The next day, Tanjiro got up early, slipped out quietly, and hurried toward the barbershop Sakonji Urokodaki had told him about.
He had arranged to meet Kanao Tsuyuri at ten. He couldn't show up looking like a mess.
Tanjiro arrived outside the barbershop just as the owner was opening for the day.
"Yo, young man, you're here for a haircut this early? But you look unfamiliar. I'm guessing you're not one of my regulars, are you?" the owner greeted Tanjiro with a smile.
Tanjiro was the first person who had ever waited outside the shop so early in the morning for a haircut.
Tanjiro was in an exceptionally good mood today as well. Beaming, he replied, "You're right. This is my first time getting my hair cut here, but my master is a regular at this shop."
"Your master? Who... is that?" The owner pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to recall who Tanjiro's master might be.
"My master is Sakonji Urokodaki. Have you heard of him?"
"Oh, oh! Old Mr. Urokodaki! Now I understand. So you're his disciple."
The owner was certainly familiar with Sakonji Urokodaki. The old man came to his barbershop for a haircut nearly every month, and had done so for years.
"I'm going to meet a friend today, so I wanted to tidy up my appearance. As you can see, the way I'm dressed right now is really rather unbecoming..." Tanjiro said with a helpless, self-deprecating laugh.
"Then quit dawdling. I'll wash your hair first, then fix it up."
The owner's decisiveness delighted Tanjiro. This way, he could go meet Kanao sooner.
"It's still too early, so none of the staff are here yet. Let me show you what I can do."
The owner expertly washed Tanjiro's hair. Once it was thoroughly clean, he