"As I thought, your outfits today really suit both of you."
On the way to the select shop, Chihaya Tetsuya said to the two girls with a smile.
"Pretty much everyone who walks by has been sneaking glances at you."
"..." x2.
Togawa Sakiko and Nagasaki Soyo exchanged a look of perfect understanding before silently shaking their heads in unison.
It was true that passing men would occasionally glance their way, but this guy walking in front of them had absolutely no idea that he himself was one of the main culprits attracting attention! Like those university girls who just passed by—if Soyo hadn't deliberately blocked their line of sight, they might have actually gone up and tried to talk to him!
For this simple-minded fool who was terrible at refusing others, getting hit on would be a disaster!
"Hey... Sakiko."
Soyo whispered to her.
"Let's get a little closer to him. Otherwise..."
"Mhm, you're right."
The sharp-witted Sakiko had also noticed the surrounding stares.
Then, after exchanging another glance, they each took a step forward, positioning themselves on his left and right—
"Hm?"
Tetsuya first looked at them with some curiosity, but then didn't have any particular reaction.
After all, they were just walking side-by-side. There was no need to ask about it.
Meanwhile, the two girls now walking alongside him each showed a slightly flustered expression.
"Ngh..."
Glancing at the arm that was just inches away, Soyo unconsciously squeezed her hands together.
Although she had seen Chihaya Anon link her arm with his countless times, she just couldn't bring herself to do something like that so easily. But... well, with their outfits today, there wouldn't be the slightest bit of awkwardness even if they did link arms...
But what's impossible is still impossible!
At this thought, Soyo couldn't help but envy Anon once again.
On the other side, Sakiko also averted her gaze slightly.
The reason she had chosen an outfit today with an aura similar to her past self was not only because she didn't want to lose to Soyo, but also because she had a little secret wish to surprise him.
After all, she had always interacted with him as an apprentice and a student. She wanted to know if he would have a different reaction or opinion of her "young lady" persona. But things were clearly not as simple as she had imagined. Although he had indeed praised her outfit, he didn't seem to have a particularly special reaction.
But that makes sense, she thought. He's known about my special family background for a long time; he's just never asked about it because he's considerate. Compared to this dress, a maid outfit would probably surprise him more...
...
But who in the world would wear a maid outfit while out shopping!
(I'll just have to find a chance to wear it for him in private.)
Sakiko swallowed this little bit of dissatisfaction and continued to follow him forward.
...
The "select shop" that Tetsuya was heading to was located on the top floor of the [Mitsumine Trading Company], the very place that had previously bought out his designs.
As it was a store specifically for buyers and industry professionals, there weren't many obvious posters or electronic screens playing advertisements. There were only rows and rows of mannequins and all sorts of fashionable clothing—
"Soyo, there's something I'd like to ask you to do next."
After arriving at the top floor, Tetsuya suddenly said to Soyo.
"To save time, I want to place a single order after we've looked at all the clothes. Could you please help me take note of all the outfits I ask you to remember?"
"No problem."
For Soyo, who had long considered herself his "secretary," this job couldn't be more perfect.
After Soyo received her task, Tetsuya immediately gave an order to Sakiko:
"Togawa, while I'm checking the best-selling clothes in the front, I want you to focus on the clothes placed in the back rows. If you find any designs that catch your eye, let me know at any time."
"I understand."
Sakiko immediately nodded upon receiving her task.
She loved the assertiveness and decisiveness he showed when he was in work mode. Especially when he gave her a direct order, the firm tone that made her skin tingle slightly always filled her with admiration.
This must be what a reliable leader feels like, right?
"I know this isn't quite the shopping trip you were expecting, but please don't worry. I'll find a way to make it up to you guys tonight."
Under the almost dumbfounded gazes of the two girls, Tetsuya said:
"For now, let's get to work."
With that, completely oblivious to the massive ambiguity of his statement, he walked straight toward the nearest select shop.
Behind him, Sakiko and Soyo once again looked at each other at the same time:
"I think... you understand too, Soyo. Chihaya-nii definitely didn't mean it that way."
"Of course I know. He's definitely just thinking of treating us to dinner or something, but the way he said it was just a little too weird..."
Soyo ground her teeth as she stared at the oblivious back in front of her.
"Honestly, I'll have to give him a good talking-to when we get back."
"..."
Looking at Soyo's already slightly flushed face, Sakiko was silent for a moment before she spoke.
"Soyo."
"Hm?"
"It seems that this time, our 'goals'... have finally become perfectly aligned."
"!"
Faced with this meaningful statement, Soyo's eyes widened slightly. Then, in a voice calmer than usual, she said:
"You're right. This time, it's completely different from a year ago."
However, although their thoughts had aligned, their positions were now once again in conflict because of that alignment.
But... the two of them, being relatively mature and meticulous, did not intend to become adversaries just yet.
After all, for them, there was a more noteworthy "opponent" to consider.
Before they could become truly indispensable to him, before they could win against that first-magnitude star, and before they could make this late-blooming guy realize the situation he was in—
"...Let's do our best together, Soyo."
"Mhm, let's do our best together."
Although their positions and the details were different, from this moment on, the two had once again become "companions" with the same goal.