A guide to survival in a heavy girl's world

Facing the stunned expressions of the two, Jean said in a very relaxed tone:

"About... how to help Mr. Assistant pay off all his debts in one go!"

122

Chapter 122: Taking responsibility is not just talk.

"In fact, even if there wasn't that plagiarist, my design would have been copied by quite a few people before."

Jean said this with a relaxed expression while cutting the food on the plate with a knife and fork.

As one of the world's top designers, and even an artist who has been awarded the title of nobility by France, it is impossible for his designs to lack followers or even plagiarists.

"But among them, at best, some can only imitate me... but no one can truly master my designs. Mr. Assistant may not understand what I'm saying, but Mr. Chihaya should understand, right? For us designers, the clothes in this world can be roughly divided into two categories: those that can be made and those that cannot be made."

Jean said to Chihaya Tetsuya with a smile:

"By the way, Mr. Chihaya has already seen the designs I gave to Yachiyo, right? What do you think?"

“…very powerful, very profound, very complex.”

Chihaya Tetsuya answered truthfully.

Recalling the first time he saw those designs, he couldn't even find words to describe the shock he felt... and the frustration he felt.

“I thought I had mastered all the cutting and sewing techniques, but when I saw Mr. Jean’s designs, I realized my limitations… Even though I was looking at the complete designs, I still didn’t know how to make them.”

"Eh?"

After hearing Chihaya Tetsuya's answer, Toyokawa Shoko's father immediately showed a puzzled expression:

"How could that be? Logically speaking, as long as we have the blueprints, shouldn't we be able to restore it exactly as it was?"

"I can indeed tell its general shape and style from the blueprint, but other than that... there's nothing else I can figure out."

Speaking of this, Chihaya Tetsuya couldn't help but shook his head:

"For example, there's a black base with a coat cut from a single piece of fabric... No matter how hard I think about it, I can't figure out what kind of fabric and craftsmanship I should use to perfectly recreate the effect presented in that design."

For Chihaya Tetsuya, who had a very solid foundation in proofing and tailoring, that design drawing was the biggest reason that made him fully realize the gap in strength between himself and Jean.

Since it was a garment made from a single piece of fabric, the material requirements were quite stringent. Furthermore, considering the final design, it had to be lightweight for summer while maintaining an incredibly stiff shape after wear... At least for Chihaya Tetsuya, he had no idea what kind of craftsmanship and fabric were being used. He didn't even know how he was supposed to wear the coat after this.

"Oh! That's the one you're talking about!"

After hearing Chihaya Tetsuya's description, Rang slapped his thigh in sudden realization:

"It's actually very simple. All you need is mud-dyed cloth from West Africa. As for how to wear it, if you want to find relevant information, you might have to look up some documentaries about Africa. After all, the garment is a coat that originated in West African tribes and was used to care for women during childbirth. For them, it symbolizes protection and safety."

"West African tribes? Mud-dyed cloth? Protection and safety?"

This series of words was beyond his knowledge, and Chihaya Tetsuya was stunned.

Both this country and this fabric are extremely unfamiliar to Chihaya Tetsuya.

Faced with Chihaya Tetsuya's bewildered expression, Jean shrugged without any surprise.

"Mr. Chihaya, you're a designer with solid fundamentals, right? I can tell from the costumes you designed for those two idols. The attention to detail, the reuse of different fabrics, the adjustment space you left so the idols can keep using the same outfits forever, plus the incredibly detailed craftsmanship... For you, there's probably nothing you can't recreate about Japanese design and the techniques documented in books. But... when it comes to these overseas crafts and cultures you've never even heard of, even a designer as skilled as you would be completely incapable of reproducing them. And as for that amateur who can't even begin to plagiarize, it's even more impossible."

Having said this, he suddenly looked at Toyokawa Shoko's father again:

"By the way, Mr. Assistant, you just said that you saved all the records of your conversation with the plagiarist in your phone, right?"

"……Yes."

Toyokawa Shoko's father nodded with a heavy face.

"I originally planned to use this as evidence to turn myself in after our deal was concluded..."

"Oh, there's no need to turn yourself in! First, let Mr. Chihaya take a look at those 'line drawings' I gave you earlier!"

