who are lost in the rhythm of music and dance. It makes ‘em easier to spirit away.” Shonoshin wetted the tip of his brush and gave me a meaningful look. “Even girls like you, who are no strangers to us spirits."
A shiver ran down my spine at the thought of being spirited away to a dark ogre castle in the mountains. Just like the other villagers, I’d been spoon-fed cautionary tales by the elders about the ogre king that captured young women to feast on their flesh. But something about Shonoshin’s word choice bothered me a bit.
"I think I'm more than just ‘not a stranger’ to spirits, though,” I said after brooding on it while the paint dried. Shonoshin added some extra dabs of red, the bright pigment flickering in and out of my peripheral vision. “You’re a spirit too, Shonoshin. Don’t you think I’d be more resistant to spirit energy because I touch and kiss you?"
"K-ki...!"
As if struck by the deflective power of a talisman, Shonoshin pulled back his hand and grabbed his wrist with the other to steady the paintbrush that rocked precariously in his trembling hand.
"Don't say that so carelessly while I'm close to your face! I might get ideas, y’know...” He huffed and lowered the brush into the paint bowl. “But, no. It doesn't work like that. You gotta think of spirit energy as a pulse, and the pulse only gets stronger the more I use my powers around you. So if we hold hands… or kiss... that won’t make you feel more of it."
But being around him made me feel a lot of other things, like the fluttery light sensation within my chest as Shonoshin’s bashful gaze came to rest on mine. In the gleam of the lantern light, his eyes glowed softly like embers. I cast my eyes to the floor before the heat became unbearable, and I’d risk being consumed by their flames.
He lightly cleared his throat. “Well, I’m all done with you. The marks turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself! You’ll have to wear this, though… it’s tradition and all.”
Shonoshin produced a light swathed package and pushed it into my hands. Upon unfolding the fabric, I peered down into the golden eyes of a fox mask. It wore a fierce expression, and I smiled when I realised it wasn’t unlike Shonoshin’s own.
“It looks just like you”, I said softly. “Thank you so much for this. It’s beautiful, I can’t wait to wear it tonight.”
I admired the masterful craftsmanship from the intricately carved ears and vulpine snout to the vibrant red accents set starkly against the white. Gilded etchings gleamed along the wood as though infused with fox-fire magic. Two pink, woven silk cords dangled from either side of the mask, meant to be fastened behind my head.
"Hold on. Let me take one more good look at you before you put the mask on," Shonoshin murmured.
He tucked a loose strand of hair that had fallen from my updo behind my ear, just a slight caress towards my chin where his black-lacquered fingers came to rest. At the unexpected gentleness of his touch, I stopped tracing the crimson grin of the fox mask and looked up. Only to meet his blue eyes, so impossibly tender like the nemophilas that would sprout once Winter thawed into Spring again.
"You look real pretty like this.” Shonoshin spoke in a low, slightly hoarse voice that was almost like a purr, thick with affection. “Like you could rival the fox’ bride herself."
I blushed a deep shade of red at his compliment. To imagine myself as a bride… and, maybe, one day, as his bride… I let the thought trail off into a dream and pressed a hand against my chest. It did little to still the loud throbbing of my heart, and even less when I remembered that it was said that the bride of a white fox would be blessed with a prosperous marriage.
Well, I don’t need a legend to know that, I thought as I glanced at Shonoshin.
It was impossible to tell whether the flush on his cheeks was real or a trick of the light. However, none of that mattered the moment he leaned in to kiss me. As I dug my fingers in his white linen robes that enveloped me in their embrace, I could only melt into the warmth of his soft, smiling lips on mine.
“Painting the night” is the literal translation of peindre la nuit, which means to either create art during the night or to depict a nocturnal scene. I like that it’s a bit of a romantic twist on the expression “painting the town” which sums up the aftermath of the parade!
Since Masato stayed up late with me on my birthday, I decided to return the favor and get up early for his. Unlike him, I'm a night owl, so it wasn't easy, but it was 100% worth it. We watched the sunrise, and then prepared breakfast together. I also baked him a cake (I'll attach the images below a cut)! It was my first time preparing a layer cake, so I started simple. Hopefully, I can keep improving my decorating skills and eventually pull off something more elaborate.🙂↕️
I'm so happy I can spend another birthday with you, My Darling. Here's to many more!🥰💜💙
Every moon cycle, a princess is cursed to undergo a monstrous transformation. Many suitors who arrived to court her, instead fled through the castle gates at the sight of the fangs and claws she sprouts under the full moon. All but one kind-hearted prince who sees beyond her beastly form…
I want to compile some information and ramble a bit about one of my comfort yollie AUs which started with this vent art I made a while ago.
