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Words counted-- 1600
Enjoy--
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"Seventeen?" Noriko exclaimed, wondering if the woman in front of her was telling the truth.
"That, I can see, Komi-san," Aki laughed.
"Mou, both my Shouko and I are Komi, you know that, right?" Shouko's mother exclaimed.
"Both of your names also sound the same," Aki thought but refrained from saying it. "Shooko-neesan, I would prefer calling you that since you look so young. And,"
Looking at Komi, he said, "Is it okay with you if I call you Shouko too? So I don't get confused myself," Aki asked.
*Nod* nod* she nodded, giving him her permission.
"That's great. I think you already have your hair done, Shouko-san. It looks beautiful," Aki replied. "Here is my Line number. As we are now considered friends, we can exchange numbers, right? Or you don't want to?" Aki asked, his voice tinged with a playful threat to cry if she refused.
"Kyaa, Shouko, take it! You'll get yourself a friend!" Komi's mother exclaimed.
Komi shyly took the number and saved it. She was happy that she had made a new friend. Her bucket list of making 100 friends before graduation now had three names, including Aki. She looked at her phone and smiled. "I will tell Tadano-kun that I made a new friend," she thought.
"Then we will be going, Shijo-kun and Noriko-san. Next time, visit our house," Komi's mother patted both of their shoulders laughingly and went out with Komi.
"They are really opposite to each other," Noriko murmured, noticing the polar opposites of the mother and daughter pair.
"I bet," Aki shrugged. "Let's get our hair done," he suggested.
"Um," Noriko nodded. She followed Aki's suggestion as she had wanted to cut her hair for a long time. "Maybe I should cut my hair short," she thought, considering it was her chance since her hair had reached her back.
As they sat in the salon chairs, the stylists began their work. Noriko glanced at Aki, who seemed lost in thought. "What are you thinking about?" she asked.
"Nothing," Aki replied, not saying much as he kept glancing at the hairdresser beside him. "Why do I feel like I should know her..." he wondered.
The hairdresser in question had an average height with a slender build. She had striking green eyes that contrasted with her natural black hair, though she had dyed it blonde. It seemed it had been some time since she last dyed it, as her natural roots were showing through. A small scar was visible on her right earlobe, though it was unclear whether the injury was self-inflicted.
She wore a red turtleneck with a black apron and beige slacks, an outfit that appeared to be her work attire. Despite her composed and professional demeanor, there was a gentle, almost melancholic air about her, reminiscent of someone who had been through a lot yet remained resolute and caring. Her hands moved skillfully and gracefully as she worked, reflecting years of experience and dedication to her craft.
Aki couldn't shake the feeling that he had seen her before, but he couldn't quite place where. He continued to watch her, trying to piece together the memory that seemed just out of reach.
As the hairdressers finished, Noriko heard Aki's surprised reaction. "Eh, why did you cut your hair all the way up? I thought you were only going to cut a bit," Aki exclaimed.
"Is it not beautiful?" Noriko asked, wondering whether Aki didn't like her new haircut.
"It's not that. I was just surprised. As a matter of fact, you look more cute than beautiful," Aki said in one breath. He wasn't lying; she looked the cutest even though she was older than him. He couldn't help it.
"You know I am older than you, right? Why are you treating me like a kid?" Noriko exclaimed, trying to hide her blush. She jested him, but deep down, she felt a warmth at his words.
"No way..." Aki smiled. This girl is something, he thought. He found her character charming. Even though she wasn't the most beautiful, her free spirit, her way of expressing herself, and other aspects of her personality drew him in. In his heart, he felt that if he looked away from her, that same smile, her playfulness, would all disappear.
Sighing, he thought, I need to concentrate tonight and try to remember her. I wish I had at least something to accelerate my memories...
After a short chat, Noriko said, "I'll wait for you over there," as there was only one hairdresser, and she was the one doing all the work.
