A guide to survival in a heavy girl's world

"No, it's designed specifically for an idol."

Chihaya Tetsuya stopped writing.

"For filming the music video for the new song."

"So that's it..."

Toyokawa Shoko nodded in understanding, but soon she immediately recalled something very important -

The reason I want to recruit an assistant is because I will be designing clothes for someone who is very important to me.

Eh? Doesn't that mean that this person who's very important to Chihaya-san... is the idol girl who's about to film the music video?!

Wow……

Although she inevitably had the urge to gossip, considering the confidentiality of the idol industry and the fact that her relationship with Chihaya Tetsuya was not close enough to discuss such topics, Toyokawa Shoko simply covered her mouth and hid the question deep in her heart.

At the same time, Chihaya Tetsuya suddenly asked:

"Toyokawa-san, you've probably worn pajamas too, right?"

Although her younger sister Aine also had a few sets of pajamas for spring and summer, she mostly preferred loose-fitting home clothes. Coupled with her own somewhat subtle fashion sense, Chihaya Tetsu couldn't really take her younger sister's opinions seriously.

And Toyokawa Shoko doesn't seem to be the kind of person with subtle tastes, and she once came from a relatively wealthy family, so her opinions may also be an important reference.

"Ah, yes!"

On the other side, Toyokawa Shoko immediately replied:

"I have four sets of pajamas in total, two are thin styles for spring and summer, and the other two are thicker styles for autumn and winter."

"What kind of fabric are thin pajamas made of?"

"Hey... let me think..."

Shoko Toyokawa turned her gaze to the fabric box again.

After a brief thought, she finally answered:

"It's made of silk."

"Hmm, so silk is definitely a favorite in the summer... At least it's impeccable in terms of comfort and coolness."

Chihaya Tetsuya leaned back in his chair and muttered to himself:

"But silk fabrics inevitably cling to the body. It's fine for private wear, but it doesn't seem right for a music video..."

(…Indeed.)

Toyokawa Shoko nodded secretly in her heart, then she once again cast her eyes on the fabric box and murmured:

"Is there any fabric that is both comfortable and breathable while also being absorbent?"

"……kindness?"

At the same time, Chihaya Tetsuya, who heard Toyokawa Shoko talking to herself, caught a word that he was very concerned about.

"Water absorption? Do women's pajamas need this function?"

"It's not important in general, but this time the pajamas are for the music video, right?"

Toyokawa Shoko said:

"Shooting a music video usually requires repeated attempts to select the best shots. In this process, the other person will inevitably sweat."

In this case, the reaction of the fabric after contact with water becomes a key point that must be considered.

For example, once silk fabric comes into contact with water, it is not just as simple as sticking to the skin...

"Um...Mr. Chihaya?"

Looking at Chihaya Tetsuya who suddenly fell into deep thought, Toyokawa Shoko asked with a guilty conscience:

"These are just my humble opinions. You don't need to listen so carefully—"

"No, what you just mentioned is really very important."

As Chihaya Tetsuya spoke, he crumpled up the unfinished draft into a ball.

"I didn't know much about the MV filming process, so I didn't consider the sweating at all..."

After saying that, he threw the discarded manuscript into the trash can, then immediately turned his gaze to Toyokawa Shoko and asked again with a serious face:

"Please think about this for a bit, Toyokawa-san. Is there anything else I should be aware of?"

"what--"

Seeing Chihaya Tetsuya's serious expression, Toyokawa Shoko suddenly felt an indescribable sense of tension in her heart.

Eh? Is this true? Chihaya-san is such a powerful person... why would he ask for my opinion so seriously?

It's definitely a good thing to be trusted like that, right? But...if I say something wrong or give the wrong advice next, will Chihaya-san be disappointed in me?

Feelings of panic and joy instantly intertwined in Toyokawa Shoko's heart. This overly contradictory interweaving of emotions made her mind go blank.

"…………"

After seeing Toyokawa Shoko's constantly wandering eyes and slightly trembling lips, Chihaya Tetsuya pondered for a moment, and then suddenly relaxed his sitting posture.

"Toyokawa-san."

"In the!"

"Don't forget, there are only two of us in the entire studio right now."

Chihaya Tetsuya stretched out his hand and pointed at the two of them back and forth.

"Whatever you say, only the two of us can hear it."

"But, but——"

"Also, you seem to have already learned from others that I'm nineteen years old, just three years younger than you. Not only that, I'm a complete fashion geek with absolutely no experience with women and no knowledge of many aspects of modern culture."

"So, you don't have to be nervous at all. Just treat yourself like a peer and have a normal 'discuss' with me."

"..."

