Chapter Text
"Having long hair is such a bother," Nagi whined, as it was blowing right in her face. Both girls were sitting on a rooftop, as per usual, but today had turned out particularly windy. It was no problem for Reo, who's pretty, long locks where secured in a nice bun, but Nagi was struggling. Her hair had always been rather unkept, which made sense, since it was, well, Nagi. She probably hadn't gone to a hairdresser in ages.
"It's fine, I have a spare hairband," Reo scooted closer, and pulled an elastic out of her purse. Stuff like this was bound to come in useful.
Nagi didn't protest.
Reo gently pulled her hair into a ponytail, which, while not completely solving the problem, certainly did somewhat prevent her hair from getting into her face.
She ran her fingers through the other girl's white hair: "You know, it's very tangled. Maybe you need help with brushing it sometime?"
"It's fine," Nagi replied, while not even looking up from her game, "it's just gonna get tangled again later. There's no point."
"I guess that's true, but it's still good to take care of your hair. Your ends seem damaged too."
"Do you think I should cut it?"
Reo froze for a bit: "What? Why would you cut it? Don't you think it looks nice long?"
Nagi mumbled, without a care in the world: "I don't care how it looks."
She scratched her neck before answering: "I suppose you could cut it then. It should be easier."
Nagi pondered a bit, as if she was contemplating something more important than simply hair: "But going to a hairdresser is such a bother too. Maybe I should just leave it as is…"
"I can cut it for you!" Reo eagerly offered.
"You know how to do that?" she inquired.
"Well, I've never done it before, but I'm bound to be good at it! I'm good at everything, y'know?"
"I guess that's true."
***
Reo soon ordered everything needed for cutting hair. She got a nice chair, some hair scissors and combs and a hair wash bassin, so she could fully pamper Nagi. She had them set up in a corner of her personal bathroom (finally, something to do with all the free space!), creating a mini hair salon.
"Was all of this really necessary?" Nagi asked, blankly staring at all of the equipment.
"Of Course, Nagi!" Reo pushed her into the chair and started tying the cutting cloth around her neck, "your hair will grow out again, you know? That means we need space where we could cut it consistently."
"Couldn't you just, y'know, cut it?"
"Yeah, but as I said, it won't stay short for long."
"I know. I meant it in a different way. You could just cut it whenever. This is very excessive."
"It's fine! I can afford it!"
Nagi just sighed.
About two hours later, Nagi's long strands of hair were in the bin and a simple pixie cut rested on her head.
Reo held out a mirror in front of her: "Well? How is it?"
"It looks good."
"I know right?"
"I hope I don't have to style it as excessively as you did though. That would be such a bother."
"It will be okay. I knew you would say that. It should look fine without any styling. Just brush it in the morning."
"Do I have to?"
***
"Wow, Nagi, you look great today!" Reo said, as Nagi climbed into her limousine. It was only 7:50, but she was as energetic as usual. Maybe even more so than usual.
"Eh, really? But I don't look any different," Nagi yawned. She had only gotten out of bed a quarter ago.
"I guess it must be the hair then, huh? You really made a fine choice when deciding on this haircut."
"Well, I mean, I only said I wanted it short. You did the rest."
"Hmm, well, I suppose that's true," Reo used her hands to brush out the bangs from the other girl's face, "it would definitely look even better if you ran a comb through it when you're getting dressed."
"Don't wanna," she leaned on Reo's shoulder, just messing the hair up even more. In spite of it, Reo still thought she looked very adorable.
"Even if I comb it for you?"
For only a moment, her eyes fluttered open. She was met with Reo's shiney, white-teethed smile.
"Maybe," she muttered as her eyes shut once more.
***
School went by in a flash. Nothing really changed. Reo was still popular as ever and Nagi still faded into the background as soon as Reo left her side (which didn't happen often, exactly.) Some of their teammates commented on how Nagi's new hair looked nice, but she suspected it was only to gain Reo's approval. Complimenting Nagi might as well be complimenting Reo after all.
"The hair is practical," Nagi told Reo in the locker room after practice. They were the only too left. (Tended to happen often. Nagi took a while to rinse, and wherever she went, Reo followed.)
"I know, right?" Reo answered, as she was changing her top into a purple blouse. Just because she could wear home clothes after school, didn't mean she would dress comfortable. Nagi didn't get it. "Well, I'm ready to cut it as much as you need me to, as long as it helps you practice. We got to win the worl cup somehow, huh?"
Nagi didn't answer, just slowly changed into sweatpants.
"I wish my father took this dream more seiriously. Maybe if I were a boy, he would," Reo sighed, seemingly lost in thought, "well, he's coming home tomorrow. Maybe I can persuade him this time."
After they were both dressed, they decided to hang out at Reo's place. They usually hung out there, really. It was very spacious and, seemingly, had everything. Nagi also preferred to keep Reo out of her house. Reo could be overtly caring. She needed some private space just for her and Choki.
