"So, all you need is for us to wear the clothes you made on the day of the show and just act like our usual selves, Tetsuya?"
"Yes! For my first exhibition, I want to show all the guests my brand philosophy as much as possible. And this is the best method I could think of."
Tetsuya looked at the girls before him.
"Since my clothing inspiration comes from my thoughts and feelings for all of you, then you are naturally the ones who can bring out the charm of my designs to their fullest."
"Hmm, how should I put it... the connection between clothes and emotions is still a bit too abstract for a layperson like me."
Nagasaki Soyo shrugged helplessly.
"But since it's a request from you, Tetsuya, I will of course support you unconditionally."
"I'm totally fine with it too!"
Chihaya Anon raised her hand high, her tone and expression filled with excitement and anticipation.
"In fact, being a model has always been one of my dreams! Ahh~ I kind of figured this day might come when you became a designer, big brother, but I didn't expect it to be so soon~"
For this show-off, being a model was an incredibly effective and ideal profession to satisfy her vanity!
"..."
Meanwhile, Togawa Sakiko didn't rush to answer. The reason wasn't hard to guess—
"If people from the Togawa family find out I'm modeling for Tetsuya-kun, it could be a lot of trouble..."
Just like at the party, she couldn't help but worry that she would drag him down.
"Besides... there are already other people modeling for you, Tetsuya-kun. It probably doesn't matter if I'm not there..."
"...I'll do it."
Wakaba Mutsumi's sudden declaration interrupted Sakiko.
"It doesn't matter if someone recognizes my real identity."
"Mutsumi?!"
Sakiko was taken aback.
"Are you sure? Tetsuya-kun invited a lot of celebrities from the entertainment industry to this exhibition. There must be people among them who know Ms. Minami! If they find out—"
"That doesn't matter either."
Mutsumi said with a calm expression.
"Because it's just wearing clothes designed by Chihaya-san. It's not something to be ashamed of."
"Even if you say that..."
Hearing Mutsumi's stance, Sakiko was thrown into a state of conflict.
"Mutsumi left the Wakaba family with Ms. Minami's consent, but I'm not so lucky. If someone from the Togawa family really shows up and they find out about my relationship with Tetsuya-kun ahead of time..."
"..."
Hearing Sakiko's concerns, Tetsuya thought for a moment before speaking.
"I think, since you've already decided to fight them to the end, Sakiko, then it shouldn't matter if you appear before them openly."
"But, my band isn't fully formed yet, and I haven't achieved anything on my own. Confronting them under these circumstances... will only make them continue to look down on my decisions and affect you as well, Tetsuya-kun."
Sakiko shook her head.
"And Uika and Hoshino Ai are supporting you at this exhibition, right? If that's the case, then it should be fine even if I'm not there... Mhm, I've decided. I'll sit this one out."
"Sakiko..."
"It's alright, Tetsuya-kun. This is only a temporary forbearance. Once my band is formed and we've achieved something, I'll come and promote you on my own, even if you don't ask."
Her mind made up, Sakiko showed a faint smile.
"For our future, please understand my caution."
"...Mhm, I understand."
Since this was just a spur-of-the-moment idea of his, and Sakiko's situation was indeed a bit special, Tetsuya chose to respect her decision.
"It's a little unfortunate, but it can't be helped... I'll wait for the day you're ready, Sakiko."
"Thank you for understanding, Tetsuya-kun."
Sakiko had worried that her refusal might sadden him. When she saw the trust and encouragement in his eyes, she couldn't help but feel a sense of relief.
"I won't keep you waiting for long."
"Mhm, I believe in you."
"..."
Because of Sakiko's refusal, the atmosphere at the dinner table fell into a brief silence.
Just as Anon was about to act as the mood-maker like usual, a ringing phone took over the job for her—
"...Hm?"
Tetsuya glanced at the caller ID before answering with a surprised look.
"Good evening... Yamabuki-san."
["Good evening, Chihaya-san."]
Yamabuki Yachiyo's voice came through the receiver.
["This is a bit sudden, but there's something I'd like to confirm with you... Did you by any chance attend the party hosted by Watanabe Productions in Ginza yesterday?"]
"Ah... yes."
Tetsuya nodded and glanced at Sakiko, who had a slightly awkward expression.
"Although something came up and I had to leave early, I did attend that party."
["...Hm?]
However, upon hearing his answer, Yachiyo let out a sound of surprise.
["You left early...? In that case, before you left, did you happen to greet a foreign designer with the initials 'JP'?"]
"'JP'..."
Tetsuya's mind immediately recalled the only foreign name on the guest list.
"It's a bit of a shame, but I didn't see this Mr. JP."
Tetsuya answered truthfully.
"At least, before I left, I don't believe he had arrived at the party."
["Eh? You didn't see him?!"]
The confusion in Yachiyo's voice deepened.
["If that's the case, then why would he know your name and your brand, and be planning to hold a joint exhibition with you...?"]
"...What?!"
This time, it was Tetsuya's turn to let out a cry of disbelief.
"Y-you're saying... this Mr. JP wants to hold an exhibition on the same day as me?!"
["Yes. And not just him. It seems he's also planning to invite all the brands participating in the [TGC] to be judged."]
["By the way, this 'Mr. JP's' full name is Jean-Pierre Stanley. I believe I've mentioned him to you before. He is the principal of Filia Girls' Academy's Japan branch, and also our boss starting next year."]
["For some reason, he seems to be very interested in you. He even contacted me specifically today to ask for information about you. I thought he had met you at the party yesterday, but it seems the situation is completely different from what I imagined..."]
As Tetsuya's expression grew more and more stunned, Yachiyo asked in a bewildered tone.
["Please tell me. What on earth happened at the party yesterday?"]