"Look, this is an eyeliner. You apply it like this, then like this, and then like this. Now take a look at yourself—aren't you so much prettier than before?"
Nico held the eyeliner between his fingers, smiling as he placed the mirror in front of the girl so she could inspect the new makeup on her face.
They were in Second Officer Nico's room. Although the room wasn't large, it was decorated very cozily, with the walls specially painted a Granny Smith apple green.
"Wow, really! I do look so much prettier," Grace said in surprise.
"Right? A woman has to learn how to do her makeup. It's a pursuit of beauty and a sign of confidence. When you go out with makeup on, you feel this positive energy inside you. That's my secret to staying young at heart, even at forty-nine."
Nico retrieved the mirror and looked at himself, sitting sideways with his chest puffed out, pursing his bright lips as he checked the pearl earrings on his ears.
