030: Rei Suzukawa

It was a rush hour and Rei Suzukawa stared ahead at the line of people. She checked her phone, and groaned as she realized she had already been waiting at the end of the line for almost 15 minutes to get her bubble tea. Even though she had today off, she didn't want to spend it waiting around! Rei was an interior decorator, and had the wonderful 'problem' of constantly being bombarded with new projects. As a result, today was the first 'real' day off in almost a year! Just as she was about to head out of the line, another window opened, and the line dispersed. Relieved, Rei moved forward a few places, then gasped as she caught a glimpse of one of the girls she knew were working in that shipy.

The girl, Mina, was her senpai worked at the Momo Bubbles for several years, and she and Rei were always on friendly terms. was about 4 or 6 years older than Rei, lower-middle aged for sure, but very trim, and still quite pretty. After her warm, friendly smile, her most distinct feature, until now, had been long, perfectly straight dark brunette hair. Now, however, she sported a radically different hairstyle! Her long locks had been cut into a chin length bob, almost mushroom shaped. It extended a few inches around her head, hanging just above her earlobes. It was also much lighter in color, with several blonde streaks sticking out, but in a very hip, fun sort of way.

As Rei moved forward through the line, she gasped again when she saw Mina turn her head, and saw that her nape had been shaved into a triangular wedge shape, a striking feature.

Rei tried her best not to stare, but couldn't help herself! The cut framed minat's face very nicely. Rei smiled as she would watch Mina turn to help someone, and shake her head in conversation, her hairdo swishing freely, but always returning to the same precise place. Before she knew it, Rei now faced the smiling Mina.

"Oh, hello Angela! How are you, today? And what may I help you with?" Mina asked.

Rei returned her smile, "Hi senpai, I'm doing fine thank you. Wow, you look great! I hardly recognized you with that new haircut!" Mina beamed, and gently primped the ends of her hairdo with her palms, "Why thank you! It's a big change, and I've gotten lots of compliments. A friend recommended her stylist, and I thought I'd try someone new. I really love it, if you don't mind me saying!"

Rei nodded, handing Mina her card for her bubble tea

"Well, it's easy to see why, Mina . It's a striking look for sure. It really suits you, nicely!"

Mina smiled again, and lightly shook her head, allowing Rei to see it fall perfectly back into place. Mina printed out Rei's receipt, and said with a grin, "You know dear, you should try something like this. It's getting hotter out there, and I bet you could use a nice trip to the salon, if you don't mind me saying. You look like you've been burning the candle at both ends!"

Rei blushed a little and brushed a stray curl from her face. About nine months ago, Rei had asked for a body-wave perm as a way to save time styling, but the perm had since grown out, and badly, too.

Lately, Rei had been forced to pull her brown hair back into a big, bushy curly pony-tail, but the increasing heat and humidity had made it a challenge to keep it from springing out into a large mass of less-than-neat looking hair. Because most of Rei 's business had been done through video calls for the last year, she had been able to neglect her hair somewhat.

Now however, she was becoming increasingly aware of her hair's bedraggled appearance. She had had a face-to-face meeting with a new client about four weeks ago, and recalled the awkward feeling of having her appearance scrutinized more than usual.

Rei also now considered that other prospective clients in subsequent face-to-face meetings seemed a bit less enthused lately when speaking with her.

One person had even mentioned in an email that she was expecting someone to appear more professional when meeting a potential new client. The sudden realization that these series of events might be rooted in her hair's appearance hit Rei with a wave of crimson-colored embarrassment.

Seeing her expression change so drastically in an instant, Mina quickly patted Rei's hand and said "Oh, I didn't mean anything by it reu! I'm sorry…" a Barberette smiled and put her purse over her shoulder, "No, no, you're fine! You're right, too… Well, thanks again, and I guess I'll see you in a few weeks." . turned to leave, but Mina said hurriedly, "Here, Rei, wait just one moment, please."

She pivoted, and saw Nicole scribbling a something on a post-it note. "Please take this, you looked like you could treat yourself to a relaxing day at the salon. I know it's been a challenge lately." she smiled, "Really, it's okay, Mina!"

Mina waved her hand and shook her head, her hairdo again swaying perfectly with the movement. "Here, I wrote down the name of the barberrete. She told me that she'd do a new client's hair half off, if it came as a referral, and she'd give me a discount on my next appointment, too. So please, consider this an apology for my comment dear, and try her out! She's maybe the best stylist I've ever had!" It felt like she couldn't refuse, so she smiled, and took the paper from Mina.

