With her brother's generous support, Chihaya Anon acquired a considerable amount of things all at once.
Spare strings, straps, and picks were a given, but there was also practical hardware like headphones, speakers, a microphone, and an effects pedal.
In reality, however, aside from the picks and the microphone, the rest of the equipment was basically bought on Chihaya Tetsuya's own initiative under the store staff's frantic sales pitches. Especially that effects pedal with all the English on it; Chihaya Anon didn't even notice when her brother had signed for it!
"Whoa, are you serious..."
Staring at the seven-digit number on the bill, and at the unfazed Chihaya Tetsuya beside her, Chihaya Anon couldn't help but show an expression of existential doubt.
"Brother... what's your income now?"
"Hm? Are you talking about my salary or the price of my designs?"
"...What do you mean, the price of designs?"
"Yeah. For example, the design for the work clothes I gave my assistant was bought by the Mitsumine Corporation for three million yen."
Under Chihaya Anon's dumbfounded expression, Chihaya Tetsuya stated an income that was highly unfitting for his age in a matter-of-fact tone:
"But that was a one-time buyout for a commercial project, so the price was a bit higher... Hm? What's with that expression?"
"My brother... has he become such an incredible designer already?"
Chihaya Anon murmured with a vacant look in her eyes:
"Whoa, this is bad. At this rate, even my spending habits are going to be warped into Brother's shape..."
"Not every one of my designs can sell for that price. That time was just because I was lucky enough to be noticed by the corporation."
Faced with Chihaya Anon's shock, Chihaya Tetsuya shook his head and explained:
"The reason I'm acting so calm is just because these things are for you. As long as it's to support you, I won't feel bad no matter how much money I spend."
"Hiss..."
Normally, this overflowing affection should have made Chihaya Anon feel happy. However, thinking of her own poor guitar skills and the band that might not be formed for who knows how long, she suddenly felt an unprecedented amount of pressure from the bill in Chihaya Tetsuya's hand...
"Hm? Wasn't that a computer store just now? By the way, Anon, do you need a new computer set?"
"No, I don't! This is fine! Please don't increase the investment any further!"
Faced with her brother's enthusiasm, Chihaya Anon refused with tears in her eyes:
"I don't want to buy anything else right now, I just want to go home and practice the guitar..."
"So motivated."
"And whose fault do you think that is..."
Come to think of it, she, who was previously unaware of her own real skill level, had shamelessly asked her brother to practice with her for the entire Golden Week holiday... Eh? Wait a minute, doesn't that mean that for the next week, her brother will be directly hearing her miserable and shameful practice sessions?!
No, no, no!
"Brother."
"Hm?"
Suddenly called, Chihaya Tetsuya subconsciously stopped in his tracks.
"What is it, Anon?"
"About that condition you promised me, I want to change it. When I'm practicing the guitar these next few days... you are absolutely, absolutely not allowed to come near my room, and you're not allowed to eavesdrop! Got it?"
Chihaya Anon said with a serious expression.
And faced with his sister's sudden 180-degree turn, Chihaya Tetsuya, naturally, showed an expression of utter confusion.
"? But, you clearly asked me to practice with you for the whole holiday—"
"I've changed my mind! Until I've made some progress... I absolutely can't play for you!!!"
"Even if you say that, our rooms are across from each other. It's probably not realistic to expect to not hear anything at all."
"In that case, let's set a time every day!"
Chihaya Anon said as such:
"During the designated time, Brother, you have to wear headphones... or stay as far away from my room as possible!"
"But—"
"No buts! You just need to listen to me!"
"...Alright, if you insist."
Although he didn't understand why Anon had suddenly changed her mind, since he had already made a promise, he had to see it through.
"So, what specific time should we set?"
"Mmm, let me think."
Chihaya Anon tilted her head, thought for a moment, then said:
"In the morning, Brother should still be sleeping, and in the afternoon, I want to spend time with Brother... So it can only be at night..."
After a moment of contemplation, Chihaya Anon finally snapped her fingers:
"I've got it! Let's just set it for the time Brother usually goes to work! This way, it guarantees I'll have plenty of time with Brother, and it won't mess up Brother's work schedule. Two birds with one stone!"
"What do you think, Brother?"
...
"And, that's how things turned out like this."
And so, Chihaya Tetsuya, who had been "forced" back to the studio, recounted the general course of events to a Director Hasegawa who was trying to hold back her laughter.
"In order not to disturb my sister's guitar practice, the studio is the only place I can go, so..."
"You really never fail to be interesting, Tetsuya-kun."
Hasegawa Kokoro patted Chihaya Tetsuya's shoulder forcefully:
"Alright, I get it. You can take 'refuge' here during Golden Week. But I won't be assigning you any new designs. You can just focus on teaching Sakiko and occasionally supervise everyone."
"Yes, ma'am!"
"..."
On the other side, Toyokawa Sakiko, who had heard their conversation, couldn't help but show a somewhat complicated expression.
Chihaya-nii... really does have a sister.
Not an impostor like herself, but a real family member who could support each other.
Being Chihaya-nii's sister must be a very happy thing, right...?
Thinking of this, an undeniable envy appeared in Toyokawa Sakiko's eyes.
But soon, a voice from behind her immediately interrupted her wandering thoughts—
"What are you looking at, Toyokawa?"
Chihaya Tetsuya had come to her side and was looking curiously at the book in her hand.
""Gothic Architecture and Sculpture Art"?"
"Yes, this... Director Hasegawa lent me this book."
Toyokawa Sakiko said as such:
"She asked me yesterday what style of clothes I liked, and after I said Gothic, she just gave this book to me."
"I see... but, Gothic style?"
Chihaya Tetsuya nodded thoughtfully.
"Because it's quite detached from daily life, I've basically had no contact with related knowledge..."
After this experience designing the stage outfit, Chihaya Tetsuya had become deeply aware of the overwhelming lack in his own knowledge base.
Although he hadn't yet determined his "ambition," at least he didn't want to encounter the embarrassing situation of being completely ignorant about a design's subject matter again.
Come to think of it, although Anon said she would show him her progress when she'd made some, even if he listened, he probably wouldn't be able to give any effective advice since he didn't understand music at all...
"By the way, Toyokawa."
"Yes?"
"Do you... know anything about 'band culture'?"
"...Eh?"
Under Toyokawa Sakiko's increasingly stiff expression, the oblivious Chihaya Tetsuya asked sincerely:
"I want to take advantage of this Golden Week to brush up on my knowledge in this area. Where do you think I should start my studies?"