With everyone's combined efforts, [Starry Sky]'s journey at the joint exhibition was about to come to a successful conclusion.
With one hour left to go, Chihaya Tetsuya, who had been explaining and receiving guests for the entire day, felt a bit thirsty and finally approached the counter, just as Togawa Sakiko had anticipated.
"Hm? Are you here for a drink too, big brother? Then here you go!"
Chihaya Anon, who had been waiting for this moment, very naturally handed him the drink bottle with its label torn off beforehand.
"If you can, you should try to drink it all in one go. The exhibition is about to end, after all."
"Got it."
To Tetsuya, this was nothing more than a perfectly normal sharing of a drink between siblings.
However, as he twisted open the cap and began to chug it down, a guilty, conspiratorial expression appeared on Anon's face.
"Mmm... is this juice?"
After downing the entire bottle, Tetsuya tilted his head.
"For some reason, it feels a little bitter... Is it just my imagination?"
"It's normal for freshly squeezed juice to be bitter," Anon said, feigning composure as she took the empty bottle from his hand and quickly tossed it into the trash.
Meanwhile, the other three girls, having seen him drink the juice laced with the sleeping aid just as planned, exchanged knowing nods. Sakiko, the mastermind of the plan, even discreetly pumped her fist.
Now, all we have to do is wait for time to pass, for the drug to take effect, and then find a chance to trick him into going to the hotel we booked in advance, and then—
"Good afternoon, Tetsuya-kun."
Just as Sakiko was fantasizing about the coming developments, a very familiar voice sounded from the front of the booth.
When she looked over at the visitor, her expression immediately turned to one of surprise.
"Chief, Head Maid Yamabuki, and Manager-san! You're here too!"
"Well, we did say we would come," Chief Hasegawa said as she walked over to the planetarium, which had already become a hot topic online. "So, this is the display strategy you came up with after listening to my advice?"
"Yes. With a hemispherical exhibition device like this, we avoid the problem of not being able to display the patterns, which you were concerned about before," Tetsuya walked over and explained. "And this free-form combination style has, to a large extent, made up for the shortcoming of me having fewer garments on display."
It was just as he said. Although [Starry Sky] offered nearly a hundred different combinations, the total number of actual garments he had on display was far lower than other brands.
"But it is precisely because the quantity was controlled that you could devote more time to sampling and cutting," Head Maid Yamabuki said with a look of admiration after a brief survey of the exhibits. "This practical and clever approach is the key to your success, Chihaya-san... However, if you're going to hold exhibitions in the future, having less than thirty pieces is still a bit too few... Miss Togawa?"
"Yes!"
"I look forward to seeing you produce more excellent designs for the next exhibition."
As she said this, Yamabuki Yachiyo deliberately glanced again at the formal suit Tetsuya was wearing.
"Though, a themed formal suit like this... I suppose it can only ever belong to Chihaya-san alone..."
"Mmph..."
Seeing that Yamabuki Yachiyo, just like Chief Hasegawa, had seen through her design concept at a single glance, Sakiko's face couldn't help but turn several shades of red.
Next time I design something, I really should try to avoid clothing meant for such specific occasions...
"Chihaya-san."
Just as the fashion industry professionals were exchanging their thoughts, the manager, who had been quietly inspecting the mannequins and clothes, suddenly spoke up.
"Does [Starry Sky] have any plans to release a children's clothing line?"
"...Eh?"
Hearing this question, Tetsuya was taken aback for a moment before shaking his head.
"Children's wear... I don't have any plans for that at the moment."
"I see."
Although her tone was as calm as usual, a flash of disappointment was clear on the manager's face. Seeing this, an idea suddenly occurred to Tetsuya.
"Eh, could it be... you need some yourself?"
"Not for me... but for others in my family," the manager said, being slightly evasive. "But if I had to say, a day will certainly come when I need them for myself."
"If that's the case, then I can custom-make them for you anytime," Tetsuya offered. "As a thank you for all the care you've shown us, it's just a few pieces of children's clothing. I can prepare them for you whenever you'd like."
"Is that so? Then I'll be in your care."
Outside of work, Manager Higuchi rarely asked others for favors. The fact that she would specifically make such a personal request of him was a testament to how highly she regarded his skills.
She deeply hoped that her own children, in the future, could also wear the most comfortable and most suitable clothes, just like her idols.
"Back to business. After this exhibition, we should start preparing for the [TGC] in earnest. Ai and Uika will definitely need to focus on their catwalk practice, so if you need a model this month, we can only offer Mana to help out."
"That's no problem at all. Miss Mana's appearance and temperament are a perfect fit for my brand! In fact, I was hoping to discuss with you whether it would be possible to sign Mana to my brand as well..."
"Mmm, so you want to sign another exclusive model? If that's the case..."
Tetsuya then began to discuss the contract for the new model with the manager, and Hasegawa Kokoro and Yamabuki Yachiyo also joined the conversation, which expanded to cover everything from models to clothing.
Since the joint exhibition was nearing its end, the number of spectators and customers had begun to decrease, giving them more time and space to chat.
However, as time went on, even after the exhibition had officially ended and other brands had begun to pack up their booths, these adults, caught up in their conversation, showed no intention of stopping.
"Yawn..."
In the middle of the conversation, Tetsuya suddenly let out a big yawn.