Even though his instincts were screaming at him to run, Syo was mesmerised when the enormous, yet strangely and dangerously beautiful pink creature reared above him. Her polished scales caught the candle lights in a glimmer that seemed almost iridescent and her wings were made up of layers of sheer membrane like the gossamer skirts of an expensive gown. From her head and down to her back ran a frill, either for decoration or another, unknown use, which also framed her rather small face for a dragon. Along with the elegant curve of her horns and the clear gem encrusted in her forehead, the frill seemed to resemble an extravagant headdress that would suit a princess.
Syo caught the flash of pain in her large emerald eyes which undoubtedly was the aftermath of the knife-like claws and fangs that had sprouted from her previously delicate human form. The dragoness whined and recoiled with a warning swipe of her serpentine tail.
"Ellie, wait!"
The heated chase through the palace halls happened in a daze. As she pushed her way through waves of armed guards as if they were mere toy soldiers, Syo continued to call out to her and run as fast as he could, willing himself to speed up despite his legs turning to jelly.
The hall came to an end, but to his horror, the dragon princess saw no other option than to hurl herself out of the window. She let the night air carry her to the highest window of the highest castle tower, leaving Syo behind breathless and blinded by the silvery gleam that rippled on her wings like a river in the moonlight.
Syo decides to prove his devotion by spending time with me as a dragoness until I turn back human (meanwhile the cycle repeats and we search for a way to break the curse). As a dragon, I'm basically an oversized lizard fish with a cuddly puppydog personality that slumbers a lot and enjoys basking in the hot springs at the foot of the castle.
After the initial drawing of dragoness and Syo in her nest, I wanted to give my dragoness a proper, detailed design. I wanted her to look soft and harmless yet graceful so I was inspired by betta fish with their frilly fins and soft scales which suits her affinity to being submerged in water :)
I have to admit that my dragon design came before my human design, which is when I realised that a medieval-themed setting would fit the dragon theme perfectly! Not only because of the medieval dragon lore, but also because of the 15th century fashion which is when gowns were long and flowy, often trailing across the ground in a train, and women wore horn-shaped headdresses (for this design I chose a henin).
This is perfect for a transforming princess who is desperate to hide her beastly features. I tried to reflect this in the design where the tail peeks out under the gown and looks indistinguishable from the skirt. The henin is decorated with pearls and gilded accents and large enough to hide real horns...
Syo's design is a bit messy because I needed to provide it fast for a commission,, I'm sorry Syo-kun, I couldn't properly draw your features ><
His design resembles the classic fairytale prince look more with some medieval elements like the doublet, cape, hat, belt, necklace (which also matches the dragoness' necklace/princess' belt) and overall colourful attire. His sleeves, pants and boots date from a bit later in history but I can't help myself, I love to see him wear those princely slashed sleeves :')
art on the right by shishilovesarts
It's an ongoing story I think about every now and then, and overall it's one of the AUs I put most thought into with the lore and designs, so I enjoy talking about it!
Pairing: yollie (self-ship) ft. Ringo Tsukimiya as our fabulous fairy godmother ✨
Word count: 5.2k
When our date is off to a bad start, Syo makes up for it with a makeover… and lots of kisses.
Originally posted on November 30, 2025.
Splash!
Time froze. For what felt like hours, but really happened in a matter of seconds, the Earth stopped turning and all motion came to a halt. I stared down my new white blouse, the one with the frilly collar I fell in love with at first sight, at the murky brown blotch that rapidly soaked the fabric, at the paper cup that rolled against my foot. The shocked expression of an assistant who mouthed profuse apologies appeared through a flash of hot tears. My head was swimming, my vision blurred. I mumbled an apology and ran in the opposite direction before anyone noticed the shame on my cheeks and the coffee staining my clothes, and connected the dots to the unfortunate event I'd been caught in.