It was as if he didn't care about what he had done at all, and he just kept urging him. He had originally planned to further confess his sins, but after hearing this, he had no choice but to take out his phone and show Chihaya Tetsuya those line drawings that were not recognized by Di Yeqing -

"..."

It wasn't an outline, it wasn't a garment, it wasn't even a pattern, just a few inexplicably intersecting lines. If Chihaya Tetsu had seen this kind of image normally, he would have dismissed it as a child's doodle. However, since Jean had said it was related to his designs, he naturally took it seriously.

So, Chihaya Tetsuya stared at the extremely simple doodle on the phone screen for a long time. Then he gestured back and forth in the air with his fingers, muttering to himself:

"These curves look a bit like arrows... Where arrows are needed for clothing, they're usually only found in the pattern instructions. Ah, could this be... the folding steps for the fabric? And then there are two lines in the entire design, meaning two pieces of fabric stacked—"

Just like that, Chihaya Tetsu also began to go about his daily work as if no one else was around.

On the other hand, listening to Chihaya Tetsuya's occasional mutterings, the admiration in his eyes began to become more and more obvious.

Initially, he only began to notice this promising young man because of the quality of the clothes worn by the two idols. However, as his investigation and understanding of him deepened, as well as the words he just overheard in the corridor, he realized that this young man not only possessed a talent for design and pattern making, but also had a heart that was far more sincere and transparent than that of ordinary people.

No wonder he was able to create those two costumes that perfectly suited the idols themselves, showing great dedication and care...

For a moment, the look in his eyes when he looked at Chihaya Tetsuya began to become more profound.

On the other hand, Chihaya Tetsuya was completely unaware of Jean's expression and continued to focus all his thoughts on the line drawing in front of him.

Just like that, after spending nearly ten minutes simulating and calculating, and mentally piecing together the two folded pieces of fabric, Chihaya Tetsuya looked up and said in an uncertain tone:

"This, could it be... also a coat?"

Not only that, it was a very similar garment to the one mentioned earlier. If nothing unexpected happened, not only the appearance, but also the fabric folding technique of the two garments was exactly the same. If this fabric folding technique was applied to the West African tribal garment, perhaps... Chihaya Tetsu could try to create that garment he didn't understand!

“…Yes, that’s right.”

After hearing Chihaya Tetsuya's answer, he immediately applauded with a smile on his face, and then he turned his head to look at his confused assistant.

"That's the difference in ability, Mr. Assistant. It's all my line drawings, but Mr. Chihaya was able to guess the truth from them. But that poor plagiarist can't see anything. He can only wait pitifully for me to make samples before copying them..."

Having said that, he couldn't help but shook his head with a look of pity.

"My designs aren't simple enough for an amateur like me to learn. Even if I show him a sample, but don't tell him the exact fabric and proper way to wear it, he'll only end up with some useless, defective garment. And if I even omit some accessories from the sample that need to be adjusted on the runway to suit the model... well, I can't imagine what kind of weird things he'll come up with."

After that, he returned the phone to Toyokawa Shoko's father and said to him:

"By the way, those photos you took are a little blurry, and the lighting is pretty bad. Remember to pay attention next time you take them so you don't have trouble seeing over there."

"...Wait, wait a minute, Mr. Jean!"

Faced with Rang's calmness, Chihaya Tetsuya quickly reminded him:

"NozAK!] isn't the only amateur like Di Yeqing. This past year's acquisitions and expansions have given it access to designer resources far beyond those of ordinary brands. If we truly show him everything without reservation, he might actually learn something by accident—"

"Thank you for worrying about me, Mr. Chihaya. But please have some faith in my strength."

Even after hearing Chihaya Tetsuya's warning, Jean's tone remained casual and calm.

"Even if he got the exact same outfit as me, I can guarantee... he would never be able to beat me."

"Eh……"

Although Chihaya Tetsuya had no idea where Rang's confidence came from, since he was so insistent, as an outsider, he couldn't comment any further.

On the other hand, Toyokawa Shoko's father heard another meaning from what Jean said -

"Rang, are you seriously trying to get me to complete the deal with Di Yeqing?"

"Of course! Since it's a business, it naturally needs to have a beginning and an end."

