Chapter 21
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: The Hair Salon Isn't Easy.
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There's a staff member right in front of me, staring at her smartphone to handle reservations. What kind of situation is this?
Is this the kind of technological progress I should be grateful for?
Of course, not having to talk to anyone isn't bad at all, but purely speaking, it feels too inefficient to love it.
I had no choice but to make the reservation on my phone with a person standing right there.
I booked with [Ji-yeon, Senior Designer]. The reason was simple: she had the most personal reviews.
Ah, and her profile picture wasn't uploaded either, which made her feel like some kind of master who doesn't show her face.
"Um, I just made a reservation..."
I showed her the smartphone screen that said reservation complete, and the staff tapped away at the counter computer keyboard.
Then she put on a smile loaded with capitalist charm.
"Yes, Baek Eun-hae, please come this way, and we'll start with a shampoo."
Ah, I already washed my hair at home.
Was that unnecessary?
My hair's gotten so long that even washing it once feels like such a hassle now.
If I'd known, I wouldn't have washed it.
I followed the staff's guidance to the shampoo room.
The moment I passed through the curtain-like divider, I entered a room with the complete opposite atmosphere from before.
Soft orange lighting glowed dimly, and an unidentified aroma scent tickled my nose in a pleasant way.
"Please sit in this chair."
"Yes..."
As soon as I sat in the chair, the backrest began to slowly recline.
I thought they'd at least cover my face with a towel, but nothing like that happened.
I had no idea where to look, so I just closed my eyes.
"Is the water temperature okay?"
It's a bit cold.
But my mouth answered differently from my head.
"Ah, yes, yes..."
Water started flowing from the back of my head. My hair gradually got wet.
Ah, it's really a bit cold.
Should I ask to make it a little warmer now?
It'll look weird since I said it was fine earlier.
Ha, I should have said something then.
"Ah, um. Could you make the water a little warmer...?"
"Sure."
Unlike my worries, she responded dryly, and the somewhat cold water gradually turned into perfectly tempered water.
Just the right pleasantly lukewarm temperature.
'Good thing I said something.'
I felt a little proud.
Once my hair was thoroughly soaked, she started shampooing.
"Please relax your neck."
"Yes..."
She chatted while skillfully massaging my scalp. The staff let out a genuine exclamation of admiration.
"Wow, your hair texture is really amazing. Do you do any special care usually?"
"Ah, thank you...? Not really..."
The scalp massage continued.
Shwaaa— Swish—
It feels so good.
I barely suppressed a moan from the hands enveloping my scalp.
When I massage my own head with my fingers, I don't think about anything, but when someone else does it, why does it feel so ticklish?
The sensation of her precise fingers pressing firmly into my scalp all over was delightful.
"Doesn't hurt, right?"
"Nooo... It's just right..."
I closed my eyes and focused entirely on the scalp massage.
"This way, please."
What is this feeling of being treated so well?
Normally, I'd get a cut, wash my hair myself, and leave, but they're even guiding my every move.
Is this what 20,000 won is worth?
The staff picked up the hairdryer and started drying my hair.
"Ahh..."
My hair strands whipped sharply against my cheeks. It was familiar. Familiar, yet not familiar.
Even at the salon, the drying time was long, just like doing it myself.
For a while, fingers wove through the strands, tousling them, and the dryer blew hot air repeatedly.
With my eyes closed, feeling the hair slap my cheeks, the dryer sound finally stopped once it was dry.
But instead of proceeding to cut it, she just left after drying.
"Please wait a moment."
Then a bright greeting voice came from behind me. Different from before.
"Hello!"
This must be Ji-yeon, the senior designer.
Then what was the person who shampooed me? A newbie?
The reservation screen didn't have a profile picture, so I was a little curious what she'd look like.
The impression I saw through the mirror was beyond my expectations.
The shampoo person was better, honestly.
Bleached bright yellow hair and a face that would answer "E" if you asked her MBTI.
If I'd known, I would've booked someone else.
Failure. My past self regrets it.
Instead of opening my mouth, I just nodded as a greeting.
That was the maximum effort I could muster to show I didn't want to talk from the first impression.
Please notice my will to avoid conversation.
Please, don't talk to me while cutting my hair.
But of course, my efforts were ignored, and Ji-yeon started talking.
They should add a [Don't Want to Talk] option when booking.
For people like me.
"Um, excuse me, are you a student? Or working?"
"Uh, just... taking a break after college..."
"College grad? Wow, you don't look it. You look super young. You must hear that a lot."