In my blind search for a bathroom, I was soon lost in a maze of white hallways and buzzing lights. The kind of place a visitor definitely wasn’t supposed to be wandering in. I was about to try one of the identical looking doors when a hand touched my shoulder, causing me to flinch and fear for the worst.
“Oh dear. Are you alright?” Instead of a stern security guard, the voice belonged to a tall and elegant person with a fabulous bubblegum pink updo. He cocked his head inquisitively at me. I recognised him as Syo’s idol teacher. “We’ve met before, haven’t we? That's right, at the agency party!” He snapped his fingers as if the gesture brought back the memory of STARISH’s end-of-tour celebration party. “Then you must be here to see Syo-chan! Come along. He must be wrapping up his final shoot for the day.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you so much, Mr Tsukimiya. I think I got lost while looking for a bathroom.” As Ringo escorted me into a different hallway, I rubbed the tear traces from my eyes, almost wishing I’d sink into the floor for being caught crying in public. To make matters even worse, my outfit was ruined! I'd been looking forward to the fun afternoon Syo and I had planned for weeks, but now my excitement had turned to dread at the prospect of meeting him with a gross stain on my blouse. “Oh, um, before we go see Syo, I’d like to get this stain cleaned out first…”
“I fear a simple sink wash won’t do, my dear." Ringo threw back a pitying expression over his shoulder, though I couldn’t tell if it was directed at me or the garment. “It’s a shame for such a pretty thing, but I know just how to fix this!"
Before I could ask any more questions, Ringo stopped by a dressing room, rapped his knuckles on the door, and called in a sing-song voice: “Yui-chan, I brought you a special guest!”
He didn’t bother waiting for a response and entered. It was a spacious dressing room, not at all stuffy or cramped like I imagined it to be, with salmon loveseats put together in a comfortable nook and chairs at a little round table where models on standby could relax. A row of brightly lit makeup stations lined the wall right next to what I could only describe as a treasure trove of clothing racks that were stuffed with outfits taken straight from my wildest dreams. Embroidered cardigans in candy pastels and bubbly dresses shimmied up against floor-length, full tulle skirts and silk blouses with ribbon details. Each garment looked more exciting than the last in both colour and fabric.
“C'mon teach, I told you to wait until…! Wait, Ellie?”
Despite the size of the dressing room, there was only one occupant.
The golden mirror lights backlit her long blonde curls with an angelic glow which made it difficult for me to register the beautiful model dressed in a long, white tiered skirt and a black puff-sleeve sweater. Her outfit carried an elegant yet edgy femininity that contrasted starkly with the deep concern in her face. A look so familiar, it hit me like a lightning strike.
It was Syo.
Suddenly, I stood face-to-face with him, equally in awe of his appearance as I was mortified of what he was thinking of me for showing up in a dirty blouse and with red, puffy eyes.
“What’s wrong? What happened to you?” His head snapped from me to Ringo for an explanation, then back at me to inspect the stain. “Did someone spill this on you?”
“It seems that Ellie-chan had a little accident on her way here.” Ringo graciously offered when I struggled to explain my clumsy run-in with the staff member at the coffee dispenser without sounding like a bumbling idiot.
“I was in a hurry to meet you on time and then I bumped into someone…” I admitted and weakly gestured at the self-explanatory stain while feeling sheepish under Syo’s sympathetic gaze. “I think I better go find a bathroom to fix myself up before we go.”
“I must say.” Before I could back out with my tail between my legs, Ringo winked and fixed me on the spot with his hand on my shoulder. “Isn’t it convenient that we’re in a dressing room stocked to the gills with makeup and gorgeous garb? It also happens that Syo-chan has been practicing his makeup skills.” He let out a delighted squeal and clapped his hands together. “Oh yes, how perfect! It’ll be just like Cinderella’s magic transformation!”
While I perked up at the suggestion of a makeover at the hands of my boyfriend who had a knack for fashion styling, Syo flinched and crushed the flowing fabric of his skirt in his clenched fists as if Ringo had just spilled a very embarrassing secret. “Just because it’s for work!”
"Yes? A diligent young man such as yourself should put his talents to use!" Ringo chuckled, unfazed by the protests coming from his protégé. I couldn’t hide an amused smile at their banter, which seemed to be a regular occurrence for the two of them. Ringo turned to me in an almost conspiratorial tone, ignoring the fact that Syo could hear every word. "Syo-chan keeps refusing my offer to take him under my wing. Won't you put in a good word for me? It's a shame to let such a pretty face go to waste!"
