A guide to survival in a heavy girl's world

Sanjiao Chuhua told the truth with great confidence.

"I don't know exactly what you did, but ever since the joint exhibition, you've been acting as if you've achieved all your goals and have become quite content. I probably don't need to remind you by now... but it was the brand StarrySky, not you as a model, that won the finale at TGC."

Sankaku Hatsuka looked into Hoshino Ai's eyes and said in a very serious tone:

"That is to say, the person who will walk the final stage...will be chosen from between the two of us."

"Of course I know about this."

Hoshino Ai tilted her head, looking a little confused.

"But, we're both models representing Starry Sky, right? So it doesn't matter who gets the finale—"

"So, what if I were to be the main model and spokesperson for Starry Sky for the next year?"

Hearing this, Hoshino Ai, who had originally had an extremely calm expression, finally widened her eyes slightly.

"Is it okay even if it's like this?"

"Well……"

Hoshino Ai's expression began to become hesitant.

Sanjiao Chuhua's statement wasn't an exaggeration. Although both of them were now exclusive models for StarrySky, there would only be one finalist for TGC. And for those who didn't understand models and idols in the future and simply wanted to collaborate with StarrySky, the finalist would naturally become the face of their brand. If Chuhua truly did finale, then all future StarrySky assignments would naturally be prioritized.

……

"It seems...there's nothing wrong with it?"

"What did you say?"

Hoshino Ai's question, which was asked without any insistence or worry, made Sanjiao Chuhua stunned.

"Hey, Ai, you should listen to me carefully, right?"

"I heard it. There's nothing wrong with my ears. Aren't they just asking you to be the main model for Starry Sky?"

Hoshino Ai waved her hand.

"Compared to the newcomer Mana and that amateur internet celebrity, I wouldn't have any objections if you were the main model. Besides, your body proportions and temperament are more suitable for a fashion model than mine."

"real or fake……"

There is absolutely no desire to win or survive.

Compared to the Hoshino Ai who always fought for the first place and had an infinite possessiveness for issues related to Chihaya Tetsuya, she has completely lost that obsession at this moment. Even her way of thinking and focus have begun to move closer to Chihaya Tetsuya... She looks like a winner who has already reached the finish line -

"Could it be that you and Mr. Tetsuya have already... become one?"

Sanjiao Chuhua asked tentatively.

And then, Hoshino Ai's reaction unsurprisingly confirmed what she was thinking.

"Yes, it's done."

Hoshino Ai nodded very refreshingly and replied:

"After all, he even did that kind of thing. Considering Zhe's personality, this can be considered an accurate answer."

"Eh……"

Sanjiao Chuhua was suddenly deeply shocked.

Only two weeks had passed since the joint exhibition, and she had assumed Hoshino Ai would wait until after [TGC] was over before launching further offensives. However, in just two weeks, she had already ascended to the realm of an adult...

Wait, if we follow the plan Xiangzi mentioned earlier, doesn't that mean -

"... Did Xiangzi and the others do it too?"

"That's a weird thing to say."

In response to Sankaku Hatsuka's slightly surprised question, Hoshino Ai continued to nod and said:

"But that's not wrong. It's more like the mastermind behind this whole thing was Toyokawa Shoko herself. The most selfless ones were definitely her and Nagasaki Suyo... I was the most restrained of them all."

"..."

After hearing this, Sanjiao Chuhua finally understood the reasons for the series of changes in Hoshino Ai.

At this moment, her cell phone suddenly rang, and the person who sent her a new message was the person that Hoshino Ai had just mentioned -

[Chuhua, are you free tonight? ]

Toyokawa Shoko took the initiative to invite her:

【I have something I want to talk to you about.】

1

Chapter 1: An all-powerful person trusted by all three parties.

"Chuhua, have you seen this? Our first single has been played over 100,000 times across all platforms, and the number is still rising!"

As soon as Sanjiao Chuhua came to the cafe and sat down, Toyokawa Shoko directly told him the good news that was worth celebrating.

"From now on, as long as we continue to polish new songs to this quality, we can release our first album once we have nine... no, ten original songs!"

"...It doesn't sound that simple."

Although Sankaku Hatsuka was also very happy about the success of the band's new song, the condition mentioned by Toyokawa Shoko was actually much more demanding than her relaxed tone at the moment.

"Based on the time and effort you put into composing your first song, it would take you at least a year to release nine more songs, right? You'll be enrolling in Philia next spring, and by then your time for composing will undoubtedly be further compressed..."

Having said this, Sanjiao Chuhua said after a moment's silence:

"How about lowering the arrangement requirements a bit? For example, four title songs of the same quality, four slightly simpler full songs, and then add an intro and an instrumental..."

"No, as our debut album, and also our stepping stone to becoming a professional band as a student, this album alone must guarantee overall quality."

Shoko Toyokawa was very determined.

"As for the time issue, as the arranger, I've certainly considered this a long time ago, so... Chuhua, I need you to be responsible for writing three of the next nine original songs."

"……Eh?"

