"Licorice Red? Are you sure?" The hairdresser's face wrinkled with confusion. Usually, her clients in Yorknew City chose professional and stylish hair colors to reinvent themselves. This new customer was not the case.
"Yes," said her client, without hesitation nor delay. He knew exactly what he wanted and didn't bat an eye.
His name was Hisoka Morow, according to the sign-in sheet at the counter. At first, he seemed normal enough in his plain shirt and pants. It wasn't until when he took off his baseball cap that she saw cotton candy blue hair with dark roots.
Jeez. If these were the hair colors he was choosing, he might as well be in a circus.
"Few people are bold enough to pull off that color," she said, draping the salon cape around him, "But you can count on me to make sure you'll look great."
"So what brings you to my salon in Yorknew City?"
"My friend recommended you," said Hisoka, shoulders relaxing as she tilted the water nozzle to wet his hair, "He's a regular who gets his hair cut here. Always talking about Akane's precision and talent."
Akane was taken aback as the warm water soaked his hair and Hisoka let out a pleasurable moan. Her other clients would usually sigh or smile in reaction. This guy had zero shame.
"Th-that's so sweet of them. Who referred you to me?" She asked cheerfully, trying to ignore the sensual noises he made. She tried not to look at his face as she lathered his hair, but she could tell he was smirking at her embarrassment.
"Mr. Lucilfer," said Hisoka nonchalantly, enjoying his head massage.
"Mr. Lucilfer!" The hairdresser gasped, "He's one of my favorite regulars. Ever since he first walked in a few months ago, he insists on seeing me weekly now."
Akane pictured Mr. Lucilfer in her head: tall and handsome with bandages wrapping his forehead. He always insisted leaving them on, feeling self-conscious about an embarrassing childhood scar. Mr. Lucilfer was secretive and never gave his first name (which was fine since mystery made him more attractive). Surely, he was a top CEO of some big company and didn't want the public to know his regular spots. Akane always looked forward to seeing Mr. Lucilfer. Every week, he comes in with the smallest excuses for trims, hair washing and even stopped by just for good conversation. Mr. Lucilfer always had the most interesting stories and it did help that he was a big tipper.
Hisoka closed his eyes as she rinsed his hair, "It's rare for Mr. Lucilfer to have praise for anyone. Even then, he only surrounds himself with people of the highest caliber."
"I'm deeply touched that he trusts me then," said Akane, readjusting his chair to prep for a haircut. Hisoka saw her frown in the mirror, "He seems to be busier and busier at work. I don't see much of him anymore."
"He is preparing for... a big meeting," Hisoka said, watching her snip his overgrown blue hair. Normally, he doesn't have trouble picking his words, but this visit was long overdue- his hair was too long for him to style normally. "His associates are presenting to some rich stakeholders at the Southernpiece Auction."
Akane's eyebrows shot up and she whistled in surprise. The Southernpiece Auction was for the rich, the famous and the infamous. It was not too out of place to imagine Mr. Lucilfer bidding on the rarest jewels and treasures.
"That sounds like a big deal," she said, dusting the leftover pieces of hair from Hisoka's forehead. Akane reached over to her utility cart and started brushing a paste into sections of Hisoka's hair, then nimbly packing it with foil.
"How long will this take?" Hisoka asked, glancing at the clock.
"I'm stripping the blue from your hair right now," Akane said, working quickly, "Then, I will put in the Licorice Red that will take about 15 min. Do you have plans after this?"
"I'm meeting a friend tonight," said Hisoka, "We have been planning to meet in Yorknew City since January."
"A reunion sounds like a nice way to start September," Akane said, setting down her brush. She stifled a giggle when she saw Hisoka's head completely layered in foil. "Don't worry, you'll make it to your appointment on time. Your friend is going to be surprised by your new look!"
"The last time I had my hair dyed, it took more than half the day," Hisoka tilted his head and looked at Akane in the eyes, "Why is your process much quicker?"
Akane's eyes darted to the corner of the ceiling as she began mixing the components for Licorice Red. For years, she was asked this question. While she did not know exactly why her process was so great, she knew how to defend and sell her services. She had high profile clients, from influential Mafia family members to revered professionals in mysterious fields.
"Honestly Mr. Morow, it just comes down to my years of expertise. My dyes are the best you can get in Yorknew City and so far, none of my customers have complained about the colors even fading."
How cute, thought Hisoka. She doesn't even know her own abilities. Hisoka watched her intently as her gloves hands mixed a paste in a bowl. Unbeknownst to her, streams of aura dripped from her fingertips.
"Have you heard of Mukatolini?" Hisoka asked. Akane shook her head, and began removing the foil from his head, "He was a famous artist, with limited edition works. His art is so valuable, but do you know why?"
"Was he a genius?" Akane asked, dipping a brush into her bowl. Hisoka smirked as he saw her aura seep into the bristles and onto his hair. She really has no idea.
