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“Well, you’re doing pretty well,” said Coco as she taught Oliver the art of makeup in Angel’s House’s waiting room and lounge.
Dressed in comfortable cotton trousers and a white shirt, she was showing Oliver the ropes.
“Now that the base cream is on, let’s move on to the next step,” she said, holding out a container with the words [Tone-up Cream] engraved on it.
“What’s that?” Oliver asked.
“It brightens and clarifies your skin. It makes a small difference, but the value of your skin is determined by its quality,” Coco explained.
“What about the one I just used?”
“That’s just the foundation. I’m teaching you because you asked me to. Are you going to keep asking questions or will you learn by doing?” Coco teased.
Oliver quickly apologized and took the cream jar as instructed, applying it to the woman in front of him.
She was an employee at Angel’s House who agreed to be Oliver’s training partner.
“Apply gently, gently. Haven’t you learned that women should be treated gently?”
“I’ve never heard that before,” Oliver replied sincerely, causing the women around him to giggle.
“Why is everyone looking this way?” he asked.
“Well, this is the staff lounge and waiting room, so there’s nowhere else to go. Plus, it’s quite entertaining to see a man seriously learning makeup while being scolded by a woman,” Coco explained with a playful grin.
The women around them giggled again.
Oliver continued to carefully apply the tone-up cream as Coco’s playful roar echoed through the room.
He couldn’t quite understand how he ended up in this situation.
When Jane requested Oliver to become her bodyguard, he agreed. However, he was taken aback when he was suddenly told that he needed to learn security etiquette.
“You need to learn etiquette before entering any place as a bodyguard. You represent the dignity and status of the employee. I’ll teach you quickly,” Coco told him.
Initially, Oliver didn’t want to do it, but then Coco made him a deal.
“If you learn this, it’ll be useful in the future. Let me know if there’s anything else you want. If I can give it to you, I will.”
Thinking it over, Oliver asked Coco to teach him makeup techniques, specifically camouflage makeup.
In the diary of Puppeteer Glyph, he had read that knowing camouflage makeup was crucial, and he wanted some hands-on experience.
To his surprise, Coco happily agreed, as she considered it her specialty.
As Oliver applied the tone-up cream, Coco praised him, saying,
“You’re talented. I may need a makeup technician here.”
But Oliver replied, “I want to learn camouflage, not just makeup.”
“Makeup and camouflage are the same. You’re deceiving the other person’s eyes.”
Oliver then asked what he should do next, and Coco instructed him to apply the cover, using a pencil and brush to accentuate the eyebrows, eyes, nose, and forehead.
She showed him how to shade the face with strong-colored powder to add vitality and naturalness, and how to define the eye lines.
Finally, Oliver finished the look by curling the eyebrows, applying mascara, and putting lipstick on the lips.
He felt like he was painting on a canvas.
As he finished, the woman in front of him asked,
“Have I become pretty now?”
Oliver remembered what Coco told him to say,
“Yes, you look pretty.”
The women around them giggled once again as Coco continued to teach Oliver the rest of the work.
“Well, that’s great.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s not just empty words. I taught you briefly, but I didn’t expect you to learn it so quickly. That’s impressive.”
Coco’s words were true. Despite only receiving a brief lesson on makeup art along with bodyguard etiquette, Oliver had surprisingly learned quickly.
This was enough to transform a corpse’s face into a human appearance.
“As promised, I’ll teach you taping techniques and how to make rubber masks later.”
Taping was a technique for pulling the skin of the face with tape to change the appearance, and a rubber mask was a customized mask made with special rubber.
This was a special makeup technique that negotiators and spies in the Sisterhood learned, so even a birth mother wouldn’t recognize them.
“Most women here don’t even know their own birth mothers,” Coco said with a mixture of black humor and self-help.
Oliver nodded contentedly. “Okay, I’ll come to learn later. Thanks for the great teaching.”
“No problem. It was actually fun for me because you learned better than I expected. By the way, I don’t want you to forget about security etiquette just because you learned makeup. Can you tell me what I taught you?”
“A bodyguard is not just a security guard, but also an accessory that enhances the dignity of an employer,”
Oliver recited the first thing he had learned. Contrary to Oliver’s knowledge, bodyguards at social events served to enhance their employer’s dignity, as well as provide security.
They were told to have a neat appearance, maintain close proximity to the target at all times, blend in with the employer and not stand out, and not be intimidated by anyone. After all, they represented the strength of their employer in the rough city.
“That’s why you said there are often times when bodyguards fight each other,”
“Fortunately, that’s not very common, unless you’re in a childish emotional fight. However, high-ranking individuals can sometimes act petty and childish in strange situations,” Coco explained.
