Sora's new hair

"You sure you want to do the blue root?" Mel nodded towards the kitchen, indicating they should move there.

"I think it'll look good, no?" Sora was looking at some pictures of colored hair online, and she showed one to Mel, "Look, here it looks nice and when it grows out we can do the purple on the whole head..."

"Yea, as if it will be easy to match all the different colors you'll have in your head. I have light blue Sobue uses, maybe we should do that, and the rest would be red?"

"I am not sure. But if you say it'll work, I am in."

Mel squinted her eyes at Sora, "You always agree so easily. Is it what you want? Maybe it'll work... maybe not. Okay, let's do like a bright purple transition from blue? What do you think?"

"I like anything, you know. So let's do as you say." Sora put her phone in her pocket.

Still unconvinced, Mel sighed. "Sure. I will prepare the bleach after we finish the tea. And speaking of tea, tell me have you heard from the baldie?"

Sora breathed out loudly, "No, still nothing. Now Maki texts me, as usual. He asks if I am okay if I need to be picked up and if I want to borrow his BL to read, but even he had been a bit distant for the last several days. I am not sure what happened there with all of them, but I am trying not to impose, maybe they'll tell me when they feel like it. It's just I am a bit worried that Yoshi won't like me anymore. I think that woman, she's someone important. She looked gorgeous. I am so confused about all of it..."

"Yeah, I noticed you've been sad lately at work. Maybe you should ask about that woman before you make conclusions?"

"Oh, Mel, you weren't there... He looked at her, mesmerized."

"So what? I think it doesn't mean anything."

"Sure. I will maybe when I see him."

"Good, you do that. By the way, do you know if Sobue is better now? It's impossible to talk to him, he is always running away..."

"Don't mind him," Sora waved her hand, "he is getting used to life after the kidnapping, he'll be fine. We are going to see Oshiro's cat together tomorrow, so I'll talk to him."

Mel grimaced, "Oshiro? Why?"

"Stop this, he is okay. And he has the cutest exotic shorthair cat, it's my favorite you know."

"Sure, sure... I don't like how he looks at you, to be honest. Good you didn't agree to go alone, like you would in the past..."

"Stop it, I was never this careless. I mean I think Oshiro's okay. I want to see the cat mostly."

"You are an adult, so I won't say anything."

"Great, should we go and color my hair?"

"I think I'll first tell Himari to use the bathroom if she needs to. We'll be there for several hours, so..."

"Yep, she can hang out with us if she wants, but it's her free morning before work, so..."

"Yes, I will let her know."

Himari walked out of the bedroom, sleepy. "Hey, Sora, you are here. I won't bother you, I think I want to watch YouTube," she smiled, diapering in the bathroom.

Mel returned, touching Sora's hair, "Hey, Sor, I think we'll manage in like four hours, won't we?"

"I guess, you are the master."

"Your hair grows out fast. Wait, aren't you going to a conference? I think we shouldn't do too bright of a color then..."

"I don't care, you know that. Do whatever."

"Suure... Anyway, I hope nobody judges you too much, it's academia we're talking about after all."

"I know, yes, I'll get some looks probably. Anyway, are you two are good?" She nodded towards the bathroom lowering her voice, "how was your date?"

Mel lowered her head, "It was great, I feel like we talked about some important things in our relationships. But it's still kind of you know...Everything is good on the surface, but then if you start digging...I don't know. I feel like we never get to talk about more profound issues. I am always pushing, she gets defensive, I get clingy, and the circle continues."

"Maybe you should discuss how to discuss it? I mean you have an avoidant-anxious attachment dynamic, avoidant partners always need space and find it hard, you know about it all yourself. Your thesis is about it, so what's up?"

"Oh, Sora... I am a bit tired from this. But, I hope we manage someday..." She glanced at the door to the bathroom, "We can go."

"Okay." Sora jumped up tripping a bit, "em, we can start, I am excited, I am bored with this hair anyway."

"Yes, yes, I remember. Go."

Sora sat down obediently, "Have you finished the Tatami Galaxy? I want to re-watch it again, how much I love this anime. I am thinking of reading the book too."

"I am still not fully done, but indeed, it's one of the best anime I've seen. Sit straight, I am taking out the bleach and parting your hair in a moment."

"Yep, yep. And the other part that came out a year or two ago, I think, it's great too, you have to watch it after you are done with this one. Anyway, I love everything. I think the way they use animation is just perfection. It suits the surreal setting so well. And the way every character is so distinct and amazing. I have actually started reading the book by the same author called Tower of the Sun which has basically the same vibe, the same intelligent wording, and the same student life. I am glad I am able to read it in the original language. I feel lacking in intelligence sometimes, as there are cool Japanese words."

"Well, I am watching with English subtitles to help me understand. It is very creative in terms of how it's phrased. I think it's one of the best ways to adapt a book like this."

"Yes, Yes!" Sora got very excited, not able to sit still. Mel glanced at her in the mirror.

"Sor, you keep still, or you will have weird patches in your hair later on."

"Sure," she forced herself to calm down, "it's just, well you know how I get excited when I am excited..."

Mel laughed, "Yes I do. I like you this way, not when I am working on your hair though."

"I know, I'll be good."