When Chihaya Tetsuya took his seat with the two idols, nearly everyone who passed by cast a curious glance in their direction. Although Tetsuya wasn't the type to get stage fright or be shy around strangers, considering the status of the guests in attendance, he couldn't help but feel nervous.
However, what relieved him the most was that Hoshino Ai's behavior today was remarkably composed. Not only did she refrain from secretly getting handsy with him, but she was even properly maintaining her distance.
Thinking of this, Tetsuya couldn't help but turn to look at Ai. At that moment, she wasn't listening to the president's speech but had her head lowered slightly, her gaze flickering as if lost in thought.
"...Tetsuya-san, the president is about to finish."
At the same time, Misumi Uika quietly reminded him.
"Who should we approach first?"
"According to Higuchi-san, we should first go and greet the stylist, Mr. Kaji, followed by the photographer and select shop owner, Miss Ichihara..."
Tetsuya replied.
"Have you two met them before?"
"No, we haven't met most of the guests here today."
Uika shook her head slightly.
"In fact, this list is already the result of the president's careful selection. Ever since the live show ended, more and more people have been proactively approaching our agency to collaborate."
Even though nearly a full week had passed, the online buzz surrounding that legendary live show had not subsided in the slightest. The music video for the single, [Idol], had surpassed five million views in just a few days. The immense potential and wealth hidden behind these numbers needed no further explanation.
"I think you could relax a little more, Tetsuya-san."
Looking at Tetsuya's tense posture, Uika couldn't help but speak up.
"At least in the discussions I've seen about the live show, they're almost all praising the outfits you made for the two of us. And everyone here today is an industry professional; they definitely understand the importance of the outfits to this show. As long as they know you're that mysterious designer, everyone will surely be very interested in you!"
"Mhm, I understand... Thank you."
Encouraged by Uika, Tetsuya felt the anxiety in his heart ease considerably.
Although he had met a few industry bigwigs before with Chief Hasegawa, the mindset of an employee versus that of a business owner was fundamentally different. The mere thought that any single one of the guests present today could influence the future of his brand made him truly feel the vast disparity of the world.
However, from Uika's analysis just now, and the information he had gathered from the manager earlier, it seemed his designs and talent had indeed received a certain degree of recognition.
If that was the case, being too tense might actually be detrimental to making a good impression...
Just then, Tetsuya suddenly recalled what Mutsumi and Soyo had said the night before.
As a business owner, and as a designer with full confidence in his own work, he ought to carry himself with more dignity.
And so, after some mental preparation, Tetsuya straightened his back. Then, as if he had just thought of something, he suddenly took out the list from his pocket and read it over carefully once more.
"Record company music director, live show general director..."
Seeing these names related to the music industry, Tetsuya first glanced around, as if searching for something. After a good while, he took out his phone and sent a message to his manager, Higuchi...
...
"...Has it finally started?"
After the president of [Watanabe Productions] finished his speech, the banquet transitioned into a time for free conversation.
To avoid being discovered by Tetsuya, Togawa Sakiko had deliberately chosen a seat in the farthest corner from him.
More than ten minutes had passed since the party officially began, and in that time, she had not received any contact from him.
"Good, it seems he hasn't noticed I'm here..."
Sakiko first let out a sigh of relief. However, when she realized that a trace of unwelcome disappointment was mixed in with that relief, she gave a self-deprecating smile.
"Really, what am I thinking?"
The whole reason she was keeping her distance from Tetsuya-kun was to avoid being discovered. Remaining unnoticed was her original goal.
To feel disappointed by her own decision was a bit too immature.
"Just endure it for a little while, Togawa Sakiko. You can't stand openly with him at an event like this right now."
Sakiko muttered in a voice only she could hear.
"It won't be too late to be needy with him after your band has officially achieved some success. For now, I'll entrust him to Uika and the others..."
Even as a temporary reassurance for herself, her voice gradually weakened, lacking any conviction.
After this party, Tetsuya-kun's name will surely be remembered by many more people, right?
His talent and prospects would be recognized by more people, and [Starry Sky] would reach a new level.
And with that, the gap between herself, Tetsuya-kun, and the other girls around him would widen even further...
Hoshino Ai and Uika had already become his exclusive models and would be his most important promotional assets in the days to come.
Soyo was helping him maintain contact with her mother's company while taking meticulous care of his daily life.
Even Chihaya Anon, who was just a beginner not long ago, was about to achieve her goal of a major debut.
As for herself, the one who kept saying she wanted to walk beside him... she hadn't even started yet.
Thinking of this, Sakiko subconsciously glanced around.
Among the guests here today... a few were indeed guests she had seen at the Togawa residence.
This meant that not only did they hold the opportunities and resources she desperately needed right now, but they also posed the risk of reporting her movements back to the Togawa family.
So... should she avoid talking to them to protect herself, or should she take the risk to fight for an opportunity?
Gazing at the trio in the distance who had already started to move and greet other guests, Togawa Sakiko, who had yet to even decide if she should take the first step, was lost in a paralyzing dilemma.