Camp Chaos and Awkward Encounters

It had been about a month since I'd last seen Shiobane Jinka—the Ice Princess. She still had her long hair, but today it was styled differently. Normally, she'd sport a small braid on one side of her face, but today, three braids wrapped around the back of her head, connecting near her other ear.

"Isn't your hairstyle different today?" I muttered absentmindedly.

As soon as the words left my mouth, I realized my mistake. Too late. Shiobane lifted her gaze from her paperback, her eyes landing on me. The hum of the moving van filled the silence as she waited for my next words.

Now that I'd started this conversation, I felt obligated to finish it. I hadn't intended to dive into a whole analysis of her hair; I'd only meant to point out it was different. But that look of hers demanded an explanation.

"Well, uh, it's… complex, I guess? Lots of twists and stuff…" I stammered awkwardly.