Pink Scissors and Morning Light

The morning sun streamed through the windows of the Magic Hair Salon in Nakaibito village. Yuki adjusted her tiny scissor earrings as she swept pink hair clippings from yesterday's work. Her green eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Another busy day ahead!" she announced to her friends Maki and Yuko, who were arranging their tools at neighboring stations.

Maki, with her bright blue hair tied in twin buns, grinned. "I heard Mrs. Tanaka's bringing her grandson today. He hasn't had a proper cut in months!"

Yuko, the quietest of the three with her silver hair in a neat bob, looked up from polishing her scissors. "Speaking of difficult customers, did you see those boys outside yesterday? They ran past so fast when they saw our sign."

Through the window, Yuki spotted five figures hiding behind the old oak tree across the street. Messy, tangled hair poked out from their hiding spots. One had blonde hair that reached his shoulders, another's red hair looked like he'd been sleeping in a haystack.

"They look scared," Yuki whispered, her heart softening.

The Storm Before the Snip

Just then, the shop door burst open with a bang. A woman with short gray hair stormed in, dragging five kicking boys behind her.

"Girls, I need your help!" she announced breathlessly. "I'm Mrs. Yamamoto from the elementary school. These boys haven't had proper haircuts in months. Their parents are furious because everyone keeps mistaking them for girls!"

Yuki gasped as she recognized the boys from outside. The blonde one with shoulder-length hair was crying. The red-haired boy had his arms crossed defiantly. Three others huddled together, their long messy hair covering most of their faces.

"No!" shouted the blonde boy. "We won't do it! Last time the barber cut my ear!"

"My hair got all choppy and weird," whimpered the one with white hair.

Mrs. Yamamoto sighed heavily. "Ren, Riku, Haruto, Kenji, Hiroto - you can't keep running away from this. Your hair is so long and greasy that your teachers can't even see your faces."

Maki stepped forward with her scissors ready. "Don't worry, we'll fix this right now. Sit down, boys."

"But they're scared," Yuki whispered, watching the boys tremble at the sight of the scissors.