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 3: A typhoon-like presence of her.

A typhoon-like presence of her.

“Manager, I’ll take a break.”

“Sure, good job.”

It’s 2 p.m. Having secured a 30-minute break due to a canceled reservation, Shuuto, grabbing his wallet from the locker, informs the manager in the staff room.

“Shuuto-kun, are you heading to the convenience store again today?”

“Yes, I’ll be right back.”

Engaging in casual conversation, Shuuto headed to the nearest convenience store. Unlike other staff members who secure ample break time by buying lunch before coming to work, Shuuto does things a bit differently. Going outside the shop serves as both a break and a change of scenery for him. This has been a routine since his days at the main shop.

“Take care of yourself then.”

“Thank you.”

Acknowledging that Shuuto is on break, the manager swiftly ends the conversation and sees him off. Appreciating the consideration, Shuuto exits the shop after bowing to the reception staff at the entrance.

“Huuuhh…”

As he walked away from his workplace, a sudden sense of relief washed over him. Stretching his stiffened body and taking a deep breath, he temporarily sheds the burden on his shoulders. During work, he’s always concentrating while feeling the weight of responsibility. This brief moment allows him to relax.

“Another six hours… Let’s do my best like this.”

He cheers himself on.

“Now then.”

With that, he walked towards the nearest convenience store. Conveniently located just a 3-minute walk away, he favored this store. Making his usual stop, he bought two teas and two rice balls, concluding his shopping. All that’s left was to return to Shall Tier, have a light meal, and get back to work. This was his typical routine, but today, it was different.

“Oh…”

Just as he was about to return to the shop, Shuuto accidentally witnessed something. A girl with a cap walking in front of him dropped her keychain from her bag. Whether the string tying it to the bag broke or not, the rubber keychain silently fell to the ground, bouncing lightly on impact.

“…”

Taken aback by this unexpected event, Shuuto finally snapped out of it. However, the girl, who hadn’t noticed she dropped something, continued to walk away.

“Hey!”

It’s at this moment that Shuuto, now fully aware, saw the dropped keychain. He quickly picks it up and runs towards the girl.

“Excuse me.”

“…”

“Um, excuse me.”

“…”

Catching up and calling out twice, there was still no response. Instead, the girl increases her pace to create more distance.

“Um, excuse me!”

Even when Shuuto quickened his pace and called out again, it’s clear she was intentionally avoiding him, ignoring him as if he wasn’t there.

“Excuse me! I picked up your keychain!”

“Eh?”

At that moment, she let out a cute voice. The girl immediately stopped and brought her bag to the front, checking it with her hands.

“Huh!?”

She seemed to have just noticed that it’s missing. The girl, now again but with a louder voice, finally turned around, and their eyes met for the first time. Her face was concealed by a black cap and mask, but her fair skin, finely shaped eyebrows, and large red eyes are visible. Her beautifully extended black hair was dyed pink on the inside, creating a two-tone effect.

(Hmm, this distinctive hair color… I feel like I’ve seen it somewhere before.)

Although Shuuto sensed this, he continued the interaction without changing his expression.

“You dropped this. It’s your keychain, right?”

“Huh? Uh, yeah.”

Handing it over in a way that’s easy to see, she takes it with both hands as if organizing the situation.

“Thank you so much. This is a gift from my sister, so it’s precious to me.”

“I see. I’m glad I could return it.”

They exchanged relieved smiles. While she initially seemed somewhat unapproachable, talking to her like this made her appear much more friendly.

“Um… I’m sorry for the cold attitude earlier. It’s somewhat embarrassing, but I mistook it for someone trying to hit on me. It happens a lot around here.”

“Haha, indeed, the way I approached you might have seemed like that. I’m sorry.”

She lightly apologizes by overlapping her hands, tilting her head as if conveying an apology.

With those words, Shuuto felt that her attitude change was understandable.

And it seemed like she often got approached by people.

Even though she’s hiding her face with a cap and mask, her well-featured face can still be glimpsed. Her figure is also commendable.

“Well then, since I’ve returned the lost item, I’ll be going.”

His break time is gradually being eroded. The matter is resolved.

With a brief farewell, he naturally tried to leave—.

“It’s, uh, rare…”

“Hmm?”

“Oh, sorry. Just… can you spare a bit more time? It’ll be quick, I promise.”

“What’s the matter?”

Being stopped by the other party, Shuuto asks back, trying to conceal his nervousness.

