Returning to the studio, Tetsuya subconsciously walked towards his colleagues' workstations, preparing to offer them some advice on pattern-making and cutting as he usually did.
However, after looking around at the state of the entire studio, he showed an expression of utter surprise:
"Eh? Amazing, there's absolutely no room for me to step in..."
"Isn't that a given? We already made clothes of the same pattern last year, after all. If we could still make mistakes with this, we might as well quit this line of work."
A pattern maker who was drawing a paper pattern said as such:
"Besides, we can't always rely on you to correct our mistakes, Tetsuya-kun. What if one day you have something to do and can't come to work? Would we all have to shut down?"
"It's more like we've been a bit too dependent on Tetsuya-kun all this time... and putting that aside, don't you have some pretty important work of your own to do, Tetsuya-kun?"
Another employee chimed in:
"[Summer Zodiac] is the hottest idol group right now. To meet the expectations of all their fans, the pressure on you must be pretty immense, Tetsuya-kun!"
"...Yes, I know."
Tetsuya nodded.
As [Summer Zodiac]'s popularity soared, their solo live in mid-May gradually became the focus of attention across the entire internet. Correspondingly, the responsibility on his shoulders as the live's costume designer grew heavier—
"But this time, I already have a general design concept. It won't be as dire as last time."
As he spoke, he walked towards his own workstation and asked the girl who had arrived there a step ahead of him:
"Togawa, is the thing I asked you for ready?"
"..."
However, Sakiko seemed to have not heard Tetsuya's voice at all, merely staring blankly at the workstation in front of her...
Seeing this, Tetsuya couldn't help but call her name again, a little puzzled:
"Togawa?"
"Eh!? Ah, s-sorry! I was just thinking about something..."
Under Tetsuya's repeated calls, the slow-to-react Sakiko finally snapped out of her daze. She then hurriedly took a loose-leaf binder out of her school bag and handed it to Tetsuya.
"Here's the first draft of the setlist for [Summer Zodiac]. But according to Uika, things like the program order and the interactive segments between songs might not be officially finalized until after the first rehearsal."
"But the content and the general tone of the show have basically been decided, right?"
"Yes."
"That's good."
Tetsuya nodded.
"Thank you, Togawa."
"It's nothing. It's what I should do."
The reason Sakiko had arranged to meet Uika outside in the afternoon was precisely to ask her about the arrangements for this live performance.
Although she could have directly requested the necessary information from their agency, having Sakiko communicate directly with the person involved was clearly more efficient, and she could also get more direct impressions and feedback.
It's just that, besides the information about the live, Sakiko had also received another, even more significant piece of intel—
(That idol named Hoshino Ai was Chihaya-nii's companion at the orphanage, and she's been in love with him since seven years ago...)
The information from Misumi Uika not only informed her of Tetsuya's past but also gave her a more direct understanding of this super-popular new idol.
(An idol for just one person... that sounds a bit too dangerous.)
It was no exaggeration to say that if this news got out, Hoshino Ai's idol career would probably end on the spot, and she would then suffer a huge backlash corresponding to her current popularity. If she encountered some extreme fans, her life might even be in danger.
But putting aside this chilling risk, Sakiko, also a girl in the throes of adolescence, couldn't help but feel a little admiration... and longing for this deep affection, which could be called an obsession.
(Companions who relied on each other since childhood, and a love that has lasted for seven years... if you don't consider her idol status, it's actually quite romantic.)
Not only that, but Tetsuya also held very deep feelings for Hoshino Ai.
Whether it was the devotion he showed when he was personally making that stage outfit, or the conflict he displayed when he confided in her that night, everything indicated the importance and care Tetsuya had for Hoshino Ai.
The only difference from Hoshino Ai was that the feelings Tetsuya held for her were not romantic love, but a complex emotion born from a combination of responsibility, guilt, and familial affection.
(So, should I tell Chihaya-nii about this or not...)
Sakiko once again began to ponder the question that had been troubling her ever since she parted with Uika.
(As Chihaya-nii's apprentice and companion... I shouldn't have any secrets from him. But... if I really tell him, what choice will he make?)
(If he rejects Hoshino Ai's feelings, Hoshino Ai will likely lose the motivation to continue as an idol, leading to the group's disbandment. If that happens, Uika's dream might be crushed along with it.)
(And if he accepts Hoshino Ai's feelings...)
For a moment, many scenarios flashed through Sakiko's mind.
For example, after they start dating in secret, they get discovered and exposed by the paparazzi, and both of them are plunged into a huge public opinion storm.
For example, they simply elope, both giving up their respective careers and are never heard from again.
Or for example... they live happily ever after, and Tetsuya no longer needs her help and companionship. Just like that, the relationship between them grows distant and eventually they become like strangers...
...
(As I thought, it's better not to tell Chihaya-nii for now.)
None of these possibilities were what Sakiko wanted to see.
She did hope that Tetsuya could find happiness, but if possible... she'd rather that happiness be given by her own hands.
Whether as an apprentice, as an assistant, as a companion, or as...
...
Her thoughts, which had been somewhat chaotic, gradually found a clear answer.
To protect Tetsuya and Misumi Uika, and also... for the sake of her own desires and feelings, which were still in their budding stage.
She had to keep this secret.
Finally, Sakiko no longer hesitated, and even her gaze and expression returned to their usual calmness.
She first turned her head to look at Tetsuya's focused side profile, and then an unconscious smile appeared on her face—
"Chihaya-nii, is there anything I can help you with?"
Togawa Sakiko, today as always, was working hard for her own destiny.