“Oh, um.” Caught between Ringo’s transfixed blue eyes and pinching hand that coaxed me into saying yes and Syo’s double-take at the question I had been asked, I decided to take myself out of the equation. “I think he’s amazing at his modelling work, but his career is his choice, Mr Tsukimiya.”
I exchanged gazes with Syo who gave me a grateful smile in return before he turned towards Ringo again with a violent shake of his head that sent the curls of his wig bouncing. “I can’t believe you’re trying to drag Ellie into this, too!”
“Well, Ellie-chan certainly is diplomatic but she didn’t disagree.” Ringo gallantly admitted his loss, but the resolve in his tone told me that he didn't accept his defeat on the matter. “Now I’ve done my duty, I’ll be on my way. You kids be good, okay? Also, Syo-chan, you’d better send me a picture of the makeover!”
“Got it, teacher,” Syo replied with a half-hearted grimace, while I wondered how old Ringo really was for referring to us, who were very much adults in our mid-twenties, as ‘kids’.
“Well then, toodle-oo!” In a sudden whirlwind of pink-and-yellow motion, Ringo gathered his purse and click-clacked his heels out of the room.
When the door clicked shut, it was just the two of us. Syo leaned back against the table, hands tucked in his skirt pockets, and grumbled to himself. I wondered if he hadn't expected me to catch him dressed as Miss Yui, and if that was what caused the slightly rattled energy sparking from him.
“You look really pretty,” I said to put him at ease. “What kind of photoshoot was it for?”
“Thanks, I guess.” A wry smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as if he doubted the sincerity behind my compliment. His reaction confused me. I didn’t mean to come across like I was mocking him for being dressed up as a girl. It must’ve shown on my face since his expression softened. “I see, you were being honest, huh. We went outside with the whole crew to take photos for a brand deal. Pretending to apply the products, posing at the storefront, some close-ups of the look, that kind of stuff. It’s for a trending cosmetics brand that’s supposed to keep your lips and skin hydrated, even in cold weather. I think you’d like it since it has a soft and natural vibe.”
As Syo talked more about his modelling work, his temper mellowed down again and his gestures grew more animated in his usual expressive conversation style.
My eyes wandered from the fashionable clips in his long blonde wig to the dabs of pink that accented his naturally soft cheeks and lips, to the smart silhouette of his outfit. Its high waist and flared skirt gave the illusion of an hourglass shape, and even the sleeves were purposefully loose to hide the muscular definition of his arms. It amazed me how the right set of clothes masked his manly physique so flawlessly. It was impossible to deny that Syo had always been especially beautiful for a man but, by decking him out from head to toe in a flattering coordination, Shining’s team of stylists had turned him into a dream. No wonder that his alter-ego Yui Kosoba had become the most in-demand model in a matter of weeks.
Syo let out an awkward little cough. “If you keep staring at me like that... I’ll get embarrassed, you know.”
“Sorry! I didn’t mean to, I-I was just lost in thought for a moment!” I frantically waved my hands, as if it would help clear the distracting thoughts in my head.
“It’s fine… I know you can be a bit of an airhead.” He teased, and I couldn’t claim he was wrong. “Alright! You heard what the teacher said. I’ll be your MUA for today, giving you the best service in the house!”
Syo announced proudly and patted himself on the chest. "Just take a seat right there."
“Okay! I’m looking forward to working with you, Mr Kurusu,” I playfully replied in my role of rookie who was on the brink of discovering the idol superstar treatment that he experienced every single day. I was thrilled that he'd be the one giving it to me, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't also overflowing with curiosity about the "makeup skills" Ringo mentioned he'd been practicing. When Syo appeared beside me in the mirror, I noted how his makeup shimmered beautifully in the vanity lights and wondered if it had been the work of his own hand.
"Miss Ellie. Please close your eyes and sit back." Syo spoke in a pitched voice and mimicked the polite little head bows of a staff member, which made me giggle a bit. “I'll show you my magic.”
My stomach fluttered at the sound of those promising words in his usual, lower register. I closed my eyes and focused on my other senses as they absorbed the satisfying rustle of plastic containers and clicking of lids while Syo busied himself at the makeup station.
