I tried to confess my feelings to the girl I like, but I got too excited and ended up proposing. Was her response OK?! ~ - Chapter 12

Episode 12

Two more days had passed since then, and on that night, we returned home after a long journey.

“I’m exhausted~!”

“Somehow being home feels reassuring, right? This place is still the best.”

“Yeah, you’re right~. Does that mean Mana has gotten used to this house?”

If that’s the case, it would make me very happy. Since we started living together, Mana had been somewhat reserved. It would be good if that changed.

“Hehe, yes, that’s right. I’ve also settled into this life.”

Come to think of it, one of the goals I mentioned at the beginning of the trip was achieved, but the other one couldn’t be.

By the way, those goals were about kissing. Kissing Mana.

Why did I make this a goal? Because it’s been a few months since we got married, and I wanted to close the distance a little more.

But, in the end, I couldn’t kiss her. There were a few opportunities, but I was too nervous to do it.

Well, I suppose I’ll gradually get better at it.

“Sora-kun?”

“Hm? What is it?”

“About the greeting to my aunt that we talked about during the trip, how about next week?”

“Alright, next week then. I’ll clear my schedule.”

Next week, huh?

When I meet Mana’s aunt, there’s something I want to ask her. But before that, I need to thank her for raising Mana.

I’m looking forward to it.

“Well, shall we rest for today since we’re already tired?”

“Yeah, good night.”

“Yes, good night.”

The next day, Ryota called me early in the morning.

“Are you free today? Let’s hang out!”

Why is this guy so energetic in the morning?

“I just got back from a trip, you know? I’m tired, so I can’t.”

“Don’t say such cold things~. Think of it as for my sake, okay? Even if we just grab a meal!”

“Sigh, are you treating me?”

“Absolutely! See you in two hours then!”

“Fine.”

Ugh, what a hassle.

I was planning to relax at home today.

Oh well, I guess I’ll get ready.

Later, after taking a shower and drying my hair.

“My hair has grown, huh~. What should I do? Maybe I should try a short hairstyle.”

My bangs have grown to the point where they cover most of my eyes if I don’t push them up.

“But even if I cut my hair… I’ll just look weird to others, so I’ll pass.”

Thirty minutes before our appointment, I left the house.

I wanted to say something to Mana before leaving, but she surprisingly didn’t wake up, so I left a message for her.

When I arrived at the meeting place, Ryota was already there.

“It’s rare for you not to be late.”

“Oh! You finally came. Let’s go!”

“Go where…”

“Huh? To the hair salon. We’re going to get you a haircut.”

Huh?

“You’re doing something unnecessary again. I don’t remember saying I wanted to cut my hair.”

“Hey, even though you have a good face, half of it is hidden by your hair.”

Saying that, Ryota started walking.

“And also, you and Mana-chan are married, right? I’m happy as a friend, but people around must be thinking, ‘Why would Wakai-san marry a loner like him…’.”

Indeed, that’s true.

As evidence, I started receiving harassment from various people.

The main one being Ishii.

“I don’t want to say this, but I also think that you, as you are now, don’t match Mana-chan. But, like I said earlier, you have a good face. So just by showing your face with your hair up, the impression will definitely change. I’m not saying you should get a Yankee-style haircut or anything. Just make it short enough so your eyes are visible. How about it?”

For him to think about me this much…

Certainly, I also felt a little inferior to Mana.

The inferiority complex I mentioned during the trip seems to have stemmed from that.

“Well then, let’s cut it! This annoyingly long hair.”

“Alright, you’ve decided. Let’s go right away since I’ve already made a reservation.”

The place Ryota took me to was not the usual 100-yen haircut place, but a shop with a very fashionable atmosphere that seemed to be very popular.

“Um, is this really the right place for me? Isn’t it a bit too upscale?”

“What are you talking about? They’ll make your hair stylish here. Don’t get intimidated by the atmosphere.”
“Ah, I see. But, I didn’t bring much money with me.”

“I told you, it’s on me.”

