That night, after returning to her room, the first thing Wakaba Mutsumi did was report the evening's events to Togawa Sakiko, who was desperate to know the full context behind the recording.
And Sakiko's reaction, after learning the details, was exactly what Mutsumi had expected.
[So that's what happened.]
Over the phone, Sakiko's understanding tone was filled with the satisfaction of a wish fulfilled, as well as the secret delight of discovering another side to the man she loved.
[To think he'd get jealous over something like that... What's this? I never knew Tetsuya-kun had such an adorable side to him!]
"...I was surprised, too."
For Mutsumi, who had always seen Chihaya Tetsuya as the epitome of "mature" and "reliable," today's events had greatly changed her impression of him. She still thought he was a reliable and kind person, but... that adult-like aura that had once made her hesitant to get too close was now gone.
"How should I put it... It's such a shame you couldn't see his face in person, Sakiko."
[Guh...]
Sakiko couldn't help but let out a frustrated groan.
The somewhat muffled recording had already moved her so much; if she could have witnessed the scene of him being jealous for her firsthand, she would have been so happy she'd be smiling in her dreams...
[Saying that just makes me want to move into Tetsuya-kun's house more and more!]
"So why don't you just move in?" Mutsumi asked, also a bit confused. "You know where your uncle is now, anyway. There's not much point in staying at that apartment anymore, is there?"
[...Not yet.]
Though her tone held a slight hesitation, Sakiko still refused the tempting offer.
[If I started living under the same roof as Tetsuya-kun now, my mind would be completely filled with wanting to do this and that with him, and I wouldn't be able to get anything done.]
[Ave Mujica's new song is about to be released, and the outfit I'm designing for him is currently in production. I can't let my guard down until all that work is finished.]
How to describe Sakiko's current state?
This mindset, completely consumed with "attacking" Tetsuya, could hardly be called calm. And yet, on top of that, she was clearly aware of this fact and was resolutely keeping her distance from him...
"Alright, I understand."
Faced with Sakiko's contradictory state of mind, Mutsumi couldn't help but shake her head helplessly.
"After this joint exhibition is over... both you and Chihaya-san should take a good, long rest."
[Mhm... I was thinking the same thing.]
Sakiko said.
Recently, both she and Tetsuya had been far too focused on their work.
Especially when she heard that he had been so focused he hadn't even left his room, she became even more determined to take action.
[A little jealousy is fine once or twice... but I don't want Tetsuya-kun to get this worked up over it.]
This one incident was enough for Sakiko to feel his affection and how much he valued her. From now on, she wanted him to be with her with more peace of mind...
She didn't want even the slightest rift or misunderstanding to form between them for a reason like this!
[Alright, I've decided. After this joint exhibition is over... I'm going to immediately carry out the plan I mentioned before!]
In the end, she had reached the same conclusion as Nagasaki Soyo.
Since Tetsuya was worried he couldn't be number one in their hearts... then they would prove with their own actions that his worries were completely meaningless! And if they could really take that step with him, then they wouldn't have to worry about him easily cheating on them with some strange girl on the outside...
With such a multi-beneficial plan, there was no longer any reason to refuse!
"...Ah."
As Sakiko's closest confidant, Mutsumi was of course aware of what they were planning to do to Tetsuya. And as her unconditional supporter, she had no intention of stopping the plan.
It was just...
"This is just a guess... but I have a feeling your plan won't go as smoothly as you think."
Before, Mutsumi would never have questioned the plan's success rate. But after today's events, after personally feeling how much Tetsuya cared for them all, she was beginning to doubt its feasibility.
"Putting aside the fact that Hoshino Ai hasn't been persuaded yet... today was enough to show that Chihaya-san doesn't just want to take on the responsibility of a 'lover.' What he wants is to take on the responsibility of bringing everyone a lifetime of happiness."
Mutsumi stated the conclusion she had drawn from observing him all evening.
"So, until he's satisfied with himself, I think... he probably won't allow himself to make any rash moves on any of you..."
Even if they were completely willing, he would probably never easily indulge himself. Just like he acted at the dinner table today, perhaps... until he had truly grown to the level of that Jean-san, he wouldn't let his guard down.
[Mhm, actually, we've thought about that too.]
Sakiko was not at all surprised by Mutsumi's assessment.
[Tetsuya-kun definitely knows what it means for so many girls to entrust their lives to him at once. And with his personality of valuing others far more than himself, if we want him to take the initiative with us, we'd probably have to wait until the day he truly becomes successful...]
As a man, and as the older one, this sense of responsibility wasn't wrong. In fact, it was this almost self-denying earnestness and responsibility that made everyone so infatuated with him.
But love was never a one-person affair.
[Just as he wants to be responsible for our lives, we are doing the same thing for him in our own way.]
Sakiko explained.
