Summer Holiday (4)

Contrary to my expectation, we don't immediately get home. Since I have paid the bill earlier, Shizuka insisted she has to pay me back. Therefore, we are heading to THE BEST HAIR SALON Shizuka knows, in order to cut my "unruly" hair, as she likes to call.

"Trust me, you will love it!"

"I would like to believe you, if you didn't say that for every single minute. It just gives the exact opposite effect to what you intended."

"Hahaha! Don't worry, you will love it!"

So, yeah, I just let this abomination of a woman to do what she thinks right. I can't run away either anyway. May just go with the flow, and face the incoming predicament like a champ.

"Oh! We have arrived!" Shizuka exclaimed enthusiastically.

I ignore her bizarre enthusiasm, and look at the hair salon. It is a medium sized salon that has a somehow homey vibe to it. Why did I call it homey? Because, I don't feel any repulsion towards it.

I throw my gaze to the name plank, and I can see "Hair Make Ishida" carved on it. Now, this brilliant brain of mine starts to relate it to some fictional place I know. However, I curb the thought down instantly.

There is no way anime of another franchise exist in this universe, right?

"What are you doing posing like Socrates? Get down! We are going to have your hair cut."

"I am surprised you know Socrates."

"Hey, you are underestimating my knowledge too much."

"Human like to think they are smart when they know a little."

"Aristotle?"

"No, it was my quote."

"..."

Yes, I get the fun when I manage to wipe the bright look on her face. However, it is no more fun when she drags me by my collar to the salon!

Chime!

The door of the salon is slammed opened, and comes in a fearsome female orc carrying an unfortunate young man in her grasp.

"Yo! Miyako-san!"

"Oh my, Shizuka-chan! It's been a long time!"

Apparently the owner of the salon, and Shizuka are friends. Also, this Miyako doesn't even realize how absurd Shizuka's way of carrying me.

Oh, she realizes it. She glanced at me briefly just now. She realizes it, but she ignores it!

Is this what they call birds of a feather flock together?

"Who is this cute young man you are bringing?"

"Oh, this?" She refers me like a luggage, but I'm okay. "I don't know either. What's our relationship, kid?" I look up, and answer simply, "You are my sugar mommy."

Gasp!

Shizuka's friend, Miyako, looks at Shizuka in disbelief. Surely, the latter doesn't have any intention to stay idle.

Smack!

Of course, like always, I managed to block the attack.

"What did you say, brat?!"

"You are my sugar mommy?"

"This lil sh—"

"Kuhum!"

Miyako clears her throat, and stares at us with the 'make another noise, and I'll smack yo ass to oblivion' look. This, of course, managed to silence Shizuka, who is eventually scared of her.

"Now, now. Can't make noises in my salon, right?"

"Right!"

While Shizuka answered it enthusiastically, I merely nodded my head. I look to this woman named Miyako, and observe her appearance.

She's of average height — around 160 centimeters tall — with slender build, and green eyes. She is wearing a red turtleneck, and a black apron on her. Her hair is colored blond, and it must've been a long time since she colored it, because I can see the newly growing black hair.

"Hello there, young man. I am Ishida Miyako. What is your name?"

"I am Hikigaya Hachiman. It's nice to meet you, Miyako-san."

"It's nice to meet you too, Hachiman-kun."

At this point, I am sure, this woman is the mother of Ishida Shōya from that anime titled "Koe No Katachi". I am bewildered, but not for long. My reincarnation is very much absurd already, why should I be surprised?

"Then, Miyako-san. Can you cut this boy's hair?"

"Of course, I can. Come, sit here, Hachiman-kun."

Miyako motions me to sit on the barber chair, and I comply to her command. Judging from the anime, she is a good barber, since she earns well. Therefore, I am not afraid of leaving my hair to her.

However...

"What hairstyle do you want, Hachiman-kun?"

"I got an idea! Make hachiman's hair look like—"

"You can give me the haircut that you think suits me well, Miyako-san."

Shizuka is planning to do something to my hair.

Surely, I can't let Shizuka do things to my hair. Who knows what she will suggest. She might make me have a shonen protagonist's hairstyle! That will be a nightmare.

Therefore, I decided to interrupt her before she finished her sentence.

"Hey, you don't even know what hairstyle I will suggest yet!"

"What is it?"

"I wanted to say Saitama's hairstyle!" Shizuka exclaimed proudly.

"..."

I am glad I stopped this abomination from spouting her crap. I can't even imagine what would happen to my poor head, if I didn't do so. Still, I feel the need to rebuke her

"There will be no hairstyle, if you don't have hair!"

Shizuka blushes, and quickly retorts, "Th-that's not what I mean, idiot! I mean Saitama's previous hairstyle, before he became a superhuman!"

"Can I just cut the hair?" Miyako looks at us in mild interest, and probably well hidden annoyance.

Shizuka sighs in defeat, and nods her head at Miyako. She acts like I will regret my decision later. Unfortunately for her, no, I will never regret my decision.

"Stay still, Hachiman-kun. I will start cutting your hair."

