Generally speaking, someone who has just finished studying abroad should rest at home for a few days before starting anything new. However, full of anticipation, Chihaya Anon grabbed her suitcase the very next morning and headed for the train station with a light spring in her step.
Ever since her brother came to the Chihaya family, she had never been separated from him for so long. At this very moment, her heart was overflowing with words she wanted to pour out to him—
"Hmph hmph hmph~"
In high spirits, Chihaya Anon bore no resemblance to the dejected and depressed girl from yesterday.
To give her brother a surprise, she had even deliberately hidden her departure time and pestered her mother relentlessly to get the spare key...
"Just one more street to go! I wonder what Brother's reaction will be when he sees me... Hehehe."
At this thought, a silly grin appeared on Chihaya Anon's face, but she quickly realized her lack of composure and immediately took out her pocket mirror to control her expression again.
*No, I can't be careless at all for our reunion after more than half a year.*
*Makeup, outfit, and a vibrant look... and a flawless "Good morning"!*
*Yes, just like that!*
Full of anticipation, Chihaya Anon arrived at an apartment building at the address her mother had given her and found her target according to the room number—
"Okay, here I go!"
Unable to wait any longer, Chihaya Anon inserted the key straight into the lock.
...
"Good morning, Bro— Wha—?!"
Her energetic greeting turned into a strange cry, and her carefully planned smile twisted into one of terror at the "hellscape" before her.
Staring at the crumpled balls of paper that had piled into mountains on the floor, it took Chihaya Anon a good ten seconds to finally regain her composure.
She shakily knelt down, picked up a paper ball that had rolled to her feet, and gently unfolded it—
Staring at the crumpled design sketch in her hand, a look of utter surprise crossed Chihaya Anon's face:
"Isn't this pretty much complete? And it looks really cute, too... Why would he crumple it up like this?"
It was a sketch of a very gorgeous and cute miniskirt. From the star pattern embellishments—Chihaya Tetsuya's favorite—to the ornate design featuring lots of openwork lace and embroidery, it all perfectly matched Chihaya Anon's taste!
Then again, her brother always said that clothes matching her taste were usually not very presentable...
"But all these sketches seem to be for women's clothes. What kind of job did Brother take on, anyway?"
Filled with confusion and curiosity, Chihaya Anon began to explore the messy rental apartment further.
Perhaps he had already anticipated that she would be moving in, because this apartment, which should have only been for Chihaya Tetsuya, actually had two bedrooms. Not only that, but the living room, kitchen, and bathroom were all fully equipped...
"So he had it all arranged for me already... As expected of my great mother!"
While paying homage in her heart to her mother's wisdom, Chihaya Anon also determined which room was hers.
Her reasoning was also quite obvious—
"...Did he forget to lock the door because he's living alone?"
Chihaya Anon peeked in from the doorway, whispering to herself as she looked at the gently rising and falling blanket:
"It looks like he really worked hard... Normally, he would have been up long before this time."
Not only that, but even in the bedroom, several discarded design sketches were scattered across the floor. More shockingly, there was even a book on fabric knowledge right by Chihaya Tetsuya's pillow.
Although Chihaya Tetsuya had always been incredibly serious and dedicated to his fashion design studies, he had never let his room get this messy and disheveled because of it.
Just what kind of job would push him to this extent...
Just as Chihaya Anon was marveling in her heart at how hard her brother was working, the figure on the bed suddenly shifted unnaturally a few times—
"Ugh... my head hurts."
A pale-skinned, slightly thin, black-haired boy slowly sat up.
His features were less handsome and more delicate and refined. Combined with his ear-length hair, which was messy from just waking up, he even had a faint androgynous quality...
"...Anon?"
Then, when Chihaya Tetsuya saw the figure peeking at him from the doorway, he was stunned for a moment. He quickly rubbed his facial muscles, which felt a little numb, and squeezed out a very forced smile.
"Sorry, I couldn't pick you up from the airport yester— Oof!"
"Brother!!!"
Before Chihaya Tetsuya could even finish his sentence, Chihaya Anon launched herself at him, tackling him back down onto the bed.
"It's been half a year, I've really, really missed you!!!"
"Cough, cough... I, I missed you too..."
Completely pinned beneath his sister, Chihaya Tetsuya replied with extreme difficulty:
"But before that, could you please let me get up from the bed..."
"Right!"
Although she was a little reluctant to leave the familiar and warm embrace, upon hearing her brother's hoarse voice, Chihaya Anon obediently got off him.
"Let me get you a glass of water... Are the cups and the kettle in the kitchen?"
"Mhm."
"Wait just a moment, I'll be right back!"
With that, Chihaya Anon left Chihaya Tetsuya's room with an incredibly light-footed pace. Before long, she returned to his side with a cup full of warm water.
"Just how you like it, warm water."
"...Thank you, Anon."
Chihaya Tetsuya took the cup and downed it.
Soothed by the warm water, Chihaya Tetsuya's throat finally, gradually returned to normal.
At the same time, Chihaya Anon lowered her head and began to pick up the discarded design sketches scattered by the bed one by one.
"Ah, Anon, you can just leave those discarded drafts there!"
Chihaya Tetsuya said hurriedly:
"I'll clean up the room in a bit. You should go put your luggage away first... Your room is just across the hall, you probably saw it—"
"Mom told me you seem to have taken on a job that's really important to you."
Chihaya Anon suddenly spoke up, interrupting Chihaya Tetsuya.
"I know you've always taken your fashion design work seriously, and you're eager to make a name for yourself... but you can't push yourself this hard!"
"..."
Chihaya Tetsuya subconsciously glanced around his room.
The sketch paper and pencils not yet put away on the desk, the discarded drafts scattered all over the floor, and the reference book he had placed right by his bedside before sleep.
Less like traces of hard work, and more like the wreckage of a battlefield.
Combined with his terrible state just now, it was only natural that his sister would lecture him.
But... he had his own reasons he couldn't back down from.
"Because this job... is incredibly meaningful to me."
Chihaya Tetsuya said.
"This is my first time designing a stage outfit for an idol... Not only that, but the person is someone very important to me..."
"An idol? An important person?"
Hearing these two phrases, Chihaya Anon couldn't help but look completely baffled.
"I've never heard you mention being a fan of any idols before."
"I'm not a fan. She's actually an acquaintance of mine."
Then, under Chihaya Anon's stunned gaze, Chihaya Tetsuya said:
"The client this time is the newly formed idol group, [Summer Zodiac]."
"And in this group... there's an idol named [Hoshino Ai], who was a companion of mine at the same orphanage."