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"Crim, you ready?" Itsuki's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I lifted my head to see him smiling down at me. "Yes! I'm ready."
"With your hair down?" he inquired.
I frowned, just now realizing the long locks weren't in a ponytail. "Ah...I forgot my hair tie," I grumbled and felt my cheeks burn red.
"That's why short hair is the best. Doesn't become a hindrance and who needs to deal with losing all your hair ties when you need them the most?" Erica mocked, walking over to the two guards that were waiting patiently for Itsuki.
I mumbled 'bitch' under my breath, and Itsuki snickered.
"Turn around. I'll put it up for you," he offered.
"Okay," I replied cheerfully, turning around to allow him to work with his magical hair styling skills.
"Hmm, once this is over you’ll probably need to trim your ends,” he observed.
"I should cut it short. It's gonna be at Storm's length soon if I don't," I mumbled.
"You miss your short hair?" Itsuki questioned.
"Yes and no. It's a complicated relationship," I admitted. I did miss my short locks, but I wouldn't ignore how hot it was in bed when a man ran his hands through your hair.
Or, when they tug it to keep your head still before kissing you with intense need.
"Sounds like it." Itsuki chuckled while he continued to put my hair up in a ponytail.
When he was finished, he walked over to face me and nodded in approval. "Perfect. They match your outfit."
"Do they?" I asked, assuming he’d made me a similar set of chopstick-like hair ornaments like he had last time.
"Gold with pink cherry blossoms dangling at the end," he revealed. I saw him and the other guys eyeing me with appreciative looks.
"Damn, Itsuki. Are those real Swarovski crystals on each cherry blossom?" Malachi whistled, impressed.
"Where the fuck did he get Swarovski from?" Quillian questioned with a sigh.
Itsuki grinned and Aki laughed.
"Your guys’ memory sucks. Itsuki's family is one of Swarovski’s biggest distributors and creates many of their limited-edition jewelry and hair pieces," Aki revealed.
"Nani?!" I squeaked, quickly looking at Itsuki, who shrugged. "Magic craftsmanship includes jewelry making."
"Jeez, guys. Even I knew this. You all need to go do some icebreakers and do a recap or something to learn these things." Erica shook her head, looking completely bored.
"I'd love for us to continue, guys, but we have to go. I'm starting the timer. We have three solid hours," Yoshi announced.
"HAI!" we replied.
I swiftly exchanged goodbyes with all the guys, giving them quick kisses while Erica was busy playing with her phone.
And just like that, the countdown began.
* * *
"You search that side, and I'll take this side. I swear if I break a nail, Yoshi will hear about it from me," Erica complained.
I thanked the ancestors that we were splitting up, with her checking the right half of the clearing, and me taking the left half.
We'd spent two and half hours searching and scouting with nothing to show for it. The pocket watch was still burning hot as if the crystal was right at my fingertips, but we hadn't located it yet.