"Is it because I've been so tired lately... I suddenly feel a little sleepy..."
"That's normal. You must have accumulated a lot of fatigue during the exhibition," Hasegawa Kokoro and Yamabuki Yachiyo, who had similar experiences, said in understanding. "You should give yourself a good few days off after this is over."
"That's the plan. Yawn..."
He yawned again mid-sentence. At the same time, his once-bright eyes began to look increasingly drowsy...
"Hm...?"
Because they had been talking the whole time, the manager had a clear view of the speed and extent of the change in Tetsuya's condition.
It wasn't unusual for someone to feel sleepy when they were exhausted, but the problem was that his state was deteriorating far too quickly. In less than half an hour, his expression had gone from alert to struggling to stay awake, and it was still getting worse.
"Huh... that's strange... why am I so sleepy..."
It wasn't just yawns; he felt his eyelids growing heavier and heavier.
"No, there's still a little time left before the exhibition closes... I have to hold on."
"..."
Even his voice was becoming slow and slurred.
The manager, taking in this series of changes, immediately cast her gaze towards Hoshino Ai and the others in the distance.
When she saw that they were also watching Tetsuya, and that they all turned their heads away the moment they noticed her gaze, a rough idea formed in her mind.
"Chihaya-san, if you're really too tired, would you like to leave the booth to us for now?" the manager proposed.
If it were just the girls Tetsuya had brought along, it would be impossible for them, with no experience in post-exhibition cleanup, to handle the work. But with a design studio chief like Hasegawa Kokoro, a former industry professional like Yachiyo, and a professional manager like herself, the cleanup was a trivial matter.
"After the exhibition closes, we'll help send the equipment and clothes to your studio. You should go home and rest first."
"How could I impose..."
Tetsuya shook his head, not because he didn't trust the adults, but simply because he didn't want to trouble them over such a small thing. But his condition was indeed quite bad; he had a feeling that if he relaxed his mind even for a moment, he would immediately lose consciousness and fall asleep.
"Don't worry about it. It's a simple task for us," Chief Hasegawa readily agreed, seeing his hesitation. "Yamabuki-san, you're probably not in a hurry to get back, are you?"
"That's right. My young lady happens to be resting today as well, so I have plenty of time," Yamabuki Yachiyo said. "For the sake of your own health, Chihaya-san, it would be best not to push yourself."
"...Mmm."
With the three of them persuading him, Tetsuya finally stopped insisting.
"In that case... I'll be in your care."
"That's the spirit... Ai, come here a moment."
The manager beckoned to Hoshino Ai. Ai, who had been watching the situation closely, immediately came over.
"What is it, Higuchi-san? Is there something—"
"When you take him back, remember to position him comfortably, otherwise his body will be very sore," the manager instructed succinctly. "Also, you can't do that kind of thing when he's in his deepest sleep. It's better to make your move when he's about to wake up. That way, he won't be able to resist, but he'll be able to respond to you properly... or rather, to all of you."
"Eh..."
Ai stared at her manager in disbelief before asking in a low voice, "Higuchi-san... you know what we did?"
"Mhm. There was a time when the Pres—... I mean, when my husband was so absorbed in his work that he wouldn't come home. I used this method to forcibly bring him back," the manager said calmly. "Now, hurry up and take him away. You gave him the drug too early. He's going to pass out any minute now."
"Yes, I understand!"
While marveling at how eventful her manager's life had been, Ai quickly called over Sakiko and the others. The four girls then surrounded the barely-conscious Tetsuya from all four sides and led him away in a highly suspicious manner through the staff-only back exit.
"Heh... what a bold bunch of rascals."
After the five of them had completely disappeared from sight, the manager let out a soft chuckle and shook her head.
"I hope Chihaya-san won't blame me for meddling later..."
"Did something happen, Higuchi-san?"
Sumita Mana, who had been displaying clothes at the front of the booth, suddenly came up to her.
"I just saw senpai and Chihaya-san suddenly leave together."
"...It's nothing."
The manager reached out and gently patted Mana's head.
"Chihaya-san was just too tired, so he left the booth to us and went home early to rest."
"With Ai-senpai?!"
"Yes. Is there a problem?"
"N-no... nothing."
Mana shook her head hesitantly.
"I was just a little worried about Chihaya-san. From what I've observed, Ai-senpai is usually quite friendly to everyone else, but she seems to particularly enjoy teasing Chihaya-san..."
"Teasing... huh..."
Although she didn't know what Mana had seen before, the word wasn't exactly wrong.
"He will indeed be teased, that's for sure. And tonight will probably be the most intense teasing session of all."
"Eh?! How could you say that!"
Mana was aghast.
"Is that really okay, Higuchi-san? Isn't there anything we can do to help him?"
"Well, it's a bit pitiful, but this is a responsibility Chihaya Tetsuya must bear," the manager said. "After all, happiness comes at a price."
"Happiness? How can being teased be called happiness?"
Mana, completely out of the loop, was quite confused.
The manager just gave a mysterious smile.
"...It's nothing. You'll understand what I mean one day."
She then lifted her head and looked towards the distance, at Miyata Uika, who was silently watching the direction the others had gone.
It seems Chihaya Tetsuya's "ordeal" is far from limited to what she'd seen today...
"Good luck, Chihaya-san."
The manager sincerely sent this blessing to Tetsuya, who was about to face his trial.