After getting some breakfast, the boys retreated back to Ken’s room in order to get ready for the upcoming wedding. It would be taking place at Tokyo Kaiken in Tokyo at 1pm today.
Ken had gone all out, hiring a barber to cut their hair before it was time to get dressed into the wedding suit. It was a man in his 40’s named Nobu with colorful tattoos down his arms.
His hair was a wild red color and styled in the latest trend.
“Alright, what do you want me to do with… this?” Nobu grabbed Shiro who was the closest and pulled him into the chair, gesturing at the mop on his head.
Shiro was taken a little off guard, but he soon spoke out confidently. “I usually go short on the sides and leave the hair long here. If you can do something like that, it would be for the best.”
Nobu was silent for a few moments, looking at Shiro’s head and angles, deep in thought. A moment later he shook his head, “How about we do it my way? I won’t let you look the ugliest in the photos today. My reputation is on the line after all.”
Shiro blinked a few times, “Excuse me?”
“PFFT”
Nearby, Ken and Daichi began to hold their sides struggling to keep their laughter inside. Only Steve seemed oblivious, since he couldn’t understand Japanese.
“Just sit back and let the man do his work.” Ken said from across the room.
Shiro was about to argue, but he was stopped by the spray of water in Nobu’s hands. He spluttered, but the guy was efficient. Before Shiro could get any words out, he had already taken a large chunk of hair from his fringe.
Shiro gasped, his body frozen in shock.
However, Nobu ignored him, zooming around his head with a comb and scissors like a complete professional.
Meanwhile, Ken was taking a look at his fresh suit. It was a typical black suit, but the accoutrement’s were a deep red, contrasting well with the white dress shirt beneath.
He had only worn a suit a single time in this life, and that was when he attended Daichi’s mothers funeral. Of course when he was a regular salary man in his previous life he wore them every day.
This time however, was special.
He felt a nudge from his left, “Not getting cold feet are you?” Steve asked, with a small grin.
Ken shook his head. “No, I’m just a little nervous.” He admitted.
“You’re nervous? Have some sympathy for me, the best man. I’ve gotta do a speech later to heaps of people who don’t even speak English.” Steve replied, shaking his head.
“Who said you’re the best man?” Daichi added, his tone dangerous.
“Huh? Isn’t it obvious that I’m the best man?” Steve puffed out his chest.
“Clearly not, since I’m the best man.”
Ken rolled his eyes. “There is no best man, you are all my best men. I’ve got replacements in case you want to keep fighting though.”
At this, the two quickly backed down. Steve wrapped an arm around Daichi and turned to Ken, “Ha…Haha, we’re good friends, it was all a joke…”
“Y—Yeah, don’t worry about it Kenny.” Daichi added. But once Ken turned away he sent an elbow to Steve’s ribs, forcing the guy to move his arm.
Steve sent Daichi a look, but managed to reign in his anger.
“Where is Hiroki? Wasn’t he meant to get here at 10?” Ken asked.
“I’ll go call him.” Daichi said, swiftly leaving the room.
A few minutes later, Nobu dusted his hands off and announced, “Okay, first one done.”
Ken turned, his eyes suddenly widening. Shiro looked completely different with his new hairstyle. The cut framed his features perfectly, making him look a little older, yet still youthful.
This was perfect since the guy still looked like a kid most of the time.
Shiro had long stopped complaining. In fact, he was staring at his reflection, checking himself out.
“Move.” Nobu said commandingly, sending a short stiff kick to Shiro’s ribs and knocking him out of the way. “Who is next?”
Shiro grumbled in protest, “Who does this guy think he is?”
Steve took the opportunity to jump in the chair next. “Just do whatever you need to do, I trust you.”
Ken had to translate, but Nobu seemed to like what he heard, flashing him a wide grin. “Very good. With no resistance, the battle will be over quickly.”
Shiro and Ken stared at each other weirdly. They had never heard anyone refer to a haircut as a battle, nor would it likely happen in the future.
“Where did you find this guy?” Shiro asked.
“Rie told Ai about him, apparently he owns an upscale salon called Daimyo1 in Tokyo.” Ken replied.
“Daimyo… Nobunaga… Could it be?” Shiro’s eyes widened.
“If you’re asking if Nobu is the reincarnation of Oda Nobunaga from the Sengoku1 period, I think you need to stop reading manga…” Ken quipped, shaking his head.
“I guess you’re right…”
The door opened a few moments later. Daichi and Hiroki entered.
“Sorry I’m late. I had to pick up a few things.” Hiroki said with a grin. He was holding a small wooden box in one hand and his suit in the other.
Ken greeted him, but he was a little curious about what was in the box.
“Wait till we’re all dressed first. I also brought the photographer.” He said opening the door. A small man with a large camera and gear was waiting outside.
“Photographer?”
“Don’t ask. Apparently it was your fiancé that organized it.” Hiroki added.
“I see…” Ken didn’t like photo’s, but if it was Ai that organized it, he couldn’t exactly say no.
Steve was finished with his haircut a few minutes later and was quite impressed with the workmanship. “Damn, Nobu… Where have you been all my life?”
However, Nobu shooed him away, “Who is next up?”
(in feudal Japan) one of the great lords who were vassals of the shogun.
The Sengoku period (1467-1603), also known as the Warring States Period, was a tumultuous era in Japanese history marked by civil wars and social upheaval as rival warlords, or daimyo, fought for control of the country