Disclaimer: I don't own Honey and Clover y'all!

Author's notes: I have read this fic, still a Honey and Clover one, about Yamada getting a haircut. I may give a reference to this fic, as would every woman who wants to move on and forget something, I think that's quite relatable no? Anyway, you should read that fic, I totally forgot the title but it's totally worth reading as it's a tear-jerker as well.

Chapter 3: Cutting the precious strands of yesterday

"Yo, Yamada-san," Nomiya said as he walked towards the long-haired girl who was on full concentration behind the pottery wheel.

Yamada looked up and turned to where the voice came from. "Oh, hello there Nomiya-san. I didn't hear you come in. Please take a seat, I'll just clean myself for a moment," Yamada said as she stood up and wiped her hands on her working apron. She walked over the comfort room to wash her hands and fixed her hair in a loose bun.

As she took a seat near him, Nomiya examined her. She grew even more beautiful than before, and so did her hair. But as with the passing time, there was still that weary sadness in her blue eyes that refused to go away, even if it was already a year and a half since Mayama left.

"Would you like some tea?" She asked him, giving him a small smile as she stood up and took two cups from the cupboard, definitely not taking no for an answer. "Of course, that would be great."

She was definitely not like the other girls he used to date. He liked this child-like quality in her, and the way she brings herself, how she didn't care whether she wasn't much lady-like, he loved that about her. He didn't notice that she was already done pouring him a cup of tea when she snapped him out of his trance. "Moshi-moshi? Are you still sleepy, Nomiya-san?" Yamada asked with an amused expression. "Gomen, I just came back from Tottori and I haven't really slept that much," he explained while brushing away the strands of hair falling over his eyes.

"How are you Yamada-san?" he asked, taking a sip of the tea that he now came to like. "Ah, I'm good. Been keeping myself busy with research work and tending our store. I'm thinking of opening a shop in our shopping district where I can display my works, but I'm still saving up for that."

"Really? It's good to hear that. Would you like me to design your shop? Don't worry, it's gonna be free of charge. We're friends after all," Nomiya offered her, hoping that she would accept.

"Oh no, I'm not gonna take advantage of you like that. It's still in the planning phase, so I'll just call you when I've finally decided, you can just give me a discount, but it will definitely be a no-no if you offer me your services for free!" She said, flashing him a toothy smile, one that he always loved to see.

They continued to talk for a while when his cellphone rang. It was Miwako, and she told him that there was an emergency back in the office. Great. He just came back all the way from Tottori and thought that he could at least spend half the day with Yamada.

"Yamada-san, there's an emergency back at the office. I'm needed there to do some revisions," he told her.

She just nodded and told her that they could talk next time, and that he really should sleep afterwards so that he could catch up with a much-needed rest. Nomiya stood up and bade Yamada goodbye. Reaching for his car keys, his gaze went back to the window where Yamada was still visible. When will you open your heart to me? Nomiya thought. He certainly didn't have the same thoughts that he had unlike the previous relationships that he had. He smiled to himself, and thought what an idiot he was for worrying too much.

"Eh… What am I worried about? That young one isn't here to pester me. Let's just see where this brings the both of us," he murmured to himself as he took a seat inside his car and started the ignition. Today was surely a beautiful day, but a waste at that as he couldn't spend it with her.

Yamada made sure to finish all the plates and bowls that needed to be made that morning. When she was finally done, she stretched out her arms and flexed her muscles. "Uwaah, I can't believe I finished all of 'em. What a relief, now I can finally take a break," she said to herself as she cleaned up and changed her clothes. As she was done changing her shirt, she turned to face the mirror and saw her reflection. My hair has gotten really long, and I can't even remember the last time I had it trimmed. She sighed wistfully; she always thought she'd look even more beautiful with her long hair. Now, there wasn't anyone to show it off to. It was becoming a problem even, getting loose hair stuck on the clay from time to time.

"Maybe it's time that I change myself," she murmured to herself, caressing her hair. Staring at her own reflection in the mirror produced a slightly painful feeling, as she remembered the Yamada that always ran after Mayama. The Yamada that was still unable to move on.

"Yosh. I really think it's time to change. You can do it Yamada. If this love you have for Mayama is unselfish, you can wish the best for him. For yourself as well."

Two hours later, a young woman with a tall figure, possessing honey-colored hair that almost touched her shoulders emerged from the beauty shop. Yamada Ayumi thought all the weight on her shoulders was finally lifted off of her. She inhaled deeply and let out a hopeful sigh as she navigated her way through the crowd. Lots of men looked her way, awed by her beauty, yet she didn't give it much of a thought. Those guys aren't him. Gah! Stop it Ayumi, I thought you were going to finally move on? Then such thoughts shouldn't even be present right now. What's important right now is that you improve yourself, just like the rest of the gang.