“So you told me to be careful,” Oliver remembered.
“You remembered everything. That’s great. . . Shall we practice again as we did before? Consider me as the security target,” Coco suggested.
As instructed, Oliver took up his position behind Coco on her right side, keeping a moderate distance as taught.
Coco walked, and Oliver followed, staying quiet and maintaining the appropriate distance.
“When walking, keep a moderate pace so that the target of the guard doesn’t feel pressured,” Coco reminded him.
“I understand,”
“Don’t initiate conversation. Speak only when requested,”
“I understand,”
“When talking to your employer, use a whisper. Do you know how?” Coco asked.
Following the teachings, Oliver covered his mouth with one hand and placed the other behind his waist. He spoke briefly, succinctly, and accurately.
“I understand,”
Coco chuckled, satisfied with Oliver’s progress.
“Great,” said Coco. “Let’s get ready to go. There’s still some time, but there’s no harm in being prepared early.”
Oliver nodded and started to change out of his work clothes and into his new tailored suit.
Coco had purchased the custom-made suit from a store called “For the Gentleman” and, as she had mentioned, it was quite expensive.
The store specialized in bulletproof suits for wealthy Solvers or mercenary officers who deal with the city’s upper class by using special materials for the lining.
It was a sign that Oliver had finally reached that level.
“Excuse me,” Coco suddenly interjected. “Don’t change here, change in the dressing room.” She gestured to the room and continued, “Are you trying to show off your muscles?”
As the other women in the store watched, Oliver went into the dressing room.
After a few minutes, he emerged, dressed in a black suit from “For the Gentleman”.
Though the suit was plain, its color, gloss, and texture exuded luxury and made it the perfect security outfit.
The store clerks even praised Oliver’s appearance.
“Everyone, stop clapping,” Coco commanded. “Back to work. Dave, come with me.”
Oliver followed Coco and as they left the store, the female employees, now back in their working uniforms, greeted them with bright smiles.
“See you next time, Dave,” they said.
“You did a great job with your makeup,” one complimented.
“You’re so talented. If you’re looking for a job, come back here. I’ll put in a good word with Mama,” said another.
As Oliver accepted their compliments, Coco, who was walking with him, spoke.
“Our girls are all so kind, aren’t they?”
“Um
 Yes,”
“They’re so kind enough to tell such a lie.”
Coco’s words were true. All the employees working here were friendly and kind to Oliver, but behind the smile were sharp calculative emotions.
“But don’t hate them too much. These women have to sell their laughter and play tricks just to survive in this tough city without money or connections, and to be able to live like human beings.”
Coco spoke sincerely as if she herself was included in that group of women.
As Oliver settled into the same car as Coco, he asked,
“Is this for the same reason you’re helping Ms. Jane?”
“What do you mean?” Coco replied, taken aback.
“The reason behind your assistance to Ms. Jane,”
Coco paused to gather her thoughts.
“Yes, it’s for the same reason. If Jane succeeds, we will all benefit as well.”
She then explained that the Sisterhood, the organization they were both a part of, had changed over time as it grew in size and power.
It was no longer just a group of powerless women seeking survival, but had become more capitalistic.
“I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing,” Coco added.
“And why is Ms. Jane attending the auction?” Oliver asked.
“She’s trying to buy a gift to make a connection with one of the influential members of the Sisterhood,” Coco replied. “It’s said that this member has led a group of women to become one of Landa’s key capitalists, and those in her group have also gained benefits and influence. There’s been some internal strife within the group, and if Jane can make a connection, it would be a big help.”
“But wouldn’t it be more profitable to save the cost of hiring me and buy more things?” Oliver questioned.
“Landa is both the best and most violent city in the world, governed by the wealthy and powerful,” Coco explained. “The upper class often flaunts their power through not only their wealth and influence, but also through their bodyguards. At the auction house, there can sometimes be threats and intimidation. That’s why I hired Dave as a precaution, and I hired you because you’re the strongest and most reliable person I know.”
“I’m flattered,”
“You’d better change that attitude.”
“What?”
“I’m giving you advice because I know you’re helping us out of courtesy. In Landa, humility is not a virtue.”
“I didn’t mean to look humble, but I’ll take your advice.”
Coco changed the subject with a look on her face as if she was seeing a strange person.
“Anyway, if Jane makes contact with her, breadcrumbs will fall for those of us who are close to Jane, so we’re going to roll up our sleeves and help.”
“Is that all?”
Coco hesitated for a moment, looking pained.
“Oh, I hate it. In Landa, emotional stories like this can only be told until you’re 16. Ah, we’re here.”
As the car pulled up to the mansion, Oliver saw Jane waiting outside in a black dress.
“Oh, you’re here?” she said as they arrived.