The Shards of War: Balancing Power

Chapter 47

As the group left the arcade, Calie and Marie managed to convince Blaze to join them at the hair salon for a change. Exander, however, sat in the waiting area, clearly not enjoying the experience.

Meanwhile, Matsu wandered through the salon, examining various hair products. With his long, vibrant purple hair, he needed quality supplies to maintain its luster. Calie and Marie, having convinced Blaze to try something new, were getting consultations from the salon staff.

Exander sighed, glancing at the clock. "How much longer are they going to take?" he muttered to Aria.

Aria chuckled. "Just be patient, Exander. It won't take too long."

Matsu returned with a few products in hand. "Found some good stuff. My hair deserves the best treatment, after all."

Blaze, who was getting her hair styled, rolled her eyes. "You guys take hair care way too seriously."

Calie laughed. "Says the one getting a makeover!"

Blaze shot her a mock glare. "This is your fault, Calie."

Marie, with a mischievous smile, added, "It's just a bit of fun, Blaze. You might actually enjoy it!"

Exander sighed again, looking at Aria. "Remind me why we agreed to this?"

Aria grinned. "Because sometimes it's good to step out of our comfort zones."

The banter continued as they waited for the transformations to be complete.

As Matsu inspected the hair products, a hair stylist nearby couldn't help but admire his vibrant purple locks. She approached him with a smile, "Wow, your hair is absolutely stunning! It looks so well taken care of, with zero split ends. Who's your stylist? They must be famous."

Matsu chuckled and gestured to himself. "I do it myself, actually. Taking care of my hair is a personal ritual. It's one of the few things about myself I have complete control over."

The stylist raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You do it yourself? That's impressive. Your hair looks professionally done!"

Matsu grinned, "Thank you! It's all about consistency and using the right products. A little self-care goes a long way."

The stylist nodded in approval. "Well, you've certainly mastered the art of hair care. If you ever decide to switch careers, you could give some professional stylists a run for their money."

Blaze, who overheard the conversation, teased Matsu, "Looks like you have a new career option, Matsudo - hair care guru!"

Calie joined in, "Imagine Matsu's hair care tutorials breaking the internet. We'd have a whole new wave of fans!"

Matsu chuckled at the playful banter, appreciating the light-hearted distraction from his usual responsibilities. The unexpected compliments on his hair added a touch of positivity to their day at the salon. As the group continued with their salon adventure, Matsu's self-care routine became a topic of fascination and admiration among the stylists, adding a new layer to their visit.

Then while they waited, Exander played on his phone while Aria watched, Calie and Marie were talking with Blaze as she was finishing up her hair, and Matsu was texting the rest of their friends about their salon visit. Finally, Blaze was finished and she looked barely any different, but her, hair was now wavy instead of straight, and the ends of her hair was cut.

As Blaze admired her subtle yet stylish transformation in the mirror, Calie and Marie applauded. Calie grinned, "Looks great, Blaze! The wavy style suits you."

Marie nodded in agreement, "And the trimmed ends give it a fresh, modern touch. You always know how to keep things interesting."

Blaze beamed at their compliments, "Thanks, guys! Sometimes a little change is all you need, right?"