"A-a relationship that goes beyond friendship means... eh?"
This sudden and explosive confession was enough to bring the dejection and hesitation in the heart of Togawa Sakiko's father to a grinding halt.
Because of the difference in their status, and the guilt he already felt, he had subconsciously seen himself as the inferior party, forgetting that the young man before him was actually the same age as his own daughter.
That being said, even if they were peers, hearing such a direct "progress report" about his daughter still made him realize, for the first time in a long while, that a small part of him still thought like a father.
At the same time, Chihaya Tetsuya, whose own awareness of the sexes had awakened, saw the man's complicated expression and also realized that what he had just said could be wildly misinterpreted.
"Ah, that relationship is just about our feelings for each other! I-I mean, Sakiko and I haven't actually done the kind of thing you're worried about!"
Tetsuya hurriedly explained.
"What I wanted to say is, while I may just be a stranger you've met for the first time, your affairs are by no means unrelated to me, as I've decided to spend my life with Sakiko! So... I came here not just to stop you from making a bigger mistake, but also to help you!"
"Help... me?"
Sakiko's father asked, completely bewildered.
Tetsuya continued with great earnestness.
"Yes. Although I don't know how Jean-san will ultimately deal with you... if there's a condition you can't meet on your own, then I will find a way to apologize to him alongside you!"
"You..."
Hearing this, an expression of disbelief appeared on the face of Sakiko's father.
"Since you already know about my deal with [NozAK!], then you must also know how heavy a debt I'm carrying, right?"
"...Yes."
Tetsuya nodded.
Sakiko's father continued.
"If I terminate this deal... not only will I have to pay a penalty for breach of contract equal to the debt, but Sakiko will probably be targeted by the Togawa family again because I failed to repay them as promised..."
At this, he shook his head again.
"It's too late, Chihaya-san... At this point, I've already made a huge mistake and there's no turning back. I've already photographed Jean's designs and sent them to Ko Ogino. I even agreed to take pictures for him when the sample garment is being made... The contract has been signed. If I breach it now, I will only burden Sakiko with an even heavier debt—"
"You're already deep enough in debt anyway! Even if it means taking on more now, it's far better than you sacrificing yourself and cutting ties with Sakiko forever!"
Tetsuya interrupted him with absolute conviction.
"And... please don't underestimate me and Sakiko. Both my personal brand, [Starry Sky], and the band Sakiko is planning, [Ave Mujica], have the potential and value to cover that debt! Even if it takes ten, twenty, thirty years, or even longer, as long as we can be together, there's no difficulty we can't overcome!"
"Please, think this through! If Sakiko was really the type of person to abandon her family for money, she never would have left the Togawa family with you in the first place!"
"...!"
Finally, Tetsuya's words completely shattered the man's already crumbling stubbornness.
Just as he'd said, even if he had lost his bet with the Togawa family and been forced to become their debtor, Sakiko didn't have to share that responsibility. If she had wanted to, she could have stayed with her mother in the Togawa household, continuing her life as a young lady—not free, but certainly comfortable.
But the truth was, Sakiko, who had a choice, chose not to stay. Instead, she had resolutely moved with him into that tiny, shabby apartment and began supporting herself the moment she graduated from middle school...
Perhaps Sakiko did yearn for a freer future, but what that proud and strong girl wanted was the power to control her own life, earned through her own choices and efforts—not some... false freedom gained at the cost of her father's companionship through his high-handed sacrifice.
"So please, if you are truly thinking of Sakiko, then come with me... and let's apologize to Jean-san and confess everything!"
Tetsuya pleaded once more with an incredibly sincere tone.
"I will stand by your side and apologize with you—"
"No, that won't do... Chihaya-san."
Sakiko's father shook his head, interrupting him in a low voice.
"Although I didn't know you before this, I've already learned a lot about you while gathering information for Jean... I probably know better than anyone, except perhaps Jean himself, what kind of prospects your [Starry Sky] has, and what your talent means for the Japanese fashion industry. I cannot let a young man like you get dragged down because of me."
"But I just told you, you're Sakiko's father! Your affairs are just as important to me!"
