A Young Male Hairdresser, Assigned To help Out At The Branch, Finds Himself Bothered By The Playful Antics Of A Lively High School Gal Model Who Seeks Attention. - Chapter 15: Phone call with my father.

Phone call with my father.

“Shuuto, how’s the shop over there? Are things going well?”

“Um, wait. Isn’t it a bit late to be calling now…? It’s almost 1 o’clock? It’s midnight.”

“Well, it can’t be helped, right? We’re busy over here too.”

“Well, I guess so…”

Just as Shuuto parted ways with Rikka and arrived at his apartment where he lived alone, he received a sudden call from his father.

“Anyway, thanks for worrying. I’m working at the branch, and it feels pretty much the same as the main saloon. I’m gradually getting more regular customers, so I think I’m managing somehow.”

“It’s not like I was worried about you since you have customers following you from the main shop. It was also a factor in choosing you.”

“Huh? Is that so?”

“Yeah. Speaking of worries, I’m concerned whether you’re fitting in with the people there.”

“Ahaha, yeah, something like that.”

“So, how is it really?”

With his father’s tone suddenly turning serious, Shuuto paused for a moment.

“…”

Being questioned like this, he couldn’t help but recall Nonoka’s indifferent attitude towards him.

“Well, there’s nothing particularly wrong.”

Shuuto took his time to answer.

Without understanding the reason behind her attitude, would it be wise to report everything honestly…?

First, he needed to understand the reason and then perhaps seek advice…

With these thoughts running through his mind, he was about to speak when his father’s next words caught him completely off guard.

“Hmm. I’ve heard a lot from the manager, you know.”

“Huh!?”

“Obviously, as my son, various information reaches me.”

“R-Right… Yeah… So, you already knew?”

It was a surprising piece of information, but now that it was mentioned, it made sense.

Although Shuuto was convinced, he had completely fallen into the trap.

“Well, I just dropped a hint.”

“Huh…? Oh…”

“From what the manager said, there shouldn’t be anything complicated about this, right?… But, I understand there’s some issue based on your reaction.”

“Uh… Yeah. You’re right, dad.”

Being so easily seen through even after lying, Shuuto couldn’t help but feel ridiculous.

“Well, I’m just asking. But tell me briefly. It’s easier to deal with it when you share it with someone.”

“R-Right…”

“Just listen. I won’t interfere unless you ask for help.”

Even in this situation, where he was caught in a lie, his father’s perceptive nature was unbeatable.

Since he had been told this much, it seemed best to just go along with the conversation.

“…So, the thing is, there’s a staff member who seems to be avoiding or disliking me for some reason, and I’m having trouble dealing with it.”

“That couldn’t be a misunderstanding, could it?”

“If only it were… That staff member is friendly and kind to everyone else, like the life of the party, but she’s cold towards me.”

“Hmm. Shuuto, did you perhaps do something to offend them?”

“It’s not impossible, but I can’t think of anything. But, you know? She doesn’t ignore me, and She still practices with me, and she doesn’t do anything to interfere. It’s just her attitude towards me.”

“I see. So, what are you trying to say?”

“Um, I know it sounds contradictory, but it feels like there’s no malice…?”

Shuuto wasn’t trying to defend himself; he was just conveying what he had actually experienced.

He had indeed received only half-hearted attacks, making it difficult for him to grasp the situation.

“Ah? By the way, may I ask for the name of that staff member? She might be the one.”

“That girl…? If I tell you, you or the manager will definitely get involved, won’t you?”

“Well, with the current information, we can take action, so it’s okay to tell me. Like I said earlier, I won’t intervene.”

“Well, I guess…”

There’s no room for argument.

“If you tell her to open up right now, it’ll certainly resolve the issue.”

What he’s saying is correct, and it might be wiser to honestly convey the information rather than provoke the father into an argument.

With that in mind, the first step is to put the nail in the coffin.

“If you interfere without permission, I’ll be mad.”

“Yeah, I’ll keep that in mind.”

Believing in those words, I decided to honestly share the information.

“So, it’s Nonoka-san, who’s been taking care of me.”

“Can you say that one more time?”

“It’s Nonoka-san. Two years older.”

“Hahaha! It’s definitely her!”

“Huh? Do you know something? About Nonoka-san?, Dad?”

Being the owner of Shartier, Dad knows the names of all the employees. Upon hearing the name, Dad inexplicably bursts into laughter.

“Well, if it’s about her, you don’t need to worry. You’re the one at fault… that’s all.”

“What? Why!? Why am I the one at fault?”

It’s an unexpected assertion.

“You can ask her for the details.”

“At least give me a hint. It takes courage just to start a conversation in that atmosphere.”

“It’s Kami-sma.”

“I’m more confused now.”

The contents were similar to what came up when he handled Rikka’s cut.

Kami-sma. It referred to the ‘Karisuma‘ , a prestigious award given to salons and individual hairstylists nationwide through a comprehensive survey.

Given the fierce competition nationwide, winning this award was challenging and an honor.

“Do you know that Nonoka-san received a one-star award this year?”

“Yeah, I know that.”

“And you have a two-star award. That’s the answer.”

“…”

The highest rating for Karisuma is three stars. Shuuto, like his father, aims for this three-star rating.

“So, it’s jealousy, huh? It doesn’t seem that way, though…”

“‘Well, then that must be it.'”

“Huh?”

With this response, it was clear that something was amiss. At the same time, questions like ‘What on earth could it be…’ arose.

“Well, resolving this is probably just a matter of time. People have a way of adapting, even if it’s not easy.”

“Speaking in riddles…”

Shuuto’s father seemed to be aware of something, but he didn’t seem inclined to share.

“Well, there might be various reasons, but do something nice for her. If she’s practicing with you, reciprocate by practicing with her.”

“P-Practice?”

“That might be the only time you can spend together, right?”

“Y-Yeah, you’re right. Um, sure. I get it…”

Even when trying to bridge the gap through conversation, Shuuto felt disconnected from the other end. It was a challenging situation, but his father didn’t seem to be speaking with a deceptive tone.

On the contrary, he seemed confident in what he was saying.

“Well, if that’s your only concern, it should be fine. Keep it up. Things seem to be going well with Rikka-san, the model, too.”

“Ah, hahaha… Yeah, got it.”

“Good. I’m in the process of looking for new staff on my end, so rely on the branch a bit more.”

“Sure, understood.”

And with that, the conversation with his father ended.

Tomorrow would come early again. Hoping that this issue wouldn’t affect his work, Shuuto prepared to go to bed.

As he pondered the reasons for Nonoka’s indifferent attitude…