Makina arrived at the studio which was the talent agency's branch at the appointed hour wearing simple dress. Subaru greeted her at the door and planted a friendly kiss on her cheek. "You look lovely, my dear. Come and get changed"
She was taken to a changing room and given to wear a black salon robe which reach to her knees.
"How do you feel?"
"I'm nervous as can be. Hundreds of butterflies are having a convention in my stomach. I'm just barely holding together."
"Did you take the pill?" he whispered.
"Yes, and it helped. Let's get started before it wears off."
Subaru took her by the hand and led her inside the studio. A simple salon chair was positioned in front of a white canvas backdrop. Two large cameras were positioned on either side of the chair. An array of spotlights illuminated the set. A woman wearing a black samue with a kimono skirt approached them and bowed. "To the Winds of flower, to the stream of the river, We are from Katsumi Beauty. We are at your service, My name is Katsumi Kejoro, pleasure to meet you ," she said warmly, "and you must be Makina. Your manager said you were pretty; he didn't tell me you were beautiful. Your skin is so clear and lovely; your eyes are haunting; your lips need a little color and they'll be luscious."
Katsumi advised her assistant Chisato, and her assistant took Makina by the hand. "Come over here with me, honey, we're going to give you the works, not that you need it, but because that's what I get paid to do around here."
The assistant led Makina off to the side, seated her in a tall chair and went to work applying foundation, blush, lipstick and gloss, eye shadow, mascara, and eyeliner. Makina patiently endured the beauty treatment. When she was done she held up a mirror so her client could observe the finished product. "So, what do you think, Miss?"
"Wow!" she exclaimed. "Who is this girl? She looks so glamorous."
"It's you, honey; the new you," Subaru offered. "When we're done with the haircut perhaps theycan give you some pointers on applying the makeup."
"Sure," katsumi replied. "Be happy to give Makina a little clinic. But first we need to do her hair. You ready honey?"
"I guess so," Makina replied, still sounding unsure of herself.
Katsumi had plenty of experience dealing with uneasy models. She took Makina by the hand, led her over to the vacant salon chair, and gently steered her into the seat.
"We'll get the cameras rolling in just a minute. You just sit there, look pretty, and let me do all the work. Before you know it, your haircut will be done and you'll look even more beautiful." said Subaru as he was rubbing her shoulders while some cameramen was working on the camera and Katsumi was arranging the tools to prepare for the haircut.
"I will cry," Makina said, her voice quaking with emotion.
"You go right ahead and cry if that's what you need to do. Lots of girls cry when I start cutting. It's a perfectly normal reaction. I'll work as quickly as possible, but if you need a break, just say so and we'll turn off the cameras." said Katsumi
Makina sat quietly as Katsumi busied herself preparing the instruments she would need. Some women chattered compulsively while being sheared, making jokes and random observations as a diversion from their ordeal. Makina's reaction was the opposite; she scarcely said a word. Subaru recognized her silence as a coping mechanism; a method to hold her emotions in check. he realized that she feared any conversation might betray the grief she felt over submitting to this radical makeover. It was a dignified response to a very stressful situation, consistent with everything he had observed about her shy and unassuming character.
The camera director switched on the powerful lights and took his position behind the big camera. His assistant stood ready next to the second camera. He nodded to the two women and began filming. Katsumi approached from the rear with a white tissue in her hand. She pulled Makina's long locks out of the way as she fastened the wide strip around her client's exposed neck. Makina bit her lip and blinked back her tears. The tissue was followed by a black cape that completely shielded her dress and bare shoulders. The barberette carefully arranged the cloth over the tissue, leaving a two-inch white collar between the protective cape and Makina's head. She looked vulnerable and helpless. Subaru suspected she was having second thoughts; he could see the anxiety and regret written on her face. Yet, she had signed the contract and willingly climbed into the chair. She had gone too far to back out now.
She bit her lip and blinked back her tears as Katsumi began spraying and combing her abundant tresses, a picture of sadness as she contemplated the haircut that was moments from beginning. he felt a surge of sympathy for this beautiful young woman whose long hair would soon lie scattered on the floor. At the same time, Suabru knew Makina's silent struggle to maintain her composure would enhance the commercial value of the film they were shooting. Many models wanted more than a simple haircut. Adding a layer of drama on top of the actual hair cutting promised to make this video a more poignant spectacle.
Makina held her head erect, projecting an air of dignified resignation. Subaru admired her courage. This was the point of no return, the time when some models changed their minds, throwing up their hands, bolting from the chair, sobbing hysterically that they could not go through with the haircut.He was certain that this dark-haired beauty was not going to back out. For better or worse, she was committed.
The cameraman rolled his camera in for a close-up. A pensive Makina appeared lost in thought. No doubt she was contemplating her impending conversion to short hair. Would she regret her decision? Would she look attractive with a short haircut? Before long she would find out.
