"[KaZoKu] studio... Ah, found it, found it."
Uika, wearing a hat and mask, looked at the directory by the office building's elevator and found her destination.
[Since you're so curious about that studio, you can just go check it out yourself and pick up the clothes while you're at it. I'll send you the address later.]
"I can't believe she's making me pick them up... That's five whole sets of clothes. Isn't she a little too bossy?"
Remembering her manager's merciless expression, Uika couldn't help but pout.
"You could at least feel a little sorry for your junior."
Of course, although Uika was full of complaints, she herself really wanted to meet this mysterious designer who had close ties with both Ai and Sakiko.
And in order to confirm his identity as soon as possible, she had even arrived two hours earlier than the scheduled time.
And so, with curiosity, anticipation, and a bit of nervousness, Uika pressed the elevator button—
...
"Eh? You're from [Watanabe Production]? But... it's not the scheduled time yet..."
The assistant in charge of reception frantically flipped through the schedule book.
"I-I'm sorry, our clothes aren't finished yet, so I hope you can wait a little."
"Ah, don't worry about it. It was my own idea to pick them up early."
Uika said as she smiled and pulled down her mask under the assistant's stunned gaze:
"I was just too curious to see what kind of stage outfits I'd be wearing, so, could I perhaps watch the clothes being made for a little while?"
...
After getting approval from the studio, Uika was led inside by the receptionist.
And the moment she stepped inside, Uika was immediately frozen in shock by the person standing at the entrance to greet her—
"Oh my, what a lovely guest. You must be Uika-san, right? I'm the studio director, Hasegawa Kokoro. Welcome to our [KaZoKu]."
"Eh..."
Looking at the tall woman who was a full head taller than her, Uika couldn't help but show an expression of utter astonishment:
(What a beautiful woman. And her height... she must be at least 180cm, right? And this head-to-body ratio is like something out of a fashion textbook. It's really amazing...)
(And her posture is exactly the same as our deportment teacher's. Her presence is even more impressive than that active model's.)
(As for her age, probably around thirty? But her skin is so well-maintained...)
Just seeing this director gave Uika the immediate feeling that she was in contact with the [fashion industry].
Out of curiosity, Uika couldn't help but ask:
"Excuse me... have you ever worked as a fashion model?"
"Oh? You have a good eye."
Hasegawa Kokoro raised an eyebrow in some surprise.
"That's right. Before I became a designer, I did work as a model for a while. But that was a long time ago... You're here to pick up the clothes, right? I'll go get the ones that are finished for you."
"Yes... Thank you for your trouble."
Uika nodded, watching Hasegawa's back disappear into a room labeled "Product Room." Then, she began to look around at the other people in the office.
Since it wasn't Sakiko's work hours yet, she was naturally not here.
And that was one of the reasons Uika had come early. She didn't want her arrival to cause Sakiko any unnecessary worry or pressure.
"So this is a fashion studio... It's magnificent."
The spacious room was made incredibly bright and transparent by the sunlight pouring in through the floor-to-ceiling windows. There were six huge workbenches in the studio, with sewing machines, measuring tools, and computers. And at each workbench, an employee was earnestly and intently doing their work.
Some were drawing, some were cutting fabric, some were embroidering with a needle and thread... Hm? Speaking of which, isn't that person doing the embroidery a little too young?
Uika couldn't help but turn her gaze to the young man who was focused on his embroidery.
(From his features, he's probably not much older than me. But from his embroidery movements and the workstation he's at, his position is definitely not that of a simple apprentice...)
(By the way, his complexion is terrible! Not only is he thin, but there's absolutely no color in his face! Huh? Is working at a fashion studio this hard? But... the others don't look as miserable as he does... What's going on?)
Looking at the man's incredibly miserable appearance, Uika, in addition to feeling confused, couldn't help but worry a little about Toyokawa Sakiko's working conditions.
And just then, Hasegawa Kokoro walked out of the "Product Room" carrying five cloth bags.
"In order, we have Hoshino Ai-san's pajamas, your casual wear, your stage outfit, and two sets of matching team uniforms."
Hasegawa Kokoro introduced the clothes in the bags one by one.
And after taking the bags, Uika immediately understood which piece was not yet finished—
"So, that means Ai's stage outfit is the only one left to be completed?"
"Mhm, but it shouldn't be much longer—"
At this, Hasegawa Kokoro suddenly turned her head to look at a corner.
"Tetsuya-kun, how much longer will it be?"
"...Ten minutes."
A slightly hoarse voice came from the direction of her gaze.
"There's just a little bit of embroidery left, and then I have to do one last check."
"Alright."
A hint of helplessness flashed across Hasegawa Kokoro's face upon hearing this. Then she immediately turned back to introduce him to Uika:
"That is the designer in charge of Ai-san's pajamas and stage outfit, Chihaya Tetsuya... Because he used a rather complex design and all-handmade embroidery this time, it's taking a bit longer than usual. I'm sorry to ask you to wait a little while for him."
"...What?"
Uika, who had seen the whole scene, let out a stunned sound for what must have been the umpteenth time.
"He... is the designer who's making Ai's clothes? But he looks so young..."
"And that's the truth. He's only nineteen this year. A bona fide minor."
Hasegawa Kokoro said as such:
"But, I can guarantee his personal ability on my own and [KaZoKu]'s reputation. The clothes he makes will absolutely not disappoint you."
"..."
Hearing this, Uika once again turned her gaze to the man called Chihaya Tetsuya.
It was currently noon, and the bright sunlight from outside the window shone on the man who had his back to it, casting a shadow in front of him that was out of place with the rest of the studio. And this pale, haggard-looking man, as if completely cut off from the rest of the world, was just expressionlessly focused on the needle and thread in his hands, completing the work of art that was his.
"It's like a sad religious painting..."
Uika couldn't help but sigh.
But speaking of which, a designer who was only nineteen... was that really okay?
At this thought, Uika immediately turned her gaze to the cloth bags in her hand and quickly found the pajamas that had also been designed by Chihaya Tetsuya.
And when she looked at the cuff of the pajama sleeve, an incredibly familiar pattern instantly caught her attention—
(Is that... a six-pointed star?!)
A three-year age difference. An important person.
A fashion designer. A pattern identical to the one on the towel.
The fragments of various speculations were now gradually connecting into an obvious truth.
This pattern, which she had once seen on Hoshino Ai's old towel, instantly made it clear what she had to do next.
(After he finishes his work... I absolutely have to talk to him.)
Uika took a deep breath and began to wait quietly for Chihaya Tetsuya to finish his final task.