"Story of the Pudding-Head" (Japanese: プリンヘッド
Overview
Taketora tells Kenma to cut his hair because it makes him look like Sadako, but Kenma ignores him until the wing spiker points out that his hair makes him stand out. The next day, Kenma shows up with his hair dyed blond; only then do his teammates explain to him that Taketora meant that his hair stood out because it’s long, not because it’s black. Since Kenma didn’t bother to dye the roots, everyone starts calling him Pudding Head.
Plot
Taketora Yamamoto is walking through the hallways at Nekoma High. He stops crooning and squalls as he sees Kenma, but the latter doesn't flinch, keeping his eyes locked on his video game. However, Taketora keeps snapping at Kenma, telling him that he should do something about his hair; saying it makes him look like Sadako. Sadako is the central character and antagonist of Koji Suzuki's Ring Trilogy novels, whose face is concealed behind her long black hair (this is also a Japanese word which can refer to chaste boys/girls).
Still absorbed in his game, Kenma says he doesn't care until Taketora points out that his hair will make people notice him, it will make him stand out. This successfully gets Kenma's attention; unnerving him.
The next day, Kenma shows up at school with his hair dyed, his appearance confusing everyone. He tells them that Taketora said his former style made him stand out, but they explain that Taketora only meant to say it was long.
However, that doesn't affect Kenma. He gets anxious if his field of vision is too wide so he can't cut his hair. Taketora states that dyeing the roots wouldn't be that difficult, yet Kenma replies that he wouldn't bother making the effort even though it means he would end up with a pudding head.
Appearances
Chapter notes
Character revelations
- Kenma gets anxious if his field of vision is too wide, hence why he can't cut his hair.
Trivia
- Sadako - a Japanese word that refers to chaste boys/girls.
- Sadako is also a reference to Sadako Yamamura from the Ring Trilogy.