"Thank you for your hard work. That's all for the fitting... Sakiko, could you please help put these clothes back in the product room?"
"Yes!"
Sakiko obediently went to the changing room, gathered the clothes Uika had just tried on, and took them all to the product room.
Tetsuya also put down his notes and spoke to Uika, who had just changed back into her regular clothes.
"Thanks to you, I have a general idea now. I'll contact you again once the first draft is finished."
"...That was a little more tiring than I expected."
Uika let out a long breath.
"So, can you tell me a little about that general idea?"
"Right now, it's probably still difficult to describe accurately in words."
Tetsuya looked a little troubled.
"The formation of a design concept has to go through a process from abstraction to realization... At the moment, my ideas are still in the abstract stage, so I can't present them very well."
"Heeh... sounds pretty profound."
Uika nodded, seeming to half-understand.
"I see. Well then, I'll look forward to the day the first draft is complete."
"Mhm."
Tetsuya smiled and nodded, then turned to look at the time.
"Alright, I'm done on my end. Do you two have any other plans?"
"Not really. We just finished the location shoot, so I'm pretty free for a while... Ah, but Ai, I think you just landed a new commercial, right?"
Uika suddenly asked Ai, who was beside her.
"And you haven't finished your music theory lessons yet, have you..."
"...Mhm."
Although her expression was very unhappy, Ai still nodded.
"I have to go back to the agency later to record a promotional voice clip."
"Don't push yourself too hard, Ai."
Hearing that Ai still had to work at this hour, Tetsuya couldn't help but frown slightly.
"I know you have your plans, but it wouldn't be worth it if you ruin your health because of it."
"...You really are oblivious, Tetsu."
A smile appeared on Ai's face.
"Even after I did such an awful thing to you, even though you already know what my plan is... you're still worried about me like this?"
"Of course I'm worried."
Tetsuya answered without a moment's hesitation.
"I said it the other day. We're both just pursuing happiness in our own ways. And my happiness, naturally, includes you."
"Tetsu..."
Hearing these words, Ai's eyes instantly erupted with an incredibly intense and rich love.
Meanwhile, after hearing Tetsuya's response, Uika just shook her head, speechless.
She knew that Tetsuya was just trying to express how much he cared for the other person, but anyone who heard it would get the feeling that he was definitely confessing.
"Sigh... You should be glad I'm here..."
With that, she walked right over to the love-struck Ai and gently patted her on the shoulder.
"Alright, you have work to do, right? I'll go with you."
"Eh, maybe I should just cancel it..."
Ai said, dazed.
"There's obviously something more important waiting for me right now..."
"No, it'll affect the reputation of [Summer Zodiac] and the agency."
Uika's tone was very calm.
"Besides... you're the one who made a promise with Tetsuya-san to wait until May. Don't go back on your word."
"..."
Hearing this, Ai's eyes, which had started to look a little wild, instantly cleared up.
"I understand..."
She looked up and gave Tetsuya an incredibly sweet smile.
"For me, just being able to see Tetsu is happiness enough. As for everything else... let's save that for when we're alone!"
"So in the end, you still have no intention of changing your ways..."
Uika sighed.
"Oh well, this is more your style anyway. Well then, Sakiko, Tetsuya-san, to ensure everyone's safety, I'll escort her back to the agency now. We'll see you next time."
"Ah, please wait, Uika."
Just as Uika was firmly pulling Ai up from her chair and preparing to leave, Tetsuya suddenly stopped her.
"This weekend, [MyGO!!!!!] would like to invite you to their celebration party. Are you free that day?"
"...Me?"
Uika was taken aback.
"Are you sure you didn't get it wrong?"
"You did help them out of a bind that day, so it's not strange for them to invite you, is it?"
Tetsuya said, as if it were a matter of course.
"Of course, it all depends on your schedule. If you're not available, I'll let them know."
"..."
Uika thought for a moment before asking.
"If they're even inviting an 'outsider' like me... then will you be going that day too, Tetsuya-san?"
"Mhm. It's my sister's band, after all."
"I see. In that case, please tell everyone in [MyGO!!!!!] that I'll be there."
"Okay."
Tetsuya nodded.
"Well then, we'll see you on the weekend... You too, Ai, see you next time."
"Mhm, see you next time."
After waving a reluctant goodbye to Tetsuya, Ai was led out of the studio by Uika...
---
On the way back, Ai couldn't help but say:
"Inviting you to the celebration party... sounds a little too humorous."
"You were one of the reasons they were in that predicament, too."
"But at least I did help them get out of it and let the live continue."
"...But you only helped them because of your own calculations, didn't you?"
"Say what you will."
Uika was noncommittal.
"More importantly, I heard from Sakiko that Tetsuya-san has already secured a sponsor. After he finishes this design, he should start working on establishing his own brand..."
She paused for a moment before continuing.
"Are you one step closer to that 'possibility' you're looking forward to?"
"...It's still a long way off. We'll have to wait until it's been successfully established, at least."
Ai snorted lightly, then continued to ask.
"More importantly, about that sponsor... tell me the details."
Right now, the entire Japanese fashion industry's attention was focused on [nozAK!], which was dominating the spring sales charts. For someone to invest in Tetsu at a time like this...
"I want to know who could possibly be so discerning."