["So, you two didn't just not greet each other, you never even had the chance to meet. But even so, he has his sights on you..."]
Yamabuki Yachiyo spoke in an uncertain tone.
["Jean is normally only interested in 'interesting people or clothes'. Since you weren't present at the time, he must have seen the clothes... Ah, could it be that the two idols were wearing the exclusive concert outfits you designed for them that day?"]
"Yes."
Tetsuya gave a firm reply.
"According to them, it was to promote me more directly."
["Then there's no mistake. He must have noticed those two outfits and specifically asked about you."]
Yachiyo was certain of it.
["I originally thought it would take your results at the TGC to get him to notice you. I never expected the timing to be moved up for such a coincidental reason... Although he says it's a selection, no matter how you look at it, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Chihaya-san!"]
"It is?"
["For this joint exhibition, you absolutely must give it your all!"]
Yachiyo's tone was incredibly serious.
["If your brand can win against Jean... or even just gain his approval, then the entire fashion industry will recognize your skill."]
"Eh...?"
Tetsuya was quite surprised by her statement.
Although Yachiyo always referred to herself as a maid of the Sakurakouji family, Tetsuya was well aware that this hidden master of fashion design was in no way inferior to Chief Hasegawa... that is to say, she was skilled enough to be on the Tokyo Fashion Week stage. And for this Jean-Pierre Stanley to receive such a high evaluation from a designer of her caliber...
"Forgive my impertinence, but could you tell me a little about this Mr. Jean?"
Tetsuya asked nervously.
"I want to know what kind of opponent I'm about to face..."
["Hmm... let me see, how should I describe him to you..."]
Yachiyo pondered for a moment before speaking.
["Do you know that the French government awards medals to outstanding artists?"]
"Mhm, I've heard of it."
Tetsuya nodded.
"Many of the top designers from Paris Fashion Week have been decorated by France..."
["And among them, the 'Légion d'honneur' is the highest honor awarded to an artist. And Jean... is the strongest candidate for the next one."]
Yachiyo stated.
["In other words, you are about to go head-to-head with a world-class designer."]
"...Eh?"
...
"What is this? These are Japan's summer fashion trends for this year?"
After a cursory flip through the magazine his Japanese assistant handed him, Jean casually tossed it aside.
"Excessive layering, cold patchwork, and even completely contradictory design concepts on a single piece of clothing. Has the Japanese fashion scene always been this bad? Let me see which trash brands designed these..."
"They are basically all from [NozAK!] and its subsidiary companies."
The assistant replied while looking through the documents in his hand.
"Due to their frantic expansion and excessive promotion, the entire low-to-mid-end market in Japan is currently occupied by their various sub-brands."
"How disappointing... It's all because of these scoundrels that the young people of Japan can only spend their summer in these boring clothes."
Jean made no effort to hide the disgust in his voice.
"I don't want to see this brand's clothes anymore. I want to see that [Starry Sky]!"
"[Starry Sky] has only just registered its trademark and has not yet officially begun operations. However... I have gathered some information on its founder, 'Chihaya Tetsuya', through Ms. Yamabuki and his university, Geika."
"Oh? Let me see!"
Jean impatiently held out his hand to his assistant and took the file containing information on Tetsuya's background—
"...Hm? This design?"
When he saw the casual wear that had once been sold by the Mitsumine Trading Company under the [KaZoKu] studio name, Jean quickly picked up the magazine he had just thrown aside and compared them—
"Oh? Could it be?"
A playful smile appeared on Jean's face. He then beckoned to his assistant.
"Hey, you, come and look at these two photos."
"?"
The confused assistant looked back and forth between the two photos before asking.
"Excuse me, is there a problem with these two outfits?"
"If you had to pick one of these two outfits, which would you choose?"
"..."
The assistant thought for a moment before replying.
"Personally, I prefer the one without the logo, but if I were actually going to buy one to wear, I would probably choose the [NozAK!] one."
"Why?"
Jean raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"You should understand, right? The style without the logo and jogger cuffs is how this casual wear is supposed to look. The modifications made by [NozAK!] not only destroyed its original concept of 'inclusivity', but they even restricted its target audience."
"But... everyone I know knows this brand. Wearing it makes it easier to gain acceptance from others."
The Japanese assistant said.
"This is the situation in the Japanese fashion industry. For the average person, this is often their priority."
"That's why this year's fashion hits in Japan are so terrible. Everyone's vision and perception have been limited by these unscrupulous merchants..."
Jean picked up the file on Tetsuya again and studied it for a moment.
"But to put it another way, as long as more people get to see this Mr. Tetsuya's clothes, his brand should be able to defeat these boring outfits and become a hit in the Japanese fashion world, right?"
"There shouldn't be a problem."
The assistant replied.
"And this Mr. Chihaya has just announced a collaboration with a popular idol group. His brand is sure to be seen by more people now."
"No, no, no, just making his brand popular isn't enough. These scumbags who likely ripped off the designs must also pay the price for ruining the fashion world."
Jean stroked his chin in thought for a moment, then suddenly snapped his fingers.
"I've got it! Get in touch with Teruzane for me. I have a new idea for the [TGC] clothing review!"
"I'm going to invite [NozAK!] to join the selection with Mr. Tetsuya and me, in front of all the media and guests... What do you think of my idea?"