"You're so slow—!"
Seeing Nagasaki Soyo arrive nearly half an hour later than promised, Chihaya Anon looked up from her phone with an expression of sheer boredom.
"I've been playing on my phone here for ages... But hey, I saw on social media that a lot of people are talking about [NozAK!]'s collapse. Did something happen over at the exhibition?"
"...Mhm, well, something a little unexpected happened, but it has nothing to do with us."
Soyo's voice sounded a little tired.
"It was mainly that there were just too many customers placing orders at [Starry Sky]. I really couldn't get away until Sakiko came to take over for me."
"Huh..."
Anon wore a look of complete surprise.
Tetsuya had been emphasizing how his exhibition concept didn't align with current fashion trends, so his own predictions for his results hadn't been overly optimistic. But now, according to Soyo, not only had her brother not fallen behind at an exhibition filled with famous fashion brands, he had actually achieved a success so brilliant that she couldn't even leave her post?
"Ah, if I'd known that, I would have let you stay a while longer to help him!"
"That won't be necessary. After the first wave of industry professionals left, it's time for the general audience."
Soyo said as she slung her bass over her shoulder.
"In other words, it's our turn now."
The time was now one in the afternoon.
The number of passersby was increasing, and naturally, more and more eyes were being drawn to the street performance stage they had set up. Looking at the suitable or unsuitable clothes people were wearing, the fashionable or clashing combinations, and the expressions of those hesitating between stopping and moving on, Soyo not only realized her way of observing people was becoming more and more like that of someone in the clothing industry, but she also felt from the bottom of her heart that Tetsuya's design philosophy absolutely had the potential to become the next trend.
Meanwhile, Anon, feeling the time was right, bent down and flipped the switch on the amplifier. After a somewhat sharp squeal of feedback, she quickly cupped her hands over the microphone.
"Whoa! Why is it so loud!"
"Didn't you guys adjust the equipment when you first got here?"
"My head was full of the new song, so I completely forgot!"
"Honestly..."
Soyo shook her head, then walked over to the amp and waved at Kaname Raana. The bored-looking Raana immediately picked up her guitar and launched into a solo, primarily to amuse herself, and secondarily to test the volume.
And of course, as the sound of the guitar blasted from the speakers, the attention of the crowd began to be drawn to them.
"It's adjusted now!"
Once the volume was right, Anon finally picked up the microphone again, speaking just as Raana finished her first phrase, "Okay, Raana! That's enough of the solo for now. It's time to start the intro we arranged!"
"K."
Raana immediately abandoned the idea of continuing her solo and turned her gaze to Shiina Taki, waiting for her drum beat. Taki, however, was still trying to get used to the feeling of sitting behind a drum kit in an outdoor setting.
"Somehow, because it's so unreliable, I'm starting to feel a little calm."
For some reason, watching this scene unfold, Takamatsu Tomori's previously nervous heart inexplicably settled down.
A late bassist, unadjusted sound equipment, a lead guitarist who couldn't stop once she started a solo, a drummer staring blankly at the wind cymbal, and herself, a keyboardist-vocalist for the first time... Even though she only had to play a few simple sound effects on the keyboard and trigger the program at specific times, Tomori was still incredibly excited.
Just as [Starry Sky] was, at that very moment, showing Tetsuya's design philosophy to the world in its own fledgling state in the nearby venue, they too were, in their own way, letting more people get to know their new band, which was still in its infancy.
Last time was their first live show, this time is their first street performance.
Next time, what kind of stage would they be standing on, and what kind of new song would they be playing?
"...Ah."
Just then, as she was looking around, her gaze met that of a person who had stopped in front of her.
When she noticed the undisguised curiosity and anticipation in their eyes, she subconsciously touched the earring on her earlobe—her source of courage—before proactively leaning into the stand microphone.
"...Hello everyone. We are the band, [MyGO!!!!!]."
...
"These are the clothes I'll be ordering. Please keep up the great work. I'm very optimistic about the future of [Starry Sky]!"
The last buyer from the group of professional judges handed the order form back to Tetsuya.
"By the way, it seems most of the clothes you've exhibited this time are for women. Will [Starry Sky] continue to focus on womenswear in the future?"
"About that..."
Tetsuya thought for a moment before replying, "Actually, there are currently two designers at [Starry Sky]. I'm in charge of the womenswear, and the menswear... I plan to leave in her hands."
As he spoke, he subconsciously glanced down at the formal suit he was wearing.
If he had designed his own outfit for today, he would have at most come up with a well-made but ordinary suit, not the sharp, form-fitting, and instantly high-class formalwear he had on now.
People are always better at pouring their hearts into the things they have long been gazing at, so—
"The next time [Starry Sky] holds an exhibition like this, the proportion of menswear will be much higher."
"I see. I'll be looking forward to your next exhibition."
With that, the buyer left the [Starry Sky] booth with a satisfied expression.
After he left, Sakiko, who had also finished with a customer, let out a sigh of relief.
"I can't believe our booth is so popular. I'm glad I got back in time..."
"I didn't expect it either..."
According to Tetsuya's original plan, while the planetarium and the "choose your own constellation" idea would certainly attract some curiosity, a philosophy that ran completely contrary to current fashion trends should never have been accepted by the majority.