“Is that okay? This place must be expensive.”

“It’s fine for you. I’ll chip in too.”

“Thank you, Ryota.”

While we were having that conversation, a staff member came over and escorted us to a private room.

“What will it be today?”

“Oh.”

“Please give him a neat haircut! His face is good, so if you create the right atmosphere, he’ll be handsome.”

“I see. How about the length? In my opinion, iit would be better to wax the bangs and set them up without cutting them too much.”

“I leave it to you! Just make him look cool!”

“Understood. Then let’s start with the cut.”

After that, for an hour, we finished the cut and shampooing, and then started practicing the set.

“First, the hairdryer. Divide the hair roughly into a 6:4 ratio and blow-dry. At this time, don’t flatten the bangs, but fluff up the roots.”

Saying that, he handed me the hairdryer.

“Like this?”

“Yes, that’s it. When doing the sides, which for you is the right side, blow-dry it towards the back so that it falls over the ear.”

“Got it.”

I dried my hair as instructed.

“Now, onto the iron. Today, we’re going for a natural look, so we’ll just create the flow of the hair. Start with the bangs and create an S-curl. Hold the root and curl it once, then hold the spot where the curl is formed and curl it once more for a clean shape.”

“Yes, I got it.”

I tried as instructed, but it didn’t go well.

“Maybe try applying more pressure. Also, slow down the speed a bit.”

“Got it. Is this okay?”

“Yes, yes, that’s it.”

I was praised.

But this is quite difficult.

My wrist gets tired, and it’s hard to get the shape I want.

Does Ryota do this every day?

“Now let’s apply wax. First, take about half a soybean’s worth of wax with your index finger.”

It’s a pretty vague expression.

“After taking it, spread it thinly on your palm and flip your hair from the parting. Just like that.”

“This is kind of fun.”

“Now, after applying it everywhere, knead the middle and ends. Make sure to knead firmly.”

“Is this okay?”

“Yes, yes. That’s good, just a bit more.”

Oh, by the way, Ryota got tired of waiting and fell asleep there, so it’s okay.

“Alright, I’ve applied it all. Now let’s style it, but I’ll show you how to do it this time, so watch and learn.”

“Understood.”

Saying that, the stylist set my hair with great skill.
While I struggled for about thirty minutes, he finished the final touch in about five minutes.

“This should do it. I’ve styled it with the sides tucked behind the ears this time! You can easily do this at home too, as it’s quite simple. Do you have wax or anything?”

“Ah, I don’t have any. Can I buy it here?”

“We sell it, but it’s a bit more expensive than what you find in stores. Is that okay?”

“It’s fine. Can I leave my friend here and withdraw money from the convenience store?”

“Oh, sure, go ahead. I’ll prepare the bill.”

“Thank you!”

Saying that, I went to the nearby convenience store to withdraw money and headed back to the salon.

“I’m back! Can I settle the bill, please?”

“Welcome back~. Your friend just woke up and went to the restroom. By the way, the total is 13,000 yen. Haircut is 4,000 yen, wax is 2,000 yen, and iron is 7,000 yen.”

“Here you go.”

“Thank you very much. Here’s the product and I also included an extra wax for you to practice with as a gift.”

“Thank you so much!”

What a nice person.

Oh, by the way, he said he would treat me, but… oh well.

Thanks to him, I made the decision to cut my hair.

“Hey! It looks great, doesn’t it!”

Ryota, who had just come out of the restroom, praised me as soon as he saw me.

“Oh! Did you already pay? You said you would treat me~”

“It’s fine. You just gave me the opportunity to cut my hair at the right time. Thanks to you, I gained a bit of confidence.”

“…I see. Then let’s go eat! I’ll treat you for real this time.”

Saying that, we left the shop.

Of course, I made sure to thank the stylist again.

When I checked my phone as we left, I saw a missed call from Mana, but since there was a message afterwards saying “It’s nothing,” I didn’t worry and went to have a meal with Ryota.

However, I would soon regret not calling her back immediately.