Chapter 166
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 166
Chapter Title: The Haircut Commotion (1)
After having some intense sex with Miharu and Haruka, a bit more time passed, bringing us to mid-December.
There weren't any special events during that time.
No exaggeration—just going to school normally and sneaking off for sex here and there.
No major incidents.
Of course, I did send those kidnappers a video of their asses getting punished and gave them a little aphrodisiac conditioning, but that was just everyday stuff.
Anyway, amid this peaceful daily routine...
Here I was, holed up at home even though it was a weekday.
Why was I stuck inside? Simple answer.
"Takuya, Momiji, school's closed today because of the heavy snow."
A massive blizzard had started dumping snow on Miyagi Prefecture.
Unlike in Korea, where they only close for wars or if the school half-collapses (from experience), they actually do shut down here for weather like this.
Of course, being in the Tohoku region where it snows a lot helps, and my area is a bit more mountainous than flatland, so the snow piles up worse.
Anyway, Takuya was thrilled about skipping school but pondered what to do with the day.
I thought about heading to Souta's, but Yuka Mom said not to because of the snow.
So I was stuck playing at home, but there wasn't much to do.
Honestly, coming from the mid-21st century, this era felt like the Middle Ages—exaggerated, sure, but still.
Compared to the actual Middle Ages, this was paradise, of course.
Point is, there were some amusements, but they were sorely lacking.
Well, what can you do? If I want fun, I might as well go to school.
Truth be told, that's a big reason I actually bother going to school regularly.
Elementary kids' wild antics are surprisingly entertaining.
They do the most dopamine-inducing stuff without a second thought.
The teachers stuck managing them must be dying, though.
Takuya was lost in those thoughts for a moment.
-Pinch.
I winced at the stimulus on my head and muttered,
"Momiji, don't you think it's about time you stopped messing with my hair?"
I was talking to Momiji, who was sitting on the sofa freely toying with my hair.
At my protest, Momiji giggled and replied,
"No way~ Takuya's hair is so long and pretty, so we have to style it nicely~ And this way, it'll be easier to manage, right?"
"Ugh."
I could only groan and stay still at her words.
At least she was right about it being more comfortable to move around.
Honestly, this hair was pretty but such a pain with all that flowing length.
More precisely, managing the flowing mess was a nightmare.
Washing it was tough, drying it was twice as bad.
'Every wash is pure torture...'
So I wanted to chop it off, but Momiji and Ayaka Mom loved it so much I couldn't.
After enduring Momiji's "abuse" with my flowing hair for a bit...
While watching Japanese variety shows (which, honestly, were purer fun than Korean ones) and dumbing down my brain for a moment, I glanced around the house.
Nothing special prompted it.
I was just staring at the TV so long my mind was going numb, so I looked elsewhere for a break.
The scenery in front of me wasn't much different, naturally.
Months later, the furniture was in the exact same spots, Momiji's soft, rice-cake-like calves and thighs were right there, and Yuka Mom was prepping lunch ahead of time.
It was an utterly ordinary daily life.
For reference, Ayaka Mom had gone to work before the snow got heavy, so it was just me, Momiji, and Yuka Mom at home.
Seeing this peaceful routine felt a little off.
Not like I was thinking about battlefields or anything.
Just a few months ago, I was living like a half-hermit in that huge, trashed house all alone.
Couldn't be helped.
It was the life I'd found after a lifetime of being used by everyone.
But I'd been too busy surviving to ever think about what I actually wanted to do.
I just hunkered down watching mecha anime and junk all day.
Compared to that, this felt surreal, like reality hitting hard for a moment.
Maybe I could've made a life like this before the possession.
No, definitely.
Surprisingly, I'd had plenty of chances.
But I was the one who didn't seize them.
So no point regretting it.
'Who knows.'
Takuya thought that as he slumped fully into the sofa, startling Momiji with a sudden "Huh?" as she approached my head.
After a moment like that...
"Phew! Cooking's done!"
Yuka Mom tossed her apron like she'd finished overdue homework and dashed into the living room, diving straight onto the sofa.
"Eek!"
Momiji flinched and yelped from her corner.
Good thing the sofa was big, or Momiji would've been crushed under Yuka Mom.
Anyway, having nailed the dive, Yuka Mom grinned mischievously at Momiji.
"What? Messing with Takuya's hair again?"
"Yeah..."
"Hehe. Go ahead, play all you want~"
Excuse me, this is my hair.
I had plenty to say but ended up just sighing deeply instead.
'No matter what I say, they won't care or even listen.'
What was I supposed to do with Yuka Mom?
After sighing for a bit...
—Vrrrrrr.
"Hmm..."
Yuka Mom, who'd been eyeing my hair intently, spoke up as if she'd made a decision.
"This won't do. Takuya, time to cut your hair."
Her sudden declaration left me and Momiji stunned.
"Really?!"
"Why?!"
More precisely, I looked slightly pleased while Momiji seemed shocked.
Yuka Mom explained, seeing our faces.
"No matter how pretty Takuya's gotten, he's still a boy. Long hair like this is usually a hassle. Plus, some adults look down on boys with longer hair."
She was spot on, so I nodded vigorously in agreement, while Momiji looked wistful despite the persuasion.
Yuka Mom saw Momiji's expression and gave a bittersweet smile.
Seemed like she'd held off saying anything until now because Ayaka Mom and Momiji would be sad.
Well, regardless, Yuka Mom's decree stood firm.
So I started getting ready to head out for a haircut...
"With this blizzard? No way you're going out. I'll cut it myself."
I stared at her in utter shock, like I'd heard something unbelievable.
"Yuka Mom?"
Couldn't help the reaction.
Two reasons: In Takuya's memories, Yuka Mom had offered to cut his hair once before... and botched it badly.
How bad? ...Let's just say she left him with an unforgettable trauma.
"What's with those distrustful eyes?"
She glared at my shocked tone.
In the end, I caved and had to obey Yuka Mom.
'Damn, my precious hair...!'
Tears in my eyes, I laid newspaper on the floor for the haircut and let her drape a salon-style cape over me.
Afterward, I couldn't bear to look, so I kept my eyes shut, following Yuka Mom's instructions blindly.
How much time passed?
Snip, snip—the cutting sounds slowed, then stopped completely.
I didn't know if I should feel relieved or despair.
"Gotta check if the style took. Open your eyes."
She finally spoke after I'd kept them closed forever.
Tearing up, I opened them... and saw.
"Mm, looks good!"
Yuka Mom's face—and her ample cleavage. Felt a bit better.
Simple creature? Guys are wired that way.
Didn't change my dread of a mangled haircut, though.
Anyway, she handed me a mirror while saying that.
I peeked without expectations... and was stunned.
"It looks good?!"
Shockingly, Yuka Mom had cut it really well.
Not pro-barber level, sure, something off compared to real stylists, but given her past and my memories, it was mind-blowing.
At my reaction, she blushed bashfully.
"I practiced alone sometimes. And this isn't perfect. We'll go to a salon later to finish."
"Got it."
I nodded firmly at her words.
Had to respect a cut this good.
And so my haircut commotion settled peacefully.
Or so it seemed.
"Takuya's hair?!"
Until Ayaka Mom came home from work, face like the world had ended.
Looked like soothing her pout would take some time.