Shou chose the ability to "complete makeup in an instant" and arrived on the desert island.

Up until now, it had been a useless oddity, but going forward, if they could stock up on cosmetics using their crafting abilities, it would likely become a huge asset for the women of the group.

That said, even with only moisturizing milk and lotion available right now, the women's enthusiasm was intense.

"Hehe~ Being popular is great! But I suppose it's no help to Kunino."

"Hey, as long as it helps my companions, that's more than enough."

"Wah, you're so sweet... Wanna see my underwear again?"

"Shou-san!"

"Lumi-chan is scary~"

Hearing the scolding tone in Miss Luminous's voice, Shou shuddered for dramatic effect.

"Sōsuke is a good guy, but he's really perverted too, so you need to be careful."

"Oh? Is Yōko feeling jealous?"

"…………"

Yōko glared at Shou, her face flushed red.

"I'm sorry. But if I become part of the group too, that might happen eventually, right? How do you feel about that?"

"...Well, as long as both sides are okay with it, I won't stop it. But if we start saying things like that, then Shī-chan and me would be off-limits too."

"Mm. As the overwhelmingly winning heroine with a childhood friend as her main partner, I'll graciously lend out our Sou-kun and make peace."

Chiyu nodded magnanimously.

"Whew, Chiyu-chan is so generous! You're right, it would be a catastrophe if we started fighting over Isono here. Sharing Yuri-o-buken among ourselves? Chiyu-chan is really smart."

Since they had been standing and talking for a while, they decided to return to their base of operations once more and remounted their phantoms.

"Isono~. About what I asked earlier, but how do you actually make cosmetics?"

"I looked into it, and basically, the stuff applied to your face isn't all that different. It's just a matter of the dosage ratios; otherwise, they mix in pigments and other things that seem good for the skin."

"No way. So if we just have the pigment, we could make it?"

"Since we already have the moisture and oil components covered, yeah, I guess so. But that's where it gets difficult."

"Is that so?"

"The pigments used in cosmetics tend to be minerals..."

"Huh? So we've just been smearing rocks on our faces all this time?"

Kamibeyi’s blunt phrasing made me burst into a soft laugh.

"If you put it crudely, yes, that's exactly what happens."

It means grinding minerals into powder and utilizing their color.

"We see stones on this island too, but are there no mineral deposits?"

Professor Luminas asked.

「In the case of trees, as our recognition deepened, we eventually got a handle on what specific kinds they were... but in the case of stones, they just stay as "stone material."」

"Since 'Mine' was one of the two options before, I'm starting to think it might just be that there aren't any mines placed on this island."

Shiin narrated his deduction.

I felt the same way.

"Probably so."

"Oh, I remember! Wasn't it day two? A question like 'Mine or Water Source'?"

Moe recalled.

"Whoa, you actually remembered that well, Moe. I completely forgot about it."

"I see... Given that the vegetation and climate are also strange, it seems the environment itself was prepared and adjusted by someone. That explains the convenience, as well as the distortions caused by it..."

Professor Luminas looked as if he were deeply analyzing the situation.

"So does that mean cosmetics are on hold until we get our hands on some ore?"

"There is a way to extract pigments from plants, technically speaking."

"Huuu~! Why isn't that allowed?"

"It's not that it's forbidden, but I've heard the color development is poor."

"Like the colors are thin? Wait, but just being able to do makeup on a desert island is already too perfect, so isn't it totally fine either way?"

That was a fair point.

It's better to have something usable than nothing at all.

It seems to be the same with cosmetics.

"If that's the case, I'll give it a shot."

Having said that, I noticed the gazes of the other girls besides Shoube.

"—Of course, once we get back to base, I intend to hear everyone's wishes too."

It felt as though the girls' expressions had relaxed a bit.

Shoube, who apparently noticed the same look in my eyes, smiled playfully.

"I feel sorry for everyone's boyfriends, huh? Obviously, I'm fine being last in line. Collecting pigments? I'll really give it my all. The whole thing of looking for and grabbing plants with colors I like?"

"For now, that seems to be the plan."

Sorting them out would just require relying on the 'Craft' ability and deep knowledge of Shinho.

"By the way, Kuno, why are you so knowledgeable about this? Are you a cosmetics whiz?"

"I don't know if that title even exists... but it's not me who knows more; it's Shinho."

"Shinho? I didn't expect much since she looks so natural at school, but she's surprisingly well-versed in it."

I actually did some research on it in the bonus area, stopping by a cosmetics shop and a bookstore, but explaining the details now would get too complicated, so I'll table that for later.

Once we get back to base, you'll be shocked to see the home appliances there, so we can cover it then.

"Mimirin is amazing. Not only does she have incredible knowledge and keeps studying even on a desert island, but her magic is powerful too."

"She helps with material gathering for Sounosuke-kun as well. She's a true all-rounder."

Megumi boasted about her friend while Shiine spoke with a hint of envy; both were praising Fukaho in their own way.