Sanjiao Chuhua was stunned at first, then asked with a slightly skeptical tone:

"Are you sure, Xiangzi? I'm not sure I can write a song as good as yours—"

"Why? Wasn't the song you sang at the May Live enough to prove your ability?"

"But that song only reached that level because of your revisions, right?"

Sanjiao Chuhua analyzed very rationally:

"If it were just me, I would never be able to achieve this level."

"That's not the case, is it?"

However, in the face of Sanjiao Chuhua's seemingly rational self-analysis, Toyokawa Shoko decisively denied it:

"The reason why that song became successful after my revisions was because I forced my way into Chu Hua's arrangement. This only proves that our collaboration was seamless. As for our individual strengths, they simply cannot be reflected in this simple song."

"what……"

Faced with Toyokawa Shoko's words, Sanjiao Chuhua didn't know how to respond for a moment.

Looking back on that time, I really wanted to give Xiangzi a chance to prove her abilities, so I let her take the lead in the arrangement. Even on that album, which hasn't been officially released yet, the arrangement of that song still has their names written on it...

"Besides, Chuhua, don't you want to give it a try?"

Seeing that Sankaku Hatsuka's opinion seemed to waver, Toyokawa Shoko continued to press on and said:

"Arranging music for an idol and arranging music for a band should be completely different experiences, right? Compared to boring pop electronic music and dance music, I think gothic metal and folk metal are cooler!"

"Ah...you actually said it."

After hearing this, Sanjiao Chuhua couldn't help but lean back a little subconsciously——

"As an arranger, you absolutely shouldn't make such comparisons."

"What does it matter? We're the only ones who can hear it anyway."

Toyokawa Shoko said nonchalantly:

"Compared to this... Please, Chuhua, I really trust your ability, and [Ave Mujica] really needs your help right now! So, the four songs of the new album are left to you!"

"Huh? Did you secretly add another song for me..."

"Ms. Yutenji is still a beginner, and neither Hailing nor Mutsuki can compose music. You're the only one I can rely on! So, I'm really counting on you, Chuhua!"

"Eh……"

Faced with Xiangzi's repeated pleas, Sanjiao Chuhua felt very incredible.

As her long-time friend and a follower who has been silently following this genius, Sanjiao Chuhua is well aware of Xiangzi's almost pathological pride and his independent nature of doing everything by himself.

If it were Xiangzi before, she wouldn't have given such an important arrangement job to anyone else, let alone this pleading attitude. However, now, not only did she proactively offer to give such an important arrangement job to herself, she even secretly changed the original conditions. Not only that, but she, who had always been serious and cautious when discussing serious matters before, now not only smiled, but even her tone began to become much more frivolous...

……

(It's probably because of Tetsuya-san.)

Sanjiao Chuhua came up with the correct answer effortlessly.

Just like Hoshino Ai at that time, Xiangzi was also filled with a sense of fulfillment that he wanted nothing more...

……

"This will definitely shake your authority in the band."

Sanjiao Chuhua sighed as if resigned to his fate.

"As the lead singer and arranger, and also the face of the band, my say in the band might even become higher than yours."

"Well, I think that's okay."

Toyokawa Shoko said this almost without hesitation:

"After all, Chuhua's ability is indeed trustworthy, and as the lead singer and arranger, you can indeed be called the core of the band."

"……Ugh."

This identical answer completely deprived Mikado Chuhua, who was not good at rejecting Toyokawa Shoko, of the possibility of rejection.

"I understand. I'll give it a try, but if I can't meet your requirements, you'll have to continue on your own."

"Yes! Thank you! Chuhua!"

After receiving a positive answer, Shoko Toyokawa's face was immediately filled with an extremely happy smile.

"I knew you were the most trustworthy partner!"

"...What about Mr. Tetsuya?"

Sanjiao Chuhua couldn't help but ask unhappily:

"If I am the most trustworthy partner, what is Mr. Tetsuya?"

"You can't compare Tetsuya-kun with me..."

Faced with Sanjiao Chuhua's slightly sarcastic question, Toyokawa Shoko not only did not fight back, but even looked a little shy.

"After all, his entire being is already mine, so I can't count him in."

"..."

Well, she must have heard it correctly. What Xiangzi just said was that Mr. Tetsuya had become hers.

It's really a clear family ecology...

After roughly guessing the food chain relationship of the Chihaya family in his mind, Sanjiao Chuhua couldn't help but sigh again.

At this point, her identity and position suddenly became a little delicate.

As a partner of Hoshino Ai in the same group, although there is a certain competitive relationship between them, they also trust each other.

As Toyokawa Shoko's childhood sweetheart and best friend, there is no need to say more about Shoko's trust in her and her admiration for Shoko.

But apart from that, although she never mentioned it proactively like the other two, she actually had some rather impure thoughts and intentions towards Chihaya Tetsuya.

It is of course a good thing for her to be happy that Hoshino Ai and Toyokawa Shoko can get the happiness they wish for, but she herself has no intention of giving up.

So, what exactly is her current position? A trusted rival? Or a companion who could betray them at any moment?

Sanjiao Chuhua himself was a little confused.