NOVEL NEXT Chapter 13: Glow up!
This is bad... My face... I look like a zombie.
As for why? Stress from these assignments plus six hours of non-stop hardcore gaming last night equals eye bags and pale skin...
My hair is growing long too. It's like the hairstyle of those H-manga main characters...
We will have school again tomorrow...
(And of course, I want to always appear good in Shiori-san's eyes.)
So, I decided to go to a salon affiliated with Aunt Marika and style my hair.
But I still need to finish these damn school assignments. It's still 2 p.m., so I can finish them and go to the salon at 5 p.m. Good thing Shiori-san has a faculty meeting online now, so she's in Mom's room. She won't be able to distract me again.
But I wonder what their meeting is about... maybe the midterm exams? Well, winter break is nearly approaching, so that could be possible.
And speaking of winter break...
Should I buy Shiori-san a Christmas present? Then confess?
I hope she won't reject me, for the sake of Christmas.
Time passed, and finally, I finished my assignments.
Good. I finished on time. Now, time to go to the salon.
I messaged Aunt Marika that I would go to the salon she's affiliated with and asked her to come with me...
Hoping to get some free service.
The salon I'm going to is in Tokyo, so from Yokohama where I live, the train ride would take at least one hour.
By the time I arrive in Tokyo, it would take another 30 minutes just to get to the salon and wait for Aunt Marika, excluding the customer waiting time. Using Aunt's name would give me some high priority.
It looks like I'm going home late...
So I also need to have dinner there, huh?
"Marika-nee-san, treat me to a fancy restaurant too, for dinner."
She's earning too much, so she won't mind.
I left my room to inform Mom that I'm going to the salon.
Apparently, Mom's preparing dinner, but Shiori-san isn't with her. Maybe she's still in the middle of her meeting.
"Mom, I'm going to the salon in Tokyo. Don't worry, I'm with Aunt Marika. If Shiori-san looks for me, tell her too."
"Okay, take care... and send my regards to my dear little sister. I hope she's not overworking."
A doting big sister, as always...
I took the train at Yokohama Station. While on the train, Aunt Marika replied.
"Okay, Haru... I'm waiting for you at Shibuya Station."
I hope she's not publicly displaying herself in the crowd for attention. I don't want to be dragged into her idol problems.
I arrived at Shibuya, and surprisingly, the crowd was still at peace. Maybe Aunt still isn't here.
Until a girl dressed in a black jacket, wearing shades and a mask, grabbed my arm.
A kidnapper!!
"Damn, Haru, you took so long."
That voice... Oh, it's Aunt...
"Aunt... I mean Marika-nee-san, why are you wearing that hideous outfit? I thought you were a kidnapper."
"Are you stupid? Of course, the crowd would be in chaos if they saw me here."
"Yes, that's why I'm asking... aren't you an attention seeker?"
"You brat! Learning those words from that partner of yours, I see."
She's still on bad terms with Shiori-san, huh...
After talking for a bit, Aunt Marika and I went to the salon.
After half an hour of walking, we finally arrived.
And this salon... it's the real deal.
"What the hell? Is it okay for me to enter here?"
"Of course. You're the precious nephew of this famous idol, so why not?"
The entrance feels like a hotel. Apparently, the salon is located below the commercial building of my aunt's idol agency.
The interior is so fancy, brimming with lights and pricey mirrors. The waiting room also feels good to stay in since it consists of fancy sofas and tables with prepared food.
But I won't stay there since Aunt prepared me a slot to skip the wait.
"Hello, Fukuda-san. This is my nephew I was telling you about," Aunt said to the man waiting on a seat in one of the salon rooms.
"Hello. As expected of your niece, Mari-chan. He looks cute, just like you."
"Well, well."
My mom should take the credit for this...
The man, named Fukuda, invited me to sit. It looks like he's the one who will style my hair.
After a couple of minutes, he was finally done.
As expected of an idol agency stylist...
He's really a pro.
Not being narcissistic, but I really look cool...
Damn, I can't stop thinking about what Shiori-san would think if she saw me...
"What are you grinning for? It creeps me out."
"Aunt!! No, it's nothing!!"
"I already told you... don't call me Aunt."
We thanked and bid farewell to Fukuda-san. After that, we planned to go to a fancy restaurant nearby.
"Oh, sorry Haru... if you thought we were going to a fancy restaurant, then you're wrong. We're just having ramen nearby."
"Marika-nee-sama!! Why!!"
"I don't like fancy foods. Small servings for a high price? That's practically nonsense."
Right??
I don't have a choice. She's just treating me, so I followed her.
We found a ramen stand while walking, so we decided to settle there.
We ordered and sat at the table in front of the stand.
"Look, Haru, it's good to have a casual dinner once in a while, right?"
I just nodded. Maybe she's having fancy dinners every day, so this is kind of good. But this isn't applicable to me.
"By the way, Marika-nee-san, Mom asked me to tell you that you shouldn't overwork yourself."
She smiled at me and replied, "Don't worry. After all, she's the reason why I pursued being an idol."
sigh "Marika-nee-san, Mom's already okay. In fact, she already has a job now. So it's really fine if you use your earnings not for us but for yourself."
"Haru... you should know how I feel. You also have a sister, right? So it's practical for me to help my only sister... because we're the only ones who can help each other."
"But... you should at least think of yourself once in a while."
"Ara, concerned about me? Are you developing a forbidden relationship with your aunt?"
"No, that's disgusting. And don't use 'Ara' like Mom. It doesn't suit you well."
"Why? Because my boobs aren't that big?"
My conversation with Aunt Marika was interrupted when my phone rang.
When I looked, Mom had messaged me.
"Hello, Haru... Apparently, Shiori told me about their meeting earlier. One of the topics was the parent orientation that will be held this upcoming week."
"I can't attend because I have work, so your aunt will attend for you in my stead."
Mom!! No way!!
Aunt Marika shouldn't see this. Having an idol aunt known at school would ruin my school life.
And if she and Shiori-san met, it would lead to chaos.
"Hey Haru, we're eating. Stop using your phone."
"Sorry, but Mom messaged me."
"Oh? About the parent orientation? Don't worry, I got you!"
Mom!!!