Katsumi circled the chair, spraying Makina's dark hair and combing the luxurious locks that hung almost to her bra strap. She neatly sectioned her hair, pinning half to the top of Makina's head while the bottom section remained spread across her shoulder blades. Katsumi's expression never changed, but he imagined she must be feeling heightened anxiety as her shearing neared.
Katsumi took her scissors in hand, and carefully cut a ten-inch swatch from Makina's dampened mane. He watched with rising excitement as more ribbons of severed hair slid down the cape and came to rest on the floor. Katsumi carefully cut a straight line from right to left so the tips of Makina's hair now ended just at shoulder level. After the bottom section was cut to the desired length, Katsumi released the clips so the remaining long hair fell down and resumed cutting just as she had done the first time. She worked slowly and precisely, making sure every lock was cut to exactly the same length.
When the back was done Katsumi shifted to the left side and continued cutting at the same length. Within minutes, Makina's hair was cut all the way around. She didn't cry as she had predicted, but she didn't smile either. The same solemn expression was plastered across her face as her hair was dramatically reduced in length.
Next came the bangs. Katsumi placed her comb half way up Makina's crown and pulled a mass of hair down over her forehead. She blinked and peered through the dark veil now covering her face. Katsumi placed her scissors at the bridge of Makina's nose and began cutting. These would not be brief, mini-bangs. She was creating full, lush bangs that would completely conceal her customer's pale brow.
Makina did not flinch as bits of hair fell from the scissors and landed in her lap. She stoically endured repeated snipping as Katsumi extended the bangs beyond her forehead and angled them slightly downward toward each ear. When she combed the newly outlined bangs a second time and continued making minor adjustments until they were perfectly even,Subaru recognized that this barber was a perfectionist.
Makina appeared to breathe a sigh of relief when Katsumi exchanged her comb and scissors for a round styling brush and blow dryer. She realized that the cutting was over, at least for the moment. The barberette directed a blast of hot air at Makina's shoulder length hair and began shaping the new haircut so the ends curved slightly inward. For five minutes the dryer's drone was the only sound in the studio as the barber put the finishing touches on her creation. When at last Katsumi was satisfied she shut off the dryer and removed the cape and tissue that had shielded Makina's clothing.
Katsumi held a mirror so her client could see the marvelous haircut she had fashioned. For the first time since her haircut began, Makina displayed an emotion other than fear and dread. "I love it!" she exclaimed as a broad smile lit up her face. Subaru had to agree. Makina playfully tossed her glossy locks from side to side, enjoying the novel sensation of shortened hair flipping across her face.
The camera was off and they would take a break before progressing to the next stage of Makina's haircut, if there was a next stage. He was worried that Makina might be so enchanted with this superb new style and that she would decide to stop here.
"You were great!" he told her as he walked up to the chair.
"Oh Subaru, I love this look. My hair has never looked so wonderful. Katsumi certainly is a marvelous stylist."
"It's going to be a shame to ruin it, but you know that this style is only temporary," he reminded her.
"Oh, Subaru, do we have to?" she pleaded.
"You can stop at any time, you know that, but you will leave without the money we agreed on."
"Yes, I know," she sighed. "But give me just a minute more to enjoy this look."
Subaru let Makina have another minute to inspect this first haircut before signaling the resumption of filming. As a dedicated connoisseur of women's haircuts .He had to agree that defiling Katsumi's masterpiece would be criminal, but that's exactly what was about to happen. Katsumi would use her demonstrated talent to create another, dramatically shorter, hair style for Makina. No doubt Makina would be sad to part with more of her raven tresses, but his excitement was mounting. Her first haircut was thrilling, but the next one promised to be even better.
Suabru motioned to the cameramen, and the bright lights came back on. Katsumi resumed her position behind the chair with the cape draped over her arm. Makina understood that we were ready to continue filming and once again took her seat. The smile had disappeared from her face, but she appeared calm and ready to continue. This time the assistant Chisato came and wound a second wide band of tissue around her neck, only this time there was no need to lift her customer's long hair out of the way. Once more she fastened the cape around Makina's shoulders, completely overspreading her robe. Makina again resembled a spring lamb waiting to be shorn.
Chisato sprayed a fine mist of water over Makina's marvelous hair and started combing her locks although they really didn't need it. She sectioned the dark brown hair and again clipped the upper portion atop Makina's head. Her look grew more solemn as Chisato took up her scissors and placed them at Makina's neck. Makina bowed her head, acknowledging her fate, as her barber grasped the damp hair between the fingers of her left hand and began cutting with her right. These cuts were less severe than the first round, removing only three inches from the back of Makina's head. Chisato continued, creating a straight line that left Makina's hair at collar length, exposing her lovely neck.
