A guide to survival in a heavy girl's world

Chihaya Tetsuya said in a matter-of-fact tone:

"If I go to the agreed location to meet up, I'll probably run into your friend... It would be really awkward for her to suddenly be alone with a stranger she doesn't trust, right? So why not meet up with you here first, and then go together?"

“…That’s true.”

The overly justifiable reasons left Shoko Toyokawa no room to refute or question.

Rather, this extremely thorough consideration made her once again realize Chihaya Tetsuya's attentiveness.

(I wish Mu could hear these words.)

She couldn't help but think so in her heart.

"And...Toyokawa."

"Yes?"

"Your outfit today is very nice, it suits you very well."

Chihaya Tetsuya said this lightly as if it was just a casual remark.

"Then let's go."

"Eh? Wait, wait a minute—"

Although her tone was very calm and casual, Toyokawa Shoko's mood reached its peak in an instant.

The darkness and depression that had been accumulating in my heart were instantly dispelled, replaced by a clear and bright light that was enough to illuminate the entire night.

"This sudden attack is truly cunning. Let me give you some feedback on Chihaya-san's coordination!"

Shoko Toyokawa, who has always been strong-willed, could not accept that she was being "attacked" unilaterally.

What she was wearing today was neither a uniform nor work clothes, so... just for today, she had to show the awareness and courage to match this carefully matched outfit.

"...?"

On the other side, Chihaya Tetsu also stopped immediately after hearing what Toyokawa Shoko said and turned to face her.

"Okay, then you can give it a try."

As a fashion designer, Chihaya Tetsuya naturally does not reject other people's comments.

So the next second, Toyokawa Shoko began to carefully examine Chihaya Tetsuya's look today——

Although it is just a simple combination of a black shirt and slim-fit trousers, it looks extra special on Chihaya Tetsuya.

On the one hand, Chihaya Tetsuya's thin figure perfectly supports the lines of this formal suit. On the other hand, this cunning man actually rolled up his cuffs to his forearms and unbuttoned the top button.

It was clearly a very formal and serious combination, but when he deliberately exposed his wrists and collarbones, this elegant and simple temperament suddenly added a bit of indescribable masculine tension.

"She's truly a designer... Even such a simple combination shows her meticulous attention to detail."

"What do you mean?"

"nothing."

Toyokawa Shoko pretended to be calm and shook her head, then she quickly walked to Chihaya Tetsuya's side.

"It's a good thing I didn't choose to wear a uniform today."

"I think Haneda's uniform design is pretty nice."

"I'm not talking about that!"

Let’s just assume he wins this time. If there is a next time, I will definitely beat him!

Taking inexplicably brisk steps, Toyokawa Shoko thought so.

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

There were still ten minutes left until the agreed time. Chihaya Tetsuya and Toyokawa Shoko had already arrived at the agreed location.

"By the way, why did you choose KTV specifically?"

"Maybe it's because... this place can provide a relatively confidential and safe environment."

Facing Chihaya Tetsuya's curiosity, Toyokawa Shoko turned her eyes away slightly and explained:

"And for us, KTV is also a place full of memories."

"That's it..."

Chihaya Tetsuya nodded in understanding and looked around the private room.

"Speaking of which, this is my first time inside a KTV... I see, this is what it feels like inside."

"Eh? Chihaya-san, you've never been to a KTV before!?"

"Yeah. After all, before this, I was always focused on learning about clothing, and these entertainment venues were basically out of my reach."

"…………"

In other words, I accidentally took Chihaya's "first time"?

……

(No, what am I thinking!)

Toyokawa Shoko quickly shook her head to drive out the evil thoughts from her mind.

At this moment, the door of the private room was gently pushed open, and the next second, a girl with long light green hair and golden eyes appeared at the door of the room.

Chapter 28: Blessings and Warnings from the Past

"After all, this meeting was brought about by me, so I'll introduce her. Her name is Wakaba Mu. She's my... childhood sweetheart."

After a somewhat noticeable pause, Toyokawa Shoko introduced the girl with green hair and golden eyes next to her.

"She's worried about me, so she asked to meet you. Mu, this is the 'noble person' I mentioned earlier who has done me a favor. His name is Chihaya Tetsuya, and he's a designer at the clothing studio [KaZoKu]."

"Nice to meet you, Wakaba-san."

As Chihaya Tetsuya spoke, he took out a business card from his pocket under Toyokawa Shoko's somewhat surprised gaze.