"He was a genius and he didn't even know it," Hisoka said, "The technique he used is difficult to master, but he unconsciously developed it… Devoting himself to his art and his life's work"
Akane smiled, not thinking much his story and why he was telling it. Was he comparing her skills to some artistic genius? What a nice thought.
Hisoka rolled his eyes and smirked. He gave her a hint but he knew she wouldn't get it. That's how normal people are. How mundane it must be to walk around and be unaware of your own potential. While Akane's nen application was so boring and plain, it actually had so much opportunity to bring destruction. And she was totally oblivious to it.
Hisoka knew Chrollo had eyes for her, ever since he saw Akane's potential. What Chrollo thought was going to be another haircut appointment at a luxury salon, turned out to be a perfect opportunity for him to groom a new skill. He had noticed the hairdresser using nen unconsciously, but couldn't pinpoint why it felt so unique. Chrollo only knew that whatever Akane had, he needed it.
It took a few appointment sessions, though Machi's and Pakunoda's ability confirming three things:
1. Akane was unaware of nen, its use and her use.
2. Her nen was not changing the chemicals in her dye. Her hands were not altering the condition of the skin and scalp. She could manipulate at a molecular level, altering light waves and frequencies. An experienced user could input higher energy to control gamma rays and bring nuclear destruction. Yet here at its bare minimum, Akane was using her ability for... hair color.
3. Also, Akane happily gained 2 new regulars.
Delighted by this discovery, Hisoka wanted to see Chrollo's next skill at its infant stage. It was then when Hisoka decided his next hair color: Akane's name meaning a deep and brilliant red.
With proper nurturing and grooming, he had faith Chrollo would surely be an even more worthy opponent. But Chrollo was a patient man, and he wanted to wait for Akane's ability to develop further before looting. Hisoka licked his lips in anticipation.
"Are you ready for the grand reveal?" Akane smiled, reaching for Hisoka's hands to help him out of the chair. She had rinsed his wet hair and dried it.
"I live for surprises," Hisoka smiled, allowing her to take his hands. He was enjoying being pampered.
Akane extended the mirror from the wall and bestowed it to Hisoka, feeling confident that he would be happy with his new look. She glowed and she saw his expression turn from polite boredom to a flash of astonishment. Like how a wildfire overtakes forests in seconds, a twisted smile sprawled on his face as he took in his reflection. Hisoka let out an animalistic moan that was borderline orgasmic. Moving primitively, he rushed closer to the mirror to get a better look at himself with his mouth agape.
Subarashii.
How splendid.
Hisoka's hair, now a licorice red, was a fiery that brought new life. Yes, he felt charged up and his nen pulsed with excitement. His aura was set ablaze, tripling the size of what it once was. What he thought was a simple hair style change actually elevated his image. Licorice red.
This was the color that defined him.
This was the color his opponents will remember.
This was the color of strength.
Akane sweated, not knowing how to react properly. What the hell was that reaction? Why did he let out such a sexual noise like that without shame? Jesus Christ, was he turned on from looking at himself?
The air around Hisoka devoured her and rendered her motionless. Fear surged throughout her body alarming her to take flight, but Akane felt like prey with mauled legs. Feeling helpless and cornered, she struggled to breathe until Hisoka's posture suddenly straightened… and the debilitating bloodlust disappeared.
"Akane~" He clasped his hands together cheerfully, changing the mood totally, "I am so happy to meet you."
Hisoka turned around, eyes closed with a fox grin and extended his hand out to her.
"Let's be good friends."
Still struck with confusion and terror, Akane hesitated before offering her trembling hand to her new regular, the devil. To her surprise, Hisoka took her hand and kissed it. She struggled and stammered as she processed the transaction, contemplating whether this experience was even worth the enormous tip Hisoka left her. Akane held her breath and Hisoka headed towards the exit and began sweeping the floor.
"Ah, one last thing," Hisoka crooned before leaving, "Akane, Have you heard of Benny Delon?"
Akane shook her head and clutched her broom tightly, not really wanting to find out.
"A genius like Mukatolini," explained Hisoka, "Embedding his skills and mastery into his art unconsciously, crafting the most valuable pieces of iron and steel.."
Hisoka opened the door halfway, letting the shopkeeper's bell jingle fill the silence. He smiled back at her, his eyes possessing a fraction of the bloodlust from earlier.
"And he was a notorious serial killer. Embedded in his knives was his lust from his victims' misery," Hisoka laughed at Akane's reaction. He absolutely relished the image of her shaking, clutching her damn broom in dread, "We all have potential. But I can see yours can be as destructive as Benny."
Hisoka gave her a wink, feeling happy with discovering his new toy as he walked out.
"Sweet girl, I'll see you again for my next appointment. Ja ne."
Thanks for reading! I had a lot of struggle trying to incorporate the nature of Hisoka's.. unique character to be interested in an OC.
I intended for this to be a one-shot, but if you're interested in a series, let me know. :)