A guide to survival in a heavy girl's world

Nagasaki Suyo took out her cell phone from her pocket and opened a chat window——

"This is for all of us. I'm sure you can understand me... Mu."

Then, after typing several messages in succession, she finally pressed the power button.

And on that extinguished screen, a dark obsession was quietly burning in Nagasaki Suyo's eyes...

Chapter 18: A Guide to Domesticating Wild Animals

Before this, Chihaya Tetsu had never tried to draw designs outside of his home and studio.

However, when he actually sat down in the RiNG cafe and took out his draft paper and pencil, he suddenly realized that it felt quite good to think about design ideas while observing the clothes of passers-by.

Ah, that kid I just passed by was wearing some pretty unique clothes... an off-the-shoulder top with metal rivets and denim shorts... it was clearly punk style.

And that kid over there wearing a baggy hoodie, is that considered casual? Maybe designing along that line would be a good idea too…

……

"No, I'm here to design costumes for my sister's band members, not to watch some passerby fashion show!"

Realizing this, Chihaya Tetsuya quickly withdrew his gaze and began to choose the design object in his mind.

"As for Aine, you can put it aside for now. I can always design a plan for her at home... I think we should start with the other three children first."

Among the three, the one he knew best was Takamatsu Touma, so naturally, Chihaya Tetsuya's first design object would be her.

So, what kind of clothing is more suitable for Takamatsu Deng?

"First of all, the band's style has been basically determined to be 'hardcore,' so naturally, cutesy decorations and styles like those used in idol performance costumes had to be abandoned."

"From her personal perspective...she's reserved and delicate, so she absolutely needs to avoid anything too visual. Plus, compared to her peers, her features are a bit childish, so a mature look wouldn't work for her."

"As for the stage style, judging from their singing practice that afternoon, this child's voice will have a slightly neutral tone when she sings, and it would be best if this could be reflected in the clothing... Well, for the first performance outfit, let's just decide on pants for now."

"Ultimately, it comes down to personal character and how the outfit makes her feel. The child might not be comfortable with anything too avant-garde right now. If that's the case, wearing something with thicker long sleeves might put her at ease."

In this way, Chihaya Tetsuya began to quickly outline two rough outlines on the manuscript paper based on his analysis of Takamatsu Touma.

If we simply summarize these two designs, the one on the left tends to be simple, clean and casual, while the one on the right emphasizes a street style that emphasizes neutrality and individuality.

According to Chihaya Tetsuya's idea, either one would be suitable for Takamatsu Touma.

However, in comparison, the former can not only be used as a performance costume, but also as Takamatsu Tomoe's daily wear, while the latter is more suitable as a pure performance costume because of its more outstanding visual effects.

"Each has its own advantages and disadvantages..."

Chihaya Tetsuya pinched his chin and muttered:

"Which one should I choose..."

“…I think the one on the right is better.”

"Emphasis on visuals and stage effects? Well, it's certainly more suitable as a performance costume, but considering Takamatsu-san's personality, she'd probably prefer the one on the left... eh?"

Having said this, Chihaya Tetsuya suddenly realized that there seemed to be an uninvited guest who suddenly joined in his monologue.

When he turned his gaze in the direction where the sound came from, he immediately showed a somewhat stunned expression.

Short silver hair, heterochromatic eyes, features more childish than a lamp, a bland expression that made it impossible to tell what she was thinking, and the guitar case in her hand—

"Are you...that stray cat from [RiNG]?"

"?"

The silver-haired girl who had come to Chihaya Tetsuya's side at some point tilted her head before uttering two words in a flat voice:

"Lena."

"…Is your name Lenai?"

Facing this girl whose temperament and way of speaking were completely different from those of an ordinary person, Chihaya Tetsu couldn't help but think in his heart:

(He's a bit of a strange kid.)

However, compared to the conclusion he had already reached last night, this child actually appeared in front of him so easily the next day and directly offered his opinions on his design...

"Do you know me?"

"Yeah, I've seen you chatting with them before."

As Lena said this, she sat down opposite Chihaya Tetsuya.

Although no actual names were mentioned, Chihaya Tetsuya could still understand that the "they" that Rakuna was referring to was Aine's band.

On the other side, under Chihaya Tetsuya's thoughtful gaze, Le Na skillfully called the waiter over and ordered a cup of matcha parfait.

After finishing the order, looking at Chihaya Tetsuya's eyes that had been staring at her closely since the beginning, Lena tilted her head slightly.

"Well...are you not going to continue painting?"

"I have to go to work later, so I don't have much time to elaborate further... But you, aren't you going to rehearse with them?"

Chihaya Tetsuya put down his pencil and asked:

"You said you wanted to play in a band with them, didn't you?"

"Yes, I did."

Lenai nodded slightly.

"But before that, I want to eat my parfait."

"…………"

Follow your heart and be true to yourself.

In other words, this kid really has no team coordination skills at all.

Chihaya Tetsuya looked at the girl in front of him who took his two drafts without his permission, and couldn't help but support his chin with his hands.

