Chapter 14
They took the bus towards the downtown that happened to be a few minutes’ walk from the high school. Sasuke followed Kurama like a puppy as the fox spirit led him a few blocks north of the bus destination. Upon arrival, Sasuke cursed under his breath, “No fucking way. I am not stepping foot in there.”
The fluorescent pink sign strobed in the bright sunlight -
~Glamourous Nails~
Kurama sighed with delight, “They had the best reviews in town. Come on, I made us an appointment!” He then left Sasuke standing alone outside the salon.
UGHHH- No!
After a moment of awkward waiting, Sasuke exhaled and entered the building and a small bell rang as he crossed the door and stood alongside Kurama.
A middle-aged woman of Asian descent approached and greeted them. Sasuke looked down at the floor from sheer terror. Kurama bowed and greeted the woman in what Sasuke assumed was her native language. The woman’s eyes brightened, and she eagerly gestured for both of them to follow to their giant massaging chairs. While Sasuke was taking his seat on his massive armchair, Kurama and the woman were giddily chatting and laughing in a language unfamiliar to him.
This is so embarrassing. Sasuke cried to himself. Another employee entered the room, a younger woman – maybe 19 or 20, and she tilted her head curiously as she noticed Kurama and the other woman talking. She joined their conversation as she crossed over towards Sasuke, turning on the faucet that poured water into his chair's basin. Sasuke flinched as this happened and turned bright red. The girl laughed at him, not maliciously but in a sweet way.
“Put your feet in the water, it’ll be warm.” Sasuke did as he was told and felt goosebumps race along his skin as the hot water enveloped his feet. The young woman continued, “Don’t be so nervous – use the massage chair.” She motioned to the remote on the armrest and walked away, watching Kurama and the other woman continue their friendly banter.
Sasuke’s heart raced as he fidgeted with the massage chair, trying to act busy as his fox spirit was preoccupied. Suddenly, another bell sounded at the front of the store and a teenage girl stood at the desk waiting for service. The older woman nodded to Kurama and greeted the girl. Sasuke recognized her. He didn’t know her name but knew she was in his math class.
Oh no, oh no, Sasuke grabbed for a magazine on the end table near his chair and attempted to bury his face into it. The older woman directed the girl to sit right next to him.
Oh god, why? Sasuke wanted to cry, the sheer embarrassment of getting a pedicure was enough to lose sleep over, now he couldn’t bear to show his face at school ever again. The girl got herself situated and started her massage chair. Sasuke held his gaze down at the magazine, too terrified to acknowledge her. Kurama began chatting with the older woman once more as she started to work on his feet.
Sasuke heard a small voice squeak out of the girl, “Uh-um, you’re in my sixth period, aren't you?”
It’s over… I’m fucked.
“Yeah- I think so... with Iruka Umino?” Sasuke tore his eyes away from the magazine and locked eyes with the girl. She watched him curiously with her grey eyes, and then she gave him a warm smile. “Yep! I hate that class. His lessons are always so boring.”
Sasuke couldn’t help but smile nervously back at her.
“I’m Hinata, by the way.” She shook his hand. “This is my favorite nail salon, I didn’t know you came here as well.” Sasuke blushed terribly, which Hinata noticed. In response, she whispered to him, “Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone you were here if that’s what you are nervous about.”
Sasuke let out a sigh of relief, “thanks,” he said genuinely.
Kurama watched their interaction and smiled. As the three were exfoliated and pampered over the next hour, Sasuke and Hinata quietly chatted about school and their math class. Kurama tried to hide his content but was unsuccessful. As he watched the beautiful onyx black nail polish dry on his fingers, he slyly informed the shop's owner that he would pay for Hinata’s pedicure too.