“Okay, this might be a bit cold.”
I was grateful for the warning when two cool and moist cotton pads landed on my cheeks. Syo began removing my remaining makeup with oh so gentle strokes, I almost wished he never stopped.
Syo proceeded to carefully execute each step of the makeover process. First, brushing my hair out of my face, then pinpointing my natural skin colour and choosing the most suitable foundation shade. I almost drifted off to sleep under the soothing sensation of his fingertips touching up my face, though I had fairly high suspicions that Syo was giving me a spa-like treatment on purpose and that having your makeup done by a professional wasn’t half as relaxing.
“Mm, looking good, looking good!” Syo nodded while appraising his work on my face. I hoped the foundation concealed the upcoming flush on my cheeks well enough. “Tell me if I’m about to skip a step but I think it’s time for eyeshadow.” He dabbed a makeup brush in the container that held a shimmery peach eye shadow. “Eyes closed.”
My heartbeat picked up in speed when I sensed the warmth of his face near mine. His breath slowly fanned across my cheek as the brush danced across my eyelids. I stole a glance at him through the cracks of my eyelashes. A concentrated frown cleaved through his forehead. Every drop of his focus seemed to be poured into brushing the eyeshadow evenly across my eyelids as if he were painting the fine details of a masterpiece.
Until all of a sudden something other than the brush, something soft and silken, tickled my face, which broke his concentration. Syo grunted and tucked a loose strand of long synthetic blonde hair behind his ear. “This stupid wig keeps getting in the way.”
“It’s so pretty and curly, though. Just like princess hair.” I smiled as I daydreamed about fair maidens in glittering ball gowns who waltzed the night away in the arms of a gallant prince with a fluttering cape.
“You’re the princess. Not me, you hear!” Syo scolded and ran the ticklish bristles of a clean makeup brush across my nose until I burst into a fit of giggles.
Even though Syo had always embodied the role of the heroic fairytale prince in my fantasies, I had to admit that he resembled a princess far more at that moment, with his long skirt and pouty expression framed by those luscious golden curls. I already heard the protests he’d loudly voice at that, so I wisely decided to keep the thought to myself and savour this role-reversal reverie in secret.
“Look at me.”
I blinked slowly against the light before my eyes widened at the closeness of his face to mine. So close, that the glitter pencil on his lash line showed in perfect detail. Syo didn’t notice, or pretended not to notice, the soft gasp I failed to stifle when he tilted my chin upwards to observe me.
“Heh, as I thought, warm colours suit you most.” Despite how loudly my heart was pounding in my ears, I heard the soft timbre of his voice all too clearly. “It’s... pretty.”
When his gentle blue eyes finally rested on mine, a sudden yet overwhelming desire to kiss him grabbed hold of me.
For a moment, my lips touched his: soft, smooth, and slightly sticky with makeup. Even though I had memorised the perfect imprint of his mouth on mine and learnt the sweet shape of his lips by heart, the sensation of this kiss was unlike any other kiss I’d shared with him before. A surprised noise was caught in his throat, followed by the sharp clatter of the makeup brush on the floor, and I pulled away as the sound woke me from a dream. I relived our lipstick kiss in wonder... longing for more of his impossibly plush and balmy lips on mine.
“Geez! What's gotten into you? That was way too sudden!” Syo shrieked and smoothed out his skirt with quick, fluttery little movements that bought him time to recollect himself.
I stuttered out an apology, red-cheeked and ashamed by my own brazenness, and wondered if the girly get-up had ruined the kiss for him, or if my impulsive action had crossed a boundary with him. Despite the guilt tightening my stomach into a knot, I waited for his hands to slow down on his knees.
“I- Sorry, that was harsh. I gotta admit I'm not used to doing this while… dressed like this.” He sighed, hanging his head in defeat. “I should be the one apologising to you. It’s not your fault. It’s just me feeling a bit… self-conscious, I guess.”
My embarrassment ebbed away as the honest weight of his feelings dawned on me. How could a man as beloved and capable as Syo Kurusu ever have any reason to feel self-conscious? A man who never failed to capture the crowd’s hearts with his charm, who ruled the stage with his boundless energy in his song and dance performances? Even though that was my perspective, I understood his, too. Syo had expressed his resentment about his cute and delicate looks before, so when I walked into him while still dressed as Yui Kosoba... it must've made him feel a bit overwhelmed, especially when I decided to kiss him without warning.
