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There was a commotion at the barber shop. Five boys with different wits and personalities crowded up the place. Every one of them is here to get a new haircut. Well, pretty much only one person. But the rest have to tag alone because Karasuma Reiji told them so. The only one with the most sensible brain they say. He says it’s essential for them to pick up a new look. For the new album.
Two of them, the twins are bickering. Kanata Nijo the brightest one of the siblings had his hand wrapped around his brother, Haruka. Rambling of how much he would miss his brother's long hair and didn’t want him to cut it short. While Haruka had an unimpressive look and tried to pull away from him. Shouting at how close he is and blocking his personal space.
‘You’re too close. F***off’
‘But aniki~ why don’t we get something similar in color this time? Besides, your hair just started to get the same length as mine. We’re almost identical!’
‘I don’t want anything to do with you.’ Haruka hissed. Pushing his brother's face away from him.
Another whine broke off and the twins keep on bickering to no end. There’s someone watching them from afar. He already had his haircut done. His hair is styled to the side showing off his handsome side profiles. Watching the twins quarreling has welled up some interest in him. He had his hand on his chin and a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. A void look but his eyes twinkle at the sight.
‘Is having the same hairstyle fun, Kanata?’ the boy moves forward stopping the commotion.
‘Tadaomikun! You look stunning.’Kanata compliments shifted his attention to him.
‘Really?’ The boy name Tadaomi look up at himself in the mirror that lay in front of them. He hummed inspecting his front and side hair. ‘I don’t see any much of a difference actually.’
‘Your silver hair looks fresh as ever! We should take a picture together. Say, Cheese!’ Kanata flung his hand around Tadaomi's shoulder. Bringing him closer while he took out the camera on his phone. Tadaomi was bewildered at first but smile as the photo is taken.
‘See! We both look good in here.’
‘We are.’ Tadaomi replied in a rather amused tone. ‘So do you want to tell me if having the same haircut is fun?’
‘Of course!’Kanata lighten up. He told Tadaomi of how wonderful it would be if Haruka match with him and so on. Haruka who happen to hear it just shook his hair and told the barber to cut his hair accordingly. Mostly to his liking.
‘Interesting. Why don’t you try to style it up just like Haruka did? I feel that way is a lot easier
‘Me??’ Kanata hummed thinking really hard. His attention turned back to his brother who was already ready to get his haircut. Seeing him so Kanata stops the barber and they argue even more.
‘It’s my hair! None of your business.’
‘Oh aniki~ Come on. Just this once.’
‘No’
‘Anikiii~’
The twins won’t stop getting on each other throats. Tadaomi seeks the chance to barge into the conversation.
‘What if I make the same hairstyle as you Kanata? We would match. I do want to know what it feels like to have a matching hairstyle.’
‘You in my hairstyle?’
‘Yes.’
‘No, no, no. That-hmm my hairstyle huh.’ Kanata reconsidered the idea. He begins to imagine Tadaomi with his bang to pin to the back. Showing his forehead or maybe styling it up a little so he could have a side bang. His wavy hair will be at his neck high. Wouldn’t that make Tadaomi seems more alluring than he already is, he thought. For a brief moment, Kanata was staring at a confused Tadaomi. Who still smiling while waiting for him to reply.
‘Tadaomi...I..love that idea! Yes, you definitely can pull it off great! I’ll doll you up tonight. You in?’
Tadaomi nodded smiling softly at the words. ‘That sounds nice.’
‘You’re making a promise with a devil there Tadaomi.’ Haruka interrupted.
The room fills up with shouts and laughter from the three of them. But it seems Kanata has let the idea of having matching hair with his brother die for now. He got someone else to entertain him tonight. And he’ll make sure Tadaomi will look as good as he wanted him to be.
The other side of the room is occupied by the other two boys. The vocalist of the band is Ujigawa Shu and the drummer is Karasuma Reiji. Reiji has already got his new hairstyle done nicely. Leaving it to the vocalist's decision next.
‘You look ravishingly handsome Reiji-Kun.’ Shu teases, emphasizing Reiji's name one by one and breaking the silence.
‘Ravishing makes me sound like food, where did you learn that word’
Shu shrugged. ‘I write and produce music. Does that matter’
Shu who was sitting and ready to get his haircut look up at the mirror in front of him. Reiji was standing behind him. Sneaking a look at the other side of the room with his eyebrows furrowed.
‘My point still stands. You look handsome’ shu tried again. Once he knew that Reiji didn’t pay attention to him he let out a heavy sigh. ‘Break a leg Reiji.’
‘The twins quarreling again over there.’
‘It’s not the first time.’
‘And it’s not the last.’ Reiji replied defeated by the situation.
‘See. You know how they are. Stop being too tense. Relax a bit, will you? What do you think of the hairstyle.’
Reiji looks troubled. He was eyeing the magazine in his hand while his other hand adjusting his glasses.
‘Are you sure you want this look, shu?’
‘Yep! It’s perfect isn’t it
Reiji didn’t say anything. He held up the magazine and look between the picture and Shu. He nodded to himself but was unable to form any words to answer him.
‘I’m guessing you’re agreeing with me. That look suits me just right.’
‘Yes. But Shu’ Reiji hesitated. ‘Your previous style looks just fine. We don’t have to change too drastically. I’m quite afraid the fans didn’t recognize you.’
