Although Tetsuya had already decided to accept the new commission from [Watanabe Production], the theme of the live performance and the specific requirements for the outfits had not yet been given. So, even if Tetsuya wanted to start working ahead of time, there was nothing he could do. Combined with the rest order given by Director Hasegawa, Tetsuya had almost no contact with anything related to clothing production.
However, that didn't mean Tetsuya had nothing to do.
For example, right now, he was looking at his phone screen while diligently taking notes in a memo pad—
"This is the first time I've ever seen someone take notes while watching a live band performance..."
Togawa Sakiko said, looking curiously at Tetsuya's phone screen:
"By the way... what are you writing down, Chihaya-nii?"
"The styles of stage outfits that correspond to different band styles."
Tetsuya replied as such:
"This way, I can learn about band culture and also accumulate more design ideas for stage outfits."
"I see."
Upon hearing this, Togawa Sakiko showed an expression of immense admiration.
"As expected of you, Chihaya-nii. You're so professional no matter what you do!"
"...This alone is not enough."
However, faced with Sakiko's praise, Tetsuya shook his head, unmoved.
"I did a little catching up after I got back... I found that many bands have very diverse performance styles. And to deal with diverse performance styles, you naturally need stage outfits that can reflect the corresponding elements. With my current knowledge base, I can't be that flexible... take this, for example."
Halfway through his sentence, Tetsuya suddenly showed his phone screen to Sakiko.
And when Sakiko saw the content on the screen, her face instantly flushed red—
"W-Why did you have to pick a Goth Metal band of all things..."
"Hm? I figured since I'm starting from zero anyway, I might as well start learning from a style that someone close to me likes... for instance, you're quite fond of the Goth style, aren't you, Togawa?"
"Ugh— well, I don't know if I'd say I like it... or if I just appreciate its artistry and sense of mystery..."
Sakiko tried hard to search for the right words in her mind, but after a long and fruitless effort, she could only admit defeat with a dejected look:
"Okay, I do like the Goth style."
Faced with Sakiko's bashfulness, Tetsuya found it a little hard to understand.
"? Why are you so reluctant to admit it?"
"Because... doesn't liking the Goth style give off a very juvenile vibe?"
Sakiko said in a low voice:
"That kind of dark, eerie, and unrealistic stuff... isn't that usually something only middle schoolers like?"
"...? That's not the case, Togawa."
Faced with Sakiko's prejudice, Tetsuya shook his head very seriously.
"Leaving aside the fact that the Goth style itself is an art form with a long historical background... for a designer, this kind of restriction based on 'common sense' and 'experience' is the most unacceptable thing."
"To give you the simplest example, before Yohji Yamamoto, almost everyone considered 'all-black coordination' a taboo on the fashion runway. However, after him, the use of all-black began to become more and more widespread, and it gradually became a very representative symbol in the Japanese fashion world. This is the confidence and persistence a designer should have."
With that, he flipped his notebook back a few pages and showed Sakiko several sketches of Gothic clothing he had drawn:
"If you like this style, then you should persist in studying it, using it, and continuously integrating its elements into your designs. And with your own ability, turn it into a 'fashion' that everyone will follow and recognize."
"........."
Sakiko was stunned for a good while after hearing this, before asking with delayed realization:
"Huh...? Chihaya-nii, just now, were you by any chance teaching me how to become a qualified 'designer'?"
"Hm? You're my apprentice. Isn't it only natural for me to teach you these things?"
Tetsuya asked back, a bit puzzled:
"Or is it that you don't intend to become a designer, Togawa, but rather a pattern maker—"
"Ah, that's not it! It's just... I knew nothing about making clothes before this, so I never thought I could actually become a designer or anything..."
"As long as you're willing to persevere, there will come a day when your efforts bear fruit."
Faced with Sakiko's self-doubt, Tetsuya's tone was incredibly certain.
"Even if you don't intend to walk the path of a designer in the future, this learning process is not meaningless for you... for example, if you wanted to form a Goth Metal band in the future, then what you're learning now could really help you design your own stage outfits. You could even handle the stage design and everything yourself."
"........."
Upon hearing the word "band," Sakiko's eyes widened instinctively, before she said in a small voice:
"I don't have the luxury of forming a band anymore. And compared to something so ethereal, I'd rather focus on the work at hand."
"...Right, so I was just giving an example."
Tetsuya said as such:
"So... would you like to practice sketching with me? As for the theme... of course, it'll be Goth style."
"...Yes."
Although a lingering sense of shame remained in her heart, when Sakiko saw Tetsuya's completely focused expression, the hesitation in her heart vanished.
And so, having made up her mind, Sakiko no longer hesitated, but instead picked up her own paper and pen and began sketching practice alongside Tetsuya.
However, she hadn't been practicing for long when a sudden phone call directly interrupted the practice rhythm she had just started.
"Eh?"
In order not to disturb Tetsuya, Sakiko quickly took her phone out of her pocket.
"Who could it be?"
It was almost eight o'clock at night. Generally speaking, no one should be specifically contacting her at this time.
And then, when she saw the caller ID on her phone, her expression suddenly froze on her face.
"...Sorry, Chihaya-nii, may I step out to take a call?"
"Of course."
"Thank you very much."
After getting Tetsuya's permission, Sakiko hurriedly walked out of the office with her phone. It wasn't until she reached the empty hallway that she finally breathed a sigh of relief and pressed the answer button:
"What do you want... Mutsumi?"