As a fashion show, the professional level of the [TGC] was naturally far from that of the [Tokyo Fashion Week], which was aimed at top fashion magazines.
But in terms of fame and attention from the general public, the [TGC] was far ahead of [Tokyo Fashion Week].
Its purpose was not to lead fashion, nor would it bring any change to the fashion world.
Its existence was simply to showcase the present—it was a fashion extravaganza centered on everyday clothing and the most popular female celebrities of the moment.
For the fashion industry, the positioning of the [TGC] was quite delicate.
Because its target audience was completely different, high-end brands would generally not take the initiative to participate in its fashion designs. At the same time, because its influence and commercial potential were so enormous, it attracted all low-to-mid-end brands to compete for a spot.
"...This time, it's a test in the truest sense."
"Did you say something?"
"Nothing, I was just thinking about the work ahead..."
Chihaya Tetsuya said, turning his head to look at Nagasaki Soyo beside him.
"And... you acted much faster than I imagined."
"Hm? Did I?"
On the other side, Soyo was watching the moving company carry her luggage into the apartment building before them, piece by piece.
"I believe I already gave you a heads-up about this, didn't I? There shouldn't be anything to be surprised about at this point."
"Yes, but at the time, you only said you would choose a place relatively close to my home."
Tetsuya looked up and muttered under his breath:
"But isn't moving directly upstairs from me a bit of an exaggeration?"
"Well, it's convenient for both of us. Anon also said she's looking forward to us being neighbors."
Soyo looked back with a very business-like smile.
"Or are you dissatisfied with my decision in some way, Mr. President?"
"...Not at all."
Whenever he heard Soyo call him that, he felt uncomfortable all over.
Especially when he remembered that this girl was his sister's friend, the feeling—a mix of shame and vanity—made him unsure of what kind of expression to make.
"Right, about the trademark registration—"
"It's all taken care of."
Soyo replied flatly.
"You just need to focus on doing your own thing. Everything else... you don't need to worry about a thing."
"..."
Hearing this, an indescribable sense of relief and gratitude washed over him.
"Thank you for being so dedicated to my affairs."
"You're welcome. After all, you've taken care of me quite a bit."
Soyo paused for a moment in thought before saying:
"Besides, the main reason I'm doing all this... is to achieve my own goals."
"..."
Subconsciously, Tetsuya wanted to ask what exactly her "own goals" were. However, when he noticed that she was, for some reason, staring intently at him, he swallowed the question back down.
Ever since returning from Yokohama, his sense of crisis had improved significantly.
It wasn't just Ai and Anon. Lately, he felt that both Sakiko and Soyo also seemed to carry an aura that wasn't quite gratitude or respect.
However...
"This has to be my imagination..."
He came to this uncertain conclusion.
"Ai and Anon can be explained by feelings developing over time... but I haven't known Sakiko or Soyo for that long."
For Tetsuya, who had matured mentally too early and had a relatively complex life experience, he usually dealt with most of his problems with an "empirical" approach.
However... for someone who had matured so late in matters between the sexes, the experience he possessed was far too scarce. It never even occurred to him that the feeling of "like" could arise from more than just one path.
But in any case, with this "consultant" officially moving in upstairs, with his brand's trademark officially registered, and with his first work objective formally set, he was finally about to take the first step toward his own personal ideal.
...
"Good, very good!"
At the Yokohama [K-Arena], the manager clapped her hands after the first full-run rehearsal was completed.
"I never expected your music and Chihaya-san's costumes to create such an outstanding effect."
"Hmph..."
"Don't sulk. The two of them created such an excellent performance for your sake."
"You say that, but I can't help feeling like I've been left out somehow."
Hoshino Ai, having not received any praise, looked a little unhappy.
The manager didn't intend to respond to her unreasonable tantrum.
Because she had a piece of news on hand that was sure to make Ai instantly forget all her dissatisfaction and break into a wide smile:
"...Just last night, a fashion brand called [StarrySky]—less than a day old, with no stores, its studio not yet completed, and absolutely no track record—suddenly sent a direct request to our agency for [Summer Zodiac] to do their promotion. I wonder what you two think?"
"Eh?! Really!"
As expected, Ai's face instantly lit up with a brilliant smile.
Then, to the manager's exasperated expression, she leaped down from the stage and rushed over to her.
"I'll do it! Take me to sign the contract right now!"
"Calm down. Even if we're signing a contract, we have to wait until we get back to the agency."
The manager first pushed the head that was getting too close to the side with a look of disdain, then looked up at Misumi Uika, who was still on stage.
"What about you, Uika? What do you plan to do?"
"There's no need to ask me, is there? You already know I won't refuse, Higuchi-san."
Uika, dressed in the luminous gauze skirt, also came to the edge of the stage.
"By the way, this means we won't be able to take on other modeling jobs for the agency. Is that okay?"
"It's less a question of whether it's okay and more that... at this point, if it wasn't a job for [StarrySky], you two definitely wouldn't be able to put your whole hearts into it."
The manager said with a straight face.
"Besides, the first job he commissioned was something we were planning to propose ourselves after the live."
"? What job?"
"He wants our people to walk the runway at the upcoming [TGC]... wearing the clothes he designed."
"Ah... so that means he'll be designing a collection for Ai, right?"
Uika assumed as a matter of course.
To this, however, the manager gave a mysterious smile.
"Really... is it only for Ai?"
"?"
"It's nothing. You two take a short break, then we'll continue in the afternoon."
The manager said to the two idols.
"We're only just getting started."
...
"It is... actually... quite cute..."
In front of the full-length mirror, Togawa Sakiko wore an expression of reluctant acceptance while dressed in a maid outfit.
To be fair, this maid outfit, personally designed by Yamabuki Yachiyo, was far more gorgeous and cute than the ones she had seen at her family's home. But even so... after putting it on, the deep-seated sense of awkwardness and resistance prevented her from frankly accepting its cuteness.
Then again, she'd heard that boys seemed to quite like maid roleplay...
"I wonder what Chihaya-nii would think..."
Sakiko muttered to herself.
"If he thinks it's cute too, then... I guess it wouldn't be impossible to wear."
Compared to serving that selfish and sharp-tongued Sakurakouji Luna, the gentle and considerate Chihaya-nii was much better!
Serving, serving...
"Ah! What am I thinking! How shameless!"
Sakiko couldn't help but curse herself, her face flushing red.
"Anyway, I should report to Head Maid Yamabuki first..."
Whether it was embarrassing, happy, or something to look forward to.
In any case, everything would have to wait for the future.
...
...
"So, if you're not planning on coming back, I'm really not going to look after you anymore... you bastard old man."
Looking back at the empty room, and at the envelope with her first prize money lying untouched on the low table, Togawa Sakiko whispered.