A guide to survival in a heavy girl's world

"Once a person develops an obsession, it's easy to become blind. You and I both understand this feeling very well."

Chihaya Tetsuya said as he picked up the calendar on the table.

"Since we're about to meet, why not make everything clear... I'll accompany you and Ruoye to meet her on Saturday."

"Eh?"

After hearing this, Toyokawa Shoko was already stunned. Then she quickly said:

"This is just our own private matter, there's no need to trouble you, Chihaya-nii—"

"You are my apprentice, and my sister and she are in the same band. The outcome of your conversation that day may affect not only your future work status, but also the future of my sister's band."

Chihaya Tetsuya said as he circled a number on the calendar with a pen.

"I don't feel like an outsider in this situation."

"Well……"

It is really hard to refute Toyokawa Shoko.

Although it is a little unbelievable, due to a series of coincidences and fate, Chihaya Tetsuya, who should have had nothing to do with that past, has now become a person closely connected with both sides.

"Ah, I clearly didn't mean to cause trouble for Chihaya-nii..."

Toyokawa Shoko sighed with annoyance.

"I'm sorry, Chihaya-nii, I got you involved in all this because of me."

"I don't think it's any trouble."

Chihaya Tetsuya shook his head indifferently.

"On the contrary, if it weren't for Toyokawa, I definitely wouldn't have known that the band my sister joined had such a history. If she were to be hurt by Nagasaki and the others, I, knowing nothing about it, would have been left to watch and do nothing for her. You see, thinking about it this way, I should actually thank you."

“…That’s not how it’s calculated, is it?”

This has happened more than once.

Whenever she wanted to express her apology or gratitude to Chihaya Tetsuya, he would find a cunning excuse that she could not refute at all to shut her up, and she would inexplicably be the one being thanked.

Should we say it’s the adults’ margin of freedom, or is it simply a difference in eloquence?

Toyokawa Shoko herself couldn't understand it.

But no matter what, since she had Chihaya Tetsuya's company and support that day, even if she was not mentally prepared, she would definitely have the courage and determination to face the past.

However, while feeling the encouragement and warmth from Chihaya Tetsuya, she did not forget another thing -

"Chihaya-nii."

"kindness?"

"What would you do if she refuses to give up on reorganizing CRYCHIC until the very end?"

"…………"

Chihaya Tetsuya was silent for a moment after hearing this, and then said:

"I'll probably try to warn her before she takes any further action."

When saying this, although Chihaya Tetsuya's tone was still as calm as usual, Toyokawa Shoko felt an inexplicable chill from it.

"I do sympathize with her situation and understand why she cherishes that past. But this doesn't give her the right to hurt my sister. If she were really that stubborn, I would definitely not consider her feelings anymore."

"..."

(That's right, Toyokawa Shoko, don't forget that a big part of the reason why Chihaya-nii was so determined to get involved in this matter was because of his sister. Also, don't forget what your goals and wishes are.)

Thinking of this, the dependence that had been growing in Shoko Toyokawa suddenly disappeared, and was replaced by her usual calm thinking.

What she wanted to be was not a beggar who accepted gifts unilaterally, but someone who could truly walk side by side with him.

So what else can she do in this weekend's negotiations besides using words to persuade Nagasaki Motoyo?

……

"Let's get to today's design class, Chihaya-nii."

Toyokawa Shoko first glanced at the calendar marked by Chihaya Tetsuya, then said:

"I'm...ready to try my hand at the design for the first time."

Chapter 20: She finally found the exit of the ring road

There are two main approaches to design. The first involves conventionally piling and assembling existing items to create everyday clothing that can be used immediately.

The other approach is to incorporate the designer's personal ideas and thoughts to create unique and unprecedented clothing in the world.

The former requires a wealth of experience and basic skills, while the latter requires... unique sensibilities and opinions so strong that they allow you to ignore conventional constraints.

[As for how to incorporate your ideas and consciousness into clothing, and whether the content of this proposition can be accepted by the other party, it depends on the designer's own presentation method and the other party's own aesthetic taste.]

(…Which design should I choose?)

It is a normal dress that follows the rules and lets the other person know that I am now on the right path.

Or... a unique piece of clothing that only I can design, one that reflects my thoughts and ideas?

Do I have feelings and thoughts that I want to express?

……

[From today on, we are a band... a community with a shared destiny of playing in a band together!]

【I will definitely write a song that matches these lyrics! 】

【I will definitely hold another concert next time! 】

Even if only a trace of echo remains, the melody will still ring out from the depths of my consciousness from time to time.

This warm and dazzling memory still remains vivid and stubborn in my heart, but I still dare not touch it again.

Because it was I who cast a dark and cold shadow under this memory as warm as spring.

