A guide to survival in a heavy girl's world

Chihaya Aine, who had not yet recovered from her shock, looked at the blue-haired girl with a bewildered expression.

(Eh...what a cute girl.)

After exclaiming in her heart at the speed of light, Chihaya Aine quickly responded:

"Um, you're not hurt, are you?"

"I'm fine here, how about you?"

"I'm fine too."

"That's great."

The blue-haired girl patted her chest with some relief.

"Well, I have something urgent to attend to, so I'll excuse myself first."

After saying that, the blue-haired girl first stroked her chest and bowed slightly, then immediately walked towards the end of the corridor with hurried steps...

"Yes! Please take care..."

Because the other party's wording and the etiquette when leaving were so thoughtful, Chihaya Aine's way of speaking became restrained.

Not until the blue-haired girl completely disappeared from sight did Chihaya Aine finally stretch out her right hand that had just been grabbed with a dazed look on her face.

"Huh...there are girls like this in Yuqiu."

Although it was only a brief touch, she could still feel the delicate and smooth skin of the other person.

Besides that, his pretty face, dignified and elegant manners also left a deep impression on her...

If she hadn't been wearing the same uniform, she would have thought she was a young lady from the Moon Forest.

"What an incredible high school."

After sighing like this, Chihaya Aine picked up the schoolbag in her hand and set out on the way home again.

........................

“…This is so wrong.”

Shoko Toyokawa, who had just walked out of the school gate, felt a little regretful about her recklessness.

Fortunately, the accidental collision did not cause any actual damage, so she was able to continue on her way.

With hurried steps, Shoko Toyokawa walked all the way until she arrived at the door of a KTV, where she finally stopped.

She first took out her phone and glanced at the chat history, then double-checked to make sure no one was paying attention. After completing the above steps, she finally stepped into the store and walked straight to a room she had already reserved.

"Long time no see, Xiaoxiang."

When the door was opened, a blonde girl wearing a baseball cap and a mask pulled down below her lips was looking at Toyokawa Shoko who had just entered with a smile.

"Just like we agreed last night, I'm here to see you."

Chapter 12: Idol and Childhood Friend

"It's been a long time!"

Looking at Toyokawa Shoko who was sitting next to her, the blonde girl said happily:

"I was really surprised to be asked out by you, Xiaoxiang! The last time we met was a year ago."

"Yeah."

Seeing her childhood sweetheart whom she hadn't seen for a long time, a smile from the heart appeared on Toyokawa Shoko's face.

"But haven't we always been in touch?"

After saying that, Shoko Toyokawa shook the phone in her hand.

The blonde girl said with some dissatisfaction after hearing this:

"Just chatting on the phone isn't enough... I hope you can ask me out more often in the future."

"That's what I said, but Chuhua, you must be very busy recently, right?"

Toyokawa Shoko said helplessly:

"Even if I really wanted to ask you out, I'm afraid it would be difficult for you to spare any large blocks of free time."

“………………Indeed.”

The blonde girl, Mikado Hatsuka, a member of the idol group [Summer Zodiac], nodded slightly.

"Our group is currently in a very important period, and our upcoming filming schedule is extremely full. And according to our president, we seem to be participating in the next WING (Wonder Idol Nova Grand Prix)."

"Eh? Isn't that pretty impressive?"

Hearing about this grand event that even people outside the circle have more or less heard of, Toyokawa Shoko couldn't help but put her hands together and said:

"Congratulations, Chuhua, you are getting closer and closer to realizing your dream."

"It's all because of your encouragement, Xiaoxiang."

Sankaku Hatsuka looked into Toyokawa Shoko's eyes and said seriously:

"Whenever I feel tired or uneasy, I think back to the message Xiaoxiang sent me."

"That kind of nonsense... anyone can say it."

However, in the face of Sanjiao Chuhua's gratitude, Toyokawa Shoko just shook her head with a normal expression.

"I was only able to cheer you on right away because you were the first to inform me of this. I didn't actually provide you with any substantial help."

"…………"

After hearing what Toyokawa Shoko said, Sankaku Hatsuka first opened her eyes wide in surprise. Then she carefully observed Toyokawa Shoko's expression before saying:

"So-called substantial help... is actually a very subjective concept. Although I did inform you alone at the time, that was because I simply hoped to hear your encouragement. And that message, which you saw as just 'empty talk', actually became my motivation to move forward without you knowing it."

"And even if it's just polite talk that anyone can say, it can become something different when spoken by the right person at the right time... Just like love, there may be countless choices in this world, but the one who appears first will always be the one you consider first... In a sense, it's like a game of musical chairs."

"Right time, right person..."

Hearing this, the figure of Chihaya Tetsuya and the night that she would never forget suddenly appeared in Shoko Toyokawa's mind.

