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That weekend, the sky was clear and the wind gentle. Tsubaki had just left the salon — hair freshly styled, the ends curled slightly, and a faint scent of hair mist lingering.
Steps were slow, mood calm. Today felt beautiful. And more than that — confident.
But just a few steps away from the corner, a loud voice echoed from across the street.
“TSUBAKIIIII!!”
Tsubaki flinched a little. That voice was unmistakable.
Umemiya…?!
Hands instinctively reached up to check the sides of the hair, trying to make sure nothing was out of place. Reflex.
Umemiya came running over — loud and full of energy as always. Shirt had a few smudges, but that face practically glowed.
“Hey, I just helped this old lady push a trolley at the market! DID YOU SEE ME?! Like a hero, right?!”
A soft giggle escaped. Cheeks already felt warm.
“Ehehe… y-yeah… a hero,” came the quiet reply. Eyes avoided direct contact. Just a small, shy smile.
Umemiya didn’t seem to notice. The story continued, all full of excitement, while Tsubaki walked quietly beside, nodding along.
⸻
A few minutes later, they passed a small shop.
Tsubaki paused — eyes drawn to the display window full of hair accessories. Hair clips, pins, tiny bows, each one neatly arranged in trays, catching the soft glow of the shop lights.
Umemiya noticed. “Oh? You like stuff like this?”
A small nod. “Mhm… they’re cute.”
Tsubaki stepped inside slowly. The shop was quiet, peaceful. But once Umemiya followed in behind, heartbeats quickened all over again.
⸻
Inside, fingers gently picked up one clip after another — ones shaped like flowers, stars, glittery ones, pastel ones. Everything looked beautiful. But deciding on one? Impossible.
“This one’s pretty…” came a soft murmur. “But so is this one…”
“Hmm, if it were me,” Umemiya suddenly spoke, reaching over to pick out a small silver crescent moon-shaped clip with a soft blue gem in the middle, “I’d choose this one.”
Tsubaki turned — eyes met for just a second.
Umemiya grinned. “Because it looks like you. Soft, but bright. Rare.”
Tsubaki blinked.
That’s… the reason?
Did just say I shine…?
Cheeks burned hotter. Eyes dropped slightly as fingers reached out to take the clip.
“…then I’ll go with this one.”
Umemiya clapped lightly. “Nice! Good choice!”
⸻
That afternoon, the clip was purchased.
And from that day onward… it became a daily accessory.
⸻
One night, while working at the bar, I was quietly arranging glasses at the counter. Hair tied neatly, and the crescent moon clip rested on the side — catching the light every now and then.
“Hey,” came a voice.
Tsubaki turned — it was Kanji, one of the coworkers.
“Your hair… that clip’s real nice. Suits you a lot.”
There was a pause.
Then, a slow smile formed. Not because of Kanji — but because of that clip. And the one who had chosen it.
“…thanks,” came the soft reply.
That night, even with the bar packed and orders coming nonstop,
Tsubaki’s heart felt light.
And that smile?
Never left, not even once.