"Alright, this is the last batch of your garments."
An employee from the clothing factory delivered the final pieces to Chihaya Tetsuya's new studio.
Tetsuya signed the delivery receipt, saying, "Thank you for your hard work."
Just then, the delivery man suddenly spoke up.
"By the way, Chihaya-san, the people at my company asked me to ask you a question."
"? Please, go ahead."
"These clothes you commissioned from us, when will they officially go on sale?" the employee asked, his expression sincere and expectant. "A lot of people at our company really want to buy a set for themselves."
"I was planning to wait until after the joint exhibition, and then decide on a specific production policy based on the orders we receive..." Tetsuya replied, quite surprised. "For your company's staff to think so highly of my clothes is truly flattering."
The factory was a well-established one introduced by Nagasaki Soyo's mother, one that had worked with numerous clothing brands. For these industry professionals, who had seen countless brand-name clothes, to say they "wanted to buy a set for themselves" was an incredible affirmation and praise for Tetsuya.
The employee smiled and replied, "It's less about us thinking highly of them... and more that it's impossible for clothes of this quality to do anything but sell well. And just to let you in on some good news, although there's still a week until the joint exhibition, we've already set aside a production line for [Starry Sky]'s clothes. We're ready to start mass production at any time."
The workmanship, appearance, brand recognition, and most importantly, the production costs were all guaranteed. At least in the eyes of this factory employee with over a decade of experience, these clothes had already met all the criteria for a bestseller.
But... beyond the foreseeable sales success, the people at the factory had another, more pressing question about these clothes.
"While we have no doubt about their future sales, displaying this kind of clothing at an event like the joint exhibition... is that really okay?"
Ever since they had received Tetsuya's commission and started production, this question had lingered in their minds. What they were worried about, of course, was not the quality of the clothes, but their style.
"Displaying such... everyday clothes among a group of high-fashion brands, won't that cause guests who aren't familiar with you to question your design ability?"
It was a very reasonable doubt. Even to this employee, who didn't know much about fashion and design, the clothes were far too "simple" and "easy to understand." For high fashion, which had always championed unconventionality and uniqueness, such everyday wear might not gain the recognition of others.
However, in response to the employee's concern, Tetsuya simply smiled and replied, "It's fine, because the clothes from our [Starry Sky] only need to do two things."
...
"They're both good-looking and comfortable!"
Sumita Mana, who was trying on her outfit for the day of the exhibition, said, her eyes shining.
"This is the first time I've ever worn clothes that instantly put me in a good mood!"
Like ink naturally seeping into rice paper, Mana's already friendly and cheerful style, enhanced by her good mood, gave off a radiance and high spirit as if she were already standing on stage...
"This is... far beyond my expectations."
Yuutenji Nyamu, meanwhile, was lightly tugging at her cuffs and hem, her voice filled with disbelief.
"Is this really all Chihaya-san's work?"
Hearing Nyamu's subconscious question, Miyata Uika, who was accompanying them, shot her a sideways glance.
"Or did you think we've been lying to you this whole time?"
"No, that's not what I meant..."
At this moment, Nyamu's expression and tone were much more serious than usual.
"I'm just simply amazed. The level of finish on these clothes, rather than being the work of a nineteen-year-old designer, looks for all the world like it came from a mature brand that's been a bestseller for years..."
This was the first time Nyamu had directly experienced Tetsuya's talent. The impact of these products, soon to be on the shelves, was even stronger than that of the two exclusive performance outfits.
"Now I finally understand why so many talented people have gathered around Chihaya-san."
Nyamu first sighed with genuine admiration, then turned back to Tetsuya.
"It looks like I can be a bit bolder when formulating the publicity strategy."
"I'm so glad you're all satisfied."
Having received unanimous praise, Tetsuya could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
"Alright, that's it for the fitting. Now we just have to wait for the joint exhibition to start. Thank you for your hard work, everyone."
"...Eh?" "Eh?"
Mana and Nyamu let out a sound of astonishment in unison.