As she got back into her car, Rei almost threw the paper away, but hesitated. Her usual stylist had temporarily retired after having a baby just a couple months ago, and wouldn't be back for several months. Rei sat down, and as if on cue, the pin holding the her pony-tail flew out, releasing the mass of humid curls into her face.

Grumbling, Rei did her best to tie it back with a scrunchie and another pin, but she knew this was, at best, a short-term fix. She picked up Mina's note, and looked at the note. It was only a few minutes away, and it was her day off…maybe she could get a trim, pick up some extra conditioner, and have a simple recharge.

Rei arrived a few minutes later, surprised at her own whimsy. Rei had been seeing her current stylist for almost 5 years, and had been going to that same salon for nearly a decade. she took time to render started whether to do or not but then she says it's worth a try.

Sighing again, Rei checked her appearance in the mirror, then stepped outside. Even though she was wearing just a short sleeve blouse and midi skirt, the heat had sweltered even more since leaving the bank.

Embarrassingly, Rei could feel a bead of sweat roll down her back as she crossed the parking lot to the salon. She felt a cool rush of AC greet her as she opened the door and stepped inside.

The salon was of a very modest size. There were waiting chairs sitting opposite a shelf that contained numerous styling products and tools. A pretty little twenty-something with a cute blond box-bob was sitting at a desk was flipping through a calendar book.

Together, the desk and shelf obscured Rei's vision of the salon's main area, but she wouldn't have to wait long to see it, as the receptionist stood up and said,

"To the Winds of flower, to the stream of the river, Welcome to Katsumi Beauty. We are at your service, How can we help you"

Rei smiled, and walked up to her, "Uh, Hi! My name's Rei Suzukawa. I was actually referred to your salon and was looking to see if you might have something open this afternoon with Katsumi Kejoro?" The receptionist shook and said that she has gone for an appointment outside and return in the evening. Disappointed, Rei shook her head, "No, that's ok. Thanks for checking though!" The receptionist nodded, then suddenly perked up; "Well, hold on, i got an opening right now, if you're free?"

Rei paused, she'd wanted to maybe pop home quickly to put on something cooler, but maybe this would work…

"Are you sure, urm, I mean, I don't want to be an inconvenience."

The receptionist waved her hand dismissively, "you're FINE, girl! I am just looking after the store and an assistant, and you look like you could use haircut. Just take a seat over there, if you wouldn't mind."

Rei looked down and sheepishly took a seat; was her hair really that bad? After only a minute or so of waiting, Rei could hear the sounds of heels hitting the tiled floor, and the girl walked from behind the product shelf to the desk, chatting gleefully .

As she saw the girl. She was very pretty and looked to be about nineteen or twenty age as she was, though she walked with a confidence Rei certainly didn't. Her sweater-dress, despite the summer heat, looked just perfect on her, and it seemed to compliment the precise curlybob she wore. Her bangs framed her hair in such a way that it gave her almost a commanding presence.

As she went, There was just two styling chair in front of circular mirror, which sat upon a white shelf. A smaller porcelain sink and shampoo bowl were set a few feet away, adjacent to a two-in-one hooded dryer spa chair. Finally, there was a slender wooden cabinet, from which the receptionist pulled a fresh black cape.

The set-up, while very neat, did not seem the type of salon that a posh but beautiful like a retro shop.

"If you'd take a seat, I can take your purse and put a cape on you, Ms. Rei."

Rei nodded her thanks as she handed her purse over and took a seat

"Thanks, and you can call me Rei."

The hairdresser smiled, before tightly securing the cape to her neck with a loud snap.

"Alright, first off, my name is Chisato. So, let's see what we're working with" she said, removing the various pins and scrunchies from Rei's hair.

Chisato pulled out a wide brush from one of the shelves, brushing Rei's curly hair down and out onto her cape.

Chisato returned in a few minutes , She came near and analyzed her hair as sucked her teeth, crossed her arms, and shook her head. Then, making eye contact with Rei's reflection, she said in an almost exasperated, pensive tone, "What are we going to do with you?"

Rei looked at her reflection; Chisato had brushed her hair into a big, bushy mass. For the first time, Rei now saw what those other ladies must have seen: a messy, curly nest of hair. Feeling a little ashamed, and very aware that Chisato seemed to be scrutinizing her intently, she felt her face flush red again, and said in a small voice, "Well, I guess I don't know. I know my hair is due for a re-perm…"

"Mm, I don't think so. If it were like 1986, I'd say maybe, but I think you shouldn't put any more body in your hair. Let's get you shampooed, and we can go from there. Everyone feels better after a good shampoo!"

