I've become an adult.

Once I actually heard those words, nothing particularly changed. The morning dawned just as usual, I woke up to the familiar sound of my alarm, and a day no different from yesterday began as if it were nothing.

But strangely, a corner of my heart felt ticklish.

Now that I've really taken on the name of an adult, wouldn't it be okay for at least one thing to change?

Should I cut my hair? Should I buy new clothes? Should I just leave for somewhere where nobody knows me?

The conclusion reached after countless thoughts was surprisingly simple.

Let's get a piercing.

It was something I had wanted to try at least once for a long time. But it was something I had put off because I was a student, and now there was no reason for that anymore.

So, the place I entered without much of a plan was this piercing shop.

A small bell rang clearly as I opened the door.

It wasn't a large shop. Various pieces of jewelry were neatly arranged and sparkling on the walls, and inside the glass display cases, piercings that could decorate various parts of the ears and face were placed by type. A subtle scent, low-playing music, and lighting that was neither too bright nor too dark.

Strangely, it was a space where my mind felt at ease.

And inside the counter, there was a man.

The first thing that caught my eye was his rather long, dyed hair.

When he raised his head, I could see him more clearly.

Long, slightly upturned eyes. A small scar running across his left eyebrow. And several piercings settled in both his ears and eyebrow.

He was someone who suited piercings so naturally that I could tell at a glance he was the owner of this shop.

The man put down the object he was holding and slowly looked over here.

Our eyes met.

It was a brief moment.

But it was a strangely piercing gaze.

Soon, one corner of the man's mouth curled up lazily.