Azophi turned their head this way and that to inspect their hair in the salon’s wrap-around mirrors. They were transformed. Gone was the smooth black they’d been shackled to their entire life, replaced by a glossy, platinum blonde. It was almost as if there was another person in the mirrors. But it felt right. Maybe it was more like they’d never seen themselves properly before.

“What do you think?” The hairstylist prompted. “Can I make any adjustments?”

“No. Absolutely not. This is the best haircut I’ve ever had.”

“Oh! I’m glad!” She exclaimed. “Had me worried for minute there.” She grinned toothily at them in the mirror, and Azophi began to wonder if that was the common smile here.

Azophi made sure to perform the proper Alolan goodbye as they parted and went up to the counter for the bill. Makani was sitting on a couch by the door with Dax on his lap, typing rapidly until something snagged his thoughts. He pressed a fist to his mouth, brow furrowing. As soon as the ding signaling a successful payment went through, Azophi bounced over to him. Makani looked up and smiled.

“How do I look?” They demanded with a dramatic toss of their hair for effect. It flowed gracefully over the arm they outstretched to spread it in a bright cascade.

“I love it,” said Makani. “It’s very you.”

“I know, right? I’ve wanted to do this for years!” They couldn’t help the excitement pulling their voice up an octave.

The little green light that indicated Dax’s rear camera was active came on. “Oooh, get a load of Alolan variant Azophi!”

Azophi snickered. That was a pretty good one. Dax floated up and spun, switching to their forward cam so Azophi could see themselves before they snapped the picture. They captured a few more poses and angles before Azophi was satisfied and sent the results over without a fuss this time. Azophi was midway through posting them before they remembered that it wasn’t the best idea. At least not yet.

“Is there any chance I could crash at your place tonight?” Makani cocked his head at the question. “I’d rather not deal with Okāsan,” they explained. “That way she can see it when I pick my shit up in the morning and I can just walk right out and skip the lecture.”

“Sure, whatever you need.”

Azophi felt their shoulders fall and heard the crackle. How long had they been so tense?

“If I could be sincere for just a moment over here, I never thought I’d ever do anything like this. Not just the hair, or the whole trainer business. I never thought I’d be so happy spending time with people. So, yeah. Thanks Makani.”

When they finally let themselves actually look at him, he was tearing up.

“Keep it together, cinnamon roll.”

Makani jumped up from the couch and flung his arms around Azophi. “Can’t!”

Azophi whined. “We’re in public.”

Makani ignored that entirely and squeezed them even harder. “The Challenge would have been great with just me and Hau, but now it’s gonna be wonderful.”

Azophi’s eyes stung and they swallowed painfully. “Oh, you.”