Haruichi took a deep breath as he walked into the salon. He and his brother were home for winter break, and the New Year had passed a few days ago. Walking up to the counter, he was greeted by the receptionist. "What can I do for you?"

"I'm here for a haircut." He felt heat rush to his cheeks. Of course he was here for a haircut. It was a hair salon.

The woman smiled kindly, tapping a few keys before gesturing towards the waiting area. "Ran will be out in a few minutes. Would you like anything to drink while you wait?"

"I'm fine, thank you." Making his way over to the plush couches, he sank down and resisted the urge to fidget. He hadn't told his parents where he was going, wanting it to be a surprise. Reaching up, he fingered his bangs again. In just a little while, they'd be out of his face for the first time in years.

He jumped up when a woman called, "Kominato-kun?"

"Y-Yes."

Smiling warmly, she gestured towards the back. "I'm Yamato Ran. If you'll follow me back we can get started." Nodding, Haruichi followed the woman into the back of the salon and sat in the indicated chair, his lips curving down slightly when she had to raise the chair so much to get him to the correct height. "Now, what were you wanting to get done?"

Swallowing, he fingered his bangs. "I want to get them cut."

Nodding, Yamato pushed them up so they could see his face in the mirror. "Just your bangs?" Haruichi nodded. "Alright, how short did you want to go?"

"I…I don't know. I just want them out of my eyes."

Letting the bangs fall back into place, she placed her index finger across his brows. "We could cut them here straight across, or we could layer them out so they got longer towards the sides." She moved her finger to demonstrate what she was talking about. "Or we could just cut them so they fell to the side instead, if you aren't comfortable with them being that short."

Feeling out of his depth and slightly overwhelmed, he shook his head. "I…Can you choose?"

Pushing his bangs back up, she said, "Personally, I think you'd look really nice if we layered the bangs so they got longer. It might be considered slightly more feminine, but you have the perfect face shape for them. Otherwise I could just sweep them to the side, but there's a chance they'll fall back into your face. You'd probably have to put some product in it to keep them to the side."

Haruichi nose scrunched at the thought of using product in his hair. He wasn't fond of taking a long time to get ready, and that sounded like it'd take even longer. "No product please."

"Do you want to go with the layered style then? You shouldn't need product, as long as you remember to blow dry it after a bath."

As much as he wasn't fond of the thought of a feminine style, he didn't want to have to remember to put goop in his hair each morning. 'You look girly no matter what with that thin build.' Kuramochi's words rang in his ears, causing him to huff. "Layered is fine."

"Alright. Let's go get you shampooed and then I'll start cutting. I'm also going to trim the rest of your hair, since you have some split ends."

"That's fine." Sliding out of the chair, he followed her over towards a row of sinks and climbed into the reclined chair, situating his neck comfortably against the cool porcelain. He closed his eyes as Yamato began spraying his hair, relaxing slightly when she started lathering the shampoo in. He always liked the feeling of someone playing with his hair. Just not when they were ruffling it.

After the shampoo and conditioner had been washed out, he made his way back to the chair he was in before. He squirmed slightly as they cape was clasped around his neck, but sat still while she combed his wet hair out.

"Just to make sure, you want me to cut the layered style?"

"Yes."

"Alright. You may want to close your eyes so not hair gets into them, alright?" Nodding slightly, he closed his eyes, tensing slightly as cool metal slid across his eyebrows. Hearing the snip, he swallowed. No going back now.

"You're done." Slowly opening his eyes, Haruichi stared at his reflection. He almost didn't recognize himself. "Do you like it?"

Glancing up at the stylist, he tilted his head a little. "It's so different. I'm going to have to get used to it." Sliding off the chair, he bowed slightly. "Thank you." She smiled as he made his way to the counter to pay.

The receptionist handed him back his change with a bright smile. "I like it. It really suits you."

"Thank you," he muttered, pink dusting his cheeks. Heading outside, he shivered slightly in the cold as he pulled his jacket tighter, eyes squinting in the bright light. Blinking to adjust his eyesight, he began making his way home. He was surprised at how different the familiar street looked, now that he didn't have any hair hanging in front of his eyes.

He was thankful that he didn't run into anyone on his way home, but figured it must have been from a combination of the weather and the fact New Year's had just past. Heading inside, he called out that he was back, slipping out of his shoes and shrugging off his jacket in the warmth of the house. Making his way to the kitchen, where he knew he'd find his mother, he smiled a little when he smelt freshly baked cookies.

"Okaa-san," He said, standing in the doorway. When she turned, her hands flew to her mouth in surprise before she ran over and gave him a hug.

