Marei Ukai finished her higher studies in Keio University few days back. She has the third daughter of the Ukai Family. Her father was a general and often used to be out in his duties. The two sons were all in their twenties and joined their father in the army.
The only woman who was educated was Marei. Her mother who was the daughter of a noble family and started taking care of the hospital which was built by her father. As everyone was busy, Marei was treated like a princess. As no one look into her but As the parents had to travel far, they gave her the house and instructed Marei to look after herself and do anything which won't cause complaint by the house staff , Marei ignored their words and did what she liked and for a year kept her hair long till her ankles.In her home, the maids had to daily braid Kavita in college days as she had long hair. Some revolted against it as they complained that half the day was wasted because of tending her hair that they get tired when doing chores.
So some maids volunteering spoke to the general and the Mistresse. Understanding the situation. Both reached home and scolded Marei for making them come all the way and scolded her which she just scuffed. The general furious commanded that Marei should be given short haircut.
Some suggested she can be given shoulder length haircut. But her mother suggested she can be given be boy cut hairstyle so that we need not comb her long hair. They hinted at this idea to Marei who like her long hair very much. Marei argued she won't cut her hair. They scolded her for not agreeing for haircut. After a lot of arguments, her mother threatened her to shave her head if she doesn't agree to have a haircut so Marei gave up. Her Mother told tomorrow morning, the. hairdresser would come to give a haircut. That night Marei saw herself over mirror as some maids smiled with relief that the work will be cut short. Marei combed her long hair for the last time before going to sleep.
The next day, Marei was taken to the parlor which was near to the the shrine. They had to climb to the steps and walk up to the stairs to a small shop built with bamboo. The shop looked old and her mother didn't mind as she had been here before with her grandmother. Marei gulped as she walked with her mother in front and maids in behind so that she won't run.She didn't speak to her mother on that day as she was fed up of losing her long hair.
When they went in, Marei's hands were shivering thinking about haircut and how she will look after. Two seats were there. One girl was being given perming.
Marei slowly asked if she too would trim and leave the shop fast. By that time, the girl left the parlour making Marei get shocked. As she saw the womanz she was shaking as she saw the woman pale and white like a ghost.
"To the Winds of flower, to the stream of the river, Katsumi Kejoro at your service"
As The Kejoro bowed and asked what needs to be done for her. Her mother said, cut it short. Marei started to cry as she had no choice.
The Kejoro advised how short should she cut to which her mother handed a picture of a Hollywood actress and said she should look like this.
Marei was wearing red Hakama style kimono and had tied her hair in a ponytail. She went on and sat in the chair. The Kejoro drape around a white silk cloth and tied it at her neck. Marei had tears running down. She sprayed water on her thick and long hair. Her Mother said she should look like a perfect when she gets down to which the Kejoro said don't worry she will be shortened as much as possible. The Kejoro then grabbed Marei's neck to bend her down.
Marei was crying down with tears when the maids slowly smiled. Then the woman took scissors. The sound of scissors heard by Marei was making her shivering. Beautician made her ponytail half the length. Within 2 minutes, She gave two ponytails cut from her long hair to her mother as requested. Her mother smiled and took it in her bag to show the general. Marei now had her hair upto shoulder where she had her ponytail tied previously. She had her bob cut hairstyle now. She said to her mother please leave like this as she was okay with bob cut, so don't cut it too short. Her mother pulled her cheeks and told to be quiet as tears went rolling down her face ruining her makeup.
Her Mother bended her head down and told to continue as her loose bob hair was cut. As she had a deep neck cut previously, now it became visible and neck is being shown now. Then the barberette came front and started to cut her front loose hair. Then Marei was made to turn left side and the Kejoro clipped her side burns and her ears became visible. She was turned to right side and her hair was shortened around ears. Her mother came near the chair and said it keep this thickness and trim it at ends.
Marei did not get to see her face in the mirror till then. Now when she saw, she started touching her nape and checked her length and shocked to see no hair on her neck. Meanwhile the woman trimmed her hairs on backside and made it straight like boys back hair. Then she came front and started combing her hair front and cut the length and made some hair to be shown in the front. Then she was shortened at her ears both left and right. Her mother came near the chair and inspected her as she asked could if she could remove the hair on her face?
The Kejoro said, shall I do threading? No, can you shave her sideburns and face. Marei said please leave me, I don't like shaving my face.
Her Mother said, if you don't like shaving your face, she will shave your head.
Marei said "No, please shave my face; I am okay with it."
Then beautician took a razor and started shaving her sideburns around her ears. She made Marei's head to lie on the chair head and started shaving her face. Marei felt the pain of razor on her dry skin. She was totally humiliated in the process.
After it was done, Marei finally got down and felt her short hair with her hands. Soon, She started to enjoy her short haircut finally after few days.