Do You Really Wanna Love Me?

So, is this the place where Moe-san works? The dark-haired girl narrows her gaze while studying the building, which is supposed to be Moe’s workplace, if the given address is correct.

After double-checking her friend’s sent message, she puts her phone back in her bag and takes a deep breath.

Surely, despite her calm exterior, she feels nervous yet excited. That is why she decided to even put on something nicer.

Something like an open black jeans jacket that is torn on the sides, a matching color turtleneck t-shirt, a checkered above-the-knee skirt, and platform leather boots. On top of the t-shirt is a metal ribcage skeleton chest harness. The skirt has a shiny metal zipper on the front side along with the attached hanging chain. Lastly, her boots are covered by the knee high black leg warmers, decorated with floral laces.

But for now, the dark-haired girl enters the piercing salon.

Unfortunately for her, instead of being greeted by her best friend, the very first thing that she notices is some red-haired man who seems to be cleaning the seats.

Surely, his presence alone is not very welcoming, and perhaps even with the lingering intimidation. Not to mention, that man is not only tall, but also his tight t-shirt shows that his pecs, chest, or whatever that thing is are way larger than any girl’s bust. Moreover, with arms like that, just flexing them might be enough to crush a watermelon.

Turning his head at Miu, Iori just stares at her with an unpleasant face and states. “Sorry, but we are closed for today.”

So bothersome… The dark-haired girl narrows her gaze.

Despite that, she is not confused or blinking and steps forward without removing her gaze from this man. “I’ve come to see Moe-san for the piercing that she wants to do.”

“Ah. So, you are that friend of hers, huh?” The redhead crosses his arms and raises his eyebrow.

Now, he turns around and calls for a certain someone. “Hey, Moe! Looks like your little friend is already here.”

Calling her name as casually as that… Does Moe-san really have to work with this disrespectful, clucking rooster? Miu closes her eyes and silently exhales.

Speaking of which, it doesn't take long enough for the staff room door to open and one perfect-like-a-dawn brunette appears. “Miu-chan?”

Noticing her friend, her face brightens up and she rushes to her side. “Miuuu-chaaan!~”

However, just as Miu widens her eyes in bewilderment, she gets pulled into a tight hug and even slightly lifted into the air.

Meanwhile, Iori only rolls his eyes at his assistant’s too-friendly display and her sweet talk. “So, you did really come? I’m so glad.”

“Are you done yet?” The redhead interrupts them in as patient a tone as possible.

Surely, it’s enough for Moe to lower and release her friend. “R-right...”

After wrapping her arm around her friend’s, the brunette brings Miu close to her and introduces her to her mentor. “Yagami-san, this is my friend that I was talking about. So, meet Miu-chan.”

Is this Yagami-san? The same one who is her mentor? Miu stares with a deadpan face at Iori and closes her eyes. Poor girl…

For now, Moe proudly shows her friend off as the greatest thing in the world. “See? Haven’t I told you how cute she is?”

Meanwhile, the dark-haired girl politely says, “Nice to meet you,” and bows. “And thank you for taking care of Moe-san for me.”

Besides, it might be for the best to not embarrass or upset Moe. And she came here to help her friend.

After exhaling, Iori addresses this girl with his usual poker face. “Anyways. Sit in whatever chair you prefer and relax.”

Now, he turns his face to Moe and briefly instructs her. “Do not pay attention to me and just try to work as if you are on your own.”

While the brunette is busy with the hand sanitizing and then putting on the nitrile gloves, her friend takes the seat closer to Moe.

For now, Miu watches how Moe is preparing for the procedure and picking up all the needed tools.

However, a small tied-up gift bag, which she picks up from one of her pants pockets, catches the dark-haired girl’s eye.

Finally, the brunette picks a bottle with medical alcohol and soaks a small cotton ball with it.

“First, I need to clean the piercing spots so that... so that it will prevent any infection.” The brunette explains in a slightly nervous tone.

Now, she leans closer to the other girl’s face.

Certainly, when she is so close to her, Miu feels the warmth rushing to her cheeks and hears her own heartbeat.