【I want to quit CRYCHIC.】

[Stop saying such spoiled words! ]

[Especially Deng, you're the one who needs the most practice, right? But what have you been doing up until now?]

The damp and cold air instantly swept away the already dwindling warmth. The faint melody gradually disappeared, leaving only the noise of raindrops hitting the glass.

This is the choice I made.

I drew a line between myself and that past in an extremely brutal way, and gave the most cruel farewell to those who were once very important to me.

Once people have an obsession, it is easy for them to become blind.

Thinking about it now, wasn’t I just like that back then?

Fueled by anger at fate and family, I stubbornly believed that they would become as hard-hearted as I was when they were treated unfairly... In the end, what I left behind was not the resentment I had hoped for, but the confusion that has been deeply binding them until now.

In order to make them give up completely, I even asked Mu to say those insincere words.

From this point of view, I actually have no right to blame the current Su Shi.

Ah, really, I regret it so much.

If I had thought of this in advance, I would have said goodbye in a different way.

Even if I still cannot tell them about my experiences and what happened to me, at least I should not cover up the facts with lies and slander.

But... people are destined not to go back to the past.

The regrets and pains of that time are destined to become an unchangeable reality, and have pushed us all the way to the moment we are in now.

So, don’t try to make up for your immaturity at that time, and don’t try to deny your mistakes.

What I want them to see is myself, having let go of the past and moving towards the future.

What I hope is that they can, like me, walk out of the ring road called [CRYCHIC] and no longer get lost in the irretrievable past and the unchangeable reality.

I am not mature, but that experience full of helplessness and hardship forced me to learn to think about problems in a more comprehensive way.

I am not gentle, but under the back of that person whom I admire so much, I understood what is right and what is responsible like a child learning to walk.

But even so, I now finally have the opinions and feelings I want to express, and the courage to look back on those memories again.

So, as proof of my growth, and also to be able to take responsibility and officially end the story that started with me, I... must design a unique piece of clothing that only I, only she who has not yet left [CRYCHIC], can understand.

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

The meeting was scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

Chihaya Tetsuya will first meet up with Wakaba Mutsu and Toyokawa Shoko, and then the three of them will go to [RiNG] together to meet Nagasaki Motoyo and explain everything.

Aine had already agreed with Takamatsu-san and Shiina-san to go shopping together in Shimokitazawa, so there was no need to worry about them interrupting the meeting.

At the same time, Chihaya Tetsuya was ready to completely turn against the stubborn Nagasaki Motoyo.

Even if doing so would cause Aine's band activities to stop again, it would at least be better than wasting time together with a superficial relationship.

So with careful consideration and determination, Chihaya Tetsu also went to the meeting place at the agreed time.

However, when he saw Toyokawa Shoko's appearance, he couldn't help but reveal an extremely surprised look——

"...Good afternoon, Chihaya-nii."

Wearing a Haneda uniform and looking a little haggard, Toyokawa Shoko greeted him with a smile.

"You look a little serious."

"…………"

Chihaya Tetsuya was silent for a while before he said:

"This uniform... is also to help her better understand your current situation."

"kindness."

Toyokawa Shoko nodded.

"It's no use relying on Mu to keep it a secret, especially since Deng and I are in the same school. No matter how hard I try to hide it, it will eventually be exposed."

"It seems that you are really prepared mentally."

"After all, this time, I finally have a more persuasive 'weapon' besides words."

Having said that, Shoko Toyokawa raised the bag in her hand.

"Thanks to Chihaya-nii's guidance, otherwise... I definitely wouldn't have been able to complete it in such a short time."

"..."

Recalling how Toyokawa Shoko had been completely devoted to her design studies these past few days, Chihaya Tetsuya asked:

"So... can it properly reflect all your thoughts and ideas?"

"I don't know either, but anyway, this is the best work I can present right now."

As Shoko Toyokawa spoke, she looked at the light green figure approaching them not far away.

"I hope it allows all of us ... to really move forward individually."

"Is it……"

After seeing Toyokawa Shoko's calm profile, Chihaya Tetsuya, who had originally planned to rely on his adult status to take all the initiative in this negotiation, changed his mind.

"Come on, Fengchuan, I will be by your side and witness it with you until the last moment."

"Yes!"

After hearing these words, Toyokawa Shoko's face finally showed the smile that Chihaya Tetsu had only seen in the video.

After a year of being lost and confused, Shoko Toyokawa finally found her own way out.

Chapter 21: Because I am an apprentice, I have to say goodbye in the same way

In order to prepare for this long-awaited meeting, Nagasaki Suyo arrived at the agreed location nearly an hour early.

However, when she saw the figure following the person she had been thinking about day and night, the expression of infinite expectation on her face instantly turned into astonishment.

"...Huh? Chihaya-san?"