Chapter 466: The Four Hundred and Sixty-Sixth Fox
Seeing Miya Atsumu staring blankly at that autograph book, Hinata, terrified that he would tear out another page, hurriedly snatched Unai's book back.
It wasn't for any other reason, but mainly because Unai's notebook wasn't very thick to begin with, it was already almost full. If any more pages were torn out, there really wouldn't be any space left for Atsumu's colorful signatures.
Moreover, he hadn't even designed his own autograph yet, so he hadn't signed it!
Hinata carefully put the notebook away, then patted his own backpack to make sure Miya Atsumu wouldn't take it.
Seeing that logo, Miya Atsumu narrowed his eyes: "Are there any sporting goods stores in Shibuya? I want to change my bag."
Hearing this, Hinata froze for a moment. "Huh? Why the sudden need for a new bag? Atsumu-ge's bag shouldn't be broken yet, right?"
It couldn't really be because of what Oikawa-senpai said, could it? Has Atsumu-ge become that childish!
Miya Atsumu said resentfully, "Don't ask."
He had his own reasons, after using that bag for so many years.. what was wrong with him wanting to change to a different color on a whim!
Hinata packed his bag and leaned forward to ask, "So we're going to Shibuya now? The reservation time for the dressing room that Imai-san provided is also coming up soon."
Miya Atsumu nodded. "Alright, let's go now."
Today is Halloween, so Shibuya will be very lively; at this time, the streets are likely already crowded with people.
The subway will likely be very crowded as well; they might not be able to board immediately and may have to wait in line for one or two trains.
However, because it was a professional cosplay studio, the costumes and props they would use were all rented directly. The two of them didn't need to bring anything, so naturally, they didn't need to go back to the hotel to get anything.
By the time the two arrived in Shibuya, it was nearly midnight, when they walked into the studio, it was crowded to the point of being packed.
Seeing the two of them walk in, the receptionist froze for a moment, unable to stop herself from stealing a few extra glances at Miya Atsumu.
After checking the reservation records, the staff member pointed the way for them, saying, "Mr. Miya and Mr. Hinata, over this way."
Despite the surroundings being filled with various monsters, ghosts, Halloween versions of anime characters, Miya Atsumu's excellent height and striking looks still caused people nearby to frequently turn their heads to look at the two of them.
Miya Atsumu didn't pay any mind to the gazes being cast upon them from the surroundings.
He had long been used to the feeling of being in the spotlight, he was quite confident in his own face.
It was just.. why did some of these gazes feel particularly strange?
In a corner of the studio, a mummy wrapped in bandages and wearing a dog head crouched beside a potted plant.
The dog-headed man let out a cry of despair, "How could they be here?! Maho—why did you book them here too?!"
The Egyptian Pharaoh, his skin painted black, turned his head and shrugged at the dog-headed man, "It can't be helped. All the other nearby studios and the makeup artists I know are already fully booked. This place is the largest, they happened to have a slot available."
The Pharaoh patted the dog head's shoulder. "Don't worry, you're wrapped up like this, they won't recognize you."
On the other side, Miya Atsumu and Hinata, who had already gone to the cloakroom, also received the outfits that Imai had pre-reserved for them.
Compared to the flashy and horror-themed outfits worn by the others outside, the clothes the two of them received were very simple, their bright white color made them stand out significantly in this environment.
Having changed into his clothes over his thermal underwear, Miya Atsumu looked himself over in the mirror. "Not bad looking."
Imai had chosen a very basic red Andon Hakama set for him, which was the most common attire for shrine maidens; the Shinto Priests at the Inari Shrine they had visited before were all basically in this same set.
The only difference was that he also received an extended-length haori printed with foxes and flames, as well as a battery-powered lantern.
Hmm, a pair of Red Fox ears.
Hinata's voice came from inside the changing room: "Atsumu-ge, help—how do I tie the waistband of these pants—"
Miya Atsumu, who had been admiring his own good looks, grabbed the props in his hand and walked toward the dressing room where Hinata was struggling with his pants; the red ties were clearly tied backward.
Miya Atsumu couldn't help but chuckle, reaching out to help Hinata take off the part that should have been worn last.
He patted Hinata to signal him to turn around, then reached out to help him tie the waistband of his trousers: "This Kariginu is indeed difficult to wear; let me put it on for you."
Although the costumes here were mostly modified and wouldn't be as troublesome to wear as traditional Kimono, they were indeed easy to put on incorrectly.
After fussing around for ten minutes, Miya Atsumu finally finished dressing Hinata in this outfit from head to toe. "There, all done."
The red Kariginu was very thick, the standing collar made Hinata's originally somewhat slender frame appear a bit more substantial.
Miya Atsumu weighed Hinata's oversized headband in his hands. "I gave you the wrong one, didn't I? Do you really want to wear these super big ears?"
After pressing his own Red Fox ears onto Hinata's head and looking him up and down, Miya Atsumu ultimately put those super large ears on Hinata.
Mm, this is indeed a bit cuter.
Miya Atsumu raised his hand to support his chin and said with a smile in his eyes, "Alright, let's go to the dressing room."
In the pitch-black makeup room, the two figures were incredibly conspicuous.
The makeup artist responsible for applying makeup to the two of them had eyes light up, quickly patted the chairs to signal for them to come and sit down. "Come, come, come, let's get started."