More so, at moments like this, the dark-haired girl finds her pretty. However, she isn’t certain if that lovely tone on her lips is her lipstick or not.

Even when a damp cotton ball gently cleans her ears, Miu cannot help herself but see no one but her dearest friend.

After preparing the disinfected area for the piercing, the brunette disposes of the cotton ball into an empty kidney-shaped tray.

Now she takes a surgical marker pen and leans closer to the other girl.

“I just need to mark the piercing spots, okay?” Moe informs her before processing.

Surely, the way the brunette brushes her friend’s bangs behind her ears and her gaze are enough to spark the excitement in Miu’s eyes. After all, this is almost like one of her dreams.

After softly landing a dot on each ear with the pen, Moe withdraws from the other girl, who remains stunned.

Meanwhile, Iori only indifferently watches his disciple handling the current task. Although he notes to himself that he should work on her speed. In any case, he reminds himself to text Kyo as soon as this is over and leave together.

For now, Moe finally takes out whatever mysterious item is in a small bag.

Apparently, something rustling in the tiny plastic package piques Miu’s curiosity as well.

Although the brunette is making sure that her friend won’t notice it yet.

Even so, the dark-haired girl can tell from the sound that Moe may have separated the objects and put them into the tray where she keeps the needed tools.

After Moe takes a pair of clamps and a hollow needle, she makes a visibly shy look at her friend. “It may sting for a moment. But it would be quicker and safer than using a gun… At least that’s what Yagami-san taught me.”

When she firmly fixes the clamps and with the other hand points the tip of the needle at the marked spot, she warns in a soft voice. “Please endure it for me, Miu-chan.”

Certainly, when the brunette is so close to her and saying such things, even if it is for a moment, Miu is secretly thrilled.

However, the brief sharp sensation against her ear makes her close her eyes and quietly whimper.

“Does it hurt, Miu-chan?” The brunette asks and comforts her. “Look. It’s almost done. So, let me insert the post now.”

After Moe loosens the clamp’s grip, she briefly looks back at Iori’s, who seems to be just standing there like a pillar while keeping his unimpressed face.

However, she understands she cannot hesitate long, and now she remembers what she has to do.

Now, she narrows her gaze and spreads the clamps, making sure it won’t touch the needle.

One thing is for sure: watching how Yagami-san could casually pierce any spot and now her finally doing it. So, it not only makes her admire her mentor’s work but also wonder if someday she’ll be as skillful as that. Or so the brunette wonders as she silently respires.

For now, she feels like a surgeon just by moving the clamps forward without touching the needle.

Even if now one clamp is removed, Moe knows it’s too early to relax. Not until it is completely removed.

After taking a deep breath, she moves the spread clamps to her side with the same precision.

Meanwhile, Miu cannot help herself but admire how serious the brunette is when she is so concentrated on piercing.

Finally, Moe takes the post and swiftly inserts it into the tip of the needle and pushes the needle out.

With not a second to waste, she removes the needle and only leaves the post inside the pierced spot.

Lastly, she picks a tiny acrylic pin, and after inserting a part of it into the post, she lifts it a bit.

Thus, upon pushing the rest of it and smiles. “Alright~ One is done, Miu-chan. Now, let me insert another one.”

Now, the brunette prepares for another piercing. This time, she handles the task with a bit more confidence and slightly faster.

When she is done, she proudly states to her friend. “It’s all done, Miu-chan! Now, give me a sec and I’ll get you a mirror.”

After searching through the shelves, the brunette picks up a hand mirror and rushes to her friend’s side.

Now, she brings it with a bright smile on her face to her friend. “Here~ So, what do you think?”

Taking a mirror from the other girl’s hand, Miu takes a better look at her new piercings, and her eyes spark with excitement.

Surely, even small, acrylic piercings with cute cartoonish crows are more than enough to feel the warmth rushing to her cheeks. Although those are an asymmetrical set: one crow is sitting with its beak wide open, as it has a lot to say, while the other one is making a serious face. More so, both birds have big round eyes and blush.

For now, the dark-haired girl brushes one and then another piercing.