Now it was my turn to shyly look at the floor. No. I forced myself to keep my gaze straight and resisted the fluttery sensation in my stomach that urged me to blush and look down. “It’s true that Yui is very different from the Syo I know but... she’s also you, so I think I might've fallen in love with her a bit, too.”
Though his brows furrowed a bit with disbelief at first, the smile that twitched at the corner of his mouth softened his expression. At that moment, I wondered whether the pink hue on his cheeks was remnant makeup, or a very real, emerging blush.
“I don’t really get the appeal, but you like to see me all dressed up as Yui, huh? Guess I have no choice but to remind you that I’m still your boyfriend.”
“You don’t need to remind me,” I said softly. “It doesn’t matter what you’re wearing. You’re my boyfriend, Syo. You always take care of me and listen to how I feel, and every time we’re together, I never want it to end… Even when you look really pretty as Yui, that doesn’t change the fact that I think you’re so incredibly cool for doing this, I sometimes can’t believe you’re my boyfriend.”
I finished my sentence out of breath, as if I’d just raced a few laps around the building. Never once did I doubt his identity: Syo was Syo, regardless of the clothes and makeup on his body. Even the way he carried himself was so undeniably masculine, I could never think of him as anything but that. There was no day that the mere sight of him didn’t set butterflies loose in my stomach. Right now was no exception.
“Thanks, Ellie.” Syo spoke quietly, maybe a little surprised by the honest words that poured from my mouth, though his voice carried a warmth that soothed my racing heart. His hand came up to rest on the top of my head, where it gently stroked my hair. “Heh. You’re a bit careless, but that made me really, very happy to hear. As your boyfriend, I’ll keep doing my best for you… I guess by finishing your makeup first, and then, I know what I’ll do to cheer you up.” Syo raised his hand into a determined fist. “Let’s go on a date!”
To say I was surprised by this confident declaration, was an understatement. “You want to go on a date with me in public? You’re really okay with that?”
The taboo of being caught in a relationship was imprinted on every idol in Shining Agency, so much so that members famously spoke of a “no love-rule”. Thankfully, the president didn’t enforce a strict dating ban, but rather spread a deep-seated awareness among the Shining idols that one public slip, one loose tongue, one tabloid picture, could send their dreams crashing down. We understood the consequences of a scandal as they had been made very clear to us the day Syo introduced me to Shining Saotome as his girlfriend.
“I mean… Y’know, girl’s clothes are a disguise like any other,” Syo said with a shrug. “I don't like admitting it, but it's true that as Yui, people would just think we’re friends. You can pick some clothes from the stock, too, as long as we bring everything back”
“Still… isn’t it a little risky?” I wondered out loud but as my thoughts raced with endless possibilities, the more my heart fluttered with excitement. After all, it would be the perfect disguise for strolling around the city together, browsing boutiques and sharing milky lattes with cake.
“That just means we’ll have to be really sneaky about it, then.” Syo flashed me a boyish grin, and I fell head over heels for him once more.
After that, Syo seemed to be filled with renewed energy as he continued to do my makeup. Eyeliner, followed by mascara, and just a hint of blush while joking that he wouldn't overdo it because my natural blush was already more than enough.
At last, he motioned for me to follow him for the final step of the makeover. With a dramatic flourish, he pulled out a clothing rack that burst from the seams with fashionable clothes. I hesitated at first but at his eager nod of approval, I ran my hand through the sensory feast of fabrics and textures that ranged from the softest cottons to wooly fluffs and sheer chiffons.
“All of these are so lovely,” I sighed, but the inner part of me that indulged in fashion was singing the highest praises for the stylist who had assembled all of these beautiful garments.
“Well, that’s Yui’s closet for you. I guess it's a good thing we wear pretty much the same size,” Syo casually remarked.
It clicked that all of these outfits had been modelled by him for the fashion magazine he worked for, which filled me with even more excitement for the newest issue that would feature the striking poses and bold fashion choices Yui Kosoba was renowned for.
“Hey, how about this? I think you’ll like it. It has a cute design with the frilly collar and sleeves.”