"Th-that's it? You don't need us to practice posing or anything...?"
"Mhm, no need."
Tetsuya shook his head calmly.
"On the day of the show, you two just need to be your natural selves, just like now."
"Is that really going to be okay?" Nyamu couldn't help but ask, worried. "Neither Mana-san nor I have any modeling experience, and this exhibition is a preview event for the [TGC]. The other brands will definitely invite a lot of famous models. If we don't bring a corresponding attitude..."
"It's fine."
Tetsuya's answer remained decisive and firm.
"This may sound a little rude, but compared to professional fashion models, your complete lack of modeling experience is actually more suitable for my theme this time."
"But—"
"...Nyamu. Don't forget who the designer is."
Just as Nyamu was about to say more, Uika finally couldn't help but interject.
"Since you've already witnessed Tetsuya-kun's skill as a designer, you should also understand that he definitely has his own plan. All you need to do now is continue to trust his choices and do your job well."
"Mhm... you're right."
As Nyamu spoke, she looked up again at the man before her, whose face was even more youthful than her own.
"Sorry, I said some presumptuous things."
"Not at all. In fact, I need people like you, Yuutenji-san, who can question me."
Tetsuya first smiled to show he didn't mind, then turned to Uika, whose expression had become a little sour.
"And thank you for always believing in me, Uika."
"Honestly, you make it sound like I'm the bad guy..." Uika shot him an annoyed glare. "If Ai were here, she would definitely be sulking right now."
"Mhm, but if it were you, Uika... I'm sure you'd be able to understand what I'm thinking."
Just as Uika trusted him, Tetsuya also trusted in her intelligence and reliability.
"I'll leave Ai's clothes with you to take back to her."
"...You're getting better and better at ordering me around."
Uika took the other bag from his hand with a wry smile.
"Fine, fine. I'll put it on your tab for now. Anyway, once Sakiko's business is settled... I'll be collecting some payment of my own."
"Payment? Of course, no problem!" Tetsuya agreed readily. "I'll be sure to pay according to the proper standard for [Summer Zodiac]!"
"...I see."
Uika was about to say something, but when she thought about the "standard" that corresponded to her other companion, she gave up on explaining further and just smiled meaningfully.
"Well then, I'll be looking forward to that day."
...
"Alright! That's a wrap!"
Putting down her drumsticks, Shiina Taki let out a long breath.
"If we can maintain this level of polish on the day of the street performance, it'll definitely be a huge success!"
"Eh... that's rare."
Soyo looked at her in surprise.
"For you to give such high praise, Taki."
"I'm just calling it as I see it. And this song that Raana and I wrote... is truly my most satisfying work to date."
At this, Taki turned to Kaname Raana.
"You added a lot of your own stuff again just now. How did it feel?"
"...Fun."
Even though they had been practicing for a month, Raana looked as if she still hadn't had enough.
"I want to write more songs like this."
"I... had a lot of fun, too!"
Takamatsu Tomori also, quite unusually, took the initiative to express her thoughts.
"Especially since Anon is the lead vocalist for this song!"
"Ugh... don't bring that up again," Anon said, embarrassed. "It's just because the theme of this song happened to suit me! The lead vocalist position can only be held by you, Tomori!"
"But speaking of which... while we certainly had a lot of fun, isn't it a little strange to use this song to promote Chihaya-san's brand?"
Taki couldn't help but ask Anon and Soyo.
"This is a major event that will decide the future of his brand. Is it really okay to use a theme like this?"
"...Don't worry."
Soyo said with a smile.
"Putting aside future fashion shows and exhibitions, for this time only, our theme and the philosophy Tetsuya wants to convey are, you could say, a perfect match."
Abandoning incomprehensible conformity, abandoning blindly following trends.
Abandoning aesthetics you can't understand, abandoning difficult and uncomfortable high-end fashion.
[MyGO!!!!!]
The title of their new song—"Kanzen Houki Sengen (Declaration of Complete Resignation, 完全放弃宣言)"