"Wow, that's intense. Megumi has amazing Mofu-Mofu abilities and seems pretty high-level... Do you think I'll fit in?"

"...I get that feeling. I struggled with it at first, too."

"Shiyo-chan is now the head chef. She can make anything from bread to ramen."

"Really? I really want some right now. ...By the way, what about Chi-i-cha?"

"I can heal wounds and such."

"That's super amazing! And, um, Sensei handles our trade negotiations while also using magic, right? Yorina was talking about barriers earlier..."

"Master Yorina's barrier functions as a shield that repels enemies in combat, in addition to base defense.

It is an incredibly useful power," Roa explained.

Incidentally, everyone had disclosed their abilities to Shoubu, but this was largely because Shiine had used her ability to confirm that she had no hidden motives and was completely transparent.

Independent of Sumu's scheming, Shōbu simply wanted to be part of Ayako's group.

There was also the strategic consideration that by revealing our abilities as a sign of trust, we might coax Shōbu into sharing information about the ability users on the Sumu team.

Though at this point, it’s likely only Shion and I are thinking along those lines.

"Eh, aren't you strong? Like, in an elite maid sort of way?"

It seems she had already explained at the Sumu base that she wore a maid outfit simply because she loved them.

Fair enough; otherwise, everyone would probably be wondering exactly why.

"I’m striving to make the day come when I can live up to such a title."

"Right, and you’re the leader who can craft anything. ...Hmmm, so it’s just me without an ability that can help Takano."

As she had been saying all along...

The fact that while every other member possessed a skill or ability useful to the entire team, she felt her contribution was limited only to assisting the women, is clearly weighing heavily on her mind.

"Like I said before, don't worry about it. If you do your best with what you have and are grateful for what your companions do for you, that's more than enough."

"...I see. So this is how everyone ended up being persuaded by Takano in the end."

It was hard to tell for certain, but I might have seen the faintest hint of a blush on Sadabe's cheeks.

"Right, right. Sōsuke is just naturally gentle. It's so easy to be kind to him."

"Mm-hmm. And since there's no pretense in it, it makes me really happy."

"He has desires, sure, but his kind heart stands above them all. He possesses the most trustworthy of natures."

"Mm. That boy, I raised him myself."

Motoshi, Shiin, Roa, and Chiyu said this with beaming smiles.

"...I think Mr. Kuno is quite remarkable, as well," the sensei said.

She seemed to have a bone to pick about him being involved with multiple people simultaneously in her capacity as a teacher, but even so, she adhered to a style of praising what deserves praise, despite her complicated expression.

"..."

I was subjected to such an onslaught of praise that I lost my words entirely, overcome by embarrassment.

Unable to face everyone's expressions, I kept staring straight ahead, only to notice Kururyū Mīkuron nodding repeatedly in a "I get it—really, I do" sort of way.

"A-ah, we're almost there...!"

I fumbled over my words.

Choosing to act as if I hadn't noticed the stiflingly warm atmosphere drifting from behind me, I continued to stare straight ahead.

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Sōbu chose the ability to complete makeup in an instant and came to the desert island.

Until now, it had been a useless skill, but in the future, if cosmetic products can be gathered using the ‘Crafting Ability’, it will become a great ally for the women.

In fact, even with just lotion and toner available, the women were very enthusiastic about it.

“Yay, it’s great being popular. But it’s not much help to Koino.”

“No, if it helps the others, that’s enough.”

“Wow, you’re so nice. …Want to see my underwear again?” “Sōbu-san!” “Rumi-chan, you’re so scary!”

Sōbu pretended to tremble at the reprimanding voice of Lumina-sensei.

“Kōsuke is a good guy, but he’s also very perverted, so you should be careful.”

“Huh, are you jealous?” “…………”

Shōko glared at Sōbu while blushing.

“Sorry. But if I’m going to be part of the group, something like that might happen, right? What about that?”

“…If both sides are okay with it, I won’t stop them. But if we start talking like that, it would mean I and Shi-chan are no good too.”

「Hmm. As the overwhelming winner of the childhood friend heroine contest, I’ll lend So-kun to you with a broad heart and good intentions.” Chiyu nodded generously and said.

“Whoa, Chiyu-chan is so generous. Indeed, if we were to fight over Koji now, it would be tragic. Chiyu-chan is smart to share Yuurio with everyone.”

Since they had been standing and talking for a while, they decided to return to their base and remount the phantoms.

“Koji~. I was wondering, how do you make cosmetics?”

“After researching, I found that basically, face products don’t differ much. It’s just the amount of ingredients that’s different, and then they mix in pigments and other things that are good for the skin.”

“Really? So if we have pigments, we can make them?”

“Since we already have the water and oil components, yeah, that’s right. But that’s the tricky part.” “Is it?”

“Pigments used in cosmetics are mostly minerals…”

“Huh? So we’ve always been painting our faces with rocks?”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at the makeup department’s expression. “If you put it bluntly, that’s right.”