"You got your bangs cut! Let me see, let me see." Holding him at arm's length, she brought her hands up to his cheeks and turned his face left and right. "Oh you look wonderful!" Bringing him back into a hug, she said, "I never liked it when you grew them out. Your eyes are so beautiful." Letting him go, she turned and rushed from the room. "Stay right there! I need a picture!"

Laughing slightly at how excited she was, he swiped one of the chocolate chip cookies. "What's your mother so excited about?" Turning with the cookie halfway in his mouth, he blinked wide eyed at his father. He'd thought the man had gone to work today.

Flushing slightly at getting caught nabbing a cookie, he broke it in half and swallowed what was in his mouth. "I thought you were at work."

Lips curving up into a smile, the father shook his head. "I took a small holiday. They don't expect me back until Monday." Taking his own cookie, he held it up and winked at his son. "Don't tell your mother."

"Don't tell your mother what?" Both Kominato males jumped and turned, cookies in hand, to stare at the woman with a camera in hand. "Uh huh, I thought I said those were for dessert."

Haruichi flushed red. "But they're so good. And I just had one." Staring at the half in his hand, he corrected, "Well, half of one."

Haruna shook her head and raised the camera. "Alright, but just one. Now smile for me." Shoving the rest of the cookie into his mouth, Haruichi grinned. "I can't get over how adorable you look!"

Swallowing his mouthful, the youngest Kominato asked, "Where's aniki?"

"Your brother's in the park. He said he wanted to practice his swings for a bit. He should be back soon for lunch though." Taking another picture, she shooed the two from the kitchen. "Now go on. Shoo."

Being pushed from the kitchen, Haruichi made his way to the couch. As much as he didn't mind the cold weather, he wasn't about to go out and start practicing like his brother. He'd practiced enough the day before, and was content to relax today.

His father sat next to him, slowly finishing his own cookie. "So how's school going?"

Picking up the remote and beginning to flick through some channels, Haruichi shrugged. "They're alright." He smiled at the thought of his friends. "Eijun-kun and Satoru-kun have some trouble with them though."

"Ah, the infamous two we always hear about but have met before." Ryounosuke teased. Haruichi flushed a light pink. He didn't talk about them all the time. The older Kominato took pity on his youngest and changed the subject. "How's baseball going for you? Having fun?"

The first year lit up and nodded. "It's a lot of fun! It's hard work, but everyone is doing their best so we can make it to Koshien!" His mood dimmed a bit as he remembered their last game of the tournament. They'd been so close to making it. It was the first time he'd seen his older brother cry since they were very little.

"And you're not having any problems with the ICD?"

The youngest Kominato shook his head. "It's working fine. Aniki had Kuramochi-senpai come with us to my last checkup so he could meet Terashima-sensei."

"I'm glad you have someone else who knows at school with you." Ryounosuke put an arm around his youngest and smiled. "You know your brother is just looking out for you."

"I know." Their conversation was cut short when the door opened and Ryousuke called out that he was back. "Welcome back aniki," Haruichi said, turning to his brother with a smile.

The older teen stared at his little brother for a few seconds before going up and hugging him. Pulling back, he smiled and ruffled Haruichi's hair. "Sorry. You just looked too cute."

Haruichi huffed and straightened his hair with his fingers, nose scrunching as he leaned away from his older brother. "Go shower, stinky aniki."

Ryousuke raised an eyebrow in amusement and pulled Haruichi closer again, making sure his little brother's head was under his arm. "What was that? You like how I smell?"

"Stop! You're all sweaty! Stinky aniki! Let me go!" Haruichi squirmed out of his older brother's grip and waved a hand in front of his face, pretending to gag. "Are you trying to kill me with your stench?"

Ryounosuke laughed at his sons and waved his eldest off. "Lunch is almost ready, so go ahead and clean up."

"Hai, hai," The third year made his way upstairs to put his things away and shower after his practice that morning. Pausing at the base of the stairs, he pulled out his phone and readied the camera, turning back towards his younger brother. "Haruichi." He waited for the younger teen to turn towards him and snapped a quick photo before grinning and heading upstairs.

Haruichi shook his head and leaned against his father. "Aniki is mean."

"He's your older brother," Ryounosuke said, petting the pink hair. "Older siblings tease younger ones. My older brother and sister loved to tease me, and your mother mercilessly teased her little sister as well. He doesn't do it to be mean."

"I know." He pouted slightly, getting a chuckle out of his father.

Yes, this chapter is literally just for me to force Haruichi to cut his bangs. I WANT TO SEE THE PRECIOUS CHILD'S EYES! Let me know what you thought!