The reason for [KaZoKu]'s loss this time was actually very simple: an overwhelming lack of resources.
As a subsidiary studio, not counting Chihaya Tetsuya who designed the performance outfits for Hoshino Ai and Misumi Uika, [KaZoKu] only had a total of four designers. The rest were assistants and pattern makers. While a configuration of four designers might be sufficient for a mature ready-to-wear studio, it was far from enough when compared to [NozAK!], which was frantically acquiring other brands.
It was precisely for this reason that Tetsuya had used the word "luxurious" to describe the costumes he saw that day.
The hand of a different designer could be seen in the backup dancer costumes for each performance segment, and the work of the pattern makers was evident in the fabric and detailed treatment of every single piece.
For just a single commission, they had directly mobilized the human resources of nearly an entire small brand.
It was this extravagant display of wealth that made Tetsuya realize his opponent's true advantage.
"In this world, only the most high-end luxury brands can afford to ignore scale and win the industry's recognition with only a small number of exquisite pieces."
Head Maid Yamabuki said.
"For an average designer, it's unrealistic to achieve this goal in a single leap, and even more so for a business manager. If you want to make a name for yourself in the fashion industry, then relying on yourself alone, with the limited resources you have on hand, is absolutely not enough."
"..."
Tetsuya naturally understood this principle.
He certainly had the ability to design outfits for Ai and Uika that would earn praise from the entire idol industry, and even the fashion world. But if the demand were to be multiplied several times over, his own abilities would be far from sufficient to fill the gap in design resources-
"However, no matter how large their scale, if their quality can only ever be maintained at the current 'good' level, then they will never become a brand that truly leads fashion."
Yamabuki Yachiyo's tone suddenly shifted.
"And it is for this reason that I am not optimistic about [NozAK!]'s prospects. Perhaps in their initial expansion phase, they are still enjoying the dominance in the low-to-mid-end market brought by their surplus of resources. But as long as their designs remain as flawed as they are now, their position will go no further. If a certain brand were to rise up with quality and fashion sense beyond their imagination, while ensuring a sufficiently stable scale and production capacity, then the situation would be completely different."
At this, she once again gestured to the list in his hands.
"Now, do you understand the value of this list?"
"...Yes."
Tetsuya felt the list in his hands suddenly become incredibly heavy.
It wasn't just the corporations behind these young ladies. More importantly, if he could establish a harmonious relationship with them, then after they graduated, this high-threshold fashion academy could potentially become an incredibly reliable and high-quality "talent market"-
"And the price I have to pay is merely looking after Lady Sakurakouji from time to time, and spending a portion of my time cultivating my future designers."
Faced with such favorable terms, Tetsuya sighed.
"You've convinced me, Yamabuki-san. I can't think of any reason to refuse."
"Then, we have an agreement."
The head maid smiled and took the list back from his hands.
"Oh, by the way... Chihaya-san, do you have a lover?"
"...No."
Although he was indeed carrying the feelings of two girls, Tetsuya still gave a negative answer.
"And I don't think I will for a short while."
"Is that so... hmm. In that case, you'll have to be a little careful."
The head maid, or rather his future colleague Yamabuki Yachiyo, couldn't help but shake her head.
"After all, the young ladies of this generation are more difficult to handle than the last."
...
After finalizing the negotiations, Tetsuya left the drawing room under Yachiyo's guidance.
However, he did not leave immediately, but followed her to the basement of the Sakura Mansion-
Which was Sakurakouji Luna's personal studio.
As soon as the two of them walked into the basement, they immediately heard an argument between the two students:
"So I'm saying, this method of treatment clearly goes against the inherent advantages of twill pants."
"You're the one who needs to break free from textbook thinking! It's because you're too much of a stickler for the rules that your designs are so uninteresting."
"That's because, more than whether it's interesting or not, I prioritize practicality, just like Chihaya-nii!"
"You can talk about that after you officially start working. For practice prototypes, of course you should draw more daring designs!"
"..." x2.
Tetsuya and Yachiyo exchanged a helpless glance before stepping in to mediate the argument, which had no single correct answer. They then explained the results of the discussion they had just had.
Immediately, Tetsuya could clearly see how a smile slowly crept onto Togawa Sakiko's face-
"That's wonderful, Chihaya-nii!"
Sakiko's voice was filled with unconcealed anticipation.
"This way, we'll actually have more time together than before."
She could hardly imagine how enjoyable her school life would be if she could see him at school.
However, right after, the eccentric young lady suddenly said something that made her expression stiffen-
"Only, it will be as a servant, you know~"
"What did you say!?"
"While I did say I wouldn't restrain you with the demands of a servant, if a 'companion student' with an arrogant attitude were to appear at a prestigious school like Filia, I'm afraid it would cause quite a bit of controversy. I don't mind, but for you, who has always cared so much about what others think, can you really accept their criticism?"
Sakurakouji Luna said with a smile.
"By the way... I've already had a maid outfit custom-made for you. How about it? Want to try it on now?"
"Absolutely not!"
Sakiko glanced at Tetsuya beside her, then immediately refused with a blushing face.
"I'll try it on myself when I get back!"
"Eh? Tetsuya will see it sooner or later anyway, right? And I think the maid outfit Yachiyo designed really suits you-"
"Enough nonsense! I'm absolutely not wearing it today!"
Sakiko's attitude was incredibly firm.
"No matter what you say!"
"Even if Tetsuya himself wants to see it?"
Luna said, turning to Tetsuya with a mischievous smile.
"How about it, Chihaya-san? Do you want to see what Togawa looks like in a maid outfit?"
"...Since she doesn't want to wear it, let's just forget it."
Although he was a little curious, Tetsuya shook his head decisively.
After all, he had never liked forcing others to do things they didn't want to do.
Besides that, there was something else on his mind.
"Speaking of which, to become a teaching assistant at [Filia], is an invitation from you all that's required, Yamabuki-san?"
Tetsuya couldn't help but ask.
"If so, aren't the hiring standards a little too low?"
"Of course it's not that simple."
Yamabuki Yachiyo shook her head.
"In order to meet [Filia]'s hiring standards, and also for the sake of your brand, it's time for you to officially begin your first task and test-"
"Please design a fashion collection that can look down upon the entire [TGC]."