Rei smiled with this bit of reassurance, and gratefully took a seat at the basin. She closed her eyes as she felt the warm water wash through her hair.

"See, isn't this nice?" asked Chisato. Rei smiled more broadly, "Oh, yes. It's been a few days since I really washed, so I'm sorry." Rei smiled politely, "Don't apologize, sweetie. Lots of hair like this can be tough to manage."

Rei murmured in agreement as Chisato began gently massaging in a healthy quantity of lilac-scented shampoo. "

 Chisato smiled to herself, sensing a chance, "You know, you'd look fantastic with something short. Have you ever had short hair before, Ms Rei?"

Rei shifted in her seat, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. "Um, when I was teenager, I had a bob, but not since then. So, urm, how long have you been cutting hair, Chisato?"

At a ding, a woman in black kimono came

" Ah Onee-san, you're back"

" Ah yes dear, I see you got a client"

" It's yours, but since you weren't there, I thought I could fill in"

Katsumi smiled and rubbed her cheek, "it's okay, you can step in for me,I'll inspect"

"Thank you Onee-san"

As Rei saw the two talking and discussing Chisato smiled at Katsumi.

She returned and continued to check and rinse her hair. Then she wrapped a towel around her head. The two walked back over to the styling chair. Chisato then pumped the chair up quite a bit higher now, forcing her client's feet to dangle in the air.

She then towel dried Rei's curls to a damp point, and again took out a brush, She then picked up some clips and a brush, and began sectioning Rei's hair into long pony-tails. "I'll give you a new look, and keep it fresh for however long you want to keep it."

Rei raised her eyebrows, "Hmm. I mean, I think that could work. You really think you can liven up my curls into something more chic?" Chisato shook her head.

"Rei, it's the summer. It's hot. It's humid." Rei then changed her tone from commanding to more sympathetic. "These curls have got to go. Will you let me pick a better look for you?"

Rei's lip quivered, but was able to compose herself. "Okay. But, what did you have in mind? It might be too late, but I really don't want a pixie. I don't want to look like a little boy."

Katsumi came and smiled "Hmm. Looking at her and this heat, I prefer you should go something very much short and told to give a chic bowl cut

"Whuh, what? A mushroom haircut? Are you serious?"

Chisato pumped the chair up a few more inches. "Yup. In fact, I think you'd look great with one, or something similar! Thank you Onee-san"

Rei didn't know how to react. She felt almost vulnerable, the weight of the cape and distance between her legs and the floor suddenly seemed to triple. She looked at her long hair, but then remembered the messy mane she had a mere 10 minutes ago and closed her eyes.

"Okay, I'll try it, but I don't want to see it until you're done. I don't think I'll keep my nerve if I have to watch it!" Chisato beamed, and squealed with delight.

"You're making the right choice, sweetie. I'll turn you away from the mirror, and just tell you to close your eyes if I have to spin you around."

Rei gave her a nervous smile, "I think I'll just keep them closed anyway!"

Chisato laughed, "Suit yourself. Now say good-bye to this mess."

Rei could only splutter a nervous laugh, then closed her eyes as she saw Chisato pick up a pair of shears. She busied herself for a moment, sectioning all of Rei's hair, putting everything above her ears into one lock, and then gathering the left and right-hand sides into smaller sections.

If she had taken a peak, she might have laughed at her appearance, almost like a crazy high school cheerleader. Rei jumped a little as Chisato put a hand on her shoulder.

"Miss you're so tense! It might be easier if you watched it as it happened." Angela shook her head, her eyes still tightly closed, "Sorry, I don't mean to be difficult. No, no, but maybe if we talk, that'll calm me down."

Chisato tilted her head, "Aww, you're not being difficult, I'll keep you talking, okay?" Rei relaxed her shoulders, and nodded.

Rei took a deep breath as she suddenly felt the left side of her head become much lighter, and a wet 'plop' signified that Chisato had just severed a huge chunk of hair.

Chisato cut another section and then sectioning her hair again, and could feel the cool metal of her scissors touching the sides of her head. Her head now felt considerably lighter, though her lap was now weighed down by a mass of wet, curly locks.

Chisato, however, was able to watch with great satisfaction as she continued to separate section after section of Rei's hair. She didn't want to spook Rei, but she could already tell that the finished style was going to be much shorter than Mina's finished hairstyle.

This was definitely going to be a bowlcut, no doubts about it! After a few more minutes of engaging salon talk, Chisato set down her scissors. Rei's hair was now entirely pulled up in a single pony-tail in the middle of her head, everything about an inch above her ears was cut to barely an inch in length. Chisato turned Angela away from the mirror after saying, "Okay , you might want to keep your eyes closed for this next part. I'm afraid I won't be able to hear your wonderful voice, but feel free to keep talking while I work!" Confused, Rei squeezed her eyes closed even tighter, but a second later had to muster all her will to keep them closed!

