The evening air was crisp as Kaede led Ash through the bustling streets, a determined look in her eyes. She wasn''t done with him yet—not by a long shot. Ash had been prepared for a suit, but now it was time to address the rest. He might have the physique of a warrior, but Kaede knew there was much more to shaping his image than just clothes.


    "This isn''t just about the suit," Kaede said over her shoulder, as they neared their destination. "A complete makeover requires more than just fabric."


    Ash shot her a sideways glance, the suspicion still lingering in his tone. "What''s that supposed to mean?"


    Kaede smirked, clearly enjoying his discomfort. "You''ll see."


    They stopped in front of a sleek, modern establishment with an understated but polished appearance. The sign read "The Refinery" in elegant, minimalist lettering, and the warm glow of the interior could be seen through the large glass windows. Ash felt an immediate sense of unease. This was no ordinary barbershop—this was a high-end grooming studio, and he had a sinking feeling that Kaede was about to turn him into a completely different person.


    "You sure about this?" Ash asked, voice tinged with skepticism.


    Kaede ignored his protest and stepped through the door, a soft chime ringing as she entered. Ash hesitated before following her inside. The interior was immaculate, with dark wood paneling and soft lighting that highlighted the gleaming chrome fixtures. The space smelled faintly of sandalwood and leather, a scent that felt both luxurious and unfamiliar to Ash.


    The receptionist, a woman in a sharp, black blazer, greeted them with a professional smile. "Good evening, Ms. Shirogiri. Your reservation is ready."


    Kaede nodded, clearly accustomed to this level of service. "Yes, thank you. This is Ash, my... guest." She gave him a pointed glance, as if silently daring him to object.


    Ash barely managed to hide his grimace. "Guest? Is that what we''re calling this?" He muttered under his breath.


    The receptionist led them deeper into the establishment, past plush chairs and sleek, stainless-steel sinks. Ash''s mind immediately went into defense mode—this was far from his comfort zone. The entire place reeked of privilege, the kind of world he had little patience for. But Kaede was already leading him forward, and he had no choice but to follow.


    After a moment, they arrived at a private room in the back of the shop. It was quieter here, with only soft jazz playing in the background and the occasional sound of a straight razor scraping against a client''s face. A man in a tailored black suit stood by the chair, his demeanor professional, his gaze assessing.


    "Mr. Shirogiri," he said, with a slight bow. "We''re ready for you."


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Ash couldn''t help but raise an eyebrow at the formality. "Mr. Shirogiri? You sure you''ve got the right guy?" His voice was dry, but the barber didn''t miss a beat.


    "I assure you, sir, we know exactly who you are." The man gestured toward the plush chair, his calm demeanor unwavering. "Please, take a seat."


    Ash reluctantly sat down, already bracing himself for whatever "transformation" Kaede had in mind. Kaede, standing to the side with her arms crossed, seemed far too pleased with herself. Her grin spoke volumes.


    "Just relax," Kaede said, as the barber began his work, moving with practiced precision. "You don''t need to be so tense. This is just about looking your best."


    The barber took a moment to assess Ash''s hair, running his fingers through it with a critical eye. "I''ll need to trim it down, shape the lines, and then we''ll go for a more refined, structured look. Something that suits your... stature."


    Ash couldn''t help but let out a small sigh of frustration. "I don''t need a haircut, Kaede. I just need to—"


    She cut him off with a wave of her hand. "Trust me, Ash. You''ll look better. The Keiretsu heirs? They don''t just look the part—they become the part. You can''t show up looking like you just rolled out of bed."


    Ash leaned back in the chair, eyes closing briefly as the barber worked his magic. The man was methodical, a master at his craft, his hands swift as he shaped Ash''s hair into something sharper, cleaner. There was a meticulousness to the way he worked, like he was sculpting something far more important than just hair.


    Kaede continued to watch, her eyes flicking between Ash and the mirror. "I know you hate this, but you''ll see it''s worth it. A person''s first impression matters, especially in a world like this."


    Ash didn''t reply at first, lost in the sensation of the razor against his skin as the barber went to work. It was an odd feeling, sitting still and letting someone else have control over the details of his appearance. The reality was, Ash didn''t care much for appearances—he cared about results. But there was something unsettling about how effortless Kaede made all of this seem. She knew the game, and he was learning just how deep the rabbit hole went.


    As the barber finished trimming his hair and began massaging some fragrant cream into his scalp, Kaede stood and walked to the counter to examine some colognes and products. She was giving him space, but Ash could feel her eyes on him even from across the room. He couldn''t deny it—something about this felt different.


    When the barber finished, he handed Ash a mirror, allowing him to see the results. His hair was sharper, the edges clean, a style that matched the suit and the person Kaede was trying to make him become. For the first time in a while, Ash barely recognized himself in the mirror.


    "You look good," Kaede said, her voice softer now, less teasing. She seemed genuinely satisfied with the result.


    Ash met her eyes in the mirror, his expression unreadable. "I still don''t like it."


    "Too bad," Kaede replied with a grin. "You''re not here to like it. You''re here to play the game."


    Ash''s gaze hardened for a moment, his reflection a reminder of everything he wasn''t: polished, controlled, and suited for this high-stakes world of corporate power and manipulation. But he had no choice.


    "Fine," he said with a grunt. "Let''s get this over with."


    Kaede chuckled. "You''re going to make a great impression."


    Ash said nothing, but as he adjusted his collar and buttoned the jacket, a small, determined spark ignited in his chest. Maybe he hadn''t asked for this world, but he wasn''t going to let it crush him either.


    "Let''s go," Ash muttered under his breath, his tone carrying the weight of someone preparing for a battle.


    Kaede smiled, sensing his change in demeanor, but didn''t comment further.


    The game was just beginning, and Ash was ready to play.