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 20: After overtime.

After overtime.

“Here you go.”

“Ah, thank you very much. Cheers.”

After finishing overtime and leaving the salon together with Nonoka, she rushed to the vending machine, and with a soft smile, she handed him a can of orange juice that she had bought.

Choosing juice instead of coffee or tea was very much like her. Now that they had reconciled, she no longer treated him coldly and interacted kindly with the other staff.

“Thank you so much for keeping me company during overtime today. I learned a lot and had a really fulfilling time.”

“No, I’m the one who received inspiration from you.”

“Really…? If you’re just saying that to be polite, it might hurt a little, you know?”

“Of course, I mean it sincerely.”

She narrows her skeptical orange-colored eyes, but Shuuto responds firmly.

“I often find it hard to put things into words, and it tends to sound condescending, but during the haircut, you repeatedly checked the reference images and accurately produced them, right, Nonoka-san?”

“Y-Yes.”

“To be honest, even with just a quick look at the reference images, you can achieve a certain level of reproduction. But you chose not to take the easy route and worked seriously. I felt the high level of your ambition, and seeing that motivated me. I can’t afford to lose.”

“…”

“Also, your meticulous maintenance of the scissors stands out. I’ve been careful myself, but compared to you, I realized I’ve been treating them somewhat carelessly.”

The scissors used by hairdressers can become misaligned and unusable with just one drop on the floor. Shuuto had been mindful of this, but he felt there was a difference.

“Um, Shuuto-kun, are you really 22? Are you not lying about your age?”

“I’m not doing something like that. Is there something that seems off?”

“It’s just that your perspective is amazing. In a good way, it’s not ordinary… When you answer, you seem to be thinking while applying it to yourself, right? I’m happy to be praised, but my admiration has grown stronger.”

“Haha.”

“Fufu.”

The two of them smiled at each other in front of the shop.

Where had their previous relationship gone? They were genuinely enjoying each other’s company now.

“You’re really amazing, Shuuto-kun. I need to learn more and more from you.”

“Sometimes you need to relax, or you’ll break your body.”

“Huh? Are you worried about me?”

“Of course. With your skill, you can still cut hair properly even if your hands are shaking. I’m not worried about that, but I am concerned about you overworking.”

“You’re making fun of me again, aren’t you? I’m your senior, you know?”

“S-sorry.”

Though tempted to retort at the ‘you know,’ Shuuto refrains, realizing that further teasing might lack respect.

With a sense of warmth in his heart, he apologizes.

“Maybe your true nature is like that, Shuuto-kun?”

“Like what…?”

“You’re a gentleman at work, but deep down, you’re kind of mean.”

Nonoka crosses her arms as if acting, furrowing her brows towards the center as she appeals, but her naturally gentle demeanor mitigates any intimidation.

“Well, you might not be entirely wrong.”

“You have to be gentle, especially with girls.”

“I’d like to, but considering the debts of coldness I’ve received from a certain senior, it might be tough.”

Shuuto jests, glancing sideways, and Nonoka slowly turns her head away, raising her index finger in playful reproach.

“I-I think that’s a bit harsh, don’t you…? W-while it’s true that I may have some faults, I believe there’s room for leniency! Especially since a respected hairdresser like yourself suddenly got assigned to the branch.”

She seems to realize she’s talking about herself.

Though a little flustered, she counters firmly, as if directly expressing something she had kept hidden in her heart.

“Um, well… I’d appreciate it if you could refrain from saying things like that, as it’s embarrassing for me. It’s okay to use honorific language.”

“I-I, I only say it sometimes! I-I’m embarrassed too… Besides, it’s because you made me say it… You really are kind of mean.”

“I-I didn’t mean it like that, really.”

Once again, Nonoka conveys her feeling of ‘respect.’ It’s a complete self-destruction.

In the midst of this embarrassing atmosphere, she murmurs, 

“Alright then, shall we head home soon? We have to wake up early tomorrow. We can’t afford to get sick.”

“Yes, that sounds good. Understood.”

“Oh, Shuuto-kun, are you driving? If you’re planning to take a taxi or something, I can drop you off at your house.”

She shows her keys from her pocket, and Shuuto responds with the same gesture.

“Thank you. But I have my own car.”

“Oh… that’s too bad. I wanted to show you a senior-like gesture.”

“Well, you’re already plenty senior-like, Nonoka-san. I’d be glad if you could continue teaching me various things in the future.”

“Hehe, I’m glad to hear you say that.”

With a smile, the relaxed tone fades. She returns to her polite manner of speaking.

“Well then, shall we?”

“Huh? Where to?”

“Your car, Nonoka-san. It’s late at night, so it’s dangerous. Let me escort you to your car.”

“Geez… It’s not fair if you suddenly become kind… really.”

“It’s only natural. Let me do this to help maintain my junior’s reputation.”

“Uh, okay… Sorry for making you stay late with me.”

“Don’t worry about it. Let’s go.”

They walked shoulder to shoulder, and Shuuto escorted her to her car.