Chapter 25:

My mouth parted slightly as I looked at the picture.

"When did this happen?" I asked myself, searching my brain for any memories, but I found none.

Instead of memories, I got a headache, as if there was a wall preventing me from remembering....if there was actually something to remember.

I just gave up...I'll get answers..if I won't forget.

I held my head, everything was getting so complicated.

My job.....My mother...My past.. And now this?

I sighed, I need to quit my job, but I need it for anime merchandise.

I looked at one of the mirrors in my house and looked at the long hair I had.

Mio's smirking face flashed in my head.

I clenched my fists, she's nothing but a bad memory now, it's about time that I should cut this.

----

As I left my house to go to a barber shop, I felt quite bad for what just happened a few hours ago.

A lot of things happened today.

While I was strolling down, I tried to search for a barber shop, I haven't been to one in years.

I wish life was an anime, so that I could just magically see that the barber shop was in front of me just as I was thinking about it.

I looked forward, to see if luck was on my side.

But it wasn't, instead I saw a Mexican restaurant, I could swear that I'm hearing Mexican music playing in my head right now.

An old man exited the restaurant and smiled at me.
"Ah, hello young one, you look lost." He said.

I sighed.
"I'm.. looking for a barber shop." I admitted to him, nervously since I usually don't talk to strangers.

He laughed, which made me frown in confusion.

"What's so funny?" I asked.

He pointed to a place with his finger, but his laughter didn't stop.

When I looked to where he was pointing, I suddenly felt blind and stupid, just a few meters from us stood a barber shop.

With a big giant sign saying.
'BARBER'S SHOP' in big bold font.

I mentally face palmed.
"I'm only human! I make mistakes." I told him my face red from embarrassment.

He then handed me a card.
"If you ever need help with something, give me a call."

And with that he left, feeling awkwarded
out, I didn't bother to read it as I placed it inside one of my pockets.

I started to walk to the barber's shop, but now that it was so near, I felt so tired, my body's telling me to give up.

Is it bad that I actually felt like considering it?

When I was finally there, I pushed the doors open.
"I need a haircut." I said plainly when all their heads snapped to look at my direction.

But little did I know my hair was going to be attacked so fast.
And that I would probably never see my long hair again.

I didn't know that much hair could disappear in a matter of minutes.

The strange thing?
It was so cheap.

----

My newly cut hair felt so weird.

So strange...so...alien like.

I was heading home, I held my glasses, should... I wear contact lenses from now on?

When I was younger, I didn't need them, but my father had always warned me that if I watched too much anime my eyes would be ruined.

I didn't listen to him, and I paid the price for it.

When I saw my house in sight, I smiled and ran, but as I reached the doorstep, there was a box with a note attached to it.

I picked it up, and opened up the note.

Dear Ayano-Chan.

We don't know what we did wrong, but I hope you'll forgive us!

I'm saying sorry for all of us, hopefully you'll go back to your original self...

I already miss you~~
I feel sad now, here's a box of chocolates, don't worry, I have tons more at home.

From your friend.
-Serinuma Kae.

A smile tugged on my lips.

As I headed inside, my sister was too engrossed in watching Spongebob Rectanglepants, she didn't notice me.

I chuckled, she's been watching that since earlier.

I headed in my room, and placed the box of chocolates on my lap.

When I ate one, my eyes darted off to the picture frame.

I frowned.
...I definitely need some answers.

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………………TO BE CONTINUED
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