"Jean... probably already knew what that assistant was doing."
On the way back after dinner, Yamabuki Yachiyo said.
"While he's certainly the type to be casual about his designs, he's never drawn anything so 'reckless' before. So, those line drawings were probably something he drew intentionally to mess with the assistant and [NozAK!]."
"I get that feeling too."
Sakurakouji Luna nodded in deep agreement.
She could still remember the sly grin on Jean's face as he left his seat.
"And his response time to this plagiarism incident, the topics he brought up, and the conditions he set at the end—none of it seemed like it was on the spur of the moment..."
Especially the condition for Tetsuya, which would only be revealed after the joint exhibition. It was a clear statement that he intended to stay in contact with him even after the exhibition and the [TGC] were over.
I wonder what kind of condition he's planning to propose...
"But, putting the joint exhibition and the plagiarism incident aside for now, at least Ms. Togawa's situation seems to be resolved peacefully."
Yachiyo sighed.
"Not only does she no longer have to worry about the Togawa family's debt, but her father now has a stable job."
"It's not completely resolved yet."
Luna shook her head.
"Putting aside Chihaya Tetsuya's post-exhibition condition, Jean still set a condition for Togawa. She is a fairly talented designer, but producing an exhibition-level garment... is definitely not a simple task for her at the beginner stage. If she can't produce something that meets Jean's expectations, then everything that comes next is still an unknown."
"That's true."
Hearing this, Yachiyo couldn't help but worry about Sakiko once again.
"I wonder if Ms. Togawa will be able to handle it..."
...
"I'm home."
"Welcome back, Tetsuya-kun."
Sakiko, who had been waiting in the living room ever since he'd left, immediately stood up to greet him.
"Your meeting with Jean-san... how did it go?"
She asked with a slightly nervous tone as she took his coat.
Hearing the strong anxiety in her voice, Tetsuya didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point.
"The outcome was good, for the most part—"
He then sat down on the sofa with her and recounted everything that had happened that evening.
After hearing the information-overloaded story, Sakiko's body went limp as she leaned back against the sofa.
"...Thank goodness."
She murmured in a tone of immense relief.
"Jean-san isn't going to press charges against Father..."
Not only that, he was even willing to proactively help her father strategize, using Ko Ogino's own plan to pay off his debts...
Sakiko, who had been bracing for the worst-case scenario, for a moment wondered if she was dreaming.
"To receive such a generous gift despite being the guilty party, is this really okay...?"
"It's probably because Jean-san already had the leeway to handle this plagiarism incident, and his personality is indeed quite generous, which is why he responded so magnanimously."
Recalling Jean's effortless composure at the time, Tetsuya couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
"That confidence to declare he wouldn't lose even after showing his opponent both the design sheet and the sample garment... it's really incredible."
Although he had met many impressive people before, the one who inspired him the most was, as expected, this great senior who was also in the field of design and had reached the pinnacle of the world.
"But that being said, his tolerance isn't charity without a price. Besides your father having to work for him from now on, don't forget that both of us were given a test as well."
Tetsuya reminded her.
"My part will have to wait until after the exhibition, but you, Sakiko, have to produce a design for this exhibition..."
Plus, Jean seemed to have high expectations for [Starry Sky]'s performance. If Sakiko's design didn't satisfy him, he might just go back on his word...
To avoid making her anxious again, Tetsuya didn't say the last part out loud.
However, the intelligent Sakiko could easily read between the lines.
"It's alright, Tetsuya-kun."
Contrary to what he had expected, Sakiko didn't show the slightest hint of hesitation or unease.
"The current situation is already an ideal outcome I couldn't have imagined in my wildest dreams. And Jean-san is right. Since I said I would take responsibility, a request of this level is well within my duty. Besides..."
At this, Sakiko looked up at Tetsuya.
"Even if Jean-san hadn't proposed this condition, I wanted to participate in this joint exhibition myself... and not as a model, but as a designer for [Starry Sky]."
"Eh?"
This was something he had never heard before, and it made him pause.
"Really? But... I remember your band was getting ready to record a new song—"
"It's fine. The day I decided to form the band, I was already prepared to juggle work on both sides."
After her anxiety and unease had completely faded, Sakiko regained her usual vigor.
"And... if I can't even produce a single decent design, then forget Jean-san, I won't even have the face to stay by your side, Tetsuya-kun. In any case, besides my work with the band, I'll be actively participating in the exhibition from now on!"
At this, Sakiko gave him an incredibly relaxed and bright smile.
"So, could you let me take your body measurements for a bit?"
"Eh? I mean, sure... but why do you suddenly need my measurements?"
"Because the next thing I'm going to design is an outfit for you, Tetsuya-kun."
To Tetsuya's increasingly bewildered expression, Sakiko said with a voice full of anticipation.
"That's right. For this joint exhibition... I want you to be one of the models, too!"
"...What?!"