Work Text:
Masayuki showed up to work every day at 9 AM.
He would take a log of supplies, double-check the cashier, inspect the mirrors and floors to make sure last night’s chores were well taken care of.
At 10 AM, he would open up the shop.
He would make sure the sign was on, set out the salon’s easel, and start a pot of coffee.
And then he would wait.
Running a one-man salon in a small neighborhood had its perks. It was easy to get clients through word-of-mouth. With such a tight-knit population, Masayuki could change his hours and by the end of the day, everyone would already know. It also helped to really like his regulars.
The only downside, really, was the lack of foot traffic.
It made days like today when adults were at their office jobs and their children were at school, so slow and boring.
Despite not having any appointments, he still came in to enjoy his morning.
Suddenly, the bell attached to the front door rang, and Masayuki set down the cup of coffee he had been nursing.
“Senpai, I’m here!”
In walked one of his regulars- a tall, handsome fellow, who had been his underclassmen back in high school.
“Kashima, I thought I told you to call ahead before you stop by,” Masayuki lectured, getting up to greet her.
The Prince is what they used to call her back then... Masayuki smiled to himself. Well, it was me who started that nickname, I suppose.
He gave her a once over. Yuu had stumbled into his salon by mistake a few months ago. An unceremonious reunion, really, but she ended up still sitting in that cushy client chair and they spent their first meeting after such a long time apart with him styling her hair and obsessing over every small detail, just like their school days.
“I know, but I had a feeling you would be open today,” Yuu grinned. “You know how hard short-hair is to take care of. My hair has grown out again!”
“I can see that,” Masayuki nodded, reaching up at her neck, inspecting the hairs that were about to reach her collar.
Even in high school, she maintained her smart cut.
A younger Masayuki, unlicensed and rough with his hands, used to long to touch her gently. He had always been good with details, and would notice when her hair grew out, but never gave himself a reason to run his hands through them, safe for when she requested help with her hair gel. Now, when his fingers brushed the nape of her neck, he pulled away as if her skin was fire.
He hoped she didn’t notice.
Even now, he loved her.
“Well, take a seat. I’ll get the water basin ready. Would you like something to drink while you’re waiting?” Whatever, it's Kashima. Just be business, as usual.
“I’m not in any rush, Senpai. You haven’t even finished your cup of coffee! Let’s sit and chat for a bit!”
Desperate to get away for a second so he could breathe , he shook his head. Her presence was a nice surprise, but he was too conscious of her...
“Don’t worry about it- I’ll feel better if I fix your hair now... You have an insane bed-head, you know?” Masayuki teased.
It took a bit more convincing, but soon Yuu let him do his job.
With a sink full of water and hair products lined up neatly in a row, Masayuki took a deep breath. It’s been years. Just act like normal.
Sadly, his ‘normal’ recently had been sitting alone in the salon, waiting for someone to stop by.
Sadly, his 'normal' had been days where he didn't think about Yuu.
Almost five years without her led his once strong, overwhelming feelings calm to a dull thud… But since seeing her again, every little emotion would return with her presence. They roared almost stronger than they did when he was 18.
If he didn't stop thinking, he would drown in that feeling. So he forced himself to work.
He chose a light, floral-scented shampoo for her today. Masayuki slowly lowered her chair and rinsed her hair. Lathering the product between his fingers, he gently brushed and managed each cobalt strand. Her soft hair slipped through his fingers easily, and he subconsciously wondered what other scents would suite her.
As if in a trance, he remembered every calm moment he had with her as he worked.
He remembered her leaning against his shoulder after a long day of rehearsals, the scent of her sweat mixing into a strange concoction with her rose-scented shampoo. He remembered the day after her sleepover with her friends, her hair smelling like oranges as the wind blew towards them. He remembered the muted scent of coffee and the sugar on her sleeves when he walked her home after her shift at the cafe.
How easy it was back then to notice and admire when her hair grew out an inch, when she changed her cologne, when she wore stage makeup, when she picked out a new shampoo or accidentally switched her ties with her classmates.
The water splashed around his hands and he remembered the smile on her just-washed her face after an excellent, exhausting performance.
Masayuki, you’re a professional, for god’s sake.
“You’ve been coming here often. I don’t think I ever asked why you keep your hair short...” He mused, trying to make light conversation.
“It’s easier this way. Long hair is a pain. It gets tangled easily and it can get stuck on things,” Yuu complained. “My family has thick hair, so it’s hard to dry too! I’ve always liked keeping it short because of that.”
“That’s fair...” Masayuki agreed.
The talking distracted him from obsessing over how lovely her hair shone as he rinsed it with warm water… but barely.
