A guide to survival in a heavy girl's world

"Maybe it's a little confusing, but... please, Fengchuan, could you please answer this question for me truthfully?"

Chihaya Tetsuya looked into Toyokawa Shoko's eyes very seriously.

"I want to hear your true thoughts."

"Eh? Okay then..."

Faced with Chihaya Tetsuya's almost pleading tone, although Toyokawa Shoko still had lingering confusion in her heart, she finally began to think seriously about Chihaya Tetsuya's problem.

"If you don't consider the income... well, if it were a month ago, I might have chosen to stay in that band."

After careful consideration, Toyokawa Shoko replied:

"But now, no matter how many times I have to choose again, I will probably choose this place, choose the present time with Chihaya-nii here."

"...even if this choice will still cause you to lose those companions you once held so dear?"

"Although parting with them was indeed painful, it was precisely through this process of loss that I was able to grow... and at the same time, I had the opportunity to meet Chihaya-nii."

Having said this, Toyokawa Shoko's eyes became more determined.

"For me now, I hope to cherish what I have now more than what I lost in the past... Chihaya, if you were given the same opportunity and were allowed to go back to the moment before you were separated from Miss Hoshino Ai seven years ago, would you choose to stay with her regardless of everything, or would you continue to choose to be adopted by the Chihaya family?"

"…………"

After hearing this rhetorical question given as an example, Chihaya Tetsuya was stunned at first, and then he immediately understood what Toyokawa wanted to express.

Once he chooses love, he is destined to lose contact with the Chihaya family, Aine, Toyokawa, and everyone in [KaZoKu].

And that kind of future... is definitely not something he can accept now.

"That's a pretty convincing example. Sorry, Toyokawa, for asking you a strange question."

"I'm not going to apologize, but I'm really curious why Chihaya-san suddenly asked me these questions."

Toyokawa Shoko asked with a puzzled look:

"What happened?"

"..."

Originally, Chihaya Tetsuya was still hesitating whether to tell Toyokawa Shoko the actual situation. However, after hearing Toyokawa Shoko's resolute and strong answer, he finally made up his mind.

"Actually...something did happen that really concerned me."

Then, as Toyokawa Shoko's expression gradually solidified, Chihaya Tetsuya told her truthfully:

"My sister just formed a new band with your former bandmates."

Chapter 7: Unfortunately, the fork in the road is a one-way street

Although a strong sense of hesitation did appear between Toyokawa Shoko's brows, it soon turned into a bitter smile that was hard to let go as her eyes drooped slightly.

"I was so confident just now...but my true colors were exposed just by hearing their news."

After saying that, she straightened up and took a deep breath before asking in a low voice.

"But since they've reunited as a band, that means they've finally let go of me, right?"

"…I'm afraid that's not the case."

However, Chihaya Tetsuya immediately shook his head and denied her statement:

"That girl named Nagasaki Suyo said that the band will add new instruments in the future. I think she was probably talking about you and Wakaba-san."

"…………"

Toyokawa Shoko's expression became stiff again.

Although she really wanted to tell Chihaya Tetsuya that this was just his guess, based on her understanding of Nagasaki Suyo, Chihaya Tetsuya's guess was probably the truth.

Nagasaki Motoyo has not given up on reorganizing [CRYCHIC] until now.

……

"It seems that Chihaya-nii has already met with them?"

"kindness."

"So, what was your first impression of them?"

"First impression?"

Chihaya Tetsuya thought for a moment before saying:

"High school girls with different personalities."

"Yes, that's the truth."

It was a very general, simple and superficial view, but it was very consistent with the answer that Toyokawa Shoko had expected.

"Although everyone's family backgrounds and experiences are different, they are all ordinary girls enjoying their youth. They are not forced to work outside due to family reasons, nor are they forbidden to 'show their faces' outside... Everyone is living an ordinary and happy campus life."

At this point, Toyokawa Shoko suddenly looked up at Chihaya Tetsuya:

"The reason Chihaya-san asked me that question just now was actually to confirm whether I still want to return to [CRYCHIC], right?"

"kindness."

"So, in your opinion, can I really fit in again with that carefree band now?"

Toyokawa Shoko asked Chihaya Tetsuya seriously:

"Ignore the pressures of reality, don't think about the future. Just focus on music and the team, and immerse yourself in trivial troubles and joys with your important companions..."

“…I guess that’s not possible.”

Chihaya Tetsuya shook his head slightly, denying this possibility.

"Just like when I was at art school, I could hardly fit in with any group. I didn't dislike them, but because of the difference in values ​​and outlook on life, it was difficult for me to enjoy campus life as leisurely as they did."

"Chihaya-nii really understands me the best."

Toyokawa Shoko sighed.

"I admit that before this, I did unilaterally cut off contact with them with an escapist mentality. But even if I regained the courage to explain everything to them and resolve the past, it doesn't mean that I can return to the spring when we formed [CRYCHIC] with the same feeling as before."

