“It’s been a while. I was surprised to hear that you went independent and opened your own salon in the year and a half I was away from end.”
“…Why did you suddenly stop coming? We made a promise.”
I couldn’t help but ask the question that had been on my mind for a year and a half.
“Ah, well. The day after I last went to the salon, I got the results for a special study abroad program at my university that I had applied for on a whim. The departure was in a month, so things were hectic, and I forgot to contact you! I’m sorry. I said I’d come when you became a stylist.”
“Is that so… then let’s cut your hair.”
“Please.” “Thank you.”
I had Hikari-chan sit in the treatment chair, and I sat on a nearby rolling chair, picking up a tablet.
“Today is just a cut and treatment, right?”
“Yes, my hair has grown out since the last cut about three months ago, so I’d like a trim.”
“…Who cut your hair?”
“A Japanese hairdresser at a salon for Japanese people in the country where I was studying abroad! I didn’t have the courage to go to a local salon. My guy friend asked for a center part and ended up with a buzz cut.”
Study abroad. Guy friends. Local hairdressers.
I understood the words, but I couldn’t comprehend any of it.
“Did you have fun abroad?”
“Uh, yeah. Hey, what’s wrong today, Riichi-san? Are you not feeling well?”
Hikari-chan leaned in, completely unaware of what I was feeling.
—Hikari. I’m a mess because of you. Since I met you, I haven’t been able to date any other girls.
I realized that I needed her, but she was happy even without me.
Faced with that reality again, my mind boiled, and I lost all self-control.
“It’s your fault, Hikari-chan.”
“Huh…?”
I stood up from my chair, moved closer to Hikari-chan, and took her lips.
After that, I forced myself on Hikari, who resisted me again and again. I used deliberately lewd words.
I know Hikari will probably never love me. She won’t even smile in front of me anymore. The only time she has a calm expression is when she’s asleep.
Right now, I’m forcing her into house arrest and lying about having secret videos to keep her by my side, but I don’t know when that lie will be exposed.
If the lie is found out, she’ll surely disappear again.
“Never forget me for the rest of your life.”
If you’re going to be happy by forgetting me, then please, never forget me for the rest of your life.
I stroked Hikari’s beautiful hair and made that wish.
Leave a Reply