kendo
Johny walked into the salon, the bell above the door chiming softly as he stepped inside. The place was small, just one station with a gleaming chrome chair and a wash basin tucked away in the corner. He spotted Sonja immediately, her fiery red hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of flames. She looked up from her phone, a smile lighting up her face as she greeted him.
“Hi there! You must be Johny,” she said, her voice warm and inviting. “I’m Sonja. Take a seat, I’ll be right with you.”
He nodded, feeling a little nervous but trying to hide it. The salon was cozy, almost too intimate, like stepping into someone’s personal space. He sat down in the chair, the leather cool against his skin. Sonja approached, her movements graceful and confident. She draped a black cape around his shoulders, securing it tightly at his neck with a crisp snap.
“So, what are we doing today?” she asked, her green eyes sparkling with curiosity.
“Just a regular haircut,” Johny replied, trying to sound casual. “A trim, nothing too drastic.”
Sonja’s smile widened, and there was something mischievous in her gaze. “Oh, I see. Well, I have a little rule here. Every new client starts from zero. You know, fresh start, clean slate.”
Johny frowned, not entirely sure what she meant. “Uh, yeah, I guess so. But I don’t really need much off.”
She leaned in closer, her breath warm against his ear. “Zero means headshave, Johny. You see, I get a little… turned on by it. And since you’re new, well, rules are rules.”
His eyes widened in surprise. “Wait, a headshave? But I—”
“Relax,” she interrupted, her fingers brushing through his hair lightly. “It’ll grow back. Besides, it’s kind of my thing. And I think you might enjoy it too.”
He swallowed hard, trying to process what was happening. This wasn’t what he had signed up for. But before he could protest further, Sonja moved behind him, her hands already working. She picked up a pair of electric clippers, the hum of the motor filling the small room.
“Ready?” she asked, her voice soft but firm.
He hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. “Okay, fine. Just go easy, please.”
She laughed lightly. “Trust me, Johny. This is going to be fun.”
With that, she flicked the clippers on, the blades whirring to life. She placed them at the nape of his neck, just above the collar of his shirt, and pressed the trigger. The sensation was jarring at first, the cold metal against his warm skin, the suddenness of the buzz cutting through his hair. But as she worked her way up, inch by inch, he began to feel a strange mix of fear and excitement.
Sonja moved with precision, her touch steady and deliberate. She guided the clippers across the back of his head, the hair falling away in thick clippings that scattered onto the cape. She paused every now and then to adjust the length, always keeping an eye on his reaction. And though he tried to remain calm, his heart raced with each pass of the clippers.
“How does that feel?” she asked, her voice smooth and soothing.
“Different,” he admitted, feeling the weight of his hair lift away with each snip. “But… not bad.”
She smiled, pleased with his response. “Good. Keep an open mind, okay? We’re just getting started.”
She continued her work, moving to the sides of his head next. The clippers hummed louder now, the sound echoing in the small space. She made swift passes, taking more and more of his hair until only stubble remained. The transformation was almost surreal, the man in the mirror looking less and less like the person who had entered the salon just minutes ago.
Johny watched in disbelief as his once full head of hair disappeared under Sonja’s expert hands. His scalp felt exposed, raw even, but there was also a strange sense of liberation. As if shedding the weight of his hair was somehow freeing him from something he hadn’t even realized he was carrying.
Sonja seemed to sense this shift, her movements becoming more purposeful, more intense. She ran her fingers through the remaining stubble, feeling the roughness against her skin. Her touch lingered, exploring every inch of his newly bare scalp.
“You look incredible,” she whispered, her voice laced with admiration. “Absolutely perfect.”
He blushed, unsure how to respond. The compliments felt good, but they also stirred something deep within him. A desire, perhaps, or maybe just the thrill of the unexpected. Whatever it was, it left him feeling restless, eager for more.
Sonja stood back for a moment, admiring her handiwork. Then, with a playful grin, she reached for the scissors. “Now, let’s finish this off with a bit of trimming. Make sure everything’s nice and even.”
Johny nodded, still caught in the whirlwind of emotions. He watched as she carefully trimmed the edges, snipping away any stray hairs that remained. The precision of her work was mesmerizing, each snip deliberate and controlled. It was clear she took pride in her craft, and it showed in every detail.
As she finished, she brushed away the last bits of hair, giving his head a final once-over. “There,” she said, stepping back. “All done.”
He looked at himself in the mirror, the transformation complete. The man staring back at him was unrecognizable, a stranger with a clean-shaven head and a spark of something new in his eyes. He felt different, lighter, as if a burden had been lifted.
Sonja moved in front of him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. “How do you feel?” she asked, her voice soft and curious.
“Different,” he repeated, searching for the right words. “Unburdened, maybe. Like I’ve let go of something.”
She smiled, a knowing look in her eyes. “Good. That’s exactly how you should feel. Now,” she said, leaning in closer. “Since we’re starting fresh, how about we take another step forward? How about a date?”
Johny blinked, taken aback by the sudden change in topic. “A date? But—”
“Yes, a date,” she interrupted, her tone firm yet playful. “Trust me, Johny. You’re going to love it.”
He hesitated, the words hanging in the air between them. The salon felt smaller suddenly, the walls closing in as he considered her proposal. The idea of being with Sonja, of exploring whatever this newfound connection entailed, sent a shiver down his spine.
“Alright,” he finally said, his voice steady. “Let’s do it.”