"Those were truly wonderful memories. It's a shame that my life doesn't allow me to continue enjoying this luxury."

After a brief sigh, Toyokawa Shoko picked up the paper pattern on the table again and said:

"Chihaya, thank you for taking the trouble to think about this for me. But at this point, they and I are destined to no longer be on the same path. Rather than cherishing the past that can only be used for commemoration, I want to cherish everything I have now... like you, Chihaya."

"I will submit another sample tomorrow. I'd appreciate it if you could grade it again then."

“…Yeah, I understand.”

Since he already knew Toyokawa's true thoughts and choices, there was naturally no need for Chihaya Tetsu to continue asking questions.

Although Fengchuan is not yet ready to completely reconcile with the past, at least she is ready to not look back.

As her companion who is both her teacher and friend, and one of the few adults who can understand her feelings, what Chihaya Tetsu should do is not to forcibly shake her determination and choice, but to become a supporter and a force for her to move forward.

and so……

"Toyokawa."

"kindness?"

"Considering that your understanding of patterns has reached the basic requirements, starting today, in addition to the knowledge of clothing production, I will formally teach you design."

As Chihaya Tetsuya spoke, he took out several design drawings he had drawn earlier from his workbench and handed them to Toyokawa Shoko.

"These are reference materials. Let me explain the details and ideas from the beginning."

"Yes!"

Toyokawa Shoko nodded first, then couldn't help but chuckle and sat next to Chihaya Tetsuya.

"Although this may be a bit roundabout, thank you for your concern, Chihaya-nii."

"Isn't it normal to care about your apprentice?"

"But Chihaya-nii's care for me has long gone beyond that of an apprentice, right?"

"…………"

Indeed, from the first time he saw Toyokawa Shoko, he couldn't help but keep his eyes on her.

It's not just because her persistence and hard work are very similar to mine, but also because I can always find my own answers in her.

Although she is a girl three years younger than him, she sees some issues more clearly than he does.

If this continues, I won’t know who is whose apprentice…

Thinking of this, he subconsciously turned his head to look at Toyokawa Shoko, and at the same time, Toyokawa Shoko was looking at him with a smile in her eyes, as if she knew what he was thinking at the moment.

After realizing that his thoughts had most likely been seen through, a sense of inexplicable "irritation" suddenly surged in his heart. He then looked away as quickly as possible and said expressionlessly:

"Okay, focus on the blueprints... Do you still want to learn design?"

"miss you!"

"Then stop talking nonsense and focus on the class."

"Yes! Got it!"

This was the first time that Shoko Toyokawa saw Chihaya Tetsuya being so "childish". While she felt it was fresh and interesting, an indescribable joy also surged in her heart.

She could feel that the distance between her and Chihaya Tetsuya was gradually getting closer, and she could also feel that her position in his heart was no longer ordinary.

Compared to the unforgettable time in the band, the profile of this person pretending to be indifferent is what she should cherish the most.

"...Ah, right. Chihaya-nii, before class starts, there's one more thing I must tell you."

"what's up?"

"You just said that your sister has formed a band with my former companions, right?"

"Yes."

"And Su--Shigasaki-san, she seems to be thinking about reorganizing [CRYCHIC]."

"Yes."

"If that's the case, then I suggest you persuade her to quit the band immediately—"

This is what Shoko Toyokawa said about her judgment.

"Otherwise, she would very likely become their 'sacrifice' to retrace those memories."

Chapter 8: Practical Investigations to Draw Conclusions

Chihaya Tetsuya quickly understood what Toyokawa Shoko meant by this reminder.

Nagasaki Motoyo's goal is to reorganize the CRYCHIC band, but no one can guarantee whether there will be a place for Aine in it.

……

No, actually there is no point in thinking about this kind of question.

Because what Aiyin herself wants is to become the leader of this band and become the top star in the class and even the school.

Even if this band really successfully completed the reorganization of [CRYCHIC] as Nagasaki Motoyo wished, Aine was destined to be just an outsider in this band.

If Aine were to continue to stay in this band, not only would she not be able to achieve her goal, she might even become a victim of Nagasaki Motoyo and others' remembrance of [CRYCHIC], just as Toyokawa said.

Well, before Aine gets too emotionally invested in this, I really need to get her out of this as soon as possible.

"Brother, can I invite Deng to visit our home?"

"……What did you say?"

As soon as he returned home, Chihaya Tetsuya's thoughts were immediately interrupted by Chihaya Aine's sudden request.

"Takamatsu-san? Why do you suddenly want to invite her?"

"Because she told me before that she was a little embarrassed to practice singing at home, so I thought of inviting her to our house to practice!"

Chihaya Aine said:

"My brother just bought me a complete set of recording equipment before this. Wouldn't it come in handy now?"

"But I bought those devices for you."