And so, with the combined efforts of multiple parties, it wasn't long before the results from three different investigations were delivered to Chihaya Tetsuya.
First, from the Sakurakouji family:
[After verification from multiple sources, Togawa Sakiko's father is currently working under Jean-Pierre Stanley. Specific job duties are unknown, but fall within the scope of "translator," "aide," and "assistant."]
Next, from Sakiko herself:
[The funds my father used to repay the Togawa family debt came from "NozAK!".]
And finally, from Chief Hasegawa:
["NozAK!" has suddenly changed its strategy for the upcoming exhibition, switching from the original "Autumn Special" to "World Trend." It is worth noting that this is highly likely to be the theme of Jean's exhibition as well.]
So, what did these three pieces of information mean?
First, on the surface, Togawa Sakiko's father was working for Jean, and his duties allowed him direct access to Jean.
Second, the money her father used to repay his debt did not come from Jean, but from [NozAK!].
And last, [NozAK!]'s exhibition strategy had suddenly changed to align with Jean's.
In summary...
"This... has to be it, right?"
Sakiko put down the other two investigation reports and said with a look of disgust.
"My father... is most likely working for [NozAK!] as an 'undercover agent' to plagiarize designs from Jean-san."
"..."
Tetsuya was also quite shocked.
He never would have imagined that these people and events, which had seemed completely unrelated, would be connected in this place, in a way no one wanted...
"I remember Head Maid Yamabuki knows Jean-san, right? If so, we should still have time to notify them now!"
After reaching this startling conclusion, Sakiko picked up her phone with almost no hesitation.
For her, someone who already despised such dishonest practices and was now involved in the fashion industry herself, what her father was doing was completely unacceptable.
However, before she could even get a firm grip on her phone, Wakaba Mutsumi, who was beside her, quickly stopped her.
"Wait, Sakiko!"
Mutsumi gripped her arm tightly.
"Have you forgotten what Auntie said before?"
"Of course I remember. She told me to investigate and resolve my father's situation, right? If that's the case, then reporting him directly definitely counts as a form of resolution!"
Sakiko said, grinding her teeth.
"Every second we hesitate now, he might steal more things from Jean-san! So this is also stopping him from committing even greater wrongs!"
"But what about the consequences?"
Even with Sakiko's resolute attitude, Mutsumi refused to let go.
"A case of this level would be enough to send Uncle to prison, wouldn't it? Are you okay with that, Sakiko?"
"..."
Hearing this, Sakiko's expression faltered.
Mutsumi continued.
"...I don't think Auntie just wanted you to 'judge' Uncle... Otherwise, she would have had countless opportunities over the past year to find you both and use the main family's power to take more drastic measures! But not only did she not do that, she even intentionally helped hide your whereabouts..."
"But didn't she also say it back then? That she was just waiting for the day I couldn't hold on any longer—"
"If that were really the case, why would she privately investigate Uncle's whereabouts, and why would she offer you those terms?"
Mutsumi shook her head.
"So, just think about it a little more, Sakiko... Maybe there's another solution we haven't thought of yet..."
"There's no such thing!"
Sakiko clenched her jaw.
"Don't you see? [NozAK!] has already started adjusting its strategy, which means my father might have already started plagiarizing! And since he's already accepted their payment... it's too late for anything..."
Why did it have to be [NozAK!]? Why now? And why did it have to be... the worst kind of plagiarism, the same thing Tetsuya-kun once faced?!
Sakiko's heart was in turmoil, filled with conflict and anguish.
Of course, she didn't want to send her own father to prison, but what he had done was the ultimate taboo in this industry, the most despicable act of all. Even if she could overcome her own integrity and pride, and completely give in to the compassion born from family ties and blood, for Tetsuya-kun, who had already suffered from plagiarism and was still fighting against it, he would never just forgive her father's act...ions...
Just as this thought crossed her mind, she looked up at Tetsuya, and the expression on his face was completely different from what she expected.
There wasn't the slightest trace of anger or displeasure. Instead, he looked puzzled and curious, as if he had just heard a confusing joke.
"So, [NozAK!] is planning to copy Jean-san this time?"
Tetsuya pinched his chin and thought carefully for a while before looking up and asking with sincere curiosity.
"It's not that I'm underestimating them, but... can they even understand it enough to copy it?"
"...Eh?"
Sakiko was stunned for a moment before replying.
"When it comes to plagiarism... is there such a thing as not being able to understand it?"
"Of course. Just like when they copied my designs before. Not only did they fail to understand my concept, but they gilded the lily and added many redundant designs."
Tetsuya said, recalling the design sketches from Jean he had seen.
Just a simple vest could incorporate the culture and history of multiple countries and peoples. As for the manufacturing techniques and specific fabrics, without Jean's personal instruction manual, it would be impossible to fully replicate it, even if one copied the design sheet exactly.
"They couldn't even fully understand my simple, straightforward designs... With Jean-san's work, they'll probably make even bigger mistakes."
At this, he thought for a moment, then nodded.
"But you're right, Sakiko. If we let this continue, your father might make an even greater mistake. So... communication is definitely necessary."
"..."
Hearing this, Sakiko's eyes instantly dimmed.
Even if he was a drunkard who had wallowed in a tiny rental for a full year, even if he was an irresponsible runaway who hadn't contacted her once in a month, even if he was the culprit who had led things to this point, he was still her father... her foolish father, who would make a mistake for the sake of her freedom.
But, since he had committed an unforgivable error, he naturally had to pay the price.
Even if it meant cutting ties with him, she would not turn back.
