Depending on personality and past experiences, everyone handles emotions differently, and naturally, this includes the feeling of love.
So for Mutsumi, how would she handle her own romance?
"For tomorrow's TGC, I've already bought front-row tickets from the organizers in advance. However... as a price, the front-row seats are standing room only, and restricted to women."
Ai said this to everyone present:
"But it shouldn't make any difference for Tetsu, right? After all, you're definitely coming backstage."
"Mhm, that's right!"
Tetsuya nodded, acknowledging Ai's statement.
"To ensure both of your outfits stay in optimal condition, of course I have to help out backstage."
"...I knew it."
Uika, who had wanted to come here to relax her body and mind the day before the official start, sighed expectedly.
"Even though the head stylist has already said there absolutely won't be any problems, you really are such a worrywart... But let me make this clear right now: when the time comes, you are only allowed to adjust outfits for Ai and me. If I catch you reaching out to help other girls, I will absolutely come back and tattle to everyone immediately."
"Don't worry, this time is different from Paris. Even if I wanted to step in and help, the organizers wouldn't allow it!"
Tetsuya explained this very calmly:
"After all, most of the models at [TGC] aren't fashion models, but popular entertainers. If I really brought out the standards of the fashion industry, there wouldn't even be a need for you guys—I'd probably be killed by their fanatic fans first."
"Fans and stuff are not the point at all."
On the other side, Ai gently shook her head.
"The point is... once those female entertainers come into contact with Tetsu, it's hard to guarantee they won't be attracted to you."
"That's right. Honestly speaking... at this point, letting you see other women's bodies has long ceased to be that important to us. The key is that we can't let you continue to attract more people!"
Uika stated:
"This isn't just for our sakes. Even for the sake of your own physical and mental health, I wouldn't recommend you taking on any more romantic debts. After all, not every girl has my level of self-control and resolve."
Hearing these boastful words, Ai immediately couldn't help but shoot her a sideways glare:
"...You're just purely not mentally prepared yet, aren't you?"
"Don't you add to the mess right now... Ahem, anyway, after the lesson you learned with me, you should properly re-examine your own charm and position from now on. Don't let the number of 'victims' increase any further, understand?"
"Ah, I understand!"
Tetsuya nodded very solemnly.
"I will definitely not let this number increase any further from now on!"
"..."
Hearing this sentence, before Uika—who had proactively brought up this matter—had time to respond, Sakiko, who was merely a bystander, slightly pursed her lips.
Because she knew very well that Mutsumi, who was currently sitting beside her... had already clarified her feelings for Tetsuya-kun at this moment. Although for Tetsuya-kun, he was just ordinarily expressing his determination, for Mutsumi, Tetsuya-kun's statement just now must have been a rather heavy and fatal blow...
Carrying a somewhat worried mood, Sakiko turned her head to look at Mutsumi. However, to her surprise, Mutsumi's eyes and expression completely showed no trace of the depression of a thwarted romance. She remained the same as usual, using her calm gaze to silently watch Tetsuya and everything around him.
Ah... come to think of it, normally when they held girls' gatherings in private, Mutsumi would always quietly listen in on these conversations that seemingly had nothing to do with her, just like she was doing now. It was probably during this process that she began to yearn for the feeling of everyone getting along with Tetsuya-kun.
Whether it was her being moved by Sakiko's own salvation through Tetsuya-kun, or the relief of Soyo finding a new place to belong... these were probably all reasons why she developed favorable feelings for Tetsuya-kun.
Just as she herself had said, the person she liked was the Tetsuya who was together with everyone, the Tetsuya who equally gave happiness to everyone. It was probably precisely because of this that she had absolutely no reaction to Tetsuya's words... After all, for Mutsumi, silently watching everyone like this was exactly where her own happiness lay.
"..."
Meanwhile, Mutsumi, noticing Sakiko's gaze, also silently turned her head. After seeing Sakiko's slightly complicated expression, she soundlessly and gently shook her head, as if wanting to explain to her that there was no need to worry about her—
"You should come along tomorrow too, Wakaba-san."
Just then, Tetsuya suddenly struck up a conversation with Mutsumi:
"Once [TGC] is over, I want to properly celebrate our victories up until now."
Hearing this, Mutsumi immediately blinked in slight surprise:
"...Even if I didn't do anything?"
"Well, I'll put aside unconvincing reasons like 'design inspiration' for now. You also came to help me on the day of the [Joint Exhibition], didn't you? Since that's the case, you are of course a highly important participant."
Tetsuya said:
"Besides... Sakiko and Soyo definitely hope you can be together with everyone too, right?"
"Mhm."
Soyo nodded very naturally, but Sakiko, who was harboring heavy thoughts, didn't answer as smoothly.
"Ah... mhm, indeed."
Sakiko nodded, feigning composure:
"Mutsumi should... come along too. That's the best way... mhm."
"What's wrong, Sakiko? Both your expression and tone are so strange."
Tetsuya, who had thought Sakiko would agree decisively, felt somewhat puzzled by her weird reaction.
"Are you feeling unwell?"
"...Not at all."
Sakiko shook her head.
"I just briefly thought of something that's weighing on my mind—"
"It's because of the matters regarding [Ave Mujica], right?"
Before Sakiko could finish her sentence, Mutsumi suddenly chimed in:
"We chatted about the new song last night, which is why Sakiko is a bit absent-minded. As for [TGC], if I'm interested tomorrow, I'll tag along."
"...Ah, I understand."
Hearing that it was official business related to the band, Tetsuya immediately nodded in sudden realization.
"Since that's the case, I won't disturb you guys thinking about band matters anymore. Ah, right, Ai, regarding tomorrow's fashion show, I have a few questions I'd like to ask..."
And just like that, Tetsuya dropped his attention on Sakiko and turned to continue chatting with the two protagonists of [TGC] about the upcoming fashion show. On the other side, Mutsumi first gently shook her head at Sakiko once again, then stood up, preparing to leave here and return to her own room. Meanwhile, Sakiko just stared blankly at her retreating back, her eyes and heart filled with indecisive hesitation.
Although everyone handles romance differently, this kind of method, acting like an outsider detached from the situation... was it really okay?
And beneath that calmness, did there exist other true intentions she hadn't yet perceived?
Gazing at the door that had closed once again, Sakiko couldn't help but worry like this in her heart.