Syo parted the hangers and pulled out a pink knee-length dress. Its soft cotton and fitted bodice contrasted against the stark white volume of the blouse sleeves and the frilled collar fastened with a simple button. Instead of resulting in a mismatch, the different fabrics highlighted the playful and girly appeal of the dress. I was both enamored with the piece and flattered that Syo would pick this out just for me.
“Oh, it’s beautiful…! Are you sure I can really wear this?” I waltzed with the clothing hanger in front of my body, admiring how the skirt flared with every movement.
Syo leaned back against the vanity and observed me with a doting smile. “Yeah, so hurry and try it on. I wanna see how you look in it, too.”
Once I zipped-and-buttoned up the dress, I stepped out from behind the dressing curtain. “What do you think?”
I was too caught up in brushing along the soft fabric of the skirt, it took me a moment to realise that Syo was staring at me, wide-eyed and silent. When I thought I couldn’t take the intensity of his gaze any longer and was about to run back into the curtains, he suddenly broke out of his spell and stammered.
"Wow. You look… really pretty. I mean, stunning, actually." His gaze lingered on the open window design of the collar that revealed a peek at my collarbones, before darting up to my face again, as if caught in a guilty act. "Hold on… Yeah, I knew I forgot something."
Before I could muster anything beyond a bashful smile in response to his compliments, Syo already darted off to retrieve an elegantly branded tube from his bag.
“It’s a tinted lip balm, but it’s supposed to be good for keeping your lips moisturized.” He undid the lid and rotated the stick to show me a natural rosy shade. “Actually, it’s a sample item I got from the shoot today. Since the staff told me I could keep it, I thought that maybe you'd want it.”
“That’s really thoughtful of you,” I began, until the meaning of ‘sample item’ sank in. “Wait, if it’s a sample item, then that means you…?”
Syo frowned for a moment, and then burst out laughing when he realised the reason for my sudden change of heart. “What, just because I used it for the shoot, you suddenly don’t want it anymore?”
“No, it’s not you - you know what I mean!” I sputtered lamely.
His teasing made my face grow so hot I worried that my makeup would melt off. I had to admit it sounded ridiculous when he phrased it like that. There was no reason for me to react so strongly when I happily tasted drinks from his cups and ate from his fork when he offered a bite. Even so, the thought that the lipstick I was going to wear had also been on his lips was more than just a little bit flustering.
“Dummy!” Syo cut through my racing thoughts though his voice brimmed with affection. “You were acting so bold earlier and now you're all shy? Isn’t sharing lipstick just like… an indirect kiss?”
Cradling the side of my face in his steady hand, Syo angled the lipstick towards my mouth. I could tell that the stick had lost some of its sharp edge and logo imprint from being rubbed against his lips. My heart raced knowing that it would be on mine too. I held my breath when he applied the lipstick on my lower lip, first slowly and deliberately outlining my lips before filling in towards the center.
“There we go,” he said softly. “It suits you. You look very pretty.”
Syo gazed at me so sweetly, I caught myself hypnotised by the beautiful blue of his eyes. His manicured fingers ran from my jaw to the side of my neck, leaving delightful tingles in the wake of his touch.
Under his deep gaze, the one brimming with tenderness, my heart thrummed like a haywire metronome. Even though he was made up to look like the beautiful Miss Yui, under all that glamour, all I could see was the man I loved. In the strength of his shoulders, in his smile that never quite lost its boyish quality, and in the resolve in his round blue eyes as they looked so intently at my lips.
The strands of his wig tickled my face when he leaned in to kiss me, carefully, almost probingly so. As if trying to make up for the way he had frozen up when I kissed him earlier, even if the sensation was just as new and flustering for him as it was for me. As two fresh coats of lipstick melted together on our lips, I caught myself melting just as much into our kiss.
What followed was a string of pillowy kisses, one after the other, each needier and deeper than the last, until I tasted the sweetness on his tongue. I vaguely noted how the plush effect of his lipstick seemed to cushion the intensity of his kisses and, when I pressed my lips against the soft and addictive embrace of his, a little vulnerable noise escaped my throat. It turned into a hitch when his lips squeezed my lower lip one last time before gliding away with a glossy pop.