"...No..."
Ji-yeon carefully combed my bangs while firing questions nonstop.
"So, what style should we do? Just a trim? Or do you have a picture of what you want?"
I hurriedly looked down as our eyes met in the mirror.
Smiling with her eyes the moment we made contact—this person's the real deal.
Style. Style, huh.
My hair reaching my shoulders was a bit annoying, but did I have a reason to cut it to a bob or even a short cut?
Short hair might just draw more stares...
"Um, just a little trim, please..."
Ji-yeon rummaged in her cart for scissors.
Even while doing that, her mouth didn't stop.
"What was your major?"
"Computer Engineering..."
"Heeey, Computer Engineering? You don't look it at all. You must've been popular in your department. Got a boyfriend?"
How does she keep the conversation going without a break?
Impressive in many ways.
"......No."
"Huh? Really? Sorry, I assumed you did."
She kept snipping away at my hair while asking.
"Well, being this cute probably makes it hard for guys to approach. I have a friend just like you—super quiet personality, but super popular—"
I kept giving soulless responses.
"Ah..."
"Yes..."
"Yeah..."
To pass the time.
Is the cut taking long because my hair's long?
Or is forcing conversation making time drag? Either way, sitting in the chair felt longer than usual.
Ji-yeon switched to finer scissors and suddenly talked less.
Must be a part that needs focus.
She came in so close it was almost touching. I could feel her breath.
Her gaze was fixed solely on the ends of my hair.
She was so concentrated she didn't care about her position or how close she was.
Completely different vibe from before.
Pros are pros, after all.
Then, Ji-yeon leaned forward with her upper body.
At the same time, I felt a soft, pleasant weight on my left shoulder.
'......!'
I held my breath without realizing.
This has been happening a lot lately.
Is it normal not to care about this stuff between same sexes?
"Please tilt your head this way a bit."
"Ah, yes. Yes..."
Ji-yeon smiled brightly, oblivious, and moved to the other side.
And once again, the same weight settled on my right shoulder.
Thus, both my left and right shoulders remembered that sensation.
Finally, after the cut, looking in the mirror, my hair was tidied up more perfectly than expected—no, perfectly.
It didn't look cut, but up close, it was.
Everything was satisfactory except the chit-chat.
"How is it? Looks good?"
"......Yes."
"Alright, let's handle payment."
Back at the counter, I swiped my card, and 20,000 won vanished.
But it didn't feel like a waste.
Coming out of the salon, I had more time left than I thought.
Suddenly, the idea of going back home just to come out again for photos sounded awful.
Might as well finish everything today while I'm out.
On a whim, I decided to get ID photos too and headed to a nearby studio.
"Um, I'd like ID photos..."
"Yes. This way."
Following the studio owner's words, I entered a space surrounded by white backdrops with a single chair in the center.
I sat there and followed his next instructions.
But the world isn't that easy.
ID photos don't snap perfectly just by following directions.
Since I never use facial muscles, retakes kept happening.
"Relax your face."
"Loosen your neck."
"Drop your shoulders."
"Smile naturally."
"Look this way, not that."
Were ID photos always this hard?
"Don't close your eyes."
They're stinging—how can I not?
It felt like we'd taken dozens. Staring at the lights made my eyes water.
"Come back in a bit, and I'll have the photos."
"How long...?"
"About 30 minutes. Editing and printing should take that much."
"Yes..."
Where to kill time.
As soon as I left the studio, a cute growl came from my stomach.
Grrrowl—
I headed to a convenience store for a quick meal.
Regular restaurants feel impossible alone...
"Welcome."
The Convenience Store Part-timer stood and greeted me.
I lightly headed straight for my target.
Grabbed tuna mayo onigiri and zero sugar cola lime combo, went to the counter.
The part-timer, who'd been standing waiting since I entered, looked up before scanning and suddenly spoke.
"Um, if you don't mind, how old are you?"
Why ask that? I didn't buy booze or anything.
"25..."
"Ah, uh. You look way younger than I thought. I assumed you were my little sis."
The part-timer avoided my eyes while answering.
I'm usually the one avoiding eyes, so this reversal felt weird.
"......?"
"Um, if it's not rude... could I get your number? You're really, really my type."
"......Pardon?"
"It's fine if not. Or I can give you mine. If you're okay with..."
Huh?
First time for this.
How to reject cleanly? What to say?
Before the silence dragged, I replied quickly.
"Um, I like girls..."
Well, it's not a lie.