The afternoon sunlight slanted through the salon's glass front, casting warm streaks across the wooden floor. The faint scent of shampoo and citrus oil hung in the air as Haru swept near the mirrors, humming softly. Setsuna was finishing up a client's cut while Riruru handled appointments at the counter.
"Another good day," Setsuna said, brushing stray hair from her apron. "You've gotten really good at this, Haru. Maybe too good."
He laughed. "I learn from the best."
'He says it so simply,' she thought, glancing at his easy smile. 'But he notices everything… even little details about me.'
Riruru leaned over the counter, teasing. "If you keep praising him like that, Setsuna, I'll have to steal him for my shop."
Haru turned, feigning surprise. "You have a salon now?"
"Not yet," she said, laughing. "But who knows? Maybe soon. Kyusuke says the market's growing fast."
Setsuna joined the laughter, but her gaze lingered a moment longer on Haru's face than it should have.
---
Later, when the clients left and the sign flipped to Closed, Haru began cleaning the back room. Setsuna followed with a towel in hand, pretending to help.
"You don't need to stay," he said gently. "I can handle the rest."
"It's fine," she replied, crouching beside him. "You already do too much."
Their hands brushed over the same spray bottle. She froze, realizing how close they were. Haru didn't move away immediately; instead, he met her eyes—calm, patient, as if asking permission to stay within that quiet moment.
'I shouldn't feel this… but why does it feel so natural?' she wondered.
A knock on the glass startled them both. Riruru stood there, waving, her tone cheerful. "You two coming out or planning to camp in there?"
Setsuna quickly stepped back. "We were just cleaning up!"
Riruru grinned. "I'll believe that."
Haru chuckled softly, defusing the tension. "Give us two minutes."
---
That evening, at home, Kyusuke was at his desk sorting bills. "The salon's really picking up," he said. "Setsuna's lucky to have help like Haru."
She smiled, pouring him tea. "He's reliable… and kind."
Kyusuke nodded absently, already focused on his paperwork. 'She talks about that kid often,' he thought. 'But it's good—makes things easier for her. Nothing to worry about.'
Across town, Zeno was fixing a light bulb while Riruru organized her skincare samples. "You seem distracted," he said casually. "Something wrong?"
"Not really," she answered. "Just… watching how close Haru and Setsuna have become. It's cute, in a way. Like an older sister and younger brother."
Zeno laughed. "As long as it stays that way."
'It's harmless,' she reassured herself, though she remembered how flushed Setsuna looked earlier. 'Still… there was something strange in the air.'
---
The next morning, Haru arrived early again. Setsuna was already there, hair tied loosely, eyes half-sleepy.
"You didn't rest much, did you?" Haru asked.
She sighed. "Couldn't sleep. Too many thoughts."
"About the salon?"
"…Maybe," she said, smiling faintly. "And maybe other things."
He didn't press her. Instead, he offered her a warm cup of coffee from the machine. "Drink. You'll feel better."
She took it, their fingers brushing again.
'He notices even when I'm not speaking,' she thought. 'Why does that comfort me so much?'
---
Later in the day, Riruru stopped by, carrying a small gift basket. "Kyusuke told me to bring some snacks! He said you two probably skipped lunch."
Setsuna smiled gratefully. "You always take care of us."
Riruru winked. "Just spreading the love."
Haru took the basket, setting it down carefully. "You're always so thoughtful, Riruru."
'He says it like he means it,' she thought, caught off guard by the warmth in his tone. For a brief second, she understood why Setsuna spoke so highly of him.
---
When the day ended, the group walked together toward the parking lot. Kyusuke and Zeno were already waiting by the cars, waving them over.
Kyusuke grinned. "We were thinking—maybe all of us should take a weekend break. There's a hot-spring hotel two hours away. You've all been working non-stop."
Riruru's eyes sparkled. "That sounds amazing!"
Setsuna hesitated, glancing at Haru. "Would that be okay for you too?"
"Of course," he said. "It'll be nice to relax for once."
Zeno chuckled. "Then it's settled. I'll handle the reservations."
'A trip together,' Haru mused. 'Perfect… another step closer.'
---
The night breeze followed them home, quiet and cool. Setsuna lingered by the door before saying goodnight.
"Thank you, Haru," she said softly. "For today."
He smiled. "It's nothing, really."
But when she turned away, she pressed her hand against her chest. 'Why does my heart race whenever he smiles like that?'
From the upstairs window, Kyusuke watched them for a moment, saw nothing out of place, and turned off the light.
---