The Archiver has a surprise for you. Of course, that means keeping your eyes closed until she can reveal it. Who knows what it could be this time.
"Okay, open your eyes."
With those words, the world comes into view again, but only one person captivates your gaze.
"How...is it?" asks Shiori, averting her eyes and twirling her hair.
You notice that the bangs have been cut, and the sides of her hair are shorter than usual - barely reaching her shoulders. As the seconds pass by, an eerie silence brews between you two. Then, as the stillness grows louder and louder, she quickly glances at you before avoiding your eyes again. Maybe you should say something.
~~~~~
You watch her for a moment more, seeing how the shorter sides gracefully skim her shoulders, and you can't help but appreciate the audacity of her decision. The silence becomes palpable, urging you to respond.
A warm smile breaks across your face, and you can't help but express your genuine admiration. "Shiori, it's adorable! I love it," you exclaim. The tension lifts, and Shiori's eyes meet yours briefly, a wave of subtle relief washing over her features.
"You really like it?" she asks, a mix of uncertainty and anticipation in her voice.
"Absolutely, it suits you so well," you reply, your enthusiasm evident. It's not just the haircut; it's the newfound confidence that radiates from Shiori. She took a bold step, and the result is nothing short of incredible.
As the initial surprise settles, curiosity takes over. "Did you go to a salon for this?" you inquire, wondering about the inspiration behind this impromptu change.
Shiori looks sheepish for a moment before confessing with a hint of pride, "No, actually, I did it myself."
Your eyebrows raise in surprise. "You did it yourself? That's amazing!"
A shy grin graces Shiori's face as she explains, "I watched a few tutorials online, and well, here we are. I thought it was time for a change, you know?"
You nod in understanding, impressed by her courage to take matters into her own hands, quite literally. "Well, you did a great job. It looks professionally done, to me, at least."
The atmosphere lightens, and Shiori visibly relaxes, the weight of uncertainty lifting off her shoulders. It's a moment of shared joy and appreciation for the spontaneity and self-expression that a simple haircut can bring.
As you continue to chat, you find yourself even more drawn to Shiori's newfound aura. The surprise that started with closed eyes turned out to be an unveiling of not just a physical change, but a symbolic one - a declaration of self-confidence and the courage to embrace change, even if it means doing it yourself.
