Morning in the Square

The morning sun painted Nakaibito village in golden hues as Yuki stepped out of her pink-decorated salon. Her elaborate pink curls bounced with each click of her heels against the cobblestone path. The scissor-shaped hairpins caught the light, matching her delicate earrings and necklace.

"Another beautiful day to help people feel their best," she murmured, adjusting her pink dress.

Down the street, five boys huddled together near the fountain, their long, tangled hair falling over their faces like curtains. Ren pushed greasy strands from his eyes while Riku tugged nervously at his shaggy locks. Haruto, Kenji, and Hiroto stood close, whispering anxiously.

"They're coming for us again," Haruto whispered, glancing toward the salon.

From across the square, three older boys approached with menacing grins. Ryusei, their leader, held oversized scissors that gleamed threateningly in the sunlight. Daiki and Sato flanked him, chuckling.

"Time for your haircuts, girls," Ryusei taunted, snapping the giant scissors near the younger boys' faces.

Yuki's purple eyes narrowed as she watched the scene unfold.

The Shoemaker's Warning

Before Yuki could step forward, a small woman with short gray hair rushed between the bullies and the younger boys. Her apron was covered in leather dust, and she carried a hammer in one hand.

"Ryusei! Leave these children alone," the shoemaker said firmly.

The older boy laughed and waved his giant scissors. "Just having fun, Mrs. Tanaka."

"This isn't fun. Their parents came to my shop this morning, worried sick. They're planning to drag these boys to get haircuts by force."

Yuki's heart sank. She watched Ren's face turn pale at the word 'drag.'

"Good," Ryusei smirked. "Maybe someone will finally make them look like boys instead of girls."

Mrs. Tanaka shook her head. "They're terrified because of what you three did last month with those scissors."

The five boys huddled closer together. Haruto whispered something to Kenji, who nodded with wide eyes.

"So what if we scared them a little?" Daiki laughed.

Mrs. Tanaka pointed her hammer at the bullies. "Get out of here before I tell your parents about your scissors games."

Ryusei rolled his eyes but gestured to his friends. They walked away, still chuckling.