“You know, can you listen without being suspicious? Could you allow me to thank you later Onii-san? I’m starting work now, so I can’t make time right away, and I apologize for that.”

“Oh no, you don’t have to thank me. I just picked it up.”

“Even though I appreciate you saying that, it’s a bit tricky because of my job.”

“Because of your job…?”

“Yeah. It’s a selfish story, but I work in a photos-related business, you know? So, I want to keep things proper…”

“Like not spreading rumors?”

She smiles awkwardly, as if she wants to convey, ‘Sorry for the weird talk,’ while adjusting her cap.

“A photo-related business, huh…”

At that moment, the exact situation wasn’t clear, but Shuuto decided to go along with the conversation.

“In that case, may I get a drink from the vending machine over there as a thank you? Consider that the token of appreciation for today.”

“I thought about doing that at first too, but you’ve already bought something, right? Two teas, and it’s visible through the convenience store bag.”

“Oh, uh…”

The desire to do what’s right and express gratitude is evident in her words.

“So, can I get your contact info, onii-san? With that, I can arrange a chance to thank you later.”

“…I didn’t expect to be asked for my contact info in this situation.”

“Wow, I expected it from your appearance, but you’re really good with people, onii-san. Well, it’s fine if we exchange contact info, and if you promise not to tell anyone, we can call it a reverse pickup, okay?”

“…”

Although she looks quite young, she responds with a relaxed attitude, even throwing a joke.

“Is that not okay? About exchanging contact info.”

“Since I’m currently using my work phone, is it okay if I give you my business card?”

“Sure. Anything that allows us to stay in touch.”

“Please wait a moment.”

With permission granted, Shuuto opened his wallet and handed over his business card.

“It’s slightly bent because it’s for emergencies…”

“It’s okay. I’m the one who suddenly asked, after all.”

With a smile that seems to say ‘thanks,’ she accepts the business card and shifts her gaze.

“Hmm, your name is Shuuto-san. And, wait, this card… You work at Shall Tier!? That salon! I thought you were a host or something.”

“I’m a hairstylist…”

Shuuto has actually been told this by regular and new customers. However, he doesn’t understand why he’s perceived that way.

“But seriously, aren’t you too young for a place like Shall Tier, Onii-san?”

“Haha, thank you. Including that you know about Shall Tier.”

“Due to my job, kinda. I hear stories like only monsters work there.”

“Monsters?”

“At least, that’s the rumor. I heard it from my sister, too. ‘It can’t go wrong if you go to this salon!’ It seems like it’s featured in magazines.”

“Well, I’m grateful. It’s all thanks to everyone’s efforts. I don’t boast about it, but I do acknowledge it properly.”

“Ah! In that case, I have a good idea. How about I express my gratitude by making a reservation for myself? It’ll be a good time to tidy up my hair, and I think you’ll be happy with that.”

“Indeed, having a request is something I’m happy about, but something else would be okay too. I mean, I appreciate it, but Shall Tier is quite pricey compared to others.”

Shall Tier, with its completely private rooms, has a higher price setting compared to other hair salons.

Judging by her appearance, she seems to be in high school or college.

He can’t make her spend that much money just to pick up a keychain.

“I see. You’re kind, Onii-san. Well, since I thought that way, I wanted to properly thank you.”

She smiled as if she was reading all of Shooto’s thoughts.

“But I’ll be okay. It’ll come out of the expenses anyway.”

“An expense? Oh, could it be!?”

“I think you’ve pretty much figured out my job. Well, sorry! I’m in a real hurry for work now, so I have to go.”

“Oh, sure.”

Yielding to her momentum, Shuuto, who always has the lead in conversations taken away, watches her.

“Thank you so much today!”

“No problem, good luck with your work.”

“Yeah yeah. Take care, Onii-san!”

Those words become the last.

With her bag readjusted and the keychain put into her pocket, she leaves without revealing her name.

***

A few days later, Shuuto would hear something surprising from the manager.

“Shuuto, you’re really something. You got a personal request from that model, Rikka-san.”

“Huh? Rikka-san, you mean, that…?”

Shuuto didn’t know it yet. Upon hearing the name from the manager, he starts to picture a particular person.

“Yeah, yeah. The model who served as the opening batter for the Sakuran Girls Collection. Since it’s a request, I thought she might be an acquaintance of yours.”

“Oh…”

Then it hits him. The face of the woman to whom he gave his business card. A person he had seen in a fashion magazine.