They grind up minerals into powder and use their colors.

“There are stones on this island, but do they not produce minerals?” Lumina asked.

「When it came to trees, I was able to identify them after deepening my understanding, but with stones, they always just remained as 'stone.'」

「There was an option for 'mine' in the previous two choices, so maybe this island isn't considered to have one.」 Shion stated her theory. I agreed with her. 「Probably.」

「Oh yeah. Wasn't it on the second day? The question was whether it was a mine or a water source.」 Sumiko recalled.

「Wow, Sumiko, you remember that well. I forgot.」

「I see... The vegetation and climate are strange, but the environment itself seems to have been prepared and adjusted by someone. So there's convenience and distortion because of that...」

Luminas-sensei looked like she was pondering.

「So until we get minerals, no cosmetics, huh?」

「We could try extracting pigments from plants.」

「Wow, really? Why not?」

「Well, it's not that it's impossible, but the coloring isn't good.」

「Like, the color is too light? But being able to do makeup on a desert island is amazing enough, right?」

It's true. Better to have something than nothing.

It's the same even with cosmetics.

"Well, if that's the case, I'll give it a try."

After saying that, I also noticed the gazes of the girls who weren't from the Cosmetics Division.

"I'll definitely ask everyone's opinion once we get back to the base, of course."

The girls' gazes seemed to soften.

The girl from the Cosmetics Division, who had noticed that I was looking at her, laughed happily.

"Your boyfriends must have a hard time, huh? Of course, I'll be last. Pigment gathering? I'll definitely do my best. Like searching for and getting plants of my favorite color?"

"For now, that's the idea."

We can rely on our 'Crafting Ability' and knowledge of Deep Arts for the selection process.

"Hey, Kouno, why do you know so much about this? Are you a cosmetics doctor?"

"I don't know if there's such a thing as a doctor for that... It's not me, but the Deep Arts that know so much."

"The Deep Arts? You looked like you were just wearing your natural face at school, but you know a lot about this."

Actually, I went to a cosmetics store and a bookstore in the bonus area to check things out, but it would complicate things if I talk about it now, so I'll put it off for later.

When we get back to base, I think I'll be surprised by the appliances there, so I'll wait until then.

"Minori is amazing. She's knowledgeable, studies even on a desert island, and she's also strong in magic."

"She can even help with material gathering, so she's really versatile."

Shouko praises her friend as if boasting, and Shion admires her slightly as she compliments her.

"Uh, wait. Shouko can really pet things, and she seems to be on a higher level? Shion, am I going to feel left out?"

"...I understand how you feel. I was worried about it at first too."

"Shio-chan is now the head chef. She can make anything from bread to ramen."

"Really? I'm so hungry. ...By the way, what about Senyuu?"
"I can heal wounds."

"Wow, that's amazing! Oh, and the teacher can handle negotiations and use magic too. Seirin said something about barriers..."

"Seirin-sama's barrier was very useful for defending the base and also as a shield to repel enemies during combat." Roa explains.

Incidentally, everyone has revealed their abilities to Shizuku, and a big reason for this is that Shion's ability has already confirmed that she has no ulterior motives.

Suzumi's plans had nothing to do with it, but Shoubu had wanted to become a member of Komachi's group.

Also, by revealing our abilities as proof of trust, we might be able to get information about the ability holders in Suzumi's team from Shoubu.

I doubt anyone other than myself and Shion thought about this.

"Eh, isn't she strong? Isn't Roa-chan an elite maid or something?"

About Roa liking to wear maid outfits, it seemed Suzumi had explained it at her base.

Well, if it wasn't like that, everyone would be puzzled, wouldn't they?

"I am working hard to be called that one day."

"And Kouno is the leader who can make anything. ...Hmm, I guess I'm the only one who doesn't have an ability that can help Kouno."

Just like she said earlier...

Everyone has a skill or ability that can be useful to all the members, but she's only worried about being able to help the girls.

"I told you before, you don't need to worry about it. As long as you do what you can and are grateful for what your friends do for you, that's enough."

"...I see. So that's how everyone got wooed by Kouno."

It was hard to tell, but it looked like a faint blush was on Shou's cheek.

"That's right. Souza is just naturally kind."

"Mm-hm. And because there's no lie in that, it makes me really happy."

"You have a desire, but your kind heart is on top. I believe you have the most trustworthy nature."

"Hmm. So, you were raised by me."

Shouko, Shion, Roa, and Senyuu all said happily.

"......I think you're a fine person too, Kouya-kun."

She had a complex expression as if she was having trouble with the fact that as a teacher, she shouldn't be dating multiple people, but she still praised him where she could. "......"

I was speechless from the praise.

I couldn't look at everyone's faces, so I kept looking forward, but even the Black Dragon, Mikuron, was nodding like "I get it."

"Ah, w-we're almost there......!" I bit my lip.

Ignoring the warm atmosphere coming from behind me, I continued looking forward.

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