It was finally Monday, the opening day! Renji woke up very early, cleaned and setup the place. By 7.30 AM, his new employees came one by one.
Each of them looked eager to start working. Not only because Renji's advance salary solved their urgent financial problems, but they were also interested in the novel services.
Renji showed them around the salon and explained their duties.
"... And finally, I hope all three of you work together to make the customers feel comfortable and pampered."
With that, he finished and answered their doubts.
The youngest of them, Tenten look-a-like asked, full of energy, "Renji-san, can we also use the services you provide?"
"Of course! Actually, I will work on each of you every morning before we open. I want the customers to see what they can expect from our salon."
With that, he invited her to sit on the styling chair. Shy but curious, she sat in it, with the other two watching curiously.
Within minutes, he opened her black hair buns, combed and styled it into a simple but perfect twin bun style. It had tiny braids on the sides making beautiful patterns.
All three looked stunned by the show! The whole process looked like a performance rather than styling. And the final result was perfect! Not a single hair out of place and looked beautiful!
Renji was also satisfied. With his incredible instincts for hair containing demonic energy, and the techniques he learnt from past life, it was a piece of cake. All he needed to do was imagine the end result, and it became a reality!
The other two were eager for their turn. This was a new experience, something they never knew they wanted!
He quickly worked on the old lady, making a dignified top bun with her grey hair. The middle aged lady got a french braid for her thick brown hair.
All three admired each other's hairstyles and their own. Satisfied, they went to their workstations.
Renji absorbed half of the energy from each of their hair while styling. After all, too much at once will cause problems for them. Slow and steady is key here.
With that, he patiently sat, waiting for customers.
The first to come was surprisingly Anko! She came in with Kurenai in an arm-lock. Looking at the two, the employees welcomed them with happily.
"Welcome! Would you like to get your hair done?"
They were shown to the sofas in the waiting area, and were offered refreshments.
The two kunoichi looked at everything curiously. Sitting down, Kurenai asked politely, "Is Renji-san here? He asked us to come today."
By this time, Renji came out. "Good morning, Anko-san, Kurenai-san! I wanted to personally give you the flyer and inform the time and date, but I couldn't find you. Thank you for coming today!"
Kurenai smiled politely, while Anko cheerfully greeted him.
"It's fine. We came back just yesterday from a mission, and saw the posters. Can you give us a tour? I'm curious about your business."
Renji has been holding their hair in him mind space, reading their emotions. Seeing they seem to be just visiting without any ulterior motives, he was more than happy to show them around! After all, he can't be too careful around trained spies, and he has a lot to hide.
While they roamed the place, Kurenai asked the young employee, "Did you do that hairstyle for yourself? I haven't seen it before."
The girl touched the hairstyle and replied enthusiastically, "Actually, it was Renji-san that did it for me. Isn't it amazing?"
Kurenai nodded. She had to admit it looked good. She wondered if she should get hers done as well. She was slowly coming out of her depression and trying new things could take her mind off of things.
Anko said, "Renji-kun, it seems you have some talent in this! Now, I'm curious what else you can do."
Renji smiled mysteriously and just showed everything. At the end, after showing his styling room, Anko spotted the closed off door.
"What's in that room?"
Renji looked at it, "That is an ULTRA premium service I would be providing in the future. Once it is ready, I will offer it you. I'm sure it will be a big hit!"
"Really? What is it?"
He shook his head apologetic, "Sorry, that's a secret for now."
Anko pouted, but did not push. Kurenai nodded understandingly.
Once the tour is finished, Renji turned to them.
"So, would you ladies like to use our services?"
He gave them a small pad with the services and prices printed on it.
"As a thank you for coming, any service you use today will be free of charge."
Curious, Anko took the pad. Seeing the content, her jaw dropped.
Basic:
Hair Trimming/Cut: 2500
Hair Style: 5000
Hair Wash: 6000
Head Massage: 10000
Premium:
Hair Trimming/Cut: 25000
Hair Style: 50000
Hair Wash: 60000
Head Massage: 100000
'Wha...'
"Renji-kun, did you make a mistake here and add a zero?"
Kurenai was also surprised by the prices.
A basic D-rank mission gives around 20,000 to 50,000 ryo. But a premium hairstyling service takes that much and more! That's enough to buy hundreds of bowls of ramen!
Kurenai asked curiously, "And, why is such a price difference in the basic and premium service? Is there something special about the latter ones?"
Renji said confidently, "Of course! The basic services are actually better than you can find anywhere. It would be sufficient for the majority."
"But the premium one is much better! And, it would have incredible effects! You'll see when you get one."
Anko and Kurenai looked at each other, confused.
Renji actually had a plan for setting these high prices. If it was too low, there may be too many people coming in. While that would usually be a good thing, he would need to work on every client's hair as well! And, if there's too many civilians, the amount of energy he can absorb from their hair wouldn't be worth the effort.
So, Kunoichi were his target audience. Their hair can provide, tens, or even hundreds of times more energy than a civilian woman. And the premium version is targeted at the clan ladies, and the strong ones.
Anko didn't hold back anymore.
"In that case, I want a premium one!"
Renji nodded, "Alright. If you would like to try them all, I recommend you start with the massage, then hair wash, haircut and finally styling."
Anko didn't want to cut her hair, but agreed to the other three.
He turned to Kurenai, "Kurenai-san, would you like to stay here and watch? Or you can also watch from the waiting area if you'd like."
Kurenai hesitated, but in the end decided to stay. It's not like he would be able to hurt Anko, still, she decided to be cautious. Afterall, they only met a few times, and the services require them to be in a vulnerable position with sharp tools close to the head.
Renji didn't mind when he read the caution when sensing her hair. It would take time for them to build trust and let go of any caution.
With Kurenai sitting in another chair, and his employees peeking curiously, he got to work. He sat Anko in the chair, facing the mirror wall, and slowly untied her ponytail.
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A/N: Sorry I missed posting yesterday. I was out with colleagues, celebrating the failure of our product! Anyway, another chapter is coming immediately after this. Hope you enjoy!