"Oka-san, tadaima!" Yamada shouted inside the house to greet her mother.

"Welcome home honey. How was your day? Could you help me with – " Mrs. Yamada stopped in her tracks when she saw her daughter's transformation.

"Oh Ayumi-chan. Oh dear me, you've got me at a loss for words. Your new hair suits you very much. Lightens up your face even more," her mother complimented, as she tucked the strands of hair behind her daughter's ear.

"You really think so oka-san? I wasn't so sure about cutting it this short, but I've always had long hair since I was little, so I thought maybe a change in its length wouldn't be too bad." Yamada said nervously. She wasn't really sure about how short she wanted it to be, but decided on the present length anyway. What mattered was that the shadows would be finally gone.

"Yes, I truly think so. You look more mature with that. Come now, help me get those boxes right there. We'll need to bring it to the store so that your father can arrange it for display tomorrow," her mother said as she pointed to a couple of boxes on the floor. Yamada nodded and smiled at her mother, thanking her for the compliment, and also making her way to the store with the boxes.

Her father was surprised when he saw his daughter as well, and thought how cute she looked with her new hair, as did her friends in the shopping district. She didn't really think she'd be getting all this attention by cutting her hair, but she guessed people got used to her long and beautiful hair that they must have thought that wouldn't change about her.

"Things need to change though, even my hair. Nothing's really permanent. I need to be happy for him, and I also need to be happy for myself," she murmured to herself quietly as she gazed at the sun that was soon to set that afternoon. Flecks of dust streamed down the sunlight, as if sliding down with it. How beautiful. The plant that got its branch broken now stood tall. Mother was right, she thought to herself. For something to grow again, you need to get rid of the broken parts.

Her thoughts were interrupted when her cellphone's notification tone rang. She opened her cellphone to see who it was from.

Nomiya-san:

Are you free tonight? Would you like to eat dinner with me? If yes, I'll pick you up at your house at 6:30 Don't worry, right after the meeting I went home and slept, so as expected I have fully recovered now.

She chuckled and sent a quick reply, saying that she was free and he could come pick her up later. Nomiya replied immediately, and she decided to tell her parents that Nomiya invited her out for dinner.

"This Nomiya-san you've been talking about, you have been going out with him lately. Should I be worried, Ayumi-chan?" Mr. Yamada told his daughter. Even with his tough exterior, he was such a softie when it came to his daughter.

"You shouldn't be oto-san. Nomiya-san is a nice man, and we've known each other for almost two years already,"

"Well, does he plan on introducing himself formally to me and your mother anytime soon?"

"Oto-san! We're not even dating. But if he isn't busy, I'll introduce you to him to ease your worries. Oh, that must be him outside."

As Yamada opened the door, Nomiya stood outside and gave her a sly smile. "May I come in?" he asked. Yamada obliged as she nodded, and took a step backward as she made her way back to her father with Nomiya.

"It seems that the heavens have heard you oto-san. Nomiya-san, this is my father, Yamada Takashi. Oto-san, this is Nomiya Takumi from Fujiwara Design," Yamada said as she introduced the two men before her.

Yamada's father gave a stiff nod to Nomiya and shook hands with him, telling him to take his daughter home afterwards. Nomiya-san bowed respectfully to Yamada's father as the pair left and entered Nomiya's car. "You're father is quite scary. He really adores you as well," Nomiya told his observations. This earned him a soft laugh from Yamada. "Don't think I didn't notice the big change in you. Your hair suits you well, made you look even more beautiful than before," he said sincerely as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Yamada blushed a shade of pink as she felt her heart skip a beat, and thanked him for the compliment. The city lights outside illuminated the road and were just so pretty to look at and Yamada didn't want the car ride to be filled with silence so she started a conversation.

"Do you want to ride the Ferris wheel again, Yamada-san?" Nomiya asked her out of the blue.

She faced him, and all those memories of crying over Mayama and wishing he would come after them came rushing back. But that was all in the past now. Here she was with the kind Nomiya, who always took her to places that were beautiful and breathtaking.

"Yes, I do, Nomiya-san. But we should eat first, neh?" Yamada replied as both laughed in response to the growling noises that both of their stomachs released.

The pair went to a restaurant not far from where the Ferris wheel was. As they finished eating, Nomiya suddenly grabbed her hand and intertwined it with his, not caring if he proved to be too forward. He has such soft hands, Yamada thought to herself. They then entered the amusement park to where the Ferris wheel was, and Yamada couldn't help but feel happy that Nomiya was with her on such a beautiful night, high and up above, looking down at the world below them.