Stealing Spree

Our wait didn’t take long. Around five minutes after Mina brought me to the innermost part of the salon which also served as a staff room or break room, Auntie Yayoi showed up, smelling like the citrusy fragrant shampoo and conditioner that they’re using for their customers’ hair treatment.

The earlier professional air and commanding presence were gone as though she flipped a switch to return to being the cheerful and slightly playful mother of Mina.

She still had her hair done in a ponytail; a bit similar to Mina. However, hers was longer and more vibrant.

What she was wearing was the same outfit she wore earlier. A dark blue stylish thick blouse that’s only slightly loose, giving a glimpse of the figure it covers. That blouse was tucked in a milky-white tight skirt that reached just above her knee. Additionally, wearing black stockings.

Compared to her, Mina put together a white t-shirt partnered with straight pants. It’s simple yet the girl still looked great in it.

Anyway, upon arriving, Auntie Yayoi walked over to the installed barber chair on one side of the room and started preparing her equipment for the haircut.

“Are you ready, Onoda-kun? Have you decided on what kind of style you want?”

That’s the first thing she asked after she finished.

Yep. She’s going to do it here rather than outside, among the other customers.

Well, that’s kind of a VIP treatment but given that I am her daughter’s boyfriend that’s normal. I guess?

Mina nudged my shoulder a little excitedly as though she was the one getting a haircut.

“Mom, can I watch?” The girl then asked even before I could answer.

“Well, now that you’re here, you’re getting a trim, Mii-chan. Your hair is starting to thicken again.” Auntie Yayoi turned to her daughter and crossed her arms. “But yes, you can watch. I can’t just send you away, can I?”

“Thank you! Ah. If you don’t want to be disturbed, I can go out for a while.”

“I just said you can. I’m not an amateur that needs full concentration. Besides, don’t you want to witness Onoda-kun’s transformation?”

“I do!” Mina answered instantly.

Auntie Yayoi looked at me again and walked over.

“Eh? Auntie?”

“Relax, I’m just getting a good feel.”

Wondering why she needed to be drawn this close, I noticed her eyes focused on my hair rather than myself.

Following that, using her two hands, Auntie Yayoi grabbed my hair and let her fingers dig and smoothly slide along my scalp. It gave me a slightly ticklish sensation but looking at her serious expression, I kept my mouth shut.

“It’s really well-maintained if we based it on how smooth my hand slid across your scalp. They’re also not clamping together. A few split-ends and dead hairs but that’s negligible for men. Onoda-kun, you’re properly taking care of yourself. That’s great.” Auntie Yayoi gave her evaluation and smiled.

That’s nice. But what did she mean by that?

“Uhm… Can you explain it in simpler terms, Auntie?”

“Basically, I just gave you a high evaluation.”

Ugh… That’s too simple. But I guess that’s enough. So, she’s praising me for having kept my hair healthy.

A while later, Auntie Yayoi grabbed my wrist and guided me to the styling chair.

Since there was a mirror in front of me, I could perfectly see the two women behind me. They looked alike yet the air around them was totally different from each other. Auntie Yayoi slipped back to being a professional but I could feel the hint of motherly aura from the way she moved. On the other hand, Mina was like a little kid excited to watch her favorite hero show.

Yep. It’s entertaining for her. She even picked up a nearby chair so that she could watch closely.

“Alright. Time’s up for deliberation, Onoda-kun. Tell me your decision.” As she slowly draped the cloth over my body, Auntie Yayoi gently whispered close to my ears.

I stared at myself in the mirror and focused on my hair. It’s a little bit long but there's really no distinctive style to it except from how it was pulled back and swept to one side; the hairstyle I used today.

After thinking for a while, I nodded slightly and opened my mouth…

-

-

For at least fifteen minutes, Auntie Yayoi worked tirelessly around me. The sound of her scissors as they cut my hair along with the faint voices from outside this area were the only noises we’re hearing.

On the side, Mina was fully focused on me. I could see her through the mirror, watching intently with her mouth slowly turning agape. Whenever she would notice that, she would blush slightly before doing the same thing again.

In this way, I watched the cut hair fall to my shoulder and down to the floor.

Two more minutes later, Auntie Yayoi put down her scissors and stood in front of me. She then stooped down, inspecting me closely.

When her lips curved up in a satisfied grin, she stood up and clapped before removing her gloves.

“You’re right. This suits you a lot… Onoda-kun, you better take care tomorrow or girls will not recognize you.” She said before looking over to her daughter who was a little dumbstruck. Whether that’s because of my hair or not, I had no idea.

In any case, it’s not over yet. After brushing and washing off the hair that stuck to my shoulder and the few that remained on my head even after being cut, Auntie Yayoi dried my hair before using wax to style it.

Although it’s already fine even without styling, the way her fingers worked on my hair was simply spectacular.

By the time she finished, I found myself staring at the mirror. Wondering who’s the guy being reflected on it.

Well, no… That’s an exaggeration. It just took a little while to take in that I was looking at myself.

I still gave off a rather mature vibe but with my head lighter due to the trimming and my face fully exposed, Auntie Yayoi’s earlier remark might come true.

It would be hard for the others to recognize me…

“There you go…” Upon declaring that, Auntie Yayoi removed the cloth cover, allowing me to stand up again.

However, before I could walk over to Mina, Auntie Yayoi yanked me by my shoulder and had me stand right in front of her. Her ungloved hand cupped my cheek as she sighed in slight admiration.

As an observer, I clearly noticed that a slight hint of affection was written on her face. But that’s probably not for a lover but a son. Her motherly gaze was warm enough to make my heart race a little.

I wonder what Mina would think about this. She’s watching at the side yet she’s not even doing anything. She’s either still mesmerized by my appearance or… it already switched to what’s happening.

A few seconds later, Auntie Yayoi let go of me without saying anything. However, her cheeks turned a little rosy and she quickly moved away and acted as though she was reorganizing what she used.

Wait. What does that mean?

My eyes were about to follow Auntie Yayoi but when I caught Mina’s visage, my thoughts stopped for a bit before focusing entirely on her.

“How do I look?” I asked.

Instead of answering me with words, Mina walked over and did the same thing that her mother did, “I’d say ‘perfect’.”