"I'm grateful that you think so, of course, but... it's precisely because of your relationship with Sakiko that I absolutely cannot let you take on this responsibility for me."
At this, a faint, strained smile appeared on his consistently grim face.
"You're right, Chihaya-san. Even if it takes the rest of my life... as long as Sakiko is here, then I still have a reason to keep trying. The debt to the Togawa family, Jean's punishment, the penalty from [NozAK!]—I will find a way to handle it all myself."
"H-how can you do that?"
Tetsuya shook his head repeatedly.
"I've heard you're a very talented man, Mr. Togawa, but how could you possibly handle so many debts on your own?"
"...There has to be a way."
Though his tone lacked a bit of conviction, Sakiko's father still said it.
"The people I used to know... if I'm willing to get on my knees and beg them, perhaps they'll give me a job. And, now that there's a reliable man like you by Sakiko's side, I can focus all my energy on work without worry."
He took several deep breaths, then straightened his posture and spoke to Tetsuya.
"Thank you, truly, Chihaya-san. You reminded me of something I had failed to notice all this time... Sakiko's true wish and ideal. As for what I've done to Jean, I will explain it to him myself. Please, do not interfere."
"..."
Looking at the determined expression on the man's face, Tetsuya was subconsciously reminded of Sakiko.
Like father, like daughter, I suppose... That pride that made them unwilling to trouble anyone, and the way they could pull themselves together immediately after making a decision, were practically identical...
But even so, Tetsuya couldn't just stand by and do nothing.
Perhaps Sakiko's father wouldn't accept his help... but if Sakiko herself offered to help him, he wouldn't be able to refuse, no matter how much he insisted!
"You're thinking that even if you don't step in directly, you can still help through Sakiko, aren't you?"
Just as Tetsuya was scheming, Sakiko's father suddenly spoke.
"That won't do, Chihaya-san. Since I've decided to pull myself together... I will not accept help, even from Sakiko."
"Eh? But I haven't said anything yet..."
"But you've written all your thoughts on your face."
Sakiko's father shook his head.
"However, I suppose it's precisely because of this transparent honesty that Sakiko, who is always wary of others, has placed her trust in you. In any case, since you insist that I am her father, her elder, then this matter must naturally be handled by me, the parent."
"B-but..."
Tetsuya still found it very difficult to accept.
Faced with his indecisiveness, Sakiko's father was deeply moved, but he still stood his ground.
"Besides, even putting Sakiko aside, I, who have already acted as an accomplice, have no right to accept your help... Chihaya-san, you remember that casual wear set that was bought out by Mitsumine Trading last autumn, don't you?"
"Ah, yes..."
"The reason Ko Ogino targeted and plagiarized that outfit was because of me."
Sakiko's father confessed.
"A year ago, right after I left the Togawa family, I worked as a buyer for Mitsumine Trading to earn a living... I was originally going to have them buy out that design, but the night before I was to hand over the design sheet... I was bribed by Ko Ogino. I gave him the design that should have gone to Mitsumine, and he modified it into this year's fashion hit."
"...Eh?!"
This unexpected confession brought a look of utter shock to Tetsuya's face.
"W-wait a minute... Forget Mitsumine and Ko Ogino, you're saying that a year ago, it was you who bought my design..."
"...Mhm."
Sakiko's father nodded.
"It was just from a small, somewhat famous ready-to-wear studio. But that minimalist casual outfit had a completely different feel from the other clothes. That balance of appearance, comfort, and production cost... I saw its potential at a glance."
At this, he couldn't help but reveal a bitter smile.
"I just didn't expect that my eye for fashion would not only bring Mitsumine a best-seller, but also attract the attention of a demon... If it weren't for me, your design might have become this year's hottest trend, along with [KaZoKu]."
"..."
Tetsuya, who had been dumbfounded this whole time, finally pieced together the full picture of the second plagiarism incident.
He had thought that Ko Ogino had, with his own keen eye, pinpointed his design from Mitsumine Trading and copied it. But the truth was, Ogino didn't possess that level of discernment at all. It was all because of the keen eye of Sakiko's father, which was second to none in the industry...
"...I see. So that's how it was."
A small smile suddenly appeared on Tetsuya's face.