My body tingled with a post-makeout glow and gave a slight tremor of delight that might’ve made me buckle over if it weren’t for his arms wrapped tight around my waist. Skirt against skirt. Pink against white. I fumbled with the frilly trim on his waistband and let my senses ground me into the dressing room, until I couldn’t contain the affection in my heart any longer.
I crashed into him for a hug and rested my chin on his shoulder. “Thank you so, so much. For everything. For giving me a makeover, for going these lengths to cheer me up. You have no idea how much this means to me.”
“You make it sound like it’s a chore to spend time with you, silly. I was having fun too, y’know.” Syo let out a soft chuckle that brushed against my ear and carded his fingers through my hair. “It’s worthwhile when I get to see you shine just like a princess. Don’t get me wrong, though. It’s not just because of the pretty clothes or the makeup. It’s ‘cause you look all radiant when you’re happy. When you walked in here earlier, I felt so bad because you looked like you were about to cry… and your smile is something I wanna protect forever.”
Syo leaned back just enough to notice how tears had started to form in my eyes. “Hey, don’t start crying now, Ellie… I’m gonna have to start from scratch ‘cause the makeup isn't waterproof.”
His gaze lingered on me ever so tenderly as he brushed his hand along the side of my face and carefully thumbed the corner of my eye before a stray tear could spill. His words made my heart swell with so much unbridled emotion, I could barely keep it all in. Syo really was too precious, and I was just so incredibly lucky to be his.
“You’re right, I’m sorry.” I giggled, blinking away the moisture from my eyes before softening my gaze. “I guess I should thank Mr Tsukimiya too, for devising this whole makeover like a real fairy godmother. I do feel like Cinderella after her transformation for the royal ball.”
“Yeah, with that difference that the spell definitely won’t break for us. Y’know, he might seem like the frivolous kind of guy, but I think he couldn’t bear seeing you show up to our date in tears, either.” Syo smiled and reached his free hand towards mine to give it a little squeeze. “It may not be a royal ball but… will you let me escort you on our date, my princess?”
“Yes, my prince!”
His face lit up with a beaming smile at the earnestness of my response, although I couldn’t hide my fluster about his princely act. It had always been my weakness, which Syo knew all too well. I silently thanked the power of concealer for hiding the blush on my cheeks. In the warmth of our clasped hands, the jittery feeling seemed to disperse and drown in an overflowing sense of deep fondness. With my hand clasped between his black-polished fingertips, Syo pulled me along towards the door. Behind it, without a doubt, a date that could rival a fairytale's happy ending would be waiting.
I'll start off by saying I'm probably not doing this Tumblr thing right haha
I just finished reading Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries, and why does this book have all my favourite tropes in it?! Wendell Bambleby the man- I mean fae that you are...
I've been itching to write an yearning/angsty drabble in an AU where Syo is a dressmaker who makes my wedding dress,, knowing that I'm arranged to marry another 🥹 No worries, as always, the story will have a good ending where we elope together <3
I haven't drawn anything for Christmas since 2022, so I'm really happy I managed to finish these! Hopefully next year, I can draw the more detailed pieces I originally had in mind if I plan ahead of time better. Haha. Whether you celebrate or not, I hope you all had a good day!☺️
This year, my lifelong dream of seeing The Nutcracker ballet live finally came true!
Everything was absolutely beautiful and elegant, from the sparkling decors to the costumes and the dancers' skill and emotion in bringing the story to life. I was also quite happy that it was the "romantic" version where the dancers for Clara and the Prince also danced the parts of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Chevalier..
My absolute dream is to have our first dance to the Waltz of the Flowers... and then have my prince whisk me away to a kingdom of sweets where the courtiers are dressed in pink velvet jackets and tulle skirts 💭
I couldn't wish for a more memorable Christmas when I also received this commission from reishichi_ on Christmas Day 🥹
ough my tumblr is so dead and I forgot how to use it after so long....
I'm worried about the direction twitter is going in with the new a/i/ updates but I don't really know how to yume on tumblr (which is funny because here is where I began to yume years ago) :')
after scrolling down a bit I think a fresh start could be good!
I'm not used to website customization anymore but I can give it a try, I just can't promise I'll stick around because I always end up going back to the places I know haha
ough my tumblr is so dead and I forgot how to use it after so long....
I'm worried about the direction twitter is going in with the new a/i/ updates but I don't really know how to yume on tumblr (which is funny because here is where I began to yume years ago) :')
