A guide to survival in a heavy girl's world

Chihaya Tetsuya nodded.

"I hope she can use this album to preserve these memories that she will cherish so much."

"………………That's amazing. I've never seen Su Shi look so happy."

That sparkling smile, as if she had received the most precious treasure in the world, made her, as a mother, feel extremely comforted and happy.

"I obviously love Su Shi very much and value her very much, but I just can't think of giving her a gift like this... All I can do is spend money to buy her the most expensive and best camera after you gave her the photo album... just like the double bass I bought her after she joined the wind band club."

Having said that, she couldn't help but smile at herself.

"What a sensible child! Even I think this is superficial, but the child has never complained."

"…I have no right to judge whether it's superficial or not, but for Shigaraki-san, compared to these material things, she actually hopes that you can spend more time with her at home."

Chihaya Tetsuya said the same thing.

However, after hearing this, Nagasaki Motoyo's mother did not answer immediately. Instead, she picked up the beer in her hand and took a big gulp.

"too late."

"? What does it mean...too late?"

"When her father and I had just divorced, I devoted almost all my energy to work in order to give Su Shi a better life. The child never complained about it. Instead, she would take care of me at home when I was exhausted. And this kind of life continued for several years."

Nagasaki Suyo's mother shook her head.

"If my initial busyness was my choice, now the company's size has left me with no choice. Furthermore, over the years, we've both developed a tacit understanding of how to get along. I use work as an excuse to avoid my mother's love, and she feigns strength, refusing to act coquettish. We're both worried that settling the past will create a rift between us, so we can only maintain this awkward yet tacit understanding."

"..."

After hearing this, Chihaya Tetsuya shook his head silently.

He did not intend to blame Nagasaki Suyo's mother, nor did he intend to complain on Nagasaki Suyo's behalf.

The conflict and dilemma that this mother and daughter have been unable to resolve for so many years cannot be changed by just a few words from an outsider.

But as Nagasaki Suyo's mother said, the reason why the relationship between the two has reached this point is not only her busyness, but Nagasaki Suyo's almost masochistic self-restraint is also one of the crux of the matter.

and so……

"Shigasaki-san doesn't dare ask too much from you because she's always afraid of losing. She must be terrified that if she really acts like a spoiled child or asks for more, it will make this already incomplete family even more shaky. But you should know that you wouldn't reject her. Rather, you've always been hoping that she would take that step on her own initiative."

Chihaya Tetsuya said:

"And in order for her to gain the courage to ask for something, the first thing to do is to make her realize more clearly...that she is loved by others. Just like in this live performance, after receiving the clothes designed by someone she deeply values, she became a completely different person."

Speaking of this, he couldn't help but recall what happened on the day when he first met her with Toyokawa Shoko and Wakaba Mutsu.

"I don't intend to meddle in your affairs with Nagasaki-san, nor do I intend to be a carrier pigeon for your 'drunk gaffe' afterwards. I just want to offer a little advice... Instead of giving her an expensive camera, why not keep a few more photos of us together in that album?"

"Perhaps you have missed many opportunities to express your love to her before this, but please believe me, it is never too late for the loved ones who have been together for a lifetime."

In the other party's silence, Chihaya Tetsu also scratched his head:

"After all, even an orphan like me who only had a family when I was twelve years old can learn what family love is, let alone you two, a real mother and daughter."

"..."

After hearing what Chihaya Tetsuya said, Nagasaki Motoyo's mother was silent for a long time, and then drank the beer in her hand.

"...You are such an incredible child. Now I finally understand why Su Shi values ​​you so much."

"Eh?"

Chihaya Tetsuya was stunned when he heard this.

"As for Nagasaki-san... well, I can sense that we have a pretty good relationship, but what she values ​​is not me, but my apprentice, Toyokawa."

"...After all, that child isn't very good at acting spoiled, so it's understandable that you can't sense it. But if things continue like this, you'll definitely understand sooner or later."

After saying this, Nagasaki Suyo's mother thought for a moment, then muttered:

"Well, even though I'm a useless person who's not good at anything except work, I can still do something like this for my daughter..."

"?"

"Xiao Zheye, are you planning to start your own clothing brand next?"

"Ah, yes."

Chihaya Tetsuya nodded.

And then, a rather mysterious smile appeared on the face of Nagasaki Motoyo's mother.

"If that's the case, would you consider hiring a 'consultant' from my company who could help you out? For example...what do you think of my Su Shi?"

“………………Huh?”

Chapter 19: Bundling Marketing Never Goes Out of Style

"Wait a minute, Ms. Nagasaki! Nagasaki—"

Halfway through the conversation, Chihaya Tetsuya suddenly realized that they had the same last name and paused for a moment before speaking in the other's smiling eyes:

"Ms. Sushi is only a high school student. There's no way she can do the work of a consultant!"

"That's right, but what a coincidence! Our company is currently having a bundled sales promotion!"

In response to Chihaya Tetsuya's question, Nagasaki Motoyo's mother replied seriously:

"Xiao Zhe has only solved the sponsorship issue so far, but the issues of sales channels, factories, and store locations have not yet been resolved, right?"

