When they walked out of the salon, Rize looked like a completely different person.
Her originally smooth, long purple hair was gone, replaced by a head of thick, glossy red waves,
the strands bouncing lightly at her shoulders as she walked, gleaming charmingly under the streetlights.
Amano Hiro folded his arms and slowly circled her once, examining from every angle, then nodded in satisfaction.
Rize grew a little shy under his gaze. Her slender fingers lightly lifted a curl as she looked at him with anticipation. "Well?"
"Mm, very nice, very nice," Amano Hiro praised repeatedly, appreciation shining in his eyes.
"Your whole aura has changed. You look more... dangerous, and more captivating."
He rubbed his chin, then added thoughtfully, "But it feels like something's still missing. Come on, let's pick a few accessories. We'll also change this whole outfit of yours."
As evening lights came on, neon along the shopping street lit up one by one, dyeing the night in a hazy purplish red.
Amano Hiro and Rize finally walked out of the mall, both carrying all kinds of shopping bags.
From delicate high-heel boxes to garment bags holding velvet gowns, from matched jewelry cases to the latest sunglasses,
clearly, it had been a highly fruitful shopping trip.
Rize's violet eyes shone brightly, a barely concealed curve of delight always on her lips.
From time to time she lowered her head to look at her completely renewed outfit, fingers brushing the red curls falling over her chest, her eyes full of freshness and satisfaction.
"As expected," Amano Hiro looked at her like this and could not help chuckling, shifting the bags in his hand.
"Whether human or ghoul, as long as they're female, shopping is in the blood. This combat power... even I'm ashamed."
Rize shot him a coy glare, unable to hide her smile. "Wasn't it you who insisted I keep trying endlessly? This one too plain, that one not enough presence.. Amano-san's pickiness is far worse than us women."
"If we're changing, we change thoroughly." Amano Hiro raised a brow matter-of-factly, his gaze sweeping over her from head to toe before nodding in satisfaction. "Now it looks right."
Rize's eyes rippled. Her fingertip hooked lightly into Amano Hiro's collar, her breath warm against him. "Come on, let's go home, Mr. Amano~"
The deliberately drawn-out ending brushed like a feather over his heart. "Later... you can properly appraise those 'little clothes' we bought today."
A dark fire flared instantly in Amano Hiro's eyes. He seized her wrist and almost dragged her forward in long strides.
The shopping bags rustled loudly, but he paid them no mind, his voice rough with restraint.
"Let's go. I can't wait even a second."
Early the next morning, Amano Hiro woke unusually early. He picked up his phone to check the time and saw a message from Touka.
[Hiro-nii, the café's new address is chosen. Do you want to come take a look?]
His fingertip hovered over the screen for a moment before he replied briefly: [Okay]
He tossed the phone back to the bedside, rolled over, and slipped back under the warm covers, his arm naturally circling the still-sleeping Rize beside him.
Her faint hair fragrance lingered at his nose. Amano Hiro thought: this new location... could it be the shop Sasaki Haise often visited in the original plot?
...
The midday sun was perfect. Amano Hiro held Rize's hand and followed the address to the new storefront.
Before they even got close, they could hear bursts of construction noise inside.
Yomo Renji stood on a ladder directing workers installing light fixtures.
Touka and Hinami were not idle either. One was carefully comparing wall color samples, the other was cautiously placing a potted plant by the window.
"Hiro-nii!" Sharp-eyed Hinami spotted them first and ran over like a happy little bird.
Amano Hiro smiled and rubbed her hair. "Hinami is so capable, even helping with the renovation."
"Hehe." Hinami puffed out her little chest proudly, pointing to a freshly painted light-coffee-colored wall. "I even suggested that color!"
"Mm, our Hinami is the best." Amano Hiro praised sincerely.
Only then did Hinami notice Rize beside him. Hesitation and surprise appeared on her little face. "Rize... onee-chan?"
Seeing the girl's uncertainty, Amano Hiro could not help laughing.
No wonder Hinami hesitated. Rize truly looked completely different now,
her originally intellectual, gentle long purple hair had become passionate, flamboyant red waves;
her well-tailored fashionable outfit transformed her from elegant lady into trendy beauty.
Rize bent down smiling, elegantly twirling a lock of hair at her fingertip. "Well? Is big sister's new style pretty?"
Hinami's big eyes widened, and she nodded vigorously with honest sincerity. "Mm! Very pretty! Like a model in a magazine!"
This heartfelt praise made Rize smile even brighter, her violet eyes curving into crescents.
"Hiro-nii." Touka also walked over then, still holding a tape measure.
She first quickly sized up Rize's new image, surprise flashing in her eyes before calm returned.
"Is everyone doing okay?" Amano Hiro asked with concern.
"Mm, all good." Touka nodded.
"Where's the Manager and the others?" Amano Hiro asked.
"In the back storage." Touka pointed to the small door leading to the rear yard. "Manager said he wants to reorganize the storeroom."
Amano Hiro nodded and, holding Rize's hand, passed through the front hall piled with building materials to the back.
Manager Yoshimura stood on a ladder adjusting shelf height while Enji Koma steadied it below.
"Left side two centimeters higher..." The Manager stopped mid-sentence when he looked down and saw the two entering. His hands paused.
His gaze lingered briefly on Rize's fiery red curls.
Enji Koma whistled. "Wow! Which fashion magazine model wandered onto the wrong set?"
Rize turned gracefully in place, her skirt drawing a lovely arc. "New style. How is it?"
"It suits you very well." The Manager climbed down, dusting his hands, his gentle tone tinged with a little emotion. "I almost didn't recognize you."
Amano Hiro looked around the tidying storage. "Good progress. When can you open?"
"Trial opening should be next week." Enji Koma moved the ladder aside. "Thanks to Yomo finding an efficient crew."
The Manager stepped in front of Rize and examined her new look. "Very beautiful. But..." His voice lowered. "Isn't this change too conspicuous?"
"That's exactly the effect we want." Amano Hiro picked up the thread, casually taking a few coffee beans from an open crate and sniffing them.
"The Washuu family is looking for purple-haired Rize, so we just flip the chessboard, let them look for red hair instead."
"But caution first." The Manager's tone remained careful. "The V organization won't give up so easily."
Amano Hiro nodded without saying more.