[Hoshino Ai goes without saying. Not just their time at the orphanage, but the moment she decided to become his exclusive model, she was prepared to dedicate everything to him. As for Anon-san, her identity as his sister alone makes her an indispensable part of his life. Soyo used her mother's resources to provide him with the greatest possible convenience, and I have tied my band and my future to his brand, becoming someone who will advance and retreat with him.]
Everyone was proactively connecting their lives to his in their own way, leaving him absolutely no room to refuse.
[If we hadn't pressed him so hard, he definitely would have dated one person normally like everyone else, and then happily entered the hall of marriage with her... But unfortunately, we didn't give him that chance. We knew he was a man who couldn't refuse others and who desperately craved family and companionship, yet we selfishly confessed our feelings to him and cunningly tied ourselves to his brand and his life, making it impossible for him to refuse us.]
And this was the fundamental view Sakiko had always held—that Tetsuya was always the "passive party" in her plan. Because whether it was her or the other three... they all knew of each other's feelings and relationships with him, yet they had all resolutely pushed forward, ultimately forcing him into this "harem."
From that perspective, the ones who should take responsibility were not him, but them, the ones who had created this situation.
[Since it was our selfishness and audacity that forced him to take on these responsibilities that were never meant for him, then, in order to make him properly realize his position as the 'one being acted upon,' and also so that he won't have to bear any guilt, we must continue to be selfish. Whether it's becoming lovers or taking our relationship a step further... it must be on our terms!]
Sakiko declared.
[So, about Tetsuya-kun's first time... I feel a little bad for him saying this, but I have no intention of asking for his opinion. Even if he wants to refuse, we will use other means to take certain... compulsory measures against him.]
"..."
Hearing these words, Mutsumi fell silent.
She could tell that there was not a hint of a joke in Sakiko's voice. Her words were proof of her determination and resolve for this plan.
But... this moving determination also conveyed a fact that could not be sugarcoated.
"So, in other words... you're planning to forcefully have your way with Chihaya-san right after the joint exhibition, is that correct?"
[Hiss...]
Hearing Mutsumi's brutally direct statement, Sakiko spent nearly a full minute mentally rehearsing her phrasing, before finally admitting sheepishly.
[Yes, from a purely behavioral standpoint... that's what it is.]
"And... aside from that righteous justification, you yourself have been looking forward to doing that kind of thing to him, right, Sakiko?"
[Ugh, w-well...]
"It's just a shame that you alone aren't enough to persuade and overpower him. If you can team up with the others, you'll be able to achieve your goal much more easily..."
As Sakiko's muttering grew more flustered, Mutsumi tilted her head.
"Anyway, I originally thought you were planning to get his consent before doing those things to him, but if you're going to force him, then there's no problem. With his strength, there's no way he can win against all of you at once."
[Y-you don't have to be so blunt about it...]
Sakiko stammered in reply.
[While it's true I'm very much looking forward to making a move on him, the reasons I just gave are definitely not just empty words to cover it up...]
"I know. For everyone, this should be an undeniably multi-beneficial plan. Even the 'victim' himself will probably have all his anxieties and doubts dispelled by everyone's initiative and love..."
Mutsumi said, showing her understanding.
"It's just that while his mental state will be stabilized... his body might have to work a little hard."
[Ahem... w-we'll be mindful of our limits.]
Sakiko coughed twice to hide her guilty conscience.
[And I've done some research online recently. For boys, just forcing it once or twice occasionally... isn't a problem. If we have opportunities in the future, we'll probably only make a move on him alone or in pairs...]
Then, in Mutsumi's silence, Sakiko began to eagerly share her vision of a "happy future life" with Tetsuya.
Unfortunately, amidst these future prospects filled with expectation and good wishes, besides a happiness that she herself also yearned for, Mutsumi also saw an "exploited party" who had no choice in the matter from beginning to end...
"To think you've even planned out the sequel..."
Listening to her, Mutsumi couldn't help but shake her head.
Less than a month until the joint exhibition, huh...
"Chihaya-san, please, you'd best pray for your own sake."
Mutsumi prayed for him in her heart.
...
"...Huh?"
At the same time, Tetsuya, who was in his room researching materials, suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of foreboding wash over him.
"What's going on... Is it just my imagination?"
The strange unease made him subconsciously straighten his posture.
And right after this bizarre feeling came another problem that had been bothering him recently.
"Why do I feel a little hot lately, even when I'm just wearing a single layer of pajamas?"
Tetsuya muttered to himself in confusion, fanning himself with his hand.
"And... I can't seem to calm down when I'm trying to sleep at night."
It wasn't so much a rise in temperature as it was a feverishness coming from within his own body.
Especially in the period right after dinner each day, he would always feel a subtle, hard-to-describe excitement... an excitement that was particularly similar to when Ai had attacked him before.
Could it be... I've come down with some strange illness?
"...Whatever. Even if I'm sick, it'll have to wait until after the exhibition."
Tetsuya took several deep breaths, and after completely clearing his mind of stray thoughts, he leaned over his workbench once more, focusing on the book about "stage equipment" before him...