Such frank and sincere remarks dispelled much of the fear that Toyokawa Shoko had originally felt.

Especially when she heard that Chihaya Tetsuya had no experience with women, she felt a sense of intimacy while being surprised.

This nineteen-year-old genius... wasn't some unattainable, high-and-mighty god. He too had things he wasn't good at, and things he didn't understand at all.

And now... it seems that I can just make up for his shortcomings!

An indescribable motivation filled Toyokawa Shoko's chest.

Thinking of this, Shoko Toyokawa took a deep breath, then she organized her thoughts and began her own analysis.

"For idols, models, and actors, besides basic comfort, they also need to ensure ease of movement. I've only occasionally experimented with this, but to stay in shape, most women in these professions do some indoor exercise or stretching in their free time."

"..."

Chihaya Tetsuya recorded these silently.

Then Toyokawa Shoko continued:

"Also, since girls usually don't wear bras when wearing pajamas, skin-friendly materials are also important. Otherwise...it would be...very uncomfortable."

"...Is there such a thing?"

Because his sister never does any stretching exercises and her exercise range is limited to outdoors, Chihaya Tetsu has no knowledge of this.

"Is there anything else?"

"Well, let me think about it..."

In this way, through the questions and answers between the two, Chihaya Tetsuya's understanding of women's pajamas gradually became deeper.

"Soft, skin-friendly, breathable, flexible, absorbent..."

Toyokawa Shoko repeated the requirements she had just summarized, and then said jokingly:

"Sounds like a bath towel."

"……………………kindness?"

Chihaya Tetsuya, who was still searching for the right fabric in his mind, suddenly straightened up.

"What did you just say, Toyokawa-san?"

"I said...it sounds like a bath towel."

Toyokawa Shoko repeated it dully.

"After all, bath towels fit these characteristics perfectly."

It is not only soft and skin-friendly, but also very absorbent. If the design is appropriate, mobility and breathability will naturally be a piece of cake.

"Bath towel...bath towel...terry cloth..."

Chihaya Tetsuya suddenly flashed back to the scene seven years ago——

[Hey, this is for you. I made this towel from the terry cloth I saved during the day! Doesn't it feel soft?]

[Look here, I even embroidered a lucky star for you! Eh? You don't think it looks like it? Well... this time it's not very pretty, but next time I will definitely embroider a perfect six-pointed star for you!]

"That's right... this is it, this is it!"

Memories flooded into his mind like a tide, and unprecedented inspiration suddenly burst out in Chihaya Tetsuya's mind.

"Terry cloth, yes, why didn't I think of it, terry cloth can also be used to make pajamas!"

He stood up suddenly, grasped Toyokawa Shoko's hands, and said with gratitude:

"Thank you so much, Toyokawa-san! I would never have thought of this on my own without you!"

Under Toyokawa Shoko's almost dull gaze, a rare smile appeared on Chihaya Tetsuya's face, which could be called a happy smile.

"I'm so lucky to have you as my apprentice!"

"?!?!?!"

After saying that, without paying any attention to Toyokawa Shoko's petrified expression, he went straight back to his desk and began to concentrate and devote himself to the new design.

On the other side, Toyokawa Shoko stood there for a full minute before muttering:

"Lucky...it's obviously my side, right?"

Apart from his miraculous gentleness and kindness, their meeting was filled with too many coincidences.

If he weren't a nocturnal creature, his working hours wouldn't be so compatible with hers.

If he had not come from a poor family, there would have been no possibility for him to pass the interview.

This lucky star from seven years ago finally emitted its belated light.

And this time, it seems that the people illuminated by this light are not just the two people from the past.

"It's great to be able to help you..."

Toyokawa Shoko whispered in a voice that only she could hear:

"It's great to be your apprentice."

The night sky today is as clear and bright as last night.

Chapter 9: Routes That Have Not Yet Intersected

"Huh?! Brother actually came home on time?!"

Seeing Chihaya Tetsuya who had returned home at 11 o'clock in the evening, Chihaya Aine, who was lying in the living room playing with her mobile phone, sat up in shock.

"I was prepared to wait for you until one or two in the morning!"

"Knew it……"

Chihaya Tetsuya shook his head helplessly.

If it were in the past, Chihaya Tetsuya, who was in the midst of a burst of inspiration, would definitely stay up all night alone in the studio. However, now he not only has the task of sending Toyokawa Shoko home, but there may also be a dangerous "time bomb" at home.

And the fact was just as he expected. Chihaya Aine did not go to bed early, but chose to wait until he came home.

"Once school officially starts, you won't be allowed to wait this late."

After hanging up his coat, Chihaya Tetsuya sat down next to his sister.