𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝐻𝑒𝒾𝓇𝑒𝓈𝓈 𝒜𝓃𝒹 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒞𝒶𝓅𝒶𝒾𝓃 (𝐿𝑒𝓋𝒾 x 𝒪𝒞)

Chapter 10 : The Hood and the Curls

The scissors clicked sharply in the air, producing a crisp sound with each cut. Marie, sitting on a wooden chair in Hanji's laboratory, stared at her reflection in a small mirror that Hanji was holding at arm's length. Her long, once free-flowing and wavy hair had now been transformed into a series of short, bouncy curls framing her face. The soft light of the lab reflected off her freshly cut bob, giving her hair a silky and shiny glow.

Hanji stood behind her, smiling and clearly satisfied with her work. "And there you go!" she exclaimed cheerfully, placing the scissors on the table next to her. "Look at how cute you are, Marie! These curls suit you perfectly."

Marie tilted her head, trying to see her new curls from every angle in the mirror. She had never had such short hair before, and the lightness on her neck felt strange but pleasant. Her curls bounced gently with each movement of her head, adding a youthful freshness to her appearance.

"Do you think Erwin will like it?" she asked, her cheeks blushing slightly.

Hanji laughed, a joyful and mischievous sound. "Oh, I'm sure he'll love it. You look adorable like this! If Erwin doesn't notice, I really wonder where his mind is."

Encouraged by Hanji's words, Marie stood up from the chair, running an unsure hand through her new curls. "I'm going to show him right away, then," she said with determination, a radiant smile on her face. She headed for the lab door, eager to see her brother's reaction.

She stepped out into the hallway, her steps light and quick. The curls bounced with each movement, adding a sense of buoyancy to her walk. She felt strangely confident, as if this new haircut had given her an extra boost of energy.

Arriving at her brother's office, she paused for a moment, taking a deep breath. She adjusted her dress, ran a hand through her hair one last time to make sure her curls were in place, then knocked gently on the door.

"Come in," came Erwin's deep voice from the other side.

Marie pushed open the door and stepped into the room. Erwin's office was, as always, immaculate and well-organized, with neatly stacked piles of papers on the massive dark wood desk. Erwin, sitting behind his desk, was engrossed in reading several important documents, his expression focused and serious.

Marie approached quietly, trying to get his attention. She took a few hesitant steps into the room, her curls gently swaying around her face. She waited a moment, expecting him to look up and immediately notice her new hairstyle. But Erwin didn't seem to have noticed; he was still absorbed in his papers, his brows furrowed and his gaze fixed on the written lines.

Marie cleared her throat slightly, hoping to draw his attention. "Erwin," she said softly, her tone light and cheerful. "Did you notice anything new?"

Erwin glanced up briefly, his expression remaining neutral. "Marie," he replied distractedly, before immediately returning to his documents, as if he hadn't really heard her question.

Marie felt a wave of frustration rising within her. She had really hoped that her new haircut would catch his eye, that he would notice immediately and give her a compliment. She took another step toward him, her curls bouncing cheerfully, but Erwin was still engrossed in his boring papers.

"Erwin!" she insisted, her tone a bit more forceful now. "Look at me!"

Erwin looked up again, this time a little longer. "Yes, Marie? What is it?" he asked, clearly annoyed by the interruption, but trying to remain patient.

Marie turned slightly to the side, shaking her hair so that her curls swung around her face. "You really don't notice anything?"

Erwin squinted, trying to understand what she was getting at. "I... I'm sorry, Marie, I'm a bit busy. I don't see..."