Although Tetsuya had planned the previous night to ask Togawa Sakiko about [CRYCHIC]'s past, when he arrived at the studio the next day, he immediately fell into a state of indecisive hesitation.
"Chihaya-nii, this is a paper pattern I tried making using your old design drafts."
Togawa Sakiko eagerly handed her work to Tetsuya, then stood nervously in front of him.
"Could you please give me a grade?"
"...Let me see."
The curiosity and questions that had piled up in Tetsuya's chest were instantly suppressed by Sakiko's serious attitude.
Then, after he had carefully examined Sakiko's paper pattern, an uncontrollable surprise surged within his heart.
(She actually chose this design that requires a bias cut?)
Unlike the standard cutting method, because the cutting angle is not perpendicular to the structure of the fabric fibers, fabric cut on the bias often exhibits a completely different elasticity than fabric cut normally. Also considering the varying stretch effects of different fabrics, the difficulty of the bias-cutting technique was naturally imaginable.
Similarly, for a pattern maker, drawing an accurate paper pattern under these conditions was a challenge that required a great deal of intuition and skill.
However…
"The margin of error is about 3mm? No, considering the material used for this part is georgette, it should be even stricter to minimize wrinkles."
Inevitably, the inexperienced Togawa Sakiko had left a slight error in this paper pattern.
However, for a beginner, this margin of error was already an exceptionally excellent achievement!
"...Outstanding."
As Sakiko wore a somewhat regretful expression, Tetsuya gave this evaluation with great seriousness.
"I don't even feel like this is a paper pattern that could be drawn by a beginner who's been at this for less than a month."
"About that... I actually cheated a little."
Togawa Sakiko confessed honestly:
"Because it was one of your old works, Chihaya-nii, I secretly asked a senior at the studio to let me see the sample garment from back then... in a way, this could be considered plagiarism."
"But this is a design that requires bias-cutting techniques. Even after seeing the sample garment, you must still consider the cutting angle and fabric properties when making the paper pattern."
Faced with Sakiko's self-deprecation, Tetsuya shook his head.
Having been a sample maker himself, he knew very well the level of talent and effort required to accurately create a sample for a "bias cut" design.
Not only did it require precise spatial imagination, but one also had to memorize the degree of stretch of different fabrics and the effects produced by different cutting angles, and then combine and experiment with them.
It seemed that even outside of work, Togawa Sakiko was continuing her own studies and efforts.
"To be able to complete a sample of this level with only a beginner's skill, my evaluation of it remains unchanged. Togawa, your paper pattern is outstandingly done."
"...Mhm! Thank you, Chihaya-nii!"
Finally, upon receiving affirmation once more, a smile bloomed on Togawa Sakiko's face.
"I will continue to work hard!"
"..."
As he thought, it was completely different from the smile he had seen in the video.
Compared to now, the smile Sakiko showed in the video was perhaps more fitting for her age.
For a moment, a contradictory thought arose in Tetsuya's mind.
He greatly admired Togawa Sakiko's talent and very much hoped she could continue to stay by his side and advance with him in the fashion industry.
But at the same time, the joy Sakiko felt from the bottom of her heart while enjoying music in the band, and the ease she had when she was with her peers, also made Tetsuya think, "this is where she belongs."
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but ask:
"Togawa."
"Yes!"
"Suppose, and this is just a hypothetical, you were given a chance to go back to the day you quit the band and make the choice again. Would you... still choose to quit the band and stay in the fashion industry?"
"???"
After hearing this question, Togawa Sakiko first tilted her head in confusion, then said:
"If I had continued with the band activities at that time, although there might have been some income, it would have been far from enough to cover the necessary expenses."
"What if we don't consider the income issue? Or let's say, the income your band brought in could be on par with your salary here."
Tetsuya asked again:
"Under those circumstances, what choice would you make?"
"Chihaya-nii... you're being a little strange today."
Faced with Tetsuya's persistent questioning, Sakiko's expression grew even more bewildered.
"Is there really any meaning to such an unrealistic question?"
"Perhaps it is a bit out of the blue, but... please, Togawa. Could you answer this question for me honestly?"
Tetsuya looked into Togawa Sakiko's eyes with utmost seriousness.
"I want to hear your true thoughts."
"Eh? A-Alright..."
Faced with Tetsuya's almost pleading tone, although a lingering confusion remained in Sakiko's heart, she nonetheless began to seriously consider his question.
"Without considering income... hmm, if it were a month ago, I might have really chosen to stay in that band."
After some deep thought, Togawa Sakiko answered as such:
"But now, no matter how many times I had to choose again, I would probably choose here. I would choose the present, where you are, Chihaya-nii."
"...Even if this choice still makes you lose the companions you once cherished so much?"
"Although parting with them was indeed heartbreaking, it was precisely in the process of this loss that I was able to grow... and at the same time, I had the opportunity to meet you, Chihaya-nii."
At this, Togawa Sakiko's gaze became even more resolute.
"For the me I am now, more than what I lost in the past, I want to cherish what I have now... Chihaya-nii, suppose you were also given such an opportunity, to return to the moment seven years ago before you were separated from Hoshino Ai-san. Would you choose to stay by her side at all costs, or would you still choose to be adopted by the Chihaya family?"
"..."
Hearing this counter-question by way of example, Tetsuya was first stunned, then he immediately understood the point Sakiko wanted to make.
If he had chosen Ai, then he would have been fated to never have a connection with the Chihaya family, with Anon, with Sakiko, or with everyone at [KaZoKu].
And that kind of future... was absolutely not something the present him could accept.
"That's a very persuasive example. I'm sorry, Togawa, for asking you such a strange question."
"You don't have to apologize, but I'm really curious why you suddenly asked me these things, Chihaya-nii."
Togawa Sakiko asked with a puzzled look on her face:
"Did something happen?"
"..."
Tetsuya had originally been hesitating whether to tell Sakiko the truth. However, after hearing her resolute and strong answer, he finally made up his mind.
"Actually... something did happen that I'm very concerned about."
Then, as the expression on Sakiko's face gradually froze, Tetsuya told her the truth:
"My sister has just formed a new band with your former band members."