Locks of Love

“Alright everyone!  Practice is over!  Don’t forget to review your scripts!  If you students have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask!”

“Goodbye Sensei!” yelled a chorus of students, before flocking to the exits.  Among one of the students was a girl named , a third year. 

However that was all they knew of her…her name.  She never really talked to anyone, or raised her hand in class.  Sure she had joined the Hyotei drama club, but she always managed to land the small background parts, not that she minded of course. 

She really didn’t have many friends either.  Most of Hyotei’s female population focused on one thing: to win the love of the boys’ tennis team.  They practically climbed over each other to do it.  It didn’t matter if anyone got hurt, as long as the boys’ tennis team existed; the cruelty ensued, which was primarily why stayed quiet most of the time.  In fact, she would have preferred to have gone to a local high school, if her sister hadn’t been an alumna of Hyotei Gakuen.  Of course, there was this one person from Hyotei, who liked to harass, but you’ll learn about him later. 

“Today was just like every other day, boring.” thought , kicking pebbles.  “I shouldn’t have come to Hyotei, I don’t belong…”

Cutting across the back of the building, proceeded to cut across the tennis courts to leave school, when she heard a familiar voice yelling.

“There’s only one person who yells loudly like that,” groaned to herself, “…Shishido.”

She was sort of shocked though, since Shishido had really been unlike his noisy self recently.  Having been kicked off the regulars, he had become much more passive, but restless.  In other words, to hear Shishido yell like that, something must have happened, something big!

Sneaking over to a large tree, jutted her head out as far as possible to see what was going on.  Overall she had seen four figures.  She recognized Atobe and Sakaki off the bat, which immediately signalled to her that this meeting was probably about the tennis club.

could barely hear the conversation from the top of the hill, with the exception of Shishido’s loud outbursts.  Straining her ears, she picked up something about how he had worked hard and changed, or something like that.  “Heh, trust Shishido to make it dramatic.  Too bad, Sakaki doesn’t seem like the type to bend.” thought .

Expecting to see Shishido’s efforts being shot down, tried not to blink.  “Wait a minute.  Was Shishido taking out a pair of scissors?  What the—HE’S CUTTING HIS HAIR?!”  At this point, if it weren’t for the overhanging branch dipping above her, surely would’ve tumbled down the hill in shock.  Shishido had really cut his hair.  The hair that he took pride in, the hair his fan girls oh so admired, he had cut it!  Talk about being a real drama queen! 

shifted her eyes back to Sakaki, “If he didn’t expect that, he’s probably just not showing it.  Oh wait, he’s turning to leave, it looks like he’s not impressed.” she thought.  Preparing to sneak back around to the formal school path, started to move, when all of a sudden she heard Atobe speak something.  “…losers…guys like him…he has my support…” was all she could catch, as she managed to slump back into her former spying position behind the tree.

Holding her breath, ’s heart stopped for a moment when Sakaki turned back.  She had thought he’d spotted her for a second, but he was actually turning back to the boys.  “Do what you will,” was all he said before walking away.

, leaned against the tree, “Whew,” she muttered wiping off sweat, “that was quite a performance.” she whispered to herself.

Making sure that the boys were gone, raced down the hill, to the path where the scene had taken place earlier.  Making her way down the path, abruptly stopped.  Shishido’s hair was still there in the pathway.  “Odd, I thought he would’ve taken it with him.”

Seeing no one around her, quickly scooped up the hair, putting it in a small bag.  Whatever possessed her to do it, she did not know, but had a strange feeling today that it would be worth it in the end. 

Thirty minutes later…

entered the hair salon three blocks from her school, which just happened to be owned by her sister Kana.  Plopping herself on one of the lobby couches, curled up, using her school bag as a pillow.  Eavesdropping was an exhausting activity after all.

“Hey !!!” yelled Kana, looking up from her scissors.

“Hey ne-san…”

“How was school?”

“Okay…”

“That’s what you always say.  You make it sound like the same things happen every day!! When I was in Hyotei Junior High, something exciting happened at least once a week or something!!”

Thinking back to the episode that she encountered an hour ago, merely shrugged, “Times change, I guess.”

Sighing, Kana, returned her full attention to her client’s hair, mumbling to the amused customer, “She never opens up to anyone.”

As Kana proceeded to chat with her client, suddenly remembered.  Pulling out the plastic bag out of her skirt pocket, ran to the back of the building, where the sinks were located.  Carefully, she gathered Shishido’s hair and bound them in separate locks, two from his long bangs and four from his ponytail.  After cleaning and washing the dirt from them, she blew them dry, securing each, by braiding and tying them off with a black ribbon.  The process was long and tedious, but managed not to lose any strands of hair in the process.  As she was finishing, heard her sister call out to her. 

“Oi !!” yelled Kana sweeping up the bits of hair left from the departing patrons, “I’m going to pick up dinner, so watch the salon for me okay?  If any customers come, you handle them, unless they want anything other than a trim or a fix.  Otherwise, just wash their hair and tell them to wait!”

