A guide to survival in a heavy girl's world

"……kindness?"

"Before this, have you really never been confessed to by any girl other than Hoshino Ai?"

Nagasaki Suyo was quite concerned about this.

After hearing this, Chihaya Tetsu subconsciously wanted to answer, but he quickly closed his mouth again and put on a thoughtful expression.

If it were in the past, he would definitely answer no without hesitation. However, recently, whenever he recalled his past, he could always discover some things that he had ignored for many years from some details.

"Maybe... I did. But I wasn't aware of it at the time, so I subconsciously didn't take it seriously."

Chihaya Tetsuya scratched his head.

"After all, I was completely focused on learning clothing making. Let alone falling in love, I didn't even have any other hobbies..."

"what about now?"

Nagasaki Suyo continued to ask:

"If it were now, would you be able to realize it?"

"This one……"

The shadow of Hoshino Ai subconsciously appeared in Chihaya Tetsuya's mind.

Under her fanatical pursuit and offensive, he finally understood how much love could drive people to take positive actions.

However, this situation is probably only limited to Hoshino Ai. If it were someone else, they would definitely not express their love to me as excessively as she did.

If that's the case, can he really come to the conclusion that "the other person really likes him"?

"Honestly, I don't know either."

In the end, Chihaya Tetsuya shook his head very frankly.

"Before this, I had always sought the peace of mind of long-term companionship and the lifelong affection of family... But now, I find that what I seek seems to be more than that."

Ever since what happened that night with Hoshino Ai, the way he looked at the girls around him and the evil thoughts that popped up in his mind from time to time have always reminded him that something in his heart has undergone irreversible changes.

In addition to love, who is the culprit, he has recently begun to realize that there seems to be something in Toyokawa and Suyo that attracts him. Even Chihaya Aine, who has always been cherished and cared for by him as if she were his own sister, now makes him have some abnormal impulses.

"I know I do lack common sense on some issues, but now... I feel like I'm gradually regaining some of that which I've been waiting for."

Recalling the scene when Nagasaki Suyo was wearing an apron and fixing her hair, Chihaya Tetsuya said seriously:

"So, don't be fooled by my gentle appearance towards you all. I might become a very dangerous man in the future. For your own safety, I think... I should keep a certain distance from you."

"…our safety?"

After hearing this, Nagasaki Suyo was stunned at first, and then she couldn't help but look into Chihaya Tetsuya's eyes.

"You mean, what do you think you're likely to do to us in the future?"

"Uh, this...it's just a possibility!"

Fearing that the other party might misunderstand, Chihaya Tetsuya quickly explained:

"Before this, I've always treated you as my younger sisters, but recently I've come to realize that you're all girls around my age. Which means... I think I should take the initiative to keep a little distance from you."

"..."

So that's it. Is it at this stage?

After receiving this complete mental journey, Nagasaki Suyo suddenly had the answer in her heart.

It was indeed under the influence of Hoshino Ai that he gradually awakened his consciousness as a man... but it was far from enough.

He needed further stimulation to make his so-called "danger" even more intense. This way... he could further increase the possibility of him "making a mistake"...

But it doesn’t matter, there’s a long way to go.

In the future, whether it is her... or Hoshino Ai, there will surely be many opportunities to help this slow-witted guy grow further.

Until then...

Looking at Chihaya Tetsuya's serious expression, Nagasaki Suyo began to feel an unspeakable anticipation in her heart...

37

Chapter 37: A fair and open gamble.

"No, this arrangement is too monotonous. Although the melody is catchy, it's too 'dry' for an idol."

Toyokawa Shoko took off her headphones and shook her head seriously.

"If we want to stand out on that stage, we need something a little more cunning and a little more impactful."

"what do you mean?"

"We need to use synthesizers to adapt the style of music into a more modern hip-hop style."

Toyokawa Shoko said:

“Then I’d like to try adding a vocal mix at the beginning, and then replacing the bass in this part with a synth bass sound.”

"what……"

When Sanjiao Chuhua heard this word, he turned his head in surprise and looked at Toyokawa Shoko.

Although she hadn't spoken to Toyokawa Shoko about music for a year, she had at least heard the song "Spring Shadow" she had composed a year before. Back then, Toyokawa Shoko hadn't even used a synthesizer, let alone an effects pedal.

And now, after starting to arrange music again after a year, she actually made this choice with a style completely different from a year ago...

"Did Xiangzi learn how to use a synthesizer during this year?"

“No, that’s why I said give it a try.”

As Toyokawa Shoko spoke, she pointed to her head:

"But according to my conception, this effect will definitely be better than before."

"Then I'll give it a try..."

Sanjiao Chuhua, who was sitting in front of the computer, put down his guitar and began to change the project files in front of him according to Toyokawa Shoko's requirements.

"What kind of vocals would you like?"

"Let me think about it..."

When she was conceiving the music, Toyokawa Shoko immediately imagined the image of Hoshino Ai standing on the stage in her exclusive performance costume. That figure that could capture everyone's attention and favor, a figure that would make people worship just by looking at it.

"...try it with a choir."

Toyokawa Shoko said:

"I want to create a sacred feeling far beyond that of ordinary idols."

"Sacred feeling? That doesn't seem like a word you'd use on an idol..."

After hearing this, Sanjiao Chuhua couldn't help but flash a hint of surprise across his face again.

Then, while searching the library for a sound effect that matched Toyokawa Shoko's description, she spoke:

"You seem to have a higher opinion of love than I thought."