"That's right..."

Chihaya Tetsuya nodded, but his expression was still very confused.

"But what does this have to do with Su Shi-san?"

"As long as you hire my Su Shi, you will enjoy direct connection service with our company's president! In layman's terms, it's an exclusive VIP channel!"

Nagasaki Suyo's mother gave a thumbs up:

"In addition to the above, we can also provide corresponding guidance on future operations, marketing, and a series of future business activities! Action is worse than hesitation. Sign with our Sushi now and start a new journey for your personal brand!"

“………………So that’s what you mean.”

At this moment, Chihaya Tetsuya finally understood what Nagasaki Motoyo's mother wanted to express.

"Rather than hiring Su Shi-san, it would be more accurate to say that you want me to cooperate with your company...isn't that right?"

"Hey, don't talk so boringly."

Nagasaki Suyo's mother curled her lips:

"Although I don't intend to let Su Shi handle the business operations, formal employment is necessary. If you want to enjoy these 'benefits' of our company, then you must sign with my Su Shi."

"……what?"

Although the "services" promised by the other party were indeed what Chihaya Tetsuya needed most at the moment, facing such strange restrictions, Chihaya Tetsuya was really confused about her intentions.

"Is this really necessary?"

"Of course."

Nagasaki Suyo's mother answered without hesitation:

"I hope that child will continue to show that happy expression from now on. To do that, I must give him a little push... just like you just said!"

"I still don't understand what you mean... Also, regardless of your purpose, you should at least ask Su Shi-san's opinion on this matter, right?"

Chihaya Tetsuya said:

"Even if you're her mother, and she inexplicably pushed you into working for someone else...it's still a bit unpleasant."

"Huh? Do you really need to ask this question at this point?"

Nagasaki Suyo's mother looked at Chihaya Tetsuya speechlessly.

"But never mind, this serious personality isn't a bad thing for your future... Hey, Sushi!"

Under Chihaya Tetsuya's dull gaze, Nagasaki Suyo's mother turned around and opened the sliding door to the balcony, and shouted to Nagasaki Suyo in the living room:

"Xiaozhe and I also have something important to confirm with you, please come over here!"

"Ah, yes!"

After hearing this, Nagasaki Suyo quickly stood up and then immediately trotted to the balcony.

Then, she first glanced at Chihaya Tetsuya's face, which seemed to be hesitant to speak, and then asked her mother with a confused look on her face:

"What's the important matter?"

"Oh, it's just that Xiaozhe has encountered some troubles in setting up his own business, but as long as you help, these problems can be solved immediately."

Nagasaki Suyo's mother said in a serious tone:

"Considering that this will likely take up some of your time and energy, you can completely refuse—"

"it does not matter."

When she heard that she could help Senhaya Tetsuya, Nagasaki Suyo made her choice almost instantly.

She turned her head to look at Chihaya Tetsuya, who looked troubled, and asked seriously:

"Is there anything I can do to help? Anything I can do!"

"Uh...this..."

"Okay, that's enough!"

Before Chihaya Tetsuya could answer, Nagasaki Suyo's mother immediately put on an extremely bright smile.

"Su Shi, you can go back and continue playing with your friends. I will discuss the next details with Xiao Zhe in detail."

"Huh? Is this okay?"

"Okay, okay, don't worry, this is definitely a sure-win business."

Nagasaki Suyo's mother put her hands on her daughter's shoulders and pushed her directly back into the living room.

"You'll definitely thank me later! Well, wait for my good news!"

"Hey, wait, wait a minute, mother—"

Although Nagasaki Suyo was very concerned about the "trouble" that Chihaya Tetsuya encountered and the "deal" that her mother had just mentioned, judging from the strength her mother used to push her shoulders and the speed with which she closed the door, she did not seem to intend to let her join in the subsequent conversation.

“What on earth is going on???”

Just like that, Nagasaki Suyo returned to the living room, still confused...

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

"See, I said it, didn't I?"

Nagasaki Suyo's mother spread her hands:

"There's no need to ask about this kind of thing."

"Because you didn't explain it to Su Shi-san properly!"

Chihaya Tetsuya was a little dumbfounded by this extremely sloppy confirmation process.

"Aren't those words just now too ambiguous?"

"Hmph, maybe that means the content is indeed a bit vague..."

A smile of understanding appeared on Nagasaki Motoyo's mother's face.

"But even with such an ambiguous explanation, the child responded immediately, and even said that she'd do anything as long as she could! That's enough to show her attitude!"

Having said that, she suddenly stroked her chin.

"But as a mother, hearing my daughter so easily say such dangerous things does make me feel a little complicated..."

"It's because you didn't explain yourself clearly!"

Chihaya Tetsu couldn't help but feel a little amused.

"Okay, anyway, I already understand that you are determined to help me start my own business, but let me make it clear first, I will pay your company and classmate Su Shi the full compensation, and I don't really intend to let classmate Su Shi do a job she doesn't like-"

"What if it's a job she likes?"

Before Chihaya Tetsuya could finish her words, Nagasaki Suyo's mother asked directly:

"What if it was a job she volunteered for... or even took the initiative to do?"