The night sky was clear that night, the breeze was comfortable, the streets were quiet as if a joke, and even the street lights were much brighter than usual.

She is still glad that she saw the job advertisement on the website and that she had the courage to attend the interview.

To Chihaya Tetsuya, perhaps he was just offering a small helping hand out of kindness to a frustrated person like her, but to her, this was a significant moment that could change the trajectory of her life.

"I understand."

Toyokawa Shoko nodded, then she sat up straight and said to Sankaku Hatsuka:

"Then in return, I have something I would like to ask for your help."

"Really? Even if you didn't say all this, I would definitely agree to it..."

Sanjiao Chuhua smiled helplessly.

However, she was very clear about the self-esteem and stubbornness of her childhood sweetheart. In order to protect her self-esteem, she did not forcefully ask Xiangzi to take back his words.

"Okay, then, Xiaoxiang, what do you need me to do for you?"

"I want to ask you a few questions about idol performance costumes."

As Shoko Toyokawa spoke, she opened her schoolbag and took out the ballpoint pen and notebook she had prepared in advance.

"Some of these questions may involve your work content, but I assure you that I will never leak any secrets easily, nor will I use this information for any purpose that is detrimental to you."

Faced with Toyokawa Shoko's serious attitude, Sankaku Hatsuka's response was also very simple:

"Okay, I believe you."

After saying that, she took off her hat and mask, and then sat up straight with Toyokawa Shoko as if she was being interviewed by a reporter.

"Let's get started, Xiaoxiang."

"kindness."

........................

After that, Shoko Toyokawa asked a series of questions about the performance costumes.

For example, common styles, basic requirements, and details such as pattern types, embroidery patterns, etc.

And Sanjiao Hatsuka also answered Toyokawa Shoko to the best of her knowledge.

However, because Toyokawa Shoko's questions were so targeted, the conversation between the two of them naturally turned to the source of these problems.

"A fashion designer's apprentice... No wonder Xiaoxiang specifically asked me these questions."

After learning the truth, Sanjiao Chuhua showed an understanding expression.

"Is it okay? Xiaoxiang probably hasn't studied fashion before, right?"

"It's okay. My employer is a very kind person. He gave me enough time to study."

Toyokawa Shoko shook her head.

"Besides...he helped me when I needed it most, and I want to repay him no matter what."

"I see, that's good."

Looking at the expression of determination and fighting spirit on his childhood sweetheart's face, Sanjiao Chuhua smiled and nodded.

"Since you are Xiaoxiang's benefactor, you are also my benefactor... Keep asking questions, Xiaoxiang."

"Well, next question...ah, this question may be a little abstract."

Toyokawa Shoko showed a somewhat hesitant expression.

"If Chuhua were to customize a set of costumes for your own performance, what would you pay special attention to?"

"...My own performance costume?"

Faced with this subjective question with a relatively vague scope, Sanjiao Chuhua showed a thoughtful expression.

"The first point is that it really has to fit my personal style. For example, I tend to go for a mature style, so if I wear overly bright visual-kei costumes, it will definitely detract from my performance..."

Toyokawa Shoko continued to ask while writing in her notebook:

"So, first you have to understand the other person's personal style, right?"

"Strictly speaking, it's a stage style. After all, performance costumes are special clothing designed for specific occasions, so you only need to consider the type of show it will be in."

Sanjiao Chuhua explained:

"As for the second point, it's definitely the costume quality. According to our agent and vice president, she once wore a costume at the request of the production team that was of very poor quality. In order to endure the discomfort as much as possible, she spent almost the entire show trying to distract herself."

"...So, comfort is also important?"

After hearing this, Shoko Toyokawa showed an expression of great surprise.

"I thought I didn't need to consider these things at all for performance costumes."

"That's true for the audience, but for the performers on stage, comfort is incredibly important! If poorly made clothes force people to focus on 'endurance,' then comfortable clothes can transform that energy directly into 'performance.'"

Sanjiao Chuhua said:

"Now you should understand, right? For an artist, wearing comfortable performance clothes will greatly improve their performance!"

"That's it, I understand!"

If this is the case, then Mr. Chihaya's design concept can still be preserved. Not only that, his personal advantages seem to be able to play a huge role in this design!

This is so great!

After feeling a little more at ease, Shoko Toyokawa asked her next question.

"The next question is a bit abstract, so Chuhua, just express your thoughts in a simple way—"

"If the performance costumes were themed around [Zodiac], what would Chuhua think of?"

"………………kindness?"

Chapter 13: Steps Towards Authentic Relationships

constellation?

Hearing this unexpected word, Sanjiao Chuhua couldn't help but show a look of surprise.