Meanwhile, Moe only holds her arm behind her back and makes an apologetic look. “I wanted to get you these fancy raven piercings with purple gems and chains, which you had kept an eye out for a while... But right now I could only get you these guys.”

Despite her usual cold face, Miu declares. “I… I like them!”

Surely, the brunette is so moved by such a reaction that she even makes big teary eyes and pulls her friend into a hug. “Miiuu-chaaaan!~”

When she rubs her cheek against the other girl’s, she adds. “I'm soo glaaad!~”

Meanwhile, Iori rolls his eyes and groans at his disciple’s affectionate behaviors.

Thus, he interrupts their moment in an annoyed tone. “Are you two done yet? Or should I lock you overnight?”

However, Moe turns to face the redhead and puffs her cheeks. “You’re mean. But if you may do it, then I’ll find my way to get into your apartment and tell Kyo-san about it.”

After lowering his shoulders, Iori adds. “Either way, it looks like I didn’t need to be there because you can handle it well on your own. You just need a bit more practice, and you’ll be taking clients’ requests alongside me.”

Now, he points at Miu’s new piercings and lectures his disciple. “Also, I wouldn’t suggest you use piercings like this as anyone’s starters. After all, your client will have to keep them for six to eight weeks without removing them. So, you don’t want your client to have a rejecting reaction or have an infection. That’s why next time, when you pierce anyone, use the implant-grade steel or titanium piercings instead. Also, don’t forget to remind your clients how to properly take care of new piercings.”

“Yeees, Yagami-san~ I was just planning to tell Miu-chan about it.” The brunette politely replies.

Lastly, Iori tells her. “For today, you can leave. I’ll finish with tidying up and locking the salon. So, you don’t need to wait for me. Also, this time, I’ll let you use the piercings that are for the clients. Then after the healing period, your friend can finally wear your piercings.”

Meanwhile, Miu, listening to how this man is nagging her precious Moe-san, closes her eyes and pushes herself from the chair.

After standing up and approaching Iori, she tiptoes and frowns. “Moe-san was doing her best, and you are too harsh on her.”

When she gently taps on her new crow piercings, she explains. “These are Moe-san’s treasures given to me. I’m not going to remove them for you, and I’ll take care of them well.”

Seeing Iori looking down on the dark-haired girl with his unpleasant face and the raising tension between them, Moe rushes to their side and gets between them.

First, she addresses her friend. “Miu-chan, it’s okay. Yagami-san just wants to make sure you’ll be fine and safe. So, why don’t you wait for me to change, then we can go home or hang out wherever you want?”

Miu only sighs while trying to remain calm. “If this is what Moe-san wants to do, then I guess it’s fine.”

Surely, this makes the brunette glad, and she holds her hands. “Great! Then, you two, don’t fight until I come back.”

Thus, with that, Moe rushes to the staff room to change into her outdoor clothes.

After this couple is left alone, Miu steps back and, while pointing a finger at Iori, declares. “You. Moe is mine, and I won’t forgive you if you dare to upset her! So, I’m keeping an eye on you, old man.”

However, Iori only raises his eyebrow, “Huh?” and wonders what this girl’s problem is.

“Do I need to repeat that again?” The dark-haired girl asks.

In the end, just as Iori is about to say anything, the brunette opens the door and leaves while wearing an open denim biker jacket, a black tank top and baggy jeans.

Noticing these two, she tilts her head. “Did I interrupt anything?”

The dark-haired girl shakes her head while keeping her reserved look. “It’s fine. Should we go?”

When Moe walks close to her friend, she hugs her arm, and nods while her face radiates as bright as the sun.

While keeping his indifferent look, Iori only lowers his shoulders and sighs at these two girls.

Thus, as the brunette prompts Miu to go with her, she bids a farewell to her mentor. “Then I’m off, Yagami-san! And thank you for today.”

After Moe rests her head on her partner’s shoulder, Miu turns her head and glares at Iori before they both take their leave.

You may become my new rival. However, I won’t give up to someone like you.

Despite now walking together home and having the brunette by her side, Miu feels that she cannot lower her guard yet. After all, the battle is far from over. Not until she either wins or loses Moe to anyone else.