Banri looked at himself in the mirror in the Mankai dorm's makeup room while Azami, standing behind him, finished styling his hair in an elegant updo consisting mainly of long hair extensions that matched his own hair almost tone-in-tone. This feminine hairstyle and makeup, along with this richly embellished crinoline dress Yuki had crafted made him really look like a beautiful young woman from the epoch of Marie Antoinette. In about an hour, he, together with Kazunari, Azuma, Misumi, Sakuya, and Masumi, all dressed-up in a similar fashion, were scheduled to go to the famous luxury hotel La Verite, which hired the Mankai Company actors for a promotion event.
Banri felt a mix of anxiety and excited anticipation. It was the first time he cross-dressed. He definitely looked gorgeous in this outfit, and everyone who saw him in it told him so, but there was only one person whose opinion he really wanted to know. And so, as soon as Azami put the finishing touches on his hair and makeup and fixed a dainty wide-brimmed hat on his head with silk ribbon ties, Banri immediately headed to room 104, stepping slowly and carefully so as not to trip over the floor-length hem of his dress that softly rustled with the movement.
Meanwhile, Juza was sitting at his desk and watching online videos about police work as a role study for the next production where he was going to play a police officer. Hearing the door behind him open and close, he paused the video and swivelled around in his chair to face the one who came in. Before him stood Settsu wearing an elaborate sky-blue dress in the fashion once worn by rich noblewomen somewhere in the 18th century Europe.
Juza calmly regarded Banri's tasteful makeup and elegant updo with neatly curled strands of hair that normally hung loosely around Banri's face before his gaze drifted to Banri's neck, adorned with an opulent pearl choker necklace, and down to Banri's flat chest that was disguised with a layer of frills, a large pink bow, and blue silken roses. Feeling abashed under Juza's steady, appraising gaze, Banri involuntarily folded an arm over his chest, and Juza caught sight of Banri's manicured fingernails, as well as the ring and bracelet that adorned Banri's hand peeking out from under the frills of the long, flared sleeve of his dress.
- Don't get the wrong idea, okay? It's for today's event at La Verite, – Banri said, feigning nonchalance.
- Don't worry, I know, - Juza responded calmly.
- How do I look? – Banri asked him keenly.
- You look like Settsu cosplaying a baroque girl, - Juza said with a poker face.
- Hah?! What'd ya say?! – Banri instantly bristled up.
- I said what you've just heard, - Juza folded his arms over his chest.
- Damn Hyodo! I'll beat the hell out of you when I'm back from the event! – Banri was pissed while Juza didn't bat an eye, sitting relaxed in his chair.
- Settsu, what're you fussing about again?
- First off, it's rococo, not baroque, you ignoramus! – Banri answered with a tone of ironic superiority.
- I thought it's the same thing, but okay, sorry, I didn't know, - Juza shrugged his shoulders a bit.
- That's not the point! – Banri exclaimed with annoyance.
- Mm? – Juza deadpanned.
- Stop playing dumb! You said I'm cosplaying a baroque girl! – Banri put his hands on his hips, leaning forward a little.
- So?.. Ain't you cosplaying? – Juza arched an eyebrow quizzically.
- I'm wearing a costume of the time of Marie Antoinette... - Banri began to say and stopped short, realising that Juza was actually right. – Aah! Hyodo, you jerk!
- Settsu, you're acting like a drama queen. Already got into your role of a hysterical woman? – Juza continued teasing, watching Banri with covert amusement.
- No, I'm not! It's all your fault! Stop screwing with me! – Banri fumed and spouted.
- Mm... That's problematic. I want to screw you pretty much every time I see you. Even in this gaudy outfit, - Juza's lips curled up in a naughty smile.
- You what?.. – Banri was at a loss for arguments.
Without taking his eyes off Banri's face, Juza stood up from the chair and, winding his arms around Banri's waist, kissed him on the lips ever so slightly so as not to smudge Banri's lipstick, then gently stroked Banri's cheek with the tip of his nose before tilting his head a little to nuzzle Banri's neck above his pearl necklace. Settsu smelled of a floral scent of women's perfume, which was nice, but definitely couldn't compare with the natural scent of his body... Banri's eyelids slid down as he gasped out lightly in pleasure, holding onto Juza's shoulders and threading a hand through the short hair at the back of Juza's head while Juza laid feather-light kisses along Banri's neck. Finally pulling back, Juza looked at him with mocking amusement.
- What's so funny, daikon? – Banri said with a sulky pout, noticing Juza's smile.
- Nothing much. Probably it's just too many roses and frills, - Juza drawled out reflectively.
- Yuki's gonna bash you for this, - Banri noted wryly.
- Don't tell him, - Juza gave him a conspiratorial wink.
- Are you saying I look lame in this dress, or what?! – Banri demanded.
- No, you look really good in it, but I much prefer you to look as usual, - Juza responded, gazing into Banri's eyes next to him.
- Don't try to sweet-talk me, - Banri admonished playfully before he suddenly remembered the event he had to go to. - Oh crap!..
- What's up? – Juza asked with concern.
- I've got to go to the set. Crap! - Banri wriggled out of Juza's embrace and hurriedly looked at his smartphone. – I'm running late... Oh shit!.. With all the traffic, I won't be there on time!
- Settsu, don't panic. I'll give you a ride on my motorbike. Let's go! – Juza grabbed the key to his motorbike and briskly strode off to the parking lot; Banri hurried after him, picking up the long puffy skirt of his dress.
Twenty-five minutes later, guests of La Verite saw a motorbike pull up to the entrance of the hotel. Behind the handlebars of the motorbike was a tough-looking guy in a dark varsity jacket, and in the passenger seat behind him was a tall, graceful lady in a lavishly decorated sky-blue dress.
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Author Notes
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Hi everyone! This fic is inspired by Banri's Graceful Pause official card where he's striking a graceful pose :))). Since Banri cross-dressed (!) for the first time (!), I took it upon myself to write how it was ;) I hope you enjoyed this fic!