Salon Aespa

Salon Showdown

The morning of the final day at "Chic & Sleek" started with an air of anticipation. The previous night had changed everything for Karina and Winter, though they hadn't told anyone about their newfound closeness yet. The tension between them was still playful, but there was a softness in their interactions that hadn't been there before. And Ningning and Giselle? Well, their flirty banter had only escalated.

The salon was bustling as usual, fans and clients alike flocking to see Aespa in action. However, today was different. An important client was on the schedule: a celebrity who would either make or break the salon's newfound fame.

Hana rushed in, her face pale. "Guys, we've got a situation."

"What kind of situation?" Karina asked, putting down a curling iron she had been fiddling with.

Hana took a deep breath. "You remember how we got booked for that VIP client today?"

"Yeah, what about it?" Winter chimed in.

"Well, turns out that VIP is Sunwoo Kim," Hana said, her eyes wide with panic.

There was a beat of silence as the name sunk in.

"Wait," Giselle said, blinking. "You mean the Sunwoo Kim? The actress who's basically Korea's biggest star?"

Hana nodded frantically. "Yes! She's coming here in less than an hour, and she has very high expectations. If we mess this up, we're doomed."

Ningning let out a low whistle. "No pressure, huh?"

Karina straightened up, her natural leader instincts kicking in. "Okay, we can handle this. We've gotten better. Besides, it's just one haircut, right?"

Hana winced. "It's not just a haircut. She wants a complete makeover."

At this, Winter's eyes widened. "Wait, what?"

"Haircut, color, style—the works," Hana said, clutching the clipboard as if it could save her from the impending disaster.

Karina squared her shoulders. "Okay. We'll divide and conquer. Winter and I can handle the cut and style. Giselle, Ningning, you two are on color duty."

Ningning grinned at Giselle. "Looks like we're partners again."

Giselle smirked, the nerves starting to kick in but not enough to dampen her excitement. "Let's do this."

The atmosphere in the salon shifted from playful to focused as they prepared for Sunwoo's arrival. Even though they were nervous, there was a new confidence among them—something that hadn't been there during their earlier chaotic days.

When Sunwoo Kim finally walked through the door, the entire salon fell silent. She was stunning in person, her presence commanding the room as she walked in with her signature elegance. Dressed in designer clothes and oversized sunglasses, she looked every bit the superstar. But instead of being intimidating, she smiled warmly at the group.

"Thank you so much for fitting me in," Sunwoo said, removing her sunglasses. "I've heard a lot about you guys lately."

The girls exchanged nervous glances. Whether that was good or bad remained to be seen.

Karina took charge, offering a polite smile. "We're honored to have you here. What kind of look are you thinking about today?"

Sunwoo sat down in the chair, eyeing her reflection thoughtfully. "I want something fresh. A bold new color, maybe a shorter cut. I'm feeling adventurous."

Winter and Karina shared a quick glance. "We've got this," Karina whispered under her breath to Winter, who nodded, her hands already trembling slightly at the thought of cutting the Sunwoo Kim's hair.