A guide to survival in a heavy girl's world

Hearing this, Yamabuki Yachiyo couldn't help but worry about Toyokawa Shoko again.

"I wonder if Ms. Toyokawa can handle it..."

……

"I am back."

"Welcome back, Tetsuya-kun."

Toyokawa Shoko, who had been waiting in the living room since Chihaya Tetsuya left, immediately stood up and greeted him.

"How was your meeting with Mr. Jean?"

She asked in a slightly nervous tone as she took Chihaya Tetsuya's coat.

Chihaya Tetsuya, who could sense a strong sense of unease in Shoko's tone, also kept the matter in suspense and said bluntly:

"From the perspective of the result, it's a good thing for now—"

Then he sat on the sofa with Shoko Toyokawa and told her everything that happened that night.

After listening to this overwhelming amount of information, Shoko Toyokawa immediately leaned back on the sofa, feeling completely exhausted.

"……Great."

Toyokawa Shoko murmured softly with a relieved tone:

"Mr. Jean has no intention of holding my father responsible..."

Not only that, he was even willing to take the initiative to offer advice to his father, using Di Yeqing's plan to repay his debts...

Shoko Toyokawa, who had always anticipated the worst outcome in her mind, even doubted for a moment whether she was dreaming.

"Is it really okay for the guilty party to accept such a generous gift...?"

"Perhaps it's because Mr. Rang already has enough money to deal with this plagiarism incident, and he himself is indeed quite generous, so he responded so generously."

Recalling the carefree and effortless manner at that time, Chihaya Tetsu couldn't help but sigh:

"That confidence, even after showing the other party all the designs and samples, and still being able to say that you won't lose... is truly impressive."

Although Chihaya Tetsu had met many powerful figures before, the one he admired the most was indeed this senior who was also in the field of design and had become a world-class figure.

"But having said that, Jean's forgiveness isn't entirely without cost. Besides the fact that your father will have to work for him from now on, don't forget that we've both been put to the test as well."

Chihaya Tetsuya reminded:

"I'll have to wait until the exhibition is over, but Xiangzi has to come up with a design at this exhibition..."

Plus, he seems to be really looking forward to Starry Sky's performance at this joint exhibition. If Xiangzi's design doesn't satisfy him, he might even regret it...

In order to avoid causing further anxiety to Toyokawa Shoko, Chihaya Tetsuya did not say the second half of the sentence.

However, the clever Toyokawa Shoko could not fail to hear the obvious implication of these words.

"It's okay, Tetsuya-kun."

Contrary to what Chihaya Tetsuya expected, Toyokawa Shoko did not show even the slightest sign of retreat or uneasiness.

"The current situation is already an ideal outcome for me, something I could never have imagined in my dreams. And Mr. Rang is right. Since I said I would take the initiative to assume responsibility, then this level of request is completely within my responsibility, and..."

Having said that, Toyokawa Shoko looked up at Chihaya Tetsuya.

"Even if Mr. Jean hadn't proposed this, I'd really like to participate in this joint exhibition... and not as a model, but as a designer for StarrySky."

"Eh?"

This statement, which had never been heard before, made Chihayatetsu slightly stunned.

"Really? But... I remember Xiangzi's band is preparing to record a new song recently——"

"It doesn't matter. As early as the day I decided to form a band, I was already prepared to take care of both jobs at the same time."

After the anxiety and uneasiness completely faded away, Shoko Toyokawa regained her former spirit.

"Besides...if I can't even come up with a decent design, then not only will Mr. Jean, but even I won't have the face to stay with Tetsuya-kun any longer. Anyway, in addition to my work with the band, I will also actively participate in the exhibition!"

Having said that, Toyokawa Shoko gave Chihaya Tetsuya an extremely relaxed and bright smile.

"So, can I take some measurements of Tetsuya-kun's body data next?"

"Eh? Of course you can...but why do you suddenly want to measure my data?"

"Because the next thing I'm going to design is Tetsuya-kun's clothes."

As Chihaya Tetsuya's expression became increasingly confused, Toyokawa Shoko said this in a tone full of anticipation:

"That's right, for this joint exhibition... I hope Tetsuya-kun can be one of the models!"

"……What?!"

124

Chapter 124: Postponing happiness.

"Can I be a model?"

Chihaya Tetsuya pointed at himself in disbelief.

"Are you serious, Xiangzi?"

"There's no need to be so surprised, Tetsuya-kun? Think about it, as the chief designer, Tetsuya-kun has to stand on the stage for much longer than those models."

Toyokawa Shoko said as a matter of course:

"Since I have to introduce the brand at the booth anyway, I might as well model my own brand's clothing while doing so!"

"Eh……"

Although Chihaya Tetsuya still couldn't accept it immediately, what Toyokawa Shoko said was indeed an indisputable fact.

As the chief designer and brand manager, he almost always had to stay in front of his booth. If we only talk about the length of time, he did stay longer than the other models.