Makina sat quietly with longer hair still hanging on both sides of her head, more than enough to cover her ears. Subaru didn't have long to wait before discovering what Chisato planned to do with these sections. She began slicing upward at an angle, removing considerably more hair than she had from the back. With a few expert snips, she exposed half of Makina's delicate ear. He saw now that Chisato planned to continue the line from Makina's bangs diagonally downward down until they connected with the shortened hair at her neckline. The remarkable hairdo style was being jettisoned in favor of a delightful cap of dark brown hair. To his relief, Chisato kept Makina's sumptuous bangs at the same length, still covering her forehead and eyebrows.
After finishing both sides, Chisato exchanged her scissors for the blow dryer and styled Makina's shortened locks a second time. Subaru knew his model was concerned about the outcome of this haircut. Before thwy began filming she confided to him that her hair had never been shorter than shoulder length, but her expression never varied while Chisato as snipped and sliced. She remained outwardly composed, although he suspected she was shuddering inside. Makina was proving to be a real trooper.
Subaru thought this new haircut was charming, perhaps not as elegant as the first one, but a look that most women would love to wear. Nevertheless, he worried that Makina would call a halt to the shoot if she was displeased with this creation.
Chisato removed the cape and tissue and then slowly turned the chair so the camera could capture the new cut from every angle. The sight of Makina's bare neck and shoulders sent a thrill through my body. This new style was considerably more sophisticated than the uncomplicated lines of her previous cut. She looked more mature and professional, less like a schoolgirl. But his opinion was not the one that counted. Makina managed a weak smile when Chisato held the mirror, but it was clear that she didn't share his enthusiasm.
"Darling, you look marvelous," Subaru told her
"Do you really think so, Subaru?" she plaintively asked. "It's so short. My hair's never been this short before."
"Short hair really suits you," he said, trying to shore up her sagging morale. "You have a lovely neck and this style really draws attention to your beautiful eyes."
"I bet you say that to all of the girls who get their hair cut," she said, gamely trying to make a joke of it.
"No,you look great" he admitted, "but this time I really mean it."
After a brief interlude, Katsumi now chimed in. "Okay, ready to get started again?"
He feared that Makina might call it quits, but she resumed her position in the chair. He appreciated that she was someone who took her commitments seriously. Once she had agreed to do something, it was unlikely she would renege, no matter how difficult or unpleasant the task.
Katsumi covered Makina with the tissue and cape for the third time as she swallowed hard in anticipation of the next stage of her transformation. The lady combed her hair and pinned the longer hair on top once again leaving a section above her neck exposed. Instead of using scissors, she powered up a set of clippers with a long guard over the blades.
This was the moment where some models flipped out; the thought of having their hair cut with clippers was more than they could bear. To her credit, Makina did not try to escape when she heard the ominous buzzing in her ears. The tranquilizer she swallowed earlier had had the desired effect. Katsumi placed her hand on Makina's head and the compliant victim meekly bowed her head to accept the next haircut.
Katsumi placed the clippers at the base of Makina's neck and guided them upward into her dark mane. Subaru watched with growing arousal as she repeatedly sent the blades part way up the back of her head. The guide was a large one and did not produce a drastic change, but after a few passes the glossy patch of longish hair was replaced by a neatly clippered thick brown pelt ending in a short feathery fringe. Katsumi then removed the guide and used the clippers' inverted blades to remove a few fine hairs and carve a clean straight line across Makina's neck.
Katsumi let down the hair pinned atop her client's head, sprayed and combed it, and took up her scissors. She trimmed some of the length from the back, and then used a razor to fashion a more graduated, tapered look. Katsumi did not touch the sides or the top this time. Her only other change was to draw a part down the left side of Makina's head, brushing her bangs across her forehead instead of straight down.
This third haircut was not an extreme alteration like the other two, but the shortened back gave a hint of what was to come. I must admit that I wasn't in love with this style. Makina appeared relived that there was little visible change from her previous look. When Katsumi offered her the chance to take another break she declined.
"No, let's go ahead and get this over with," she replied.
Makina seemed almost impatient to continue. Having seen many of the haircuts Katsumi administered, he knew this next one would be considerably shorter and would involve more extensive clipper work. Subaru was delighted that they had reached this stage without incident, but feared Makina's reaction when Katsumi resumed. Still, he couldn't wait to see her with the short shaved pixie she had agreed to wear.
After Makina posed for another set of still photos, Katsumi held the tissue for the final time. Makina tilted her chin upward so the white collar could fit around her neck. Then came the cape. Subaru checked her eyes for tears, but none appeared. Katsumi approached from behind with her clippers humming, but Makina gave no hint of the emotion she must have been feeling. I thought she was incredibly brave.
This time Katsumi pushed the clippers higher up Makina's head. Each upward thrust ended with a flick of her wrist that sent a clump of thick dark hair tumbling toward the floor. The merciless blades did the job they were designed to do, mowing her gleaming locks into a shortened fleece that extended half way to her crown.