Jean said seriously:

"Since he's willing to spend such a huge amount of money to humiliate himself, I'll just sell them all to him. If he thinks my designs and samples aren't simple enough to understand, I can teach him how to make them in person."

"This……"

Faced with Jean's generosity and tolerance, Toyokawa Shoko's father showed an expression of disbelief.

"Is this really possible? Even if I'm confident I won't lose to him, then I'll be the only one to benefit..."

"Don't worry, I haven't finished speaking yet."

Jean shook his finger:

"No matter what the outcome, the fact that you intended to help Di Yeqing secretly photograph my design drawings before this will not change, and I am not so tolerant as to turn a blind eye to such a taboo for designers, so now let me offer you my terms."

After that, he raised three fingers:

"First of all, as the prisoner's assistant, after completing the deal with Di Yeqing, you must continue to work for me as my assistant. As for the time limit... it will be until I get tired of looking at your face."

"..."

Toyokawa Shoko's father was slightly stunned at first by this condition which was so lenient that it was almost equivalent to forgiveness, and then he lowered his head to Jean with gratitude.

"Yes...I understand."

"Then there's Mr. Chihaya, who just kept saying he'd share the responsibility. As for your terms... I'll tell you after the joint exhibition is over."

Under Chihaya Tetsuya's dull gaze, Jean said with a brilliant smile that made it impossible to see through his thoughts:

"Before that, please focus on the joint exhibition and [TGC]... Oh, by the way, if your performance doesn't meet my expectations, I might change my mind and reconsider the matter of Mr. Assistant~"

"……Yes!"

After the joint exhibition ended, by then, the deal between Xiangzi's father and Di Yeqing had actually been completed.

In other words, no matter what, Jean has decided to help Xiangzi's father... and to return his and Xiangzi's freedom through this deal!

"Finally, it's the third condition."

Just when Chihaya Tetsuya was still feeling happy about this, Jean suddenly said:

"You just said that Mr. Assistant's daughter is now working as your apprentice and assistant, right?"

"Yes."

Chihaya Tetsuya nodded first, then couldn't help but ask:

"Why do you suddenly mention Xiangzi..."

"Because this last condition was put forward to her."

Let's say:

"As the person who caused Mr. Assistant to take such a risk, and as someone who also wanted to take responsibility through her own efforts, she certainly shouldn't just sit back and enjoy the fruits of her labor. So, Mr. Chihaya."

"Yes."

"At this joint exhibition, I hope to see the design of that assistant in your brand..."

Jean smiled and told Chihaya Tetsuya his final condition.

"Remember what I just said, don't let me down."

123

Chapter 123: Toyokawa Shoko was well prepared.

"Jiang... probably already noticed what the assistant was doing."

On the way home after dinner, Yamabuki Yachiyo said:

"While he's certainly the type to be quite casual with his designs, he's never drawn anything so 'randomly' before. So, those line drawings were probably drawn on purpose to play a prank on the assistant and [NozAK!]."

"I also have this feeling."

Sakurakouji Luna also nodded in agreement.

She still remembers the sly smile on Jean's face when he left his seat.

"And the speed with which he responded to this plagiarism incident, the topics he raised, and the conditions he finally proposed, no matter how you look at it, don't seem to be a spur-of-the-moment decision..."

Especially the condition that Chihaya Tetsuya specifically proposed to wait until the end of the joint exhibition to announce it, which clearly means that they are prepared to continue to keep in touch with Chihaya Tetsuya after the end of this exhibition and even after the end of [TGC].

I don't know what conditions he is going to propose...

"However, putting aside the joint exhibition and the plagiarism incident, at least Ms. Toyokawa's matter should have been resolved safely."

Yamabuki Yachiyo sighed:

"Not only does she no longer have to worry about the Toyokawa family's debts, but her father will also have a stable job."

“It’s not a complete solution yet.”

Sakurakouji Luna shook her head.

"Putting aside Chihaya Tetsuya's condition of holding off until after the exhibition, Rang has also placed a condition on Toyokawa. Toyokawa is certainly a talented designer, but expecting her to produce exhibition-quality clothing straight away... is definitely not an easy task for a beginner like her. If she truly fails to deliver clothing that meets Rang's expectations, then everything that happens next will be uncertain."

"makes sense."