A guide to survival in a heavy girl's world

Toyokawa Shoko understood Wakaba Mu's embarrassment. Although she was determined to change, she still had to go through an adaptation process.

and……

"...Until you're fully acclimated, you really can't show this to anyone else."

Toyokawa Shoko looked at the girl in front of her whose face had turned red.

If she could show off this dress with a more open and generous attitude, then it might be considered cute in the general sense, but with this slightly shy attitude, it becomes questionable. Ye Mu's doll-like, delicate and cute appearance and well-behaved, youthful temperament would originally only inspire care and pity. However, when this well-behaved attitude is coupled with the expectation and timidity of "reluctant to refuse but also to welcome", it immediately becomes a temptation that makes people unable to resist approaching her.

At this moment, Toyokawa Shoko suddenly understood why Chihaya Tetsuya and the agency attached so much importance to Hoshino Ai's outfit. For a girl with such beauty, it is easy to fall into this kind of unintentional "seduction" phenomenon... Hoshino Ai can still use her extraordinary acting skills and adaptability to make corresponding adjustments, but if it comes to Ye Mu, he will probably just let himself continue to maintain this dangerous posture...

"By then, Tetsuya-kun might not be the only one who needs protection..."

Shoko Toyokawa sighed, then watched Wakaba Mutsu trot back to her room. Not long after, Wakaba Mutsu changed back into her usual tightly wrapped dress and returned to her.

"...I felt relieved all of a sudden."

The shielding from his shoulders and legs made Ruoye Mu's expression and tone return to their usual calmness.

"I suddenly admire those girls who dare to wear belly-baring tops and miniskirts on the street..."

"Well, after all, clothing depends on the wearer's preferences and temperament. Mu doesn't have to be so hard on himself."

Toyokawa Shoko said:

"If you're truly embarrassed, consider this: this outfit was also Tetsuya-kun's choice. If you trust his taste, you should be more forthcoming with it... Even if something goes wrong, Tetsuya-kun will be your accomplice!"

"..."

After hearing this, Ruo Yemu was stunned for a moment, then said softly:

"Sure enough, ever since Xiangzi started being with Chihaya-san, even his way of thinking has become more and more like his."

"...Huh? Why do you say that suddenly?"

"Nothing, it's just that you two said very similar things to me."

Recalling Chihaya Tetsuya's words encouraging her to continue expressing herself this afternoon, Ruoye Mu felt that the shame in her heart also dissipated a lot...

"By the way, now that the clothing issue is settled...I have one more thing I want to discuss with Xiangzi."

"Oh?"

After hearing this, Shoko Toyokawa showed an expression of great surprise.

Based on Toyokawa Shoko's understanding of Wakaba Mu, the matter that made her take the initiative to discuss it with her was definitely not a trivial matter.

"Whatever it is, just tell me."

"...Before the party officially begins, I'd like to teach Chihaya-san how to ballroom dance. Is that okay?"

"Eh?!"

...an hour ago...

"You just asked me...if I can ballroom dance?"

On the way home, when Chihaya Tetsuya heard Wakaba Mu's question, he pointed at himself in disbelief:

"I'm not exaggerating. Forget dancing. I've never even done morning gymnastics."

In order to become a designer, Chihaya Tetsuya used all his available time to learn about clothing. Naturally, difficult projects like dancing, which required a lot of time to practice, were out of his reach.

"Why are you asking this suddenly? Ah, could it be that...will we be asked to dance at the Wakaba family's banquet?"

“While there will be a dance floor and music, there is no mandatory requirement to dance.”

Ruoye Mu shook his head and said:

"It's just... maybe someone will come and invite me by then."

"what……"

Hearing this, that scene naturally emerged in Chihaya Tetsuya's mind.

Considering Wakaba Mu's current age and the high likelihood of young people of similar age among the guests, it was quite natural for him to be invited to "dance together." If Wakaba Mu could use age as an excuse to refuse others before, then for Wakaba Mu now, this reason might not be so effective...

"But if I can learn to dance, I can take that spot right away and make others give up the idea of ​​inviting Ruoye-san to dance with them!"

Chihaya Tetsuya immediately understood Wakaba Mu's thoughts.

After hearing Chihaya Tetsuya's guess, Wakaba Mu nodded slightly:

"Yeah...that's true."

However, while confirming this statement, Ruo Yemu's gaze was slightly evasive because he was hiding something.

Not wanting to dance with others was indeed a crucial reason, but besides that, Ruoye Mu had other, equally important purposes—

I want to show off to others the clothes I chose with Chihaya-san, and I want to show off to others the close relationship I have with Chihaya-san that allows me to dance with him.

(I want Chihaya-san to realize... my existence.)

and so……

"I will take responsibility for teaching Chihaya-san how to dance. Could you please...be my dance partner on the day of the banquet?"

25

Chapter 25: The clockwork that cannot be stopped.

"Is now... really the time to do something like this?"

Nagasaki Suyo looked at the empty living room in front of her that had just been cleaned up with a little hesitation.

"TGC is about to start in less than a week..."

"But Tetsuya-kun doesn't have any special work to do, right? Besides going to the scene to cheer on Ai and Hatsuka that day, he probably doesn't have much else to do."

Toyokawa Shoko, who was clearing the area, said:

"And honestly, it doesn't take too long to learn this dance. While there are many different types of ballroom dancing, for banquets, you only need to learn the basic steps and positions. If nothing goes wrong, as long as Tetsuya-kun can devote an afternoon every day to practice, you can master it in three days... Speaking of which, you, Sushi, should have been exposed to these things in the Moon Forest, right?"