“Yeah, yeah, I get the picture!”  Stuffing the hair locks back into the bag and in her pocket, sauntered out to the front desk, where she pulled out her books and started doing homework.

No more than ten minutes had passed, when the bell to the front door jingled.  groaned, she didn’t really enjoy working in the hair business, especially the prospect of getting her fingers in people’s greasy hair.  Luckily, Kana at least let her keep the money she earned. 

Without putting down her book or uncrossing her legs on the counter, muttered the most unenthusiastic: “Hi, how may I help you?” in hopes of driving the new client away.

“Uh ?  Is that you?” asked a familiar voice.

That response at least, caused to lower her book.  “Oh, hi Shishido.  What’s up?” smirked . “Something you need?” 

Shishido was one of the regular customers of the salon ever since her sister had opened it.  As he got older though, more and more Hyotei girls seemed to follow him in, much to the delight of Kana.  “He’s good for bringing in business.” she had said, much to ’s disgust.

Adjusting his blue baseball cap nervously, Shishido looked around, “Is Kana around?  I kind of need my hair fixed…”

, uncrossing her legs, put her head on her hands in a mock fashion, “Oh, what’s this?  Losing fan girls already because of the new haircut?

Shishido gritted his teeth in agitation, “If Kana’s not here, I’ll just go to another salon then.”

rolled her eyes in response, “I was just kidding, Kana’s getting food, so I’m substituting for her for the time being.  Of course, I’m not as good as she is, but I’m certainly better than you are.” she finished pointing at his hair.  “But I guess if I don’t satisfy you, then there’s always that other salon six blocks down.”

Contemplating his choices, Shishido shrugged, after all, what did it matter now that his precious long hair was gone.  It wasn’t like could make it worse, unless she made him bald or something.  “Fine, I’ll stay.”

Jumping off the stool, circled around the counter, snatching the blue cap off his head before shoving a towel into his hands.  “Follow me.”

Putting the towel around his neck, Shishido trailed behind to the back sinks.  After he had seated himself on one of the reclined chairs, turned on the showerhead and started to dampen his hair.

“Hm…at least his hair isn’t greasy.”

After lathering and rinsing, wrapped the towel over Shishido’s head and directed him to a seat.  Tying a plastic cover sheet around him, slid a stool over and started combing his hair as straight as possible. 

“Why did you cut your own hair anyway?” asked out of curiosity, snipping the back row into even edges.

“To show that I wasn’t kidding.”

“About tennis?”

“That and the team.”

“So you weren’t just being melodramatic?” teased , working on the left side of his hair.

“…Its not like you understand what I’ve been through!” Shishido half yelled irritably, jerking his head slightly forward.

“Ack, stop moving!!” cried retracting the scissors at his sudden outburst.  “And no, I don’t know what you’ve been going through.  I just happened to stop by and witness the incident today.”

“What…you saw?”  Shishido, looked like he was on the verge of another flare-up.  , in a rare moment of regret, tried to sooth him whilst attempting to trim his hair. 

“Yeah, I didn’t know Sakaki-sensei was that strict with you guys.  But you’re back on the team now, so its okay isn’t it?  You’ve proven yourself now haven’t you?” she replied, as innocently as she could. 

A moment of silence followed, neither of them speaking.  , sprayed some more water in his hair.

“What’s up with you anyway, making fun of me all of a sudden?  I liked you better when you were quiet.” 

“Funny, I didn’t know that you knew I existed.”

“Humph!”

“Stop moving!”

“I’m not!”

“I was kidding!”

As she fixed the top of his hair, where his long bangs used to spread out, tried to reach him again, “Why did you even bother trying to get back in, when you knew Sakaki-sensei had that rule?”

Shishido gladly spoke, “One, I’m better than that Taki.  And two, because life’s short, and if you don’t do SOMETHING you like, you’re going to regret it when you’re old.”

was about to reply, “Well if you’re so good, how come that Fudoumine guy beat you in 15 minutes” but she decided to suppress it.  Besides, something else he had said bothered her.

Before she could stop herself, blurted out, “So I’m going to regret it, huh?” 

“What?”

“Oh, nothing.”  replied, busying herself with another part of his hair, her mind pondering, “I guess he isn’t such a bad guy after all.  At least he has ambitions.  Unlike me.  Day after day, I slave over rehearsing scripts people write up.  Is it because I’m too afraid to go after my own goals?”

“Hey, are you awake?” Shishido scowled, snapping her back to reality.

“Huh? Yeah, of course!”

Reaching for another towel, ’s eyes caught a glimpse of Shishido smirking at her. 

“What are you smiling at?”

Shishido was taken aback, “Nothing!”

Ruffling his hair a couple of more times with the towel, took off the plastic cover.  “You’re done.  You can go now.”

As she swept up the bits of hair, Shishido spun around in the seat to face her. 