"It seems like it is a family business run only by her," Aki wondered but responded to Noriko, "Okay, please don't leave me," he teased.
"I don't care, I am running off!" Noriko joked, pretending to run away.
Aki chuckled, watching her playful antics. "You better not!" he called after her, his heart feeling lighter as he enjoyed the moment.
As he waited for his turn, he couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity with the hairdresser.
As he waited for his turn, he couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity with the hairdresser.
"You have great friends," the woman said as she prepared to cut his hair.
"Should I cut it like this or like that?" the woman asked, seeking Aki's opinion on the style.
"Um, I think you can cut it however you like. After all, whatever style you cut, it will always suit me," Aki responded confidently.
"That's true. You have a pretty head shape and a cute face," the woman replied, starting to cut his hair.
"Um, if you don't mind, can I know your name? Ah, don't think wrong of me; I just feel like I have seen you. By the way, my name is Aki Shijo," Aki asked.
"I don't mind telling you. Call me Miyako Ishida. Nice meeting you, Shijo-kun."
"Ishida... Ishida... my damn brain... That scar... Um, how did it...?" Aki asked nervously. He was really curious. If this question got a reply, he might have some clues, but he realized he might have crossed the line.
The woman stopped what she was doing for a moment but then returned a smile. "It was a punishment," she replied, not going into detail.
Though he didn't get a clear clue, Aki continued to think until his hair was done.
As the woman washed his hair, a light buzz went off in Aki's mind. Ah, I get it... Her face... Now I remember... Aki recognized her not by the name but by her face.
As he dried his hair, he looked at her. "Ishida-san, is Shoya doing well?" he asked, taking Miyako by surprise.
Miyako's eyes widened slightly, but she quickly composed herself. "Shoya is doing well. Thank you for asking, Shijo-kun," she replied softly, a hint of warmth in her voice.
"But how did you know my son?" she asked, with hints of excitement, wondering if her son had started making friends.
"Ah, that... um, that—I was in the same grade as him when we were kids. We didn't talk much. I only saw him, and you, when you visited once. That's how I remember you, because I had a crush on you—you were my first love," Aki exclaimed.
The room fell into a stunned silence. If a pin had dropped, anyone could have heard it loud and clear. Even Noriko, who was waiting far away, heard his words and stormed out angrily. Some new customers even retreated, sensing the awkward tension.
"Um, Shijo-kun, what to say... you were a kid back then, so it's natural... But thank you, I appreciate your compliment," Miyako responded, at a loss for words. She wasn't prepared for or had ever dreamed of being confessed to by a boy who was around her son's age.
"No... I still feel for you, Ishida-okaasan. I knew I had seen you before, even though I didn't remember your face immediately. I knew I was missing something. Recalling our past, I still fall for you today. Please be my girlfriend, Ishida—no, Miyako-okaasan," Aki shouted, holding her hand, his bright eyes locking onto hers.
Miyako's face flushed with a mix of emotions—embarrassment, confusion, and a touch of flattery. She gently pulled her hand back, trying to maintain her composure. "Aki-kun, I appreciate your feelings, truly. But I'm much older than you, and this... this isn't appropriate. You're a sweet and kind boy, but I think you should find someone your own age to fall in love with."
Aki's expression shifted to one of determination. "Age doesn't matter to me, Miyako-okaasan. I really like you."
Miyako smiled softly but firmly. "It's sweet of you to say that, but it's important to find someone who can share your experiences and grow with you. I believe you'll find someone who will make you very happy one day."
Aki sighed, seeing the sincerity in her eyes. "Alright, Miyako-okaasan. I understand."
As the tension in the room eased, Miyako resumed her work, and Aki tried to process his feelings. The salon returned to its usual buzz, and Aki glanced was about to exixt he turn back and shouted." Miyako okasan I will come tomorrow to purpose again... I haven't given up yet!"
*Cackkk* falling of objects can be heard for outside as aki run holding noriko hand...
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