"Yes, but that's just what I've heard. After all, my mother never takes me to her social events in order to give me the most freedom."

Nagasaki Suyo said this, but her expression was a little lonely.

"If she had just asked me to go with her, I would have been quite happy to do so..."

"Hey..."

Feeling the obvious low pressure on Nagasaki Suyo, Toyokawa Shoko couldn't help but smile bitterly and shook her head.

Even though Starry Sky and Nagasaki Economic Consulting are now on a promising path, Nagasaki Motoyo's mother still can't devote much time to her daughter, a key figure and a vital link between them. Rather, it's precisely because Starry Sky's grades are so outstanding that the workaholic mother has even reduced the amount of time they spend in regular contact.

To some extent, the family problems Su Shi faces may not be much easier than his own.

"That's why I want to take this opportunity... to call Su Shi along."

At this moment, Ruo Yemu's voice suddenly came from the door.

And then, when the two people present looked towards the door together, Wakaba Mutsu, who was wearing sportswear, had already walked into the house.

"...Huh? Why tracksuit? Where's that super cute little dress?"

Nagasaki Suyo asked curiously.

After hearing this, Toyokawa Shoko immediately replied as usual:

"Because the dress is much more revealing than Mu's usual clothes, she can't wear it all the time at the moment."

"...You're at home?"

Looking at Wakaba Mu's long sportswear, which was so out of place for the season that the sleeves and trouser legs had to be rolled up, Nagasaki Suyo nodded as if she understood.

"Well, this kind of clothing does make it easier to move around anyway... But, Mu, what did you mean by taking this opportunity to invite me along?"

"...That is, this afternoon, the four of us will learn ballroom dancing together."

Under Nagasaki Suyo's bewildered gaze, Wakaba Muru said:

"Me, Shoko, Suyo, and Chihaya-san."

……

"Eh... so, it's not just me who's going to be in class this afternoon, Suyo as well... and the teacher isn't just Wakaba-san, Xiangzi is also..."

Chihaya Tetsuya looked at the living room in front of him in confusion. The living room was much more crowded than he had imagined.

"Will there not be enough space?"

"No, the dance steps Xiangzi and I are going to teach you next will basically just involve spinning in circles. Even if there's one more person, there's still room for them."

If Ye Muru said:

"I was planning to ask Aine to come along, but it seems like she happened to be out with some friends today, so we had to come first."

"That's it..."

Chihaya Tetsuya, who knew nothing about dancing, accepted Wakaba Mutsu's statement out of trust in Wakaba Mutsu.

Nagasaki Suyo, who was simply caught up in the situation, quickly asked:

"Wait, wait, Mu! So why do you want me to learn too? Mu should be the only one attending the party that day, right?"

"This time... it's really just the two of us. But next time, if possible... I'd like to invite everyone."

Ruoye Mu's tone, which had always been flat, now sounded particularly serious.

"And if she can learn ballroom dancing, Su Shi will be more confident when she asks her mother to attend banquets with her in the future, right?"

"Eh……"

After hearing this, Nagasaki Suyo was suddenly in deep shock.

Although she was indeed very dissatisfied with her mother's neglect, she had never thought of taking the initiative to intervene in her mother's work before... But thinking about it carefully, with her current status and the future deepening of the cooperation between [Starry Sky] and her mother, she did have the opportunity to take the initiative to participate, or even invite her mother in return!

"Mu...you actually think so much about me..."

Nagasaki Suyo had never thought that this child who had always been taciturn and seemed to be out of touch with everything would care so much about her and even proposed a possibility that she had never considered.

In response to Nagasaki Suyo's sigh, Wakaba Mutsu just shook his head and said:

"After all, I also have a mother who is not very easy to talk to, so in a sense... I can understand Su Shi's desire to get closer to her."

"That's right."

Nagasaki Suyo, whose enthusiasm was completely aroused, finally no longer had any hesitation.

"Well then, I'll leave it to Muhe and Xiangzi from now on!"

"Well, leave it to us."

Wakaba Mu responded again in a slightly serious tone.

At the same time, Wakaba Mu's face, which was completely different from usual, made Chihaya Tetsuya and Toyokawa Shoko couldn't help but look at each other -

(Did you say anything to Mu?)

Toyokawa Shoko gave him a look that seemed to be seeking confirmation, and Chihaya Tetsuya immediately shook his head when he saw this, and responded with an innocent expression (I don’t know anything).

However, although Chihaya Tetsuya did respond, Toyokawa Shoko did not completely believe what he said.

This person might not lie, but it's also very possible that he simply didn't realize what he had done... At least from Toyokawa Shoko's perspective, the seriousness that Mutsu showed at this moment definitely had a deeper meaning.

(…It’s completely different from Chuhua’s situation.)

Although Toyokawa Shoko had imagined before that Mutsu, who already respected and admired Tetsuya, might see their feelings for him warm up because of this date, but at the moment... it seems that Mutsu has undergone some deeper change than just feelings for one person.

What on earth did Tetsuya-kun do to her?

(What will become of Mu after this banquet?)

(Have I inadvertently contributed to something truly remarkable?)

Looking at the determined Wakaba Mutsu in front of her, Toyokawa Shoko thought with a mixture of anxiety and anticipation...

26

Chapter 26: A logical teaching process.

Facts have proved that when God gives you a talent far beyond ordinary people, there is a high probability that something will be taken back. For Chihaya Tetsuya, what was taken away was his ability to combine dance steps with music.

"...Huh? Preemptive shooting? You mean too fast, right? Okay, I'll go slower next time..."