Pink Scissors and Morning Mist

Yuki adjusted her scissor hairpins as she walked through the misty streets of Nakaibito. Her pink heels clicked against the cobblestones while she checked her reflection in a shop window. Perfect curls, perfect makeup, perfect pink dress.

"Another peaceful morning," she hummed, touching her scissors necklace.

Maki appeared around the corner, her green hair bouncing as she jogged. "Yuki! Did you hear the commotion near the school?"

"What commotion?" Yuki tilted her head.

"Some boys got dragged to the old salon, kicking and screaming. Their parents looked furious." Maki caught her breath. "Apparently they've been mistaken for girls because of their long, messy hair."

Yuko materialized beside them in a swirl of blue sparkles, her expression serious. "I sensed fear coming from that direction. Strong fear."

The three magical hairdressers exchanged glances. In Nakaibito, fear usually meant someone needed their help.

"Should we investigate?" Yuki asked, already knowing the answer.

The Silver Scissors

The three girls hurried toward the old salon, their footsteps echoing through the narrow alley. As they rounded the corner, Yuki gasped at the sight before them.

Five boys sat huddled together on a wooden bench outside the salon, their long, tangled hair covering their faces like curtains. Their clothes were wrinkled and their shoulders shook with quiet sobs.

"Please don't make us go in there," whispered one boy with dark hair that reached his shoulders.

"I'm Ren," he said when he noticed the girls watching. "These are my friends—Riku, Haruto, Kenji, and Hiroto."

Yuki stepped closer, her scissors earrings jingling softly. "What happened to make you so scared of haircuts?"

"Last time, the barber cut too much," Riku explained, his voice trembling. "Everyone laughed at us for weeks."

Suddenly, loud laughter erupted from across the street. Three older boys strutted toward them, carrying enormous silver scissors that glinted in the sunlight.

"Look what we found!" called the tallest one with spiky black hair. "More long-haired losers!"

The five scared boys pressed closer together, their eyes wide with terror.