"this is my name card."

"...Yes, nice to meet you."

After taking the business card, Wakaba Mutsu first bowed slightly to Chihaya Tetsuya politely, and then looked at the business card in his hand which was printed with the [KaZoKu] studio logo and Chihaya Tetsuya's personal contact information.

However, before Wakaba Mu could respond, Toyokawa Shoko suddenly asked Chihaya Tetsuya:

"Chihaya-san, do you have a business card?"

"? Isn't that natural?"

Chihaya Tetsuya was a little surprised by Toyokawa Shoko's question:

"After all, I'm a designer entering the workforce... Isn't it normal to have my own business card?"

"That's what I said..."

Toyokawa Shoko tilted her head, looking as if she was having a hard time letting it go. After a long while, she slowly nodded.

"Okay, then when we get back, I'd like to have one of your business cards, too."

"Of course you can, but don't you already have my contact information?"

"Business cards are another matter... Huh? Mu, what's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"…………"

Wakaba Mu, who had been silently observing the conversation between the two from the beginning, tilted his head and thought for a moment before asking softly:

"Would you like me to give you this business card first?"

"Need not!"

"But you seem to want it very much..."

"I just want to keep it as a collection! There's nothing else to it!"

Toyokawa Shoko explained:

"Also, don't give away the business card someone gave you to someone else. It's very rude."

"……sorry."

"You're not going to apologize to me... By the way, would you like some drinks? I just saw mango juice on the menu."

"Well, please."

"…………"

This time, it was Chihaya Tetsuya's turn to silently observe the interaction between the two.

Unlike the Toyokawa he usually encountered, Toyokawa Shoko showed a sister-like reliability and maturity in front of Wakaba Mu. Although Wakaba Mu's tone and expression showed no emotional fluctuations, one could still feel her obedience and obedience to Toyokawa Shoko from her various words and actions.

Rather than saying they are childhood sweethearts, it would be more accurate to say that the way they interact has a very strong sisterly feel.

However, judging from the skirt Wakaba Mutsu was wearing, there was an obvious difference in their family backgrounds.

(Although it's a princess dress in style, the hem is noticeably shortened, giving it a sense of luxury while also imparting a certain lightness. The main body of the dress is likely made of linen, but the natural pleats are expertly crafted, and the pattern maker who created it must be no ordinary person.)

Although I can't confirm it completely, there are definitely only a handful of brands that can make plain dresses look high-end. And from her words and actions, I can feel the temperament and upbringing similar to Toyokawa.

This Wakaba-san certainly has a great background...but Fengchuan's past seems to be far more complicated than he imagined.

"..."

While Chihaya Tetsuya was silently observing the two of them, Wakaba Mu also turned his gaze to Chihaya Tetsuya.

Then, after a brief eye contact, Ruo Yemu once again looked away and stared at the business card in his hand without saying a word...

(He's a pretty quiet kid.)

However, beneath that seemingly silent and cold appearance, there is also care and tenderness that is worried about Fengchuan.

……

"Wakaba-san, you wanted to see me to check on Toyokawa's situation, right?"

Chihaya Tetsuya asked:

"If that's the case, then from now on, no matter what you're concerned about or want to know, you can ask me or Toyokawa. We will definitely answer truthfully."

"kindness."

Toyokawa Shoko also nodded.

"Mu, don't worry about anything. Just say whatever you want to say."

"…………"

Wakaba Mu thought for a moment, then she looked up at Chihaya Tetsuya, then turned to look at Toyokawa Shoko and asked:

"…dating?"

"No way!"

Just three words made Toyokawa Shoko's face turn red instantly, and her originally dignified and calm voice became sharp and excited.

"Haven't I told you before? Chihaya-nii is my benefactor and teacher! The relationship between us is not what you think!"

"But Xiangzi didn't use any honorifics when addressing him..."

"This is just proof of our close relationship, and it's something we agreed upon between the two of us!"

"........."

After noticing Toyokawa Shoko's wavering reaction, Wakaba Mutsu blinked before saying:

“Are you happy working there?”

"kindness."

Although the blush on her face had not yet faded, Toyokawa Shoko answered the next question without any hesitation.

“It’s very happy and fulfilling, and I’m glad that I can work there.”

"Is it hard?"

“It’s not hard. It’s more like I’m always worried about whether I’m not working hard enough.”

"That's it."