"Don't worry, Tetsuya-kun. I'm not going to design any outlandish clothes, and you don't really need to use specific poses and postures like other models to show off the clothes."

Seeing that Chihaya Tetsuya still seemed hesitant, Toyokawa Shoko continued:

"Mr. Jean's condition is simply that my designs appear at the exhibition, right? If that's the case, then having you wear my designs would also meet the criteria... Moreover, my sudden arrival wouldn't interfere with your original plan. It's a win-win strategy, really."

"..."

Perhaps because she had no worries, even in the face of such a sudden challenge, Toyokawa Shoko's thinking became even more agile and thoughtful than before. As she said, if she were to design the outfit she would wear on the day of her presentation, she could perfectly handle the challenge while preserving her original presentation strategy...

……

"I understand."

With such compelling reasons, even if Chihaya Tetsu didn't want to be a model, she couldn't say no.

After hearing this, Toyokawa Shoko immediately raised the corners of her mouth, and then she excitedly took Chihaya Tetsuya's hand:

"I think there should be a tape measure in Tetsuya-kun's room? Lend it to me!"

"Eh? Ah, I see..."

Under Toyokawa Shoko's extremely positive attitude, Chihaya Tetsu was pulled directly into the room by her.

When the two of them walked into the room, Toyokawa Shoko immediately closed Chihaya Tetsuya's door with her backhand, and turned back to gently turn the door lock -

Click.

"Eh?"

Chihaya Tetsuya, who was about to take out the measuring tape, expressed his confusion in a very normal way, while Toyokawa Shoko muttered thoughtfully:

"Hey...it looks like it's working fine."

After saying that, she unlocked the door again and looked up at Chihaya Tetsuya again.

"Anyway, Tetsuya-kun, please take off your shirt first."

"Huh???"

Chihaya Tetsuya's heart, which had been relieved by the door being unlocked, was once again filled with confusion.

"Does it need to go to this extent?"

"After all, I'm planning to make it 'tailor-made'. If that's the case, the more detailed the data, the better."

Toyokawa Shoko said:

"Don't worry, Tetsuya-kun, I won't really ask you to take off all of them——"

"That's true."

"After all, I'll still leave a pair of underwear."

“No, no, no, this is also problematic, right?!”

Chihaya Tetsuya shook his head like a rattle.

"Even with 'measurement,' there's a certain margin of adjustment. Besides, the data required for men's clothing isn't as detailed as for women's clothing, so even if I'm wearing a shirt, I can still be measured normally!"

"OK then……"

Toyokawa Shoko nodded with a hint of regret.

"Then change into pajamas. That should be fine, right?"

"This... is not a problem."

"Yes, then, after you hand me the measuring tape, Tetsuya-kun can start changing."

"..."

Under the gaze of Toyokawa Shoko, Chihaya Tetsuya first handed the measuring tape to her hand, and then took out pajamas from the closet.

However, when he looked at Toyokawa Shoko again, he found that she seemed to have no intention of leaving the room...

"Um... Xiangzi? I'm going to change my clothes."

"Well, I know."

"Are you planning to keep watching like this?"

"Could it be that Tetsuya-kun wants me to help you change your clothes?"

Toyokawa Shoko's eyes blossomed with joy.

"That's totally fine, then please lie down on the bed, Tetsuya-kun!"

"You know that's definitely not what I meant, right?!"

Chihaya Tetsuya first put his pajamas aside, then walked up to Toyokawa Shoko and touched her forehead.

"Xiangzi? Are you really okay? I feel like your condition is a little strange..."

Although Chihaya Tetsu was very clear about Xiangzi's feelings for him, at least before this she would not mix so many selfish desires into her work.

On the other side, after hearing Chihaya Tetsuya's concerns, Toyokawa Shoko was silent for a moment, then lowered her head:

"I'm sorry... Tetsuya-kun, I'm a little overexcited right now."

For Shoko Toyokawa, who had always been prepared for the worst, her spirit went through a roller coaster ride in just one day.

The father's crimes were forgiven and pardoned, and there was hope that the debt that had been plaguing the two of them could be paid off in one go.

This girl, who has been living under heavy burden and anxiety for the past year, now urgently needs a channel to vent her inner excitement.

At this time, as her lover and also the benefactor who helped her realize these wishes, Chihaya Tetsu is the most suitable "venting channel".

"Okay... let's put the measurements aside for now. Can you please let me hold you first?"

Toyokawa Shoko looked up and asked:

"Right now, I probably don't have the luxury of focusing on my work."

"I see."

After saying that, he opened his arms and directly embraced Shoko Toyokawa in his arms.

After being hugged, Shoko Toyokawa was no longer as restless as before. Instead, she closed her eyes, and her originally disordered breathing gradually calmed down with the sound of the regular heartbeat in her ears.

"Ever since I met Tetsuya-kun...good things have been happening around me that I can't believe."

She got her dream job, reconciled with her former band members with his coordination, gained a direction and reason to move forward, and even had hope of a complete resolution to her father's problems.