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 5: Nonoka after the nomination.

Nonoka after the nomination.

The morning after, Rtkka, the model, specifically requested me.

The news of me being selected had already spread among the staff.

Hairstylists engage in daily study to keep up with trends and the latest hairstyles. They often use fashion magazines and women’s magazines as textbooks for this purpose, and Ritkka, as one of the models, is frequently featured in these publications.

Given her profession, many staff members knew of her, recognized her name, or had seen her face before.

“Is it true that you know that Rikka girl, Shuuto?”

“As expected of a hairstylist from the main store… your connections are wide…”

“Now, what’s the relationship between you two? Are you guys secretly dating?”

“There’s no way you are not making a move on such a young and cute girl, right?”

“Yeah, that makes sense, doesn’t it?”

Shuuto found himself at the centre of attention. He was asked about their relationship by female hairstylists, teased by male hairstylists, and could only respond with a strained smile.

“We’re not friends.”

“We just happened to meet by chance the other day.”

Even when he tried to convey these facts, nobody believed him. And this situation wasn’t entirely favorable for Shuuto.

“…”

“Um… Nonoka-san?”

“What?”

Currently, before opening hours, they were in the middle of cleaning outside. Nonoka, two years older than Shuuto, had a soft perm with an orange ponytail and side hair that reached down to her cheeks. Under her left eye, there was a small mole. She was also Shuuto’s mentor at the salon, and she seemed somewhat displeased.

“Uh, well…”

Although he initiated the conversation, he lacked a crucial topic. Trying to change the atmosphere, he attempted to engage in conversation, but it wasn’t going smoothly.

(Think of a topic, any topic…)

Just as he desperately tried to come up with something, Nonoka spoke up with a cold tone.

“Do you want me to praise you or something?”

“Huh?”

She looked at him with a cold gaze and a chilly tone.

“I mean, you want me to praise you for being chosen by the model, right?”

“Uh, well…”

Though Shuuto was the youngest working there, he didn’t have a strong desire for approval to the extent of demanding praise. However, if he denied it here, he knew she would ask, “Then what?” That was quite predictable.

(What should I do with this mess I’ve made…)

While he was struggling with his thoughts, Nonoka, with a puzzled expression, continued.

“Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying it’s anything amazing, okay?”

“Oh…”

Nonoka continued speaking, realizing that Shuuto might have interpreted her words as a plea for praise.

“Whether you’re a model, or not, whether it’s a friend or not, being requested is impressive in itself. It means the client trusts your skills and is willing to pay for them.”

“…”

“Since you’re achieving this impressive feat every day, there’s no need for praise. I won’t let you become arrogant either.”

She continued to sweep without stopping her hand, as if it were a matter of course, while casting a sidelong glance at him.

“More importantly… Can I ask about what everyone was talking about earlier?”

“Something other than the request?”

“T-that’s right… It’s about that. It’s a bit weird to say, but… are you, like, Ritkka-san’s boyfriend or something?”

“Huh? Did everyone really say that!?”

At that moment, Shuuto saw a different side of Nonoka.

He noticed her stumbling over her words slightly, and her furtive glances.

Perhaps it was the nature of the topic, but he didn’t feel the usual coldness from her. Her attitude seemed similar to everyone else’s.

“It’s really not true. Everyone was just joking.”

“Hmm. But you didn’t seem completely unbothered by it.”

“Well, I just didn’t expect to be teased like that…”

“Yeah. Well, as long as it doesn’t affect your work, it doesn’t matter either way.”

“Haha… Thank you for your concern.”

Her words were truly that of an attendant.

Shuuto responded with a wry smile, and he couldn’t help but think. With this atmosphere, and with Nonoka seeming a little flustered, maybe they could have a conversation if he took a brave step.

Feeling that way, he took that courageous step and returned to the conversation.

“…Uh, Nonoka-san, do you have someone special? A boyfriend?”

“M-Me? No way. Nothing like that.”

“Really…?”

He wasn’t particularly close to Nonoka in reality. Like her, his response was vague, but now that he had gathered some courage, he felt he could continue the conversation.

“Honestly, I thought you might have someone. (Besides myself,) you’re nice, and kind. Do you get asked out often?”

“Well… It happens now and then.”

Vaguely answered.

Unspoken, Nonoka was quite attractive. Not just in appearance but also in skill. Shuuto knew that she was one of the most popular hairstylists among male clients in the salon.

“Even so, I don’t rely on others. If I have time to go out with those people, I prioritize practice. It’s the best for my work, and I don’t want to lose to the other staff.”

“…”

“Just so you know, you’re one of those people too. Remember that.”

“Wha-!”

With her eyes filled with a professional attitude or perhaps pride, Nonoka stole Shuuto’s consciousness.

“Come on, don’t stop your hands, keep moving faster.”

“Ah, sorry.”

“Instead of apologizing, move your hands more.”

“Yes…”

After that, Nonoka returned to her usual self. However, Shuuto felt like he had glimpsed a little of her approach to work.

He gained a bit of understanding about how she faced her job.