"This must be fate. The reason I was recognized by [KaZoKu] and became their assistant designer was because of that design bought out by Mitsumine. And it was because of that position that I was able to get the job for Ai, and then meet Sakiko..."
Looked at it this way, his connection with Sakiko didn't start at the interview. It was forged much earlier... at the very moment he first set foot on the path of a designer.
"Thinking about it like that, not only do I have no reason to blame you, I should probably thank you for your keen eye."
Tetsuya said with a smile, to the man's uncomprehending expression.
"You probably can't imagine it, can you? If you hadn't taken a liking to it, even if that design had become a hit this year, I would have lost something far more important."
Ai, Sakiko, Soyo... A series of encounters, a chain of connections, had brought him to where he was today. And now, the cause and effect he had never known had finally, in a way he never expected, all been linked together.
If that was the case...
"Then there's even less reason for me to stand by and do nothing!"
Finally, Tetsuya looked up and said to Sakiko's father.
"Alright, I've decided. I'm going to apologize to Jean with you!"
"???"
Faced with Tetsuya, whose attitude had suddenly become incredibly resolute, Sakiko's father was completely stunned.
"D-did you even hear what I said? You lost a design that should have been a huge seller this year because of me!"
"But because of your eye for it, I had an encounter that changed my life, and that includes Sakiko!"
"In that case, you just need to cherish Sakiko. You don't need to worry about anything else."
"Helping you bear this responsibility is one of the ways I cherish Sakiko!"
"You..."
Sakiko's father was not an inarticulate man. On the contrary, with his vast experience and knowledge, he could easily control the flow of conversation in most situations. However, when faced with this young man who couldn't hide his feelings, so honest it was almost pitiable, he found himself at a loss for words.
Because he could see that this young man genuinely wanted to help him, to share that incredibly heavy responsibility and burden with him...
Without a doubt, this young man named Chihaya Tetsuya was a good kid. A good kid whose abilities, personality, and even character were a perfect match for Sakiko.
But it was for that very reason that he didn't want him and Sakiko to be dragged down with him.
"Hmph hmph~ Just give it up, Mr. Assistant."
Just as Sakiko's father was still trying to figure out how to persuade him, an unexpected voice came from behind.
"Every last one of us designers is a stubborn brat who doesn't change their mind easily. Since Mr. Chihaya has made his decision, whatever you say to him will probably be useless."
"Jean..."
Looking at the man who was always smiling at him, Sakiko's father couldn't help but stiffen, then bowed his head in shame.
"You... heard everything?"
"Mhm, mhm. You two were gone for so long, I got a little worried you might have gotten lost."
Underneath his feigned concern was an incredibly triumphant, mischievous smile.
"And then, I just happened to overhear your little chat~"
"J-Jean-san..."
Tetsuya, who wasn't mentally prepared, instantly grew flustered.
"Um... I was planning to apologize to you more formally after dinner..."
"Mhm, and I was planning to hear all about it in a more formal setting, but... what can I say, I'm an impatient person."
Jean said with a laugh.
"But now it looks like my eavesdropping was a wise move! Mr. Assistant!"
"Yes..."
"You just said that 'Ko Ogino' wants you to photograph the process of me making the sample garment as well, correct?"
"Yes."
Sakiko's father nodded.
"Because he can't understand the line drawings you made before... so he wants to replicate it directly from the sample garment..."
"And besides that, is there anything else in your contract?"
"No, that's it. The terms of our contract only require me to show him all the design materials you've prepared for the [Joint Exhibition]."
"And then he'll pay you the full amount as promised?"
"Yes..."
"Ooh~ So that's how it is!"
Hearing this answer, the smile on Jean's face grew even brighter.
"Well, that makes things much easier! It's just some design sheets and a sample garment, right? Just let him see them!"
With that, he threw his arms around both their shoulders.
"Come on, come on. Forget this little thing. We have two ladies over there who have been waiting for us to sit down and eat. Let's go back first, and we can talk while we eat."
To their completely stunned expressions, Jean said in an incredibly lighthearted tone.
"About... how we're going to help Mr. Assistant pay off all his debts in one go!"