Love's Lethal Game | Night Has Come

Chapter 02

Flashback:

The warm glow of the setting sun bathed the small yet cozy hair salon in a gentle light. Park Ji-Eun stood beside her parents, a look of excitement and apprehension mixed on her youthful face. The sign above the door read "Sunshine Hair Salon," a name her mother had chosen with a hopeful smile.

Her father, a quiet man with a knack for making everyone feel at ease, adjusted the last chair and turned to Ji-Eun, "Well, this is it. Our very own salon."

Ji-Eun's mother, her hands still busy arranging the hair products on the shelves, added, "I can't believe we're finally opening. I can't believe this is happening!"

"I'll help out as much as I can after school," Ji-Eun promised, her voice tinged with determination. She knew the challenges that lay ahead but was ready to support her family.

Her parents exchanged a proud glance. Her mother's eyes gleamed with gratitude and love as she said, "That's our girl."

Time passed, and the Sunshine Hair Salon slowly carved its niche in the neighborhood. Ji-Eun's natural flair for managing the salon became evident. She greeted customers with a bright smile, scheduled appointments with efficiency, and soon discovered her unique talent - providing therapeutic head and hair massages during hair washes.

Customers would often leave the salon praising her skills.

"That was the best head massage I've ever had!" they'd exclaim.

"Apart from the massage, it's like an ASMR. It's very calming and sleep-inducing!"

Word spread, and before long, the salon saw a steady increase in clients seeking the relaxing experience Ji-Eun provided.

Her friends, Im Eun-Chan, Nam Yeon-Woo, and Baek Eun-Ha, came by one afternoon to surprise and support her.

"You guys! What are you doing here?!" asked Ji-Eun in shock yet in total appreciation.

"We want to support you, Ji-Eun," Eun-Chan teased as he settled into the chair.

Nam Yeon-Woo added, "My mom kept asking me to cut my hair here and also wash my hair. I didn't know this salon belonged to your family!"

Baek Eun-Ha spoke up with a mischievous grin, "Ji-Eun, can you treat us three at the same time? It must be tiring!"

Ji-Eun laughed softly, rolling her eyes playfully.

"I can, but don't expect miracles, okay?" she warned, though she was secretly pleased.

However, as she worked her way through the scalp massage, their expressions of bliss were all the confirmation she needed.

"I feel like I'm on cloud nine," Yeon-Woo admitted, a relaxed sigh escaping his lips.

Eun-Ha was also impressed as she commented, "I didn't know you were this good, Ji-Eun. I like the sounds. It's like ASMR."

Encouraged by their reactions, Ji-Eun's confidence grew. Soon, more classmates began visiting the salon, lured by tales of her soothing massages. Even Kim Jun-Hee came by alone, and Kim So-Mi also visited there with her friends for a hair treatment. Her skill became a talking point among her peers, and the salon's reputation soared.

Several months into the salon's successful run, Ji-Eun was tidying up when the doorbell chimed. Expecting a regular customer, she looked up, her greeting ready on her lips. But the words died away as she saw who had just walked in.

It was Go Kyung-Jun, the notorious bully from school. His tall form blocked the entrance door almost entirely and his two goons were following after him from behind. His face was expressionless as he gazed at the interior of the salon and then at her petite form. Ji-Eun's heart skipped a beat, a mix of surprise and terror washing over her.