A guide to survival in a heavy girl's world

Idol costumes? The same theme? And this subtle synced timing...

Huh?

"Xiao, Xiaoxiang, wait a moment!"

Even with Sanjiao Chuhua's calm and mature personality, he couldn't help but stutter because he was too shocked.

"You, that designer you mentioned, which idol will you design costumes for next?"

"Well... because that idol seemed to be involved in his past, I didn't ask in detail..."

Faced with Mikado Chuhua's hesitation, Toyokawa Shoko seemed a little confused.

"Is there anything strange about the theme of constellations?"

"No, no, no, this topic is not strange at all, it's just... I was thinking of something else."

Although it cannot be directly confirmed, this series of coincidences has already formed a basic guess in Sanjiao Chuhua's mind.

But... could such a thing really exist? The person her childhood sweetheart considered her benefactor actually happened to be the designer of their costumes?

Then again, what about the designer's past? It seemed like he wasn't designing for himself. After all, she hadn't known anyone in the fashion industry before this.

In other words, is the other person someone you love?

[This towel was given to me by someone very important to me...]

For some reason, the words that Hoshino Ai said at that time suddenly appeared in her mind.

Although she only learned a brief part of Ai's past from her agent, there was at least one thing she was sure of - that was that before coming to the agency, Hoshino Ai seemed to have been raised in an orphanage.

Is it someone he met at the orphanage? Or is he a long-lost relative?

Is the other party aware of Hoshino Ai's existence? If so, what was his purpose in taking on this job?

"…………"

Many speculations instantly flooded into Sanjiao Chuhua's mind, causing her thoughts to fall into unprecedented chaos.

On the other side, looking at Sankaku Hatsuka's ever-changing expression, Toyokawa Shoko couldn't help but ask with some concern:

"What's wrong? Chuhua? Are you thinking of something unhappy?"

"No, that's not the case."

Toyokawa Shoko's voice quickly brought Sankaku Hatsuka back to reality.

(No, everything is just my assumptions at the moment, and…this matter involves the past of love, which is really not convenient to tell everyone.)

Sanjiao Chuhua thought so.

(And… Xiaoxiang is clearly doing her work so diligently. I can’t disturb her over something that hasn’t been proven yet.)

Thinking of this, Sanjiao Chuhua raised his head again and asked:

"Xiaoxiang, can you tell me the name of the studio you joined?"

"Hmm? Sure, I can... The studio's name is [KaZoKu]"

Toyokawa Shoko answered truthfully.

Although it is generally a bit embarrassing to tell others where you work part-time, [KaZoKu] is not a place that would make her feel ashamed. On the contrary, Toyokawa Shoko is now proud of it from the bottom of her heart.

"It's a subsidiary studio of the well-known fashion brand [EGAO]."

"[KaZoKu]... Yeah, I've got that in mind."

In order to confirm what she was thinking and to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings, she decided to go back and talk to her agent to understand the situation before deciding what to do next.

"Let's get back to the costumes. If it's about zodiac signs, this is what I personally think..."

After that, she told Toyokawa Shoko roughly about their own MV shooting ideas and the general content of the new song.

While admiring Sankaku Hatsuka's rich imagination, Toyokawa Shoko also wrote it down in her notes...

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

"Thank you very much this time, Chuhua."

Finally, after nearly half an hour of questions and answers, Shoko Toyokawa got everything she needed.

She first took out her cell phone to check the time, then put away her notebook and stood up from her seat.

"Next time I have the chance, I'll treat you to coffee."

"Hmm, okay."

Although Sanjiao Chuhua really wanted to spend some more time with her childhood sweetheart after such a long absence, she also had her own class schedule in the evening.

"Keep up your work, Xiaoxiang."

"You too, Chuhua."

After saying goodbye to each other with a smile, Shoko Toyokawa picked up her schoolbag and left the private room directly.

After Toyokawa Shoko completely left, Sanjiao Chuhua took out his cell phone and made a call -

"Hey, Miss Higuchi, I have something I want to ask you. Did we entrust the design of our performance costumes to a studio called [KaZoKu]? Well, today I..."

………that night…………

"This is... the advice given by your idol friend?"

Chihaya Tetsuya asked in an incredulous tone as he looked at the notebook in his hand that contained a large amount of information.

"Yes."

And Shoko Toyokawa nodded decisively.

"I asked her about everything, from the material, style, and pattern of the clothing to some conceptual issues... If there are any omissions, I can ask her to fill them in later."