The makeup artist who was doing Miya Atsumu's makeup asked, "Do you have any ideas? Regarding the makeup and hairstyle?"
Recalling the look Hinata had praised him for earlier, Miya Atsumu gestured toward his own hair. "Anything goes for the makeup, but for the hair, can you do a side-parted slicked-back style? The kind that shows off the forehead."
"Sure." The makeup artist agreed readily.
Staring at Miya Atsumu's face for a while, she asked again, "Um.. if possible, after the makeup is finished, could I take a photo to use as part of my future portfolio? I can offer a discount on the makeup fee."
Miya Atsumu readily agreed.
But he immediately changed the subject: "But there's one condition, I want to take photos with him."
As he spoke, Miya Atsumu reached out and pointed at Hinata beside him.
Meanwhile, Hinata was struggling with the makeup artist.
You don't need to wear these ears while applying makeup.
This is a headband, to prevent cosmetics from getting on your hair.
Whoa, just pat the toner on gently, no need to use so much force—
Don't move! I'm putting contact lenses in for you!
Don't! Move!!
Listening to the sharp, piercing burst of laughter from the makeup artist in the next room, Miya Atsumu's makeup artist silently turned his head and laughed heartily where his colleague couldn't see.
After laughing, she gave Miya Atsumu a thumbs-up and flashed an "I get it" expression: "Sure, of course."
Miya Atsumu's base features were good enough, his facial features were very well-defined; as long as he wasn't intentionally being made to look ugly, it wouldn't be too difficult to make him look good no matter how he was painted.
The makeup artist also followed the requirements from the previous appointment, referencing the Fox Demon's setting to enhance the sense of something eerie, added a hand-painted red fox totem pattern to his face.
Subsequently, the highly skilled makeup artist also used a curling iron and hairspray to quickly create a temporary hairstyle for Miya Atsumu without ruining his original hairstyle, curling the hair that previously fell on the right side into an arc to reveal his forehead.
Once finished, the makeup artist admired Miya Atsumu's look with satisfaction, a pleased expression appearing on her face.
Handsome, so handsome.
On the other side, Hinata's makeup artist was also ordering Hinata to hold still like a statue while finishing his makeup.
Compared to Miya Atsumu, who looked quite eerie, Hinata's makeup was much more normal; it basically just covered a few minor imperfections and emphasized his facial features.
In short.. he looked very dignified.
Miya Atsumu, who had already stood up to straighten his clothes, stood to the side and stared at Hinata for a while.
Hinata, who didn't dare move and kept staring at the mirror, tilted his head, subconsciously wanting to touch his own face under Miya Atsumu's gaze.
It couldn't be that he looks ugly.. otherwise, why would Atsumu-ge keep staring at him?
Don't move.
Miya Atsumu reached out and grabbed his hand, then walked behind him, looking at Hinata in the mirror.
Looking at the face that appeared beside him, Hinata stared at the figure in the mirror, momentarily dazed.
Atsumu is very handsome, he knows it.
Many people liked Miya Atsumu's face, he was one of them.
But in his impression, Miya Atsumu was mostly in a rather unserious state, only appearing reliable and handsome for a small fraction of the time.
—In fact, most of what he saw were highlight reels edited by fans.
And at this moment, the quieted and well-dressed Miya Atsumu.. looked even better than before.
Hinata suddenly regretted not paying attention in his literature class.
Because all he could think of at this moment was "very beautiful," whereas if it were Natsume-senpai, he might have been able to praise him in a much more pleasant way.
Miya Atsumu didn't realize that Hinata was staring blankly at his face, but was instead thinking seriously about why he felt Hinata's makeup looked wrong.
Although looking at him this way, one truly couldn't find any faults; Hinata's facial features, which hadn't been fully defined before, appeared even more prominent and handsome after applying makeup. The makeup artist's fundamental skills were very solid, overall, there were no mistakes.
If one had to say.. it was that he himself felt something was wrong.
The clean makeup paired with the Shinto Priest's Kariginu on Hinata made him look like a member of the clergy.
As his gaze swept over the large ears headpiece lying on the table on the other side, Miya Atsumu froze for a moment.
Yes, if you had to say there was something wrong with it.. it was just too clean.
This kind of makeup might suit the Kita Team, but it doesn't quite suit Hinata.
They are Fox Demons, not some serious and holy Shinto Priests.
"Do you have red eyeliner?" Miya Atsumu reached out toward the makeup artist.
The makeup artist froze for a moment, then quickly nodded. "Yes, yes, yes."
People in this profession never lack colorful eyeliner pencils and mascara.
Taking that red eyeliner, Miya Atsumu walked around to Hinata's front, then slightly bent his knees and leaned forward, holding the pen close to Hinata.
The face that had only been visible in the mirror was now right before him, leaving Hinata momentarily dazed.
Those beautiful eyes, outlined with elongated eyeliner, kept drawing closer, in a daze, the scorching breath made Hinata feel as if Miya Atsumu wanted to kiss him.
—And so, he closed his eyes.
Miya Atsumu spoke up to stop him: "Don't close your eyes, keep them open and look at me."
Hinata opened his eyes blankly, immediately felt Miya Atsumu lift his chin with his left hand.