‘Pfft- hahahahahahaha!’ Shu laughed loudly. The laugh sounds hysterical but also magical to the ears. ‘Reiji-san. It’s fine. It’s fine. Idol changes hairstyle often every time they do a comeback. I’m not an exception. But of course, I’m not an idol either. Nope. I’m still Ujigawa Shu, just something new. That’s all.’
A faint blush crept at Reiji's cheeks. He clears up his throat before finally speaking. ‘You have your point. It settles then. We go with this one.'
As soon as Reiji pointed out the barber on Shu's hairstyle he seems to calm down a little. One problem has been settled, the next one would just pick up outfits and photoshoot sessions. He did glance a few times at the other side of the room. Worrying how the other boys are faring but decided to stop doing so when Shu keeps teasing him. He then took a seat at the back, waiting, contemplating while watching Shu getting his hair cut. There was something about him that felt off. The boy he once knew has changed a little. Is it because of the hairstyle? But seeing him from far has made the string in his heart beat strangely at the sight.
‘How many times are you planning to take pictures and videos Kanata.’
‘As much as I can. Right Tadaomi.’ Kanata look at Tadaomi for support. The silver hair boy nodded in agreement.
‘You might as well just-’Haruka words were cut off as soon as someone get into the room.
‘Sorry for the late. It took some time but here we are. How do I look?~’
The three boys went speechless. Their eyes were glued to Shu who was spreading his hand and then putting it on his hips. Posing like a model. They didn’t even notice that Reiji was standing beside Shu.
‘What? Is there something weird on my face? No? It’s Reiji isn’t it.’ Shu sighed dramatically. ‘I already told Reiji to change his style but he won’t listen. So-’
‘Shu’ Kanata spoke up. His voice almost sounded like a whisper ad he took his breath. ‘You-You look so squishily huggable cutest thing I have ever seen. The most precious thing! You’re beautiful! Shu-kun you’re gorgeous! You look so cool!’ He jumped to Shu's side and give him a bear hug. The little boy was stunned but didn’t shove him away.
‘True.’ Tadaomi joins in his voice as calm as ever. But there’s an edge of excitement to it. ‘Shu-kun looks amazing. The hairstyle fits you so much. It feels like a new you. Not quite. It’s shu but different.’
‘Huh-’shu scoffed he didn’t expect the whole band to have a surprising comment on his new haircut.
‘I see that everyone has already got their fair share of the hairstyle. You guys didn’t do anything stupid when I’m not around right?’ Reiji interrupted.
‘We’re good. They're a bit of a misunderstanding but it’s fine. Kanata also told me that he would like to doll me up tonight. You want to join in Reiji?’
‘Doll-up?’
Tadaomi nodded. ‘We’re trying to be a match. He told me he’d help me out. Say…You won’t mind if I change my hairstyle like Kanata right? I don’t think a night would change anything.’
‘Absolutely no!’ Reiji was flabbergasted. They have a lot of meetings tomorrow. He didn’t believe that Tadaomi would be in good hands with Kanata. God knows what he is up to. Who knew what kind of weird thing he’d teach that boy and he’ll tag along regardless of the circumstances. Just because he wanted to understand why people feel the way they feel. And changing hairstyle is not what he wanted to see In Tadaomi. Not even the slightest. ‘Kanata—what did you teach him.’
Reiji gets to Shu's side trying to break away from Kanata's hold on him. Kanata is using Shu as his shield. Protecting himself while swinging the little boy whenever he goes. Tadaomi who is seemingly still unsure what they’re fighting about tries to calm Reiji down. It was a comedic sight. Just looking at them gives headaches to Haruka. He looks like he had had enough but a small smile was forming at the end of his lips. They’re together as a band. Maybe the scenes of them just fighting had risen the longing for being in the band again together.
‘Stop! Stop! Stopp!!’ Kanata broke off catching his breath. ‘Before we started to pull on each other hair’
‘I’m not-’
‘Let’s take a picture first!’
‘A picture..? Right.’ Just like a spell, Reiji is back to his composure. ‘The schedule for a photo session will be up after we pick up a new outfit.’
‘I don’t mean that. I mean the informal picture of us. Just us.’
‘Oh, why don’t you say so.’
‘You’re the one who jumping to a different conclusion.’
Reiji glares at Kanata who immediately takes cover behind Shu. He stuck out his tongue daringly. It’s a lot wiser to hide behind his brother or Tadaomi. But Kanata knew Reiji won’t lay a hand on Shu. He can tell that this is the safest choice. Even if there's a slight inconvenience going about between them, they hurdle up together. Ready to take their picture taken.
Once they get in position, Shu blurted out his curiosity to Haruka that was beside him.
‘You didn’t want to comment anything to me like they did, huh Haruka?’
‘As they said…You look cool. It suits you and is different. It feels like something has changed inside you along with that look.’
Shu was taken a bit by the words but quickly added. ‘Sometimes a change is needed to move forward.’
‘Yes..’ Haruka reply shortly. Deep down he knew that there are another reason for it. They’re all changing to a new beginning. It was thrilling indeed.
‘Closer everyone.’
‘To our new refreshing journey,’ Shu exclaimed.
‘Yes. Yeah!