Although he didn't know why [Watanabe Production] would suddenly contact him, judging from the smile on the director's face, it couldn't be anything bad.
And so, with a bit of curiosity, Chihaya Tetsuya took the phone from Hasegawa Kokoro's hand—
"Hello, this is Chihaya Tetsuya."
[I'm very sorry to disturb you so suddenly at this hour, Chihaya-kun.]
A warm and steady male voice came from the other end of the phone:
[My name is Watanabe Kento. I'm the president of 'Watanabe Production', your client from last time.]
"...Eh?"
Hearing this name, Chihaya Tetsuya froze on the spot.
"Watanabe... President?"
Even if Chihaya Tetsuya didn't understand the idol industry, before taking on the last job, he had learned about this agency's past and this legendary idol producer from Director Hasegawa.
It was this young man, just thirty years old, who had single-handedly changed the entire ecosystem of the idol industry, elevating idol culture from a niche subculture to an indispensable part of modern pop culture. And it was under his leadership that [Watanabe Production] had become the most renowned "luxury brand" in the idol industry.
What was most commendable was that even after achieving top-tier popularity and fame, [Watanabe Production] remained focused solely on developing idol affairs, ensuring that every idol they produced possessed comprehensive and impeccable professional skills, as well as an independence that other agencies could only dream of. It was precisely because of this that even after graduating, the idols from [Watanabe Production] were eagerly sought after by major entertainment companies, continuing to be active in the entertainment world as singers, models, and actors.
And now, this incredible VIP was personally contacting him at this hour...
Thinking of this, Chihaya Tetsuya subconsciously tensed up.
"Excuse me... President Watanabe, is there something you need from me?"
[No need to be nervous. I'm just calling to confirm our previous commission.]
As if to soothe Chihaya Tetsuya's nerves, President Watanabe's tone carried a hint of a lighthearted smile.
[If I remember correctly, the order I placed with "KaZoKu" was for "made-to-measure," wasn't it?]
"Ah, yes."
Chihaya Tetsuya gave an affirmative reply.
"It was indeed made-to-measure! And our studio did indeed design and produce it according to that standard—"
[Mhm, four of the outfits certainly meet the "made-to-measure" standard. However... the stage outfit you designed for Hoshino Ai seems to have exceeded the scope of "made-to-measure," reaching the level of "haute couture" (high fashion).]
President Watanabe said as such:
[Entirely handmade, high-quality fabrics, and that handmade embroidery... this is not the quality one would expect from a made-to-measure piece.]
Hearing President Watanabe's explanation, Chihaya Tetsuya showed a rather astonished expression:
"Eh? You... you know about clothing too?"
[I just learned a little something from a certain designer. To become a proper producer, one must naturally learn as much as possible about everything related to idol activities. Just as you designers have to study things like architecture, sculpture, and geography, isn't that right?]
"...You're absolutely right."
Chihaya Tetsuya nodded forcefully.
"Through this job, I have come to fully realize that as well."
[Very good. Now, back to the matter at hand... Since it is an haute couture outfit, our payment must naturally be adjusted accordingly. For this single outfit, my personal estimate is between two to three million yen. If you have any objections to this figure, we can discuss it further—]
"Ah, please wait a moment!"
Chihaya Tetsuya hurriedly interjected:
"I have no intention of raising the price! I only took it upon myself to raise the production standards for personal reasons, so—"
[...Chihaya-kun, that's... not how you do business.]
Faced with Chihaya Tetsuya's attempt to lower the price, President Watanabe's tone seemed somewhat helpless.
[At our MV shoot, besides our own company's staff, there were also people from the photo studio, the management company, and the record label. To industry insiders, the difference between that haute couture outfit and the others is plain to see. If they were to ask me the price for this outfit later on, and I were to reply with only your studio's "made-to-measure" price, it would not only affect your studio's future pricing, but it would also damage our agency's reputation. So, for the benefit of both our parties, the price of this outfit must be readjusted.]
"I-I see..."
After hearing President Watanabe's explanation, Chihaya Tetsuya belatedly realized what his own words just now implied.
"I accidentally said something without thinking. I'm truly sorry..."
[It's nothing. I've already heard from Miss Hasegawa that you are only nineteen this year. For a young man who is not yet an adult, you are already outstanding enough. And your answer just now has also made me realize that you are a designer with principles, one who is indifferent to fame and fortune.]
Faced with Chihaya Tetsuya's slip of the tongue, President Watanabe was not angered, but instead showed an attitude of great appreciation.
[Well then, I'll discuss the price with Director Hasegawa separately later. Let's move on to the next topic—]
[In mid-May, our agency's "Summer Zodiac" will be holding their first solo live concert. This time, could I trouble you to design a set of stage outfits for two of our members?]
...
"I never thought our Tetsuya-kun would become a 'big star'!"
Hanging up the phone, Hasegawa Kokoro looked at the dazed Chihaya Tetsuya with a playful glint in her eyes.
"Outfits for two idols, and even for the backup dancers. Congratulations, Assistant Designer~ You've landed our studio another huge order in one go."
With that, she first patted Chihaya Tetsuya's shoulder, then picked up her phone again and made a call—
"Hello, it's me. Postpone next month's new product release meeting. We have a new job..."
Then, Hasegawa Kokoro left the studio while still on the phone.
For a moment, only Chihaya Tetsuya and Togawa Sakiko were left in the studio once again.
"..."
Normally, Chihaya Tetsuya should have been happy and proud to receive a new commission due to the client's trust and recognition. However, at this moment, Chihaya Tetsuya couldn't bring himself to be genuinely happy.
(I... have to design for Ai again?)
In the last design, he had already prepared himself to bid farewell to Hoshino Ai, to have no further connection with her from then on. He never expected that just three days later, he would once again receive a work commission related to Ai...
Did this mean he had to continue, with his own hands, to push Ai forward on this path of "lies"?
"Um... Chihaya-nii?"
On the other side, Togawa Sakiko, who had been quietly watching Chihaya Tetsuya, finally couldn't help but speak up:
"Are you okay? Your expression seems a bit... um, strange..."
"Togawa..."
Looking at Togawa Sakiko's worried expression, Chihaya Tetsuya hesitated for a moment before he said:
"Just for tonight is fine... Could you... keep me company for a little while?"
"...Eh?!?!?!"