The Pink Salon

Yuki adjusted her pink scissors in their holster and smoothed down her curly pink hair. The morning sun streamed through the windows of Nakaibito Hair Haven, making her blue eyes sparkle with excitement. Today felt special.

"Good morning, Maki! Good morning, Yuko!" she called to her fellow magical hairdressers as they arranged their stations. Her pink high heels clicked cheerfully across the polished floor.

Maki looked up from organizing her brushes. "Did you see the appointment book? Five new clients today."

"Boys," Yuko added quietly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "From the elementary school."

Yuki's heart skipped. Boys rarely visited their salon. She picked up her pink clippers, feeling their familiar weight. "How wonderful! I love meeting new people."

Through the window, she spotted five figures shuffling slowly down the street. Their hair hung long and unkempt over their faces. One boy kept glancing nervously at the salon's bright pink sign.

"They look scared," Yuki murmured, pressing her nose to the glass.

The Sparrow's Warning

The salon door chimed as the five boys shuffled inside. Their long, tangled hair covered most of their faces, but Yuki could see nervous eyes peeking through the strands.

"Welcome to Nakaibito Hair Haven!" she chirped, bouncing forward in her pink high heels. "I'm Yuki!"

The tallest boy stepped back. "We don't want to be here," he mumbled.

"But your hair needs attention," Maki said firmly, gesturing to her chair. "It's much too long."

A small sparrow suddenly fluttered through the open window, landing on the counter with urgent chirps. It hopped frantically, pointing its tiny wing toward the boys.

"What's wrong, little one?" Yuki asked, kneeling down.

The sparrow chattered rapidly, then flew to perch on the shortest boy's shoulder. The child flinched away from the bird's touch.

"Scissors hurt," one boy whispered, barely audible.

"Clippers are scary," another added, wrapping his arms around himself.

Yuki's pink scissors felt heavy in her holster. She glanced at the sparrow, who tilted its head knowingly. Something deeper was happening here.

"We have to cut it anyway," Yuko declared, approaching with her tools ready.