Just as Sakiko made up her mind to contact Yamabuki Yachiyo, Tetsuya suddenly spoke.
"Sakiko."
"Yes..."
"Can you leave this to me?"
"...Eh?"
Sakiko looked up, her face a mask of confusion.
"Leave it... to you, Tetsuya-kun?"
"Mhm. You're planning to contact Jean directly through Ms. Yamabuki, right? If so, could you let me do it in your place?"
Unlike Sakiko, whose eyes were filled with hesitation and conflict, Tetsuya's expression was calm and composed from start to finish.
"After all, I'm involved in this matter too. Plus, I've been wanting to meet this Jean-san. And... this must be very painful for you, Sakiko, right?"
"Eh? N-no, I'm... I'm fine!"
Sakiko felt an intense wave of concern and worry from his tone.
To prove she was okay, she quickly straightened her back and said with feigned composure.
She didn't want him to see her as the type of person who would abandon her principles and a designer's integrity just to protect her family, especially when her father was working for the very people who had once plagiarized him, [NozAK!].
"A deal's a deal... Even if he's my father... it's natural for him to pay the price for his actions."
"But, what kind of price he should pay, and how he should take that responsibility... those things haven't been decided yet."
In stark contrast to Sakiko's resolute stance, Tetsuya's attitude was extremely calm.
As he spoke, he took the phone from her hand, then intertwined his fingers with hers.
"Don't be in such a hurry to jump to conclusions, Sakiko. The joint exhibition hasn't started yet, and your father hasn't completely finalized this deal."
"But... he already took that payment from [NozAK!] for me..."
Sakiko said in a dejected tone.
"There's no way for him to easily wash away this sin."
"Even so, this mistake might not have escalated to an irreversible point yet."
Tetsuya said.
"He may indeed have to take responsibility for his mistake, but that responsibility might not be as heavy as you imagine."
"Even if you say that..."
Sakiko bit her lip gently.
"With things having come this far, I really can't think of any other outcome..."
"You never know."
Tetsuya shook his head.
"It's just a feeling, but as a fellow designer, I can sense something very similar to myself in Jean-san's designs. And... we still don't know what kind of deal your father made with [NozAK!], or how far he's gone. So nothing is certain yet. Don't rush to a conclusion. Or are you going to blindly trust your own judgment without understanding anything, just like before?"
"!"
Hearing this, Sakiko's head shot up to look at him.
She hadn't expected that even when all the clues clearly pointed to a single truth, he was still willing to believe in other possibilities.
Although in her heart she already saw her father as a sinner, his words still caused a glimmer of hope to surface in her chaotic mind.
Even if she couldn't fully believe it herself, perhaps... there really was a possibility of resolving this peacefully and safely, a way that didn't involve pushing her father into the abyss...
"...Tetsuya-kun."
"Yes."
"This time, too... I'm counting on you."
Just like that night, Sakiko once again asked the person before her for help.
"Please help me, and my father..."
And once again, faced with the girl's plea, Tetsuya nodded without a moment's hesitation.
"Yeah. Leave it to me."
Even if the person he was about to face was a world-famous behemoth with enough influence to shake the entire Japanese fashion industry.
Even if what lay before him was an almost undeniable case of plagiarism, the ultimate taboo in the fashion world.
Even if he himself didn't know how to resolve this peacefully.
At the very least, he would do everything he possibly could.
And so, he immediately stood up, picked up his phone, and dialed Yamabuki Yachiyo's number.
"Hello, Ms. Yamabuki? There's something I'd like to ask of you."
Tetsuya said into the receiver.
"I'd like to meet with Jean-san."
...
"Mmm~ I came up with some pretty good ideas today, too."
Jean said, once again handing the mysterious line drawing in his hand to Sakiko's father.
"Mr. Assistant, I'm counting on you for this one as well."
"Yes."
This time, Sakiko's father took the drawing briskly, and after storing it properly, he quickly returned to Jean's side.
"Hm? You were surprisingly quick this time."
Jean said with a smile.
"You're not getting lost anymore?"
"...You jest."
Sakiko's father replied calmly.
"It's just storing a design sketch. It was never supposed to take that long."
"Is that so? Good."
Although Jean's agreement was swift, his eyes remained fixed on Sakiko's father.
"By the way, Mr. Assistant, have you ever rescued a stray animal?"
"That... I have not."
Sakiko's father shook his head.
"Why do you suddenly ask such a question?"
"Oh, no reason. I just suddenly remembered a time I got scratched."
Jean shrugged.
"Sometimes, the more desperate and anxious one is, the more one loses their proper judgment..."
"..."
Sakiko's father's expression didn't change, but the slight shift in his eyes indicated that he was not entirely unaffected by the words.
Just as he was about to say something, Jean's phone suddenly rang.
"Bonjour~ Yachiyo. I didn't expect you to call me at this hour. You should still be at work, right?"
Jean answered the phone with a surprised look.
"Mhm... oh? He wants to meet me? No problem at all. You two can decide on the time and place... Hm? He wants to bring my assistant, too?"
At this, he turned to look at Sakiko's father, then blinked.
"Mhm... I see. I understand. I'll bring him. Yes, it's settled then."
With that, he hung up and once again looked at his bewildered assistant with great interest.
"I didn't expect that not only me, but even my assistant would be so in demand."
"???"
"It's nothing, it's nothing. Anyway, it seems we'll be having a very interesting meeting in a few days."
Jean waved his hand and said with a tone full of anticipation.
"What kind of encounter awaits us next~?"
This designer, whose thoughts were completely unreadable, was, as always, gazing at something others could not see.