If one had to find a single commonality within an orphanage filled with all kinds of human suffering, there would likely be only one answer.
And that is, every child who lived there... had experienced "lies"—
[Why did Ai come here?]
[My mom stole something and got sent to prison. She said she'd come get me after she got out... What about Tetsu?]
[I don't remember anymore. I was sent here as far back as I can remember. But from the first day I was sent here, the adults here have been telling me one thing... "Just wait a little longer, your mom and dad will be here to get you soon."]
[...That's definitely a lie. Just like my mom. Even if she really gets out of prison, she'll never come for me.]
[Mhm, it's definitely a lie.]
[I hate it, lies and all that.]
[Me too. I hate lies the most.]
[Is that why you never wanted me to call you 'brother', Tetsu?]
[Mhm. In our relationship, and only ours, I don't want there to be any lies.]
[I see... Then, I'll never lie to Tetsu, either. It's a promise!]
[It's a promise.]
......
"Seven years... is still too long, after all."
Chihaya Tetsuya stood on the deserted platform, muttering to himself:
"Even we, who once hated lies the most, ended up changing in the end."
This was not blame, much less a complaint, but simply a lament.
In fact, the moment he heard Hoshino Ai's name again after seven years, he had already mentally prepared himself for this moment.
Seven years was far too long, enough for a person to undergo a complete transformation.
And Chihaya Tetsuya, who had already entered society, was naturally no longer as childish and one-sided as he was in his childhood.
People cannot guarantee they will never lie in their entire lives.
Well-intentioned, malicious, unintentional.
No matter what kind of person, it is destined that they cannot be one hundred percent truthful.
Chihaya Tetsuya was well aware of this truth and had long accepted it as a fact and common sense.
But in this seven-year blank period, he had never thought to associate this common sense with his childhood companion.
And the result was as it was now.
Screech—
The last train of the night pulled into the station and stopped in front of Chihaya Tetsuya.
Stepping into the empty carriage, Chihaya Tetsuya sat directly in a seat by the window.
He liked the feeling of riding the last train.
The passenger-less carriage provided a space quiet enough for calm reflection. The rattling of the carriage and the sound of the wind outside were his favorite white noise, and at this time, by simply tilting his head to look out the window, he could directly admire the city's neon lights, insulated from the noise and clamor—
"...The city nightscape is really best viewed from a place like this."
Whatever the considerations... in short, what Ai had chosen was a future of shining on stage.
Lies or role-playing, these things were not important for an idol.
As long as she could receive everyone's praise, as long as she could receive everyone's acknowledgment.
...
Mhm, this is fine.
After that, she must have experienced many things and gained insights and growth he could not imagine.
Becoming an idol was by no means a wrong decision, and the path she had chosen seemed to have received everyone's approval and support.
Ai was no longer the lonely, helpless little girl from seven years ago, and he was no longer the naive boy who lived on a sliver of hope each day, always subconsciously looking towards the orphanage gate.
There was no longer any need to worry about her being hurt by lies, nor was there any need to maintain that fragile connection.
Everyone was doing the right thing, everyone was working hard for their own future.
As a designer, and also as someone repaying a debt of kindness, what he had to do had, in fact, never changed from the very beginning.
"...Time to get off."
...The next day...
"Good morning, Chihaya-nii!"
Toyokawa Sakiko, walking into the studio, greeted Chihaya Tetsuya as usual.
After a whole night to cool down, she could now say this slightly intimate form of address with ease.
"Mhm, good morning, Toyokawa."
And Chihaya Tetsuya's tone and expression were as calm as ever.
"You're just in time. Help me get the lace fabric from that box over there."
"Yes... Hm?"
Toyokawa Sakiko subconsciously agreed, but when she saw what was in Chihaya Tetsuya's hands, an expression of disbelief immediately appeared on her face.
"No way, that... is that the prototype?"
"Mhm, although it's still just a rough pattern for now."
Chihaya Tetsuya nodded calmly.
"By the way, bring me my sewing kit, too."
"H-How is that possible?!"
Toyokawa Sakiko couldn't help but exclaim.
"You didn't have any ideas at all last night, but in just one day you not only finished the design, but even started making the prototype..."
As she said this, she subconsciously glanced at Chihaya Tetsuya's face, and as expected, she immediately caught the abnormality she had anticipated.
"Chihaya-nii... when did you come to the studio..."
"......Three in the morning."
Chihaya Tetsuya said without looking up:
"I couldn't sleep, so I just came back to work."
"How could you? Doesn't that mean you haven't slept a wink all day and night..."
Looking at the incredibly obvious dark circles under his eyes, and the prototype already taking shape in Chihaya Tetsuya's hands, Toyokawa Sakiko's brows furrowed deeply.
"Chihaya-nii, no matter how serious you are, you shouldn't push yourself this hard."
"I've told you before, haven't I, Toyokawa? This job is really important to me."
Although his face was pale and haggard, there was not the slightest waver in Chihaya Tetsuya's tone.
"As repayment to her, and as a farewell to the past, I must pour my all into this piece of clothing. And for this design, I'm using all hand-sewn embroidery. It's a very time-consuming job, and I only have two days left. It's nothing to cut back on a little sleep for that."
"......"
No longer excited and joyful like when he was designing the pajamas, nor as enthusiastic as when they discussed the stage outfit yesterday.
His emotionless tone was filled with an unshakeable resolve.
Even with all the worry and resistance in Toyokawa Sakiko's heart, she ultimately found it difficult to say anything in opposition.
As an apprentice, and also as someone repaying a debt of kindness, she had no right to stop him.
And so, Toyokawa Sakiko eventually placed the fabric and sewing kit on his workbench.
And Chihaya Tetsuya, after a faint word of thanks, continued to focus on the work in his hands—
[I hate it, lies and all that.]
Snip—
[Me too. I hate lies the most.]
Rip—
[In our relationship, and only ours, I don't want there to be any lies.]
Click—
[First-Magnitude Star—Hoshino Ai.]
"I wish you well."