A warm, loud, vibrating sensation suddenly filled her senses as Chisato carefully began using a set of clippers to shear her hair even shorter. Chisato bit her tongue in concentration as she ran the clippers up Rei's nape. She had selected a very high grade attachment, not wanting Rei to be totally hairless in these areas, but certainly not long enough to even pinch between her fingers.

Rei squirmed a little in her chair, and closed her eyes even more tightly shut. She had never felt clippers used on her hair this much! Normally, they were only used to clean up stray hairs on her nape and sideburns. But now she could feel them going over and over around her head. She felt Chisato fold down the tops of her ears as Katsumi explains her the cut as the clippers ran over and around them. It was both exciting and terrifying! The whine and buzzing of the clippers made any conversation impossible, but Rei was so entranced by this new sensation that she wouldn't have been able to muster any words, even if the device was silent! She could feel the AC on her nape and the sides of her head much more noticeably.

"You're doing great, Ms! Did you enjoy the clippers?" asked Chisato setting down the appliance.

Rei grinned nervously, "Sort of! I, urm, have never really had them used on me like that before!"

Chisato was now the one to grin, "I didn't want to scare you by telling you that I was going to be using the clippers. I've just got the top to do now, so we're about halfway done."

Rei signed, then said, "Okay! Are, um, you done using the clippers?"

Chisato chuckled, "Yep! I take it you preferred talking to just listening to me work?" Rei nodded, but a little part of her was disappointed that she wouldn't feel that warm, buzzing sensation again.

"That's the one part I don't like about using the clippers! So, if I can ask another few questions, we can get back to our regularly scheduled salon chat, honey." Both of them giggled.

Chisato then released the tightly secured clip on top of Rei's head, causing all of her remaining hair to tumble down, still damp.

Chisato smiled as she sectioned out a large pony-tail on the left side, For a moment, the steady snip, snip, snip of Chisato trimming her hair shorter and shorter was all that be heard. Rei didn't respond. She could feel the cool metal blades again, this time high on the back of her head. Chisato had been working methodically, layering the hair slightly, to help the bowl achieve a fuller shape.

Rei winced as she felt the scissors press against her temple, then release as Chisato snipped another small clump of her hair.

Chisato quickly brushed another section down before trimming the ends perfectly spritzing some water on Rei's last remaining section of un-cut hair. Chisato picked up a finer brush, then diligently brushed all of Angela's remaining locks over her face.

Rei suppressed a sneeze as her hair brushed over her nose, as she trim from her eyebrows.

Rei shook her head; it was a strange sensation, as it now felt like almost nothing was on it! Before she could respond, though, Chisato took out a hairdryer and curling iron, and began curling the ends of her hair. "I'm just adding some shape to your cut, Ms. I swear, as much I love having longer hair, your cut is very tempting!"

This process didn't take very long, which even without vision Rei could tell, but was somewhat a relief, as the anxiety was almost unbearable at this point! Rei peeked both eyes open, she wasn't facing the mirror, but she could see a mound of mostly dried curls all over her lap and the floor. Chisato noticed, "Oh, no peeking,I just need to add some spray," she said, applying a generous amount all around.

"Okay , are you ready to see your new look?" Rei grinned, and said in a louder tone than she meant, "Oh YES, please!"

Chisato laughed as she brushed her lap clean, and removed the cape. "Okay! Here you are!" She spun the chair around, and Rei opened her eyes.

Rei beamed at her radically changed reflection. Her hair was indeed very different than Mina's hairstyle, this was, as Rei intended, a very pronounced bowlcut. It sat almost perfectly even all around her head in a very precise round shape. The ends had been lifted for a bit of volume, which added a feminine touch to the look. She turned her head side to side, noting with amazement and delight that the bowl shape was almost perfectly symmetrical, no matter what way she turned her head. She smiled, and noticed that her dimples did seem a bit more pronounced in a very flattering way.

"So, I know you were dying to see it, but I'm dying to know: what do you think?" asked Chisato betraying a hint of nerves in her voice.

"It's great, thank. You really made me into a new girl"

Chisato clapped her hands together and squealed in delight, "Oh, I'm SO happy! I know it's a big, big change, but you look just perfect with a bowlcut.

After paying and thanking her, she turned her car on, she smiled to herself. She couldn't resist checking out her new appearance in the rearview mirror. She never would have thought this was the cut that would be her summer style.