“Stop staring at me,” scowled , “I feel like you’re going to jump out and kill me or something.”

“What is wrong with you?” were the words that Shishido chose to spurt out in reply, “You either act dead at school, or make fun of me here!  You should be grateful, I bring in business you know. 

“Kana is grateful that you bring in business!  And you’re so melodramatic, what’s not there to make fun of?”

“So?  Well it’s better than shutting everyone out!”

dropped her broom at those words. Closing her eyes, she calmly sputtered.  “If worshipping that Atobe is required in order to gain friends, I’d rather BE shut out!”

Shishido reached over and picked up the broom, “What?  That’s it?  Of all three years here, you’ve never spoken to anyone because of that?”

“Yes,” seethed, “But like you said, its not like you would understand, right?  Now give me back my broom!  I have to clean up!”

Taunting her, Shishido held the broom out of reach, “So?  If anyone gives you crap, I’ll take care of them!”

“Right, like hell you will.  You’re too wrapped up in your own damn problems to care.  Now give me the broom!”

Holding it behind his back, Shishido leaned forward on the chair.  “I’m serious.  From the minute Kana found out I was going to Hyotei a couple years back, she asked me to take care of you.  Even though I didn’t know you much at the time, I agreed.”

stepped back dumbfounded, “You’re kidding me, right?  That is the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard.”

Shishido held out the broom.  “Believe what you want, but its true.  How else would you have survived for three years without being touched by those crazy girls and those pesky guys from the basketball team?”

Snatching the broom, growled, “I could have done fine by myself, I don’t need YOUR help.”

"Heh, so you aren't really just a zombie after all." Shishido remarked slyly, hopping off the seat.  He had felt somewhat proud, that he had evoked a response other than boredom from .

"Just...go already." said tiredly.  "I have to work."

Defeated, Shishido sighed, "Alright, alright.  I'll leave the money on the table.  Keep the change." And before could say no, he pushed the front entrance door open, allowing himself to be swallowed by the city.

It took only a few minutes, until realized that she had forgotten to give Shishido his hair locks.  Not wanting to miss this chance, she dropped her broom and sped out the door in hopes of catching him on time.

“Hey Shishido, WAIT!!”

Shishido turned around, surprised at the volume of her voice.  “Yeah?”

“Um, before I forget, here.”  Rummaging in her pocket, fished out the box she had earlier, and offered it to him.

Looking at it sceptically, Shishido blurted out, “It’s not my birthday.”

Pretending that she didn’t hear his last statement, continued, “I tried to salvage as much as I can.” she said, still holding the box out.

Looking puzzled, Shishido walked back and took the box from her.  Upon opening it, his face morphed into an expression of utter surprise, but whether of the good kind, couldn’t tell.  Reaching inside, Shishido fingered one of the braided locks.  “Is…this really mine?”

“I thought you might like them clean and bunched together,” whispered, averting her eyes upward, away from Shishido.

It seemed like ages had passed before he moved.

“ , thanks.” He raised his eyes from the box, locking them on her, startling her, “I really appreciate what you did, but I don’t think I’ll be needing these any more.”  he said taking a deep breath, “You can keep them.”

smirked, “So, then you wouldn’t mind if I sold these to your fan girls, would you?”

Shishido cocked his eyebrow and began to open his mouth in protest, but quickly chimed in a, “Kidding!!” before he could do so.

“I guess I’ll give these to the Locks of Love Organization then, they’ll use them to make wigs for underprivileged chemotherapy patients.”

Shishido looked like he approved, “Whatever, just don’t go around giving them to those girls.” he added with a scowl.

Walking back, slipped one of the locks in her skirt pocket.  “Alright, see you at scho—”

“HEY GUYS!” a cheery voice interrupted.  The voice belonged to Kana, who was now toting a bag filled with takeout, along with her purse.  Both Shishido and froze as if they were caught at a crime scene.

“Aww, what’s this? Did I come between a romantic moment or something?” Kana asked.

“Che…” the two junior high students replied.  “As if!”

Kana shook her head.  “Well whatever, I thought you two looked cute together, regardless of what you guys said.”

“KANA!!” yelled Shishido and .

“Alright, alright.  I get it!”  Kana said in exasperation.  “Anyway,” she said, turning to Shishido, “I got Chinese takeout today, care to join us?”

“Huh?  Uh…sure I guess, if doesn’t mind,” said Shishido sneaking a glance at .  Deep inside, he hoped that she would say “yes.”

“Whatever,” muttered, feigning bored.  However deep inside, she really wanted to say “yes”.

“Well then, don’t just stand there, come in!” ushered Kana.

As the three stepped back into the salon, Kana could’ve sworn she saw a brief, happy gaze exchanged between the two young people reflected on the shop’s glass windows.

“Ah, to be young again,” she sighed.

End

by: Jovitar

requested by: Eien Chan

edited: 6/24/06

Re-edited by Anon