This feeling of powerlessness, as if communicating with aliens, reminded him of the feeling when he was dealing with five or six-year-old children in an orphanage.

Although the reasons and actual situations are different, in general, if you want to communicate with such a child who lacks coordination and social skills, the first thing you need to do is to try to understand the other person's ideas, and then use this as a basis to convey effective information as much as possible in a way that the other person can accept.

So, for this "stray cat" who is free and loyal to her desires, if you want her to listen to you, the best way should be to satisfy some of her desires...

"What's the reason why Lenai wants to join their band?"

"Because it's fun."

Lenai said without raising his head:

"Especially the one called Deng...she's an interesting woman."

"Where did you learn these lines from?"

Chihaya Tetsu couldn't help but laugh at her lines that were neither suitable for her age nor her status.

"I don't intend to judge your behavior or way of thinking, but they seem to have decided to let you play lead guitar. If you continue to be so unpredictable, it may cause the band to be unable to rehearse and carry out activities normally."

"……Then what?"

"Then they'll get mad at you and won't let you play with them anymore."

Chihaya Tetsuya adopted a very simple and straightforward statement.

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

"..."

After hearing this, Lenai's eyes moved slightly, and then she shook her head gently.

"That wouldn't be fun."

"Right? So after you finish your parfait, don't forget to exchange contact information with them... I guess it'll be hard for you to be on time, but at least don't be absent without contact."

After saying that, Chihaya Tetsuya glanced at the time and then stood up.

"As a commemoration of our first meeting, I'll pay for the parfait. Well then, see you next time."

"Well?"

Lenai raised his head from the blueprint:

"...You don't want these two paintings anymore?"

"No need for that. Those are just two drafts to determine the general style. I'll draw the more detailed design when I get back."

Chihaya Tetsuya said:

"If you like it, I'll give it to you. However, it will take some time before I can give you your own design. Until then, please cooperate with their band activities."

"I see."

Lena nodded, and then the waiter brought her matcha parfait.

The moment she saw the matcha parfait, her eyes immediately shifted from the two drafts to the dessert in front of her.

Seeing her expression that was like a wild cat seeing food, Chihaya Tetsuya first shook his head in amusement, then went to the counter and paid for the matcha parfait that Lenna had ordered as he had just said.

"Hmm... delicious."

Lenai first picked up a plastic spoon and scooped a large spoonful of ice cream into her mouth. Then, while holding the spoon in her mouth, she looked at Chihaya Tetsuya's back as he paid the bill and muttered in a vague voice:

"…Interesting man."

No matter how unruly a wild animal is, there is always a way to tame it.

It seems that there may be one more reason for this stray cat to be obedient.

Chapter 19: Negotiators must always be prepared for both scenarios

"Chihaya-nii...I'd like to take a day off this Saturday."

Chihaya Tetsuya had just arrived at the studio when Toyokawa Shoko said straight to the point:

"Mu and I are planning to go see Nagasaki Suyo this weekend."

"Eh... so sudden?"

Chihaya Tetsuya raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"I thought it would take you a while to be mentally prepared."

"Before this, I really hadn't thought about meeting her so soon, but this time... the problem isn't on my side."

Shoko Toyokawa shook her head, looking a little conflicted.

"Before this, it was always Mu who helped me put off Nagasaki Suyo... But for some reason, recently Nagasaki Suyo has suddenly become anxious. Not only has she started messaging Mu day and night, she's even taking advantage of our friendship... Mu, who wasn't good at lying to begin with, can't hold back any longer."

"…………"

Chihaya Tetsuya fell silent after hearing this.

In fact, when he went to the recording studio today, he specifically observed Nagasaki Suyo's expression.

Although it was only for a moment, he did catch a glimpse of displeasure on Nagasaki Suyo's face.

However, considering the reason why she formed this band, her displeasure is not difficult to understand.

"I think it's because of me?"

In the face of Toyokawa Shoko's puzzled expression, Chihaya Tetsuya said:

"Ever since Takamatsu-san came to my house last weekend, she and my sister have become even more determined to form a new band. As for Shiina-san, although I haven't had the chance to directly ask her opinion, she seems determined to unconditionally support all of Takamatsu-san's decisions. Plus, they've recently met a very skilled wandering guitarist... So, this band, which was once just a mess, is finally starting to get on track."

"Once this band is officially formed, her plan to reunite with CRYCHIC will be scrapped..."

After hearing this, Shoko Toyokawa finally understood everything.

"This guy... doesn't he care about the current members of this band at all?"

"...As I said before, the world of children is too narrow, and that memory is too dazzling for you."

Chihaya Tetsuya shook his head.

"Although I don't know what Nagasaki-san's past is, judging by her current behavior, CRYCHIC may be more important to her than you imagine... And don't forget, regardless of whether her current obsession is correct, it doesn't change the recklessness and hasty nature of your decision back then... You were equally at fault."

"Of course I know about that kind of thing...so my original intention was to end it all on my own."

Toyokawa Shoko's expression immediately dimmed.

"But no matter what, she shouldn't have used Mu like that... Mu is the one who cares about her the most in [CRYCHIC]."