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Kumon hesitated, fiddling his thumbs. “You won’t make fun of me even if it’s a dumb question, right?”
Tsumugi’s eyes softened. He patted Kumon on the shoulder.
“Kumon,” he said warmly. “I believe that the best kind of educational environment is one where the people wanting to learn feel free to ask whatever it is they want to ask. I won’t make fun of you, I promise.”
“Oh, that’s a relief!” Kumon said as he instantly cheered up. “Okay. I don’t know how to say this right so I’m just gonna go ahead and ask.”
“Ask away.”
“Does hot water make your hair wetter faster than cold water?”
Tsumugi’s hand paused in the air, an inch over Kumon’s shoulder and unable to make the final pat. He cleared his throat and blinked. “Sorry, come again?”
“Yeah, like, when you shower with hot water. Does it get your hair wetter faster than if you showered with cold water?”
Tsumugi looked away at a random spot on the wall. “Huh. That’s a very interesting question, Kumon.”
“Would context for the question help?” he asked.
“Yes, it would.”
Kumon took a few steps away and held his palms in the air. “Alright. Stay with me here. I’ll lead you through it.”
“That’s much appreciated.”
“I walk into the shower.”
“Yes.”
“I turn on the water and I avoid the spray. I touch it with my fingertips every now and then to see if it’s warm.”
“I do the same, go on.”
“The water gets hot, I get under it. I take off my clothes.”
Tsumugi flinched although his dedicated smile refused to waver on his face. “In that order?”
Kumon raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, how else am I supposed to do pre-laundry?”
“…Pre-laundry?”
“You know, when you wash off the first layer of dirt on your clothes. I get them wet in the shower and then I hang them on the shower door to dry off for a while. Then I hang them on the clothesline in my dorm before I add them to the laundry bin. It’s easier on the washing machine that way.”
Tsumugi took a moment to collect himself. He drew in a slow breath and nodded politely. “I see. That’s very innovative, Kumon.”
He grinned. “Thanks! Anyways, last week the water was too hot so I wanted to lower the temperature a bit, but you know when you move the shower knob even one degree the water temperature drops to freezing before it warms up all over again?”
Tsumugi nodded.
Kumon continued. “Well, I was on a bit of a time crunch so I decided to just screw it and take the cold shower. Like a man!” He pounded his fist on his chest and whooped. “But, man, I was trying to shampoo my hair and it would not bubble the way it was supposed to. I thought about that for like three days, and—have you ever tried soaping your hands without water? You know how it doesn’t bubble that way?”
Tsumugi decided to take a seat at his desk chair, not trusting his knees to stay stable for the rest of the story. “That’s true. So you’re wondering if the reason why the shampoo didn’t lather properly was because your hair wasn’t wet enough?”
“Because of the cold water,” Kumon said firmly. “I think it was because the cold water didn’t get my hair wet enough like hot water does. I just wanted to ask you if I was right or if I’m just nuts.”
Tsumugi nodded again. He stayed quiet for a moment. He touched his fingertips together.
“Kumon,” he began. “Hot water actually opens your hair’s cuticles because of its expansive qualities. That’s probably why shampoo and conditioner works better on your hair when it’s warm.”
Kumon waved his hand. “Nah, I don’t condition.”
“Oh dear, you really should, it’s important for keeping up your hair’s health.” Tsumugi forged on. “But, interestingly, I’ve read an article that says rinsing your hair with cold water is the best option because it closes those cuticles again and manages to retain the moisture. So… Yes, in a way, I suppose you’re right. Shampooing with hot water is more effective than with cold, although there’s not that much of a difference given enough time. I suppose your rush meant you didn’t give the cold water enough time.”
Kumon pumped both of his fists into the air. “I WAS RIGHT. I KNEW IT.”
“Yes, you were.”
“Thanks, Tsumugi!”
“No problem, Kumon."