Hana of the Dusk | Akatsuki no Yona

Chapter 13: The Tale of Hiryuu and the Four Dragon Warriors.

"I just realized your hair is so short now," Hana suddenly became aware of the change in her sister's appearance after all of them finished the breakfast. Yesterday, she didn't even notice it, as her mind was too preoccupied by worry of Yona's and Hak's condition. She touched Yona's now short red hair that was uneven, which made it look like it was cut by force, by something that's not scissors. "What happened? Obviously you didn't have it cut when you're in Fuuga."

Yona's shoulders tensed, and she threw a panicked glance at Hak, asking for help from the bodyguard. Unsurprisingly, Hak just sipped his tea and pretended like he didn't see it.

"I cut it with a sword," Yona mumbled, avoiding her sister's gaze, knowing exactly what her reaction would be.

"You what?" Hana's eyes widened in shock, "that's dangerous—"

Before Hana could go on a long lecture about it, Yona raised her hands in defense, "Tae-jun pulled my hair when I was going to save Hak. I used his sword to cut it so I could escape," Yona explained, "don't worry Nee-chan, I still have my head now," she gave her sister a cheeky grin.

"In the end, I was not saved, and we both fell into the cliff. And you lost like ten inches of your hair," Hak shamelessly stole another mochi from Yun's basket that was supposed to be sold in the village, which resulted in Yun slapping his hand away.

Both Hana and Yona turned their heads towards Hak after hearing his comment, daggers in their eyes, ready to shoot at him.

"At least she tried to save your sorry ass. Be grateful," Hana scolded Hak, poking his side. Hak winced as his injury still hadn't fully healed. She smirked in triumph, challenging him to give any more witty comments. Hak pouted in a yielding silence.

Standing up, Hana asked for scissors from Yun. The younger boy handed a pair of scissors to her without any questions, because he could already guess what she was going to do with the scissors.

"Yona, come here," Hana beckoned for her sister to sit on a chair. Yona nodded and obeyed her. Hana carefully trimmed Yona's red hair until it was even.

"I've never thought I'd ever see you in short hair again," Hana stated as she took a wisp of red hair between her index and middle fingers, cutting it swiftly, letting it fall on the floor like a withering rose petal after being blown by the wind. "I used to be the one with short hair while you had long hair, but now it's the other way around. I haven't cut my hair for two years."

"Keep it long. You look prettier with long hair," Hak opined.

Hana paused and placed her hands on her hips, "so you're flirting with me now?"

Hak smirked, shrugging nonchalantly, "I mean, you're older now and you're certainly not ugly."

"Thanks. But no, really, I'm not interested in you," Hana said bluntly.

"Might be a little too early to say that. You haven't seen my charm," Hak winked flirtatiously at Hana.

"That's true, onee-chan," Yona confirmed, "Hak was very popular among the ladies at the castle."

"Is that so?" Hana cocked an eyebrow as she cut the last piece of hair. She combed through Yona's hair, making sure her hair was even now.

"Of course, but I didn't pay them any mind because I was loyal to you," Hak responded to her question, still playing the act of flirting with her. While it might work to fool Yona, Hana knew better. Thus, she strode towards him and towered over him. She placed a hand on the wall over his head, leaning down until their faces were inches away from each other, until she could feel his warm breath on his face. "You might want to work a little harder if you want to make her jealous, because she doesn't even look bothered by this act of yours," she whispered so he was the only one who heard it. Hana straightened her back again and turned around, walking away as if nothing happened.