Gangster to Idol

Fifi sighed, then flicked him on the forehead.

"Ah!" Cain yelped, rubbing his head. Felice's eyes flicked up from her phone, a slight frown creasing her brow.

"Are you okay?" she asked, a hint of concern in her voice. This C.C. guy often muttered to himself — strange, almost like he was a little unhinged. She thought to herself.

"Yeah, just a sudden migraine," Cain mumbled, trying to mask his unease while rubbing his head.

Felice smirked, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Is styling my hair really that stressful? It's giving you a headache?"

Cain let out a frustrated sigh. "Yeah, it is. So why don't you just find someone else?"

Felice's lips curled into a teasing smile as she giggled softly. "Don't worry, the event doesn't start until two. We've got four hours. Take your time," she said, returning to her phone as if the entire situation was nothing more than a game to her.

Cain clenched his fists, resisting the urge to pull her hair out of sheer frustration. She was toying with him, and he knew it. Any doubts he had about Felice's intentions before vanished. A woman like her, who had everything, wouldn't bother with a guy like him unless she was getting a kick out of watching him squirm.

"Listen up, Cain," Fifi's sharp voice cut through his spiraling thoughts, snapping his attention back to her. "I knew you could be an idiot, but I didn't realize you'd become so reliant on that comb. What happened to the independent gang leader I once knew?"

Cain narrowed his eyes. "What are you talking about? You're the one who sold me that comb."

Fifi's serious gaze made him pause. "Cain, you've leaned on that comb for too long. You've forgotten that your hairstyling skill has already reached level 20. That alone gives you the experience you need to style her hair without the comb. It's time to trust yourself again."

"R-rely on myself?" Cain stammered, the idea hitting him like a jolt. He'd never considered it. Could he really pull it off on his own without the comb?

Fifi rolled her eyes, hovering just above Cain's shoulder. "Really, Cain? Are you seriously going to let a missing comb be your downfall? I thought you were the big, bad gang leader who could handle anything. But now? You're whining like a kid who lost his favorite toy.

Get it together!

"Or do I need to remind you that you've got skills that don't come in a shiny little package? You don't need a comb to prove you're not completely useless. So stop embarrassing yourself and get to work!"

Cain pursed his lips, knowing Fifi was right. It was just a comb. He needed to rely on himself and trust in his skills like he always had.

He wasn't someone who would back down just because his favorite tool was missing. He could do this. Cain steeled himself, determination flooding through him.

Focusing his thoughts, Cain tapped into his [Sharp Mind], recalling countless videos on hairstyling. Most of them featured men, but there were some women's styles he'd seen in his BuzzVid feed.

He mentally sifted through all that knowledge, combining techniques and ideas to craft the perfect style for Felice — something that complemented her features, matched her dress, and enhanced her image.

Cain took a deep breath, calming his nerves, and then began to work.

Cain's hands moved with confidence as he weaved Felice's hair into a style that was as captivating as it was unique. The strands, shimmering in pink and purple, were intricately braided into a crown that framed her face, with loose curls cascading down her shoulders.

The look wasn't flashy or overdone; it had a subtle elegance, blending sophistication with a touch of edge. The braids highlighted the gradient of her hair, allowing the colors to shift and play with the light in a mesmerizing way.

It wasn't the flawless, breathtaking masterpiece he might have achieved with his Celestial Comb, but it wasn't supposed to be. It was raw, real, and perfectly suited to her — enhancing her features without overwhelming them.

Felice's gaze flickered with surprise as she checked her reflection. It wasn't the grand, extravagant style she might have expected, but it was something better. It was just right, complementing her dress and amplifying her natural beauty without screaming for attention.

Cain stepped back, his breath steadying as he took in the result. It wasn't perfect, but it didn't have to be. It was good. And that was enough.

"Well done," Felice purred, satisfaction dripping from her voice as she admired her reflection. She had only intended to scope out her new target, but it seemed even she couldn't help but be charmed by C.C.'s skills.

[CONGRATULATIONS! Mission success! Received 500 IP!]

Cain wiped the cold sweat from his brow, exhaling in relief. He had survived the ordeal without losing his composure, all thanks to the mental trick of convincing himself that Felice was just a man in a woman's dress.

But when Felice stood up and turned to face him, her proximity shattered that illusion completely. Her beauty was overwhelming, and before Cain could react, she grabbed his hand, pressing a thick wad of thousand-bull notes into his palm. Leaning in close, she whispered, "A tip for a job well done," before giving him a playful wink.

Cain froze, his mind blanking out.

Felice sashayed out of the salon, every eye following her as she made her exit with effortless grace.

"Well, that went well," Fifi and Victor said in unison, a mix of surprise and amusement in their voices.

But before anyone could comment further, Cain's eyes rolled back, and he collapsed to the floor, unconscious.

"Ah! C.C.!"

"What on earth happened to him?!"

"Must've been Miss Felice's wink!"

"That woman's charm is so deadly!"

"Quick, get him to the infirmary!"

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|| A/N ||

I know this might seem like a chapter about hairstyling, but trust me, it's so much more. This moment is a key part of the story, leading up to Cain's entry into the idol world.

If you're enjoying the journey so far, please help the novel reach 10 reviews. Your support means the world, and it's what will help propel Cain onto the idol stage where the real action begins. 🙏