Mahiro Visits the Salon

Mahiro Visits the Salon (まひろとヘアサロン, Mahiro To Heasaron) is Chapter 16 of Onimai: I'm Now Your Sister. It was originally published on Pixiv on May 26, 2018.

Summary
When Mahiro discovers she has split ends, Mihari takes her to a hair salon.

Plot
Mahiro plays with her hair, cringing at the presence of split ends. Mihari confirms that that is what is bothering Mahiro, and Mahiro remarks that she has been getting more and more of them lately. Mihari tells Mahiro that she needs to take better care of her hair, which Mahiro is not keen on doing. Mihari is touched by the fact that Mahiro is so worried about her appearance, to which Mahiro freaks out.

Mahiro remarks that the problem is that her hair is too long and that she wants to chop it all off. Mihari tells Mahiro that she can't do that and asks Mahiro if she remember show much trouble it was to grow it out so long. Mahiro points out that it grew that way overnight.

Mihari admits that it is a little long, but that Mahiro is going to need those split ends trimmed either way. She decides that they will go to the salon, an idea that leaves Mahiro freaked out.

At the salon, the two are greeted by the owner. The lady, who knows Mihari, points out that she was there the previous week. Mihari remarks that it's not for herself this time, and asks the lady if she can give Mahiro a trim and make her hair nice and even. Mahiro is left cringing at this.

In the salon chair, the lady tells Mahiro that she'll take off about two inches, causing Mahiro to squeak in terror. Mahiro notes to herself that hair salons are the social mixing grounds of the fashionable elite, and that they are no place for "own-home security guards" like herself.

The stylist asks Mahiro if she's really Mihari's little sister, saying that Mihari is one of her best clients. Mahiro realizes that this is what she had been dreading: the overly-familiar stylist talk; the part she hates the most. The stylist continues to ask Mahiro questions like "How old are you?", "What do you like to do on weekends?", and saying "It's been getting chilly lately". All the while, Mahiro wobbles and silently begs Mihari to save her.

Eventually, the stylist finishes and asks Mahiro how it looks, while Mahiro sighs in releif that it is finally over. The stylist then says that she will next give Mahiro a good shampooing, to which Mahiro is horrified that there is more to go through. The stylist lays Mahiro back, places her hair in some water, and asks Mahiro if she's uncomfortable. Mahiro doesn't want to do this, but can't bring any words out.

As the stylist begins to shampoo Mahiro's hair, she asks if it gets itchy and remarks that it must be hard with this nice long hair. Mahiro soon begins to realize that this is nice. She remarks how its so relaxing, with this soft squishy weight pressing down on her. The stylist then begins rinsing Mahiro's hair and asks if it is too hot. Mahiro ultimately decides that salons are the best, and that she feels clean in both body and soul. The stylist then says that next up comes conditioning and wraps a blanket around Mahiro to do it, much to Mahiro's shock. The stylist starts talking again, and Mahiro decides that she can't take any more of this mindless chatter. Mahiro decides that she has no other choice, and falls asleep in the chair.

Later on, Mihari wakes up Mahiro and Mahiro realizes that her hair is now curled towards the ends. As Mahiro tries to come to terms with this, Mihari explains to Mahiro that since she wouldn't wake up they decided to give her a perm. The stylist tells Mahiro that it suits her like a princess. Mahiro is suprised at that statement, and notices how fluffy her hair feels now with the perm. Mihari chuckles and notices that Mahiro likes it, calling her out on it. Mahiro immediately tries to deny it. The stylist bids them farewell telling them that she'll see them next time.

Mihari notes that Mahiro's hair turned out super cute, but Mahiro tries to deny that she cares. Mahiro plays with her new fluffy hair and asks Mihari if it's going to stay fluffy like this forever. Mihari tells Mahiro that since she has fine hair, it'll probably last a month or so. She adds that Mahiro could do it herself at home but it is a pain. Mihari then points out though that the styling fee is still pretty harsh as well. Mahiro is amazed at how expensive the bill is for the salon, and gains a bit more of an understanding about the hardships that women face.

Mihari ends up thinking to herself that Mahiro having short hair might not be that bad, even imagining what it would look like.

Characters

 * Mahiro Oyama
 * Mihari Oyama
 * Raika Nanami

Trivia

 * First appearance of Raika Nanami, but her name is not given here. It was instead revealed during a Q&A on Pixiv with Nekotofu.

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