Next Katsumi aimed her clippers at the sides of Makina's head. Here the change was more revealing as the hungry clippers chewed off all of the hair hiding her ears, imparting a decidedly masculine image. The sophistication of her previous cut was gone, replaced by a boyish girl look, one that he found far more exciting than any of her previous styles. Only Makina's bangs and the hair on top of her head retained some of their original length and I knew this would not last for long.
Katsumi sprayed and combed Makina's remaining longer hair in preparation for the final assault. Working methodically, Katsumi seized a section from the top between her fingers and sliced away three inches before moving on to the next piece. Stopping regularly to check the length, she systematically reduced the top until no hair was more than two inches long. Random tufts stood straight up, giving a hint of the finished look.
Katsumi trimmed around Makina's ears and up the side of her face until her forehead was the only place where her hair retained any length. The barber then combed Makina's bangs to the front and drew a horizontal part across the front of her head. The section behind the part was cut as short as the rest of the top. My heart was racing raced as our single-minded barber lopped off three-inch pieces that fell past Makina's face.
Now it was time to reduce the bangs to a length consistent with the rest of the style. Katsumi wetted the front of Makina's head and took up a cutthroat razor. Holding the bangs between her fingers, the barberette sliced away about half of their length. Bangs that had been thick and even were transformed into a jagged, feathery fringe that that bared a wide swath of her pale forehead. This was far more than I had expected, and it created a look totally different from any of the previous haircuts.
Subaru thought Katsumi was finished, but she took up her scissors again and, apparently not yet satisfied, resumed cutting the hair on top of Makina's head shorter still. He wondered how much more Katsumi could stand, but she stoically endured these final cuts.
One last time Katsumi turned on the blow dryer and aimed a blast of hot hair at the radically shortened hair on top of Makina's head. She coaxed it upward with her fingers until all of it was standing upright in a thicket of dramatic spikes, none longer than two inches. As a final touch, Katsumi worked a handful of gel into Makina's shortened hair, teasing and pulling individual strands until at last she was done.
Katsumi removed the cape and brushed a few stray bits of hair from Makina's neck and shoulders. Our model sat perfectly still as Katsumi slowly rotated the chair, displaying her creation from every angle. Makina peered into the camera, her icy blue eyes revealing none of the ordeal she had just endured. Her gaze was cool, almost haughty, as if to say she was impervious to any criticism from those might ask why she sacrificed her crowning glory.
Subaru was stunned by her transformation. He knew Katsumi was a skilled barber, but this was her best work by far. Where Makina's gorgeous dark mane had once hung in a satin curtain nearly to the middle of her back, a profusion of short spikes now sprouted in every direction from her scalp. Her neck and ears, once hidden, were now fearlessly exposed. Except for her piercing eyes and flawless complexion, he would not have recognized her as the same young woman who entered the studio two hours earlier. Before she was attractive, but her beauty was buried beneath a thick layer of hair. Now she looked confident and bold, no longer a timid wallflower. He only hoped she wouldn't hate him for engineering this makeover.
Katsumi held a mirror so Makina could see the finished work. "Is that me?" she asked, stunned by her amazing new look.
She reached her hand up to feel the clippered hair on the back of her head. "It's so short," she murmured. "I didn't think it would be this short."
"Miss you look absolutely spectacular. You're gonna stop traffic when you go out in public," Katsumi said, trying to cheer up her stunned customer.
"But I'm not sure I want to stop traffic," Makina complained. "I'd rather not stand out."
"That's not going to happen, honey. You're a natural born beauty. You're gonna have to get used to it."
At last Makina rose from the chair. It had been a taxing couple of hours and I could see she was emotionally spent. I held out the check for her modeling fee. "Here's the rest of your fee. You earned every penny of it."
She said nothing as the folded the check, tucked it into the bodice of her dress, and started for the exit. "I was going to show you some makeup tricks," Katsumi called to her.
"Some other time. I've got to go home now," she called over her shoulder as she hurried out into the night.
"That was an incredible haircut, Katsumi and Chisato, your best work by far,"
"Yeah, I thought so too, Subaru." said Katsumi
" That girl is a real knockout. You're gonna make a lot of money ." said Chisato
"I think you're right. I just wish Makina wasn't so emotional."
"She'll get over it, Subaru," Katsumi assured him. "Sometimes it takes a while to get used to a big change like that one. You gotta get acquainted with a completely different person."
"You're the best. It was a pleasure watching you two work."
"Yeah, I could see you were enjoying yourself," she said with a knowing wink as she reached down to pat my rock-hard cock.
As they finished, Makina showed her new look and the clients were suprised and delighted and Makina did well at the promotions. Subaru liked her new look and complimented her everytime and slowly both fell in love with each other.