"Ah, Miyako-san. Can you do something with this ahoge of mine?"

"Hm? Why? I think it's cute."

"Nah, it will be the case, if on girls. But, not on me. Also, I don't want my hair to be an idiot."

"Ahoge doesn't necessarily mean idiotic hair, Hachiman-kun."

Miyako laughs at my word, thinking I was joking. In truth, I was not. I don't hate ahoge in particular. However, it looks good only on girls. A male with an ahoge looks stupid. They radiate an aura of idiocy that is the exact opposite of me.

In case anyone wonders what ahoge is, it is a few strands of hair that grows upward like an antenna. I have also just recently found it is caused by the static electricity produced by the air friction, thus lifting the hair upward.

I haven't solved why Komachi's ahoge can twitch though.

"It's done, Hachiman-kun! How do you like it?"

It's been roughly thirty minutes, and my haircut is done already. Looking to the mirror, I can see my own reflection with a new haircut. My hair is shorter than before, and I look good with this hairstyle.

Still, the thing I rejoice the most is the disappearance of my ahoge. I look WAY better without it.

"Hm. I like the haircut, Miyako-san." I smile in satisfaction. Miyako also smiles, before saying, "I'm glad you like the haircut."

Looking to the side, I can see Shizuka scrutinizing me.

"What? Falling in love with me, already?"

"Huh? What are you saying? I am just admiring how hairstyle can change someone's whole outlook."

"Yeah, whatever you say, Tsun-chan."

"What?!"

Shizuka attempts to smack me, but a look from Miyako stops her from doing that. I look at Shizuka, and smirk victoriously. I know she can just smack me later in the car, but I don't care. I want to revel in my temporary victory.

I got down from the barber chair, and only now I notice how empty the salon is. I turn my gaze to Miyako, and ask her what happens.

"Miyako-san, why is the salon empty?"

"Oh, we are always close on Sunday. Of course, there will be no customers."

"..."

I turn my head to Shizuka, and plant my unamused eyes on her. She dodges my gaze, and try to make a trivial conversation with Miyako.

This shameless woman has just told someone to work on her day off!

I sympathize with Miyako who must have been cleaning the salon when we came. But now, the salon is dirty once again. Therefore, I bow to her.

"I'm sorry this insensitive woman bothers your day off."

"Eh? What are you talking about? Miyako-san doesn't mind. Right, miyako-san?" Shizuka waves her hand in denial, and asks Miyako for confirmation.

"Actually, I mind." Miyako-san lost her smile. Shizuka is shocked. "Just kidding!" Like a flash, Miyako-san regains her smile back.

Shizuka sighs in relief, then looks at me in grudge? What the hell happened? I didn't even do anything!

After Shizuka paid Miyako, we bid our farewell to her. The lady is kind. I have to give her credit. She even waits until we completely disappear from her view, before resuming her cleaning.

Just like that, my second week of summer holiday ended.

...

It's the fourth week of my summer holiday, and, as usual Shizuka comes over today. She is watching TV on the sofa, while I am training my hip with a hula hoop.

My hip shaking has bear result. With the right diet, and the right supplement, my previously scrawny body has gained muscle. Even the abs are fairly visible now.

"Oii, Hachiman. I'm famished. Cook something for me."

"Why do you always say the same thing whenever you come over?"

"Because, my stomach is addicted to your heavenly cooking!"

"Sweet talk won't get you anywhere, lady."

She just waves her hand nonchalantly, and keeps watching TV. Of course, she doesn't forget to remind me to cook her something for every five minutes.

I heave a deep breath, and put an end to my workout. I'm all sweaty, and I need to wash my body, before cooking something for the ever hungry woman.

When I am done taking the bath, I look at my reflection on the mirror. Hachiman's dead eyes trait is now barely identifiable. Of course, my eyes will only look normal when I wear glasses. If I don't, my eyes will look very sharp, it scares people sometime.

Quickly dressing, and head to the kitchen, I cook a simple dish for Shizuka and I. Surely, our menu will be different. While she eats fatty food with spices, I eat a balanced and high protein food.

"I think your mother is lucky for her trip to be extended to three weeks."

"Hm."

"Unfortunately, you can't come with her, since the tickets are only two."

"Hm."

"Aren't you sad?"

"No."

Shizuka looks at me with an unreadable emotion. She seems to be pondering over something. But, I don't have any intention to mind her.

"I have decided!" She stands from her chair, and looks at me. "Let's go to the beach!" She exclaimed enthusiastically.

"Don't tell me you won a prize trip to the beach for a couple, and you are eager to go, but you realize you're single."

"H-huh?! T-there's no w-way!"

"..."

Yeah, your blushing face is really convincing, Shizuka.

"A-anyway, j-just forget what I said!" She buries her face into her bowl, and eats her food rather too enthusiastically.

I sigh, and say, "Fine, though. When should we go?"

"What?!" She raised her head as if asking whether I am joking. "Are you serious?" She asks doubtfully, but I nod my head.

Then, a smile blooms on her face. It fits perfectly on her, and dare I say that's the best expression she has on her face that I ever see.