A chip in the glass

I let out a sigh as Sumire sat back down. "Look, if you load up on liquids, make sure to discharge before you sit down for a long makeover. No one wants to have bodily fluids leak all over the place."

"You prevented me from moving!"

"Part of the makeover you requested. Look, it's just common sense. If you're gonna be sitting in the chair for hours, get all the waste out of your system beforehand."

Sumire frowned and slowly nodded her head.

Ugh, now the mood's ruined, but I guess Becket is the root of it. Anyway, guess I'll finish up.

As I began encasing Sumire's exposed skin in depilatory cream, she decided to strike up a conversation. "Who was it that entered while I was in an immobilized state?"

"Who said you could ask?"

"My mouth is uncovered and the cream isn't burning like last time. That, and your mood isn't as it was when I arrived. What use is it to face a trial if the proctor not be in the spirit to make it a challenge?"

"Fine. The ass that walked in? Becket the Gooch, greasy hairball of a health hazard, unemployed, but from a rich family."

"Pray tell is a "Gooch"?"

"Oi, are you innocent?"

"Might I inquire the meaning of your words?"

I shook my head and told her what it meant, causing her face to go flush red.

"Th- The nerve of that man! Such vulgarity... Is he a sex offender!?"

"Might be, but I get income from him and he behaves here, so he's not a problem for me."

"Nay. If he was but a menial task, your mood would not have soured so bad."

Ugh, she's landing hits right on the bulls-eye.

"Yeah, you sound better when gagged," I snarled as I covered up Sumire's mouth in depilatory cream.

"Mmph!? Ngh mmph ngh!"

"Sorry, don't speak gag-talk. Now keep those lips shut until I scrape the cream off in about... 7 minutes."

"Mmph ngh ngh mmph ngh mmph!"

I think I could actually understand that. 'But last time you said it was 5'... Well I'm tacking on 2 minutes for putting me in a fowl mood.

No future conversations were had until the full makeover was complete, though that didn't mean the battle had no highlights. When it came to the beauty cream, Sumire was embracing it, dare I say owning it. But since her mouth was covered up, no snide remarks could escape her lips in her heightened haughty state. But the oiling? Moans for minutes.

"Pray tell, do you store your oil in the refrigerator?" Sumire smiled as she shivered in place before the register.

"Nope, but I guess AC plus oil and bald equals cold. Now for the full service, you're already bald, so just 7 bucks. I accept all major cards, even some foreign ones you don't see too often in the states."

"You get international clientele?"

"I wish..."

Fuck, the words just slipped out. Yet Sumire didn't press, and left without saying a word after paying. I hope she's not planning on resurrecting the topic for later. I showed vulnerability today. If she exploits it, I might be in trouble. But then again, I've got a whole stockroom of wax and shaving cream. Girl has no idea how sadistic I'll go to humiliate her.

###

Sumire forced a smile as she shivered and walked through the college campus. Eyes naturally gravitated towards her, yet none dared approach her, save for one.

"Yooo! Sumi! Oi, Sumi!" a girl with long mint green hair clad in an oversized raincoat and hi-top sneakers waved as she ran up to Sumire.

"If it isn't Nono. What is the nature- ...!?"

Sumire went flush red as Nono clamped her hand down on her head. "Yoo! Shit's really smooth! Lit, girl. I thought you deepfaked the shave."

"Do not belittle me. I'm a woman of honor. I'd never weasel out of a commitment or attempt deceit," Sumire glared as she swatted Nono's hand away.

"Hey, it's rare to see a girl shave her head balder than a buzz, but you went full all-bald."

"'All-bald'?"

"Yeah, like no hair follicles anywhere bald."

A smirk appeared on Sumire's face. "Well, it was a heavy price, but a price I was willing to pay to save puppies."

"And did you go back for more?"

"Hmm? Why do you-"

"Oil. You're all shiny and I got body oil on my hands. You awaken a bald fetish?"

"N- No! Why would the thought cross your mind!?" Sumire stammered as her face went red.

"OK, tsundere. What time you going tomorrow?"

"I... I..."

"I'd never weasel out of commitment or attempt deceit!" Nono scoffed in a posh accent.

Sumire gritted her teeth in frustration. "When the sun's light peaks over the top of the clocktower, I shall depart for my next boat with the shave."

"Date for 2! Date for 2!"

"You'd allow the scum to shave you bald?"

"Would she?"

Images of Mysti's frustrated face flashed in Sumire's mind. "Yes... She strikes me as one that wouldn't hesitate to punish should thee incur her wrath." 

A malicious grin spread on Nono's face. "She's one of those types, huh. I think I'll have a fun time frustrating her."