June went back to his apartment while busily scrolling through his phone.
After hearing about his next side quest, he searched Seoul for a hair salon that would dye his hair pink.
You heard that right.
He had to dye his hair pink—just so he could see Choi Joon-ho's parents' graves.
June wanted to get the mission done and over with, so he tried to look for a salon that could dye his hair pink during this hour. Since it took quite a long time for them to finish filming, it was already past 7 p.m. when June was able to leave the Azure building.
It seemed like the salons had closed at this hour, and if they were open, it either cost a lot of money (which June was currently short of), or they were based on an appointment system.
So, he decided to go back home and reserve a slot for a salon that could dye his hair at an affordable price.
June clicked his tongue as he sat on the hard floor.
400 dollars.
250 dollars.
120 dollars.
"Why the hell are these so expensive?" June asked.
June contemplated on whether to just dye his hair himself, but that was just a recipe for disaster. So, he sorted the salons from lowest priced to highest and clicked on the very first option.
"Customers Dye Here?" June muttered under his breath.
Customers Dye Here.
5/5 stars. 21 reviews.
HairEater: Oh, my hairballs! I recently visited this salon, and let me tell you, it was a wild ride from start to finish. I walked in with the ambition of getting a sleek, sophisticated bob, but I walked out looking like a cross between Einstein and a Poodle! Now, you might be thinking, "That sounds like a disaster!" But hold your hairbrushes, my friends, because the genius hairdresser at this place managed to turn my hair mishap into a work of art. I mean, who needs a PhD when you can have a "Poodle Hair Degree"?
CurlWhisperer: I recently visited this salon since they have the lowest rates, and I was not disappointed! I came in with a picture of a chic, short pixie cut, and left with a hairstyle that can only be described as "Pixar meets Picasso." It's like the hairdresser decided to take artistic liberties and create a 3D masterpiece on my head!
BrutallyHonest: Let me tell you—the hairdresser, Kumo, is a genius. I came in with the intention of getting a classic bob, but I left with something that can only be described as "Bob meets Bob Ross." I absolutely love it!
June frowned in confusion as he scrolled through the reviews. All of them seemed to be positive, but why does it feel like there's something weird going on?
June sighed and looked at the price—75 dollars. Then, he opened his wallet and saw a sad 100-dollar bill inside.
"Whatever," June said, booking the earliest available slot, which appeared to be 7 p.m.
June clicked his tongue. He wouldn't be able to watch Rising Stars, but he had to accomplish this side quest in order to tick off one of his missions.
'Your slot has been confirmed! Please come to the salon 30 minutes before your appointment.'
***
June popped a piece of candied sweet potato in his mouth as he glanced at the clock. It was nearing 6 p.m., so he quickly stood from the couch and went to the bathroom to brush his teeth.
He had spent so much time in Minjun's and Grandma's apartment that they even bought him his own toothbrush! Then, he washed his face before stealing a bonnet from their cabinets.
June threw his jacket over his body and put on some socks. Minjun and Grandma looked at him with confused expressions.
"Are you going somewhere?" Grandma asked.
"Yeah," June said, checking his keys and wallet. "I have something…important booked," he bluffed.
For some reason, June couldn't say that he made an appointment to dye his hair pink.
"Well, will you be back before Rising Stars airs?" Minjun asked.
"Hmm, it's hard to tell," June said. "I'll try to make it, but if I don't, you guys can just watch it. I'll head out then!" June called, opening the door and softly closing it.
Minjun and Grandma looked at each other with knowing gazes.
Did June not want to watch the episode because of all the rumors going on?
Minjun sighed in disappointment. He really doesn't understand why his big bro doesn't want him to help!
The night continued, and Minjun kept glancing at the clock as he waited for June to come back. As the clock struck 8:30 p.m., someone finally knocked on the door.
"Is June back?" Grandma asked as she watched the dishes from the kitchen. "I thought he'd come home later?"
"Maybe it was canceled!" Minjun excitedly said, practically bolting to the door.
He quickly replaced his excited expression with a neutral one—he didn't want June to see he was excited even though he truly was.
With that, Minjun placed his hand on the door handle with an unconcerned face but an excited heart.
He heard some whispers outside the door, causing him to frown. Those voices didn't sound like June, though.
"I think this is a bad idea," Jangmoon said. "I still feel pretty awkward."
Jisung slapped the back of his head. "That's why we're going to apologize to him."
C-Jay sighed. "I was pretty out of line. I admit that. But can we come back tomorrow? I don't know what to say to him."
Jaeyong scratched the back of his head. "I want to apologize, too. I felt like I was playing safe with my silence. I should have defended him as Jisung did. I think it's best we speak with him now."
Akira didn't say anything and merely looked down at the ground with a guilty expression.
Jisung clicked his tongue. "This has been our tradition since the first episode. I suggest you guys swallow your pride for now and just watch the episode with June."
Minjun finally opened the door, causing them to stop talking.
The little kid looked at the five dudes in their doorway with a disappointed gaze.
"What are all of you doing here?" he snapped.
Jangmoon shivered as he looked into the little kid's eyes.
"Umm, is June here?" Jisung warily asked. "Can we watch Rising Stars together?"