"Putting aside my personal dislike for her, her face is indeed worthy of the word, and my desire to use this arrangement has nothing to do with my opinion of her."

After hearing Sankaku Hatsuka's thoughts, Toyokawa Shoko immediately shook her head.

"I just wanted to use this song to give her a brief moment of 'divinity' on that stage, enough to make all the audience bow down in worship."

"That doesn't seem good, does it?"

After hearing this answer, Sankaku Hatsuka turned his gaze towards Toyokawa Shoko:

"She was planning to confess her feelings to Mr. Tetsuya on that stage. If she truly became a 'god' on that stage as you said, then her subsequent, contrasting statements would likely cause a terrible backlash."

"It's just that the atmosphere on the scene will be affected, but the result will not change."

Shoko Toyokawa's expression looked very calm.

"If she really decides to reveal everything on that stage, then no matter how the live performance turns out, both she and Chihaya-san will suffer. Rather than that, I'd rather bet all my hopes on the possibility of her making another decision."

"That means the possibility of continuing as an idol..."

Sanjiao Chuhua shifted his gaze back to the music arrangement software in front of him, and began to gradually arrange the materials he had just found into the prelude.

If this live show is truly successful, Hoshino Ai's popularity and influence will be further enhanced, and she will naturally be invited to the Tokyo Girls Collection. At that time, Chihaya Tetsu will also get the precious opportunity that Yamabuki Yachiyo mentioned, which will allow him to officially enter the fashion industry.

"Really, it's like gambling."

"I know this idea is quite radical. So... I wrote another song to try and persuade her to change her mind."

At this point, a hint of hesitation flashed across Toyokawa Shoko's face.

“Although I don’t know to what extent Deng can perfect that song, but if we really want to write a song that can enter the heart of Hoshino Ai, then Deng’s sensibility is absolutely indispensable.”

"That little lead singer."

Upon hearing the name, Sanjiao Chuhua nodded in understanding.

"Indeed, that kind of sincerity and devotion is indeed a quality that others cannot replicate... However, for Ai, these external factors can only affect her emotions at most. If you want to make her change her mind, it really depends on her herself... or Mr. Tetsuya."

"But Chihaya-san doesn't intend to forcibly interfere with Hoshino Ai's choice."

When mentioning this matter, Toyokawa Shoko couldn't help but sigh.

"He would never do anything to force anyone, not even for himself."

"...So, you followed suit and chose to contribute your strength in this way."

Sanjiao Chuhua shrugged.

"Not by interfering with other people's thinking and judgment, but simply giving them a 'push' with their own opinions and waiting for them to make their own choices."

"There's nothing wrong with that, right? Instead of resorting to reckless, overconfident, devious schemes, facing everything with honesty and integrity like Chihaya-san is the kind of 'person' I admire. And that's exactly why I respect Chihaya-san so much..."

Toyokawa Shoko said:

"If I want to truly be able to stand beside him and help him, then the first thing I need to learn is this uprightness."

"..."

Since meeting Chihaya Tetsuya, Toyokawa Shoko has really changed a lot.

Whether it is the way of thinking or the expectations for the future, they have gradually been influenced by Chihaya Tetsuya.

Could the impact of yearning... or falling in love with the right person be so vivid and intense?

For a moment, Sankaku Hatsuka couldn't help but recall the scenes when she was with Chihaya Tetsuya... If she were to live with a boy like this day and night, what would she become?

"Haha... I don't know when that dress will be finished."

Throwing down a sentence of expectation that only he could hear, Sanjiao Chuhua once again focused his attention on the music arrangement software in front of him.

38

Chapter 38: Strange joy and unexpected call.

After finishing the vocal lessons for the day, Hoshino Ai, who was about to return to the lounge as usual, was suddenly stopped by the vocal teacher.

"Love."

"?"

"Starting from next period, you will attend class with Chuhua."

The vocal music teacher said:

"Judging from your current performance, there's no need for you to take private lessons anymore."

"Eh?"

After hearing this, Hoshino Ai couldn't help but stand there in a daze.

Ever since she became a partner with Sanjiao Chuhua, she always heard praises about Sanjiao Chuhua from various teachers and staff.

Whether it's music, dance, form, or even work ethic, they're all worlds apart from her less-educated self. To successfully debut alongside Triangle Chuhua, she put in far more effort and sweat than any other newcomer during her trainee years. Yet, even with all that, she couldn't catch up to the all-around prodigy, so much so that even months after her official debut, she was still receiving private tutoring.

She had no complaints or dissatisfaction about this. Born in an orphanage, she was already accustomed to the feeling of falling behind others. Moreover, she worked hard to become an idol in order to find Zheya. As long as she thought of this, she could grit her teeth and persevere no matter how hard it was.

For her at that time, both her idol status and the dazzling stage were merely prerequisites for her reunion with Chihaya Tetsuya. She had always lagged behind Mikaku Hatsuka and harbored a sense of inferiority, never feeling a sense of belonging to her idol status, and never believed she was truly the "one-of-a-kind" special existence that everyone talked about.

In this long pursuit, she gradually got used to putting in more effort, and gradually accepted the reality that she might never catch up with Sanjiao Chuhua. Even though she had a higher popularity than Sanjiao Chuhua due to her acting skills cultivated since childhood and her naturally gifted appearance, she still believed that Sanjiao Chuhua was a better person than herself.