God, he thought as he felt his heart squeeze. Every inch of her is perfect.
He wrapped a towel around her freshly-washed hair and adjusted her chair back up.
“Do you prefer me with longer hair?” Yuu teased. Masayuki forced himself not to roll his eyes.
“You know I think you’ll look good either way. If it's convenient and you like it, why not stick with it?”
“That’s true. I do remember Senpai saying something like, I like all versions of you, ” Yuu laughed.
“You still remember that, huh...” Masayuki sighed.
His last year of high school was so long ago, but Yuu remembering that embarrassing confession should’ve been expected.
They might have been teenagers back then, but growing older made those feelings so much more real . When Yuu first showed up at his salon again, he had felt his heart drop in his chest and his mouth go dry.
She had always been perfect, but seeing her again had made him remember just how much he loved her .
If he was given a chance back then, he wondered how much more he would love her now.
Masayuki felt his face heat up at the memory, and turned around, mumbling some excuse about needing to find the right-hand razor.
That confession had been years ago, and Yuu never properly said ‘yes’ (she never said ‘no’ either-- no, no, no. That’s NOT the point ), and he felt like a fool for falling in love with her again. It took one look, during their next first meeting, 5 years later, and his heart had pounded almost as if nothing had changed at all.
Regardless, Masayuki knew how to control his feelings. Nothing would give away his emotions, not even when his hands lingered in her hair for a second as he styled it, or as he silently took in her features under the guise of making sure he cut her hair straight. (Please, please don't notice it)
When he returned and calmed down his beating heart, he returned to work. The salon was quiet again, safe for the sounds of his scissors.
“Senpai, make sure you don’t forget my bangs, too,” Yuu spoke.
“Of course I won’t. Who do you even think you’re talking to?” Masayuki retorted, brushing off the cut hair off the apron she was wearing. He started working on the sides, trimming any split ends and thinning it out into layers.
Masayuki soon put the scissors away to measure. He held two sections on each side of Yuu’s head, and gently pulled down to see when he would reach the end.
“That looks about even,” Masayuki announced, feeling proud. “I think we’re done!”
He had finally felt normal again, as he normally did during these encounters.
Touching the object of your affections under the guise of a haircut felt like a sin, but work was work. After a good half-hour of trimming her hair, he was able to put aside his feelings and not over-analyze every single perfect inch of her.
That is until Yuu reached up and grabbed his hands.
Masayuki had the fleeting thought of the one time he told her he liked her, and she looked at him, all wide-eyed and star-struck.
“Senpai,” she whispered, and brought his right hand around to her lips, and rested his left hand on her shoulder. Masayuki froze, unsure what to do.
Slowly, she kissed his wrist, which led to kisses along his thumb, and finally, she let her lips linger on his palm.
“K-Kashima?” he stuttered, unsure what to do. He felt his face burn, but he didn’t pull away just yet.
Did she notice? Did she realize the immense effort he put into just being ‘normal’?
Was it obvious he was still so hopelessly in love with her?
Her actions were sudden, but not unwanted .
“You said those words back then. But what about now?”
“I…” Masayuki’s head spun. What words ?
Yuu frowned and met his eyes through the mirror that sat in front of them. “Earlier, when I first came in, I didn’t actually intend on getting a haircut,” she admitted. “Last month too, I didn’t come in completely by accident… I saw you on my way to class.”
The confusion must’ve been written on his face, because suddenly, Kashima let out a low chuckle.
“Sorry for going about it so roundabout. I just wanted to say... It’s been five years, but I thought I should still tell you now…” Yuu took a deep breath before continuing, “Hori, I’ve loved you, more than anything, all this time.”
Finally being able to breathe again, Masayuki exhaled. As if exhausted, he leaned down, wrapped his arms around her shoulders and chuckled slowly.
“What are you saying… You really are always so slow, you know that?”
“Hori-senpai-”
“You’re lucky I fell head-over-heels for you all over again. I love you, Kashima.”
Masayuki finally looked up and saw Kashima’s mouth agape. Her face was flushed.
“W-wait, why are you embarrassed? Where did that unabashed confidence from a minute ago go?” Masayuki exclaimed.
“I- I didn’t think you would answer so honestly! I know it was sudden but I’ve been thinking about this for a whole month! No matter what I planned, I didn’t think you would whisper in my ear!” Yuu yelled back, pushing him away and cradling her ear, turning redder by the second.
The look on her face was amazing , and Hori could feel his heart skip a beat. He nervously swallowed.
Masayuki turned the salon chair around to face her and set his hands on the armrests on each side.
“Kashima, no matter what, as long as it’s you, I’ll love you.”