"No, no, no... This is detailed enough..."

Chihaya Tetsuya murmured as he checked the contents of the notes:

“There’s even a simulated storyboard for the music video… It’s incredible.”

"She's a very good idol. Although it's not convenient to reveal her name to you, her abilities and character are absolutely trustworthy."

Toyokawa Shoko said seriously:

“So you don’t have to worry about the authenticity of these contents at all.”

"Yes, I understand."

Anyone who is willing to keep in touch with Toyokawa Shoko despite her changing family circumstances must be a good person worthy of trust.

Not only that, Chihaya Tetsuya also admired his magnanimity in helping other idols with their work.

Thinking of this, Chihaya Tetsuya nodded and placed the notebook solemnly on the workbench.

"I'll study it carefully from now on... Thank you, Toyokawa-san."

"This is what I should do!"

When Chihaya Tetsuya thanked her, Toyokawa Shoko immediately smiled brightly.

"If there's anything else you need from me, please let me know... Ah, um, samples to try on or something... that's fine too."

When she said this, Toyokawa Shoko's cheeks suddenly blushed for some unknown reason.

Chihaya Tetsuya shook his head and continued talking about business without noticing:

"You've done enough. From now on, just continue to focus on your studies... By the way, has the work here affected your studies? Do you need me to reduce your daily homework?"

"No! Absolutely not necessary!"

After hearing this, Toyokawa Shoko quickly shook her head and said:

"Rather, I've always been a little worried about whether I'll be holding Mr. Chihaya back or something..."

"The pajamas ideas you provided me are already invaluable, not to mention this notebook."

With his usual serious expression, Chihaya Tetsuya said to Toyokawa Shoko:

"Toyokawa-san, you've become an indispensable source of strength for me, so from now on, you can be more confident... By the way."

Halfway through his speech, he seemed to suddenly remember something.

"From today on, can I just call you Fengchuan?"

"……what?"

Upon hearing these words, Shoko Toyokawa subconsciously widened her eyes.

"Feng, Fengchuan..."

"Well, after all, the atmosphere in our studio is all about harmony and companionship. If only the two of us insist on using honorifics for each other, it might seem unsociable."

Chihaya Tetsuya explained seriously:

"Of course, if you feel a little reluctant, you can continue to maintain the status quo."

"No! I didn't feel forced! It was just a little unexpected!"

Toyokawa Shoko, whose surprise had just begun to rise in her heart, hurriedly interrupted Chihaya Tetsuya's "withdraw order".

"Just call me Xiangzi! I'd be happy to do that!"

"That's good... But it's not enough for me to change my address alone. Toyokawa, you should adjust your address for me as well."

Chihaya Tetsuya said:

"There's not much of a difference in age between us. You can just call me Chihaya, or you can call me Tetsuya like everyone else."

"No, no, no, calling someone by their name is too much!!!"

Shoko Toyokawa, who was completely unprepared for this, quickly shook her head.

"Calling Chihaya directly... seems a bit, um..."

Indescribable shyness and excitement filled her heart, making it difficult for her to make a decision for a moment.

What's a good name that would fit the intimacy of the studio atmosphere while also reflecting the superior-subordinate relationship between the two?

……

Ah, I thought of one.

"Chi-Chihaya-nii, what do you think of calling me that?"

"Ah, this is good."

After hearing this new name, Chihaya Tetsu couldn't help but smile as he thought of his sister.

"Then from now on, let's work hard together, Fengchuan."

"That's my side!"

Reciting this inexplicably intimate name again, Toyokawa Shoko suppressed the throbbing in her heart and responded:

"From now on... I'll be grateful for your guidance, Chihaya-nii."

The change of name can sometimes reflect a lot of things.

At least from this moment on, for Shoko Toyokawa, she once again had a companion she could trust... or even rely on.

Chapter 14: Rejection of a Strange Culture

After Chihaya Tetsuya carefully studied all the contents in the notes, although he did not get direct inspiration like when designing pajamas, he at least got a direction for further thinking.

"Should I design something that combines my personal style with my stage style?"

This concise and clear summary plunged Chihaya Tetsuya into unprecedented confusion.

Although he understood all the words, he was clearly out of touch with this popular culture and even if he racked his brains, he could not think of any representative cases.

So, after a brief thought, he made a very reasonable decision -

“Aine.”

The first thing Chihaya Tetsuya did when he returned home was to hand the phone to his confused sister.

"Help me find some representative idol live performances."

"………………oh?"