10 The Date continues...

Liam and Eri made their way to Vios Salon, which was once considered the best hair salon in the city. As they stepped inside, they were greeted by an elderly woman, her warm smile making them feel welcomed.

"Welcome to Vios!" she said with a friendly tone. She led them into the lounge area, where they noticed an old man engrossed in reading a newspaper. The woman scolded him gently, reminding him of the customers.

"Oh, welcome!" The old man looked up from his newspaper, his eyes twinkling as he acknowledged the young visitors. "Quite the young couple we've got here," he remarked, humor in his voice.

Eri hearing, shyly smiled.

The reason for his comment was apparent – the salon's clientele usually consisted of middle-aged patrons. This couple's youthful presence was a refreshing change.

"What kind of hairstyle are you looking for?" the lady inquired, turning her attention to Eri and Liam. Eri glanced at Liam, seeking his input. However, Liam was not well-versed in girl hairstyles, and he felt somewhat clueless.

He had chosen this salon for a reason – he wanted a quiet place for a haircut, away from the bustling new salons filled with young stylists and young hot-blooded people. His emotions were in a delicate state, and he wanted to avoid any further unnecessary triggers in front of Eri.

This salon had once been renowned for its quality and expertise. The elderly couple who owned and operated it had accumulated a wealth of experience over the years. In their prime, they had skillfully cut the hair of what is now the present working generation when they were just young individuals exploring life.

As time had passed, trends had evolved, and people's tastes had changed along with the shifting generations. Despite their extensive knowledge, their age had led to a decline in traffic, as the younger generation often dismissed them as out-of-touch relics incapable of keeping up with modern trends.

"I honestly don't know much about girl hairstyles," Liam admitted to Eri.

The old aunt interjected, "Worry not, then! I'll turn this young lady into the most beautiful girl. Just you wait and see!" With that, she whisked Eri away before Liam could even respond.

Meanwhile, the elderly man turned his attention to Liam, "Looks like we're alone now, young man. Come with me," the old man gestured for Liam to follow him to the men's section of the salon.

Liam complied.

Liam settled into a comfortable chair as the man prepared to work his magic.

"So, what style are you thinking of? Don't worry, even though I'm old, I can create any style you want," the man reassured Liam with a friendly smile.

Liam expressed his desire for a cooler look. He wanted to shed his current sheepish hairstyle and go for something more rugged and adventurous.

As the old man skillfully worked on Liam's hair, they engaged in a casual conversation. Liam felt at ease, enjoying the transformation taking place.

Eventually, both Liam and Eri emerged from the salon. The moment they stepped outside, they noticed that all eyes were on them. The changes in their appearances had certainly caught the attention of passersby. Eri's hair had been beautifully styled, enhancing her features, while Liam's new rugged look and a devilish charm... just that he was quite skinny.

Liam offered Eri a warm smile, appreciating the effort she put into looking her best. "You look amazing," he complimented her.

Eri blushed and returned the compliment, "You too, Liam. You look really cool."

The rest of the day was filled with joy as Liam and Eri enjoyed their shopping date. Liam couldn't help but be amazed by Eri's excitement and energy when it came to picking out clothes and accessories. He observed her browsing through different stores, trying on various outfits with a sparkle in her eyes. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and he found himself enjoying the experience as well, despite his initial surprise.

"It was awesome," Eri said with a radiant smile, leaning into Liam's arms as they walked together.

"Yeah, me too," Liam replied, returning her smile and wrapping his arm around her shoulders.

As they strolled down the busy street, Eri's curiosity got the better of her. She turned to Liam and asked, "Liam."

"Hm?"

"Why do I feel like there's something on your mind? You can share it with me, you know."

Liam paused for a moment, his gaze meeting Eri's innocent and caring eyes. He appreciated her concern and openness, but he wasn't ready to reveal his true identity and the complexities of his situation just yet.

"I was just... missing my parents," he finally said, choosing to share a partial truth. "Don't get me wrong, it's not that I didn't enjoy being with you. It's just that I've been feeling distant from them lately."

Eri's expression softened, understanding his sentiments. With a tender smile, she leaned in and kissed him gently. "I know," she whispered, her voice filled with empathy and comfort.

Liam's heart warmed at her understanding and support. He returned her affectionate gesture with a soft kiss, their connection growing stronger.

"It's getting late, I should be heading home," Eri said, glancing at the time on her phone.

Liam nodded, his hand intertwined with hers. "Yeah."

"See you tomorrow! I'll call you at night!" Eri exclaimed cheerfully, her eyes bright with anticipation.

"Mhm," Liam replied with a fond smile, watching as Eri walked away, her steps filled with a sense of happiness and contentment.

As he stood there, watching her disappear into the distance, Liam couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the unexpected turn of events that had brought them together.

"Maybe it's all a dream or just in my mind. But I want to see them just one more time before I wake up," Liam thought to himself, his mind conflicted with a mixture of hope and uncertainty.

With determined steps, Liam began to make his way towards his childhood home. Although the memories were faded and the details of the route were hazy, his feet seemed to carry him instinctively, as if guided by a force from within.

As he approached the familiar gate, his heart raced. It had been years, even centuries, since he had been here. He stood before the place that held precious memories of his parents.

Yet, despite his longing to see them again, Liam found himself unable to take that final step forward. Guilt gnawed at him, a heavy weight on his heart.