Both girls ended up watching a movie in Reo's home cinema. It was a rom-com of Reo's choice, She was very into it, and kept commenting on every little detail. Nagi didn't mind. While the plot didn't matter to her all that much, she had her game. She also liked the sound of Reo's voice.
Just when the movie was done, they were interrupted by Ba-Ya.
"Young master Reo," she bowed, "I'm here to inform you, that your father has arrived."
"Already?" her forehead scrunched in disdain, "but wasn't he meant to return only tomorrow?"
"It seems he's early."
Her face fell. With big, sad eyes and a cute pout, she looked every bit as the rich princess she was.
Reo sighed. "I'm sorry, Nagi," she got up from the armchair and straightened her skirt, "I hate to cut our time short. My father has to ruin everything, as always."
Nagi blinked: "Does your dad being back from his trip mean we can't hang out anymore?"
"Of course not! It's just that he always wants to dine together as family after being away for long. It is a bit ridiculous. We don't even eat together that often when he's home. He's often working and mother likes going to different dinner parties. The three of us rarely make it at the same time. In fact, quite often I eat alone," she said it with such apathy, so different from her usual self, who's excited abou every little thing.
"We can eat dinner together, if you want," Nagi declared.
The other girl's face quickly lit up: "Let's do that sometimes, alright. But not today, unfortunately."
They exited the cinema and headed to the reception.
"Ba-Ya will drive you home, okay, Nagi?" Reo said, as she hugged the other girl goodbye.
Nagi nodded.
"And let's go out to dinner tomorrow! You can chose any place you like."
She grumbled: "That's a bother. Let's just go wherever Reo likes."
She laughed in the crook of Nagi's neck. "Of course you would say that!" she pulled back from the hug. "See you tomorrow morning."
"See you," Nagi replied, as she exited out the door with Ba-Ya right behind her. Reo waved at them through the door and received a quick wave back.
"So that's the Nagi you keep talking about," a voice startles Reo. Her father is standing right by the corner, which leads to the dinning room. His voice sounds stricter then usual, and the corners of his lips are pointed downwards.
"Yes, that's Nagi - my treasure."
He gave her a court nod and turned around: "Let's go. You can tell me and your mother more at the table."
***
"So, this Nagi," her father said, as he picked up a piece of horsehair crab with his chopsticks, "I was always under the impression, that you were friends."
Reo raised her eyebrows: "Are you implying we're not? Do you think I just let any classmate into my house?"
He shook his head: "That's not what I meant. I was just wondering, if you hid the fact, that he's your boyfriend on purpose."
Reo's brain stopped for a moment. She was frozen, staring right at her fathers face. Nagi? Boyfriend ? Her cheeks filled with red. The sea urchin she was holding dropped back on her plate.
Her father smirked, taking it as confirmation.
"Oh, my, my," her mother exclaimed, bringing a hand to her lipstick covered lips, "I hadn't realised my little girl is so grown up now! "
"Is this where the sudden interest in football comes from?" father asked, "does he play?"
"Nagi's a natural talent, but-"
"Aww, that's so adorable, sweetie!" 'mother interrupted her in a giddy tone "Does he take interest in your hobbies too?"
"No, you don't understand-"
"Ah, to be in love for the first time again! Y'know, when I first liked a boy I got really into baseball! I still watch it on the TV sometimes," she twirled her hair a bit.
"Can you please listen-"
"Well, I suppose it's better this way than if you were trying your best for an impossible dream," father shrugged.
For the second time this eve, she froze: "Wait, father, you're fine with it?"
"Well, I wouldn't say I am thrilled exactly, but, yes, I approve."
Her heart did a flip, or maybe multiple, and a big smile overtook her face: "That's great! Nagi's going to be so happy, that we can play together still."
Her mother looked at her with an excited glint: "He helps you practice?"
For the first time, Reo didn't try to correct them: "Yes, we do practice together. Nagi's better than anyone on the team."
"Well that's how it is in women's football, right?" father remarked, and Reo shot him a glare.
"Anyway," he wiped his face with a napkin, "do you plan to bring him to meet us sometime?"
"Oh, honey, that would be delightful! I can't wait to meet your dream boy!"
"I'll talk it over with… him," Reo's eyes turned downwards, as she stared at her half eaten plate, "but I suppose it can be arranged."
***
Tomorrow was a saturday, so Reo only met Nagi a bit before their pre-planned dinner. They ended up going to a chinese place near Nagi's home. It was too close to drive, so Ba-Ya just dropped her off near the front gate, as she waited for Nagi outside.
Nagi was wearing baggy, casual clothes, as usual. With the short hair, her tall build and such lose clothing, she understood why her father had mistaken her for a boy. If Reo didn' t already know her, she might've too.
"Nagi," she said, as the other girl came outside the gate, "I have a favour to ask of you. I need you to be my boyfriend."