And yet, the reality was that his philosophy was not only accepted by everyone, it was practically a massive hit.
"Because chasing current fashion trends is an incredibly 'uncomfortable' thing to do."
Just then, Jean's voice came from behind him.
"The 'No Gender' trend that forces one to discard their own sex and personality, the 'Idol-influenced' fashion driven by online traffic, and the 'social anxiety' of not being able to fit into this distorted environment. All these factors combined have made the pursuit of fashion more and more expensive, and less and less enjoyable. And your clothes solve these problems perfectly."
Jean said, sitting at the bar counter of the [Starry Sky] booth, looking so relaxed he could have been a member of the brand himself.
"Simple and good-looking everyday clothes allow people to mix and match freely without any psychological burden. The excellent, comfortable workmanship and the costs saved by a solid foundation in pattern-making have also greatly reduced the price people have to pay to pursue fashion..."
At this, he couldn't help but cast another look of admiration at Tetsuya.
"Well done, Mr. Chihaya. I originally thought I could achieve a complete victory through the brilliant performance of the clown, [NozAK!], but I never expected you to deliver such a perfect answer."
"To be honest... I didn't consider any of what you just said."
Faced with Jean's effusive praise, Tetsuya could only give a expression of embarrassment.
"Influencing the costs and prices of people's pursuit of fashion... that's far too arrogant a way of putting it for me. I just simply hope that everyone can wear clothes that are comfortable, warm, and can give them strength."
"And that is often how fashion trends are born, you know."
Jean said with a smile, "Although I was just criticizing the current fashion trends, in reality, when the 'No Gender' concept was first born, it was also a rather bold, retrograde attempt. Many laymen think that top designers have the ability to predict the next wave of fashion, but in reality, they probably don't care about such things at all. They are simply expressing their own design philosophies, and in doing so, they naturally attract fans... Just like when you expressed yourself, you naturally gathered many girls who acknowledge and admire you, didn't you?"
As he said this, he looked pointedly at Sakiko, who was standing beside Tetsuya.
"For example, Miss Togawa, who made this formal suit for you."
"...Eh!?"
Being suddenly called out, Sakiko instinctively straightened her back before asking in disbelief, "How did you know?"
"Because if it were Mr. Chihaya himself, he definitely couldn't have designed clothes that highlight his own personal strengths so well," Jean replied with a grin. "Say, Mr. Chihaya, when you were talking with the customers just now, you seem to have accepted business cards from several models, right?"
At this question, not only did Sakiko tense up, but Hoshino Ai, who was nearby, also immediately lifted her head and fixed her gaze on Tetsuya.
"Eh? Ah, yes."
But Tetsuya just nodded as if it were nothing.
"They said they look forward to working with me more in the future. A few even said that if I have time tonight, we could go out for dinner."
"And how did you reply?"
"Ah, I said, I look forward to your guidance in any future opportunities..."
"Oh my, this is just..."
Looking at the idol behind Tetsuya, whose expression had suddenly turned ice-cold, Jean shook his head helplessly.
"With this level of self-awareness, how can I possibly take you overseas with peace of mind?"
"Self-awareness? They probably just want to work with me, right? I don't think I need to be too wary of something like that... Overseas?"
Tetsuya belatedly repeated the completely unfamiliar word.
"Eh? W-wait a minute, Jean-san, what do you mean, take me overseas?"
"It's exactly as it sounds. You should still remember the 'condition' I mentioned before, right, Mr. Chihaya?"
"Of course I do. You said you'd tell me after I performed well at the exhibition."
"That's right. And after seeing your results with my own eyes, I think it's time to tell you what that condition is."
Amidst the stunned silence of Tetsuya and all the girls around him, Jean declared:
"After this exhibition is over, would you like to come with me to Paris, as my student, and see the most cutting-edge fashion design of our time?"
"...Eh?"
Tetsuya's voice had completely lost its usual intelligence and composure, becoming flat and slow.
"As Jean-san's... student? Go to Paris together?!"
"Ah, of course, I won't keep you for too long. After all, your brand has just started, and with the [TGC] a month away, I won't take up too much of your time. So, it should only be for about a week," Jean said. "That's my condition... oh?"
Just as he was about to say more, he suddenly noticed a new crowd of very young-looking customers pouring in through the exhibition hall entrance. From their attire and the way they were looking around, they seemed to be ordinary customers with a clear purpose and a strong sense of curiosity...
Considering the assistant who had just hurriedly left the booth, Jean guessed that this almost seamless new wave of customers was likely their handiwork.
"Since this is a very important matter, it would be too hasty to have you answer right away. Come and tell me your answer after the exhibition ends today."
Jean stood up, preparing to return to his own booth.
As he passed closer to Sakiko and Ai, he added with a mischievous glint in his eye, "By the way, besides clothing design, you might also meet many top models preparing for Paris Fashion Week. Trust me, they will surely give a warm welcome to a thoughtful and gentle young gentleman like you."
With that, he let out a hearty laugh and left the [Starry Sky] booth, leaving Tetsuya standing frozen in place...
Although this joint exhibition had not yet ended, the true winner, it seemed, had already been born at this very moment.